De Fastis Anglicis, SIVE CALENDARIUM SACRUM. THE Holy Calendar: BEING A triple Series of EPIGRAMS upon all the Feasts observed BY THE Church OF England. To which is added the like Number of EPIGRAMS upon some other more especial Days, which have either their footsteps in Scripture, or are more remarkable in this KINGDOM. Composed by Nathanael Eton Doctor of Philosophy, and Medicine, and Vicar of Bishops-Castle in the County of SALOP. LONDON, Printed by H L. and are to be sold at King's College in Puddledock. 1661. To the Sacred Majesty of his Dread Sovereign CHARLES the Second, by the Grace of God King of England, Scotland, France, and Ireland, defender of the Faith, etc. Nathanael Eton Doctor of Philosophy and Medicine, and Vicar of Bishops-Castle in the County of Salop, upon the knees of his Soul, most humbly Dedicates himself, and these poor Fruits of his vacant hours. Sancti ad Regem. Epig. 1. Slain first by Pagans malice, and of late Murdered again, by the Fanatique hate Of false-named Christians: we have none to Unto, thus twice destroyed, Great King, but the Thou art our Earthly Saviour, and alone Must either give a Resurrection Unto our buried names: or we must lie, For ever dead to all Posterity. Do it great Prince, and as three Kingdoms now Unto thy healing Sceptre justly bow; So shall the Saints in Heaven, obliged, engage Themselves alike unto thy Clientage. Author ad Regem. Epig. 2. THy Grandsires Rescue from the Powder blow; Thy Martyred Fathers dismal overthrow: Thine own strange Fortunes: how thou fellst, and then Beyond all hopes regain'dst thy Throne again. These are my Muse's Themes, and unto whom Should then Dread Liege her high flown Poems come But to thy Sacred Self, whose House is still The only Subject of her labouring quill. For all sh' hath writ besides, considering what Relation now, the Saints to thee have got: And what hereafter thou to them shalt bear, When you shall all fill up one glorious Sphere: May in a sense, Great Prince, be said to be Written alone upon thy House and Thee. Author ad Regem. Epig. 3. Well doth our Church Dread Liege acknowledge thee The great Defender of her Faith to be. Whose pains have proved so fortunate herein, That even seduced souls, again begin To tread th' old Paths th' had wandered from, and own Those Doctrines which before they railed upon. Thy word's now grown their Canon: & they do Not what their Creed, but what thou guid'st them to. The Books that want thy stamp, how pure so e'er, Are laid aside by them as not sincere: Popish, and Damned, are the names they cast, On all things which thy censure have not past. But what's approved by those sweet eyes of thine, Is entertained as Perfect and Divine. 'Tis this, great King, now makes me crave thine aid, Because I know whatever I have said Upon this holy Subject, though it be Such as is vouched by all Antiquity: Yet if thy Test it do not undergo, The partial Reader will scarce judge it so. The Holy Calendar. Janus ad Lectores. COme sinful Christians look and learn of me, To draw Religion out of Poesy. Who knows, but what the clearer beams of day Can not inform you, Ethnic darkness may. My face you see a double aspect bears, At once surveying past and future years, The things long hence to come, my searching eyes, And those raked up in silent dust, descries. Time's winged self that flies all sight beside, From me his subtle footsteps cannot hid. Be this your rule, so shall your heedful care, Eat future crimes, the past, your tears repair. The Feasts of January. 2. ON Janus first the Lord they circumcise: The Magi's Star upon the sixth doth rise; The five and twentieth Saul converted, 's made A tiler of that field he wast had laid; Upon the thirtieth day the Rebel Crew, At his own Door the Royal Martyr slew. New years day. Epig. 1. 'TIs custom Lord this day to send A gift to every vulgar friend, And shall I find no gift for thee, That art the best of friends to me? There's nothing which my thoughts survey, My life, my soul, the light, the day; But they are all by gifts to me, And shall I find no gift for thee? Yea Lord, behold I hear confer My life, my soul, and whatso me're Thy liberal hand hath given to me, Back as a New-year's gift on thee. Said I gift? ah! it is not so, Alas both Men and Angels know, That all these things thy Christ hath bought, And therefore I can give thee naught. Circumcision. Epig. 2. 'tIs not a partial cleanness pleaseth thee, Thou Lord requirest a total purity, Yet circumcision the primordive sign And badge of this renewing grace of thine, Notes the subjection of some sins alone, With others it holds no proportion: What means this Lord, it cannot be that thou Shouldst an imperfect righteousness allow? That so men slay their lusts, thy zealous eyes Will wink at all their other vanities. Only thou wouldst inform us that this sin More than the rest is rooted deep within; Runs in the veins, and cannot be withstood With lesser grief, than we can lose our blood. 'Tis a mother sin, from whose hell-gendring womb Thousands of horrid wickednesses come. And hence it is that thy unerring Writ Them sinners styles, that these foul crimes commit; As though however other men may stray, Yet none indeed did sin but only they. 'Tis the root of all sins else, kill this they die, But nourish this, th' increase and multiply. And this is it, indeed thy wisdom meant To note unto us by this Sacrament, That those that have but this one sin repressed, Are in effect got free from all the rest. Cleanse my foul heart, O Lord, from every sin, In pledge whereof, O circumclse my skin. De eadem ad Christum. Epig. 3. Why circumcised they Lord thy skin? On which there was no soil of sin. It was we that did the crime commit, And must thy Body smart for it? Was ever such a Method found, By Proxy for to cure a wound. Was ever such a Surgeon known, For others health, would lose his own? 'Twas thus twixt thee and us indeed, We sinned, and thou alas didst bleed, Thou bled'st for us. O! who can hear Thou didst so, and not shed a tear? A tear! ingrateful, could we weep Oceans of tears, as vast and deep As those great Seas, whose floods are roul'd Betwixt the new found world and old: They would not all suffice to pay On drop of what thou bledst to day. Epiphany. Epig. 1. A Star this day my Saviour preacheth thee, To show what lights thy Preachers ought to be Hereafter all would shine like Stars, but oh! How few endeavour here so bright to show? De eadem. Epig. 2. IN great Eclipses Stars are seen to shine, Such an Eclipse (my God) was never as thine. No wonder if a Star did rule the day, The Sun disrobed of all his splendour lay. Such shades of night his beams had overrun, That men did need a Star to find the Sun. De eadem. Epig. 3. what's this my God these Magis say, That they have seen thy Star to day? Have all men than their proper Stars, On which in secret characters, Discerned alone by skilful eyes, Are writ all humane destinies. Or was there some peculiar sign Engraved upon this Star of thine? On sight whereof these men could tell, The birth of Judah's King so well? Or was't a more celestial, beam, From whence this radiant lustre came? Was it thy Spirit, and not their skill, That did this heavenly light enstill? Thy Spirit was present Lord we know, But doubt whither Art concurred or no, However if such Arts there be That lead their followers unto thee. And of thy Birth and Kingdom show, Happy are they that use them so: And happy Arts, if such there be, That lead their followers unto thee. Let self-wise Zealots all contemn, And vainly fear to practise them, Yet if I may learn thee thereby, Lord teach me such Astrology. St. Paul's Conversion. Epig. 1. SEe here my soul what power thy Saviour hath, He who so late destroyed, now builds the Faith. Who would despair that this example see, Thy God, my soul, may do as much for thee. De eadem. Epig. 2. GOd hath forgiven thy sins, blessed Paul, we know, Yet he with thine own rod will scourg thee though, None did pursue the Name of Jesus more, And for that Name, none is pursued so sore; A fruitful soil thy rage did light upon, Thou gav'st some death's, and suffered'st many a one. Thus God at once a pattern made in thee, Both of his Justice, and his Clemency. Upon the light that shone round about St. Paul, as he was travelling to Damascus. Act. 9 3. Epig. 3. I Thought sweet Saviour, thou hadst sent this light Not to deprive, but to restore the sight Of this rash Zealot, whose offence, alas! Not malice to thy truth, but blindness was; Yet Lord, no sooner he these beams descries, But 'stead of being cured, he lost his eyes. What Paradox is this my God? may than Thy rays be looked on by no mortal men? Must we have eyes from thee as well as light? Else midst of day shall we be wrapped in night? Or is't thy way of cure? unless we be First stricken blind, canst thou not make us see? If so, ourselves, Lord, at thy feet we cast, Do what thou wilt, so we may see at last. Decollatio Caroli. Upon the Scotch Insurrection, and the black consequences thereof. Epig. 1. SCotos in Greek black darkness doth import With us a Scotchman; and there's reason for't, For those black deeds that Hell would hardly own, The Scotchmen first began to set upon. England indeed matured the horrid Plot, But the first rise thereof was from the Scot Upon Mat. 18. 