A BOOK FOR BOYS AND GIRLS: OR, Country Rhimes FOR Children.  
By J. B.  
Licenced and Entered according to Order.  
LONDON, Printed for N. P. and Sold by the Booksellers in London. 1686.   

TO THE READER.  
Courteous Reader,  

The Title-page will show, if there thou look,  
Who are the proper Subjects of this Book.  
They're Boys and Girls of all Sorts and Degrees,  
From those of Age, to Children on the Knees.  
Thus comprehensive am I in my Notions;  
They tempt me to it by their childish Motions.  
We now have Boys with Beards, and Girls that be  
Big as old Women, wanting Gravity.   

Then do not blame me, 'cause I thus describe them;  
Flatter I may not, lest thereby I bribe them  
To have a better Judgement of themselves,  
Than wise men have of Babies on their Shelves.  
Their antic Tricks, fantastic Modes, and way,  
Show they like very Boys, and Girls, do play  
With all the frantic Fopp'ries of 〈◊〉 Age;  
And that in open view, as on a stage;  
Our Bearded men, do act like Beardless Boys;  
Our Women please themselves with childish Toys.   

Our Ministers, long time by Word and Pen,  
Dealt with them, counting them, not Boys but Men:  
Thunderbolts they shot at them, and their Toys:  
But hit them not, 'cause they were Girls and Boys.  
The better Charge, the wider still they shot,  
Or else so high, these Dwarves they touched not.  
Instead of Men, they found them Girls and Boys,  
Addict to nothing as to childish Toys.   

Wherefore good Reader, that I save them may,  
I now with them, the very Dottril play.  
And since at Gravity they make a ●ush,  
My very Beard I cast behind the Bush.  
And like a Fool stand fing'ring of their Toys;  
And all to show them, they are Girls and Boys.   

Nor do I blush, although I think some may  
Call me a Baby, 'cause I with them play:  
I do't to show them how each Fingle-fangle,  
On which they doting are, their Souls entangle,  
As with a Web, a Trap, a Ginn, or Snare:  
And will destroy them, have they not a Care.   

Paul scemed to play the Fool, that he might gain  
Those that were Fools indeed, if not in Grain.  
And did it by their things, that they might know  
Their emptiness, and might be brought unto  
What would them save from Sin and Vanity.  
A Noble Act, and full of Honesty.   

Yet he, nor I would like them be in Vice,  
While by their Play-things, I would them entice,  
To mount their Thoughts from what are childish Toys,  
To Heaven, for that's prepared for Girls and Boys.  
Nor do I so confine myself to these,  
As to shun graver things, I seek to please,  
Those more composed with better things than Toys:  
Tho thus I would be catching Girls and Boys.   

Wherefore if Men have now a mind to look;  
Perhaps their Graver Fancies may be took  
With what is here; though but in Homely Rhimes:  
But he, who pleases all, must rise betimes.  
Some, I persuade me, will be finding Fault,  
Concluding, here I trip, and there I halt,  
No doubt some could these grovelling Notions raise  
By finespun Terms that challenge might the Bays.  
But should all men be forced to lay aside  
Their Brains, that cannot regulate the Tide:  
By this or that man's Fancy, we should have  
The Wise, unto the Fool, become a Slave.  
What though my Text seems mean, my Morals be  
Grave, as if fetched from a Sublimer Tree.  
And if some better handle can a Fly,  
Then some a Text, why should we them deny  
Their making Proof, or good Experiment,  
Of smallest things great mischiefs to prevent?   

Wise Solomon did Fools to Piss-ants send,  
To learn true Wisdom, and their Lives to mend.  
Yea, God by Swallows, Cuckoos, and the Ass;  
Shows they are Fools who let that season pass,  
Which he put in their hand, that to obtain  
Which is both present, and Eternal Gain.   

I think the wiser sort my Rhimes may slight  
But what care I! The foolish will delight  
To read them and the Foolish, God has chose.  
And doth by Foolish Things, their minds compose,  
And settle upon that which is Divine:  
Great Things, by little ones, are made to shine.   

I could, were I so pleased, use higher Strains.  
And for Applause, on Tenters stretch my Brains,  
But what needs that? The Arrow out of Sight,  
Does not the Sleeper, nor the Watchman fright.  
To shoot too high doth but make Children gaze;  
'Tis that which hits the man, doth him amaze.   

And for the Inconsiderableness  
Of things, by which I do my mind express;  
May I by them bring some good thing to pass,  
As Samson, with the Jawbone of an Ass;  
Or as Brave Shamgar with his Ox's Goad,  
(Both things not manly, nor for War in Mode)  
I have my end, though I myself expose  
To scorn; God will have Glory in the close.   

Thus much for artificial Babes; and now  
To those who are in years but such, I bow   

My Pen to teach them what the Letters be,  
And how they may improve their A, B, C.  
Nor let my pretty Children them despise;  
All, needs must there begin, that would be wise.   

Nor let them fall under Discouragement,  
Who at their Hornbook stick, and time hath spent  
Upon that A, B, C. while others do  
Into their Primer, or their Psalter go.  
Some Boys with difficulty do begin,  
Who in the end, the Bays, and Laurel win.   
J. B.   


An help to Children to learn to read English.  
In or-der to the at-tain-ing of which, they must first be taught the Letter's, which be these that follow,  
A B C D E F G H I K L M N O P Q R S T U W.  
a b c d e f g h i k l m n o p q r s t u w x y z.  
A B C D E F G H I K L M N O P Q R S T V W X Y Z.  
a b c d e f g h i k l m n o p q r s t v u w x y z.  
A B C D E F G H I K L M N O P Q R S T V W X Y Z.  
a b c d e f g h i k l m n o p q r s t v u w x y z.  
The Vowels are these, a, e, i, o, u.  
As there are vow-els, so are there Consonants, and they are these.  
b c d f g h k l m n p q r s t v w x y z.  
There are also dou-ble Letter's, and they are these.  
ct ss si ssi fl fi ffis st sh.  
After these are known, then set your Child to spel-ling, Thus T-o, to. The, the, O-r, or, I-f, if▪ I-n, in, M-e, me, you, you; found, find, S-i-n, sin: In Christ, Christ, i-s, is, R-i-g-h-t-e-o-u-s-n-e-ss, Righ-te-ous-ness.  
And ob-serve that every word or syl-la-ble (though never so small) must have one vow-el or more right-ly pla●ced in it.  
For instances, These are no words nor Syl-la-bles, because they have no vow-els in them; name-ly, sl, gld, str●ght, spll, drll, fll.  
Words made of two Letters are these, and suchlike, If, it, is, so, do, we, see, he, is, in, my.  
Words con-sist-ing of three Letters,  
But, for, her, she, did, do, all, his, way, you, may, say, nay.   

To learn Children to spell a-right their names.  

Names of Boys.  
Thomas.  
James.  
Si-mon.  
Edward.  
John.  
Robert.  
Richard.  
Adam.  
Ti-mo-thy.  
Ja-cob.  
Abraham.  
Moses  
Aa-ron.  
Philip.  
Mat-thew.  
Bar-tho-lo-mew.  
William.  
Henry.  
Ralph.  
Stephen.  
Je-re-mi-ah  
Peter.  
George.  
Jo-nas.  
A-mos.  
Ni-cholus  
Job.  
Da-vid.   

Names of Girls.  
An-na.  
Su-san-na.  
Rebe-kah.  
Mag-da-lene.  
E-li-za-beth.  
Sa-rah.  
Marry.  
Jane.  
Dor-cas.  
Rakehell.  
Di-nah.  
Do-ro-thy.  
Joanna.  
Ly-di-a.  
Da-ma-ris.  
A-bi-gail.  
Mi-chal.  
Han-nah.  
Ruth.  
Mar-tha.  
Ag-nis.  
Mar-ga-ret.  
Ju-dith.  
Joan.  
Alice.  
Phe-be.  
Grace.  
Chris-ti-a-na.  
Ka-the-rine.  
Fran-ces.    

To learn Children to know Figures, and Numeral Letters.  

Figures.  
1. One.  
2. Two.  
3. Three.  
4. Four.  
5. Five.  
6. Six.  
7. Seven.  
8. Eight.  
9 Nine.  
10. Ten.  
11. Eleven.  
12. Twelve.  
13. Thirteen.  
14. Fourteen.  
15. Fifteen.  
16. Sixteen.  
17. Seventeen.  
18. Eighteen.  
19 Nineteen.  
20. Twenty.  
30. Thirty.  
40. Forty.  
50. Fifty.  
60. Sixty.  
70. Seventy.  
80. Eighty.  
90. Ninety.  
100 a Hundred.  
500 Five hundred.  
1000 a Thousand.   

Numeral Letters  
I. One.  
II. Two.  
III. Three.  
IV. Four.  
V. Five.  
VI Six.  
VII. Seven.  
VIII. Eight.  
IX. Nine.  
X. Ten.  
XI. Eleven.  
XII. Twelve.  
XIII. Thirteen.  
XIV. Fourteen.  
XV. Fifteen.  
XVI. Sixteen.  
XVII. Seventeen.  
XVIII. Eighteen.  
XIX. Nineteen.  
XX. Twenty.  
XXX. Thirty.  
XL. Forty.  
L. Fifty.  
LX. Sixty.  
LXX. Seventy.  
LXXX. Eighty.  
XC. Ninety.  
C. a Hundred.  
D. Five hundred.  
M. a Thousand.    
I shall forbear to add more, being persuaded this is enough for little Children to prepare themselves for Psalter, or Bible.   

A BOOK FOR Boys and Girls, etc.  

I. Upon the Ten Commandments.  
1. THou shalt not have another God than me:  
2. Thou shalt not to an Image bow thy Knee.  
3. Thou shalt not take the Name of God in vain:  
4. See that the Sabbath thou do not profain.  
5. Honour thy Father and thy Mother to:  
6. In Act or Thought see thou no Murder do.  
7. From Fornication keep thy body clean:  
8. Thou shalt not steal, though thou be very mean.  
9 Bear no false Witness, keep thee without Spot▪  
10. What is thy Neighbours see thou Covet not.   

TWO The awakened Child's Lamentation.  

1.  
When Adam was deceived,  
I was of Life bereft;  
Of late (too) I perceived,  
I was in sin conceived.   

2.  
And as I was born naked,  
I was with filth bespaked,  
At which when I awaked,  
My Soul and Spirit shaked.   

3.  
My Filth grew strong, and boiled,  
And me throughout defiled,  
Its pleasures me beguiled,  
My Soul! how art thou spoilt!   

4.  
My Joys with sinwere painted,  
My mind with sin is tainted,  
My heart with Gild is fainted,  
I wasn't with God acquainted.   

5.  
I have in sin abounded,  
My heart therewith is wounded,  
With fears I am surrounded,  
My Spirit is confounded.   

6.  
I have been often called,  
By sin as oft enthralled,  
Pleasures hath me forestalled.  
How is my Spirit gauled!   

7.  
As sin has me infected,  
I am thereof detected:  
Mercy I have neglected,  
I fear I am rejected.   

8.  
The Word I have misused  
Good Council too refused;  
Thus I myself abused;  
How can I be excused?   

9  
When other Children prayed,  
That work I then delayed,  
Ran up and down and played;  
And thus from God have strayed.   

