DIVINE BLOSSOMS.  
A PROSPECT or LOOKING-GLASS For YOUTH: Wherein and whereby he may plainly behold and see a Supereminency and Superexcellency of Grace and Religion, beyond the World's Honour, Glory, Fame, Repute, Pleasure, Joy, Delight, Love, And all other lower Accommodations whatsoever.  
Laid down to Youth by Exciting Parallel  

Between Earth's Honour and Heaven's Glory  
Between Carnal Pleasure and Spiritual Pleasure  
Between Inordinate Love and Divine Love.   
Under every of which particulars, the Author Exemplarily expesseth himself in a varied verse.  
Composed by a hearty Wellwisher to the Youthful Generation, FRANCIS COCKIN, alias COKAYNE.  Remember thy Creator in the days of thy Youth, Eccl. 12. Delight thyself in the Lord, and he shall give thee thy Hearts desire, Psal. 35. 4. I love them that love me, and they that seek me early shall find me, Prov. 8. 
London, Printed by W. G. for E. Farnham, at the entrance into Popeshead-alley out of Cornhill, 1657.   

To the Generation of Youth.  
TEnder Reader, knowing how much youthful yearts' delight in eating early fruit, (though green and so unwholesome) I therefore here present thee with a dish of early fruit, (yet mature and ripe, and therefore no whit dangerous to thy greedy stomach,) therefore accept it willingly and (with safety) fall to with courage.  
And much good may it do thee.  
Only let me request thee to use civil behaviour in thy so doing: be sober, be serious, read understandingly, apply diligently, and practise conscionably the precepts here given thee.  
For thy good profit and encouragement, I have vouchsafed to express myself unto thee; what thou hast heard of me, by me, in me, and from me, do therefore and take all in Love from him, that seeks most hearty (and with the strength of his Soul) thy eternal welfare and God's glory in thee.  
Ely July. 1656. F. C.   

To the most famous & renowned Mr. George Wither.  
Worthy Sir,  
ALL happiness and peace I wish you: And having been very desirous (since the first time I ever met with aught of yours) to gratify you according to your worth and desert; and finding no means and ways thereunto, I have deigned to present these few Pages unto you, thereby to testify (in part) the high esteem and honourable respect that I adjudge you worthy of.  
Sir, accept of this in love, pass your candid censure of it, and though the Phrases and Style be mean, let the Matter and Drift excuse it. Again, considering by me 'twas penned (in a few days) with much haste, and past from me immediately, no person fit than yourself to patronise these Artless Lines, could I find, because your Youthful years were in the same manner spent.  
Sir, I am Yours, most ready to serve you in aught, FRANCIS COKAINE.   

Courteous Reader,  
LEt me request thee when ever thou findest any fault in the sense or Verse, to mend it as is hereunder specified; the Author's absence having occasioned several mistakes.  

PAg. 1. Staff. 4. l. 4. strange r. strong, st. 5. l. 2. in slavish r. give slavish p. 12. st. 3. l. 3. r. scattered strength, p. 19 st. 30. l 2. r. with those, p. 20. st. 34. l. 5. Joy r. Toy, p. 25. st. 54. 4. redeem r. esteem, p. 29. st. 70. Heads r. Hestos, p. 31. st. 79. l. 3. use r. case, p. 32. st. 82. l. 1. besides r. repel or resist, p. 33. st. 87. l. 6. months r. moments, p. 34. st. 90. l. 5. r. lavish cups, p. 42. st. 98. l. 6. never r. ever, p. 45. st. 110. l. 6. be●ded bow r. bend and bow, p. 66. st. 24. l. 6. r. but dim, p. 69. st. 34. l 3. was priced,▪ p. 92. st. 13. 3. r. sure small dispute, p. 93. st. 16. l 4. full possessor p. 94. st. 20. l. 1. r. Queer of Heaven, p. 117. st. 30. l 7. r. motions.    

The Contents of the Book.  
FIrst the invocation (presents itself) wherein the Author craves Gods divine assistance and gracious acceptance in and of the intended work.  
Then by way of Introduction proves his own fitness to the work. Gives a word or two to Parents about the educating their children, and declares the manner of their greeting them in Hell; hintes some matters to Superiors, and so procceds to the work itself.  

