A Crucifix: OR, A Meditation upon Repentance, and, The holy Passion.  
Written by CHRISTOPHER Lever.  Nocet indulgentia nobis. 
AT LONDON  
Printed by V. S. for john Budge, and are to be sold at his shop at the great south door of Paul's. 1607.   

To the Reader.  
THe Writings of Men, as they are diverse, so are they diversly affected: yet ever in this inequality; that more to the bad, than to the better be disposed. The reason is, corruption in judgement, dullness of Understanding, blindness in Election, and a depravedness in the whole frame of Nature: whereof it cometh that many deceive themselves in their choice, neglecting what is of nearest consideration, yet embrace that (with strong appetite,) which is most pernicious, and pestilent. I write not this to offend any one, but to remember all: for I had rather profit than please: and to give friendly admonishment is better than silence. That great Apostle Saint Paul desired to know nothing but jesus Christ, and him crucified, and doth detest to rejoice in aught save in the Cross and sufferings of his Lord and Master. A lesson worthy so great a Doctor, and worth our imitation. This is that one thing which is only necessary; whereof, who hath true knowledge, hath all knowledge. This Cross, this Crucifix, and this Passion I present thee (gentle Reader) not in their exact forms, (for that exceeds the power of Mortality) but in a little resemblance: wishing thee to read, not for Mirth, but for Matter; and with holy Paul, faithfully to apply to thy soul, the glory and rejoicings of the holy Passion. Farewell.   

To the most reverend father in God, RICHARD (by Divine providence) Archbishop of Canterbury, Primate and Metropolitan of England.  
My singular good Lord and Patron.  
RIght Reverend Lord) There is a disease in the Natures of men, most powerful in the vulgar and base multitude, to misinterpret, (yet to interpret) all men's proceedings: Therefore the best cause doth most need protection, lest otherwise, it receive wrong in their injurious and false constructions. For this particular; the frame and disposition is my own, and therefore I willingly submit that to a merciful judgement. The Subject is not mine, but Gods, being extract from sacred Authorities; and therefore of itself able to resist all opposition. Here-hence I derive my comfort, that the worthiness of the Subject may give supplement to my verse, that wants worth: and that in the opinion of good men, I shall be thought to have done more, in giving a religious matter this poor form, than others (that with much industry and art) have painted the deformed face, of profane and idle Inventions. The reasons (my good Lord) that move me to this dedication, are these; First, the many testimonies I have of your Lordship's gracious respecting me, which earnestly press me, to return this little demonstration of thanks, where I have received so much favour. Next, your Lordship's travel, to continue the body of Religion united; or rather, to make up the rent and division. Wherein God hath made you prosperous▪ giving you spirit to enterprise, and victory to finish a care of that religious importance. And because this Crucifix I present, is a Meditation of the sufferings and death of Christ, represented to us in the ceremony of the Cross, (in the holy use whereof, your Lordship hath fortunately traveled.) I have therefore thought this Dedication (of right) to belong unto your Grace, assuring myself, that where the Shadow, there the Substance; where the Figure, there the Truth; and where the Cross, there the Christ, shall find gracious and glad acceptance. The which, with all respects of duty and humbleness, I offer unto your Lordship: beseeching God to give you to support the reputation of Learning, (helpful to both the States of Church and kingdom:) and after this life▪ perpetuity with the holy Angels and Saints.  
Your Graces in all duty and service. CHRISTOPHER Lever.   

A CRUCIFIX, OR A Meditation upon Repentance, and the holy Passion.  

THere is a grief, which far exceeds the skill  
Of many learned spirits to define:  
And this derived is from doing ill;  
Yet doth it rectify, and much refine,  
The blurred Image, of that power divine.  
Which in our purer souls, at our creation,  
Made us beloved, and of estimation.   

Such is the terror of a wounded Soul,  
Stretched upon the painful rack of try all,  
Presented with that black accusing scroll,  
The register of sin, the Lords espial;  
Authorities, that ne'er admit denial.  
For when our Conscience doth display our sin,  
Then true affected grief, doth first begin.   

It were in vain, I laboured to express,  
The just proportion, and the quality  
Of horrid grief: nor what amazedness,  
Attends this court of law, and equity,  
The Soul▪ must here implead impiety  
Against the Soul. The judge that here precedeth  
Against himself, himself the law impleadeth.   

 
 
 
 
 
 
  

 
 
 
 
 
 
  

〈◊〉 that have 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 for your sins▪  
〈◊〉 bath▪ d your 〈◊〉 in your repentan●…●…eares▪  
〈◊〉 when your reformation first begins  
〈◊〉 ●…ur 〈◊〉 hearts, tell me what fears▪  
〈◊〉 horrednesse, remorseful conscience bears:  
〈◊〉 rather, do confess, as doth my verse;  
There is no power of words, can it rehearse.   

The Father judge, that sits his Son to try▪  
Cannot resist the torture of his mind:  
When he denounceth sentence (thou must die)  
Examples may be fitted to this kind:  
But to resemble ours no like we find:  
For here the judge, that gives the dying word,  
Condemns himself: even of his own accord.   

The eye, condemns the sight, the sight the eye;  
The power of speech, our much offending tongue:  
All qualities, their instruments envy;  
And say, their aptness to offence and wrong,  
Impels the sense; the weaker by the strong,  
Is capt●…uate: And sin that hath the reins;  
The common wealth in man, to sin constrains.   

