THE Divine Comedian OR THE RIGHT USE OF PLAYS, IMPROVED, in a sacred TRAGY-COMAEDY. By Rich. Tuke. For we wrestle not against flesh and Blood, but against principalities, against powers, etc. Ephes. 6. 12. Quomodo fabula sic Vita, non quam diu sed quam bene acta sit refert,— tantum bonum Clausulam impone. Seneca. Epist. 78. London. Printed by S. G. for Allen Banks, at the Sign of St. Peter at the west end of St. Paul's. 1672. TO The Right Honourable and no less virtuous MARY Countess of WARWICK. Madam, I Am sensible, that it is a great presumption in me, being an Obscure Person, and altogether unknown to your Honour, to prefix that illustrious Name of yours to this mean undertaking which has been already celebrated to the World, in the works of your Honourable Brother, whose learned Pen, can give an immortality to any thing it mentions. But to render my attempt herein, if not warrantable, yet the more excusable; I must say that my chief design herein, was an Essay of gratitude towards your Honour, as a poor acknowledgement of your favours, towards some, the nearness of whose relation to me, hath reflected a great part of the Obligation, upon myself, and rendered me your Debtor. And under this Character, I am bold to offer these fancies to your Honour's Patronage, as a Testimony to the World, of that real esteem and reverence the Author of them bears to your admired virtues. The following lines were the unripe fruits of a youthful fancy, and the divertisements of idle hours. They are innocent and harmless, And that's the best I will say of them. Recommending them to your Honour's gracious acceptance from Madam, Your Obliged Servant and Honourer, R. T. DRAMATIS PERSONAE. Enpirea, the Soul. Cosmus, the World. Profit, her two Minions. Pleasure, Satan, Lust, Caro, the Flesh. Reason, Privy Cousellor to Empirea, but disloyal. Scandal, Castigators. Poverty, Sickness Faith, the three Theological graces, and Attendants to the Queen Empirea, Hope, Charity, Visus, the five Senses. Auditus, Olfactus, Tactus, Gustus, PROLOGUE THe Life of Man's, a Tragicomey, Varied with Scenes of sorrow and delight, The World's the Scene and we the Actors be, Angels spectators, that behold the sight. 2. The prologue to it, is an Infants Cry, (So our first Scene beginneth Tragieal,) The Epilogue unto this Tragedy, A dying groan, Tears, and a passing Bell. 3. The Comic part thereof, a Scene or two, Of Mirth and Laughter, in our frolic Youth, Attend ●…ill with far more Scenes of Woe, And sadncss; those are fictions, these are truth. 4. Heaven gives the Plandit, when the Act is done, Or else explodes it if 'tis done amiss, Or Life, or Death, Damnation, or a Crown Of Glory the reward of acting is: He acts his part unto the Life indeed, To whom heavens Plaudit, shall his Act succeed. THE Soul's Warfare, Actus primus. Scena prima. Empirea, Cosmus, Prosit, Pleasure, dressed like Pages. Cosm. HAil fairest Queen! Empir. who's there, the World? Cosm. — 'tis I, Madam your humblest servant, that am come out of that Love and Duty that I bear unto your Sacred Person, to present Two of my faithful Servants, to attend and wait upon your Highness: Empir Pretty Lads, What call you them? Cosm. This in the Sarsenet suit of divers Colours, and a swelling Plume of Ectritch-Feathers dancing on his Beaver, is called Pleasure; that same other in a Robe thick laid with Gold, Whose shining lustre outvies the Prince of Day in all his glory, is Profit, t'one a merry wag, and will defend you from the mind-afflicting Charms of Melaucholy, that same Peevish Fiend, he'll strew your ways with Roses, you shall lie on beds of Violets, and shall surfeit too on Aromatic sweets: both Heaven and Earth shall yield their dainties up, the Stars shall serve to make you Jelly, and the Pearly dew perfumed with the choice attracting spirits of Flora's Officine, shall every Morn be for your morning drink; then shall he run into the Indies, and thence load himself With richest spices to perfume the Air When you shall walk abroad; Each morning he shall wait upon you with a Heavenly Noise of rarest Music, whose sweet harmony shall pass that of the Spheres, and fill you full of joyful extacies; Green shades bestrewed with Nature's verdant Plush, and thickly laced with various coloured flowers: shall please your eyes and bless your smelling too: then will he lead you on your gentle Palfrey to the Park, Where you shall follow brave Actaeon's mates over the flowery Lawns, and Crystal springs after the lightfoot Deer, till they shall fall down Captive at your feet: then against your returnrn, shall he new dress him in a Banquet or when you would be private, he shall read sweet Amorous Sonnets to you; such as are Great Ovid's buxom Elegies: and then, when as the Sun has in his Western Bed shrouded himself and left his guard of Stars to watch the slumbers of the universe: he'll lead your senses into Pleasant Dreams, With the sweet lullaby of pleasant songs from fairest Virgins such as Helen was: or rather such as that same Quintessence Apelles drew, and who shall likewise mix their amorous songs, With honeyed balm of Kisses, press on the Cherrys of their yielding lips; So shall he entertain you all the night, Feasting your Grace with pastime and delight. This other Youth, whose Visage altogether is not so pleasing, but does seem to look with a severer, with a graver aspect, with eyes cast down upon his Mother Earth, Born in America, where in the Mines he sometimes dwelled, but since the western World has fetced him thence, and now he flourishes in the most splendent Courts and Palaces of Asian and Europian Monarchies he now with his pleasing Arms intwining round Great Caesar's Brows, and makes his Majesty look with a greater Grace; than they of old did with their Laurel Boughs. He is a Counsellor to Kings; who will not dare to enter upon any thing, till they have first consulted him, 'tis he must raise their legions for them, and the metal is that makes their Soldier's fight, and does inflame their courages more than Drum, or Trumpet can, He makes their Navies (like as Silua would conquer the Ocean) cloud the unruly Main, and spread themselves into these foreign Soils, that Fame herself ne'er knew, subduing all the way they go, till all the World should stand amazed at them, He alone it is, that is the strength and sinews of the Land, and does extend his divine influence, into the darkest Corners of the Weal: He 'tis that makes the great ones like to Suns, each in his place, admired and adored; That blazens forth their honourable Crests, and decks their Names with reverence and esteem: He is a comfort to afflicted one's: and those afflicted persons, that have left no Friends nor comforts, he can in a trice create them both: when they are deeply plunged in want or misery he helps them out, When sad, he cheers them, when imprisoned frees them, When sick he cures them, when in pains doth ease'm. 