THE Countess of Pembrokes Emanuel. Containing the Nativity, Passion, Burial, and Resurrection of Christ: together with certain Psalms of David. All in English Hexameters. By ABRAHAM FRAVNCE. Imprinted at London, for William Ponsonby, dwelling in Paul's Churchyard, at the sign of the Bishop's head. 1591. To the right excellent and most Honourable Lady, the Lady Mary, Countess of Pembroke. Marry the best Mother sends her best Babe to a Mary: Lord to a Lady's sight, and Christ to a Christian hearing. Your honours most affectionate. Abraham France. The Countess of Pembrokes Emanuel. The Nativity of Christ, in rhyming Hexameters. Christ ever-lyving, once dying, only triumpher Over death by death; Christ jesus mighty redeemer Of forlorn mankind, which led captyvyty captive, And made thraldom thrall; whose grace and mercy defensive Mercyles and graceless men saved; Christ lively reviver Of souls oppressed with sin; Christ lovely reporter Of good-spell Gospel, maids son, celestial offspring, Emanuel, Man-god, Messyas, ever abounding With pity perpetual, with pure love, charity lively, This Christ shall be my song, and my meditation only, O everlasting aeternal, ever-abyding, Euer-lyving Lord: O life, and stil-pity-taking, Stil-quickning spirit, which causedst God to be manly, That true-God trueman might so cause man to be godly; Grant me a sounding voice to recount these funeral horrors, Which made us t'enjoy those sweet celestial harbours. And thou Babe stil-borne, borne always from the beginning, Whose sweet birth in skies caused Angels for to be singing; Look, sweet Babe, from above, lend gracius ears to my prayers, So shall these my lips, this mouth, this tongue, be thy praisers. When no Sun gave light, no Moon distinctly appeared, And no twinkling stars this lightsome Olympus adorned, When no world was made; then that most mighty jehova, That king omnipotent, that Lord and only Monarcha Himself did meditate, enjoyed his glorius essence, Glorius, aeternal, unspeakable, infinite essence: Lived and loved himself, himself, felicity matchless, All through all, chief good, chief bliss, perfection endless. But the most good God, this simple Trinity blessed, This most loving Lord, this threefould Unity sacred, Would have this goodness manifest, this bounty declared, This love expressed this wondrous mercy revealed. In time convenient therefore this world he created, And it, a large Theatre to behold his glory, appointed. Which when he had with store of treasures richly replenished, And with abundant grace caused every part to be furnished; Man was made at length; Adam was lastly created, Last work, not least work; Adam was daintily framed, Most perfect creature, and like to the mighty Creator, Good, wise, immortal, of mankind only beginner. But proud ambition, but Serpent craftily cloaking With cursed bitter-sweet his cankered poison abounding, Adam dispossessed of pleasant beautiful harbours, Adam's heart possessed with most unspeakable horrors: Man was marred at length, Adam was foully defaced, Last work, and lost work, Adam was filthily fouled, Most cursed creature, unlike to the mighty creator, Bad, foolish, mortal, of mankind only the murderer. Yet that greatest God, pitying this fall of a sinner, His manifold mercies did again most freely remember: Gave new grace to the world, and caused his only begotten, Only beloved son to be sent us down fro the heaven: Here to receive our flesh, and here with thorns to be crowned, Here to be mocked, to be whipped, and here at last to be murdered: Murdered for mankind, t'appease God's infinite anger, Guyltles for guileful, man synles, for man a sinner. And now that good time; that joyful day was approaching, Which by the living Lord was appointed from the beginning: There was a man which came from Dauyds progeny noble, Called just joseph, but dwelled in a place very simple, Nazzareth it was named: himself had lately betrothed That most spotless spouse, that Maiden Mary renowned: Who to be Christ's mother was a chosen vessel appointed, And by an Angel's voice from God thus friendly saluted; Hail, o sacred Nymph, of woman's company greatest, Blest with abundant grace, to the blessed Trynity dearest. At these wondrous words this maid was somewhat abashed, And did marvel much, by an Angel strangely saluted. Which when Gabriel once perceived, he mildly replied, Fear not blessed Mary, believe and stand not amazed: Blessed Mary, believe, thou shalt be a maid, be a mother, jesus thy son shall be a King, be a Lord, be a ruler: Ruler, Lord, and King, almighty, without any ending, His faithful subjects with grace and mercy protecting. Marry began thus again: Good God, this seemeth a wonder, How can a maid conceive? can a maid untutcht be a mother? Gabryel added again, this thy conception holy Is not a work of man, but God's operation only. God's divine power shall work this wonder upon thee, And therefore this child so borne is son to the mighty, Mighty triumphant Lord: this Lord's dyvynyty dreadful Thy cousin Elisabeth made also for to be fruitful, Which was barren afore: therefore give ear to the Lords hest, For there is noething impossible unto the highest. Marry resolved in mind this message firmly believed, And submytts herself, by the angels words to be guided. Then soon after that, to the hills of jury she hastened, And there, Elisabeth great with Child, sweetly saluted. At which cheerful words from blessed Mary proceeding Elisabeth's young babe this sound very strangely receiving, Sprang in womb for joy, caused mary's voice to be sounding, Elisabeth to rejoice, dumb Zachary for to be speaking. Marry, with her kinsfolk, three moonth's in jury remained, And then blessed Nymph to her husband home she returned, Husband just joseph, good man, who thought it a wonder, That new wife, unknown, untutcht, should now be a mother. Unwilling therefore in public place to reprove her, Good-natured joseph meant privily for to renounce her. This man thus meaning, in sleep God's Angel appeared, And with cheerful words this message fryendly delivered. Fear not, just joseph, thy wife is a maid, is a mother, Pure, chaste, unspotted, fear not therefore to receive her. This babe is God's Child, this son celestial offspring, Lamb of God, God's heir, ordained from the beginning For to redeem lost Sheep, to be mankinds sole mediator, For to relieve poor souls, to be mankinds mighty protector. joseph awak's from sleep, God's Angel he gladly obeyeth, And his matchless mate, maid, Mother, Mary receiveth. In those days all wars and uproars fully repressed, Augustus Caesar caused every man to be taxed, Taxed in each man's town: then joseph quickly removed Unto the blessed Beathleme, and brought home Mary beloved; Marry beloved he brought; who there, when time was appointed, Was maid, was Mother, was most divinely delivered, Bore her first borne Child, and laid him down in a manger, Wrapped in swaddling clothes, poor bed, for want of a better. Silly Shepherds by the night their flocks were warily watching, And fro the skies they saw strange brightness mightily shining: Down to the ground they fall: but an Angel cheerful appeared, And with joyful news their trembling hearts he revived. Fear not fryendly shepherds, for I bring good news from Olympus, This day borne is a babe, his name is called jesus, Only reconciler, Mediator, mighty Redeemer, Only the salve to the sick, and pardon free to the sinner. And take this for a sign: this babe is a sleep in a manger, Wrapped in swaddling clothes, sweet soul, and cast in a corner. Even as he spoke these words, many thousands sweetly resounding Immortal spirits, celestial harmony making, Sang and praised God, lifting their voice to the heaven, For this joyful birth, this blessed babe of a maiden, Glory to God most high, good will to man, and to his offspring, Peace to the earth itself, and all that on earth is abiding. Silly Shepherds ran down to behold their only redeemer, And found all to be true, and saw Christ laid in a manger. Then they praised God, most cheerful company keeping, And gave lawd to the Lord, that gracius harmony making, Glory to God most high, good will to man, and to his offspring, Peace to the earth itself, and all that on earth is abiding. So that on every side, this glorius echo resounded, Glory to God most high, which mankind freely redeemed, Freely redeemed mankind, yet mankind dearly redeemed, In that his own dear son for man was freely delyu'red. O blessed birth day, o starts most luckyly shining, O first day of joy, and last of annoy to the offspring Of sinful mankind, o great compassion endless, O love still fayntles pity peerless, charity matchless. God that ruleth above in royal throne of