decorative border 
Jesus  
R V  SOLE FRA LE STELLE  
Tenet Angelus Deam.  

A new years gift, whose good well seen,  
May please the wisdom of a Queen:  
True use whereof, well weide in deed,  
May stand the gracious in good steed.    
 decorative border with royal coat of arms near top center HONI SOIT QVI MAL Y PENSE 
THE RIGHT WAY TO HEAVEN: And the true testimony of a faithful and loyal subject.  
Compiled by Richard Vennard of Lincoln's Inn.  MATH. 6. First seek the kingdom of Heaven, and all things shallbe given. 
AT LONDON Printed by Thomas Este. 1601.  
R. V.   

SALVATOR MUNDI.  

I IN this thy Name, my soul great comfort finds,  
H Healed from her leprous sin by thy dear blood:  
E Eschewing that molests disturbed minds,  
S Seeking for that may do my conscience good:  
V Vouchsafe thy Nature, as thou givest thy Name,  
S Sweet jesus, that a blessed Saviour came.   

C Come comforter, behold my soul is sad,  
H Help with thy Mercy, that thy Hand hath made:  
R Regard me so, with hope I may be glad,  
I In thy dear grace, let all my deeds be stayed.  
S Son of thy Father, such true lightning send,  
T That in thy favour Christ, our lives may end.   
AMEN.   

TO THE HIGH AND mighty Princis Elizabeth by the grace of God Queen of England France and Ireland, defender of the Faith: etc. Richard Vennard of Lincoln's Inn Gent: Wisheth all happiness in this life: And in the world to come Celestial Eternity.  
MOST Renowned Sovereign, pleaseth it your Sacred Majesty, at the humble hands of your loyal subject, to accept this little handful of my heart's labour, wherein my feeling of God's mercies, my knowledge of your gracious goodness, and my care of my countries well doing, have made me take such pains, as if it may be pleasing in your sight, shall breed no little joy to my Soul. Who kneeling at your Royal feet, do beseech the God of all Glory, to indew your Highness with his infinite blessings, and long to preserve your sacred Majesty in all joyful health and prosperous life.  
Your majesties most faithful and loyal subject Richard Vennard.   

Laudetur Dominus in aeternum.  

OH Heavenly Spirit of especial power,  
That in thy hand, thy praise of praises holdest:  
And, from the top of Truths triumphant tower,  
The hidden sense, of fairest thoughts unfoldest:  
Inspire this heart, and humble soul of mine,  
With some sweet sparkle of thy power divine.   

Teach me to think but on that only thought,  
Wherein doth live the grace of virtues glory:  
And, learn no more, than what thy truth hath taught  
To those best wits, that writ thy worthy story:  
Wherein is seen, in heaven and earth's preserving,  
The highest point of praises praise deserving.   

Let not compare, come near unto none such,  
Heaven be my thought, and let the world go by:  
And say withal, that say I near so much,  
All are but trifles to thy treasury:  
For all, no more, than what thy mercy giveth,  
Who can behold wherein thy glory liveth?   

No, I can see the shining of the Sun,  
But cannot sound the Essence of the light:  
Then, of thy face, in whom that fair begun,  
How can my soul presume to have a sight?  
No, my dear God, thy glory hath a being,  
Where Eye, nor Heart, nor Soul may have a seeing.   

And therefore Lord since such thy glory is,  
As cannot be, but of thyself conceived:  
And heaven nor earth, contains that spark of bliss,  
But from thy hand of Mercy is received:  
What spirit can her sweetest passion raise?  
near to the due of thy deserved praise.   

Yet, since all glory doth belong to thee,  
Thy name in all things must be magnified:  
And by thy Mercy thou hast made me see,  
How in my soul thou mayst be glorified:  
In that sweet Mercy make my Soul to know,  
How best I may thy blessed glory show.   

Oh glorious God, what creature can there be?  
That moves or Breathes, or grows, but shows thy glory:  
What art, or science, but doth speak of thee,  
And writes the wonder of thy wisdom story:  
What sound or sense, can reason's Soul refine?  
But speaks in glory of thy grace divine?   

The Sun, in brightness glorifies the light,  
That in the beams but of thy beauty liveth:  
The Moon and Stars amid the darkest night,  
Show what a light thy loving Mercy giveth:  
So, Sun and Moon and all those shining creatures,  
Do show thy glory, in their lightsome natures.   

Is not the day a figure of perfection,  
Wherein thy creatures were created first:  
And Night of sin, that with a fowl infection,  
Shows how the Soul is for her sins accursed:  
But night once past, the Glorious day appearing,  
Shows sins forgiven the joy of mercies cheering.   

So, Sun and Moon, and Stars, and day and night,  
Speaks of thy glory in their cause of being:  
And, how they serve but in obedience right,  
Unto the grace, but of thy will agreeing:  
While wisdom shows in state of reason's story,  
They give us light, that we may give thee glory.   

The Azure Sky, more clear than Crystalline,  
Wherein the Sun doth cast his beams abroad:  
How doth it figure that fair hand of thine?  
Wherein thy Mercy makes her most abode:  
While, to the humble souls believing eye,  
Thy glory shines far brighter than the Sky.   

The Clouds that shed those drops of blessed dews,  
That water the dry places of the Earth:  
What drop so small, but it thy glory shows?  
To bring a plenty where was erst a dearth:  
How do they figure faithful sorrows tears?  
Whence sin-burnt souls the fruit of mercy bears.   

The Air, that gives each living creature breath,  
Speaks of thy glory in that breathing power:  
And, when it leaves the creature unto death,  
It shows thy glory, in that parting hour:  
To leave the flesh so in corruption wounded,  
Till grace renew, that was in sin confounded.   

The earth, that yields such choice of fruits and flowers,  
How doth it show, that glorious power of thine?  
When, all unseen do hidden lie those powers,  
That Art or Nature never can define:  
How sweets, and forms, and colours so should grow,  
But that thy glorious will would have it so.   

And, as the spring brings forth the budding green,  
With, beauties dies for to adorn the field:  
So in the winter, few or none are seen,  
That can the eye contentive pleasure yield:  
So that the earth that never silence breaketh,  
In her dumb speech, yet, of thy glory speaketh.   

The Sea wherein those worlds of fishes live,  
That float and tumble in the tossing waves:  
What Notice do they of thy glory give,  
That from the Whale the little Herring saves:  
And makes the Dolphin wound the Whale so sore,  
As drives him from the Sea to die on shore.   

What beast so great? or creeping worm so small?  
what bird so high, or of so low a flight?  
But, that thy name is glorified inall,  
who, having made them by thy heavenly might:  
Preservest them so, that all the world may see,  
They have their being only but in thee.   

The beast his hear, the feather of the bird,  
The fishes scale, and every tree his bark:  
These for defence doth Nature all afford,  
As of thy glory, every one a mark:  
wherein thy hand of Mercy is beheld:  
That doth such comfort to each creature yield.   

Is not the Fire a figure of thy wrath?  
That soon consumes the proud assault of sin:  
The air, the patience that thy mercy hath,  
When true contrition doth remission win:  
The water, tears, that thou for sin hast shed,  
The Earth, thy death for to redeem the dead.   

Since then, above, and in the Elements,  
Sun, Moon, Stars, Sky, Fire, water, Earth, and Air:  
And, what may be beneath the Firmament,  
Beasts, Birds, Fish, worm, scale, feather, hide, nor hair:  
Nor Tree, nor Flower, nor Herb, nor Grass, doth grow,  
But, someway doth thy glorious mercy show.   

Shall wretched Man? whom God did only make,  
To his own Image in his Mercies love:  
So far himself, and all his good forsake?  
As, to forget so sweet a Turtle Dove:  
As his dear God, that so of nothing wrought him,  
And his dear Son, that hath so dearly bought him.   

