as are bâ—t snares of the diuell harken vnto the truth that may bring theÌ„ to Christ and rather bee delighted to talke with the Ministers of Gods holye worde of the passion of Christ to seeke him in his worde than to runne with wicked people to see a foole in a play but learne of Marie what to say whither to goe what to doe Seeke Christ bee instructed by his Disciples and goe with them to his Sepulcher First learne to be mortified or els neuer looke to be glorified Nowe it is said that the other Disciple whom Iesus loued out ran the other so that the verie loue in the spirite that he had vnto the Lord was it that carried him to the Sepulcher to see what he had hard or might become of his Master and surelie the greater measure of loue that God infuseth into the soule of man by the inspiration of his holy spirit the greater shall bee his or her desire and the swifter to come to him his Sepulcher or his holie word the true testimonie of his eternall mercie First it is said they went forth now they ranne so we see hereby that once entred into the way to Christ wee will euen runne to get to him at least if wee be lead by the â—ame spirit that Marie and the Disciples were otherwise if once in the way wee looke backe we shall euer be vnworthy to finde the path againe to our comfort but to the former words So they ran both but the other Disciple outranne Peter Of all contentions I finde it the best to contend for the soules comfort of al races the best running to Christ manie run after their dogges hurrting all day for a hare and perhaps go without her at night other run their horses for the â—ell and tire them or kill them ere night many run for a wager that breake their hart in the course that they are neuer able to goe againe too manie runne from their Countries that sield or neuer returne good Christians but too fewe run to the Disciples of Christ or with his Disciples to his Sepulcher but as I said before Marie did and such as Marie will shee ran to them to tell of Christ shee came with them to heare of Christ would to God we couâ—d would so run so talke as Mary did that Christ might bee the delight of our talke the end of our trauaile Alas poore wretches that we are how vile corrupt is this nature of ours that we are so blinde that we cannot or so blinded that wee will not see the way that leads vs to Christ and if God of his mercie haue opened our eyes so that wee see the way yet wee are so lazily lame as that we had rather sleepe out the day in idlenes or loose the whole yere in wantonnes or in all wicked filthy beastlines spend the whole time of our yeres rather than trauaile one mile nay step one foot or stay onâ— minute eyther to talke of Christ or come to his Disciples wee will runne to a playe where perhaps we may haue our purses pickt or to football where wee may haue our shinnes broken or to a fray where wee may haue our heads broken or a worse matter but to come to Christ our spirituall Treasure our Creator Redeemer our peace health and soules Chirurgen who will runne or is almosâ— willing to stirre a fote But here it is saide his Disciples ranne and surely who will be his Disciple must run or els it is so far a walke that they will hardly euer come to him Nowe as it is thought Peter was the elder and not so light of the body yet such was his loue that it is saide they ranne both so that old and young must run now marke further what I gather in these two running together Peter was old and faithfull the other in his loue eyther bashfull or fearefull for it is said when he came to the Sepulcher he stooped downe and sawe the linnen clothes lying but went not in See heere the excellent care of this Disciple either bashfulnes that beeing the younger he should presume to goe in before the elder or to auoide a vaine glorie of boldnesse without aduise or fearing to offend to goe in without counsaile It is said hee stooped downe saw the linnen clothes but went not in Note heere an excellent warning for yong heads that are either zealous in Religion or learned in the holy Scriptures to learne by this Disciple how to run to Christ let them take their elders with them and do nothing without them or their aduise and if they come to anye perfection yet let them giue place to their elders in anye thing that may bring them to Christ for so did the beloued of God the Disciple here spoken of Againe here we may note an excellent agreement between them though Iohn outranne Peter yet hee stayed for him at the sepulcher seemd not angry â—or saide any thing to him for his sow comming nor laught at him for his stiffe runing but that he stayed and