10.  
Had I in God delighted,  
And my wrong doings righted;  
I had not thus been frighted,  
Nor as I am benighted.   

11.  
O! That God would be pleased,  
Towards me to be appeased;  
And heal me thus diseased,  
How should I then be eased!   

12.  
But Truth I have despised,  
My follies idolised,  
Saints with Reproach disguised,  
Salvation nothing prized.   

13.  
O Lord! I am ashamed,  
When I do hear thee named;  
'Cause thee I have defamed,  
And lived like Beasts untamed!   

14.  
Would God I might be saved,  
Might have an heart like David;  
This I have sometimes craved,  
Yet am by sin enslaved!   

15.  
Vanity I have loved,  
My heart from God removed;  
And not, as me behoved,  
The means of Grace improved.   

16.  
O Lord! if I had cried  
(When I told tales and lied)  
For Mercy, and denied  
My Lusts, I had not died!   

17.  
But Mercies-Gate is locked,  
Yea, up that way is blocked;  
Yea some that there have knocked,  
God at their cries hath mocked.   

18.  
'Cause him they had disdained,  
Their wicked ways maintained,  
From Godliness refrained,  
And on his word complained.   

19  
I would I were converted  
Would sin and I were parted,  
For folly I have smarted;  
God make me honest-hearted!   

20.  
I have to Grace appealed,  
Would 'twere to me revealed,  
And Pardon to me sealed,  
Then should I soon be healed!   

21  
Whose Nature God hath mended,  
Whose sinful course is ended,  
who is to life ascended,  
Of God is much befriended.   

22.  
Oh! Were I reconciled  
To God, I, though defiled,  
Should be as one that smiled,  
To think my death was spoiled.   

23.  
Lord! thou wast crucified  
For Sinners, bled and died,  
I have for Mercy cried,  
Let me not be denied.   

24  
I have thy Spirit grieved;  
Yet is my life reprieved,  
Would I in thee believed,  
Then I should be relieved.   

25.  
Were but Repentance gained,  
And had I Faith unfeigned,  
Then Joy would be maintained  
In me, and sin restrained.   

26.  
But this is to be noted,  
I have on Folly doted,  
My Vanities promoted,  
Myself to them devoted.   

27.  
Thus I have sin committed,  
And so myself out-witted;  
Yea, and my Soul unfit,  
To be to Heaven admitted.   

28.  
But God has condescended,  
And pardon has extended,  
To such as have offended,  
Before their lives were ended.   

29.  
O Lord! do not disdain me,  
But kindly entertain me;  
Yea in thy Faith maintain me,  
And let thy Love constrain me!    

III Meditations upon an Egg.  

1  

THe Egg's no Chick by falling from the Hen;  
Nor man a Christian, till he's born again.   

The Egg's at first contained in the Shell;  
Men afore Grace, in sins, and darkness dwell.   

The Egg when laid, by Warmth is made a Chicken;  
And Christ, by Grace, those dead in sin doth quicken.   

The Egg, when first a Chick, the shell's its Prison;  
So's flesh to th'Soul, who yet with Christ is risen.   

The Shell doth crack, the Chick doth chirp and peep;  
The flesh decays, as men do pray and weep.   

The Shell doth break, the Chicks at liberty;  
The flesh falls off, the Soul mounts up on high.   

But both do not enjoy the selfsame plight;  
The Soul is safe, the Chick now fears the Kite.    

2.  

But Chick's from rotten Eggs do not proceed;  
Nor is an Hypocrite a Saint indeed.   

The rotten Egg, though underneath the Hen,  
If cracked, stinks, and is loathsome unto men.   

Nor doth her Warmth make what is rotten found,  
What's rotten, rotten will at last be found.   

The Hypocrite, sin has him in Possession,  
He is a rotten Egg under Profession.    

3.  

Some Eggs bring Cockatrices; and some men  
Seem hatched and brooded in the Vipers Den.   

Some Eggs bring wild-Fowls; and some men there be  
As wild as are the wildest Fowls that flee.   

Some Eggs bring Spiders; and some men appear  
More venom than the worst of Spiders are.   

Some Eggs bring Piss-ants; and some seem to me  
As much for trifles as the Piss-ants be.   

Thus divers Eggs do produce divers shapes,  
As like some Men as Monkeys are like Apes.   

But this is but an Egg, were it a Chick,  
Here had been Legs, and Wings, and Bones to pick.     

IV. Upon the Lord's Prayer.  
OUr Father which in Heaven art;  
Thy name be always hallowed;  
Thy Kingdom come; thy Will be done;  
Thy Heavenly path be followed.  
By us on Earth as 'tis with thee,  
We humbly pray;  
And let our Bread us given be  
From day to day.  
Forgive our debts, as we forgive  
Those that to us indebted are:  
Into temptation lead us not;  
But save us from the wicked's Snare.  
The Kingdom's thine, the Power too,  
We thee adore;  
The Glory also shall be thine  
For evermore.   

V Meditation upon Peep of day.  
I Oft, though it be peep of day, don't know,  
Whether 'tis Night, whether 'tis Day or no.  
I fancy that I see a little light;  
But cannot yet distinguish day from night.  
I hope, I doubt, but steady yet I be not,  
I am not at a point, the Sun I see not.  
Thus 'tis with such, who Grace but now possessed,  
They know not yet, if they are cursed or blest.   

VI Upon the Flint in the Water.  


This Flint, time out of mind, has there abode,  
Where Crystal Streams make their continual Road;  
Yet it abides a Flint as much as 'twere,  
Before it touched the Water, or came there.   

It's hard obdurateness is not abated,  
'Tis not at all by water penetrated.  
Though water hath a softening virtue in't,  
This Stone it can't dissolve, 'cause 'tis a Flint:   

Yea though it in the water doth remain;  
It doth its fiery nature still retain.  
If you oppose it with its Opposite,  
At you, yea, in your face its fire 'twill spit.    

Comparison.  
This Flint an Emblem is of those that lie,  
Like stones, under the Word, until they die.  
It's Crystal Streams hath not their nature changed,  
They are not from their Lusts by Grace estranged.    

VII. Upon the Fish in the Water.  

1.  
The water is the Fish's Element:  
Take her from thence, none can her death prevent.  
And some have said, who have Transgressor's been,  
As good not be, as to be kept from sin.   

2.  
The water is the Fish's Element:  
Leave her but there, and she is well content.  
So's he who in the path of Life doth plod,  
Take all, says he, let me but have my God.   

3.  
The water is the Fish's Element:  
●er sport there to her are excellent.  
〈◊〉 is God's Service unto Holy men,  
They are not in their Element till then.    

VIII. Upon the Swallow.  
THis pretty Bird, oh! how she flies and sings!  
But could she do so if she had not Wings?  
●er Wings, bespeak my Faith, her Songs my Peace;  
When I believe and sing, my Doubtings cease.   

IX. Upon the Bee.  

The Bee goes out and Honey home doth bring;  
And some who seek that Honey find a sting.  
●ow wouldst thou have the Honey and be free  
●om stinging; in the first place kill the Bee.   

Comparison.  
This Bee an Emblem truly is of sin  
Whose Sweet unto a many death hath been.  
●ow wouldst have Sweet from sin, and yet not die,  
●o thou it in the first place mortify.    

X. Upon the Creed.  

I Do believe in God;  
And in his only Son;  
Born of a Woman, yet 
* as to his Godhead.  begot  
Before the World begun.   

I also do believe  
That he was crucified,  
Was dead and buried; and yet  
Believe he 
* as to his Godhead.  never died.   

The Third day I believe  
He did rise from the dead;  
Went up to Heaven, and is of God  
Of all things made the Head.   

Also I do believe,  
That he from thence shall come,  
To judge the quick, the dead, and to  
Give unto all just Doom.   

Moreover I believe  
In God the Holy Ghost;  
And that there is an Holy Church,  
An universal Host.   

Also I do believe,  
That sin shall be forgiven;  
And that the dead shall rise; and that  
The Saints shall dwell in Heaven.    

XI. Upon a lowering Morning.  


Well, with the day, I see, the Clouds appear,  
And mix the light with darkness every where:  
This threatening is to Travellers, that go  
Long Journeys, slabby Rain, they'll have or Snow.   

Else while I gaze, the Sun doth with his beams  
Belace the Clouds, as 'twere with bloody Streams;  
This done, they suddenly do watery grow,  
And weep, and pour their tears out where they go.    

Comparison.  
Thus 'tis when Gospel-light doth usher in  
To us, both sense of Grace, and sense of Sin;  
Yea when it makes sin red with Christ's blood,  
Then we can weep, till weeping does us good.    

XII. Upon overmuch Niceness.  

'tIs much to see how overnice some are,  
About the Body and Household Affair:  
While what's of worth, they slightly pass it by,  
Not doing, or doing it slovenly.   

Their house must be well furnished, be in print;  
Mean while their Soul lies lay, has no good in't.  
It's outside also they must beautify,  
When in it there's scarce common Honesty.   

Their Bodies they must have tricked up, and trim▪  
Their inside full of Filth up to the brim.  
Upon their clothes there must not be a spot,  
But is their lives more than one common Blot?   

How nice, how coy are some about their Diet,  
That can their crying Souls with Hogs-meat quiet.  
All dressed must to an hair be, else 'tis naught,  
While of the living bread they have no thought.  
Thus for their Outside they are clean and nice,  
While their poor Inside stinks with sin and vice.    

XII. Meditations upon the Candle.  

MAn's like a Candle in a Candlestick,  
Made up of Tallow, and a little Wick;   

And as the Candle is when 'tis not lighted,  
So is he who is in his sins benighted.  
Nor can a man his Soul with Grace inspire,  
More than can Candles set themselves on fire.   

Candles receive their light from what they are not;  
Men Grace from him, for whom at first they care not.   

We manage Candles when they take the fire;  
God men, when he with Grace doth them inspire.   

And biggest Candles give the better light,  
As Grace on biggest Sinners shines most bright.   

The Candle shines to make another see,  
A Saint unto his Neighbour light should be.   

The blinking Candle we do much despise,  
Saints dim of light are high in no man's eyes.   

Again, though it may seem to some a Riddle,  
We use to light our Candle at the middle;  
True, light doth at the Candles end appear,  
And Grace the heart first reaches by the Ear.  
But 'tis the Wick the fire doth kindle on,  
As 'tis the heart that Grace first works upon.  
Thus both doth fasten upon what's the main,  
And so their Life and Vigour do maintain.   

The Tallow makes the Wick yield to the fire;  
And sinsul Flesh doth make the Soul desire,  
That Grace may kindle on it, in it burn;  
So Evil makes the Soul from Evil turn.   

But Candles in the wind are apt to flare;  
And Christ'ans in a Tempest to despair.   

The flame also with Smoke attended is;  
And in our holy lives there's much amiss.   

Sometimes a Thief will candlelight annoy;  
And lusts do seek our Graces to destroy.   