'Tis for these glorious properties the World adores him: People placing him in shrines of well tewed leather, built him temples of hard Adamantine, time outwearing metal; Worshipping him as God, of whom they find, so much of good to Body and to Mind. And now (Great Princess!) see this Glorious wight that rules the hearts of them that overrule Great Monarchies here ready stand to beg to be your Slave, deign him a Page's place, Illustrious Queen! and in your Privy-Chambe. But let him wait, you'll find him diligent and trusty. He shall fetch the Indian Mines into your Coffers, fill your Cabinets with Pearls, more rich than Cleopatra's draught, Prized at a Kingdom,— this can Gold and more— Empir. Nay her's enough; Base Sycophant, I do not like your wooing; thinkest thou to trap a pure immortal Soul, with such inferior trifles? World, dost know who 'tis I am? Is not my Royal Father the Great Creator of the Universe, and King of thee, and all the World beside? Is not my Country Heaven, of which I am an heir, and where I have laid up a Crown? Are not the Angels, whose pure beings are Exempt from dross and grosser qualities, Mighty and glorious, my attendants, and shall I admit of Drudges, base born Slaves to be about me? No, they are too foul, too earthly, too impure: Thy worldlings may think them welfavored, but I can discern no fairness in them: as for Pleasure let him go serve Swine, or tend the bearded Crew that climb the Mountains; whose bruit natures may require those kind offices that you have proffered to me, but an heir of Heaven slights them as Dirt and Trash: let profit go again for me, into those dirty holes from whence he came, or to such Earthworm's fly, as love like Swine to wallow in their Mire; But let not dirty clay, burnished over, dare to appear before a Heaven-born-Soul pure as the Stars: I will not be defiled with such base rubbish; my Choice faculties will not away with their society, Nor do I care they should then bear them hence, I care not for their sight: Cosm. Madam you are Ignorant of their worth, you do not know what comfortsthey will prove, when you shall be afflicted, or with pains, or loss of Friends, or any other malady, you'll find no such hearty Cordials as Sir Gold can then administer; But let me know upon what ground is your displeasure founded. Empir. I need no Servitors, I have enough: Cosm. Store is no sore, Empir. But they'll prove sores to me, Cosm. Your reason for't, Empir. To tell you plain they are too like their owner they're too like to you: Cosm. Madam is that your thought? Empir. It is, Cosm. you may please to remember, I have not deserved such usage at your hands, I did not think you could be so ingrateful (parden me) I say ungrateful, thus at last with scorn, back to repay me those indulgencies, whereby I have preserved you ever since you were created; tell me, have not I upheld thy being by my Elements, have not I fed thee, clothed thee, housed thee, kept thee, and more— but I forbear— you can't but know how the whole Microcosm depends on me, and yet thus to abuse my love and kindness— 'tis Empir. What is it? Cosm. High ingratitude, Empir. Thou art deceived vain wretch, did ever I receive such kindness at thy poisoned hands? Did I taste thy bounty? who a spirit, am made unable aught to entertain but what is like wise spiritual, these Corporeal Elements, in me can not▪ reception find, my food is from above: Celestial Manna, food from heaven, from whence I had this being given, never to decay, but by the same almighty power that did Create me without other adjument, I live a life that never shall have end. Then Cosmus cease to twit me with those courtesies I ne'er received, and so farewell, 've other business to mind, than your impertinencies Cosm. Nay Lady: Empir, SWeet World forbear, indeed I cannot stay I must to Court and you'll obstruct my way Scena Secunda. Satan. Lust. Satan. Great Founder of our Hellish Monarchy! that by thy power couldst bright Lucifer unhinge from his imperial Station, spoil the great universe, and overthrow the Lord of this fair Frame, with all the rest of his star-vying Issue; and thereby enlarged the Confmes of the iufernal Crown. There is great Potentate, a Beauteous thing We call a Soul, of noble Progeny, here boarding for a while upon this Earth, and then bound for the Stars: now we that are Gripped with envy, when we any see but reaching thither at that glorious Crown, that we have lost by our rebellion; have left a while the other great affairs of this our Kingdom, and to feed revenge have preordained her a sacrifice, unto the boiling anger of our breast: and you Great Sir! That of our Victor are become our Friend and jointly labour with us to maintain and hold up the joint-interest of our Realm we must implore your aid— she's young as yet and newly kindled and her bosom soft, 'tis Virgin wax: and that will easily yield to thatso'ere impression, let it bear a Catalogue of thy infernal waiters, let it be sullied, that what e'er is good may not be legible and then diffuse thy secret Poison into her, that may spread into every Veyn and Artery, and make her foul to him that doth so much desire to win her; nor mean while will I be idle, but will daily study how to farther this our great design. Lust. Illustrious Friend, Ere since the time thou gavest me a being, and th'Universe had cause to spend a curse on my behalf, and since the time that we brought down great Anthropos to that estate whereto a while before, Namesis had condemned you: we have made it our design to enlarge the limits of our newfound Kingdom: Witness, those Millions of Souls, that lie in Chains of Horror in dark Acheron; All which by force or cunning, we have won from him that rules the Region of the Stars: And shall we let this single animal, go simple forward in her way to Heaven, and have no pul-backs for her, frauds, nor slights to ensnare her with, no Cloudy mists or fogs to cast before her eyes? no Pitfalls laid to interrupt her feet? could we have power by the strength only of one single Sin to pull down Angels from their sacred Thrones, into this Pit of Sulphur? and cannot the like do by this clay-informing fire? half ours already, by that leprous