COMFORTABLE CORDIALS, AGAINST DISCOMFORTABLE fears of Imprisonment, and other sufferings in good causes. Containing some Latin Verses, Sentences, and Texts of Scripture, written by Mr. WILLIAM PRYNNE on his Chamber walls in the Tower of London, during his Imprisonment there; since Translated by him into English VERSE. 2 CORINTHIANS 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11. Blessed be God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort; who comforteth us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort them which are in any troubles by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God. For as the sufferings of Christ abound in us, so our consolation also aboundeth by Christ. And whether we be afflicted, it is for your consolation, & salvation, which is effectual in enduring of the same sufferings, which we also suffered: or whether we be comforted, it is for your consolation and salvation. And our hope of you is steadfast; knowing that as you are partakers of the sufferings, so also you shall be of the consolation. For we would not, Brethren, have you ignorant of our trouble which came to us in Asia, that we were pressed out of measure above strength, in so much that we despaired even of life. But we had the sentence of death in ourselves, that we should not trust in ourselves but in God which raiseth the dead: who delivered us from so great a death, and doth deliver; in whom we trust, that he will yet deliver us: you also helping together by Prayer for us, that for the gift bestowed upon us, by the means of many persons thanks may be given by many on our behalf. Printed Anno. 1641. TO THE RIGHT worshipful his very Noble and highly Honoured good Friend, SIR WILLIAM BALFORE Knight, lieutenant of the Tower of LONDON. SIR, it were Ingratitude and Injury, For me in silence here to pass you by, And not present these cordials unto you, Sith they, and all my service are your due, For all your Noble Favours in the Tower, Which have engaged me to my utmost power, To be your eternally devoted poor Friend and servant, WILLIAM PRYNNE. COMFORTABLE cordials, OR Latin Verses and Sentences, written by Mr. William Prynne on his Chamber Walls in the Tower of London, during his Imprisonment there; Since translated into English by him. 1. TRanstulit in Coelum Christi praesentia Claustrum: Quid faciet Coelo, quae Coelum jam creat Antro? Christ's presence hath my Prison turned into A blessed Heaven; what then will it do In heaven hereafter, when it now creates Heaven in a Dungeon? goals, to Courts translates? 2. Stigmata Christicolis, splendentia sidera; sanguis, Purpura regalis; mutilataque Membra, Decorum; Vincula, gemmatus Torques; Opprobria, plausus; Vulnera, Martyrium; M●rs; Vita; Gravamina, Lucrum. Optima cun●ba piis, Tristissima sola ministrant; V●ica Crux sanctis, Via, Ianua, summa salutis. Brands, unto Christians are bright stars; Blood spent, A royal Purple; maimed limbs, Ornament; Bonds, chains of pearl; Reproaches, Praise (no stain) Wounds, martyrdom; Death, Life; Oppressions, gain. To godly men the saddest fates only All best things bring, and their joys multiply; The cross alone to Saints is the high way, Gate, sum of safety, means of endless Joy: 3. Christus ubique pium comitatur; Carceris Antrum Ingreditur: Turres. Densissima M●enia, Rupes, Fossas, Ferratas Portas Obstacula, Flammas Permeat intrepidus; socius solamen, Amicus, Omnia seclusis, solus; saturatque benignus Deliciis superum sitientia Corda suorum, oan. 20. 19 Discipulis foribus clusis intravit amaenus, Christicolis clausis habitat conviva perennis. O fortunatus cui Con-captivus Jesus, Laetisicans radiis tristissima Claustra supernis; Vincula non illum, Tormenta gravamina moestum Efficiunt, animum retinentem utcunque sorenum. Christ everywhere accompanies good Men; He goes with them into the Prisons Den; The Towers, thickest Walls broad ditches, Gates, Of Iron, Barracadoes, Flames and Graces Doth boldly pass through; proves Companion, Friend, solace, all things of himself alone; Unto close Prisoners and fills plenteously The thirsty souls of his, with heavenly Delights.