THE JOY OF TEARS Or CORDIALS OF COMFORT, SPRINGING UP IN the region of sorrow.  Psal. 126. 5. They that sow in tears shall reap in joy. Matth. 5. Blessed are they that mourn, for they shall be comforted. 
GAUDIA POST LACHRYMAS  
Published with the most gracious licence and privilege of GOD Almighty, King of Heaven and Earth, the penult day of july, Anno Dom. 1635.   

To the Christian Reader.  

FRom this one simple Herb of true remorse  
Behold what precious liquor doth proceed:  
The virtue whereof is of such a force,  
That joy in midst of sorrow it doth breed.  
On mourning morsels it is good to feed,  
And most convenient for a sinner's state:  
Make much (my Christian friend) of this blessed seed.  
The way to Zion is a thorny gate.  
Be not detained therefra, though Flesh should hate,  
And tax thee for a greeting Puritan:  
Thy Lord with groans and tears had great debate,  
And patiently endured the mocks of man.  
In this clear fountain daily bathe thy heart,  
And with good Marie choose that better part,   

Since blameless Truth dare scarce appear,  
No marvel I my name forbear.    

THE JOY OF TEARS.  


BOth night and day my bones are pierced with grief,  
Oh if my wounds be deep! who can them cure  
No sweetness now, no joy, peace nor relief,  
Ease is away, mirth I may not endure.  
My pains increase, sins guilt doth them procure▪  
Fears me beset, belike GOD is my foe:  
Faith, hope and love are hid with clouds impure,  
Expect I can nothing but wrath and woe.  
Entrusting much my heart I truth forgo,  
Menstruous I am, no creature more vile,  
More foul, more filthy: yea though earth no more  
In it contained, yet I would all defile.  
Great cause I have each moment to deplore  
My want of that which should my soul decore.   

judgements I justly merit and deserve,  
Oft do I fail, oft hear I Peter's cock:  
From GOD'S commands most frequently I swerve,  
I love to dwell within a rotten stock.  
Trifling allurements hold me from Christ's flock,  
False foolish pleasures do beguile my sight:  
Lost is my strength, through bearing of sins yoke,  
Hourly I err, in taking wrong for right.  
Excuse myself I will no● for my might,  
My thoughts, my words, my ways, my works, my pai●▪  
My wit, my will are great unfriends to light  
I can not see what profit me constrains.  
In me no worth which Wisdom can commend,  
Good LORD I pray thee help, reform, amend.   

I know thy mercies far all sins exceed,  
Thrice blessed are they in whom the same abide▪  
Except against the holy Ghost no seed  
Of sin outbreaketh which they can not hide.  
To thee I cry, from whom I oft backslide,  
Father, forgive my faults both great and small:  
Let out thy streams, come in with thy springtide,  
With joy of heart receive a prodigal.  
Establish me, lest I again should fall:  
Make sure my steps, confirm me by thy grace:  
Remove the curtains, and partition wall  
Of guiltiness, thine image which deface,  
'Gainst thee alone I have made great assaults:  
Give place to Mercy, pardon all my faults.   

CHRIST'S ANSWER.  
REjoice thyself in me, sweet jesus saith,  
Winters of mourning make much for thy good:  
Early and late for thee my Spirit prayeth.  
Eternal life receive through my rich blood.  
When God was angry in the gape I stood,  
I suffered all his justice could require:  
Enter in rest, I stopped have hell's flood,  
Sealed is thy peace, possess thy soul's desire.  
In the mean time weep, weep, and do not tyre:  
Th● seeds of te●r●s bring forth great cropes' of joy:  
Thy mourning days wi● suddenly expire,  
I see what way thy sobs thou dost employ,  
Thy sighs, thy groans, thy vexed and troubled mind▪  
For grieving me constrain me to be kind.   

In heart I feel more joy than tongue can tell,  
Oh if I could my Saviour magnify!  
No longer (by his grace) will I rebel,  
Enlarged he hath his bounty towards me.  
Come, come, draw near ye Saints, come, taste and see  
Flagons of comfort, which will make you glad.  
Lo, how the pledges of GOD'S amity  
Erect my spirit; which formerly was sad.  
Earth's whole delights if at my will I had,  
Misprise I would, for draughts of such sweet wine:  
Moore other things to seek is to be mad,  
In greatest straits this is the best propine.  
My soul, praise thou the Lord with thy whole might  
Who hath received thee kindly in his sight.   