Olympus, Sent his blessed Babe, and only begotten among us: And fro the bower of bliss did abase him down to the manger, For to reconcile us lost sheep, that wandered in error. Noemans' tongue can tell, nor noemans' heart can imagine, That th'aeternal God, should thus take flesh of a Virgin. Christ that in heaven sat with God most mighty coaequal, From the beginning crowned with grace and glory supernal, This God's made to be man, this King is come from the sceptre, This Christ is swaddled, this Lord is laid in a manger: Christ who fills each place, (o Christ how are we beholding?) Christ whom noe-place holds, in so small place is abiding; Christ noe-way-conteind, Christ first, last, Christ the Creator, Infinite every way, is now conteynd of a creature; Christ noe-where-enclosd, Christ ender, Christ the beginner. Everywhere, noe-where, is now enclosed in a corner. And all this for man: so that, where sin was abounding, Grace did abound much more; as man was cause of a falling, Man was a raiser again; as man made deadly beginning, So true God, true man did make most gracius ending. Adam sinned first, and brought in death to reward it: Christ by death killed death, and gave his life to remove it. Adam lost Paradise, where pleasures earthly abyded; Christ purchased heaven, where treasures greater abounded. Serpent wily beguiled Adam, by the means of a woman; Serpents head was bruised by Christ, by the means of a woman. Aspiring Adam was quite cast down to the darkness, Humble-minded Christ hath lifted us up to the brightness Of still lasting light, to the joyful face, to the presence Of God, there to behold his sacred ineffable essence. Sing then, friendly Shepherds, and lift your voice to the heaven, Glory to God most high, for blessed Babe of a Maiden. Whom neither Satan could daunt, nor company hellish, Nor raging Pharisees, nor deaths unspeakable anguish: Who by the cross, by the nails, by the spear, by the thorns, by the whipping, Passed aloft to the skies, and there in joy is abiding: Who by the whips, by the thorns, by the spear, by the nails, by the crossing; Lifted us up to the skies, with his Angels still to be dwelling. Who to be blest, was cursed; who gave himself for a ransom, Who by the Cross crossed death, by death obteynd us a Kingdom. Whose incessant pangs, whose grief and agony restless, Whose bloody sweat did cause our sinful souls to be spotless. Sing then, friendly Shepherds, and Angels all be a singing: Come fro the Fast, you Kings, and make acceptable offering: Come fro the East by the light of a blessed star that appeareth, And to the King of jews your footsteps rightly directeth. Lo, here lies your Lord, bow down, make peaceable offering, Gold to the golden Babe, of golden time the beginning; Franckencense and Myrrh, to be sweet perfumes to the sweetest Child, that sweet sacrifice, acceptable unto the highest, Sweete-smelling sacrifice, once offered only for ever For t'appease God's wrath and his most infinite anger. Home to the East, you Kings, and bring this news to the godly. God suffereth for man, guyltles condemned for a guilty: Home to the East, you Kings, and tell this abroad for a wonder, We have seen that Babe of a Virgin, laid in a manger: Home to the East you Kings, and show that mighty resounding Of those sweet Angels celestial harmony making: Tell this abroad for a truth, and think, that from the beginning, No such sight to an eye, no such sound came to a hearing. Back to the East, you Kings but back by a contrary passage, Lest ye be partakers of a most unmerciful outrage. And get away joseph, get away, and haste thee to Egypt, Herode seeks thy son to be murdered, not to be worshipped: Merciless Herodes to be sole and only triumphant, Seeking one infant, will murder a number of infants. Beathlem's red with blood, sweets suckling's blood that abounded, Beathlem's white with bones, babes bones all woefuly scattered. Childless mothers mourn, and howl with watery countenance, All cry out for grief, and all cry out for a vengeance: Vengeance light on a wolf, vengeance and plagues on a tiger, Vengeance on this beast, vengeance on this bloody butcher. And, when he thought his throne with firm felicity grounded, And his senseless soul with most security flattered, Vengeance lights on a wolf, vengeance and plagues on a tiger, Vengeance on that beast; vengeance on that bloody butcher. Lice did suck his blood, which first was cause of a bloodshed, Vermyne tore his flesh, which babes flesh made to be mangled. So let such men far, that take a delight to be murdering, Christ's curse light on his head, that Christ's flock loves to be spoiling Now come back joseph: but come not near bloody jury, Fly fro the butcher's brood, let Nazzareth only receive thee, There shall thy dear Child in years and wit be a growing, And with gifts of grace, with supreme glory abounding. Thence shall thy dear Child to the Church of God be repairing, And doting Doctors and Priests divinely reproving: Think not much therefore, if three days there he abyded, Father on earth must yield, whilst Father in heaven is obeyed. And now john that sprang in mother's womb, was a preaching. Teaching, baptizing, and Christ's ways duly preparing. When this john Christ's head with water duly besprinkled. And Christ from jordan was now but newly removed, Sacred Ghost fro the skies flew down all lovely to Christ's head. And in form of a Dove itself there sweetly reposed: Then fro the heu'ns these words with cheerful glory resounded, Thou art my dear child, in whom I do mean to be pleased. And forerunning john, john Baptist daily reporteth, Christ to be Lamb of God, that sins with mercy removeth. At these wondrous news th'old Serpent deadly repined, And the renowned fame of Christ extremely maligned, Fearing this to be that great sovereign lordly Monarcha, Sin-par'dning jesus, foretold long since by Sibylla: And he remembered well, what plagues were duly denounced, When great grand-dame Eve with a bitter sweet he beguiled. Therefore now he gins and takes occasion offered, When fourtimes ten days from meat and drink he refrained, And in desert kept: he gins him thus to be tempting, With coloured friendship concealed treachery cloaking. Shall the coaeternall and consubstantial offspring Of God, soemany days, and soemany nights be a fasting? Shall those purpled cheeks, which erst so cheerful appeared, Look thus pale and wan, with too much penury pinched? Make these stones to be bread; for I know, if Son to the Thunder Speak but a word, it's done: let creatures serve the Creator. But when he heard of Christ, that grace from mighty jehova Strengthened more than bread, and fed man more than a Manna, Then with a new stratagem to the Templs tower he repaired, And Christ (so Christ would) on a pinnacle high he reposed, Saying; Leap to the ground, if thou be the Son to the Mighty, Thy Father's Angels are priest at an inch to receive thee. Yet when he heard Christ say, that God was not to be tempted, And that he always had fool hardy presumption hated, Sith both these proved nought, last cast he began to be proving, And with spiteful rage, his latest part to be playing: For when he had brought Christ, by Christ's permission only, Unto a huge mountain, which gave full view to the glory Of world and world's wealth: World and world's wealth will I give thee. Said this damned fiend, if thou wilt learn to obey me. Here Christ with just zeal and indignation urged, That malapert rashness with these words boldly rebuked; Get thee away Satan to the burning lake of Avernus, Worship alone is due to the sovereign Lord of Olympus. Then with dead despair Christ toowell known he relinquished Sith that he saw himself and all his villainy vanquished. Lying Serpent thus confounded; an Angel appeared, And long-fasting Christ with cheerful food he refreshed. Thenceforth Christ his life was noething else but a teaching, Preaching, and working of wonders worthy the wondering. Sick are whole, lame go, dumb speak, blind see the Redeemer, Hearing's given to the deaf, and cleansed skin to the leper. Nets even burst with fish, and full boats gi'en to be sinking, Water made to be wine makes bridegroom greatly rejoicing, Winds are whist with a word, and blustering storms be repressed, And foaming seas waves to a firm walk mightily changed. devils roar out for fear, and haste their heavy departure Which tormented men with too too woeful a torture. Five loaves, twooe fishes, five thousand fully refreshed, Yet twelve baskets full with broken meat be reserved. seven loaves, few fishes, four thousand fully refreshed, Yet seven baskets filled with broken meat be reserved. Elias came down to behold life-giver jesus, And Moses rose up, to