What brackish is will make a Candle sputter;  
Twixt sin and Grace there's oft a heavy clutter.   

Sometimes the light burns dim, 'cause of the snuff,  
Sometimes it is blown quite out with a puff;   

But Watchfulness preventeth both these evils,  
Keeps Candles light and Grace in spite of Devils.   
Nor let not snuffs nor puffs make us to doubt;  
Our Candles may be lighted, though puffed out.  

The Candle in the night doth all excel.  
Nor Sun, nor Moon, nor Stars, then shine so well.  
So is the Christian in our Hemisphere,  
Whose light shows others how their course to steer.   

When Candles are put out, all's in confusion;  
Where Christians are not, Devils make Intrusion.  
Then happy are they who such Candles have,  
All others dwell in darkness and the Grave.   

But Candles that do blink within the Socket,  
And Saints whose heads are always in their pocket,  
Are much alike; such Candles make us fumble,  
And at such Saints, good men and bad do stumble.   

Good Candles don't offend, except sore eyes,  
Nor hurt unless it be the silly Flies:  
Thus none like burning Candles in the night,  
Nor ought to holy living for delight.   

But let us draw towards the Candle's end,  
The fire, you see, doth Wick and Tallow spend.  
As Grace man's life, until his Glass is run,  
And so the Candle and the Man is done.   

The man now lays him down upon his Bed;  
The Wick yields up its fire; and so is dead.  
The Candle now extinct is, but the man,  
By Grace mounts up to Glory, there to stand.    

XIV. Upon the Sacraments.  
Two Sacraments I do believe there be,  
Baptism and the Supper of the Lord:  
Both Mysteries divine, which do to me,  
By God's appointment, benefit afford:  
But shall they be my God? or shall I have  
Of them so foul and impious a Thought,  
To think that from the Curse they can me save?  
Bread, Wine, nor Water me no ramsom bought.   

XV. Upon the Sun's Reflection upon the Clouds in a fair Morning.  

Ook yonder, ah! Methinks mine eyes do see,  
Clouds edged with silver, as fine Garments be!  
They look as if they saw that Golden face,  
That makes black Clouds most beautiful with Grace.   

Unto the Saints sweet incense or their Prayer,  
These Smoky curdled Clouds I do compare.  
For as these Clouds seem edged or laced with Gold,  
Their Prayers return with Blessings manifold.    

XVI. Upon Apparel.  
GOd gave us clothes to hide our Nakedness,  
And we by them, do it expose to View.  
Our Pride, and unclean Minds, to an excess,  
By our Apparel we to others show.   

XVII. The Sinner and the Spider.  Sinner. 
What black? what ugly crawling thing art thou?  Spider. 
I am a Spider—  Sinner. 
A Spider, Ay, also a filthy Creature.  Spider. 
Not filthy as thyself, in Name or Feature:  
My Name entailed is to my Creation;  
My Feature's from the God of thy Salvation.  Sinner. 
I am a Man, and in God's Image made,  
I have a Soul shall neither die nor fade:  
God has possessed me with humane Reason,  
Speak not against me, lest thou speakest Treason.  
For if I am the Image of my Maker,  
Of Slanders laid on me he is Partaker.  Spider. 
I know thou art a Creature far above me,  
Therefore I eat, I fear, and also love thee.  
But though thy God hath made thee such a Creature,  
Thou hast against him often played the Traitor.  
Thy sin has fetched thee down: Leave off to boast;  
Nature thou hast defiled, God's Image lost.  
Yea thou, thyself a very Beast hast made,  
And art become like Grass, which soon doth fade.  
Thy Soul, thy Reason, yea thy spotless State,  
Sin has subjected to th'most dreadful fate.  
But I retain my primitive condition,  
I've all, but what I lost by thy Ambition.  Sinner. 
Thou venomed thing, I know not what to call thee,  
The Dregs of Nature surely did befall thee;  
Thou wast made of the Dross, and Scum of all;  
Man hates thee, doth in scorn thee Spider call.  Spider 
My Venom's good for something, 'cause God made it;  
Thy Sin has spoiled thy Nature, doth degrade it  
Of humane Virtues; therefore though I fear thee,  
I will not, though I might, despise and jeer thee.  
Thou sayst I am the very Dregs of Nature,  
Thy Sin's the spawn of Devils, 'tis no Creature.  
Thou sayst man hates me, 'cause I am a Spider,  
Poor man, thou at thy God art a Derider:  
My venom tendeth to my Preservation;  
Thy pleasing Follies work out thy Damnation.  
Poor man, I keep the rules of my Creation;  
Thy sin has cast thee headlong from thy Station.  
I hurt no body willingly; but thou  
Art a self-Murderer: Thou know'st not how  
To do what good is, no thou lovest evil;  
Thou fliest God's Law, adherest to the Devil.  Sinner. 
Ill-shaped Creature there's Antipathy  
'Twixt Men and Spiders, 'tis in vain to lie,  
I hate thee, stand off, if thou dost come nigh me,  
I'll crush thee with my foot; I do defy thee.  Spider. 

They are ill shaped, who warped are by sin;  
Antipathy in thee hath long time been  
To God. No marvel then, if me his Creature  
Thou dost defy, pretending Name and Feature.  
But why stand off? My Presence shall not throng thee,  
'Tis not my venom, but thy sin doth wrong thee.   

Come I will teach thee Wisdom, do but hear me,  
I was made for thy profit, do not fear me.   

But if thy God thou wilt not hearken to,  
What can the Swallow, Ant, or Spider do?  
Yet I will speak, I can but be rejected;  
Sometimes great things, by small means are effected.   

Hark then; though man is noble by Creation,  
He's lapsed now to such Degeneration;  
Is so besotted, and so careless grown,  
As not to grieve, though he has overthrown  
Himself, and brought to Bondage every thing  
Created, from the Spider to the King.   

This we poor Sensitives do feel and see;  
For subject to the Curse you made us be.  
Tread not upon me, neither from me go;  
'Tis man which has brought all the world to wo.   

The Law of my Creation bids me teach thee,  
I will not for thy Pride to God impeach thee.   

I spin, I wove, and all to let thee see,  
Thy best performances but Cob webs be.  
Thy Glory now is brought to such an Ebb,  
It doth not much excel the Spider's Web.  
My Webs becoming snares and traps for Flies,  
Do set the wiles of Hell before thine eyes.  
Their tangling nature is to let thee see,  
Thy sins (too) of a tangling nature be.  
My Den, or Hole, for that 'tis bottomless,  
Doth of Damnation show the Lastingness.  
My lying quat, until the Fly is catcht,  
Shows, secretly Hell hath thy ruin hatched.  
In that I on her seize, when she is taken,  
I show who gathers whom God hath forsaken.  
The Fly lies buzzing in my Web to tell  
Thee, how the Sinners roar and howl in Hell.   

Now since I show thee all these Mysteries,  
How canst thou hate me; or me Scandalise?   Sinner. 
Well, well, I no more will be a Derider;  
I did not look for such things from a Spider.  Spider. 

Come, hold thy peace, what I have yet to say,  
If heeded, help thee may another day.  
Since I an ugly ven'mous Creature be,  
There is some Semblance 'twixt vile Man and Me.   

My wild and heedless Run, are like those  
Whose ways to ruin do their Souls expose.  
Daylight is not my time, I work ' i'th' night,  
To show, they are like me who hate the Light.  
The slightest Brush will overthrow my house,  
To show false Pleasures are not worse a Louse.  
The Maid sweeps one Web down, I make another,  
To show how heedless ones Convictions smother.  
My Web is no defence at all to me,  
Nor will false Hopes at Judgement be to thee.   Sinner. 
O Spider I have heard thee, and do wonder,  
A Spider should thus lighten, and thus thunder!  Spider. 

Do but hold still, and I will let thee see,  
Yet in my ways more Mysteries there be.  
Shall not I do thee good, if I thee tell,  
I show to thee a fourfold way to Hell.   

For since I set my Webs in sundry places,  
I show men go to Hell in divers traces.   

One I set in the window, that I might  
Show, some go down to Hell with Gospel-light.   

One I set in a Corner, as you see,  
To show, how some in secret snared be.   

‛ Gross Webs great store I set in darksome places,  
To show, how many sin with brazen faces.   

Another Web I set aloft on high,  
To show, there's some professing men must die.  
Thus in my Ways, God Wisdom doth conceal;  
And by my ways, that Wisdom doth reveal.   

I hide myself, when I for Flies do wait,  
So doth the Devil, when he lays his bait.  
If I do fear the losing of my prey,  
I stir me, and more snares upon her lay.  
This way, and that, her Wings and Legs I tie,  
That sure as she is catcht, so she must die.  
But if I see she's like to get away,  
Then with my Venom, I her Journey stay.  
All which my ways, the Devil imitates,  
To catch men 'cause he their Salvation hates.   Sinner. 
O Spider, thou delight'st me with thy Skill,  
I prithee spit this Venom at me still.  Spider. 

I am a Spider, yet I can possess  
The Palace of a King, where Happiness  
So much abounds. Nor when I do go thither,  
Do they ask what, or whence I come, or whether  
I make my hasty Travels, no not they;  
They let me pass, and I go on my way.  
I seize the Palace, do with hands take hold  
Of Doors, of locks, or bolts; yea I am bold.   

When in, to Clamber up unto the Throne,  
And to possess it, as if 'twere mine own.  
Nor is there any Law forbidding me  
Here to abide, or in this Palace be.   

Yea, if I please I do the highest Stories  
Ascend, there sit, and so behold the Glories  
Myself is compassed with, as if I were  
One of the chiefest Courtiers that be there.   

Here Lords and Ladies do come round about me,  
With grave Demeanour: Nor do any slout me,  
For this my brave Adventure, no not they;  
They come, they go, but leave me there to stay.   

Now, my Reproacher, I do by all this  
Show how thou may'st possess thyself of Bliss:  
Thou art worse than a Spider, but take hold  
On Christ the Door, thou shalt not be controlled.  
By him do thou the Heavenly Palace enter.  
None chide thee will for this thy brave Adventure.   

Approach thou then unto the very Throne,  
There speak thy mind, fear not, the Day's thine own.  
Nor Saint nor Angel will thee stop or stay;  
But rather tumble blocks out of thy way.  
My Venom stops not me▪ let not thy Vice  
Stop thee; possess thyself of Paradise.   

Go on, I say, although thou be a Sinner,  
Learn to be bold in Faith of me a Spinner.  
This is the way the Glories to possess,  
And to enjoy what no man can express.   

Sometimes I find the Palace door up locked;  
And so my entrance thither as up blocked.  
But am I daunted? No. I here and there  
Do feel, and search; so, if I any where,  
At any chink or crevise find my way,  
I crowd, I press for passage, make no stay;  
And so, though difficultly, I attain  
The Palace, yea the Throne where Princes reign.  
I crowd sometimes, as if I'd burst in sunder;  
And art thou crushed with striving do not wonder.  
Some scarce get in, and yet indeed they enter;  
Knock, for they nothing have that nothing venture.   

