not doe 14 But as a naturall body doth consist Of quarters foure to make a man complete And if but one of all those foure be mist The other three lose all their life and heate Eu'n so it is with Truth whereof I treate If of these foure substantiall parts want one The other three are vainenesse or deceat For Truth of Iudgement Heart Speech Action Make but one Truth without dissimulation 15 But Truth of Iudgement ground is and foundation Of all the rest For be our Hearts sincere Our words and deeds without dissimulation If Errour in our Iudgements doth appeare With Paul we may eu'n persecute the deare And holy Seruants of the Sonne of Truth And thinke we doe to God good seruice here Fie then on Fooles that misse-spend their youth They neuer seeke to know or learne the way of Truth 16 But be our Iudgements eu'n as right and sound As Christs Disciples by their Master taught Yet if within vs Iudas hearts be found On vs the greater iudgement shall be wrought Who knowes his Masters will and doth it nought Oh what doth he by this his knowledge gayne But eu'n the sting of his owne conscience brought To desperation and infernall payne And to put out this sting puts on an hempen chayne 17 What shall we say of those that doe professe Truth of Religion and a Heart sincere Yet in their dealings nothing lesse expresse But for their gayne deceaue lie and forsweare Surely these men a double heart doe beare For were the Heart which is a liuely Spring Whence flow our words and deeds oh were that cleare Then all the streames from thence forth issuing Would be pure like the fountain from whence they do spring 18 But things we best of all by causes know God is the Cause of each good gift and grace But here more mediate Causes I may show Whereby he in the Truth doth guide our pace By 's Word we Truth of Iudgement doe embrace Which is to wandring Soules a guide and light His Spirit vpon our Hearts doth Truth enchase Then Truth of Iudgement makes vs speake aright And Truth of Heart makes all our actions true and right 19 Thus as Effects true Speech and Actions flow From Truth of Iudgement and the Truth of Heart As all Mankind from Eue and Adam grow But if the subtill Serpent can peruert Our Hearts or Iudgements as he did diuert Our two first Parents then as all their seede Defiled is with their corrupted part So from our Heart and Iudgement will proceede Corrupted words and actions which such fountaynes breede 20 Therefore to set our Iudgement true and right We to the ground and pillar ought to come Of Truth which is the Church of God so hight Because the treasures of all Truth there won Of all Gods Oracles which there haue rome From which all Truth of Iudgement we deriue The Church a carefull Keeper doth become There 's Truth that able is to saue aliue And away Errour Darknesse Superstition driue 21 O blessed Truth that holy Church preserues From Satans malice and the Moth of time O glorious Church whose soundnesse pure reserues Truth of Religion which doth make thee shine In Righteousnesse Faith Hope and Loue Diuine More then Pompe Wealth Vniuersalitie For Truth doth decke Christs Spouse more trim and fine Then Time Consent Succession Vnitie Now foild with Superstition and Idolatrie 22 With these false Ornaments the Church of Rome Like painted Harlot shuns the open Light Nor will vnto the Ground and Pillar come Of Truth to trie if shee bee wrong or right Therefore poore Laiks neuer must haue sight Of holy Writ to frame their Iudgement by Traditions and false Miracles them light And on the Churches word they must relie Thus Ignorance the Mother is of Poperie 23 But as sound Truth abhorres such Ignorance Eu'n so presumptuous curiositie Shee doth decline nor euer doth aduance Her purest thoughts to things that be too high Her subiect is no higher Mysterie Than Spirit of Truth is pleased to reueale Into Gods secret Counsell for to prie Is like the Thiefe that fire from Heau'n did steale To whom eu'n Heathen iudgements endlesse torments seale 24 So vniuersall is Truths glorious Fame That all things that the Heau'n and Earth contaynes Delight to be adorned by her Name Yea God himselfe Truths title not disdaynes Loe He Lord God of Truth for ay remaynes The Word of Truth the Spirit of Truth likewise Wayes iudgements works cōmandements Truth retaynes In this Saints Angels with God sympathize But Satan and his broode delight in contraries 25 Thus as shee is adorn'd by Titles high So with her Glorie shee doth all adorne Nothing vnto perfection commeth nigh Except by them the badge of Truth be borne And though some Worldlings doe her Liuerie scorne As things against their pleasure ease and gayne For that plaine dealing is a Iewell worne But he that weares it beggerie shall gayne Yet Truth her credit still doth with the best retayne 26 Yea Truth amongst the Writers of all times Hath beene in such great honour and account As without Truth yet neuer Prose or Rimes To any Praise or Honour vp did mount The holy Writ wherein Truth doth surmount Shee safely doth'gainst all her Foes defend How oft doth Dauids muse Gods Truth recount Whereby her glorie lasts to the Worlds end Ah my poore Muse see thou alwayes on Truth attend 27 There 's not one Vertue that with Loue doth dwell But honours Truth and seekes her company Begin eu'n at Humilities low Cell And mount to Mercy that doth sit on high All seeke the companie of Veritie Eu'n Loue must be without dissimulation And Righteousnesse without Hypocrisie Vnfaigned Faith true constant Expectation No Vertue without Truth comes neare Loues habitation 28 Faire glosing shewes without Dame Veritie Are but as falsely feigned Holinesse Which surely doubles the iniquitie And neuer leades the way to Happinesse My Muse is farre vnable to expresse The prayses all of Peeres that Truth attends Whom shee adornes with wondrous Noblenesse But Righteousnesse vpon her most depends And Mercy now and Truth haue met growne great friends 29 But surely Truth hath not so many Friends But shee doth find as many Enemies For Satan all his malice 'gainst her bends Supplanting Her by force or subtilties He father is of errours and of lyes And seekes herewith Truths glorie to distaine And therefore they maliciously deuise Interpretations false and glosses vaine Traditions mens inuentions 'gainst her to maintaine 30 As Purgatorie first they did deuise Purses for Pardon of mens sinnes to gleane So Limbo's they for Writers haue likewise Wherein to purge and make their Writings clean◠Index expurgatorius I meane In which if any Writer disagree From their Traditions whereupon they leane They in this Limbo Patrum purg'd must bee Or falsely else condemned to burne for Heresie 31 Thus moderne Writs sacred Antiquitie The Fathers Schoole-men Doctors Histories They all of them in Purgatorie frie And