went not in neither doe I finde that Peter was angrie with his outrunning of him nor smild at his feare as it shuld seeme of his stay that he durst not goe in till he came for being led both by the power of one spirit they gest thus farre each of others minde Loue was of most force to bring him to the Sepulcher but saith made Peter more valiant to goe in into the Sepulcher yet no doubt but they both had faith and both had loue or els Maries report had not made them run so fast thither For the commendation of the one what can bee saide more of faith then that which Christ himselfe said vnto Peter vpon his confession of him to be the sonne of the liuing God vpon that rocke he woulde build his Church and for the other what more proofe of his loue vnto any creature liuing than in the Reuelation of his Diuine will as in the holy word you may reade most sweetly expressed Learne then I saie to run with the loue of Ioh. but venter not in without the faith of Pet. Iohn perhaps might doubt manie things that the graâ—e might bee closed when hee were in for his presumption in going in without authoritie yet not being forbidden at least to his owne remembrance he might be the lesse afraide what woulde followe of his aduenture bâ—t while loue prickt him forward and feare puld him backe comes Peter to the place and goes into the Sepulcher Here is the old saying disannulled first come first serued no for here you see Peter came last but he first went in and sawe the kerchiefe and the linnen clothes lie the kerchiefe that was wrapped together by it selfe then went in the other Disciple which came first to the sepulcher and hee saw it and beleeued In these last wordes you may see the cause why he went not in not
that hee beleeued not at all but that his faith was not yet of that force that Peters was For Peter knowing the Sea woulde not swallowe him when he threwe himselfe into it to come to Christ liuing had now no fear that the earth would shut her mouth vpon him for going in where he had beene buried And therefore boldly he went in and then went in also the other Disciple who saw it and beleeued Heere will I onely trouble you with one note more touching faith you see howe loue brought Mary early in the morning while it was yet darke to the Sepulcher made her runne to the Disciples to tell what she had seene made the Disciples to runne to make tryall of the truth and last made Iohn to outrunne Peter in the race to the Sepulcher but where al this while was faith weake in Mary by reason of her sinnes weake in Iohn by reason of his youth but strong in Peter by reason of his comfort so are there no doubte nowe a daies many that are forward and zealous in Religion that yet doo lacke that strength of faith that Peter had for though a number perhaps would runne with Mary to his Sepulcher to his Disciples to talke of him yet who will venter to go into his graue or will throw himselfe into the Sea in Loue to come to him as Peter did Now it followes they saw and beleeued and why nowe more than before is it said they sawe and beleeued because as yet they knewe not the Scriptures that hee must rise againe from the dead Lo here is a good excuse for the weakenesse of their faith but what excuse can bee laide downe for vs nay what shame is it for vs that hauing the testimonye of their truth seene by them and written by them to vs and for vs that wee will not reade the holie Scriptures or reading so little beleeue them or beleeuing so little regarde them that wee maye iustlie bee saide to bee without eyther faith or loue eyther to seeke or finde Christ or almost to heare or thinke of him eyther in his woorde his Sepulcher or his mercie but God for his mercy sake turn our harts and inspire our soules with the gratious power of his glorious holy spirit that running from the sincke of sin we may come to the sepulcher of Christ and that with Maries sorrow Iohns loue Peters faith we may rise earlie in the prime of our yeares and through the darke of sinne breake out into the day light of grace that maie bring vs to the fight of our soules comfort in the resurrection of our blessed Sauiour to whome nowe sitting at the right hand of God in all absolute power wisedome peace grace and mercie truth bountie loue life and glory with our heauenly Father and his holie spirite one Almightie and euerliuing God bee ascribed and giuen all due honor praise dominion and glorie both now and for euer Amen The Text. And the Disciples went againe to their owne home but Mary stood without at the sepulcher weeping as she wept she bowed herselfe into the Sepulcher and saw two Angels sitting one