Nor will the King himself throw dirt on thee,  
As thou hast cast Reproaches upon me.  
He will not hate thee, O thou foul Backslider!  
As thou didst me, because I am a Spider.   

Now, to conclude; since I such Doctrine bring,  
'Slight me no more, call me not ugly thing.  
God wisdom hath unto the Piss-ant given,  
And Spiders may teach men the way to Heaven.   Sinner. 

Well, my good Spider, I my Errors see,  
I was a fool for railing upon thee.  
Thy Nature, Venom, and thy fearful Hue,  
Both show what Sinners are, and what they do.   

Thy way and works do also darkly tell,  
How some men go to Heaven, and some to Hell.  
Thou art my Monitor, I am a Fool;  
They learn may, that to Spiders go to School.    

XVIII. Meditations upon day before Sunrising,  

But all this while, where's he whose Golden rays  
Drives night away, and beautifies our days?  
Where's he whose goodly face doth warm and heal,  
And show us what the darksome nights conceal?  
Where's he that thaws our Ice, drives Cold away?  
Let's have him, or we care not for the day.   

Thus 'tis with who partakers are of Grace,  
There's nought to them like their Redeemers face.    

XIX. Of the Mole in the Ground.  

THe Mole's a Creature very smooth and slick,  
She digs i'th'dirt, but 'twill not on her stick.  
So's he who counts this world his greatest gains,  
Yet nothing gets but's labour for his pains.  
Earth's the Mole's Element, she can't abide  
To be above ground, dirt heaps are her pride;  
And he is like her, who the Wordling plays,  
He imitates her in her works, and ways.   

Poor silly Mole, that thou shouldst love to be,  
Where thou, nor Sun, nor Moon, nor Stars can see.  
But oh! How silly's he, who doth not care,  
So he gets Earth, to have of Heaven a share!    

XX. Of the Cuckoo.  

Thou Booby, sayst thou nothing but Cuckoo?  
The Robin and the Wren can thee out do.  
They to us play thorough their little throats,  
Not one, but sundry pretty taking Notes.   

But thou hast Fellows, some like thee can do  
Little but suck our Eggs, and sing Cuckoo.   

Thy notes do not First welcome in our Spring,  
Nor dost thou its first Tokens to us bring.  
Birds less than thee by far, like Prophets, do  
Tell us 'tis coming, though not by Cuckoo.   

Nor dost thou Summer have away with thee,  
Though thou a yauling, bawling Cuckoo be.  
When thou dost cease among us to appear,  
Then doth our Harvest bravely crown our year.   

But thou hast fellows, some like thee can do  
Little but suck our Eggs, and sing Cuckoo.   

Since Cuckoos forward not our early Spring,  
Nor help with notes to bring our Harvest in:  
And since while here, she only makes a noise,  
So pleasing unto none as Girls and Boys;  
The Formalist we may compare her to,  
For he doth suck our Eggs and sing Cuckoo.    

XXI. Of the Boy and Butter Fly.  


Behold how eager this our little Boy,  
Is of this Butter Fly, as if all Joy,  
All Profits, Honours, yea and lasting Pleasures,  
Were wrapped up in her, or the richest Treasures,  
Found in her would be bundled up together,  
When all her all is lighter than a feather.   

He holloes, runs, and cries out here Boys, here,  
Nor doth he Brambles or the Nettles fear:  
He stumbles at the Molehills, up he gets,  
And runs again, as one bereft of wits;  
And all this labour and this large Outcry,  
Is only for a silly Butterfly.    

Comparison.  

This little Boy an Emblem is of those,  
Whose hearts are wholly at the World's dispose.  
The Butterfly doth represent to me.  
The World's best things at best but fading be.  
All are but painted Nothings and false Joys,  
Like this poor Butterfly to these our Boys.   

His running through Nettles, Thorns and Briers,  
To gratify his boyish fond desires,  
His tumbling over Molehills to attain  
His end, namely, his Butterfly to gain;  
Doth plainly show, what hazards some men run,  
To get what will be lost as soon as won.  
Men seem in Choice, than children far more wise,  
Because they run not after Butterflies:  
When yet alas! sor what are empty Toys  
They follow Children, like to beardless Boys.     

XXII. Of the Fly at the Candle.  


What ails this Fly thus desperately to enter  
A Combat with the Candle? will she venture  
To clash at light? Away thou silly fly;  
Thus doing, thou wilt burn thy wings and die.   

But 'tis a folly her advice to give,  
She'll kill the Candle, or she will not live.   

Slap, says she, at it; then she makes retreat,  
So wheels about and doth her blows repeat.   

Nor doth the Candle let her quite escape,  
But gives some little check unto the Ape:  
Throws up her heels it doth, so down she falls,  
Where she lies sprawling, and for succour calls.   

When she recovers, up she gets again,  
And at the Candle comes with might and main,  
But now behold, the Candle takes the Fly,  
And holds her till she doth by burning dye.    

Comparison.  
This Candle is an Emblem of that Light,  
Our Gospel gives in this our darksome night.  
The Fly a lively Picture is of those  
That hate, and do this Gospel light oppose.  
At last the Gospel doth become their snare,  
Doth them with burning hands in pieces tear.    

XXIII. Upon the Lark and the Fowler  


Thou simple Bird what mak'st thou here to play?  
Look, there's the Fowler. prithee come away.  
Dost not behold the Net? Look there 'tis spread,  
Venture a little further thou art dead.   

Is there not room enough in all the Field  
For thee to play in, but thou needs must yield  
To the deceitful glitt'ring of a Glass,  
Placed betwixt Nets to bring thy death to pass?   

Bird, if thou art so much for dazzling light,  
Look, there's the Sun above thee, dart upright?  
Thy nature is to soar up to the Sky,  
Why wilt thou come down to the nets, and die?   

Take no heed to the Fowler's tempting Call;  
This whistle he enchanteth Birds withal.  
Or if thou seest a live Bird in his net,  
Believe she's there 'cause thence she cannot get.   

Look how he tempteth thee with his Decoy,  
That he may rob thee of thy Life, thy Joy:  
Come, prithee Bird, I prithee come away,  
Why should this net thee take, when escape thou may?   

Hadst thou not Wings, or were thy feathers pulled,  
Or wast thou blind or fast asleep were't lulled:  
The case would somewhat alter, but for thee,  
Thy eyes are open, and thou hast Wings to flee.   

Remember that thy Song is in thy Rise,  
Not in thy Fall, Earth's not thy Paradise.  
Keep up aloft then, let thy circuits be  
Above, where Birds from Fowler's nets are free.    

Comparison  

This Fowler is an Emblem of the Devil,  
His Nets and Whistle, Figures of all evil.  
His Glass an Emblem is of sinful Pleasure,  
And his Decoy, of who counts sin a Treasure.   

This simple Lark's a shadow of a Saint,  
Under allure, ready now to faint.   

This admonisher a true Teacher is,  
Whose work's to show the Soul the snare and bliss.  
And how it may this Fowler's net escape,  
And not commit upon itself this Rape.     

XXIV. Of the fatted Swine.  


Ah, Sirrah! I perceive thou art Corn-fed,  
With best of Hoggs-meat thou art pampered.  
Thou wallow'st in thy fat, up thou art staled,  
Art not as heretofore to Hogs-wash called.   

Thine Orts lean Pigs would leap at, might they have it.  
One may see by their whining how they crave it.  
But Hogg, why look'st so big? Why dost so flounce,  
So snort, and fling away, dost now renounce  
Subjection to thy Lord, 'cause he has fed thee?  
Thou art yet but a Hogg, of such he bred thee.  
Lay by thy snorting, do not look so big,  
What was thy Predecessor but a Pig.   

But come my gruntling, when thou art full said,  
Forth to the Butcher's Stall thou must be led.  
Then will an end be put unto thy snortings,  
Unto thy boarish Looks and hoggish Sport;  
Then thy shrill cries will echo in the air;  
Thus will my Pig for all his Greatness fare.    

Comparison.  
This Emblem shows, some men are in this life,  
Like full-fed Hogs prepared for the Knife.  
It likewise shows some can take no Reproof,  
More than the fatted Hogg, who stands aloof.  
Yea; that they never will for mercy cry,  
Till time is past, and they for sin must die.    

XXV. On the rising of the Sun.  

LOok, look, brave Sol doth peep up from beneath,  
Shows us his golden face, doth on us breath.  
He also doth compass us round with Glories,  
Whilst he ascends up to his higher Stories.  
Where he his Banner over us displays,  
And gives us light to see our Works and Ways.   

Nor are we now, as at the peep of light,  
To question, Is it day, or is it night?  
The night is gone, the shadow's fled away;  
And we now most sure are that it is day.  
Our Eyes behold it, and our Hearts believe it,  
Nor can the wit of man in this deceive it.   

And thus it is when Jesus shows his face,  
And doth assure us of his Love and Grace.    

XXVI. Upon the promising Fruitfulness of a Tree.  


A Comely sight indeed it is to see,  
A World of Blossoms on an Appletree.  
Yet far more comely would this Tree appear,  
If all its dainty blooms young Apples were.  
But how much more might one upon it see,  
If all would hang there till they ripe should be.  
But most of all in Beauty 'twould abound,  
If than none worm-eaten could there be found.   

But we, alas! Do commonly behold  
Blooms fall apace, if mornings be but cold.  
They (too) which hang till they young Apples are,  
By blasting Winds and Vermine take despair.  
Store that do hang, while almost ripe, we see  
By blustering Winds are shaken from the Tree.  
So that of many only some there be,  
That grow till they come to Maturity.    

Comparison.  

This Tree a perfect Emblem is of those,  
Which God doth plant, which in his Garden grows.   

It's blasted Blooms are Motions unto Good,  
Which i'll Affections do nip in the bud.   

Those little Apples which yet blasted are,  
Show, some good Purposes, no good Fruits bare.   

Those spoiled by Vermin are to let us see,  
How good Attempts by bad Thoughts ruin'd be.   

Those which the Wind blows down, while they are green,  
Show, good Works have by Trial spoiled been:   

Those that abide, while ripe, upon the Tree,  
Show, in a good man some ripe Fruit will be.   

Behold then how abortive some Fruits are,  
Which at the first most promising appear.   

The Frost, the Wind, the Worm with time doth show,  
There flows from much Appearance, works but few.     

XXVII. On the Post-boy.  


BEhold this Post-boy, with what haste and speed  
He travels on the Road; and there is need  
That he so does, his Business call for haste.  
For should he in his Journey now be cast,  
His Life for that default might hap to go;  
Yea, and the Kingdom come to ruin too.   

Stages are for him fixed, his hour is set,  
He has a Horn to sound, that none may let  
Him in his haste, or give him stop or stay.  
Then Post-boy blow thy horn, and go thy way.    

Comparison.  
This Post-boy in this haste an Emblem is,  
Of those that are set out for lasting Bliss.  
Nor Posts that glide the road from day to day,  
Have so much business, nor concerns as they.  
Make clear the road then, Post-boy sound thy horn,  
Miscarry here, and better ne'er been born.    

XXVIII. Upon the Horse in the Mill.  

Horse's that work i'th'Mill must hoodwinked be;  
For they'll be sick or giddy, if they see.  
But keep them blind enough, and they will go  
That way which would a seeing Horse undo.   