Shall Man, I say? that only special Creature?  
Whom God hath made to serve his Majesty:  
In lack of Grace, reveal so vile a Nature?  
As not to seek his Name to glorify:  
No, heavens forbidden, though sin be never such,  
In Man should live ingratitude so much.   

No, he whom God hath made to monarch so,  
Above all Creatures, that do grow or breath:  
And by his wisdom makes his will to know,  
The good above, and evil from beneath:  
And how he helps the spirit in distress,  
His glorious goodness cannot but confess.   

And, when he sees with those inseeing eyes,  
That in the soul do give the spirit light:  
In what the height of heavenly glory lies,  
To whom all glory doth beelong of right:  
His heart will write, in his worths worthy story,  
To him alone be given all only Glory.   

Oh, he that sits above the starry Sky,  
In holy seat, of heavenly residence:  
And at the twinkling of his glorious eye,  
Commands the world to his obedience:  
Leave that fowl soul in sorrow ever friendless,  
That doth not sound thy name in glory endless.   

All grace, all goodness, wisdom, power, and peace,  
All truth, true life, all bounty, mercy, love:  
These all together sing, and never cease,  
Unto the glory of this God above:  
And can it be? that Man, who sees all this,  
Will not give glory to this God of his?   

No, heavens forbidden, that hell should have the power,  
To spit her poison upon Man so much:  
To make him live to that unhappy hour,  
wherein to show his wicked Nature such:  
As to forget Gods gracious goodness so,  
As not some way, his glorious Mercy show.   

Then set my heart among that world of souls,  
That seel his blessings every day and hour:  
While truth records in her eternal rolls,  
The gracious goodness of his glorious power:  
Sing in my Soul and never cease to sing,  
An Halleluiah to my heavenly King.   
Laus, Gloria Deo.   

The high way to Heaven.  

Cap. I. He that in Heaven will taste the fruits of Divinity: must first learn to know himself in the school of Humility.  
HVmilitie, is a virtue springing from the fear of GOD, the mother of meekness, and sister of Devotion, without which no man can attain to the knowledge and feeling of his own misery in Adam, & felicity in Christ.  
A Bird except her wings be moved downwards cannot fly up to the top of an hill: nor man, except the affections of his heart, be humbled downwards, mount up to the Tower of divine understanding. And therefore that godly father Saint Augustine compareth Heaven to a fair stately Pal lace with a little door, whereat no man can enter except he stoop very low. As who should say, God rejecteth the proud, but giveth grace to the humble and lowly.  
The true wisdom of a Christian, consisteth especially 
In his book against the Pelag.  in the knowledge of his own imperfections. Then are we said to be righteous (saith saint Jerome) when we acknowledge ourselves to be wicked transgressors. He hath much profited in this life (saith Saint Augustine) that hath learned 
August.  how far he is from perfection of righteousness. For the less opinion a man hath of himself, the more trust he hath in God: & the more he meditateth on the horror of Hell, the nearer is he to the joys of Heaven. None more near, than the 
Psal. 51. 17  humble penitent: whose heart is most deeply wounded with the grievousness of sins: nor none so far from true Religion as he who thinketh himself most perfect and very religius.  
The joys of Heaven are prepared, not for 
Luke. 18.  proud presumptuous Pharases (which seem in their own eyes to be most just, pure and perfect: but for poor humble Publicans, that justly condemn themselves, as most vile, miserable & wretched. The son of man came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance: to seek none, but those that acknowledge themselves to be lost: to comfort and raise up none with his Gospel, but those that are discomforted, and cast down by the law: nor to anoint or heal any with his oil of gladness, but such broken & contrite hearts, as for grief of sins are sick and mourn in Zion.   

Cap. II. Of our loathsome deformetie through Adam's fall.  
A Natural man consisteth of three parts, the Spirit or immortal Soul, endued with reason, will, and divine understanding: 
1. Thes 5. 23. 1. Co. 2. 11  the natural affections or powers of the Soul as indifferent spurs to 
Ro. 8. 5. 17 7. 13. 1. Pc. 2. 11  provoke, stir up and prick forward unto virtue or vice: and the terrestrial Body, wherein Satan, by tempting of Adam, hath 
Gal. 5. 1▪ 5  written the law of sin.. All which parts of Man, at the first were in such perfect order and concord framed together, as neither the immortal Spirit did conceive any thing, the natural powers of the soul desire any thing, nor the terrestial body execute any thing, contrary to the will of God. All creatures under Heaven being obedient to the body of man, as the subject to the Prince: the natural body obedient to the reasonable soul, as the servant to the Master, & the reasonable soul (with his affections) obedient to God the creator, as the child to the father: till that cutsed Serpent, our mortal enemy, found means to set them at variance & discord. Since which time the nature of Man became so frail and weak, the occasions unto evil so many, and the illusion of Satan so prompt & ready, that except Gods especial grace prevent him, he is apt & prone upon every light occasion, to yield unto sin and wickedness, being more easily brought to conceive an error by one little word, than the truth by a long tale: & sooner seduced to consent unto vice by one small example, then converted unto virtue by many vehement persuasions.   

Cap. III. Of the misery of Adam's posterity, and vanity of the world.  
Forasmuch as of all other vices, that old rooted infection of Pride, Vainglory and Presumption, is most universally grafted in man: there is nothing more necessary to suppress and subdue his haughty affections, then continual remembrance what he is, from whence he came, 
Eccle. 7.  and whether he shall. That in calling to mind, his base mettle, his wretched condition, and mortal generation, he may the rather be moved more humbly and lowly to conceive and esteem of himself.  
What is Man? Telluris inutile pondus, an unprofitable 
Man what  lump of earth, like as one might say to a piece of ye, thou wast water, thou art water, and to water shalt thou be turned again.  
So Man was earth, he is earth, and to earth he shall be turned again. Thou hast fashioned me of mould and earth (saith job) and I am become like dust & ashes. O homo (saith Chrisostome) 
job. Chrisost.  si consider as, quid per os, quid per nares, quid per ceteros meatus egrediatur: numquam vilius sterquilium invenisti.  
What is Man? his matter is base slime & clay, his nature, weak & feeble, his birth pain & sorrow, his life, vain and miserable: his state, slippery & uncertain, his time short & tedious, his sins horrible & filthy, & his end grievous & loathsome.  
What is Man? A mirror of misery: a play of fortune, and a pray of death: he is borne weeping and wailing, to show his wretchedness: he liveth laughing and toying, to beewray his folly: and dieth sighing and sobbing, to declare his weak infirmity.  
What is Man? Apuleius a Philosopher, and scholar to Plato, describeth him in this wise: Men, 
Apulcius.  saith he are living creatures, dwelling upon the earth, having souls immortal, brutish servile bodies, subject to death: light careful minds, apt to error, vain in labours, divers in conditions, long ere they be wise, their time but short, and during life never content.  
What is the state of Man? Saint Barnard describeth 
Barnard.  it in this manner. There cometh before thine eyes, faith he, a man, poor, naked, & miserable, mourning that he is a man, blushing that he is naked, weeping for that he is a wretch, replenished with misery, and fearful for that his time is but short. A great part of his life passeth away in doing that is evil, a greater part in doing nothing, and the greatest part in doing things to small purpose. And as the life of man is vain, transitory, and miserable: even so is the world, with all things else wherein humane nature taketh pleasure and delight: as health, wealth, honour, wisdom, strength, beauty, or whatsoever.  
What is the World? A vale of misery, a sink of sin, a mould of mischief, a den of thieves, a 
World.  Court of Satan, a purgatory of pain, a mother to the wicked, and a stepdame to the good: where the proud and vicious are daily advanced without desert, and the humble and virtuous oppressed without cause: the way ward and seditious befriended, and the quiet and obedient molested: the ignorant and foolish permitted to speak, and the wise and discreet put to silence, crafty dissemblers extolled, and simple innocents despised.  
What is the world? her mirth is but sorrow, her pleasure but pain, her wisdom but foolishness, and her wealth but misery: where nothing is to be looked for, but even a rank of troubles, one following in another's neck. A great travail is created for all men (saith jesus the son of Sirach) 
Eccle.  and a heavy yoke upon all men's children: some so pinched with poverty, and oppressed with misery: some tossed and tormented with strife and contention: some tormented with sickness, sores and contagious diseases: that if an old man would set down the tragedy of his life (from the day of his birth till his departure to his grave) a man would wonder that the body could suffer, and the heat could bear so painful and dolorous a pilgrimage. All the godly from the beginning have tasted the troubles of their time.  
Adam, when his children did one kill another.  
Abraham, when he wandered into a strange country.  
job, when he saw the spoil, and havoc of his goods, the destruction of his children, and his own body tormented with botches and sores.  
joseph, felt his part of misery, being sold by his brethren, and imprisoned without cause.  
Noah felt his part of misery being persecuted by the wicked.  
Lazarus was both sick, sore, hungry, & thirsty.  
Father jacob complained, that his days were few and evil. David said, he was a worm and no man. Solomon was weary of his life, because all he saw under the Sun was nothing but vanity, misery and vexation of mind. Father Jerome complained, that Satan sought to over throw him, and that his weak flesh was ready to consent  
The prophet jeremy, cursed the day of his birth.  
jonas said, it was better for him to die then to live. Chrisostome called the days of his life, the days of his sorrow. Nazianzen wept that his mother had brought him forth to see such miserable days.  
Such travail hath God given unto men under the Sun, to be exercised therein.   