behold soule-saver jesus, His face shyn'de as sun: himself transformed in a moment; Surpassing brightness did stand in steed of a garment, Mount Tabor glistered: sweet voice came down from Olympus, Hear my beloved son, my dearly beloved jesus. Yea, dead men lived: yet jews caused him to be dying, Who raised Lazarus up, who dead Girl made to be living. The Passion, Burial, and Resurrection of Christ. Christ, whose blessed birth caused Angels for to be singing: Christ, whose loving life forced devil themselves to be wondering, Christ, whose bitter death made templs veil to he renting, Grau's to be opening, earth to be quaking, heu'ns to be lowering, give me the grace, sweet Christ, since every thing is a mourning, For to recount these pangs, this cross, this death by my mourning. When that appointed fight, that fearful combat approached, Fight with pangs of death, and hell's unsuffrable horrors, Combat with man's sins, and Gods unspeakable anger, Then cursed captain Caiphas with his hellish adherents contrived platforms, conspired jointly together For to beetray that man which was man's only redeemer. If that he hold on thus such wonders still to be working, Then farewell Pharisees, with Scribes, and only renowned High Priests; and therefore it's more than time to prevent him. Yet forbear for a while, till solemn feasts be determynd, Lest this strange murder may chance to be cause of an uproar▪ O divine doctors, devout Priests, worthy protectors Of salomon's temple, good graybeards; that for a feast day Can vouchsaufe to delay this murder, this bloody outrage, Not for love of God, but for this fear of an uproar. But Christ foreknowing their treachery, came to the leper Leper- Symons house in Bethany: where when he supped, Marry, (remembering how herself was lately released From seven torments) kneeled down to her only redeemer, Washed his blessed feet with trickling tears that abounded, Wiped liys blessed feet with her hair that sweetly beseemed. kissed his blessed feet; and head, and feet then anointed With precious sweet balm, with most odoriferus ointment. But that most cursed caitiff, that greedy devouring Murderer, cutthroat, thief, with his hellish treason abounding judas Iscariot, still bend to the bag, to the budgett, 'Gan to repine and grudge, that this so costly anointment Was thus wasted away, which might have been by the purser Sold and given to the poor: but alas this traiterus abject Meant t' enrich himself, and not to be good to the needy, As by his accursed stratagems it plainly appeared. For, when he lost this prey, his master he deadly maligned, And balm box broken brake judas hartful of envy. Damnable, infernal, outragius, horrible envy: So that no mischief, no part of a thief, or a murderer Was by the vile reprobate, by the damned villain omitted, Until he had this loss as he took it, fully recovered, Until he had for gain his master falsely betrayed. Christ fro the mount Olyuet with an ass comes seellyly riding, Poorly, without any pomp, to the pompous cytty repairing, Some with flowering bows his ways had freshly adorned, Some with fragrant flowers his passage sweetly prepared, Some caused they garments by the high way side to be scattered, Every man cried out with cheerful voice to the heavens, Hosanna sweet umpe of David's gracius offspring, Hosanna to the King almighty of Israel holy, Hosanna to the Lord of Lords, to the prince of Olympus, So that on every side, Hosanna sweetly resounded. And sweet Hosanna from rocks with an echo rebounded. It was a plague to the Priests, to the fatbely Priests to behold this. It was a death to the Scribes, to the scraping Scribes to abide this, It was a hell to the proud Pharisees for a truth to believe this; Yet, 'twas a joy to the young and old, for a truth to report this. And for a truth, both young and old went strait to the temple, Strait to the temple went with jesus seellyly riding, And yet on his poor ass with a princelike glory triumphing. Into the Church when he came more like to a fair or a market, Than salomon's temple such chapmen he quyekly removed, Overturned their seats, and tables justly defaced, His father's orders, and service rightly revived: But to the proud Pharisees, to the scraping Scribes, to the fat Priests It was more than a plague, than a death, than a hell to behold this. Therefore once yet again themselves they begin to be stirring For t'entrappe jesus: but lo, whilst this was a working, In comes that cutthroat, that these, yet freshly remembering How th'alabaster box of balm his greedy devowring Claws escaped afore: and then to the company hellish, And Satan's synagogue, his murdering mind he revealed. Hail sacred Cayphas, chief Priest, and mighty Protector Of jewish customs, and Hebriews laudable orders: Hail Scribes and Pharisees, that teach and preach the renowned Doctrine of Moses: give ear and mark what I tell you: This wandering upstart upocrite, this Christus, jesus, Man, God, I know not what, doth abuse and daily deceive us. Us fools his followers; and me unworthily hating. Chief of all others with slanderous taunts he revileth. And yet I could forget this abuse and injury private, But that by these means he gins t'aspyre to the sceptre. For, what a sedition, what a styrr doth he make, what an uproar? And what a sort be before, what a train comes daily behind him? His wonders wondering, his doctrine vainly believing, His ways with fresh flowers and branches dayntyly dressing, His delicate fine feet with balms most costly anointing, His royal person with titles princely saluting, His foaming palfrey with rich robes gaily bedecking, Hosanna singing, and each where freely triumphing? If that I bring him bound, and so cause all to be ended, And people quieted, say on, what shallbe my guerdon? What shall I have? for I serve but a snudg, and am but a beggar. Hereat Caiphas smiled, and jews all greatly rejoiced; And of their silver, they pieces thirty appointed For this vile butcher, which caused that Lamb to be slaughtered. These things dispatched, those father's ghostly departed, counsel's dissolved: judas back slily returned. Christ with a curse by the way (most fearful sign to the saythles) That fruitless figgtree caused evermore to be fruitless. Christ rose from table (most perfect sign of a meek heart) And wash this fryends feet, teaching them for to be lowly. Christ foretold his death (most doubtless sign of a true God) And did note to the rest, that shameless desperate outcast. But woe woe to the wretch, but alas woe woe to the traitor, Better he were not borne, then borne to a damnable horror. Christ took bread and wine (most sacred signs to the faithful) And gave thanks to the Lord, and broke and gave it among them, Most cheerful sacrament, most lowly and lyuly remembrance Of Christ his body crossed, and blood shed freely for all men. And now that Renegade that damned Apostata judas Comes to the Priest Caiphas, and there his bribe he receiveth, Bribe for blood, Lamb's blood, God's Lamb: and bringeth a great rout Of swearing cutters and soldiers duly prepared, With links and lanterns, with swords and staves for an onsett, Marching all in array in due and martial order, As though some field were to be fought, or king to be conquered: Whereas alas noeman was there with force to resist them, But some few fishers, and their poor master Iësus. O valiant judas, of a warlike company captain: These be the sinners plagues, these these be rewards to the wicked, That not a mouse can creep, not a leaf can shake, not a wind blow▪ But their sowls with sin, their minds with murder abounding, Still be a trembling still be a quivering, still be a quaking, Quaking still for dread and fear of an hasty revenging Afterclapp to be given by the thundering Prince of Olympus. Christ after supper, gave thanks, rose up fro the table, Came to the mount Olyvete; then these words gracius uttered; My faithful followers and fryends, my dearly beloved And best companions; this night you shallbe molested, And sore offended, to behold some villainies offered: For so 'twas written long since, and truly revealed, That your fryendly shepherd must needs at last be removed, And his Sheep scattered, wandering for want of a sheepsman. But faithful followers and fryends, but dearly beloved And best companions, your master shallbe revived, And by death kill death, and over death be triumphing, His faithful followers visiting, his dearly beloved And best companions and fryends in Galyly seeing. Scarce had he said thus much: but Peter stoutly replied; Not so, sweet Master, though every man be amazed, livery man fly back, yet Peeter's fully resolved. For no love of life, no fear of death to be starting: Great