sore against the Truth doe tyrannize The ancient Fathers Truths antiquities That like Iohn Baptist beare to her record They doe behead or else them circumcise None scapes their Index but Gods holy Word And that must be translated with their Church t' accord 32 But Errour striueth not more to deface Our Truth of Iudgement than Iniquitie And proud prophanenesse seeketh to disgrace True Dealing Speech and Hearts sinceritie Them branding with foule Follies infamie As none could liue but those that can dissemble Reproching them for Truth and Puritie That seeke hereby their pure Head to resemble When eu'n in Gods pure sight the purest Angels tremble 33 Not that I goe about here to defend Those feigned pure Ones that most wickedly Much Truth and Puritie in words pretend But in their Actions deale dishonestly Nor those that like the boasting Pharisie Call to their brother farther off to stand Which soone discerne a Mote in Brothers eye But eu'n Beames in their owne not vnderstand These for some false pretended Spots leaue Church and Land 34 Such rau'ning Wolues oft in long clothing goe And therefore hard by outward shewes to find We best them by their fruits may learne and know 'T is dangerous to censure in this kind For those that haue a true pure Heart and Mind Make shew thereof as they that doe dissemble Therefore till all their Actions false I find To iudge them Hypocrites mine heart doth tremble Lest to the Wicked I the Righteous should resemble 35 For dealing true's like Touch-stone which doth trie The baser Mettall from the purest Gold Discernes a true Heart from Hypocrisie And fayned Puritie doth soone vnfold And as by Touch-stones touch is easily told What is pure Gold from what is gilt for show Although the Gilt's more glorious to behold So Truth of Heart by Truth of Words we know And by the Actions which from them doe daily flow 36 Truth 's like the Treasure whâ—ch the Huâ—bandman As he was digging in the Field did sound Which he keepes close and sells all that he can And with the Money goes and buyes the Ground Shee 's like the precious Pearle the Merchant found And then sold all this Gemme for to obtayne The wise Man heau'nly Counsell doth propound That wills vs vse all meanes her to obtayne And buy the Truth with losse of honour pleasure gayne 37 Truth is like Salt that seasons eu'ry thing And makes it sauoury to God and Man Preserues our Soules from Breath putrifying Of busie Flies that labour what they can To breede corruption in the inward Man Shee leauens all the whole Lumps preparation The Soule and Body Flower and the Bran Affection Reason Will Communication Heart Mind Opinion Iudgement Life and Conuersation 38 As precious Ointment powr'd on Aarons head Ran downe vpon his Beard and did not stay Till all the Skirts it of his clothing spread So sacred Truth her vigour doth display From head whereas our Iudgement makes her stay Vnto the Beard and Tongue where speech haue place Then to the Heart and Hands shee holds her way From whence our Actions all haue life and grace Thus to the Skirts of our long clothing Truth doth trace 39 Gods Truth compares her to a Belt or Zone Which Souldiers vse for strength and ornament Whose golden Studs most gloriously shone And ioyne the Armour in faire complementâ— Loe whilst this Girdle is about vs pent Christians whole Armour hangs on fast and sure But if this Girdle from our Loynes be rent Off falls our Armes and Satan or Worlds lure Then wounds vs desperately or makes vs sleepe secure 40 Diuinest 〈◊〉 thou didst shadow well In Legend of true Loue and Chastitie By girdle faire of fairest Florimell This sacred Belt of Truth and Veritie Which none on looser Ladies loynes could tie Yet their faire Limbs that had liâ—'d true and chaste It did adorne most rich and gloriously And was most fitting for their slender waste But they Vngirt vnblest were that had beene vnchaste 41 For as the girdle doth inclose around Mans body where our soules high powers doe dwell Wherein as good or euill doe abound Eu'n all our actions flow thence ill or well So Truth about our soules keepes Centinell And eu'ry act we doe shee doth make knowne To that iust Iudge from whom we can conceale Not eu'n the secret thoughts that in vs growne For nought so close or secret is to Truth vnknowne 42 Thus Touch-stone Treasure Pearle Salt Leauen Zone Doe all fall short with faire Truth to compare For Truth in all 's compar'd to God alone And none but God her glorie can declare Who for Truths sake his owne Sonne did not spare But offerd him false man to reconcile That Truth and Mercy might meete and prepare Strict Iustice on poore wretched Man to smile Whom Satan with false lyes and errour did beguile 43 What doth the Word of Truth to vs commend More than this inward Truth and Singlenesse Abram for this is styl'd by God a Friend And Iob 〈◊〉 of Truth and Perfectnesse If I should here the Readers patience presse With all examples therein to be found Surely my Verses should be numberlesse Wherefore a few I for the Truth propound That you like men of Berâ—a may the Scripture found 44 Where you shall fiâ—d of Truth examples store Eu'n Christ himselfe for Truth was crucifide Baptist beheaded Paul endured more For Truth than the Apostles all beside When Peter had the Lord of Truth denide He went out and did weepe more bitterly Than when his Master to him signifide By girding him what death he ought to die Whereby he should the Truth of God much glorifie 45 And this hath made the Martyrs of all Ages Till death their Truth of Iudgement to maintayne Sealing with blood the Truth of sacred pages And whilst they here endur'd most cruell payne They ioyfull were in hope of glorious gayne Yea many haue embraced losse and shame In singlenesse of heart Truth to maintayne But what though here they doe endure some blame The true in heart shall gayne an euerlasting name 46 Dauid a man call'd after Gods owne heart For inward Truth and Singlenesse within No beautie eloquence or outward part Can so commend a man For Truth doth winne The loue of God and Man But that foule sinne Of lying Lips and a deceitfull Heart Is an abomination vnto him In eu'ry triall Truth maintaynes her part But all dissemblers Adam-like aside doe start 47 Loe many Daughters haue done vertuously But glorious Truth doth farre surmount them all Yet if I onely sing of Veritie And labour not to practise it at all But from my Loynes her Girdle loosen shall It had beene better I had neuer knowne The way of Truth than afterwards to fall And leaue the Light that vnto me was showne Choking those seeds of Grace the Spirit of Truth had sowne 48 But ah the Deuill and his Instruments Continually doe seeke our Truth to spoile And by feare force and Worlds
leade about Eu'n to my mothers house that first mee taught I would thee cause to drinke of spiced wine And iuyce that from the Pomegranate runnes out Thy left arme vnderneath my head should line Thy right arme with embracements should my loue intwine Oh Sions daughters I you charge no lesse Stirre not to wake my loue vntill he please Who is 't that comes vp from the wildernesse Leaning on her beloued at her ease From vnder th' Apple trees I thee did raise Whereas thy mother did thee first conceaue Whereas thy mother first began thy dayes Oh let thine heart me as a Seale receaue And as a Signet on thine arme doe thou me cleaue For Loue is strong as death and Iealousie Cruell as graue her coles be brands of fire Whose raging flames consume most violently No water can asswage her direfull ire Nor any floods can drowne her hot desire No though a man all that he hath would sell And let himselfe for wages out to hire Yet house and substance all shee would refell Yea eu'n câ—ntemne No worldly thing can Loue compell Wee haue a little Sister and no moe Whose brests as yet lye in a narrow rome Tell vs What snall wee for our Sister doe When as the time of wooing her is come When as the time of wedding her is come A siluer Palace with a doore most sound Of Cedar boords wee 'le make for her alone I am a wall my brests are towers round So am I in his eyes as one that fauour found A fruitfull Vineyard had King Salomon In a most fertile place this Vineyard lay To Dressers he it farm'd that euery one For fruits thereof receiu'd should yearely pay A thousand