mischeife malice and much hate But is all excellent sweetnesse noble pitty Faire Honours soule cloath'd in humility What Eye on Earth sheads for his sinne a teare What Eare delights Heav'ns Holy Word to heare What Tongue triumphs to speake in Almighti's praise What Heart affected stands to holy waies Wer 't not for Charity she is the Queene In whom all Graces of the soule are seene Prophesies shall faile Tongues cease knowledge vanish But Charity never she from soules can banish Lust Averices and Pride with all the Rabble Of sinnes which make Men truely miserable O when we want the gift of Charitie We all are subject to impletie The Devill laies his stumbling blocks within Our waies of wickednesse our daies of sinne Lures us to strumpets such as Sampson tride To mighty Nabuchadnezers swolne pride Like Acban and Gâ—bezi daily He Tempes Man to covetuous Idolatrie Snares soules to Envie like accursed Caine To Herods Selfe-love Nabals churlishvaine Sinne heapt on sinne all those blacke soules to stifle That thinke Adult'rie sweet true love a trifle If rich Heav'n wills us from our plenteons store To yeeld Truths cherefull succour to the poore And that by sundry Statutes God commands Vpon the forfeiture of life and Lands Confirming still the poore man to have part In the Rich man's Estate if any heart Dares doubt this Truth the Scripture must denie None but an ATheist wrongs that pietie What a large extreâ—me folly 't is to see Man like the Wolfe for prey how earnestly He hunts for meanes as if the onely honie Of soule and body did consist in monle Meate drinke and cloathes Men sicke still pray for health Readie to be undone for paltry wealth Freedome and safety and with shamelesse faces Forget to begg of God spirituall Graces Many men pray but he the glory winnes That prayes to be disburthen'd of his sinnes And viewes the poore Mans labour with the eye Of sweetreliefe ther 's noble Chatitie The heart of such a man may sometimes shrinke Vnder temptations weight but never finke God makes man here Lord steward of that store He deales so chearefully among the poore Gives him the Grace to thinke when to his fight Apoore wretch comes to begge of him a mite He might have beene that begger his estate Transferr'd on him and begging at his gate Or in the streete in Ragges opprest with griefe Glad to beseech him for some poore reliefe Wealth 's the worlds Witch desir'd of most all know it Yet I have read wise Codrus a poore Poet And his Wife Procula they knew it was Farre greater happinesse their dayes to passo After long life unto aquiet end Then change their poorenesse proudly to ascend King Ninus Throne be wonder'd at and seene T' out shine Semyramis wealths wicked Queene Thus Heathens learne us Christians what to doe Greedy desire of wealth workes endlesse woe As wise Vlysses serv'd his Syren Witches Passe-by the worlds pelfe seeke celestiall Riches Be rich or poore unlesse a beast thou be Seeke Heav'nly wealth or ne're looke heav'n to see Man backward goes takes all the care he can Not to be godly first but a rich man Takes care for health long life Physicks the blood But last of all least care to become good Cleane opposite to the faire rule of Truth Truth instructs crooked Age and stiffe-neckt youth First to seeke Godlinesse Riches and health Will follow next godlinesse is great wealth What though the world frowne must we straight repine Has not Heav'n sent us reason to desine Twixt good and evill ought not thou and I Ev'ry one strive to live contentedly With our estates certaine it should be so Did not sinne blind us did we but truly know That which the world so scoffes at Poverty God onely sends to trie our honestie Or dishonestie poverty is sent For Vertues triall Vices punishment He that in peace enjoyes the quiet calmes Of flourishing plenty yet gives no Almes But like insatiate Hell greedy of more Belies his wealthy state to rob the poore Of their just Intrest disabling himselfe Base miser like to save his dirty pelfe Such falshood cries for flaming vengeance still To persecute a Wretch so vile so ill 'T is not the Rich not Poore can pleade excuse Where want of Charity speakes Man's abuse Dost thou want â—â—â—es to give Truth is thy friend Truth at all times instructs thee to extend ' Thy Almes in lib'rall manner not to pine In parting with thy pence for love divine Admitt thou art unable to disburse Least pecce of Coine yet let thy emptypurse Be full exprest in a Compassionate groane A sigh a prayer for him that makes his moane And in the Holy Name of the most High Beggs some reliefe to succour penurie God ever stands more on the givers mind Then the gift given if God but truely find A cup of water in his sacred name Given to the poore God gratifies the same The Widdowes Mite one Farthing pleased more The Lord of Heav'n then all the Rich Man's store There is no Vertue Constant without love Nor no love perfect but from Heav'ns above Witnesse Truths sacred Text Heav'ns love to Man Amply exprest in the poore Publican His humble Eyes sighes cries and bruised breast