THE DIVINE WOOER; OR A POEM, Setting forth The Love and Loveliness of the LORD JESUS, and his great desire of our welfare and happiness, and propounding many Arguments full of weight and power, to persuade Souls to the faith and obedience of him; and Answering divers Objections that are made there-against, and that hinder many therefrom.  
Composed by J. H. a servant of God in the glorious Gospel of his well beloved Son.  Psal. 45.1. 
My heart herein a good thing doth indite,  
The things pertain to Christ which here I writ:  
A ready writer's pen may my tongue prove,  
Imprinting on the Readers heart Christ's love.  Psal. 34.8, 11. 
O taste and see how good's the Lord, and just,  
O happy man that maketh him his trust!  
Come children unto me, give heed, I'll teach  
You how to fear the Lord, his grace I preach.  
Quis leget haec!  Persius. 
Omne tulit punctum qui miscuit utile dulci,  Horat. 
A verse may find him, who a Sermon flies,  
And turn delight in●● a sacrifice.  Herbert 
LONDON, Printed for R. Taylor, and T. Sawbridge, and are to be Sold in Little-Brittane, 1673.   

THE DEDICATION.  

LOrd I would dedicate this work to Thee,  
For its materials are mainly thine;  
And those endowments too, thou gav'st to me,  
Through exercise whereof it became mine;  
But yet that exercise of mine's so short  
Of what ought t' have been, that thou mayst abhored.   

II.  
I do confess that unto Thee I own,  
Myself, and all that I am, or can do;  
For all that's good in me Thou did bestow,  
And in my wants it is to Thee I go:  
Therefore 'tis meet, that I devote to Thee,  
Myself, my works, and all that is in me.   

III.  
But I'm a very sinful dirty thing,  
So much defiled in heart, mind, head and hand;  
That I no offering meet for Thee can bring;  
Nought that before Thee thou mayst bear to stand:  
If Thou dost look upon it with pure eye,  
And mark its many swervings narrowly.   

iv  
O wash me in the fountain of that blood,  
Which thy most blessed Son for me hath shed:  
Renew me with thy grace, that can make good  
And clean, both heart, and mind; both hand and head.  
Then shall I better offerings bring to Thee,  
Than either I, or this my work now be.   

V  
The spring whence flowed out those streams, which here  
Together gathered I have by study:  
Is with what flows therefrom, both pure and clear,  
But ah! the channel they ran through is muddy.  
Thy words are all most pure, but in my mind  
While they received are, there dirt they find.   

VI  
Mistakes, and earthiness, carnal desires,  
And selfish ends, therein so frequent are;  
That what results therefrom, greatly bemires  
The heavenly liquor, and it almost mars:  
Yet Lord let not thy wine be thrown away,  
Though of the cask something it relish may.   

VII.  
But let the Readers such good strainers find,  
Of piercing judgement, as to separate  
What's mine from thine, so as what's thine to mind,  
And nothing thereof for my sake to hate;  
Yea, what in them or me thou seest amiss,  
pardoning and purging, to us both it bliss.   

VIII.  
Oh cause both me, and them who read or hear,  
Of what's here writ of thy beloved Son;  
The truth thereof behold so bright and clear,  
As unto him at all times we may run:  
And unto him resolve so fast to cleave,  
As him by no means we may ever leave.   

IX.  
And O might all the muse of my mind,  
And words, or writings, which from thence proceed;  
Be such as may with Thee acceptance find,  
And useful be, to who them hear or read:  
To what's good therefore, Thou my strength, Lord be,  
And from what ill inthrals me set me free.    

TO THE READER.  

THere is a Proverb, saith, Blessed is the wooing,  
That is soon over, or not long in doing:  
This Proverb hath its truth and verity,  
In this same wooing; which unto thine eye,  
And mind, I here present, if we respect  
The party wooed. He that dont' reject  
Christ's proffered kindness, or his patience tyre,  
But quickly yields himself to his desire;  
Without excuses or delays is Blest,  
And sooner of much happiness possessed.  
Whereas He that stands dallying long, and gives  
Frequent denials, of much good deprives  
Himself mean while, and many griefs sustains,  
While between two, He in suspense remains:  
Yea and endangers the Great Wooer too,  
To turn away in anger; and then woe  
And anguish will succeed; for there is none  
With whom the soul can live well, but this One.   

Though in respect of him that's wooed, it's well  
That Christ upon his suit long time doth dwell:  
That He's not quick to anger, but doth wait  
To show his mercy, even to such as hate  
To be reproved, and do long resist  
That grace of God, without which none is blessed.  
That He vouchsafes to call, and knock, and stay,  
At the long-closed-Heart, from day to day;  
Till by his goodness and long-suffering, He  
Subdues its unkind hardness, makes it see  
Its folly; Him so to oppose, in whom  
All good and happiness to it doth come:  
And without whom it must sustain such woe,  
As it can neither bear, nor get therefrom.   

Which patience and long-suffering, doth commend  
This Wooer much, that He will so attend,  
Upon such sorry persons, and so long  
Before He leave his suit. His love is strong,  
Which led him hither through so many trials;  
And leads him too to take so oft denials:  
When as He is so Great and perfect too,  
That He no need hath any one to woo;  
Nor is there any worthy of his love,  
Or to enjoy him; He's a match above  
The Highest creature; none in Heaven or Earth,  
Can equal him in greatness, goodness, birth.   

But who is that that's wooed? whom doth He court?  
Is't only some of the more wealthy sort?  
Is't only the brave gallants? or is't those  
Whose wit and breeding other men's outgoes?  
Or is it such as are set up on high,  
Invested with some great Authority?  
We might suspect indeed, that He some such  
Would take to him, that in these matters much  
Come nearer to his greatness. But alas!  
For none of all those things He ought doth pass.  
Nor do they make those who them have to be,  
Any whit nearer to him in degree,  
Than those who have them not: they bear no sway  
With him at all; that more of his heart they  
Then others should obtain: but whosoe'er  
Do hearty him love, to him are Dear.  
It's any soul in general that He  
Doth call and Woe, that saved it might be;  
To whom He by his works and words doth show,  
His truth and goodness that it them may know;  
And by his holy Spirit, them evidences  
In any measure. But men oft their senses  
So stupefy with pride and lust, that they  
Do not perceive what he to them doth say:  
But do neglect his voice till He them leave,  
The fruits of their own folly to receive.   

But wheresoever men hear him, and do heed  
Those heavenly words which do from him proceed;  
Believing on him, He them all doth take  
Into a nearer union, and doth make  
An everlasting Covenant with them,  
Their sins to pardon, their souls not condemn;  
He'll be their God and guide, their portion great,  
Their Head and Husband; they with him shall eat,  
And drink, and rest, and dwell, and see his face;  
He will them dearly love, He'll them embrace:  
He'll kiss them, satisfy their souls with good;  
He'll over flow them with a mighty flood  
Of peace and happiness; and they remain  
Shall ever with him, ever with him reign.   

The Soul of Man like to a female is, 
Anima. f. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉   
And its desire is strongly after bliss;  
And to some other thing, as to its male  
It doth subject itself; for it would fail,  
If left alone as by itself to dwell;  
For than it doth sink down to death and Hell;  
And many things there are like Males to it,  
To which it turns itself, seeking to get  
From them its pleasure and subsistence, and  
Subjects itself too unto their command.   

The World (or Spirit of it, 
Mundus. m. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉  that magnifies  
The things below, and such virtue as lies  
In them) that courts the soul, which naturally  
Since it from God is fallen, sets its eye  
Upon its pleasures, pomps, riches, and far,  
And what the objects of its senses are.  
To this it turns itself, to this it flies,  
On this for peace and safety it relies.  
For this it lusts, and its embraces wishes;  
Opens itself thereto, likes well its kisses.  
In it delights, and to it itself yields,  
Desires its gifts of Money, Houses, Fields;  
What ere may please it and protection give,  
And make it in good plight and rank to live.  
But this World's empty, fading, false and vain,  
And if the Soul match to't 'twill prove its bane.   

The Wicked one, even the soul spirit, 
Diabolus. m. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉  that sets  
The heart on Mischief, when He therein gets  
Possession; stirs up unto strife, debate,  
Oppression, violence, pride, envy, hate:  
He courts the Soul too, and it's oft beguiled  
By him, and with those wicked seed's defiled;  
Conceiting sweetness oft in any thing,  
Which unto other men may mischief bring.  
A Spirit of error and false Prophecy  
Is He ofttimes, to Heaven; but by a lie,  
Pretending, and in divers shapes appears,  
And some great (how and port He often bears,  
As if he came from Heaven and led thereto.  
Yea usually the name of Christ also  
He can assume: though 'tis but in deceit,  
Th' unwary Soul the easilier to cheat.  
For He doth always turn the Soul away,  
From the true Christ, who down his life did lay  
For our offences, and from that good word,  
Th' Apostles preached, and what it doth afford;  
Not singly leading it to Christ, that He  
Its Lord and Saviour in all things might be:  
On him to trust, his counsels to observe;  
But to some fancy leadeth it to swerve;  
Or else some other work, law, power, or name,  
Doth join with Christ; Adultery with the same,  
Leading the Soul to practise, whereby it  
Misseth Christ's blessing, and his wrath doth get.   

For Christ, indeed the only one is, 
Chirstus. m. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉  who  
Hath power received from God, the Soul to woe;  
And He alone that for the Soul hath done,  
And that can and will do for it, that none  
Besides him could or can; and therefore He  
Alone its Bridegroom worthy is to be.  
He all things hath that may the Soul enrich,  
Content and cherish. He from all things which  
May danger it, will safely it defend,  
And bring it to an happy glorious end.   

But naturally the Soul doth not Him know,  
Nor what a one He is, but looks below  
To things unto its senses manifest,  
Thinking in their enjoyments to be blest.  
And if it see a need of any thing  
Beside, to after-Bliss it for to bring;  
Then usually it plays the wanton whore.  
Some form of godliness it will adore;  
Wherein the World and Devil too, it may  
Have fellowship withal, and with them play,  
And sport itself, and yet be godly too,  
And some fine easy outside service do.  
Or if some stricter course it yields to take  
(As it can be at cost and pains to make  
Itself a graven Image: as of old  
The Israelites to make a Calf of Gold,  
Would with their Jewels part) its the design  
(While with the Spirit of error it doth combine)  
To be its own Redeemer, or to get  
A righteousness or Name, wherewith commit  
Adultery it may; for oft with more  
Than one false Spirit, the Soul doth play the Whore.   

But only Christ is worthy it to have,  
Who from the Heavens descended it to save,  
From Sin and Death, and power hath all to give,  
Which may make Soul and Body both to live.   

And He by's Word and Spirit, and those in whom,  
These are, and work, unto men's Souls doth come,  
Inviting them to him; but not that He  
With other things only should partner be,  
In their affections and their worships; but  
That all things else from the heart being shut,  
He might alone the Sovereign power obtain,  
It to command, and over it to reign.  
That it to him its love and confidence  
May singly give, in the belief and sense  
Of his great worth and goodness; and submit  
In all things to his wise dispose of it.   

The Spirit of Wisdom which comes from on high,  
And doth of Christ and his things testify;  
And into their hearts who have him received,  
Inspired hath the Truth to be believed:  
And by them wrought such miracles, as none  
Besides them in the World have ever done;  
He calls men unto Christ, his voice is, Come  
To Christ for Righteousness, and for Wisdom,  
For Pardon, Peace, for Strength, for Holiness,  
For Freedom from all evil, for all bliss.   

The Church, or Spouse, the Bride of Christ who knows,  
And singly to him cleaves, she him forth shows,  
And not herself (as the false Church) she woos  
For him alone. Yea every one his voice  
That hears, and in his goodness doth rejoice,  
Is both allowed, and bid to call men to  
This Blessed one, and them for him to woe.  
It's only the false Church, that magnifies  
Herself, and hides his glory from men's eyes.   

Oh come ye, come ye then to Christ, I pray;  
Come all that thirst, all that want help and stay,  
Support, life, comfort, guidance, righteousness,  
And what may satisfy the Soul with bless.  
All that are heavy laden and oppressed,  
Come unto Christ, and He will give you rest.  
Come, come, here is a Fountain open set,  
Exposed to you all, whence you may get  
Freely what good you want. Here's what will make  
You fully happy; Come these waters take,  
Here's no restraint, ye may all come and buy,  
Wine, water, milk, without price or Money.  
Only let go your lusts, your Idols, and  
What with the love of Jesus will not stand.  
Part with your sloth, with diligence attend,  
At all his posts and pillars; in the end  
Ye shall him find, and whatsoever ye want,  
That is good for you, He will freely grant.  
He's full, and free, and none will turn away  
That come to him, and on his Name do stay.   

To Him I call thee Reader, Thou art He  
Who art invited, and spoke to by me,  
Who ere thou art, rich, poor, wise or unwise,  
I call Thee unto Christ, do not despise  
What I present Thee; though as 'tis from me,  
Thou many weaknesses therein mayst see.  
Yea Christ doth call Thee by me; in the main  
It is his language, do not it disdain;  
'Slight not his love, it's He that doth Thee woe:  
I'm but his spokesman, but the Trunk where thro'  
He sends his voice to Thee, do thou it hear:  
Peruse this Book, and mark well what is there  
Propounded to Thee; Read it to the end,  
And much good do't Thee; so desires, Thy Friend   
April 30. 1673. JOHN HORN.   

Another to the READER, of the Contents of this BOOK.  

1. REader, If thou dost look, into this Book  
For wit, and for high strains, Thou'lt lose thy pains.  
2. It was not my intent, strains to invent,  
Or witty phrases which some men count rich.  
3. 'Twas not thy lust to feed, while thou dost read,  
Nor yet to satisfy a vain fancy.  
4. But 'twas thy Soul to win, from vice, and sin,  
And woe thee unto Bliss, that I writ this.  
5. The mind and fancy have their lust, and crave  
Food for their pleasure too, which may undo.  
6. But here they will not find, their sails with wind  
To fill; I do not ride in state and pride.  
7. My wit runs plain and smooth, yet doth not sooth,  
Nor lull thy Soul a sleep, to fall i'th' deep.  
8. I do not soar, or fly up loftily,  
In words and phrases where all Stars appear.  
9 I go low near the ground, both sure and sound;  
My lines are not too heady, but square and steady.  
10. The matter which I writ, doth want no height,  
But mounts up very high, 'bove Stars and Sky.  
11. It opens Heaven to thee, where thou mayst see,  
Such excellencies as man's wit do pass.  
12. It treats of his high love, who's from above,  
And who above is gone, and's on the Throne.  
13. Yet by the way doth tell, the woes of Hell,  
And warns thee for to keep, from that sad deep.  
14. It shows the lovely face, and glorious grace,  
Of Heaven's high heir in part, to take thy heart.  
15. Though who can him declare, He is so fair?  
No pencel can set forth his wondrous worth.  
16. These great things to express, I sought no dress  
Of flaunting eloquence, nor great expense  
17. Of wit and art: for they cannot display  
Their glory more but hide, their native pride.  
18. Is not his labour lost, and all his cost,  
Who would the Sun make fine, and gild its shine?  
19 The finest cloth of Gold that may be sold,  
Yea Pearls and Diamonds sure would it obscure.  
20. Rich lines, with rich wits suits, such tree such fruits,  
Such as I have I give, read well and live.    

An Apology for writing the following Poem in Verse, and at such a time as wherein I left my living, it being writ in Anno 1662. after August 24. therein.  

What's here! (thou'lt say) A Preacher turned a Poet,  
A married man in's Elder days to woe it?  
What doth He dote? Is this a time for him,  
When He hath lost his Living to go rhyme.  
As if He was well satisfied and pleased,  
That He of Fourscore pounds by th' year is eased?  
Alas! He is not for a Poem fit,  
His scull's too thick, He wants both Art and Wit.  
What can this Babbler say! can ought proceed  
From him that worthy is that we it read?  
To this I something briefly answer shall,  
And then commit it to thy perusal.   

TO Poetry I do not much pretend,  
Though at that time I found my Genius bend  
Somewhat thereto when this I wrote: my skill  
Is small, having but little dipped my quill  
In those still waters, which do qualify  
The soul best for the Art of Poetry.  
Yet to my inclination at that time,  
A little I gave way to write in rhyme;  
I scarcely can tell why, but I did find  
That sort of Spirit, or Muse to court my mind.  
To which it having sometimes by the by,  
Yielded itself a little amorously,  
And yet divinely too; at length it fell  
Upon this subject, wherewith it did swell;  
Till far beyond what I did first intent,  
It did this large production here forth send.  
Wherein that happened to me, which sometime  
Befalls young maids or women in their prime:  
Who while they tick and toy, and to young men  
(Perhaps their lovers) they do now and then  
Yield up themselves after a wanton sort,  
To taste the pleasures of the Nuptial sport;  
Not thinking or desiring (although wild)  
Thence to conceive, and to bring forth a child.  
Yet after sometimes scaping (which doth make  
Them bolder of those pleasures to partake)  
Before they are ware they be oft deceived,  
Begin to swell, and find they have conceived.  
Even so it fared with me (saving that I  
In my attempts did act more honestly,  
And therefore not ashamed of what I did,  
I have not sought to keep its product hid;  
As is their wont, who acting sinfully  
Are filled with shame, and therefore seek to fly  
From people's knowledge of it) but while to  
That Spirit which my mind sometime did woe,  
I somewhat pleasingly myself inclined,  
It did insinuate into my mind.  
That though I thought but only by the by,  
To exercise my wit, yet suddenly  
I felt myself to swell, grow big and sick  
Of my conceptions; that I see I quick  
Was proved before I thought so, and perceived  
That something from that Spirit I had received,  
That had the nature of an heavenly seed,  
And this same Embryo in my mind did breed.  
Which as it dropped into my mind in verse,  
So I in meeter do it here rehearse.   

A way which holy men have sometime took,  
As may be showed from God's holy Book:  
They holy things conceived and penned in song,  
Which their sweet singers did sing, among  
The people at their solemn meetings oft,  
As in the Book of Chronicles we be taught.  
Unto the pure all things be pure; and they  
May any gift of God use, any way  
May take, he leads them to, thereby to draw  
Themselves and others more to mind his law.  
And this of verse doth some men more delight,  
Then if the same in prose peruse they might.  
For I conceive that something there is found,  
In most men's minds that doth of music sound:  
That it's much wrought on by, and suiteth best  
With what in measured numbers is expressed.  
And some where we are willed to our King,  
Not only praise, but skilful praise to sing.  
The holy Spirit of Wisdom judges it,  
A practice also for him not unfit;  
To condescend to men in any ways,  
Whereby He them from Earth to Heaven may raise.  
And leads his servants to be All to any,  
That they thereby may unto God win many.   

That I should go a wooing now may be,  
Perhaps an unbeseeming thing for me.  
Except it be in that more doleful sense,  
So as men do when they use penitence.  
But if it be well minded, for to woe  
In the more pleasant sense agrees well too  
With my profession, for what other is  
A Preacher, who doth Christ set forth with his  
Excellencies, and men to him do call;  
But such a wooer! and such wooers all  
Right Preachers be, what else have I been doing,  
All the time I have Preached but been so wooing?  
If any thing beside almost, a miss  
I did, which matter of Repentance is:  
Which I am sorry for, that I have not  
So loved the Bridegroom as I ought; nor got  
So many Souls to him espoused, as  
I might have done, since I a Preacher was.  
For my neglects wherein, He justly may  
Have ordered to me as at this day;  
That such things were imposed by those on High,  
As did occasion my laying by:  
Wherein his goodness too I do adore,  
In that He since as well as heretofore,  
Hath me supplied and kept with such content  
And safety, as I done't at all repent  
My loss of honour, or estate, or aught  
That of advancement my Church living brought.  
Oh that my heart to him were more upright,  
So as in him to take my whole delight.  
And more to give myself to do his will,  
And as I may my ministry fulfil:  
Trusting him with myself, to do with Me  
Whatever pleasing unto him shall be.  
While I his work do, obey his command,  
He can me save, because He in his hand  
Hath all, both things, and persons; and can do,  
What ever his Wisdom directs him to.  
However let his will be done for it  
Is good, and to it I submit.  
Only I crave his mercy, wherein I  
May any thing herein, that is too high  
For me have written; or if aught there be  
Therein contained, which his eye doth see  
To be amiss, in manner, or in matter,  
For I do not myself so vainly flatter;  
As to conceive I so divinely write,  
As nothing may be therein but what's right,  
Or at the least, that as it came from me,  
Hath nothing whereby it defiled may be.  
That I his glorious person personate,  
And introduce as one that doth relate;  
The doleful wail of the damned throngs,  
Or represent the just's melodious songs,  
And great rejoicings; when on sentence past,  
They shall possess those dooms that aye shall last.  
Therein I pardon crave, if any thing  
There's therein found, that is unbefilting  
His greatness, or their glory; what I writ  
Therein, was for my exercise; as fit  
I did conceive those things that are to come,  
To contemplate, both good and bad men's doom.  
Endeavouring to express them, as may well  
Consist with what thereof the Scriptures tell:  
And unto others so them to present,  
As might them best awaken to repent.  
And that such as are just may still be so,  
And never may the ways of truth forgo.  
And much refreshing it unto me brought,  
While I unto those things, my mind and thought  
Did exercise; nor hath there any time  
Befallen me, wherein to verse and rhyme  
I found myself disposed more; for though I  
My Living parted with then, yet thereby  
My Conscience I kept free, from what would  
Have more disturbed my mind, had I made bold  
To act above its liberty, for than  
Though I more elbow room, might amongst men  
Have had, and some more money in my purse;  
Yet I was fearful that my soul, much worse  
Would then have been at ease; which now hath not,  
It to disquiet, upon it this blot.  
That I for living sake did that profess,  
Which I conceived not to be blameless.  
Not that I do condemn, what they above  
Have judged needful, or well to behoove  
For future peace: or that I fault all those  
Who, with what I did scruple at, do close.  
To their own Master they must stand or fall,  
By whom at last we must be judged all.  
But I no cause find to repent that I  
Feared to offend the Lord, but quietly  
Bearing my cross and burden, to be glad  
I was preserved from what I judged bad.  
As for this Treatise, what's therein, to Thee  
Who readest it, I leave censured to be.  
Read and Consider it, no more I say,  
But only God to thee it bless I pray.   
J. M.   

A Commendatory Epistle to the Reader.  Written by a lover of the Reverend and Judicious Author of this BOOK. 

ALthought this Poem doth not stand in need  
Of my poor Commendations: which indeed  
Are of small value, since I am, and seem  
One of so little Learning or Esteem,  
That small regard, or credit, given will be,  
To aught that is expressed here by me.  
Touching his Book, which is not Mean, nor Weak,  
But fully able, for itself to Speak,  
And to command Respect, in spite of them,  
That shall the same through prejudice contemn:  
Yea, to convince, or put to silence, Those  
Who shall presume, or dare it to oppose:  
All which might be as Reasons, why I should  
My hand and pen from this employment hold.   

Yet notwithstanding, when I did peruse  
That Heavenly Dialogue, which here ensues  
And is the subject of this following Tract,  
Observing too, how well it was compact  
And firmly built upon God's Holy Word,  
With which the substance of it doth accord:  
Giving the Reader much good help and light,  
The Scriptures for to understand aright,  
In those most weighty and important things,  
Which to the Soul, most good and profit brings;  
Clearing away those Fogs and Mists which rise,  
To cloud and hid Christ's beauty from our Eyes;  
Whose kindness, goodness, love, and loveliness,  
Incomparably he doth here express;  
And his goodwill to us so far imparts,  
As well might make our hard and frozen hearts  
Melt into Tears; and willingly embrace  
Our dear Redeemer's proffered love and grace,  
Which is most rich, and free, as doth appear,  
And is as richly represented here.   

I also heeding how industriously  
He labours and indeavour's to untie,  
And break those snares the World, and Devil makes  
To hold us Prisoners; and what pains he takes  
To set us free: and earnestly doth strive  
Our much deluded Soul's to undeceive;  
And also with what Scriptural replies  
He answers all those Reas'ning, which arise  
In our vain carnal Atheistick heart;  
As causes why we are so loath to part  
With our false lovers, and ourselves betake  
To Christ, who only can us happy make:  
Declaring how absurd, and reasonless  
It is for men to seek their happiness,  
In ways which do so much debase the Soul,  
Namely, to live as Beasts without control,  
Only to feed their sensual appetites,  
With worldly, sensual, perishing delights.   

And how he by plain reason, overthrows  
The Atheistick Principles of those  
Vain, foolish Worldlings, who in heart deny  
The Power, and Providence of the Most High,  
Who Made and Rules the World, and will likewise  
Most certainly cause all the Dead to Rise,  
And come to Judgement. At that dreadful Day,  
When Christ most infinitely will repay  
His friends, and foes, far otherwise then here  
They ever in this World repaid were.  
A glimpse of which Reward and Punishment,  
He doth beforehand lively here present:  
Showing what dreadful Horror shall surprise,  
All who to Christ, and his, are Enemies:  
And have them Persecuted, scorned, or slighted.  
How such shall stand amazed and affrighted,  
At that strange turn, and (though it will nought avail)  
Their former foolish, sinful ways bewail;  
And with most bitter lamentations, rue  
That they, their lusts and pleasures to pursue,  
Should God neglect: and what might have prevented  
Their being so unspeakably Tormented.   

And how the Saints in their most blessed state,  
Their dear Redeemer's praise shall celebrate,  
With Songs of Triumph, reigning gloriously,  
As Kings with Him, to all Eternity.  
And then from both doth strongly reinforce  
His former suit, that we would take the course  
Which he persuades; namely, with Christ to close  
Unfeignedly; not fearing wants or foes.  
Which fears and doubtings, in us to prevent,  
Christ to us he again doth represent,  
As all-sufficient to preserve and guide us,  
And all things necessary to provide us.  
Showing Christ's tender love, and special care,  
Which he for all his Servants will declare;  
That they shall have no reason to repent  
Their choice; and then gives great encouragement  
That though we many strong corruptions have,  
Christ's grace shall us from those corruptions save;  
That we o'er them, through him, shall conquest get,  
And also over whatsoever let,  
May interpose: And that the only thing  
Which Christ desires is, that we be willing  
To give ourselves wholly to him, and then  
He will give back himself to us again;  
And with himself whatever good thing he  
Shall needful for our souls and bodies see,  
This and much more (our hearts for to allure)  
The Author doth I'th' Name of Christ assure.   

These, and many other things, no less  
Remarkable than these, which to express  
Or over them particularly to run,  
Were but to light up candles to the Sun;  
Since you in Reading may them find and see  
More fully, then if hinted here by me.   

On which (I say) when I had cast mine eye  
Observing also how judiciously,  
Full and compendiously he doth express  
Each thing; me thought that I could do no less  
Then leave some small memorial of my love,  
To signify how highly I approve  
The Author's Labour in this following Book,  
Although I know not how it may be took,  
Only i'll hope the best; desiring thee  
Who Readest this Book, thou wouldst not tired be,  
Nor grudge thy labour, though it seemeth long,  
Lest in so doing thou thyself dost wrong,  
And to thy shame declare, how little thou  
Esteemest of Christ: Whose Excellence to show,  
This Author much more time and pains did spend,  
As knowing none can him enough commend,  
By all the Words, or Books that can be writ;  
Considering also there's enough in it  
To Recompense thy labour, if thou hast  
A Spiritual heart, to relish and to taste  
Those Spiritual dainties, and that Heavenly cheer,  
Which by this Author is presented here.   

Or if as yet thou hast not, yet through grace,  
Whilst thou herein beholdest, with open face,  
As in a glass, that Glorious Love Divine,  
Which in this Sun of Righteousness doth shine;  
Who courts, and woos thee here, with him to wed:  
Thou may'st (I say) be Metamorphosed  
Into that Glorious Image, whence we fell;  
And then, I know, such Books will please thee well,  
And to thy soul much joy and solace bring,  
Yea, thou wilt in a feeling manner sing,  
That Song of Loves, 
* p. 257  composed by this thy Friend;  
And from thy own experience Christ commend,  
As far more lovely than thou canst conceive,  
Which wishing to thee, I shall take my leave.   
March 10. 1672. R. T.   

If you would know my NAME, This Accrostick shows the same.  

Reader, this Book presents a Match unto thee,  
One of great Worth, who for his Bride would have thee,  
By this his Servant, earnestly doth woo thee,  
Eternally to dignify and save thee:  
Refuse not then, but take him at his word,  
The whole World can't thee such a Match afford.   

Think not his terms proposed, too strict and hard,  
Or that he bids thee to thy loss; But know  
Without him, thou art quite undone and marred,  
Since none but he can pay what thou dost owe,  
Or stand thy Friend, at Death and Judgement day;  
No more will he, except thou him obey.    

By Another.  

SIR, I have read your ex'llent wooing fit,  
And find it couched in plain but soaring wit.  
The truest wisdom, Sir, your lines unfold,  
How to make Christ the Husband of our souls.  
Let Momus carp, let Sycophants revile,  
At this thy plain but Heaven aspiring stile:  
We'll leave them as they are, and wave their scorn,  
In his good time God will exalt his Horn.   

In this thy heavenly wooer thou hast shown,  
Our Saviour's mercy and his love in one.  
Here soul thy Christ to thee proposeth Heaven,  
Nay he doth woo thee to't, let not sins leaven   

Harbour in thee t' obstruct thy way to bliss.  
O Soul admire that Christ thy wooer is!  
Render him thanks for this his mercy great,  
Never refuse so glorious a seat.  
Eternal horror will be thy retreat.    

On the ensuing Poem.  

THis Author minding God's great Love to us,  
Was thereby moved to represent it thus:  
No flaring dress nor gaudy Robes here worn,  
And yet enough to keep his Muse from scorn:  
Not a-la-Mode, yet handsome, neat and spruce,  
To gain respect, and stop or damn the sluice  
Of that profaneness, which licentious rhymes  
Sets , in these our sad declining times;  
The wooing here Divine, no compliment  
Needed nor used by way of supplement,  
It treats of high and heavenly mysteries,  
Brought down to suit meanest capacities;  
The heir of all God's first begotten Son  
Is here commended, yet when all is done  
That all's too short, his praises to set forth,  
Much here's expressed, but more admire his worth:  
Praised be God for this sweet Melody;  
Thanks also to that Instrument whereby  
The Match is here advised, well may he speed  
In such endeavours, and at every need,  
Find such supplies of mercy from the Lord,  
As he hath promised in his Holy Word,  
May they, too, profit who shall read these Songs.  
Praise be to God, to whom all praise belongs.   
James Horn.   

On the foregoing Commendations of the following Poem.  

OThers affect that by some Learned men,  
Some Doctors, Students, Preachers, or the pen  
Of some great Person, what they put to Press  
Should be commended; or delight to dress  
It with some curious Frontispeice: my mind  
In good men's approbation more doth find  
It to content; that such as God believe,  
And his instructions likewell to receive  
Who godliness endeavour after, fleeing  
What ever things are therewith disagreeing,  
Commend my studies and endeavours: for  
Such Persons praises God doth not abhor.  
By such he'll be commended, when by those  
Who to true godliness are real foes:  
(Though great, and rich, and learned too they be)  
To be extolled, much disdaineth he.  
Nor did that Kingly Poet David, whose  
Praises were great in songs, who did compose  
The sweetest Poems, unto him invite  
The great or Learned Persons, that they might  
Turn in to him and his Companions be;  
But such as feared the Lord, thereto did he  
Invite and call: they in God's mysteries  
Have the best judgement, are the truly wise.  
Nor God nor good men for their poverty  
Do any such despise, why then should I?  
Better by one poor good man praised to be,  
Than by a thousand bad of high degree.  
In such (though mean men in this World) God's treasures  
Have oft been put, and they of divine pleasures  
Have oft the largest deepest draughts; the Saints  
Or holy men (what ever outward wants  
Have them attended) Christ's inheritance  
With all its glorious riches doth advance.  
If such then like my works, if what I've penned  
Those that be truly pious do commend,  
It is enough; if they be pleased, I much  
Pass not for their accounts that are not such.  
Though that's the lot of goodness too, that oft  
Some such it praise too, who themselves are naught.  
Such virtue's beauty that it oft attracts,  
Their eyes and tongues, who yet refuse its acts.  
Who loving sensual pleasures, can't endure  
Themselves unto those labours to inure  
Whence those good fruits are reaped, which who so taste,  
Shall joys enjoy which evermore shall last.  
Such forcedly, though th' act not, praise what's right;  
But virtue's followers praise her with delight.   
I Horn.   

THE Divine Wooer.  

Canto. I.  
A wake thou that sleepest, and stand up from the dead, and Christ shall give thee light,  Eph. 5.14. 

The Call.  
The man upon his Soul doth call,  
To view its state original,  
And what it's now through Adam's fall.  
The Soul it's bad estate espies,  
And ready to despair out cries:  
A Minister thereto replies.  
Directing it to Christ, He shows  
Of him the gladsome heavenly news;  
Yea Christ himself for its love sues.  
Declares his worthy facts, his love,  
And what to close with him might move;  
And shows what doth it most behoove.  
Then warns it of its subtle foes,  
Who seek to bring to it great woes;  
And there this Canto hath its close.   Man. 
Rouse up thyself my Soul, consider well  
What of thy state I herein do thee tell;  
What was thy first condition, what it's now,  
That what behoves thee, thou mayst better know.  
Good was thy state at first, before thy fall,  
For thou from God hadst thine original:  
A pure offspring of his heavenly breath;  
Thou wast; not subject unto sin or death,  
Or grief, or fear, or any thing might harm thee,  
Till the old Serpent from thy God did charm thee.  
For we in Gods own image and likeness,  
At first were framed, and he did express  
Great love and bounty to us, he withheld  
Nothing of good from us; our state excelled  
All creatures here below, for to us he  
Gave the Dominion over Land and Sea,  
And all that in them were; yea all above  
He made also for us, such was his love.  
A pleasant Garden, even a Paradise  
Of pleasures also, full of rarities  
He for us planted, and therein a Tree  
Of life, by which we might from Death been free.  
Yea whatsoever might yield us delight,  
To Soul or Body, touch, or taste, or sight:  
He therein did provide, with different sex,  
For more content, and offspring, nought did vex  
Or cause disquiet then; yea thou didst know  
The nature of all things, and couldst it show;  
And such agreeing names on them impose,  
As might their inward properties disclose.  
Yea even with God himself, thou to converse  
Wast fitted, and his praises couldst rehearse.  
And hadst thou still obeyed his just commands,  
And hadst not broke by Sin, the sacred bands▪  
Of friendship wherewith to himself he tied thee,  
Nothing should ere have power had, to divide thee  
From his affections: nor should any thing  
Befallen thee, but what good to thee should bring.  
But now alas! thy state is altered,  
Since thou by sinning from thy God hast fled.  
By listening to the Serpent's subtlety,  
And giving heed to his false glozing lie.  
Of all the good thou hadst thou art bereavest,  
And nought but what's bad now in thee is left.  
The Image of thy God wherein did stand  
Thy chiefest glory, thou hast marred, and  
Like to the Beasts that perish, now hast made thee,  
And Satan's lies to ruin have betrayed thee.  
His poison hath thy heart infected so,  
That nought but wickedness therefrom doth flow.  
So that of God thou nought deserv'st but hate,  
Yea and all creatures thee to ruinated  
May well conspire; since thou so wretchedly  
Hast turned away from God, their enmity  
Against thee is but just; that as before  
Thou waft Heaven's favourite, and all things bore  
Respect unto thee; now they should neglect thee,  
And unto answerable woes reject thee,  
To what thy blesses were; for oh! my Soul,  
Thou art become a Dungeon very foul;  
Nasty, and dark, and loathsom●sin, and evil,  
Have got possession in thee; and the Devil  
Hath thee enslaved so to his will and lust,  
That thou art full of all that is unjust,  
And hateful unto God; who therefore hath  
From Paradise expelled thee in his wrath,  
And unto Death hath thee condemned so,  
That from the force thereof thou canst not go.  
Of unclean Birds thou art become a cage,  
Thy lusts and passions in thee rule and rage,  
And drive thee to and fro, and thee expose  
Unto the Malice of Infernal foes.  
All thou dost mean, think, love, or joy in now,  
What is it but what's vain and brutish? Thou  
In whom God's Wisdom sometime had delight,  
Art now become a very loathsome sight;  
Wholly for her pure fellowship unmeet,  
And for his service; for from Head to Feet,  
Thou full of sores and ulcers art. In thee  
Nothing that's right or lovely can He see.  
Thou neither knowest him, nor thyself, nor how  
Thou may'st thyself recover; nor canst thou  
His favour re-obtain by any thing,  
Which thou by way of offering canst him bring.  
For unto him no real love thou hast,  
Nor any virtuous thing; of all good waste,  
And empty now thou art: To Satan's power,  
And to God's wrath, obnoxious every hour.  
Oh then how sad's thy state? where ere thou go,  
Thou art in danger of eternal wo.  
While thou art in thy sins, over thy Head  
God's wrath doth hang; his wrath whom Angel's dread,  
And all the Creatures; and whose furious ire,  
When poured forth is like devouring fire.  
So as the Rocks are thereby rend, and fall  
Asunder; for it's able to turn all  
Into its Ancient Chaos, and to bring  
The whole Creation to a mere nothing.  
Bethink thee then my Soul what course to take,  
Is there no way thy peace with God to make?  
Is there no way his wrath to pacify?  
To scape his vengeance? that thou may'st not die?  
Not die for ever? while thou yet hast space,  
Mayst thou not seek for and implore his grace?  Soul. 
And is it so indeed? is this my case!  
Doth sin in me God's image so deface,  
And render me so loathsome in his eye!  
Is his wrath so provoked! am I to die,  
By his just law so doomed! oh whither then  
Shall I betake myself! what can we men  
Devise or do, whereby his anger we  
May pacify that saved we may be  
From his destroying hand? If I'm so vile,  
That all I think or do, sin doth defile.  
How is it possible that any thing  
I can perform, that may me safety bring?  
If I had all the World at my command,  
To offer up to him, nought at my hand  
Needs He to take, whose all things are; nor could  
I it so bring, as He accept it would  
From me that am so vile: but alas! I  
Have nothing of mine own, but misery  
And sin; I must therefore lie down forlorn,  
Bewailing that sad day when I was born;  
And wishing that some Hills or Mountains might  
Fall on, and cover me from his dread sight;  
That He might not how sinful I am see,  
Nor I Him, who so angry is with me.  
But oh alas! these bootless wishes are,  
Nought they avail me, nothing but Despair  
Remains as my sad lot; in wretchedness  
To perish evermore without redress.  
O woe is me! what shall I think or do?  
I am undone, I sink, I perish: Oh!  Minist. 
Despair not Soul: But hear and listen well,  
Unto a true story that I shall tell;  
Tidings of joy and gladness I do bring;  
Tidings of peace, that well may make thee sing.  
Incline thine ear therefore and bend thy mind,  
That of my words thou may'st the comfort find.  

Though thou most wretchedly, from thy Creator  
Hast run, and played vile prevaricator  
From his just laws; hast sinned against him still,  
And hast not set by his most holy will;  
Unworthy art of love, most worthy wrath,  
Yet He to thee a strong affection hath;  
Loves thee intensively and thy welfare,  
To bring about no cost or pains doth spare.   

One only Glorious and dear Son hath He,  
Begotten of him from eternity.  
The brightness of his Glory, light of light,  
The Image of his person, His delight.  
His word eternal, his wisdom most pure,  
By whom He all things made, and makes t' endure.  
Yet him did He send forth when He saw fit,  
To expiate the sins thou didst commit;  
To ransom thee from thrall to Death and Devil,  
To raise thee up, and free thee from all evil:  
To bring thee from thy woeful lost estate,  
In which thou must else lain time without date.  
And thee restore again unto his grace,  
That thou mightst see his sweet and glorious face;  
Enjoy his favour, sit under his wing,  
And his high praises evermore mightst sing.   

That glorious splendour of his Majesty,  
Who in his Bosom was eternally;  
According to his will determined,  
Was born of a poor Damsel, espoused  
Unto a Carpenter of mean degree;  
Laid in a Manger, where there use to be  
The Ass or Oxen feeding, other room  
The Inn affording not for his welcome;  
When that poor Damsels time was come, that she  
Of this unheard of birth untwined should be.   

Even like as if some mighty Prince by birth,  
Should quit his Father's Palace, and the mirth  
He there enjoyed: should lay his robes aside,  
His Princely robes; and the better to hid  
His highborn dignity, and great degree,  
With Pilgrims or poor beggars rags, should be  
Meanly attired and so himself betake,  
To travail through great dangers, for the sake  
Of some of his poor subjects; who allured  
By some false Traitor had his Realm abjured:  
Joined themselves in confederacy, to  
His Fathers and his own most hateful foe;  
Till thereby they upon their heads had brought,  
By means of that rebellion they had wrought,  
Some dreadful punishment, and deadly thrall,  
Endangering the ruin of them all.  
That He might in that strange disguise unknown,  
Vanquish those foes who had them overthrown;  
And unexpectedly a pardon bring,  
Unto them from their own much injured King.  
And by such love declared, win their mind  
Unto himself, that they with him combined;  
Might from those Traitors who had them seduced,  
Into his Father's Kingdom be reduced;  
Under his conduct as their Prince and guide,  
Whose love and care of them they had so tried.   

Even so this mighty highborn Son of God,  
Into this World down by a path untrod;  
Descended in a garb unknown, wherein  
He wore the badges of our loathsome sin;  
Clothed with great poverty, infirm and weak,  
Filled with reproaches which his heart did break.  
Through swelling Seas of sorrows travailed He,  
In the strength of his love to seek up thee;  
And save thee from that wretched state wherein,  
Thou ready wast to perish in thy sin.  
In this disguise made under law, and so  
Exposed to endure that curse and woe;  
Which was thy due, when he was set upon  
By all the powers of Hell, the field He won  
In an unusual manner; not by strength  
But weakness rather: where through He at length  
After some combats yielded up to Death,  
His spotless body, and his blessed breath.  
Wherein the laws demands He so fulfilled,  
That its condemning power thereby He killed;  
For so the bonds He cancelled, and the debt  
Discharged, that bound thee over to death; and set  
Thee free from under Satan's power and force,  
That thou may'st now again have free recourse  
To thy Creator's presence; for He hath  
By this his pilgrimage and Death, the wrath  
Of his displeased Father pacified,  
So that his anger He hath laid aside;  
And holds thee now no longer as a Foe,  
Bound over to Death, but freely lets thee go;  
Keeps thee not at a distance any longer,  
But calls thee back; and by his Son, who stronger  
Is then thine enemies (as by the way  
And leader too by whom the weakest may  
Strongly and safely walk, against the worst  
Endeavours and resistance of that cursed  
Infernal crew, who seek to keep thee back)  
He thee invites, and prays thou wilt not slack  
Thy pace unto him, but return again  
Into his heavenly Kingdom there to reign;  
Over thine enemies in glorious state,  
For everlasting time beyond all date.   

That safely to him thou mightst back be brought,  
This Royal Prince of glory, who thee bought  
From thraldom by his blood, doth thee invite  
To hear his pleasant voice, behold his light  
In which he sets himself, in glorious state  
Before thy view, beseeching thee to hate  
Those enemies who did thee overthrow,  
And brought thee from so high to be so low.  
And Him to listen to, believe, and love,  
Who for thy sake descended from above;  
And worst of Deaths and dangers did sustain,  
That He might thee restore to life again.  
He with his words puts forth his mighty hand,  
To turn thee and to make thee understand;  
To give thee strength to lean on him, and go  
The good way after him which He doth show.  
He loves thee dearly, woos thee with his heart,  
Entreats thee from thine Idols to departed,  
Which will undo thee over again, if yet  
Thou wilt thyself to their advice commit.  
Beseeches thee to save thyself, or rather  
Be saved by him, who came forth from his Father,  
To save poor sinners; bring them safe and sure,  
Unto those joys which ever shall endure.  
He condescends unto thee, though thou beest  
Viler than any thing that here thou seest,  
As in thy sins, unworthy of him, yet He  
Disdains not to address himself to thee.  
Incline thine ear O Daughter, give good heed  
Unto those gracious words, which do proceed  
From his most holy lips, in such like wise  
As here doth follow, do not them despise.   Christ. 
Dear Soul, the price of my most precious blood,  
Which I have shed for thee, and for thy good;  
For I myself a ransom gave for all,  
And now I to repentance do thee call.  
Harken to me, and to my voice give ear,  
Turn not away from me; why shouldst thou fear  
To listen unto me: I am thy friend,  
Thy Lord, thy Saviour, did not stick to spend  
My life and blood for thee; and now I have  
Through painful cross, and through the silent grave,  
Obtained my Father's Kingdom; am ascended  
Unto the throne of glory; where attended  
I am with millions of the heavenly Host,  
The glorious Angels, yea the Holy Ghost,  
Immeasurably upon me doth rest,  
And with all heavenly blessings I am blest.  
I'm heir of all things, yea in me doth dwell  
All fullness of the Godhead: Heaven, and Hell,  
And Earth, and Seas, and all things else that be,  
Are put into subjection under me.  
And all that I have suffered and sustained,  
'Twas for thee, and thy good; all I have gained  
Thereby, I gained for thee, thee to possess  
Of endless joys and everlasting bless.  
Behold me then, behold me, turn thine eye  
From other objects; see what Majesty,  
What glory, and what beauty are in me,  
What riches, and what fullness, and how free  
I am, the same to all those to impart,  
Who me embrace, and love with all their heart.  
Behold me then, dear Soul, and wistly view  
My matchless virtues, see how good, how true,  
How powerful too I am; I'm rich to all  
In mercy, who sincerely on me call.  
None that repair to me do I cast by,  
But them relieve, and cure their misery.  
I'm alsufficient, able every way  
To make thee happy to an endless day.  
Turn then away from empty things thine eye,  
From lies, from falsehood, and from vanity,  
Which cheat thee, and deprive thee of all good.  
Oh turn to Me, who for thee shed my blood;  
Look towards me, dear Soul, behold and see,  
Hath any other such things done for thee  
As I have done? hath any condescended,  
And stooped so low? hath any else expended,  
And laid out so much, to obtain thy love  
As I, that came to th' earth from Heaven above;  
And laid down all my riches and my life,  
That I might thee redeem from all that strife  
'Twixt God and thee, and take thee for a Wife?  
That I might free thee from th' infernal foe,  
That held thee captive, and fills thee with woe?  
Can any give to thee such gifts as I?  
Can they advance thee to like dignity?  
Can any so enrich thee as I can?  
Can any thee so satisfy? what man  
Or Angel may with me compare?  
Can or will do for thee as I will do?  
Oh turn thee unto me my darling dear:  
Open thine eye on me, incline thine ear;  
Give me thy heart, it is thy love I seek,  
And I deserve it; I am lowly, meek,  
And merciful; no one is like to Me,  
Yet I have set my heart and love on thee.  

See, See, I that am heir of all things, and  
Have Sovereign power, and all things do command:  
I who thee can save or destroy with ease,  
Can make or break thee, or do what I please;  
Who happy am without thee, and no need  
Have of thee, or of aught that can proceed  
From thee; do suit and court thee, and request  
That thou wilt love me, that thou may'st be blest.  
It's not to be by thee advanced, made great,  
Or rich, or safe, that I thy love entreat:  
But 'tis because I love thee, and do wish  
Thy everlasting happiness and bliss,  
It's not because that thou art fair and fresh,  
For thou art all deformed, thou art but flesh;  
Defiled with sin as with a Leprosy,  
Of which unless I cure thee thou wilt die.  
I can without thee live and happy be,  
For I my Father's joyful face do see;  
Where fullness of delights I have, and where  
Dwells neither want nor grief, danger nor fear.  
But thou poor wretch canst not without me live,  
It's I alone that life to thee can give:  
Yet I am free to give myself, and all  
I am to thee, or that as mine I call.   

A Covenant I with thee will gladly make,  
An everlasting Covenant thee to take;  
And love and live with thee as mine, for ever  
To be thy Head and Husband; none shall sever  
'Twixt thee and me. I will thy portion be,  
And want of good things thou shalt never see.  
For here and for hereafter, I'll take care  
Of thee; and as my life I did not spare,  
Thee to redeem from Death and Hell: so now  
I will withhold nothing from thee, that thou  
May'st want or need. I'll wash thee from thy dirt,  
I'll make thee clean and handsome; I'll thee gird  
With robes of glory, and with rich attire  
(My righteousness and virtues) thy desire  
I'll fill and satisfy. Thou shalt be fed  
With finest of the wheat, with Angel's bread,  
With honey from the rock, butter and oil;  
The choicest things of Heaven, and thou the spoil  
Of all thine enemies shalt take, and wear  
Them as thy Ornaments; and thou shalt bear  
My name upon thee, shalt my consort be,  
Thou shalt in Me rejoice, and I in thee.  
I will thee jointure in my portion great,  
And set thee with me on my Royal seat:  
Bring thee unto my God and Father, He  
Will entertain, embrace, and welcome thee  
In and with me: He'll the same love impart  
To thee, wherewith He loves me in his heart.  
He and all his is mine, and all shall be  
Thine, that is mine if thou'lt accept of me.   Minist. 
Oh matchless match! Oh peerless Prince of life,  
That wilt accept of such a homely Wife.  
Come then, dear Soul, since Christ himself will give,  
Give him thyself too and for ever live.  Christ. 
I'll feed thee with my flesh, and blood, my heart  
And body too, I will to thee impart:  
And no good thing will I withhold from thee,  
But freely give't, if thou'lt accept of me.  