Cap. FOUR Of the race of man's life: And certainty of death.  
AND as the days of this our painful pilgrimage are vain and miserable: so are they short and tedious. The one foot no sooner on the ground, but the other is ready to step into the grave.  
Man that is borne of a woman (saith job) hath but a short time to live, and is full of misery, he springeth as a flower, vadeth like a shadow, and never continueth in one state.  
The life of man is aptly compared to a vapour, to the trace of a cloud, to a ship passing over the waves of the Sea, tossed & beaten with tempest: to a bird that flieth in the Air: or a shaft, that is shot at a mark, and never stayeth till it light on the ground: Even so man, as soon as he is borne doth begin immediately to draw to his end.  
The godly patriarchs, who lived in the first age 
Certainty of death  of the world, saw many years: yet at last they died. Death was always the end of their song.  
Adam lived 930. years. Seth, 912. Enoch 905. Kenan 910. Mahelael, 895. jarard, 962. Methuselah, 969. Lameth, 777. Noah, 950. and they died, saith the text.  
Abraham, the Father of the faithful: David, a man according to Gods own heart: john Baptist, of whom our Saviour Christ saith, there hath not risen a greater among the children of women: yet they died.  
All the Prophets, Apostles, & godly Martyrs were greatly in God's favour; yet they died. Rich and poor, wise men & fools, learned and unlearned, godly and ungodly: all must follow the dance of death. Many are gone before, the rest must follow after. wise Solomon: Rich job: Strong Samson: & fair Absalon, have trodden the path of all flesh. Great Alexander conquered the whole world: yet could find no weapon to conquer death. The stiffest steel yieldeth to the hammer: the strongest Oak to the Axe: and the stoutest heart unto nature.  
And as death is a thing of all other most certain and sure: so is the time most uncertain and doubtful. The Lord in his word hath revealed unto man many notable lessons, touching the knowledge of his will, yet not the day of his death, knowing that as the course of his life is the race unto death, so is death the gate to eternal life.  

So though our Bodies laid shallbe  
to rot in loathsome grave:  
Yet afterwards in glorious state  
more beauty they shall have.   

When Death hath held them down a while  
anon they shall arise,  
Eternally in joy to live  
with Christ above the skies.    

Cap. V The defence of a Christian soldier.  
Forasmuch as our enemies, the children of the world, are more subtle, crafty, and politic in their generation, than the children of God, able to deceive if it were possible, even the very elect.  
Satan can transform himself into an Angel of light. pharoh's sorcerers 
Exod.  could work strange wonders, turn a rod to a Serpent, water into blood, and make quick frogs. It is written that Simon Magus could by sorcery fly in the air, turn stones into bread, make serpents of brass, sikles to reap come with out hands: images of stone to laugh, and dogs to sing.  
And our enemies being so many in number as which way so ever we turn us, we be sure to have some of them ready to encounter us: at our right hand the world the flesh and the devil watch to entice us to our utter destruction, at our left hand Adversity, Poverty, and Affliction of body is ready to cast us down into the dungeon of despair: behind us our sins are at hand to bewray us, within us our own consciences belayeth to accuse us: before us are Gods judgements ready to condemn us, and hell mouth open to devour us.  
To resist these Tyrannies, it standeth us in hand to be strongly armed with the breast plate of Equity, the shield of undoubted Faith in Christ, the helmet of assured Hope and Faith in Christ jesus, always ready to do our best, and trusting in him to do the rest.   

Cap. VI He that in Heaven will come to joy with Christ, must first travail with patience under the cross of Christ.  
AS the Israelits could not come to the land of promise, but 
Patience.  by long painful travail through the wilderness of tribulation. The law of Adam's children is to live in labour, and the curse of eves brats to suffer affliction: yea, all mankind doth feel the biting of the Serpent. He that will taste of the glory of Heaven, must first be partaker of his cup upon earth: he that after death will rejoice at Christ his presence, must first in his life time mourn for his absence: There is no other way left for the members, then to follow their head, the disciple is not above his master: nor the servant above his Lord. Seeing the good man of the house, hath been called Belzebub, Glutton and a companion of the wicked, how can the Servants look for better entertainment? All the Apostles and godly Martyrs suffered with patience the troubles and persecutions of their time, to obtain the kingdom of Heaven.  
Esay had his carcase cut a sunder with a wooden 
Prophets.  saw. Amos thrust into the temples with a nail. Daniel condemned to the Lions. jeremy and Steven stoned to death. john Baptist and Paul beheaded. The three Israelits (Sidrach, Misach and Abednago) committed to the flaming fire. Thomas preaching the Gospel in judea, was slain with a dart. And Simon Zelotes preaching in Britain, was there crucified. But these valiant and victorious conquerors were well assured, that prosperity and adversity, life and death, are all God's gifts to try the hearts of men.  
Ignatius (scholar to john and Bishop of Antioch) being condemned to die for the Gospel, in his greatest torments, did valiantly comfort himself saying, jam incipio esse Discipulus Christi, now begin I to be the disciple of Christ.  
It is written how a certain Pagan tormenting a Christian, asked him in disdain, What profit he received by his Christ, who answered, That I patiently do suffer thy tyranny, and willingly pardon thee without revenge. For as a noble man's servant is known by his masters cognisance, so is a faithful Christian by bearing his cross with patience.   

Cap. VII. Of true Repentance with her inseparable furniture.  
REpentance is an inward sorrow 
Repent.  & mourning of the heart and conscience for sins committed: And containeth three parts, first Contrition of heart, the second Confession of mouth, the third Reformation of life.  
Like as a man feeling his body infected, first doth acknowledge his disease: Secondly seeketh to the Physician for remedy: Thirdly being cured, is careful to keep himself from future grief by keeping good diet.  
So is it the duty of every good Christian, feeling his soul infected with sin, first by earnest repentance to acknowledge the same before God: secondly by humble and devout prayer to seek unto Christ for pardon: thirdly by restraining of his affections, prone to evil, to keep him from falling again.  
So when a faithful Christian feeling his conscience burdened with sin, doth humbly bewail and confess the same with tears trickling down his cheeks, with groaning and sobbing unto God for mercy, being easily won and entreated, strait followerh pardon in Christ, comfort of conscience, and quietness of mind.  
In such manner the Prophet David confessed 
Kings.  his sins to be more in number then the hairs of his head. Manasses bowing the knees of his heart unto God, confessed his faults to be more in number then the sands of the Sea. Ezechiah turning his face to the wall, mourned heavily.  
Mary Magdalen fell down behind jesus and lamented pitifully: Peter remembering the words of Christ after he had forsworn him, went out and wept bitterly.  
Thus wheresoever true repentance goeth before with her inseparable furniture (as humble Confession, Faithful prayer, and amendment of Life) the Remission of sins doth follow after. And where thacknowledging of sins leadeth not the way, there the gates of God's mercy are always shut.   