8, 9 If thine hand or thy foot offend thee, etc. Epig. 2. OUr Lords mild counsels only did extend, To th' eye, and hand, and foot, that did offend. But our new Doctors more profoundly read, To save the Body, lopped away the Head. Blessed Artists, may their trembling hearts be sure At their worst throws, to meet with such a cure. Upon the Proverb that styles the King of England, King of Devils. Epig. 3. Devil's I believe when they rebelled, had spite Enough ' have thrown th' Eternal Godhead quite Both from his throne and being. But their sin Met with a Power, that curbed those suries in, And so abridged their guilt. But our black brood Found none to Heavens unfathomed counsel stood That dur●t oppose their crimes, but cursed have done That which those Devils but only thought upon. And therefore their foul sin, as far exceeds The others, as intents come short of deeds. Februarius. TO Princely Numa's gift my name I own, Who by Egeria taught, that men below By their continued trespasses incense, The heavenly Powers to hurl their judgements thence. Chose this my Month to be a time, wherein With annual purge they might cleanse their sin. And from those Rites which in that language carry The name of Februa ' called me February. Christians yet style me so, but oh the shame! Th' have lost the practice, though they keep the name. The Feasts of February. 2. Marry on Februs second's purified. guide. The fourteenth day young Valentine doth The four and twentieth is Mathias gift, All but Leap-years, and then the twenty-fifth. Purification of the blessed Virgin. Epig. 1. Blessed Mother of the Blessedst Seed, that are The pregnant womb of teeming flesh did bear. What new black stains be these thy soul have died, That thou hast need now to be purified? Art not thou she, bright Virgin, whom ere while, The tongue of Angels full of Grace did stile? Art not thou she, who lately from above Ore shadowed was't by that all-hallowing Dove? Art not thou she, from whose thrice happy womb with mercies, all our cleansings come? And can there yet, blessed Maid, such reasons be Why these vain Rites should be applied to thee? I know not, Lord, what these thwart run mean, Can fullness want, or grace be styled unclean? Can other terrene brutish Pigeons do That which thy Dove could not attain unto? Or he that freed the guiltful world from blame, Can he not cleanse the womb from whence he came Far be such impious thoughts, these Rites infer No want of power in them, nor grace in her. They were apt springs, rich streams of grace to yield, And she a Vessel easy to be filled. Only th'unnurtured World, that could not see, (Blind that they were) this hidden Energy. Must be convinced by forms, we're often fain With outward shows rash censures to restrain. 'Tis to be pure that most avails indeed, Yet to be thought so, is no more than need. Ad Mariam. Epigr. 2. I Cannot tell, the Substance self, being by Why these vain shadows should be prized so high 'Tis that blessed Babe, whom thy glad arms enclose, From whence both thine, and all our cleansing flows. This Ritual Law no other use pretends, But to adumbrate what from him descends. And is superfluous now, unless it be To show how well the type and thing agree. Or that the World's weak eyes were yet too dim, Unless 'twere through a veil to look on him. Blessed Maid, thou no such mediums want'st indeed, Whose eyes undazeled, on his beams do feed. But we whose weakness cannot brook the Sun, By shadows best discern his motion. Epigr. 3. I Apprehend, Bright Maid, no reason for't, So Godlike pure, as we believe thou wert, Why thou shouldst these mysterious Rites apply Thy spotless self, yet more to purify. Unless perhaps, as some affirm, there be A new found Acme in Divinity, Like unto that, which in another sense, Grammarians call the more than perfect tense: I know not how their dreams they can assure, But this I know, thou'rt either more than pure, Or these Mysterious Rites, Bright Maid, to thee, That wert so pure before, superflous be. Valentine. a Valendo. Epig. 1. THy name imports a Power, and justly too, For no Power else can work, what thine can do. King's rule the earth, fire, sword, and torturing racks The body with a thousand death's distracts; But can proceed no further, only thine, Thy power commands the soul, great Valentine. Epigr. 2. THere's no resisting, I must serve thee too, Great Saint, as well as all the Creatures do. Fierce untamed Beasts, and winged Fowls betray A sense of Love, and feel thy power to day. And so do I, but in a lawful fire Whose heat, oh may it never more expire! Epigr. 3. NO more vain men, to Cupid's Altars sue, We have a better Saint to go unto: A Saint that breathes chaste flames, whose hand doth hold Arrows compacted all of purest gold. No leaden mixtures, no blue wounds that show The venomed point from whence their rancours flow. If then to bless your amorous hopes, you need Some favouring Powers; let Valentine succeed The Cyprian fondling. Pious souls may seek The sweets of Love, without a blushing cheek. Mathias de seipso. Epigr. 1. Accursed Iscariots vacant room I fill, Sees make their Bishops neither good nor ill. All are not rocks that sit in Peter's chair, Nor Devils, that Judas his successors are. Judas ad Romanos. Epigr. 2. FOnd Romans, Peter's dubious chair resign, 'Tis for your honour more to sit in mine. None of the twelve themselves will not deny, Left an Apostle in his seat, but I. Their meaner followers, meaner titles bare, Mine with th' eleven assumed an equal chair. If you would needs aspire, my name had been, Apt t' have masked your vast ambition in Than Peter's claim, of whom 'tis hard to know, whenever ere indeed he were at Rome, or no. But my opprobrious death is that alone, Which your else shameless cheeks do blush to own. As for the rest, the conscious world doth see That you recede from Cephas, more than me. In outward show, I seemed for Jesus' sake To quit the world, and his sharp cross to take, But played the thief the while, and made no spare, So I might fill the cursed bag I bore. To rob the poor, and as if that were small, To set to sale, even Christ himself and all. Yet masked my treasons still with sacred guile, And cried, hail Lord, and kissed him too the while. And is not this your guise, I pray you tell, Can any actions be more parallel. Did ever any to one chair succeed, Whose lives exactly viewed, so well agreed? But go to, since you think it yet a shame Though you approve my works, to own my name, Know this, your Seats not so ashamed of me, As my Successor of your seat would be. Upon Joseph surnamed Justus, that was passed by; and Mathias that was chosen by lot into the room of Judas. Act. 1. 24, 26. Epigr. 3. JOseph (the Just) refused Heavens righteous doom, Lots out Mathias unto Judas' room. God looks not with man's eyes, the thing and name, His wisdom oft finds, not to be the same. The Just one, could not but the Just approve: Conformity's the surest ground of love. But his discerning eyes, no doubt, did see One not so styled, to be more Just than he. March. 1. CHange but the names, the Heathen Fables are Our Christian Gospels; what's their God of war But our dread Lord of Hosts, their vestal Nun, And great Quirinus her immortal Son, Rome's Godlike Founder, by his Patriots slain, But from the eating grave revived again, And in his Father's Chariot, mounted high Above Heaven's star-enameled canopy. If you will note it, what doth this proclaim, But Jesus, and his Virgin-mothers' name? Give things this sense, and you shall nothing err, Though you this Month to Mars his name refer. Though Rhea Syluia have her Festal day, And Romulus his Quirinalia. All, if you thus interpret, things will be, Who ere gainsays it, good Divinity. The Feasts of March. 2. WAles for her David, March his first doth claim. The sixteenth bears the Irish Patrick's name. Bright Gabriel on the twenty fifth doth bear Glad tidings to the Virgin-mothers' ear. Saint David. Epigr. 1. Brutes' Sons shall never say, great Saint, that I Have thrust thy name out of our Liturgy. Let others doubt thy History, to me It is enough that Cambrians honour thee. Epigr. 2. BIshop, or Champion, whether name be due, Or whether both, great Saint, and thou like to That other David, in one person bear Prophet and Soldiers equal character. I cannot tell, but this I am assured Under thy auspice, Wales hath long endured. Epigr. 3. WHen my observing thoughts revolv how long Brutus' warlike Sons have kept their name and tongue: With what stout hands, they their own fields have held, Maugre the rage of those fierce storms which swelled From the rough Saxons, Danes, and Nonmans hate, Which like the none-excepting doom of fate Fell upon all this Isle, and rolled with An irresisted stream from Thames to Frith. Yet Brutus' stern children kept their own, and stood Colossi like athwart those Seas of blood Unshaken with the tempest. When I weigh These things, great David, I am forced to say, That either thou their Champion dost excel, Or they no Champion need, they fight so well. S. Patrick. Epig. 1. VEnice sometimes chose Theodore to be Her guardian Saint, but when she found that he Gave no success to her designs, she laid Him by, and called in Mark unto her aid, Which course unless the ruin'd Ireland run And change her Saint too, she is quite undone; For either her Patrick cannot ease her needs, Or which is worse, he cares not how she speeds. Epig. 2. PAtrick his prayers they say to pass did bring, That in the Irish soil no venomed thing May breed, no Toads, no Serpents, Spiders there, Nor other poisonous creatures do appear: A blessed gift! if what in them is lost, The men have not within their breasts engrossed. Epig. 3. Wise Romans when they first commenced wars, Against a Town called out her Tutelars, And gave them worship lest perhaps they might, In favour of the place against them fight: Which course whether England took when long ago, She assailed the Irish Kings I do not know. But this I'm sure their Patrick's hand since then Was ne'er lift up against the Englishmen. Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin. Epig. 1. HAd Adam known his wife before the fall, The blessing doubtless had been virtual To propagation, and her firstborn Son, Had been conceived without corruption: But 'twas not so, the guilt which she conveyed To all her Issue, proves she sinned a Maid Before coition, the Impostor knew Too well accursed, what he had to do, When he the fountain did infect, that all The lower streams might suck from thence their gall, Which yet lest it might bring a blot upon That glorious state, the Angel's portion, The lot of Spirits, the life of heaven, and we For her crimes sake might loathe virginity, His Grace our alwise Saviour did dispense, In such an answering method, that th' offence And cure at one same gate might enter in, And the salvation parallel the sin: Thus what a Maiden lost, a Maid restores, A Virgin caused, a Virgin healed our sores. Evah transgressed, but you reversed may read, In Mary's Ave both her name and deed: Upon Luke 1. 45. Blessed is she that believed, etc. Epig. 2. SUch news blessed maid as this bright Angel brings Of such unheard of inconsistent things, 'Tis as much wonder that thou couldst believe, As 'tis that God could those strange works achieve: What hand could interweave but his alone, A Moment and Eternity in one, Th' incomprehended essence and a span, The creature and Creator, God and Man. Or which is less, yet hard enough to do, Comprise in one a Maid and Mother too; 'Twas only God this work to pass could bring, And only thou that couldst believe the thing. Epig. 3. When in our flesh thou deign'st to lodge no room, My God would serve thee, but a Virgin's womb: But in our hearts being pleased by faith to dwell, It is not now thy lot to speed so well; For such, oh horrid, is our sinful state, Thou canst find none that's not adulterate. To find Easter for ever. THe change in Februs if there any be, Or that which first ensues note carefully, And the next Tuesday doubt it not all, That doth succeed Shrove Tuesday you may call. Shrove-Tuesday past you may be bold to say, That Sunday six weeks after ' s Easter Day. The other Movable Feasts. 2. TWo days Good Friday Easter doth precede, Forty from thence to Holy Thursday lead; Ten more unto Whitsunday numbered be, And one week after that to Trinity. Good-Friday, Passio Domini. Epig. 1. he's dead: Insult the Infernal Powers, the dread Messiah, Jesus whom you feared is dead; But stay, rejoice not neither, it is from His death, that your great Empire's fall doth come. 'Twas a strange combat this, wherein to slay, The foe you fought with, was to lose the day; Yet thus it was, the Field had been your own, Had you not our great Champion overthrown: But through his sides yourselves accursed you slew, And he being ruined by you, ruin'd you. Upon Luke 22. 44. And his sweat was as it were great drops of blood falling to the ground. SEe here my soul what weight in sin remains When he whose shoulder all things else sustains, Bowed underneath the load: if he that stood In equal poise with God, sweat clods of blood, And the Almighty groaned to undergo The burden, what must finite creatures do? Upon Matth. 27. 52, 53. And the graves were opened, and many bodies of Saints which slept arose. Epig. 3. THe Prince of life was slain and nothing now Remained on earth, whose greatness did not bow To Death's all conquering power, you would have thought The world itself would quickly have been brought To its last gasp, and all the creatures have Been buried with their maker in the grave, When lo midst all these spoils appalled with fear, From his own holds the enfeebled Conqueror Flies with distracted steps, and leaves his prey, Free and unguarded to escape away, From their close dungeons the enfranchised dead Are sent again the sacred streets to tread. But wonder not, it was but time to fly, When he beheld his Kingdom seized by So strange a wile. Death found, alas! too late, That he had brought a prey within his gate That would destroy his rights; and that 'twas vain To think to stay where Jesus was, though slain So sure it was that he, a wondrous thing, Who came in Captain, would go out a King. Easter-Day. Resurrectio Domini. Epig. 1. I Know not where the greater wonder lies, That God should die, or man from death should rise. But this I know, th' are both enough to make The Angel's faith, if not upheld, to shake. God is immortal, and for him to die, Were to be stripped of his Deity. And for frail man, being dead, to rise again, Is in effect to cease to be humane. Neither, if you consider them alone, Can be without a contradiction. And when all tongues have argued what they can, God must be God, and man can be but man. But start not at it, 'tis not thus that we Must measure this transcendent Mystery. If you would view these Natures rightly, 'tis As they concur in our Hypostasis; And thus considered they no more oppose, Man-God did die, God-Man from death arose. 'Twas one same Person both these mazes trod, Yet risen he not as Man, nor died as God. Epigr. 2. CHrist all the Sabbath bound in Grave did lie; The Sabbath types out vast Eternity. And 'twas Eternal death, indeed our sin Infinite that it was, had wrapped us in. But he by carrying broke those bonds, and quit Us from Eternal death, by suffering it; Happy exchange, now though we die, yet shall Our death not stretch to that great Festival: Death may our Corpse indeed a while surprise, But we on that great Sabbaths Eve shall rise. Epigr. 3. THe Phoenix birth no more admire, nor what Old Bards of her renewed age have wrote; The Fables which of that strange Bird you read, Are in our Jesus verified indeed; He's the true Phoenix, uncompelled that flies Into the Mountain's forked tops and dies. His Tomb like hers, with sweet perfumes is filled, The gums whereof such fragrant smells do yield, As Heaven itself delights to sent; and those Blessed Spirits above rejoice therewith to close. Dead from his Grave, as from a second Womb Newborn, like her he back again doth come Into th' astonished world, more fair to see, And bright, then ere before he used to be. Only in this our Phoenix comes before The other, that once raised, he dies no more. Ascension. Epigr. 1. COme down blest Saviour, 'tis no sin to pray Thee down; I hope upon Ascension day So to descend, as I would have thee do, Is not indeed to fall, but mount unto A Zenith, which thou ne'er before couldst gain Even my proud heart which rebel lusts have ta'en, And manned against thee: this my God is it That I would have thee come and see and get; Get this strong hold into thy hands, and make Her high-raysed bulwarks at thy storming shake, And droop their heads; make my stout thoughts to fall Prostrate before thy glorious feet, and all The powers within me to lie low, and be Subject henceforth unto no King but thee. Do this, dear Lord, and my glad soul shall say To me thou ne'er ascendedst till to day. Epigr. 2. Look in what sense the Son of man was said To be in Heaven, whilst yet on Earth he stayed. In the same sense we grant his body, though In Heaven, may still be said to be below. He is ascended all agree, that same Material flesh and blood of his that came From the pure Virgin's Womb, Heavens now retain, And until all things be restored again, Must still retain it; yet it is confessed, That when the holy Elements are blest By the Priests powerful lips, though nothing there To outward sense, but Bread and Wine appear; Yet doth there under those dark forms reside The body of the Son of Man that died. This, what bold tongue soever doth deny, Gives in effect even Christ himself the . Yet this whoever too grossly doth maintain, Pulls his ascended Lord from Heaven again. A middle course 'twixt those two rocks to steer, Is that becomes the Christian Mariner. So to believe the Ascension as to grant His real Presence in the Sacrament; Yet so his Real Presence there to own As not to make void his Ascension. Epig. 3. THe grave and hell were both subdued, & nought In those dark coasts was further to be wrought; Heaven yet barred up her Azure gates to win An entrance there, and bring his ransomed in, Our Lord ascends, and with a powerful hand, Throws open those clasped doors that did withstand Our dear acquired admission: Happy day Wherein we by a new and living way, His flesh the vail have found a means into The holy-holy place assured to go. What shall our joys henceforth retard, when Hell And death and heaven are all atoned so well. Whitsunday, Epig. 1. LOrd I would fain thy bounteous grace admire, Which gav'st thy Spirit this day in flames of fire, But cannot do't if that same fire of thine, Which filled their glowing bosoms fill not mine. Fain I would of those cloven tongues relate Which this day on thy dear Apostles sat, But cannot speak, alas, as I should do, Unless one of those tongues be given me too. None Lord can love, nor praise thee well, but those On whom thyself both fire and tongue bestows. Epig. 2. YOu that despise all humane helps whereby Men are prepared for the Ministry, And boast you have the Spirit enabling you, Better than all their Books and Arts can do; Be not deceived fond men, 'tis more to be Fitted for such a work, than you can see, Those whom the Holy Ghost doth thus inspire, He comes to them in tongues as well as fire; Show us but them, and we'll allow your call, If not, we heed not your vain brags at all. Epig. 3. DIvided tongues made Babel's building cease, But now thy Zions' buildings do increase. That was a curse, the fruit of sin, but this One of the Church's greatest blessings is: Had not that gone before, no need had been, T'have had this other mercy given in. But such was now our state, that only that, Can cure the plague, which first the plague begat. Trinity Sunday, Epig. 1. THree and but one, and one yet branched in three I know not Lord, how this strange