Comparison.  
Thus 'tis with those that do go Satan's Round,  
No seeing man can live upon his ground.  
Then let us count those unto sin inclined,  
Either besides their wits, bewitched or blind.    

XXIX. Upon a Ring of Bells.  


BElls have wide mouths and tongues, but are too weak,  
Have they not help, to sing, or talk, or speak.  
But if you move them they will make't appear,  
By speaking they'll make all the Town to hear.   

When Ringers handle them with Art and Skill,  
They then the ears of their Observers fill,  
With such brave Notes, they thing and tang so well  
As to out strip all with their ding, dung, Bell.    

Comparison.  

These Bells are like the Powers of my Soul;  
Their Clappers to the Passions of my mind:  
The Ropes by which my Bells are made to toll,  
Are Promises (I by experience find.)   

My body is the Steeple, where they hang,  
My Graces they which do ring every Bell:  
Nor is there any thing gives such a tang,  
When by these Ropes these Ringers ring them well.   

Let not my Bells these Ringers want, nor Ropes;  
Yea let them have room for to swing and sway:  
To toss themselves deny them not their Scopes.  
Lord! in my Steeple give them room to play.  
If they do toll, ring out, or chime all in,  
They drown the tempting tinkling Voice of Vice:  
Lord! when my Bells have gone, my Soul has been  
As 'twere a tumbling in this Paradise!   

Or if these Ringers do the Changes ring,  
Upon my Bells, they do such Music make,  
My Soul then (Lord) cannot but bounce and sing,  
So greatly her they with their Music take.  
But Boys (my Lusts) into my Belfry go,  
And pull these Ropes, but do no Music make:  
They rather turn my Bells by what they do,  
Or by disorder make my Steeple shake.   

Then, Lord! I pray thee keep my Belfry Key,  
●et none but Graces meddle with these Ropes:  
●nd when these naughty Boys come, say them Nay,  
●rom such Ringers of Music there's no hopes.   

O Lord! If thy poor Child might have his will,  
And might his meaning freely to thee tell;  
He never of this Music has his fill,  
There's nothing to him like thy ding, dung, Bell.     

XXX. Upon the Thief.  

THe Thief, when he doth steal, thinks he doth gain▪  
Yet than the greatest Loss he doth sustain.  
Come Thief, tell me thy Gains, but do not falter  
When summed what comes it to more than the Halter▪   

Perhaps, thou'lt say, the Halter I defy;  
So thou mayst say, yet by the Halter die.  
Thou'lt say, then there's an end; no, prithee hold  
He was no Friend of thine that thee so told.   

Hear thou the Word of God, that will thee tell  
Without Repentance Thiefs must go to Hell.  
But should it be as thy false Prophet says,  
Yet nought but Loss doth come by Thievish ways.   

All honest men will flee thy Company,  
Thou liv'st a Rogue, and so a Rogue wilt die.  
Innocent boldness thou hast none at all,  
Thy inward thoughts do thee a Villain call.   

Sometimes when thou liest warmly on thy Bed,  
Thou art like one unto the Gallows led.  
Fear, as a Constable, breaks in upon thee;  
Thou art as if the Town was up to stone thee.   

If Hogs do grunt, or silly Rats do rusle,  
Thou art in consternations, think'st a bustle  
By men about the door is made to take thee:  
And all because good Conscience doth forsake thee.   

Thy case is most deplorably bad;  
Thou shun'st to think on't, lest thou shouldst be mad:  
Thou art beset with mischiefs every way,  
The Gallows groaneth for thee every day.   

Wherefore, I prithee Thief, thy Theft forbear,  
Consult thy safety, prithee have a care.  
If once thy Head be got within the Noose,  
'Twill be too late a longer Life to choose.   

As to the Penitent thou readest of,  
What's that to them who at Repentance scoff.  
Nor is that Grace at thy Command or Power,  
That thou shouldst put it off till the last hour.   

I prithee Thief think on't, and turn betime;  
Few go to Life who do the Gallows climb.    

XXXI. Of the Child with the Bird at the Bush.  


My little Bird, how canst thou sit;  
And sing amidst so many Thorns!  
Let me but hold upon thee get;  
My Love with Honour thee adorns.   

Thou art at present little worth;  
Five farthings none will give for thee.  
But prithee little Bird come forth,  
Thou of more value art to me.   

'Tis true, it is Sunshine to day,  
Tomorrow Birds will have a Storm;  
My pretty one, come thou away,  
My Bosom then shall keep thee warm.   

Thou subject art to cold o'nights,  
When darkness is thy covering,  
At day's thy dangers great by Kites,  
How canst thou then sit there and sing?   

Thy food is scarce and scanty too,  
'Tis Worms and Trash which thou dost eat;  
Thy present state I pity do,  
Come, I'll provide thee better meat.   

I'll feed thee with white Bread and Milk,  
And Sugarplumbs, if them thou crave;  
I'll cover thee with finest Silk,  
That from the cold I may thee save.   

My Father's Palace shall be thine,  
Yea in it thou shalt sit and sing;  
My little Bird, if thou'lt be mine,  
The whole year round shall be thy Spring.   

I'll teach thee all the Notes at Court;  
Unthought of Music thou shalt play;  
And all that thither do resort,  
Shall praise thee for it every day.   

I'll keep thee safe from Cat and Cur,  
No manner o'harm shall come to thee;  
Yea, I will be thy Succourer,  
My Bosom shall thy cabin be.  
But lo, behold, the Bird is gone;  
These Charm would not make her yield:  
The Child's left at the Bush alone,  
The Bird flies yonder o'er the Field.    

Comparison.  

This Child of Christ an Emblem is;  
The Bird to Sinners I compare:  
The Thorns are like those Sins of his,  
Which do surround him every where.   

Her Songs, her Food, and Sunshine day,  
An Emblem's of those foolish Toys,  
Which to Destruction lead the way,  
The fruit of worldly, empty Joys.   

The Arguments this Child doth choose,  
To draw to him a Bird thus wild,  
Shows Christ familiar Speech doth use,  
To makes to him be reconciled.   

The Bird in that she takes her Wing,  
To speed her from him after all:  
Shows us, vain Man loves any thing,  
Much better than the Heavenly Call.     

XXXII. Of Moses and his Wife.  

THis Moses was a fair and comely man;  
His wife a swarthy Ethiopian:  
Nor did his Milk-white Bosom change her Skin;  
She came out thence as black as she went in.  
Now Moses was a type of Moses Law,  
His Wife likewise of one that never saw  
Another way unto eternal Life;  
There's Mystery then in Moses and his Wife.   

The Law is very Holy, Just and good,  
And to it is espoused all Flesh and Blood:  
But this its Goodness it cannot bestow,  
On any that are wedded thereunto.   

Therefore as Moses Wife came swarthy in,  
And went out from him without change of Skin:  
So he that doth the Law for Life adore,  
Shall yet by it be left a Blackamoor.    

XXXIII. Upon the barren Figtree in God's Vineyard  

What barren, here! in this, so good a soil?  
The sight of this doth make God's heart recoil  
From giving thee his Blessing: Barren Tree,  
Bear Fruit, else thine end will cursed be!   

Art thou not planted by the water side?  
knowst not thy Lord by Fruit is glorified?  
The Sentence is, cut down the barren Tree:  
Bear Fruit, or else thine End will cursed be▪   

Hast not been digged about, and dunged too,  
Will neither Patience, nor yet Dressing do?  
The Executioner is come, O Tree,  
Bear Fruit, or else thine End will cursed be!   

He that about thy Roots takes pains to dig,  
Would if on thee were found but one good Fig,  
Preserve thee from the Axe: But barren Tree,  
Bear Fruit, or else thy End will cursed be!   

The utmost end of Patience is at hand,  
'Tis much if thou much longer here doth stand.  
O Cumber-ground, thou art a barren Tree,  
Bear Fruit, or else thine End will cursed be!   

Thy standing nor thy name will help at all,  
When fruitful Trees are spared thou must fall.  
The Axe is laid unto thy Roots, O Tree!  
Bear fruit, or else thine End will cursed be!    

XXXIIII. Of the Rose-bush.  


THis homely Bush doth to mine eyes expose,  
A very fair, yea comely, ruddy, Rose.  
This Rose doth also bow its head to me,  
Saying, come, pluck me, I thy Rose will be.  
Yet offer I to gather Rose or Bud,  
Ten to one but the Bush will have my Blood.   

This looks like a Trappan, or a Decoy,  
To offer, and yet snap who would enjoy.  
Yea, the more eager on't, the more in danger,  
Be he the Master of it, or a Stranger.   

Bush, why dost bear a Rose? If none must have it,  
Why dost expose it, yet claw those that crave it?  
Art become freakish? Dost the Wanton play,  
Or doth thy testy humour tend this way?    

Comparison.  

This Rose God's Son is, with his ruddy Looks.  
But what's the Bush? Whose pricks, like tenterhooks,  
Do scratch and claw the finest Ladies hands,  
Or rend her clothes, if she too near it stands.   

This Bush an Emblem is of Adam's race  
Of which Christ came, when he his Father's Grace  
Commended to us in his crimson Blood,  
While he in Sinners stead and Nature stood.   

Thus Adam's Race did bear this dainty Rose,  
And doth the same to Adam's Race expose:  
But those of Adam's Race which at it catch,  
Adam's Race will them prick and claw and scratch.     

XXXV. Of the going down of the Sun.  

What, hast thou run thy Race? Art going down?  
Thou seemest angry, why dost on us frown?  
Yea wrap thy head with Clouds, and hide thy face,  
As threatening to withdraw from us thy Grace?  
Oh leave us not! When once thou hidest thy head,  
Our Horizon with darkness will be spread.  
Tell's, who hath thee offended? Turn again:  
Alas! too late Entreaties are in vain!   

Comparison.  

Our Gospel has had here a Summer's day;  
But in its Sunshine we, like Fools, did play.  
Or else fall out, and with each other wrangle,  
And did instead of work not much but jangle.   

And if our Sun seems angry, hides his face,  
Shall it go down, shall Night possess this place?  
Let not the voice of night-Birds us afflict,  
And of our misspent Summer us convict.     

XXXVI. Upon the Frog.  

THe Frog by Nature is both damp and cold.  
Her Mouth is large, her Belly much will hold:  
She sits somewhat ascending, loves to be  
Croaking in Gardens, though unpleasantly.   

Comparison.  
The Hypocrite is like unto this Frog;  
As like as is the Puppy to the Dog.  
He is of nature cold, his Mouth is wide,  
To prate, and at true Goodness to deride.  
He mounts his Head, as if he was above  
The World, when yet 'tis that which has his Love.  
And though he seeks in Churches for to croak,  
He neither loveth Jesus, nor his Yoke.    

XXXVII. Upon the whipping of a Top.  

'TIs with the Whip the Boy sets up the Top,  
The Whip makes it run round upon its Toe;  
The Whip makes it hither and thither hop:  
'Tis with the Whip, the Top is made to go.   

