SVSPICE CAELVM DESPICE MVNDVM RESPICE FINEM SENTIT E. SVPERA NON TERRESTR Vera ac viva Effigies NATHANAELIS RICHARDS Gen TR sculp Seuen Poems Diuine Morall and Satyricall viz. The Celestiall Publican Spirituall Sea-fight World Flesh Vicious Courtier Iesuite Deuill Together with sundry Epitaphs and Epigrams By N.R. Gent. Coelum Cupio Printed at London for Roger Michell dwelling in Charterhouse-lane 1631. TO THE HEAVENLY LOVER OF DIVINE POEMS GOod Bookes Good Minds best please where bad Mindes be Desert shall still be raild at Vice passe free Enuie Debate Pride Flatterie and a whore The Vicious minded Foole mindes nothing more Harlots for hot sinne-offerings shall finde Fauour and Friends to them the World is kinde But when the wealth of Soules in Vertues Line Leuells Man's crooked Thoughts to thoughts Diuine 'T is sleighted then Most Worldlings like false Friends Loue not for Vertue but their owne base Ends. Times Lordly Churle deepe read in Errors Schoole Esteemes Plaine-Dealing but a Vertuous Foole Therefore to thee whose Sacred Soule desires Celestiall Solace Heauenly Holy fires To thy Religious thoughts apt to preuent And fly from Sinne to thee I this present Here 's no Luxurious Verse to please the Eares Of Whorish Mindes stranger to blessed Teares No Court-Confounding Complement nor stile Of feigned Poesie nor base Flatries Guile Soule-suffering Griefe for sinne I here expresse Wishing to All Immortall happinesse True Penitence gaines Heau'n throwes Sinners downe To raise them vp to an Immortall Crowne Deuoted to Your Vertues NATHANAEL RICHARDS THE CELESTIALL PVBLICAN I That haue imperfections on my head Past Starres in number or those sands that spread The vast Seas bottome shall not I confesse How oft ' gainst God I desp'rately transgresse Put off Repentance still from day to day Abuse his Mighty Patience still delay His dread Command And like a senselesse Sot Vnmindefull of his Mercies minde them not No sooner doe I finde a good thought take me But from that Vertue Flesh and Blood doe shake me The longer life the more I sinne and fall From bad to worse from worse to worst of all Let others boast their goodnesse for my part Wretch that I am I haue a sinnefull Heart So tyde and bound fetter'd and chain'd within So strong a Prison such a Maze of sinne That 't is as farre vnlikely for me worme E're to winde out as for to raise a Storme Or slacke a Tempest Workes of Wonder stand Farre from the Reach of Mortals weake command None but the Hand of God his speciall Grace Can pull me forth the Dungeon of disgrace 'T is God that frees poore Man from all the Vices Of this Worlds wicked villanous Entices And shall I then in impious wayes vneuen Offend so good a God Defend me Heauen My trembling Conscience tels me I haue beene A very fearefull Sinner Slaue to sinne Of all Men most vnworthy of Saluation My sinnes deserue Heauens wrath Hell damnation Yet Mercy Mercy Lord Mercy I craue Shield my sad soule from th' infernall Graue * Strangle my growing sinnes in their beginning * Demollish Lord in me Custome in sinning * For that is such a kinde of desp'rate thing * Men dreame not on O 't is a damned sting * And thus it creepes on vs thoughts that are bent * To Euill get Delight Delight Consent * Consent drawes Action Action Custome breedes Simile * And as the Sick-Man whom his owne death feedes * Custome at large takes sense of sinne away * Sends soules to Hell when 't is too late to pray The Doome supernall neuer findes returne To call thee backe to Grace thinke on 't or burne Thinke Heau'ns sweete siluer Saints-Bell toles all in To fright thee eu'ry Morne from vggly sinne Let Mercy eu'ry Euening which do's keepe Thee from Day-dangers Death resembling sleepe Be to thy soule a Prayer Booke t'imprint Teares in thine Eyes Griefe in thy Heart of flint Be it so heauenly Father vnto me To me and eu'ry one Make vs to see And shunne Sinnes Custome with thy sacred wings Guard vs from Danger Blessed King of Kings Thou that at Home abroad at Sea on land Here there and eu'ry where didst euer stand My sure Protector ' gainst griefes infinite Danger the Iawes of Famine Worlds despight Sicknesse sad discontent when I and Care Shooke hands with sorrowes Minion deepe despaire At that most wretched Time my thoughts lockt vp Beyond all hope of helpe then Mercies Cup I freely tasted blessed be thy Name To me my Gratious God proue still the same In my Extreames of griefe I call'd on thee Mercifull God and thou didst set me free Thou wert my onely Comfort in distresse Food Rayment all my Cure in heauinesse My true Physitian in vnruly madnesse Celestiall Musicke in my sadest sadnesse Though all the World forsake me God is kinde He solace giues to my disconsolate minde O be the same for euer may no ill Seduce my soule to disobay thy will While others carelesse of their Soules