Like as that Bull, Perillus framed of brass;  
To be a wondrous instrument of woe:  
Within whose womb, when the offendor was▪  
In brutish sort, he as a Bull did low,  
The organ of the beast, did cause it so.  
Right so our bodies, beastly by our sin;  
Do bestifie the soul, that lives within.   

In opposition to this formal plea;  
The body, to the soul again replieth.  
The state of sin, hath his estate in thee:  
Our souls without, sin in our bodies dieth;  
Nature to lifeless things, all act denieth.  
For as the Air, is moved with the wind,  
So are our subject bodies, by the mind.   

Who ever yet accused the murderous knife,  
As actor of that horrible effect:  
The agent, must be somewhat that hath life.  
It is the living hand, that doth direct  
The mortal blade: Nor is there had respect,  
To instrumental causes of offending:  
For in the agent, guilt hath his depending.   

〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 of ho●… contention:  
〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 himself divide.  
 
〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 which jud●…ment hath descried:  
〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the conscience anght can hide▪  
〈◊〉 〈◊〉 state of wretchedness doth dwell  
〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 them my verse 〈◊〉 tell   

〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the 〈◊〉 cup of pleasure;  
〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in nothing but expending▪  
〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 fall his treasure▪  
〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 shame with much commending,  
〈◊〉 〈◊〉 your 〈◊〉 lives▪ shall ne'er have ending.  
〈◊〉 〈◊〉 remembrance of repentant tears▪  
〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 enlarge your fears.   

〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉, where death is eminent▪  
〈◊〉 bubble of this life, cannot secure thee:  
There is an afterstate, most permanent,  
〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in honour, o●… in death assure thee▪  
〈◊〉 〈◊〉 to honour, now to die mure thee:  
〈◊〉 he, whose life will mortify no sin,  
〈◊〉 find the gate of Mercy shut to him.   

Thy life is truly by resemblance said  
To be a shadow: shado●…es from the Sun  
Derived be: for sure there is no shade,  
Where ●…haebus doth not gild our horizon:  
So we may say, the pride of life is done,  
When as the Sun of Glory shall deny,  
To give the beams of his resplendent Eye.   

Change your corrupt opinions of delight.  
Sometime delight in tears, in bitter woe.  
To lance and cut, oft heals the wounded Knight.  
If we to heaven; we must as Pilgrims go:  
It is a Christian pleasure to do so:  
For he that doth appoint all times for pleasure:  
To his repentance can admit no leisure.   

Were it, that he that over-loads the sense,  
In surfeiting the much forbidden tree,  
Could with the habit of his sins dispense,  
Whilst he might view his soul's enormity,  
And with the judgement of Discretions eye,  
Sentence his vain, exorbitant delight,  
And all his pleasures that do sin invite.   

Then might he see the power of much offending,  
The little power of him that so offendeth:  
That war of souls that never can have ending,  
Where sin in opposition, death intendeth,  
To him that (prodigal) in sin expendeth  
His very self, and like a traitor thief,  
In his own treason makes himself a chief.   

Who ever saw a General in Arms,  
Whenas the day determineth the war;  
To be imprisoned in the treacherous arms  
Of such as nearest to his person are,  
Unto himself may make a like compare:  
For such are we when our delightful pleasure,  
Upon our souls (like traitors) make a seizure.   

〈◊〉 like, as when the man reported borned,  
〈◊〉 chased by the servants of his pleasure;  
〈◊〉 ●…hen by monstrous sin, we are deformed,  
〈◊〉 find offensive, what we held our treasure▪  
〈◊〉 ●…ame affects (like dogs) do make a seizure  
〈◊〉 ●…on our souls: and like the hunted Deer▪  
〈◊〉 our loud yelping sins, we stand in fear   

When we can truly, thus survey our sin,  
Our state of death, our death in our offending:  
The war intestine, that we have within;  
〈◊〉 infinite of grief, thereof depending;  
〈◊〉 little power we have, of our amending.  
When this we know, we know our state's not well:  
〈◊〉 doth the sick, that hears his passing bell.   

●…hen in the balance of suspense, we say,  
Our little hope, the mountain of our care.  
The scale of sear, by much doth over sway▪  
Our own assurances, that nothings are:  
〈◊〉 makes, this sick man of his health despair  
And were it not, that grace did us avail,  
We should not stand, the trial of the scaile.   

〈◊〉 had I need▪ a new to invocate,  
That all sufficient, to direct my verse:  
Myself much sinful, cannot sin relate.  
Whose largeness dis●…inables my rehearse.  
O give me power to beautify the hearse  
Of Penitence: which then is said to die.  
When men live most in their security.   

If ever thing of greatest admiration,  
Could draw the vulgar eye, for to admire it;  
Then let the subject, of this poor relation,  
Be powerful in their hearts, that shall desire it:  
It is a heavenly act, for to inspire it.  
For though our penance, be a crabbed tree,  
Yet is the fruit, of rare propriety.   

Suppose thyself, arraigned at the bar,  
Laden with fetters of thine own offence;  
Thy crying sins, thy adverse Lawyers are▪  
The Devil, doth his action here commence,  
And for his witness, hath thy conscience.  
Suppose this court-house, in thy soul to be,  
Thyself to plead, thyself to answer thee.   

That part, which best remembers, plays the Clerk,  
Who, when the word of silence, is proclaimed.  
Entreats, that great assembly well to mark  
Th'indictment of that Traitor: who ashamed,  
Stands at the bar of death: and being named,  
Holds up his guilty hand. The Clerk than readeth,  
Those treasons, which my utterance much exceedeth▪   

Yet as I may: This I suppose was said.  
(Traitor) thou art more ancient in thy sin  
Then in thy days: It cannot be denayed,  
But when thy first forefather did begin,  
To listen to his wife's soliciting:  
Thou in him then, didst with him give consent,  
To further, that his treasonous intent.   