Cap. VIII. Of true Fasting.  
FAsting serveth to three 
Fasting.  ends, first to mortify and subdue the lusts of the flesh, the second to stir up our minds to meditation & prayer, the third to be a testimony of our inward humility, & dutiful obedience to the will of God.  
We ought to fast; saith Saint Ambrose, to keep our bodies from surfeiting, & our souls from sinning.  
The diseases of the mind, saith Saint Jerome, are healed with praying, & the lusts of the body with fasting For even as a wanton pampered horse doth strive to cast his rider, so doth a wanton pampered body by nature resist against virtue.  
It is good to fast, said Saint Ambrose, but better to give Alms. When the lusts of the flesh are mortified, our wronged brother satisfied, and our needy neighbour relieved: then God with our fast is well pleased.  
Saint Augustine in his Sermon in the Wilderness, saith,  

The sick for lack of stomach fast,  
the Poor, for want of meat:  
The covetous chuff to spare his purse,  
the Glutton, more to eat:  
The Apish Hypocrite for praise,  
a good man for his Soul health always.    

Cap. IX. A brief exhortation to Christian Religion.  
AS the wise men of the East did offer unto Christ their 
Math. 2.  costly presents, of Gold, Frankincense, and Myrrh: so the most precious thing that we can present unto him is, the Gold of Faith & sure Hope, the Frankincense of Zeal and true Devotion, and the Myrrh of Virtue and Charitable living.  
To honour him with due obedience, and depend wholly upon his providence, joining always practise with knowledge, deeds with words, keeping with hearing, walking with talking and expressing with professing, knowing that not the hearers of the word, but the doers thereof shallbe saved.  
Not every one that crieth Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of Heaven, but he that doth the will of my Father which is in Heaven.  
If ye understand these things, saith our Saviour, 
joh. 13 17.  happy are ye, if ye do them: blessed are they that hear the word of God and keep it.  
He that heareth the word willingly, understandeth it rightly, believeth it faithfully, apply it profitably, and keepeth it diligently, shall joy with Christ assuredly And thus is Religion or godliness, the ground of conscience and true devotion.  
john heard a voice from Heaven saying, Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord, even so saith the spirit, that they rest from their labours, and their works follow them. And he that will die in the Lord, must first be careful to live in the Lord  
It is an infallible rule: Qualis vita, Finis ita, to him that liveth virtuously, God doth always give grace to die faithfully. A joyful death followeth a charitable life, and a happy life ensueth such a death.  
So he that liveth to die well, shall assuredly die to live better: such as live like Wolves, do often die like Swine. And commonly after a dissolute life (without fear of death) followeth a desperate death without hope of life. And it agreeth with all equity right and reason, that such as in lewd behaviour have passed their time, shall by rigour of justice receive their end.   

Cap. X. An Exhortation to continue patiented in Adversity.  
IT is required in a true Christian to be strongly armed 
Adversity  with Patience, and to abide firm and stable in time of temptation and trial, so that neither prosperity nor adversity, weal nor woe, life nor death, can once move, quail or discourage him. Worldly Riches are subject to many mishaps, bodily health is taken away with sickness and by age, that daily creepeth on, Beauty is soon consumed: But a true constant mind, comforted by God's holy spirit, no chance or misfortune can alter or quail.  
Elias in the wilderness, john Baptist in the desert, and Peter in prison (with the rest of the Apostles) whose commendations by Christ himself are very great, not only for leaving their parents, friends & country, to follow him, neither for their godly kind of living, but by continuing constant unto the end. You have bidden with me, saith our Saviour Christ, in my temptation, and I will give you a kingdom. Be faithful saith our Saviour to the end, & I will give you a crown of life.  
He that overcommeth shall possess all things, and I will be his God, and he shall be my Son, and shall eat of the tree of life, but he that taketh the plough in hand and looketh back, is unmeet for the kingdom of Heaven.  
Not every one that worketh in the vineyard, but he that coutinueth till night, hath the penny not every one that fighteth, but he that getteth the victory, hath the crown of triumph: not every one that beginneth well & doth good for a time, but he that endureth to the end shallbe saved.  
Happy and blessed is he whom the father of mercy endueth with his interior grace, so to work, run, and persever, as in the end he may say with the Apostle, I have fought a good fight, and got the victory: I have finished my course and won the price: Christ is to me life, and death to me advantage.   

Cap. XI. A comfortable consolation to the faithful children of Christ.  
PLuck up thy heart & rejoice, little poor despised flock, for the Lord hath heard the voice of thy weeping, whose will and pleasure is to give thee a kingdom; Great are the troubles of the Righteous, but the Lord is the defender of the righteous cause, & wildeliver them out of all. Even as a Father pittyeth his own son, so is our God merciful unto them that fear him. I have been young, and now am old, saith David, yet saw I never the righteous forsaken, nor his children beg their bread. Rather than Elias shall perish for food, God will prepare the Ravens to seed him. Rather than Samson shall decay for drink, God will bring water out of an Ass' law to refresh him. Rather than Israel shall starve, the Lord will rain Manna from Heaven: & rather than his people shall faint with thirst, the Lord will turn a great Rock into a mighty fountain. Yea rather than harmeshal come to any one of his chosen, he will set his Angels to preserve them  
The mountains shall move & the hills shall fall down, but my loving kindness shall never be removed not fall away from my elect, faith the Lord: whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, & yet delighteth in him, as a Father in his son, because thou wast beloved of God (saith the Angel to Tobias) it was necessary that temptation should try thee.  
Like the herds man, when any of his flock is unruly & strayeth from his fellows, sendeth forth his dog not of malice, to hurt or devour him, but of love to save & reform him▪ even so our saviour Christ (being our heavenly shepherd, when his sheep goeth astray & offend him: he sendeth out his dog of tribulation, not of envy to destroy or harm them, but of favour to correct and amend them.  
Even as Moses by striking the hard stony rock with his rod brought forth plenty of water, even so God by striking the hard stony heart of man with affliction bringeth forth tears of contrition.  
And as in the goldsmiths forge, the gold is fined, & the coals burned: so in the forge of temptation & trouble, the faithful are tried, whilst the wicked are hardened & consumed yea, even as the seed that is cast upon the land, unless it endure the coldness of rain, frost & snow, can bring forth no fruit, no more can a man, unless he bear the cross of Christ by tribulation and adversity, bring forth true fruits of the Gospel.   