true health Greedie like Hell hunger for worldly wealth Preferment Pride th' insatiate Diuell Lust Luxurious Fare and vainely put their trust In glassie Glory couzening State behauiour In valour Conquest and Monarchall fauour While Soules thus erre O thou the Lord of light Make me Heauen 's Champion Vertues Fauourite * Field Honor 's but a Vapour the sound brest * Puts on Church Armour Faith and sleights the rest * In loue to Vertue and true godly feare * Dwells Honour not in Darts Bow Sling or Speare * Not in vaine Beautie Strength the Pride of Wit * Presuming Riches Learning Valour Credit * High Birth Nobilitie nor Grauitie * Humanitie nor yet Virginitie * But in the Humble Soule whom holy Storie * Speakes to maintaine God and the Gospels Glorie * The King and Kingdomes safety Churches Peace * The Virgins Right Widdowes and Fatherlesse * These are the Noble steps which euer waite * On Vertues Court 't is the true way of State * That neuer failes as sacred Scripture saith * The humble meeke Religious Knights of Faith O Heau'nly Father giue me Grace to fly Delight in sinne or suffer me to dye * Pleasures are poysons to this Soule of mine * There 's no true Ioy on earth but what 's diuine Lord teach me for to prize this world at naught Vpon thy Blessednesse be all my thought * Make me my God in hate to impure liues * Kicke at that Life which Life of Heau'n depriues Make me to feele those wonted holy fires Which rapt my soule in sanctifidâ— desires Rauisht all sense and with admir'd amaze Expos'd me to that blessed burning blaze Of glorious contemplation thoughts diuine Simile Then like Heauens Tapers in my Soule did shine But now that Glory failes my soule hath seru'd Folly so long 't is readie to be steru'd Darke sinnes desire hath dimm'd the Christall sight Of Meditation turn'd my Day to Night To dismall Night where onely I may see My selfe alone stand like
I see Or none at all take true delight in thee * This wanton World farre sooner will approue * Ioy in Pot-Poets lousie Rimeing loue * Or wanton Ouids straine to itch the care * And stirre the blood to lust rather then heare * The Glorious Godly Aime of Noble Verse * Which points at Heau'n and tels vs of that fierce All-threatning Thunderer he that descries Our secret deeds those blackest Actions spies At which amaz'd my Muse stands wrapt in wonder Beggs Mercy Mercy O thou God of Thunder Or we shall shipwracke all All too too blame Farre too vnmindfull of God's Sacred Name His Blessings day by day his great Mercy Long suffering and Excelling Safety Why should we worm's stand pretious in Heau'ns sight And not be damn'd to Euerlasting Night For our Foule erring sinnes sinnes that Excell The least whereof merits the Paines of Hell Hell that this instant Gapes to seize this world Deseruing euery moment to be hurl'd To endlesse Flames but for the Excellence Of OVR FATHER'S wonderfull patience O for the Pen of pure perfection To character Man's imperfection Open the blinde excessiue sinner's eyes Force Teares for sinne make him himselfe despise 'T were Musicke to the Soule Diuine delight Th' vndoubted Path to pleasures infinite Holla Commanding Empresse of my Braine Whether thus flings my Muse diuert thy Straine Man is so farre from making God amends That all his waies to wicked Actions bends The World 's a Racke Times Tenter-hooke to ketch At mindes most honest makes a man a wretch Thousands in 〈◊〉 finding no way to cure it Hazard the Gallowes rather then endure it Mis'ry of Miseries when Coyne growes scant Man's Fortun 's Foot ball ther 's no woe to want It dulls braue witts when nothing else can doe it Tames and makes desp'rate when Time brings vs to it Want makes a man turne Slaue vnto a Slaue Scoft scorn'd and flouted at by eu'ry knaue By eu'ry silken sodden-headed Foole That neuer felt Heau'ns scourge nor Mis'ries Schoole Want broacheth Mischiefes neuer thought vpon Makes many an honest woman wanton Simile Want like a Madman makes Men sweare and Dice Forget their God turne Vertue into vice Husband and wife the Sister and the Brother Compel'd through want deuoure one another Merchants Lawyers yea some Diuines will fall When want do's soundly Gripe tw'ill trie them all And therefore As an Antidote be sure First that thou pray to God that 's the maine Cure Gainst Woluish-want and then bethinke thee sure Vpon some honest meanes 't will new Create Thy vnderstanding put thee on a way With Reu'rent Soule on bended knees each day To serue thy God aright so he from falling Proues thy Protector giues thee a Vertuous Calling Heau'n grant the Honest Minde may neuer know The fierce Assaults of want that Hell of woe Torture of Minde Murderer of Modestie High-way to Theft Cut-throate of Chastitie The Key of Whoredome Bane of that true Loue Which many boast but few did euer proue Many vow Loue for euer