I have a pleasant birth, yet I must cry  
O 
* 1 Sam. 4. 2●.  Ichabod! O captive Ark once free!  
Now Philistines with peace possess; all my  
Excellency is gone, I wish to die.  
Life, pleasure, joy withdraw yourselves from me,  
Fraughted I am, and overcharged with grief:  
Light of mine eyes is failed, I can not see:  
Eli's last end, nought else can bring relief.  
Entered in bethel have men of mischief,  
Making GOD'S laws to be of no respect:  
Though once they seemed well settled in belief,  
Yet now their craft and falsehood they detect.  
With filthy smoke the house, of prayer they fill,  
And there intent to change all things at will.   

jerusalem is of her freedom spoilt,  
Orders of men's devising there be placed:  
True CHRIST is bound, thief Barrabas assoiled.  
Esaw much praised, jacob much disgraced.  
The heritage of GOD is all defacd,  
Formalities to substance are preferred:  
Laws are imposed grievous to be embracd▪  
Earth's fatness upon judas is conferred.  
Eye weep, heart groan, black birds my mirth have marred  
Moon hath no light, the Sun his beams withdraweth:  
The mouth of godly Zephanie is bard,  
Because the truth in honesty he showeth.  
Fountains of life which make God's city glad  
Are filled with earth, clear springs can not be had.   

Stalf of religion greatly doth decay,  
The door of holy discipline is closed:  
Romes-cocatrice the lambs of God betray,  
To subtle dangers they be much exposed.  
Good people who are zealously disposed,  
The benefit of peace can not enjoy:  
No persons are so mightily opposed,  
As they who Babel's building would destroy.  
The powers of darkness their whole strength employ,  
In their defence who the Popes liveray wear:  
But neither night nor day cease to annoy  
The sheep of Christ in whom grace doth appear.  
The hopes of bragging Papists are increased,  
Now when they see Gods servants so oppressed.   

Edom's cursed children wickedly insult,  
Wounds of the beast again by them are cured:  
With death and hell they craftily consult,  
And make the Gospel's lamp to be obscured.  
High courts of justice are be them procured,  
Where wickedness is established by decree:  
And where heavens heirs are wrongously injured,  
And Amos words are judged heresy.  
In Babylon upon the willow three  
My harp is hanged, for Zion I must weep:  
Yet they in scorn require some mirth from me,  
And Hebrew songs, my sorrows are most deep.  
Let my tongue be within my mouth tied fast  
If I rejoice while Zion's griefs be past.   

God's captive Ark I long to see restored:  
Old days of mercy doubtless then would co●  
No land like Scotland was so well decord,  
Each hungry soul did there receive a crumb.  
Tabrets' of power now dead pipes are become,  
Flammes of strange fire provoke GOD'S jealousy:  
Locusts of hell prevail much over some,  
Eden's fair orchard wants fertility.  
Exilements, fines, confines commissions be  
Made against all these who would their hearts keep pure▪  
Time-servers get honour and dignity,  
Idolaters full liberty procure.  
None of an upright judgement dare appear,  
The hands are weakened which Christ's image bear.   

I much lament to see GOD'S Saints so feared,  
That few, alas, sound Tenets dare profess:  
I much lament, to see men who compeard  
Once in defence of light, the light suppress.  
I much lament to see such sleepiness,  
When Christ's best friends are thralled in burgh & town.  
I much lament to see who do possess  
The chair of truth, which should hold errors down.  
I much lament to see a popish crown  
Upon the head of Christ's once glorious bride.  
I much lament to see men get renown,  
Who daily both from faith and truth do slide.  
Oh if I had in secret mine alone  
A cottage, where I might these ills bemoan.   

join, join with me, ye Saints, in prayers and tears,  
O Lord hear, help, consider Joseph's case:  
The splendour of Kirk beauty disappears,  
Enthrond are they who Romish rites embrace.  
Through fire and water wolves thy lambs do chase:  
False brethren vex thy flock who truth retain:  
Look to thy spouse which they seek to deface,  
Her cause defend, let thy foe's woe sustain.  
Ensnare them all who make thy sheep complain,  
And fight against thine ancient liberties:  
Much they conspire, much untruth they maintain,  
In thy chair they spew forth their damned lies.  
Thy verity in corners is confined,  
The wrong thou gets scarce can it be defined.   