 
 
 
 
 
 
  

 
 
 
 
 
 
  

〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Patents did produce thee,  
〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 thy soul more blind.  
〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 to execuse thee.  
〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 ●…n ●…y mind:  
〈◊〉 〈◊〉 body, can●…t thou find  
〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Father's generation.  
〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 not gives it limitation.   

〈◊〉 〈◊〉 thy 〈◊〉, so do thy sins augment:  
〈◊〉, they ou●…●…trip thy time in forwardness.  
●…or long before thy childishness be spent,  
Thou wil●… be aged in thy wickedness.  
children's first aptitudes do well express,  
Whether the progress of their lives intent▪  
For like beginning, often hath like end.   

What though thy Parents in their providence,  
Covet to better thee, by education.  
Yet is their travel, but a vain expense,  
Thy time of youth, will give an intimation,  
How much unlike thou art thy first creation.  
Never could any precepts from the wise,  
Ere rectify a man's infirmities.   

Thus dost thou make gradation in thy sin,  
Till thou attain, the utmost step of life;  
And like Report, when it doth first begin,  
Is then the least; yet when it waxeth rife,  
It doth enlarge itself: So sinful life,  
By custom, and continuance in sinning,  
Men are much worse, then in their first beginning.   

For when their time doth bring them to that state,  
That makes a man; the strength of nature then,  
Doth their injurious parts corroborate.  
The length of years, doth ever give to man,  
ability in wickedness: and when  
Depraved man, hath means of doing ill,  
He makes them serve, his much depraved will.   

Like as the neighbour Rivers to the Sea  
Cannot support upon their shallow backs;  
The huge proportion of an Argosy,  
Because the little currant water lacks:  
Yet when the Sea (that all resistance wracks)  
Shall fill the empty channel with his Tide;  
The greatest vessel with great ease may glide.   

〈◊〉 are the first unable years of man,  
〈◊〉 ●…eake ●…n moving the huge bulk of sin:  
〈◊〉 when the ●…ide of years approacheth, than  
〈◊〉 〈◊〉 more impudent in their committing;  
〈◊〉 〈◊〉 ●…ceiue the mightiest vessels in,  
〈◊〉 ha●…bour, in their little stream of Time,  
〈◊〉 〈◊〉 ●…nd, shall cut their little twine.   

〈◊〉 a wondrous task to make relation,  
〈◊〉 〈◊〉 grievance in particular:  
〈◊〉 ●…nes of blood, of wanton agitation.  
〈◊〉 ●…inite in every kind they are,  
Hearts may suppose; but Speech cannot declare.  
For when that man in Nature is most strong;  
He is most powerful then, in doing wrong.   

See, if thy time grow aged with expense  
Of many years, be less in thy offending:  
T●…me is the giver of experience:  
Old age will preach to youth, their youths offending;  
●…et ●…outhful sins, in youth have not their ending.  
For when old men are stepping to their grave,  
●…n youthful sinning, strong desires they have.   

●…ld age, (though cold) can never quench the fire  
Of ●…full youth▪ Though age be in thy flesh,  
Yet in thy thoughts, thou dost maintain desire;  
●…hich in performance, thou canst not express,  
By reason of thy body's ●…eeblenesse.  
Yet know, that when Desire is in thy heart,  
It is as much, as thou an Actor wert.   

This thy Desire, incends the noble parts  
Of reason, and blunteth thy discretion.  
Makes a combustion in obdurate hearts;  
Depraves the sense, and blindeth thy election;  
Dries up repentant tears, (thy soul's refection:)  
And sure that man, eternally shall die,  
Whose heart will not give water to his eye.   

Thus (O thou worst of God's creation!)  
Thou dost reverse the ordinance of Nature.  
All other Being's, keep their ordination;  
Obedience lives, in every other creature;  
Only in him, that hath the goodliest feature.  
He that from God, most blessings hath derived;  
He against God, most treasons hath conspired.   

Search the immense circumference of Earth,  
The many wondrous movers in the Sea,  
The Element of Air, wherein we breath,  
The regiment of Heaven, and sympathy  
Of moving orbs, and starry deity.  
In all the parts of this circumference,  
No one like man in disobedience.   

If God command the Seas to patience:  
They still their noise, and smooth their horrid face.  
Let him again be moved to offence,  
The raging wind, the swelling billows chase,  
Unto the daring rocks that do embrace  
Their violence, and there doth bound the Seas,  
Until a calm, their troubles do●… appease.   

〈◊〉 ●…ommand 〈◊〉 ●…owdes 〈◊〉 ●…eare the Avr●…  
〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in the ●…lade.  
 
 
 
 
  

〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Time ●…o give the year▪  
〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 ●…oures for her distinction.  
〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Time well ordered were▪  
〈◊〉 〈◊〉 ●…nd Time to Ordination;  
〈◊〉 〈◊〉 unto God's creation▪  
〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 ●…at Times ●…nconstant are;  
〈◊〉 〈◊〉 they are more certain far.   

〈◊〉 〈◊〉 ●…he Sea-devouring 〈◊〉▪  
〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 ●…oore ●…onas to the shore.  
〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Eg●…pt do avail▪  
〈◊〉 〈◊〉 war: ●…ay more.  
〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the 〈◊〉 chamber ●…ore,  
〈◊〉 〈◊〉 person, of a mighty King,  
〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 they had a warranting.   

〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 his sacred breath on 〈◊〉▪  
〈◊〉 countervail the Angels that erst fell:  
●…ing thy soul of his Eternity;  
Yet thrust thy betters, for less sin to hell.  
Did God refuse those Spirits that excel  
In holy worship; to partake thy nature?  
He did, for thy redemption this (O Traitor)   

If God command let this, or that be done;  
The little Creature, that is bid to do it,  
Is wondrous quick in execution:  
Yet unto man, that hath the power of 〈◊〉;  
And in the very place of God doth sit:  
Is given a law, the which was never kept▪  
By any one: (The son of God except.)   

Now to enlarge the huge proportion  
Of thy offence (Traitor) thou didst attempt,  
That treason, which exceeds comparison:  
Whose horror did bedim the Element:  
Both Heaven, and Earth in wonders did consent;  
To point it out, for greatest admiration,  
Which far exceeds the power of all relation.   

This little out of much. God to redeem,  
The lost integrity, of man his creature.  
Did his defaced Image so esteem,  
As he invested in thy human nature,  
The son of God, (the word that made each creature▪)  
Eternal Christ, who in his flesh did merit,  
Eternal life, for each believing spirit.   

See how thou dost return him recompense.  
Thou gav'st him poverty, that was a King:  
justice itself, yet blamest his innocence:  
Great majesty, had but the poor attending:  
Nor had thy treasons, in these wrongs their ending.  
But didst with (wicked jews) conspire his death,  
That first did give, thy first forefather breath.   

And didst prevail. Thy tongue did sentence him;  
Thy hands (O wicked instruments of sin)  
Bound the most free, and tortured every limb;  
Nor so content, laboured to vex within  
His sacred Spirit, with most vile profaning▪  
And last, to please the spirits of thine eye,  
The Holy Lamb between two thieves must die.   

Was this enough, or art thou still more great  
In thy offence? O still thou dost augment it:  
Thou want'st not sin, but I words to repeat  
Thy infinites: thy soul cannot repent it;  
For thy delight is ever to augment it:  
Witness thy horrid customary swearing,  
Wherewith each day his body thou art tearing.   

●… Here let the Conscience make some little pause,  
Whilst that the Devil that intends the plea,  
Produceth witnesses to prove the cause;  
Showing large records of impiety:  
And with a wondrous skill in Sophistry,  
Gives a proportion to his sinful state,  
Hoping to make the Guilty desperate.   

Hoping to make the guilty desperate,  
He doth augment the Volume of our sinning▪  
Adding enlargements to exasperate  
The judge, that stands to sentence our offending:  
Even from our birth, to these our days of ending:  
It hath, and will be still his exercise,  
Against our happy beings to devise.   

Witness his envy at our first creation,  
That did deny our state of innocence,  
A little breathing rest from his temptation;  
But with the smoothed face of fair pretence,  
Suggests into our natures his offence:  
Witness again this time of our repentance,  
How he incites the judge to cruel sentence.   

No one (however skilful in his Art)  
Can give more fit expressing forms to sin.  
He makes a privy search within the heart,  
And lays that open that was hid within;  
And with most curious workmanship doth limb  
The ugly forms of our impieties;  
And then presents their Terror to our eyes.   

This, and much more this enemy of man,  
And then the Conscience doth again begin;  
(Traitor) how ist, this thy accuser can  
Produce these certain probates of thy sin?  
Speak; canst thou clear thyself of guilt herein?  
Thy cause will not find help in thy denial,  
For in the court of Conscience is thy trial.   

Like unto him, that in a mighty throng,  
Labours to hasten to some business,  
With heat and sweat doth vex himself among  
The moving multitude, that in their press,  
Arrest his haste, and stop his forwardness:  
So do our sighs, our tears and grief within,  
Arrest our words, when gladly we begin.   

(Alas) what else, but Guilty in the weak!  
Which he, in broken accents would relate.  
He puffs it out in sighs, that cannot speak;  
The sense of sin, doth so exanimate  
Those faculties, that on our souls do wa●…te:  
As with a lawful warrant, may be said,  
In this estate, our very Souls are dead.   

Our Reason then, demands our guilty spirit;  
What for our justice we can argument.  
Whether our judgement correspond our merit;  
Or if corruption in this parliament,  
here in thy own free hold, we do convent;  
The jury, that doth sentence what thou art,  
Are of thy Tenants, dwelling in thy heart.   

Nothing (alas) the Conscience can reply.  
Nothing (indeed) nor no word to excuse us;  
Where all is Sin, there's no integrity.  
All our cuasions, in this case refuse us;  
Nothing in us can comfort, but accuse us.  
For he that hath this sorrow in his flesh;  
Hath least of joy, and most of heaviness.   

The judgement then (for judgement must be just)  
Denounceth sentence of our condemnation.  
(Traitor) thy flesh, shall first return to dust;  
The matter of thy first formation)  
Thy Soul transported to that strange vexation;  
Whereas the souls of damned do begin,  
To act the woeful parts, of tragic sin..   

This is the law, and thus we sentence thee;  
Our power extends not for to moderate;  
This court is justice, justice we decree.  
The seat of Mercy is predominate,  
And lives in God, he that did first create  
Thy Innocence. To him thou must appeal,  
If this our Condemnation thou repeal.   