Comparison.  
Our Legalist is like unto this Top,  
Without a Whip, he doth not Duty do.  
Let Moses whip him, he will skip and hop;  
Forbear to whip, he'll neither stand nor go.    

XXXVIII. Upon the Pismire.  

MUst we unto the Pis-mire go to School,  
To learn of her, in Summer to provide  
For Winter next ensuing; Man's a Fool,  
Or silly Ants would not be made his Guide.   

But Sluggard, is it not a shame for thee,  
To be outdone by Pis-mires? Prithee hear:  
Their Works (too) will thy Condemnation be,  
When at the Judgement Seat thou shalt appear.   

But since thy God doth bid thee to her go,  
Obey, her ways consider, and be wise.  
The Piss-ants tell thee will what thou must do,  
And set the way to Life before thine eyes.    

XXXIX. Upon the Beggar.  

HE wants, he asks, he pleads his Poverty,  
They within doors do him an Alms deny.  
He doth repeat and aggravate his Grief;  
But they repulse him, give him no relief.  
He begs, they say, be gone; he will not hear,  
But coughs, sighs and make signs, he still is there.  
They disregard him, he repeats his groans;  
They still say nay, and he himself bemoans.  
The grow more rugged, they call him Vagrant;  
He cries the shriller, trumpets out his want.  
At last when they perceive he'll take no Nay,  
An Alms they give him without more delay.   

Comparison.  
This Beggar doth resemble them that pray  
To God for Mercy, and will take no Nay.  
But wait, and count that all his hard Gain-says,  
Are nothing else, but fatherly Delays.  
Then imitate him, praying Souls, and cry:  
There's nothing like to Importunity.    

XL. Upon an Instrument of Music in an unskilful Hand.  


SUppose a Viol, Cittern, Lute, or Harp,  
Committed unto him that wanteth Skill;  
Can he by Strokes, suppose them flat or sharp,  
The Ear of him that hears with Music fill?   

No, no, he can do little else then scrape,  
Or put all out of tune, or break a string:  
Or make thereon a muttering like an Ape,  
Or like one which can neither say nor sing.    

Comparison.  
The unlearned Novices in things Divine,  
With this unskilled Musician I compare:  
For such, instead of making Truth to shine,  
Abuse the Bible, and unsavoury are.    

XLI. Upon the Horse and his Rider.  


THere's one rides very sagely on the Road,  
Showing that he affects the gravest Mode.  
Another rides Tantivy, or full Trot,  
To show, much Gravity he matters not.   

Lo, here comes one amain, he rides full speed,  
Hedge, Ditch, nor Miry Bog, he doth not heed.   

One claws it up Hill without stop or check,  
Another down, as if he'd break his Neck.   

Now every Horse has his especial Guider;  
Then by his going you may know the Rider.    

Comparison  

Now let us turn our Horse into a Man,  
His Rider to a Spirit, if we can:  
Then let us by the Methods of the Guider,  
Tell every Horse how he should know his Rider.   

Some go as Men direct in a right way,  
Nor are they suffered to go astray:  
As with a Bridle they are governed,  
And kept from Paths, which lead unto the dead.  

Now this good man has his especial Guider;  
Then by his going let him know his Rider.    

Some go as if they did not greatly care,  
Whether of Heaven or Hell they should be Heir.  
The Rein it seems as laid upon their Neck,  
They seem to go their way without a check.  

Now this man too has his especial Guider;  
And by his going he may know his Rider.    

Some again run, as if resolved to die,  
Body and Soul to all Eternity.  
Good Counsel they by no means can abide;  
They'll have their course, whatever them betid.  

Now these poor Men have their especial Guider;  
Were they not Fools they soon might know their Rider.    

There's one makes head against all Godliness,  
Those (too) that do profess it he'll distress:  
He'll taunt and flout, if Goodness doth appear,  
And at its Countenancers mock and jeer.  

Now this man (too) has his especial Guider;  
And by his going he might know his Rider.      

XLII. Upon the Sight of a Pound of Candles falling to the Ground.  

BUt be the Candles down, and scattered too,  
Some lying here, some there? What shall we do?  
Hold, light the Candle there that stands on high,  
It you may find the other Candles by.  
Light that, I say, and so take up the Pound,  
You did let fall, and scatter on the Ground.   

Comparison.  

The fallen Candles to us intimate,  
The bulk of God's Elect in their lapsed State.  
Their lying scattered in the dark may be,  
To show by Man's lapsed State his Misery,   

The Candle that was taken down, and lighted,  
Thereby to find them fallen, and benighted,  
Is Jesus Christ: God by his Light doth gather  
Who he will save, and be unto a Father.     

XLIII. Of Fowls flying in the Air.  


MEthinks I see a Sight most excellent,  
All Sorts of Birds fly in the Firmament:  
Some great, some small, all of a divers kind,  
Mine Eye affecting, pleasant to my Mind,  
Look how they tumble in the wholesome Air,  
Above the World of Worldlings, and their care.   

And as they divers are in Bulk and Hue,  
So are they in their way of flying too.   

So many Birds, so many various things,  
Tumbling i'th'Element upon their Wings.    

Comparison.  

These Birds are Emblems of those men, that shall  
Ere long possess the Heavens, their All in All.   

They are each of a divers shape, and kind;  
To teach, we of all Nations there shall find.   

They are some great, some little, as we see;  
To show, some great, some small, in Glory be.   

Their flying diversely, as we behold;  
Do show Saints Joys will there be manifold.   

Some glide, some mount, some flutter, and some do,  
In a mixed way of flying, glory too.  
And all to show each Saint, to his content,  
Shall roll and tumble in that Firmament.     

XLIV. Upon a Penny Loaf.  

THy Price one Penny is, in time of Plenty;  
In Famine doubled 'tis, from one to twenty.  
Yea, no man knows what Price on thee to set,  
When there is but one Penny Loaf to get.   

Comparison.  
THis Loaf's an Emblem of the Word of God,  
A thing of low Esteem, before the Rod  
Of Famine smites the Soul with Fear of Death:  
But than it is our All, our Life, our Breath.    

XLV. Upon the Vine-tree.  

What is the Vine, more than another Tree,  
Nay most, than it, more tall, more comely be?  
What Workman thence will take a Beam or Pin,  
To make aught which may be delighted in?  

It's Excellency in its Fruit doth lie.  
A fruitless Vine! It is not worth a Fly.    

Comparison.  
What are Professors more than other men?  
Nothing at all. Nay, there's not one in ten,  
Either for Wealth, or Wit, that may compare,  
In many things, with some that Carnal are.  
Good are they if they mortify their Sin;  
But without that they are not worth a Pin.    

XLVI. The Boy and Watchmaker.  

THis Watch my Father did on me bestow,  
A Golden one it is, but 'twill not go,  
Unless it be at an Uncertainty;  
But as good none, as one to tell a Lye.   

When 'tis high Day, my Hand will stand at nine;  
I think there's no man's Watch so bad as mine.  
Sometimes 'tis ●●llen, 'twill not go at all,  
And yet 'twas never broke, nor had a Fall.   Watchmaker. 
Your Watch, though it be good, through want of skill,  
May fail to do according to your will.  
Suppose the Balance, Wheels, and Spring be good,  
And all things else, unless you understood  
To manage it, as Watches ought to be,  
Your Watch will still be at Uncertainty.  
Come, tell me, do you keep it from the Dust?  
Yea wind it also duly up you must.  
Take heed (too) that you do not strain the String;  
You must be circumspect in every thing.  
Or else your Watch, were it as good again,  
Would not with Time, and Tide you entertain.  

Comparison.  

This Boy an Emblem is of a Convert;  
His Watch of th'work of Grace within his heart.  
The Watchmaker is Jesus Christ our Lord,  
His Counsel, the Directions of his Word.  
Then Convert, if thy heart be out of frame,  
Of this Watchmaker learn to mend the same.   

Do not lay ope'thy heart to worldly Dust,  
Nor let thy Graces overgrow with Rust.  
Be oft renewed in th' Spirit of thy mind,  
Or else uncertain thou thy Watch wilt find.     

XLVII. Upon the Boy and his Paper of Plumbs.  


What hast thou there, my pretty Boy?  
Plumbs? How? Yes, Sir, a Paper full.  
I thought 'twas so, because with Joy  
Thou didst them out thy Paper pull.   

The Boy goes from me, eats his Plumbs,  
Which he counts better of than Bread:  
But by and by he to me comes,  
With nought but Paper and the Thread.    

Comparison.  

This Boy an Emblem is of such.  
Whose Lot in worldly things doth lie:  
Glory they in them ne'er so much,  
Their pleasant Springs will soon be dry.   

Their Wealth, their Health, Honours and Life,  
Will quickly to a period come;  
If for these, is their only Strife,  
They soon will not be worth a Plumb.     

XLVIII. Upon a Looking-glass.  

IN this, see thou thy Beauty, hast thou any:  
Or thy defects, should they be few or many.  
Thou mayst (too) here thy Spots and Freckles see,  
Hast thou but Eyes, and what their Numbers be.  
But art thou blind, there is no Looking Glass,  
Can show thee thy defects, thy Spots, or Face.   

Comparison.  

Unto this Glass we may compare the Word,  
For that to man advantage doth afford,  
(Has he a Mind to know himself and State;)  
To see what will be his Eternal Fate.   

But without Eyes, alas! How can he see?  
Many that seem to look here, blind Men be.  
This is the Reason, they so often read,  
Their Judgement there, and do it nothing dread.     

XLIX. Upon a Lantern.  

THe Lantern is to keep the Candle Light,  
When it is windy, and a darksome Night.  
O deigned it also was, that men might see  
By Night their way, and so in safety be.   

Comparison.  

Compare we now our Lantern to the man,  
That has within his heart a Work of Grace.  
As for another let him, if he can,  
Do as this Lantern, in its time and place:   

Profess the Faith, and thou a Lantern art:  
But yet if Grace has not possessed thee:  
Thou want'st this Candle Light within thy heart,  
And art none other, than dark Lanterns be.     

L. Of the Love of Christ.  

THe love of Christ, poor I! may touch upon;  
But 'tis unsearchable. Oh! There is none  
It's large Dimensions can comprehend,  
Should they dilate thereon, World without end.   

When we had sinned, in his Zeal he swore,  
That he upon his back our Sins would bear.  
And since unto Sin is entailed Death,  
He vowed, for our Sins he'd lose his Breath.   

He did not only say, vow, or resolve,  
But to Astonishment did so involve  
Himself, in man's distress and misery,  
As for, and with him, both to live and die.   

To his eternal Fame, in Sacred Story,  
We find that he did lay aside his Glory.  
Stepped from the Throne of highest Dignity;  
Become poor Man, did in a Manger lie;  
Yea was beholding unto his for Bread;  
Had, of his own, not where to lay his Head.  
Tho rich, he did, for us, become thus poor,  
That he might make us rich for evermore.   

Nor was this but the least of what he did;  
But the outside of what he suffered.  
God made his Blessed Son under the Law;  
Under the Curse, which, like the Lion's Paw,  
Did rend and tear his Soul, for mankind's Sin,  
More than if we for it in Hell had been.  
His Cries, his Tears, and Bloody Agony,  
The nature of his Death, doth testify.   