Where once thou had a throne Prince Mammon sits,  
Destroying that which built was by thy Spirit:  
And building that which many pregnant wits  
Doth captivat, and grieve each Israelite,  
Good jeremy who was thy favourite  
Perceaving how thy glory was empard,  
A wilderness he thought most requisite,  
Nothing but tears and groans he did regard,  
What christian man with him can be compared?  
Heart-breaking grief like his can not be found:  
Careful was he to have thy house repard,  
Which now, alas, is brought down to the ground.  
His lamentations, zeal, and fervency  
Thou hast reserved to the posterity.   

And for what else but that thy children dear  
May thereby learn to mourn for Zion's wrack,  
And to deplore the boastings which they hear  
Of Bashans' bulls, who truth would captive take.  
Earth-Mammonists count not what shifts they make,  
Providing they may come to their intent:  
Sound reasoning they purposely hold back,  
And in Christ's mystic body make a rent.  
Thou must arise, thy terror must be sent,  
To stop the madness of their wicked rage,  
And to compel their fury to relent,  
Which so bursts forth in this malicious age.  
Thy temple clang, thine heritage reform,  
Make all things to thy pattern be conform.   

For Zion's sake I can not be at rest,  
To her relief while thou incline thine ear:  
H●ar thou her not, now when she is distressed,  
Then close mine eyes, my life I count not dear.  
Thy foes insult, O how thou dost forbear?  
And suffer them on earth to be extolled?  
In thy behalf no subject dare appear,  
To vindicat thy truth so much controlled,  
Look how thy Servants names are all enrolled  
In registers, as men deserving shame:  
Only because thy crown they do uphold,  
And will not thy sworn covenant disclaim.  
Be Agent for thy Spouse, supply her wants,  
And hear the groan of thy weeping Saints▪    

The Lords exhortatory and expostulatory reply  

Grieved Saints I much affect, saith israel's GO●  
Who sigh and sob for Zion's woeful state:  
I have her humbled under man's sharp rod,  
That she may learn to keep my well pathed gate,  
Apostasy extremely I do bate,  
Vngrately hath she gone from her first love:  
Carnal respects have caused her of late  
Forsake her crown, and the Beasts mark approve.  
Oh if she would from Babel yet remove.  
Oh if she would turn home again to me.  
Then would I make my presence from above  
Her corners all with light to beautify.  
ay, as I live, delight not in her death,  
I rather would she might evite my wrath.   

My Covenant I charge her to renew,  
Or else a cup of trembling she shall drink:  
Will-worship I command her to eshew,  
At such a sin my justice can not wink.  
Her whoorishnesse gives me cause to forethink,  
That ever I her wedded to my wife:  
What reason hath she from my truth to shrink?  
Am I not able to preserve her life?  
Should fear or danger of a wooden knife  
Debar her from obedience to my will?  
Should she provock my clemency to strife,  
And move me with mine anger her to kill?  
O how my lovely nature she doth cross!  
I would her save, she will her own self loss.   

Saul's sinful fact who killed the Gibeonits  
I wish she would remark attentively:  
Moore easy shall it be to Gomorrhits  
Then to these who their faith do falsify.  
I will not fail to punish perjury,  
In whomsoever I the same perceive:  
She needs not think to plead immunity,  
Her sliding back no coverture can have.  
I gave her life, I brought her from the grave,  
I her enriched, I made her glory shine:  
I ransond her when she was Satan's slave,  
I filled her flagons with my choicest wine.  
No fabric had in any former age  
Such heaven out pillars as mine heritage.   

Her name was famous the whole earth throughout,  
Her precious stones shined clearer than bright gold:  
My pleasure was to walk her Tower's about,  
Her carved work was heavenly to behold.  
Armies with banners terrible and bold  
Amazed were, and fled before her face:  
Her walls were thick, her bulwarks manifold,  
She without stroke of s●ord her foes did chase.  
Now dogs and swine possess mine holy place,  
judah doth walk contrary to my des●re,  
No conscience makes she errors to embrace,  
Nor to profane mine Altar with strange fire.  
Land-monsters she hath chosen her to lead,  
Who seek advancement above me her head.   

My statutes, orders, comely government  
She hath rejected to her open shame:  
With my prescriptions she is not content,  
Her ways, her words, her works the same proclaim.  
Bethaven hath become my Bethels name,  
Her filthiness in her shirts doth appear:  
Her solemn feasts and sabbaths I disclaim,  
Her sighs, her sobs, her groans I will not hear:  
Her ●●st, her dross pollute my fountains clear,  
With might and main Rome's rites she doth defend:  
How can I any longer her forbear?  
My Spirit she forceth with her to contend.  
I look she should acknowledge her offence,  
●ut ●o how she my love doth recompense.   