Forc'd ope the Gates of Mercy gave him rest With Spittle Clay least word that did proceed From Mercies never failing Master freed The Blind the Lame the Sicke the Dead from grave Heav'ns All-Commanding Maker all can save O let us then in holy love betake us To Christian Charity Now good God make us Gratiously willing for thy owne sweet sake That suffer'd on the Crosse made hell to quake Fashion our wills to thine Lord make us know It is our sinnes our sinnes makes God our Foe Vbi Charitas non est Caritas VERTVES PYRAMID Blest Blest O Blest Be that Divinity Three Sacred Persons GOD in Vnitie WHOSE glorious Ravishing Resurrection Restor'd us lost to Grace Oh PERFCTION Purifie thou my Soule my Heart my Minde Snatch me from Earth to Heav'n make me inclin'd Wholly to Thee All worldly Pompe despising Fixe my THOVGHTS ever On thy Blessed RISING Give MEE A Sempeternall Reverence To Thy All-glorious high Omnipotence I that am clog'd with sin and wretchednesse Desp'rate thoughts hunting after Worldlinesse Thy blest Protection crave cleare the great score Of all my foule misdeeds that I no more so great a sinner proove Lord let my strife Against my sinnes Raise mee from Death to life And from the Foote of uggly sinnes disgrace Mount mount my SOVLE to th'Pyramid of GRACE Chastitie and Lust LEwd speech strikes blushes in a Virgins face Chastity is ever the Zeale of grace â—taffe of Devotion Enemy to Lust In death true comfort the Marke of the Just Sister of Angells and the Virgin Tie Which cleaves to God gaines sweete Eternity When Lust with all her paint Curles purles pride Swelling in pompe is but a nastie Hide A most infectious foe foe to the Purse Foe to the Person
and which makes it worse The Conscience corrosive confounding witt The minds Canker soules burning Feaver fitt Mong all enticemcuts pleasures quassing Boule All the sharpe combats of a Christian soule None feircer then the warrs of a Chast mind Ther 's a continuall Fight which good Men find Never subdu'd without wet eies true care In praying Why the victory is rare Chastities still in danger 'mong delights As Truth in much talke Souldiers in fierce sights The walls of Chastity once batter'd downe Maides loose their Honour Vertues rich renowne O Lust what 's thy delight thy full fruition Of Pleasure but the Path way to Perdiiton Seandall dishonour foule reproach and shame Will blast thy being blot out thy good name O happie is that Man happie the Maide That 's Chast cleare consciences are ne'r afraid Of Iudgement Death and hell no sad affright Tortures the mind that 's chast ther 's true delight Witnesse the two-fold feare that do's belong To Chastity and Lust feare to doe wrong And grieve her Husband is the chast wises part She feares her slack of Love lest he depart Gives no crosse words no angry lookes nor sowre Nor do's she seeme to lumpe to powte to lowre She feares t' offend her husband shunnes all strife Togaine his Presence which she loves 'bove life But the lewd Harlot when her Mate's from home Feare makes her wish that he might never come Lest his approach unlook't for terrifie And catch her in her base Adultery Shee 's fill'd with feare doubts starts least creeke o' th doore O 't is a dreadfull sinne to be a Whore Beauty in the Face and Lust within the heart Kills Soule and Body ruines ev'ry part Strike me Eternall Essence with the dart Of Saint-like Chastitie give me a heart Of flesh so chastly pleasing that poore I May live in Chastity a chast soule die Midnights-Meditation VVHen I contemplate Heav'n and take no care For worldly vanities then my soule how farre How amorously faire thou art destroying sinnes Man 's a rich Monarch then true joy beginnes Never till then never did any fight ' Gainst sinne but gain'd unspeakeable delight This when I thinke upon and practise too Heav'ns in my eye want nor the worst of woe Distracts my senses but when I roote my mind On this rude world Vertue is soone strooke blind Witt reason all my senses are confounded Devills assault my flesh my soule is wounded Save me O save me Lord thy worthlesse Creature Pittie the weakenesse of my Mortall nature Forgive all forfeitures my sinnes have made Vowes Promises protestations never paid I promis'd still to mend to turne mine eyes From sinfull wales yet Heav'n knowes all were lies Shame to my soule how dare I then looke up Expect least solace from sweete Mercies Cup O I am angry vext to th' very heart I act not thy will Lord but mine owne part A sinfull Tragicke Part which will deface My soule helpe Heav'n send thy restraining Grace One Drop of Grace Celestiall can refresh A fainting soule cleanse Lord my corrupt flesh Vn-storme sinnes sulphurous storme I burne I fry Like the impatient Fish which violently Scorch't to the quick it's raging heate to tame Leaps from the Pan into the burning flame Such is the flaming Torture I endure Scorcht for my sinnes where shall I fly for cure Want is a Mis'rie much Wealth a trouble Honour a burthen Beautie but a bubble Pleasure a shadow advancement dangerous Friendship a false Winde