siluer peeces at their day My Vine before me I doe dresse alone If they to thee a thousand must defray A thousand siluer peeces Salomon They for their paynes must haue two hundred euery one O thou that in the Gardens sweet dost dwell My name to thy Companions forth sound Oh cause me heare thy voyce that sounds so well And make it from the Hills and Rocks rebound Make haste then my beloued to confound Thine enemies Be like vnto the Roe And youthfull Hart that on the mountaynes bound The mountaynes whereon Myrrhe and Spices grow Make haste ô my belou'd thy glorie here to show FINIS WHen Daâ—id his Ambassadours did send Wise Abigal vnto his wife to take The Lady lowly to the ground did bend Offring to wash their feete for her Lords sake Learne here what high account we ought to make Of messengers that vs glad tidings bring Which trauell great and labour vndertake For to espouse vs to our Lord and King To be allyde vnto a Prince is no small thing They that to desert hearts send forth their voyce And make his paths streight and his wayes prepare Shall as the Bridegroomes friends with him reioyce And be inuited to his heau'nly cheare Oh how my soule is rauished to heare Herselfe inuited as a welcome ghest By come my Spouse my Loue my Doue my Deare Behold our marriage bed is richly drest And all things are prepared readie for the feast Selected Vessell blessed Paul who rapt Aboue the triple heau'n such things didst eye As here the soules of men in darknesse wrapt Cannot conceiue What didst thou there espie The Bridegroome cloth'd in loue and majestie Hasting vnto his marriage consummation Whose louely'st Bride the Wise man doth descrie With all the marriage solemne preparation The Gentiles light and glorie of the Iewish nation Then let no yokes of Oxen Farme or Wife Hinder thy comming to this marriage feast Where Water thou shalt taste and bread of Life The King will bid thee welcome as his ghest And thee inuite to Gardens neatlier drest Than that of Eden planted by Gods hand There is true happinesse and endlesse rest There glorious Angels doe by millions stand All readie at the Bridegroomes and the Brides command THE BRIDES ORNAMENTS Poëticall Essayes vpon a diuine subiect THE FIRST BOOKE Viz. of Loue Humility Repentance Faith and Hope 1. COR. 2. 2. I esteemed not to know any thing saue Iesus Christ and Him crucified LONDON Printed by W. Stansby 1621. TO HIS MOST WORTHY LEARNED AND EVER-BELOVED FRIEND Mr. IOHN ARGALL Esquire THe Authour doth his Passe-times dedicate Whom he indeauouring to imitate These Graces all doth in the practique see Which here in Theorie described bee By your owne R. A. THE BRIDES ORNAMENTS The first Booke THE CONTENTS The Porter of Loues Gate Humilitie Her Treasurer Knowledge Fortitude Generall Mercy her Chancellor Truth Secretarie Iustice chiefe Iudge Prudence directeth all Temp'rance Comptroller Repentance Marshall Bountie the Almoner Faith Hope Patrons are Patience Obedience Meeknesse Maides I call Attending Loue Ioy priuy Seale doth beare Gods word sword-bearer is Zeale Prayer chaplens there THE PROEME 1 THose sublime Wits that in high Court of Fame Doe seeke to ranke themselues by Poesie Eternizing the glorie of their name By prayse of Honour and of Cheualrie To some great Princes Court their youth apply Knights honourable actions to behold Chaste Ladies loues and Nobles courtesie Of such haue Homer Virgil Spencer told And haue thereby their names in Fames faire Court enrold 2 But had they waited on the glorious Court Of Heauenly Loue by some call'd Charitie And seene the order there and gracious Port Of this great Queene and her faire Companie Her gentle Gouernement and Maiestie This sure their most Heroicke Muse might raise As farre aboue their moderne pitch to flie As candle-light's surmounted by Sunnes rayes Or as the Creatures boasting is by Makers praise 3 Nor had their stately Muse beene rais'd more high By this employment in Loues Meditation Than their owne soules which vp to â—â—auen would flie By this delightfull heau'nly Contemplation Where they might view th' eternall Habitation Prepared for the faithfull Friends of Loue That by her Lawes frame life and conuersation As Members of one glorious Head aboue Which here vpon the Earth by it doe liue be moue 4 Long time I sought Loues Court most carefully And on her noble Actions set my mind That in her praise my Muse might soare on high I sought in vaine but could no entrance find Vntill a courteous Lady then assign'd To keepe the Court Gate hight Humilitie Well knowing what I sought lowly declin'd Assuring me I neuer could descrie Loues honourable Court but by Humilitie 5 Shee was a louely Lady cloth'd in gray Of russet wooll which her owne hands did spin Nor would expend her state in garments gay Her care was to be glorious within Yet had this Lady goodly commings in Which for Loues sake shee dealt amongst the Poore To fill their bellies shee look'd leane and thin Would stoupe to heale the meanest Lazars sore Yet when shee had done all grieu'd shee could doe no more 6 Shee soone in me espies a
can beate them from their Anchre-hold 31 Faith as the Sunne and Hope is as the Moone In Heau'n both glorious Lamps this World to light So in mans soule Faith Hope like two lights shone Their little world towards blisse to guide aright As Moone doth borrow from Sunnes glorious light So Hope from Faith And as when Sunne to shine On Moone forbeares shee 's scarce discern'd by sight So when Hope wants Faiths glorious light Diuine Shee wanes like Moone and all her beautie doth dec'line 32 Hope signifies a constant expectation Of some good thing to come from such a one Of whose Loue Pow're and Truth a firme perswasion We haue that all we wait for shall be done Loe first Hope onely is of things to come It is no Hope to hope for things we see Next in her selfe Hope confidence hath none Last all our hope and refuge is to flee Vnto Gods grace pow're wisdome Truth which certaine bee 33 Here in examples may my Muse transcend For whatsoeuer things are writ of old Are for our learning and instruction pend That we through Patience comfort may behold In Scriptures And haue Hope for to lay hold On all Gods Promises and Dealing kind By him shew'd to our forefathers of old And those which to our owne times are assign'd Last of all those which we within our selues doe find 34 These three may breede in vs experience Experience Hope Hope maketh not asham'd Loe first th'examples all haue reference To Hope which I in Faiths discourse haue nam'd Kings Prophets Iudges Martyrs all enflam'd With Loue in Hope and Faith most firme doe stand Without the one the other may be blam'd Both able are Hels malice to withstand For if one faints the other lends her helping hand 35 This generall briefe narration shall serue For all Hope 's noble famous acts of old Now if you will be pleased to obserue Whilst I th'examples of our times vnfold And those which our forefathers haue vs told God neuer hath so deâ—lt with any Nation In giuing temporall blessings manifold In our deliuerances ' boue expectation Lastly in yeelding vs such meanes for our saluation 36 He sets vs in a blessed Land where flow Hony and Milke and all good things abound The Plough-man reapes the Crop which he doth sow Here Peace and Plentie eu'ry where are found Here dreadfull trump of warre doth neuer sound No leading here into captiuitie Here no complayning in our streets is found Here 's health of body with prosperitie And all these lasted haue beyond mans memorie 37 I hope here is for vs