* John 20: 19 he entered in the doors fast shut To his Disciples, them to comfort; but With godly prisoners he's a constant guess Resides; O happic he who doth possess Christ for his Fellow-prisoner, who doth glad With heavenly sunbeams, goals that are most sad, Bonds, Torments, Brisons, make not him sad; he Retains a quiet mind how e'er things be. 4. Nullat o●us vinctus Christi virtute solutus; Permanet immunis, clusus vel Carcore Vinclis. Liber ubique, pius, placidus, benedictus, amoenus, Indomitus; tacitum circumfert pectore Coelum: Tristia Laetificans, Moestissima cuncta serenans; Vincula disentiens, arctissima claustra recludens. He is not bound whom CHRIST hath made free; he Though shut close Prisoner, chained, remains still free, A godly Man's at large in every place, Still cheerful, well content, in blessed case, Unconquered; he a secret Heaven still bears About within his breast, which sad things cheers, dispels his blackest clouds of grief, off shakes His chains; and closest prisons open makes. 5. Vincula non Animam cohibent, haud carcere clusam: Sidera transvolitat, Terram, Mare, cuncta pererrat Alipes, immensi fines transcendit Olympi; Limit is impations, arctari nescia Mundi Cancellis; tantum requiescens Numine vast; Seeurus, placidusque Piis, vel turbine, Pertus; No bands the soul of Man can once restrain; No Prison it enclose, nor yet contain; It soars above the stars, and swiftly flies O'er Earth, Sea, all things; mounts beyond the skies, And bounds of the vast heaven's, impatient Of Limits, ignorant how to be penned Within the rails of this whole world; only Resting within the boundless Deity; A secure, pleasant harbour to Godly Men, even in a storm of Misery. 6. Vincula quid trepidas? quid tela minantia? Flammas, Vulnera? quid rabidi Tormenta, Crucesve Tyranni? Aspera pro Christo, dulcissima; qui Diadema Rev. 2. 7. 11. 17. 21. c. 3. 5. 12. 21. c. 21. 7. 2 Tim. 1. 7. 8. Vincenti Statuit, Lignique cruore paravit. Scenicaturba Choros, spectacula, Tympana, Mimes, Ludicra stuprosis celebret, spectetque Theatris; Vincula Christicolae, Mutilatio, stigmata, Furcae Gaudia plura ferunt, cumulataque Praemia condunt. Histrio, Scena, jocus, saltatio, Mascara, Cantus, Risus Sardonicos generant, fictosque Cachinuos. Cordolium verum, gemitus morsusque perennes: Dulcia post tristant, peramara salute coronant. Why fearest thou Bonds? why threatenings? Weapons? Fires? Wounds? why the torments, Crosses or the Ires Of raging Tyrants? sith the sharpest things We undergo for Christ, most sweetness brings. who hath prepared and purchased for him Who * Rev. 2. 7. 11. 17. 21. c. 3. 5. 12. 21. e 21. 7. 2 Tim. 4. 7. 8. overcomes, a glorious Diadem By the Blood of his cross. Let then the crew Of stage Frequenters celebrate, and view Plays, Dances, Pastimes, Players, sports in base And filthy Theaters, where grows no grace. Chains, Mutilations, Pillories, Brandes bring, To godly Christians far more joys, heaping Most large rewards upon them. Players, plays, Jests, Dancing, masks, Songs, generate always But deadly Laughters, feigned shouts; * ●●m 4. 9 1 c. 5. 1. true grief, sighs, lasting gripes of Conscience, past relief. Sweet worldly pleasures still in * Pro. 14. 13. sadness cease; When * 2 Cor. 4. 17. 2. Tim. 2. 12. bitterest sufferings bring crowns, safety, peace. 7. Anlicus imbellis gemmis, Dominaeque Capillis Auriculas onerat, magnoque decore venustat, Stigma, Cicatrices, mutilatio pulchrius Aures Christigenae decorant, radiisque micantibus ornant, O Decus eximium referentia Vulnera Christum: Talibus insignis superis peramatus abibis. Th'unmanly Courtier with his Mistress hair, And Jewels, jades his ears, to make them fair. When as Brands, scars, and Croppings sarre more dight A Christians ears, and make them shine more bright. O matchless Glory, wounds which Christ express! Adorned with these, God's love thou shalt possess. 