and disgrace odious This world of sinne circles my braine with snares A thousand distractions Millions of cares Beates on the Anvile of my poore weake head To ruine sense to strike all good thoughts dead Oft musing on the Worlds Witch-pleasing pelfe I thus beginne to argue with my selfe Why might not I be Rich rush God do's see This meane estate of mine fitter for me Then I collect my Spirits praise that God Which keepes me still unscourg'd restraines the Rod Of his just Vengeance that might justly fall On me and mine in Iustice ruine all Had I the Worlds possession in my hand All Potentates on Earth at my command What then I then subject to all entices Might fill my little-world with World of Vices It is enough I live and 't is too much That I am fed or cloathed if I grutch My daies of sinne encrease wax worse and worse Whither O whither shall I direct my course Downe downe foule flesh great God my selfe I blame I aske thy pardon asking in his name That is my Life the Light the Way the Word Mercy and Truth faire Truth which do's afford Mercy to all onely prescribes this taske That whatsoever Mortall soules do aske The Father in his Name it shall be done To glorifie the Father in the Sonne O infinite sweetnesse O Immortall love Thou God the Father that dost rule above The Highest Heav'ns Thee in the blessed Name Of Jesus Christ Theanthropos that came To save beleeving soules I aske implore Pardon O pardon out with sinnes rotten core Rooted too neare my heart whisper thy feare Into my soule let me not onely heare Thy sacred word but in the practicke part Make perfect use of it nere let me start From thee my God let sad Teares from mine eyes And sighes from my heart expresse my grievancies Though I fall foule and fearefully each day Lord let me not fall finally away And I if needs must fall let my fall be From death to life from sinne to sanctity Amor Dei amorem Deo parit The Divine Dreame VVOrme that I am O how shall I begin To praise that God that in my sleepe ' gainst sin Gave divine warning sent truths sacred scrole Which to and fro hovring i' th' Ayre did role This way and that at last as if Heav'ns will Had so decreed the waving scrole stood still Much like the golden Taper of the Sun At the command of Man the sonne Nun In which me thouht I read and read it ore Peccair no majs that is sinne no more Written in Spanish this seeming sight so strange Workt in my dreaming spirit such a change That startling from my drowsie sleepe I cride To heav'n thus instantly with Teares repli'd O sacred Saviour humbly I implore Give me the spirit of Grace to sinne no more For I am blind sinne clouds my sence of seeing Thy good my ill I 'me Natures brittle being Vext to the soule so infinitely opprest With sighes and groanes they cannot be exprest What shall I doe great Natures miracle Thou onely wise God Heav'ns firme Oracle Fashion me to thy will tip out with the core Of sinne in me that I may sinne no more Say to my soule lest I in soule despaire Thy grace sufficient is Cure Lord my care Speake but the word at the Centurion said Thy servant shall he heal'd Lord be my aid No Rod so sharpe nor no discase so sore But thy good Grace can cure to sinne no more Thou Lord by holy Text confirm'd dost say
Heavn'n that paies In the descent mans penitent desires With plenitude of grace to quench sinnes fires God made the eare to heare the happinesse We have from him the tongue still to expresse The glory of his name the eye to see The workes of his divine Integrity Eye head hand heart God the whole man did frame All to rejoyce in his All-Sacred name Happie the soule that prayes with sincere sorrow Repent to day deferre not till to morrow And when you pray thinke unto whom you pray T' is to the Worlds great builder Lord of day ' Mercies bright Majestie th' Almighty strong Iust grand decider of each poore mans wrong That tumbles downe the mighty only can Make the most Potent Prince the poorest man The peace of Kingdomes in a breath disjoynt Spit all Earth's Children on warrs Rapiers point Turne fruitfull fields to yron burne the grasse And for our sinnes convert the Heav'ns to brasse Swell surging seas the dreadfull deepes with waves Stormes famine fire and sword to dig our graves How dare proud mortalls then ne'r take to minde Heav's sacred eye-fight shall darke deedes so blinde Mans Machivilian mischiefe as to thinke Rais'd on Ambitions top he cannot sinke He must he must bad states-menne'r so big Fall of themselves in time breake like a twig As one naile drives another out of place So time cleares truth drives flat'rie to disgrace Flatt'rers are fearefull Fiends bright honours sting Serpents the worst of Traitors to a King Court-Eare-wiggs nimbly wrigling in the Eares Of greatnesse mighty profits madnesse feares So painted o're shaddow'd for sound advice A good King cannot knowes vertue from vice Till Heav'n that brings the darkest deedes to light Produce in time the truth twixt wrong and right Man whosoe're thou art take this advice 'T is Angels counsell Prayers Paradise Walke after