sufficient ground To trust in God for all things temporall How many plots hath Hell and Rome out found Vs to betray to bondage spirituall Yet God hath vs deliuer'd out of all Besides that secret cruell trayt'rous broode Priests that themselues Catholique Champions call Shee hath prouok'd to make her quarrell good Great Kings to open warre and shedding innocent blood 38 Witnesse th'Armada huge of Eightie eight Which bâ—eathed nought but cruell desolation And was inuincible in Mans conceit Whom nought could satisfie but th'extirpation Of Protestants and all the English Nation Home-treason forraine warre vs to betray To Popish cursed hellish machination Nought could this Pharaâ—hs crueltie allay Till Death Hell and Destruction swept them all away 39 This quail'd the spite of Egypt but of Rome Though pow'r grow weake her spite growes yet more strong When force and open warre doe vaine become Shee seekes by treason to maintayne her wrong Loe Iesuites and Seminaries throng In Court Church Citie and in euery Place To sow seedes of Sedition vs among To bring Prince Counsell Prelate in disgrace To credit Superstition and the Truth out-face 40 How many were their plots of cursed Treason Deuis'd against our late dread Soueraigne Queene Impatient to expect the time and season When shee should hence goe and no more be seene That time they look'd to wreake their spitefull teene On opposites of Popes Supremacy Oh! this a bloody day had surely beene Had not the Lord vs succour'd from on high And whence we hop'd for least did vs most helpe supply 41 Loe whilst shee liu'd shee seem'd a weake defence A Woman to defend so great a Nation From secret treasons open violence Fill'd all the World with ioy and admiration But when by her most happy commutation Shee leaues this Earth Behold that prouidence Which made this weake Sexe strong for our saluation Brings in a stronger and more sure defence With Gladnesse Plentie Peace without all violence 42 Oh! that my Muse were able here to flie The high pitch of my Soueraignes commendation Who Solomon-like in all his Royaltie Brought Peace and Plentie to this happy Nation At whose most blessed glad Inauguration No Shimei barkes nor Sheba lifts his hand But all him meete with ioyfull salutation God saue King IAMES sole Monarch of our Land And set thy seate as fast as our late Queenes did stand 43 This was a gracious worke of Prouidence A thing vnparallel'd before not seene But can this stop the Dragons virulence No it encreaseth more his spite and teene For the same cause he hated our late Queene He doth Faith's great Defender now infest But against Loue Faith Hope is all his spleene And all that will not fall downe to the Beast With those that Antichristian supremacy detest 44 Many a cursed plot and cruell treason Hath beene attempted 'gainst our gracious King Before and since the happy time and season God him in peace to rule this Land did bring But neuer yet was hammer'd such a thing By Pope Turke Iesuite or in Hell below As was the powder plots fierce lightening Which in one instant all should ouerthrow King Counsell Nobles Citie Commons Priests vp blow 45 Oh barbarous wretches cruell instruments Of Death and Ruine to their natiue Nation What heart of steele or flint that not relents To apprehend the dreadfull desolation Besides of men of that faire habitation Those seates of Iustice Houses for deuotion Great Brittaines glorie Strangers admiration Shame is reward Gods wrath the bitter potion Of all that had their heads in this most hellish motion 46 But leaue them to their punishment and shame Behold a worke no older than the yeare Wherein Gods Loue to vs blest be his Name No lesse than in the former doth appeare I meane our Soueraignes sicknesse who was neere To the last act of all mortalitie But when all physicke fayl'd God did him cheere His health restoring with prosperitie And adding length of dayes to him that look'd to die 47 Nor onely doth this Antichristian Bore Seeke to roote vp the Vine of Gods right Hand But there be Foxes little Foxes store Which 'gainst her bloming Grapes in ambush stand Those that against Church gouernement doe band Churches illit'rate Vermine who disclose Their enuie to the Prelates of our Land When against their Succession they oppose Tithes Prayers Order Titles Ceremonies Clothes 48 These humorous Nouellists haue
By ours we must not hope to come to blisse Nor euer without ours attayne true Happinesse 63 Our Righteousnesse no cause is but the way Whereby we to our Heau'nly Citie come He that doth misse this path doth walke astray And head-long with Iniquitie doth run As in some narrow passage to a Towne He that will thither passe one way must treade Which if he misse he wanders vp and downe No path but one the right way him can leade Yet we the path no cause of comming thither reade 64 This path's like Iacobs Ladder which did reach Eu'n vp to Heau'n yet stood vpon the ground From top whereof Christ out his Arme doth stretch To helpe vp all that in good workes abound A streight long way and many steps are found Before we scale the top of Righteousnesse Gods gracious Spirit doth first this way propound And guides our feete to moue aright to blesse But onely Christ aboue doth vs thereof possesse 65 In this way Enoch's said to walke with God And Men began then holy inuocation Next Noah in his Makers grace abode A iust and perfect Man in 's generation Thus Iob Lot Abram haue their commendation For Iustice Iudgement Faith and Righteousnesse Walking with Men in vpright conuersation And towards God in Truth and Holinesse Thus shewing by her fruits the Faith which they professe 66 Thus Patriarchs Prophets Iudges Priests and Kings That did beleeue Gods future promises First fear'd and honour'd him aboue all things Next walk'd on earth in Truth and Righteousnesse Labouring in Life and Doctrine to expresse Their firme beliefe of Christ that was to come Who since is manifested in the Flesh And doth the end of Righteousnesse become Which cannot be obtayn'd vnlesse on earth begun 67 Loe Moses had an eye to this reward When he left Egypts pleasures wealth promotion The three chiefe baits which Worldlings most regard Three greatest Enemies to true Deuotion Ioseph for this despis'd his Mistris motion And rather chose that stocks his limbs should lame Than he would taste of Lusts vnrighteous potion Loe Christ a wretch for Righteousnesse became And for the Iusts reward endur'd the Crosses shame 68 If I should count all the Authorities Which of this Vertue in Gods Word abound One Volume to hold all would not suffice In eu'ry Booke Verse Chapter to be found But most of all the holy Psalmes propound Abundant matter for this Meditation The which my Reader I doe leaue to sound That willing is to make right application And follow Righteousnesse in life and conuersation 69 But though I tremble whilst I heare Paul reason Of Temp'rance Iudgement Truth and Righteousnesse Yet carelesse take a more conuenient season Like Foelix in my life it to expresse And grope for Bribes the wronged to redresse I cannot tell how soone of this my rome My Maker will a iuster Man possesse And then to strict account I needs must come And be rewarded as to others I haue done 70 Were mortall eyes but able to behold The glorious splendour and the light Diuine The Crownes Ioyes Honours Pleasures manifold Prepar'd for them that liue by righteous Line And how the Righteous like the Sunne shall shine With Sonne and Father in eternall blesse We nould at Crosse reproch or shame repine Which though