at the head the other at the feete where the bodie of Iesus had laine and they said vnto her woman why weepest thou She saide vnto them they haue taken away my Lord I know not where they haue laide him when she had thus said shee turned her selfe backe and sawe Iesus standing and knew not that it was Iesus Iesus saith vnto hir woman why weepest thou whom seekest thou She supposing it had bin the gardner said vnto him If thou hast borne him hence tell me where thou hast laid him and I will take him away Iesus saith vnto her Mary she turned her selfe and saith vnto him Rabony which is to say Master DEarelie beloued in our Sauiour Christ yee haue hearde before of the Disciples comming to the Sepulcher with Mary yee haue heard of Iohns outrunning of Peter and of Peters first going in into the Sepulcher yee haue I hope noted the fruites of faith and loue in the elect children of God in briefe to seeke Christ either aliue or dead that learning to die with him wee may bee assured to liue with him Now ye see what is here said The Disciples went home againe when they had tried the truth of her report and that their eyes were witnes of more than Mary had yet in her wordes deliuerd for that she had not yet presumed either to goe in or so much as to looke in into the Sepulcher they returned home without hauing further conference with her rather willing to leaue her mourning for her loue than to fill her head full of doubts what might become of hir Lord and therefore it is said they returned to their owne home neither commending her for her truth nor giuing her thankes for her report shee had made nor aduising her to seeke further aâ—ter him nor counsayling her to staye there longer for him but beeing them selues ignoraunt where to seeke him they left her to Gods pleasure to dispose eyther of her staie there or her departure from thence by this I gather that if we shall enquire of the ministers of Gods holy worde touching anye such point as in the holie Scriptures is not laid downe wee must not take it amisse if we be left vnto the mercie of Gods holie spirit for the reuelation of his holy will rather than to â—â—ll our heades with such cogitations as neyther the scriptures doe warrant may perhappes please God nor fall out to our comfort but yet let vs with Mary go to the Disciples of Christ to enquire and learne of them what wee may for our comforte but if we can not be resolued then let vs run to Christ with incessant praier that wee may aske and receiue at the handes of his mercie that he shall in his sacred wisdome finde to bee most to his glorie and our comfort And thus much of the Disciples returning againe to their own home now it followes but Marie stood without at the sepulcher weeping as she wept she bowed her selfe into the sepulcher See here as I haue saide before three excellent notes to bee obserued in the loue of Mary to her Lord Christ Constancie Modestie and Humilâ—â—ie Constancie in that though the Disciples returned home shee stayed still Modestie in that she stood as it is saide without at the Sepulcher Humilitie that shee bowed her selfe to looke in but would not presume to goe in though the Disciples had beene there before her how little is this first part of commendation in Maries loue at these daies followed Let them to whom God hath giuen Grace to finde it in them selues in sorrowfull sighes consesse it to his mercie and with teares of true repentance amend it to his Glorie Oh Constancie the true Testimonie of the harts loue and the suerest token of the soules comforte to loue Christ is a blessed gift of the holy Ghost
Dost thou loue mee Peter Feede my flocke Dost thou loue me Peter Feede my Lambes c. Who though hee answered him to both his questions with Lorde thou knowest I loue thee yet hee treabled his question againe asking him Dost thou loue mee Peter And when hee had receiued his answere that Lorde thou knowest all thinges and thou knowest I loue thee Hee gaue him this commandement Feed my Lambs nowe if wee bee Lambes of Christes flocke where shall wee looke for the milke of his mercie but out of the booke of his most holy and sacred Scriptures who can interprete them vnto vs But his learned and holy Ministers and such as will shewe Christe their loue in instructing his flocke Such a Disciple was Peter and such a Lambe was Mary God sende vs many such Lambs as Mary to run to such Disciples as Peter to talke of nothing but Christ. Now the other was hee whom my Text sayth Iesus loued and Christ beâ—â—ng hir loue of whome shoulde sheâ— better enquire after him than oâ— his beloued See then what is the cause that first