¶ A mystical devise of the spiritual and godly love between Christ the spouse, and the Church or Congregation. first made by the wise Prince Solomon, and now newly set forth in verse by Jud Smith. whereunto is annexed certain other brief stories. And also a Treatise of Prodigalite, most fit and necessary for to be read & marked of all estates.  
(⸫)  
1575.  
Imprinted at London by Henry Kirckham, and are to be sold at his Shop, at the little north door of Paul's, at the sign of the black Boy.   

¶ To the christian Reader john Whatton wisheth all good gifts of virtue.  
(⸫)  
IN perusing this little volume entitled, A mystical devise, being requested of my friend thereunto, I did find such a pleasantness therein, that my heart rejoiced and gave du signs what pleasure and delight my mind of it conceived. For surely (gentle Reder) if thou covit to hear any old babbles, as I may term them, or stolen tales of Chauser, or to learn how Actaeon came by his horned head? If thy mind be fixed to any such metamorphocall toys, this book is not apt nor fit for thy purpose. But if thou art contrary wise bent, to hear, or to read wholesome documents, as it becometh all Christians, then take this same: For thou shalt find it sweeter (as the Prophet sayeth) than the honey or the honey comb. For Solomon had great delight in the making of these, to recreate and renyve his spirits, and called them by this name, Canticum Canticorum, which is to say: the song of songs.  
Would to God that all our rebald songs were abrogated and cast quit away, and that we would once call to mind this sweet saying of our Lord God. (O that my people would have hearkened unto me.) Therefore let us follow the good counsel of the Apostle, that is: To cast away the works of darkness, and put on the Armour of light, which light is the true word of the most highest: as David in his Psalms writeth. Thy word is a Lantern unto my feet, & a light unto my path. God grant that we may frame our lives according to that light.  
Vale.   

❧ Christ speaketh to the Church.  

COme wend unto my garden gay  
my sister and my spouse:  
For I have gathered myrrh with spice  
and other goodly bows.  
I mean to eat my honey, &  
my honey comb so sweet,  
And I will drink my wine & milk  
for so it seemeth meet.   

Christ to the Apostles.  
Eat now my friends do nothing spare  
but be of perfect cheer:  
And drink with mirth, for you of me  
are sure be loved dear.   

The voice of the church.  
As I lay in a slombring sleep,  
but being wake in mind:  
I heard my true love speak & knock  
and all was me to find.   

Christ to the church.  
Open me the gates said he,  
my sister and my love:  
My darling and my heart's desire,  
my only Turtle Dove.  
For why, my head is full of dew,  
and so are all my locks  
bedecked well in comely wise  
with these benighted drops.   

The voice of the Spouses.  
I have put off my coat, how can  
I put it on again:  
And if I file my washed feet,  
than washed I them in vain.   

The voice of the church. speaking of christ.  
But when my love put in his hand,  
than was my heart so priest  
To him that I was m●ned much,  
and took but little rest.  
So that I stood up by and by,  
to open him the door:  
But then my hands could drop  
with Myrrh as was not seen before.  
Which Myrrh ran down my fingers fast  
when they were on the lock  
When I was opening him the door,  
that there before did knock.  
But when to my beloved, I  
the door had opened wide:  
He was departed thence away,  
and gone his ways aside.  
And now as he before did speak  
when I could not refrain:  
So now I sought him mournfully  
but found him not again.  
And then I cried after him  
as one that was forsake:  
And listened still, but answer none  
would he unto me make.   

The church complaineth of her Persecutors.  
And then the watchmen that did ward  
about the city there:  
Found me out and wounded me,  
devoid of any fear.  
And also they that kept the walls,  
like thieves did nothing spare:  
To take my garment from my back,  
and left me very bore.   

The Spouses to her companions.  
Wherefore I charge you every one,  
accomplished let it be,  
You daughters of Jerusalem,  
that I do say to ye.  
And if that you do find my love  
then do express with speed,  
That I am sick and very sick  
for love of him in deed.   

The voice of the synagogue.  
Why what is he that is thy love,  
above all other lovers:  
O thou which in all women's sights  
art fairest of all others.  
Or what can this thy love do more  
than other lovers can,  
That thou so straightly chargest us  
for to reveal it then.   