words, small wonders: But jesus gave him a watchwoord, His weakness knowing, his rashness meekly rebuking, And said: Poor Peter, pray, and leave off thy protesting, This night quickly, for all thy stout and manly presuming, Ere that a Cock crow twice, thou shalt thrice flatly deny me. And now when that night, that dreadful night was approaching Christ did watch himself, and wild his friends to be watching, Christ prayed thrice himself, and wild his friends to be praying, Christ with fearful pangs, and drops of blood was abounding, Christ fell flat to the ground, and wished that cup to be passing, (Yet not his own conceit, but Fathers will still obeying) Christ at length came back, and found his friends to be sleeping: Come, let's go (quoth he) now, it's more than time to be stirring, Lo here comes judas, with a cursed kiss to betray me. Even as he spoke these words, that martial army appeared, links gave light to the night, and caused their swords to be glistering, And foreman judas for a guide went iollyly marching, That vile viper's kiss, for a sign and token apoynting. Then with a brazen face, past grace, Christ jesus he kissed, And said, Hail Master; to the which Christ mildly replied, Friend, Wherefore comest thou? But Peter rashly revenging Christ's disgrace, as he thought, who first came, first he requited, And Malchus right ear from his head with a sword he divided. Whoso strikes with a sword, with a sword must look to be stricken, And blood seeks for blood: Stay Peter, learn to be lowly, If that I meant to revenge, said Christ, and make a resistance, Can not I ten thousand Angels have quickly procured, Whose strength these forces might have most easily daunted? But then my Father's edict should not be obeyed, And scriptures verifyde: This spoken, he strangely refixed Malchus his ear to his head: O meekness, charity, mildness, Of true God, true man, long suffering, infinite, endless: This was enough t' have caused brute beasts themselves to be tamed, Ragged rocks to relent, and hearts of flint to be yielding. This done: Whom do ye seek, quoth Christ? To the which the renowned Craking swashbuklers, like meek and humble obeyssants Their mouth's scarce opening, said thus: We seek for jesus. Then, quoth Christ, He is here: which words divinely proceeding From that sacred mouth, caused judas soul to be trembling, Their captains quaking, and every man to be reeling, And falling backward to the ground, extremely amazed, Like to a tower thrown down by the roaring crash of a thunder, Or to a man that's scorched by the fearful flash of a lightning. Christ for a while conceals that great dyvynity dreadful, Stays that breath which makes heaven, earth, and hell to be quaking, Geu's them leave to arise, and then more mildly demandeth, Whom do ye seek? jesus, say they, of Nazareth only. Have not I said, he was here, quoth Christ? What need's any further Search? What need ye to bring swords, staves, and armour about you? As though some famous thief, or notorious owtlaw Were to be suppressed? did I not walk daily among you? Did not I day by day teach, preach, and work many wonders? Then might your Ealders and Scribes have sought to repress me. But the prefixed time, the predestinate hour was appointed, And this is it: Therefore my Fathers Will be obeyed, Noeman shall withstand, noeman shall make any striving: Lo here take jesus: But these, must not be arrested, Let them alone for a while, till greater things be revealed. Christ then caught and bound; his fryends with terror amazed, Every man fled back, as Sheep that wanted a sheepesman, Or vanquished soldiers dispersed for want of a Captain. Who can alas that night, that cursedst night of a thousand, Those works of darkness, that mockery, villainy, treason, Those bindings, beat, spittings, and filthy revilings Counteruayly with words, or thoughts, or streams of abounding And still trickling tears? They brought him bound to the high Priest, Late high Priest Annas, sage Father, who for a pastime, Disdainful pastime, not for devotion, asked Christ many idle toys and fond, not worthy the hearing, Of fishmen followers, and poor contemptible abjects, Of new-found doctrine on brainesick fantasy ground. All that I spoke, said Christ, was spoken abroad to the whole world, All that I taught was taught in temple, among many thousands, In corners not a word, in secret place not a wonder, They can tell what I taught, what I wrought, let them be reporters, Ask them. What jack sauce, quoth a blewcoate knave, be ye thus taught With no more reverence and humble duty to awnswere This reverend Father? learn, and take this for a lesson: So from a word to a blow, with a sinful fist he defiled That synles sweet mouth, which these words peaceably uttered; friend, if I have said ill, bear witness, let me be punished, It but well, why then dost thou unworthily strike me? Here any man might think, that Christ thus foully abused, Should have been pitied, should have been fryendly relieved Of this sage Father: but alas, 'tis an Ass, not an Annas, And sends Christ to the chief of their good company Caiphas. Scarce was he come to the house, but anon they fall to revilings, Here's that princely Prophet, that towld us soemany tidings, Here is Gods own Son, that wrought us soemany wonders, Famous carpet knight, and pardoner only renowned, Sorcerer, enchanter, tale-teller, noble abuser Of fools and matrons, that casts out devil by the devils help, Plucks down God's temple with a trice, and buildeth a better Only within three days: as twooe rogues falsely suborned, Hyr'de by the old hirelings, had most untruly deposed. Then good Sir Caiphas, with great integryty asked, What sayest thou feallow, to the crimes objected against thee? Christ said just noething, his damned iniquyty loathing. Caiphas 'gan to be hot, and took on like to a Prellate, And conjuring Christ, charged him by the mystery sacred Of Gods dreadful name, to declare it plainly among them, Whether he were that Christ, God's Son, borne from the beginning; Thou hast said, quoth Christ, yet mark what further I tell you: You shall see this Christ sitting on a mighty tribunali, On Gods own right hand, in clouds with glory apearing. Then that puft-up Priest from a badman, turned to a madman, Rend his robes in a rage, and, Blasphemy, blasphemy, roared, What do we seek for proofs hereof, what need any witness? Our selves have heard all, himself hath plainly revealed all. What's to be herein done? or what, do ye think, he deserveth? Death, said every man, Death, death with an echo rebounded. Then those lewd rakehells with poisoned rancour abounding, His sweet face, o grief, with spittle filthy defiled, His bloody cheeks, o hell, with buffets all to be bruised, Some stroke him blindfyeld, and then thus scornefuly taunted, Now, good Christ arread, and guess who gave thee the buffet? Peter saw all this, Peter that manly protester, Peter styred not a foot; Peter that mighty protector, Peter, stout Peter, by a girl, by a paltry damsel Is dashed, is vanquished, forsakes his Master Iësus, Thrice forsakes, and twice fore-sweares his Master Iësus. And now Cock 'gan crow, and gives him a friendly Memento, That man's flesh is frail, that man's but a smoke, but a vapour, His pride nought but dust, and all his glory, but ashes. Peter in his cursing heard this Cock chearefuly chanting, And saw Christ then all arp soul-searching sight to be turning. Yet with a lovely regard, with a merciful eye to be looking. Every eye was a bow, and every look was an arrow, Eye and eye-arrow pierced Peter heart in a moment, Peter heart and soul: and there inflicted a deep wound, So deep wound, that it had been no way possibly cured, Were not his own soules-wound with his own tears all to bewashed. Now he remembreth alas, his first foolhardy presuming, Now he detesteth alas, his last unfriendly revolting: Now that wan countenance, which fear of death had appalled, All on a fire is set for shame of duty neglected, Sith that blood, fro the face to the heart which lately retired, Back fro the heart to the face with speed is freshly repaired, Now his masters eyes in his eyes are ever apearing, And therein doth he seem his whole offence to be reading. Now Cock crows in his ears, and calls forth day to be witness, witness of every word that Peter spoke to the darkness. Cock with an open mouth, and loud voice bowldly proclaimeth, That bragging servant his master cowldly renounceth. Every sight, each sound, just accusation offereth, And self-wounding soul, self-condemnation urgeth. No rest, no heartsease: now loathed life he detested More, yea much more now, than death at first he abhorred. Life, let Peter die; life, leave to be daily prolonging