to be true Yet when want comes Whores are not more vntrue How sweetly did that Sacred Psalmist sing And runne Times true Diuision on the string Of Misery when he of God did craue Nor Want nor too much Wealth least in the Graue Of damn'd Despaire much want might haile him in And Riches Mount him to the highest sinne Lackey his way to lewdnesse to mistrust God's Mercies and to practise wayes vniust A Holy feare seiz'd on that blessed King To dread want's Dangerous Dart Proud Riches sting May the Good Man still thirst for Mercies Cup Climbe Jacobs sacred Ladder and mount vp Into a fiery Chariot Burning Zeale Liue a bright Angell in Heau'ns Common weale Free from this World whose Pompe and Brauery Is but a Land of Durt meere slauery THE FLESH SInne Acts foule Lust vpon the Soule while it Stands Puritan Punck-like willing to commit The Flesh vnto the Soul 's a bitter Pill Sweet guilded Poyson Candide o're to kill Hurrid Carocht in Pride which glit'ring showe Of swelling Pompe whose sweet Effect is woe Fleshly delights beget much Misery Makes Couples marrie vnaduisedly Thinking Loue tittle tattles can feed their wishes Loue soone growes cold where there is empty dishes Of all the sinnes that are when nothing can Ruine the Soule the Flesh preuailes with Man His Eyes no sooner on Deuotion waite But in steps Carnall Concupiscence straight She 's at his Elbow still to itch him on Th' vnhappy path to his Confusion * Chaste wiues are Saints women that wantonize * Witches all poyson Hell is in their Eyes In which as in a Wildernesse of woe In striuing to get out on mad men goe Starke mad past sense spight of all Books and Schools Ruine their Fortunes proue the Slaues to Fooles For an alluring Minutes trifling Ioy A lewd Insatiate Longing a meere Toy * O woman woman thy bewitching motion * Fooles wisedome mads reason and blinds al deuotiō The Flesh false Traitor like striues to betray The Soule to Hell for an Infernall Prey Fleshly delight in Man feares want of Breath More then his God sinne or Eternall Death * When iust plagues come thē sin-sick sots can tremble * Make knowne to all the World how they dissemble * Pray with the lip not heart wrest sacred Text * To serue their owne Ends first and then God next * Prouide to liue in pestilent Times beginne * Take greater Care to flie from death then sinne * Ther 's nothing in our Flesh but wickednesse * Desire to liue and obscene wantonnesse We forget now that dreadfull dismall chance The Terrible Arrow of Gods vengeance When Death buried farre more then th' Earth could swallow And no man to the Graue his Friend durst follow O why should Mortals wish long life to liue What Comfort what true Ioy do's this life giue * Ther 's nothing not one thought that do's vs good * But it is strangled straight by Flesh and blood * Holy Saint Paul finding the Flesh Rebell * desir'd to be dissolu'd proud Flesh to quell * And Sacred Symeon sung ' gainst sinnes encrease * Lord let thy seruant now depart in peace Shall such soule-sweetning preparations be Forgotten quite O blinde securitie * Life louing Fortunes how yea puffe Men vp * To hugge their Follies drinke damnation's Cup. What is it we behold in this vaine life But dayly griefes and dangers sinne and strife * When my soule-erring Eyes staring behold * A dang'rous Strumpet flame in glit'ring gold * And murd'ring Beauty sparkling from her Eye * Burning Temptation then me thinkes I spie * My most apparent mischiefe plainely see * How I ne'r striue to please my God as shee * Striues to please Men such is the flaring Pride * Of the vaine Flesh it hurts on euery side There 's nothing constant in vs if to day Vertue we loue to morrow Vice obay Man at the best is now become so fraile As what cannot a spruce Queane with a smooth Tail
most need goes astray * Is euer sure still to be out o' th way What shall I doe Where whether shall I fly Here there I know not where lie downe and dye Vp soule to Heau'n there get a glorious Crowne I am too weake too vile sinne puls me downe O my vnworthinesse my shame my sinne When shall I shake thee of when when beginne No wilt not bee can I not doe the good I would Must I be rul'd by flesh and blood Weepe on weepe on dissolue hard heart of flint Melt melt thou stony rocke Teares neuer stint Drop Marble Mount drop to a crimson flood Sinke my sinnes in Seas of penitent blood Come folded Armes and you sad Eyes sad Heart Come Soule opprest with sorrow play thy Part Haste to some gloomy-groue there all alone On the greene mantled Earth sigh sob and grone Spend pretious time with sacred thoghts that beares Heau'n in their Eyes true Vertue in their teares Complaine I will to fortune not that whore Which makes leane art pale-fac'd wisdome poore I le not complaine to her but to that Enâ— Almighty Fortune in diuinest sense Groueling on Earth for sinne