Cap. XII. Of the joyful state of God's children, after the last judgeent.  
AS the world had a beginning so shall it have an ending. The Heavens shall pass away in manner of a tempest (saith the Apostle) the element also shall melt with heat, & the earth shallbe consumed with fire, but the Lord will create new, and the former shall not be remembered.  
And as we are now clothed with the image of Adam's corruptible body, subject to death & misery, so shall we then be clothed with the image of Christ's glorious body, changed into perfection and sincerity.  
When Christ shall appear, saith the Apostle, we shallbe like unto him, & see him as he is, & though we shall not then, as now, be maintained with earthly or elemental food, but as the Angels of Heaven, yet our bodies of the same human nature, shape and fashion, of flesh & bones with all parts and members of a man, as in this lise, not altered in substance, but changed in property. Behold my hands and my feet (saith our saviour to his disciples) for it is even I myself, handle me and see, for a spirit hath not flesh and bones as ye see me have.  
And as we shallbe new men, so shall we have new senses, to understand things, not as they seem. but as they are in deed, & behold the divine Majesty of God, face to face: the fruition of whose glorious presence, as the original fountain from whence all wisdom, gladness, joy, virtue and true felicity proceed, shall so ravish, content and satisfy every member, power and sense of both body and mind, with such full perfection of pleasure and delight, as neither eye hath seen, ear hath heard, tongue can express, nor any heart of man imagine, in comparison whereof all the desired and gladsome pleasures of this world are but feigned shows and dark shadows.  
And as our saviour Christ laid aside part of the Majesty, took upon him the form of a servant, & having performed due obedience & subjection, unto his father is now advanced to the highest dominion, and crowned with honour & glory, so that all knees shall bow unto him. So after the last day when he hath performed the office of a Meditor, he shall yield up into the hands of his Father, both the kingdom, name and crown of glory, that God may be all in all, to whose heavenly mansion the God of all glory bring us for his Son Christ his sake.   
AMEN.   

A most godly and comfortable Prayer, in time of Adversity.  
O Eternal and most loving Father, thou GOD of mercy & judgement, to whom all things in Heaven & earth do bow & obey, at the continuance of whose glorious Majesty the wohle world doth tremble & quake, who hath fashioned Man of slime and earth, covered him in his mother's womb, and delivered him from death and hell. To thee our heavenly Father, I humbly bow the knees of mine heart, beseeching thy Fatherly goodness in jesus Christ to hear me, poor wretched child of Adam, begotten and borne in sin, disquieted with troubles, wrapped in adversity, and oppressed with misery yet by thy secret purpose pertain to thy kingdom. A Sheep of thy fold by election and calling, though unruly: A servant of thy household, by obedience & duty, though unprofitable: A son of thy family by adoption and grace, though unworthy.  
I will call mine own ways to remembrance, confess mine iniquities against myself, & power out my complaint before thee. Give ear to my prayer O Lord, consider my distress, and pardon the voice of my humble desires let the words of my mouth, and the meditations of my heart, be always acceptable in thy sight, O Lord my strength and my reedemer. I have sinned grievously, O merciful God, against heaven and before thee, & now 
joh. 13 17.  in the vexation of my spirit, & the anguish of my soul remembering thy fatherly kindness toward penitent sinners: I appeal to thy eternal mercy, acknowledge my wickedness, and lament my grievous offences.  
My heart is broken with sorrows, my life waxed old with heaviness, & my years with mourning. How long wilt thou be angry with thy servant O Lord? how long shall I seek counsel in my soul, and be so vexed in my spirit? how long shall I poor sorrowful wretch, be tossed with these troublesome floods of mortaletie, bewailing the tediousness of this my irksome pilgrimage?  
The infant overcometh his mother with crying, the child his father with weeping, and the servant his master with submission, and wilt thou be no more entreated o Lord? where are thy tender mercies which have been ever of old? our fathers hoped in thee and were delivered, they put their trust in thee an I were not confounded.  
Thou art the Father of the fatherless, and the helper of the friendless: thou hast always hard the humble desires of the poor, and thou preparest their hearts to call upon thee, and thine ears hearken thereunto: thou deliverest them from wrong, and right dear is their blood in thy sight.  
Why art thou so full of heaviness then, O my soul? and why art thou so disquieted within me? O put thy trust in God, for I will yet give him thanks, which is the help of my countenance, and my God, yea though he kill me, yet will I trust in him: I will sing unto the Lord so long as I live, and will praise my God so long as I have any being.  
He hath chastened and corrected me, but not given me over unto death: and therefore my heart danceth  joy: my flesh shall rest in hope, and in my song will I praise him. I will honour him with due obedience, serve him with fear, and rejoice unto him with reverence.  
Rebuke me not in thine anger O Lord, neither do thou chasten me in thy heavy displeasure: forsake me not in mine old age, when my strength faileth me: but comfort my heaviness, pity my misery, and relieve my necessity.  
Cleanse me from my secret faults, and pardon the sins of my youth. Grant me a new heart, a new mind, a new spirit, and a new life: and I will offer unto thee the sacrifice of thanksgiving, and rejoice in my salvation, O thou most highest.   

An Exhortation to continue all Subjects in their due obedience, together with the reward of a faithful subject to his Prince.  

To the Reverend Lo. Bishops and the Clergy.  
Forasmuch as your ecclesiastical office is given you from God, as the next principal members (under the head) to govern the Common wealth of this mystical body: and that there is required at your hands an extraordinary duty touching the function of the Soul. Let me entreat you to be as vigilant as the five wise Virgins, having Oil always in your Lamps, against the Bridegroom comes forth of his chamber. Your office is the Soul of the Laity, the heart of government, & the very Epitome of all obedience. From you as the Moon borroweth her light of the Sun, all inferior Ministers take their order of perfection. Let then your doctrine be pure & steadfast like Moses' bush, that always burned but never cousumed: your preaching in season, and out of season, and your conversation as spotless as the sacrifice of Turtles. You best know what plenty of Manna hath reigned in Israel, & how many Homer's full every man ought to gather: Be not any of you the first that gather more than is commanded, & in mistrust of God's benefits infect the whole land with the vice of Avarice.  
You ought rather to be like pelicans in the wilderness, who in tender love, peck the blood from their breast to feed their young ones. You see with your visible eyes how wonderful almighty God, hath always preserved the Queen's Majesty, from the snares of her manifold enemies.  
And in you principally lies the sacrifice of thanks giving, it is you that ought to dance before the tabernacle, & to go with the people to the Ark 
Num. 17. 8  of covenant: that your righteousness may bud like Aaron's rod. It is you that ought to fly forth from this tossed Ark, & like the Dove, bring the Olive branch of peace in your mouths, & tell 
Gen. 8. 11.  the people, that if they return, God willbe their God, and send a truce to their distressed souls by you his ambassadors.  
Fly not to Tharsis, when you are sent to Ninive, least devouring destruction attend you: nor with the Man of God go not out of the way, lest a Lion tear you in pieces. But still be conversant with the Lord, that your saces may shine with 
Exo. 34. 30  Moses, when he came from the Mount, and bring the image of God's glory to the people in your foreheads: you must bear, with Aron, the breastplate of judgement upon your hearts. There must 
Exo. 38. 30  be graven upon your forefronts, Holiness to the 
Exo. 35 36  Lord, and your sounds must be heard when you go into the holy places before him.  
So shall ye stand like mount Synay, never to be removed: and your golden candlestick shine in the Temple of the Lord. Remember the charge your master Christ gave to his servant Peter, binding him three times, above all things by his fervent love, and the dear affection he bore to his Master to feed his sheep: to be with Paul, the faithful Ambassadors of jesus Christ, as though God did beseech you through us: we pray you in Christ's steed, that ye be reconciled to God. With Paul like 
2. Cor. 5. 2.  wife to be an example of life & doctrine, as in these words: And follow hard toward the mark, for the 
Phil. 3. 14.  price of the high calling of God in Christ jesus. Let us therefore, as many as be perfect, be thus mindded, if ye be otherwise, God shall reveal, even the same unto you.  
Ye are, most reverent, the salt of the earth, 
Mat▪ 15. 13  which wanting savour, is to be trodden under foot: ye are the light of the world, a city that is set on a hill cannot be hid, let your light therefore shine, that they that see your good works, may glorify your father which is in Heaven.  
Thus unworthy to counsel so grave advisements, as if the body should instruct the Soul, I only like a travailer in his pilgrimage, seeing a King go out of his way, tell him there is a better, a more perfect and a straighter: So referring you to your Master's reward, who hates a hidden talon, I beseech that God, who guideth Israel by day 
Exo. 13 21  in a pillar of cloud, & by night in a pillar of fire, to direct your earthly bodies & spiritual souls to his service.  
Amen.   