Behold I stand with patience great and wait,  
With much long suffering, at the closed up gate  
Of thy hard heart, where I behold and see  
What is within, and whom thou hast with thee.  
How with thy mortal foes thou makest a rout,  
Sporting thyself, while me thou keepest out.  
While I with patience stand, I call and knock  
For entrance in, but thou the door dost lock  
And bolt against me. Both by works and words,  
I call and knock; my very rod affords  
Lowed calls unto thee; if thou wilt me hear,  
And open unto me my Sister dear,  
I'll come in unto thee: I'll soon drive out  
That wicked company, that rebel rout,  
Which now oppress thee, and do wound thee sore,  
Urging thee, against Me, to shut thy door.  
Yea I will soon subdue them unto thee,  
And thou from their dominion shalt be free,  
If thou wilt hear, and open unto me.  
I'll come in to thee, I with thee will sup,  
I'll spread thy Table, I will fill thy cup,  
I'll put thee to no charge; I'll bring my meat  
And freely give to thee, that thou may'st eat  
And drink abundantly of that blessed wine,  
Which will thee satisfy with joys divine.  
Open therefore to me my Sister dear,  
Open thy heart to me, Oh taste my cheer.  
Give me thyself, let me thy body have  
And heart also, I will them bless and save.  
It's all I ask of thee, I crave no more;  
Give me thyself, do but thou me adore.  
Give me thy love and thy affections, and  
Be thou but subject unto my command.  
Cleave to me with thy heart, put all thy trust  
In me; believe in me, for I am just,  
I will not fail or leave thee. But thou none  
Must entertain besides me; I alone  
Challenge thy love and service, and it's fit  
That none besides me, none from me them get.  
I parted for thy sake with all I had,  
To ransom thee from thy forlorn and sad  
Condition; and I, all that I again  
Received have of my Father, not disdain  
Upon thee to bestow; myself I gave  
To ransom thee; myself I give to save  
Thee too; and therefore I alone deserve,  
That thou shouldst me alone both love and serve.   

The Devil and his works thou must forsake,  
Thou may'st not serve him, his suggestions take  
For truth, use divinations, witchcrafts, charms,  
Enchantments, times observe for good or harms;  
Consult familiar Spirits, believe his lies,  
Ask counsel of the dead, Idolatries'  
Practice, or what ere crafts He doth devise.  
He in the disobedient beareth sway,  
Enticing them to sin and go astray  
From my right paths. Thou must resist him, and  
In nothing yield thyself to his command.   

Thou must forsake this wicked World likewise,  
Not listening to their counsels, who despise  
Me and my doctrine; nor associate  
Thyself with them, who my good ways do hate.  
It's pomps and pastimes, shows and braveries,  
Vain customs, fashions and formalities,  
Thou may'st not dote on; neither may'st thou take  
My gifts or Ordinances, and them make  
Idols, as is the guise of worldly men  
Who do despise me, and my laws contemn.  
Their Silver, Gold, their Riches, Houses, Lands,  
Their Kings and Governors, and their commands  
They Idolise; while after them they lust,  
And in them secretly do put their trust:  
Prefer them before me, and fear them so,  
That in my strait ways oft they durst not go.   

The flesh with its desires also thou must  
Renounce, even every sinful cursed lust.  
Thy brutish appetites to satisfy,  
In Drunkenness, Uncleanness, Gluttony,  
Excess of Riot, Sports or rich Attire,  
Or what else thy corruptions do desire.   

My words thou must receive, and them hold fast,  
No Article of them thou by may'st cast.  
But howe'er thy reason they may pose,  
Thou in thy heart must truly with them close,  
And firmly them retain: My holy will  
Take heed unto, that thou may'st it fulfil.   

No Gods but Me in my sight may'st thou have,  
However secretly; for none can save  
Thee, but the holy Trinity, who all  
Do meet in me; on none else may'st thou call,  
Or look, or trust to; nor thy Conscience  
May'st yield to them upon any pretence.   

No image may'st thou to thyself invent,  
Nor may thy heart or knee thereto be bend.  
No false imaginations of me, or  
Devised worships, for I them abhor.  
But worship God in Me, and as my Word  
Doth thee direct, for I'm a jealous Lord.   

Thou may'st not take my holy Name in vain,  
Nor it with Blasphemies or false Oaths slain:  
Or with a vain Profession, without fruits  
Produced thereby, such as with it suits;  
Or blemish it with any sinful way,  
For I'll not such hold guiltless. The seaventh day  
Thou must observe, in me to take thy rest,  
Who am the substance by that day expressed,  
That I may sanctify thee, thou be blest.   

To Father and to Mother while they live,  
And to all thy superiors thou must give,  
Due honour and subjection too in me,  
Giving to Caesar what things Caesar's be.  
To all men owing nothing, but to love  
Chiefly those loving who are from above.   

All Murder, with all Malice, Envy, Hate,  
See thou avoid, with all Strife and Debate.   

Thy body keep in Chastity thou must,  
Flee Fornication and unlawful Lust.   

Thou must not others Wrong, or from them take,  
Aught that is theirs, nor them Calumniate.   

But yield thyself to Me, and be content  
With Me, and what I give; letting no bent  
Of Avarice, possess or slain thy mind,  
Thou shalt in me all satisfaction find.   

All which I certainly will work in thee,   

If thou wilt but yield up thyself to Me.  
I put on thee no hard nor grievous task,  
What I require, I'll give too, if thou ask  
It of me, and for it on me depend;  
My Spirit to work it in thee, I will send.  
And wherein thou through weakness goest astray,  
The virtues of my blood shall take't away.  
Be thou but upright, and chaste unto me,  
I am and evermore will be for thee.  
If thou refuse this offer, thou must die,  
And perish in thy sins eternally.  
None other Lords or lovers can thee save,  
What ere they be, or seem they ne'er so brave.  
For they be vanities of vanities,  
Their strength is weakness, their promises lies:  
Their words are wind, and all they meditate,  
Is from a feigned love, a real hate.  
Their smoothest language is false flattery,  
Their best embraces are but treachery.  
Their kisses of thee are but like to his,  
Who sometimes me betrayed by a kiss.  
And when he said Hail Master, yet even then  
He me delivered up unto those men  
That sought my life; to whom he had me sold,  
For thirty pieces not of yellow Gold,  
But whitely silver: or like his who while  
He feigned love to Abner did beguile,  
And smite him with a Weapon on his side,  
Under his fifth rib, that thereof he died.  
And on another time, as one well versed  
In that accursed craft, Amasa pierced  
With warlike Sword to th' heart, while friendlike He  
Saluted him; and as one with him free,  
Did with his right hand take him by his beard  
And kissed him, till his blood him all besmeared.  
Such are the soft embraces of those foes  
To thee and Me, who do my words oppose;  
Suggesting to thee that I am austere,  
And put upon thee more than thou canst bear.  
That they are thy best friends and wish thee well,  
And many pleasing stories to thee tell.  
As that thou art whole, strong, wise, holy, just,  
May'st live without me, may'st follow thy lust.  
That to deny thyself of thy desire,  
Is foolishly thine own death to conspire  
With me, who love thee not, but wish thy loss,  
And take delight to bring thee to the cross.  
Where like unto myself thou may'st be made,  
A public scorn 'mongst those that drive the trade.  
Of robbing by the highway-side, or those  
Who unto Kings and Magistrates are foes.  
Rebelling against them and their commands,  
And seeking in their blood to wash their hands.  
Or else amongst such Heretics most vile,  
As make it their great business to beguile  
Unstable Souls, leaving them in the lurch,  
To perish in contempt of God and's Church.  
Or those who God blaspheme, and thereby draw  
Upon themselves the sentence of the law.  
To be exposed to ignominious shame,  
And unto after ages bear the Name,  
Of some seditious Traitor, Heretic,  
Blasphemer, Schismatic, or some such like:  
And in the mean time, for sometime to lie  
In some vile prison, and at length to die  
Upon a rack or gibbet, at a stake,  
Or some such vile accursed end to make.  
That by such ways conformable to me,  
To whom such things befell made thou mightst be.  
They therefore thee advise, my company,  
And my instructions totally to fly;  
As tending to thy ruin, and t' embrace  
Their better counsels; utterly deface  
The Image of my words out of thy mind,  
That so thou pleasure, all thy days may'st find.   

Oh! see, say they, the glory and the wealth,  
The sweet delights and pleasures, both by stealth  
And openly, which those brave men enjoy,  
Who turn their backs of God, nought doth annoy  
Their calmer life; they quietly do sail,  
On fortune's streams; with what a prosperous gale  
Of popular applause, and smoothest air  
Of most respective language, void of care,  
Of melancholy dumps, of faces sour,  
Of nipping blasts which make the Soul to lower,  
Of scorns, and scoffs, reproaches, and derisions,  
Of persecutions, nicknames (as precisians,  
Roundheads, or Puritans, or Sectaries,  
Or such like names, as witty men devise  
To brand my followers with) as they did use  
My well deserving person to abuse;  
When I in weakness amongst men did dwell,  
Oft they me Devil called for doing well.  
Or a Samaritane (or misbeliever)  
Or glutton, wine-bibber, or a deceiver.  
Beware of them, for upon thee they'll throng,  
Thee to inchant with their bewitching song.    

Canto II. Temptation.  
Your adversary the Devil goeth about like a roaring, Lion, etc.  1 Pet. 5.8. 
See that ye walk circumspectly,  Ephes. 5.16. 

The Soul considering what is said,  
Is somewhat cheered, but yet afraid  
To entertain the motion made.  
And while loath to part with its lusts,  
Flesh, World, and Devil, on it thrusts,  
To blow it away with their strong gusts.  
Presenting baits of divers forts,  
Whereof each one to sin exhorts;  
Christ warns of them, and giveth supports.  
Himself, and Minister declare,  
What falsehoods in their speeches are,  
And how they seek the Soul to snare.  
God's Being, and his Providence,  
And divers other things from thence,  
The Soul against its foes to fence.  
They diversely to it do clear,  
And that all's judgement is not here,  
And so the Canto breaks off there.   Man. 
Come Soul, what thinkest thou of what thou hast heard?  Soul. 

The tidings I confess my heart have cheered,  
For now I see there's hope I may be saved,  
Though hitherto I much have misbehaved  
Myself in divers ways: though yet I fear  
Lest all should not be true in what I hear.  
Can God so much good mean me? or if so  
I know not how my pleasure to forgo,  
Which I in other objects oft have found;  
But hark me thinks I hear another sound,  
Flesh, World, and Devil, all rush in,  
Strongly enticing still to sin.   

Hark hither Soul, do not those pratlers hear,  
For they all happiness from thee will tear.  
Listen to us, we are thy friends: and tell  
To thee the way wherein thou mayst do well.  
Seest thou not plainly those wise men, who are  
The World's professed adorers; and take care  
Of no Religion, further than may stand,  
With the professed Laws of every Land;  
And hath an humane stamp upon it set,  
Whereby it public countenance doth get;  
And is attended with the friendly love,  
Or those in every age which are above:  
How they besides the Rocks of Shipwreck ride,  
And sail securely both with Wind and Tide.  
They know not what the prison bands do mean,  
Nor are they in those places often seen.  
They weaken not their strength by taking care,  
Lest they should fall into the Devil's snare;  
Or sin against the Lord; or else by keeping  
God's ways, or by temptations, fasting, weeping:  
But their strength doth abide, they quietly  
Do pass their days in wealth, until they die.  
Such troubles as those godly ones sustain,  
They prove not; neither feel they any pain,  
But what's to nature common: they'll be sure,  
For Conscience toward God they'll naught endure.  
And yet they serve God well enough, for He  
Doth give them good success, as all may see.  
Their eyes with fatness often out do stand:  
What their heart wishes for, with bounteous hand  
He gives them; for they live and become old,  
They get great power; they Silver have and Gold,  
Houses and Lands, and plenty of all things,  
That either Earth, or Sea, unto men brings.  
They children do beget, a prosperous breed  
Often they see, that doth from them proceed.  
Their Houses and their Families are sure,  
And free from fear; for why? they dwell secure,  
And they be freer from the angry rod  
Of God, than they that talk so much of God,  
And careful are his favour to obtain;  
They have less losses, sickness, grief, or pain:  
Their Bull doth gender, and he doth not miss,  
Their Cow doth calve, and not abortive is.  
Their Corn and  thrive, and they send out  
Their little ones, who dance and play about.  
They take the Timbrel and melodious Harp,  
Joy in the Organs sound; nothing that's sharp  
Or bitter them befalls, in mirth they spend  
Their days, and when they die, like Lambs they end.  
Thou fool, seest thou not plainly with thine eyes,  
That these Men are no fools but truly wise!  
Wilt thou be singular, and tread a path,  
Which but few walkers in it always hath?  
That's full of difficulties, hard to find.  
Hath many cross turns in't; about doth wind:  
Is full of Briers and of pricking Thorns,  
Beset with Lions, Bears, and Unicorns;  
Dogs, Wolves, and Tigers, Serpents, Dragon's fell,  
Where Poverty, Reproach, Disgrace do dwell?  
Who would his safety for such dangers sell?  
Is it not better that thou keep the road,  
And walk with company in a way broad,  
And smooth and pleasant, strewed with flowers sweet,  
Where thou shalt have innumerable feet,  
Of Kings and Counsellors, Learned and Wise  
Of Politicians, and of such as rise  
Unto the top of honour; low and high,  
Both rich and poor; the generality  
Of all estates, degrees, and all Languages  
Of Nations, Families, both graver Sages,  
And younger Sparks; where thou shalt never want  
Such men, as in thy way will thee warrant?  
Oh wilt thou foolishly such a way balk,  
In a wild howling wilderness to walk,  
Where few have wandered? in a path untrod,  
Under pretence of worshipping their God  
After his own mind? where (except a few  
Which this World's greatness and breeding near knew,  
Nor were up in a way of Learning trained,  
Nor by fame's trumpet ever have obtained,  
To be emblazoned with men of renown,  
Or ranked amongst the worthies who the crown.  
Have worn upon their Temples, which she uses,  
To give her favourites by the nine Muses.)  
Scarce any's found, except some two or three,  
Who ranked among the greatest Hero's be,  
For some strange facts which are of them recorded.  
And yet their present ages scarce afforded  
Such honour to them; because they did foil  
Their actions, by that humour which doth spoil  
All it possesses, because it declines  
The common road where the World's glory shines:  
Though they the hap had by the after ages,  
To be enrolled among the wiser Sages.  
But thinkest thou that the World is now the same,  
It was before it had the Christian name?  
Nay sure, for than it was not as yet drenched,  
In that religious water which hath quenched  
Its former fiery Meteors, and hath taught,  
How men may freed be from all that's naught,  
Though yet they practise it; for being wet  
With that same water, they a new form get.  
For that suffices any to make clean,  
Especially if they the golden mean;  
Of moral virtue joined with policy,  
And a prudential conformity  
Unto the most and greatest therewith hold,  
And to reprove their faults be not too bold.  
Now the broad way is best, though heretofore  
When men were blinder and did stocks adore,  
The narrow way was best. The case is not  
The same it was, because we now have got  
God and the World in one so reconciled,  
That nothing may be counted now defiled,  
But what the common road doth go beside;  
Yea now the World itself is Deified:  
Its power, its ways, its pleasures, all are Gods;  
What now is joined in one, set not at odds.  
Bow down and worship therefore without fear,  
The power, the greatness, and the customs here.  
Do as the most do, and as those that be  
The greatest in esteem, and thou shalt see,  
Nothing but good betid thee; what dissents  
Therefrom avoid. Be sure thou make no rents  
In that great body, nor to other spirit  
Incline thine heart, than what it doth inherit.  
Swim down the tide, fear not but it runs even,  
And carries thee the direct way to Heaven.  
Think of no other Heaven or happiness,  
Then what the World doth now and shall possess.  
Dream of no other power of God, than what  
Doth in the World's great persons terminate.  
Nay give thy heart and senses scope, enjoy  
What pleases them, avoid what doth annoy.  
Come do as we do, be not overwise  
To think of things unseen, believe thine eyes.  
It's a fanatic fancy to believe  
In, and for things that thou canst not perceive  
By verdict of thy senses and thy Reasen,  
Against their Sovereignty commit not Treason.  
Still those loud noises then, that thou dost hear  
So frequently to sound in fancy's ear;  
Alluring thee to mind strange things unseen,  
Which they do promise thee; there ne'er hath been,  
Nor shall be greater happiness and bless,  
Than what thou now in this life mayst possess.  
For sinee the old Fathers have fallen a sleep,  
We see all things their wont courses keep.  
And all those glorious things they promised,  
Appear but fancies of some doting head.  
Let not vain hopes into thine heart intrude,  
And of thy present comforts thee delude.  
Nor let vain fears prevail upon thee, so  
As to cause thee those pleasures to forgo,  
Which here thou mayst enjoy; while thou dost gaze  
After unseen enjoyments, and amaze  
Thyself with dismal fears; while Heaven and Hell  
Thou thinkest on, thou thereby away dost sell  
Those opportunities the World doth give,  
A merry pleasurable life to live.  
Take hold thou fool o' th' opportunity,  
And be not guled so as to pass it by.  
Go join thyself with yonder gallant boys,  
Go hawk and hunt with them, go taste their joys.   Roisters. 

Come on, young man, with us, cast in thy lot;  
Do as we do, come, take a pipe and pot.  
Let's lay in wait for blood, let's take a prey,  
Let's rob some innocent that rides this way.  
We'll swallow them alive, whole as the pit;  
Rich spoils and booties to ourselves we'll get.  
We shall all precious substance catch, and find  
Such booties as will satisfy our mind.  
Cast in thy lot amongst us, let's have all  
One purse, in whatsoever shall befall  
We'll share alike; come, we shall such fruits reap,  
As will rejoice our hearts and make them leap.   Christ. 

Take heed, dear Soul, avoid them, do not go,  
In the same way with them, it leads to woe.  
However sweet and profitable, it  
May seem to thee, thou there wilt ruin get:  
For they do lay in wait for their own blood,  
They'll lose their Souls in stead of getting good.   Roisters. 

Come let us feast and frolic, let us dine  
At yonder Tavern, there's a cup of Wine,  
Most rarely brisk, it moves itself i'th' cup;  
It's generous Wine, and saith come drink me up.  
Let's have a game at Billiards, or at Cards;  
Be merry now, think not of afterwards.   Christ. 

Take heed, dear Soul, mind what will be the end;  
Thou may'st thyself a while in pleasures spend,  
But in the end thou wilt it sadly rue;  
Be warned by me, what I say is true.  
The Drunkards and the Gluttons poor shall be,  
They shall be clothed with rags. Look not to see  
The colour of the Wine, or whatsocre  
To sight or Taste delightful may appear.  
'Twill sting thee as an Adder at the last;  
By't as a Serpent when the pleasure's past.  
Woe, sorrow, and contentions, and babbling;  
Wounds without cause, redness of eyes 'twill bring;  
Hardness of heart too, so that on thou'lt go,  
And nothing fear, till thou art drowned in woe.  
They that love pleasures, will be poor at last;  
And they not rich, who love good cheer to taste.   F.W.D. 

While life, and youth, and strength, & wit do last,  
Do not thou them in Melancholy waste.  
In thinking of a God, and Heaven, and Hell,  
And such strange Objects, as on man can tell  
What kind of things they be; embrace the breasts  
Of this brave World, frequent her costly feasts.  
Let not the pleasant flowers of the Spring  
Pass by unplucked, away thy fancies fling.  
Possess the joys this present World affords:  
Break thou the bands and east away the cords,  
Which that religious Spirit doth bring, to bind  
Thy Soul withal so straight. Set not thy mind  
On those conceits it doth to thee suggest,  
Shake out those blacker motions from thy breast.   

See yonder's a brave Damsel, a spruce Lass,  
Ready to court thee, canst thou let her pass?  
See what an amorous look she hath, her eyes  
Sparkle like Diamonds, beauty in her cheeks lies;  
Her lips drop Honey, and her mouth's like oil;  
No Wen or blemish, her fair face doth soil.  
Her very garments sweet perfumes do breath,  
Sure she is more delightful underneath.  
What dost thou think, that witty nature, made  
Thy senses and thy members to be laid  
Aside as dead, and stupefied, while yet  
Thou art alive? shall such a fancy get  
Possession of thee, as thyself to make  
Like to those images thou dost forsake?  
That thou shouldst eye have, and nought with them see;  
Ears, and not hear the things that spoken be;  
Or what may please thee? shalt thou have a tongue,  
And not say what thou wilt, or right or wrong?  
What Lord should thee control? what hast a nose,  
And is't not made to smell, the sweetest Rose,  
The bravely scented posies, sweet perfumes,  
Which may disperse such vapours, as consumes  
Thy vital spirits; or that do bind them, so  
That they are not at liberty, to go  
After those objects which may please the sight,  
And ravish all thy senses with delight.  
Which nature doth present thee with! what hast  
Thou Nerves and Sinews, Flesh and Blood, to waste  
In melancholy dumps, religious frames;  
In dwelling upon words, adoring names?  
Were they not made to touch, and taste, and feel,  
The pleasures of the Flesh? art made of Steel  
Or Stone, that thou shouldst not affected be,  
With what Dame Nature doth present to thee?  
That patiently thou up thyself shouldst yield,  
To bear those burdens, which thou well mightst wield  
Thyself from under? as if thou wert made  
To be an Ass, or like some Hackney Jade?  
Listen to that fine sprightly Lass, and hear  
Her courtlike language boldly, do not fear.   Harlot. 

Well met, sweet Sir, I'm glad to see your face;  
I love you at my heart, come let's embrace:  
Let's join our lips, fear not; I'm all-ore sweet,  
Nothing but pleasures dwell from head to feet.  
I have peace-off'rings with me, I a feast  
Have ready made for thee; where's not the least  
Thing wanting, that may give thy heart delight,  
Come let me have thy company to night.  
I have prepared my bed, with Tapestry  
And with fine Linen, there let's softly lie,  
And take our fill of Love; perfumed it is  
With Myrrh, and Cinnamon, and Aloes.  
Come then let's take our fill of Love and Pleasure,  
There's none to interrupt; we may have leisure,  
The good man's gone from home, nor will he yet  
Return again; we time enough may get  
To satisfy ourselves, with all delights  
Which Love afford us may, these days and nights.   Chr. 

Take heed, dear Soul, to my good counsels; Let  
That Harlot's speeches no advantage get  
Upon thy heart; give me thine eyes and heart,  
Let not my words out of thy mind departed.  
For Harlots are deep ditches, narrow pits,  
He scarce gets out again, that in them gets.  
Her lips drop like the Honeycomb, her mouth  
Is smother than the Oil, but yet in truth  
Her latter end more bitter is then gall.  
Unhappy Man who into her doth fall;  
His after-misery no tongue can tell,  
For why! Her guests are in the Depths of Hell.  
Look off from her to me, far better I  
Thy hearts desires and wants can satisfy.  
If thou lovest beauty, beauty dwells in me;  
I'm fairer than man's children: Look and see,  
I'm white and Ruddy; God and Man in one,  
With me to be compared there is none.  
If pleasures thee delight, with me is pleasure,  
My ways are all delightful above measure.  
For I those that embrace me do possess,  
With rich assurance of eternal bless.  
The pleasures of this World, in endless pain  
Do end, my pleasures evermore remain.  
They do give Life in Death, and ever dwell  
With mine when raised again; when those in Hell,  
Shall ever more lie down who me despise,  
To everlasting torments they shall rise.  
Let neither riches, honours, pleasures, or  
What ere this World can give inchant thee; for  
With better riches, honours, pleasures, I  
Will  thee to Eternity.   F.W.D. 

Poor Man! what canst thou hope for after death,  
When nature spent with sorrows, shall thy breath  
Yield up into the gentle air to vanish,  
And thy dead corpse, the living men shall banish  
From their society to lie and rot,  
Within its grave till it be quite forgot?  
Thinkest thou it possible that after it,  
Unto the Earth or Sea men shall commit,  
And there it is consumed to slime or mould,  
Or eat of Worms or Fishes, rise it should?  
Or that thy vanished breath and rotten flesh,  
Can life resume again, and live a fresh,  
Either in joys or pains? Let Reason rule.  
Let not fond faith, worse than the Horse or Mule  
Thee make, by giving credit to such things,  
As from deluded fancy only springs.  
For they enjoy those pleasures and contents,  
Which bounteous nature unto them presents.  
Shall man alone who capable was made,  
The World more to enjoy, be so betrayed  
Into a fancy, by too light belief,  
With his own senses so to play the thief;  
As them to rob of all those pleasures rare,  
Whereof above all other things they are  
Most apprehensive? Oh no! stop thine ear,  
Against those sounds, that thou so oft dost hear  
From that same Spirit, which oft is Wisdom styled,  
Of such as by her say are beguiled.  
Come, give thyself the reins, and do not fear,  
Come, come, we say, and taste the dainty cheer  
The World presents thee; Waters stolen are sweet,  
Pleasures they have, who Bread in secret eat:  
Who satisfy their senses to the full,  
And please their appetites, until they lull  
Their minds a sleep from those fanatic fears,  
Which make men spend in grief their youthful years.  
This World's the Paradise, where grow all fruits  
Fit for delight, and thy desires best suits.  
Come pluck, and take, and eat of them thy fill,  
None other after these succeed there will.   Christ. 

Thus oh my Dear, thy subtle enemies  
Suggest unto Thee, setting forth their lies  
With fair pretences both of love and reason:  
But trust them not, their words are full of Treason.  
These are the same that thee at first de●eved,  
Oh let them not be any more deceived.  
Unto thy misery they Thee betrayed,  
And like to Beasts which perish they thee made;  
So that unless I had thee ransomed,  
Thou in their snares hadst wholly perished.   Minist. 

Their voice and language doth of him proceed,  
Of whom in the beginning thou dost read;  
The subtle Serpent who of old allured,  
Mankind unto his snares, and so procured  
His utter ruin; drew him into sin,  
By which a flood of miseries came in.  
By him was hatched and begot in man's mind.  
A spawn or seed like to himself in kind,  
Whose Head's the carnal mind, its Heart is lust,  
These with the old Serpent combined do thrust  
Men into mischief; and while these to guide  
Him do presume, they lead him quite aside.  
For they are void of truth, a hellish light  
Possesses them; like unto that i'th' night,  
Which William with a wisp some men do call,  
An ignis fatu●s, which leads to fall  
Into some dangerous downfall, ditch, or pit,  
Those who as their sure guide do follow it.  
Such error is, or Fleshly Wisdom which  
Stepped up in place of truth, both poor and rich  
Misleading to their ruin; because blind  
It is, and knows nought of God's holy mind:  
And yet conceits itself the only wise,  
And that it sees aright with open eyes.  
And knows what's good, what's evil, and can tell  
A man the way how he may prosper well.  
Especially if it improved be,  
And somewhat more than ordinarily  
Enlarged, with learned Sciences, and Arts,  
Which when they added be to natural parts,  
Do much adorn a man, and make him shine,  
And lift him up, as if he were Divine,  
Both in his own esteem, and others eyes,  
Who as a Demi-God account him wise;  
Though when all this subserves the flesh and evil,  
It brings men to be fit for the Devil.   Chr. 

This carnal wisdom's that that doth misled  
The world; this the false Prophets which are dead,  
Misguided, and seduced, while thereon  
They leaned, and learned therefrom their vision:  
The which while unto others they it told,  
They led them into mischiefs manifold.  
Yea 'tis no other than that foolish Woman,  
Which Solomon speaks of, which doth undo Man.  
The worldly spirit that is clamorous,  
And loud, and subtle, and industrious,  
To call in passengers, who go right on  
The path that leadeth to Salvation,  
To her deceits; which though she nothing know  
Aright, pretendeth unto men to show  
The better path: Yea the old Serpent, by it  
Deludeth those that simply magnify it.  
And who with these possessed are, hearten on  
Themselves, and others to destruction;  
While by their fond enticements, and their rude  
Examples, wicked counsels, and most lewd  
Temptations, many poor Souls they draw in,  
Into the snares and false deceits of sin.  
To turn their backs on me, and on my calls,  
Despise my counsels, and leap o'er the walls  
And bounds I set, to keep them from the ways  
Which lead to utter ruin, all their days.  
But oh, dear Soul, beware and take good heed,  
Of all the flatteries which from them proceed.  
They speak of pleasant things, their words are smooth,  
They tickle thee, and in thy sins thee sooth,  
Their way is easy, broad and wide; but mind  
And I will tell thee what an end thou'lt find,  
If thou adhere to them they will deceive thee,  
And of all happiness they'll quite bereave thee;  
And to eternal woe they'll surely bring thee,  
And to provoke me quite away to fling thee,  
Into that lake prepared for those that scorn  
My Counsels: Better thou hadst ne'er been born,   Minist. 

That thou may'st this believe, I will thee show  
Wherein they do abuse thee, and what's true.  
Attend unto me therefore yet again,  
And mind how we the matter do explain.   

Dost thou not hear, how they in their discourse  
Do talk of nature, thereby to enforce  
Thee to conceit that there's no God: but that  
All things that are, do happen by some fate  
Or fortune, or some other way, which by  
The name of Nature they call wickedly.  
Though sometimes too, the word God, they do name,  
The better thee t' ensnare their talk to frame.   

Lift up thine eyes, Behold the Heavens above,  
The Sun, the Moon, the glistering Stars, which move  
In their due constant motions, and do give  
Their light and influence to all that live.  
See what great glory is on them. How rare  
Their beauty, and their comely order are.  
Doth not their glory, beauty, order, all  
Their motions, and their influences call  
Thee to confess a greater power, which gave  
Them what Being's, and what virtues they have?   

Look down below, behold the Earth which bears  
So many various creatures on't, and wears  
Such party coloured garments, and brings forth,  
Upholds, and cherishes of divers worth,  
Innumerable things, inanimate,  
Stones, Metals, Minerals, and animate;  
Endued with various forms, and different  
Degrees of life; (which both the continent  
And Isles produce) either Vegetative,  
As Plants of divers kinds, or things alive,  
Which Sense and Loco-motion have, as Beasts,  
And Birds, and creeping things, things reasonless.   

Behold the Seas, their ebbings, flow, waves,  
Where many thousands oft have made their graves;  
Where fishes of all sorts do swim and play,  
Where many gallant Ships do find a way,  
Through divers dangers all-about to coast  
From port to port, to seek out where the most  
Advantage to their owners they make,  
For all the pains and hazards they do take.   

Behold thyself, and mankind, who obtain  
An higher excellence of life, the main  
Endowments of a reasonable Soul,  
And understanding whereby to control  
The greater creatures, which both Land and Sea  
Produce; and into all the things that be  
Assay to pierce, and there about discourse  
And descant, which is better which is worse.   

From whence are all these things! who to them gave  
Those various forms and properties they have?  
Canst be so blind, as not clearly to see  
By all these things, that there's a Deity?  
An unseen Power and Mind that is most wise,  
And is Almighty too? that could devise  
So glorious and so great a Fabric, and  
Them in that order set wherein they stand?  
What! can it be believed to be true,  
That by some Atoms which together flew,  
By some strange hap, their Being's they received!  
Whence came those Atoms! or can't be believed  
That these things could each other make! whereas  
We see that Man can nothing bring to pass,  
Or make of nothing; though he greater be  
Then any other thing that thou canst see;  
In active power to contrive and do  
Such things as th' other can't attain unto?  
Nay he can neither life give, nor preserve  
Unto himself or others; they much swerve  
Who think there is not some thing far above,  
Which doth him marvailously in his love  
Uphold, and save through all the dangers great,  
Which death and ruin often to him threat.   

Now if thou this believe, which all things Preach,  
That there's a glorious God; (which to impeach,  
Is the great thing thine enemy's endeavour,  
That so they might thee wholly from him sever)  
Consider well, why should He man endue,  
With such like faculties by which, what's true,  
What's false, he may inquire and search into,  
And understand, as it is given also?  
By which also he's capable of choice  
And may obey or disobey the voice  
Of such a law, or rule as may impose  
Upon him to do these things, forbear those?  
At lest when, and so far as he's set free,  
From such entanglements as on him be.  
Is it not, that as he hath power to give  
Laws to himself and others: He might live  
Under the Law of that great power Supreme,  
Which over all the rest advanced him?  
When he commands his fellows, shall not he  
By his Creator too commanded be?  
Shall he receive from him such benefits  
As to oblige him, and be lawless? It's  
But meet he should acknowledge him, from whom  
His life, strength, reason, and his knowledge come.  
And who all things daily provides and gives,  
Of his mere bounty whereupon he lives;  
Seeing he is made capable thereof  
As no creature besides is. Is't enough  
That he live as the Beasts, after his will  
And brutish appetite, who hath the skill  
To act much higher, and hath such a spirit  
As may be made Religious, may demerit  
God's bounty by ingratitude; or can  
So well or ill act towards God or Man,  
As to offend his maker, or obtain  
Approvement from him? shall it be in vain  
That he is capable to understand  
And to receive of God divine command?  
Why should it not be believed be, that when  
God such capacities hath given to men,  
He should so further gracious to him be,  
As to reveal himself to him, that he  
Might exercise his heart and mind, to have  
The pleasure him to know, who to him gave  
Those other excellent endowments, which  
Do him above the rest advance, enrich,  
And dignify? that unto him he should  
His will and his commandment unfold;  
That he might ordered be by him, and give  
Obedience to him, so as he might live?  
Doth it not God become to be so good  
To mankind? or shall it be understood  
To be an happiness to man, to be  
Lawless and from engagement God-ward free?  
That he like to brute Beasts without control  
Be led by Lust, and so debase his Soul,  
And rob it of its glory, which consists  
In fellowship with God. Oh how great mists  
Do overspread their minds, who do account  
The way unto the top of bless to mount;  
Is to live like the Beasts, to satisfy  
Their appetites a while, and then to die;  
At most to use their reason like to men,  
In things humane and earthy like them, when  
They capable are of Divine converse,  
And may after a sort their minds immerse  
Into the things of Heaven? Oh crooked minds,  
And void of judgements, which such pleasures finds  
In things that perish, and contemn the prize  
Which would immortalize them, were they wise!   

But mind again, how they in all they said,  
Have the old Serpent's head further bewrayed,  
Whose grand design it was with man at first,  
That he might make him like himself accursed;  
Into man's mind t' insinuate amiss,  
That God who made him did envy his bliss.  
As if't had bondage been, to be forbid  
To do the thing, which when done, him undid.  
What else do they, when they do represent,  
As if it were matter of discontent,  
Not to have liberty at will to use  
Thy parts, and senses so as them t' abuse,  
By serving lawless brutish lusts, which take  
Thy mind and soul from him, who did thee make.  
As if they were as dead and useless quite,  
Unless they be exorbitant, and might  
Have liberty to do, and act those things  
Which God offend, and men to ruin brings!  
Do they not therein, greatly injury  
God's goodness, and great liberality;  
While wickedly they from thy view withhold  
Those many uses more than can be told,  
Which God affords to man, in all those things  
Which to God glory, and to man good brings;  
Both unto other men and to himself,  
What! is there noting else besides the pelf,  
And garbage of the World, for mind, and senses,  
And members to be used in? vain pretences:  
God gives the hearing, taste, smell, touch, and sight,  
Both for necessity, and for delight;  
Though not to satisfy that brutish lust,  
Which dwells within man and makes him unjust.  
May'st thou not see the wondrous works of God,  
And use thine eyes to look out all abroad  
Upon them? may'st thou not with them his words  
Peruse, which lively instances affords,  
Both of the ways and ends of good and bad,  
How well good men have fared, and how sad  
The end of evil men? may not thine eyes  
Behold thy way and work, and see what lies  
Before thee, or discover foes or friends!  
What to thy welfare, or thy ill-fare tends?  
May'st thou not with them too, bewail with tears  
Thy many sins, and misspent days or years?  
Mayst thou not use thine ears, God's words to hear,  
And such instructions, as unto his fear  
May thee provoke; and his commandments too,  
Which show thee what thou shouldst, or shouldst not do;  
That from destruction they might keep thee, yea  
B what divine are, and what moral be?  
Are not thy other senses too allowed  
Of God, for to distinguish in that crowed  
Of objects, which present themselves unto thee,  
What is good for thee, or what may undo thee?  
What thou may'st choose as things that wholesome are,  
And what refuse as things that may impair  
Thy health or safety? so thy palate meats  
Distinguishes; thy feeling, colds, or heats,  
Soft, hard, rough, smooth, and other properties  
Which diversely in divers bodies lies,  
And render them as good and grateful, or  
As things may hurt thee, and thou them abhor.  
Thy nose and smell is given thee, that thereby  
Thou may'st distinguish things which differently  
Do smell, that thou may'st this choose, that refuse.  
How many ways may'st thou thy senses use,  
With God's allowance to thy benefit,  
And give him thanks and praises too for it!  
Great use them to every thing he gives,  
Which in the World, endued with them lives.  
But unto mankind for more noble ends,  
Then other creatures can have, to what tends  
Unto God's praises and man's happiness,  
To seek and walk in the way unto bless.  
Yea man perceive may from th' use of his sense,  
That there's a good God, and wise providence.  
As also man his mind, his heart, his brains,  
May exercise in what to bless pertains.   Christ. 

Yea God who all things made for man at first,  
And blest them to him, till the cords he burst  
Of such engagements as between them were,  
By casting from him God's most holy fear,  
Hath by my Death and Blood again restored,  
That use of all things to him, may afford  
Much benefit unto him many ways,  
And give him cause with joy his Name to praise.  
All things are cleansed now by my dear Blood,  
And lawful made for man to do him good,  
God him allows a sober use to have,  
Of all things which at first he to him gave,  
According to the uses he ordained  
Them to at first. He only hath restrained  
The lawless use, which goes beyond the bounds  
Which he hath wisely set, and so confounds  
men's properties and rights, to what he gives,  
And so each other of their right deprives;  
Or what doth cherish his concupiscence  
And hellish lust, which (as experience  
Doth often show) both leads into excess,  
Robbing God of that part he should possess;  
And dangerous diseases breeds, whereby  
Man's days are shortened, and he worse doth die.   

How many men through a voluptuous life,  
Giving themselves to pleasures; or through strife,  
Which love of riches or ambition breeds,  
And such pursuit of them as right exceeds,  
And bounds of due sobriety, have brought  
Innumerable troubles on them oft?  
And have by divers Deaths with greater pain  
Been snatched away, than many do sustain,  
Who suffer for the truth of God, because  
They dare not violate his sacred laws.  
Is it not now become an usual word,  
More perish by the Throat, than by the Sword.  
And yet of those who by the Sword do die,  
Most perish by some lust most usually,  
By which they pull it on them, with more shame  
Ofttimes too, than the men who for my Name  
False judgement undergo; and what more just,  
Then that they who through voluntary lust,  
Have hated all my counsels and commands,  
Should meet with such like measures at my hands?  
Which yet is but a very small pittance,  
Of that sad doom and most direful vengeance,  
Which hangs over the scorners; as I may  
Further declare, in what I have to say.    

Canto III. Providence and Judgement.  
The Lord is known by the judgements that he executeth,  Psal. 9.16. 

Of Providence and Judgement too,  
This Canto fullyer doth show,  
That men must reap as they do sow.  
Which by examples manifold,  
Both in the bad and good is told,  
Where all God's justice may behold.  
Yet that nor good nor bad have here,  
Their full rewards, is here made clear,  
Till Jesus Christ to judge appear.  
Which that he shall is here expressed,  
The Resurrection, and the Rest  
Of the just too made manifest.   

IT being reasonable, that the Lord  
Who doth such eminent favours afford  
To man, should give to him a holy law,  
Requiring that of him he stand in awe;  
Him worship and obey with thankfulness,  
For all the love he doth to him express:  
He will too (as with men its usual)  
Him in due time forth unto judgement call,  
And render to him as his works shall be  
Rewards and punishments; as ye may see  
All Laws and Governmen are guarded so,  
By promising rewards, and threatening woe;  
To those that under them do live, as they  
Those laws do either keep or disobey.  
To what good purpose should laws ordered be,  
If they who break them may yet escape free;  
And not for any thing they do, sustain  
Due punishment by either loss or pain;  
And if th' observers thereof be neglected,  
And nothing better be therefore respected?  
Even so God who his laws unto man gave,  
Observes too how men do themselves behave:  
Whether they do submit their necks unto them,  
Believe his say readily to do them;  
Or whether they the reins to lust do give,  
And to themselves and their corruptions live.  
And them accordingly he will reward,  
As they regard him, or him disregard.   

See'st thou not this discovered oftentimes,  
While evil men who do commit great crimes,  
Though they do think themselves to be secure  
Are brought most heavy judgements to endure?  
Is not God by his righteous judgements known,  
While wicked men are thereby overthrown  
In their devises? witness that great flood,  
Which overflowed the old World, and which stood  
Above the highest mountains, when the World  
Which wicked was, was into ruin hurled;  
For those abominations which they  
Committed stubbornly from day to day;  
Refusing by good Noah to be warned,  
Yea me in him they set at naught; and scorned.  
For it is I the Wisdom and the Word,  
Of the Almighty and eternal Lord,  
Who by my Spirit do dwell in holy men,  
And lead them forth with boldness to condemn,  
And fault the World's great wickedness, because  
They take no heed unto my righteous laws.  
It was my judgement executed in  
Those five great Cities famous for their sin,  
Sodom and her near neighbours overthrown,  
By Fire and Brimstone, so as ne'er was known  
Before or since; because they cast away  
My counsels from them, would not me obey,  
The Word and Wisdom of my Father high.  
Who to the sons of men do use to cry.  
To show them what is right and what is wrong,  
What doth to them, and what doth not belong.  
My words those sinful Cities thrust away,  
And after strange flesh vilely went astray:  
Pride, idleness, and riotous excess  
Was in them, and the poor they did oppress;  
And lewdness they committed, therefore I  
In flames of Fire from Heaven did make them fry.  
What should I mention Egypt's haughty King,  
Who proudly my commands away did fling;  
And with his people, badly did entreat  
My people, and did them abuse and beat?  
How did I judge them and with plagues them break,  
Because their bad ways they would not forsake,  
Making them warnings to all Tyrants, that  
In after ages me and mine should hate?  
I Plunged them strangely into that great flood  
Or Sea, whose waves mean while on both sides stood  
Of my Elect, whom I had chose to be,  
A special lot or people unto me?  
What should I speak of Saul, and Haman, and  
The Jewish Nation? for in every Land  
Such monuments of judgement oft have been,  
In whom and what befell them, it may be seen  
That there's a God above, whose eyes behold  
The proud who him contemn, and are so bold  
To break his laws, and walk in their own pride.  
Nought can them from his powerful vengeance hid.   

Whereas on th' other side He doth protect,  
And show his favour unto his Elect,  
His worshippers, all such as do him fear,  
And to my wholesome counsels do adhere.  
Though He be pleased their faith sometimes to try,  
Them from the dross of sin to purify.  
And divers ways to exercise them, till  
His gracious purpose He on them fulfil;  
That so their virtues might more brightly shine,  
And God more fully show his power divine,  
In their support, and in that inward might,  
Wherewith He them endues in the World's fight.   

When all the old World, who from me had swerved  
Was drowned, how was righteous No preserved,  
And in an Ark was with his household kept,  
From that great deluge, which the wicked swept  
Away without escape? so Righteous Lot,  
When Sodom was consumed was not forgot;  
But by an Angel was delivered out,  
From that strange shower of fire, which round about  
All things burnt up, so soon as he from thence  
Was carried out. And what a sure defence  
To Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob too,  
Was the Almighty Lord when they did go  
Into strange Countries, few, and strangers? how  
Did he defend them, because they did ●ow  
To him, and his words keep? yea how did God  
Rebuke Kings for their sakes, and with his rod  
So frighted them, that they durst nothing do  
Against them, which their harm might tend unto?  
How did he help chaste Joseph, and him keep  
In those great sufferings, and those dangers deep,  
To which his envious brethren did him sell,  
And by his wanton Mistress him befell,  
Who falsely him accused, because he did  
Refuse her unclean lust, of God forbidden  
To satisfy, at her unchaste request,  
Preferring a clean conscience in his breast,  
Before the amorous kisses of a whore,  
Which would have ruined him for evermore?  
How did the Lord in him his power display,  
And goodness too, both in the time he lay  
In prisonhouse, where irons pierced his Soul?  
(God gave him patience in that sad, and foul,  
And painful trial, and was with him so  
As that he favour found, the Jailor fro)  
And when God from the prison him released,  
Having him thereby tried as he pleased?  
For unto such great honour he him brought,  
As never by him could have been forethought.  
To make him Ruler over all the Land  
Of Egypt, that all men might understand,  
That though God try his friends, and them prepares  
Thereby for mercies, yet he for them cares.  
And when they fitted are, he them advances  
Above their foes designs, and all bad chances.   

Did he not Israel in Egypt too,  
And in the Wilderness cause him to know,  
To be their mighty helper, and their aid,  
Their strong Redeemer from those griefs, that made  
Them sigh and groan; and from those dismal fears,  
Which them encompassed for may years?  
How did he bring them out, from that hard Land  
Of bondage, by his great and mighty hand?  
What wonders wrought he for them at the Sea  
And in the Wilderness? what things did he  
In leading them therethrough, by day and night,  
Both by a shady cloud and fiery light?  
In giving them from Heaven Angels bread,  
Wherewith for forty years they were all fed?  
In causing flinty Rocks to give them drink,  
When they through thirst seemed to be at pits brink?  
How did he by a Serpent made of brass  
Erected, heal their wounds? and made them pass  
Safely through midst of swelling Seas and floods,  
Drove out seven Nations, and their lands and goods  
Divided to his people to possess,  
That they his Name for evermore might bless:  
And all might see, That they who serve God, have  
A great preserver, who them all will save,  
And recompense with good? and that To Bliss  
The only certain way to serve God is.   

How did he ruddy David while a youth,  
Because he served him in upright truth,  
Take from the sheepfolds, and with oil anoint him,  
And to rule over Israel appoint him?  
And though he from Saul's envy suffered much,  
While he God's favour did unto him grudge,  
And many dangers too of death sustained,  
Before the Crown and Kingdom he obtained;  
Yet how did God him keep, uphold, and save,  
In many a desert, mountain, hill, and cave;  
Till having humbled him, he his promise  
Remembered, and cut off his enemies;  
Gave him the Sovereign power and government,  
So that he ruled long with great content;  
Enlarged his Territories, and increased  
His power among the great ones of the East?  
Till in his great prosperity, he fell  
Into the sins whereof the Scriptures tell.  
When that it might appear, that God regards  
men's actions, and unto them gives rewards  
And punishments, according thereunto  
He met with sad corrections, and much woe;  
Though mixed with mercies manifold, because  
He did through grace repent, and to my laws  
Return. How strangely did he Mordecay  
And the Jews help, whom Haman sought to slay,  
Turning upon his Head, those evils which  
He for them had devised? into the ditch  
He for them digged; he himself was cast down,  
That thereby both God's favour and his frown  
He might at once declare. How helped he  
Those worthies which are called the children three?  
They walked in midst of fiercest flames, no smell  
Of fire their garments had, when they down fell  
Dead at the furnace mouth, who east them in.  
Such difference is 'twixt righteousness and sin.  
How helped he Daniel in the Lion's den,  
And him delivered, when those very men  
Destroyed were, who devised his ruin? How  
Did he oft help his servants when brought low,  
In times of Macchabees, and all along  
When they dispersed were, and suffered wrong?  
How helped he the holy men that died  
In faith of me, whom the World crucified,  
Through many Storms and Tempests, by the rage  
Of persecutors raised in every age?  
For love of me, they willingly did yield  
To Death, so as by Death they won the field.  
Triumphing over every worst torment,  
That was devised by the cursed Serpent,  
And his enraged instruments; until  
By their deaths and their doctrine, they did fill  
The World with fruits, and made proud error fall,  
Before the truth confessed by them all.   

For those same ignominious Deaths and crosses,  
Those heavy sufferings, and most grievous losses,  
Whereat the World doth stumble, and whereby  
They with the Devil in confederacy,  
Endeavour to affright thee from my Word,  
More comfort and more glory far afford,  
Then all those pleasures, and those braveries,  
By which they do bewitch the mind unwise.  
Yea many have more peace and joy expressed  
In cruel Deaths through me, than they who rest  
And quiet in the World enjoy, as far  
As a glow-worm's exceeded by a Star  
Of greatest magnitude; or by the Sun  
Which with great glory doth its courses run.  
Which moved Moses, though both Learned and Wise,  
The riches of all Egypt to despise,  
And all its pleasures, to take part with those  
Who suffered great oppressions from their foes  
For sake of me; because he well perceived  
That greater glory than can be believed  
Is thence received; yea more than can be found,  
Form all the best enjoyments of this Round.   

Who are more honoured in this World's esteem,  
Then they who do their life and blood out teem;  
And many watch, fastings, combats great,  
And hardships suffer, which each hour them threat,  
To do their Country service, or maintain  
Its liberties, or greater rule to gain  
Unto it? and shall those, who for the sake  
Of their most high creator, undertake  
His truth and Kingdom to assert, be thought  
The only persons to be set at nought?  
Or be the worse accounted, because they  
Do many cruel things sustain all day?  
Are they not therefore far more worthy praise,  
For suffering so great things so divers ways;  
The worst of Deaths and Torments, that the wit  
And malice both of Men and Devils, knit  
Together could devise; and bear the shame  
Of vilest imputations for my Name?  
Shows it not forth their greater love to me?  
And is't not meet I should so loved be,  
Who for their sakes my state of glory left,  
And suffered myself to be bereft  
Of all things, even of life; and to sustain  
The greatest agonies in Soul, and pain  
In body, even the dreadful curse to bear,  
Of God's most righteous Law, because they were  
Thereof the breakers, and thereby concluded  
To be from Gods most joyful sight extruded?  
Is it not too, a commendation to  
My person and my kingdom, that they so  
Dare suffer for them? for therein they show,  
That they such excellencies in them know,  
That for the sake thereof they do contemn,  
The greatest mischiefs can be done to them,  
Rather than be thereof deprived? yea sure  
The patience too wherewith they do endure;  
Their gloryings also and great joys therein,  
Which often in that case expressed hath been;  
Unlike to those who suffer otherwise,  
Some excellency clearly testifies  
In what they suffered for; and that they found  
Some such strong satisfactions to abound,  
As nothing in this World can them afford,  
But only the Divine power of the Lord.   