I le cast forth groanes Sighes shall conuert to Teares Teares into moanes Then will I start from ground my Body raise Shoote mine Eyes vpward against Heau'n I 'le gaze Thinke on my God my God whose sacred Will I haue abus'd my God most iust to kill Damne Soule and Body my rememb'rance blot Out of the Booke of Life I that forgot In midst of all vaine ioyes Intemp'rate healths Loose wanton chambering lasciuious stealths All-seeing Heauen a God so good so great He that to feed vs with Spirituall meate The Natiuitie of Christ Tooke humane shape came downe from Heau'n to Earth Enter'd the World at whose soule-sauing Birth The euerlasting gates of Mercy stood Open to all His houre of flesh and blood Turn'd night to day Heau'ns glittering Angell came And to poore men poore sheepheards did proclaime A Sauiour borne sinnes fury to controule Neuer was such sweet musicke to the soule Before his comming the Natiuitie Of Christ brings mortals firme felicitie * Milde was his Birth his Life creations wonder * His death deaths terror O thou God of thunder * Master of mans saluation all the Earth * Reapt plenitude of Ioy when thou tookst Birth * Mortalls were bigge with sinne villany ripe * Hells dreadfull Dragon ready for to gripe * Soules in his vggly pawes But then stept in * Our Sauiour he redeemd lost soules whose sinne * Gaue them to death eternall blessed houre * Blessed Natiuitie thrice blessed powre * Me thinkes at thought of thy Natiuitie * I lie perfum'd in Immortalitie When Christ was borne all were new borne agen Nere came like Musicke to the hearts of Men Angels for ioy clap their Celestiall Wings And eu'ry Saint eu'ry Crownd Martyr Sings Magnifico Deum to mortalls peace The calme of Conscience and shall mortals cease Their glad expressions No let hate to vice Dissolue sinnes cloud Eccho to Paradice Our Sauiours welcome let vs neuer more Simile Lie downe to our dishonours like a whore Dead to good councell neuer let darke deedes Defile the Soule Le ts roote vp all the seedes Of Pride Lust Enuie Hatred and in place Plant wisedome meeke humility and grace * Christs Glory came cloathd in humility * To teach our Hell-bred Pride Ciuility * Borne of a Virgin came to the world a stranger * His Palace an Oxe-stall his Bed a Manger O're whose obscure aboad Heau'ns Taper shinde And to the soules of wisest Men diuinde Great Natures wonder pointed them the way To finde the worlds Redeemer they obay Made towards that fixed starre which in the skie Was the blest Virgin Maries Canopie To Beth-lehem they came there with hearts glad Ador'd the King of Glory poorely clad Nor could blood thirstie Herods strict command Nor bloody butchering of Babes withstand His blessed Birth whose admiration brings Ioy to the world blest be that King of Kings He that to cure sinnes Leaporous disease A Heauenly Progresse fetcht the Geste these The Adamant of Glory CHRIST'S Setting forth from 's Celestiall PALACE Lodg'd in the Virgins Wombe from that blest PLACE To th' Manger went from Manger to the Crosse From Crosse departed with his deare Blouds losse Vnto the SEPVLCHER there made all euen And so Return'd Gloriously Home to HEAVEN To HEAV'N from whence LORD let thy SACRED FIRE GLISTER vpon my SOVLE whose sole Desire Begges MERCY for my Sinnes makes knowne to THEE THOV that hast RAVIHST ALL hast Rauisht Me. The Passion of Christ. Thirty three yeeres Christs sanctity did were The Cloth of our Redemption and did beare Times heauy yoake of crosses that we might With ease sustaine all wrongs in him delight Simile * Like Martyr'd Stephen whose lowd crying grones * Gain'd Heau'n i th' middle of a storme of stones * Loue lead him on in Death this Saint was Taster * And first that follow'd his Immortall Master * Christ Crucifide whom none that truly heares * But sure 't will thawe their frozen hearts to teares * Christs whole Life was a Martyrdome and Crosse * Actiue and Passiue and his deare bloods losse * The Tragicke Part the bloody Sceane which none * But he himselfe must Act and Act alone Alone for vs Heau'ns Glorious Lampe of Grace Grou'ling on Earth fell on his sacred Face He that is euer Lord of Mercies seate Water'd the Garden Cedron with the sweate Of bloody Browes and Body heauinesse And deadly sorrow seiz'd his blessednesse A kisse betray'd him and a periur'd lie Was the Reward for all his puritie â—n scorne this Prince of Heau'n was buffetted Spighted spitted at Extreamly scourged Yet Torture ne'r mou'd him he was silent In all his bitter suffrings patient Neuer did Earthly King free from annoy Receiue his Crowne nor with a greater ioy Went to his Coronation Dignifide As Glories King went to be Crucifide In him the Iewes derided Maiestie Condemned Innocence scourg'd Pietie * Head Hands Side Feet they to the Crosse did Fiâ— * Made him all o're a bloody Crucifixe Simile * Satan