they seeme some burthen to the flesh More free our soules hereby conuerse in Holinesse 71 But ah Sinne on our Nature hangs so fast And pricks with honour pleasure wealth and ease That Coward-like our Armour off we cast And for promotion flatter fawne and please Then Satan takes aduantage vs to seise As Captiues being naked and vnarm'd Whom though before perhaps he might disease Yet neuer could vs mortally haue harm'd If with brest-plate of Righteousnesse we had beene arm'd 72 Oh but 't is too great burthen to the flesh To keepe this Armour on continually And to our nature breeds great wearinesse To so great watchfulnesse our soules to tye But since it doth assure vs victorie Who would not beare this burthen for a while Besides the burthen of Iniquitie Is heauier and doth our soules defile Though for a time with pleasures false it vs beguile 73 Oh let this brest-plate then of Righteousnesse Be on my Soule and Body alwayes prest The more this burthen doth my Body presse My Soule is sure to find more ease and rest No paine shame or reproch that vs molest Are worthy of the Crowne most glorious Which God the Righteous Iudge hath readie drest For to bestow vpon the Righteous Made so by God his acceptation gracious 74 For I confesse it is thy acceptation Which makes our Righteousnesse though dung and losse Compared to the Lawes strict obseruation Most perfect Thou hast nayled to Christs Crosse All our offences By him all our drosse Is turn'd to purest Gold in fire tried Where God accepts no power of Hell can crosse If by true Faith our hearts be purified Our imperfections by Christs perfectnesse supplied 75 Oh then most perfect Sunne of Righteousnesse Vouchsafe that now thy Spirit of Grace may shine Vpon mine Heart by Truth and Holinesse Temp'rance Faith Hope Obedience Loue Diuine That all my words thoughts actions I may line And leuell out by thy pure Rule of Right All errour lying iniurie decline And hauing of thy Lawes a most cleare sight I may to walke therein place all my hearts delight 76 Make me conceiue the profit vse and end Of righteousnesse and the necessitie I of this brest-plate haue my Soule to fand Against the furie of mine enemie And grant my conscience good may testifie The armes whereby I may stand fast and sure And not those fain'd ones of Hypocrisie Which neuer can hold out me to secure Or any of the fierie darts of Hell endure 77 But it is not in him that wils or runneth For to attaine the Crowne of righteousnesse From whom each perfect gift and good grace commeth His grace it is that guides to happinesse We find amongst those gracious promises And grants which in thy holy Word we reade That who seekes first thy Kingdomes righteousnesse Shall haue all things whereof he stands in neede Doe thou Oh Lord me forth then in this right way leade 78 Thou the whole Scripture gau'st by inspiration Apt to instruct improue correct represse To make the man of God wise to saluation And perfectly instruct in righteousnesse And when the wicked turne from wickednesse Thou promisest their Soules aliue to saue So many are thy gracious promises To grant all good things that the righteous craue That I this righteousnesse doe begge and hope to haue 79 Then as a Lyon shall I be most bold My righteous way shall shine eu'n as the light The eyes then of the Lord shall me behold And he will grant me eu'n my hearts delight In all his Statutes I shall walke aright And all his iudgements iust and true obserue My death shall be most precious in his sight My righteous memorie he will reserue Yea eu'n
the righteous seede he will on earth preserue 80 To praise God for the blessings manifold His Word assures vnto this righteous Nation Would in discourse my Muse for euer hold And be too long for this one Meditation Oh hold me then to more strict obseruation Of Time to come than I haue had of past That I may make a daily examination Of my whole life and all my sinnes vp cast As mindfull of th' account I am to giue at last 81 And teach me that this Grace of Righteousnesse Is as a Chaine of many links close ioyn'd By which we would ascend from hence to blesse Whereof if but the least linke doth vnbind Loe the whole Chaine is to the earth declin'd Eu'n so in this strong Chaine of Law and Right Though most of all our acts be rightly lin'd If one Iniquitie our Hearts delight This one makes all the rest vnrighteous in Gods sight 82 But I vniustly my discourse extend Now I beseech the Authour of this Grace I all my force to practise it may bend And first doe Right and Iustice in my place Respecting not the Person but the Case In my Commerce with all Men dealing right Last that I may true Righteousnesse embrace That with true Faith and a good Conscience dight I in these spirituall Armes vnto the end may â—ight 83 Thus hauing chalked out the Rule of Right I should by my first Method next proceede To sing of Mercy but Truth doth inuite My Muse first her great power to areede Who doth in time eu'n Righteousnesse preceede Besides none can approch dread Mercies Throne But those whom Truth and Iustice thither leade And sure their Nature links them so in one As one without the other neuer goes alone MEDITAT II. Of Truth 1 SVch is the nature and sweet inclination Of heau'nly Graces all whereof I sing That with most kind and mutuall relation They all seeme ioyn'd together in a ring So close each one another following That who gets one doth all the rest obtayne For from one Fountayne all of them doe spring All link'd together in so strong a chayne As where one Vertue dwels there all the rest remayne 2 'T is vaine to thinke that single Graces can Make vp complete the Man spirituall More than diuided Members of a Man Can grow or thriue not ioyn'd together all Hence Poetâ— the three Graces twins doe call Ioues Daughters and them in one ring doe ioyne And hence they make the Virgins musicall All but one consort which are Sisters nine Thus by their fables shadowing things Diuine 3 For they discern'd by Natures dimmed light One Authour sole of eu'ry goodly Grace Whom Father they and King of all doe hight And him Lord ouer all their gods doe place Loe thus as in a mist they Truth did trace But missing the true path of Righteousnesse In stead of Truth they Errour did embrace For neuer was Dame Iustice Errours guesse Nor euer Truth did dwell with false Vnrighteousnesse 4 For seeming Truth without the 〈◊〉 of Right Like Summum 〈◊〉 is greatest iniurie And Righteousnesse not guided by Truths light Is Curiousnesse or false Hypocrisie Faith that brings forth fruits of Iniquitie Is base Presumption Loue Diffimulation That worketh not in vs by Charitie All from one Head haue life and sustentation And therefore all together make their habitation 5 But none more like are or of Kin more neare Than this faire paire of Truth and Righteousnesse The blessed Mother and her Daughter deare For Truth the Mother is of Vprightnesse And surely Truth and honest Simplenesse To eu'ry Vertue doth so needfull grow That all faire shewes not done in Singlenesse And Truth of Heart are but a false vaine show A splendid sinne corrupted by Mans heart below 6 Thou in whose Lips was neuer found least guile Whose Heart hates lying and iniquitie Whose Hands did neuer God or Man beguile Whose Hand Heart Word and Thought is Veritie Whose blessed Spirit of Truth doth testifie Vnto our Spirits true way of Righteousnesse By which we come to liue eternally Direct my Muse Truths nature to expresse That Truth may guide my steps to endlesse Happinesse 7 My bounded Muse here dareth not