To the true Nobility of this Realm.  
TO ye, Right Honourable, that are the props & supporters of a kingdom, that like Atlas should bear the weight of Heaven on your shoulders, give me leave to stretch forth the Arteries of my heart, & as in a tempestuous time, in peace unite you together like one body, obedient to one principal head. In that worthy member, the heart, the monarch seat of our Microcosmos, should be your residence, with in whose centre as in a Prince's Court, are divers receptacles for you to inhabit in. Then as branches extending from the lofty Cedar, being fed by one root, do notwithstanding cherish one another with their natural sap. So like the true stock of Nobility, descended from your worthy ancestors, be you combined in a conjunction of unseparable aid, that the body of the tree, may be comforted in so happy an issue, & in the proudest blast of conspiracy, keep you still unremovable. Be ye like faithful Mardocheus, spotless in your ways, when 
Esser.  traitors like proud Haman shall perish in their own complets. For if ye please to peruse our Histories, both ecclesiastical and profane, ye shall find, that never traitor to his native Prince, but had his reward threefold returned into his wicked bosom. And though it hath pleased God, sometime to suffer them (the cause best known to his sacred pleasure) to bring to pass their hateful purposes: yet as a woe pronounced to them by whom such evils come, their mischief hath not passed without greater mischief reguerdond. There is none of your Honourable society, but knows that treason is the divider and seperater of all good things, & a fatal disjoiner of perfection, bringing with it ruin, and the merciless substitutes of war: where on the contrary, obedience is the sinews of the state, & glues the hearts of Nobility together, like one indivisible substance. And as the seven lean Kine in Pharaohs dream, devoured the seven fat, 
Gene. 41. 4  yet themselves not the fatter: so stands it with treason, like a cormerant, it devours all: yet is it self the better by nothing. What greater pattern of misery can there be, than a kingdom divided in itself, it is like the dangerous Eclipse of the Sun: nay like the unnatural separation of Heaven, that brings all danger and destruction. No plague of Egypt comparable to that misery, for civil dissension is the gate to let in ruin, and foreign invasion: it is like a wedge of iron, that entering into an Oak, dissevers both sides in several pieces, & makes them both fit for the fire.  
The flourishing state of Rome was devoured by that Monster, and all tranquillity swallowed at a bit by that hedius Leviathan. It is like the blind Mole, that loving still to be mischievously labouring, tosseth up her own destruction.  
Let then, Right Honourable, that acceptable sacrifice of your hearts be offered to our gracious Sovereign, which far exceeds the external offices of feigned affection, who with an eye of vigilance, will, no doubt, regard your virtues: and like the cheerful comfort of the Sun, with her blessed countenance, make your young blossoms come to pleasant fruit, and bring the fruit by comfortable warmth to full maturetie.  
By this means, shall your Phoenix live still & you be made most happy in her fresh renewing. God so direct your hearts to work in you unfeigned loyalty to her sacred Majesty, and deadly hatred to self devouring treason:  
Amen.   

To the Civil Magistrates, the Lord Maior and the sheriffs of London: and other inferior officers.  
THe natural care that your loyalties have ever borne to your Sovereign, since your first flourishing time, both in peace and war, hath in ages past (as deeds worth registering) been recorded: yet it hath been manifest when Princes, that heretofore have groverned, have held the rains with a more severe hand, then in our time (God be thanked) yet ye have without repining willingly sustained, as giving place to time, to fortune, or both.  
And as in all dangerous Commotions, you have made apparent your forward loves and loyalties, to her Majesty & your native country, so it cannot be doubted but your vigilant care, confirmed in perfect resolution, like the helping hands of a distressed body, will in all love, when occasion shall serve, minister, as to yourselves, the faithful assistance of all your power. Wherein you shall find our Sovereign, like a careful Mother with Hester, be ready to offer herself for her people, & with judith, to dread no danger to preserve her own nation.  
I know it is yet extant in your memories, how careful she hath been to send comfort to foreign distressed Christians, & with the help of God, hath delivered them, where otherwise, like a flock of Lambs, not able to defend themselves, their throats had line open to a heard of savage Wolves.  
How much more then, her highness showing such compassion to strangers, will she have especial regard of her natural people, and in most especial to you that are, by often apprelation, tried to be of her most faithful, loyal & dearest subjects.  
The tyrants Nero, Dioclesian, and Phalaris, who most bloodily dived into the bowels of their friends and subjects, being Heathen, were obeyed both in love & fear, though their tyranny extended to all licentious & uncivil proceeding. How much more than ought ye, having a most Christian Prince to govern ye, that tenders the pricking of your finger, as a wound near her own heart, to prosecute her Princely affection with pure integrity. I urge not this, as though your loves were doubted, or held in the suspense of unequal balance, but as remembering you of that which cannot be to often mentioned, considering the danger of disloyal seducers, that think to bribe the faithful hearts of her highness loving subjects (as the Devil that soweth darnel amongst the best wheat) with their false shows & deceitful practices: or like the Crocodile in Nilus, that weeps like a child, till she allure some passengers, & then appearing in the nature of her ugly shape, extends her hunger bitten paunch, & presently devours. Of such pestiferous natures are all glozing sycophants that gild their pretences (to keep the counterfeit unspied) with such false suggestions, carrying no show of reason or truth▪ but like the Devils that entered into the heard of Swine, when they cannot have liberty or licence to do one mischief, covet to enter into another, so their malice may be set on work. But to withstand such, I know both your civil policy is able, and your well instructed minds very willing.  
Herein ye ought the rather to be thoroughly confirmed, seeing how God hath from the beginning of her majesties reign, defended her in all manner of envious assaults, and laid their own evil, upon the wickedness of their own heads. And her Majesty is thoroughly persuaded of your fidelity, and sound incorruptible love to her Crown & dignity: & that you will hereafter be chary to discover to her, if need shallbe (as god forbidden) any mischief lurking like the poison of Aspis, under their lips, than others should by wise policy enkindled by her tender love, bring the same to evident light. And as in a late proclamation she promised in the continuance of your dutiful & servant affection, ye shall find her more careful of your welfare, than her own; more desirous of your preservation than her own: & that no particular hurt or discontent shallbe wrongfully imposed upon you: but she in her princely nature willbe ready in person both to hear it & to right it. I know that in some foreign countries (yet in Christendom) they can scarce sustain their bodis with such meat & drink as they like, yet is necessary for them, & with such other things as the nature of man requires, but as yoked with a domestical seruiletie, they are constrained to pay tribute for the use of them, & give double, both for their appetite & sustenance. God forbidden (as thanks be to God it is not) that the subjects of England should be oppressed with such tedious clogs.  
This as one fervent in affection, advising (where I know notwithstanding, there is a settled unity of love) even as you hope to have your souls lift up on high, and your coffers enriched on earth: as ye look to have your warehouses filled with God's blessings, to have your wine good, and your oil fat: so once again I stir you up, like a flame that is quickened with blowing, to love God, obey your Prince, and be careful for your country, so shall her proudest enemy die at your feet, and ye be made worthy instruments (like a tower of Marble) to defend her sacred Majesty, whom God continue long in all joy full health and prosporous life:  
Amen.   