The church answering, of christ.  
As for my love, you shall well know  
is collourde white and red,  
And is a person singular,  
where thousands they be spread:  
His head is of the glittering gold,  
none finer can be tried:  
His locks are bushed berry brown  
as is the evening tide.  
His eyes are as the eyes of Do●●s,  
that by the water brooks,  
So ste●●ly seams of every one  
that thereon lovely looks.  
And being washed with milk so whit  
it doth become his grace:  
Remaining in a fertile foil,  
and in a plenteous place.  
His cheeks are like a garden bed,  
where Apothecaries use  
To plant each thing that seemeth sweet  
which they do seem to choose.  
His lips do drop as do the flowers  
of Myrrh most principal:  
His hands are decked with rings of gold  
& precious stones withal,  
His body is the ivory pure,  
with Saphiers bedighted,  
His legs are marble Pillars, set  
on golden sockets righted.  
His face it is as Libanus,  
So all they say that sees;  
And eke his beauty is compared  
unto the Cedar Trees,  
His throat is sweet & sweet again  
what should I more express:  
He altogether lovely is,  
and full of comeliness.  
Lo daughters of Jerusalem,  
such a one is he,  
Yea such is my beloved sure,  
as every man may see.   

The voice of the synagogue, speaking to the church.  
Whether is thy love thou sweet  
departed do declare:  
For we to seek him out with thee,  
do nothing mean to spare.   

The voice of the Church.  
My love is to his garden gone  
as he hath thought it meet:  
For tore fresh himself among  
the smelling boddes so sweet.  
and there he gathereth goodly flowers  
although he syllye is:  
He is thine, and his am I  
which feedeth with the Lilies.   

Christ to the church.  
Thou art pleasant O my love,  
yea lovely art thou sure:  
As fair as is Jerusalem,  
whose beauty doth endure.  
Thou art as glorious O my love,  
as I would wish to have.  
And as an army is of men,  
with all their Banners brave.  
Turn away thine eyes from me  
to make my body shroud  
For when as I do look on them,  
they make me to be proud.  
Thy, hairy locks are like a florke  
of Goats on Galaad mount:  
Thy ●●eth are like a flock of sheep  
in fruit which do surmount.  
And look how from that washing place,  
they go as it is seen.  
And every one hath their two. twins  
so art thou as I ween.  
In them is no unfruitfulness,  
not one doth barren bide:  
And so art thou my best beloved,  
whom I love time and tide.  
Thy checks are like a piece of pure  
Pomegranate very five,  
beside that which there lies within  
so sweet by course of line.  
There are three score Queens,  
and iiii. score Concubines I trow  
And many youthful weomento,  
as I full well do know.  
But one there is that is my love,  
my darling and my dear:  
who of her mother is beloved.  
with loving lovely cheer.  
When as the daughters saw her face  
they said she blessed was:  
The Queens & all the Concubines,  
did praise her foot to pass.   

The voice of the synagogue.  
What, and is she this in deed  
that peeps as Morning free:  
who is as fair as is the Moon,  
in every one degree.  
And excellent as is the Sun  
and glorious to beside.  
As is an Army that displays  
their Banners time and tide.   

Christ to the synagogue.  
Into the Nut garden went I,  
to see what there did grow:  
All by the brooks that were so brave  
which bravely sure did show.  
For to behold the Uinyarde, if  
that it did flourish well:  
And see the pomegranates shot forth,  
whose beauty did excel.   

The voice of the synagogue.  
Then did the charets of the prince,  
who was my people's head,  
make me afraid so suddenly,  
that I amazed fled.   

¶ The Church calling again the synagogue.  
Do turn again thou Sulamite,  
thou shalt not turn in vain:  
That we may look upon thee well,  
and therefore turn again.   
¶ The end of the u & vi. chapters of Canticum Canticorum.  
Finis.   

❧ A copy of the Epistle that jeremy sent unto the jews, which were led away Prisoners by the king of Babylon, wherein he certifieth them of the things which was commanded him of god.  