stain of hereditary corruption, wherewith at first I poisoned her; whose guilt washed of by Baptism and her Saviour's Blood yet habits still remains; her faculties (Royal attendants to this Heavenborn Queen already we have corrupted, and made swear Fealty to our service, Knowledge first, her great intelligencer, Precedent too of her privy-Council, and the Star whose light should guide her to port of bliss, we have rob of its heavenly notions darkened its lustre, and instead thereof, planted dim notions and deceitful lights, that spread their rays on nothing but what is Earthly and filthy; the affections seem to stand neuter yet, so does the Will, t'one we have bribed with some gaudy trifles as honours, pleasures, riches, and the like; the Will seems to be governed by them, but now and then draws back as though it smelled some treachery, but that which most avails is, we have gotten Reason in to be a privy-Councellour, who will no doubt carry our work on well; the Passions have mixed themselves with the affections, disordering and making them unruly: aiming at nothing but a Tyranny, which all the other powers must obey. And sigh we know and policy informs us, how the way to conquer first must be by strengthening ourselves by potent allies; We have got the World to be on our side too, who yesterday attended with a pair of wily Lads (that can insinuate into your bosom, and then cut your throats) offered them to be pages to the Queen Empirea, But she in a sullen fit, I wish (It be not policy) refused them both, but stay, here Cosmus comes himself: — Enter Cosmus, with a dejected look, and muttering somewhat to himself.— Let him relate his embassy at large; now Mischief! what a Vengeance ails thy looks to be so crabbed? done't thy Pitfalls take? Do men grow wise and 'scape them? or return thy favours as they would commodities where they suspect a Cheat? has some sick Nun, whose Queasy stomach could not well digest thy fooleries, having but lately took thereby a surfeit, shut thee out of doors, and in some Abbey anchorized herself, and vowed defiance against thee? this would make Cosmus to frown indeed— but waving this prithee how cam'st thou off the other day with thy two Bastards? did the Queen except thy courtesy? Cosmus. — No Sir, nor hardly would endure their sight, though I used all the Rettorick I could, to set them off, and yet me thought at first, somewhat she did incline, but now and then She'd turn her head aside, and look as though some one were whispering somewhat in her ear and then She'd sigh, and by and by would blush: But yet no Creature all this while I see till having finished my Oration, (which she exploded as a little smoke,) She with a stiff denial turned about and left me. Lust. Baffled! Sure this Soul is monstruous wise, thus to outwit thee (World) what hadst thou ne'er a Rattle in thy hand (which honour some will call) to jingle in her Ears, nor yet some curious painted bubbles, such as boys raise out of Nutshells, to allure her with? These will do feats with others that declare by such fond choices, what their Judgements are: But wisemen with an unconcerned look can see thy Ape's scrambling for Nuts, and toys, that thou in sport dost cast among them, and laugh at both them and thee— Satan. What says Caro, Pleads she not aught in their behalf? Cosmus Poor Wretch! She seems to long more than a Bridegroom doth, for the approaching nuptial night, t'enjoy their company, She says her Lady has made her keep Lent this twelvemonth, and hath pined her with base cankring abstinence so long, that She is almost ready to forsake her service, and return to Earth her Mother, Lust. Intolerable wrongs! as long as flesh is thus kept under by her Tiraunie, We fight against the wind; but can there be no way invented for to set her free? Cannot we get her to rebel, and turn to us? such treason cannot but delight, and pleasing seem to mortified flesh, cannot we promise her for hardened floors, to sink in softer down, for darkened rooms and solitary haunts, the pleasant walks of Tempe and Ide; promise Elysium and all the Joys o'th' Alcoran— but tush, She knows thee well enough— no need of Bush But Cosmus, what dost think on't— prithee speak: Cosmus. The Italian in his hottest Jealousy pries not more narrowly into the ways and actions of his new espoused wife, though a Venetian, and not past eighteen, then doth Empirea watch th'enslaved flesh, forbidding her whatever liberty Reason might seem t'allow— who dares not stir once out of doors, but like a Recluse hid, ●o all the world dark Lanthorned as it were, Nor dare once cast a glance aside, but straight ' us checked, lust charged with deceit and flesh, be surely penanced for't Satan. O Cruel, Cruel as ourselves, what hope have we as long as our friend Flesh is kept thus in subjection to that stubborn dame? yet we must help her, Reason is you say, our friend: Lust. — He is, Satan. May not we try, If with his Oily language he perhaps may with Empirea preval to let her have more liberty. Lust. We may, and 'tis good policy, Flesh shall begin to rail, and clamour, so we'll have the Plot, and then Reason shall come and help her, Satan. Very good; And if that need require, ourselves will there be present, and with Reason will aloud rail in Empirea's Ears, till we shall fright her into better thoughts, Lust. 'tis done, and we will go about it: Satan. Fate auspicious be. Exeunt. Chorus of Angels. Angel. 1. Thus is our Heaven born sister, fain To crowd her way through grief and pain, Ere she can come with us to reign. Angel. 2. Thus do her cursed foes that were (Once our colleagues) seek to ensnare, her Heav'n-bound feet, and keep her there. Chorus. But she shall overtop them all And come to us when Heaven shall call. Angel. 