Nor did he of Constraint himself thus give,  
For Sin, to death, that man might with him live.  
He did do what he did most willingly,  
He sung, and gave God Thanks, that he must die.   

But do Kings use to die for Captive Slaves?  
Yet we were such, when Jesus died to save's.   

Yea, when he made himself a Sacrifice,  
It was that he might save his Enemies.   

And, though he was provoked to retract  
His blessed Resolves, for such, so good an Act,  
By the abusive Carriages of those  
That did both him, his Love, and Grace oppose:  
Yet he, as unconcerned with such things,  
Goes on, determines to make Captives Kings.  
Yea, many of his Murderers he takes  
Into his Favour, and them Princes makes.    

LI. Of the Horse and Drum.  

SOme Horses will, some can't endure the Drum,  
But snort and flounce, if it doth near them come.  
They will, nor Bridle nor Rider obey,  
But head strong be, and fly out of the way.   

These skittish Jades, that can't this noise abide,  
Nor will be ruled by him that doth them ride;  
I do compare those our Professors to,  
Which start from Godliness in Trials do.  
To these, the threats that are against them made,  
Are like this Drum to this our starting Jade.  
They are offended at them and forsake  
Christ, of whose ways they did Profession make.   

But, as I said, there other Horses be,  
That from a Drum will neither start, nor flee.  
Let Drummers beat a Charge, or what they will,  
They'll nose them, facethem, keep their places still.  
They fly not when they to those rattling come,  
But like Warhorses do endure the Drum.    

LII. On the Kackling of a Hen.  

THe Hen so soon as she an Egg doth lay,  
(Spreads the Fame of her doing▪ what she may.)  
About the Yard she kackling now doth go,  
To tell what't was she at her Nest did do.   

Just thus it is with some Professing men,  
If they do aught that good is, like our Hen,  
They can't but kackle on't, where 'ere they go,  
What their right hand doth, their left hand must know.    

LIII. Upon an Hourglass.  

THis Glass when made, was by the Workman's Skill,  
The Sum of sixty minutes to fulfil.  
Time more, nor less, by it will out be spun,  
But just an Hour, and then the Glass is run.   

Man's Life, we will compare unto this Glass,  
The Number of his Months he cannot pass;  
But when he has accomplished his day,  
He, like a Vapour, vanisheth away.    

LIV. Upon the Chalk-stone.  

THis Stone is white, yea, warm, and also soft,  
Easy to work upon, unless 'tis naught.  
It leaves a white Impression upon those,  
Whom it doth touch, be they its Friends or Foes.   

The Child of God, is like to this Chalk-stone,  
White in his Life▪ easily wrought upon:  
Warm in Affections, apt to leave impress,  
On whom he deals with, of true Godliness.   

He is no sulling Coal, nor daubing Pitch,  
Nor one of whom men catch the Scab, or Itch;  
But such who in the Law of God doth walk,  
Tender of heart, in Life whiter than Chalk:    

LV. Upon a Stinking Breath.  

DOth this proceed from an infected Air?  
Or from man's common, sweet and wholesome Fare?  
It comes from a foul Stomach, or what's worse,  
Ulcerous Lungs, Teeth, or a private Curse.   

To this, I some men's Notions do compare,  
Who seem to breathe in none but Scripture Air.  
They suck it in, but breathe it out again,  
So putrified, that it doth scarce retain  
Any thing of its native Excellence.  
It only serves to fix the Pestilence  
Of their delusive Notions, in the mind  
Of the next foolish Proselyte they find.    

LVI. Upon Death.  

DEath's a cold Comforter to Girls and Boys,  
Who wedded are unto their Childish Toys:  
More Grim he looks upon our lustful Youth,  
Who, against Knowledge, ●light God's saving Truth  
But most of all, he dismal is to those,  
Who once professed the Truth, they now oppose.   

Death has a Dart, a Sting, which Poison is,  
As all will find, who do of Glory miss.  
This Sting is Sin, the Laws its Strength, and he,  
Or they, will find it so, who damned be.   

True, Jesus Christ, indeed, did Death destroy,  
For those who worthy are, him to enjoy.  
He washes them in's Blood from every Sin  
They're guilty of, or subject to hath been.  
So here's, nor Sting, nor Law, nor Death to kill,  
And yet Death always, some men torment will.   

But this seems Het'rodox or Mystery,  
For Death to live to some, to some to die;  
Yet 'tis so, when God doth man's Sin forgive,  
Death dies, but where 'tis charged, Death doth live.    

LVII. Upon the Snail.  


SHe goes but softly, but she goeth sure,  
She stumbles not, as stronger Creatures do:  
Her Journeys shorter, so she may endure,  
Better than they which do much further go.   

She makes no noise, but stilly seizeth on  
The Flower or Herb, appointed for her food;  
The which she quietly doth feed upon,  
While others range, and gare, but find no good.   

And though she doth but very softly go,  
How ever 'tis not fast, nor slow, but sure;  
And certainly they that do travel so,  
The prize they do aim at, they do procure.    

Comparison.  

Although they seem not much to stir, less go,  
For Christ that hunger, or from Wrath, that flee;  
Yet what they seek for, quickly thy come to,  
Tho it doth seem the farthest off to be.   

One Act of Faith doth bring them to that Flower,  
They so long for, that they may eat and live;  
Which to attain is not in others Power▪  
Tho for it a King's Ransom they would give.   

Then let none faint, nor be at all dismayed,  
That Life by Christ do seek, they shall not fail  
To have it, let them nothing be afraid;  
The Herb, and Flower is eaten by the Snail.     

LVIII. Of the Spouse of Christ.  

Who's this that cometh from the Wilderness▪  
Like Smoky Pillars, thus perfumed with Myrrh  
Leaning upon her dearest in Distress,  
Led into's Bosom, by the Comforter?   

She's clothed with the Sun, crowned with twelve Stars,  
The spotted Moon her Footstool he hath made.  
The Dragon her assaults, fills her with Jars,  
Yet rests she under her Beloved's Shade.   

But whence was she? what is her Pedigree?  
Was not her Father, a poor Amorite?  
What was her Mother, but as others be,  
A poor, a wretched and sinful Hittite!   

Yea, as for her, the day that she was born,  
As loathsome, out of doors, they did her cast;  
Naked, and Filthy, Stinking, and forlorn:  
This was her Pedigree from first to last.   

Nor was she pitied in this Estate;  
All let her lie polluted in her Blood:  
None her Condition did commiserate,  
Their was no Heart that sought to do her good.   

Yet she unto these Ornaments is come,  
Her Breasts are fashioned, her Hair is grown;  
She is made Heiress of the best Kingdom;  
All her Indignities away are blown.   

Cast out she was, but now she home is taken,  
Naked (sometimes) but now you see she's cloed;  
Now made the Darling, though before forsaken.,  
Barefoot, but now, as Prince's Daughters, shod.   

Instead of Filth, she now has her Perfumes,  
Instead of Ignominy. her Chains of Gold:  
Instead of what the Beauty most consumes,  
Her Beauty's perfect, lovely to behold.   

Those that attend, and wait upon her, be  
Princes of Honour, clothed in white Array;  
Upon her Head's a Crown of Gold, and she  
Eats Wheat, Honey, and Oil, from day to day.   

For her Beloved, he's the Highest of all,  
The only Potentate, the King of Kings:  
Angels, and Men, do him Jehovah call,  
And from him, Life, and Glory, always springs.   

He's white, and ruddy, and of all the Chief;  
His Head, his Locks, his Eyes, his Hands, and Feet,  
Do for Compleatness outgo all Belief;  
His checks like Flowers are, his Mouth's most sweet.   

As for his Wealth he is made Heir of all,  
What is in Heaven, what is on Earth, is his:  
And he this Lady, his joint-heir, doth call,  
Of all that shall be, or at present is.   

Well Lady, well, God has been good to thee,  
Thou, of an Out-cast, now art made a Queen.  
Few or none may with thee compared be;  
A Beggar made thus high is seldom seen.  
Take heed of Pride, remember what thou art,  
By Nature, though thou hast in Grace a share:  
Thou in thyself doth yet retain a part  
Of thine own Filthiness, wherefore beware.    

LIX. Upon a Skilful Player on an Instrument.  


HE that can play well on an Instrument,  
Will take the Ear, and captivate the Mind,  
With Mirth, or Sadness: For that it is bend  
Thereto as Music, in it, place doth find.   

But if one hears that hath therein no skill,  
(As often Music lights of such a chance)  
Of its brave Notes, they soon be weary will;  
And there are some can neither sing nor dance.    

Comparison.  

Unto him that thus skilfully doth play,  
God doth compare a Gospel-Minister,  
That rightly preacheth (and doth Godly prey)  
Applying truly what doth thence infer.   

This man, whether of Wrath or Grace he preach,  
So skilfully doth handle every Word;  
And by his Saying, doth the heart so reach,  
That it doth joy or sigh before the Lord.   

But some there be, which, as the Bruit, doth lie  
Under the Word, without the least advance  
God-ward: Such do despise the Ministry,  
They weep not at it, neither to it dance.     

LX. Upon Fly-blows.  

THere is good Meat provided for man's Health.  
To this the Flesh-fly comes, as 'twere by Stealth.  
Bloweth thereon, and so Be-maggots it,  
As that it is, though wholesome, quite unfit  
For queasy Stomaches, they must pass it by:  
Now is not this a prejudicial Fly?   

Comparison.  
Let this good Meat, good Doctrine signify,  
And call him which reproaches it, this Fly.  
For as this Flesh-fly blows this wholesome meat,  
That it the queasy Stomach cannot eat:  
So they which do good Doctrine scandalise,  
Present it unto some in such Disguise;  
That they cannot accept, nor with it close,  
But slight it, and themselves to Death expose.  
Reproach it then, thou art a mauling Club,  
This Fly, yea, and the Son of Belzebub.    

LXI. Of Man by Nature  

FRom God he's a Back-slider,  
Of Ways, he loves the wider;  
With Wickedness a Cider,  
More Venom than a Spider.   

In Sin he's a Consider,  
A makebate, and Divider;  
Blind Reason is his Guider,  
The Devil is his Rider.    

LXII. Of Physic:  
PUrging Physic, taken to heat or cool,  
Worketh by Vomit, Urine, Sweat or Stool;  
But if it worketh not, than we do fear  
The danger's great, the Person's Death is near.  
If more be added, and it worketh not;  
And more, and yet the same's the Patients Lot.  
All hope of Life from Standers-by is fled,  
The Party sick is counted now as dead.  

Comparison.  

Count ye the Sick, one that's not yet converted,  
Impenitent, Incredulous, Hard hearted:  
In whom vile Sin is so predominant,  
And the Soul in its Acts so conversant;  
That like one with Diseases overrun,  
This man with it at present is undone.   

