THE CELESTIALL PVBLICAN A Sacred Poem Liuely describing the Birth Progresse Bloudy Passion and glorious Resurrection of our SAVIOVR THE SPIRITVALL SEA-FIGHT The Mischieuous Deceites of The WORLD The FLESH The Vicious Courtier The IESVITE The DIVELL Seauen seuerall Poems with sundry Epitaphs and Anagrams By Nathanael Richards Gent. COELVM CVPIO LONDON Imprinted by Felix Kyngston for Roger Michell 16â—â— THE AVTHOR N o man so high but er'e he die may fall A ll Flesh is fraile all subiect vnto thrall T her 's no content on Earth none certaine bred H ealthfull to day we liue to morrow dead A rt nor Promotion mends not each mans state N or are the Greatest Men most Fortunate A duancement's but a Smoake Delight a Toy E ach glit'ring Pompe each Soule seducing Ioy L ike Hell-bred Poysons worke the Soules annoy R eiect all lewd vile vaine affecting pleasure I ntend thy future good Celestiall Treasure C ontest with Sinne Heau'ns holy Armour weare H e that will conquer he must Patience beare A t such rare Combats Sacred aide is sent R especting Man all danger to preuent D eare is the Loue of God in him delight S eeke Heau'nly Ioyes those comforts infinite 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 Friend 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 To the Reader Here 's no Luxurious Verse to please the Eares Of Whorish Mindes stranger to blessed Teares No Court-Confounding Complement nor stile Offeigned Poesie nor base Flatties 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 * And as the Sick-Man Simile 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
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 soule * If Read most read for fashion small delight * No comfort no respect but scornefull flight * And such is Vertues Foe the Worlds proud Minion * 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 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 eare * 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 want 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 Want like a Madman makes Men sweare and Dice Simile 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
the feare Rowze my flint Heart Simile that like a frighted Deere Amazed stands attaints mine eyes of treason Those eyes exclaime against the eyes of reason The eye of reason blames their wanton sight As ouer rul'd by foolish appetite Each guilty of their fault to sinne stand thrall No Limme but helps th' oppressed soule to fall * Man at the best his vertu's very little * His state a Bubble at the strong'st most brittle Simile * Mans life is like a Game at Tables where * A good chance happ'ning if you doe not there * Mend it with some good play the sad Games losse * Will vexe thy grieued soule proue the sole crosse * To all thy comforts All quietnesse than Simile * Leaues thee and like a drunken seruing-man 〈◊〉 * Which at his masters 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 Ens 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 Tooke humane shape came downe from Heau'n The Natiuitie of Christ 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 Lie downe to our dishonours like a whore Simile 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 CHRIST'S Setting forth from 's Celestiall PALACE The Adamant of Glory 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 In 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 Fixe * 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 Suffer'dst the Crowne of Thornes t'empale thy Braine The Key of Heauen 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. Deare Sauiour sweet sweet was thy deare Compassion Dearely exprest in that most bitter PASSION When whipt and scourg'd thou mildly suffer'dst all Blowes Buffets Blasphemies VIN'GER and GALL Insulting Foes Reproach Mockes Scoffings Scorne Thy SINEWES to be Rackt thy BODY Torne Heau'ns Wrath Hel's Rage On CHRIST all Torments fell To saue our Soules frō those blew flames in Hell At which th' amazed EARTH with horrour shooke Darkenesse possest the WORLD Day Light forsooke INRI 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 Her wonted course the Sunne obscur'd his Light At Death of IESVS CHRIST that bloudy sight Made HELL to quake Diuels with Admiration Tremble to see the Cause of MANS Saluation Oh the rich thought strike strike amazing Thunder Shake Natures Frame this impious Age with wonder 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 yeares In true Repentant Showres and Flouds of Teares Blest Blest O Blest Be that Diuinity The PYRAMID OF Paradice 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 Mount 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 strife Abhorre to studie state with greater Zeale Then Zeale to Heau'n or the soules Common-weale 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 Horrour 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 But as the comely Actor Simile 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