8. Passio Coelipetis Alpha, at Solamen Omega: Principium Lachrymis decoratur: Meta, Triumphis. Suffering's their Alpha who to Heaven tend; But Joy is their Omega final end; Their Entrance is adorned with tears of Woe, Their end with Triumphs, which then griefs outgo. 9 Nil Crus sentit in Nervo, si Anima sit in Coelo. The leg feels nothing in the stocks, if the Soul, mind, Affections in heaven placed be. 10. Non timet in carcerem qui scit contemnere Libertatem, Vitam, voluptatem, Famam: cui Mundus Ergastulum, Terra Exilium, Dens habitaeulum, Mors Solatium. He fears no prison who knows to despise Freedom, Life, pleasure, Fame, which others prize: To whom this world's a prison; Earth, a place Of Exile, God, a Mansion; Death, Solace. 11. Servus Christi etiam in vinculis, Liber. Servus Peccati etiam in summa Libertate captivus. Christ's Servants even in prison are still free: Sins, in the greatest freedom, captives be. 12. Nil corpus patitur in Ergastulo, si Animus sit in Coelo. The body suffers nought in prison, when The mind itself is lodged in Heaven. 13. Quid Coelum sine Deo, nisi Barathrum? Quid Barathum cum Deo nisi Coelum? What's heaven without God but a very Hell? What's Hell but a heaven, if God once there dwell? 14. Nullibi inearteratur, qui ubique in Christo liberatur: Nunquam dejicitur, qui semper à Jehova sustentatur. He in no place can once imprisoned be, Who in all places is * Joh. 8. 36. Gal. 5. 1. by Christ set free: He never is * Psal. 37. 24. dejected, who always Hath great Jehovah for his prop and stay. 15. Nusquam solus qui ubique cum Deo; Nunquam Miser qui semper cum Christo, He never is alone, who everywhere Hath God himself, him company to bear, He never can be miserable, who Is always with Christ, who doth with him go. 16. ubi Deus adest. ibi non est Carcer, sed Paradisus; Non Ergastulum, Sed Palatium; non Barathrum, sed Coelum. Where God is present, there no Prison is, But a sweet Paradise of Joy and bliss; No Bridewell, but a Palace; no dark Cell, But a bright Heaven, where all comforts dwell. 17. Carcer probat Amicos, detegit Inimicos; Excludit Mundum, includit Deum: Alit virtutes, extinguit Libidines, Edocet Temperantiam; cohibet Luxuriam; Mortificat earnem, sanctificat hominem; Ingenerat gratiam, the saurizat Gloriam. A prison tries men's friends, detects their Foes. Shuts out the world, God to men doth enclose; Nourisheth virtues, Lusts extinguisheth; Temperance teacheth, Riot restraineth, Quite kills the flesh, but makes the Man holy; Engenders Grace, * 2 Cor. 4. 17. 2 Tim. 4. 8. and treasures up glory. 18 Turris Christianos fideles fictè incarcerat, verè liberat, Vnicum Dulcissimum Christi lugum, [cui subjugari est perfectè manumitti] Imponendo: multiplicia gravissimaque Carnis, peccati, Mundi, Diaboli vincula [quibus ill● queari, est certissimè captivari,) discutiendo. The Tower true faithful Christians feignedly Imprisons, but them sets free verily, By putting on them Christ's sweet yoke only, To which to be subjected, is truly To be enfranchised; by shaking off The manifold, and most heavy chains of The flesh, sin, World, Di'le; in which for to lie Ensnared, is to be captived certainly. 19 Turris plurimis Spectaculum, multis habitaculum: nonnullis Refugium; aliis divers●rium; Regi Palatium; Regno Gazophylacium, Armamentarium, Propugnaculum, Monetarium: Vinctis piis, Oratorium; Papisticis, Purgatorium; Clausis, Monasterium; Innoxiis, Hospitium; Reis, Ergastulum; Literatis, museum; Ebriosis, Oenopolium; proditoriis, Macellum. The Tower is to most, a Spectacle; To many its a house, wherein they dwell; To some a refuge; Others, a lodging; A royal palace, it is to the King; Unto the kingdom it's a Treasury, Armoury, bulwark, Mint: an Oratory To Godly prisoners; but a purgatory To popish; to close ones, a Monast'ry; To guiltless ones, it's an inn; to guilty A Bridewell; to learned ones, it's a study; To idle ones a Dormitory; to Drunkards, a tippling-house them to undo; To traitors it's a shambles, where their head And Quarters hang, when they are but cheered. On his Exile into Jersy Isle. Why should this Exile me grieve, discontent, (1) Levil. 25. 