To the true and faithful private subject.  
AND now beloved countrymen to you in general, that carry with you the full currant of affection, the swiftest stream of deep guiding love, not to be reverted or turned back by the vehement opposition of my resisting wind.  
To you, as to the open mark, whereto my heart leavells her pretended aim (being the upshot of mine exhortation) I send this loving and friendly counsel. Like to a strong City fenced about with impregnable walls: so ought you to be in time of domestical rebellion or foreign invasion. For you are the main battle, the strength & trust of your country: & to you belong a chief trust in this required preservation. Even as her highness may well be compared to the apple of our eye, of which naturally (by reason it is tender unto us) we have a diligent care: so ought you to join your whole body of defence, both arms, legs, feet, and heart, to protect her royal person, without secret grudging, private muttering, or unnatural controversy.  
You ought to be like steadfast Rocks in the Sea, ready to front every storm, and to withstand (without removing) the most bitter blast, that either winter or foul weather affords.  
I know my most loving countrymen, that you well perceive the Princely care of her Majesty towards you her loving subjects, & the honourable disposition & noble industry of her vigilant counsel. Of which Honourable society, although now untimely deceased, I cannot but call to mind that Right Honourable and most worthily to be remembered, the late Lord Burgley, and Lord high Treasurer of England. Whose fame may not be sealed up with the leaden hand of Oblivion, who whilst he lived showed himself one of the most faithful, careful, and wise councillors that ever lived in any kingdom of Christendom.  
He was the Beacon that discovered foreign malice, and homebred mischief, the never failing watchtower of the commonwealth, the heart of justice, bearing up the balance of weighty causes with an even hand, and cutting down with the sharp sword of prevention the children of rebellion at home, & the envious intention of the Enemy abroad. For causes in common trial, I call heaven to witness, I speak but what I know, as he was judicial, wary & circumspect, so was he upright, discreet, and pitiful, not leaning to any side either for favour or gift, but with an impartial eye judging all things according to the equity of the cause. Would many branches like to that tree from whence it sprang might from that stock spread their virtue, in this her majesties garden of happy government.  
In which rank of true Nobility, diligent watchmen, and grave counsellors, I may not omit that Right Honourable and mild conditioned Lord the Earl of Nottingham, whose true loyalty to her Majesty, never spotted with the least mistrust, may keep even wing with the rest of that Honourable society, whose true show of a virtuous and noble mind, is daily made apparent by his exceeding bounty towards the poor and needy. The fruit whereof is Eternal salvation.  
And that reverent and careful Gentleman, Sir john Popham Knight, Lord chief justice of England, being another of the body of the Counsel, whose Honourable forwardness, with great discretion hath been often proved in your majesties serious affairs (as in calming the Realm with quiet, that hath been heretofore tempestuously troubled with bloody murderers & felonious robbers: but now, God be thanked, by his diligent & wise government well reform, whose exceeding love to his Prince & country, hath been often made apparent by his laborious endeavours.  
To conclude, I beseech God in his infinite mercy, stir up in you dear affecting love to her Majesty, who for the comfort of his chosen, and maintenance of his truth, hath defended her highness this 44 years, our most merciful governs: Mercy hath always sitten at her majesties right hand, & hovered about her like a continual handmaid. Mercy is the wedding ring, that like an unspotted Virgin hath married her to our Saviour Christ: & settled her Highness, the faithful precedent of his true Church, wherein long may her Majesty continue many happy & peaceful days, to the great glory of God, & to the exceeding comfort of all us her faithful & loving subjects.  
Amen.    

What a faithful subject is.  
A Good Subject, next to the Diadem that adorns a Prince's head, is the chiefest ornament that decores his dignity. He is as the preciòus Balm that anoints his brows: and is nearer to his heart, than his Sceptre to his right hand: as sweet in his nostrils as the groves of Gylead: and more precious in his sight, than Solomon's ivory throne covered with purest gold.  
His heart is clothed with peace, like Mount Olivet, and his eyes as harmless as the sight of a Dove. His tongue sounds like the Harp of David: and his lips deliver the happiness of loyalty: his ears are the portals that receive understanding, & all perfection from thence is conducted to the heart: His hands are ready to fight the battles of the Lord: & his feet (shunning the steps of blood) are bend always to walk in the paths of innocency. Thus excellent in the sight of his Prince, shines a faithful subject, more gorgeous than the Ephod of Aron: and more sumptuous than Solomon in all his Royalty. Who so is this to his Prince & country, the Lord will prosper him, and he shallbe blessed in an everlasting generation: And for one of these benefits he receives on earth, he shall have a million in Heaven. For one of those perfections he partakes off in this world, numbers above number, shall attend him in the world to come. And his Prince shall thus pray for him and bless him, as Solomon did his subjects. And the King turned his face and blessed all the Congregation of Israel, and said: Blessed be the Lord God of Israel, who spoke with his mouth to David my Father: and hath with his hand fulfilled it.  
And though myself may say with isaiah, I am a worm and no man: yet (I speak it in despite of vainglory) I would with all my heart as an Isaac in the hands of Abraham, serve as a sacrifice, to do my Prince & country good. For surely he cannot be a true servitor of God, that is not a faithful subject to his Prince. Neither would I judge any felicity in this world answerable to that, if once my soul might be employed to please my Prince, and benefit my country.  
For all the offices of humanity depend only upon those principal performances, for I know by that means there comes a blessing from a far, a reward full of joy, which none else are worthy to obtain: which reward I heartily pray the great rewarder of all, to send to the true, loyal, and faithful subject, and so with one voice proceeding from one unity of heart, let us all say faithfully, God save the Queen.  
Amen.   


E  
E Exceed made the Miracle of Nature,  
L Love joined with life, to frame a blessed creature:  
I joy in each part, where wisdom hath expressed,  
Z Zeal in the heart, to make the spirit blessed:  
A A work of worth, well worthy admiration,  
B Beyond the Mount of Man's imagination:  
E Esteemed more worth, than any worldly wonder,  
T That by desert, puts all earth's praises under:  
H Heavens bless the work, wherein such wonder dwelleth  
A As, all world's wonder, in such worth excelleth.   

R  
R RAre is the substance of this worthy sense,  
E Expressing all in only Excellence:  
G given by the heavens unto the world a blessing,  
I In Fame's reporting, and in Truths confessing:  
N near are such notes, unto an angels Nature,  
A As makes a Queen a Goddess, of a creature.    

The Miracle of Nature.  

AMong the wonders of this Age of ours,  
That Ear hath heard, or Eye hath everseene:  
Upon the top of Honour's highest towers,  
The glorious notes of our most gracious Queen:  
Through all the world, all worthily confessed,  
Show, never Kingdom in a Queen so blessed.   

First, for her Birth, the daughter of a King,  
And such a King, as peerless in his praise:  
A blessed sprig, from such a stock to spring,  
As doth increase the honour of his days:  
And, in herself, in more than world's perfection,  
The Art of Nature by the heavens direction.   

For Beauty, but behold her blessed Eye,  
Where fair DIANA puts foul VENUS down:  
For Wisdom, in true sacred Majesty,  
The worthy head of an Imperial Crown:  
For Mercy, who so perfectly divine?  
For Grace, who doth not to her Grace resign?   

For bounty, note her Liberality,  
To maintain Right, and to relieve the wrong:  
For Virtue, what true virtuous Quality?  
But may be sung in her true praises song?  
For Learning, where more in a Princess seen?  
For Language, there was never such a QUEEN.   

For Constancy, who so immutable?  
Whose love to God, no Devil can remove:  
For gracious speech, what Prince so affable?  
To win the heart of every worthy love:  
For Zeal, the trial of religious truth,  
For Patience, read the troubles of her youth.   

Whose mind of truer Magnanimity?  
In dangers to disdain the thought of fear?  
whose heart more near unto Divinity?  
with Patience Care, all discontents to bear:  
whose Soul more full infused with God's Spirit,  
Through all the world that doth such wonder merit.   

With all these blessings, from the highest Bliss,  
Her Care to keep her kingdom still in peace:  
Shows that her mind is hardly led amiss,  
That doth such glory to her Crown increase:  
That Fame doth sound, in her best pleasing breath,  
But only England's QUEEN ELIZABETH.   

Since than that God doth with that Grace inspire her,  
That shows her blessed in the heavens above:  
And all the Princes of the world admire her,  
For all the wonders worthy honours love:  
Why should this Earth live ever to forget her?  
But in the Soul of loves Remembrance set her.   