define Of boundlesse Truth from all Eternitie Which as impossible's to mete by Line As Persons three which in the Trinitie Make but one Truth and perfect Vnitie But as one God consists of Persons three And each participates of Deitie So we one Truth communicated see To Persons three which but one in the God-head bee 8 Of Father 〈◊〉 and Spirit of Truth we reade But as one God so but one Truth alone Into which Truth the Spirit of Truth doth leade Who sent is from the Father and the Sonne The Word of Truth that gloriously did won With Spirit and Father from eternitie Flesh here tooke of our flesh bone of our bone To free vs from errours captiuitie And chalk't vs out a way to walke in Veritie 9 This is the Truth whereof I meane to write Which ought to be of our whole Life the square To leuell out our words thoughts acts aright And eke our Iudgements to Gods Word to square For of this Truth foure parts there onely are Of Iudgement Action Speech and of the Heart The want of one the rest doth all impaire Wrong iudgement words and actions doth diuert But a false heart doth iudgement action speech peruert 10 And that I right and plainely may proceede I will all foure thus singled out define And first the Truth of Iudgement I doe reade A power inlightning of Gods Spirit Diuine Which doth Mans vnderstanding part refine And settles in the Doctrine of his Word Behold when Truth doth in our iudgement shine All Heresie and Schismes by vs abhord This Truth of Iudgement sacred Knowledge doth afford 11 Truth of the Heart is a sweet singlenesse And sincere meaning whereby Man constraynes His Heart to approue it selfe in Holinesse To him that searcheth both the Heart and Raynes This in the inward Man the Truth contaynes And is to God most acceptable treasure This Truth from all Hypocrisie refraynes Here doth the Deuill soonest take his seasure For loe the Heart of man's deceitfull aboue measure 12 The Truth of Speech is when our hearts agree Vnto the matter and vnto our mind For if it from our Heart doe disagree Or from the thing whereto it is design'd The first to be plaine lying is defin'd The second falshood at the best we name One doth abuse the Conscience and the Mind The other brings the Authour vnto shame Both falsifie the Truth and are alike to blame 13 The Truth of Actions honest dealing plaine Faithfull in all without dissimulation With God and Man whether we lose or gaine When we doe not deceiue by simulation And feigning things without determination Or else dissembling whereabouts we goe These are from Truth a wicked declination And when we God or Man deceauen so What we would vnto vs to others we
allurements Our Soules of this rich Iewell to beguile Loe Romanists adulterate and defile Eu'n Truths pure Fountaynes and sweet liuely Spring And Worldlings true sinceritie doe soile With odious name of false dissembling And eu'n with basest termes Gods Priests dishonouring 49 Ah now we with the fashion all doe run As Buildings Wares Apparell are for show So is Religion and Deuotion Where is most pompe and glorie thither flow The greatest multitude From whence doth grow To such a height the name of Poperie Yea many of vs seeke for praise to know But leaue true practise in sinceritie When not to know but doe Gods will is charitie 50 Fashion and Custome now so tyrannize As comely honest Truth they doe out-face If it the Fashion be vs to disguise It as a comely Custome we embrace That which Paul thought a Womans foule disgrace Like Man to haue her head vncouer'd shorne Amongst our Women holds a goodly grace Like vnto mens their garments now be worne As they in Truth the frailtie of their Sexe did scorne 51 But I could wish with all our power and might As in Gods presence pure we all did stand We would goe thinke know speake and practise right In Truth of Iudgement with Tongue Heart and Hand This God did vnto Abraham command To walke before him and to be vpright Walking before God makes vs vpright stand Vprightnesse shewes we walke as in Gods sight Who thinks God him beholds how dares he doe vnright 52 Let me here tell you how a holy Man A Harlot did diuert from filthy quest Who by her comely feature many wan To leaue their owne and foile her filthy nest Himselfe in habit of a Gallant drest Agreed and paid desir'd a secret rome Shee him vnto a Chamber streight addrest So close that therein not the least light shone But ah said he Gods eye vs here may see alone 53 Alas said shee no place can be so close That can vs hide from Gods all-seeing Eye Dost thou beleeue saith he God sees thy grosse Thy beastly foule sinne of adulterie And fear'st not lest his furie should destroy Eu'n whilst in this presumptuous sinne thou art And thee condemne to Hell eternally My Authour saith hereby he did conuert Her wicked life to Truth and Singlenesse of Heart 54 Though many imperfections we doe feele And our corruptions downe so sore vs presse That Vice into our Hearts doth often steale And vnawares deceaue with sinfulnesse Yet if by sorrow true and humblenesse We purge our Hearts of what is entred in And after seeke by carefull watchfulnesse Them to preserue hereafter from like sinne We may grow to some perfectnesse of Truth within 55 But I confesse that though with all my might I labour for true puritie of mind And would doe nothing but as in the sight Of God and Angels and of all Mankind Yet often my deceitfull heart I find Tempting me secretly such things to doe Which I should not dare venture in that kind If some Man present were the same to know Yet Truth the closest of them all to God doth show 56 What shall manâ— presence make me true and iust And shall not Gods that â—ees my secret thought To whom for all one day account I must And be rewarded as I here haue wrought Shall not his presence me deterre from ought That may offend his sacred Maiestie The Sonne of Truth whose blood me dearely bought And grieue the holy Spirit of Truth whereby Seal'd and redeem'd I am from Hels captiuitie 57 Oh thou that Truth requir'st in inward parts Vs secretly mak'st Wisedome vnderstand Renewing Spirits aright and clensing Hearts By whom in Truth and Righteousnesse we stand My way direct right to the holy Land Through Deserts wide of this Worlds wildernesse Feede me with heau'nly Manna from thine Hand With water from a Rocke my soule refresh And thorough Iordanes flood conduct to endlesse blesse 58 The humble thou hast promised to guide And to direct his path aright for ay Who seeke vnfeignedly in Truth t' abide Thou neuer sufferest to goe astray Oh then direct my goings in thy way My iudgement heart hand tongue in Veritie Thou readier art to heare then I to pray Then grant me Loue Faith Hope Humilitie And season eu'ry Grace with Hearts sinceritie 59 God is my Shepheard How then can I stray He is my Light Truth and my righteous Guide His rod and staffe my slipperie feete doth stay Lest they at any time doe slip aside His Truth and Mercy euermore abide Though Wine and Women and the King are strong I nothing feare if Truth be on my side Thy Truth and Mercy shall my dayes prolong Of thy great Truth and Mercy euer be my song 60 Oh let thy Word of Truth my Iudgement sway Thy Spirit of Truth mine inward Man inlight Incline mine Heart to learne will to obay And on thy Truth set thou my whole delight On it to meditate both day and night That whether I eate sleepe walke watch or pray I may remember I am in thy sight So shall I conscience make of euery way And be most carefull what I aske doe thinke or say 61 But ah dread Mercy I too long forbeare To