Now let the Physic be the Holy Word,  
(The Blessed Doctrine of our Dearest lord)  
And let the Doses to the Patient given  
Be, by Directions of the God of Heaven.  
Convincing Sermons, sharp and sound Rebukes,  
Let them be Beggars, Knights, Lords, Earls or Dukes:  
You must not spare them, Life doth lie at Stake,  
And die they will, if Physic they don't take.   

If these do finely work, then let them have  
Directions unto him that can them save.  
Lay open then the Riches of his Grace,  
And Merits of his Blood before their Face.  
Show them likewise, how free he is to give  
His Justice unto them, that they may live.  
If they will doubt, and not your Word believe,  
Show them, at present they have a Reprieve;  
On purpose they might out their Pardon sue,  
And have the Glory of it in their view.   

Instances of this Goodness set before,  
Their Eyes, that they this Mercy may adore.  
And if this Physic taken worketh well,  
Fear not a Cure, you save a Soul from Hell.   

But if these Doses do not kindly work,  
If the Disease still in their Mind doth lurk:  
If they instead of throwing up their Vice,  
Do vomit up the Word, loath Paradise:  
Repeat the Potion, them new Doses give,  
Which are much stronger, perhaps they may live:  
But if they serve these as they served the rest,  
And thou perceivest it is not to them Blest:  
If they remain incorrigible still,  
And will the Number of their Sins fulfil;  
The Holy Text doth say that they must die;  
Yea, and be damned without Remedy.     

LXIII. Upon a Pair of Spectacles.  


SPectacles are for Sight, and not for Show,  
Necessity doth Spectacles commend;  
was't not for need, there is but very few,  
That would for wearing Spectacles contend.   

We use to count them very dark indeed,  
Whose Eyes so dim are, that they cannot be  
Helped by Spectacles; such men have need  
A Miracle be wrought to make them see.    

Comparison.  

Compare Spectacles to God's Ordinances,  
For they present us with his Heavenly Things;  
Which else we could not see for hindrances,  
That from our dark and foolish Nature springs.   

If this be so, what shall we say of them,  
Who at God's Ordinances scoff and jeer?  
They do those Blessed Spectacles condemn,  
By which Divine Things are made to appear.     

LXIV. Upon our being so afraid of small Creatures.  

MAn by Creation was made Lord of all,  
But now he is become an Underling;  
He thought he should a gained by his Fall,  
But lost his Head-ship over every thing.   

What! What! A humane Creature and afraid  
Of Frogs, Dogs, Cats, Rats, Mice, or such like Creature?  
This fear of thine has fully thee betrayed,  
Thou art Back-slid from God, to him a Traitor.   

How by his Fall is stately Man decayed?  
Nor is it in his hand now to renew him,  
Of things dismayed, at him, he is afraid;  
Worms, Lice, Flies, Mice; Yea Vanities subdue him.    

LXV. Upon our being afraid of the Apparition of Evil Spirits.  
Some fear more the Appearance of the Devil,  
Than the Commission of the greatest Evil.  
They start, they tremble, if they think he's near,  
But can't be pleased unless Sin appear.  
These Birds, the Fowler's Presence doth affright,  
To be among his Lime-twigs they delight.  
But, just men who have with the Devil been.  
Have been more safe, than some in Heaven with Sin.   

LXVI. Upon the Disobedient Child.  

CHildren become, while little, our delights,  
When they grow bigger, they begin to fright's.  
Their sinful Nature prompts them to rebel,  
And to delight in Paths that lead to Hell.  
Their Parent's Love, and Care, they overlook,  
As if Relation had them quite forsaken.  
They take the Counsels of the Wanton's rather,  
Than the most grave Instructions of a Father.  
They reckon Parents ought to do for them,  
Tho they the Fifth Commandment contemn.  
They snap, and snarl, if Parents them control,  
Tho but in things, most hurtful to the Soul.  
They reckon they are Masters, and that we,  
Who Parents are, should to them Subject be!  
If Parents fain would have a hand in choosing,  
The Children have a heart will in refusing.  
They'll by wrong doings, under Parents, gather  
And say, it is no Sin to rob a Father,  
They'll jostle Parents out of place and Power,  
They'll make themselves the Head, and them devour.  
How many Children, by becoming Head,  
Have brought their Parents to a piece of Bread!  
Thus they who at the first were Parents Joy,  
Turn that to Bitterness, themselves destroy.   

But Wretched Child, how canst thou thus requite  
Thy Aged Parents, for that great delight  
They took in thee, when thou, as helpless lay  
In their▪ Indulgent Bosoms day by day?  
Thy Mother, long before she brought thee forth,  
Took care thou shouldst want, neither Food, nor Cloth.  
Thy Father glad was at his very heart,  
Had he, to thee, a Portion to impart.  
Comfort they promised themselves in thee,  
But thou, it seems, to them a Grief wilt be.  
How oft▪ How willingly broke they their Sleep,  
If thou, their Bantling, didst but whinch or weep.  
Their Love to thee was such, they could have given,  
That thou mightst live, almost, their part of Heaven.   

But now, behold, how they rewarded are!  
For their Indulgent Love, and tender Care,  
All is forgot, this Love he doth despise,  
They brought this Bird up to pick out their Eyes.    

LXVII. Upon the Boy on his Hobby-horse.  

LOok how he swaggers, cocks his Hat, and rides,  
How on his Hobby-horse, himself he prides:  
He looketh grim, and up his Head doth toss,  
Sesse he'll ride over's with his Hobby-horse.   

Comparison.  
Some we see mounted upon the Conceit  
That their Wit, Wealth, or Beauty is so great:  
But few their Equals may with them compare,  
Who yet more Godly, Wise, and Honest are.  
Behold how huff, how big they look; how high  
They lift their heads, as if they'd touch the Sky:  
Nor will they count these things, for Christ, a loss,  
So long as they do ride this Hobby-horse.    

LXVIII Upon the Image in the Eye.  
Who looks upon another steadfastly,  
Shall forthwith have his Image in his eye.  
Dost thou believe in Jesus? (Hast that Art?)  
Thy Faith will place his Image in thy heart.   

LXIX. Upon the Wether cock.  
BRave, Weathercock, I see thou'lt set thy Nose,  
Against the Wind, which way soe'er it blows:  
So let a Christian, in any wise,  
Face it with Antichrist in each disguise.   

LXX. Upon a Sheet of white Paper.  

THis subject is unto the foulest Pen,  
Or fairest, handled by the Sons of Men.  
'Twill also show what is upon it writ,  
Be't wisely, or nonsense, for want of wit.  
Each blot, and blur, it also will expose,  
To thy next Readers, be they Friends, or Foes.   

Comparison.  

Some Souls are like unto this Blank or Sheet,  
(Tho not in Whiteness:) the next man they meet;  
If wise, or Fool, debauched, or Deluder,  
Or what you will, the dangerous Intruder  
May write thereon, to cause that man to err,  
In Doctrine, or in Life, with blot and blur.   

Nor will that Soul conceal from who observes,  
But show how foul it is, wherein it swerves:  
A reading man may know who was the Writer,  
And by the Hellish Nonsense, the Inditer.     

LXXI. Upon the Boy dull at his Book.  
SOme Boys have Wit enough to sport and play,  
Who at their Books are Blockheads day by day.  
Some men are arch enough at any Vice,  
But Dunces in the way to Paradise.   

LXXII. Upon Time and Eternity.  
ETernity is like unto a Ring.  
Time, like to Measure, doth itself extend;  
Measure commences, is a finite thing.  
The Ring has no beginning, middle, end.   

LXXIII. Upon Fire.  

WHo falls into the Fire shall burn with heat;  
While those remote scorn from it to retreat.  
Yea while those in it, cry out, oh! I burn.  
Some farther off those cries to Laughter turn.   

Comparison.  
While some tormented are in Hell for sin;  
On Earth some greatly do delight therein.  
Yea while some make it echo with their Cry,  
Others count it a Fable and a Lye.    

LXXIV. Of Beauty.  

BEauty, at best is but as fading Flowers,  
Bright now, anon with darksome Clouds it lowers.  
'Tis but skin-deep, and therefore must decay;  
Times blowing on it sends it quite away.   

Then why should it be, as it is, admired,  
By one and tother, and so much desired.  
Things flitting we should moderately use,  
Or we by them ourselves shall much abuse.     


THE CONTENTS  
1. UPon the Ten Commandments.  
2. The awakened Child's Lamentation.  
3. Meditations upon an Egg.  
4. Upon the Lord's Prayer.  
5. Meditation upon Peep of day.  
6. Upon the Flint in the Water.  
7. Upon the Fish in the Water.  
8. Upon the Swallow.  
9 Upon the Bee.  
10. Upon the Creed.  
11. Upon a lowering Morning.  
12. Upon overmuch Niceness.  
13. Meditations upon the Candle.  
14. Upon the Sacraments.  
15. Upon the Sun's Reflections upon the Clouds in a fair Morning.  
16. Upon Apparel.  
17. The Sinner and the Spider.  
18. Meditation upon day before Sunrising.  
19 Of the Mole in the Ground.  
20. Of the Cuckoo.  
21. Of the Boy and Butterfly.  
22. Of the Fly at the Candle.  
23. Upon the Lark and the Fowler.  
24. Of the fatted Swine.  
25. On the rising of the Sun.  
26. Upon the promising Fruitfulness of a Tree.  
27. On the Post-boy.  
28. Upon the Horse in the Mill.  
29. Upon a Ring of Bells.  
30. Upon the Thief.  
31. Of the Child with the Bird at the Bush.  
32. Of Moses and his Wife.  
33. Upon the barren Figtree in God's Vineyard.  
34. Of the Rose-bush.  
35. Of the going down of the Sun.  
36. Upon the Frog.  
37. Upon the whipping of a Top.  
38. Upon the Pismire.  
39 Upon the Beggar.  
40. Upon an Instrument of Music in an unskilful Hand.  
41. Upon the Horse and his Rider.  
42. Upon the Sight of a Pound of Candles falling to the Ground.  
43. Of Fowls flying in the Air▪  
44. Upon a Penny Loaf.  
45. Upon the Vine-tree.  
46. The Boy and Watchmaker.  
47. Upon the Boy and his Paper of Plumbs.  
48. Upon a Looking-glass.  
49. Upon a Lantern.  
50. Of the Love of Christ.  
51. Of the Horse and Drum.  
52. On the Kackling of a Hen.  
53. Upon an Hour Glass.  
54. Upon the Chalk-stone.  
55. Upon a Stinking Breath.  
56. Upon Death,  
57 Upon the Snail.  
58. Of the Spouse of Christ.  
59 Upon a Skilful Player on an Instrument.  
60. Upon Fly-blows.  
61. Of Man by Nature.  
62. Of Physic.  
63. Upon a Pair of Spectacles.  
64. Upon our being afraid of small Creatures.  
65. Upon our being afraid of the Apparition of Evil Spirits.  
66. Upon the Disobedient Child.  
67. Upon the Boy on his Hobby-horse▪  
68 Upon the Image in the Eye.  
69. Upon the Weathercock.  
70. Upon a Sheet of white Paper.  
71. Upon the Boy dull at his Book.  
72. Upon Time and Eternity.  
73. Upon Fire.  
74. Of Beauty.   
FINIS