23. Si●h this whole World's a place of Banishment? And men as truly Exiles are at home, Psal. 39 12. psal. 119. 19 2 Chron: 29 15. Heb. 11. 13 1 pet. 2. 11. As in the strangest Clime to which they come? Are not God, Christ, Grace, heaven to us as nigh In foreign Parts, as in our own Country? Yea; and oft times more near: this true to be By * Gen. 12. 28. to 48. Act. 7. 3. to 17. Heb. 11. 8. Abraham, Jacob, Joseph, all may see, I will not then fly, fear my Banishment. But in it joy, and take most sweet content, Sith God will me protect, * isaiah 41. 5. 6. restore again, Or else translate to heaven, with him to reign, Mine only Proper * Heb. 11. 14. 16. Country, wherein I Shall live a freeman for eternity, In spite of my Arch-fees; whom I shall see. exiled, * Prov. 11. 8. c. 21 18. c. 12. 13. imprisoned, and myself set free. 20. Dens Turris etiam in Turre: Turris Libertatis Consolationis Quietis, Fa licitatis Honoris Splendoris Securitatis Salutis Spei Gaudii Pacis Protectionis Gratiae Vitae Gloria in Turre Angustiae; Tristitiae; Molestiae; Miseriae; Dedecoris, Obscuritatis Perturbationis, Perditionis, Desperationis Afflictionis, Belli; Periculi, Peccatl; Mortis, Perpessionis. God is a * Psal. 18. 2. Psal. 1. 3. Psal. 144. 2. Tower in the Tower. A Tower of Lberty, In the Tower of Restraint; a Tower Of Comfort, Jollity In the Tower of sadness; a Tower Of sweetest quietness In the Tower of Trouble; a Tower Of blested happiness, In the Tower of Misery; a Tower Of Honour, Dignity In the Tower of disgrace; a Tower Of bright Excellency In the Tower of darkness; a Tower Of strong security In the Tower of danger; a Tower Of health and true safety In the Tower of sickness; a Tower Of hope and good success In the Tower of despair; a Tower Of joy and cheerfulness In the Tower of sorrow; a Tower Of peace and union In the Tower of fierce war: a Tower Of safe Protection In the Tower of peril; a Tower Of Grace and Piety In the Tower of vile sin; a Tower Of Life, eternity In the Tower of grim death; a Tower Of Glory and great praise, In the Tower of suffering: such Tower God proves to his always. 21. Deus Turris. 1. Protegendo; A malis, In malis, Contra malos, Inter malos, Vbique, Tutissimè, Fortissimè, Gratiosissimè, 2. Consolando, In Malis, Semper, Abundanter, Suavissimè; 3. Eripiendo, A Malis Citò Tempestiuè Potentissimé Mortalium proculdubiò Beatissimus, qui Mundi Exul. Christique ●aptivus, Turri isti tutissimae, jucundissimae, optimae, maximae perpetuò (dum vixerit) adjuaicatur. Saluò certè custoditur, qui non solùm à Deo, sed in Deo conservatur: arctari non potest, qui ipsa Dei infinitate (incarceratus) spatiatur. Ita eminatur Galielmas Prynne: Martij 3. 1633 God is a Tower by protecting all His Saints from Ills, in Ills which them befall; Against, amidst ill men in every place, Most safely, strongly out of his mere grace; By comforting them in adversity Always, most sweetly, most abundantly: By fr●eing them from evils speedily, In the best time, and that most potently: No doubt he is the happiest man alive, Who this world's Exile, and Christ's dear Captive, Is during life adjudged perpetually In this most safe, sweet, best great'st Tower to lie. He is truly kept safely, who both by And in God is preserved continually: He cannot straightened be, who walks freely (Whiles prisoner) in God's vast Infinity. O this opinion WILLIAM PRYNNE was the Third day of March, six hundred thirty three. Sentences of Scripture there likewise written. PSAL. 69. 33. The Lord heareth the poor, and despiseth not his prisoners. PSAL. 146. 7, 8. The Lord loseth the prisoners; the Lord raiseth those that are bowed down. PHIL. 4. 11, 12, 13. I have learned in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content, I know both how to be abased, and I know how to abound: everywhere, and in all things I am instructed, both to be full, and to be hungry; both to abound, and to suffer need: I can do all things through Christ, which strengtheneth me. PSAL. 34. 17. 