soul 's shun the blest meanes of grace Let vs for euer then resist all Euill Wisedome commands vs to defie the Diuell To combate with our sinnes oppose temptation Fight against Hell the Diuell and Damnation This for a Caueat take striue to doe well Ingratitude to Heau'n picks open hell While Grace is offer'd then Watch Fast and Pray Ther 's no preuention in the latter day * None liues secure that to his Vice liues friend * A Vitious life oft makes a vitious end * Strengthen me my Creator make me fight * Thy HOLY BATTLE let not the Worlds delight * Disswade my soule sweet Iesus for thy merits * Enable mee Rowze my deiected Spirits * Vncharme Hells charme O Sacred God vntie * My fetter'd Soule let mee not euer lie * Lull'd in the Strumpet lap of deadly sinne * 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 cōstant 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 * Life 's but a long sad Pilgrimage of woe Simile * 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
when alas distrest Naked forlorne when most of all opprest Then sends reliefe miraculous reliefes Such is the Loue of Heau'n Heau'n cures all griefes As for Times Wolfe-turn'd ill-affected great Ones Close-fisted to the poore deafe to their Groanes The villaines of this Age that make profession Of a pure Life yet liue by base oppression Hell shall confound their soules that Den of Horror Circl'd with blacke affright blew-burning Terror Shall boyle their soules and bodies toth ' blacke sweat Of an infernall poyson and that eate Still to renew new paines plagues that excell Such are the neuer-dying paines of Hell There painted Pride liues crown'd in flaming fire The Glorious Strumpet whipt with burning wyer Fed is the Lust-prouoking Letcher there With scortching Coles such as delight to sweare Swallow the Drunkards euer scalding Oyle There 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 thē 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 wonnes 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 floute 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 striues t' expell The subtile snares 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 prayer 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 kinde he cannot will not see His Seruants Slaues 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 stray 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 care 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 Acrosticke Epitaphes vpon King Iames Prince Lodowicke Duke of Richmond Lord Marques Hamleton and others KING IAMES his Epitaph K inde Excellent King Great Brittaines Solomon I ust Iudge his Sacred Maiestie is gon N ow number'd mong the dead vpon whose Beere G riefe through the world do's sacrifice a Teare I nsighes and teares and groanes at his depart A Sea of woe broake in seiz'd euery heart M irrour of Maiestie vnderneath thy Hearse E ach Poet sadly sits weeping in Verse S earch Earth's Circumference where shall you finde D welling in Kings King IAMES his royall minde E ternitie so grac'd him hee did Shine C rown'd from his infancy a King Diuine E xc'llently Learned Forraigne Princes know it A King he was and a most Sacred Poet. S o constant such a Peace-Maker what
ngels Protect you both May your faire worth N atur'd like that Blest Tree first brought you forth L iue long So loue liue blest in one another Y our sweetnesse grant O Heau'n a ioyfull Mother Verses vpon Sr. Thomas Stanly his Lady her first beeing with Childe God to this world with safe deliu'rance bring That little world Prime Noble Pretious thing Within your happy Wombe Long may it liue To liue Times faire example truly giue Next God full ioy praise to that Bodies worth Blest Tree of Happinesse first brought it forth That 's all I can wish which to your true Ioy Through hearty Prayer I wish a louely Boy Hope Faith Charitie The blessed Syrens of Eternitie Firme Faith Sweet Hope and Sacred Charity For euer dwell faire Minded Vertuous Dame In your two Hearts now in one Bodies Frame Big with Rich Natures comely curious dressing Iewell of Glory God's Almighty Blessing O may your Pangs in Labour proue as milde As was the Virgin Mary she whose Childe Remember in your Throwes you then with ease Shall beare a Babe that best your minde shall please So happy Mother of a happy Sonne If Daughter happy Liue Heauens will be done A Memoriall vpon the Death of that True Honorable Valiant Commander Sr. Francis Carew Knight of the most noble and sacred Institution of the Bath to our Soueraigne Lord King Charles F all from mine Eyes yea Tragicke Teares of pitie R un to my Pen write write Times mournefull Dittie A nd to this dull Age tell in Sorrowes Tone N oble Wise Valiant Carew he is gone C onquer'd for Loue to Heau'n King Country State I n a iust cause he dy'd O happy Fate S oule