and Death like sawcie serieants went * To seize on him to sheere that Innocent * Blest Lambe of God But he who was to saue * All that belieu'd they had no power to shaue * His Patience Death and Diuels force did quell * He tooke the Great Leuiathan of Hell * With the hooke of his Crosse made him his slaue * Captiu'd the Diuell and subdued the Graue Simile * Like a long lookt for Booke Christ in the Presse Was kept to come in Print forth for to blesse * Our soules with that Saluation which do's giue * New Life whereby Eternally wee liue INRI The Key of Heauen â—are Sauiour sweet sweet was thy deare Compassion â—arely exprest in that most bitter PASSION â—hen whipt and scourg'd thou mildly suffer'dst all â—owes Buffets Blasphemies VIN'GER and GALL â—ulting
Foes Reproach Mockes Scoffings Scorne â—y SINEWES to be Rackt thy BODY Torne Suffer'dst the Crowne of Thornes t' empale thy Braine Which downe thy Checkes forc'd showres of Bloud to raine Suffer'dst the piercing LAVNCE that like a FLOVD Sluc'd from thy wounded Side thy pretious BLOVD Nayl'd to the Crosse there CHRIST lost Soules to winne Suffer'd the World 's huge pond'rous weight of Sinne. Heau'ns Wrath Hel's Rage On CHRIST all Torments fell To saue our Soules froÌ„ those blew flames in Hell 〈◊〉 which th' amazed EARTH with horrour shooke â—arkenesse possest the WORLD Day Light forsooke INRI The Key of Heauen Her wonted course the Sunne obscur'd his Ligâ—â— At Death of IESVS CHRIST that bloudy sigâ—â— Made HELL to quake Diuels with Admiratioâ— Tremble to see the Cause of MANS Saluatioâ— Oh the rich thought strike strike amazing Thundâ—â— Shake Natures Frame this impious Age with wondâ—â— CAN muddie Mortals minde their Actuall EVILLS And not Christs SVFF'RINGS Such resemble Deuils HAPPY the MAN whose sacred SOVLE is bent FOR Christ's ENDVRINGS firmely to REPENT What Tongue What Pen Not all Man's Wit can tell CHRIST'S Torments they exceeded paines in Hell And all for MAN Ingratefull wretched MAN Are we not bound to loue and feare Him than O yes to spend whole houres dayes months yeaâ—â— In true Repentant Showres and Flouds of Teaâ—â— The PYRAMID OF Paradice Blest Blest O Blest Be that Diuinity Three Sacred Persons GOD in Vnitie WHOSE glorious Rauishing Resurrection Restor'd Vs lost to Grace Oh PERFECTION Purifie thou my Soule my Heart my Minde Snatch mee from Earth to Heau'n make mee inclin'd Wholy to Thee All worldly Pompe despising Fixe my THOVGHTS euer On thy Blessed RISING Giue MEE A Sempeternall Reuerence To Thy ALL-glorious high Omnipotence I that am clog'd with sin wretchednesse Desp'rate thoughts hunting after Worldlinesse Thy Blest Protection craue cleare the great score Of all my fowle misdeeds that I no more So great a Sinner prooue Lord let my strife Against my sinnes Raise me from Death to Life And from the Foote of vggly sinnes disgrace â—ount mount my SOVLE to th' Pyramid of Grace Did each one truely know the true delight Wherein the wise contemplate Heau'ns rich sight 'T would fright th' excessiue sinners God-lesse face Make him as in a Glasse see his disgrace Teare op'e his eyes that all amaz'd with horrour Trembling he may behold with dreadfull terrour A guard of Furies sucking at his soule That he may see his sinnes horrid and foule Liue as in sulphurous flames discerne his Euill See the fierce Deuill and cease to be a Deuill Cease from damnations Heire licentious life Cease from extreames in sinne soule-murdring striâ—â— Abhorre to studie state with greater Zeale Then Zeale to Heau'n or the soules Common-weâ—â— Abhorre with solemne Oathes periur'd to teare And racke the Name of Christ dreadlesse of feare Wounding afresh with trembling feare I write Wonder of Angels that great God of Light His wounds with Othes of wounds flesh bloud hart Honour of darkenesse O blaspheming part Too too much vs'd 'mong God-lesse soules who still Infinite good pay with infinite ill As if no thought remain'd of future good No teares for him that shed his pretious bloud Simile But as the comely Actor whose faire part Vpon the stage presents an honest heart For two houres space a Vertuous Noble Minde His Sceane expir'd basely to vice inclinde Drinke Drabs and Oathes making no other vse With his faire Part but with excesse abuse * O you that stand on Pynacles of state * Let not the World deceiue you least too late * From off your slipp'ry height you come in thrall * o pash your selues in peeces past recall * Sell not fare Lord-ships to keepe Lady-ships * Nor sucke damnation from a strumpets lips * Touch not those Spells of Sparta let e'm Rot * When Vertue rules in Man Lust liues forgot One onely Iemme that 's all the store I haue Great of that little nothing which shall craue Of Heauens Greate En's not for my selfe alone But for thee Reader thee and euery one Rarenesse of Rare example and withall