These my doleful days, lest life soon drawn to an ending Cause me to lose that life, which never leaves to be lasting. This frail life, small broils and shortest jars to be shunning, Made me the greatest joys and endless peace to be leaving, Made me deny my Lord, of lasting life the beginning, Made me renounce sweet life, for a foolish fear to be dying. Life let Peter die: many days heap on many mischifs. Blessed were those babes that died, when merciless Herode Seeking one chyldes' death, many Mothers made to be chyldeles: Blessed, most blessed children, whose timely departure Parted their sweet souls from such, and soemany thousand Woes, who died afore they knew what 'twas to be sinning, And fro the damnable earth to the highest heavens be removed, Like to a Lily, before it chance by the frost to be nipped. They, in stead of mouths, their throats than sweetly did open, And, for want of words, poured forth their blood to the heaven. O strange thing, these babes are now with glory triumphing, Which yet never afore did taste any part of a fight; Their young heads with crowns of Martyrdom be adorned, Ere any tender locks had their heads sweetly bedecked; Yea, their feet, that on earth were never seen to be treading, Walk in Olympus now, and there in joy be abiding, But Peter grey hears, draw graceless face to the graves-dore, Peter long living, makes Peter soul to be doting, Peter lyu's, yea lyu's to deny his master Iësus, Lyu's, yea lyu's to renounce his lord and master Iësus, Lyu's, and yet forsakes, forswears lyfe-geaver Iësus. Christ, who might command that glorius host of Olympus, Those spotless spirits, those ever-dutiful angels, Sought, found, and took us from soemany, soemany thousands, Us ragged fishers, from soemany, soemany thousands, Us poor, poorest souls of soemany, soemany thousands. Yet we alas his love have most unlovely rewarded, And this most kind Christ have most unkindly requited, We, most cursed crew, of soemany, soemany thousands, We, worst vipers brood, of soemany, soemany thousands, We, the detestedst twelve, of soemany, soemany thousands. One with a cursed kiss his dear Lord falsely betrayed, Ten fled back for fear, when death and danger approached, And I, the worst of twelve, yea after soemany great words, Left, forsook, forswore, Lord, Sovereign, Master Iësus. Whyl'st poor Peter thus with mind extremely molested. With deep fobbs and sighs, with streams of tears that abounded, Washed away those spots, and most syncearely repent; Morning came at last, and then those damnable owtcasts That condemned Christ, did bring him bound to be slaughtered, Bound, bruysd, and beaten to the Roman Deputy Pilate, Pilate, who for a judge of life and death was appointed. In mean time, judas possessed with desperate horrors, Clogged with a sinful soul, with a dogged deadly repentance, Comes with his afterclapps, when he see's his master jesus Thus condemned to the death, and runs in a rage to the high Priests, Saying, Sinned I have, that guyltles blood to betray thus. If thou have sinned, say they, look thou to be plagued, What care we for that? w'have kept touch, given thee thy wages. That woeful wages drew my destruction onward, That graceless guerdon my death untimely procured, That bribe bred my bane: Take there your Mammon among you, Take back your bloody bribe: so threw their silver among them: And flinging headlong, enraged with an hellish Erynnis, Hanged himself on a tree: fit death for treachery faithless: His loathed carcase was an ugly detestable object, Spectacle infamous, most fearful sight to the people, With guts gushing forth, with bowels broken asunder. Lo here, you Traitors, your treasons justly rewarded, Your Master judas himself hath rightly requited: Your Master judas dealt so, that now to the world's end Of that name judas, each traitor's named a judas, Every faithless friend from that time's called a judas. Marck Peter weakness, mark judas villainy, fly from Both dead despairing, and too much hasty presuming. Peter started aside for fear of death, with a faint heart, judas slided back for love of a bribe, with a false heart: Peter by and by wept sore and truly repent, judas never again came home, but deadly repined. judas thus bursting, high Priests and Scribes be amazed, And consulting long, at last they fully resolved, With that cursed coin some peace of ground to be buying, For strangers▪ burial, with a feigned sanctyty cloaking That cursed bloodshed, that most unnatural outrage. So this price of blood was paid for a field of a potter, Called a field of blood, for a sign of this bloody murder. Christ is brought to the bar: sir Pilate sits as a bencher, Priests be his accusers: many capital crimes, many treasons, And many seditions were there objected against him. So much said, nought proved; Christ standing seellyly silent, By smoothing pilate's command was sent to the Tetrarche, Herodes Tetrarche of Galyly, there to be judged, Sith Christ seemed to belong t'his jurisdiction only. Herode greatly rejoiced, and looked for many wonders When Christ came: But Christ with silence wisely rebuked This Tetrarches tattling, and Priests unruly revilings. Herode contemned Christ, when he saw no hope of a wonder. Sent him back for a fool, to the first judge deputy Pilate, All in a long white coat, for a scornful mockery clothed. Thus poor Christ, meek lamb was tossed fro the post to the pillar, wandering here and there, hence thence fro the Wolf to the slaughter. Pilate seeing Christ fro the Tetrarch safely returned, Spoke to the Priests and Scribes: This man seems still to be guyltles, Herode sends him back: its best he be whipped for a frantic, And so lost at large: for I know you look for a prisoner At this feast, of course: say then, who shallbe released? Barrabas, or jesus? What needest thou to be ask O pitiful Pilate? thou knowst, their only desiring Is t'have Christ murdered; thou giust this lamb to the woolus jaws. Kill, kill Christ, say they, and give us Barrabas only. (Barrabas, in thieving and murdering, barbarus owtlaw.) Then people pleasing Pilate, cauld Christ to be scourged, And in a scornful sort to the jews to be newly produced, But kill, kill, they cry, and crucify, crucify jesus. Pilate seeing Christ by the soldiers all to be scourged, Caused him then for a mock with a crown of thorns to be crowned, With royal garments and robes of purple adorned, And in a throne placed, with a reed in his hand for a sceptre. Some mocked, some spitted, some kneeled and finely saluted, Hail o King of jews, for same and glory renowned. Some with his own sceptre that sweet face all to be bruised, Every one took pains, that no pains might be omitted, Noeman spared any cost, lest Christ might chance to be spared: Yet this was not enough, t'appease their villainy monstrous, But kill, kill, they cry, and crucify, crucify jesus. pilate's wife in a dream with Christ then greatly molested, Persuades her good man for fear, that he might be released: Yet no dreams would serve t' appease their villainy monstrous, But kill, kill, they cry, and crucify, crucify jesus. Then just judge Pilate in an open show to the people, His pure hands forsooth, with great solempnyty washed, thinking so fro the guilt of guyltles blood to be quitted. No wind, no water, could stay their villanv monstrous, But, kill, kill, they cry, and crucify, crucify jesus. Crucify cozening Christ, his death and blood be requited On jews that now live, and jewish progeny after. Caesar's faithful friend can abide no King but a Caesar, Therefore look Pilate, that this King soon be removed. Christ in his own coat now to the jews was lastly presented, And by pilate's doom (deaths doom) given up to be crossed: Whose Cross, in Latin, Greek, Hebriew, had for a title These words, Here's jesus, Iewes King, of Nazareth, added. Chief jews took jesus pricked, whipped fro the crown to the ankles, Faint, weak, and feeble, scarceable for to be creeping: Yet they laid on a Cross, his shoulders heavily loading, driving him forward, till he fell down under a burden, Burden with death's pangs, plagues, griefs, and horror abounding. Christ and Cross fallen down, by chance one Simon approached, Who to be Crossecaryer, by the proud Priests than was appointed, Crossecaryer to a place, that in Hebriew's Golgatha called, Place of deadman's skulls: where Christ they speedily Crossed, Feet and hauds with nails, with great nails all to be mangled: And, for a greater spite, two thieves they caused to be hanged, Hanged on either side, and Christ almighty between them. Christ once nailed to the Cross, now every knave is a craking, Proud hearted Pharisees, sell Scribes, hypocritical Ealders, Captains, and Soldiers, great, small, from