¶ Thus far the law: Now to our work of Grace▪  
To wash this Moor, and give him Innocence:  
To reobtain what ●…r'st he did deface,  
Integrity: To cancel his offence;  
In am whereof, to give him excellence.  
To make that glorious, that before was base,  
(Doubt those that list) It is a work of Grace.   

Of Grace? me thinks th'ungracious will reply,  
I rob God's Image of his worthiness.  
Because to sinful man, I do deny  
Innative power to work his holiness.  
Will you (O men deceived) I confess,  
That God will share the glory of his name,  
With men, whose lives dishonour most the same.   

Here is the world, in great dispute and strife,  
Whence doth arise, this penitential fire,  
That purgeth Sin, and rectifies the life:  
Some will derive it from their own desire:  
Others, the blessed Angels do inspire;  
Some in their Friends, and many in thei●… Priest,  
In Error all, in God they place it least.   

When God did give a spirit unto man,  
He did but gently breath it in his flesh;  
But if he once call back the same again,  
He speaketh loud, and groans with painfulness:  
Adam, and Lazarus do well express,  
That he that can determine sinful strife;  
Doth somewhat more, than he that gave us life.   

It were a well deserving work, to set  
The kernel that's a prisoner in the shell:  
Which, when the Sun doth warm, and heavens wet▪  
Receives a life, yet doth it far excel  
In curious Art, to make that prosper well;  
Which (like a rotten member of a tree)  
For fuel fit, for Grace unfit to be.   

Me thinks, I hear the Mutinous repine.  
And blame the hard construction of my verse:  
And to the fire condemn this discipline;  
Or wish, my recantation to reverse,  
The doom I censure on this universe.  
(Thus these repiners) God should wrong our spirits▪  
To give us Laws, and take away our Mer●….   

Thus may your earthen vessels make dispute,  
And ask, how hap the Potter made them so?  
Do you not know, that God is absolute?  
Nor gives a reason for his doing so?  
Shall God out of himself for wisdom go?  
How dar'st thou argument with God maintain,  
Being his vassal, he thy Sovereign.   

To make it best, thus I compare thy state,  
Like to a Candle well prepared for light:  
The reason why I thus do estimate,  
Is thy Discourse, thy Reason, and Delight  
To understand each cause. But the insight  
Of that which nearest doth concern thy mind▪  
In this thou art not sighted, but stark blind.   

Suppose ten thousand torches in the night;  
They give no light, unless thou give them fire:  
So is thy Reason, and thy judgements sight,  
Blind in itself, if Grace give not desire.  
It is the God of Spirits, doth inspire  
Thy soul with Grace, For when it wants his light;  
It is more black, then is the darkest night.   

And in this darkness, this our man of Grief,  
(Whom we proportion,) is in darkness placed.  
Within himself, he cannot find relief:  
What was divine in him, is now defaced.  
The pride of his deservings is disgraced.  
And when a man in this dejection lieth,  
He wastes in sorrow, and in tears he dieth.   

And die he must, in his repentant tears,  
Before his reformation can begin:  
The grain must die, before the blade appears;  
New birth is gotten, by the death of sin.  
When thus we die, our spirit that's within,  
Respires a life, that never will deceive us;  
Whereof, nor Time, nor Envy can berea●…e us.   

The manner how: This out of my report.  
When man is overcharged with the cares  
Arising from the judgement of this Court.  
And when within himself he much despairs;  
The holy Spirit, then to him repairs,  
And brings his Pardon, testified good,  
With this subscription (JESUS) writ in blood.   

And thus (this sacred instrument of life)  
(Poor man) we add not, to thy heaviness:  
To speak in anger or contentious strife;  
Mercy is only in our business:  
We come to make thy much affliction less;  
And offer to thy near despairing spirit,  
The Psalm of Mercy. Mercy best can merit.   

See here, the book of Life I do present thee;  
Wherein thou mayst Eternity behold.  
Thou canst not read, before thou first repent thee;  
Thou must first know thyself, and then unfold  
This sacred volume. The Spirit than doth hold,  
Before the darkened spirits of his eye,  
A Representment, how his Christ did die.   

Said I, a representment, and no more;  
It is much more, then in my words can be▪  
My soul conceits, a very Christ before;  
Spreading his sacred body on the Tree.  
Me thinks, his very torments I do see▪  
This Crucifix, is that most sacred book,  
Wherein each happy Spirit needs must look.   

And this the holy Ghost presents the eye,  
And bids us read our penitential verse:  
If we can (Clarkely) read this mystery,  
He promiseth, our judgement for to traverse,  
And all our condemnation to reverse:  
But Sin (alas) so darkened hath the mind,  
As in this holy learning we are blind.   

Like when th'unlearned Felon hath his book,  
Without a Prompter, he no letter readeth;  
Although with much desire, he thereon look,  
Even so our Souls, as much (unlearned) needeth,  
The help of that sweet comfort that proceedeth.  
For if that God assist us not the better,  
We understand, no sense, no word, nor letter.   

In this condition, this our man of sin,  
Cannot read mercy in these mysteries,  
Before God's holy spirit do begin,  
To cleanse the soul of his impieties.  
To move the heart, and clear the darkened eyes:  
When once this grace, in us hath but a being,  
In holy secrets, we have perfect seeing.   

The leprous man, to heal his filthiness,  
Must seven times water his contagious skin▪  
Is holy water of that worthiness?  
Then with repentant tears let us begin,  
To wash the leprous body of our sin.  
Seven times is nothing, multiply thy seven,  
We must wash clean, ere we can enter heaven.   