thing can be; But 'tis no matter what blind worm I know, So I can but believe that it is so. Epig. 2. TAke heed ye bold enquirers how ye pry Too much into this sacred mystery, 'Tis safer to believe then search too far, Into those truths that so transcendent are; The eyes that gaze too long upon the Sun, Are often stricken blind ere they have done. Epig. 3. TEll me ye Atheists that believe no more Than what your reason fathoms, that vast store Of rolling waters that doth daily flow Into the Ocean, whither doth it go? What Cisterns do those big swollen streams maintain, That every tide are emptied in the main? What dark instinct compels the churlish steel, The loadstones undiscerned force to feel? Or if you will ever vulgar things survey, Those which you taste and handle every day: Take me the seeds of every plant and tree, Of every herb and flower that grows, and see If when you have ripped them open you can find, A reason why they bring forth such a kind, And not another; where that virtue lies, That such a form and taste, and smell supplies, So proper to itself, that nothing well The same, except itself can parallel. Hence let your serious thoughts reflect again, On the strange Fabric both of Beasts and men, Their bones, their veins, their arteries and all, Th' essential stamps they bear and casual, The colour of their hair, their eyes and skin, The extent, their age, and stature's bounded in; And tell me whether your quick-sight can read The ground of all these wonders in the seed. Poor skeptics, in these common things below, The furthest that your utmost skill can go, Is only to discern that thus they be, But why they're thus, alas, you cannot see: Yet with th' Almighty you are grown so bold, That though you in his Holy Word be told; That that one ever blessed Essence is Distinguished into three Hypostasies. And that those three Hypostasies abide, Still one same Essence undiversified; Yet is it not enough for you to know, That thus it is, unless we further show You why, and how it can be thus, and bring Some proofs besides his Dixit, of the thing. But go to you, Blasphemers, if there be▪ No other way to clear this Mystery, Unto your staggering Faith, but sense; be sure One day (though then 'twill be too late a cure) Your very eyes shall see, and seeing pine, The glory of the Trin-une, Vni-trine. April 1. ROmans this Month to Venus did assign, From whom their Prince Aeneas drew his line. Her Aphrodite from those white froths they call Which gave their Goddess his original, And the Month April: 'Tis a nobler womb, From whence our Princes high descent doth come, Nor is't from spurious froths, but Seas that we May draw (we think) her Etymology. Put all together, froaths with Seas compare, View what both Princes, what their mothers are; And if the odds with Venus still remain, Let her the guidance of this Month retain; But if our Marie have a juster right, Let her assume the place of Aphrodite. The Feasts of April 2. ON April's three and twentieth George bestrides, His warlike steed and 'gainst the Dragon rides. The twenty fift to raise our wonder more, The winged Lion's voice is heard to roar. Saint George, Epig. 1. SEe here in George's Portraiture a true Description of what Christians ought to do; No civil wars, no brother's blood imbrues His righteous hands, he no such foes pursues; The cross his Engsin is, his Faith his shield, His sword the Scripture, his own heart the Field; His enemy the Dragon, him alone He thinks it worth his while to set upon; O God that we who George our champion call, Save such as these would fight no fights at all. Epig. 2. WOuldst thou a combat undertake wherein, Thou mightst be sure the victory to win, And with it gain a Kingdom too, then fight Saint George's duels, let thy opposite, Be the red Dragon, and on him be sure, Thou both the one and th'other shalt procure; For none ere fought with him but won the day, And none ere won, but bore a Crown away. Epig. 3. Whether George a humane creature were indeed, Or but an Emblem of that promised seed, Whom God of old had set apart to tread Upon the conquered Serpents wounded head; Is not agreed: But this is sure, no hand, Of men or Devils, is able to withstand Those whom that Champion aides, let him but fight On England's side, and we will dare the spite Of all the adverse world, no power can harm Them who are guarded by so strong an arm: Needs must his might all other force repel, Before whose feet the Dragon conquered fell. Saint Mark, Epig. 1. CHrist is the Lamb so sacred Writs define, To Mark a Lion's Figure they assign; Yet see what Miracles from grace can spring, The Lamb is now become the Lions King. Epig. 2. DRead not poor sheep, this roaring Lion here, Goes not about your trembling flesh to tear, The World is changed, those paws that used of old To rend the flock, do now preserve the fold But would you know by what means this is done, Saturn was then in Leo, now the Sun. Upon the State of Venice, or S. Marks arrogating the dominion of the Adriatic Sea. Epig. 3. I Wonder not if all the Earth doth fear Venetia's power, her Patron Mark doth bear A Lion's figure, whose stern voice doth make The neighbouring deserts all about to shake; Nor do I wonder when the Beast doth spread His wings abroad, if all the air do dread. Thus far there's reason for't, the Earth and Air Are both th'amphibious Monsters thorow-fair; And 'tis not to be wondered, if he fills Both Tracts with terror of his voice and quills. This only I admire, upon what right, He Lords it over the blue Amphitrite; Why Seas should fear him, whose curled waves are free From his proud threats, and roar as loud as he May 1. SUch due respects wise Romans to their grave And hoary Elders, though but Heathens, gave, That next their guardian Deities they set, Their Names upon this Months fair Frontelet; Which it keeps still unrazed, and to this day, From those Grand Majors is surnamed May. Age crowned with wisdom high regards doth claim Ancient of days is Gods own glorious name: Whose more especial stamp doth seem to be Engraved upon their snowy gravity; Yet such is our foul sin, oh! woe the while, We slight the duty, though we own the stile. The Feasts in May 2. PHilip and Jacob May the first doth own The twenty ninth Charles reascends his Throne. Philip and Jacob Epigr. 1. GReat pair of Saints, when your two names I see Coupled together in the Epigraphie, Of this fair Feast, I'm ready straight to cry, That surely Sols in love with Gemini; Before his time the horned Bull forsakes, And with the beauteous Twins his lodging takes; This certainly the glorious Saints, I know That when your lovely souls were housed below A brighter Sun in them did fix his rays, Not for a Month alone, but all your days: And now (though raped from hence) he hath lodged you where, Full of himself you ever may appear. Epigr. 2. When I inscribed upon this day had read, The name of Jacob, I strait fancied Some supplantation, like to what of old, Of the first Jacob Holy Writs have told. But here is no such thing, our Jacob here, Doth not with holy Philip intervere; Here are no such contentions, neither feels, The others hand surprising of his heels; Here is no strife for birthright moved, nor yet Which shall the Father's happy blessing get. Both are content, and both indeed obtain That which the other Brothers sought to gain, From one another with so much ado, Both have the birthright, and the blessing too. Upon the two Phillips, the Apostle, and the Evangelist. Epig. 3. THe Macedonian Philip's glorious name, His own, and Sons great actions do proclaim; The World yet rings thereof, and will do still, While men shall use their tongues, or hold a quill: Yet 'tis not all the Fields that Warrior won, Can match what our two Philips power hath done, Small narrow bounds his conquests did confine, Theirs stretch themselves on either side the line, Even to the untrodden Poles: his power and sway Is long ago expired and swept away By Times rude hand, of all the sprouts that shot From that rich stem, one sprig remaineth not To shade the earth, but by a wondrous fall, Are quite extinct, even root and branch and all. But from our Philip's verdant stock, there still Spring such fresh boughs, as no keen frosts shall kill, Nor pruning hooks lop down, whilst that bright pair Of Lamps, with splendid beams shall gild the air, Their fruit shall still increase, and day by day, Wax still more fair, and further from decay. So that hereafter when unerring Fame, Shall set true value on the Philip's name, The other meaner acts she shall decline, And t' ours alone, the names of Fair assign. Regicipium, Or the Return of Charles the second, being also his Birthday. Epig. 1. TWelve years black night our Royal Sun had hid 'Twas long indeed the Stygian Nadir did From our sad coasts, his cheerful rays detain, Whilst we poor creatures scarce e'er looked again, To see the Morning dawn, or one bright beam Of his, through our Orisons vaults to stream. But heavens be blest the long-wished day at last Is broke again, and those thick clouds that cast Such dismal shades o'er all this Islands frame, Are thrust again to Hell from whence they came. Go happy Britain's, you whose eyes have done So long a penance, greet your rising Sun With more than Persian adorations, they Wh'have felt such darkness, well may prise their day. Epig. 2. What name great Charles shall this blessed Isle assign, To those propitious heavenly beams of thine: England's bright Sun shall we entitle thee, That name indeed would best of all agree To thine immense perfections, which suffice Alone to glad so many kingdom eyes. Only 'twould make us fear that envious night, For all this, yet would rob us of thy sight. And who can think of losing such a Sun, And not even mad with startling horror run: Shall we then call thee our bright Arctic star, She bears 'tis true thy name upon her carr, And which to us sounds best, ne'er sets at all, But yet alas, her beams are weak and small; Like an obscure Rush-candle's matched with thine, Which clearer than the mid-days Chariot shine. What then remains, Dear Prince, but that we pray, That since thy lustre, and our wishes may By neither of these Lamps disjoined be shown, Their married Powers in thee may meet in one; That thou may'st shine like Sol when he displays 'Twixt Cancer's claws at noon his brightest rays; But like the Northern Bear may'st never sleep, In Thetis watery covertures, but keep In thy full strength, thy radiant Zenith still, And with perpetual day these Kingdoms fill. Epig. 3. 