And sure if they who for their Country die,  
With Monuments and Trophies gloriously  
Are honoured; and the more by how much they  
More willingly, and greater sufferings may  
Have undergone: those ignominious things  
Which the confession of my doctrine brings,  
Through Satan's and the World's malice upon  
My followers (as oft times it hath done)  
Their glory, and their praise esteemed should be.  
And so they are esteemed too of me  
And of my Father, who will recompense  
Such glory to them, as such patience  
And love to him and me may challenge; yea  
Accord as of us they taken be,  
Of our great grace and favour, who account  
Them worthy of such glories, as surmount  
All humane merit, and (though they do owe  
Such service to us, yet) great things bestow  
By way of recompense; such as surpass  
All humane understanding, as far as  
The Heavens exceed the Earth, or th' Ocean large  
Exceeds the compass of some Boat or Barge.  
For 'tis the glory of the Majesty  
Of God to give rewards exceeding high.  
As Kings give gifts like Kings, and not like those  
Whose greatest riches is a suit of .   Min. 

For though the righteous God his judgements now  
Both on the good, and on the bad doth show;  
Yet they are but a small part of that Doom,  
Which shall at length to either of them come.  
A little demonstration of a Judge,  
And of a judgement, which shall them that grudge  
Against Gods Being and his Providence,  
(Which both of good and bad hath perfect sense)  
Wholly confute and strike into silence.  
A Judge who judgement too doth execute,  
According to men's do and their fruit.  
But yet that all the Judgements doth not here,  
Pass upon Good or Bad may hence appear.   

Firstly, for that all those who wicked be,  
And whose great wickedness all men may see,  
Receive not here condign punishment  
For their offences; but oft having spent  
Their times in vanity, the poor oppressing,  
And widows of their rights too dispossessing;  
Contemning God, yea who blasphemed his Name,  
Women and Maids defiled, and in the same  
Have gloryed, and many other crimes  
Have perpetrated, yet such oftentimes  
Are taken hence with no such stroke as may  
It evidence that God on them doth lay,  
The punishment of their offences great;  
But they die quietly in their own seat:  
Even as that gluttonous rich man, who fared  
Deliciously each day, and never spared  
To satisfy his lusts, but yet the poor  
suffered to lie neglected at his door;  
Even he his days in pleasures spent, and when  
His time was come to die, like other men,  
He died, and was buried in great state,  
So as men could not therein see God's hate.  
Can it be thought the righteous Judge of all,  
Will suffer those whom he doth wicked call,  
And against whom his wrath's upon record,  
To scape unpunished and break his word?  
Will he be partial? punish but a few,  
The greatest part dispense with of that crew?  
No verily; There is a time to come,  
When every wicked man shall have his doom.   

Again, when every wilful breach of law,  
Doth dreadful punishments upon men draw;  
Who so offend and are impenitent,  
Can it be judged to be sufficient  
For millions of such sins, that one such stroke  
Should take away the sinners, who provoke  
God every day to strike? shall such an end  
As something of just vengeance doth portend.  
Not very much beyond the common fate  
Which all mankind abides, be for the hate  
Of God and goodness, which they always bear  
From day to day; yea oftimes many a year,  
Full recompense? for how much greater pain  
Did Pharaoh, when drowned in the Sea sustain,  
Or Haman when he was hanged up on high,  
Then is the common pain of all that die?  
There was some public shame and sodainness,  
And some such violence as might express,  
A righteous hand of God; but yet the same  
Occurrences of violence and shame,  
Are but what men by their laws oftentimes  
Do judge men to, for some such heinous crimes  
As treason and rebellion against them:  
And shall such persons as do God contemn,  
Sustain no greater punishment than they  
Deserve, who mortal men but disobey?  
Nay verily, but as God greater is  
Then greatest men, so they who do amiss  
Against his law and government, shall such  
Great punishments sustain, as do as much  
Exceed the punishments from men, as he  
Exceeds them in his power and high degree.  
And what befalls them now, is far from all  
The punishment that shall upon them fall.   

Besides, though they who serve God, find supports  
In their afflictions, and have great comforts  
From him, when they are persecuted for  
His name and truth confessed by them: or  
For trial of their faith, or for increase  
Of virtue, or to cause that they may cease  
From what offends him, though they do sustain  
Much trouble and affliction, grief and pain:  
And though ofttimes he signally them save  
From greatest dangers; yet they sure shall have  
Far greater things than those, a recompense  
Beyond what here they have; for they go hence  
Ofttimes with great reproaches, crosses, shame,  
And die reputed worthy of great blame:  
Yea are cut off by cruel Death, because  
They durst not violate Gods holy laws.  
Can it be thought that that great God, whom they  
So constantly through so great griefs obey,  
Will not their service and their love regard,  
So as the same openly to reward;  
With such rewards as with his greatness suit,  
And may to all eternity confute  
His enemies, that do blaspheme his Name,  
And put his service to rebuke and shame?  
Yes verily, as his with patience  
Bear greatest troubles, with great confidence  
Of an after reward sufficient,  
To recompense the blood which they have spent,  
And all that they have parted with and born  
For his Names sake, a Crown that shall be worn  
By them to all eternity, a Crown  
Of heavenly glory, eternal renown;  
A recompense beyond the thoughts of man,  
Yea such as no Angel express it can,  
They shall receive from him; who notice takes  
Of all their sufferings, and inquiry makes  
After their blood. He'll not their hope deceive,  
But give them even beyond what they believe.   Christ. 

Know then dear Soul, that there's another day,  
A time when Heaven and Earth shall flee away,  
When God shall judge the World in righteousness,  
And give to them who here his truth confess  
Unspeakable rewards; and the unjust,  
Into eternal fire and torments thrust.  
Unto which purpose I who was abased,  
And suffered so great things for to lay waste,  
The power and kingdom of the enemy,  
And for the sakes of sinful men did die,  
And being raised up, went up on high,  
And am set down in royal Majesty  
On God's right hand, shall in great glory come,  
To execute the judgement and the doom,  
Of my eternal Father, and to give  
Rewards to men according as they live.  
Those who with hate repay me, I'll destroy  
And fill my lovers with eternal joy.   

And who so fit as I man's Judge to be,  
Who am both God and Man, and all things see  
In God and Man? Being Gods glorious Word  
Made of man Flesh, and am made sovereign Lord  
Of Men and Angels, and do fully know  
What God hath done for man, what man doth owe  
To God again? Man may be sure I will  
Not undeservedly him destroy or kill,  
Seeing I his most loving Saviour am,  
Who him to save down from my Father came:  
Yea into Death and Hell went down, that I  
Might thence redeem man, and l●ft him on high.  
Nor can I be unrighteous, both for that  
I'm one with God, and all unright things hate:  
And 'twas unrighteousness for to destroy  
That I appeared; in righteousness I joy.  
Yea 'tis a just reward, that I who were  
Unjustly judged and condemned here,  
Should be exalted to that glorious height,  
To sit as Judge of what is wrong, what right,  
And judge my Judges; yea since I thereby  
The power have to forgive sins; who as I  
So fit to judge? To which in God's season,  
I shall appear in glory on the Throne,  
With honour and with Majesty bedecked,  
When all before me without all respect  
Of persons, I shall call both quick and dead,  
And give to them as here they have lived.   Minist. 

For whereas thy malicious foes suggest,  
Among the other things they have expressed,  
That it's a fancy to conceit, that they  
Who in their graves are quite consumed away,  
Should ever possibly be raised again,  
To live in glory or to suffer pain;  
It's like the rest of what blind error saith,  
Leaning to its own thoughts, devoyed of faith,  
By which the reason should be rectified,  
And which in all things it should make its guide.  
For as man's things, only man's spirit can know,  
So none but God's spirit can his matters show.  
But when the fallen fool saith in his heart  
There is no God, how can he but departed  
From that divine light of his holy Word,  
Which right direction only doth afford?  
But seeing there's a God, a power divine,  
As all things both in Heaven and Earth combine,  
To manifest a glorious power, that made  
The Heavens, the Earth, the Seas, and them hath stayed,  
And held up to this moment; can it be  
Unreasonable thought by men, that he  
Should act like to himself, and such things do  
As may his power and greatness clearly show?  
And is't a greater or unlikelier thing,  
The dead and rotten back to life to bring;  
The 'twas at first all things to make of nought?  
Can any thing for God too hard be thought?  
For him that is Almighty? is't not right,  
To think that Greatest things become his might?  
Yes verily; It's like himself to do  
Such mighty things, as far surpass and go  
Beyond the shallow model of man's wit  
To comprehend; and what can be more sit,  
For his Almighty power to bring about,  
Then from their graves to make the dead come out  
To judgement? and such recompense bestow,  
As may his height and greatness greatly show?  
And seeing it may well supposed be  
That unto man (as was foreshowed) he  
Would give his precepts, and his mind declare,  
With motives to obey him, such as are  
Great, and his Greatness do become, why should  
It once be doubted of what he hath told,  
But that it's true and right? what is't because  
They are so great things that he saith? why, pause  
A little on't again, and see if that  
Can any just ground be to stumble at:  
Such declarations, promises, and threats,  
Because they may be ranked among the Greats.  
As if with Greatness, great things did not suit,  
Or such a Tree could not bring forth such fruit.  
Nay verily those things God best become,  
That are so great as wholly to strike dumb  
The mouth of Reason, and to pass the mind  
Of men and Angels their method to find.   Chr. 

Believe it then dear Soul, that there shall be  
A Resurrection of the Dead, by me  
Who am the Son of God, and do possess  
The fullness of his power and happiness.  
I by my Death have so the law fulfilled,  
Which bond men o'er to Death, that I have killed  
Its power to hold men under; yea I have  
Not only myself risen from the grave,  
But have a passage also from it made  
For all mankind; because the sin that laid  
Mankind so low, I have destroyed so,  
That it shall not them hinder thence to go.  
Yea being raised and gone up on high,  
I have received highest dignity  
Over all things, in Heaven, in Earth, in Hell;  
The fullness of the Godhead doth all dwell  
In me. I have the keys of Hell and Death,  
All things above, and all that is beneath,  
Are subject to my power, and as I have  
Destroyed by my Death both Death and Grave,  
So I can them command, and in due time  
Will do it also: Neither Grace nor Crime  
Shall thereby be from their reward back kept:  
But at my voice who ever there have slept,  
Or yet shall sleep, shall from their graves come forth,  
Even from the East, and West, and South, and North.   

They shall not keep my worshippers, and them  
Who for my sake their own lives do contemn,  
That they should not receive those great things which  
I promised, wherewith them to enrich,  
And gloriously to honour and advance,  
Even an everlasting inheritance,  
Where they in glory great shall ever shine,  
And shall possess the Kingdom that is mine.  
Shall me behold, and with me joy for ever;  
Where mixture of adversity shall never  
Impair their happiness, or it abate.  
Where they shall be void of all strife and hate,  
Of enmity, and envy, death or pain,  
And without all disturbance ever Reign;  
Fullness of joy and glory in the sight  
Of God they shall enjoy, with full delight.  
Rivers of pleasures shall them satisfy,  
Of which they all shall drink eternally.  
No tongue can utter, no heart can conceive,  
The joy and glory which they shall receive,  
And have for ever who on me believe.  
When I that joyful sentence utter shall  
Come oh ye blessed of my Father all,  
Inherit ye the Heavenly Kingdom, now  
Before the World's foundations for you  
Prepared: for when I hungered ye me fed,  
When sick and prisoned ye me visited;  
Ye gave me drink when thirsty, entertained me  
When I a stranger was, and men disdained me.  
When in my members thus it was with me,  
Even with my meanest Brethren here that be,  
Ye showed me favour. Come therefore possess  
My Kingdom now in everlasting Bless.  
The World despised you, and thrust you away,  
Accounted you accursed; oft ye lay  
In Streets, and Prisons, poor and thinly clad.  
But now the time is come, wherein I glad  
Will you for ever make; ye shall be now  
Exalted high, when they shall all lie low.  
I'll feed you with my fat things not disdain you,  
But in joys and glories entertain you.  
My glory shall you , and ye in white  
Shall with me walk, because ye did the right.  
Now you shall no more thirst, for I'll you make  
Of the fountains of living water take  
And drink your fills; nor shall you hunger more,  
I'll feed you at my Table; nor be poor  
For I'll enrich you. And ye who were strangers  
Wand'ring about, exposed to many dangers,  
I'll take you now to me, and sit ye shall  
Upon my throne of glory eternal.  
Oh come ye Blessed of my Father, now  
Possess the Kingdom sore-prepared for you.    

Canto IU. The Dreadful Canto.  
The last judgement and Doom of the Wicked.  
Our God will come and will not keep silence, a fire shall devour before him, and it shall be very tempestuous round about him,  Psal. 50.3. 

This Dreadful Canto doth relate  
The doleful Doom and sad estate,  
Of such as God and goodness hate.  
How Christ and his shall laugh at them,  
As they with scorn did them contemn,  
When he to woe doth them condemn.  
What horror at the glorious sight  
Of Christ, and his shall on them light,  
And how it shall them all affright.  
What doleful wail they shall make,  
When they go down into the Lake  
Of vengeance, which none ere shall slake.   

NOR on the other side shall Death, or Grave,  
Or Hell, be able those my foes to save  
From my just judgements, who my counsels slight,  
Hate my reproofs, and my good Spirit despite.  
Who do the World and their own justs prefer,  
Before me and my grace, loving to err  
From my good ways, refusing to return:  
They shall be raised again, and judged to burn  
In that eternal Lake of wrath and woe,  
Which was prepared for the Infernal foe;  
The Devil and his Angels who seduced  
Them to rebel, and not to be reduced.  
Before my dreadful judgement seat, they shall  
Stand trembling then, yea then both great and small  
Shall judged be; and when my Saints rejoice  
Then they shall weep and wail, hearing that voice  
Depart ye cursed; ye who have refused,  
My proffered grace, and all my love abused:  
Who would not come to me when I did call you,  
Though I did tell you then what would befall you.  
Ye who then put Me from you, and to me  
Did say Depart, for we desire not thee  
Us to instruct or teach, or to reprove us,  
We care not whether thou dost hate or love us.  
We value not thy love, nor fear thy wrath;  
We will not know thy ways, nor tread thy path.  
Thy words do cross our wills, we'll break thy cords;  
Thou shalt not reign o'er us, for we are Lords;  
We're owners of ourselves, and all we have:  
We need not thee, nor like that thou us save  
From our corruptions; for we like them so,  
We take thee that reprov'st for our foe.  
Thy company we like not, nor that sort  
Of frantic fools, who do with thee comport,  
Pressing thy laws; we hate them in our heart,  
And put them from us, let them too departed.  
They are a burden and a trouble to us,  
And we'll destroy them, lest they should undo us.  
This than your manner was to me and mine,  
Ye were contented we should starve or pine.  
When we were hungry, ye would not us feed;  
Nor would ye give us drink, when we did need;  
Nor when we wand'red, would ye take us in;  
Nor cloth us, when we naked were and thin;  
When we were sick or cast in prison, ye  
Neglected us to visit or to see.  
Nay ye did thrust us from you, ye did beat us,  
And by your cruelties did slay and eat us.  
Ye mocked our counsels, because being poor,  
We trusted in the Lord, did him adore:  
Depart from me therefore ye cursed crew,  
And from my lovers. Take ye now your due,  
With your cursed Counsellors, the Devil and  
His wicked Angels, whose will and command  
Above mine ye preferred. For ever be  
A separated company from me,  
And from all mine, in that great dreadful lake  
Of Fire and Brimstone; where I'll vengeance take  
For all your wickedness, and great despite  
Ye showed against me, and those who did right.  
Ye trod me under foot, my blood ye slighted  
As common, and my spirit of grace despited.  
Now I will tread you in my wrath (for I  
The wine-press of the wrath of God mighty  
Do tread) I'll in my fury trample you,  
And all to pieces crush and squeeze you now.   

What! think you now a share with us to have,  
Whom ye thrust from you, when we counsel gave  
To leave your evils, and with us take part?  
Ye judged our counsels over sharp and tart,  
To your pride and corruptions; when ye were  
Ashamed of me, and my reproach to bear;  
Ashamed of my followers, because they  
Reproached were, poor and despised lay,  
Would ye now fain yourselves insinuate  
With us, when we are glorious? 'Tis too late:  
We will not own you now, but are ashamed  
Of such accursed caitiffs, who are named  
Ungodly, wicked, unclean, hypocrites,  
Ambitious, worldlings, proud men, Sodomites,  
With many another such like wretched name,  
As into my Book of life never came.  
Away ye caitiffs, as ye sowed, now reap;  
As ye have brewed, now drink. Go howl, and weep,  
Lament your folly, cry now Fools we are,  
Who counted us the fools, and did not spare  
To make us cry and weep, and sigh and groan,  
And unto God make our complaint and moan;  
When ye us slighted and abused so,  
As made us with sad grieved hearts to go.  
Solace yourselves together in those flames  
Of dreadful fire, which all proud rebels tames.   

Ye laughed at us, and in our griefs took pleasure;  
Now we will meet out to you the same measure.  
When we were from our houses haled and outed,  
Of Synagogues for righteousness, ye shouted;  
When we were mocked and scorned by men, ye houted,  
And when we answered for ourselves, ye flouted.  
When we condemned were, and cast in bands,  
Than ye rejoiced much and clapped your hands.  
When we were hanged, and burned, and crucified,  
Then ye did triumph o'er us, us deride.  
These trusted in the Lord, ye used to say,  
These were the persons used much to pray.  
In houses to that purpose they would meet,  
And oft of God be talking in the Street;  
Let's see now where their God is, and what he  
Can and will do for them to set them free.  
Let's see if he them from our hands can save,  
Let him deliver them, it them he'll have.  
Now we again do over you rejoice,  
At your distress we now lift up our voice.  
We triumph over you, and do deride  
Your folly, madness, stubbornness, and pride.  
Now we your confidences boldly flout,  
And over your destruction we do shout;  
To see our mortal foes who were so stout,  
From God and all his holy ones thrust out  
Into eternal torments; we'll now taunt  
Your Idols, and those places ye did haunt,  
To work your wickedness; where be your Gods  
Whom ye did use to worship, and with odds  
Prefer before your Saviour? what's become  
Of all your stocks and stones, and Idols dumb?  
Where are those mighty men, under whose wing  
Ye put your trust? of whom ye used to sing?  
Whose power and greatness ye did magnify,  
Trust in and fear, and lift up to the sky;  
Whose Laws, and whose commands, ye did prefer  
Far before me and mine! ye did deter  
My people from their service to me, setting  
Their greatness and their threats before them, getting  
Commissions from them us to persecute:  
Why do ye not to them now make your suit,  
And pray them to befriend you in your needs,  
And bear you out in all your wretched deeds;  
Ye acted against God, and against us,  
For which ye stand by me condemned thus?  
Where are your potent Kings and Emperors?  
Your Popes, your Cardinals, your great Doctors?  
Your gallant Lords and Ladies, Learned men  
Of whom, and whose authority ye then  
Did make your boasts, and with their names us frighted?  
And in whose countenance ye much delighted?  
Where are their Crowns? their Sceptres? & their Mitres?  
Their crosier Staves? their Councils? and their Writers?  
Their dreadful weapons which they oft abused  
Against us, from those ends they should have used  
Them to (as against theives and highway robbers,  
Seditious persons, felons, and disturbers  
Of public peace by wicked acts, abusers  
Of Gods good creatures, and of men mis-users.)  
What is become of all that greatness now,  
Before the which ye used yourselves to bow,  
And flushed with which, and leaning whereunto  
Ye did your pleasures, sought us to undo?  
Let them arise and help and save you now,  
But ah alas! themselves too are brought low.  
They're turned off from the stage, and their high looks  
Are humbled, all their weapons, and their books  
Of Learning, Wit, of Merriment, of Laws  
(In which they being searched, many flaws  
Were found) are all consumed and quite burned,  
And they themselves too, many of them turned  
Into destruction with you, and their pride,  
Their pomp, and their high looks we now deride.  
Their gallant garbs, their feathered caps, their train  
And pompous equipage are now all vain.  
All nought avails them, but they must abide  
The due deserts of all their lordly pride,  
Their riots and oppressions, wantonnesses,  
Their beastly lusts, and all their great excesses,  
With whatsoever they have done amiss.  
Now they may see their folly, now we hiss  
At all their madness, whereby they abused  
Those many mercies they enjoyed, refused.  
The bless they might have had, and walked in  
Their brutish lusts, and wallowed in their sin;  
Rejecting and conteming me and mine,  
And would not to my words their ears incline.  
Where now are all those treasured heaps of store,  
Your Lands and Lordships upon which ye bore  
Yourselves in your abuses? where now are  
Your silver and your gold, and jewels rare?  
Your stately palaces, or seiled houses?  
Your down beds, gay attire, and your fair Spouses?  
Your pomps and pageants? yea your punks and whores,  
With whom you lost your souls, and oft with sores  
Did mar your bodies? where's your hawks and hounds?  
Your monstrons' oaths, your Damm'es, blood, & wounds?  
Where are your great attendants? where those laws  
By which ye us condemned and killed, because  
We cleaved to our God, and would not start  
From his commands; or 'cause we did departed  
From that excess of riot, or false way  
Of worship, wherein ye did go astray?  
Where are they all become? will none of them  
Help you at this strange turn, when we contemn  
And slight you? where be all those men of law,  
Who could by their fine subtle plead draw  
And wrest the laws to speak what ere they pleased?  
Have they not now a word whereby you eased  
May of your torments be? what are they dumb,  
And mute, and tongue-less at this turn become?  
Can ye not bribe them now, as ye did use,  
When many a poor man ye did abuse,  
Oppress, impoverish, and undo? we fear  
The sight of other Angels, now do blear  
Their eyes, that they cannot behold your case,  
Or they be afraid to look the Judge i'th' face.  
They're found so false, that they be turned o'er the bar,  
Or what befalls them, that they are so far  
From pleading now your cause? what do they know  
The Judge is so impartial, that how now  
To bribe or to pervert him they are posed?  
Or is the air so cold, their tongues be freeze?   

Where are those flaunting Preachers? smooth Divines,  
Those witty fellows, who use with the times  
To turn their tongues, and fond distinction find,  
Their own and other Consciences to blind?  
Dispense with my commands great men to please?  
Cast burdens upon others, themselves ease?  
Make oaths to bind or lose as they see good?  
Or as it with their own preferments stood?  
Loosed subjects from their due obedience  
Which I required of them unto their Prince?  
And Princes oft provoked to persecute  
My people who with their wills can not suit.  
Made error pass for truth, and truth for error?  
Made void my threats, and filled their own with terror?  
Made sad the hearts of my poor servants by  
Urging men's precepts, and the authority  
Of their old councils 'gainst them, to make good  
The do of those men who sought their blood?  
Can they not now allege some Father's old,  
Some Council, or some custom, why ye should  
Not be thrust down to Hell? can they not find  
Some good distinction now my eyes to blind?  
Can they not now pervert some Scripture, to  
Make void my judgement and prevent your woe?  
Is all their skill and Learning laid a sleep?  
Or are they fain themselves to howl and weep,  
Because they minded not my work to do,  
To seek, that they themselves my grace might know,  
And others thereof might with them partake,  
But their lusts minded, and my laws did hate?   

Where are your lofty looks? your grievous words?  
Your strength of hands? your poniards, and your swords,  
Wherewith ye used to terrify us, and  
Obtain your pleasures, or force your commands?  
Can ye not now outbrave the Judge, whom ye  
Did vilify and scorn, when him ye see  
Both in himself and members, at the bar  
Of your Injustice stand? whom ye did mar  
With spittings, taunts, and many foul affronts?  
What have ye now at length left off your wonts?  
Can ye not lay about you, beat away  
Your enemies? for so we are to day,  
This day of vengeance; because formerly  
Our friends ye would not be, but did deny  
Me, and mine hate. Can ye not with strong hand  
Defend yourselves, or break that chain or band  
Of God's most righteous and most dread Decree,  
By which bond to perpetual woe ye be?  
Were ye not wont to boast yourselves, and say  
Our tongues they are our own, and what Lord may  
Control us or command us? what's become  
Of those your lawless tongues? are they quite dumb?  
What? not one word to say, wherefore ye should  
Not be thrust down, into that dreadful hold  
Of damned Spirits, whose suggestions ye  
Preferred and followed far before me.   

Some of you did suppose your fleshly birth  
Of Abraham or others, who on Earth  
Were godly persons, or were men of might,  
Would help you now, although that which was right  
Ye put away; and others of you thought,  
Because ye did some good works; as ye taught  
My laws or heard them, or professed my name,  
Or built some Hospital for blind and lame,  
Or did a Chanter found, or give a gift  
To build a Church or it adorn, you shift  
Might off my judgement; though I did foretell  
That they would nought avail, unless ye well  
Demeaned yourselves. Can ye not those pleas now  
Make good? or what before ye would not know,  
Do you now well perceive at length I can't  
By any thing, a liberty to grant  
To sin be bribed? did ye think such things,  
As oft times bleared the eyes of mortal Kings,  
And of their Judges (as affinity  
Or gifts, or some great services whereby  
They might oblige them) would with me prevail,  
So far as to give leave without all fail,  
Some secret sins to harbour in your breast,  
And that nevertheless ye might be blest?  
And therefore you presumed unrighteously  
To live and practise, and my words cast by.  
Where they against some of your lusts did stand,  
Or something which ye liked not did command.  
Thence many of you did the poor oppress,  
Sought your own glory, lived in covetousness;  
And thought to scape my judgements, if you gave  
Part of your unjust gain your souls to save.  
Some of you Preached my Statutes, but refused  
Them to obey, but all my grace abused.  
Or if in some things ye seemed to obey,  
Somethings forgive, or give, or fast and pray;  
Yet secretly ye did your neighbours cheat,  
Oppress your servants, wrongfully them beat;  
Defraud the labourers of what they earned,  
Took part with theives when ye have them discerned,  
Or kept a whore in secret, or did love  
To practise closely, what ye did reprove  
More openly in public; sought the praise  
Of men in what ye did; did slanders raise  
Against your Brother, thereby to deprive  
Him of the comfort, which he did derive  
From the love of his neighbours, while he kept  
That credit with them, which ye from him swept.  
And think ye, that I who for all sins died,  
And in my word against all testified;  
To nourish any of them would give way,  
Or that the workers of such evils may  
Endure in my pure sight? ye be much deceived  
If any such things of me ye believed.  
I did not come to save by halves, and make  
Clean of some spots, procure that men forsake  
Some evils, and retain some other; no  
I came and taught, that men should all forgo,  
For love of me and righteousness; and I  
Afforded that effectual grace, whereby  
Ye might have perfectly been purified,  
And all ungodliness and lusts denied?  
Which seeing it hath not been done by you,  
I from my presenee you for ever throw.   

Oh what amazement, and what horror, then  
Shall seize on, and surprise those wretched men,  
When they shall see me in my Majesty,  
(Which then shall visibly to every eye  
Be manifest, though now they will not see,  
What of it in my works and words may be  
Discerned by them) when they shall behold  
That all is true of me that they were told;  
Yea that it shall many degrees exceed  
All they had heard, and by what they did read  
Recorded of me, either could conceive,  
Or firmly of me in their hearts believe.  
When in my Father's glory, they me see  
Attended with those Angels, all that be  
Mighty in power, and in holiness  
Complete! oh who their horror can express!  
When me they see in so great glory, as  
The pomp of all this World doth more surpass,  
Then doth the Sun in all its brightest shine  
Exceed the smallest rush-light; and when mine  
Whom they in scorn contemned, and spitefully  
Entreated, they shall see exalted high!  
How shall they gnash their teeth for envy, and  
For grief, that their own light did stand.  
And for a little seeming joy and pleasure,  
A puff of honour or some earthy treasure,  
Which then are past and gone, never to be  
Recalled again; and which they then shall see  
Were nought but vanity and lies, and bubbles,  
Affording little when they were but troubles:  
And nothing then but anguish in the thought,  
That by such empty things they should be caught;  
And should so foolishly such glory sell,  
For such poor toys as leave them then to Hell?  
Yea when they see my angry face, my brow  
Against them knit, and call to mind how now  
I like a Lamb behave myself, and wait  
With much forbearance, at the clos'd-up-gate  
Of their hard hearts, and do all meekness show;  
Great evils passing by, to anger slow:  
And see me armed with vengeance, and appear  
In flaming fire; and when the voice they hear  
Of that most dreadful sentence fore-exprest,  
Who can conceive what anguish in their breast  
They then shall feel? what griefs shall them possess,  
Or what shall be their doleful wretchedness:  
When sore against their wills thrust from me, they  
Down to the Lake shall go, and such things say.   

Oh woe, woe, woe, woe, woe, and welladay,  
Woe, woe, oh woe, woe, woe, woe, woe, who may  
Our misery conceive? oh wretched state,  
What heart can reach it? what tongue it relate?  
woe worth the time that ever we were born!  
woe worth the time that ever we did scorn,  
And turn our backs upon the word of God  
Hated to be reproved, slighted his rod!  
woe worth the time that ever it was said  
Such and such men were born! oh had we made  
Our graves within our Mother's wombs! or that  
Our Mothers or our Nurses had forgot,  
To give us nourishment! or else had dashed  
Our heads against the Stones, and out had pashed  
Our wretched brains, by which we did devise  
Those ways of sinning those deceits and lies;  
Which we preferred before God's holy truth,  
Which we heard or might have heard, from the mouth  
Of God and of his servants; oh accursed  
Those times in which, those ways by which we burst  
The cords of God's law, and his love asunder!  
Oh might we hills and mountains now lie under,  
And bear their weight upon us, might we be  
Hid from that angry face which now we see!  
Accursed be those eyes wherewith we saw,  
Those vain delights and objects which did draw  
Our minds from God, and from his word and ways.  
Oh had we rather been blind all our days!  
Accursed those objects all, accursed too  
Out ears, wherewith we heard those things, that do  
Increase our misery; refused to hear  
Those things which might have moved us God to fear,  
And kept us from sustaining torments here.  
Accursed be those falsehoods did us snare;  
Woe, woe, accursed be those who did spare  
And not destroy us in our infancy.  
Accursed be our tongues which used to lie,  
And swear, and brag, insult, blaspheme, deride.  
Oh had we plucked them out: woe worth our pride,  
Our lust, our wantonness, our avarice,  
Accursed our ambition, and all vice.  
Accursed be our lewd companions in  
Our wickedness; accursed who to sin  
Did us entice, encourage, or compel.  
Accursed the places wherein we did dwell  
And act it; cursed be our hands which wrought  
Iniquity; accursed our feet which brought  
Us to the Taverns, Whore-houses, and Plays,  
In which we spent our times, consumed our days.  
Accursed all our members and our parts,  
But above all accursed be our hearts;  
The magazines of mischief, where we framed  
All sorts of wickedness that may be named  
Which thence to every part and member flowed.  
woe, woe, they be accursed, had we bestowed  
Our riches on the poor we had done well,  
For our abuse of them we be in Hell.  
For them we swore and lied, and strove, and fought;  
For them we ran, and road; for them we wrought.  
For them we spent our time, and strength, and lost  
Our wretched souls, which to redeem them cost  
The blood of Christ; they helped us to be proud,  
They lifted up our hearts, to them we bowed.  
They were the Gods we worshipped, and for them  
God's word, and ways, we did slight and contemn.  
We talked of God sometimes, and outwardly  
We worshipped him with lips and body;  
But it was riches which possessed our heart,  
And moved us from God's truth to departed.  
Or else our pleasures, or our dignities,  
Our honours, and preferments. But they lies  
Do now appear to be, oh woe to us  
That we for such things fooled away Heaven thus,  
And plunged ourselves into this woeful Lake,  
Where we this doleful lamentation make.  
woe worth the time, that we despised those  
Who us admonished, counting them our foes,  
When with their hearts they sought to do us good.  
Had we them heard we might have understood,  
That goodness in God's ways, which would have made  
Us for the sake thereof, aside t' have laid  
Our sins. But woe is us, we fool's them counted,  
But now we see how they on high are mounted:  
Whereas we fools in midst of flames do lie,  
Dying perpetually yet never die.  
woe worth the time that we did slight the poor,  
Neglecting them when they were at our door.  
And to the hungry did not deal our bread,  
Nor  the naked, nor sick visited.  
woe worth the time we slothful were, and spent  
Our time in idleness and merriment:  
And thereby gave advantage to the Devil,  
To rob us of all good, fill with evil.  
woe worth the time we did ourselves content  
To hear, or Preach God's word, but never meant  
It to obey; or else therefrom we fell  
Through carelessness, when we had begun well.  
woe to the pomps and worldly vanicies  
Which did bewitch our hearts, our ears, our eyes.  
woe worth the time we closed our eyes, and when  
Our hearts we hardened; cursed be the men  
Who did misled us, and contemn the truth,  
Or that perverted us, debauched our youth,  
Or any other ways were instruments  
Of bringing upon us these punishments.  
woe worth such Kings, and Counsellors, as made  
Us to commit such things as have betrayed  
Our souls to Hell, while we them judged wise,  
And flattered them we did God's laws despise.  
We took them to be Gods on Earth, their will  
We thought a law, which we ought to fulfil,  
Without considering whether their command,  
Did or did not with God's law and will stand.  
woe worth the public places of resorts,  
woe worth the Chancery, and the Inns of Courts,  
The Universities and places where  
We learned to gent it, and ourselves up bear  
By our great breeding, learning, learned pride,  
To contemn honest Christians, and deride  
The simple meaning man, whose care it was  
To fear the Lord and their time well to pass.  
woe worth our curious Arts, Opinions,  
And thoughts that we alone were wisdoms sons:  
Alas! we see for all the Learned Schools,  
We were simplicians, and did play the fools.  
woe worth contentious Lawyers, who did set  
Us upon strifes, our moneys for to get.  
Fomenting differences and causeless Suits,  
Whereof we with them now do reap these fruits.  
woe worth the foolish fashions and devices,  
Which Satan introduced to nourish vices.  
woe worth the play's and interludes, that we  
Did take delight and spend our time to see:  
Where we did learn much wantonness and lust,  
And how to scoff at honest men and just.  
woe worth the Taverns, Alehouses, and Inns,  
They were the shops where we did trade in sins.  
woe worth the pleasant Wines, strong Ale, and Bear,  
And other liquors, wherewith oft we were  
Made like the Beasts; and wherewith flushed, we sung  
Our songs against good Men, making them dung.  
woe worth the Whores and Harlots, with whom we  
Consumed our estates, and woefully  
Misspent our times; debauched ourselves, and spent  
Our bodies, and our strengths, with great content.  
woe worth their rolling eyes, their wanton glances,  
Their flattering speeches and lascivious dances.  
Their smother foreheads, and their painted faces,  
Their light behaviours, their flaunting laces.  
Their beautiful eye lids, their cheeks so fair,  
Their naked bosoms, and their well set hair.  
Accursed their temptations, and their Arts,  
To take our minds, and draw away our hearts.  
Accursed their allurements, and embraces,  
Their whorish foreheads, and impudent faces.  
woe worth our wanton hearts, and wand'ring eyes,  
That were alured by such vanities.  
That looked upon such objects, and did lust,  
Such things with them to do as were unjust.  
That by our wanton carriages and do,  
Our painted speeches, and our earnest wooings,  
Did draw poor silly women into snares  
And oftentimes surprised them unawars.  
woe worth those flames of lust wherein we burned;  
woe worth us that therefrom we never turned.  
For now we burn in Hell, in endless flames,  
Of such a vengeance as our lust quite tames.  
woe worth our ceiled Houses, rooms so warm,  
Our costly furniture, they helped to charm  
Our hearts and our affections them unto,  
That we could not abide them to forgo;  
When we were called for Christ's sake them to leave.  
Our love to such things helped us to bereave  
Of better satisfactions, where we see  
Yond then despised men in glory be.   

woe worth unrighteous laws, and them that did  
Them wickedly devise, us to forbid  
Christ to confess according to his will,  
And armed us with power his Saints to kill.  
Branding them as Malefactors, or as those  
Who did their lawful Governors oppose.  
woe worth Seditious persons, who did band  
Themselves against the powers of the Land,  
Ordained of God to govern, on pretence  
Of Reformation using violence.  
Sheathing their Swords in Kings and Rulers sides,  
Or it assaying; by which means the tides  
And floods of high severity was raised  
Against such quiet innocents', as praised  
Both righteousness and truth, and prayed for  
Redress of evils, but yet did abhor  
Rebellious courses thereunto to take,  
Or any such disturbances to make;  
Only from such defilements they abstained,  
As being practised would their souls have stained.  
Whether by custom or authority  
Commended or commanded, though thereby  
They being also looked upon as men,  
Who did the lawful Governors contemn,  
Were by us sundry ways wronged and abused,  
Imprisoned, persecuted, and misused.  
And godliness was for the sakes of some,  
Who themselves misbehaved, made to come  
Into suspicion, and neglected so  
As with the stream of vice we chose to go,  
And to assure those over us, that we  
From all seditious practices were free,  
Of false mifguided zealots who did not  
Christ's doctrine follow, but it quite forgot,  
And his instructions (not by carnal sword  
To force his kingdom up; but by his Word,  
And by a patiented suffering, whatsoever  
For his Name sake they should be made to bear)  
We thought it best for us to Swear and Rant,  
Carouse or Whore, or Warrants out to grant  
Against Religious persons, because they  
Did meet in private oft to hear or pray:  
Whereby we ran into th' other extreme,  
And made ourselves as bad or worse, then them  
Seditious persons, with whom now we bear  
This dreadful Doom to be tormented here.  
Accursed be those persons who presumed  
Upon their greatness; and thereby assumed,  
To Lord it over our poor Consciences,  
And bow them to their wills on vain pretences.  
woe worth also those persons who were styled  
The Ministers of Christ, and yet beguiled  
Our now lost souls by their great ignorance,  
Their blindness, and their supine negligence;  
Feeding themselves, and vexing us with Suits,  
Or bringing forth many unrighteous fruits:  
Neglecting us to teach or Catechise,  
And by their life and doctrine make us wise.  
By their perverting of the Scriptures, and  
By their false glosses, bearing us in hand  
That if we were Elect we must be saved,  
However we ourselves then misbehaved.  
And that some men were then rejected so  
From all eternity, and unto woe  
Destined that for them there was no grace  
Nor possibility to have a place  
Amongst the saved one's; which made us bold  
Our sinful courses and vain ways to hold,  
Believing that if saved we might be,  
We must be turned in irresistibly:  
And if not so, we should but toil in vain  
Against the stream, from vices to abstain;  
And to obtain the Kingdom of the just,  
For do we what we could perish we must.  
Or otherwise their life and doctrine did  
Embolden us to do the things forbidden.  
They made us to believe, that because we  
Baptised were with water, we must be  
Happy at last, if we did but comply  
So far with the Church's authority,  
As therein to be kept: though we did rest  
But in formalities, we must be blest.  
Or if but once we true believers were,  
We could ne'er fall away, of that no fear  
However we might sin, and do such things  
As upon others swift destruction brings.   

woe worth false Prophets who have us deceived,  
While we them as true Prophets have believed;  
Because they were the men that had the voice  
Of those that were empowered to make choice  
Of men to teach us; and had publicly  
Approvement by humane Authority,  
Though they were Ministers only of men  
And knew not God, how could they teach us then  
God's truth sincerely? They were but time-servers,  
Men pleasers, and from God's good doctrine swervers,  
And of the Souls of men they were the starvers.  
woe worth them that they did not us reprove  
When they did see us sin; they no such love  
Had to our Souls; but seeking gain from us  
They soothed us up, and now we are lost thus.   

woe worth the lose Professors, Hypocrites,  
Who oft laid stumbling-blocks before our sights;  
While they did their profession foully slain  
By falsehood, cheating, or behaviours vain;  
Which made us all Religion to detest,  
And think those who had none to be the best.   

woe worth our manifold Idolatries,  
Wherein, forsaking God, we worshipped lies.  
Made Idols of the Angels, Devils, Men,  
Both dead and living: yea and now and then  
Our fancies, bellies, works, them bowing to,  
And other creatures looking help them fro.  
Our worshipping the Beast and his Image,  
Our beastly wills, and those in every age  
Who lording it over our Conscience,  
Imposed on us their own will and sense.   

woe worth those superstitions, and devised  
Ways and conceptions, whereby men disguised  
God and his worship, causing us full low  
To those things God forbade, ourselves to bow.   

woe worth our taking of God's name in vain,  
By oaths and perjuries, and by profane  
Abuses of it, and formality;  
While resting in the forms, we did deny  
The power os godliness, and not such fruit  
Bring forth, as with that worthy Name did suit.   

woe worth our breaches of God's Sabboaths, and  
Our disobedience to the command  
Of Kings and Princes, which they lawfully  
Imposed on us: that Authority  
We did despise, contemn the Magistrates,  
Seditions, and Rebellions, wrought in States.  
Our Parents disobeyed, or did not give  
The honour due to them while they did live.   

woe worth our envy, murder, strife, debate,  
Our malice, slanderous words that sprung from hate.  
woe worth our fornications, uncleanness,  
Our thefts, oppressions, bearing false witness.   

woe worth the time that we were discontent  
With what God of his goodness to us sent,  
And coveted our Neighbours; woe that we  
Did in ourselves trust righteous to be;  
Did justify ourselves in our own eyes,  
Thought ourselves wise and good, Did Christ despise.   

Accursed be these wicked wretched Devils,  
For they enticed us to all these evils.  
Accursed be the Heavens over our head,  
Accursed the Earth whereupon we did tread.  
Accursed the Sun that gave by day its light,  
By which such objects were unto our sight  
Made visible, as moved us to do  
The things that have occasioned this woe.  
Accursed also be the Night and dark  
Thereof, wherein what places we did mark,  
I'th' day time we broke through, or went unto,  
The deeds of darkness therein for to do.  
Accursed the bread we eat, the nourishment  
Our food afforded; oh him that it sent,  
Who made the Heavens and Earth, and Seas, and all,  
And-suff'red Adam into sin to fall;  
And gave such laws as would not sin permit,  
And that doth now so greatly punish it.   

Oh wretched caitiffs that thus blaspheme God  
Because we feel his just deserved rod.  
Oh 'tis ourselves that we may blame for this!  
We, we were wicked, and we did amiss.  
God we despised, his will we contemned,  
We lifted up ourselves and him condemned.  
All might have been to us too for mercy,  
As well as unto those that are on high.  
God gave us Heaven, and Earth, and Seas, and all  
The creatures that therein were, great and small,  
Of his great bounty for to do us good,  
But we abused them and against him stood.  
We loved them more than him who gave them, and  
Priding ourselves in them, we his command  
Did disobey. Him who is infinite  
In greatness, and in goodness, we did slight;  
Did choose what wrong was, and refused the right.  
Against such things 'twas just there should be laws,  
The penalties are just also, because  
He's infinite in greatness we abused;  
And his infinite goodness we refused.  
Yea he was infinitely merciful,  
For he his Son sent down, us for to pull  
Both from our sins and miseries, and he  
Was ready us to succour. But we, we,  
Neglected him also, his help we scorned,  
Slighted his mercy; and though oftn warned,  
We would not be admonished by him, but  
His gracious counsels all we from us put.   

Oh what good days, what opportunities  
Did he afford! but we did them despise.  
At such a time, in such a place, we heard  
What us almost persuaded to regard  
His counsels: but we stopped our ears and quenched  
Those motions, oft we went our ways, and drenched  
Our wits in Wine or Ale, or went away  
Unto our Farms, our Merchandise, our play.  
We were not well at quiet, or at rest,  
Till we those motions had shaked from our breast,  
Which we did hate like Serpents; oh had we  
Been willing to have let them there to be.  
Had they abode with us, they might have brought  
Us to repent of those bad things we wrought.  
When we should have God's word heard, oft we went  
To other places, and our times misspent:  
Or if we went and heard we did not mind,  
That we God's gracious will therein might find.  
We soon forgot it, or did rest in knowing  
But practised it not, as nothing owing  
Of duty; when we should have prayed and wept,  
We turned away, or laid us down and slept.  
At such a time we did our ways discern  
And see their vileness, and began to learn  
The knowledge of the Lord, but liked not  
It to retain, and therefore soon forgot  
Those things again; we threw the glass away  
That showed our spots: Woe, woe, and welladay,  
'Tis we, 'tis we are guilty; oh what sense  
Have we now of it in our Conscience!  
Oh how it gnaws us as a worm, and tears  
Our bowels worse than Lion's teeth or Bears!  
Oh now we see that God was good indeed  
In all he did! our woes from us proceed.  
It was not long of him or of his creatures,  
Their parts, their sweetness, beauty, goodness, features.  
Nay, Nay, these Devils though they at us thrust,  
By their enticements moving us to lust;  
Are not the reason of our punishment,  
For God against them did us so prevent,  
That had we him but minded and obeyed,  
We had resisted them also, and made  
Them flee away. But woe, woe unto us,  
We were the reason why we perish thus.   

Though it be true that we in Adam fell,  
Yet we are not for that damned to this Hell.  
Though thereby we fell into death and grave,  
Yet Christ from that Destruction did us save.  
So as from them we were raised up again,  
And shall not those things any more sustain;  
That Death and Hell have given us up, and we  
Now in a worse pit tormented be.  
Though we were dead in sins and trespasses,  
And could not ourselves quicken or redress.  
Yet Christ who died for us, and doth live,  
Did by his quickening Spirit such power give;  
When he did call us in the day of grace,  
That then we might been able to embrace  
His counsels and instructions. 'Twas our will,  
Our wilful choice of evil did us kill.  
The creatures which we sinned by were good,  
Had we by Christ's assisting power, withstood  
Our lusts, and the temptations of the Devil,  
Christ would us have defended from all evil.  
Oh had we now again those things which we  
Abused to our destruction, we would be  
More thankful for them! and would better use them,  
And not as we have done before abuse them.  
How would we serve the Lord with all our store  
Which we unjustly kept or spent before!  
Oh we would be more righteous and more just!  
Deny ourselves, and would not serve our lust.  
Oh had we but those opportunities  
We have misspent before, we would be wise!  
How would we hear and read, and fast and pray,  
Watch against sin, our Idols cast away?  
None should by force or flattery, withdraw  
Our hearts and service from God's holy law.  
We would obey the Laws and Magistrates,  
So far as in the Lord we might. Debates  
And strifes, and hatred, avarice and lust,  
We would detest with all that is unjust.  
Oh how would we serve God we would him fear,  
And have a care never to come more here.  
But now it is too late, the Door is shut,  
The time of grace is past, and we are put  
Here by an irreversible Decree  
Whence never more delivered we shall be.   

This is that Tophet prophesied of old,  
'Tis large and deep indeed, for it doth hold  
Innumerable more than may be told.  
And for the King, the greatest sinners it  
Prepared was, and they are in this pit.  
The cursed Serpent with his Angels all,  
Who did from their first habitation fall.  
And mightiest men who mightily have sinned,  
Most mighty miseries do herein find.  
The mighty Spirit of God, his mighty Power,  
Like to a stream of Brimstone, every hour  
Doth seed these dreadful flames; while it doth show  
And make us feel, that we do justly owe  
The bearing of these torments: because we  
Rebelled against his light and would not see,  
But wilfully reject his proffered grace,  
Would not his counsels nor his love embrace.  
Which things he doth to us so evidence,  
And set so strongly on our conscience,  
That we can't now out of our breasts them shake  
As we were wont; Oh none these flames can slake,  
These flames of wrath! God's wrath did burn before  
But Christ did quench it by his sufferings sore.  
But we by our rebellions, have again  
New kindled it, and we must bear our pain:  
No other Sacrifice doth now remain,  
For Christ will no more die for us: Oh we  
Must bear for evermore God's just decree.  
Had we been but admonished before  
The time of grace was out; before the door  
Of mercy was barred up, we might have lived;  
But now of all hope we are quite deprived.  
Now we be helpless, hopeless, easless too,  
Nothing can now avail that we can do.  
Nothing is here but wrath, nothing of love;  
No help, nor hope of help now from above.  
And all our earthly comforts are quite fled,  
With which we all our days sins committed.  
While we did live on Earth, we had our health,  
Meat, drink, cloth, fire, warm lodgings, houses, wealth.  
Yea many of us rich attire did wear,  
Had great attendance, lived without fear.  
And if at any time we were not well,  
Yet many mercies still with us did dwell.  
We had our beds to ease us, neighbours and  
Friends oftentimes were ready at our hand.  
Servants to wait upon us and attend us,  
Chirurgeons and Physicians to amend us.  
We had our mitigations, intermittings,  
Changes of postures, lyings, walkings, sit;  
Varieties of meats or drinks, to see  
Whether with this or that we pleased might be.  
But now alas! these comforts all are gone,  
And mitigation of our pains here's none.  
No variations here to lessen grief,  
No intermissions, nothing for relief.  
We used to guzle down excessively  
Cup after cup, but now we are thirsty  
For something to refresh and cool the tip  
Of our now flaming tongues; but none may dip  
His finger's end into cold water, but  
All means of easing us are hence out shut.  
We cannot now call for this or that meat,  
This or that cooler to allay our heat.  
No sweet perfumes, or odoriferous smell,  
Nothing but Brimstone and the fire of Hell.  
Immixed wrath, and which doth yet extend  
Our misery, there is thereof no End.  
Eternal punishment, eternal grief;  
Oh never, never end, never relief!  
Oh might we live ten thousand years as slaves,  
Might we but then go back into our graves!  
Or twenty times ten thousand years might lie  
In these most dreadful flames might we then die!  
Were we but mortal as we were before,  
But oh this Endless Woe, this Evermore,  
It sinks and breaks us; Yet we cannot die  
To sense of torment to Eternity.  
This us up swallows; 'tis the Hell of Hell,  
And passeth all things else that we can tell.  
woe, woe, woe, woe, oh woe and welladay,  
Woe, woe, unto us; woe, woe, woe, who may  
Our misery conceive; oh doleful state!  
No heart can it conceive, no tongue relate.   