This is our first degree of holiness;  
Which at the first, (as all beginnings are)  
Little (in truth) but large in hopefulness.  
He that begins this sorrow with a tear,  
Unto a better work doth but prepare.  
And when in us this grace hath but beginning,  
We live to hope, and die unto our sinning.   

Take for an instance him whom we proport:  
No more of sin, but now the child of Grace.  
As he wastes tears, his benefits resort;  
The bad thrust out, the betters have the place,  
What was delightful now he doth deface:  
When thus he hath a new begotten mind,  
His eyes are open, that before were blind.   

No sooner open, but with eagerness,  
They gaze upon that sanctimonious tree  
The holy Cross, (O sacred Worthiness!)  
That bears the fruit of Immortality:  
And with a greedy appetite doth eye,  
This Crucifix, this Christ, that's nailed thereon,  
This God, this man, this our redemption.   

Not so●…m'd in mettle, or with curious paint,  
Nor hallowed with earthen sanctity;  
We estimate not much, a wooden Saint,  
Nor can a Painter learn the mystery,  
To make a Christ, or give divinity.  
Thus then of all I would be understood,  
This Crucifix, nor mettle, paint, nor wood.   

But very Christ, which with a faithful eye,  
This son of Grace reviews with good affection:  
In every part he earnestly doth pry  
For sacred blood, which is the soul's refection:  
For without blood we seal not our election.  
Now give him words, or else we do him wrong,  
To give him much Desire, and not a Tongue.   

¶ Sacred (he saith) most glorious, most divine;  
Thou Word that mad'st, thou Christ that savedst all;  
Thou Son that everlastingly dost shine,  
Coequal God, and consubstantial;  
Thou Gate of mercy, way to life Eternal:  
O sith thou giv'st me sorrow for my sin,  
Open thy Mercy gate, and let me in.   

Thou art that Food, and everliving Spring,  
Whereof who tastes, shall never thirst again.  
O I am thirst, with my much sorrowing;  
Even as the parched land that gaps for rain:  
Do not thy heavenly droppings then detain.  
If that my soul this holy water want,  
What thriveth it, I set, I sow, or plant?   

But want I cannot, if I but desire it;  
Thy mercy doth prevent my forwardness:  
Thou givest grace before we can require it.  
If in our hearts there be but willingness,  
Thou comest unto us, ere we can express  
What we determine. In this, scarce one  
Of mortal race, loves imitation.   

This, and ten thousand testaments of Love,  
T'vnworthy men, are daily multiplied,  
Which might their blunted understandings move  
To Love and Honour, whom they crucified,  
Their King and Saviour jesus is denied.  
For ever be it hateful in the jews,  
To choose a villain, and the Just refuse.   

Pilate, thou canst not wash in Innocence;  
Nor Cayphas, how ere in holy place,  
You give a monstrous sin, a fair pretence;  
Your greatness cannot countenance the case:  
Both Prince and Prelate, and the vulgar base  
Conspire in one. These discords can agree  
To plot, and practise this conspiracy.   

Traitors, hold off your black and treasonous hands,  
Touch not his pure and never-tainted flesh:  
Villains, your King, must he be locked in bands?  
How prodigal you be in wickedness!  
To buffet, bind, and whip his sacred flesh.  
Let me my sinful body interpose,  
The sin was mine, let me bear off the blows.   

See how his blood spirits from their cruel stripes;  
(O sacred blood, O sacred body bleeding.)  
These jews have less compassion than their whips,  
To sp●…ll that blood, which is the holy feeding  
Of blessed souls▪ O cruelty exceeding!  
Traitors, you little know one drop of blood,  
Would be enough to do all sinners good.   

(Sweet Ies●…,) may thy servant beg this grace,  
To be a vessel, to receive this spilling.  
The earth my Lord's a far unworthy place;  
A place of blood, a slaughter-house of kill▪  
Sith I have wounds, O jesus be thou willing,  
That some of this, these jews shed on the ground▪  
I may reserve, to cure a mortal wound.   

In this array, their God, our Christ they bring  
Unto the place of execution:  
His enemies entitle him a King;  
Yet that is done in their derision.  
The Stage is Calueri●… they act upon;  
A place of Skulls, the moral may be this:  
We are but rotten bones without his bliss.   

Look, as a Pirate roving at the Seas,  
When by adventure hitting on a prize;  
Doth first upon their stowage make a seize,  
Then on their victored lives doth tyrannize:  
These hellhounds so their envy exercise.  
First, they do strip our Saviour of his clothing,  
Then of his life, and thus they leave him nothing.   

Is it not wonder this rebellious rout;  
Travels in sweat, to work their fatal woe?  
See, with what painfulness they go about  
This horrid act; herein they are not slow,  
That to a work of Grace could never go.  
They drag, they bind, they na●…le, they fasten on;  
Our holy life, but their damnation.   

Between two malefactors they did place him;  
In scorn of his most perfect innocence.  
These thieves there set, of purpose to disgrace him,  
Yet did these Varlets fail in their pretence;  
Their nearness, could not gi●…e him their offence.  
For that is said to be the virtuous mean,  
That on each hand, hath neighboured the extreme.   

Now they have reared up this Crucifix,  
See how their resting time they entertain.  
Some vinegar and gall together mix;  
Others deride, and all of them disdain,  
In scorn they call him, Lord, and Sovereign.  
The soldiers, that above the rest do rave,  
Do cast the Dice, who should his garment have.   