1. Mean while, while she thus struggles out Her passage through fear and doubt, Let's go and camp ourselves about Angel 2. her sacred shrine and keep her from Whatever ill may chance to come Unto her until she come home. Chorus. When she shall overtop them all, And live with us when heaven shall call Angel 1. And let our gracious Sovereign grant Whatever succours she may want Or comforts when her Joys are Scant Angel 2. That she may never seem to be A prey left to the Enemy, But still be Crowned with victory: Chorus. Till she shall overtop them all And come to us when Heaven shall call. Actus Secundus. Scena prima. Empirea, Caro, Reason. Empirea. Flesh, pray keep in to day, we must to Court and you must not be gadding as you use, When we should thither take the milky way. Pray stay at home and dress us, we must fast to day; nay whine not Flesh, it must be so; I'll tame your stubbornness, and bring you low; What's that you say? Caro. I cannot fast, Empirea. How's that you cannot? Caro. — No, Most cruel Mistress, do but see how I am skeltoned and marcerated by your fastings, almost quintessenced to skin and bones: see but my Braw-fal'n-limbs how lank their skin hangs like to leather bags; shall I be martyred that from day to day? I will not, nay I cannot, it is not the way to have a servant of me long, to use me thus, and pine me unto death, against all reason— Enter Reason, Satan. Reas. Good morrow Lady, what's your waiting man and you fallen out? Empir. It seems so Sir, an't may be 'tis from you we are, for even just but now she had your name up. Reason. Mine good Madam? Empir. Yes, yours, good Madam, you think it may be, we are ignorant of your devices, and your tricks, to allure her from our service. Reas. Madam we that are great moderator of all humane things, that hold the golden Scale wherein are weighed all humane Actions, and Chief Counsellor to truth, hold this as a disparagement to our high office, that have hitherto been a Peacemaker: no, we never come where there is brawling, 'xcept i● be to end the strife, and you do wrong us to suspect what never yet occasion offered to your hard thoughts.— Empir. Reason, we honour thee, Mortals indeed have cause to bless thee, and adore thy light, whom the grave-magis of all times, have courted; and in all civil Bodies hast a place: Yea, we ourselves are styled rational, and this above the rest of animals: Thy lustre sets a goodly gloss upon these worldly strifes, but in heavenly things, thou'rt wholly blind, thy wisdom, folly, and thy light but darkness, these are spiritual that we're about, and you must leave us here: They are above you, they're too high, too secret for all your scrutiny. Reas. how's that, too secret for us, we that are Nature's Physician, have imboweled her to all her wooers; and by several clues have wound every mystic maze within the Universal labyrinth of the World and traced their causes to their entities, and then proceeding, find them all in one, comprised and centred in perfection can more be known to any one than this. Empirea. Yes, Faith knows more, and tells us mysteries: not to be fathomed by the utmost line of all thy cunning, of the Trinity, and that same High postatique union of the two Natures; Humane and Divine in one, The-anthropos, and of the great Change at the final dissolution these thou art ignorant of. Satan. Reason' I'll help thee or thou art-ore thrown what madness has possessed the Soul to throw, dirt in the face of him to whom she owes her exc'lencie, since to be rational gives her th'advantage of that nobler state whereby she glorieth over all the rest of animals, if Reason lotted were by the great Sovereign of beings, to be Judge and Precedent in chief o'er all thy family of faculties, how dared thou thus abuse her great authority, and call her powers in question to, set up some new usurping fancies of thy own, bred in the breasts of melancholy folk, and vented by tradition through the World. If thou unthron'st thy reason thus, what wilt thou be surviving her authority? irrational, a stile that levels thee But equal to the state of bruits and beasts Empir, Base fiend thy bolt is shot, thy gin is laid, I know thy wiles thy malice and thy spleen, in tempting thus our faculties away, from their allegiance to their Sovereign, who is not Reason, but that God that gave, her for a friend and helper to the Soul. By whose authority she ruled and reigned, and did dispose as pleased her best to do. But when perverted, by the envious wiles in Paradise she turned Rebel to her God, she lost herself in tyranny, by which o'er swayed, we hitherto obeyed, and followed her dictates, running on thereby unto our own destruction: But since in mercy it hath pleased God (in order to that great Redemption his son by dying purchased for us) to renovate our lapsed Natures by secret infusions of diviner grace, we find ourselves lost to ourselves, and not able by any power of our own to gain again that Innocence and peace we lost. Reason has lost her power whereby she would conduct us through those armed ways that lead to happiness; On this account do we disclaim her trust yielding ourselves unto a surer guide, yet hereupon we merit notto be styled irrational, we own her powers where she is able and deserves to rule in civil matters or in moral things. But in Divinity we sore too high for her to follow with those lamer wings, the fall has left her, nor do we decline her principles but rather would sublime them to superior perfections; no way divesting her but seeking to invest her with more noble energies; rendering ourselves no ways irrational but rather truly Metaphysical: in seeking to regain that glorious state, which others that would wise ones counted be, and chiefest Friends to reason-slighting, and instead thereof, choosing a moment's space of Pleasures, ending in eternal pains before those sure and neverdying joys show themselves most irrational of all, and such art thou thyself, O Lucifer, since breaking thy allegiance to thy God thou of an Angel art become a Fiend Condemned to torments that shall have no end. But now our reason is grown impotent we readily submit her to the Will of him, whose sole commands sufficient are as they're revealed in his sacred word to claim obedience to th'authority, of him who our Creator is and Lord: Reason. But does that word that thou pretendest to be such an observour of exact such hard and cruel usage as thy flesh sustains? He is the God of soul and body both, both alike tendered by his sacred care, whose gracious disposition doth prefer Mercy before the goodliest sacrifice: Nor would these bodies, that he lent unto their Angel guests, should be abused thereby, nor yet the Temples of his spirit be defaced or spoiled by cruel usages, you are mistaken, God requires no such things at your hands— Empir. Reason thy talk is vain, Thy Counsels frivolous, who does not know the great concerns of an immortal soul, were this our handmaid, such a friend to us as she was first ordained to be, we should use her accordingly but being now turned our professed Enemy, we'll strive to keep her under, as we solemnly have vowed in our Baptismal Covenant And those rebellious members that are still ●nruly under that same easy Yoke, Our Saviour hath bequeathed unto us shall by constraint be made obedient to the Dictates of the heaven aspiring mind. Thus