leads vs vnto Christ Loue How shall we seeke him but goe to his Ministers for our instruction who by the true administration of his holy Worde doo manifest themselues to bee the beloued of his Mercie Learne then of Mary when to seeke Christe the first day of the weeke in the beginning of our daies then thorough the darkenes of sinne to breake out into the day light of Grace then where to seeke him in his Tombe if there you finde him not runne to his Disciples to enquire for him and to which of them those that by the discharge of their dueties are most likely to be his beloued and thus if you will bee guided by the line of hir loue I doo not doubt but you shall come to hir comsort which as hirs was let ours bee in the onely sight of our most blessed Sauiour sweete Iesus Christ the light that will leade vs through the darke the life that will raise vs vp from death and the loue that will giue vs life for euer to whome in his Redeemer in his holy spirite our comforter and all in one our Lorde King and euerliuing almighty GOD bee ascribed and giuen all Honour Prayse Dominion and Glory both nowe and for euer Amen Mary Magdalens Loue. Vppon the foure fiue sixe seauen and eighth verses which are as followeth The Text. Peter therefore went foorth and the other Disciple and they came vnto the Sepulcher So they ranne both but the other Disciple did outrâ—nne Peter and came first to the Sepulcher And hee stooped downe but went not in then came Simon Peter following him and sawe the linnen cloathes lie and the kerchiefe that was vpon his head c. Then went in also the other Disciple which came first and saw and belâ—eued IN these verses I note foure chiefe pointes to be considered the cause of their going forth the cause of their running why the other Disciple outranne Peter the cause why comming first to the Sepulcher hee stooped downe but went not in Peter therefore went forth and the other Disciple and came to the Sepulcher When Mariâ— had told them what shee had seene it is not said they presently beleeued but they went forth For though shee told a truth yet they would see theÌ„ beleeue for it is said they went forth and came to the sepulcher It should seeme and very likelye that they had some remembrance of Christes wordes spoken before vnto them touching his passion resurrection the third daye and therefore conferring their memories with her wordes they were the readier to goe forth to try the truth of her report Nowe Mary being a woman and so great a sinner as she had bin it was likely she should not obtaine any great credite with the Disciples of Christe But Truth in whose mouth soeuer it be deserues well to bee entertained and nowe the Disciples not hauing any knowledge to the contrarie woulde not sticke at a little trauaile to try the truth of her speech and therefore it is said they went forth You see here she was not blamed for her reporte nor doe wee finde as yet shee was beleeued but only approued so that hereby we are to learne what to report and alwaies to tel truth and to trie out a truth ere we giue credite to a report but if the talke be of Christ and the reporte from the faithfull and that conferring it with the Scriptures we finde any likelyhood of truth wee must not regard who it be man or woman but goe with them for their comfort to the triall of their cause It should seeme now they heard it of none but of Mary for as it is saide of none but of Marie that came earlie to the Sepulcher and from thence ranne to the Disciples and told them what she had seene so it is not like that she had told anie but the Disciples for if shee had some or other would haue beene with the Disciples before her or els haue beene at the Sepulcher before shee had reâ—ained with theÌ„ â—ut the Disciples not hearing of it by any other as I said before calling to memorie some of Christes speeches deliuered vnto them before to trie out the truth they went forth and came to the Sepulcher Nowe here is neyther a beleefe nor distrust a reprehension nor commendation but a proofe and of whome a woman and in what of a truth touching the resurrection or at least as shee thought of the remoouing of Christ But of that I meane God-willing to intreate more hereafter but to my Text Peter therefore went forth and the other Disciples and came to the Sepulcher What an encounter argumeÌ„t may this be to all men women to tell truth when the Disciples of Christ vpon the report of Mary would go forth with hir not return till they cam to the sepulcher we read that Ananias his wife wer both stroken dead for denying of their and lying to the Disciples of Christ yet here we see