'TIs no small honour these three Realms do pay, Of right great Prince, to this auspicious day, Which brought thee first into the world, and gave Us hopes of those rich fruits which now we have. This crowned it much indeed; but 'tis far more Endeared since that upon another score, Thy glorious restitution, which was wrought This day almost beyond all humane thought; That was thy Birth, but this may well be said To be thy resurrection from the dead, And ours indeed in thine, for all the while, That thou wert banished, death possessed this Isle, And we lay buried in thy loss, but when Thou once returned'st, we all revived again And breathed new life, for which great mercies, we Must ever pay our thanks to it, and thee. June 1. YOung men this Month is yours, your Country shows, What honour she to springing virtue owes. When as a pledge thereof, she's proud to wear Your name, inscribed upon her Calendar. Goodness at any time acceptance wins, But 'tis best prized when it in youth gins. The Feasts of June 2. THe 'leventh of June bright Barnabas obtains The twenty fourth the newborn Baptist gains. The nine and twentieth day apart is set, To him that first for Christ forsook his net. Barnabas Apostle, upon Acts 11. 22. etc. Epig. 1. SSee what an humble soul can yield to do, Barnabas by the Apostles sent into An ample Province, to command and guide The Church of Antioch, freely doth divide, His charge with Saul the convert, and is glad To have him share in all the power he had. Good men for Christ's behoof their interests wave, And are content to part with all they have; Let thy Church thrive (so they their prayers begin) And 'tis no matter who doth lose or win. Upon Acts 11. 26. Epig. 2. FRom Barnabas and Saul's advice, the Name Of Christians first to Christ's Disciples came. They preached not for themselves, and could not brook To see their hearers dote upon the look Or garb of any earthly Minister, How great soever or polite he were. 'Twas Christ that owned the building, and 'twas fit They thoughted should bear his Name that purchased it. Christians rejoice in your great stile, to bear This title, is more glorious then to wear Imperial Crowns. But pay your thanks withal For this great grace to Barnabas and Saul. 'Twas Christ indeed from whom your honour sprung But through those golden Pipes it passed along. Upon Acts 15. 39 Epig. 3. WHo would have thought that there could ever fall Such bitter strifes 'twixt Barnabas & Paul, That they whose tongues so sweetly did accord, In the confession of one God, one Lord, One Spirit of grace, who one same hope enjoyed, One Faith, one Baptism, that were both employed In one same Function, and so long had stood, Twinlike conjoined in one Brotherhood. That they should jar, and jar foe sharply too, That they must part; oh this is sad to view, Good Lord, how lose are men's affections tied, Whom every trivial difference can divide; Our comfort is when once weare knit to thee. That bond no time shall ever cancelled see. John the Baptist. Epig. 1. JOhn was that voice that in the Desert cried, All Judah heard it, and was terrified; And who will wonder if they shook with fear, When they such shrill and dreadful sounds did hear. All I admire's how this to pass should come, That he should get this Crier that was dumb. Epigr. 2. ENoch that walked with God, and Abraham, His chosen friend, to whom the promise came; Moses the Steward of his house, and he That up to heaven on fiery Steeds did flee. These doubtless had great visions, and descried More of their God, than all those times beside, Yet 'twas not all those Saints, nor any one Before or after equalised our John; Who had the honour at one time to hear The Father speak, and see the Spirit appear; And with his hands unworthy to baptise, The Son that in the Father's bosom lies. Great John well did thy Saviour's tongue proclaim That amongst all that out of women came, Like thee there was no Prophet who alone, Distinctly sav'st at once the three in one. Epigr. 3. BEhold here! how the great high Priest doth stand To be baptised by his servants hand: And fear oh man how thou those seals refuse, Which Christ thy Lord himself rejoiced to use; And whatsoever the frail dispenser be, Remember John had sins as well as he. Peter Apostle. Epig. 1. PEter the rock that whilom stood so sure, That he (unmoved) was able to endure The blasts of Hell itself, now down is thrown By a poor Damsels feeble breath alone: Lord what is man? if thou withdraw thy hand, When such firm rocks as Peter cannot stand. Upon Luke 22. 61. Epig. 2. SAthan now thought that he had given so sore A wound to Peter, that he never more, Should raise again his bruised head, but lie Weltering for ever in his blood, and die. And who indeed that heard our Peter swear And curse, if ere he knew who Jesus were, Would think there could be any hope of cure, For such a desperate deadly Calenture. But see poor sinners what a power there lies, In your relenting Saviour's gracious eyes; When he no sooner casts a pitying look, On wretched Peter, whom all life forsook; But he revives again, and with his tears Gives proof, that yet some hope of grace appears. Lord if thine eyes have such a power indeed, Where-ere they look, repentant tears to breed; Oh look on me, that I who have sinned as deep, As Peter did, may go with him and weep. Upon Mark 14. 72. Epig. 3. 'TWas thought of old, the Cocks shrill voice did make, The Princely Lions warlike heart to shake; But this I'm sure not all the Fiends in Hell Conspiring, could have rung so sad a knell In Peter's ears, as this Cock's voice did do, When now the second time he loudly crew; But fear not Peter, 'twas sweet Chanticleer, No Screetch-Owl this thy troubled ears did hear; Or rather indeed 'twas thy grieved Lord that spoke By this Birds tongue, and cried awake, awake; It is enough, thou'st thrice denied my name, Peter awake, and sin no more for shame. Return to him that loves thee so, that he For all this yet is gone to die for thee: Thus crowed the Cock, thou heardst and straight didst rise, And back return'dst, poor soul, with weeping eyes; O God, that when we hear him crow, we knew But how to take such hints, and do so too. July I. FRom five this Month sometimes derived its name, Which now great Julius doth more justly claim; 'Twas he indeed new formed the year, and gave The Months those measured portions which they have; And 'twas but fit the Father of them all, One child in twelve by his own name should call; Heathens all yield, great Prince, it should be so, Who to thy pains their perfect Aeras owe: We Christians grant it too; who by thy aid More punctual in our years of Christ are made. The Feasts of July. SAd Maudlin, July's two and twenti'th claims, The twenty fift's assigned to greater James. Marry Magdalene Epig. I. Marry when I thy former state recall, What sins, what Devils thou here wert filled withal, Yet see thee now all brightly clothed sit, At thy beloved Saviour's glorious feet. I cannot but admire that bounteous grace, That takes such sinners to so sweet a place; Yet when I think what floods of tears below From thine even almost drowned eyes did flow, How oft thou bath'dst thy Saviour's feet and then With thy torn locks didst wipe them dry again; I should have wondered if that place had been Too good for such a soul t'have lodged in▪ Tears mixed with faith such power in heaven do bear, That they can place the greatest sinners there. Upon John 20. 13. Epig. 2. Marry her buried Lord (she thought) had lost, Yet see how dear this small adventure cost Her tender heart; mark how she wept and prayed To know but where her breathless Christ was laid; But thou my senseless soul: Oh dreadful word! Canst lose the presence of thy glorious Lord Days without number; yet scarce find a tear To witness that thou once didst hold him dear. Ah my vile heart, if thou thy Christ didst prise, As Mary did, thou wouldst have Mary's eyes. Upon Mark 16. 9 and John 20. 17. Epig. 3. SEe here what links of comfort meet to crown Her drooping head, who but even now poured down Such streams of tears, no mortal eye must see Their raised Lord, till first his Mary be Blest with the Vision, till those eyes that wept So much for grief, as much for joy have leaped; Nor is't enough to feast her eyes alone With this glad sight, he'll use her lips upon A glorious Message to his Brethren, she Shall an Apostle to the Apostles be; Themselves he means shall see the truth ere long, But they shall owe it first unto her tongue; So careful is our gracious Lord that those, That mourn for him shall not by mourning lose. James Apostle, Upon Acts 12. 2. cum Mat. 20. 