My Lord is now in other business,  
Building the frame of man's salvation:  
These drops of blood, and water do express  
His inward grief: he gives a demonstration  
Of torment, that exceedeth all relation.  
For, he that would bring merit unto man,  
Must suffer more, than any other can.   

O what is man whom thou regardest so!  
A stained cloth, a beauty withered.  
Yet did my Lord his greatness humble so,  
As he invests our Nature that was dead;  
He brings again what erst was perished.  
Now by his Blood, and ever by his Grace,  
He makes us worthy that before were base.   

What though they heap iniquity on sin?  
He layeth not his saving work away:  
He helpeth most, when they most torture him;  
To give us life, he doth his own defray.  
(Lord Christ) thou didst for thy tormentors pray,  
Father forgive them, (thus thy innocence)  
Forgive them (gracious Father) their offence.   

The horror of this act, did blind the Sun,  
Remove the Earth, the holy Temple rend:  
Dead bodies from their sepulchres did run;  
And preach to many how these jews offend:  
All things reproved, and nothing did commend.  
The Sun, the Earth, the Temple, and the Grave,  
Have more of Grace, than these Tormentors have.   

The Sun doth hide his everburning face,  
Abhorring to survey their damned fact.  
The Earth did shame it, as her own disgrace;  
Because upon her body they did act.  
The Graves disclaim, and disallow the fact▪  
The holy Temple doth itself divide,  
Because a holier they have crucified.   

Now give me breath (O sacred breathing spirit!)  
With faithful affectation to apply,  
This Death, this Christ, this compotence of merit  
Unto my soul; that in itself would die,  
If not supported by the hand of Mercy.  
How helpeth it the hurt-man to be sound,  
Unless the Salve be plasterd to the wound.   

And as the holy Prophet that did spread,  
His living body on the lifeless corpse,  
And so brought back, the spirit vanished,  
And made a contract where there was divorce:  
So, when our souls are mantled with this cross;  
That life of Grace, we erst had lost with sinning▪  
Hath then a second time in us beginning.   

And to make sit for good digestion  
This bread of life; we must the loaf divide;  
Our faithful souls in morsels feeds thereon,  
So by degrees my Lord was crucified.  
In Civil fellowship it is denied,  
To gobbet up a supper at a bit,  
When we have time and leisure for to sit.   

It were good order we begin the lowest,  
When we this Jacob's ladder would ascend;  
In happy progress we attain the rest,  
And then we give our travels happy end.  
This only co●…nsaile I do recommend:  
That he that would ascend these holy stairs▪  
Must to his footing first direct his cares.   

Then with his blessed Feet let us begin,  
That now are stained with the streaming blood  
That 〈◊〉 from the Nail, that sticks therein.  
O that my eyes, would do my heart that good,  
To be as mo●…st, as is the swelling flood!  
For holy 〈◊〉 doth instruct my tears,  
To wash, and then to wipe them with my hairs.   

These holy passengers do never haste,  
To guilty blood, nor unto lustful fire.  
No little minute of a time they waste,  
To minister to any vain desire.  
In envy therefore did the jews conspire,  
To nail those holy moovers unto wood,  
That were such forward instruments of good.   

Their travel was, to travel to the weak;  
Bring comfort to the unrespected poor;  
To give the lame to go, the dumb to speak,  
And ●…it applyments unto every sore;  
A greater yet than what was said before:  
They brought the news of Peace unto our spirit.  
And therefore our acceptance they do merit.   

See how his sacred Knees be marked with praire,  
A demonstration of his sanctity.  
To Adulation they uncustomed are;  
Nor fawn they with official flattery.  
Give me (sweet Lord) these merits to app●…:  
These marks are no disgrace unto my skin▪  
Better be marked with holy Prayer, than sin..   

Now let me reach my meditation higher,  
And touch my Lords most blessed Heart that bleedeth:  
This blood cannot extinguish holy fire;  
That in this holy principal exceedeth:  
He warms with Zeal, and with his Blood he feedeth  
Our spirits that are cold and hunger-starved,  
Wanting this Grace we men have not deserved.   

This Heart is not the nursery of Pride▪  
Of Murder, Lust, of Mammon, and Debate:  
Within his secrets there is not implied,  
The new invention to Equivocate.  
This Heart must think what ere his words relat●…▪  
Lying is sin, all sin is from the Devil,  
The Art of Reservation than is evil.   

No sin had ere admittance in this place,  
(O place, most sanctimonious, most divine!)  
The Presence-chamber, and the seat of Grace,  
Whereas his soul in majesty did shine.  
How can it be the Holiest should incline,  
To entertain into his Chair of State,  
The ●…east of evils we can estimate?   

May I (sweet jesus) view in every part,  
The secret closet of thy thoughts within;  
The Spea●…e hath made a passage to thy Heart;  
The entrance than is open; let me in  
To see the merit that hath vanquished sin.  
Do not thy mercy gate against me lock,  
For I will ever at thy Mercy knock.   

See, here is nothing that presents my eye,  
But Love, but Favour, and Compassion:  
In every quarter Mercy I espy;  
mercy's the brief of all I look upon;  
Mercy the cause and means of my salvation.  
O, sith there is such mercy in thy heart,  
(Sweet jesus) give my grieved soul a part.   

Like to a Prince that in his royal throne,  
Bethinks what may his people benefit;  
Sends this his good determination,  
To such as at his Counsel Table sit,  
That by their Wisdoms they may order it:  
So doth the Heart determine first the deed,  
Then sends it to the counsel in the head.   