Mary for telling of a truth accompanied with the Disciples vnto the graue of Christ learne therefore how dangerous a thing it is to lie vnto the Disciples of Christ especially in naming of Christ the God of all truth and how gratious a thing it is in man or woman to come to the Disciples with a truth or to enquire of any truth touching Christ thus much touching the cause of the Disciples goinâ— forth and comming to the Sepulcher Now is it saide here they ran both but the other Disciple out ran Peter a light beleefe will make many men and women to runne them selues out of breath to see a May game a Beare-bayting or a bauble not worth the loâ—king after but heere was no such report and therefore coulde bee no such beleefe and therefore woulde to God the idle heades of the world would turne their mindes to better matters leaue such toyes
Disciples to the Aungels from the Aungels to Christ him selfe Now it is said shee turned backe as though shee was afraid that shee had presumed too farre eyther in looking into the Sepulcher or at lest in talking to the Aungâ—ls Oh Lord how few will learne I would many woulde followe this vertue of Humilitie in Mary not to 〈◊〉 too farre nor to speake till they be â—â—â—ken to then to bee afraide to speake too much yea though it bee the best thing they can speake off I meane their true loue to Christ but to drawe towards an end marke what followes Now she comes neare her comfort shee sees her Sauiour and knowes him not for when he said vnto her VVoman why weepest thou whome seekest thou she supposing it had bin the gardner said Sir if thou hast borne him hence tell me where thou hast laid him and I will take him away Thus in one word she aunswereth to both his questions why she wept what she sought she sought her Lorde in sorrow she could not finde him Iesus said vnto hir Mary shee turned her selfe and saide vnto him Rabboni which is to say Master Now when Christ made him selfe knowen vnto her see what wordes she vseth but onely one to expresse as much as she was able to speake Master For a faithfull seruan â—hat loueth his Master if after a long miâ—â—e of him hee come to the sight of him againe can he forbeare teares of loue to shewe his dutie and say with Mary Master confesse all yee that loue your Masters for the rest God amend yee Now was there euer so good a Master as for onely louing him nay rather of his own meere loue giues vs life euerlasting forgiues vs all our offences payes vs our wages in his mercies and our debts for vs in the blood of his owne heart when by reason of sinne wee bee long absent from this so good a Master if euer his Grace bring vs againe to his mercie with the teares of sorrowe shall we not weepe to haue been so long from him and so reioyce in his sight that we shall bee able with Mary to say no more but Master which one word so spoken may make more prâ—â—â—◠〈◊〉 our â—â—ue than a longer tale of our serâ—â—â—â— for he knoweth our hearts loueâ—â—â—â—r Humility and so regardeth our loue that though wee fee him not as Marie did yet we shall enioy such part of her comfort as if we but thinke vpon his mercie wee shall say in heart Master when the friends of our ioy will not suffer vs to say any more but it is enough and so much enough as I beseech God to graunt vs all Crace so to sorrow for our sinnes and to long for his comming that seeking him as Mary did with teares wee way see him with ioy and say with Mary Master which Master Lord King and God be loued serued honoured praised and glorified of all his seruaunts here present and all his faithfull wheresoeuer Amen AT LONDON Printed by Iohn Danter and are to bee sold by VVilliam Barley at his s 〈…〉 in Gratious street n 〈◊〉 â—â—aden Hall 1595. A Solemne Passion of the Soules Loue. Printed at London by Iohn Danter and are to be sold by William Barley at his shop in Gratious street 1595. A Solemne Passion of the Soules Loue. AWake my soule out of the sleepe of sinne And shake off slouth the subiect of thy shame Search out the way how best thou mayst beginne To holy worke thine humble will to frame Then proue not weary of a little paine When fleshes griefe will breede the spirites gaine Confesse thy selfe vnworthy of the sence To learne the least of the supernall will Beseech the heauens in strength of their defence To saue and keepe thee from infernall ill Then fall to worke that all the world may see The ioyfull loue betwixt thy God and thee Tell of his goodnes how he did create thee And in his iustice how he doth correct thee And in his loue how he will neuer hate thee And that his mercie neuer will reâ—â—ect thee And how he helpt