21. Epig. 1. GReat James the first of all the twelve I think, Thou of thy Saviour's bloody cup didst drink, But grieve not at it: 'Twas the readiest way To gain that room for which thou once didst pray, Who holds it now, let bolder tongues report, This onel' I know, thou didst bid fairly for't. Upon James and John the two sons of Zebedee. Epig. 2. GOod God what odds 'twixt these two brethren lies, This first, that last of all the Apostles dies, This an untimely bloody death abides, That in a gentle quiet slumber glides Out of the world (if he at all be gone From hence, and must not rise again anon.) Both sued indeed (moved with a like unfit Ambition) on their Lords two hands to fit And undertaken in lieu thereof, to sup Their parts with him of his unpleasant cup: This had a share, but that for reasons best Known to his Lord's reserved for longer rest: How little is it, Lord, that we can know Of men? by what betides them here below: Some die for Christ, and those that do not so, Are oft as dear to him as those that do; To will to die for him, though't do not come To pass, in his account is Martyrdom. Upon both the Jameses. Epigr. 2. NEither of the Jameses ever was in Spain, They had their tasks elsewhere, that did detain Their pains and persons: Paul indeed we know Had a design into those parts to go, Which if he did not execute the blame If any, from his troubles only came, Which kept him back, not from his changed mind, Which firmly still to serve them was inclined, Yet how it comes to pass I cannot tell, But Paul that had deserved of them so well, Is laid aside, and James received alone To be the Patron of that Nation; Yea not content with this, through blinded zeal, In points of Faith; from Paul they do appeal To James his doctrine, as if heaven's had made Him to be judge of what the other said: And that his purer Comments must give light, To those more doubtful texts that Paul did write. But fools they one day to their cost shall know, That one same Spirit in both their pens did flow: And that these wretches that dishonour Paul, Shall that day find no friend of James at all. August 1. Avgustus' name, this Month inscribed doth bear, A name that still is sweet to every ear; Sweet for the peace he gave the world, for though At his first entrance, Seas of Blood did flow o'er all the earth, he stopped the deadly spring, And golden rest into all lands did bring; But that which made him most unparallelled Is that his reign, the Prince of peace beheld. The Feasts of August 2. AVgust the twenty fourth to Bart'lemew, The twenty ninth's the headless Baptists due. Bartholomew Apostle, Epig. 1. HOw is it Lord, that there's no mention made In all thy book, of what was done or said By this thy great Apostle? other men Of meaner rank, and gifts, thy sacred Pen Finds time to speak of, but of him alas! There doth not one bare word distinctly pass, Was it to teach us, that those Tapers are Not ever of most worth, that brightest glare, That deep-fraught souls lie always snug and low, Whilst empty hulks loom big, and lofty show; Or is't enough that thou hast let us see A proof in some, of what the others be; Men bring not all their wares to open test, A few found right, give credit to the rest: Lord we submit, and by the things we hear Of Peter judge, what all his brethren were. Upon Luke 22. 29, 30. Epig. 2. IT is not much great Bart'lemew indeed, That of thy works and labours we do read, But this we from thy Lords own mouth do find That thou a Throne and Kingdom hadst assigned, As well as John and Peter had whose pains, The holy Text so punctually explains; And who will think that servants labours came Short of his Mates, whose wages is the same. Upon Acts 5. 12. Epig. 3. INto the Temple's Porch the twelve withdrew, And thou amongst the rest great Bart'lemew; There you all preach, and work such mighty things As no man else dare think of equalling; What thou distinctly dost, I do not hear, But of one stamp, 'tis sure your actions were So great and glorious, as did justly strike, A fear in all men to attempt the like; Some souls thou winst, I doubt not too, for who Can think such gracious words in vain did flow From thy blessed lips; as yet indeed they be But like the windfall's to the loaden tree: Thy work lies further off, where heavens intent, Whole Nations to thy powerful voice shall bend. The Circumcision's Peter charge, but thine God knows how many Regions shall confine. John Baptist beheaded. Epig. 1. YOu that for love of outward peace or gain, From preaching all the truths of Christ refrain, That dare not touch the times, nor launce the sore, Of States and Courts, which ranks more and more; That see the great ones run themselves to Hell, And damn their souls with sins too palpable: Yet you stand dumb the while, and will not go And tell them to their faces what they do. Look on our John, if he this path had trod, He might have kept his head, but wronged his God. Upon Mat. 14. 9 Epigr. 2. HErod hath sworn, and John must lose his head, A poor man would be loath to have it said, That he had broke his Oath, but Kings must stand, Upon their honour here at any hand; But who, blind Tyrant, bade thee swear at all? Wise men would weigh what mischiefs may befall, Before they ventured on so rash a vow, Which if it must be kept, thy children now And Mothers throats are not secure; nor ought So vile, but if she lists, it must be wrought; But plead not Conscience, he that daily lies In lustful sheets, will swallow perjuries: Revenge the Prophet first in prison threw, Whom now vainglory and indulgence slew. Upon Mar. 6. 2. Epig. 3. BAte Herod but his incest, and there's none Will be a greater follower of John; He hears him gladly, and observes him too, And many things accordingly doth do But here he sticks; with this he cannot part, Hypocrites will have something near their heart; Some lust or other which they prise before Their souls, and him whom all good souls adore. What profit is't, my Saviour, to have gone Half way with Herod in Religion▪ To be near heaven, as that poor Lawyer was, If I stay there, and do no further pass; Oh root out every sin which I possess, Or 'tis but vain to think of happiness. September 1. NAme not this Month, but let your thoughts withal Those old Mosaic mysteries recall, Which in this sacred number couched lie, And challenge from us a solemnity. Seven in a Christians mouth should never come, But his quick soul should run over all the sum; Rehearse a short couched Catalogue by rote Of all the sevens which Holy Writ doth note. Every small hint and word suggested, brings A godly man in mind of heavenly things. The Feasts of September 2. SEptember's twenty first is Matthew's right, Great Michael doth in twenty nine delight. Matthew Apostle. Epig. 1. YOu'll say Excise men seldom come to good, Who by extortions gain their livelihood▪ Yet see what Christ can do, our Matthew here Was such a one, yet's saved I do not fear. Let none condemn th' employment, mercy can Of such a Vermin make an honest man. Epig. 2. OF all the Gospels, Matthew's only writ In the Hebrew tongue, as if he purposed it Merely to save that Nation, whom before With harsh exactions he had polled so sore. And 'twas a large amends we grant indeed, For Earthly chaff, to give them heavenly seed. Epig. 3. GOod God what change is here! our Matthew that Erewhile at the receipt of Custom sat, And was so vile a wretch, that none, except The Devil himself, a worse Conscience kept; Is now become a Saint, yea counted fit In one of the Apostolic chairs to sit. Nor stays he at this height, but first of men Is chose his Saviour's life and death to pen: Which he discharged so well, that now they fear Not to affirm an Angel's hand did bear A part in the employment, as if none Of humane race could write such things alone; So soon he passed through both extremes, of late Almost a Devil, and now an Angel's Mate. Michael Archangel. Epig, 1. AT Moses Bar if sinful men were tried, No flesh alive would ere be justified. But him in mercy God hath laid so low, That Devils themselves his burial do not know. They strive indeed to find it out, and feign Would bring him from his putrid Urn again To judge the World; if they might have their will, Moses should live, and Christ be buried still. But our Archangels powerful hand alone Nulls all their search, and keeps his grave unknown Even so, great Prince, let him still buriedly, For if he rise, the whole wide world must die. Epig. 2. Ad Schismaticos, quod Michael non sit Christus. 'tIs no created Angel this, you say, But Christ the Lord, whom holy Church to day Honours for that great combat which of old He with the Devil 'bout Moses corpse did hold: But tell us then what were those men the while That say he durst not that foul fiend revile? What is't that great Messiah durst not do, Who made the Devils and shall condemn them too? Or whom doth God with his blessed Spirit infuse, That such harsh words of Christ their Lord will use? Choose which you'll hold, or 'twas a Creature this, Or what th'▪ Apostles wrote were Blasphemies. Epig. 3. Upon Revelat. cap. 12. Devils have their Prince, and so have Angels too, Monarchick power all creatures yield unto: These fought in heaven, this with desire to tear The woman thence, but that to keep her there: But rest poor Creature with thy Babe secure, The Dragon is not able to endure Thy Michael's strength, whom God hath armed to be A Prince, and Guardian to thy seed and thee: Rest happy Church, and though this Serpent's tail Over almost half the stars of heaven prevail To throw them down, yet be not thou affright, For whose defence such hosts of Angels fight. October 1. EIght is the Gospel's number, on this day Our buried Lord triumphing, broke away From Death's strong holds, whom she supposed sh'had tied There fast enough for ever to abide. That day, till he ascended hence, he still Met, and informed his Brethren with what skill, They in and out before his Church should go. That day his Spirit in streams of fire did flow Into the Apostles bosoms, and between Their knees, to sit like cloven tongues, was seen. That day the Lord for all his Church's weal To his belov'd Disciple did reveal, In Pathmos Isle, a gracious sight of all Those changes which hereafter must befall His wearied Spouse, till She at last do come To▪ feast it with him in the wedding room. In memory of all which things, his will Is, that this Eight day shall be honoured still Throughout the world, till he us all remove To keep an everlasting Eight above. The Feasts of October 2. OCtober's eighteenth day on Luke doth wait: Simon and Judas are pleased with twenty eight. Luke Evangelist. Epigr. 