Wherein the Author.  
First, gins to excite youth, to seek after God and glory, from the heat of his Spirit aspiring to honour, declares the high worth of the engagement.  
And forasmuch as the heart of youth is ambitious of fame glory and renown gotten and won by valiancy in desperate and dangerous attempts, therefore the Author describes the might, strength and power of that grand Christian enemy.  
And stirs up the courage of youth, to engage in the quarrel against him, by several encouraging motives.  
Declares the worth of that that lies at stake and must else be lost, and then the worthy renown and glory that may be obtained, by a courageous encounter against fleshly lusts.  
As also relates an Oneness that is between Christ's Spirit, and the Spirit of him that opposes the motions of sin, they both join to do the same work etc.  
Shows that according to the employment, so should the reward be.  
Then for the further encouragement, and stronger excitement of youth, to seek God and Glory, the Author expresses himself, and declares at what a rate, he sets the service of God; the contempt that he hath of the world and all things in the world, in respect of that honourable service.  
By a brief survey of all that the world affordeth he proves and declares all therein to be non-satisfactory, and insufficient to the desire of the Soul of man.  
Then insisting upon the second point, viz. pleasure;  
First, he shows the congruity that is between it, and the nature of youth, declares the effects of pleasures, and to what they tend by instance.  
And gives sound counsel therefrom, to youth in respect of Soul-demeanment.  
Then the Author lays down the rist of pleasure, declaring what it is that makes pleasure.  
And shows by similitude the woeful and dangerous estate of a vain luxurious Spirit.  
Declares in a word or two the unmatchless worth of the Soul, and reasons somewhat from that thence its freedom.  
In sadness of heart declaring the abasement of the Soul by sin, hints at the reward of sin by way of arguing.  
Proves the soul Christ's purchase, and discourse● somewhat therefrom; Then lays down some Solid instructions to youth, how and whereby he should get free from sin's slavery, and get the conquest of every hellish enormity.  
Describes the bliss that thereby his soul shall procure to itself; viz. the presence of Christ and sanctification by his Spirit, acceptance of God through him, and adornment with his graces; lays down the parallel of the present estate with the estate past, and describes some excellent peculiar Christian privileges.  
Then describes pleasure to be a painted strumpet; propounds 4 Questions to youth, from whence he gives him to understand how dear bought all the pleasures of sin are.  
Describes the miserable slavery and servitude of sin.  
And then for the delight of the Reader, the Author varies that verse, and expresses his own youthful experience of pleasure, showing what it truly is;  
And then declares and lays down the arguments and considerations wherewithal he opposed all the pleasures of sin, and got mastery thereof.  
Hints to what sin deprives of, and lays down, in a word or two, the excellency of the unpa●aleld sweets of religion.  
Then coming to the third particular shows thereunder, how youths heated blood lays him open to love, and lusts. Declares the advantage the Devil takes at youths careless activity; and how he ever attendeth to give him an object for his active Spirit to fix on.  
Shows youth to be guided by a headstrong passion.  
Then parallels Heavens beauty with earths, and divine with carnal love in several circumstances.  
Reason's youth from the excellency of the one and the sordidness of the other, to seek that which is most excellent, eschew absurdities and dangers, the which is illustrated by several resemblances.  
Then the Author turns off, and in a pleasant strain expresses himself, relating the excellency of divine beauty, and describes the worthyness of divine Love by his own experience, triumphing in his youthful choice.  
Therein paralleling the beauty, excellency, proportionableness, sweetness, etc. of the Creators' Love to the creatures in a kind of Soul-ravishing ecstasy, relating Soulenamoring rarities.  
Then comes to a conclusion, wherein he shows the difference between the service of sin and God: excites from several considerations to the service of God.  
Relates the sum of his own desired endeavour for the good of youth: how single-hearted he hath been therein, affectionately expressing the tenderness of his heart to the good of young One.  
But more especially, how exceeding precious gracious young-Ones are to him, and how entirely beloved by him.  
Deigns out of depth of affection to give them some peculiar instructions.  
Exhorts to make use of prayer; shows the excellency thereof in itself, and in its effects.  
Relates his own experience thereof, and so therein and therewithal puts period to the whole.    