we hereby an enemy shall subdue, and hereby win that great and glorious Crown, wherewith our labours shall rewarded be in heaven with other of those blessed ones that trampling on their clay'ie Cottages, did thence ascend into their several thrones And thus St. Paul, we find to conflict with more eagerness against these home-bred-foes, than e'er he did with Beasts at Ephesus; keeping his body under, and by force, subjecting it, left by its fraud or strength, he should his hope and glory lose at length. What if these Tabernacles may be said to be the Temples of the living God, if he will deign to dwell in Tents of Clay shall we not strive to make it an abode, fit for his Majesty? we'll sweep it clean, although the scratchings make it bleed again. Then hence you treacherous enemies of ours, our ear henceforward shall be deaf unto your cunning whispers that pursue our ruin, avoid our presence that intent to be reserved a while unto employments, which our purely aimed devotion calls us to. Exeunt Manet Empirea. Sola. Can a Soul be alone and free from thoughts? that like Court-flatt'rers dog us every where, and with unwelcome noises still molest, the peaceful calmness of an holy mind. These busy Fiends continually attend our walks, our motions, and retirements, when we should be private, none but God and we, then steal these enemies upon us, and disturb the flights of our devotion, by whispering unto our senses base, unworthy things, that call aside our hearts from its pursuits in meditation of heavenly things. But though we know their force to be more potent every way then ours, yet in his strength for whose sake thus we strive, we dare appose our force, and faith says yet We shall come of a more than conqueror. In the name then of him, whose name we bear, And unto whom we did Allegiance swear. In entering first this military state, defying those three enemies of his, World, Flesh, and Devil, I conjure you all my Senses, and my nobler faculties, to summon all your strengths, and with me join, against this threefold Enemy of ours, whose force so great, and policy so deep, requires the utmost of our power and skill, to deal with; And my Senses, you that have the greatest trust about us, (for by you all objects are transmitted unto our Superior faculties) have you a care, of this your charge; our state depends on you: If you prove false, by base confed'racy, with those our Enemies (that still will by their sly insinuations labour to withdraw you from allegiance to your God) you ruin us to all Eternity: listen not to their Sirens songs, they will easily tempt you to Intemperance; but heed them not, however pleasantly they look; if you embrace them, I'm undone! and in my health, you only can be safe. There are reserved better joys than these, to feast you with, when this frail life is done. These pleasures you delight in, can afford no true contentment to a Death-less soul, whose vaster appetites still thirst t'obtain more solid joys, that know no date nor bounds, freed from all interruptions of loss, or casualty; our boundless aims can be satisfied no ways, with inferior things, which lose themselves even in fruition, and are at best but perishing, and vain. Those muddy pleasures that continually allure our sensual appetites, disturb the pleasures of the Soul, who is designed for nobler joys, and by the grosser fumes that rise from thence, so cloud our faculties, that we cannot discern those pure delights, that in Reversion we expect to have, after this life; when the remembrance of earthly pleasures will but torture us, when we shall see them gliding all away, and leave us nothing but the stinging thoughts of an afflicted Conscience, to reflect upon the woeful bargain we have made, in changing an eternity of joys for momentany dross— my Senses then enjoy the pleasures of this world, as they were first designed, as your viaticum, as the repasts our gracious father has assigned us for our journey; let them be accepted as the tokens of his Love, Witnesses of his bounty, and the means t'inable us in this our tottering shed, t'imploy our strength in serving of our God. Who when you shall have no more need of them, nor we of you; shall recompense our trust with the rewards of neverdying joys, and we for ever then shall sing his praise. Exit. Scena. Secunda. Satan. What preaching still (thou Enemy of ours) still plotting counterworkes to overthrow our policies? then Satan thou art fooled, gulled by a simple animal, and shamed thou art but Beelzebub, the God of flies, not he that's styled the Sovereign of the Air, and this world's prince, these are but mockeries, and scoffs, the sacred Oracles of truth, have put upon thee, and our power is but a trifle, while we thus grapple with her that has victorious Jesus on her side▪ But can th'experience of so many years serve us no better now instead, then thus though crowned with so many victories? has our employment been e'er since the world's first ruin, daily to invent new wiles, and stratagems, whereby to overthrow the numerous issue of that woeful Sire, that we at first unhinged from his free state and brought into this Captive state of ours? have we so long been conversant with hearts and known their shifts, their inclinations, and tendencies, have been so long a spy unto the secret motions of their minds, which we by the last word or action can easily discover and then suit temptations accordingly, to bring about our great designs, and fail we now? then the old serpent is a novice too, we may lie down and fret our envious breast to see victorious salvation, befool our policies, and curb our powers; yet not contented with an idle hate though we are conquered we must show our spleen, It is the fate our angry Sovereign, hath fastened to our malice that it should make his almighty power more glorious by those defeats it suffereth thereby: what? she is young, her loves are yet new fledged, her resolutions not confirmed by, yet settled habits, and her enemy, the flesh, (blooming with youth) importunate, for fuel to suffice its vagrant fires: she may be tempted yet for all her nice and strict behaviour though her squeamish maw can't away with the world's delicates, though sugared ne'er so finely, but prefers a mortifying abstinence before those fuller meals that others do as much long to repast on, she may soon be tired with dragging on through such thorny ways of abstinence, while her impatient flesh, makes exclamations of her cruelty. Or if this fails and she victoriously persist's in her renewed purposes, we have another