An euerlasting skie of Grace to fall Vpon our warre on Earth desiring Heauen For wayes on Earth are crooked all vneuen * Saue me O saue me thou Eternall Terror * To damned soules I doe confesse each Error * The many thousand sinnes vnseene vnfelt Which long too long in my hard heart haue dwelt * To thee to thee thou Euer-liuing being * Of an Eternall Maiestie All-seeing * With penitent Heart I come I call I cry * Pardon my sinnes helpe thou All-viewing Eye * Looke downe Soule-sauing sacred God of Truth * Forgiue th' infinite follies of my youth * Shield me Diuinitie from Satans Ginnes * Lord lay not to my Charge my Parents sinnes * Glory of Goodnesse in thy Mercy heare mee * Let Hate Reuenge nor Enuie ne'r come neare mee * Let neither Pride nor hope of gaine deceiue mee * Nor pleasure nor the want of Meanes bereaue mee * Of sense least senselesse wholy I despaire * And so become the wretched Childe of care * O sacred Sauiour make me euer trie * To liue by honest Meanes or let me die * Though griefe and I haue well acquainted beene * Lord let me neuer grieue but for my sinne * So shall thy Mercy ne'r forgetfull stand * While I haue Tongue a Pen a Head a Hand THE SPIRITVALL SEA-FIGHT EM'prour of Angells O thou King of Starres Mans perfect solace ' gainst sins bloody Wars When I behold with contemplation Eye The siluer Spangles of thy Glorious skie Me thinkes in that Blew-paper-Booke of Heau'n I see waies of Mortalls all vneu'n The wretched soule of Man in euery Place Liues as in Hell on Earth without thy Grace Temptation on Temptation past controule Alures the Body to betray the Soule Hell's Blacke Prince Troopes of spirits eu'ry day Inuade my sinne-seidg'd-soule Furies display Infernall Banners while the Drumme of Death Beates a dead March and e're I can take Breath Sounds shrill Alarums hot Assaults beginne The soules fierce Fight muffl'd in cloudy sinne I liue beset Millions of spirits round Shoote at my soule I stand on no firme ground But tread on earth as on a Ball of Ice I cannot stand nor stirre for slip'ry Vice My Soul 's a Ship tost on the Mountaine Seas Of this vast World she neuer liues ar ease * Her sayles are sighes her Anchor deepe despaire * Her Compasse Error her sad Pilot Care Farre of from safeties shore floates on the waues Of fearefull billowes Soule deuouring Graues Rough blust'ring stubborne stormes yeeld no reliefe On euery Shrowd Each Tackling hangs a griefe Death like a darke cloud besets euery Place Here Rocks of Ruine their Pyrates lie in Chase In euery corner Mischiefes hourely lurke Simile * Pride fights against vs like a furious Turke * Lust like a trech'rous Spaniard murd'ring French * Like an infected poyson's loathsome stench
This Minute Sacred Sauiour now beginne * To giue Release and as thou didst prouide * An Army of Angels for Eliahs guide * Who to secure him guirt with Enemies * Mounted his soule from worldly vanities * So Heauenly Day-Star blessed Iesus end * This my Designe thy holy Angell send * To be my Guide my Guard my Sacred spell * Gainst all Enchantments witchcrafts death hell * So shall my Anthem euery morning be * Glory of Heauen shew mercy vnto me * To me Times wretch most wretched vilely base * Wanting thy sacred aide spirituall grace * Remember not my frailties make me to grow * Great in thy loue thou that dost truly know * Of all the Blessings vnto Mortals giuen * My chiefe desire on Earth is Grace from Heau'n * The Blessing of th' Almighty Lord of Hoast * The Father the Sonne and the holy Ghost * Preserue be with me now and for euer when * My Soule is most distrest Amen Amen Spes mea Christo THE WORLD VAine is this World this Strumpet World that can Yeeld nothing coÌ„stant Loue 'twixt man man Which next his Maker should be most respected Is soonest broake and most of all neglected Ingratefull vile the World 's a very Whore Proud rich in Vice in Vertue most most poore Misse-led by eu'ry vaine Phantasticke Toy To forget God bewitch't with carnall ioy Bundles of Baubles imbecilitie Biles of Apparell Botch Nobilitie Lordships Ladyships Foolries and Fashions Lust-panting Humours ten thousand Passions Rich Men the more to blame as this Age goes Debarre house-keeping to maintaine gay Cloathes A Rich Caroach three hunder'd pounds a Gowne Thirty pounds a Smocke or their Wiues will frowne There is no liuing with them they must ride Where when and how they list in glit'ring Pride High flashing burning Brauerie blinde Eyes Flint Hearts dull Eares deafe to all poore Mens cries Such is the dullnesse of Mortalitie And such the World 's cold Hospitalitie * Each dustie Magist'rate with Brib'rie fed * One robs the liuing another robs the dead * A third the Arch-Theefe playes by cunning stealth * Knaue Knights by Patent rob the Common-wealth * Ioyne with much too much ill iniustice he * Zodomiticall Lecher