suff'ring Vertue fully fortunate C all'd to the sacred Order of the Bath A Jemme he liu'd and dy'd a Knight of Faith R eligion drew him on to Warres fierce Fight E arth claim'd her due Death was to him delight W ho liu'd and dyde Heauens happy Fauorite An Epitaph vpon the Right Honourable Lady the Lady Francis Sister to Theophilus Earle of Lincolne and wife to Mr. Iohn Gorges Esquire YEe Eyes that ioy i' th rarenesse of that Life Which makes Man blest in a true Noble wife Behold here lies a Iemme bereau'd of Breath That Excellent Lady she that by Death Sterne Death subdu'd her life and loue did shine Cleare as Heau'ns star like a true wife diuine She was her Sexes wonder hate to sinne Made her the Glory of her Noble kinne She was what can be said Religious kinde A Saint on Earth that bore an Angels Minde Vpon the Death of Mistris Margaret Brograue M ilde At Rough Grim Assaults Restlesse Eu'n Tir'd B eguirt with Death mildely her soule aspir'd R ight vpward flew to that Arch-glitring Heau'n O f for and from whom shee at first was giuen G lory of Parents farewell modest kinde R are earthly Forme fram'd of a Heau'nly Minde A ll the fond fashions of the world's entice V aine Woman's wish she slighted tempting vice E uer she checkt with thoughts of Paradice Vpon my worthy Friend Mr. CHARLES AYTE CHARLES AYTE Anagram REALY CHASTE THe true expression of a gratefull Minde For your long since past loue to me so kinde I neuer shall forget accept then this Diuine Note on your Name Mans chiefest blisse Courts you faire Soule to such an happinesse Words are too weake to tell Pen to expresse While thousands in vaine Lust their life time waste Your Anagram is what Realy Chaste MARY HEATH Anagram HA MY HEART Thus exprest NEuer had Virgin sweetenesse to the view Of this vast World a happier Name then you Your Anagram is such 't is euer vs'd ' Mongst Turtle Louers that ne'r loue abus'd Vertues Chaste Queene to you doth here impart Infinite Ioy in these words Ha My Heart TO My much respected true Friend Master William Vtber W i th holy thoughts Lord make thee to repell I nfernall sinne ne'r may the charmes of Hell L asciuious Temptings nor the worlds delight L ocke thee from Heau'n the Lord of Day and Night I nspire thy Soule Rauish thy Noble Sight A rm'd with Faith Hope and Sacred Charitie M ount may thy Soule Eternall Victory V aine World what is it but a Theame of sorrow T imes slaue the stage of death from which we borrow B rau'ry for one Day and are dead to Morrow E arth's Pompe is nothing but a poys'ning Spell R iots vaine Glory Painted Iezabell TO His Respected Friend Mr. VALENTINE OLDIS V ertue on Earth firme Enemie to Vice A ppearing Glorious when the Worlds Intice L aies Seidge vnto the Soule and with delight E leuates holy Spirits gainst sinnes Fight N ames you the Man for Combate points thee on T o the Celestiall Race which thought vpon I nuites thy Soule to that perfection N o Tongue can tell not all the Words content E quals the Minde that 's truly Penitent O n Gods great Mercy euer cast an Eye L et thy knowne dang'rous Trauailes neuer die D eeds that haue past the Stormes of Sea and Land I n thee true Triall haue to make thee stand S in s Foe Truths Champion still at Heau'ns command TO My beloued Friend Mr. FRANCIS HVRST F ly Friend from all vaine thoughts let thy faire youth R unne Vertues Race be still in Loue with Truth A s Sea-Men striue in Neptunes Path to shunne N umberlesse Dangers so like Times best Sonne C leare thy Soule 's ship from eu'ry stormie Spell I n this Worlds wicked Sea Those waues of Euill S urges of Sinne the World the Flesh and Deuill H ere as you reade the Follies of the Time V ndaunted struggle to subdue each Cryme R owze thee from sinne striue Vertues Top to clime S o from the high Pyramides of Grace T here houers o're thy head an Angels place LOVES SONNET LEt me not be with bitternesse despighted That an with you and onely you delighted Beare witnesse Angells what I write is true I Loue and loue and loue and none but you Shall I then suffer Racke be rackt and torne Shall I then suffer hate and churlish scorne Will you my honest minde so much misuse Sweete Natures Loue to pittie not abuse O bee so sweete Liue and liue long to cherish My Pen and mee or I for euer perish Sorrowes Sonnet Once I did loue so lou'd and was belou'd As Heau'n was angry sure else we had prou'd No-Star-crost Louers our true Loues were such Alas we lou'd and lou'd and lou'd too much For see the lucke my Loue kept from mine eyes By her most cruell Friends for Loue she dyes Then like a burning Beacon set on fire At sight of her sad Funerall my dere Kindled burn'd fier'd flam'd as t would pierce the skie Then would I perish faine but Fates denie A thousand griefes at once me thought did moue In my Mad braine and then I was in Loue Starke Mad in Loue all ioyes bereft me And nothing but despaire Sad sorrow left me Vpon