stratagem to act, What our allurements can't prevail to do, Reproach and Scandal shall enforce her to. We want not instruments that easily can, bring this about whose tongues first kindled by our fires, will dare to scandalise that faith themselves pretend to, and by mocks and ieers blemish the purity of those, whom they care not to imitate— Happy the times for me, when goodness pass with men for crimes nor while our agents thus we shall employ, will be slack unto the utmost link of our controlling Chain, we will attend her Closet, and be ready with the soil of Vain and Idle thoughts, to mix the fumes of the pure incense of her holy prayers; to slay her comforts with her doubts and fears, and turn her consolations into tears. Thus any way shall serve to wreak our spite, we'll hurt and wound her though we lose the fight. Scena Tertia. The Scene, a Garden in which walking Empirea, the Senses, attendant, Faith. Empirea. O what a glorious subject have we here to raise us into contemplation, of our Creator's Glory! while we see in every thing, the footsteps of his power, and wisdom manifested; O how great! how rich and glorious, must the fountain be, where these fair streams their flow and being have! How great that wisdom that so orderly in the conjuncture of this goodly frame of nature hath disposed its several parts! How great that power whose only fiat could speak them all out of nothing into these their several beings! and than gives them Laws for conservation by a constant chime, of never ceasing generation, by which I see the Plants that lately were entombed within the Bowels of the Earth, now to regain a Resurrection, and lifting up their heads again to heaven, as 'twere, in thankfulness unto that power, that so redeemed them from their Winter sleep. How beautiful, and lovely nature seems! like to a Bride upon her nuptial day, How gay the flowers, with what variety! of colours, tinctured by the artful hand of their Creator, while their sweetness strives in emulation for pre-eminence? How rich a Salad does the fields aford, as food for them, that then are food for us? How wonderfully hath his providence enriched the paths, on which we heedless walk, with these innumerable plants, endued each with ' its several property and use, whose various knowledge he has granted to the mind of man, to suit them to his ends of Health, or Pleasure: 'mongst the branches see, how cheerfully the birds express their joys, for this sweet season by their merry notes, sporting themselves in the light Region; and then descending to the Earth for food, or to the purling streams, to wet their throats, when dry with chirping, and then lift their heads unto the skies; in thankfulness as 'twere for their Creator's bounty! Pretty things, how brisk they are, that lately hung the head, oppressed with hardship of the Winter past, yet than our heavenly father's providence provided for them, not a Sparrow but was the peculiar object of his care? And how much more shall we partake thereof, that have so great interest in his love, we are more dear than sparrows, so says he that bought us; we were dear to him indeed! then let distrust, or fretful care, no more oppress our spirits: while we have a God, that careth for us, we will rest on him. And now my eyes, that have the privilege of other things; by a restringent nerve, to have your sight enabled to ascend into superior objects, that we might so comprehend the whole Creation, and therein contemplate your Maker's Glory; look to that glorious place, that's paved with Stars, where those great Worlds of light, the Sun and Moon▪ perform their courses, and give laws thereby, unto our times and seasons, while the rest, within their several Orbs do variously point out such knowledge to the mind of Man, whereby he see's how lower bodies are governed, by their higher influence, And yet this goodly spangled covering, and Roof of this inferior Ball, whereon we sojourn, but the outside is of those same glorious dwellings of the Sovereign of all, where he, compassed with numerous hosts of Angels, reigns in everlasting bliss. There, there's our centre, thither we aspire, and long to leave this our imprisoning Earth; that thither we might mount unto those joys, that there attend our coming, purchased, and then prepared by our gracious Lord; Who keeping there possession for us, we even long to meet with; he alone it is, that is our Hope, our Life, our Crown, our bliss. Visus. What goodly creature's that in yonder walk? Some Angel sure in mortal habit, that comes to invade us with astonishment How well those brave attires become her ●eat, proportioned limbs— But what a Siren, face,— Crowns all their lustre, tempting smooth and fresh enough to make the blood dance in the veins of the most frozen-hearted Anchorite. Empir. Whence this surprise? How came that amorous g●… stolen from the serious contemplation, of Nature's far more innocent delights? Thus treacherous still, forbear, too well we know the danger in those secret glances lie, we have an Enemy within our breast, to whom these objects first transmitted by your treacherous conveyance will embrace them with the heats of base and lustful fires, so you betray that holy purity, of our intentions to a brutish Fiend. Thus holy David by a wanton glance, was foiled, and cast into the snares of Lust, which made him when recovered to pray, to have his eyes withheld from Vanity. Thus patiented Job, that knew the danger too of these same spies, bound them by Covenant, never to look or gaze upon a Maid, O strange deceits of these our senses, how, alas how oft have we betrayed been by these adul'trous glances? When our eyes have set our heart on fire, with flames of Lust, lewd books, and images that have conveyed wanton imaginations into us, And stained the purity of our best thoughts, O never may we see those days again! What are these creatures, we so dote upon, fine polished dust that soon will cheat the hopes of those that most desire them, with a quick return to wrinkles and deformity, beauty's a fading flower that soon decays, and ends at last in rottenness and stench, And so my senses all you dote upon, Will take their farewell in Corruption. Faith. But I discern incorruptible joys, suitable objects for a deathless Soul, that when these temporary pleasures, shall languish into their Sepulchers of dust, shall bless them with an endless Vision of the Creator's Glory, whom thou then shalt see no more by the reflection of these same outward things, but face to face there shall we see with ravishment of