for a greedie Fee * Dares license lust glad if he may preuaile * Sucke wealth from prostitute Harlots neuer faile Man's minde which most his Maker should affect With feare and trembling and that true respect Belongs to his high Maiestie the Net Of sinne so snares we worthlesse wormes forget God's Thunder-darting Vengeance glorious state Still forget God forget to contemplate With Rauishing Loue true loue pure heart pure eies That 's the defect makes hourely mischiefes rise * Ambitious Lords Attir'd in Anicke shape * Ioy in the wayes of Lust Murder and Rape * Ladies with charmes tricks humours that they haue * Abuse their Lords dispatch them to the Graue * The Iealious Husband mischieuous in ill * Through vaine suspect his constant wife to kill * The carelesse Cleargy man in his degree * Satan corrupts makes for a golded fee The greedy Lawyer fed by Clients strife Brib'd angels take for the true Angell life Iust Iudge the vniust dustie Magistrate Father the Sonne the Sonne the Father hate Brother the Brother prosecute to death Quarrell for Toyes stop one anothers breath The world do's hourly tempt fooles worldly wise The deceitfull Tradesman that seemes precise And is an arrant knaue to thinke the honie And onely blessed life still to get mony Mockes at the poore mans vertue and in pride Stiles him a vertuous foole thus knaues deride The pouertie of Men which do's as farre In Heauenly wealth transcend them as a starre The richest Iemme on Earth But t is not so With the worlds wealthy worldling they say no Rich enough Honest enough all they can Aimes at the outward not the inward man * Pouertie made a scoffe a scorne a winde * Gold smothers Vertue blackest Actions blinde * Gold got in God's name with an honest face * Comes slow but in the Diuels name apace Such is the world's condition Good Men's thrall On Earth ther 's no true comfort none at all * The honest minded Scholler shall ne'r lacke * Sorrow nor want of meanes to breake his backe * The pittifull Souldier in his greatest need * Ha's his throate cut he shall be sure to bleed * The faire Gamester for his milde square play * Is soonest coozen'd sure to lose eu'ry day * The faithfull Louer still is paid with hate * The more in loue the more vnfortunate Be rich or poore in high or low Estate I' th mod'rate Meane or fully fortunate Insatiate Mankinde euer discontent Desires to liue but neuer liues content In scarcity of Corne for plentie crie In plenty straight forget God instantly Such is Man's Erring soule which ought to know Simile * Life 's but a long sad Pilgrimage of woe * An Arke of trauell shop of vanity * Storehouse of trifles Inhumanitie * A Field of Stones a Path of thornie Prickes * Meadow of Scorpions Groue of Basilisckes The Worlds vnquiet rest is all Man's foe * Dangers attend vs where so ere wee goe * Mischieuous Deceits Brawles Quarrels Fightings * False-hearted Neighbour-hood base back-bitings * Friendship 's so faithlesse Ripe full blowne with euill * A friend to day the next for gaine proues Deuill The World's condition right 't is slaue to sinne Beware of it the worlds a cunning ginne 'T will entrap soules call then to God for Grace * Let griefe for worldly Crosses ne'r take place * Neuer let sorrow runne into extreames * Vnlesse for sinne so shall Celestiall Beames * Glorifie thy Soule make it Immortall * Free it from ills what euer can befall In this false promising World this Maze of woe Where wretched Worldlings know not where to goe To winde them out such are the various wayes Of life oppressing Yeeres Months Weeks and Daies As Prose ill read abide too much misusing Or Vertuous verse when rogues haue the perusing * So fares it with the faire and flourishing Line * Of that sweet Heauenly straine Poesie Diuine * Basely neglected by the Monster Crew * Of Puff-Paste muddie Mindes that pish and mew * Make a wry Close-stoole-face a squint ey'd glance * At Vertuous verse whose sad mischance * Is to goe vnregarded when the crime * Of a lasciuious Bastard Ballet rime * If baudy enough though ne'r so vnfit * Winnes fauour profit and the praise of wit * Read with delight and much too much requir'd * Coppies sought after greedily desir'd * When perfect Poetrie Musicke to the soule Truth 's firme Opposer ' gainst crimes filthy foule * If Read most read for fashion small delight * No comfort no respect but scornefull flight * And such is Vertues Foe the Worlds proud Miniâ—â— * In whom ther 's no true Loue no perfect Vnion O Diuine Poesie I lament thy state To see thy Beautie disproportionate So poorely in esteeme their 's few