1. THat you may see that Galen's Pupils are Not all such Atheists as reports declare; Read those two books that Luke's sweet hand did pen, In this the Acts of God, in that of men: And tell me whether the Church ere had a man That wrote more truths than our Physician: To these, if you demand my Faith, I fly, And say here's my Religio Medici. Epigr. 2. LVke the beloved physician's styled a name, At which would God our Tribe did chief aim: Let others scrape for wealth, but let us be Deservedly beloved as well as he: Let us still wait upon our Patient's side, Take such account of all things that betid Their sleeps, their wake, cooling, heats, and all Those very nauseous excrements that fall, Bear all their wayward moods, speak still so fair, Give such good words, as may remove despair From their sad thoughts, which kills as much or more Than all their sickness; cast in still such store Of seasonable advice, as may dispose Them for a better life then that they lose. Yet ever be at hand to recommend Such congruous medicines as through Grace may tend To their recovery, that when all is done, We may get love, though little else be won. Epigr. 3. ANd why great Luke did Ancient times assign An Ox's form to such a soul as thine; A soul that breathes such heavenly streynes, as well Might fit an angel's glorious tongue to tell: Was it because thy holy book gins With a relation of those offerings; Which in Abrah's course were now to be Performed by old religious Zachary? Or was it because thou more than all the rest Thy Saviour's doleful Passion hast expressed, Who like an Ox was to the slaughter led, And died to ransom sinners that were dead? Or was't thyself and not thy books that were Deciphered by this Ox's character; The Ox we know doth fitly represent The labouring Pastor in his government; And this apt emblem truly could not be Referred to any better than to thee; Thy feet trod out much corn for us indeed, On which God grant our souls may gladly feed. Simon and Judas Apostles. Epigr. 1. THe name imports not much, the good and bad Have oftentimes the self same title had. The Sorcerer and Cephas both did bear The name of Simon, yet was Peter near The worse thought of for vile Magus sake, Nor do accursed Iscariots treasons make Thaddeus, James his Brother, loved the less Because they both were called Judasses'. Good names do well indeed, and yet we see That names and things do often disagree. Eve called her first born Cain as hoping well He might have proved that man that was to quell The Serpent's rage, but he alas became His Brother's Butcher, and his Parent's shame. Lord give me that new name, the which alone 'Tis sure was never given in vain to none. Upon Simon the Canaanite, Matt. 10. 4. & Mar. 3. 18. Epigr. 2. FRom Canaan's cursed stock some good doth flow, Even Christ himself to Rahab's loins doth owe The flesh he took, and she who begged a crumb Fallen from his board, from that vile race did come. You need not therefore wonder at the sight If 'mongst the twelve you find a Canaanite. The gifts of Grace are free, bestowed alike Upon the Jew, and also on the Greek: The Spirit breathes where it list, that none may vaunt Of too much plenty, nor despair for want. Upon Simon Zelotes, Epig. 3. THe Canaanite received into the train Of Christ, Zelotes name doth quickly gain, From that great zeal no doubt which he expressed, Unto his new chose Master's interest: And to say truth, it is not seldom seen That those strange branches, which are grafted in, Bring forth more plenteous, and more lovely fruit, Then those which nature thrusteth from the root, 'Tis sad indeed it should be thus, that they Who came into Christ's School but yesterday, Should outstrip those, who many years before Did put their sluggish feet within his door. Yet thus my God, with my poor Soul it stands, Those that but now did put their labo'ring hands Unto thy Plough, have rid more work away Then I that here have pingled many a day. I grudge not, Lord, at what these Zealots do, May they still thrive in Grace, and add unto The fire they have for thee, all that I pray Is that thou make me burn as well as they. November. 1. THe Muses here put in their claim, and cry, That this of right is their Festivity. That, I am bound this Month in every line To Echo forth the honour of the Nine. But they must pardon me, these sacred Lays Do own no influence but Vrania's. They know no Nine, save such as couched be In the Thrice-great, Thrice-holy Trinity. Th' are all my Muses, from their bounteous Throne My Artless quill derives her aid alone. November his Feasts. ALL Saints unto Novembers first repair; The fift, the Powder-Plots discovered are; The thirtieth is to that blessed Saint applied, Whom John first to the Lamb of God did guide. All Saints. Epigr. 1. THe Saints deceased, which now securely rest In Abraham's bosom of rich joys possessed. Cry strongly yet, no doubt, to re-obtain An union with their buried Corpse again: And being alike convinced that they, and we Who still below in these dark Mansions be, Make but one Body, they as strongly pray That we may gain those joys as well as they. We also here on Earth, having learned that those Blessed Spirits which now in blissful joys repose, Are part of us, and have assumed their Throne In our behalf, as well as in their own. Do praise thee, Lord, for them, whom thy good grace Hath rapped from hence, into so sweet a place. Thus whilst our praises, and their prayers do meet Knit up together, at thy glorious feet. Whilst they our wants, and we their joys partake: And each the others state their own do make. This is that true Communion indeed Of Saints, that we are taught out of the Creed. Epig. 2. WE are not able, Lord, to comprehend What numerous troops of glorious Saints attend About thy blessed Throne, and yet we know That there's not one of them to whom we own Not a Religious reverence, for those shares Which we are sure we have in all their prayers. Which due regards, lest we should haply miss In paying to their several Memori's. Athenian-like, but in a juster way, To th' unknown Saints we Dedicate this day. Epigr. 3. THe meanest of thy Saints, O God, we find Have left such patterns of their lives behind; And now such advantageous prayers do make (At least in general) for their Brethren's sake, That we can never pay thee what we own For what from one of these rich springs doth flow. How much more then, when all their streams unite Into one flood, must that be infinite? Th' are thus indeed, being viewed by our weak eyes, Which make alas but poor discoveries. Although compared to what thy Christ hath done, Th' are all but like a spark unto the Sun. Gunpowder Treason. Epig. 1. Romes' Mitred Shepherds rage's like Wolves, and rend With their fell teeth, the flocks they ought to tend. But I admire not at it, for 'tis said Her founders with Wolves milk at first were fed. And this approved experience daily shows, That from the breasts men suck their nature flows. Epig. 2. VVHose Vicar Rome's High Priest's most like to be, This day's cursed fireworks teach sufficiently. The devil no doubt first taught this murdering skill. And th' are his Imps alone that use it still. Epig. 3. 'TWas thought that such gross heretics as we Can scarce be saved, or Gods bright Presence see. When lo, the tender Romanist being sorry To have us damned, prepared a Purgatory, A newfound blast of Sulphurous flames, wherein Cleansed from the gross impurities of sin: Prince, Peers, and People, all at once might fly (Like Manaoh's Angel) to those joys on high. Who'll now hereafter charge the Popish rabble Of shaveling Priests to be uncharitable, Who would at their own charge (kind souls) convey Their Enemies to Heaven so near a way. Andrew Apostle. Epig. 1. ANdrew having found the Christ, brings Peter in; True Converts still strive others souls to win. Nor lose they by't, for grace is such a thing, The more men spend, the more their waters spring. Like Christ his loaves, whereof the more do share, The fuller still the emptied baskets are. Or like the widow's oil, which never stayed Till she an end of pouring out had made. A sparing hand here makes the Owner poor, They that do dole most out, have most in store, Upon John 1. 38, 39 Epig. 2. ANdrew inquires where Jesus dwelleth, he Answers him truly, he must come and see, 'Tis not the hearing of the ear, O man, That is enough to make a Christian. Unless thou come to Christ, and with thine eye Of faith, survey the place where he doth lie. Thousands have heard his own sweet mouth to tell Where his abode, and yet are gone to Hell, But none e'er came to him that went away, And perished in his sins another day. Epigr. 