Let me a little higher now ascend,  
Whereas my Lord his holy Arms doth spread,  
This morals how his Mercy doth extend;  
Invites to save what would be perished:  
Come unto me all that are wearied,  
I will support your life, unload your cares,  
Infuse my Grace, and wipe away your tears▪   

Then sith I am invited to this Grace,  
(Sweet jesus) give my spirit entertain;  
I would unload my burden in this place,  
Whose weight is more than I can well sustain:  
(Lord jesus) ease thy servant of this pain:  
Take off this heavy bondage of my sin,  
Thy yoke is easy, let me live therein.   

These Hands (O sacred instruments of health!)  
That never failed yet in any cure;  
The sick man's comfort, and the poor man's wealth:  
Whose holy virtue ever shall endure,  
And ever for to help will them enure:  
Why do the jews these holy helpers wound,  
Whose very touch made the diseased sound?   

These merciful and free bestowing Hands,  
Are ever reaching their benevolence:  
He giveth aught to any that demands;  
Never respecting gainful recompense;  
His bounty is not wasted with expense.  
For as the Springs supply the wasting Streams,  
So hath his Grace supplement from the heavens.   

His Flesh they wound, and mortise it in wood,  
T'vnfit my Lord, from healing any more;  
As they strike in, out starts the sacred blood,  
That cureth more than did his hands before:  
One dram of this will help the greatest sore.  
These people in their purpose (then) did fail,:  
For here is Virtue which they cannot nail.   

This holy Virtue (might my Lord be pleased,)  
T'infuse my Soul, all hacked with mortal sin;  
Wounded, and sore, in every part diseased;  
I should my restoration then begin.  
My hands have blood, that over-spreads my skin  
With sinful Gild▪ O let thy blood divine  
Exp●… my guilt, and then my blood refine!   

Now I arrive my much desired Port;  
The Orb wherein all holiness doth move,  
The place whereto all wisdom doth resort,  
The Court of Mercy, Majesty, and Love,  
Furnished with all acquirements from above.  
Such is my Lords most sacred holy Head,  
With all these rich induments furnished.   

This is that one and universal Head,  
That over all hath true pre-eminence;  
Who seeks a second, from the first is dead:  
Two Universals have no excellence.  
Who can corrival Christ without offence?  
(Lord Saviour Christ) it doth my soul content▪  
To be a member in thy regiment.   

From this First head derived is all Grace;  
That gives the members life, and holy being▪  
The head is said to be the fittest place,  
Where our immortal spirits be decreeing,  
How to repair this house of flesh; then seeing  
The lower parts to Reason are but dead,  
They must repair for wisdom to the Head.   

See how these jews this Head do dignisie;  
His temples, with a crown they do adorn.  
They call him King, yet this their King must d●…▪  
They give him state, but that is done in scorn,  
A Diadem they fashion him of thorn.  
Yet know (you Traitors) when it touched his head,  
Never was Crown so richly garnished.   

A crown of thorn? O let their great offence,  
Reeccho back my indignation!  
Were ye (good people) at this great expense,  
To solemnize his coronation,  
That was the King, that gave all King's creation.  
See you these drops, that trickle from the thorn?  
They damn your deed, but do his Grace adorn.   

His holy Eyes, (O sacred lamps of light!)  
The busy searchers of all men's distress:  
Whose seeing is not letted by the night,  
In naked forms they all things can express▪  
They have all knowledge, and all holiness.  
These Pla●…s that are movers in this Heaven▪  
Have better Constellation than the Seven.   

(Lord jesus) let thy holy Eyes reflect  
Their influence, upon my earthen state:  
Thy heavenly presence is a fair aspect;  
There doth my soul delight to speculate.  
For by those Stars, I best can calculate  
My lot of Grace: which never is denied  
To him, that views this Christ thus cruci●…i'd.   

But O the organ of his holy Speech;  
That breatheth life to every faithful ear!  
This holy one, his holy word did preach:  
He gi●…es for nothing what would cost us dear;  
And makes assurance, where before was ●…eare.  
(Lord jesus) give me knowledge in thy teaching,  
I shall less need these Times contentious preaching.   

His breath he formeth into holy prayer▪  
Which doth ascend the thro●…e of majesty.  
For us poor men, all his petitions were;  
He advocates for us perpetually.  
Think ye, the Father will his son deny?  
What need I for more Int●…rcessors care,  
When holy Christ doth intercede his prayer?   

Thou Splendour of thy Father's majesty.  
Thou God of God, thou man, all men's Redeemer.  
Thou King of jews, thou Christ they crucify.  
Thou one, wherein all graces treasured are.  
Thou merciful, thou all, thou every where.  
To thee (O Saviour jesus) I repair,  
Exhibit (Lord) my pardon in thy prayer.   

Pardon my youthful sinning, and my old;  
Pardon my secret, and revealed ●…nes;  
Pardon my Errors, that be m●…old.  
Pardon committings, and omitions.  
Pardon my Nature stained with corruptions.  
(Lord) pardon all, in all I have offended:  
Thy pardon's free, to all be it extended.   

Now (holy joseph) help me to inter  
This sacred Corpse: my heart's a fitting place,  
Wherein thou mayst, his Sepulchre prepare.  
Dig deep (old man) this Grave will not disgrace  
My willing heart, but dignify the place.  
(Lord jesus) if this resting place may please,  
Not three days (Lord) but rest here many three.   God forbid that I should rejoice, but in the Cross of our Lord jesus Christ, whereby the world is crucified unto me, and I unto the world. Galat. 6. 14.