tune my Dittie to thy sacred praise Who wert so gracious vnto me whileare When I appeal'd from Iustice stricter Sayes Vnto thy Throne of Grace where though my wayes Were all discouer'd by thy gracious dome I was absolu'd But next I will thee praise Now I with Truth and Righteousnesse haue done For none without these two to Mercies grace can come MEDITAT III. Of Mercy 1 IF any mightie Monarch chance enquire Why I sweet Mercies seate doe place so high Since shee the lowliest Cell doth most desire Her selfe delighting sole in miserie The onely Object of her pitying eye He hence for greatnesse may this lesson gaine That as he growes in Pow'r and Maiestie To Poore he ought the greater Mercy daine Thus imitating him by whom eu'n Princes raigne 2 For though this Dame be of such wondrous grace So neare in fauour to the Queene of Loue That next to her sâ—ee gaynes the soueraigne place Both here below and in the Heau'n aboue Yea though to heau'nly Loue so like shee proue That scarse the one from th' other can be knowne Though to be mercifull and truely Loue Doe differ much as after shall be showne Yet her great bounty 's not to meanest wretch vnknowne 3 For as the Sunne from highest firmament Vouchsafes on good and bad alike to shine And clouds of Heau'n doe raine indifferent On fertile Land and on the barren Mine So vnto all shee offers Grace Diuine But as the Cause is not in Sunne nor Raine But in the Soile why it doth fruitlesse line So sinne 's the cause some cannot Grace retaine Which shines and waters bad and barren hearts in vaine 4 A depth all bottomlesse I now doe sound A height which higher than the Heau'ns doth reach So wide as nothing it can compasse
That Mercy â—â—re began shall stand for euer sure 57 And that we may the eas'lier apprehend And taste Gods Mercy He it maketh knowne To vs familiarly And doth commend It to vs by examples of our owne As Father hath to Child his Mercy showne As Mother 〈◊〉 of her owne wombe doth loue As Birds their young-ones feede till they be flowne So mercifull the Lord to vs will proue And though all these should faile God will not faile aboue 58 This also serueth for our imitation That like our God we Mercy here should show And as he tenders vs with sweet compassion We should his Members here in Mercy know It equall is we pitifull should grow And Mercy shew where Mercy we receaue He is to Mercy swift to Anger slow Most mercifull to them that to him cleaâ—e And kind where Ignorance not Malice doth deceaue 59 But ah so carelesly we Mercy show And succour those that are in miserie That we by all meanes doe auoid to know Their wants that are in woe and pouertie When as indeed to see calamitie Of others doth Mans heart to pitie moue We swimme in Plentie and Prosperitie Regarding not what hardnesse others proue And farre the sight or thought of wretchednesse remoue 60 Our Captayne did not thus that went before But in much anguish paine and tribulation Conuerted Soules heal'd Sicke releeu'd the Poore Himselfe without a house for habitation In workes of Mercy was his conuersation What Member suff'red and he did not grone Where saw he want and shewed not compassion What did our Head this by himselfe alone No His Apostles all with him in this haue gone 61 Oh that we would in this Him imitate And Mercy eu'n with open Armes embrace With our whole heart strength substance and estate Aide and releeue the Poore in wretched case 'T is not a pitious heart that makes men base For they that are most valiant noble wise Most readie are Mercy to shew and Grace When Cruelty's the badge of Cowardize Good Kings rule all by loue Vsurpers tyranâ—ze 62 In stead of Mercies bowels kindnesse loue We put on Worldlinesse Securitie And off from vs the euill day remoue Liuing in pleasure ease and vanitie Banishing farre the Poores calamitie As Enemies to profit thrift and rest And when we smitten are we will not crie As if no griefe or pitie ought inâ—eâ—t Or harbour in a hardie valiant noble brest 63 Yet the most Mightie that doth â—it on high Of Valour and Nobilitie the Spring Delights to see and helpe our miserie That we might take delight in piâ—ying Thus God by his example would vs bring To Mercy and considering the Poore He Mercy before Iudgement here doth sing Wherein than Sacrifice he ioyeth more That as we doe receiue we might againe restore 64 And since 't is not in outward workes alone But inward Bowels that God doth delight Though by the one the other is best knowne We often should desire to haue a sight Of poore Mens wretchednesse and pitious plight Which our hard Hearts might to compassion moue And yeeld them remedie with all our might What neede hath God of Mercy or of Loue But by poore Members here our Mercy he doth proue 65 For though God's able by his onely Word To succour all that are in Miserie And in abundance daily Bread afford To those that are in want and pouertie Yet more to show his Liberalitie And that his wondrous Bountie might appeare Vs for his Stewards he doth dignifie And good Dispensers of his bounteous cheere Happy is he whose Lord him findeth faithfull heere 66 Lord of those faithfull Stewards make me one Yet for no hope of Merit or Desert But for the Glorie of thy Grace alone And riches of thy Loue who Authour art Of eu'ry Grace that commeth from the Heart With temporall afflictions exercise Me that I may escape eternall smart And learne by griefes and mine infirmities To succour all that are in woe and miseries 67 Though Mercy God againe doe not desire Towards himselfe as he doth Loue for Loue Yet to his Members all he doth require We should most bountifull and gracious proue That our Affections inward should vs moue Like heau'nly Father mercifull to bee Our Brothers garment pawn'd we must remoue From vs before the Sunne be set lest hee Doe crie to God that pities all in miserie 68 No Man so poore but he may Mercy show And succour those that are in miserie For though his worldly substance ebbe so low He seemes to liue in want and penurie Yet may he lend Diuine sweet remedie To those that doe in Hell and Darknesse sit And heau'nly comforts to their Soule apply Whom Conscience throwes into th' infernall Pit More Mercy from Hels jawes than earthly cords to quit 69 Doe but conceiue what Mercy may be found With mercifullest Man that ere did liue And we may know farre greater doth abound With God who 's not more willing to releeue Than able all things needfull vs to giue Besides in Mercy he doth take delight Most readie their Offences to forgiue That doe relie vpon his Truth and Might And on his gracious Prouidence doe rest aright 70 And therefore thou this life appointest here For Mercy but in Life that is to come Thou as an vpright Iudge wilt then appeare And render eu'ry Man as he hath done Oh should'st thou here with Iudgement haue begun We all had beene the Vessels of damnation And but for Mercy we had long agone Beene swallowed vp of Hell and Desperation Thy Mercy that begun must finish our Saluation 71 So eu'n the Iust no cause to boast shall find By Mercy all must be deliuered Thy Iudgements iust for thy forbearance kind By Reprobates shall be acknowledged How can his Grace sufficiently be read Who good by Nature Iust Eternall Wise Thus sinfull mortall base flesh honoured And to such height of Glorie makes to rise As Angels wonder to behold such Mysteries 72 What Pen of Praise is able to commend The wondrous gracious Force and Energie Of Mercy which eu'n God made to descend From his great Glorie Ioy Felicitie The God of Wisedome Power and Maiestie To shew such Grace on Wretches vile below To haue compassion on Mans miserie Base corruptible Dust which here doth grow Swift to reuenge and wrath but to compassion slow 73 Nothing but thine owne goodnesse could thee moue On Man to shew such Mercy and Compassion Thou art most glorious he most base doth proue Thou iust he sinfull by his deprauation Thou Lord of blisse he Heâ—re of dire damnation Oh Lord as thy sole goodnesse thee did moue To pay our price of Reconciliation And vs exalt from Earth to Heau'n aboue So let thy goodnesse cause thee alwayes vs to loue 74 How should my Muse of Mercy make an end Which like thy Truth and Loue endures for ay And most abundant comforts here doth send To all but most to those that in right way Sincerely walke and doe thy Hests