Vsurers in Pooles of Sulphure boyle Murther Rape Incest endlesse torments feele The Racke of vengeance and the burning wheele Whirl'd round in blew flames soule-amazing feare * More Plagues theÌ„ Tongue can tell the damned beare In burning Beds of steele soules blazing fry Tortur'd with torments such as neuer dye Cursing the Time of their abus'd Creation Parents Fate Sinne and their owne damnation Better O better neuer to be borne Then with such Terror-striking Torments torne Which to eschew weepe wormes of earth repent Weepe weepe for sinne soule-killing sinnes preuent * Seeke Heau'n shun Hell fly from the worlds entice * Heau'ns the Reward of Vertue Hell of Vice * Perfect Repentance makes men brauely die * That ne'r liu'd so fly then Hels Miserie * Deferre not thy Repentance till to Morrow * Shed Teares for sinne O 't is a sacred Sorrow * Repent or damne for sinne weepe and weepe well * Soules that doe floure at Teares shall fry in Hell God in his infinite Mercy ne'r forsakes The soule which fights with sinne and vndertakes To doe it's best endeauour striuest ' expell The subtile shares of sinne and striues to dwell On Vertues mount free from the tempting vice Of the World Flesh and Diuell all th' entice Of all ill Company whose venome bloud Each diuine thought in Man each deed that 's good Seekes to corrupt to poyson betray soules And drie their vertues like parcht parchment scroles From which dire Mischiefe the Religious still Protected stand by the Almighties will Simile As the young Bird for food do's neuer cease Op'ning the Mouth vntill the Damme release And cure the want it suffers so should we * With vnlockt lips still pray that God would free * Our soules from sinne O 't is a blessed taske * God ne'r leaues giuing till we leaue to aske What a large Extreame folly 't is to spie Man like the Wolfe for prey how earnestly He hunts for meanes as if the onely honie Of Soule and Body did consist in monie Meat drinke clothes men sicke still pray for health Ready to be vndone for paltry wealth Freedome and safety And with shamelesse Faces Forget to beg of God Spirituall Graces * Many Men pray But he the Glory winnes * Who prayes to be disburthen'd from his sinnes * And viewes the poore Mans Labour with the Eye * Of sweete reliefe ther 's Noble Charitie * The heart of such a Man may sometimes shrinke * Vnder Temptations weight but neuer sinke * God makes him here Lord Steward of that store * He deales so chearefully among the poore * Giues him the Grace to thinke when to his sight * A poore wretch comes to begge of him a Mite * He might haue beene that begger his Estate * Transfer'd on him and begging at his Gate Or in the streete in Raggs opprest with griefe Glad to beseech him for some poore reliefe To such faire soules Iehoua in his loue Giues Gifts of Grace he their defence will proue God's promise is if feruently we pray And vse our best endeauour eu'ry day To fly from sinne resoluing to betake vs To holy Meanes he neuer will forsake vs. God is so kiâ—â—e he cannot will not see His Seruaâ—◠〈◊〉 to damn'd impietie Neuer did any doe their faire endeauour To pray to him that euer lost their labour Nay more if God but see thy inclination To pray He will preuent thy supplication Answer thy full desire e're thou canst craue Grant that thy heart did neuer hope to haue He made the Eare to heare the happinesse We haue from him the Tongue still to confesse The Glory of his Name our Eyes to see The workes of his Almighty Maiestie Hand Heart Knee Foot God the whole man did frame All to reioyce in his All-Sacred Name And dare we Dust and Ashes cease to pray To Him O no Heauen grant I neuer 〈◊〉 Ride thou my Soule vpon some winged Cloud To th' Heau'nly Haruest Fly to the sacred Shroud Of Sempeternall Safety Fly the sight Of blazing Beautie flaring Earths delight Malicious Mindes mischieuous Man's inuention Faire Lookes false Hearts stampt in a foule intention Take flight my Soule flie from the dismall Den Of this Darke Age the impiuousnesse of Men Fly from the pond'rous Plummets of blacke Vice Which puls to Hell helpe Prince of Paradice I faint I die sinne loades my soule with Horror The World the Flesh and Diuell all with Terror Hangs on my fetter'd Limmes Pris'ner to eare I liue steru'd Tortur'd Tempted to despaire Heare me Eternall Essence which hath made My soule to pray send me thy sacred aide On the bright Sunne Beames of thy sweet Saluation Draw Lord draw vp the Dew of my Deuotion Mount Soule vpon the wings of Charitie Helpe Heau'n vp Heart Fly at Eternitie Rowz'd like a Towring Faulcon in despight Of Hell and Furies Fly to thy Makers sight * Happy the Man whose Actions striue to swimme * Through Seas of Tribulation vnto him * The way to Heau'n is full of Rubbs and Thornes * We cannot passe but by the Lane of Scornes * The Diuell sets his Baites in euery angle * No Corner's free from him soules to entangle Therefore in Vertues Path striue to excell Let feruent Faith repulse the Fiend of hell Diuines may Preach else till their Heart strings burst The Height of Sinne will Mount liue still accurst FINIS