Oh doleful state of those that wicked are!  
Hear oh dear Soul, be warned, and keep thee far  
From what doth lead thereto; be ruled by me,  
And this Condition thou shalt never see.    

Canto V Or the Joyful Canto.  
The joys of Heaven, and Songs of the Righteous.  
Awake and sing ye that dwell in the dust,  Isa. 26.19. 

This Joyful Canto doth declare  
The happy state, and great welsare,  
Of those that in Christ's joys shall share.  
What songs may fit that happy state,  
Though their enjoyments then so great  
Will be, as no pen can relate.  
First songs the Father chiefly eyes,  
The second the Son magnifies,  
And praises his great victories.  
The third songs wholly to this tend,  
The Holy Spirit to commend,  
And then this Canto hath an end.   

BUT on the contrary the Righteous men  
Shall have great pleasures and rejoicings, when  
They go into eternal life; then they  
Shall shout and sing, and well they may thus say,  
Oh, oh, oh, Hallelujah! oh this day!  
Oh, oh, Hallelujah, Hallelujah! who may  
Our happiness conceive? oh happy state  
What heart can reach it? what tongue it relate?   Minist. 

Yea well they may as Harpers strike their string,  
And with great triumph thus, and better sing.   

I.  
HAllelujah, oh happy day,  
That ever we were born!  
Oh well are we that we do see  
This everlasting morn!   

II.  
Oh what are we  
That we should be  
Thus lifted up on high?  
We did not merit  
Thus to inherit  
Honour and dignity.   

III.  
Blessed be the Lamb  
That here we came  
Raised up from Death again.  
'Tis by his blood  
We have this good  
Ever with him to reign.   

iv  
Blessed for all that did befall  
Be God for evermore:  
Oh blessed be, that one in three,  
Whom ever we adore!   

V  
Who can set forth  
His wondrous worth?  
It doth all things surpass.  
It doth exceed  
All that we read  
And all that ever was.   

VI  
Oh happy we who do him see,  
Who all perfection is.  
No Potentate, no Monarch great  
Ever had joy like this.   

VII.  
Rivers of pleasures  
Beyond all measures,  
Unto our lot doth fall.  
No mixture is  
In this our bliss,  
But it is blessing all.   

VIII.  
All things we have  
That heart can crave,  
And more than heart can reach:  
None ever could  
This joy unfold,  
None ever could it preach.   

IX.  
Our joy surmounts  
On all accounts,  
All that we could believe:  
All praise is due  
To God most true;  
He did us not deceive.   

X.  
Oh glorious sight!  
Oh great delight!  
None ever did behold  
So rare a sight,  
A light so bright;  
Our glory can't be told.   

XI.  
All's infinite,  
All is delight;  
We have no sorrow here.  
Nothing of dark  
No fading spark  
All is most bright and clear.   

XII.  
All, All is love,  
All things above,  
And all that is below:  
We see no evil,  
We fear no Devil;  
Nothing but good we know.   

XIII.  
Nothing but joy,  
Nought to annoy,  
Here we are void of fear.  
For we are sure  
We shall endure  
For ever happy here.   

XIV.  
Oh Majesty!  
Oh glory high!  
What one is like to thee?  
We have our desire,  
Thee we admire.  
To all eternity.   

XV.  
Our blessedness  
None can express;  
It is an ocean great:  
All that excels  
For ever dwells  
In this most glorious seat.   

XVI.  
Blessed be the Lord?  
Blessed be his Word.  
Blessed be his holy Spirit.  
How happy we  
In this One-Three  
Our portion to inherit.   

XVII.  
Oh mighty King  
Everlasting  
Beginning thou hadst none.  
When nothing were,  
Then thou wast there;  
Thou wast thyself alone.   

XVIII.  
In thyself blest  
Thou hadst thy rest,  
Of us thou hadst no need.  
Thou didst possess  
Full happiness,  
thou'rt happiness indeed.   

XIX.  
Of thy good will  
It to fulfil,  
The World's foundation sure  
By thee was laid,  
Thou it up-stayed  
At thy will to endure.   

XX.  
The Word thou saidst  
All things thou mad'st.  
Oh blessed be that Word,  
Which did Being  
To every thing  
In thy good time afford.   

XXI.  
Blessed be that love  
That did thee move  
Before the World was made;  
To be the seat  
Of thy works great  
Or its foundations laid.   

XXII.  
To think of this  
Eternal bliss  
And it prepare for us.  
Oh what were we  
That then by thee  
We should be cared for thus.   

XXIII.  
Blessed be that thought  
That us out sought  
And our great happiness;  
We do admire  
The great desire  
Thou hadst us thus to bless.   

XXIV.  
Can we be dear  
Who nothing were  
Unto thy Majesty?  
Thou didst possess  
That word express  
Which was with thee on high.   

XXV.  
All things were made  
By him, and laid  
On their foundation fast.  
That they might stand  
At thy command  
And at thy will might last.   

XXVI.  
'Twas for his sake  
That thou didst make  
Invisible Being's;  
The Angels, Thrones,  
Dominions,  
And all visible things.   

XXVII.  
That him thou might,  
And his great height,  
Most gloriously display:  
And his fullness  
Thereby express,  
That others know it may.   

XXVIII.  
But chiefly man  
When thou began  
Thou graciously didst view:  
From him all which  
The Seas did rich,  
And on the Earth that grew.   

XXIX.  
Yea the Heavens bright,  
With all their light,  
And all the hosts therein;  
Thine hand did frame,  
And gave the same  
To serve and honour him.   

XXX.  
Whom thou in thine  
Image divine  
Didst good and upright make:  
And from his side  
Didst frame a Bride,  
Whom he to him did take.   

XXXI.  
A comely pair,  
And very fair,  
For though they naked were,  
They found no shame  
While void of blame,  
Nor had they any fear.   

XXXII.  
A Sabboath day,  
For rest had they  
The seventh, when thou didst rest  
From thy works all,  
Both great and small,  
And therefore thou it blest.   

XXXIII.  
A day wherein  
They without sin  
Might with thy Majesty  
Have sweet converse,  
Thy praise rehearse,  
And view thy great glory.   

XXXIV.  
A Garden sweet,  
With pleasures meet,  
Thou puttest them in also,  
Wherewith delight  
Thy will they might  
Learn of thee and it do.   

XXXV.  
Of life a Tree  
Was given by thee,  
That they might live for ay.  
A River large  
Which did discharge  
Its streams forth every way.   

XXXVI.  
All things that might  
Give them delight  
Thou on them didst bestow.  
One only Tree  
Withheld by thee  
Was, good and ill to know.   

XXXVII.  
Thou gav'st them food  
Was only good;  
Not good and evil both.  
If both they would  
Know, thou them told  
Thou wouldst with them be wroth.   

XXXVIII.  
Thou death didst threat,  
If they would eat,  
That so thou mightst them scar:  
That free from ill  
They might live still,  
And from death keep them far.   

XXXIX.  
Yet them to try  
Thou prov'dst them by  
A Serpent subtly wise:  
Who thee did fault  
Them to assault,  
And cheated them with lies.   

XL.  
The Woman first  
The bonds did burst  
Wherewith thou didst them tie  
Unto thee fast.  
The Man did taste  
By her means; both did die.   

XLI.  
How happy a state  
Didst thou create  
And set them in, while they  
Were innocent,  
Without intent  
Thy laws to disobey?   

XLII.  
Man then was Lord  
Of what thy word  
Created for his sake:  
Of all things he  
Had leave from thee,  
But one Tree, to partake.   

XLIII.  
Pleasures he had  
To make him glad,  
Sabboath and River too:  
A spotless Wife,  
A Tree of Life,  
What shouldst thou for him do?   

XLIV.  
How great his good!  
How might he stood!  
How was he bound to thee!  
His glory much;  
No creatures' such.  
But oh more happy we!   

XLV.  
Our state exceeds,  
Beyond all needs,  
There was a Serpent there:  
They did aspire  
To be yet higher;  
But here's no Tempter here.   

XLVI.  
We are not in  
Danger of sin  
Nor need we to aspire:  
Here's enjoyment  
Of all content  
We nothing more desire.   

XLVII.  
Tempted we were  
But before here  
We came to be thus blessed:  
Our tryal's past,  
Satan's down cast,  
And we his snares have missed.   

XLVIII.  
Now we do rest  
For ever blest  
From all temptations free:  
Our danger's past,  
Our joys shall last,  
To all eternity   

XLIX.  
This is the day  
That we did pray  
And wrestle to obtain:  
From sin set free  
With thee to be  
And never part again.   

L.  
Nothing we want  
That thou didst grant  
To Adam heretofore:  
Yea he far less  
Than did possess  
Then we now evermore.   

LI.  
We have a Rest,  
A day that's blest  
A Sabboath day to be:  
With thee we're blest,  
Thou art our Rest,  
And change we ne'er shall see.   

LII.  
Hallelujah,  
Oh blessed day!  
Who can thy glory speak?  
This Sabboath we  
Perpetually  
Keep, and it never break.   

LIII.  
Therein we sing,  
To thee our King;  
Thy glory we behold.  
Our work is this  
Thy Name to bliss,  
Thy praises to unfold.   

LIV.  
A Paradise  
Wherein there lies  
All pleasures sweet and great:  
With liberty  
Perpetually  
Thereof to take and eat.   

LV.  
An Heavenly Tree  
Of life have we  
Which doth us ever feed;  
It doth us give  
Ever to live  
And nothing can we need.   

LVI.  
A River pure  
Of Waters sure,  
Doth clear as Crystal run,  
We with it meet  
In every Street:  
Our City needs no Sun.   

LVII.  
God is our light,  
He shines most bright,  
No Cloud doth him obscure:  
All things we see  
Just as they be,  
Our knowledge is most sure.   

LVIII.  
It's always full,  
It's never dull;  
Our comforts ever flow.  
Our Sun's bright beams,  
Our Rivers streams,  
No damp, no ebb, do know.   

LIX.  
All manner fruits  
Which with us suits,  
And may give us delight;  
Our Tree doth bear  
Throughout the year,  
Most pleasant to our sight.   

LX.  
All is most sweet  
With which we meet;  
Here's nothing sharp or sour.  
Pleasures we have,  
We can't more crave;  
They're constant every hour.   

LXI.  
We need no Wives  
To make our lives  
More comfort us afford:  
We never die  
Nor company  
Need we at bed or board.   

LXII.  
No different sex  
Nothing to vex,  
Nothing to tempt we know.  
All perfect is,  
All's full of bliss,  
Our tides are never low.   

LXIII.  
We do all reign  
And Lords remain  
Over all creatures:  
We never shall  
From our heigths fall,  
Our Kingdom ever dures.   

LXIV.  
We have no night  
Nor borrowed light,  
No Moon or Candle here:  
For it always  
Is perfect day  
The Sun is not so clear.   

LXV.  
Oh blessed King  
From whom doth spring  
This state of happiness;  
We'll sing thy praise  
All our All-days  
Thy goodness we'll confess.   

LXVI.  
When Adam fell  
What tongue could tell  
What was our misery?  
In him we were,  
He did us bear,  
And in him we did die.   

LXVII.  
Branches were we  
Of him the Tree,  
The root wherefrom we grew  
A flood of woe  
Did us over flow  
When his fall made us rue.   

LXVIII.  
Our root did rot  
Having forgot  
The hand that did it plant,  
The branches must  
Then turn to dust  
For they their life did want.   

LXIX.  
In him we fell  
As low as Hell;  
Death upon us did seize.  
Woes in us bred,  
Away quite fled  
All comfort, joy and ease.   

LXX.  
Great was our fault  
At one assault,  
And when engaged thus;  
God to reject  
And in effect  
To thrust away from us.   

LXXI.  
Great misery  
Therefore did lie  
Upon us by desert;  
Of good bereft  
To be quite left  
To utmost grief and smart.   

LXXII.  
We were beguiled,  
Sin us defiled  
And had so filthy made,  
That God and we  
Can not agree:  
Of him we were afraid.   

LXXIII.  
Mortality  
Did by and by  
Seize on us; oh what pain  
Did we procure  
For to endure  
Till dust we turned again!   

LXXIV.  
Yea God we lost  
Which was the most  
Sad loss could us befall:  
His wrath also  
We fell into,  
And into deadly thrall.   

LXXV.  
We lost that light  
Which gave us sight  
And ceased to understand:  
And led by lust  
Became unjust  
Subject to sins command.   

LXXVI.  
The old Serpent  
A false light lent  
Which made us judge amiss,  
And in vain things  
To seek the springs  
Of everlasting bliss.   

LXXVII.  
By those enslaved  
We misbehaved  
Ourselves in every thing;  
We acted evil,  
We served the Devil,  
Took him for guide and King.   

LXXVIII.  
Lust was vice-King  
That was the spring  
Of actions light and grave,  
Our subtlety  
That was the spy  
Which us false counsel gave.   

LXXIX.  
These did conspire  
To make us higher,  
In our false fond conceit:  
For Heaven the showed  
False pleasures strowed  
And therewith did us cheat.   

LXXX.  
Oh woeful plight!  
Oh rueful sight!  
This was our fallen case:  
In thraldom dwelled  
Seldom it felt  
But took it for solace.   

LXXXI.  
In darkness deep,  
In dangers steep,  
Perplexities and fears:  
In depths of Hell  
Then did we dwell  
And spend our woeful years.   

LXXXII.  
God was but just  
Us out to thrust  
From him, we left him first:  
And then a Hell  
Of woe befell  
Because of him accursed.   

LXXXIII.  
In which sad state  
Objects of hate  
And enemies to God,  
Without his sight  
And destroyed quite,  
We ever had abode.   

LXXXIV.  
But that the Lord  
Though he abhorred  
Then fellowship with us,  
Yet pitiful,  
In love did pull  
Us out, and help us thus.   

LXXXV.  
The mighty Word  
Of this great Lord  
By whom he did us make;  
Tha Wisdom high  
Our sins did spy,  
But not with them partake.   

LXXXVI.  
A fountain pure  
He did endure,  
In whom God took delight;  
He was beloved  
And well approved,  
For he did always right.   

LXXXVII.  
Angels some fell  
And down to Hell  
Were thrust 'cause they rebelled:  
God past them by  
And let them lie  
In chains of darkness held.   

LXXXVIII.  
But he by whom  
All good doth come,  
Most holy did abide.  
By him God now  
His love did show  
And mercy glorified.   

LXXXIX.  
Him he decreed  
In this our need,  
That saved we might be,  
To be sent forth  
This one of worth  
Able to set us free.   

XC.  
The Woman's seed,  
Of David's breed  
To be: He was ordained  
A man of grief  
To bring relief  
That we might be regained.   

XCI.  
Oh loving Lord!  
Oh mighty word!  
The source of all our bliss!  
To be adored  
With one accord  
For evermore in this.   

XCII.  
This grand devise,  
Ground of our rise,  
Let men and Angels praise:  
Angels admired  
And much desired  
This to behold always.   

XCIII.  
This we admire  
This with desire  
Now fully satisfied  
We look upon,  
We make our song;  
Its praise we cannot hid.   

XCIV.  
Here fully we  
Behold and see  
Gods admirable love;  
And perfectly  
We here descry,  
All his perfections move.   

XCV.  
In this we live,  
This all doth give,  
Which we enjoy and have.  
Can we forget  
To set forth it  
Which did us help and save?   

XCVI.  
This God fore-teld;  
This all forth-held  
Both Law and Prophets too.  
This all upheld,  
This we beheld  
To raise us up from woe.   

XCVII.  
This with a blow  
Did overthrow  
The Devil's Kingdom quite;  
This did destroy  
What did annoy,  
What kept us from the light.   

XCVIII.  
This to declare  
Let us not spare;  
This is the mystery  
We now behold  
And can unfold  
With all its treasury.   

XCIX.  
With eye to this  
The God of bliss  
Ere since our dreadful fall,  
Before it was  
Yet brought to pass  
In act, did order all.   

C.  
What mercies we  
Received, we see  
Proceeded all here-fro:  
We that have bliss  
They who did miss  
Beholden were hereto.   

CI.  
Though justice them  
Who did contemn  
And slight it doth destroy;  
To us that live  
Mercy doth give  
And Justice too all joy.   

CII.  
Mercy did all  
Respect i'th' fall  
And help for them provide;  
They who refused  
And it abused  
His justice must abide.   

CIII.  
Those things that we  
Can not so see,  
While mortal flesh we had,  
(For then our sight  
Was not so bright  
Though we saw what did glad).   

CIV.  
These things we now  
Do clearly know  
Their reason now we see.  
Our vails are gone,  
Darknesses none  
Within our hearts now be.   

CV.  
We see it's true  
In time most due,  
God sent his only Son  
Of woman made,  
As he had said,  
As ne'er before was done.   

CVI  
Angels it see  
And did agree  
With joy it to declare:  
Angels and we  
Agreed now be,  
And knit together are.   

CVII.  
Though in our flesh  
Us to refresh,  
It was that Christ appeared:  
For us to die  
Our death thereby  
To vanquish which we feared.   

CVIII.  
Angels had not  
Our flesh, or spot  
Of sin therein, as we:  
Yet they who stood  
I'th' truth were good  
And joyed our good to see.   

CIX.  
Under the Law  
The Word us saw;  
Under the Law came he;  
That he that way  
Our debts might pay  
And by Death set us free.   

CX.  
Our bands to break  
He did them take  
And with them he was bound:  
God's cords we burst,  
Christ was accursed,  
That he might heal our wounds.   

CXI.  
We were condemned  
Who had contemned  
God's holy Word and will:  
He was contemned,  
Misused, condemned,  
Our evils did him kill.   

CXII.  
For us he died,  
Being crucified  
Sustained a cruel death:  
Was broke with grief  
Used as a thief,  
Till he gave up his breath.   

XVIII.  
His grave was made  
And body laid  
With the rich and unjust:  
His honour high  
Despised did lie,  
All covered up with dust.   

CXIV.  
Oh wondrous sight!  
Oh love most bright!  
Never the like was seen.  
That one so high  
So low should lie  
Poor caitiffs to redeem.   

CXV.  
Of men what one  
For men undone  
His Son would so abase?  
For enemies  
That him despise  
That they might be in place!   

CXVI.  
Yet such a love  
The Lord above  
To us when poor did show:  
For bankrupt us  
He made him thus  
To pay what we did owe.   

CXVII.  
His wisdom here  
Did strange appear  
The World was posed hereby:  
Its eye was blind  
And could not find  
Hereof the mystery.   

CXVIII.  
This it befooled,  
This it quite gulled,  
This cross so cross did lie;  
They stumbled here,  
And could not bear  
That 'twas God's Son did die.   

CXIX.  
It did deride  
And crucified  
This mystery again;  
As if that he  
God could not be  
That such things did sustain.   

CXX.  
This wisdom's height  
Did dim the sight  
O'th' Serpent's eye so sore,  
He could not see  
Those heights here be  
Yet did against them roar.   

CXXI.  
This broke his head,  
This down did tread  
His craft and power, who  
Had man brought down  
And quite o'erthrown  
Into a pit of wo.   

CXXII.  
Here wisdom we  
And power did see  
When God did clear our eyes;  
The law fulfilled  
Its curse was quelled  
Whon Christ from grave did rise.   

CXXIII.  
For here it was  
That God did pass  
Sentence upon our sin:  
He judged it here.  
Christ did it bear  
For us who fell therein.   

CXXIV.  
This vanquished Death,  
Appeased wrath,  
Did justice :  
Pardon for more  
Than Adam's score  
Was purchased hereby.   

CXXV.  
Great pleasure here  
(As did appear)  
God took, who the third day  
Without delays  
Did him up raise  
From the grave where he lay.   

CXXVI.  
And did him take  
Even for the sake  
Of what he suffered  
To be on high  
In his body,  
And of all power the Head.   

CXXVII.  
Here God did lay  
A certain stay  
And sure foundation  
Of all his acts  
And mighty facts  
For man's salvation.   

CXXVIII.  
Of all our hope  
The underprop,  
While we had not attained:  
Of all the bless  
We do possess  
Now we the end have gained.   

CXXIX.  
Here lay the ground,  
Here God did found  
Our slidden hearts and feet,  
Hence all the flood  
Of all the good  
Wherewith we ere did meet.   

CXXX.  
Yea on this ground  
God did new found  
The Earth and World again:  
Both as it was  
Till it did pass,  
And as it doth remain.   

CXXXI.  
Here he fulfilled  
What was forth-held  
Of a prepared Feast.  
All ready here  
That might us cheer  
So as no want i'th' least.   

CXXXII.  
The holy Spirit  
As he did merit  
Fully God did him give.  
That for his praise  
He might us raise  
From Death, and make us live.   

CXXXIII.  
From darkness great  
Wherein we sat  
From Death to Life, from Thrall  
To Liberty,  
Of his mercy  
Thereby he did us call.   

CXXXIV.  
He sent forth light,  
He gave us sight,  
And turned our hearts to mind  
What he held forth,  
That so its worth  
And goodness we might find.   

CXXXV.  
He gave his speech  
And did beseech  
Us to consider well:  
He gave an ear  
That we might hear  
The things that he did tell.   

CXXXVI.  
Full oft when we  
His light did see  
We winked with our eyes:  
It did displease us  
It did dis-ease us  
Faulting our vanities.   

CXXXVII.  
Ofttimes we heard  
But then we feared  
Lest what we heard should mar  
Our false pretences,  
Wrong confidences,  
And put it from us far.   

CXXXVIII.  
Ofttimes we felt  
The power that dwelled  
In him and in his truth:  
Almost we turned  
And yet oft spurned;  
Thus dealt we from our youth.   

CXXXIX.  
Oh how we loved  
What he reproved!  
How loath with it to part!  
From idols vain  
How loath t'abstain  
Although they caused us smart.   

CXL.  
But oh his love!  
That did him move  
To pass by our misdeeds.  
He did forgive,  
And made us live,  
His gratiousness exceeds.   

CXLI.  
In misery  
That we should die  
He had no will at all.  
He interceded  
And for us pleaded;  
And yet again did call.   

CXLII.  
His patiented  
Good deportment,  
His lamblike gentleness,  
His suffering long  
Our many a wrong,  
Oh what tongue can express!   

CXLIII.  
How oft his love  
Did our hearts move  
And make us to him look?  
How oft did we  
Look back to see  
The Idols we forsook?   

CXLIV.  
It was the strength  
The power and length  
Of his dear love unto us,  
His words of grace  
His pleasant face  
His constancy to woo us.   

CXLV.  
His excellence,  
His love immense,  
The freeness of his grace  
Which caught our heart  
And made us part  
With all him to embrace.   

CXLVI.  
Oh had he not  
Ofttimes forgot  
Our great unkindnesses:  
And looked away  
From what each day  
We acted quite amiss.   

CXLVII.  
If with his eyes  
Iniquities  
Against us he had marked,  
How we rebelled  
Our lusts fast held,  
The light he gave us darkt.   

CXLVIII.  
We had been then  
Like yonder men  
Who cast out of his fight,  
Do yell and cry  
Most hideously  
Throughout their endless night.   

CXLIX.  
But there is none  
Save him alone,  
None like him constant is;  
His constancy  
Was our safety  
And brought us to this bliss.   

CL.  
Can it be told  
How manifold  
Our stubbornesses were?  
Our great neglects,  
And disrespects  
Committed year by year?   

CLI.  
How much to do  
He had to woo  
Before he did obtain?  
How oft in heart  
We did departed,  
When wooed, from him again?   

CLII  
What vanities  
Did draw our eyes  
From looking him upon?  
How often we  
Refused to see  
His great salvation?   

CLIII.  
How dull we were  
His voice to hear,  
How oft we stopped our ears?  
How we gave way  
Day after day,  
To lusts, or cares, or fears?   

CLIU  
How oft, when he  
Had cleansed us, we  
Did us again defile?  
How oft confessed  
Yet not redressed?  
How much we hide through guile?   

CLV.  
A spring of sin  
We had within  
Running continually;  
No good in us,  
How marvelous  
Was his love and mercy?   

CLVI.  
To each good deed  
That did proceed  
From us through his good grace  
Sin did adhere  
And it besmear  
Such was our wretched case.   

CLVII.  
But oh his love  
Did not remove!  
But constantly abide;  
Love made him blind  
And not to mind  
Our sins but them oft hid.   

CLVIII.  
So as that God  
Ofttimes his rod  
Forbore on us to lay:  
And passing by  
Iniquity  
He turned his wrath away.   

CLIX  
A fountain great  
He open set,  
And there us purified.  
And if he chode  
Yet love he showed  
And did not always chide.   

CLX.  
Sometimes he hide  
His face, and did  
An angry countenance show.  
That he might make  
Us sin forsake  
And be to him more true.   

CLXI.  
Oft by some cross  
Some grief or loss  
He made us him to seek,  
And then we felt  
His love to melt  
How gentle he and meek.   

CLXII.  
His loving mind  
Unto mankind  
Appearing did us save.  
That did us make  
Those things forsake  
Which did us fore-inslave.   

CLXIII.  
Nor did he grieve  
Us to receive  
When unto him we came.  
But readily  
Did justify  
And wash us in his Name.   

CLXIV.  
He by his power  
Us every hour  
Did keep in his great love.  
Which every way  
He did display  
As he did see't behoove.   

CLXV.  
What he did by  
Pleading on high  
God's mercy to obtain;  
And what from thence  
He did dispense  
Made us with him remain.   

CLXVI.  
To him to cleave  
Him never leave:  
Or if we went astray,  
Our good shepherd  
Did us regard  
And reduce to his way.   

CLXVII.  
His love us drew,  
And made us true,  
And hide us when we failed:  
Him to forgo  
Who loved us so  
Nothing with us prevailed.   

CLXVIII.  
To him we nought,  
That good was, brought,  
No good thing we could do:  
He who us bought  
All in us wrought  
And helped us against our foe.   

CLXIX.  
What we did want,  
He did us grant,  
We could but ask and have;  
Askig aright  
And in his light,  
Yea much unasked he gave.   

CLXX.  
He to us clavae,  
He did us save  
Or else we had been gone;  
He did begin  
And never lin  
Till all things he had done.   

CLXXI  
He in his arms  
Kept us from harms  
He did us safely bear:  
He did us feed,  
Keep, save, and lead,  
Until he brought us here.   

CLXXII.  
Something we wore  
On Adam's score  
As we from him did spring:  
So long as Death  
Held us i'the ' Earth  
From whence he did us bring.   

CLXXIII.  
The Serpent's seed  
Which he did breed  
Within us and without,  
Did dog us too  
Us to undo  
And compassed us about.   

CLXXIV.  
Through Christ our shield  
We won the field,  
He was our Captain brave:  
Down fell our flesh  
We sprung up fresh;  
He brought us out from grave.   

CLXXV.  
Oh faithful friend  
Unto the end  
Who did us never fail?  
Through him we stood  
'Gainst all the flood,  
He made us to prevail.   

CLXXVI.  
Our Prophet he  
Who made us see  
The way of truth and right.  
He sent that guide  
That did abide  
With comfort, strength, and light.   

CLXXVII.  
He did as Priest  
Upon his Breast  
Us in the Heaven's present:  
Our good procured,  
Our weal assured;  
Our evils did prevent.   

CLXXVIII.  
He was our King,  
All good did bring:  
Gave Laws, made us them choose.  
Ruled with his arm,  
Kept us from harm,  
Subdued all our foes.   

CLXXIX.  
Yea all our wound  
He up hath bound  
As our Physician good.  
Our maladies  
With remedies  
He cured by his Blood.   

CLXXX.  
Yea Prophets he  
Made us to be,  
And Heavenly Priests and Kings:  
To offer praise,  
And reign always  
Over all other things.   

CLXXXI.  
Oh happy we  
This day that see  
When nothing doth annoy!  
We have no pain  
Nor grief sustain;  
But we are filled with joy.   

CLXXXII.  
Oh blessed be he  
By whom this we  
For ever do possess,  
Let creatures all  
Before him fall  
And him for ever bless.   

CLXXXIII.  
But we much more  
Will him adore  
Who are his choice delight:  
Whom he doth fill  
Of great good will  
With pleasures in his sight.   

CLXXXIV.  
Were every part  
Of us a heart  
Yet he should have them all.  
Were each a tongue  
And his praise sung  
By each, it would be too small.   

CLXXXV.  
To this our King  
Who did us bring  
To this All-Happiness,  
Let's sing a song  
Eternal-long  
His praises to express.  
Hallelujah.   

Another to Christ.  

I.  
Oh holy glorious King  
The Mighty Prince of Peace!  
Thou art the Lamb, by whom we came  
From sin to have release.   

II.  
To thee we own ourselves,  
To thee all praise is due:  
To thee O King, we'll praises sing  
A song of praises new.   

III.  
Oh mighty Word of God,  
God's dear and only Son!  
Thou didst us know when we were low,  
When we were quite undone.   

iv  
Thou hadst no need of us,  
For thou wert God above:  
And we nothing to thee could bring,  
And yet thou didst us love.   

V  
Thou in the form of God  
Wast high and rich indeed:  
Therefore of us who were but dust  
Thou couldst not stand in need.   

VI  
Thou, thou, all glorious art,  
The Father thee possessed  
When he began his works, even than  
Thou laidest in his Breast.   

VII.  
Before his works of old  
Were either framed or wrought,  
The ancient hills, or fruitful fields,  
Or Earth, thou wast forth brought.   

VIII.  
The Father purposed  
His purposes of old  
In thee; who art, and dost impart  
His wisdom manifold.   

IX.  
When he the Heavens prepared,  
And the foundations laid  
Of the vast Earth, in joy, and mirth,  
Thou ever by him stayed.   

X.  
Before the World was made,  
The day, or darksome night;  
Fountain or deep, or Mountain steep,  
Thou, thou wast his delight.   

XI.  
By thee the Worlds he made,  
And all things more or less;  
Without thee nought to pass was brought,  
Thou worthy art of bless.   

XII.  
By thee he made us men,  
And in thine Image clean;  
All things we see, were made for thee,  
And all the things unseen.   

XIII.  
Thou art the heir of all,  
And in thee all things stand,  
The Life that lasts, and Death outcasts;  
Thou all things dost command.   

XIV.  
Thou art th' eternal truth,  
The everlasting light,  
The unity; all without thee  
Be falsehood, strife, and night.   

XV.  
The Angels thou didst make,  
Those which did not abide,  
Worthily fell down into Hell,  
The recompense of pride.   

XVI.  
We by thee made, fell too  
By listening to the lies  
Which th' old Serpent, did first invent,  
Aspiring to be wise.   

XVII.  
Wisdom we had in thee,  
And wise thou didst us make;  
Wiser to be foolishly, we  
Presumed thee to forsake.   

XVIII.  
While we thy holy Word  
And thy command divine  
Departed fro, and ourselves to  
The Serpent did incline.   

XIX.  
Great was the misery  
Which we were plunged into,  
For from thee gone God we had none:  
Our state was full of woe.   

XX.  
God gave us what was meet,  
And that whereby we might  
The Tempter's wiles which did beguile us  
Have all avoided quite.   

XXI.  
Our fall was of ourselves,  
It did not come from thee:  
We willingly the way to die  
Did choose; but thou wert free.   

XXII.  
Yet blessed be that will  
That did permit our fall:  
And whatsoever permitted were  
To any of us all.   

XXIII.  
For now we see 'twas well  
That God did so permit,  
And not withhold that Serpent old  
From tempting us to it.   

XXIV.  
For hereby he hath showed  
His attributes most clear:  
How foolish we, how dear to thee  
And unto him we were.   

XXV.  
That so we in ourselves  
No more might put our trust,  
Or listen to what led us from  
Thee, to fulfil our lust.   

XXVI.  
Yea thereby to himself  
Our hearts he doth endear,  
While we do see what for us he  
Hath done, while such we were.   

XXVII.  
And so it hath engaged  
Us wondrously to thee:  
That thou so high vouchsafest to die  
To set such caitiffs free.   

XXVIII.  
When we all helpless were,  
And hopeless were become,  
Thou didst us save, our foes out drove,  
Brought'st us to thy kingdom.   

XXIX.  
There's nothing in these acts  
But big with love it is;  
From first to last, we love do taste,  
And thee for ever bliss.   

XXX.  
No shorter date can be  
Sufficient to express  
Our hearty sense of so immense  
A love, and it confess.   

XXXI.  
Yea wisdom too we see  
In suffering that our fall  
It was, O King, glory to bring  
To thee in our recall.   

XXXII.  
That thou mightst be made known,  
And the Father in thee;  
That thy love might shine forth most bright,  
And we more happy be.   

XXXIII.  
We never can express  
Our thanks sufficiently,  
That thou O King didst back us bring,  
And to that end didst die.   

XXXIV.  
Let's then strike up our strings,  
As Harper's full of skill,  
And sing our song All our ay-long,  
Till we do sing our fill.   

XXXV.  
What one is like to thee,  
Oh holy glorious one!  
What did thee move us thus to love,  
When we were all undone.   

CXXXVI.  
Thou in thyself wast blest,  
Thou character express  
Of God's person, his only Son,  
His Glories full brightness.   

XXXVII.  
It was exceeding love  
And goodness to us when  
I'th' dust we lay, and were but clay  
To make us living men.   

XXXVIII.  
In thy divine Image  
And to be like to thee  
A living soul, and to control  
All things in Earth and Sea.   

XXXIX.  
How could the dust deserve  
To be preferred so?  
It was only thy pleasure high  
Thus thereunto to do.   

XL.  
Yet as it did no good  
Such favour to procure,  
So it no bad within it had;  
For all thy works were pure.   

XLI.  
Whereas we not only  
Void of all goodness were;  
But had done ill, yet 'twas thy will  
Favour to us to bear.   

XLII.  
All those expressions great  
Of love, when we were dust,  
We valued not, but quite forgot  
To satisfy a lust.   

XLIII.  
The Serpent, who no good  
Had done for us at all,  
Far before thee preferred we  
When we from thee did fall.   

XLIV.  
For without any show  
That it was true he said  
We took his lie, threw thy truth by;  
Thy love aside we laid.   

XLV.  
Oh great ingratitude!  
Folly and madness great!  
So easily to throw thee by,  
And suffer such a cheat.   

XLVI.  
Whereby we were defiled  
And made thine enemies:  
Very unjust and filled with lust  
And all things good despise.   

XLVII.  
Yet that thou mightst us save  
Thou wast content to be  
For us made flesh, in our likeness,  
Such sin except, as we.   

XLVIII.  
Thou didst not take the form  
Of some great King or Lord:  
Like a servant, poor and in want,  
Thou wert of men abhorred.   

XLIX.  
In which abased form  
Great grief thou didst sustain;  
Yea for our good to shed thy blood  
Thou didst not disdain.   

L.  
Oh wondrous love indeed  
That one so great and high,  
Who did proceed from God, should bleed  
And for us sinners die.   

LI.  
Besides reproaches, blows,  
Abuses, shame and scorn,  
Thy bloody sweat, agony great,  
Whereby thy life was worn.   

LII.  
The curse which was our due  
Thou also didst endure:  
In the grave lay, till the third day  
Our freedom to procure.   

LIII.  
Yea also thou wentest down  
Into the lower Hell  
As one bereft of God, and left;  
Thy griefs no tongue can tell.   

LIV.  
It was no gain from us  
That thou couldst get thereby;  
When we most had we could not add  
Unto thy Majesty.   

LV.  
But how much less when we  
Had lost what thou didst give,  
And nothing had, but what was bad  
And were unfit to live!   

LVI.  
Oh what was sinful man  
That thou shouldst him so love?  
At such a cost to save the lost  
What pity did thee move?   

LVII.  
How can we but confess  
That thine of right we are?  
Since thou us made, thy life down laid,  
Us when sinners to spare?   

LVIII.  
And yet that was not all,  
Thy love did so exceed;  
'Twas not only lest we should die  
That for us thou didst bleed.   

LIX.  
Thou like to us was't made,  
And our deserts didst bear,  
That we might be made like to thee,  
Thy robes of glory wear.   

LX.  
Oh depth! oh height of love!  
None may compare with thee;  
So low to lie, that we so high,  
Who were so low, might be.   

LXI.  
Which thing to bring about  
God raised thee again;  
For pangs of death, or Hell beneath  
Can not thee long detain.   

LXII.  
Because thou art the life,  
The life eternal, and  
Against that life no mortal strife  
Of Death or Hell could stand.   

LXIII.  
The Serpent and his slaves,  
Did strive thee down to hold;  
But all in vain, thou risen again,  
As was of thee foretold.   

LXIV.  
Oh mighty conqueror!  
A glorious conquest here,  
Thou o●●● evil, sin, World and Devil,  
Triumphantly didst bear!   

LXV.  
This was the glorious fight,  
This was the day indeed  
Which God did make for his Names sake,  
This did from him proceed.   

LXVI.  
These were the wars of God,  
A battle bravely fought,  
'Twixt th' innocent, and the Serpent,  
Whereby our peace was wrought.   

LXVII.  
No war was like to this,  
This the foundation laid  
Of all the blows and overthrows  
Upon the foes since made.   

LXVIII.  
Those were the mortal foes  
Of God and mankind too;  
'Gainst God's glory and Man's safety,  
Their malice thy did show.   

LXIX.  
Oh Prince of might elect,  
God's dear and only Son,  
Thou them withstood unto thy blood,  
Wherethrough the field was won.   

LXX.  
This field for us was fought;  
Their helpless prey were we.  
But thou them foiled and their plot spoiled,  
Ransomed we were by thee.   

LXXI.  
We were thy lawful prize  
And thou our lawful Lord;  
Oh happy day than all did say  
Who did believe thy word.   

LXXII.  
How deadly was that thrall  
In which before we lay!  
No Tyrants fell be so cruel  
To use their slaves as they.   

LXXIII.  
Here was the coming in  
Of all our future good:  
Our hopes of all that since did fall  
On this foundation stood.   

LXXIV.  
We never had come here,  
Or this glory possessed,  
Unless thou Lamb hadst overcame  
And given us this conquest.   

LXXV.  
Here through thou took'st the spoils  
Of all thine enemies;  
And wentest on high triumphantly  
With those thy victories.   

LXXVI.  
Oh who this victory,  
This Conquest gotten thus,  
Can so set forth as suits its worth?  
Here's work enough for us.   

LXXVII.  
Thy mighty arm O Lord  
Did to thyself obtain  
This vishory, though we thereby  
The benefit did gain.   

LXXVIII.  
Thy glorious Father who  
Had chosen thee to this;  
Who thee beheld, and in't upheld,  
Then took thee up to bliss.   

LXXIX.  
Oh how his soul was pleased  
To see this field thus won:  
Such conquest got, over that plot,  
Which had us all undone!   

LXXX.  
Oh how he did delight  
Thee to receive up then!  
Placing thy Throne his right hand on  
Above Angels and Men.   

LXXXI.  
And as he had thee choose  
This battle for to fight;  
So did he choose thee still to use  
In all his acts of might.   

LXXXII.  
He made thee to be Lord  
O'er all things low and high,  
That they should be subject to thee  
To all eternity.   

LXXXIII.  
And that thou mightst us bring  
To all this happiness,  
Thee he appointed, and eke anointed  
To glorious Offices.   

LXXXIV.  
A Prophet he thee made  
To us to prophesy:  
To show the way which to thee lay  
And guide us in't safely.   

LXXXV.  
And our Highpriest to be,  
Having such sacrifice  
Up-offered, so accepted  
As God will ne'red despise.   

LXXXVI.  
And that thou may'st always  
Before his face appear,  
For men to plead and intercede,  
Their sins away to bear.   

LXXXVII.  
And be the way whereby  
We might an access have  
To th' holy place, to see God's face;  
And fully us to save.   

LXXXVIII.  
And also to be King  
Of Saints and Nations too:  
Such to protect as be subject,  
And all their foes o'erthrow.   

LXXXIX.  
To all which Offices  
As Man he thee ordained,  
As a reward of that most hard  
Service which thou sustained.   

XC.  
And that unto all these  
Thou mightst well furnished be;  
That his fullness thou shouldst possess,  
He granted unto thee.   

XCI.  
Of which he did thee judge  
Most worthy, so do we  
Angels and Men, both now, and then  
That thou shouldst highest be.   

XCII.  
Thou only worthy art  
Oh Judah's Lion stout!  
To take that Book and on it look  
That's sealed within, without.   

XCIII.  
The Book of Prophecy  
Or of God's counsels deep,  
That none unseal it could, or reveal it,  
None now have cause to weep.   

XCIV.  
Thou Lamb was't found most meet  
To open it and read:  
It to unfold thou may'st be bold  
Who for our sins didst bleed.   

XCV.  
And by thy blood us bought  
From every Land, to be  
God's Priests and Kings; and o'er all things  
On Earth now reign do we.   

XCVI.  
Yea all the Angels too  
Fully agree to this;  
That thou who was't slain for us, hast  
Most worthily all bliss.   

XCVII.  
Power, wisdom, riches, strength,  
Who may like thee possess?  
Thou art worthy Kingly glory,  
And as a Priest to bless.   

XCVIII.  
That what thou didst obtain  
Thou may'st distribute too;  
Such honour bear as every where  
Thy Father's will to do.   

XCIX.  
For such was this exploit  
In which thou won'st this field,  
That every thing to thee as King  
All honour well may yield.   

C.  
And worthily thou hast  
In all thy power behaved  
Thyself in all did since befall,  
Wherein thou hast us saved.   

CI.  
For other battles yet  
Remained for thee to fight  
In which thou too thy love didst show  
Thy wisdom, strength and might.   

CII.  
When thou hadst won that field,  
And right to us hadst got;  
Such yet our state we did thee hate  
Or to thee yielded not.   

CIII.  
Although the Serpent had  
No right to us at all,  
His arms were gone, law he had none,  
To keep us still in thrall.   

CIV.  
Yet by his subtlety  
He still did hold us fast,  
And to him we subject would be  
And freedom would not taste.   

CV.  
For what we had from him  
Received formerly,  
Did yet remain in every vein  
Working effectually.   

CVI  
We yet were ignorant,  
Error our minds possessed:  
Lust in us lay and bare the sway,  
No good was in our breast.   

CVII.  
For yet we knew not thee,  
Who such things for us wrought,  
Yea falsely we conceived of thee  
In our vain mind and thought.   

CVIII.  
Oh what a do hadst thou  
To gain us to thee here,  
For through the lies of th' enemies  
We much bewitched were.   

CIX.  
So much a●hored we  
To their false flatteries,  
Our eyes we closed, ourselves opposed  
Against thy verities.   

CX.  
Against us then to fight  
We caused thee, that we  
Our foes might leave, and thee receive  
Our God and guide to be.   

CXI.  
Though not against us so  
As what did us misled,  
And us detained fast bound and chained  
Didst thou therein proceed.   

CXII.  
It still was thy design  
Our sinful souls to save;  
But to destroy what did annoy  
Our souls, and them enslave.   

CXIII.  
A double edged sword  
Proceeded from thy mouth,  
One edge killed sin, and did us win  
To love thee and thy truth.   

CXIV.  
The other edge cut down  
Those who held fast their lust,  
Cleaving to it into the pit  
Of wrath thou them hast thrust.   

CXV.  
And such our folly was,  
Our loathness sin to leave,  
That with th' unjust we might been thrust  
Our portion to receive.   

CXVI.  
But blessed be thy love  
The spring of all our good,  
And blest thy truth which from thy mouth  
We heard and understood.   

CXVII.  
And blest thy patience,  
And thy forbearance great,  
Away to throw us thou wast slow,  
But thou didst for us wait.   

CXVIII.  
Oh hadst thou been but quick  
Our many faults to mark,  
We had our lot with those forgot  
Who perish in the dark.   

CXIX.  
And blest thy holy Spirit  
Which ●o thy truth displayed  
That by his hand it t' understand  
At length he us all made.   

120.  
Blessed be thy wisdom too  
And thy great skilfulness,  
In ordering all that did befall  
In all occurrences.   

121.  
Thou hast the Learned's tongue  
In skill thou art expert,  
Both to embrace and hid thy face  
To kill and to convert.   

122.  
Thy way is in the deep  
Thy footsteps who hath known?  
Hadst thou ne'er frowned and us nigh drowned  
We had been overthrown.   

123.  
By Chastisements, Reproofs,  
Darkness and waters deep  
Thou hast us oft fought out and taught,  
And us from Hell distd keep.   

124.  
By them thou us hast oft  
So nurtured from our youth,  
As us inclined and bowed our mind  
To listen to thy truth.   

125.  
Which through thy gentleness  
And grace therein displayed,  
Though oft withstood yet 'twas so good  
As us it obedient made.   

226.  
Thou rod'st on prosperously  
In meekness truth and love,  
Which did us melt when we it felt  
And our hearts to thee move.   

127.  
Such were the ways whereby  
Our hearts thou didst subdue;  
Error expelling and Satan quelling  
And making us anew.   

128.  
Though divers methods thou  
With us was pleased to take,  
As thou didst see might meetest be  
Thy people us to make.   

129.  
When thou didst us espouse  
To thyself by thy grace,  
Us in thee planting, and to us granting  
To have a fixed place.   

130.  
Wherein thy love was rich  
Surpassing every thought,  
That we of thee branches should be;  
Who formerly were naught.   

131.  
For we deserved ●●ave been  
Cut down and wholly cast,  
Into the fire, to have the hire  
Of all our evils passed,   

132.  
Herein thou didst again,  
A noble conquest make:  
Us from our sin we lived in,  
Unto thyself to take:   

133.  
Oh noble Conqueror,  
Thy power and might we see;  
Oh Lord of Hosts throughout all coasts:  
What one is like to thee.   

134.  
Herein we do admire  
The force of thy great love,  
Our stubborn hearts, and bad deserts,  
Which got so much above.   

135.  
And here began our bliss,  
Our happy state, in which  
Thou didst us bring unto a spring,  
And Fountain sure and rich.   

136.  
Here our new life began,  
Because we planted were;  
Into a stock which did not mock,  
But made us fruit to bear.   

137.  
A Root most free of Sap  
And living juice where from,  
We did inherit both Life and Spirit,  
Yea all good thence did come.   

138.  
A Root which did us bear,  
And give us living fruit;  
Thy word declared it, thy Arm unbar'd it,  
And made us with it suit.   

139.  
Thence all our Springs were found;  
And all our fruits were good:  
For all our own away were thrown,  
Being unfit for food.   

140.  
Oh what an happy state,  
Were we advanced to,  
When into thee planted were we;  
And made in thee to grow.   

141.  
We one with thee became,  
And of thy bliss partook;  
Better we had, and what did glad:  
More than what we forsook.   

142.  
God pitied us before,  
But now he did us own,  
He in his love, did us approve:  
And of him we were known.   

143.  
The special love that was,  
Thy lot thou didst impart,  
God's loving face, that secret place  
Which thou hadst in God's heart.   

144.  
This was a happy Change,  
While we in Adam were:  
Our case was sad, and very bad,  
But now 'twas blessed here.   

145.  
We had not God before,  
Because we had not thee;  
In whom he is and gives his bliss:  
Then wretched men were we.   

146.  
For though thou wert the hope,  
And help of lost mankind:  
Yet without Thee, hope had not we:  
Nor solid peace of mind.   

147.  
But when in Thee thou gavest,  
Sure title to all good:  
Because in Thee, the living Tree,  
And Root of life we stood.   

148.  
We were to Thee espoused,  
And Thou our Husband wert:  
In thine Estate, for love and hate:  
We thenceforth had our part.   

149.  
Thy Father ours became;  
Thine Angels were our guard:  
Thy Riches ours, thy Wisdom Power:  
And thine was our reward.   

150.  
Thine Enemies thence were ours,  
And thy friends our friends too;  
In Thee Elect God did respect,  
And favour to us show.   

151.  
Yea hence is all the joy,  
And glory we possess;  
Hence Worlds abuse, and Gods good use,  
In joy and happiness.   

152.  
Thence God us took for Sons;  
All former things were gone:  
No wrath abode, his love He showed,  
His face upon us shone.   

153.  
But Thou hadst other fights,  
Wherein a share had we;  
At thy command, with Thee to stand,  
Against the Enemy.   

154.  
In which Thou wert our help,  
Our Captain and our Guide:  
Thy grace and love, they did us move,  
Still with thee to abide.   

155.  
The same that did at first,  
Our hearts to thee subdue;  
Was it prevailed when Joes assailed,  
And made us to Thee true.   

156.  
In which thy grace supplied  
What in us wanting was;  
Our weaknesses, Miscarriages;  
There through thou by didst pass.   

157.  
Doubtless hadst thou not been  
So clothed with Charity;  
Our many halts, Retreats, and Faults:  
Had made Thee cast us by.   

158.  
But none is like to Thee,  
No Captain so will bear,  
His Soldiers faults, retreats, and halts;  
Or can their hearts so cheer.   

159.  
Thou wast the prize for which  
We fought, thy prize were we:  
Our Enemy's Plot was us t'have got  
Quite out again from Thee.   

160.  
Therefore they us enticed,  
To leave the Faith wherein,  
We one with Thee were made, and free  
Were set from all our fin.   

161.  
That was the bed of love:  
The bond of Amity.  
Therefore from that, to separte  
Us sought the Enemy.   

162.  
By many a Stratagem,  
He did us oft assail,  
By flatteries, and batteries,  
Yet could he not prevail.   

163.  
Although he had the world  
As a great Magazine,  
Of fiery Shafts fit for his Crafts  
Our souls to undermine.   

164.  
From whence on either side,  
He did us oft assault,  
With pleasing sights, or dreadful frights;  
Yea we had many a fault.   

165.  
From which he ofttimes raised,  
By his great policy  
Such over casts and dreadful blasts,  
As made us like to fly.   

166.  
Oft-times us to allure  
To take part against thee,  
Pleasures He brought into our thought,  
Or glory made us see.   

167.  
And sundry other things,  
Which with our flesh did suit,  
From Trees to sight fit for delight,  
Moving to pluck the fruit.   

168.  
Sometimes to puff us up,  
That down he might us throw;  
Our godliness, gifts, parts, graces,  
Or works he would us show.   