the Priest to the piper, Wagging their wise heads, laughing, and scornefuly tauntying, Thou that sau'st others, now save thyself from a mischif, Thou that buyldst temples with a trice, come down fro the gallows, Come Gods dear darling, come King of jews fro the gybbett, Leap from a Cross to a Crown, from a cursed tree to a Kingdom. Christ, (o loving Christ, long suffering Christ) thus abused, Gave not a check for a taunt, but alas very heartily prayed, Father forgive them, forget this villainy Father. Hark and mark that thief, (that thief even brought to the last gasp) How he reviles his Lord: Peace thief, give care to thy fellow, We for a sinful life with death are justly rewarded, But Christ's synles life hath no death duly deserved: Thou Christ, thou jesus, thou Lord vouchsaufe to remember Me, me, sinful wretch, me, when thou comest to thy kingdom. Christ heard and said thus, Thy prayers shallbe regarded. This day in Paradise with me thou shalt be received. O blessed thief, cursed thief, Sheep, Goat: Therefore let a sinner Not despair, one thief is saved in an hour in a moment: But let a sinner fear, let a sinner not be presuming, One thief only reputes, and escapes in an hour, in a moment. Christ's coat was seameles, for a sign of an absolute, endless, And perfect kingdom: this coat so fitly coherent And all-wrought over, was nothing touched by the soldiers, Nor torn in pieces, nor cut, nor parted among them, But lots cast, that some one man might wholly receive it, That, what was foretold, might have effectual ending. Christ now hangs on a tree, suffering unsuffrable horrors, Torments for man's sins, and Gods unspeakable anger: Whilst Christ is suffering, whilst fearful pangs be approaching, Sun for God's Sons grief doth grieve, and begins to be lowering: Hides his darkened face, let's golden rays be eclipsed, Seeing Light of light with pricking thorns to be crowned: Hea'n and earth is dark fro the sixth hour unto the ninth hour, Heu'n and earth laments, and every thing is a mourning: heaven and earth laments, whilst jesus Christ is a dying, Heu'n and earth's comfort, heaven and earth's only reviving. But now Christ 'gan faint, with an infinite agony troubled, And Ely Ely, and Lamasabacthany cried, Father, dear Father, why should thy Son be refused? Then bitter vinegar they reached, when he said, that he thirsted, Which Christ once tasting, said, Father, now it is ended, Thy will's fulfilled thy laws and hest be obeyed, Take my soul to thy hands; Then his head he began to be bowing, With those words his life and endless passion ending. Scarce did he yield his breath, but strait fro the top to the bottom. Templs' veil was rend, and torn, and broken asunder, Earth did quake, stones broke, graves opened, deadmen appeared. Then captains, soldiers, men, matrons, all the beholders Smote their breasts, and said, this man was son to the mighty, Whose strange death even makes live dead, and dead to be lively. Christ is dead indeed, his bones need not to be bruised: Yet for a further proof, his side was speedily pierced, Pierced with a spear, and thence pure blood, pure water abounded. Then noble joseph, with faithful friend Nicodemus Did beg of Pilate, that blessed corpse of Iësus, took it down fro the cross, fine linen duly prepared, With Myrrh and Aloes themselves it carefuly winded, And in a late-made tomb, wherein was nobody chested, That sweet corpse (sweet corpse of Christ almighty) reposed, Rolled a stone to the grave, and so all heavy departed. Yet these Priests left not, till they had watchmen appointed, And graves stone sealed, lest Christ might chance to be stolen By his well-willers, as they then vainly pretended; Sots, fools, and madmen, still against this prick to be kicking, And still against this stream, this sacred stream to be striving. For when third day came, there came with a terrible earthquake God's Angel fro the skies, and rolled that stone fro the graves-dore, And there sat for a while: his face was like to a lightning, His robes white as snow, which made those watchmen amazed, And half dead for fear: but th' Angel spoke to the women, (Two Maries, coming of purpose, for to anoint Christ With precious spices, with sweet odoriferus ointments) You seek here for Christ, here Christ is not to be sought for, Christ is quickened again, and risn ', as he truly reported, And foretold his friends; in Galyly there will he meet them, Lo, where lately he lay: fear not, but boldly report it. As they ran to report, Christ jesus plainly appeared, And met them by the way, and bade them not be amazed, But bring news to the rest, that he would in Galyly see them. This done, and they gone; poor watchmen ran to the City; And told all to the Priests; who then with an obstinate error, And wilful blindness, these watchmen largely rewarded, Willing them to report, and tell this abroad to the people, That Christ's disciples stole him by night fro the watchmen, Whilst they lay sleeping. Which heresy stoutly, to this day Stifneckt jews maintain: o cursed and damnable error, O hard-hearted jews, that give more care to a hireling And bribed soldier, by the proud Priests falsely suborned, Than to the truth itself with so great glory revealed, Than to the eyes which saw, to the ears which heard, to the fingers And to the hands which felt that which was truly reported, Hands which felt Christ's hands and feet and sides to be wounded, Fares which heard his words and blessings sweetly delyu'red, Eyes which saw and knew, that Christ in Galyly walked, And four times ten days in divers places appeared: Eyes which saw Christ eat, and then fro the earth to be lifted Up to the highest heu'ns, and there with glory received On Gods own right hand with jurisdiction endless: Until he come to be judge of quick and dead, by the thundering Sound of a fearful trump: and bring his sheep to the sheepfold Immortal sheepfold, and goats throw down to the darkness aeternal darkness, fro the sacred face, fro the presence Of God, there to abide with Lucifer and his adherents, Plagued with a dying life, with a living death, with a roaring, Weeping, and gnashing of teeth, and horrible howling: Where's nought but woe, woe; but a worm still greedily griping, Nought but a loathsome lake with fire and Sulphur abounding. FINIS. The first Psalm. O Thrice happy the man, that lends no care to the counsel Of soul-sick sinners; nor frames his feet to the footestepps Of backsliding guudes: nor sets him down with a scorner In the maligning chair, that makes but a mock of Olympus. But to the living Lords edicts himself he referreth, And therein pleasures and treasures only reposeth: Night and day by the same his footsteps duly directing, Day and night by the same, heart, mind, soul, purely preparing. This man's like to a tree, to a tree most happily planted Hard by a brook, by a brook whose streams of silver abounding Make this tree her fruit, her pleasant fruit to be yielding, Yielding fruit in time to the planters daily rejoicing. This trees rooted deep, her bows are cherefuly springing, Her fruit never fades, her leaves look lively for ever: This man's settled sure, his thoughts, words, daily proceed Happy beginnings have; and have as fortunate end. Sinners are not foe; they and theirs all in a moment, All in a moment pass past hope, grace, mercy, recou'ry, As weight-wanting chaff that scattreth in every corner, whirled away fro the earth, hence, thence, by a blast, by a wyndepuffe. Woe to the scorner then, whose soul will quake to be judged, Quake, when it hears that doom by the judge almighty pronounced. Woe to the sinner then, no settled sinner aproacheth Near to the sinless Saints, where joy and glory aboundeth. For, the triumphant God doth still look down to the godly, Their ways well knowing, and them with mercy protecting: But the revenging Lord hath threatened a plague to the godless, And their ways shall away, and they themselves be a wailing. The sixth Psalm. LOrd forbear to rebuke, forbear, and stay thy revenging Hand, in thy great wrath and indignation endless. heal my wounds, my God, take some compassion on me; My bones are bruised, my strength is wholly decayed, My soul is troubled, my mind extremely molested, How long shall thy wrath, and these my plagues be prolonged? Turn yet again, good God, thy wonted mercy remember, And this soul, poor soul, for thy great mercy deliver. Save my life from death, in death no worthy remembrance Of thy name is found: and keep my soul fro the dungeon, Infernal dungeon, where no tongue yields any praises. My heart with groaning, my soul is weary with anguish, Every night do I wash my careful couch with abounding Streams of trickling tears: my flesh is mightily