Who would have thought she would have me renounced,  
And taken uncouth lovers by the hand?  
Who would have thought her mouth would have pronounced  
Such damned errors, as my truth gainstand?  
Should she repugn to my most just command?  
Can I permit my glore to be transferred  
To other gods? Surely it can not stand  
With that which my revealed will hath averred.  
Long have I spared, long have I wrath deferred,  
Long have I her invited to repent:  
Long hath my goodness on her been conferred,  
Long hath she made my spirit to lament.  
Lost is my labour, wasted is mine oil,  
I reap no profit of my long some toil.   

Where is her light? her crown? her ornaments?  
Her chain of love? her peace? her purity?  
Her fruitful gardens? her fair continents?  
Her rights? her seals of Life and Liberty?  
All she hath sold unto her enemy,  
Her vomit she hath licked up again:  
Great is her craft, great is her treachery,  
Her purposes and projects are most vain.  
In her no honest dealing doth remain,  
My perfect pattern she hath overthrown:  
Doubtless on her my judgements I would rain▪  
If secret wailers were from her withdrawn.  
Lot must be brought to Zoar ere I can  
Shower down my fury upon sinful man.   

Ye Mourners therefore leave not off to weep,  
Your faithful prayers and tears my hands do bind:  
For Zion's sake because your wounds are deep,  
A good and gracious success you shall since.  
Your melting hearts make my wrath flee behind,  
Your peace is made, let Dragons fret and fume:  
My light your joy, shall make their eyes stone-blind,  
Though now they think my Cedars to consume.  
To your comfort my promises resume,  
In your distress I will not you forsake:  
Through my strong arm you boldly may presume,  
To make the stoutest brambles all to quake.  
I am your rock, 'gainst me who can prevail?  
Earth shall decay, your strength shall never fail.    


ALL endless praise be to my blessed LORD,  
O Soul rejoice, thy groans he doth approve:  
From time to time his benefits record,  
Extol his Name, him praise for his free love.  
Be zealous, steadfast, constant, do not move,  
Faiths-fruit is worth all pains thou canst sustain:  
Look to that glore hid up to their behoof,  
Who valiantly his born down truth maintain.  
Elishaes' words 'gainst all attempts retain, 
2 King 6.16   
More be for Christ than mortal eye can see:  
In suffering for his cause none needs complain,  
The cross way leadeth to felicity.  
When days of Christian conflicts are expired,  
More joy will come than ever heart desired.   

I know my plainness will be much reviled,  
Obloquious railings I must strive to bear:  
None so maligned as God's dearest child,  
Edicts soul-vexing daily he may hear.  
Black to call black what Christian should forbear▪  
Frettings of men like wind will pass away:  
Luck warmness all should shun who God would fear  
esther's example Saints encourage may.  
Earnest was she to fast both night and day:  
Hamans' great malice deeply pierced her heart:  
Most wisely she her credit did assay:  
In the king's presence she took the jews part:  
No contrary law could her stop, nor withhold,  
From pleading stoutly with a courage bold.   

This femal-pleader lets me understand,  
That GOD by weakest means gets greatest glore:  
And when the stronger ships sink in deep sand,  
The weaker vessel oft comes safe to shore.  
The naked truth is ay advanced the more,  
When there is least appearance of support:  
Though Potentats intent to cross her sore,  
Yet shall she flourish in a fruitful sort.  
The darts of wicked men she can retort  
Upon themselves wherewith they think to shed  
The blood of these who Christianly dehort,  
From idol-feasts where with souls are misled.  
Her life, her crown, her jewels none shall get,  
Who for a part of earth would heaven wodset.   

Let Demas and Diotrephes take heed,  
Who heavenly substance for earth's trash would sell▪  
The Truth alone can help in time of need,  
No other birthright can redeem from hell.  
The way to life all other paths excel,  
True godliness in it hath twofold gain,  
Of grace and glore, more than man's tongue can tell▪  
Hence comes that gold which ever shall remain.  
Proud Ishmalites this treasure which disdain.  
Shall never dwell upon Mount Zion hill:  
Nor shall enjoy the comfort of that rain,  
Nor of those drops which mercy doth distil.  
None, none but they who love, maintain, defend  
The Truth oppressed shall get a blessed end.    

The Author's epilogue.  
I am but sinful dust,  
From God is my record,  
To me belongeth shame,  
All glory to the Lord.