169.  
Sometimes again by Cheats,  
Which he thereto abused:  
Some crooked way, He forth would lay,  
Which was of Thee refused.   

170.  
Sometimes this art he used,  
The easly'r us to take,  
As if of light, an Angel bright  
He were, He show would make.   

171.  
Oft-times He also showed,  
What dreadful things should be,  
From instruments of his intents,  
If we would cleave to Thee.   

172.  
The world he stirred to wrath,  
Against us for thy sake;  
So that of mocks, Scourges or Stocks,  
Oft times we did partake.   

173.  
Yea many hardships thence,  
He pressed us withal;  
By many losses, and divers crosses,  
Moving from Thee to fall.   

174.  
Not only our Estates,  
He sometimes from us caught;  
But even our blood, like to a flood,  
Was poured out full oft.   

175.  
But Thou by thy good grace,  
And help which thou didst give,  
Our Enemy, did make to fly,  
And made our Souls to live.   

176.  
Armour of righteousness,  
On each hand us did fend:  
Thy glory bright, stood on our right;  
O' th' eft wrath without end.   

177.  
If to Thee and thy Word,  
Thy right and perfect ways;  
Firm we would cleave, and not thee leave,  
Thou showd'st us endless praise.   

178.  
But if Thee we would leave,  
And turn to vanity;  
For worldly good, or fear of blood,  
We endless torments see.   

179.  
Which things eternal while,  
Thou mad'st us keep in view,  
Things temporal, we slighted all;  
And not from Thee withdrew.   

180.  
Thou wert our strength and stay;  
Our help was of thy grace:  
Through thy defence, no fond pretence,  
Did move us out of place.   

181.  
Here also Thou didst get.  
The conquest o'er our foes:  
The victory, and the glory,  
Unto thine honour goes.   

182.  
We had been wholly foiled,  
And driven from Thee again;  
But that our heads thou covered'st,  
And didst our hearts sustain.   

183.  
To thee we give the praise  
Of our safety until,  
Through manifold perils untold,  
Our days we did fulfil.   

184.  
When yet one combat more,  
Abode us generally:  
To yield our Breath, passing through death,  
And in the grave to lie.   

185.  
Nor had we any might,  
Against that Enemy:  
Give way must we, to God's decree;  
That mankind once must die.   

186.  
Whereto by several ways,  
We did arrive at length:  
Diseases some made thither come,  
Or some decay of strength.   

187.  
By persecutions some,  
Through many deaths, much pain,  
Who for thy name, slaughter and shame;  
Did valiantly fustain.   

188.  
For every one of which,  
Praises to God and thee,  
The lamb, by whom, all that did come,  
Well ordered was we see.   

189.  
Through thee it was for good,  
That such things we did bear:  
Yea sins also whence griefs did flow,  
As they permitted were.   

190.  
By our unrighteousness,  
And our offences sore,  
Thy righteousness, was more express,  
And our engagements more.   

191.  
Thou turnst them all to good,  
Though from us they were ill:  
And thou thy praise from thence didst raise,  
By thy great power and skill.   

192.  
It was for good that Death  
Thou didst to us ordain:  
Diseases, pains, and such remains;  
As brought to dust again.   

193.  
For by the thoughts thereof,  
And sights, and feelings too;  
Thou didst us wake, more haste to make,  
To scape from endless woe.   

194.  
They moved us the less,  
The flesh and world to mind:  
And unto thee the more to flee,  
And seek thy Grace to find.   

195.  
They made us less to prize,  
What did from thee allure:  
Death did present, their enjoyment  
Falling and unsecure.   

196.  
They made us less to dread,  
What men us scared by;  
While Temporal, we see them all,  
And that no way but die.   

197.  
Yea while we also see,  
That common Death no less;  
Torments had oft, than what down brought,  
Those that did Thee confess.   

198.  
Yea further, Death and grave,  
This good unto us brought;  
They gave us rest, from what oppressed,  
When all our work was wrought.   

199.  
We bless thee for them all,  
For all together wrought;  
For our great good, even death and blood,  
And more joy to us brought.   

200.  
While greater proofs we had,  
Of thy great faithfulness:  
How great each hour, thy love and power,  
To help our weaknesses.   

201.  
For as our trials did,  
Thereby abound and grow;  
So thy supports, and our comforts,  
Did more upon us flow.   

202.  
Oh happy was that time,  
Happy the means by which;  
Persuaded we, became by Thee,  
To take a course so rich.   

203.  
Thy words to ,  
And thy servants to be;  
Sustain the loss, and bear the cross,  
And follow after Thee.   

204.  
Oh blessed be that grace,  
That power, and truth, and love;  
Which did us draw, and keep in awe,  
Notletting us remove.   

205.  
For herein also Thou,  
Our mighty Captain stood;  
Our Enemy foiled, his Armies spoilt,  
And filledst us with good.   

206.  
For though our flesh fell down,  
And Death it overcame:  
And Fire or Grave, did it outbrave,  
Yet we received no shame.   

207.  
Yea more than Conquerors,  
In all those things we were:  
Through thy great love, which did Thee move,  
Our sin and Death to bear.   

208.  
This was our victory,  
The faith we had in Thee:  
That turned to meat, what did us eat,  
And made us life to see.   

209.  
But yet the full conquest,  
Over that Enemy;  
Thou didst not make, till thou didst take,  
From Grave our dead Body.   

210.  
Though when Death had us seized,  
And Bodies dead did lie,  
Our Spirit with Thee, thou took'st to be,  
In thy joy and glory.   

211.  
Where safety thou us gav'st,  
And freedom from all ill.  
In peace to rest in thy sweet breast,  
Our rising time until;   

212.  
Yet Death and grave had so,  
Our Bodies quite depraved:  
As that it seemed not to be deemed,  
That thence they could be saved.   

213.  
Such transmutations they,  
Did so long time sustain,  
They were so jumbed, dispersed and crumbled  
How could they rise again?   

214.  
But all this made but way,  
For greater glory yet▪  
And to complete thy Conquest great;  
Which thou couldst not but get.   

215.  
For by thy powerful voice,  
The Graves and place all,  
Where we lay hid, presently did,  
Yield us up at thy call.   

216.  
They had no power and might,  
Against thy power and will;  
Us to retain, and make remain:  
Under corruption still.   

217.  
Thy Angels thou sent'st forth,  
And gatheredst thine Elect:  
That we by thee might honoured be,  
With great love and respect.   

218.  
And now we do enjoy,  
The Kingdom gloriously,  
With Thee we reign and shall remain;  
To all Eternity.   

219.  
Oh what a Warrior stout,  
Art thou, Thou meekest Lamb!  
There's none could stand against thy hand;  
But thou them overcame.   

220.  
And Thou hast given to us,  
Thy Victories each one;  
Our Enemies all, thou mad'st to fall;  
And wouldst not reign alone.   

221.  
Thy Conquests now are full;  
The field is fully clear:  
There is no moe, left any foe;  
Not one doth now appear.   

222.  
For now thou hast them all,  
Destroyed totally,  
They down are gone, where help is none;  
In endless flames they fry.   

223.  
And we, we reap the fruits,  
Of all thy wars so great:  
We have the end we did intent;  
Thy pleasant fruits we eat.   

224.  
Now we are fully saved,  
From all our miseries:  
Broke is the Net, and we are set;  
Above our Enemies.   

225.  
All praise is due to thee,  
Thou all things hast well done:  
Thou first and last, hast all outcast,  
Now sorrows we have none.   

226.  
A toilsome path we trod;  
A tedious journey had:  
A Wilderness of great distress,  
But now thou'st made us glad.   

227.  
In all our Pilgrimage,  
And great temptations thou;  
Didst with us bide, hast us supplied,  
And we be happy now.   

228.  
Oh happy now our state,  
Our joys who can express,  
Well sing we may, Hallelujah;  
And thee for ever bless.   
FINIS.   

Another to the same Tune.  

1.  
A New triumphant Song,  
Filled full of mirth and praise;  
To Thee our King, now will we sing;  
Extolling thee always.   

2.  
And well we may rejoice,  
O'er all that wretched crew;  
Who took delight, with great despite;  
Our ruin to pursue.   

3.  
Where are they all become,  
That did us sore oppress;  
They all are gone, left there is none,  
That may impair our bless.   

4.  
Where is that old Serpent,  
That dreadful Dragon fell?  
Hallelujah, he's not to day,  
For he's thrust down to Hell.   

5.  
He and his Angels all,  
That vexed us full sore;  
Lying in wait, for us with hate,  
Destroyed are evermore.   

6.  
That dreadful burning Lake,  
Of wrath so large and deep;  
They're thrown into, to bear their woe,  
Where Sinners wail and weep.   

7.  
Where are those dreadful Beasts,  
That were his instruments;  
With horns and heads, so full of dreads,  
Breathing out punishments?   

8.  
Where is their pompous train,  
Their Names of blasphemy?  
There's not a Crown, unfallen down,  
There's none of them on high.   

9  
Where now's the false Prophet,  
Who all the World deceived;  
Who up did cry, and magnify,  
The Beast and him believed?   

10.  
Who did him worship give,  
And to his Image fall?  
Name, Image, Mark, are all ' th' dark;  
And their Adorers all.   

11.  
Both Bea and Prophet false,  
Are gone into the lake;  
To bear their hire, in that great fire,  
Whose burn never slake.   

12.  
Where is that painted Whore,  
Which road in Pomp and State?  
Her gilded Cup, which was filled up,  
With poisonous liquors late?   

13.  
Whom Earthly Kings adored,  
As if she sure had been;  
The only fit, in State to sit,  
As Sovereign Lady-Queen!   

14.  
Who sought and sucked out blood,  
As if it had been sweet;  
Greatest and least, she caused the Beast,  
To trample under feet.   

15.  
Because we liked not  
Th'intoxicating wine,  
Which from her Cup, the World sucked up,  
As if 'thad been divine.   

16.  
Where is she now become,  
She and her Lovers too,  
Who did commit, what was not fit,  
With her, and whoredoms do?   

17.  
Alas they are long since,  
Burnt up and quite destroyed:  
Their Market's gone, and they did moan,  
Who in her greatness joyed.   

18.  
Yea all the train of foes,  
Who in our sorrows laughed,  
Who Thee refused, and us abused,  
Destruction hath them caught.   

19  
Thou hast them overcome,  
O Lamb, of Kings the King:  
Well may we say, Hallelu-jah,  
And praises to Thee sing.   

20.  
Where now is all that lust,  
That had in us a hold!  
It's subtle Heads, Delights and dreads,  
And branches manifold?   

21.  
Which service challenged,  
And over us would reign:  
Did us molest, and oft oppressed,  
And caved us smart and pain.   

22.  
And where's the carnal mind,  
That subtly did devise,  
To draw us in, to commit sin,  
Through its deceits and lies.   

23.  
And where's the whorish heart,  
Which oft withdrew from thee:  
And did us cheat, with many a feat,  
Making us sorrow see?   

24.  
These foes are all destroyed,  
And we from them are free:  
By thy sharp sword, thy powerful word,  
They all consumed be.   

25.  
No error in our mind,  
Nor ignorance hath place:  
Our hearts retain, nothing that's vain,  
Thanks therefore to thy grace.   

26.  
Nothing of unbelief,  
Or of unlovingness:  
No envy, hate, strife or debate,  
Pride, falsehood us possess.   

27.  
Thou hast us made so clean,  
That in us there's no spot:  
No wrinkled skin, no jot of sin,  
Nor weakness in our lot.   

28.  
Thou our good husband art,  
Who didst our faults so bear;  
And them reprove, with words of love,  
As made us Thee to hear.   

29.  
And what we heard of Thee,  
Did wash us wondrously:  
But now thy sight, makes us so white,  
No blemish thou canst spy.   

30.  
Hallelujahs we sing,  
Sin us no more annoys:  
Hallelu-jah, Hallelu-jah,  
We no● have perfect joys.   

31.  
Where is mortality?  
All our Diseases, pains;  
Our Massiness, which did us press?  
Nought of them now remains.   

32.  
Oh death where is thy sting?  
Grave where's thy victory?  
Where be our fears, wrings, strains and tears,  
And all that made us cry?   

33.  
Where are our oft complaints?  
Our bruises, breaches, wounds?  
Our sighs and moans? Our sobs and groans?  
Our famtings and our swoons?   

34.  
Where are our sleepless nights?  
Where are our toilsome days;  
Our ghastly siglus Or ●udain frights?  
And what 〈◊〉 us amaze?   

35.  
Where be our lamenesses?  
Deafness and Dumbness too?  
Dimness of sight, our want of light,  
Crutches wherewith to go?   

36.  
Where are our pangs and throws?  
Our cruel ach's and smarts?  
Our weary beds? Our dizzy heads?  
Our sad and doleful hearts?   

37.  
Where are our Prison bands?  
Fetters? and Pillories?  
The hurtful stocks? The taunts and mocks?  
And furious outcries?   

38.  
The Gallows and the racks?  
The Gibbets? Beasts? and Fire?  
With whatsoever, did rend and tear,  
Or did us for and tyre?   

39  
Where is that rottenness,  
That after Death took hold?  
The stinking smell? The jaws of Hell?  
And what else may be told.   

40.  
Not one of these appears,  
They are all fled and gone;  
Hallelu-jah to Thee we say;  
For 'tis from Thee alone.   

41.  
All enemies thou subdu'dst,  
Oh who is like to Thee?  
Thou Lord of Hosts, art in all coasts,  
And thou hast made us free.   

42.  
Thou the stout Warrior art;  
In Battle mighty strong:  
The man of War, by whom all are  
Subdued; Thou art our Song.   

43.  
By Thee we have escaped,  
Whatever ill befell;  
By Thy goodness we now possess,  
Such joys as none can tell.   

44.  
Thou from the midst of foes,  
Hast brought us now to be;  
With Angels bright, in Heavenly light,  
Companions with Thee.   Deut. 33.26, 27, 28, 22. 

45.  
NOw we may sing and say,  
What one is like unto;  
Jesuruns God, I'th' Heaven who road,  
To save us from all woe?   

46.  
Th' Eternal God Thou wert,  
Our refuge; and thine arms;  
Under us were, us up to bear,  
From all dangers and harms.   

47.  
Thine everlasting arms,  
Whose strength doth river fail:  
With them th' unjust, thou out hast thrust,  
And made us to prevail.   

48.  
Thou hast destroyed them all,  
Who did us injury:  
And now there's none, we dwell alone,  
And are in great safety.   

49.  
New Heavens and Earth have we,  
A Land of Corn and Wine:  
thou'rt our fountain, and Thou dost rain,  
on us thy dew divine.   

50.  
Oh happy Israel,  
What one is like to us:  
Saved by the Lord who is the sword,  
And shield most marvellous.   

51.  
To which our foes are all,  
At length as Liars found:  
Their planes high, where in safety,  
They dwelled, 've trod to th'ground.   

52.  
How glorious now our State,  
Praises to Thee therefore:  
Who can express, the blessedness,  
That we have evermore?   

53.  
Our Body is become,  
All glorious like to thine:  
Thy glory bright, more than the light▪  
Or Sun doth make us shine.   

54.  
Like Angels now we be,  
With whom we do converse:  
As nimble, and light, as pure and bright,  
And through all things do pierce.   

55.  
We need no Marriages,  
More than they for increase:  
Our Company can never die,  
Our joys shall never cease.   

56.  
Nay now we Angels judge,  
Such is to us thy heart,  
Thy very Throne, which Thou sittest on,  
Thou dost to us impart.   

57  
Our pleasures now are full,  
Immived, pure and clear:  
We feel no cold, we wax not old,  
Nothing our strength doth wear.   

58.  
No Winter time we have,  
No withering or decay;  
No Frost nor Snow, No storms do blo●,  
We have all Summer's day,   

59  
Yet without parching heat,  
Or aught that may annoy:  
No scorching Sun o●●e us doth run,  
Nought to allay our joy.   

60.  
Great joy we also have,  
In our society:  
Each one in other, as in our Brother,  
Have great felicity.   

61.  
Here Abel we enjoy,  
Who suffered first for Thee:  
Enoch, Noah, and all thy way,  
Who kept, our Partners be.   

62.  
The holy Patriarches,  
Before and since the flood;  
Father renowned, with glory crowned,  
And all their children good.   

63.  
Thy holy Messengers,  
Martyrs and Confessors:  
Who faithful were, with us are here,  
Of life inheritors.   

64.  
But above all the rest,  
Thy presence glorious;  
Doth satisfy, eternally,  
And make us triumph thus,   

65.  
Like a City compact  
And fully one are we:  
Where without rent, or discontent,  
We perfectly agree.   

66.  
And perfectly we joy,  
In one another's good;  
All perfectly, Thee glorify,  
Who for us sheddest thy blood.   

67.  
In Thee for evermore,  
We all have full content;  
Thee to behold, Thee to unfold,  
Is all our merriment.   

68  
No one doth seek himself;  
Or in himself delights  
But every one, is fixed on,  
Thy glorious beauty bright.   

69.  
Thou art our All; in whom,  
Father and Spirit both;  
And all good else, with us now dwells:  
Thy glory doth us cloth.   

70.  
In Thee we were complete,  
And had all good before:  
Completely we, now enjoy Thee,  
And thine for evermore.   

71.  
All excellencies which,  
In the Creation were;  
From Thee they flowed, and Thee they showed,  
In Thee we have them here.   

72.  
Thou the beginning art,  
Of God's Creation good:  
The ground most strong and firm, whereon  
All things were built and stood.   

73.  
Thou art the perfect LIGHT,  
Thou our of carkness shone;  
And made us see, things as they be.  
Light out of Thee there's none.   

74.  
In earth, Thou art the Plant,  
Of honour and renown:  
The righteous root, whence issued out,  
What ever God doth own.   

75.  
Thou Root of David art,  
Whence all his hopes did spring;  
Of that Kingdom, which now is come,  
Whereof Thou art the King.   

76.  
Thou art the fruitful Vine,  
That doth that grape forth bear,  
Which God and man, hearty can,  
And have refreshed with cheer.   

77.  
Thy full obedience,  
And precious blood out shed;  
Relieved our hearts, in all our smarts.  
And God fully pleased.   

78.  
Thou art the stately Palm,  
And Olive fresh and green;  
With weights oppressed, thou grew'st up best,  
thou'rt always lively seen.   

79.  
Thou art the green Firt-Tree,  
Whence all our fruits abound,  
And the Appletree, where under we,  
Have fragrant shadow found.   

80.  
Thine Apples oftentimes,  
Have us most cheerful made:  
Flagons of Wine, from Thee our Vine,  
Oft times our hearts have stayed.   

81.  
Like Cedar tall and strong,  
Which useth not to rot:  
Such is thy reign, which doth remain,  
Firm and decayeth not.   

82.  
The stone of Israel,  
And aged Rock thou art:  
The precious stone, Foundation,  
To stay and strength the heart.   

83.  
Thou art the Pearl of price,  
For whom we all things sold:  
The Silver of strength, whence days of length,  
thou'rt the most precious Gold.   

84.  
Among the waters thou,  
The Sea and Ocean art:  
Whence all do flow, to which all own,  
The good they do impart.   

85.  
All good from Thee proceeds,  
And unto Thee again:  
It is but meet, that all retreat,  
Who dost all good contain.   

86.  
Thou art the Fountain too,  
And Spring of waters pure,  
Which run and live, Thou all dost give,  
Thy Streams are always sure.   

87.  
All other things beside,  
Are Cisterns, Pipes, and Pools▪  
Who Thee forsook, and of them took,  
Were all deluded fools.   

88  
Thou art the Life indeed,  
All Life from Thee doth flow:  
The Life and love, wherein we move,  
We wholly to Thee owe.   

89.  
For we were dead in sins,  
No living act could do:  
Till thy fresh scent, did us prevent,  
And reach our souls unto.   

90.  
In Heaven the Morning Star,  
Which in our darksome night;  
When helpess we, No hope could see.  
Arose and Brought us light.   

91.  
Thou art the glorious Sun,  
Light, Heat, and life from Thee;  
To all to whom, thy virtues come,  
Sweetly imparted be.   

92.  
The Sun of righteousness,  
Which hath upon us risen:  
And in thy wings, all healing brings,  
And all our wounds hast closed.   

93.  
Oh what were we if Thee,  
We did not now enjoy?  
Sure like to those, who are thy foes,  
And whom thou dost destroy.   

94.  
It's glorious to behold,  
Thy glorious countenance;  
It gives us sight, fills with delight,  
And doth our souls advance.   

95.  
In thy light we do live,  
And walk for evermore:  
In Thee we play, and joy all day,  
Hallelu-jah therefore.   

96.  
Amongst those things on Earth,  
Thou mad'st to live and move;  
Like to the tame and harmless LAMB,  
Thou wert in thy great love.   

97.  
God's Lamb most innocent,  
Most meek and spotless, who  
Clothing and food, afford good,  
And ill didst undergo.   

98.  
With greatest patience,  
Not answering again;  
Though Thou defiled waste, and reviled,  
By men, and put to pain.   

99  
God's Lamb indeed thou wert,  
That sacrifice whereby;  
Our peace was made, wrath aside laid,  
And we received mercy.   

100  
Thy flesh thou gav'st for food,  
Thy blood was drink indeed:  
Feeding on that, we comfort got,  
And strength in every need.   

101.  
Thy righteousness us clothed,  
And thy virtues so high;  
And most divine, do make us shine,  
Always most gloriously.   

102.  
Thou art the Lion too,  
For strength and power: so those  
Thee oft have found, unto their wound,  
Who were thy mortal foes.   

103.  
In thy great strength Thou hast  
Upon them roared, whereby  
They were thy prey, and behold they,  
Torn and devoured now lie.   

104.  
Oh it was well for us,  
That Thou our General:  
A Lion wer'●, else we like Hearts,  
Had soon been routed all.   

105.  
Thou art the UNICORN,  
Thy Horn is stately high:  
Thy power and might, alone to flight,  
Hath put the Enemy.   

106.  
Thou art the Glory, and  
The sum of all the rest.  
The Man thou art, who hast the heart,  
With understanding best.   

107.  
For Thee were all things made,  
And they were given to Thee:  
In Heaven and Earth, above beneath,  
And in the Ocean Sea.   

108.  
Thou art the Male to us,  
And we thy Female be:  
Thou the Husband, us to command,  
And we the spouse to Thee.   

109.  
For Thee we framed were,  
And of Thee secretly:  
While thou didst sleep, a sleep so deep,  
As for our fins to die.   

110.  
Out of thy flesh we are,  
And out of thy bone too:  
One Soul we have, which thy Breath gave,  
Thy Heavenly things to know.   

111.  
In us thou tak'st delight,  
And our delight thou art;  
Thou with thy grace, dost us embrace,  
And layest us in thy heart.   

112.  
While thou didst us embrace,  
And we submit to Thee;  
There did proceed, from Thee that Seed,  
Which made us fruitful be.   

113.  
Which in thine own Image,  
Thou didst beget, we bear;  
Thy Company, makes us happy,  
All our eternal year.   

114.  
Thou art the Angel too,  
The Messenger by whom;  
The Heavenly grant, God's Covenant,  
Down unto us did come.   

115.  
Yea all the things of weight,  
We in the Scriptures read;  
Completely be, fulfilled in Thee,  
As might be mentioned.   

116.  
The Sabboath or the Rest,  
Thou art, and Thou dost give:  
Thou art our rest, God hath Thee blest,  
Joyful in Thee we live.   

117.  
From all his mighty works,  
God ay in Thee doth cease:  
Thou art the end, whereto they tend,  
Thou art our Rest and peace.   

118.  
In Thee by us enjoyed,  
Our works are ended all:  
No travail more, or labour sore,  
Or grief shall us befall.   

119.  
We also are thy Rest,  
For now that us thou hast:  
Thy works are o'er, for evermore,  
Thy labours all are past.   

120.  
Thou the sweet Garden art,  
The Garden of delight;  
The Paradise, where pleasure lies,  
And what doth please our sight.   

121.  
And we thy Garden are,  
In us thou pleasure tak'st:  
Us to possess, Taste of and dress,  
Thou oft thy business mad'st.   

122.  
Thou art the TREE of LIFE,  
Which pleasant fruits doth bear:  
Whereof we leave, have to receive,  
And Death we cannot fear.   

123.  
The River too thou art,  
Of living waters pure:  
Thy streams go out, and run about,  
With joys both full and sure.   

124.  
Thou hast been unto us,  
The ARK; wherein we were  
Shut up and kept, not to be swept,  
Away, with floods of fear.   

125.  
Thou art the Covenant too,  
Made between us and God:  
In Thee we be, for ever f●ee,  
From fears of future flood.   

120.  
Yea Thou that Covenant art,  
In which we are the Lords:  
And God our Tower, by his great power,  
All bless to us affords.   

127.  
In and with Thee He hath given  
The everlasting Land:  
Whereof we be, The heirs with Thee,  
In whom our lots do stand.   

128.  
In Thee from all our flesh,  
We circumcised were:  
The Blessed seed, thou art indeed,  
Whence we be blessed here.   

129.  
Thou art the high Father,  
And we thy Children be:  
We are the Kings, and the offspring,  
Proceeded out of Thee.   

130.  
Thou art the Isaac,  
The heir of promise, who  
Our laughter art, Thou makest our heart  
Rejoice after our woe.   

131.  
Thou art the Israel,  
The Prince with God and Man:  
By both assailed, thou hast prevailed,  
With both the field thou won.   

132.  
Thou the true Joseph art,  
First by thy Brethren sold:  
To sufferings by, their great envy,  
Exposed manifold.   

133.  
But from those great sufferings,  
Thou wert exalted high;  
To have the store: to Thee therefore,  
All had resort to buy.   

134.  
Thou the meek Moses art,  
Drawn out of waters great:  
Whom also thy, People thrust by,  
And badly did entreat.   

135.  
Thou unto us waste sent,  
A Prophet, Priest and King;  
From dreadful thrall, us out to call,  
And hither us to bring.   

136.  
Thou showd'st thy mighty signs,  
On Pharaoh and his Land;  
The Dragon fell, to us cruel,  
And who with him did stand.   

137.  
Thou brought'st us forth from thall,  
And leadest us through the Sea:  
Of troubles great, which though they beat,  
Thou mad'st a wall to be.   

138.  
A means of safety from,  
The Dragon who pursued;  
Thou didst us save, where they their grave,  
Did make, by thee subdued.   

139.  
Thou ledst us through the wide,  
And howling wilderness:  
Thou us stoodst by, leddest us safely,  
Through fears and great distress.   

140.  
Yea there thou all things wert,  
To us that they enjoyed;  
The Paschal Lamb, Through thee we came,  
From the world undestroy'd.   

141.  
Even through thee crucified,  
Besprinkled with thy Blood;  
Through faith we eat, thy flesh as meat,  
And in all slaughters stood.   

142.  
Thou our Lawgiver wert,  
A Law of Life and grace:  
Thou gav'st from on, the Mount- Zion,  
Thy high and holy place.   

143.  
Which in our fleshly hearts,  
Thou too imprintedst so;  
That we clavae fast, unto the last,  
And would not from thee go.   

144.  
Thou that great Prophet art,  
By whom the Father did:  
Those things reveal, which under Seal,  
Lay in his bosom hid.   

145.  
Thou wast our Ark of strength,  
God's presence in thee was:  
By Thee we were, safe in each fear,  
And safely on did pass.   

146.  
Thou wast that Tabernacle,  
Where God with us did dwell:  
He would in Thee worshipped be,  
And there his mind did tell.   

147.  
Thou wast the Sacrifice,  
Our sins to take away;  
Us to atone, and make at one,  
With thy Father for ay.   

148.  
Yea Altar and Incense,  
And Mercy-Seat thou wert;  
Laver and Priest, Shoulder and Breast,  
Thy holy Priesthoods part.   

194  
The Light and Candlestick,  
The Table and Shewbread;  
Thou to us wert, though Thou impart,  
Thy glory as our head.   

150.  
Thou wert our Manna while,  
In Wilderness we were;  
Daily did we, partake of Thee,  
Till we arrived here.   

151.  
And oft we guilty were,  
Of slighting Thee through lust;  
Which made us crave, such things to have,  
As were for us unjust.   

152.  
Through which sometimes we did  
God's wrath upon us bring;  
So as to send, the fiery Fiend,  
Our Souls to vex and sting.   

153.  
Against the which Thou wert,  
Our Brazen Serpent sure:  
While we betook, ou● selves to look,  
To Thee thou didst us cure.   

154.  
Thou art the Rock from which,  
By Moses Rod, when smore;  
By curse of Law, Thy blood to draw,  
Fresh waters issued out.   

155.  
Even Heavenly Doctrine,  
And Heavenly comforts sweet,  
Where with in all, that did befall,  
We every where did meet.   

156.  
Nay all the Types were short,  
Of thy perfections great;  
Thou didst exceed, and dost indeed,  
All things that thee forth set.   

157.  
Moses did fail and die,  
Before the people's rest:  
But thou dost live, and to us give,  
The land that's ever blest.   

158.  
For Thou our Joshuah art,  
Who Finishedst our way:  
Thou dry'dst the River, Even Death for ever,  
And here thou makest us stay.   

159.  
Thou our Great Captain art,  
By thee and thy command,  
Our battels fought, and we are brought,  
Into this pleasant Land.   

160.  
This glorious Land of Rest,  
Where we all fullness have:  
What ever thou, didst promise, now,  
W'injoy, and more can't crave.   

161.  
thou'rt our Deliverer,  
The Judge who didst us save:  
By thy just Doom, we here are come,  
This glorious Rest to have.   

162.  
Where all in and with thee,  
We have this endless day:  
Therefore O King, to Thee we sing,  
Hallelu-jah always.   

163.  
Thou the true David art,  
Over all Israel set:  
His Royal Throne, Thou first upon,  
Thy Kingdom's very great.   

164.  
To which Thou art advanced,  
From Sheol's dreadful hand:  
From suffering by, the great envy,  
Of those that ruled the Land.   

165.  
Thou art th' Anointed King,  
That hast beat down our foe:  
A City great and built complete,  
Thou hast us brought unto.   

166.  
Where thou the beauty art,  
The Sun and glorious Light:  
For here we thee, enjoy and see,  
Thy Majesty most bright.   

167.  
In Thee we God enjoy,  
And his Sons fully are:  
With us he dwells, our joy excels,  
Our City is most rare.   

168.  
Its Gates are precious Pearls,  
Its Streets are finest Gold.  
All things are pure, precious and sure,  
And glorious to behold.   

169.  
For Gods own glory here,  
For evermore doth shine:  
And us to fill, with pleasure still,  
All things do here combine.   

170.  
O happy glorious state,  
Who can it all declare?  
Beyond all wishes, beyond all blesses,  
Our happinesses are.   

171.  
Thou art our Solomon,  
In peace and glory, reign'st:  
B● none disturbed, for thou hast curbed,  
All that risen thee against.   

172.  
And in this Kingdom we,  
As Kings with thee do sit;  
In Stately seat, and glory great,  
As thou hast thought it fit.   

173.  
That glorious Pomp and State,  
Of Solomon of old:  
Though it was found, greatly beyond,  
All that of him was told,   

174.  
Yet was but a short type,  
Of this thy glory high;  
In which thou raignst, beset with Saints,  
In glorious Majesty.   

175.  
In which ten thousand fold,  
Ten thousand times numbered;  
Thou dost regard, us to reward,  
For all we suffered.   

776.  
Our sufferings were but light,  
And momentany; but  
They're weighty Crowns, endless renouns,  
Which Thou hast on us put.   

177.  
Thy Wisdom too exceeds,  
Wise Solomon's by far:  
Thou all things knowst, and clearly show'st,  
None may with Thee compare.   

178  
That stately Temple which,  
By Solomon was made,  
Thou dost excel, in whom doth dwell:  
All fullness o'th' Godhead.   

179.  
All his perfections here,  
Are gloriously displayed;  
And we them see, beyond what we,  
Ever heard of them said.   

180.  
Yea Thou to us impart'st,  
This glory too: for we,  
An holy place, for God's good Grace,  
Are builded up by Thee.   

181.  
Thou the foundation art,  
And precious Corner Stone:  
Thou dost us bear, and cause t' adhere,  
To God and every one.   

182.  
Through Thee God also dwells  
With his perfections pure;  
In us always, to his great praise,  
For ever to endure.   

183.  
And that's the top and height,  
Of all our happiness;  
That God with us, we enjoy thus,  
The Fountain of all bless.   

184.  
All which we have in Thee,  
And with Thee perfectly;  
Who can Thee reach, or who can preach,  
All thy perfections high?   

185.  
Oh thanks for evermore,  
To God and to the Lamb:  
Through God's grace good, and the Lamb's blood,  
It is that here we came.   

186.  
Where sulness of al● joy,  
And pleasures evermore;  
Our portion be, therefore we Thee,  
For ever do adore.   

187.  
The Scriptures we need not,  
In dark they were our light:  
Thou art our book, on Thee we look,  
And all things see aright.   

188.  
Tou art our GENESIS,  
In Thee we were create:  
thou'rt our Beginning, without Beginning,  
And End beyond all date.   

189.  
By thee we out of dust,  
Or nought our beings had:  
All things in Thee, to us are free,  
And we have nothing bad.   

190.  
Thou art our EXODUS,  
Our go out of thrall.  
Thou didst us save, deliverance gave,  
By thy high heavenly call.   

191.  
thou'rt our LEVITICUS,  
Through Thee to God we clavae:  
Through thy Priesthood, and offerings good,  
He never did us leave.   

192.  
We also to be Priests,  
Were all by thee anneald:  
Our Leprosy, is cleansed by Thee,  
And all our issues healed.   

193.  
Thou art our NUMBERER,  
In thee enrolled we be:  
Where God doth own, in thee is shown,  
Our Genealogy.   

194.  
Thou art our Second LAW,  
A perfect summary:  
Of God's mercies, and our duties,  
We do in thee descry.   

195.  
Thou art our JOSHUAH,  
Our Saviour, Judge, and King:  
What we omitted, or else forgetted,  
Thou to our mind dost bring.   

196.  
It's thou in EPHRATA,  
That hast done worthily:  
Poor Gen isles thou, when they did bow,  
Hast lifted up on high.   

197.  
Thou art the perfect Scribe,  
The writer of God's Law:  
Freedom declared, and all repaired,  
By thee, we also saw.   

198.  
The poor and patiented JOB,  
Made poor and rich again,  
Who thee oppressed, at thy request,  
Yet mercy did obtain.   

199.  
Thou the sweet Singer art,  
The chief Musician, who:  
The Instrument, didst first invent,  
And play'st upon it too.   

200.  
Thou art our PSALM and Song,  
Our hearts and tongues always:  
Thou through thy love, dost tune, frame, move,  
To sing forth all thy praise.   

201.  
Thou only fullness hast,  
All without thee is vain:  
Thou art the Preacher, and heavenly Teacher,  
Who dost in Salem Reign.   

202.  
thou'rt the Beloved one,  
The swift Roe, or young Hart:  
The Song of Songs, to Thee belongs,  
Who its chief Subject art.   

203.  
Thy Testimony is,  
Of all the Prophet's old;  
The quintessence, and thou the sense,  
Of Proverbs dost unfold.   

204.  
Thou from a low degree,  
Hast raised us to the Throne;  
The Righteous seed, Thou hast all freed,  
Here's Lamentations none.   

205.  
Thou art the Gospel's sum,  
The tidings of great joy;  
Blessings have we, and peace in Thee,  
Nothing doth us annoy.   

206.  
Thou God's Epistle wert,  
His mind in Thee He writ;  
When we absent were, he thee sent,  
And Thou discoveredst it.   

207.  
Thou art the end of all,  
In Thee God doth unfold;  
And hath revealed, what lay concealed,  
In Thee we All behold.   

208.  
Thou all art, and in all:  
ALPHA and OMEGA:  
Wherefore to Thee, ever do we,  
Sing, Oh Hallelu-sah.    

To the Holy Spirit.  

1.  
ANd yet again we'll sing: and strike our strings,  
we'll show forth whence the spring  
Of joy that makes us sing,  
Oh 'tis a glorious Fountain whence it springs!   

2.  
It is the Holy Spirit which he inherits,  
Who did redeem us when,  
We all were but lost men;  
And purchased us to God by his great merits.   

3.  
The Spirit of Life which hath, filled up our Faith;  
And quenched all our griefs,  
With his Cordial reliefs:  
he's Author of our good, rejoiced us hath.   

4.  
He fills us with divine life, as with wine:  
And always flows into us,  
And doth such glory show us;  
That to rejoice we jointly do combine.   

5.  
And cannot but rejoice, with pleasant voice:  
And that continually,  
And to Eternity;  
With joys and gloryings in him rare and choice.   

6.  
That holy Spirit we will With utmost skill,  
Set 〈◊〉 and magnify,  
And 〈◊〉 his love glory:  
By whom God and the Lamb did all fulfil.   

7.  
He one is of the three in whom do we,  
Live, love, and whom we do,  
Worship and bow unto;  
Whose glory 'tis our happiness to see.   

8.  
The glorious Father wild the word as skilled,  
(Being that deep wisdom,  
In which the will doth come)  
Dev●'d, the Spirit of might it all fulfilled.   

9  
The Father and the word with one accord,  
Decreed, devised to give,  
Being to all that live,  
And was the Spirit that being did afford.   

10.  
He is the mighty hand which the command,  
Of the Father and the Son,  
Which did through all things run,  
Effected: gave the world to be and stand.   

11.  
He the Heaven's high out spread and adorned,  
According as Gods will,  
Holy and wise in skill;  
Pleased to determine: He them fashioned,   

12.  
The very crooked Serpent, to his intent,  
He formed; and all beside  
That was or doth abide,  
According to God's great commandment.   

13.  
He man to understand, and to command,  
All things in Earth and Sea  
That he did make to be;  
Did form and fashion by his mighty hand.   

14.  
He is the fullness which is the most rich,  
Forth-going of the High,  
Father and Son whereby,  
All things He built, and as a tent did pitch.   

15.  
In him there is no less than all the bless,  
And blessed virtues high,  
Which do dwell perfectly  
In God and in the word, and they possess.   

16.  
The fullness of all good like a great flood,  
From the Ocean going,  
And all overflowing;  
Yea fuller 'tis than can be understood.   

17.  
He from God and his word, (with them one Lord)  
Searcheth the things most deep,  
Which God in Christ doth keep;  
The knowledge of them 'tis he doth afford.   

18.  
One with them tw●●● was He (As well know we,)  
In all their counsels old,  
Most high and manifold;  
Therefore they all by him declared be.   

19  
Blessed be that Spirit of grace who in its place,  
Did both a body frame,  
For the Word, and th' same  
Sanctify, that no sin might it deface.   

20.  
The eternal Spirit the same who did us frame,  
Seeing us in sin dead  
And helpless, pitied  
Us all: and (blessed be his holy Name.)   

21.  
He that we might from sin, be freed wherein,  
We lay condemned, prepared,  
(As He had fore declared)  
That blessed body unto us a kin.   

22.  
And filled it with his power that in the hour,  
Of death and darkness He  
Upheld was, did not flee;  
From that great cup of vengeance sharp and sour.   

23.  
To which he by this Spirit that he might merit,  
For us Redemption,  
Accursed the Cross upon;  
Did yield himself that we might Life inherit.   

24.  
Thou Spirit most blest didst raise within three days,  
That body up again,  
(Losing of Death the pain)  
To justify us (for which we thee prasse.   

25.  
And for those infinite perfections bright,  
That are in Thee; and all  
Thy works both great and small)  
Thou carryedst up that body to heaven's height.   

26.  
To glorious dignity and Majesty,  
And him also thou dost,  
Fill full (oh holy Ghost,  
The fullness of the Godhead) bodily.   

27.  
Through him Thou gifts did give That we might live,  
Even Thou from him sent forth,  
Gav'st heavenly gifts of worth;  
Whereby men through thy grace error outdrive.   

28.  
And 'twas all times before Upon that score,  
Of that great sacrifice;  
Which Thou didst fore-promise,  
That thou didst testify the love God bore.   

29.  
Thou blessed Spirit forth came And in God's name,  
The spirit of Truth thou did,  
What before time lay hid:  
Take, and unto Men didst declare the same.   

30.  
Yet not to all that were Didst thou so clear,  
Their minds, and manifest  
Gods counsels ever blest,  
But unto some as thou pleas'dst didst appear.   

31.  
Through Christ the Father did, his counsels hid,  
By thee declare to some,  
To whose minds thou didst come,  
And with whom as thou pleasedst thou abide.   

32.  
And those things to be writ, thou didst commit  
Moving those thereunto,  
To whom thou didst them show;  
According as thou wisely didst judge fit.   

33.  
Though Thou didst also go convince and woo,  
The world of mankind bad,  
When they by their sins had  
Themselves destroyed in a great overthrow.   

34.  
Thou art the wisdom high Of God whereby,  
All called were to turn,  
Though many men did spurn;  
Yea we rebelled also grievously.   

35.  
That Spirit which did strive with men alive  
Before the flood of old,  
With reproofs manifold;  
Who did their souls of happiness deprive.   

36.  
Of that sweet peace, comfort and great support,  
Thou gave'st to those that closed  
With thee and not opposed;  
With them thou dealt'st after another sort.   

37.  
Thou wouldst not strive with them who did contemn,  
Thy counsels always, but  
Didst give them up, and shut  
Them up in blindness; yea didst them condemn,   

38.  
But unto those that turned (though they had spurned  
Sometimes against thee too)  
Thou didst declare and show,  
The secrets of the Lord with love that burned.   

39  
Thou art the Spirit of love From God above,  
Who's love itself: and from  
The Word, his only Son,  
And thou in great love didst reprove and move.   

40.  
That thou to good mightst move thou didst reprove,  
And where thou found'st a way,  
(Thou man'st it) didst convey;  
Thy grace like waters, even thy sweetest love.   

41.  
'Twas love thou showd'st from God when as his rod  
Sometimes upon our base,  
(Because we were so slack  
To goodness) he did lay, in love thou chod;   

42.  
Thou art that power and strength whereby at length,  
We (though we stubborn were)  
Were brought to approach near  
To God, to see and hear him. Thou gav'st strength   

43.  
Thou wrestled'st with us so (Oh there is no,  
Such wrestler as thou art)  
That thou o'recame'st our heart.  
And made'st us from our sins departed and go.   

44.  
In and from thee we felt God's love to melt,  
And bow our hearts, and draw  
Them when they frozen were. In thee power dwelled   

45.  
And dwells for evermore Thou heald'st our sore,  
For 'twas by Thee, our Lord  
In and by his good word,  
Did heal us: we thee laud and praise therefore.   

46.  
As thou gav'st forth God's mind (Thou didst it find:  
Also) in this good word  
So, it was thou O Lord;  
That mad'st it of such force, to break and bind.   

47.  
Thou mad'st it powerful to convince us so,  
That what we were as we  
Were in ourselves, we see  
That we did nothing rightly see or know.   

48.  
Nor that we could that do that us unto  
God, might bring back; or keep  
Us from the dreadful Deep  
Of Hell: or us again redeem therefrom.   

49.  
Thou therein didst display, and 'fore us lay  
The glorious things of Christ,  
(Worthy ay to be blessed)  
So as thou mad'st our hearts on him to stay.   

50.  
'Twas thou, and Christ in Thee, whom so long we  
Provcked and made to wait  
Upon us at the gate,  
Of our hard hearts. Blessed let that patience be.   

51.  
It was thy long-suffring that did us bring  
Salvation: while thou there  
Our many faults didst bear,  
Thou brok'st our stiffness, well we may thee sing.   

52.  
Hadst thou been, quick and rough T'had been enough,  
To have destroyed us quite:  
For cause enough thou might  
Have found to have destroyed us, much bad stuff.   

53.  
But 'twas thy truth, thy grace, and that sweet face  
Of Christ which thou didst show  
Which did prevail to bow,  
Us to thee: while thou gav'st us such good space.   

54.  
Thou were't that strength and power whereby each hour,  
We were supported all,  
And kept from that sad fall,  
Which would us have destroyed. Thou sweetest our sout.   

55.  
Thou art that strength whereby the victory  
Over our Enemies,  
We got and did arise,  
Up from our foils and falls; and did not die.   

56.  
Thou wert our Comforter, by thee we were  
In all our sorrows cheered;  
By thee our eyes were cleared,  
Thou didst us in thine arms carry and bear.   

57  
All good from Thee we had, (for we were bad)  
Love, joy, peace, patience,  
Meekness, faith, abstinence;  
All our good fruits, and all that made us glad.   

58.  
'Twas thou that drew us so as made us go,  
After the Lamb, although  
Through much sorrow and woe;  
Losses, crosses, and what the world could do.   

59  
Thou art that Spirit of hope, which at the scope  
Didst make us look: the Rest,  
And great reward possessed  
Now by us, Thou didst show't beyond all trope.   

60.  
Thou showd'st it, and our eye it to espy,  
And wistly to behold,  
Whereby we were made bold  
Thou didst direct and fix continually.   

61.  
When Death had seized upon, Our flesh and bone  
And grave had unto dust  
Converted us, Thou just  
And holy Spirit, raisedst us alone.   

62.  
By the Good will of God and him that trod,  
The grave down in his strength  
Thou didst us up at length  
Raise and revive, Thou art the mighty God.   

63.  
Thou art that River claer that free from fear,  
Hast set us fully, and  
Makest us firmly to stand;  
With joy in presence of the Lamb most Dear.   

64.  
A mighty River pure constant and sure,  
Thou with thy source hast thrown  
All oppositions down;  
Ans Thou us fill'st with joys that shall endure.   

65.  
With joy, with peace, with good (as with a flood,  
Fed from the Ocean great,  
The mighty Throne and seat,  
Of God and of his Lamb which shed his blood.)   

66.  
Thou fillest us for ever: for they can never  
fail, or abate, but flow  
Without all end, no low  
Ebb shall befall us Nought from God shall sever   

67.  
Nought from that Ocean, and Sea without Sand;  
Those wates Crystalline,  
Most pure and most divine;  
In their enjoyments we shall ever stand.   

68  
For Thee in every heart, evern thee who art  
Th' eternal powerful spirit,  
We do and shall inherit;  
A band so firming us as we can't part.   

69.  
From God or Christ or each by any breach,  
From other, thou dost give  
Us without change to live,  
Eternally; and ever Thee to preach.   

70.  
Thy glory's infinite, thy glory bright,  
Oh Fountain of de ight!  
Oh Ocean infinite;  
Oh infinite Light, might, love infinite!   

71.  
To Thee oh Trinity in unity,  
Eternal happiness,  
Eternal endless Bless!  
That art without all change eternally.   

72.  
We sing and shout always Hallelu-jah,  
Praise thee we will always  
Throughout our endless day,  
And sing with height of joy: Hallelujah, Hallclujah.    


Such things, but far more pure and excellent,  
Then any humane tongue or pen can vent;  
Or any heart of man, while here alive,  
Can by all he may hear or read contrive;  
Conceive or think of; shall those gloriously  
Blessed persors utter, when they shall their high  
And everlasting Kingdom have and hold.  
For their great joys and glories can't be told.  
They're far above what mortal man can speak.  
Thine heart to apprehend them is too weak:  
For never any since the World began,  
Hath ever heard, no nor Angel nor man:  
Hath by the care perceived, or by their eye  
Have seen the greatness of the dignity,  
Or brightness of the glory foreprepared,  
For those who unto God give due regard:  
Who love him and, for his appearance wait,  
None but God see's and knows their happy state.     

Canto VI The World's Vanity.  
Seek ye first the Kingdom of God and his righteousness, etc.  Matth. 6.33. 

In the sixth Canto Christ presents,  
In brief the former two's contents;  
The Damneds woes, Saints merriments.  
Persuades the Soul to chase the best.  
The Man consults with his own breast;  
Cou●s●ls the Soul the way to rest.  
Chri●●s Servant doth the same persuade,  
The Soul inclines, but is afraid;  
To its Objection answers made.  
By Christ and by his Minister,  
Christ doth himself and Name declare:  
Gives Counsels which the safest are.  
Renews ● is suits with earnestness,  
With arguments the Soul doth press;  
Him more to value, the World less.  
And by some instances 'tis plain,  
That their both ways and ends are vain;  
Who judge this world to be the Main.   Chr. 

SEE I have set before Thee good and ill,  
I say not, choose whither of them thou will;  
But choose the Life and good that thou mayst be  
Happy for ever, and destruction flee.  
Think on these things, the doleful state of those;  
Who do rebel against me, and oppose  
My truth, and my most equal government  
How dreadful then will be their punishment.  
Think, if thou canst be able to endure  
So woeful torments as sinners procure,  
By sin unto themselves; think how great bless,  
If me thou closest with thou shalt possess.  
Accept my proffered kindness, me embrace;  
Submit unto my Doctrine, so my grace  
And favour thou shalt have, and never know  
The woeful plight of them that lie below.  
Oh be persuaded now to let go all,  
That doth pollute Thee, and obey my call.  
Fellow my counsels, let me have thy heart;  
Thou shalt have mine, and il'le ne'er from thee part.  
I'll be thy friend for ever, thou shalt have  
More happiness, than thou canst think or crave.   Man. 

Hast thou not heard, my Soul, what thy great Lord  
Proposeth to thee in his holy word?  
Such things thou there hast heard, wilt thou not then,  
Unto his wholesome Counsels say Amen?  
Consider with thyself how bad thy state  
In Adam was, how thou deservedst hate:  
What sinfulness unto thee yet doth cleave;  
How good the Lord hath been who did not leave  
Thee in thy fallen state, but such an one  
Hath sent forth for man, even his only Son.  
What he hath done for thee, how he thee woes  
Unto himself that thou with him wouldst close.  
How in his word and what it doth contain,  
He answers the Objectors cavils vain.  
That unto Atheism would thee fain move;  
Shows what will be hereafter: dost approve  
His proffered love? Wilt thou of him accept?  
Part with thy Idols! or shall they be kept?  
Without all doubt its best to let all go,  
To close with Christ who doth thee love and woe.  
Consider with thyself, if thou him slight,  
All besides him to help thee have no might:  
For they're poor sorry vanities;  give  
Thee solid comfort; or cause thee to live  
For ever: or with full content while here,  
They cannot satisfy thy soul, not cheer  
T●y drooping Spirits, when Death shall draw nigh,  
And summons thee to yield thy breath and die.  
Alas how short; and how uncertain be  
The lives of men as we may daily see.  
How many die while yet their bones are moist,  
With marrow? Even while they have much rejoiced  
In their firm strength! while milk was in their breast  
How suddenly hath pale death them oppressed?   Mini. 