They that have lived, could say while they did live,  
Subjects are blest in such a Sovereign:  
They that now live, may well like witness give,  
A gracious QUEEN doth make a glorious Reign:  
They that hereafter live her Grace to see,  
May say on Earth, not such a Queen as she.   

How hath she kept her Court in comeliness?  
Her State, in state, of gracious Majesty?  
Her Peers in love, her Church in Godliness?  
Her laws in strength, her Lords in unity?  
Her People's awe, in loves persuasion?  
Her Land, in Peace without Invasion?   

Doth she give hearing unto grave advise?  
Great is her wisdom so to guide her will:  
Sounds she the depth of good, or ill devise?  
Blessed be the Care, of such a Princely skill:  
Leaves she the worst? and only takes the best?  
Blessed be her choice, so be she ever Blest.   

How hath she sought to beat offences down?  
With kind Corrections, not with Cruelty?  
How hath she kept the honour of her Crown?  
With Love and Mercy, not with Tyranny:  
How hath she lived, that all the world may know,  
Was never Queen, whose love did govern so.   

What Neighbour people hath her land relieved?  
Who driven from home, make here their safe abode:  
And, with her will, what people have been grieved?  
Except they be the Enemies of God:  
Within her Land how soon all tumults cease?  
While love, and Mercy breed continual peace.   

To speak of such particularities,  
As in exceed, do set down her name:  
Which all, and some are singularities,  
That make true Nusique, for the Trump of fame:  
Is meet for some heaves Muses to indite,  
While Angels pens are fittest for to wtite.   

But, as an Eye, that all far of beholdeth,  
An Excellence it can not comprehend:  
Yet, what Conceit, in secret sense unfoldeth,  
It hath a Will in wonder to Commend:  
Yet, when it speaks, it winketh at the light,  
As though to weak, to speak of such a sight.   

So, my poor Spirit, whose hearts humble Eye,  
Sees by the light, that it hath power to see:  
A world of worth, in wonder all so high,  
As shows, what worth above worlds wonders be:  
In her due praises can set down so little,  
As to her Title, all is but a tittle.   

Yet, though mine Eye can touch nor Sun nor Moon,  
Shall I not praise the clearness of the Sky?  
And, though my Morning be an after Noon,  
Shall I still sleep, as though I had no Eye?  
No, give me leave to say the Sun is bright,  
Although mine Eyes but dimly see the light.   

And, though my knowledge be but Ignorance,  
Compared to that, her praise should Comprehend:  
And, such a Muse, as would her pen advance,  
To write her worth, should but her will attend:  
Yet, let me say to them that can say more,  
England had never such a QUEEN before.   

Who would but note this four and forty years,  
how Mercies justice hath her Sceptre swayed:  
Of which no Prince, nor Emperor, that hears,  
But, is with wonder of her worth dismayed:  
Will say in Soul, on earth was never seen,  
Kingdom so governed by a VIRGIN QUEEN.   

Now, for her Counsel, all admire those wits,  
That with such wisdom do advise her will:  
And, in her will, think what true wisdom sits,  
That is the ground work of their gracious skill:  
And say, that God, that Land a blessing gives,  
Where such a Queen, and such a Counsel lives.   

Some Malcontented Maleconditioned minds,  
Where private grudge regards no public good:  
Mistaking Reason in malicious kinds,  
Like Serpents hatched of an unkindly brood:  
In hate may blot, that better love commends,  
But such ill Spirits, God send speedy ends.   

I pray for few, I hope for none at all,  
Indifference speaks so truly in her praise:  
That, while cold fears unchristian hearts appall,  
Faith finds in her the Phoenix of our days:  
While humble love in loyal hearts doth pray,  
That she may live until the latter day.   

Now, for her Treasure, how she doth bestow,  
her blessed Talon, in her Crowns behove:  
May witness well, that God himself doth show,  
She is the fair dear daughter of his love:  
Whom his high hand hath over men so placed,  
And so above both men and women graced.   

What Noble spirit, hath true honour proved?  
But, her sweet Eye hath graciously regarded:  
What virtuous spirit but her heart hath loved,  
And to the due of best desert Rewarded:  
For Princely kindness, to her humble friends,  
Fame sounds her point, in praise that never ends.   

What should I need to walk my wits about?  
A world of wonder, where there is no truth:  
When Truth itself, doth bring these wonders out,  
Both in her Princely Peerless Age and Youth:  
Where old, and young, may all and only see,  
How blest a Kingdom in a Queen may be.   

I make no Care of fictions, nor of fables,  
Minerva fair, and Pallas were but feigned:  
But, Truth may write in her memorial table,  
That, such a Queen in England never reigned:  
As makes all Poets idly spend their breath,  
That name a Queen, but in ELIZABETH.   

I cannot choose but wonder at those wits,  
That have employed their pens in Poetry:  
In whose deep brains, that best invention sits,  
That looks at honour with a heavenly eye:  
That some, or all in all their songs and lays,  
Have not Contended for Eliza's praise.   

But, it may be, they found their wits to weak,  
To equal will, in writing of their wonder:  
Yet such as could of Earth's chief praises speak,  
Might say her praise, puts all Earth's praises under:  
And say no more, than all the world may see,  
If Angel woman, on the Earth 'tis she.   

Some out of French, Italian, Dutch, or Spanish,  
Do draw discourses of most worthy Creatures:  
But let those Fictions, all like fables vanish,  
To show the notes, of all those gracious natures:  
I go no further, than our Sovereign Queen,  
Where all in one, and one in all is seen.   

For virtues Grace, behold her Virgin train,  
Where fair demeanours, put foul humours down:  
For Majesty, what Monarch doth retain?  
So grave a Counsel to a Gracious Crown:  
And for attendance, let▪ loves Muses sing,  
A Virgin Queen, deserves a servant King.   

For, truly sound each point of such perfection,  
As makes a Kingdom blessed in a Queen:  
And let but Truth confess without exception,  
The sacred worth, in her true wisdom seen:  
And England's heart may have just cause to say,  
Blessed be her Birth, and Coronation day.   

A lovely Day, fair may it ever last,  
A Sunshine Day, whose beams are heavenly bright:  
Clear may they shine, and never overcast,  
With any Cloud, that may obscure the light:  
That, in her height of Brigtnesse not declining,  
England may joy to see her ever shining.   

Oh, could I fly with such an eagle's wings,  
As, could be soaring in the Sunny light:  
Or, could I here but what that Angel sings,  
That never Poet had the power to write:  
Then should my spirit and my pen not cease,  
To write her praise, that now must hold my peace.   

And only pray, that he that sits on high,  
And holds the hand of mercy's majesty:  
Our gracious God, that she may never die,  
But in the life of loves eternity:  
Live from the blot of fowl oblivions pen,  
All faithful hearts in England, say Amen.   
FINIS.   

A faithful subjects prayer.  

O Glorious God and only King of Kings,  
Whose holy eye both heaven & earth beholdeth  
And from whose Mercy all and only springs,  
The fairest life that faithful love unfoldeth:  
Mine humble spirit I beseech thee raise,  
To give thy glory, all eternal praise.   

O gracious God among the many graces,  
Wherein thy Mercy hath this Island blest:  
In whom the height of all our happy cases,  
Under thine only holy hand doth rest:  
For our sweet, gracious, virtuous Sovereign Queen:  
Let our hearts humble thankfulness be seen.   

Bless her O Lord with Nestor's happy days,  
Health, wealth and peace and everlasting pleasure:  
Let virtues love, resound her worthy praise,  
And thy true wisdom be her spirits treasure:  
Her greatest hopes upon thy graces grounded,  
Her state preserved, and her foes confounded.   

Preserve oh Lord her faithful Counsellors,  
Her Loyal subjects, and her true attendants:  
Her virtuous Lawyers, valiant Soldiers,  
And let thine Angels be her loves defendants:  
Her state of bliss be England's blessed story,  
And give her Soul a Crown of endless glory.   
Amen.  
R. V.