Joy, Our Saviour clothed with that precious flesh, in which he suffered, glorified with all the Royalties of his great Deity, there shall we see in a full Vision, all the great Counsels! of our God revealed, in Order unto our Redemption. And all the secret causes of these things, that here our understandings, blunted by our fall, are impotent, in piercing through, Whereby the Soul in Ecstasies of wonder, rapt, shall behold her great Creator's Glory, and Joy therein for ever, these are sights blessing the mind, with pure and true delights. Audit. But what a voice was there, when now she sung the Spheres did ne'er afford such harmony, so ravishing as were those melting airs, that in delicious quavers flowed from the pretty lips of that same lovely Dame. Faith. Is there such Music then in mortal breath, that's scattered with the wind decays and dies: what ravishment, and raptures must there then need's ' tend the Ecches of heavens londer Joys? when in triumphant songs, those glorious hosts of Saints and Angels, Halelujah's chant, to their Creator's Glory— Tactus. — O how soft, and delicate are those plump lips of here's, how would they melt in luscious Vapours to the close impression of an amorous kiss. Faith: O folly of a Youthful fancy thus to tempt a Soul unto such sensual thoughts: those amorous touches and embraces may please you a while, but when your Idle Clay, shall moulder into rottenness and dirt, where will the pleasure of those touches be? 'Twill not be long, ere the imprisoned Soul, be loosed from this corruptible frame, which she must render to her heavenly Spouse; as a pure Vessel sanctified and free from all the stains of Lust's impurity: meanwhile let the ungoverned youth but think upon the stripes and wounds of him, that died to ransom him, whose martyred flesh was free, from all Indulgencies of ease and sloth, but used to labours, watch, toils and smart: Did then our head endure such misery, and shall the members snort in luxury? Olfact. Never the India's with their numerous stores, of spices, could perfume the ambient Air, with such a fragour as even now there came from her rich-sented garments as she passed. Faith. Yet is the incense of a holy prayer, perfumed by faith, more choice and sweet than they, more sweet the Spikenard of the Church, when she perfumed the Table of her King therewith. Gustus. What ever pleasures, yet the senses have admired in that goodly Paragon, I count as nothing to the luscious sweets, that in a well prepared Banquet, I have feasted on, stored with the chiefest Wines that France, or the Canaries could afford, with rich Conserves and Viands intermixed. Empir. Such are the thoughts of foolish Epicures, that think no Pleasure comparable to the gratifying of their Appetites, with dainty morsels, or delicious wines, but let those Enemies to Temperance, but weigh the use of these things aright, for which they were intended, and they may see their abuse to make them worse than Beasts! whose need's the same with ours, yet use their food, but to sustain their natures, not to excess, and their Feild-salads serves their turn as well as all our Arts of Cookery can ours: what are these meats and drinks, that we do so abuse but daily reparations of these our decaying cottages, that yet will fail at length and both together be turned to Corruption, he that daintier feeds, at length makes but the fatter feast for worms, Beasts feed on grass, and Man on Beasts, and Worms devour the Man; All is corruption. Faith. Labour not for the meat that perisheth, for there's incorruptible food for Souls; the hidden Manna, and the Bread of Life. Man liveth not by Bread alone, but by the sacred Word of the Eternal God. That Word, that was more sweet to David's taste, than Marrow, or the sweetest Honeycomb. By this the Soul is nourished unto Eternal Life, the other ends in Death. Let not your Tables then become your snare, but use your comforts to those sober ends they were intended, not for surfeiting, or pampering of your unruly flesh, but with such moderation, as you may thereby be fitted better to go through the Labours of this Life, in serving him, whose bounty you partake of, and return Praise, Love, and Duty to him for the same. Actus Tertius. Scena Prima. Cosmus. But what a peevish thing is this same Soul, that thus disdains whatever kindness we profess unto her, slighting all our gifts, pretending falseness in them, that they are but fair-faced Monsters, with a stinging tail, frights all her senses from imbraceing us, soothing them up with hopes of fairer Joys. Faith, is the spy that brings her messages, of Rich Reversions, in a promised land: a fair, and glorious inheritance, the interest of which, now with the hopes, of the Reversion, seems the only stock on which she lives; She speaks of inward Joys, and secret raptures, that do outvie the greatest pleasures that my Monarch's can possess and thus she Vilifies and flights our state, and tramples on our best delights: But yet we'll be revenged, and soon turn the Courtship of my smiles, into a frown. My proffers into pains, and make her know, The world can punish where she cannot woe. Exit. Scena. Secunda. Empirea, Slander, Poverty, Sickness, Faith, Hope, and Charity. Slander. O what a goodly Puritan is here, squeezing out tears, and snotting of his Walls, as though Religion only did consist, in such a specious Piety as this: to hunt a Conventicle, and then look, demurely on it, with a starched face, to say forsooth, and yea, and tell no lies and swear no Oaths, though to decide a right, or keep a law; what a fair Pharisee is this; a cunning Fox i'll warrant ye, that makes the world believe him honest, and yet dares not be so for his ears, for fear he should not then be rich, let him alone, and you will shortly have him preaching out of some old Prison-Grates or other, where for his deceits, the Lawyer should centre him, And then his feigned Piety shall be Revealed, the mystery of Iniquity: Empir: Rave on mad World, and spend your censures sti'l, we know your malice, and the object with it always aimed at; Holiness could ne'er find other entertainments yet then scoffs and mockings, slanders and reproaches; but it was my Saviour's lot to find the same, among those Jews, that would Blasphemously ' ford him no better stile than Beelzebub. And may not we as well endure to be Nick't-named and scoffed at? Did not he foretell what we should look for? let the World mock on, henceforth i'll take it as my portion▪ But is it my preciser living, that give's the offence, if that be scandal I'll