If thou an Atheist were't and couldst not tell  
Whether in truth there be an Heaven or Hell,  
Yet were it not far better so to think,  
And seek for Heaven, than only eat and drink:  
Enjoy this world a while, and then down lie  
In a forgotten dark obscurity?  
For if there be such things as thou hast heard,  
If Heaven be never sought for, Hell ne'er feared,  
God's way and word despised, his truth neglected,  
And all his proffered love and grace rejected.  
Thy case must needs be sad, for it doth tend  
Unto those miseries that never end.  
And that there may be such things, reason can't  
Any good warrant fancy not to grant,  
Seeing the being of the world and all  
Therein, with many things that do befall  
Evince a Deity, and what so great,  
But may be well conceived, as well as that  
This so great world a being given it had?  
He that sees and believes this, sure is mad  
To think impossible what e'er beside,  
Is as from him that made it testified.  
Whereas if no such things should be (which yet,  
Who can suppose except that he can get  
All principles of Reason blotted out,  
And wholly all those things which round about  
He sees so great, deny to be) yet then  
What shall he lose who them believeth, when  
He comes to die ● 'tis but uncertain joys,  
Which when Death comes, men look upon as toys.  
Some poor and fancied enjoyments, which  
Do either  without men, and the pitch  
Of inward worth doth nought advance; nor give  
Increase of quietness while men do live.  
Yea oft increase disquiets, fears and troubles.  
Or if they something add within, 'tis bubbles;  
Which swell a little and a while appear:  
And then if looked for, they are not there.  
When as also they that persuaded be,  
To choose God's ways, and trust in him we see  
To live as well ofttimes in outward state,  
As they that mind this world, and Gods ways hate.  
And commonly express more inward peace,  
When they afflicted be, and when they cease  
Here to abide in life, with joys far more  
Depart, than they who have themselves up-bore  
By worldly riches, honours, enjoyments  
Of pleasures, or of any Earth-contents.   Man. 

Sure, 'tis the best, mysoul, with him to close  
Who with such love, and promises thee woos.  
Seeing such bless he gives as none besides,  
Can give even bless that evermore abides.   Soul. 

I do his promises like well, and what  
He saith unto me, they are very great.  
It's my desire him to embrace and take,  
No better choice or bargain can I make.  
But here's a world so hard that if I do  
Him choose, and after his advices go;  
How shall I live? for I have heard that He,  
Hath told his followers that they shall be  
Hated of all men, and shall troubles find:  
The world will persecute, oppress and grind  
Them all to pieces. How then shall I live?  
Or what can comfort in such cases give?  
Besides I many things for this Life want,  
A Wife or Husband; Riches, Honour, shan't  
I first look after these, and have a care  
I don't deprive myself of things that are  
Most reedful for, me here? I hope I may  
First seek these things for my support and stay,  
And afterwards seek after God and find him:  
But till I have those things I cannot mind him.   Man. 

But mind, my Soul, what He who doth thee love  
And suits thee s●●ll-hereto, it doth behoove  
Thee well to weigh whither against these things  
He any Antidote sufficient brings.  
Lord cause my Soul to understand and know,  
What to such fears and cares thou dost us show.   Chr. 

Dear Soul, consider me, life up thine eye  
From what's about thee there, and see what I  
Am, and have done for thee, and then mind well,  
What to assure thee of welfare I tell.   

I am the WONDERFUL, and wondrous things  
I have effected whereof the World rings:  
Such as none else besided the i●, 〈…〉  
Both God and Man hypostatically  
Or in one person. The Immanuel.  
God so in me, as in none else doth dwell.  
Such things I've done and do as none else did,  
My worth and name, though much d●● ar'd, is hid,  
So that it cannot all seen or known be,  
None but my Father fully knoweth the.   

I am the Counsellor, with me is skill,  
And Wisdom how to manage what I will.  
I know what things have been, what are and shall  
Hereafter unto any man befall.  
I know thy mould and temper, what thou art  
And what thou want'st, whither what's sweet, or tart  
Be better for thee, what is in thy mind:  
And wherein thou felicity mayst find.  
What or who are against thee, who befriend thee,  
What may endanger thee, and what may mend thee.  
How Harm thou may'st incur; and how avoid it,  
What this or that would be if thou enjoyed it.  
There's nothing hid from me! I, I can tell  
How to dispose of Thee, and thy things well.  
And I'm so good and faithful that nothing  
I will advise Thee but what good may bring.   

I am the MIGHTY GOD, all power I have  
To order and dispose, to kill or save.  
None greater is than I, because in me  
All fullness of the Godhead dwells, and he  
With all his power and glory doth me fill  
So that I can do what soer'e I will.  
My Father's will is mine, and mine is his,  
But one will only in us both there is.  
And I can execute it all with ease,  
Because I can do whatsoever I please  
All power in Heaven and upon earth is mine,  
I can make all things together combine  
To bring about my purpose. Angels, men,  
Yea and infernal spirits I can, when  
And as I please, make use of and employ,  
To bring about thy sorrow or thy joy.   

For I'm th' ALMIGHTY GOD, and I can do  
Whatever I do purpose, there is no  
Thing to be done, or word that I do say  
But I can do it too: and in what way  
I please; whither with many or with few,  
With means or without means. I can renew,  
The heart though it be foul; 〈◊〉 and rain:  
And I can raise thy ●●dy up again,  
When dead and turned to dust and rottenness,  
I can do all things: my power is boundless.   

And I'm the LORD of Hosts, all things below 〈◊〉  
Be put, and do their best obedience own me.  
All that my Father hath is mine; and I  
Invested am with full authority  
Over all things, the earth is mine and all  
That is therein; and I can for them call:  
And use them and employ them as I will,  
Even the whole World, what heaven, Earth and Seas fill.   

And I the Everlasting Father am,  
Though as a Child into the World I came:  
Born of a Woman, given a Son to be  
To mankind ● comfort unto them and Thee  
That I might bring; yet from Eternity  
I was brought forth, and lived in great Glory.  
Yea on me now the Government, as made  
A Child and Son for man, is wholly laid.  
And both for ancientness, wisdom and care,  
To see and to provide for thy welfate,  
I may a Father from of old be styled,  
And Thou on me depend master as a Child.   

For I'm the Faithful God, th' Amen am  
Who never fails my friend, not tell a :  
But speak in righteousness, and am upright,  
And Truth, and Uprightness are my delight,  
Falsehood and lies, I perfectly do hate,  
Deceit and wickedness abominate.  
There's nothing wreathed or perverse from Me.  
No guile defiles my heart, no flattene  
Proceedeth from my lips; what 〈◊〉 I say,  
For just and true all men believe it may.  
I'm full of goodness and of mercy too;  
I'm Love itself, and all in Love I do.  
To those that listen to me all my ways,  
Are Truth and Mercy, every one doth praise  
Me, and my works, and do who me know;  
And all my Saints my worthiness do show.   

For I'm the PRINCE of PFACE too, by my blood  
I took away what against mankind stood.  
To keep him out from God, fin, law and death:  
And I create Peace by my holy Breath.  
What ever is man's trouble or his sear,  
If he'll obey me, I his heart will cheer.  
I will dispel his dumps, errors, mistakes,  
And what annoys; my powerful word it makes  
Peace and gives quiet. I the floods control:  
And I with goodness satisfy the Soul.   

My works declare my Name, they clearly show  
My wisdom, Greatness, Goodness; that I'm true  
And kind, and loving. See what I for Thee  
And all have done. Let my works speak for me.   

I for man's sake, and for thy cause came down  
From Heaven, laid by my Royal R●bes and Crown;  
Was made a man, yea poor and full of grief:  
Sustained your curse and death, that so relief  
To thee and mankind I thereby might bring,  
Oh many griefs and agonies did wring,  
And pierce my Spotless soul I passed through  
Many temptations: way both smooth and rough.  
To Grave, and Hell; that so I might obtain,  
Freedom there from for you● I risen again,  
And up to Heaven ascended, there to be  
With and from God a SAVIOUR unto Thee.  
There I appear for the an HIGHPRIEST great,  
To intercede for mercy, and entreat  
God's favour towards thee, thy sins to cover,  
And to obtain that God may pass them over.  
A Merciful Highpriest who mercy can,  
Show forth and exercise to sinful man  
Tender his weakness, and conpassionate  
Those that are in a poor afflicted State.  
Yea I did therefore suffer, and did prove  
Many temptations is it did behoove;  
That so the tempted and the miserable  
To secure and relieve I might be a●le.  
All which of my mere merey did proceed;  
For of mankind I had at all no need.  
By which means seeing I the conquest 〈◊〉,  
O'er death and hell, and overthrew the plot  
Of the old Serpent subde and crafty,  
Let those my do of me testify.  
They show my love, my power, and wisdom too;  
And they my faithfumesses and truth do show.  
Would I have 〈◊〉 in any thing I say  
Sure it would there have been wherein there lay  
So many diffi●●●●ties in my way.  
Behold me then, dear Soul, and duty mind  
What I am and have done, and thou ●halt find  
Encouragement enough against these things  
Which do occasion those my wavering●.   

Why dost thou 〈◊〉 or care for things below;  
Seeing thy wants and dangers all I 〈◊〉  
And I can any thing on thee best●●●?  
What if men should thee hate and 〈◊〉  
And band themselves against thee 〈◊〉 I  
Secure thee from all harm that may befall  
To thee or thine from any of them 〈…〉  
Are they not in my hands ● their 〈◊〉 hears;  
I can dispose and order, all their part,  
And power, and time, and breath are in my hand,  
And I can that of 〈◊〉 way the●● command,  
And If thou mindst ●●y love, thou mayst be sure,  
That in obeying me 〈◊〉 thee 〈◊〉  
From what may harm thee although, because I  
Alwise am, I shall thy security  
And safety in such manner prosecute  
As may best with thy after we sare suit,  
In which, because tho● childish art, or blind,  
Or foolish, and canst not in thy wear mind  
Discern or comprehend my ways, or see  
The method of my walkings towards thee;  
Nor canst well judge what may be for the best,  
And that the rather because in thy b●est,  
Lust bears so great a sway (which covereth,  
After those things that ●●nd unto thy death.  
Shrinking away from that wherein thou mayst  
Find more felicity) if then thou stayest,  
Thyself upon me, and on me silly  
Plucking quite out and casting by that eye,  
(Though thy right eye which seeing things amiss,  
Moves thee to stumble at my ways, in this  
Or that thing which I order; and suspect  
That I do not things for the best effect,  
Thou shalt do wisely. And thou may'st, me trust  
With thee and thine 〈◊〉 since I am just  
And righteous: and sind● I love thee too,  
And being to order thing to thy best good,  
As may in what in said; be understand.   

If thy ways please 〈◊〉, I thine enemies  
Can and will make thee to befriend their eyes  
Shall towards thee be good, thee for to spare,  
For their affections too in my hounds art,  
If great men hate thee, I can safely hid  
Thee from their malio●. I can curb their pride,  
Or break their power, or take away their breath,  
Or thee from them (for by such ways I Death  
Make mine befriend) or else I can divert,  
Their enterpriser (as when Saul begird  
Poor David, I the Philistines, did send,  
To find Saul other work, and so befriend  
My persecuted Servant) or I can,  
(And often ime● I do) the wrath o● of man  
Turn to my praise, and that that doth remain,  
Beyond what may me praise I can restram.   

See how the Sparrows though of value small  
Among the Birds of prey do live: ●●one fall,  
No not one of them, to the ground, 〈◊〉 by  
My Father's pleasure, though they often 〈◊〉  
In midst of dangers If my Father hath  
Such care of sparrows where is then thy saith  
To crossed me with thy safety, and him who  
Doth value and esteem of mankind so:  
As all the Birds and Beast's too never were  
As what ●suff'red for you makes appear?   

Trust me then with thy safety; verily,  
Except I see it good thou shalt not die;  
Or suffer by the hands of men, I will  
Be shield end Buckler to thee ● and thee still  
Will hid and 〈◊〉 so that though men fret  
And do themselves also against thee ser;  
They shall not harm thee. But if, I do 〈◊〉  
That it will for thy good be, that I thee  
Deliver up into their hands to 〈◊〉  
Imptison, banish, take away th● right;  
Or kill thy body, do thou them not fea●,  
For all their malice shall be ended there.  
For more they cannot do then kill the 〈◊〉:  
And when that's done I'll raise it up 〈◊〉,  
And seeing I so love thee, thou may'st know  
For certain that if me thou dost follow,  
I will not let them ●ill 〈◊〉, except  
Do see I may advantage thee thereby.  
For such my power is, that even Death and Hell,  
And all their torment I can easily ●●●ll;  
Make them ser●● my design those to advance,  
To glory who are my inheritance.   

Fear nothing therefore of what may befall thee  
But yield thyself and go where ere I call thee,  
And do my service cheatfully, with Thee  
I, I thy Saviour evermore will be  
I that Almighty am and can descend thee,  
I that do love thee well will succour send thee.  
Thou shalt not be alone, I will not leave thee.  
I will go with thee and will not deceive thee.  
I'll strengthen thee to bear what shall befall thee;  
I'll thee support and ●●ear, where ere I call thee.  
In all afflictions my love that's better  
Than wine thou shalt razed of. I that am greater  
Than all against thee will in my arms bear thee:  
And mitigate the sense of what may dear thee.  
I gave myself for thee, and grief sustained;  
A bitter death I bore in love unfeigned  
For thee and for thy sake, fear not to give  
Thy life and body to me, as I live  
I'll take the care of them. I will thee cherish,  
And no hair of thy head shall from thee perish.  
In life and death I will be faithful to thee:  
And notwithstanding Death ●onor I'll do thee.  
I'll make thy sufferings bearable and sweet;  
And with my good spirit thou shalt surely meet,  
If I into deep waters do thee lead,  
I will go with thee and bear up thy head,  
So as they shall not overflow, or drown thee,  
No though they should not every side surround the●  
Into the fire if I do lead thee, yet  
No damage thou from its fierce flames shalt get.  
For I'll safe keep thee, bear thee in my arms;  
And I'll secure thy soul from all ill harms.  
Fear none of those things then that unto thee  
By Satan or his Servants done may be.  
Though into prison they ten days thee cast,  
And there with chains of Iron make thee fast:  
I will be with thee there, and bring thee out;  
Be confident of me, my love don't doubt.  
Be faithful unto me, and I will give  
A Crown of life to thee: and thou shalt live.   

And as for other things why shouldst thou care.  
Seeing my Father for thee did not spare  
To give me up to Death, and gives me too  
To be thy Head and portion? How canst thou  
Suspect or fear that any thing He will  
Withold from thee that's good. No. He will fill  
Thy cup, with what's who some for thee to drink,  
If thou away from my words dost not shrink.  
All things are mine, and what I have shall be  
Thine: and I'll give of them what's good for thee.  
The Earth with all its fullness mine is: and  
Subject they be to my will and command:  
And all that's mine, is the Irs who are in me,  
And I will thereout to their welfare see.   

Why take'st thou care for meat or drink? Behold  
The Birds of Heaven (though more than may be cold)  
They neither plough, nor ●o●e, not reap, nor get  
Laid up in Storehouses provisions, yet  
My Father doth for each of them provide,  
So that in hardest 〈◊〉 they wide.  
And canst thou fear that he with thee neglect,  
Since unto man he hath showed such respect,  
As far surpasses all the care he hath,  
Of Birds and Beasts. Oh thou of ●●tle saith!   

And why for raiment ●●●'st thou thought, as fearing  
God will not give thee clothes fit for thy wearing  
Behold the Lilies or the Tulips fine,  
How bravely they be coloured, how they shine,  
Though they do neither ●oy●, nor spin, not do  
Any thing which their clothing tends unto;  
Yet they so gallantly assayed are,  
That Solomon himself they cutted 〈◊〉  
In bravery: though he for Ornament,  
And Royal garments was most ominent:  
As having Gold and Silver, precious stones,  
And whatsoever they that sit on Thrones  
Do highly prize and porgeously array!  
Themselves with, their height and worth to display:  
And canst thou be so faithless as to fear.  
That God will not vouchsafe thee clothes to wear;  
If thou dost yield thyself to serve him, and  
Be'st ready to obey my just command?  
Seeing those fairest flowers be nought but grass,  
Whose form and beauty soon away doth pass;  
And though to day they flourish, yet to morrow  
They're burnt i'th' Oven, or whither in their furrow.  
Whereas He Thee, and Mankind, so doth prize,  
As cannot be declared in any wise.   

Take thou no thought therefore for those things: but  
For them and all things thy trust in me put:  
And first God's Kingdom and his right coufness  
Seek after; and be sure He will thee bless.  
And all things for this life, as them for thee  
He seethe meet administered shall be.  
It's not thy way first to seek other things  
And afterwards me, that confusion brings,  
And many mischiefs to those who so do;  
And much pro●●●es me and my Father t  
To just displeasure: because foolishly  
They undervalue things that are so high  
Yea and what can be more preposterous,  
Then that men do themselves disorder thus  
Shall not the better things be prized most,  
And greatest care be had they be not lost?  
What shall some poor and for●y painted cloth,  
Which is grown old and eaten with the moth,  
Be so esteemed, as the chiefest care,  
When the house is on fire, shall be to spare  
It from the burning while in the mean time,  
For want of care upon the house to climb,  
And quench the fire that's breaking out in't all,  
The stately building likely is to fall,  
And be consumed? especially when too,  
In case the liouse be safe, the fire can do  
No hurt unto the paited cloth ovithin;  
Or were it lost, one might much sooner spin  
Or buy a better cloth and with less cost,  
Then to rebuild the house if that be lost.  
Is not my love and 〈◊〉 better ●●rn  
Then all the best enjoyments on earth are:  
I happy make the soul that doth me find:  
I fill their 〈◊〉 fures; satisfy their mind,  
Who me embrace. I give them lengch of days;  
Eternal life, pert is in all my ways.  
Riches and honours, pleas●●● sweet and true,  
And lasting they shall have whom I renew.  
All things thou canstsdefire are far below  
Me and what I on my lovers bestow.  
Fullness of joy they shall enjoy who come,  
To be inheritors of my Kingdom.  
Rivers of pleasures shall them satisfy,  
At my Father's right hand 〈◊〉.  
Whereas wives, hono●●●s, pleasures, friends, riches:  
And what the world can give, men may possess  
And yet be miserable, they may die  
Soon, and go down to hell for wretchedly.  
Live if they live, so as small joy they shall  
Have, much less what 〈◊〉 satisfy, from all  
Those their enjoyments: foe of times some moth  
Or worm breeds in those earthly things which doth  
Eat out the pleasure; or fill with such grief,  
As there against no earthly thing relief  
Can give, and at the bestin D●●th they fail,  
And in the dread full judgement nought avail,   

Beside, we cannot take it well, to see  
Our love so slighted. He is not of me  
Worthy, who will not all things else forsake  
For love of me: Seeing that I to make  
Him safe and happy, all forsook that I  
Enjoyed with my Father in glory.  
And I alone the man that doth me take,  
Do so enrich, that I him happy make  
Noting with me may be compared. Beside  
This very often hath been proved when tried,  
That while men other things use to prefer  
Before me and my grace, and so defer  
Till those things they have got, to seek for me  
With those things they prefer, their hearts so be  
Besotted, and ●●●ar'd; that afterward  
They never find in their hearts to have regard,  
Unto my words to seek me seriously,  
But vainly spend their days until they die.   

And 'tis a just reward from God, that they  
Who me so ●●ght, as that they won't obey  
My counsels, but do hearden their own heart,  
Should hardened be so as ne'er to convert  
But fall into destruction, though so full  
Of mercy is my Father, as to pull  
Sometimes such men too out of those their snares  
And dangers Which their foolish lusts and cares,  
Run them into, because no pleasure He  
Doth take that wicked men destroyed should be:  
But it's a dangerous presumption  
To slight his grace when offered, upon  
A thought uncertain that they after may  
And will do better on some after-day.  
How often is it found that God justly  
Doth give such over to believe a ,  
And always to presume that afterward,  
To morrow and to morrow they'll regard,  
And turn to him; but never that time find,  
In which they seriously do set their mind.  
To seek him till Death suddenly them take,  
From hence, and then in hell their beds they make.   Min. 

It is the nature too of lust in men  
As often times it hath been proved, that when  
It gets its head into men's hearts, Its tail  
It draws in after, and doth so prevail,  
That when in one thing its fulfilled, it brings  
Other new lusts forth: and as 'ttwere by strings,  
Draws on a whole throng one after another,  
Till all desires of good they wholly, smother;  
Choking the seed was sown, that never it  
Takes root or perfect fruit doth  beget,  
He that now wants a wife and must her have  
Before he can attend on God and crave,  
And seek his Kingdom and his righteousness,  
Thinking could He that one desire gossel  
He nothing else should want; but be at ●easure  
To seek the Lord, and in his wans ta●e pleasure.  
But when on such accounts He God neglects  
And more the getting of a Wife resnects,  
If (as sometimes it doth fall out) his life,  
Be not first gone before He gets his Wife  
But he obtains his wish: yet many things  
He then wants not foresee, with her she brings  
A many other wants or  desires,  
Now she his company and heart requrires;  
Now he her will must sarisfie; his pleasure  
With her must take, so that he, hath no leisure  
Now left to seek the Lord; on her to wait  
And her to hu on it sit and char or prate  
With her he must, or else go walk or ride:  
Go build her a fair house maintain her pride;  
This thing to alter, or that thing to mend,  
In Gardning, Planting building his time spend.  
Take care he may maintain her in good fashion:  
Take heed he put her not into a passion,  
By taking of such courses God to find,  
As cross her principles, disturb her mind:  
He must think how to live; his Family  
Provide for: Children get and multiply;  
So bring them up and get such means for them  
As credit they may have, none them contemn.  
So that he who would not attend before  
To seek and walk with God, hath now much more  
To keep him back: and thinkd he may excuse  
Himself when bidden, and the feast refuse,  
Whereto God calls him. He may stay at home,  
Send word, I have a wife, I cannot come.  
As if he badly might obey the call,  
Before: but now he cannot come at all.   

So 'tis with women too; if they cannot  
Mind to seek God till they have husbands got;  
Conceiting than they shall be better fit,  
The knowledge of the Lord to seek and get.  
They do deceive themselves, for when they have  
An husband, than his consent they must crave;  
They must seek him to please and not offend.  
This for him they must make; and that thing mend.  
Do nothing that may not 〈◊〉 with his mind,  
For fear they make him unto them unkind:  
Unless (as 'tis sometimes the Woman's guise)  
Thinking themselves for their Husbands too wise.  
They scorn to be ruled by them. Strive to get  
The Mastership as for them far more fit.  
They must conceive in ●o●●ows, and bring forth  
With pain and anguish, such as oft woe worth  
Those pleasures brought those pains they haply cry.  
Yea, many things they need to make or buy  
Before the Birth-time, have many 〈◊〉 bo●●ts,  
Bufie themselves to make their Children Clouts,  
Trim up their houses, after nurse their young,  
Gossip sometimes their neighbours too among.  
Oft times conceive again; bring forth another,  
Before the former children can call Mother.  
That now less time they have to hear and mind  
The Word of God, and seek his grace to find,  
Then formerly, and such things doubtless made  
Th' Apostle to advise such as were stayed  
And could contain themselves, rather t'abide  
In single life than change their state and bride.   

So likewise when a man must riches get,  
Before he can in serious manner set  
His heart to seek the Lord; he either never  
Attains to riches, though he them endeavour,  
(At least to what he riches thinks and calls)  
Or if he doth, yet usually he falls.  
Into so many snares, and foolish lusts,  
By them, while secretly in them he trusts,  
And makes then as his Gods, and takes delight  
To have them often in his thoughts or sight;  
Or is so filled with cares how them to keep,  
Or fears of losing them that oft his sleep  
He thereby breaks; and fills his Head and heart,  
With many cumbring thoughts and pa●●ful smart  
He must when rich now all things else provide  
Suitable to his state. He now must ride  
On a well m●●●ed Steed, must at his hand  
Have one or two to be at his command.  
He must enlarge his house, or it new build,  
And garnish; all thing both in house and field  
Must be in form and figure. He must get  
Acquaintance with such persons as be fit  
For his now better company; and them  
He then must humour, lest they him contemn.  
He must now keep such correspondency  
With greater persons, as he may thereby  
Some reputation in the world obtain,  
He must take heed of too godly a strain.  
Lest he thereby his riches should neglect,  
Or purchase with the World some disresnect.  
Yea riches fills his head, his heart, his hands,  
With so much caercise; oft as it stands  
Not with a serious giving up his mind,  
To seek to know the Lord and him to find;  
Or in the knowledge of him rightly walk,  
For his estate to save he oft must balk,  
Such uprightness as grace would lead him to,  
And make such shifts as bring his overthrow  
His house, his landy or living now doth bind,  
Him so unto the earthy his heart so wind;  
Into the love of them that very oft  
He is away from God for ever caught.  
So that while men do think to mend the matter,  
And make their cases better, they but flatter  
Themselves with vain pretences; and will find  
That they have much mistaken in their mind:  
And what they thought, were they but pleased there  
Would further them, doth now a let appear.   Chr 

There was a certain rich man who had ground  
The fruits whereof, when grown, did so abound,  
That he far more than for the present year  
Provided was: yet did not his heart there,  
Find such content as that with thankfulness,  
To God because his Grounds he did so bless  
Receiving what was sent: and laying by  
What thereof might be fit for his supply  
He what beyond his room for it was more,  
With cheerfulness divided to the poor.  
And gave himself on God's word to attend,  
And so receive as his life to mend.  
And yield himself to serve the Lord: nor sought  
How he unto his Kingdom might be brought.  
But on the contrary, finding that he  
Should want some room wherein his fruits might be  
All stored up; perplered was in mind,  
How room sufficient for them all to find,  
And after many thoughts thereof at last,  
Thus for his satisfaction he forecast.  
I'll pull my Barns down, thinks he; and I'll build,  
Far bigger up: where what my lands do vield  
I'll treasure up in safety, and though 'twill  
Take up some time this purpose to fulfil,  
And put me to some cost and trouble; yet  
When that is over, I this fruit shall get.  
I'll then compose myself to rest and ease,  
Eat, drink, be merry; and so I will please,  
My soul for all its troubles. I will say,  
Soul thou hast goods laid up for many a day;  
Nay here's enough to serve thee many a year,  
Thou mayst all further care and toil forbear;  
No fear of want: but in the mean time, lo  
A voice from God came this rich man unto,  
Which thus bespeaks him. Ah thou silly fool,  
Thou shalt not live another day, thy soul  
(For which thou only hast provided here,  
Upon the earth, and nought in heaven where  
Wise men for it provide) this night shall be  
By my grim messengers required of thee.  
And than who shall all those thy fruits possess,  
With thoughts whereof thou dost thy soul so bless.  
And with the cares whereof thou now thy soul,  
So exercisest like a silly fool.  
And such a fool is every one who makes,  
Much of the creature and the Lord forsakes.  
For what advantage can it be unto,  
The soul when it its body shall forego,  
That it had Wife or Husband, House, or Land,  
Riches, Honours, or pleasures at command,  
Yea Crowns and Sceptres while the body it  
Inlive'ned! Oh what profit will it get  
From any or from all those things when in  
The depths of Hell oppressed with its sin  
It shall have its abode? can they relieve  
Its misery, when it shall mourn and grieve  
And wail its folly? No alas! too gross  
For it a Spirit they are; its sad great loss  
Of me and of my favour cannot be  
Made up by any thing it here could see.  
For than no drop of comfort can it have  
How ever earnestly it may it crave.  
This that thou may'st the better see, mind well  
Another true story that I shall tell.   

There was a certain rich and wealthy man  
Who fared deliciously each day that ran  
Over his head: was clothed with the best  
And finest silks and linens; wherewith dressed  
he glittered bravely, and all things he had,  
Which this world could afford to make him glad.  
There also was a poor and piteous man  
Called Lazarus, a Cripple, lean and wan  
And full of sores, who used to resort  
To th' rich man's door, and beg for some comfort,  
His hungerstarved body to relieve:  
But the hard hearted Churl would little give.  
His dogs more kind, than he, would very oft  
His sores lick gently Death at length hence caught  
Poor Lazarus, whom Angels did attend,  
To guard his soul from every evil Fiend.  
And carred him to Heaven, where he did rest,  
With great content in Father Abraham's breast.  
Soon after it came toth' rich man's turn to die.  
And leave the world, for no satiety  
And fullness of this world could always keep  
Him here alive; but the black dismal sleep  
Of Death surprised him: when a quiet end  
He seemed to have, circled with many a friend,  
Amending on him till his life did fail,  
When they did seem his death much to bewail.  
Although his heirs were glad enough at heart,  
That they might share to each of them a part  
Of those vast heaps which he had laid in store  
For after times, and witheld from the poor:  
From all which now they bear him to the grave,  
Where rich and poor like entertainment have.  
Save that they on his Funeral bestowed  
More cost and worship: and his greatness showed  
On a more stately Tomb or Monument,  
Whereon they engraved his name, to the intent  
It might not be forgot, but before then,  
His wretched Soul was hurried to the Den  
Of damned Spirits: even to the pit of Hell,  
Where what his torments were what tongue can tell?  
This wretched man stripped of his pomp and state,  
And all his riches which he had of late.  
Lay then in flames of fire, tormented sore  
Because he had abused his wealth before  
Spent it on's lusts, relieved not the poor.  
Had slighted God, his truth and grace contemned:  
Therefore to torments he was there condemned.  
Where not one drop of water could he get,  
Whereby he might allay the burning heat  
Wherein his wretched tongue, that used to boast  
Great things, blaspheme God, curse the poor, did roast  
And fry in flames, which caused him to cry  
And howl, and roar, and yell most hideously.  
When lifting up his woeful eyes aloft,  
He ' spied that poor Lazarus (whom oft,  
He had disdained to behold before  
When he lay lame, and begging at his door)  
In Abraham's bosom full of peace and joy,  
Disturbed with nothing, that might him annoy.  
Then calling out to Abraham he did cry:  
Oh Father Abraham hither turn thine eye  
For I was of thine offspring; and from thee  
And thy blessed stock derived my pedigree.  
Father show forth thy pity now, behold!  
I lie in torments here that can't be told.  
My Soul is on a flame with scorching wrath,  
Nothing in it now ease or quiet hath.  
That tongue wherewith it secretly did speak,  
More wickedness than ever forth did break  
From out my body's lips, see how it fries,  
And flames, tormented in these miseries.  
Dear Father Abraham even for the sake  
Of those thy bowels whence I issued, take  
Some pity on thy child, and Lazarus  
Send from thee, to help me, tormented thus.  
Oh let him but one drop of water fetch,  
One drop of comfort me to ease poor wretch!  
Oh might he but the very end and tip,  
Of one poor finger in cold water dip,  
And to the tip of my scorched tongue apply,  
Which flames of fiery wrath do wondrously  
Afflict with sharpest pains; 'twould mitigate,  
Somewhat these woeful torments, 'twould abate  
My heat a little. Oh dear Father send,  
That Beggar hither me now to befriend.   

To whom that good old Patriarch replied,  
Ah Son (for that thou wast so 'tis not denied)  
Remember how thou didst thyself abuse,  
In thy life time; and Gods good gifts misuse.  
When this poor man lay begging at thy doors,  
Unpitied by thee, hungry, full of sores.  
Thou hadst enough wherewith to have relieved  
His penury then, yea therefore thou received  
God's gifts of bounty, but thou lettest him lie  
Neglected then, thou scornd'st his poverty.  
Now therefore he with me doth rest possess:  
And thou hast torments now without redress.  
Yea now a gulf is fixed twixt us and thee,  
So that though we each others state may see  
We cannot change them; so as that we may,  
Pass hence to you your torments to allay,  
Nor can you come to us, us to molest,  
Or take part with us in our endless rest.  
We joys have whereof you may not partake,  
You endless burn which we may not slake.  
Your riches now have end, your pleasure's past,  
Your torments and your miseries shall last.   

Learn hence that; 'tis not riches nor great State,  
Nor any fleshly privilege will bate,  
Nor yet preserve from endless misery,  
Those persons who in sin do live and die:  
Who me neglecting and my gifts abusing,  
And my now proffered grace and love refusing,  
Prefer their lusts and riches thereunto,  
And in vain worldly ways do choose to go.  
All their now present enjoyments shall fail them:  
And after death none of them shall avail them.   

Be now advised by me, Dear Soul, therefore  
If thou wouldst happy be for evermore.  
Seek first Gods Kingdom and his righteousness.  
So shalt thou have them and therein Gods bless.  
Accept my proffered love: embrace my grace;  
When I say seek the Lord, seek thou my face.  
Get wisdom; get true knowledge in thy heart,  
Receive my words, and let them not departed  
Out of thy heart and mind, but let them lie,  
Between thy tender breasts continually.  
Then other things as they will lead thee, thou  
May'st better look for and shalt find them too.   

It is but reason that I do propoud:  
No better course can for thy good be found.  
For if thou seekest first the world, or what  
Of it thou likest; before thou hast got  
That which thou seekest thou may'st chance to die  
And perish from my presence endlessly.  
As in the former parable even now,  
I did for admonition to thee show.  
But if thou hast me first thou happy art,  
When or however thou dost hence departed,  
Yea and I power have every other thing  
As I see good for thee to pass to bring.  
If Husband, Wife, or friends or riches I  
Do see thee want, I can thy want supply.  
They're all at my dispose, thy way lies fair,  
If thou'lt be rich be married to the heir.  
All things are theirs who have me theirs to be  
They heirs of all are by virtue of me.  
Men,, Angels, Paul, Apollo. and Ceuhas,  
World, life, Death, things that are, and what to pass  
Shall come hereafter though 'tis in my dispose  
And they may not take any thing of those  
But as I give it them, even as an heir,  
To some great Lord though under Age and bare  
As to his own possession, yet hath all  
In's Guardians dispose, and he may call  
Or ask for what he wants, but he must have  
His Guardians grant for that which he doth crave.  
And may not take but what he will allow,  
Who being wise and's Father well doth know  
His Child's desires and needs, and confident,  
The Child may be of's Father's good intent.  
In all he doth, and that he will supply  
Him with what's good in his necessity;  
And give what he doth ask: or else what he,  
As wiser than the Child, doth better see.  
So that the child may well himself submit  
Unto his Father's will, judging what's fit  
For him he'll give him and nothing deny  
(If pleased with him) that good is in his eye.  
Such is the case between my Father and  
Those that me loving obey my command.  
Or as the Wife who from the Dunghill base,  
Nought having of her own, if by the grace,  
And special favour of some Prince she's took  
Into the bond of marriage, well may look  
On his estate as hers especially  
If he a jointure hath her made whereby  
He hath her interessed in it all  
And may it thenceforth also hers well call  
And thence expect to be maintained too  
And have her wants supplied all; although  
Her Lord do its dispose keep in his hand  
And will have her depend on his command  
For the receipt of all supplies, and not  
Turn out his Tenants, take away their Lot  
Or rights therein; and do here pleasure; but  
Go to him for allowance, to him put  
The ordering of her maintenance, even so  
An interest thou shalt in mine have, though  
I the dispose keep in my hand, and thou  
Must come to me for what I will allow;  
Resign thy will up unto mine, and pray  
Thy will be done, Give me Lord day by day  
What needful is, and there's no cause to fear  
I will thy needs regard; thy prayers I'll hear.  
I'll give thee what is meet, do but thou me,  
Embrace and follow and then thou shalt see  
I will be thy good Lord; a husband loving  
That will deny thee nothing that's behoving.   

May'st thou not trust me, seeing I did give  
My very lise for thee, that thou mightst live  
And when thou wast of me most ignorant  
And didst not love me, I to thee did grant  
The knowledge of me, canst thou think that I  
Can any thing that's good for thee deny  
When thou to me art reconciled, and  
Espoused too? surely that cannot stand  
With my good honour. Nor think thou it will  
Be any hindrance to Thee to fulfil,  
My good advice and pleasure, it will be  
A very great advantage unto thee,   

Like as if some poor woman would have all:  
Her wants supplied: should a rich man call  
Her to him and make tender to espouse her,  
Unto him for a wife, and with him house her;  
Can her accepting him an hindrance be,  
To the supplies of her necessity?  
Nay were't not the best way them to obtain,  
Far better than with Vagabonds and vain  
Poor Rascals herself to associate  
Thinking by them to get a good estate?  
Even so thy seeking first my Kingdom and  
My righteousness, will excellently stand.  
With thy best having other wants supplied  
For I am rich in grace, and on thy side  
I then shall stand, and give thee what is best  
For thy enjoyment, that thou mayst be blest  
I wise am too, and better understand,  
Then thou thyself dost what in Sea or Land  
May be best for thee, and I power have too  
What ere I see best for thee that to do.  
Doth not that child do better who doth take  
His Father to be with him and to make  
Cho●se of a Hat or suir, then for to go  
Without his Father and his own will do?  
Especially if he be weak and childish,  
Or led away by vain men being wildish;  
Or have to do with cheats who will a prey,  
Make of him and get from him what they may  
But hath a Father loving, wise and willing  
To choose the best for him and for his shilling?  
Such is thy case here, for I have more skill,  
To know what's for th● good or bad; what will  
The consequent of this or that thing prove,  
And as I oft have said I do thee love.  
Whereas thou led by blind affection, art  
In danger to run upon thine own smart:  
And this most wicked world is false and double,  
And where it pleasure promiseth gives trouble.   

WISDOM with an Inheritance is good,  
But an Inheritance not understood  
Or without wisdom, proves the hurt and harm  
Of him that hath it and of times doth charm  
Him into snares and troubles which undo him,  
While into divers noisome lusts they throw him.   

Besides all things remain in my dispose,  
Wither thou dost with me or dost not close.  
Thy folly may thyself endamage, but  
It hurts not me, nor possibly can put  
Me our of my possession, thererefore I  
Can and may justly, if thou me deny,  
Give or deny thee what thou dost prefer,  
Before me and my love in mine anger  
To be a snare, and by what thou dost choose  
Can punish thee, because thou dost refuse  
My guidance and my blessing, as I did  
The Israelites, who oft times with me chid,  
And would have meat their lusts to satisfy,  
I gave it them, and punished them thereby.  
And when a King they would from me extort,  
Against my mind after the Heathen sort:  
A King unto them in my wrath I sent,  
To be unto them for a punishment.   

Alas! I can thee blast in thy enjoyments,  
And curse thee in thy ways and thy employments,  
If thou neglecting me thine heart dost set,  
Upon the things below how them to get.  
I can give thee a wife may make thee poor,  
A sickly, costly wife, an arrant whore.  
If thou for beauty choose preferring that  
Before my grace, I can give one shall hate  
Thee, and herself to others prostitute,  
There's many a Crab that looks like pleasant fruit.  
I can an husband give if one thou'lt have  
Without me, that shall prove a very knave.  
Riches with snares, vexations suits and trouble,  
Or pleasures mixed with griefs and forrows double.  
I can give children, if thou must them have  
That may, as Rachel's, bring thee to thy grave.  
And I can give those things in mercy too  
And unto them that fear me, often do.  
Or if I do those things deny unto them,  
By those denials greater good I do them.  
For it is in my power to blast or bless,  
I can do what I will be't more or less.   

Yea if all things thou hast to thy desire,  
And hast not me, they'll fit thee more for fire:  
Even for that endless misery which shall,  
On all such as rebel against me fall.  
And therefore it's thy best to follow me,  
Walking in my good paths, for so I thee  
Will care for, and will guide in all thy ways,  
To do the thing which shall tend to my praise  
And to thy profit. I to thee will give  
What shall be for thy good while thou dost live;  
And fit thee for the world to come also  
That into life eternal thou mayst go   

Seek then my favour first, to Godliness  
Addict thyself: for that the promises  
Of both lives hath, both this and that to come;  
So that thou may'st most certainly me from  
Expect all good for both: Be thou upright  
I'll be thy Sun and Shield. I'll give thee Light  
And I'll defend thee too. I'll cheer and warm thee  
And keep thee in my ways from what might harm thee  
Both grace and glory I will give, nothing  
Shall be withholden from thee; that may bring  
Advantage to thee; and conduce unto  
Thy having that great bless to which I woe.  
Give up thyself to me, and so I will  
Thy wishes and thy prayers all fulfil,  
So far as is good for thee; and nought shall  
That may be prejudicial thee befall.  
If with bad Wife or Husband I thee try,  
Ill Neighbours, losses, or with poverty,  
I'll turn those waters of afflictions too  
Into the Wine of comfort. I will do  
All for thy good, thou shalt not need to fear  
That I will harm thee, if thou wilt me hear.  
Deny thyself and lusts, yield up to me,  
And my salvation thou shalt surely see.  
In stead of what thou lustest after I  
Will give thee what is good assuredly.  
Better a little with my love then more  
With my displeasure, hear thou me therefore,  
In me put all thy trust and do what's good,  
Thou then shalt surely have both house and food  
Delight thyself in me. I'll satisfy  
Thy soul with good; and all thy needs supply.  
Commit thy way to me, wholly depend  
Upon me and I'll always thee defend  
And bring thee to great glory in the end    

Canto VII. Or the closing Canto.  
I will say of the Lord, he is my Rock, my Fortress, my God, in him I will trust,  Ps. 91.2. 

The Soul approves what's said, yet adds  
Some other fears, and what yet sadd's,  
But in his answers Christ it glads.  
The difficulties in the way,  
How easily it may go astray,  
How its corruptions do it sway;  
These be its fears. But Christ replies  
What helps against all those fears lies,  
In him and what his grace supplies:  
The Soul prevailed with at the last  
Complies with Christ, on him doth cast  
Itself, and praises him full fast.  
Prays for his further favour, He  
Accepts it and most willingly,  
Receives it his Consort to be:  
Yet tells it that he must it try;  
That so He may it purify,  
Before the full solemnity.  
The Soul submits, only do'h pray  
His love and help in all his Way:  
And then to hast the Marriage day.   Soul. 

LORD I have heard thy words; and they be good  
So far as yet I have them understood.  
By which I also verily believe,  
That they much better be than I conceive.  
But there's another thought yet in my breast,  
Which hath me oft times with sad fears oppressed.  
The things which thou requirest and call'st me to  
Are very difficult for we to do  
The way is narrow, and I quickly may  
Step out of it aside, and go astray.  
Yea there so many false pretenders be,  
Which take thy name and come in stead of thee;  
And I so weak and foolish am, that I  
May easily be cheated with a ,  
And take it for thy truth. I hear the gate  
Which leadeth unto life is very strait.  
I must deny myself: mine own right eye,  
Where it offends pluck out and cast it by.  
Cut off my right hand, or right foot when they  
Prove an occasion that I go astray.  
Yea thou so pure and holy art, thou dost  
Require of me to part with every lust.  
A God thou art of eyes so clear and pure,  
That no iniquity thou canst endure.  
But on the other side I am so bad,  
That on my lusts and Idols oft I'm mad.  
My lasts do stick so to me that they are  
As dear or dearer than my life I care.  
Not it to hazard sometimes them to spare.  
I am so weak, I cannot go the way  
Wherein such difficulties find I may.  
Yea I am dead in sins, dead to all good  
How can I serve thee then against a flood  
Of violent assaults of sin and Devil,  
And world on all hands tempting me to evil?  
Thou sayest thou loving art, and just and wise,  
Wilt thou require impossibilities?   Chr. 

Be not discouraged Soul, though weak thou be  
And sinful too, there's help enough in me.  
Though strait the gate, though narrow be the way  
Fear not, for yet through me enter thou may.  
My power is seen in weakness, 'tis my praise  
Even sinful souls to save, the dead to raise.  
It is a true and faithful saying, and  
Worthy to be received on every hand  
That I into the world did therefore come,  
That I might sinners save; the chief of whom  
I oft have saved too, my glory lies  
In doing of impossibilities.  
Such things as be beyond the strength of man  
And Angels too, and none but I do can.  
For sinners and for dead men I did die,  
And over sin and death the victory  
I have obtained, and now I am become  
A quickening Spirit. I raise the dead, the dumb  
I make to speak, the deaf I make to hear,  
Blind men to see, the timorous not to fear.  
I am the chosen one, my God upheld me,  
In all my agonies: and now hath filled me,  
With all the fullness of the Spirit; which He  
Hath caused for evermore to rest on me.  
Because he hath appointed me, that I  
Should in his Sovereign Authority  
And power, unto the Gentiles (void of skill  
And judgement to discern and do his will)  
Judgement bring forth, and cause them to discern  
His excellencies, and his ways to learn:  
That all his pleasure I might do, and 'tis  
His will that my beholders I should bliss.  
That who submits to me should never perish;  
But I should evermore him love and cherish,  
Work all his works in and for him till I  
Make him complete, and save him perfectly.  
And I am faithful: I do never fail;  
I'm not faint hearted; nothing shall me quail.  
Nought me discourage which in him I find,  
Of death or weakness who my words doth mind  
Such a Physician I am as can cure  
The sickest patient, and can endure  
To bear their frowardness, for I am meek,  
And with all gentleness their welfare seek.  
I neither cry, nor lift up angry voice  
Against dull Scholars, but I do rejoice  
To take pains with them, them to teach and show  
My Doctrine, till I cause them it to know.  
The bruised Reed I break not, though it be  
Weak and unprofitable unto me,  
Nor quench the smoking wick or snast, but strive  
With all long-patience to keep it alive.  
I can the smoke and staunch of it endure  
Until I blow it up and do it cure.  
For power and meekness, skill and faithfulness  
None like to me there is, none in distress  
Or can so pity, or can so pass by  
What they discern may of iniquity.  
None is so blind as I that perfect am  
And who to open blind eyes hither came.  
I many things do see yet don't observe:  
'Tis not because I cannot see men swerve,  
(For I see all things perfectly what e'er  
They be: both good and bad to me are clear)  
But 'tis because I love them, and no mind  
Have causes of destruction for to find,  
In and against them, for should I with eye  
Too vigilant their many sins espy.  
Who then should stand before me, and avoid  
By my most heavy hand to be destroyed?  
Do but thou than yield up thyself to me  
I nothing else desire or seek of thee.  
Be but thou willing and obedient,  
And I shall therewith fully be content.  
I'll keep thee through all dangers in the way,  
I'll overcome in and for thee what may  
Thee hinder, or in danger thy perdition:  
I'll bring thee to a fully safe condition.  
Though the way narrow be, thou shalt not err  
I'll be thy guide therein, and I'll confer  
My Spirit, do but thou heed my commands;  
Keeping them he shall keep thee in his hands  
Yea in his arms shall carry thee. I'll show  
My truth to thee, and thou my ways shalt know.  
So as no false Christ's, or false Prophets shall  
Prevail to make thee e'er from me to fall.  
Be but upright in what I make thee see  
Not winking with thine eye, putting from thee,  
My heavenly light and truth made known away,  
And I will keep thee that thou shalt not stray.  
And though the gate be straight so as into it  
Thou canst not of thyself, though crowding, go, yet  
I'll so put forth my hand and pull thee to me,  
That there is nothing shall withhold thee from me;  
Remember what I said before, that I  
Came to save sinners. not only stand by  
And bid them save themselves: do but thou yield  
Thyself to me and I will win the field.  
I'll take away that greatness in conceit  
That makes thee for the gate of life too great.  
I'll circumcise thee, take away that mass  
Of flesh from thee, that will not let thee pass.  
I'll make thee such as through the gate thou shalt  
Most safely enter. Nor shall any fault  
Deprive thee of my Kingdom, for I will  
Not fail my Father's pleasure to fulfil.  
I'll pardon what is past, and I will make  
Thee for the future clean, thou shalt forsake  
Thy sins and Idols that so dear are to thee,  
And which if cleaved to will quite undo thee.  
If thou wilt hearken unto me there shall,  
No strange God be in thee, I'll rid them all  
Out of thee: those false thoughts which do so hold  
Thy soul in bondage, while I do unfold  
My truth and grace unto thee, I'll destroy,  
So that they shall not thee thenceforth annoy  
Or captivate, my truth shall make thee free,  
To leave thy sins, to follow after me.  
And if I set thee free thou shalt indeed,  
From what doth now embodage thee be freed.  
I'll soon subdue thy foes within thee that  
Do war against thy soul, and those that hate  
Both thee and me bring under, and I will  
With choicest bread thee feed; thy soul I'll fill  
With sweetest honey, wisdom thou shalt find  
More sweet by far then honey to thy mind;  
That I may make thee pleasing unto me,  
I'll wash thy stains and spots clean off from thee.  
I'll take the pains to make thy soul as white  
As snow or wool, as pure as is the light.  
Thou dost mistake thyself to think it shall  
Be left to thee and unto thy lot fall  
To bring thyself to Heaven, or to make clean  
Thy heart in thine own strength. I don't so mean.  
The difficulties in the work are mine  
I came to do them, do but thou incline,  
Unto my words thine ears, and yield to me,  
And thou with patience all well done shalt see.   

When I by Joshuah did my people lead  
Into the Land of promise, thou may'st read,  
How they were to pass over jordan's stood,  
When as above the banks the waters stood.  
Yet while my Priests who bore the Ark did but  
At my command into the waters put  
Their Feet-soles, by my power I made the flood  
Give way unto them as I thought it good  
So as before them that great stream became,  
Dry land, so that most safely through the same  
My people marched over, that so I  
All others might instruct and teach thereby  
To follow me with courage wheresoever  
I shall them lead, and not to doubt or fear,  
Draw back through unbelief, or halt or stay  
Demurring at what may seem in the way  
Too hard or dangerous for them to do;  
But only me obey, after me go.   