obay Lord grant that as I of sweet Mercy sing Her in my heart deed word I practise may Not for vaine praise or any outward thing But for thy Mercy sake my good and gracious King 75 Next Loues great Generall braue Fortitude Should enter Lists to shew her wondrous might But Rashnesse 't is not Valour to include A Christian Souldier in such dang'rous fight Till all his Armour be about him dight His vpper parts I armed haue elsewhere With Girdle Brest-plate Shield and Helmet bright But Feete and Legs I naked left and bare Now Patience them shall arme as you shall after heare MEDITAT IIII. Of Patience 1 WEll hath our valiant Guide Mans life compar'd Vnto a warfare where we alwayes stand In complete Armour readie and prepar'd The force of cruell Foe-men to withstand Where Satan World and Flesh together band By open force and treason to subdue And leade vs captiue by their mightie hand And all vnarm'd or out of order due They fetter'd dragge to Hell with cursed damned crue 2 Which to auoid he wills vs to be strong In God and in the Power of his Might And the whole Armour that doth here belong To Christian Souldiers on our Soules to dight For here with Flesh and Blood we doe not fight But Empires Powers Principalities The worldly Gouernours of darkest night Sublime spirituall subtile Enemies Which to resist he ghostly Armour doth deuise 3 The Belt of Truth Brest-plate of Righteousnesse Faiths Shield and Hope the Helmet of saluation Sword of the Spirit Prayers feruentnesse Feete shod in Peaces Gospels preparation These be the Weapons of our Militation Of Helmet Brest-plate Shield and Girdle wee Alreadie haue conceau'd a Meditation These foure the vpper parts arme to the knee But Patience Legs whâ—reon the rest supported bee 4 For so the Learned seeme to giue the Sense This preparation of the Gospels Peace To be the brasen Bootes of Patience Which doth defend from Thornes and Stones disease Our Legs and Feete And where the Belt doth cease These Bootes of Patience Armour doe supply By which in complete Armour we doe prease And stand vndanted 'gainst our Enemie This Vertue is the next my Muse seekes to descrie 5 Which well is call'd the Gospels preparation For neuer any Patience true and sound Can be but by the Gospels mediation The Heathen built not on this certayne ground And therefore this true Patience neuer found Which but by Peace of Conscience none attayne This Peace the Gospell onely doth propound By reconcilement of the Lambe Christ sâ—aine Without this Peace of Conscience Patience all is vaine 6 Thou glorious God of Peace and Patience Who sent'st thine onely Sonne our sinnes to beare And by his Suffring and Obedience Vpon the Crosse from guilt of sinne to cleare All those to whom his Crosse is sweet and deare Direct my Muse this Grace aright to reade That knowing I may neuer once forbeare To practise Patience in thought word deede But to the end my Life in Peace and Patience leade 7 Which is a gift of God whereby weare Inabled willingly and constantly All crosses that God layes on vs to beare For Goodnesse Godlinesse and Honestie Impatience 't is to beare vnwillingly And but an idle feigned false pretence To boast of Vertue without Constancie Her parts be foure of which some difference May seeme at first yet all make but one Patience 8 The first part is from Anger to abstayne The second is a constant Expectation The third is to the end Right to remayne The last consists in willing Sustentation Of all afflictions here and castigation But Man to these foure parts we onely tie For the last part which doth consist in Passionâ— Vnto th' eternall Being comes not nigh Who 's free from all Affliction and Calamitie 9 Yet is he rightly call'd the Patient God And doth in first three named parts transcend First farre from Anger when he spares his Rod He doth expect and wait till we amend And last abides the same vnto the end He fruitfull Times and Seasons of the Yeare Vnto the good and bad alike doth send Most patiently doth with our Follies beare And where he 'gins to loue he neuer doth forbeare 10 Thus Mercy Zeale Repentance may be said Inexplicably in God to bee Zealous yet not offended or dismaid Most Mercifull yet griefe did neuer see Repenting yet without remorse is hee Most Patient yet without least payne or passion Of Vertues parts which are of Frailtee And Weaknesse God hath no participation Yet want they not in Man their vse and commendation 11 As is the Cause and End of Patience So we her true or counterfet esteeme The Cause and End doe make the difference If we for Fancy Glorie Lust Wealth seeme To beare with Patience Hunger Payne Cold Teene This suffring missing her true Cause and End As falsely feigned counterfet we deeme But if for doing well or to defend The Truth we suffer this our Patience doth commend 12 The greedie 〈…〉 For Lust some doe endure 〈◊〉 basest shame The Souldier spends his blood for glorie vaine Th' Ambitious venture all to purchase Fame Loe there we carnall Ends and Causes name True Patience causes honest are and iust When for ill-doing we doe suffer blame Take paine for Glorie Honour Gayne or Lust Rewards like to the Cause and End expect we must 13 But true immediate ground of Patience Is the sweet Gospell as I said of Peace For Man deepe plung'd in sinne and foule offence No Creature could Gods wrâ—â—h but Christ appease In stead of Loue Gods wrath on Man did seise Till Christ concludes our Reconciliation And vs of our offences doth release Of which the Gospell is th' Aâ—â—unciation Therefore is Patience call'd the Gospels preparation 14 And therefore as her Cause and End is Peace So all her works to inward Peace doe tend Which in the inward Man doth most increase When outward Warres seeme most him to offâ—nd Shee doth oâ—r Soules most valiantly defend By patient bearing crosses paine and shame Which shee with Patience suffers to the end Except they crosse the Glorie of Gods Name Or Neighbours good which to endure deserueth blame 15 One euill is of Sinne and one of Payne That ill of Sinne this Dame cannot abide But that of Punishment shee counteth gayne Gods holy Name blasphem'd or Truth deni'd Or wicked Men Gods holy Saints deride Is no true Patience patiently to heare But on our selues when crosses doe betide Then Patience true doth patiently forbeare For shee her owne not others wrongs delights to beare 16 If one will take her Coâ—te iniurioâ—â—ly Shee suffereth such losse with Patience But if of Faith Loue Truth or Honestie One would depriue her that is such offence As cannot stand right with her Conscience Shee priuate wrongs most willingly doth hide But faults admitteth vnder no pretence Shee can endure Men should her selfe deride But her Profession scorn'd shee no wayes can abide 17 Compell her to a mile shee will