thee when the world distrest thee And with his graces how he sweetly blest thee Sâ—y I was sicke and he did send me health I was in prison and he set me free And I waâ— poore and he did send me wealth And I waâ— blind and he did makâ— me see I was perplext and â—e did heale my paine And beeing dead he gaue me life â—gaine When I was lame he did my â—iâ—mes restore When I was deafe he made me heare his voice When I was wounded he did heale my sore When I was sad he made my soule reioyce When I had finde he would not yet forsake mee When I was lost he did to mercie take me To say yet more what he hath done for me I needes must say his goodnes hath no end Who when on earth he saw no friend to me Did make me feeâ—e I had a heauenly friend A heauenly friend whose help doth faile me neuer But is my comfort and my King for euer This is my Lord my life and all my loue My liuing loue and louing life inâ—eed This is the blessing â—f my best behoue The sacred fruite whereon I sweetly feede This is the â—oy that maâ—es my hart to sing Honour and glory to my heauenly king Oh King more glorious 〈◊〉 the world can know thee From whom the day euâ—◠〈◊〉 on high doth spring Where glorious works vnto the world doth show thee Of glâ—rious loue the euer liuing King The King of life in whom the soule doth proue The highest glory of the heauenly loue By whose high hands were all things made at first By whose deepe wisedome they are gouernd still By whom alone are blessed or accurst That loue his word or disobay his will By whose sweet breath they liue that doo attend him And by whose wrath they dye that doo offend him For who can byde the furye of his yre Or halfe conceiue the comfort of his loue Who plagues his foes with an infernall fire And plants his seruants in the heauens aboue Who shakes the heauens and makes the mountains bow If he but once begin to knit the browe And where he loues what will â—e leaue to doo To make the soule acquainted â—ith his kindnes And with what ioy will hee the spirite wooe To shun the woes that grow of wordly blindnes What paine or griefe or death did he refuse To saue their liues that he did sweetly chuse Now for the greatnes of his glorious power Hee is almighty and all glory his Hee made the yeare the month day night and hower The heauens earth sea and what in them there iâ— In him alone doth all their being stand And liue or dye in his almighty hand He spake the word and by his word they were And all was good his secret wisedome did His will did worke his fauour without feare And not a thought is from his knowledge
shining If you be wise thinke where true wisedome liueth And then allow the honour to my loue If yours be kiâ—â—â—â—â—nkâ— who the comfort giueth And know the turky from the turtle doue If constant yours that truth let my loue try Who lost his life to saue his loue thereby And let me see how liueth all your loue But on desert the stay of all your sâ—â—te And in my loue a further life appâ—â—â—e Who loude indeede when he haâ— câ—â—se to hate Your fancies oft for lacke of fauour starue But my loue doth both mine and yours presarue Then truely say whom chiâ—â—e your loues doth choose To cast the counâ—â—nâ—â—ce of theyr fauours on Then who â— againe they wholly doe refuâ—e In liking thought as most to looke vpon Then doo but looke vpon my loue his choyse And whose hart most he maketh to reioyse The wealthy mighty wise and well at ease Doo fit the fansies of your Ladies best But poore and weake and simple soules best please My heauenly loue to harbour in his brest And who the world doth vtterly refuse Those doth my loue vnto his fauour chuse And see what power is in your louing natures To take or giue what ye may gayne or lose And ye shâ—ll see they are buâ— my loues creatures Whose liues are at his pleasure to disposet And while your fauours all doo fade away My sweet loues blessings neuer will decay Could ye conceiue the smallest of the sweete That doth discend from my soules dearest loue Vpon the faith that falleth at his feete That doth in prayer but his mercie proue And you will blot out euery idle line And yeeld your soules vnto this loue of mine Compare a weede vnto a holsome flower A cloudie euening to a sunnie daie A foggie miste vnto an Aprill shower Nouember blaste vnto a bloome of May And you shall easily see the difference plaine Betwixt my sunne shine and your showers of raine Compare meere follie to the finest wit The couâ—lest copper with the purest gold The healthfull bodie with an ague fit And set the youthfull age against the old The Rauens foule note to Philomelaes voice And quicklie say which