The like I did when Pharaoh did before  
Pursue them with his Chariots in his sore  
Rage to reduce them, when before they had  
The Sea to hinder them: yet when I bade  
Them march into it, it to them gave way  
And was a means of safety too that day.  
Standing as walls on either hand, while through  
Its waves as on dry land they passed; which rough,  
Growing against their foes, which them pursued,  
Destroyed and drowned all their multitude.   

Never did any that my voice obeyed,  
By any thing of danger that afraid  
Might make them, or impossible might seem  
In my way ever perish: but I them  
Have ever helped in their obedience, and  
Removed their obstacle at my command.   

Dispute not but obey, Look not what thou  
Art or canst do, but do thou mind me, how  
I am accomplished those things for to do  
For which I call thee to me and thee woe.  
Have I not power to make a Camel pass  
Even through a needle's eye, to whom there was  
ne'er any thing too hard? cannot I guide thee?  
Shall I thee woe and shall not I abide thee  
If thou accept? art thou not now to day  
As bad and fowl as may be? doth that fray  
Me from seeking thy love? if thou consent  
Canst think that I my bargain will repent?  
I'm not like poor blind men that things pursue,  
With eagerness which afterwards they rue.  
Because they knew not how they should them find,  
Or were themselves unstable in their mind.  
I'm not like man that I should so repent.  
Therefore obey me and yield thy confent  
Unto me wholly: I will surely do,  
What needful is for thee. I'll wholly to  
Myself conform thee, for although thou be,  
Or weak or dead there's life enough in me,  
Who am the Resurrection and Life too,  
So that though men be dead yet if they do,  
Believe on me, I Life to them will give,  
And living and believing they shall live  
For ever, why dost thou thy weakness plead  
To this or that; or tell me thou art dead?  
There's the more need on that account that thou  
Yield up thyself to me: down thyself bow  
To my dispose, who all things fully have  
That may supply thy wants and thy soul save,  
I know thou'rt weak and dead, and all that's naught:  
I need not what's in man by Thee be taught.  
Nay I do therefore woo thee that I may  
By curing thee remove those things away.  
If such a one thou wert not, than no need  
For me so seek thee, or that thou take need  
To me to save thee, but if thou'lt be mine  
(As I have often said) I will be thine:  
And what's mine shall be thine also, and sure  
My things are able thy weal to procure.  
My wisdom thou sha●t ha●e the way to show  
And thee to help wealth concerns to know,  
And to direct thee how to make thy choice  
In every thing, do but thou hear my voice.  
My strength shall strengthen thee to walk my way  
Enter the strait gate, and my will obey.  
Though thou be weak and in the strength tha●s thine  
Canst not do this or that, canst not in mine?  
I'll be thy holiness; my Spirit I'll give  
To thee that therein thou mayst act and live,  
Or rather acted be and live, cannot  
My holy spirit fetch out every spot,  
That cleaves to thee, and so display my love  
As thee from all thy Idols to remove?  
It's not in thine own self that I require,  
Thee this or that to do or ought desire:  
It's in me and what's mine which I therefore  
Freely thee give because I know thou'rt poor.  
Naked, and dead, and weak and wretched too  
Nothing that's good haste, nought that's good canst do.  
I'll be thy husband; and I am so good  
I'll bear with all thy badness, till my blood  
And grace hath bettered thee: I will (thou'lt see)  
Demean myself so gently toward thee  
That with my gentleness I'll break thine heart  
And make thee cleave to me, and to departed  
From all thine Idols, do but thou consent;  
My Grace shall be for the●e sufficient.   

The fountain of thy sin is great indeed,  
But of my grace the fountain doth exceed.  
No weakness, death, or badness that's in thee,  
No difficulties in the way that be,  
Shall hinder thee from bliss: If thou'lt but give  
Thyself unto me freely, thou shalt live.  
Oh take my yoke upon thee, it shall bow thee  
And bear my burden, it shall not o'erthrow thee.  
For my yokes easy, give consent and go  
Forth in my strength: all things for thee I'll doe●  
In all things be for me and then I will  
Be for thee too and and all thy works fulfil.  
Lean on mine arm or shoulder I'll sustain thee;  
And though thou homely be'st I'll not disdain thee.  
As upon eagle's wings I will thee bear  
And carry thee through all, do not thou fear:  
Only yield unto me my voice to hear.  
Through all the Wilderness I will thee guide,  
In every danger I'll from ill thee hid.  
I'll never, never, leave thy soul until  
All my good pleasure I in thee fulfil.  
All things are ready: only yield thy will.  
Incline thine ear and hear me, do not stop  
It against me, and I'll my doctrine drop.  
So thereunto, that even thy very heart  
It shall make willing and thy soul convert:  
And cause thee from thy Idols to departed.  
Do but so hear me as to know my name,  
That known thy heart to trust in me will frame.   Soul. 

And is it so dear Lord, then what shall let  
But that to thee I yield myself and set  
My heart upon thee, wholly I refign,  
Myself up to thee to be only thine.  
Help me herein for thou art good indeed.  
None is like to thee, while thy words I heed  
Marrow they are and and fatness to my taste:  
Oh thou my soul, affected with thee hast.  
Seeing thou camest to save even sinners chief,  
Lord I believe, help thou my unbelief.  
None is like thee, thou art the only wooer,  
thou'rt worthy love, oh thou most worthy doer!  
Oh take my heart, dear Lord, for thou alone  
Art worthy of it, and besides thee none.  
There's none hath done for me such things as thou,  
There's none besides hath made me such things know,  
There's none so lovely or so fit for me  
Therefore, dear Lord, I yield myself to thee.  
I'm thine to love and praise thee, and thee serve,  
Oh never let me from thee stray or swerve.   

Oh thou art very fair, the white and ruddy,  
None may with thee compare, make it my study,  
thou that I may more know, and more delight in  
Myself to thee I owe, Me thou hast right in.  
When I was damned to●dy thou didst redeem me,  
And though unworthy I Thou didst esteem me,  
So as thyself to give for me a ranlome  
That so my soul might live. I am unhandsome  
Worthy great shame and blame, but though I naught be  
Yet blessed be thy name thou hast upsought me.  
Oh that I knew thee more, and more did love thee  
That I might thee adore, as't doth behoove me.  
Oh show thyself to me, make me to know thee.  
Make me thy f●ce to see, and to follow thee.  
I am a sinful man, unworthy of thy love  
I nothing good do can, but what thy wrath may move  
Yea what of thy good grace thou give'st me power un●o  
Sin hath in me such place as otherwise I do.  
Yet seeing I am thine, though I am nothing worth,  
Do thou my heart incline after thee to go forth.  
Set thou my heart and eye with all intensiveness  
Upon thy Majesty, that without pensiveness  
I may go wheresoever thou goest me before;  
May unto thee adhaere, and ever thee adore.  
Thou all art and in all. Thou gav'st thyself for me  
And whatsoever befall, its meet I be for Thee.  
It was thy pleasure, Lord, so for my soul to do,  
Oh do thou yet afford, thy heavenly grace thereto.  
Those lusts that be in me, and which do thee offend,  
Drawing my heart from thee, subdue, and meamend.  
For I am much amiss; and very full of spots,  
That I thy Name may bliss, purge thou away my blots.  
Remove my sins away, that I to thee may cleave,  
Let me not go astray. Do thou me never leave.  
I cannot trust my heart, 'tis so full of deceit  
It's apt from thee to start, it is a very cheat,  
Do thou it rectify, make it to thee upright  
That I may hearty love thee, in thee delight  
And though I wretched be, do not thou me disdain:  
Since thou hast loved me let me thy love retain.  
Thou art the All in all: stay my soul upon thee;  
And let me never fall by my iniquity.  
My hope is all in thee; and in thy great goodness:  
I nothing have in me that may deserve thy bless.  
Help me thy name to praise, as it is right and due:  
Do thou thereto me raise thy goodness for to view.  
Dear Lord, thou worthy art of all my heart and love:  
Oh let me not departed from thee my Lord above  
Unite my heart to thee that I may fear thy name:  
And let me never be put to rebuke and shame.  
Oh flow thou into me. Thou art an Ocean.  
Though I a poor one be Thou art the wealthy man.  
Set my heart toward thee: and make it open stand,  
Come thou Lord into me and wholly me command.  
Oh do thou live in me, and fill me with thy grace;  
That I may joy in thee; and ever see thy face.  
Thou art the lovely one: all things are black to thee:  
Fix mine eye thee upon, make me thy beauty see.  
Thou only fullness art. I am an empty thing,  
Do thou thy grace impart; and me unto thee bring.  
Be evermore with me where ere thou makest me go:  
Let me thy glory see; and thy will ever do.  
Thou art the mighty God, thou canst subdue my foes,  
Thou hast them all down trod, all things that thee oppose.  
Thou art the holy one. Thou canst me holy make:  
Make me love thee alone; and all for thee forsake.  
Oh be thou all to me, who rothing have that's good:  
Oh frame my heart to thece; whshing it in thy blood.  
Oh there is none to thee. Thou all things dost excel.  
What ere is good for me, doth in thee fully dwell.  
None ever served thee but thou them satisfied:  
None thy grace ever see but they it magnified,  
Thou Lord art far above all I can say of thee,  
Thou art the God of love. All praise be unto thee.   Chr. 

Dear soul I do accept thee: and thou art  
Most welcome to me, it doth glad my heart  
To see a soul itself unto me yield  
More than when some stout Champion wins the field,  
And takes the spoils of all his enemies,  
Which up against him used in arms to rise.  
Since thou thyself to me dost yield be sure,  
My love shall ever toward thee i● dure.  
Be but thou constant, nothing shall me draw,  
Those to reject that cleave unto my law.  
I'll order over thee my government,  
So as thou ●ere shalt have cause to repent  
Of thy submission to me, every thing  
Which I shall do to thee shall blessing bring.  
Thy forepast sins I blot out and remit,  
And of them all I wholly thee acquit.  
How many or how great so ere they were.  
Thou mayst me freely serve without all fear  
Of my imputing any of them to thee:  
I pass them by, and they shall not undo thee.  
I own thee as my own and thee present  
As in myself to him who me forth sent,  
Even as a Branch in me into whom now,  
Thou art ingraffed and henceforth shalt grow.  
Or as a member of mine own body,  
Which is recast of curse and mi●ery.  
I am thy Head and Root unto thee I  
Henceforth will minister all full supply  
Of grace and spirit, nothing shal● thou want,  
What may be good for thee I will it grant.  
Open thy mouth and ask of me I will,  
All thy petitions verily fulfil.  
What ever thou shalt in my name desire,  
Or of my Father for my sake require,  
So be thou dost to me adhaere and cleave,  
And firm in me abiding dost receive  
And keep my words within thee ask so,  
And for such things as they direct thee to.  
Thou shalt receive it, and thou may'st be bold  
To come and ask; for why, mine eyes behold  
Thee, and thy needs and wants, and unto thee  
And all the righteous mine ears open be.  
I will do more for thee than thou canst ask,  
I'll help thee every where. I'll put no task  
Upon thee but what I shall easy make,  
Do but in me abide; my counsel take.  
I am thine Head and Husband; lean on me:  
My grace thou shalt enjoy; my glory see.  
To me thou art most welcome, very dear  
Be confident of me, and nothing fear  
But to neglect my counsels: for as me  
My Father loveth, so do I love thee.  
I who for thee did shed my precious blood,  
Will nought deny that may for thee be good.  
Since thou art come to trust under my wings  
I interest thee in all my good things.  
My Father is thy Father too, and He  
That my God is, thy God likewise will be.  
My Angels shall thee guard for thy welfare,  
And of my glorious Kingdom thou shalt share  
And all the endless joys thereof, my merit  
Is thy rich stock day pledge thy holy Spirit,  
Whom I will pour on thee, and in thy heart  
Will put, that from me thou mayst never start.  
He will conduct thee safely till thou hast,  
All dangers of destruction wholly passed.  
He shall abide with thee and to thee show  
My things, enlightening thine heart them to know.  
My goodness, and my glory, what I have  
Done for and to thee that I might thee save.  
What is in me for thee; what things are mine  
And how in and with me they all are thine.  
Yea He shall wash, make clean, renew thy heart;  
And keep thee to me; and to thee impart  
My grace and blessing, therefore do not fear:  
Only to him attend, to him adhaere.  
He shall thy works work in and for thee, and  
Strengthen thee that thy foes thou may'st withstand.  
He shall thee comfort, fill with peace and joy;  
And keep thee safe from what may thee annoy.  
I'll do all things for thee; I'll be thy lot  
Thy portion, and thy riches; fear thou not.  
He who thee touches, toucheth me; for I  
Tender thee as the Apple of mine eye.  
My heart is larget to thee than the Sea:  
Or then by any words expressed 〈◊〉 be.  
Fear not Dear soul, thy state is happy now  
Since thou thyself dost to my sceptre how.   

Only I must inform thee that I must  
Take such a course with thee as may thy lust  
Destroy; and make thee suitable to me  
That thou partaker of my joys may'st be.  
I must thee sometimes try, that so I may  
Prove whither Thou indeed wilt me obey.  
I will into a Wilderness thee lead  
That so I may thee to thy Idols dead:  
And that when stripped of them I more may show  
My grace to thee; and make thee it to know  
To be sufficient for thee, do not fear  
For I'll not leave thee, nor forsake thee there.  
I will be with thee, and be all supplies  
To every one of thy necessities.  
I will be better unto thee than all  
Egyptian fleshpots wherefrom I thee call.  
I'll there speak comfortably to thy heart  
And make thee know how dear to me thou art.  
I'll give thee there in all thy way mine arm,  
To strengthen ●he● to walk on, and from harm  
I'll thee protect and keep, until I see  
It meet to take thee hence to be with me.   

But thou must follow me, and not look back  
As did Lo's Wife, thy pace thou must nor slack,  
For fear thy love grow cold and so decay,  
That thou from after me turn quite away.  
Thou must thy flesh ●ield up to be subdued  
And mortified by me because its rude;  
And full of stubbornness, and oft hath broke,  
Both of my laws and of my love the yoke.  
Yea so rebelhous against me it is,  
And hath led thee so much to do amiss,  
And with so high a hand 〈◊〉 had I not,  
Been merciful to thee; as 〈◊〉 to Lot,  
When he in- Sodom lingered ●eath to part  
Therefrom when called; (thou there through haste thy heart,  
So often hardened) thou destroyed hadst been,  
Through it much hurt and sorrow thou hast seen.  
I must therefore for thee it came, that it  
May not grow rank stied and make thee unfit  
For fellowship with me, who holy am,  
And unto thee to make thee holy came.   

But if at my reproof thou wi●t let go,  
Its lusls, the less grief I shall put thee to.  
Oh yield it up, Dear soul at every turn,  
Be not offended that I parge or burn  
It o●t of thee, thyself now offer up  
A sacrifice to me, drink of my cup,  
I give to cleanse thee from thy filth within,  
And from what ther●e breaks forth upon thy skin  
Like to a Leprosy, and doth defile,  
Thy person, and dotli make thee very vile.  
Yield but thyself to me, and i●le thee cure,  
I'll make thee like myself both white and pure.  
So shall I in thy beauty much delight,  
And thou shalt always dwell in my blessed sight.  
And therefore do not fear, I will not harm thee  
But only cleanse thee from thy filth; and arm thee  
Against what may destroy thee. I must prove thee,  
And humble as my spouse because I love thee.  
That so I may thee fashion to my mind,  
Make thee fit for me: and that thou mayst find  
More favour in mine eyes. I may be for thee  
And that thy fil●h may not make me abhor thee.  
But fear not: when I have thee fully tried,  
Thou shalt with me also be glorified.   

Fear not, i'th'th wilderness I will thee feed,  
And by my right hand I will there thee lead.  
And by thy right hand too I will thee hol●,  
Nothing shall harm thee. I thy frame and mould  
Do fully know, and will not on thee lay,  
More than what by my strength endure thou may  
Only resign thy flesh and self to me;  
And thou shalt my Salvation surely see.  
I now unto myself do freely spouse thee,  
But I shall not as yet so fully house thee  
As I intent here fter, thou must tarry,  
And wait a while before I fully many  
thou to myself, before unto that place  
Those royal Mansions, which for thee my grace  
Hath fitted I thee take; where I receive,  
And entertain all that in me believe.   

Thou hast been very whorish, and thou art,  
Polluted with thy whoredoms at thy heart.  
Thy flesh and body is defiled with what,  
Thou from thy lover's whoredoms oft hast got  
And I cannot into my Bridebed take thee,  
Till I first wash thee white, and clean do make thee.  
Thou must the time of purifying stay,  
Before our solemn joyful wedding day.  
In the mean time constant to me and chaste,  
Thou must abide and thou mayst not make haste.  
After enjoyments of delights so that  
With other pleasures thou thee satiate;  
And turn thee from me to some other lover  
Thee to content, thou mayst let none be over  
Thy heart and conscience, besides me who am  
Thy only Lord and Saviour: that meek Lamb  
Who bought thee with my blood, and thee did call  
To me that I might be thy All in All  
If thus thou dost then I will be for thee,  
And all I am and have it thine shall be.   Soul 

Dear Lord, thy words in every thing are right,  
My soul approves them, finds therein delight.  
Make me them more to know further to see,  
Into the wondrous things that in them be.  
Thy love is wonderful, worthy receipt,  
And to be fed upon more than our meat.  
It's better far than wine, doth me refresh,  
Although it relish not unto the flesh.  
Who would not such a lover as thou art  
Embrace with both his arms with all his heart?  
Who can like blessings give, like comforts bring,  
Above all GOD'S Thou art the mighty KING.  
Oh who can fathom, who can comprehend  
The greatness of thy love? there's no such friend  
Or lover as thou art, none can forgive  
The soul its sins like thee, or make it live.  
Oh who am I, that I should welcome be,  
Or be accepted unto life by thee?  
That thou shuld'st call and woe me, and embrace  
Me in thy arms, cause me to see thy face  
Thy pleasant face, and own me as thy own,  
And in thy words thy love to me make known?  
Yea both thy words and love cause me to know  
To draw my heart from off the things below  
And fix it on thyself and things above!  
Oh there's no sweetness to that of thy love!  
Its tastes at present most delightful are,  
All other pleasures it surpasses far.  
But as if all at present was but small  
Thou hold'st forth such a portion too as all  
For future time, yea to eternity,  
For ever to enjoy thy Majesty.  
I less am than the least of thy mercies  
Which thou dost give, wilt not thou me despise.  
But passing by all my unworthiness,  
And many mighty sins such love express  
As passeth knowledge? Oh that I again  
With my whole heart thy love may .  
And love for love return perpetually  
And never shrink from thee, no, though I die.   

Oh Lord thy love engages me to be  
Wholly devoted and given up to thee.  
For it's but meet that I be wholly thine  
And for thy sake give up all that is mine  
Who for my sake didst not the cross decline.  
It's meet that I a sacrifice should be  
Wholly devoted and given up to thee,  
A living holy sacrifice, whereby  
Thou may'st be glorified and lift on high.  
For great thy love to me is I confess,  
Nor can I by my tongue or pen express  
The great des●r●s of love and service too,  
Which far beyond all my returns I ow.  
I do acknowledge too thy words be true  
In all they say of me, that nothing's due  
To me of praise or approbation, for  
I am so loathsome thou mayst me abhor,  
I am polluted with a whorish heart,  
So as I jealous am least I depart  
Away from thee, it oftentimes indeed,  
Hath played the Harlot and brought forth a breed  
Of hateful Monster full of venom fell  
Against thy purity. The brats of Hell  
Unchaste desires and lusts, self-love and pride,  
Ambitious thoughts, a loathness to be tied  
Up to thy just commands an evil eye  
Of envy against such as I could spy  
Preferred before me, often at them fretting,  
With covetous desires to be getting  
More of this world's enjoyments; profits, pleasure;  
Slothful, mispending of that time and leisure  
Thou hast afforded me for better things,  
From which much other mischief oft times springs:  
Such things my bowels oft have eat, and vexed  
Me with disquiet, and my soul perplexed.  
That brutish lust that dwells in me I fear,  
Lest it prevail against me, and me bear  
Away from that subjection to thee due,  
And cause me with much sorrow it to rue.   

I am indeed nolluted and o'erspread  
As with a leprosy from heel to head.  
Diseased within and full of sores without,  
I am more vile than any menstruous clout;  
Have need to be renewed made white and clean,  
And yet when all is done, I am too mean,  
To be so honoured by thee and exalted,  
In every thing I'm worthy to be faulted.  
Worthy to be disdained and rejected  
Unworthy utterly to be respected,  
By thy so glorious eye that puter is  
Then to behold and like iniquities.  
Shouldst thou then treat me like some royal Queen  
As if for thy consort I bred had been?  
Oh 'tis a dignity above me far,  
I fit am that thou shouldst me debart,  
From coming near thee, meddling with thy Name,  
Lest I pollute it and exposeed to shame.  
As too much I have done already. Oh  
I doubt deserve to be respected so.   

But if thy pleasure be me so to love,  
Well mayst thou take such course as it doth behoove,  
Tha thou may'st fit me for such dignity,  
As thou conferest, and for thy company  
Which thou vouchsafest of thy wondrous grace,  
To me who am of pedigree but base.  
It is but meet that thou shouldst make we white.  
And clean, that thou in me may'st take delight.  
That thou shouldst cure those sores and ulcers great,  
Which make me ugly and for thee unmeet.  
Yea and its wondrous grace that thou wilt take,  
Such pains with me, me whole and clean to make.  
Oh what am I that thou shouldst stoop so low,  
To do such offices such love to show?  
Thou rather mightst throw me out of thy sight,  
Than so to make me meet for thy delight.  
Who meeter am that thou shouldst make me dwell,  
Among that cursed crew that be in hell.   

It's meet also that there a time should be  
For purifying, before unto thee  
Thou dost receive me with thee to remain,  
In those high Mansions where thou and thine reign.  
It needful is that thou me separate,  
From all those Idols which thy Soul doth hate.  
And that thou shouldst purge out my dtoss, although  
A fire thou make and me into it throw.  
I'm thine, and meet it is that thou shouldst do,  
What ever is thy pleasure, Lord even so  
Be it as thou dost please, thou art so just,  
So kind and careful that I well may trust.  
My soul and body with thee; and yield up  
To take out of thy hands what ever cup  
Thou seest it meet to temper and to give,  
In cleaving to thee I shall surely live.  
Thou who hast loved me, and done such things,  
As everlasting consolation brings.  
And gives good hope through grace, wilt doubtless do,  
Nothing unto me which may cause my woe.  
Do with me as thou wilt: for I am thine  
And thee to love I do my heart incline.  
Through thy good grace, do thou incline it more  
Making it chaste to thee, thee to adore.  
For I can nothing do that may thee serve,  
Delight or honour as thou dost deserve.  
I'm thine: Lord save me; and me sanctify.  
Unite my heart to thee continually.  
Unto thee evermore make me adhaere  
That I thy holy Name may love and fear.  
May lean upon thine arm, thy Spirit mind,  
So as I may his help at all times find  
Through thee I any thing may do 〈◊〉,  
But in myself have only cause of 〈◊〉  
No fears shall 〈…〉 pleasures me 〈◊〉,  
If thou dost hold me and 〈…〉  
And cure. It's mee● I 〈◊〉 thee and I  
Desire I may myself thereto apply  
My Cross up taking 〈◊〉 Dear 〈…〉  
How thralled I am forth then thou 〈…〉  
How I the least good thing 〈◊〉 not perform.  
Nor stand upright against the mild outstorm  
Of troll that unt●● my lot may fall,  
I need that thou shouldst be my ALL in ALL.  
I'm poor and blind, naked and wreteched, and  
My heart's dece 〈◊〉, will not to thee stand,  
Unless thou me 〈◊〉, and keepest so  
In thy strong 〈◊〉, as not to let me go  
Unless thou purge out my hypocrisy,  
Make me sincere, give me a single eye.  
Unless thou be my strength, my goodness and  
Dost hold me to thee by thy mighty hand.   

But seeing thou appointed art, dear Lord,  
To look to and thy saving help afford  
To those that come to thee, and on thee trust,  
And thou art loving, faithful, kind and just,  
And all-sufficient for me I resign;  
Myself unto thee. I am wholly thine.  
Thou wiser art than I, thou knowest best  
What to my good pertains, and thou art blest;  
Dear Lord thy will be done in every thing,  
Take thine own course me unto thee to bring.  
Only do not me in thy wrath chastise.  
But let my soul find favour in thine eyes.  
Yea thou so good art, and so gracious too,  
That thou all things will't for my profit do.  
Oh cause thy face upon my soul to shine,  
And my heart unto thee always incline.  
Oh kiss me with the kisses of thy mouth:  
Oh bliss me with the blessings of thy truth:  
Inspire my heart with thy good spirit, and breathe  
The breath of life into me, things beneath  
Cause me for to despise, the things above,  
To seek and to affect and thee to love.  
Let me thy love taste, better 'tis than wine,  
It's full of comfort, courage, life divine.  
'Twill cheer the hear●, 'twill make the lips of choose  
Who taste it talkative, free to disclose  
Thy heavenly virtues, let me thereof taste,  
Forgiving all my misdemeanours past:  
My undue loves which unto other things,  
And persons I have born, which to me brings  
Both grief and fear when thereupon I think,  
Lest they should make me in thy nostril's stin●●.  
And cause thee to abhor me, oh forgive  
All forepast follies, and that I may live  
Let me enjoy thy loves, and taste how sweet  
And ravishing they be, oh let me meet  
With them; with them be filled, that I may  
In thee delight myself; and on thee stay  
And fix my soul no other pleasures so  
Affecting as from thine to them to go.  
Thine ointments wherewith thou anointed art,  
And unto those that love thee dost impart.  
Most odoriferous are, oh they do smell,  
Unto the upright hearted wondrous well.  
Let me them find and smell, thy precious Name,  
An ointment poured forth is, that good fame  
And great renown thou hast, oh 'tis most sweet,  
And spread abroad that we with it may meet.  
And therefore thee the Virgins  do love,  
Thy Name their hearts desires to thee doth move.  
Oh make me know it, and its sweetness find,  
That it may draw me with a single mind  
Unto thee. Draw me, Draw me, we will run  
After thee, though I somewhat have begun  
Towards thee to incline, my mind doth stick,  
Yet to my Idols, so as 'tis not quick.  
Enough towards thee, oh let that sweet sent,  
Of thy good ointments, thy Name excellent  
More strongly draw, me, oh I am too slack,  
In seeking thee, yea woe is me I 〈◊〉  
From thee have run apace, since I begun  
To move toward thee. I'm too apt to run  
Toward my Idols, in the ways of sin.  
Yea Lord thou knowst how since I did begin,  
To court thy favour I have run apace,  
In wicked ways wherein had not thy grace,  
And mercy me prevented I had been  
O'er thrown forever, this day never seen.  
But oh my pace toward thee is so dul●,  
That need I have that after thee thou pull  
My sluggish Soul, oh bring thou me into  
Thy Chambers of defence and delight, so  
As in thy love I such delight may take,  
As never thee any more to forsake.  
Let me be so enclosed as with walls  
Of sure defence, that whatsoever befalls  
I never may again from thee withdraw,  
But always may thee fear and stand in awe,  
Lest I offend thee, oh that I to thee  
May swiftly run with all that upright be,  
And in thy Chamber may with them abide,  
Where thou dost all that love thee safely hid.  
we'll then be glad in Thee, and much rejoice,  
Oh King we'll sing thy praise with cheerful voice.  
we'll think upon thy loves which do excel  
The choicest Wine. Oh we remember well,  
The sweetness of its taste, who be upright,  
They do thy person love, in thee delight.  
Not in themselves, their parts their gifts, nor yet  
Those pleasures only that from thee they get.  
Like to the Concubines which love to be,  
Delighted with thy loves; courted by thee;  
But thee and thy concerns do slight; neglect  
To seek thy glory; don't thy name respect  
Sincerely, but make thou me upright so  
As my heart wholly after thee may go.  
Oh thou whom my soul in some measure loves  
Do thou me show what me to know behoves.  
Tell thou me where thou feedest thy flock: and make  
Me go upright. Let me not thee forsake,  
With sinners in their dainties to peruke.  
Let me not turn aside from thee to go,  
After the flocks of thy companions who  
Lift up themselves into equality  
Of power or worth unto thy Majesty:  
But show me thy good ways and make me see,  
The thing that is acceptable to thee.  
Stay me with flagons of thy love: and let  
Me of thy apples too the comforts get,  
For I desire thy love, oh do thou show it  
And cause thou me more clearly yet to know it.  
Under my head put thou thy left hand, and  
Therewith support me, and let thy right hand  
Embrace my soul, and keep me safe, until  
I have fulfilled my course, performed thy will.  
And oh that then thou wouldst make haste unto  
My soul: and be thou swifter than a Roe:  
That so our union may completed be;  
And I may full fruition have of thee.  
Make haste oh my beloved like a Roe;  
Or a young Hart that on the Mountains go:  
That leap upon the Mountains and o'er Hills  
Come skipping. Thou art he alone that fills  
The souls of those that love thee with delight,  
And makest them fully happy in the sight  
Of thy most glorious person, do not tarry  
Help me to haste to thee, than hast to marry  
Me to thyself; that I with thee may dwell  
Who dost in all excellencies excel.  
And in the mean time make me chaste and true  
Unto thee, what opposes thee subdue.  
Working my works in and for me, yea all  
Thine own good pleasure whereto thou dost call  
And counsel me, the work of faith with power,  
That I may persevere unto the hour,  
And in the hour of death; till unto thee,  
Thou tak'st me up in joys for a●e to be.  
I leave myself to thee oh do thou what  
Is good for me.   Chr. 
I will so, fear not that.  
Amen. HALLELUJAH.   
FINIS.   

A Song of Loves.  

Lord grant that in a right renewed mind,  
I may such love to thee and thy things find;  
As to say of and to thee this behind.   

1.  
I Am my well beloved's,  
My well-beloved's mine:  
He is a person lovely,  
Excellent and divine.   

2.  
For he is the Immanuel,  
Both God and man in one:  
The Mighty God, the wonderful;  
And like him there is none.   

3.  
His excellence surpasseth,  
What one may it declare?  
Or who among the mighty,  
May with this one compare?   

4.  
Oh all ye that in love are,  
Your lovers who commend;  
Is any of them able,  
To match with this my friend?   

5.  
Hath any of them ever,  
So great things for you wrought!  
Or is there any of them,  
Hath you so dearly bought?   

6.  
Is any of them so high,  
Either in Rank or birth?  
No, there is none so glorious  
Either in Heaven or Earth.   

7.  
there's none of them is so great:  
There's none of them can do,  
So great things and so wonderful,  
Or can enrich you so.   

8.  
As this my Lord and Saviour  
Can and will do for me;  
If I be upright with him,  
And do not from him flee.   

9  
Ye that in Kings and Princes  
And mighty Potentates  
Do make your boasts, come tell me  
Hath he there any mates?   

10.  
Can any of them match him?  
Nay they are all below:  
The greatest of those great ones  
Their service to him owe.   

11.  
They're short in understanding,  
Their power also is less:  
Their rule extends not so far,  
Nor yet their happiness.   

12.  
They are but men as others;  
Their lives are but mortal:  
Their breaths must pass out of them  
And then they perish all.   

13.  
But this my Lord and Lover,  
Doth live for evermore:  
His understanding's perfect,  
All creatures him adore.   

14.  
Nothing for him too hard is:  
For he can all things do,  
Nothing from his eyes hid is;  
For he all things doth know.   

15.  
He ruleth over all things,  
Both in the seat and land:  
Yea and all things In heaven be,  
Subject to his command.   

16.  
He heir of Heaven and earth is  
He is lord of all glory:  
His briths above all creatures,  
There's none can match his story.   

17.  
His excellence excels all  
That's either hard or seen:  
One half of what's true of him  
Never declared hath been.   

18.  
Go glory of your Princes,  
And Benefactors great:  
Tell of their great majesty,  
Their royal train and seat.   

19  
I none of them shall envy,  
This one's mcuh better far  
Whom my soul hath desire to:  
They can't with him compare.   

20.  
He hath far greater glory  
Than any one of them:  
Though yet he is so lovely,  
That none he doth contemn   

21.  
Though they be poor and little  
If unto him they flee.  
He none of them disdaineth  
But they accepted be.   

22.  
Those whom ye use to boast of  
Be proud and lofty too;  
And oft in words and carriage  
Great haughtiness they show:   

23.  
Though they be far below him  
Who my beloved is;  
And like to meaner persons,  
He them reproves I wiss.   

24.  
For in his hands they all are,  
To do with as he please;  
And he can make or break them,  
Or change their state with ease.   

25.  
Oh there is none so lovely  
As this Beloved one:  
In pity, love and goodness,  
Like to him there is none.   

26.  
He higher than the Heavens is,  
Or brightest Angel there,  
In dignity and glory;  
Yet he appeared here.   

27.  
(That he might save us sinners)  
Like to a Servant poor:  
Where of our miseries too,  
The liveries he wore.   

28.  
Yielding himself to death up  
And great indignities,  
To ransom us from ruin:  
Nor doth he now despise.   

29.  
The meanest that obey him,  
To take into his grace:  
Though he on high's ascended  
Unto his holy place.   

30.  
He such invites unto him;  
With him they may be bold:  
His secrets he unto them,  
Most free is to unfold.   

31.  
Whoever him doth follow,  
Shall see his pleasant face  
he'll not disdain their lowness,  
But kindly them embrace.   

32.  
he'll not despise their prayers,  
Nor turn away his ear:  
But being full of mercy,  
He their complaints will hear.   

33.  
The sweetest of all persons;  
Better than all is he.  
The meekest and the gentlest,  
Fairer than men's sons be.   

34.  
The highnest and the lowest,  
The white and ruddle one.  
In greatness and in goodness,  
Like to him there is none.   

35.  
Come ye Queens and Princesses,  
Whose Birth is great and high,  
Who think yvor happinesses  
Do reach unto the sky,   

36.  
Because your Lords be great ones  
And have a great command;  
For that their rule extendeth,  
Both unto Sea and Land,   

37.  
Do ye not highly extol  
Your great good fortunes here?  
Do ye not use yourselves too  
Oft up thereby to bear?   

38.  
Do ye not think your great Lords,  
To be so great and high,  
And such advancements to you,  
That ye for them could die?   

39  
Or else endure great hardships  
For them and for their sake,  
With whom in their high honours,  
So greatly you partake?   

40.  
Behold ye him whom I praise  
And whom my soul desires,  
As its friend to delight in  
Can give what it requires.   

41.  
Lo, Ho is much more noble,  
In Birth and in degree:  
And there's not any Monarch,  
Who's of his gifts so free.   

42.  
Nor are the gifts which they give  
So precious or so rare,  
They all are but his Stewards,  
And can't with him compare.   

43.  
Himself above all gifts is,  
The Richest pearl of price,  
His love cannot be valued  
The soul it satisfies.   

44.  
Oh he my love deserves more,  
And to be followed,  
Through every condition  
Whereto by him it's led.   

45.  
Then any of the greatest,  
And highest Potentates,  
Who have the largest Empires,  
And rule the greatest states.   

46.  
I'm his by way of purchase,  
Who made and bought me too;  
By that most precious blood, which  
Did freely from him flow.   

47.  
Which he also discovered  
And called me of his grate,  
There through, that I might know him,  
And might him too embrace.   

48.  
And him I own to be mine,  
My Lord and Saviour.  
And his I am to care for  
And serve in every hour.   

49.  
My soul and body his are  
And whatsoever I have:  
And he is mine to give me,  
What good for me I crave.   

50.  
Oh that I were more truly  
And hearty indeed,  
Given up to love and live to  
Him who doth so exceed   

51.  
All other lovely objects  
Be their worth ne'er so great!  
I should need not to fear then  
What ever may me threat.   

52.  
For I am his and of me  
He hath the care and charge,  
And his disire toward me,  
Is very full and large.   

53.  
he's able to protect me  
From what may do me harm  
And's ready to enfold me  
Within his mighty arm.   

54.  
Oh that I were devoted  
More unto him, and were  
More willing to be always  
To him chaste and sincere!   

55.  
I'm his not sins and Sathins;  
That them I should obey;  
Oh that when they entice me,  
My heart might always say   

56.  
Christ is my wellbeloved  
He must my service have:  
He's only worthy of it,  
Who only doth me save.   

57  
For He, He also mine is  
A portion may suffice,  
To satisfy me always,  
Your promises are lies.   

58.  
I'm his: and not a Servant  
Unto the world or men;  
That I should yield my Conscience  
To be enslaved by them.   

59  
I may not to their pleasures  
My life and will compose,  
To follow their desires:  
So I myself might lose.   

60.  
For they cannot protect me  
When my Lord shall appear:  
If he should then reject me,  
They cannot me upbear.   

61.  
No, no, I'm his who loves me  
And bought me by his blood,  
From all that conversation  
Which is not just and good.   

62.  
He's mine too to command me,  
And be my sure defence  
Who certainly will keep me,  
And glad my Conscience:   

63.  
For he will give assistance,  
Of safety in his love,  
And hold me in his hand so,  
As enough shall me remove.   

64.  
He only may do with me;  
What unto him seems best:  
For He hath right unto me,  
And will lead me to rest.   

65.  
Oh that he would embrace me,  
And give my soul a kiss  
Whose love than wine is better,  
And fills the soul with bliss.   

66.  
His love the love of women,  
Surpasseth very much;  
How ever pleasing that is,  
Its pleasures are not such.   

67.  
No nor is strength not fervour;  
Much less its beensitt;  
As those that he that's loved  
Of this Beloved 〈◊〉.   

68  
Their love to this is empty  
Its pleasores be but short:  
Although they're prerry creatures  
And 〈…〉   

69.  
Their favour is deceitful;  
Their beauty's but a blast;  
Their kingnesses soon vanish;  
Their sweetness doth not last.   

70.  
Their embraces are bruises;  
Their kisses oft are bites:  
The vanity that's in them,  
Exceeds oft their delights,   

71.  
The love of Christ excelleth;  
It's constant, firm, and sure:  
It's very full of comforts,  
And pleasures that endure.   

72.  
His words are full of kindness,  
Yea when they are most taste:  
Yet grace and love is in them,  
Which floweth from his heart.   

73.  
His kisses and embraces;  
Are full of ravishment:  
Filling the soul with goodness,  
And riches of content.   

74.  
His beauty never changeth;  
His strength doth 〈◊〉 ne'er decay:  
He is the same for ever,  
Yesterday and to day.   

75.  
Oh that my Soul were fitted,  
His kindness to receive!  
That I by my unkindness,  
His Spirit might not grieve!   

76.  
Oh may he count me worthy  
Of his inamourments;  
Forgiving all my follies,  
Causes of discontents!   

77.  
His soul it is spiritual  
Most holy, just and pure  
All wickedness he hateth,  
He can it not endure.   

78.  
But I poor wretch am sinful  
And full of vanity:  
How can I be delightful,  
And pleasing in his eye?   

79.  
Dear Lord I am unworthy  
To be owned of thee,  
That thine I should be styled,  
And thou accept of me.   

80.  
Yet do not thou disdain me;  
Do thou me lovely make:  
That so thou may'st embrace me,  
And pleasure in me take.   

81.  
Be thou mine, me to purify  
And to make 〈◊〉 and white:  
Make me more thine, and cause me,  
In thee to take delight.   

82.  
Prepare my soul unto thee,  
That I may thee embrace;  
And give thee entertainment,  
And the● may'st me splate.   

83.  
Lay thou me in thy bosom,  
And keep me in thine arm,  
So shall I rest securely  
Void of all fear of harm.   

84.  
Oh cause my soul to kiss thee,  
And lay thee in my heart:  
That thou mayst me embracing  
Thy loves to me impart.   

85.  
And all the night of darkness  
Mayst lodge within my breast:  
And I in thy embraces  
May find sweet peace and rest.   

86.  
Oh make me subject to thee,  
That thou mayst be above:  
Uniting me unto thee,  
And fill me with thy love.   

87.  
And let, my lovingkindness  
Such love again beget,  
That I my heart and bowels  
May open to thee set.   

88  
And thou thy Word put in me,  
As an immortal seed,  
Filled with that Life and Spirit  
Which doth from thee proceed.   

89.  
That thou mayst make me fruitful,  
With fruits of righteousness;  
An offspring which thine Image  
May livelily express.   

90.  
That thou thy pleasure in me,  
Subject to thee mayst take;  
And I have pleasures in thee,  
Which may me cheerful make.   

91.  
Oh make thou me so lovely,  
That thou mayst count me meet  
For such communion with thee  
As is so pure and sweet.   

92.  
That chaste I may be to thee,  
And content in thee find,  
That none else I may look to,  
Or covet in my mind.   

93.  
May never go a whoring  
From under thee my Lord;  
But may be fully pleased  
With what thou dost afford.   

94.  
Nor only let me love thee  
Like to some Concubine,  
So as for pleasures only  
Me to thee to incline.   

95.  
But as a Spouse and chaste one  
Though thou shouldst them withhold,  
Yet I may love thy person  
And virtues manifold.   

96.  
And thine affairs take care of  
As things that are mine own:  
And faithfully observe what  
Thou shalt to me make known.   

97.  
Leaving it to thy wisdom  
Those pleasures to impart,  
Which cannot but be pleasing,  
And satisfy my heart.   

98.  
But let me not love pleasures  
So as if thou delay,  
Thine to impart unto me  
I should to others stray.   

99  
But make me ever willing  
To stay and wait for thee:  
Who when thou seest it fitting  
Will thine impart to me.   

100  
Thou art the only worthy  
To be loved and obeyed:  
Oh that my heart upon thee  
More fixed were and stayed.   

101.  
Oh sanctify me to thee  
And my soul purify:  
Bless rods and mercies to me  
That I to sin may die.   

102.  
And unto all that from thee  
Would steal my heart away:  
That I may live unto thee  
In what I do and say.   

103.  
Thou art the lovely portion,  
Riches and honour dwell  
In thee, with whatsoever  
Delights and doth excel.   

104.  
Oh were my heart reduced  
To that simplicity,  
That I might choose and love thee  
And cleave to thee only.   

105.  
I would not change my lot there  
For any of the heigths,  
Of highest greatest persons.  
My earnest groans and sighs   

106.  
Shall reather be through sufferings  
To have thy company,  
Then live else where without thee  
In greatest jollity,   

107.  
With all the greatest fullness  
This World to them affords,  
Who live in its embracements  
As high and mighty Lords.   

108.  
Yet thou hast room for them too  
In thy high palaces,  
Oh make thou them acquainted  
With thy sweet embraces!   

109.  
Oh make them see how empty  
All things without thee are!  
That they may flock unto thee  
Seeing thee only fair.   

110.  
All honour be unto thee  
Thou only worthy one,  
For it is due unto thee  
And unto thee alone.   

111.  
In oneness with the Father  
And with the holy Spirit,  
Thou worthy art all blessing  
For ever to inherit.   

112.  
To thee it's my desire  
To leave myself and all  
I am, with whatsoever  
I through thy gift mine call.   

113.  
Lord pardon my abuses  
Of thy great love to me:  
And make my soul both upright  
And constant unto thee.   

114.  
So that thy blessing ever  
May on my soul remain:  
And cleanse me so as that thou  
Mayst not my work disdain.   

115.  
Purge out what doth offend thee  
And make me white and pure,  
That thou mayst ever own me  
And I be ever sure.   

116.  
Of thy love and thy favour  
Which life doth far excel,  
And in thine heavenly mansions  
May with thee ever dwell.   
Amen, and Amen.  
FINIS.   

A Posy Improved.  
UPON THE POSY of a RING, Love, Love, Love. EPAUCIS MULTA.  

I.  
AMongst the pretty Poseys I have seen,  
Which either friends or lovers have invented,  
I have on none to discant tempted been,  
Nor hath any my fancy more contented,  
If rightly it be applied, than this above,  
This one word thrice repeated; Love, Love, Love.   

II.  
What man it was who did the same invent;  
From whom; or unto whom the token came;  
Whether some Love; to his Love it sent;  
Or for what other cause some did it frame  
It matters not; nor what they did thereby  
Intent unto their friend to signify.   

III.  
Perhaps some young man who his Mistress loved.  
Or else some Mistress who did love her Friend,  
And want of love again, or feared, or proved  
In them they loved, did this token send  
Their love to quicken, and their constancy  
To them the better to provoke hereby.   

iv  
Like as some person who while he assays,  
To do, or reach for something, and doth fall  
Into some danger, whence he cannot raise  
Or save himself, most earnestly doth call  
Help, Help, Help, tripling it vehemently,  
As like to suffer greatly else thereby.   

V  
So possibly some lover, while he sought  
The pleasing object of his love to gain,  
Being into some doubt or question brought  
Thereof, or meeting with slights or disdain,  
Might in his earnestness cry as above,  
As one else like to perish, Love, Love, Love.   

VI  
Perhaps some wanton who had lust mistake  
For love, seeking his lust to satisfy,  
Might send it to his Harlot, to provoke  
Her fond affection unto him, thereby  
Exhorting her to love, love, love again,  
That oft his will with her he might obtain.   

VII.  
Perhaps some person, who had loved too much  
Some other person, and loves flames had felt  
Sadly to scorch him, when they did him touch,  
His folly wailing on this subject dwelled.  
As crying out upon a thing so hot,  
Whence He much heart smart, and much hurt had got:   

VIII.  
That carnal love I mean, wherein the creature  
Is made the object of a blind affection,  
Doting upon its beauty, parts, or feature;  
Which when it meets with slighting and rejection,  
(As oft it's foolishly misplaced on what  
Either's unlawful, or repays with hate.)   

IX.  
Brings forth instead of pleasure, doleful grief,  
Stinging the soul with fears and sad despairs,  
Distractions, jealousies without relief,  
And many fruitless dumps and waking cares;  
Causing such one out of this love to cry,  
Bewailing thus his fortune bitterly.   

X.  
Love, Love, Love, thou art a most cruel thing,  
When fixed on some disdainful one thou'rt found,  
Thy sweets are bitter, thou leav'st many a sting;  
Infusest venom, and the heart dost wound.  
Oh had thy fond deceits my soul ne'er tainted!  
Oh had I with thy force ne'er been acquainted!   

XI.  
Love, Love, Love, that fond thing which men so call,  
Woe worth the time I did thee ,  
Expecting sweetness where I meet with gall,  
And pleasures where I nothing find but pain.  
Unhappy soul that longedst after fruit,  
That may not be obtained by any suit.   

XII.  
Would I had hardened against thee my heart,  
And made it harden thou the flinty stones  
Against thy flatteries, than should no dart  
Of thine have driven me to these sighs and moans.  
Let none be tempted by thy speckled skin,  
Or slily windings more to let thee in.   

XIII.  
Oh had I fixed mine eye and heart, upon  
Those happy objects where no love is lost!  
Had I been ruled by discretion,  
Then had I never with these blasts been tossed.  
Who loves unduely's rightly thus rewarded,  
The more he loves, the less to be regarded.   

XIV.  
Who loves inordinately, puts his heart  
Into another's hands it to command;  
Who when they list may play a Tyrant's part.  
Who love's in measure keepsed in his own hand:  
And if 'tis slighted he can then withdrawed,  
And place it better than on thing of naught.   

XV.  
And yet it's better, when love's badly set  
Upon unlawful objects, t' have it crossed,  
Then that its satisfaction it should get:  
For then the soul 's in danger to be lost.  
Who can the mischiefs number which ensue,  
When unchaste love enjoys pleasures undue?   

XVI.  
What guilt unto itself the soul contracts?  
What stings of conscience, frightful fears of Hell?  
What horror, shame, reproach, spring from such acts?  
What other mischiefs, where's the tongue can tell?  
Ho many lose not only name and place,  
But even their lives, seeking to shun disgrace?   

XVII.  
How many have been cast down wounded sore?  
How many strong ones hereby have been slain?  
How many rich ones hath this love made poor?  
How many sober ones hath it made vain?  
Yea Cities through unchaste love have been sacked,  
And Commonwealths, and Kingdoms hereby wracked.   

XVIII.  
This brought the Deluge on the World of old,  
And Sodom and her Sisters overturned;  
So as the like beside was never told,  
By fire and Brimstone from Heaven being burned.  
This many thousand Grecians did destroy,  
While they besieged the here-through ruin'd Troy.   

XIX.  
On this I more enlarge, all men to warn  
How they their loves misplace, and let them run,  
Lest they do gather thence both scathe and scorn,  
And wail too late when it hath them undone.  
Give God thy heart i'th' first place; there's great odds  
'Twixt putting it in a creatures hands and Gods.   

XX.  
Perhaps some friendly soul, whose heart was knit  
Unto his friend, or neighbour, in love's bands,  
Desiring love again this posy writ,  
And graved it on a ring, that on the hands  
Of his friend worn, or by him read, it might  
Their hearts in mut'al love firmly unite.   

XXI.  
Perhaps some man who true love's worth admired,  
And found thereof within himself some want,  
Cried out thus as a man that love desired,  
Invoking love herself to him to grant,  
Making his moan as if he thus should say,  
Love, Love, Love, come and make with me thy stay.   

XXII.  
Perhaps some living in this frozen age,  
And seeing charity to be waxed cold,  
Himself and others thereto to engage,  
Did grave these words upon a Ring of Gold.  
But be it as it will, I hope I well  
May good instructions to myself thence spell.   

XXIII.  
This threefold mention of this word to me,  
Love's excellency rightly may imply,  
That there is nothing in the World may be,  
So good as hearty love and charity.  
If other things with true love we compare,  
Its excellencies superlative are.   

XXIV.  
Love (not that thing which springeth out of dust,  
And on some outward gloss doth fix the eye,  
Which wantoness call Love, but the Scriptures lust,  
For that is full of sin and vanity;  
Chaining the soul to things that do it harm,  
And oft to their destruction men doth charm.   