Gods way in the day of light Or end thy journey in the darkest night Ther 's but one univerfall remedy For all our ills each soules extremity And that is fervent prayer all must resort To Prayer or perish there is no safe port In this worlds Mare Mortuum for man To put into but prayes prayer only can Powr'd out in fervency of soule prevent Plagues famine bloud and death warr's dire event Bred by seditious subjects whose desires Are still the fuell unto popular fires Prayer shall confound dead all the divellish deedes Of forraigne foes all home-corrupted seedes Dissembling Hypocrites by hells aide appointed To stiffe truth and grieve the Lords annointed Prayer like to hastie powder sir'd shall choake Flame viperous Rebels to a sudden smoake Pray then through fervent prayer imitate Moses and Iacob wrestle with blessed fate Subdue thy sinnes ' gainst sinfull flesh and bloud Importune heaven and heaven will doe thee good Gods promise is if fervently we pray And use our best indeavours ev'ry day To fly from sinne resolving to betake us To holy meanes he never will forsake us Never did any doe their faire endeavour To pray to God that ever lost his labour Nay more if God but see thy inclination To pray he will prevent thy supplication Answer thy full desire e're thou canst crave Grant that thy heart did never hope to have Witnesse good heaven 't is true ther 's no deniall For I have found th'experimentall triall And were for ever like a soule in hell Worthy to burne should I forget to tell In midst of dangers how I call'd on thee Mercifull God and thou did'st set me free At home abroad at Sea upon the land Here there and ev'ry where thou Lord did'st stand My sure protector ' gainst griefes infinite Times flatt'ring ruine and the worlds despite Sicknesse sad discontent when I and care Shooke hands with sorrowes Minion deepe despaire That very hower in heavinesse lockt up Beyond all hope of health then mercies Cup I freely tasted blessed be thy name To me my Gracious God prove still the same Circle me round thou All-Bternall health Gainst all enticements Honour Beauty Wealth Those fatall slies of sinne which though best men Do ne're so much flap off slie on agen Arme aâ—me good heaven Times Microcosme in me Through Faith Hope Love enable me to be Truths Champion Troopes of Furies to withstand And stave Hells Tempter off dead sinnes command Times expert faithfull souldier is a Iewell Fit for a King to fight a Kingdomes Duell Valour and honesty are Princely twinnes Ther 's nothing makes a Coward but his sinnes Lord let a watchfull Centinell within My weake mortality so keepe out sinne That when so e're we meet Morne Noone or Night I with my good sword Faith may in thy sight Heavens Saint-like Souldier prove subdue and winne At truths close constant fight conquest o're sinne Heare me my God mount thoughts with admiration Vpon the highest step of contemplation Irradiate Lord my mind past sinnes controle Conari Sancta Angelize my so ule Give what thou dost command great God and then Command even what thou wilt Amen Amen EArnest prayer and the committing of sinne Will never lodge together in one Inne For sure if prayer cannot make thee cease From sinne sinnes sure to rob thy soule of peace And make thee leave off praying God's all Eye Let our petitions then with fervency Flie unto him whose Majesty is such It comprehends all power do but touch Trie and then trust petition but his name In ardency of soule you le find a flame All-heav'nly holy thrill through thy vitall blood To quell corruption turne all ill to good O that the Soules of Mortall 's to the life Would Act this part subdue sinnes stormy strife Through fervent prayer and in that swift course runne Firme as the golden taper of the sunne Which hourely sailes the Circuit of the Skie That were excelling heav'nly harmonie 'T would make this Globe on Earth whereon we tread Times glorious Theater the rich stage spread And hung all-round with silver shining starres Prickt fall of holy thoughts in them no jarres Of times discording musicke dare appeare The Musick-roome of concord being there There Truths faire Actor where so e're he turnes His penitent Eye with holy raptures burnes Sees the All-sole Spectator Three in one Seated in gloryes Gallery where none But his Omniscient blest beatitude Sits the sole Iudge of soules Ingratitude Actors and Action mans good part and his ill Th' unworthy Actors dull imperfect skill Bred by distemper grosse neglect in studdy Carelesse Rehearsalls and a skull so muddy As never minds th'infinite paines and Art Penn'd to advance and fit him with a part That might immortalize inflame desire Ravish his sinne-sicke sence his soule inspire With sacred extasie high apprehension Seraphicall love divine affection Heav'ns gracious Actor makes this pretious use Of his faire Part ne'r turnes it to abuse Nor wrongs the writer but amaz'd with wonder As one shot through and through with holy thunder At pious lines whose powerfull Energie In Noble spirits frustrates miserie Tames Pride cooles lust makes