3. Upon the Scots Arrogating Saint Andrew for their Patron. SCotland, we grant, feels Andrews powerful hand, But 'tis to punish, not to guard their land, Their King, their God, their Souls, and all they'll sell For a few pence, and run themselves to Hell, But this sad curse their Saint on them hath laid, That they shall still be poor, for all their Trade. December 1. MEthinks this Month to Sinai sadly leads, And in our ears the ten Commandments reads, Those ten sad words, which none e'er kept, and none e'er broke, but 'twas to his own destruction. Sad words indeed, but that this Month, before It doth expire, brings in a Saviour. One that doth keep them from us, and doth bear That death himself, which our sad souls did fear. O happy Advent! that hath power to make This yoke so easy now to undertake, That takes all dread from these ten words away, And turns our Serpent to a helping stay. Which way so we look, this Number now Hath no more threatening wrinkles in its brow. Look upon Christ, and this tenth Month will bring Him clad in flesh, to be our offering. Look on the Law, and all the thunder's gone And it hath nothing in't, but light alone. Thus thou, my God, canst make December snow With more sweet joys, then verdant May to flow. December his Feasts. 2▪ DEcember's twenty first is Thomas Fee; The twenty fift is Christ's Nativity; Stephen upon the twenty sixth they stone; The twenty seventh's assigned to aged John; The twenty eight by Herod's cruelty At Bethlehem, the poor Innocents' did die. Thomas Apostle. Epig. 1. THy faith was weak, it cannot be denied, Such doubtings are not to be justified, When such a cloud of Witnesses do meet To clear a truth, than (Thomas) not to see't Is wilful blindness, which doth not admit Of any just excuse to cover it. But yet, blessed Saint, when by thy Lords consent Thy hands had felt those holes the nails had rend, And that the spear had made within his side, Then never man with greater fervour cried, My Lord, my God: O happy, happy tongue! That feelingly so sweet an Anthem sung, Thomas thy failings they were great indeed, But thy great faith I'm sure did more exceed. Epig. 2. THomas had not thy failings been so sad Our Faith had not so firm a footing had; Thy weakness is our strength, and by thy fall weare now so settled, as no tempest shall Unfix our holds, or make us doubt again: O God, what cannot thy great power attain? Who makest thy Saint's miscarriages to be An Antidote to all Posterity. Well may we by their graces look to win That do become such gainers by their sin. Epig. 3. Upon John 20. 21. THomas 'tis true, thy late dead Master stands Before thy eyes, thou feelest his side and hands, (Such is his grace) and now believest indeed, But 'tis weak faith that such strong proofs doth need. Blessed are they whom lesser means will draw, To rest upon that Christ they never saw. Thou dost not want thy wages, but their Faith No doubt my God, a double portion hath. Christmas Day, Epig. 1. Upon Luke 2. 7. STruck with a new Instinct me thinks I spy The Beasts before thy manger prostrate lie, And straight cry out, Lord, now 'tis true indeed, That which we in thy Holy Book do read, The Ox, and th' Ass their Master's crib do know, But Israel thine own people do not so. Epig. 2. Vers. eod. There was no room for them in the Inn. Vvho'd think that David's heir, in David's town With child, should find no lodging to lay down, Her precious burden, but poor creature must Into the stable with the Beasts be thrust. But thus in common Inns t' hath always been, They thrust out Christ whilst Ruffians vaunt within. Epigr. 3. Upon Luke 2. 8, 9, 10, 11. Why didst thou send thine Angel Lord to tell Poor Shepherds first of this great Miracle, The birth of thy Messiah which had been News for the stateliest Courts to have gloried in: Was it to show that in these heavenly things, Poor Swains oft get the start of mighty Kings? Or was't because that he whose birth was told, Himself was the great Shepherd of the fold, And 'twas but meet that such as Shepherds were, The birth of the great Shepherd first should hear; Or wouldst thou have these Shepherds know that Lamb Of God was now brought forth, whom it became Them to look after, more than all their own; A Lamb that whosome're doth wait upon, They are kept safe, by that same Lamb they keep, The Shepherds are preserved by the Sheep; Whether this or that induced thee Lord to show This grace, to these poor men, I do not know. But this I know, 've seen such things to day As never men beheld before but they; Go happy Shepherds, leave your flocks and high, To bethlehem where your Infant Lord doth lie: And when you have viewed his sacred person well, Spare not aloud, what you have seen to tell; Writ volumes of these things, and let them bear The title of the Shepherd's Calendar. This I assure you, never shepherds knew With all their studies, half so much as you. Saint Stephen. Epig. 1. THy name, great Stephen, doth a Crown denote, And thou indeed a goodly Crown has got. The first rich Crown that ever Martyr ware, That witness to his glorious Master bare. Christ by his sufferings passed into his Throne; And thou the self same-way to thine art gone. Where thou now reignest with him, O happy man! That by one Combat, such a Kingdom wan. Had I, great Saint, that learned Graecian's skill, And could drop golden raptures from my quill, I'd write whole books like his, and they should be Πέρι στεφάνου of thy Crown and thee. Upon Act. 7. 56. Epig. 2. THat Christ on God's right hand enthroned doth sit, Our Creed, and all the Scriptures witness it. Yet thou, great Martyr, seest him stand, a thing Well worthy of our strict examining. But I have found it. Thou being now to fight This first pitched Combat in thy Master's right: Christ leaves his seat, and upon tiptoe stands To see how thou thereof wouldst quit thy hands, And having seen thee, with much joy to win The prize, he opes the Heavens to take thee in. And will sit down no more, thou happy one, Till he have placed thee first upon thy throne: And ta'en those stones, which when thou now didst die About thy head like storms of hail did fly: And changed to Rubies, have enamelled them About thy well-wrought glorious Diadem. Stephen, thy way indeed was hard and rough, But thy reward at last was sweet enough. Upon Act. 7. 6. He fell asleep. Epig. 3. THen when the furious stones in storms did fall About thy head, when blood and brains and all Spatt'red from thy dissevered skull, and those That gave them, have bemoaned their dreadful blows, 'Tis said thou fellest asleep, O wondrous thing! Was this a time for sleep to spread her wing About thy peaceful temples? couldst thou lie So gently down, when such rough storms did fly? But I admire not, thou hadst seen a sight That ravished thy glad Soul with more delight Than all those wounds could fright thee with, which were Indeed an Exit, not a cause of fear. Let me my God but such a vision see, And I shall sleep in death as well as he. John the Evangelist. Epig. 1. 'Twas not for naught, great John, that thou didst rest Thy head upon thy Master's sacred Breast, Thence thou deriv'st those heavenly gifts that none Of all the twelve e'er had but thou alone: They moved in narrower Spheres, one's hand did pen, Epistles to the scattered brethren: Another filled with a celestial light, The story of his Saviour's life did write: But thou alone in one sweet knot didst twist, Prophet, Apostle, and Evangelist. Epig. 2. Upon John 19 26, 27. THis power to all believers is conveyed, That they are Gods adopted children made, And 'tis a grace indeed, to be allied To Christ the Lord upon the better side: But John to thee this further honour's done That thou'rt adopted also Mary's son; On both sides now unto thy Lord a kin, His German-brother doubly grafted in; O who can boast great Saint, as thou canst do? The Son of God, and Son of Mary too! No mortal man had e'er that favour shown, To be thus truly styled, but thou alone. Epig. 3. Upon the Effigies of an Eagle, ascribed to S. John. 'TWas not unmeet blessed Saint that thou didst bear The quick-yed Eagles specious Character, Who couldst with fixed looks so freely gaze, Upon those beams which other eyes amaze; Who hast thy Lords dread person so expressed, As if thou dst lain, not on, but in his breast; As though the other Writers all had seen But his backparts, and thou alone hadst been Familiar with his face, which shone so bright, That no man's eyes but thine could brook the sight. The Type was apt, but short, the eagle's eye And towering wing indeed, that soars so high, Something present thy Genius, but not well For she wants tongue the things she sees to tell; Thou with Seraphic skill at once didst see, And warble out thy Saviour's dignity: Well did the Church in one sweet Book of thine, Ascribe to thee the Title of Divine. Thou showd'st thyself so there, and to say true In all the rest great Saint, thou didst so too. Innocents' day, Epig. 1. Weigh but the sins, and sorrows age doth bring, And you'll conclude it is a happy thing To die betimes, and so prevent those woes Which he that long surviveth undergoes, This was your case, sweet Babes, you early died, And so blessed souls the fewer evils tried But that's not all, you died for Jesus sake, And that's a cause indeed enough to make The saddest sufferings glorious; never man For his behoof the smallest hazard ran And lo●●●y the adventure, so to die, Is to live happy everlastingly. Then weep not Rachel that thy Sons are slain, Nor reckon that thy loss, that was their gain. 'Twas mercy that thy children died so soon, But that they thus did die, 's a double Boon. Epig. 2. THe sting of death is sin, remove but that, And death hath nothing to be trembled at. What need then these sweet Infants fear; th' events Of death, ne'er hurt such harmless Innocents'. Lord, wash my Soul as clean as theirs, and I When e'er thou call'st, will be content to die. Epigr. 3. YOu died for Christ, sweet Babes, but grudge not though, You gained a glorious Crown by doing so: And 'twas no sorry bargain, that to lose A moment's breath, for such rich joys as those; And yet that breath was none of yours, beside▪ 'Twas bought before by him, for whom you died FINIS.