troubled, My colour all faded, my former beauty decayed, For fear, all for fear of such as seek to devour me. But get away, get away all you that work any mischief; My sighs ascend up, my prayers pierce to the heavens: And such as my soul with grief unworthily vexed, With shame and sorrow shall worthily soon be requited. The eight Psalm. O Prince all-puysant, o King al-mightyly ruling, How wondrous be thy works, & how strange are thy proceed? Thou hast thy great name with most great glory reposed Over, above those Lamps, bright-burning Lamps of Olympus, Even very babes, young babes, young sucking babes thy triumphant Might set forth; to the shame of them which injury offer, Even to the shame of them which damned blasphemy utter. When that I look to the skies, and life mine eyes to the heavens, Skies thine own handwork, and heavens framed by thy fingers; When that I see this Sun, that makes my sight to be seeing, And that Moon, her light, light half-darck, daily renewing, Sun dayes-eye shining, Moon nights-light cheerful apearing, When that I see sweet Stars through Crystal skies to be sprinkled, Some to the first sphere fixed, some here and there to be wandering, And yet a constant course with due revolution ending. Then do I think, o Lord, what a thing is man, what a wonder? O what a thing is man, whom thou so greatly regardest? Or what a thing's mankind, which thou so charyly tenderest? Thou hast man, this man, this blessed man mightily framed, And with abundant grace, with abundant dignity crowned, Not much inferior to thy sweet celestial Angels. Thou hast given him right and jurisdiction over All thy wondrous works, thou hast made him to be master, Him chief master on earth, right Lord, and absolute owner Of beast, fowl, and fish on th' earth, air, water abiding. O prince all-puysant, o King al-mightyly ruling, How wondrous be thy works, and how strange are thy proceed? The nine and twentieth Psalm. YOu Kings and rulers, you Lords and mighty Monarchaes, Whose hands with sceptres, and heads with crowns be adorned. Kneel to the King of Kings, and bring your dutiful offerings; Lout to the living Lord; ascribe all might to the mighty Alwayes-mighty Monarch: and learn to be ruled by the ruler. Which heaven, earth, and hell, ruls, overrules in a moment. For this is only that one, whose thundering voice fro the clustered Clouds breaks forth and roars, and horror brings to the whole world▪ For this is only that one, whose fearful voice fro the heavens Cedars, tall Cedars, tears, rents, and ryves fro the rooting, Cedars of Libanus constrayns like calves to be leaping: And Cedar-bearing Libanus, with frightened Hermon Like to a young Unicorn makes here and there to be skipping. For this is only that one, whose threatening voice, the devouring lightnings flakes throws down, and terror brings to the deserts, Tears down trees and woods, makes hinds for fear to be calving, And that forlorn waste of Cadesh for to be trembling. Every voice his voice, his praise, and glory pronounceth, His sacred temple with his honour daily resoundeth. Over gulfs and deeps his royal throne he reposeth, Overwhelming gulfs, and drowning deeps he represseth, And still a living Lord, still a King almighty remaineth, And yet a father still: for he leaves not, still to be sending Strength to his own elect, and inward peace for a blessing. The eight and thirtieth Psalm. SCourge me not, my God, whilst thy wrath's kindled against me, Put me not to rebuke, in thine unspeakable anger. For, thy darts, o God, dead darts, and dangerous arrows Stick fast, fast to my heart, o Lord, stick fast to my hartroote, And thy hands, sore hands press and oppress me with anguish. In my flesh no health; in bones no rest is abiding, Thy wrath plague's my flesh, my sins to my bones be a poison. My sins, woeful wretch, my sins now grown to a fullness Overgrow my head, cursed head, and keep me still under, Like to a burden alas, my back too heavily loading. My careful carcase with sores lies all to be wounded Festering sores with gross corruption ever abounding, Festering sores and wounds fro my sinful folly proceeding. My pain's so grievous, my grief so great, that it urgeth Me with a pale, dead face, and crooked limbs to be creeping. Mine inflamed loins are filled withfilthy diseases, And no part untutcht, no piece unwounded appeareth. Faint and feeble I am; sore bruised, so that I can not But roar out for grief of soul, and horrible anguish. Lord, thou know'st my desire, thou seest my daily bewailings, heart heartless doth pant, and strengthless strength is abated, Sightles sight is gone, and fryends unfryendly departed, And unkind kinsmen my wounded carcase abhorring Look; but a great way of; but come not near to my comfort, Thus forsaken I am, forlorn, contemptible abject. They that sought my life, laid secret snares to betray me, And, to devour my blood, conspired daily together. And I, for all this, alas, poor fool, stood feellyly silent, Like to a man that's deaf, and seems not a word to be hearing, Like to a man that's dumb, and fear's his mouth to be opening: For, my faith and trust in thee, my Lord, I reposed, Thou must plead my cause, and by thee I must be defended. Lord, I desire that these my foes may not be triumphing Over a contrite soul: for when my foot was a slipping, Then they laughed and scorned, and seemed to be greatly rejoicing. And in truth, my God, my plagues are daily renewed, And my bleeding wounds lie always open afore me. Always in my sight; for I must and will my detested. Filthy detested life confess, with an heavy remembering hearty repenting soul. But, alas, my deadly maligning Foes are much increaste, in might and number abounding▪ These men alas, for that my soul their filthiness hated, Life with death, o Lord, and good with bad be requiting. Help, o Lord my God, make haste, draw near to the needy, Help, o God my Lord, and my salvation only. The fiftieth Psalm. GOd, the triumphant God, th'aeternal great God of all Gods Hath sent forth Summons with a thundering voice fro the heavens, World-warning Summons, commanding all in a moment, All from th' east to the west, to be priest, and make an appearance, And perform their suit to the court, to the great, to the high court, Great high Zion's court, sweet Zion: where he appeareth With surpassing grace, exceeding beauty abounding. God shall come, shall come with a voice al-mightyly sounding; Greedy devouring fire shall go with glory before him, And blustering tempests shall roar with terror about him. heaven from above shall he call, and quaking earth to bewytnes, Of this just edict and sentence rightly pronounced. Bring my Saints, saith God, go bring my Saints to my presence, Which have vowed their hearts, and sworn their souls to my service: And of this judgement from judge almighty proceeding, Those bright-burning gloabes of Christal-mantled Olympus, shallbe reporters true, and always shallbe recorders. Hear me, my dear flock, and thou, o Israel, hear me, Hear me thy God, thy Lord; and know, that I am not aggrieved, Nor displeased a whit, for want of customed offerings Burnt offerings, sacrifice, and Honnors due to my altars. What do I care for a Goat? or what do I care for a Bullock? Sith Goats and Bullocks, and beasts that range by the deserts, Sith cattle feeding on a thousand hills be my own goods? Mine own proper goods be the fowls that fly to the mountains, Mine be the beasts that run by the fyelds, and watery fountains. If that I hunger, alas what need I to tell thee, I hunger? Sith that th' earth is mine, and all that on earth is abiding. Think not, think not, alas, that I take any joy to be eating Bulls flesh: think not, alas, that I take a delight to be dryncking goats blood, guyltles blood: but make acceptable offering Of thanksgeving heart, and pay thy vows to the highest. Call me to help, when so thou findest thyself to be helpless, Cry for grace, when so thou think'st thy soul to be past grace: And I will hear, and help, give grace, and strongly protect thee, And thou laud, and love, sing, serve, and worthily praise me. But with a frowning look, this God spoke thus to the godless; With what face darest thou my sacred name be profaning With those lying lips, and mouth with murder abounding? With what face darest thou with a fyled tongue be professing, And by defiled life, and fouled soul be denying? With what face darest thou for an ostentation only Seek to reform others, thyself so foully deformed? When thou meetest with a thief, thou seekest by theft to bethryving, And walkest side by side as a copsemate sit for adulters. Thy moutlis made to beguile; and monstrous villainy uttreth, Thy lips let forth lies: thy tongue untruly