is the better choice Compare foule pride to faire humilitie A kinde discretion to a dogged nature The clownish race to true gentilitie A blessed Angell to a cursed creature Fauours to frownes and smilings vnto scowleâ— And say the Phoenix makes all birds but owles Compare the earth vnto the heauen on hie The spirites treasures vnto fleshly toves The pâ—bble stone vnto the Azurde Skie The Woes of men vnto the Angels ioycâ— The lowest weaknes vnto the highest powers Then 〈◊〉 the difference twixt my loue and yours And when you see how all sweet blessings grow But from the ground of my loues liuing grace And doe againe the imperfection know Wherein you doe your fond affection place Then all your titles to this truth resigne There is no life but in this loue of mine And giue me leaue to praise my Princely loue Although my wittes are short of such a worth And let my spirite in my passions proue What his high hand in mercie will bring forth And write but truth that may be truely prooued My onely loue all onely to be loued Before all times all thoughts all things he was And â—â—er is and will be aye the â—â—me That doth iâ— wonder wonders wonder passe In truths high triumph of eternall fame Where life and loue in grace and glory crowâ—d Doo sway the Scepter of the heauens renownd Now what he was cannot be comprehended Who in himselfe dâ—th all things comprâ—hend And when that all things shall be wholly ended Himselfe his word his will shall neuer end Whose gratious life all glorious loue bâ—ginning Doth aâ—dâ— all grace and endles glory winning And oâ— his Essence this is all we finde A spirite fully incomprehensible A louing God vnto his seruants kinde And in his humane natuâ—e sensible In wisedomes wonder knowledge quintescence And in that â—sâ—â—nce highest excellence The high Creator of all creatures liuing The sweete Redeemer of his sâ—ruants lost The glorious grace all grace and glory giuing The ioy of ioyes that glads the spirit most The loue of life and liâ—e of loue indeede Gainst death and hell that stands the soule in sâ—eede His seate is heauen the earth his footstoole is His chiefest dwelling with his soules elected His ioy to loue and to be loâ—de of his His fauour life vnto his loues affected His word is truth which doth the spirit try Where fruitfull faith shall liue and neuer dye His blessing is the peace of conscience His comfort mercies contemplation His pretious gift the spirits patience His mercy vertues meditation His grâ—ce the oyle that kills the spirits euill His death the life that did subdue the diuell His garments are the sundrie sortâ—s of graces His tribute is but sinners sâ—crâ—fice His worke tâ—e planting vertues in their places His gaine the loue of humble spirites seruicâ— His musicke Psalmes that angels neuer cease To sing in glorie of the King of peace This King of peace this God of life and lâ—ue Who in him selfe doth all â—â—d onely â—old The highest blessings of the hâ—arts behoue That faithfull truth hath to the spirite tâ—ld This is the substance of my soules dâ—liâ—ht Vnworthie subiect of his worth to write Yet as his mercie will â—ou 〈◊〉 nâ—e grace With intâ—rcesâ—ion of his â—iâ—h â—ssiâ—â—ance Against the power that would my thoughts deface And proâ—â—dly make agâ—iâ—â—â— the soule reâ—iâ—â—aâ—ce I will a little giue his loue a â—uch Whose smallest praise is for my pen too â—uch What loue was that which made him like man best Of all the worke that euer he created What loue againe did in that liâ—ing rest To loue him so he neuer can be hated What loue was more to giue the man a wife What loue was most to die to giue him life The earth within with siluer gems and gold Without with trees and herbs and fruits and flowers The waters deepe where fishes keeps their â—old The â—lements with al their inward powerâ— These hath my loue all made for man to chuse And to his pleasure in his seruice vse The fire was made to kill the chilling cold The water made to slacke the burning heate The subtile ayre a secret bâ—eath to hold The earth too drie when moysture is too great Thâ—sâ— crosse in natures yet doe meete in one Onely to serue the vse oâ— man alone â—aâ—h byrd each beast each fowle and euery fish The flesh of man muâ—t serue to cloath and feede What eye can see or heart of man can wish But some way serues to stand poore men in steede And for that cause their being first began From mâ—râ—ies loue to serue the life of man The light was maâ—e to glad the lightsome eye The sound to please the pure attentiue eare The ayre to drawe a liuing breath thereby The earth the body anâ— the limmes to beare The clowdâ—