XXV.  
But) that Divine and Heavenly frame of soul,  
Which fills it full of goodness, and enlarges  
Its motions; and doth lead it to control  
What 'ere as evil a right judgement charges.  
A pure and heavenly flame enkindled from  
That holy fire that down from Heaven doth come.   

XXVI.  
Which at the good of the beloved aims,  
And not a man's own will to satisfy,  
To all good offices the mind it frames,  
And leads it all mischeivousness to fly.  
Faith, hope, joy, patience, meekness, fortitude,  
And justice good are; Love doth all include.   

XXVII.  
Love both believes, and hopes, and long endures,  
With courage bearing and performing all  
That the beloved's good or praise procures,  
Strongly resisting all that cross doth fall.  
Love joys to do what's right, hates to do ill,  
Yea love the law itself doth all fulfil.   

XXVIII.  
Love hath its rise from He'ven, and Heaven's its seat,  
Where on a stately throne it's placed on high;  
Needs must the worth of love be very great,  
When such its birth is, and its Majesty.  
Yea God himsld who all things is above,  
Is not called power, or strength, or faith, but Love.   

XXIX.  
Love is a virtue therefore pure and clean,  
That from all filthiness and vice is free,  
Producing all that's good; the heart can't mean  
Ill, where love ruleth; for love could not be  
A child of Heaven or there its seat retain,  
If free it were not from all spot and slain.   

XXX.  
Needs must it also unto God be pleasing,  
Since it in him hath its original,  
And to the heart it dwells in, its most easing  
Of all d'sturbing passions that enthral.  
To self, and others, it's a very spring  
Of every wholesome advantageous thing.   

XXXI.  
Yea Love's eternal, seeing in the breast  
Of God, from everlasting 'twas conceived;  
And it for evermore shall be possessed,  
When other virtues have their end received.  
So long as God is who doth live for ever,  
Love shall abide, and end it shall have never.   

XXXII.  
When what we now believe, and hope for, we  
Shall fully have, and nothing more expect,  
Yet we shall love, and ever loved be,  
We never shall God, or God us, reject:  
Nor one another, but eternally  
Shall live in love and perfect unity.   

XXXIII.  
When all out sufferings shall be o'er and passed,  
And patiented courage have no further place,  
Yet Love shall flourish and for ever last,  
Therefore then Love there is no choicer grace,  
After all virtues press we, but above  
Them all lets follow after fervent Love.   

XXXIV.  
But yet again this thrice repeated word,  
Love, Love, Love, hath another mystery;  
At least to me, methinks it may afford  
This observation not unusefully,  
That of right Love, there are right objects three,  
God, neighbours, and ourselves should loved be.   

XXXV.  
The first Love God respects; Love God, for He  
Above all other things our Love deserves;  
If any other thing more loved be,  
Our love from its right order greatly swerves:  
God far above all other things excels,  
Because in him all excellency dwells.   

XXXVI.  
If lovely beauty may our love attract,  
And cause our eyes and hearts thereon to gaze;  
Such lovely beauty dwells in him, in act,  
As may with admiration us amaze.  
A perfect fitness for to satisfy  
Our souls with goodness to eternity.   

XXXVII.  
Beauty doth stand in a just symmetry,  
A fit composure and proportion due,  
Of parts and of appearances to th'eye;  
Such as a loveliness presents to th'view.  
Such justice, wisdom, power and goodness, are  
In God, and so agreeing, None's so fair.   

XXXVIII.  
Behold his lively image, christ our Lord,  
Where God himself unto us doth present;  
He's white and ruddy, his face doth afford  
What ever may our souls like and content.  
Power, wisdom, greatness, riches, glory, grace,  
And all that suits our wants dwells in his face.   

XXXIX.  
What ever we can wish, desire, or crave,  
That may promote our hearts content, or ease,  
In God we may behold it, and it have,  
Yea so as perfectly our hearts to please,  
When healed so as we can see aright;  
All beauty's far below his glory bright.   

XL.  
If love and bounty may challenge, as due  
Affection from us: He the first is there.  
God loves so, and his favours old and new  
Are such, as none like them there ever were.  
We nothing have that's good, but He it gave us,  
We not ill scape, but He therefrom doth save us.   

XLI.  
Oh who God's love and goodness can set forth!  
Who can his benefits justly repeat?  
Their number's numberless, and such their worth  
As cannot be expressed, it is so great.  
Behind, before, about us look we round.  
Above, beneath, we see his love abound.   

XLII.  
Where shall we first begin? where make an end?  
If with the world's beginning, that's too late.  
Before the World God did us good intent,  
Sure than his love is of an elder date.  
And it's his desire we should do well for ever,  
His love's eternal then, and endeth never.   

XLIII.  
When God did make this World, and Being give  
Unto each thing therein, it was for man  
That He might be well, and contented live.  
Yea h's thoughts to make it before it began,  
Were with an eye to us, that we might Be;  
And might his goodness and his glory see.   

XLIV.  
What a well furnished house did God provide,  
With all accommodations that might make  
Our lives most comfortable! yea beside  
We of his heavenly Image did partake.  
God gave us power and rule over the rest  
Of creatures; and with fitness for't us blest.   

XLV.  
Wisdom he gave to manage such a power  
And such a manly courage, majesty,  
And countenance, as well might make them lower  
That would but dare t' oppose his Sovereignty.  
Yea male and female, for each other meet  
He made us, that our converse might be sweet.   

XLVI.  
Yea further, he did also us create  
Capable with himself converse to have;  
And did his mind to us communicate.  
What could we more of him desire or crave?  
How great his love and goodness to us then,  
When we were innocent and upright men?   

XLVII.  
But yet his love he shown forth more sully,  
When we by sin were fallen into woe,  
And sins cursed fruits did soul and body sully,  
And we deserved he should have been our foe.  
When we were helpless and had ever perished,  
Unless his love had us relieved and cherished.   

XLVIII.  
When the whole World could not relieve our case,  
But more than a whole World it did require,  
To ransom us from ruin, that his face  
We might behold with joy and 'scape his ire.  
Then more than all this World he for us gave,  
(Oh how he loved us!) that he might us save.   

XLIX.  
He to redeem us sent his only Son,  
Clothed with our flesh and blood, made poor and weak,  
Made sin and curse for us, as one undone,  
That he the power of sin and curse might break.  
He him delivered to death on the cross,  
That by his death he might repair our loss.   

L.  
Yet neither did his love, and goodness, here  
Take up and cease, but knowing that we wanted  
A quickening power us up again to rear,  
And keep from death, that quickening power he granted.  
For raising up his Son again from dead,  
He filled him with all fullness o'th' Godhead.   

LI.  
Set him upon the throne of Majesty;  
Made him a quickening spirit, and so gave  
Him clothed with power and all Authority,  
To bring us back again from sin, death, grave;  
Yea rescue and defend us from the Devil,  
Fill us with blessings, free us from all evil.   

LII.  
His Son, his only Son, by whom he made  
This World and all therein; he thus did give  
A gift beyond the World, it can't be said  
How great a gift he was, that we might live.  
For he a person is excelling far,  
All things that by him either were of are.   

LIII.  
Through him he daily doth us feed, and cloth,  
And bountifully lad with benefits;  
Upholds us in our trials, don't us loath,  
Though bad requitals oft from us he gets.  
Yea Heaven he opens to us, and displays  
His glory to us, thither us to raise.   

LIV.  
Through his dear blood he hath prepared a way:  
And grace affords, that we his Sons may be.  
Enjoy his favour, see his face always;  
Be satisfied with good, from ill be free.  
Yea and in glory o'er other things,  
Reign to eternity with him as Kings.   

LV.  
The good, and glory, which he hath prepared  
For us unworthy, sinful, wretched men,  
In our return to him, can't be declared.  
Oh what a lover of us, is He then!  
Yea all his rods and chastisements do tend,  
To bring us to those joys that have no end.   

LVI.  
And to impow'r and move us to repent,  
And close with him, his Spirit doth us give  
With that grace and those means which us prevent,  
That we though dead may hear, and hearing live.  
So that but yielding our obedience to him,  
He'll work our works, & nought shall pluck us from him.   

LVII.  
He calls us to him; bids us ask and crave,  
What ever good we want us to supply,  
Cleaving to him we shall it surely have;  
For nought that's good for us will he deny.  
Yea much he freely gives unasked, that so  
To hope in him, and ask he might us woo.   

LVIII.  
And more than we can ask or think, he'll give;  
Yea more than now our narrow hearts can hold,  
If we believe on him, and to him live:  
The glory he will give cannot be told.  
What love's like his? or where is such a lover  
Amongst all persons that we can discover?   

LIX.  
There's none in Earth beneath, nor Heaven above,  
That loves like him, his love if we do heed,  
'Twill us convince, that him again to love  
It's meet; yea love to him in us 'twill breed.  
The first love to him then rightly belongs;  
Let him be first in all our praising songs.   

LX.  
Yea he's so worthy love, that well we may  
Treble the exhortation with respect  
To him; and to ourselves, and others say,  
Love, Love, Love God, who ever we neglect.  
He's worthy, and we're backward him to love,  
Need therefore fervently thereto to move.   

LXI.  
Yea, love's his due in the highest degree,  
Because his goodness is superlative:  
With all things that we have, with all we be,  
He's worthy love, so long as we're alive.  
Love God therefore with all thy mind, heart, soul.  
Love, Love, Love, and let nought that love control.   

LXII.  
Love God with all thy mind, to him attend;  
Consider what of him we hear, and find:  
Yea set ourselves to seek to know him, bend  
Our thoughts to him, and keep him in our mind.  
With greatest earnestness his praises view,  
To think on him, bid all things else adieu.   

LXIII.  
Love God with all thy heart, as him we know;  
Let our affections close with, and embrace,  
Him freely, fully; all things high and low,  
To the enjoyment of him must give place.  
Resign our wills to him, on him rely,  
Joy and delight we in his Majesty.   

LXIV.  
Seek his approvement, fellowship, and grace,  
Joy in his word and service, and adhere  
Firmly unto him, seek his strength, and face,  
Above all things, and the loss thereof fear.  
Yea love the places whereon be his name,  
His paths, posts, statutes, and frequent the same.   

LXV.  
Love God with all thy soul, the life and might,  
Which soul united with the body gives.  
To put forth all our strength, it is but right,  
Seeking and serving him who ever lives.  
Remiss and slothful seeking him, implies  
That our love to him's cold, and cold love dies.   

LXVI.  
Yea yet again, we may be thrice put on  
To love the Lord, because a Trinity  
There is in him: He's three, though yet but one,  
As Scriptures do expressly testify.  
Love God the Father, Son, and holy Spirit,  
For each of them thy fervent'st love do merit.   

LXVII.  
For each, and All, are love in one; and have  
Jointly, and severally, their love expressed  
To us poor mortals; that they might us save,  
And that our miseries might be redressed.  
In love the Father sent the Son unto us;  
In love the Son came, and the Spirit doth woo us.   

LXVIII.  
In love the Father his Son yielded up  
To be made flesh, and poor, despised, and die:  
'Twas He that gave to him that bitter cup,  
Which wrung his Soul with many an agony.  
In love to us he raised him up again,  
And hath exalted him on high to reign.   

LXIX.  
In love to us the Son our flesh and blood,  
Did at the Father's just appointment take;  
And in our room, and stead, as surety stood,  
And by his dying did atonement make.  
And risen, and offered up himself on high,  
Living to plead for us continually.   

LXX.  
In love to us he sent the holy Ghost;  
And gifts did give to men as he thought good:  
That so by them his Name in every coast  
Might be proclaimed, and his grace understood.  
And unto those who do his grace retain,  
He'll come in glory, and raise them to reign.   

LXXI.  
In love to us the Holy Ghost comes forth,  
In Christ his Name, and doth his truth make known:  
Showing the things of Christ, and their great worth;  
Wooing us to him, that we might him own.  
Waiting with patience for our turning in;  
Ready to wash and cleanse us from our sin.   

LXXII.  
He guides us into truth, he gives support,  
Strengtheneth in services and sufferings;  
Unto our fainting Spirits, he gives comfort;  
Yea he all life and blessings to us brings.  
Will raise us up from death, and grave, and give  
In glorious bodies us with Christ to live.   

LXXIII.  
Love, Love, Love God therefore intensively,  
Who was, and is, and who is yet to come.  
Love every person in the Trinity:  
Oh that he had in my heart all the room!  
Thus in the first place, love to God is due;  
But let us now a second Object view.   

LXXIV.  
Love secondly our Neighbour; for the Text  
That bids us first of all to love the Lord,  
Tells us the second precept (which is next)  
Is love our Neighbours, and we in God's Word  
Good reason for it find; because they are  
Our brethren, though with God they can't compare.   

LXXV.  
All men are sprung from out one common stock;  
Branches of the same root, made of one blood;  
Raised from one common mould, chips of one block;  
Framed by one hand, capable of one good.  
We had at first the same original:  
And must at last into the same dust fall.   

LXXVI.  
Indeed there is in us such backwardness,  
To love our Neighbours, that this thrice repeated  
Word, Love, may be applied with earnestness,  
That our cold hearts to love them may be heated.  
God we so little love, ourselves so wrong;  
That Neighbours get not what to them belong.   

LXXVII.  
IT would be as good for them happy to be,  
And to be miserable full as sad;  
As to be happy will be good for thee;  
And to be miserable for 's bad.  
Seek to promote their good, prevent their woo:  
Do to them as thou wouldst be done unto.   

LXXVIII.  
Especially since it is God's good will  
And precept, that thy Neighbour thou shouldst love:  
And that he might thee move it to fulfil,  
His own example gives thee from above.  
He hath both loved thee, and others too;  
As he hath done to thee, to others do.   

LXXIX.  
God's love to thee obliges thee again,  
Readily what he bids thee to obey.  
To Love thy Neighbour then do not disdain,  
Whatever lust of thine thereto say nay.  
Though of thy love unworthy he doth seem,  
Worthy of thine obedience God esteem.   

LXXX.  
But who's our Neighbour? surely every man  
Distinct from us, at least till filled with evil  
Any we find, that clearly see we can,  
That they are thereby made one with the Devil.  
For they that are God's enemies so far,  
Out of our loves we lawfully may bar.   

LXXXI.  
But for all others, they should loved be,  
Wither they be our friends, our foes, or strangers:  
Their good we should endeavour, joy to see;  
Defend and seek to rescue them from dangers.  
Grieve for their harms, and do what in us lies,  
Their happiness to further any wise.   

LXXXII.  
Me thinks, three sorts of Neighbours I espy,  
God's friends, our own, and they that neither be;  
Respectively to whom this trinity  
Of love-commands, again apply may we.  
Love those that love God, love friends and allies;  
Love other men, strangers or enemies.   

LXXXIII.  
Love those that love God, for they're worthy love;  
In that they do the thing that's good and right:  
They are God's friends, he loves them, that may move  
Thee therefore in them to take much delight.  
They love not God, who do not love his friends,  
And they are faulty, who e'er them commends.   

LXXXIV.  
For in as much as any loves God, He  
God's image in him in some measure bears:  
They are Christ's virtues which in him we see;  
God's and Christ's liv'ries he upon him wears.  
And he that loves not God, as seen in's brother,  
Loves not, but hates God, howe'er he it smother.   

LXXXV.  
If God thou lov'st and seekest desirously,  
Acquaintance with, he with his people dwells:  
In cleaving to their heavenly company,  
Thou shalt meet with him as the Scripture tells.  
If thou hast no desire his face to know,  
Thou lov'st him not, what face so e'er thou show.   

LXXXVI.  
Amongst all men, they the first place should have  
In our affections, because God's in them;  
They're nearest to him, what they of him crave,  
He'll give, for he their prayers will not contemn.  
They then who him neglect, and them despise,  
He needs must take to be his enemies.   

LXXXVII.  
They be Christ's favourites, he doth them own  
As his dear friends, his Mother, Sister, Brother;  
They of him in a special sort are known;  
They're honoured of him far above all other.  
How can he brook it from us, if we them  
Who are so near and dear to him contemn?   

LXXXVIII.  
Them as his Pearls and Jewels he reputes,  
His lot, his portion, his inheritance;  
His garden of delights, which pleasant fruits  
Bring forth to him, and he will them advance.  
Yea he is their lot and portion too,  
Nothing he thinks too great for them to do.   

LXXXIX.  
Love them therefore as thine own choicest friends,  
Consort with them, and walk in their good ways;  
Do for them all that to their welfare tends;  
When they are cast down, seek them up to raise.  
Spare not for them thy wealth, strength, life to spend,  
For that's the way to make the Lord thy friend.   

XC.  
For such an unity with him they have,  
That he doth take what e'er to them thou dost,  
As done unto himself. It's he doth crave  
Thy charity, when they be almost lost,  
Through want of some relief, or in some danger;  
If thou neglect them, thou makest him a stranger.   

XCI.  
Grace teaches thee to love God's friends, yea all  
In whom man's nature savable is found:  
Nature doth teach thee to those thou dost call,  
Thy friends and kindred in love to abound.  
If Gods, and thine, they're both, a double tye,  
To love them dearly, upon thee doth lie.   

XCII.  
Grace, natural affections, don't destroy,  
But rectifies, making them clean and right:  
To love thy friends and kinsfolks, and to joy  
In their prosperity, it doth excite.  
And it allows and leads thee soberly,  
With them to sorrow in their misery.   

XCIII.  
Yea usually more than in other folks,  
Because more nearly knit and joined to thee.  
Grace, love from every several tye provokes;  
Where it doth find more grounds, it makes more free.  
Who loves not all is short in grace, his friends  
Who loves not, grace and nature both offends.   

XCIV.  
Yea grace will lead to love, both strangers to us;  
(As God us while to him we strangers were:)  
And enemies who labour to undo us,  
Seeking all comforts from us quite to tear.  
For God us loved while his enemies,  
And while we did him and his laws despise.   

XCV.  
While we against his truth and holiness  
Did act continually, and him so hated:  
That in our hearts we liked nothing less;  
Yea could have wished him annihilated.  
'Twas then his kindness to us, that did slay  
Our enmity, and it remove away.   

XCVI.  
That any are our enemies, 'tis not  
Essential to them, because men they be:  
But it's because error of them hath got  
The mastery, or ill in us they see.  
Endeavour them to cure, ourselves to mend,  
And then their enmity will have an end.   

XCVII.  
And if our love will cure them of their ailments,  
And turn their hearts to us, we gainers are:  
Our friends they'll be, because we so their failments  
By love have cured, and had of them such care.  
Who hates his enemy, but makes him worse,  
And makes himself too partner in the curse.   

XCVIII.  
Who loves his enemies, doth imitate  
The God of love, who us his foes to save,  
Laid down for us his life; and nought doth hate,  
But that corruption which doth us enslave.  
Where love doth conquer, men best get their ends;  
Their foes they overcome, and make their friends.   

XCIX.  
Oh noble love! who while thou makest men yield  
Unto their foes, in all may do them good;  
Not overcome of ill, dost win the field,  
And oftimes drawest thine enemy's heart blood:  
Not to be shed in anger to their guilt,  
But boil in love, and for their good be spilt.   

C.  
Thus Christ did conquer Saul, while he did spare  
His life and soul from ruin, and employ  
Him in the ministry; a conquest rare  
On him he got, wherein they both had joy.  
And he who's life did forfeit, as Christ's foe,  
In love to him did freely it forgo.   

CI.  
Thus thou thy will upon thy foes may'st have,  
If thou dost conquer them by charity.  
However thou that way thy soul shalt save;  
And if not theirs they shall more sorely die.  
Them and thyself by hatred thou mayst kill,  
And near-the-less mayst fail to have thy will.   

CII.  
Love's the best weapon wherewith we can fight,  
Against what ever persons us oppose;  
While it in their welfare seeks its delight,  
We may them conquering win, and nought shall lose,  
But what shall be repaid and hundred fold,  
With that which far exceeds the choicest gold.   

CIII.  
Oh that of that blessed Lamb who lost his life!  
And poured forth his dearest precious blood;  
That by his love he might overcome our strife,  
And his fierce persecutors bring to good;  
We willing were to learn this lesson well,  
To strive in love each other to excel?   

CIV.  
That others evils may not quell our good,  
But we with goodness may overcome their ill;  
That though of mischiefs they cast out a flood  
Upon us, we may seek their welfare still!  
Who lives in love, and love entirely keeps,  
Shall laugh when he who lives in hatred weeps.   

CV.  
But yet a third time love may lead us, yet  
After another object to inquire.  
Love we ourselves: Can we ourselves forget?  
Or can we fail our own good to desire?  
We are not bid to love ourselves, because  
It is supposed we'll do that without laws.   

CVI  
That we should love ourselves, God doth imply,  
When love unto our neighbours bid doth he.  
Making love to ourselves, the rule whereby  
Love to our neighbour measured should be.  
To love our Neighbours as ourselves, what's that?  
But if we hate ourselves them too to hate.   

CVII.  
And yet so brutish we ourselves have made,  
That other things we love, ourselves neglect:  
Yea all our times and strength are oft out laid,  
On what our own destruction may effect.  
The love wherewith we love ourselves, is hate  
Indeed, though love we it do nominate.   

CVIII.  
For there's a love to self, that oft destroys  
The soul; which God therefore forbiddeth to us,  
Branding self love as sinful; 'cause it annoys,  
And in the consequent doth but undo us.  
When so ourselves, and what's ours we affect,  
That God, and Neighbours, we to love neglect.   

CIX.  
Of such a love to self, the World is full;  
And every where its fruits are to be found:  
It's that which from all goodness men doth pull,  
And makes them in all wickedness abound.  
Men so themselves, and their own lusts, do mind,  
It's rare an honest godly man to find.   

CX.  
Some men their wisdom, goodness, strength, and parts,  
So much do overween and magnify,  
That unto God and Christ, their minds and hearts,  
For grace and mercy they do not apply.  
Yea and what wholesome counsels unto them  
Others do give, they proudly do contemn.   

CXI.  
Some men their will and purpose cleave to so,  
That what God doth require, they don't regard:  
Yea every one they do account their foe,  
Who their will cross, or their designs retard.  
Yea many one that he may have his will  
Cares not God to blaspheme, and men to kill.   

CXII.  
Some men their praise with men, and reputation  
With fools so love, that so they may them get,  
They'll shape their manners into any fashion,  
And faith and conscience too to sale they'll set.  
Turning their backs on all that God prescribes,  
Rather than bear therefore some taunts or gibes.   

CXIII.  
Some for their honour so ambitious are,  
That rather than they'll lose a cap, or knee,  
They'll fret and sum, yea for it they don't care,  
A Man's, or Nations ruin if they see.  
Because unto proud Haman, Mordecay  
Would not bow down, he all the Jews would slay.   

CXIV.  
Some men for their enriching are so set,  
That so they may but their estates increase,  
Though by oppressing others, they it get  
By lying, cheating, breaking of the peace,  
They matter not; nay they'll for money sell  
Both God and Heaven, and give themselves too Hell.   

CXV.  
Some men their own delights, their pleasures, ease,  
So love and value that they matter not,  
For God or men, so they themselves may please,  
And have their belly-chear, punk, pipe and pot.  
Give them their hawks, hounds, pastimes, sports & plays,  
They matter not what God's laws, or Man's says.   

CXVI.  
Some folks their forms and handsomeness so prize,  
That all their care is wholly thereon set,  
How they some pretty fashion may devise,  
Their hair trim, or their  i'th' new cut get.  
Yea so thy be but fashionably fine,  
Their souls may perish, and the poor may pine.   

CXVII.  
Some men their own inventions so set by,  
Or their own fancies in Religion,  
That of true godliness the heart may die,  
So be their ceremonies go but on.  
Let others rack their conscience, let them kill  
Their bodies, lose their souls, they'll have their will.   

CXVIII.  
Nay many who do honest men appear,  
And from gross acts of wickedness are free,  
Who by no means will lie, be drunk, steal, swear,  
Yet their own things so mind from God they flee.  
Their Oxen, Farms, Trades, Merchandise, or Wives;  
God of their Love, Heaven of their Souls deprives.   

CXIX.  
But this unto men's selves is no right love,  
But hatred rather it may well be styled;  
Because their hearts from God it doth remove,  
And their souls are thereby of life beguiled.  
A man's soul is himself; who that neglects  
Himself doth hate, what ever he respects.   

CXX.  
It's something else that men do love indeed,  
In this false self love, it's a self of sin,  
Which did from Satan at the first proceed,  
And at this motion Adam first let in.  
Sin so in man dwells, and's with him so one,  
That is as a man's self is oft spoke on.   

CXXI.  
Thence we are bid our members on the Earth  
To mortify; when he that bids us so,  
Uncleanness, fornication, lawless mirth  
Therein forbids, and what may us undo.  
It's this indeed that man so likes and loves,  
And it's the love of this that God reproves.   

CXXII.  
The true love to ourselves it is employed.  
In that which God requires of us; as that  
The Lord we seek, love, serve, his will abide  
With patience, love our neighbours, all ill hate.  
Himself he truly loves, who doth endeavour,  
For what his soul will happy make for ever.   

CXXIII.  
He that regardeth not God's holy Word,  
To hear and learn, and carefully obey:  
Who seeketh not to know, and have the Lord,  
His Father, friend, his comfort, help and stay.  
Who hates his neighbours, and doth love his lust,  
Loves not himself, but's to himself unjust.   

CXXIV.  
He that doth truly love himself, doth take  
The course that tends directly to his good:  
Doth seek to know it, doth inquiry make  
For it, not resting till 'tis understood:  
Above his sense, and body, loves his soul,  
And whatsoever would harm it doth control.   

CXXV.  
Who loves himself, indeed doth hate all sin,  
In love to Christ, his lust he will deny;  
Will walk in all good ways: the World to win,  
Would not offend God, or men injury.  
Commits himself to God, on him doth stay;  
And from his holy fear turns not away.   

CXXVI.  
Thus if this posy thou dost understand,  
Thou mayst do well to bear it in thy mind:  
Yea didst thou wear it then upon thine hand,  
And practise it, thou thence much good mightst find.  
Love not thy lusts, the world, or worldly pelf,  
But love God, love thy neighbour, love thyself.   

CXXVII.  
But if God thou neglectest to love, and for  
True love to others, and thyself dost place,  
Some blind affections to their friendship, or  
Their proper stature, fair or comely face.  
Which being of the flesh, though green and fair  
They now do seem, but grass and flowers are.   

CXXVIII.  
Or if thou thine own wit and parts adoring,  
Thy will, thy pleasures, beauty, strength, or ways,  
Or with thine own invention go'st a whoring,  
Or dotest on thine own honour, name, or praise;  
Or any like affection, in the stead  
Of true love placing, dost this posy read;   

CXXIX.  
Then thou this posy dost not well apply,  
Nor needest such iterations to incite  
Thy love; but rather needest that to deny,  
Then to foment, because thy love's not right.  
Love not, love not, love not, well may we say  
When ours or other men's affections stray.   

CXXX.  
Love not the World, nor things thereof, so saith  
The holy Ghost: from fleshly lusts abstain;  
They fight against our souls, lead from the faith,  
Deprive us of all good, and make us vain.  
Lord all unlawful love purge out of me,  
And make me love myself, my neighbours, Thee.    

Another POSY, O. M. W. R.  
God first doth try, then satisfy.  

I.  
HOW wondrous are God's ways?  
He is most worthy praise.  
His counsels all are very deeply laid,  
The fool can't in his mind,  
His methods see or find.  
Who of his judgements may not be afraid?  
Through Seas and Wilderness his ways lie,  
Yet when he hath tried, he doth satisfy.   

II.  
His works are so i'th' dark  
To us, who can them mark.  
Till he doth bring them forth unto the light?  
Though he i'th' dark begin,  
Yet doth he never lin,  
Till by his lustre he dispel the night.  
Then they who feared and sorrowed, may espy  
How much they erred, and praise him hearty.   

III.  
This is that way of God,  
With all his Saints oft trod.  
As at the first light out of darkness sprung;  
So through much darkness, he  
Hath made his people see  
The light of life, wherethrough thy oft have sung.  
Christ fills his vessels first with water, and  
Then waters turns to wine by his command.   

iv  
And this he doth, that so  
He might make us forgo  
Those lusts and Idols whereunto we cleave.  
And those sins mortify,  
Which else would make us die.  
He proves whether for him we them will leave;  
And may we not when tried, as dross be found,  
God will us save, and our joys shall abound.   

V  
God tried Abraham,  
When out of Vr he came,  
From's kindred and his country made to go:  
But yet he did him save,  
And better lands he gave,  
Then that was which he called & brought him fro.  
An heavenly country he before him set,  
Which caused his mind the earthly to forget.   

VI  
And his dear Sarah too  
Who out with him did go,  
Beside her many wander, trials had,  
Twice she did scarcely scape,  
From Heathen Kings a rape,  
Her barren womb, and bond-mayd, made her sad.  
Yet when by many trials she was taught  
To trust in God, she brought forth, and she laughed.   

VII.  
Though Jacob was decreed,  
To Lordship as we read,  
Yet how great hardships did he first sustain?  
Through Esans great hatred,  
He unto Laban fled,  
Where as a servant he did long remain.  
On the cold earth, on an hard stone he slept;  
Conversed with God, yet afterwards oft wept.   

VIII.  
He saw Heaven opened,  
Whence God himself preached,  
From top of ladder greatest blessings to him:  
Which before he enjoyed,  
Great sorrows him annoyed,  
How many griefs sustained he like t' undo him?  
Yet in the close of is trials he did meet,  
With many an heavenly satisfying sweet.   

IX.  
That chaste and pious lad,  
Joseph, after he had  
In dreams great dignity unto him showed;  
Was by his brethren sold,  
And sorrows manifold,  
Sustained in Egypt, by his Mistress lewd.  
Many a doleful heart smart, stinging grief,  
Prisons and irons, small hopes of relief.   

X.  
Yet when God had him tried,  
He him well satisfied:  
Raised him to honour, made him to command,  
With great Authority,  
Over both low and high,  
Next to the King throughout all Egypt's Land.  
Thus God through trials manifold prepared him,  
And after with great honour did reward him.   

XI.  
Moses in rushy boat,  
Did on the waters float,  
Before he was received in Pharaoh's Court:  
Whence put to flight again,  
He was in Midian fain  
To act the shepherd in an homely sort.  
Yet thence God brought him to be Israel's head,  
By whose hand out of Egypt he them led.   

XII.  
Where they had strangers been,  
And great oppressions seen,  
After the promise of the pleasant Land.  
Brought whence at length they were  
Through Wilderness fear,  
Seas, flood, and many trials with high hand.  
And after all at length they did possess  
The Land of promise with great quietness.   

XIII.  
That Ruddy youth, the sheep  
Of Jesse that used to keep,  
He was anointed King of Israel:  
But before he did reign,  
Great griefs he did sustain,  
In Caves and Mountains, through what him befell.  
Yet God at length his enemies destroyed,  
He reigned in state, and in God greatly joyed.   

XIV.  
Behold we Christ our Lord:  
How much was he abhorred  
Of men? a man with many sorrows tried.  
In's birth laid in a stall,  
His Life and Death with gall  
Was filled, with malefactors crucified.  
He as i'th' wine-press of God's wrath was trod,  
Yet now is glorified, worshipped as God.   

XV.  
Then let it not offend us,  
If God, that he might mend us,  
Do exercise us after any sort:  
Let us but to him cleave,  
He never will us leave,  
Till he hath satisfied us with comfort:  
Since this his method is, he first doth try,  
(And so prepare for bless) then satisfies.   

XVI.  
Yet every one that's tried,  
Is not so satisfied,  
But they who trials patiently abide:  
Continuing in God's way,  
And trusting in him, they  
Shall with a crown of life be dignified.  
They who through unbelief, impatiently  
Depart from God, deprive themselves and die.   

XVII.  
In Israel of old,  
They who had manifold  
Proofs of God's love and graciousness received,  
And yet through unbelief,  
Put his good spirit to grief,  
And turned aside, thereby themselves deprived.  
Not patiently abiding to the end,  
They perished in those judgement's God did send.   

XVIII.  
They had not been o'erthrown,  
Had they this truth well known,  
And kept in mind, that this is God's good way,  
By trials to prepare  
Those that his people are,  
And then his satisfactions to convey.  
This ruin'd them that being tried, they thought  
God hated them, and their destruction sought.   

XIX.  
But God did never fail,  
Those where grace did prevail,  
To make them patiently to him to cleave.  
Though failings oft they had,  
Yet God did make them glad;  
pardoning their sins, he never did them leave.  
'Tis not infirmities, and failings many,  
Where men are true to God shall deprive any.   

XX.  
Then let us courage take,  
And never God forsake,  
For whatsoever trial us be●al:  
Our sins let us bewail,  
And hope, though thoughts assail,  
Since God through trials led his people all.  
Only when God doth try us, us to prove,  
To try ourselves too it doth us behoove.   

XXI.  
That we may see what dross  
We yet retain; which loss  
Will bring unto us, if not purged out:  
And when seen, with it part;  
So God will fill our heart  
With heavenly satisfactions without doubt.  
And let none leave God's way, because they're tried;  
Who keeps it shall at length be satisfied,  
When by their trials they are purified.    

To a Stationer who being asked for a Bible, replied, Will you have one with the Service in it?  
SIR,  

Whether you asked this question in a jeer,  
Or seriously you have my Answer here.   

MY Service is not bound up in a Book;  
For than I might sometimes have it to look.  
For so some man might put it in his pocket,  
Or lay it in his desk, and from me lock it,  
So that I might not get it when I should  
Perform it; or it might in time grow old:  
It might be lost, , dirtyed, rend or torn,  
Or be with too much thumbing quite outworn.  
At best as closed up in a Book it's dead,  
And so not such as should be offered  
Unto the living God; who now requires,  
A living sacrifice, not dead desires,  
A reasonable service unto him,  
And such a service he will not contemn.  
My service Sir I'd bear it in my heart,  
Whence it may issue out to every part.  
It is the yielding of my whole body,  
To do God's will, or bear it cheerfully.  
That is the service we ought to perform,  
And not ourselves to this World to conform;  
As in the twelfth to the Romans you may read,  
The World itself and its service is dead.  
They like to serve the Devil with their hearts,  
Their tongues, hands, heads, and all their other parts;  
To give their bodies unto lust, or pride,  
Their mouths to curse, boast, scoff, jeer and deride,  
Blaspheme and lie; themselves they sacrifice  
To drunkenness, whoredom, or avarice.  
And yet they think they serve God bravely too,  
For they their service in a Book can show.  
Their service is a thing that lies without them,  
And they can carry it sometime about them,  
Unless their Book's too big, or lay it by  
When they have said it o'er, and let it lie.  
They can present it unto God i'th' morn,  
And all the day beside his counsels scorn.  
Or else perhaps present it but one day  
In six or seven, and all the week else lay  
It at a distance; giving God what's dead,  
While with what lives their lusts are worshipped.  
Oh gallant service! like to the Idols old,  
Which Heathens made of Silver or of Gold:  
Which might be carried from place to place;  
And had th' appearance of an humane face:  
But yet were life-less, void of inward breath;  
And could not keep their worshippers from death,  
Either of body or of soul, though they  
Did do their service to them every day.  
Dead fouls with dead things suit; the living God  
Who quickens what is dead, and with his rod  
Corrects the Nations, living things likes best;  
Even living groans of an inspired breast.  
The World such living service can't perform:  
It hates the power and only likes a Form  
Of Godliness; which they may leave or take,  
Use or lay by, as for their turn it doth make.  
Mistake me not herein, as if I thought,  
Or else intended to judge, all prayers naught,  
That are taught by a Book; or as if none  
Might pray acceptably, who pray thereon.  
It is the World's bad guise I here reprove,  
Who serve God with pretences, their sins love:  
Which many too may do, that pray without  
A Book; and so too many do no doubt,  
Delight themselves in their own gifts and parts,  
While yet their lusts they love with all their hearts.  
Witness the pride or avarice of some,  
Who yet as Saints into God's presence come.  
I know a Book that service may hold forth,  
Which God requires and shows to be of worth.  
And so each sacred Bible doth declare,  
What worship God requires of praise and prayer,  
Or other ways of service; but no ground  
Of any such distinction so is found.  
As if some Bibles did not show the way,  
How we should serve God, and unto him pray.  
I do suppose it was some other thing,  
That you did signify in your saying.  
Likely those Forms of Prayer you meant thereby,  
That are enjoined by Authority.  
If so, pray know, that I the words of them  
Do not except against, much less condemn.  
The Prayers are pithy, Orthodox and good,  
More generally if rightly understood:  
And such as whereto I Amen can say  
Hearty, when with them I hear men pray.  
And so may others too I think; although  
Some few things there among scruple I do.  
Unto the pure all things are pure and good,  
But that must warily be understood.  
For what I am not satisfied in,  
I cannot say I am, without my sin;  
Nor would I thereby slain my Conscience,  
Or unto others give cause of offence,  
But why you, Sir, those Prayers the Service call,  
I can't well tell, nor much inquire it shall.  
I call them not my Service, they that do  
May lay them on the Altar, I think so  
They might be offered up, although they there  
Should lie untouched, or unread all the year,  
As a sum of the Church's prayers and praise,  
And so less grief to some men they would raise.  
And they the same are, and as pithy too,  
Though never read, as when men read them do.  
Though I the reading of them too allow,  
To such as please, if any would them know;  
Or in those words would their desires express,  
I can mine sometimes too with readiness.  
Though I profess I ne'er could find it yet,  
In any passage of the holy writ,  
That God requires, or holy men did use  
To read their prayers to God; but pray excuse  
That passage in me, I leave others free;  
Let others leave me so, and we agree.    

Sententious Verses of an unknown Author.  

COnfession is to cure our sin,  
A very present Medicine.  
Thy Saviour on his Cross did choose  
To save thy life, his own to lose.  
Our Saviour cried, Repent, Repent,  
As John who, fore our Saviour went.  
Blessed be the Name of Jesus,  
Who tormented was to ease us.  
The grace of Jesus is to me,  
The only true felicity.  
Christ's Cross my Crown, I do esteem,  
What ever earthy men do deem.  
My hope in Christ is fixed sure,  
Who wounded was, my wounds to cure.  
My hope shall never be confounded,  
Because my hope on Christ is grounded.  
My soul cleave fast to Christ above,  
For nought on earth deserves thy love.  
Fear not my soul, be not dismayed,  
For Jesus Christ thy debts hath paid.  
The Death of Christ is life to thee,  
If thou a Christian truly be.  
Faith is not faith, unless it be  
A faith that works by charity.  
Christ is by marriage knit to thee,  
If thou to him by Sanctity.  
Admire my soul, the mystery  
Of Jesus Christ's nativity.  
Christ was conceived i'th' Virgin's womb,  
That thou mightst a Son of God become.  
Christ unto thee, if thou be his,  
Both light, and food, and Medicine is.  
If thou polluted art with sin,  
The fountain's open, enter in.  
He that doth eat and drink by ●aith,  
Christ's flesh and blood, salvation hath.  
Be wise, do not too far inquire,  
For what thou rather shouldst admire.  
Christ is ascended up on high,  
And we must up as Eagles fly.  
God sealeth by his holy Spirit,  
As many as shall life inherit.  
Great is the Church's dignity,  
That chosen is Christ's spouse to be.  
In Christ we are of God elect,  
What's out of Christ God doth reject.  
Our prayers do pierce the starry sky,  
And fetch down blessings from on high.  
The Angels of the Lord protect,  
All those that are the Lord's elect.  
The Devils treacheries who knows,  
A thousand ways he seeks our woes.  
He's only wise who God doth know,  
And doth by life his knowledge show.  
To live it is not, but to die,  
To live in sin securely,  
Christ's life must be a Rule to thee,  
If Christ's Disciple thou wilt be.  
Thou from thyself must first departed,  
Before thou canst in Christ have part.  
Thy soul can nothing satiate,  
But God who did the same create.  
Labour to have thy conscience pure,  
When all things fail that will endure.  
What is a bubble? such is man,  
Whose life in length is but a span.  
The man that Covets, is but poor,  
Although he riches have great store.  
The sign by which the Saints we know,  
It is by love their faith to show.  
The soul that chaste is, is Christ's Spouse,  
His bed of rest, his lodging house.  
The life of man's a rolling stone,  
Moved to and fro, and quickly gone.  
Love not the World, the World is vain,  
But love the things that will remain.  
The Palmtree grows the more pressed down,  
And crosses prove the Church's crown.  
Take up thy cross and it endure,  
Then of a crown thou shalt be sure.  
Let not tentations cast thee down,  
For perseverance will thee crown.  
Think every day to be thy last,  
And when that's come thy life is past.  
Grieve not when Christian friends do die,  
They gain by Death eternity.  
Remember that Christ Jesus shall,  
Thoughts, words and deeds, to judgement call.  
All earthly things tread under thee,  
And let thy thoughts in Heaven be.  
The Saints are Pilgrims here below,  
And towards Heaven their country go.  
If thou be'st here a child of grace,  
'Mongst Angels thou shalt have a place.  
If into Hell thou wouldst not fall,  
Think daily on't and mind God's call.  
The pains of Hell do far extend,  
Beyond all time, World without end.  
Doth Adam die, Christ in thee live?  
Christ shall eternal life thee give.    

Upon the carelessness and covetousness of some that regard not to Read, much-less are willing to buy good and useful Books; and the wickedness of others that traduce them.  
Quis leget, aut emet haec.  

SEE here my friends, that which with much expense  
Of time and money (if without offence  
I may suggest it) I prepared have,  
Your good to further, and your souls to save:  
Is here exposed to you; will you read it,  
So as with seriousness to mind and heed it?  
Will you with little charge and cost that buy,  
Which doth me in far greater charges lie?  
Your pains in Reading it will be far less,  
Than mine it to Compose, and in this dress  
To make it ready for you; and your gain  
Will far exceed your cost, if it remain,  
Upon your Reading it, in memory:  
And if unto the practice, you apply  
Your hearts, of what it tends to, as you ought,  
You will not then repent that you it bought.  
But I observe it some men's humour is,  
To slight and undervalue things like this.  
They'll rather idle Ballads buy and read,  
Or such bad Books as vice do breed and feed;  
And what their souls tend to spoil and destroy.  
For pride or belly cheer, they will employ  
Their time and money: and it is a grief  
To find such humours in some men so brief.  
To see no more regard, to what with pains  
And cost prepared is for their endless gains.  
Yea sometimes I with such could angry be,  
When such like carriages in them I see.  
Or marvel at their stupidness to slight,  
What their own welfare much advantage might.  
But then when I look higher, and reflect  
Upon the sad regardless disrespect,  
That too too commonly we all express  
To God and Christ, who far more for our bless  
And endless happiness, than any man  
By all his study and expenses can,  
Have done and have prepared, and tender to us,  
Whereto with much long suffering they do woo us.  
It doth allay my grief and wonder too,  
As to my labours, or what others do  
Of like import; for what am I, or any  
Who labour in such studies, whereby many  
Might benefited be, with him compared,  
Who hath eternal life for us prepared  
By such a costly way, as by the Death  
Of his dear Son, who for us spent his breath,  
And's life and soul exposed to many a grief,  
To bring unto our souls endless relief.  
Find we not Christ himself sometime complain,  
That he had laboured and his strength in vain  
Had spent, while they among whom he had wrought,  
Did all his love and labour set at naught.  
Though he doth freely tender all the good  
Which he hath bought by his most precious blood,  
For mankind, unto whosoever will,  
Accept thereof, and take thereof their fill.  
Yet because something he again requires  
That men do value, and which their desires  
And love are bend upon, they should forsake,  
That of his better things they might partake;  
Because he bids us of him his things buy,  
Men do refuse them too too generally.  
Though all he doth require us to forgo,  
Or unto him to offer up, that so  
We might be happy in what he doth give,  
And might with him in joys for ever live,  
Is nothing worth; nor worthy to be eyed,  
Compared with what he gave, when as he died  
For us and for our sins; his life and blood  
More precious far than can be understood.  
Or else compared with what he gives again,  
Even joys and glory that ever remain.  
If we resent it if our labours be,  
And cost neglected; Oh than what may he?  
With whose both pains and cost, if we compare  
Any or all of ours, they nothing are.  
His labour and his patience very great,  
Beside his agonies and bloody sweat:  
He went about by Land and Sea, that good  
He might do unto those who shed his blood:  
Which he most freely poured out, that we  
Drinking thereof might blest for ever be.  
Yet amongst men how slender his reward,  
How few his love or labours do regard?  
Such is the World's guise, such it constantly  
Hath been, to cast their best concernments by,  
While vanity they love, and follow after  
Mere leasings, or fond things of mirth and laughter.  
Yea not only such things they disrespect,  
As tend their greatest weal most to effect.  
But oft repay with hatred and disdain,  
The greatest love, and things of greatest gain.  
Whereof, as Christ himself the Sovereign Lord  
Of glory, so his choice servants afford  
Sufficient proof and evidence: how great  
Their pains and labour, the World to entreat,  
To save their souls! how great their diligence  
By Preaching, Writing, Travail, Patience,  
In good and bad reports! and yet how bad  
Their entertainment every where! how sad  
Their ill requitals! oh at how great cost  
Have we our Bible truths! how many lost  
Their precious lives, laid out their strength and time,  
That we might know the way whereby we climb  
May, up to Heaven and happiness! yet who  
Will even for Heaven itself their lusts forgo?  
Well then may I not grudge at cost or pains,  
Nor grumble at any neglects, disdain,  
Or what like things me for my labours shall  
From any man, at any time befall.  
Yea, if I for my labours disrespect  
May meet with, it may make me to reflect  
Upon myself, and smiting on my thigh,  
To say, Thus, thus too much and oft have I  
Requited God, Christ, and the holy Ghost,  
And those his servants who unto our coast  
With pains and travail God's truth carried forth;  
Truths of unspeakable and boundless worth.  
Why then should I complain, if I should find  
Such disrespects as suit less with my mind?  
Or why should I expect, respect, or look  
For better likement unto any Book,  
Than usual is for all good things to have!  
Hatred they must expect, who souls would save.  
When I and others mend and better be  
To God, they will deal well enough with me.    

AN EPITAPH UPON Mr. THOMAS LILLY Of South-Lin.  

I.  
THou that go'st by, cast here thine eye;  
I sometime walked there.  
I was a Flower, I stood my hour,  
And now I'm fallen here.   

II.  
I in my time was of the prime  
That lived in this Town;  
A Lily fresh, but I was flesh;  
And Death hath cut me down.   

III.  
ALl flesh is grass, it's grace doth pass;  
The best is but a flower:  
The stoutest man do what he can,  
Must die when 'tis his hour.   

iv  
If riches could Death's force withhold,  
I had not died yet:  
Riches good store I had, Death's sore  
Yet thence no cure could get.   

V  
I thought of this, I sought for bliss,  
I good attention gave  
To what I heard; the Lord I feared;  
And as I sought I have.   

VI  
O man thou must return to dust  
What ever now thou art,  
Dust was thy breed, and 'tis decreed  
Thou and the World must part.   

VII.  
Yet thou may'st live, if thou dost give  
Good heed to mend thy ways.  
For though thou die, yet certainly  
God will again thee raise.   

VIII.  
For Death came in by loathsome sin,  
But Christ for all did die,  
And unto those who with him close,  
He'll give the victory.   

IX.  
Nothing beside will long abide,  
But soon will fade away.  
Consider well; Take heed of Hell,  
Think on thy dying day.   

X.  
So farewell friend, and God thee send  
To live so holily,  
That Heaven may be a place for thee  
When 'tis thy turn to die.   
FINIS.   

Reader there be too many mistakes of Words, Letters, and Points; the chief of them thou hast here a note of and how thou may'st correct them, viz. as follows.  
IN the Title page verse. last for inot r. into. In the Epistle p. 1. vers. 14. for. too r. two. v. 16. r. woe. In the Apology p. 3. l. 32. r. such wooers. p. 4. l. 36. r. I myself submit. In the body of the Poem. p. 2. l. 30. put out the full stop at bands. p. 5. l. 30. r the vile. p. 6. l. 33. for to r. so. p. 8. l. 14. put out the stroke of the parenthesis, and put it in l. 17. after back. p. 11. l. 22. r. the better, and their talk. p. 34. l. 13. r. they may make. p. 39 l. 14. r. good God. p. 42. l. 30. r. naught. p. 44. l. 20. for vow r. bow. p. 54. l. 14. for left r. lift. p. 58. l. 10. r. in my joys. p. 60. l. 20. r. reprov'st us. p. 65. l. last, for can r. did. p. 66. l. 1. and 3. for make r. made. p. 69. l. 24. r. that they in their. p. 72. l. 34. r. fill us. p. 111. l. 14. for whom r. when. p. 131. l. 4. for once r. over. p. 139. l. 17. for abhorred r. adhered. p. 138. al. 140. l. 33. for to r. so. p. 148. l. 9 for is r. if. and l. 29. put out is. p. 151. l. 30. r. fading. p. 161. l. 15. for nosh r. now. p. 164. l. last r. do pierce. p. 167. l. 14. r. showed. p. 172. l. 15. for best r. blessed. p. 181. l. 24. for but r. by. p. 186. l. 15. the word Lamentations should have been in a great and different character, as also divers other words in the foregoing pages. p. 211. l. 22. r. death, honour. p. 224. l. 33. r. between. p. 228. l. 5. for thy r. thee. p. 232. l. 26. for caret r. care. p. 234. l. 16. r. stinch. p. 235. l. 6. r. though. p. 244. l. 30. r. thy pledge my holy. p. 243. l. 27. for fashion r. fathom. p. 254. l. 6. put our the stop at so. p. 259. l. 27. r. heart. p. 256. l. 22. r. ay. p. 260. l. 4. for. lovely r. lowly. p. 264. l. 4. for this r. his. p. 267. l. 28. put out not. p. 268. l. 7. for soul r. love. p. 276. l. last for oft r. oft. p. 295. l. 6. r. and their portion.  
Other mispointings I leave to thy discretion to observe and rectify in thy Reading.