offend them more, and yet be Viler still Let us belbranded with Hypocrisy, God knows our heart and that's enough for me. The time will come, when they shall come to die, That they'll be found the Hypocrites not I Faith. The time will come when all the World shall stand, at God's Tribunal, to receive their Doom. That these same Enemies of his, and thine; shall see that Innocence, that here was fain to seek out corners, to avoid the Rage of their malicious Enemies, shall be made the subject of thy Praise, and of his glory: while they mean while shall for their malice be Cast into gulfs of endless misery, Charity. Yet let their malice, be requited with sweeter returns from thee, let them obtain thy pardon, and thy prayers. Empir. — So they shall. Poverty. Come Soul, dost know me, in this ragged Garb? I am no Courtier, thou may'st well perceive. Thy house is like to be no Palace, while I stay in't, thou must be content with poor and naked Walls, my Dy●t too is spare, my lodging hard, my Bolster stuffed with cares, My Physic Labour, and my sauce is sweat: With which I toil for whatsoever I eat. Thus have I told you of my quality, And further, I am called Poverty. Empir. Poverty, welcome, here sit down by me, upon this Dunghill; thou wert once a Friend to Job, his faithful Steward, didst improve then his estate to good advantage, and perhaps thou mayest do mine so, I have long Expected thee, yet net never did invite thy company by any lose or vain courses of spending or neglect to get by lawful ways. Thou comest freely, sent by the Almighty; welcome, though it be to strip me of my best enjoyments, and leave me as naked as at first I came into the World, it is my God that gave them to me and now he requires them back. I freely render them to him again, I know his goodness will not let me want that which he gives to sparrows and to flowers, He is my God still, that's enough, and I have better treasures stored in him than these,— have I not Faith? Faith. Dear Soul thou hast, and his Bosom is thy Exchequer, whence thou may'st Exhaust rich mines of Comfort; there's a Crown and Kingdom for thee too; in Heaven thou hast Treasures laid up that thou canst never be bereft of by any Casualty. Empir. Blessed be God: and having such a store henceforth myself I'll nev●r reckon poor. But what art thou, that look'st so pale and grim? scarefull as death. Sickness. A Pursuivant to him: his Messenger, that come to warm thy haste toward a Dissolution. Empir. — Welcome last of all, yet welcomest dearest Sickness, come and lead we gently to my father's home, I'm weary of this World, and long to be dissolved, that with my Saviour I may be; I long to have possession of those joys, that I have waited for, and have my Eyes wiped from those tears, that in this World find springs still to add moisture to them, and to sing— my Halelujah's: Satan. Soft a while you run too swift, thin'kst thou thy work is fully done? where are those evidences that should give thee title to those Joys? thou mayest believe amiss, Empir. Yet Satan, this same word is sure whereon I build my hopes and shall endure to confirm this my faith, when thou and thy accusing fiends shall be condemned thereby. Satan. But thou may'st be mistaken in the ground, Of this thy faith; it may be sandy found. Thy faith may be presumption, and the rest Of all thy graces, seeming, but at best. Empir. No Satan, 'tis not as thou dost suggest, I've built upon a Rock, that Rock is Christ. Whose faithful servant I have been, and find, The same suggested likewise to my mind. By him that is the spirit of truth, whom I Believing must return to thee the . Then hence malicious fiend, and tempt no more, or if thou darest (as I look to find, thy malice greatest now, when it has least time for to act in) yet O Satan, know that ever conquering Enemy of thine, with whom I now a going am to Reign, that has protected me against thy spite so long, will not now leave me, but will keep me to the last, until my warfare's done, Then Death shall give me Victory, and a Crown. And now Vain World farewell; false Enemy, Let these bones rest, and thou shall not hurt me, No more henceforth, need I to fear thy spite, For I have conquered and won the fight. My Crown is ready and I only stay, For my great Captain's word, to call away. Farewell, my flesh no more a shed to me, But Feasts for worms, and yet how loath are w● To part that have so long been partners here, Yet we must part, thou to thy dust and there, Rest for a while, and I to heaven, where I Shall shortly too expect thy company. When we shall reunited be again, With Christ our head, for evermore to reign. Farewell my Hopes, you blessed spies that have still cheered us amidst our weary steps, with sweet relations of that promised Land, that we are now going to possess. No more we need your help, but leave you for a guide to those that follow us: and Faith. Triumphant Faith, thou glorious instrument of this so great acquired Victory, The substance of our hopes, and evidence of things before not seen, but now to be discovered in full Vision, Farewell. But Charity, greater than all the rest, thou must go with us, and receive the Crown. Thou art alone that grace, which shalt receive perfection in that place of happiness, where thou united to the breast of him, that is the fountain of all Charity, shalt thence flow back again in joys to me. I have fought a good fight, I have finished my Course, I have kept the Faith, henceforth there is laid up for me, a Crown of Righteousness. etc. 2. Tim. 4, 7, 8. Cujus Ovantis Animae faelicis status nullus. FINIS. EPILOGUE ANd now Death gives the Exit to our Scene, and Heaven the Plaudit; Angels clap their hands For Joy, and sing their Io Paeans to This glorious conquest, as they did at first, When the first fatal blow was struck between Empirea and her Ghostly Enemies: Let men and Angels now cry victory; And praise to him through whom it is obtained And whose assistance let us now implore, That have this victory to perfect yet, And Enemies, yet hot and powerful, To deal with: Let us look unto that prize, That is to Crown our following Victories, We fight not for a Corruptible Crown, Nor Laurels to be set upon our Graves? To keep our Names fresh to Posterity. As Alexander Conqueror of the World Yet we must conquer worlds as well as he; Our Conquests are more difficult, and Crowns More glorious: Dearest Jesus, grant us first Thy aid, then let our Enemies do their worst, Stand thou but by us, and do thou but own us. And we shall overcome, and thou shalt crown us. FINIS