BEcause ye have committed sin  
against the mighty God:  
You may be certain to possess  
his scourging Whip and Rod,  
Nabuchodonosor the king  
shall lead you captives all,  
Unto the babylonians soil,  
and there remain ye shall.  
Long season, yea and many days,  
for God hath so decreed:  
That seven generations  
shall there be spent in deed.  
But afterward with peace & rest  
from thence I will you bring:  
In safety and in save guard sure,  
as underneath my wing.  
But yet whyist that in Babylon,  
ye do as Captives bide:  
There shall you see the Gods of gold  
and Silver time and tide:  
And eke their Gods of wood & stone  
which they on shoulders bear:  
Which tendeth unto nothing, but  
the heathen for to fear.  
But when you see the multitude  
which giveth honour due  
Unto these flattering feigned Gods  
than do remember you  
O Lord it is thy Majesty,  
that oughtest for to have  
the adoration, whereof now,  
the heathen thee deprave.  
This being done, my Angel shall  
be with you as you are,  
And I myself will surely seem,  
for all your souls to care.  
As for the timber of those Gods,  
the Carpenter you see,  
Hath polished, and yet beside  
they gaily gilted be.  
Yet are they things of vanity,  
and never seem to speak:  
and therefore they that worship them  
do my cominaundement break.  
And as a wench that paramours  
doth love both night and day,  
Is trimly decked with golden gear  
even surely so are they.  
Crowns of Gold upon their heads  
they daily seem to wear,  
So that their priests, when they see good  
do not themselves forbear,  
To teke the Gold from of their gods  
to be at harlots call:  
And from their harlots yet again  
do deck their Gods withal.  
Yet cannot these same feigned Gods  
preserve themselves from rust,  
But they which still do worship them  
must keep them clean from dust.  
One hath aceptar in his hand,  
as he wear Judge elected,  
Yet hath not power to slay that wight  
who hath his hests neglected.  
Another hath a sword in hand  
or else an axe in deed,  
Yet can he not defend himself  
from battle that's decreed.  
By this ye may deserve, the name  
of Gods they aught not bear,  
wherefore in no cas worship them,  
nor seem not them to fear.  
For as a vessel which we use,  
when it in pieces lies:  
we do account it nothing worth,  
but do the same despise:  
even so 'tis with their gorgeous gods  
for, why behold and see:  
Through feet of men their eyes with dust  
for ay encumbered be.  
And as the doors are shut on him  
that hath the king offended:  
So are the doors upon their Gods,  
from Robbers daily tended.  
They set up candles burning still  
before them light to show:  
Yet can they not deserve the light;  
but bide as blocks you know.  
The worms that creap from out the earth  
constime them as they stand.  
Yet have not they the sense to feel  
nor cannot move a hand.  
Their faces are bedewed black  
the Owls and Swalloes' still  
do fly upon them, and the Cats  
run over them at william.  
By this you may perceive and see  
no Gods they are reputed:  
Then fear them not, for if you do,  
you shallbe quite confuted.  
They are bedecked you see with Gold  
yet needs of force there must  
attentive head be to them given,  
to dight away their rust.  
For money they are daily bought,  
no life they have to show:  
But on the shoulders still of men,  
are carried to and fro.  
Confounded are their worshippers,  
because they are so vain,  
That if they fall unto the ground,  
They cannot rise again.  
Yet note though helpers with their hands  
do set them right to tread:  
yet must they have their props beneath  
as men that now be dead.  
The priests do ●el their offered gifts  
their wines thereafter live,  
But to the poor and impotent  
they nothing seem to give.  
Fron whence proceedeth then the names  
of Gods which they obtain,  
S●●h that their priest's with open mouths  
do roar to them in vain.  
The priests bereave them of their robes,  
their children for to deck,  
And yet these gods cannot perceive,  
nor nothing do they reck.  
They neither may give riches,  
reward the evil spite,  
And though men frustrate make their vows  
yet do they not requite,  
They nothing can avail the blind,  
nor help a man at need,  
Nor to the widows aught extend,  
nor yet do good in deed.  
Their idols carved forth of stone  
if truth should be expressed,  
Are as the other in the rocks,  
that lie among the rest.  
Then wherefore dare men call them gods  
which are their only work,  
Whereby they know that neither life  
nor breath in them doth lurk.  
Vain therefore are all these things,  
and shame it is to see,  
That they behind them seem to leave  
to their posterity.  
For when there cometh any wars,  
or plagues that they possess,  
their priests will hide themselves with ●●ē  
imagining no less,  
They neither can defend themselves  
from broiling battles doom,  
Nor yet from no misfortune else  
which seemeth for to come.  
And kings shall well hereafter know  
and plain it shallbe told  
That they be vain, the very work  
of men upon the mould.  
They cannot set a governor  
to rain within the land,  
They cannot give no sentenes, when  
a matter should be scanned.  
They are not able to compare  
sure with the silly crow,  
that flies between the heaven & earth  
as every man doth know.  
For when a fire do chance to come  
where all these Gods they been:  
The priests do fly, but they themselves  
do burn as balks within.  
'tis better sure to be a door  
to keep each thing in safety,  
Then to be counted such a God,  
that vain is vylde and naughty  
The Sun, the Moon & all the stars  
obedient do appear:  
And when that lightning glistreth forth  
then all things seemeth clear.  
The wind doth blow in every coast  
he seemeth not to spare,  
And so the clouds about the world  
go when they bidden are.  
These heathenish Gods may not compare  
with any one of these,  
Because in be wtie & in strength  
they pass them all degrees.  
wherefore men should not think nor judge  
that they be Gods at all.  
Because they neither see nor say,  
nor hearken to your call,  
No tokens can they surely show,  
by any means in heaven,  
For those that be their worshippers,  
that is thimruly heathen.  
The beasts devoid of reason quite  
in sense are surely better,  
For underneath the roof they wend  
to keep themselves from wether.  
I like them to a frayboggarde,  
where Cocumbers do grow,  
which cannot keep, such be their gods,  
Experience this doth show.  
And as a white thorn which doth grow  
in orchards hear & there:  
which every Bird doth sit upon  
and forceth not to fear:  
And as a carcase that is dead,  
being cast into the dark:  
Even so be they both dead & dumb,  
this every man may mark,  
And as the Scarlet, which upon  
them, they do use to lay,  
Doth not endure, but in the end  
doth seem to vade a way:  
Even so do they themselves also,  
whereby do understand,  
They shall consume, and it will be  
confusion of the land.  
Blessed be the godly man,  
which doth not God deprave,  
Of honour through those Images  
which still the heathen have.  
For far he shallbe from reproof  
the Holy ghost doth say.  
To whom with God & Christ his son  
be honour every day.   
¶ The end of the prophesy of Baruch.  
Finis.  jud Smyth. Babes beware of Images  

The commandments of God our Creator, given by Moses. Exod. xx.  