defameth Thine own mother's son: these, these be thy holy proceed, These be thy works; & sith that I seemed for a while to be silent. Thou thoughtst (wicked thought) my thoughts were like to thy own thoughts, And so runnst headlong. But I come; but plagues be approaching, And when I come, than I strike; when I strike, them I beat thee to powder. Thy bloody thoughts, jewde words, vile deeds will I open in order, And show all to thy face: which thou shalt see to thy sorrow, Know and acknowledge to thy own confusion endless. You that forget God, think on thus; lest he remember And forget not you; but root you out in his anger. Then shall noeman come, your damned souls to deliver. Praise and thancks-giving is a most acceptable offering; And, if a man by my laws his conversation order, Unto the same I myself will my salvation offer. The threescore and thirteenth Psalm. GOD, th' aeternal God, no doubt, is good to the godly, Giving grace to the pure, and mercy to Israel holy; And yet, alas, my feet, my, saint feet 'gan to be sliding, And I was almost gone, and fallen to a dangerous error. For, my soul did grudge, my heart consumed in anger, And mine eyes disdaynged, when I saw, that such men abounded With wealth, health, and joy, whose minds with myschif abounded. Their body stout and strong, their limbs still lively apearing Neither fear any pangs of death, nor feel any sickness: Some still mourn, they laugh; some live unfortunate ever, They for joy do triumph, and taste adversity never, Which makes them with pride, with scornful pride to be chained. And with blood-thirsting disdaigne as a robe to becou'red. Their fare is delicate, their flesh is dayntyly pampered, Their eyes with fatness start out, their greedy devouring Guts, swell with swilling; and, what fond fancy desireth, Or lewd lust liketh, that fortune fryendly afordeth. Themselves most sinful cause others for to be sinners With their poisoned breath, and vile contagius humours; They check, scorn, control, look, over look, with a lordlike Imperious countenance; their mouth fowl blasphemy uttreth, And fro the forlorn earth, to the heu'ns disdaingfuly mounteth. This surpassing pomp and pride allureth a number Even of Gods own flock, (flock weak and weary with anguish) Unto the self same trade, which makes their glory the greater. Tush, say they, can God, fro the highest heu'ns to the lowest Earth, vouchsaulf, think you, those Prince like eyes to be bowing? 'tis but a vain conceit of fools, to be fond referring Every jesting trick, and trifling toy to the Thunder. For lo, these be the men, whose souls are seared with an iron, And yet these be the men, who rule and reign with abundance; These, and who but these? Why then, what mean I to lift up Clean hands, and pure heart to the heu'ns? What mean I to offer Praise and thanksgiving to the Lord? What mean I to suffer Such plagues with patience? Yea, and almost had I spoken Even as they did speak, which thought no God to be guiding. But so should I alas, have judged thyfolk to be luckless, Thy sons forsaken, thy saints unworthily hapless. Then did I thick, and muse, and search what might be the matter. But yet I could not, alas, conceive so hidden a wonder: Until I left myself, and all my thoughts did abandon, And to thy sacred place, to thy Sanct'uary lastly repaired. Then did I see, o Lord, these men's unfortunate end End meet and fit for their ungodly beginnings. Then did I see how they did stand in slippery places, Lifted aloft, that their downefalling might be the greater. living Lord, how soon is this their glory triumphant Dashed, confounded, gone, drowned in destruction endless? Their fame's soon outworn, their name's extinct in a moment, Like to a dream, that lines by a sleep, and dies with a slumber. Thus my soul did grieve, my heart did languish in anguish, So blind were mine eyes, my mind so plunged in error, That no more than a beast did I know this mystery sacred. Yet thou heldst my hand, and keptst my soul fro the dungeon, Thou didst guide my feet, and me with glory receivedst. For what in heu'n or in earth shall I love or worthily wonder But my most good God, my Lord and mighty jehova? Though my flesh oft faint, my heart's oft drowned in horror, God never faileth, but willbe my mighty protector. Such as God forsake, and take to a slippery comfort, Trust to a broken staff, and taste of worthy revengement. In my God therefore my trust is wholly reposed, And his name will I praise, and sing his glory renowned. (⸫) The hundred and fourth Psalm. Living Lord my soul shall praise thy glory triumphant, Sing thy matchless might, and show thine infinite honour. Everlasting light thou putst on like as a garment, And purple-mantled welkin thou spread'st as a curtain: Thy parlour pillars on waters strangely be pitched, Clouds are thy chariots, and blustering winds be thy coursers, Immortal Spirits be thy ever-dutiful Harrolds, And consuming fires, as servants daily be waiting. All-maintaining earth's foundation ever abideth Laid by the Lords right-hand, with seas and deeps as a garment Covered; seas and deeps with threatening waves to the huge hills Climbing; but, with a beck their billows speedily backward All do recoil; with a check their course is changed on a sudden; At thy thundering voice they quake: And so do the mountains Mount upward with a word; and so also do the valleys. Down with a word descend, and keep their places appointed: Their meres are fixed, their banks are mightily barred, Their bounds known, lest that, man-feeding earth by the rage of Earth-overwhelming waters might chance to be drowned. Stil-springing fountains distill fro the rocks to the rivers, And crystal rivers flow over along by the mountains: There will wild asses their scorched mouths be refreshing, And field-feeding beasts their thirst with water abating There by the wel-welling waters, by the syluer-abounding Brooks, fayre-flying fowls on flowering banks be abiding, There shall sweete-beckt birds their bowers in bows be a building, And to the waters fall their warbling voice be a running. Yea those sunburnt hills, and mountains all to be scorched, Cooling clouds do refresh and watery dew fro the heavens. Earth sets forth thy works, earth-dwellers all be thy wonders: Earth earth-dwelling beasts with flowing grass is a feeding; Earth earth-dwelling men with pleasant herbs is a serving. Earth brings harts-ioy wine, earth-dwelling men to be heartening, Earth breeds cheering oils, earth-dwelling man to be smoothing, Earth bears lifes-foode bread, earth-dwelling men to be strengthening▪ Tall trees, up-mounting Cedars are chearefuly springing. Cedars of Libanus, where fowls their nests be preparing; And Storks in Firr-trees make their accustomed harbours. Wild goats, doaes, and roaes do rove and range by the mountains. And poor silly conies to the ragged rocks be repairing. Night-enlightning Moon for certain times is appointed, And all-seeing Sun knows his due time to be sitting. Sun once so sitting, dark night wraps all in a mantle All in a black mantle: then beasts creep out fro the dungeons, Roaring hungry Lions their prey with greedy devouring Claws and saws attend, but by God's only appointment: When Sun riseth again, their dens they quickly recover, And there couch all day: that man may safely the day time His days work apply, till day give way to the darkness. O good God, wise Lord, good Lord, and only the wise God, Earth sets forth thy works, earth-dwellers all be thy wonders. So be seas also, great seas, full fraught with abundant Swarms of creeping things, great, small: there, ships be a sailing, And there lies tumbling, that monsterus huge Leviathan. All these beg their food, and all these on thee be waiting; If that thou stretch out thine hand, they feed with abundance, If thou turn thy face, they all are mightily troubled; If that thou withdraw their breath, they die in a moment, And turn quickly to dust, whence they were lately derived, If thy spirit breath, their breath is newly created, And the decayed face of th' earth is quickly revived, O then, glory to God, to the Lord then, glory for ever, Who in his own great works may worthily glory for ever. This Lord looks to the earth, and steedfast earth is a trembling, This God toutcheth mounts, and mountains huge be a smoking. All my life will I laud this Lord; whilst breath is abiding In my breast, this breath his praise shall still be a breathing. Hear my words, my Lord, accept this dutiful offering, That my soul in thee may evermore be rejoicing; Root the malignant race, race out their damnable offspring: But my soul, o Lord shall praise thy glory triumphant, Sing thy matchless might, and show thine infinite honour. FINIS.