19 22. The righteous cry, and the Lord heareth, and delivereth them out of all their troubles. Many are the afflictions of the righteous, but the Lord delivereth him out of them all; the Lord redeemeth the soul of his Servants, and none of them that trust in him, shall be desolate. PSAL. 37. 23, 24. 37, 38, 39, 40. The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord, and he delighteth in his way: Though he fall, he shall not be utterly cast down, for the Lord upholdeth him with his hand: mark the perfect man, and behold the upright: For the end of that man is peace. But the transgressors shall be destroyed together, the end of the wicked shall be cut off: But the salvation of the righteous is of the Lord, he is their strength in the time of trouble. And the Lord shall help them and deliver them: he shall deliver them from the wicked, and save them, because they trust in him. PSAL. 71. 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24. Thy righteousness also O God, is very high, who hast done great things, O God who is like to thee? Thou which hast showed me great and sore troubles, shalt quicken me again, and shalt bring me up again from the depths of the earth. Thou shalt increase my greatness, and comfort me on every side. I will also praise thee, with the Psaltery even thy truth: O my God unto thee will I sing with the harp, O thou holy one of Israel: My lips shall greatly rejoice when I sing unto thee: and my soul which thou hast redeemed: my tongue also shall talk of thy righteousness all the day long: for they are confounded, for they are brought unto shame that seek my hurt. MICAH: 7, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10. A man's enemies are the men of his own house: Therefore I will look unto the Lord; I will wait for the God of my salvation, my God will hear me: rejoice not against me o mine enemy: when I fall, I shall arise: when I sit in darkness, the Lord shall be a light unto me. I will bear the indignation of the Lord, because I have sinned against him, until he plead my cause and execute judgement for me, he will bring me forth to the light, and I shall behold his righteousness. Then she that is mine enemy shall see it, and shame shall cover her which said unto me, where is the Lord thy God? mine eyes shall behold her, now shall she be trodden down, as the mire of the streets. On his sufferings on the Pillory. Christ for * I say 53. 4. 5. 6. 8. 10. Rom 4. 25. 1 Cor. 15. 3 1 Pet. 2. 24. mysake, sins, and Redemption From Hell and endless Torments; sufferedon The * Heb. 12. 2. c. 13. 12 12. Gal. 3. 13. Phil. 2. 8. cross, a shameful, cursed Death, with all Alacrity, joy, promptitude: And shall I not for his sake then most cheerfully Both stand, and suffer on the Pillory, Without all blush, or fear? since 'tis no shame, But * Phil. 1. 29 2 Tim. 2. 12. Rev. 7. 13. to 17. Honour, thus to suffer for Christ's name. Verses made by W. PRYNNE, as he returned by Water to the Tower after his last sufferings, upon his stigmatising. S. L. Stigmata Laudis. Stigmata Maxillis referens, Insignia Laudis, Exultans remeo, victima grata Deo. Bearing Lands Stamps on my cheeks, I retire Triumphing, God's sweet Sacrifice through fire. On his return from Exile. Foes sent me hence, but God, and his Saints cries Have brought me back, 'tis wondrous in all Eyes. No Exiles, Prisons, chains, powers can detain Those whom God will recall, free, raise again. isaiah. 51. 11. 14. c. 41. 5, 6. The redeemed of the Lord shall return, and come with singing unto Zion, and everlasting joy shall be upon their head; they shall obtain gladness and joy; and sorrow and mourning shall flee away. The CAPTIVE EXILE hasteneth, that he may be loosed, and that he should not die in the pit, nor that his bread should fail. Fear not, for I am with thee, I will bring thy seed from the East, and gather thee from the West, I will say to, the North, Give up; and to the South, keep not back; bring my sons from far, and my daughters from the ends of the Earth. FJNJS. ERRATA. IN the Epistle v. I. it were, r. 'twere p. 2. l. 32. The r. He p. 3. l. 8. He's, r he The verses p. 9 of his Exile into Jersy, should have come in p. 15. after Stigmata Laudis.