Lift up your hearts, open your eyes  
you people obstinate and ill:  
To hear God's voice you exercise,  
And seek his precepts to fulfil.   

I am, saith he, thy God and Lord  
Which from Bondage, did set thee free  
Therefore see that thou do accord,  
to serve no Gods but only me.   

Similitude, none make thou shall,  
Of any thing in heaven on high,  
Nor in the earth, thereon to call,  
For such sin sharply plague will I   

The name of God, take not in vain,  
Abuse it not after thy will:  
For if thou do I tell thee plain,  
In his wrath soon he will thee spill.   

In six days God his work did end  
and the seventh day did sanctify:  
So thou and thine that day pretend  
To serve thy Lord and God only.   

To thy Parents due honour give,  
as God's precepts do thee command  
That the long days & good mayst live  
where God hath placed thee in that land   

With murder be not thou infect,  
All filthy fornication fear:  
With theft see thou be not detect  
False witness against no man bear.   

Thy neighbours house do not desire  
his wife, man, maid, seek not to have  
His Ox his Ass do not require,  
of his seek him not to deprive.   

Our sins hereby we do descry,  
wherefore forgiveness Lord we pray  
& strength our faith by grace heavenvly  
That we may serve the lord alway.    

Deut. 6.  
These words which I command thee this day, shallbe in thine heart, & thou shalt teach them thy children, and shalt talk of them when thou art at home in thine house. etc.   

Deut. 12.  
No man shall do that which seemeth good unto himself, but only that which God commandeth, and put nothing to it, nor take any thing from it. Apo. 2.   

Deut. 27.  
Cursed are they which abideth not in all that is written in the book of the law, and do not the same.   

Psalm. 19  
The law of the Lord is a perfect law, it quickeneth the soul. The Testimony of the Lord is true, and giveth wisdom even unto Babes. The statutes of the Lord are right, and rejoiceth the heart. The commandments of the Lord are pure, and giveth light unto the eyes.   

Esai. 40.  
The word of the Lord endureth for ever.   

The commandments of Satan, put in practice daily by the Pope.  

Attend my people and listen well  
& hear what precepts I you give  
For they are such as doth excel,  
The which of force you must believe.   

I am your earthly God alone,  
You need none other but only me  
Believe this and other seek none,  
For this is my will and decree.   

Set up Idols abundantly,  
This is my will, let this be done:  
If them to ador, any deny,  
Mine ire he shall feel right soon.   

My name highly you shall esteem  
And honour, if ye do love me:  
And if God's name you do blaspheme  
By me absolved you shall be.   

Of workedays, holy days I made  
that thou & thine from work may cease  
Observe them as before is said  
& come & hear my chaplains Mass.   

Father & mother do refuse  
and seek the spiritual occupation,  
This is the first precept I use,  
To teach among my shorlings nation.   

If in whoredom or theft thou fall,  
Or in any other grievous foil:  
I will absolve thee of them all,  
If I may have part of the spoil.   

If any manset his delight  
His neighbour's wife & goods to get,  
For money I will him acquit,  
And free from sin I will him set.   

Have not my laws a goodly grace  
No man of them afentd may be:  
and all those which follow their trace  
Shall have their salvation with me.    

¶ This is also that which God speaketh by his holy Prophet. Zacharias. 11.  
I will raise up a shepherd in the land, which shall not seek after the things that be lost, nor care for such as go astray. He shall not heal the wounded. He shall not nourish the thing that is whole: But he shall eat the flesh of such as be fat, and tear their claws in pieces.  
O Idle shepherd that leaveth the flock, the Sword shall come upon his arm, and upon his right eye, his arm shallbe clean dried up, and his right eye shallbe sore blinded.   

¶ The warning which S. Paul giveth to the Thessalonians, how they should learn to know antichrist. 2. Thes. 2.  
Let no man deceive you by any means, for the Lord cometh not, except there come a departing first, and that, that sinful man be opened, the son of perdition, which is an adversary, and exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped. So that he shall sit as God, and show himself as God.  
Finis.   

Imprinted at London by Henry Kirckham, and are to be sold at his Shop, at the little north door of Paul's, at the sign of the black Boy.  
1575.