The Invocation.  

[1.]  
MOst dearest Lord! My souls desire and joy,  
That seest and rulest all things even as one,  
In whom it lies to save, or to destroy,  
There being none can save, but thou alone:   

[2.]  
'Tis thou alone, to whom I make my suit,  
'Tis thou to whom myself I do address;  
'Tis for thy sake that I would not be mute,  
I'd speak thy praise, nor can I do aught less.   

[3.]  
My tender youth proffers my slender Rhymes  
To do thee service, whose I wholly am:  
I give my best, I'd spend my vacant times  
For and to thee, from whom my Being came:   

[4.]  
Lord, mayst thou please my fancy to enrich,  
And fill my spirit with celestial flames,  
Begetting in each faculty an itch  
Of strange desire thereto, that whoso blames   

[5.]  
Me, for the laying out myself about  
That which may tend thee honour for to bring,  
I may them sleight, in slavish thoughts the rout,  
And in despite of all thy glories sing.   

[6.]  
Instruct my heart, and fill my Mind with Matter,  
My Apprehension quicken, and enable;  
Compose my Thoughts, let not Distraction tatter  
My inner Man, but in Thee make me stable.   

[7.]  
Yea, ad thou Art to polish so my Rhymes,  
That my intended purpose they may do:  
Thou tak'st the advantage of all Things and Times  
Here take thy 'dvantage, that thy Glories so   

[8.]  
May grow by my endeavours, which when I  
With joyful heart, with gladded soul shall see,  
My utmost Aim and End I then espy:  
(Oh may I not in this deceived be!)   

[9]  
For what dothed profit me, O Lord, to live,  
If to thy praise my Life be no directed?  
Thou daily giv'st, I daily do receive,  
Unworthy I, of Thee to be respected!   

[10.]  
A twofold ways my Soul and Body's Thine,  
Thine by Creation, Thine by Purchase too;  
(By th' last of which thy Son and his is mine,  
An interest in thyself I have also.)   

[11.]  
A single Bond sufficient is to bind  
An honest person to perform an Act;  
And shall a double less advantage find?  
How greatly disingenuous is that fact!   

[12.]  
Thine, thine I am, for thee I would lay out  
My Strength, my Skill, my Might, my Power and Love:  
Fain would I busied be thy works about,  
And for Employment now I do thee move.   

[13.]  
My dappled Quill thy Service waits to do,  
For to record whate'er the Mind dissolveth  
To words, my hand is willing thereunto,  
And all my Powers upon that task resolveth.   

[14.]  
Oh bless and breath upon my weak Endeavours,  
Thou God of blessing, Author of all good,  
That crownest with glory that Soul that persevers,  
Whose might and power cannot be withstood.   

[15.]  
Infuse thy Spirit so into my Soul,  
That neither Wit nor matter may be wanting  
Unto me, Youths vain courses to control,  
And set his Nature after thee a panting.   

[16.]  
For to insinuate into his will,  
And usher through his Judgement to's Affection,  
(Vouchsafe to me the Strength, the Art, the skill)  
That He may give to Thee all due subjection.   

[17.]  
Vouchsafe these feeble Lines for to inspire  
With so much power of thy prevailing Grace,  
That they each Readers Heart may set on fire,  
And efficacious be sin to displace.   

[18.]  
O God Let not that Cannibal devour  
Those precious Souls, for whom Christ gave his blood;  
But mitigate his domineering power,  
And make Mankind attentive more to good.   

[19]  
Permit him not, O Lord! to spoil and stroy  
Thy tender Plants, nor any budding flower;  
Permit him not thy vineyard to annoy,  
Rebuke him, let him not thy vines devour.   

[20.]  
O let him not of Youth make a full prey!  
Correct O Lord, Correct and give a check  
To Youths vain courses, stop them, make them stay,  
For they'll conformed be to no one's beck:   

[21.]  
Unblind Youths Eyes, unstop his deafened Ears,  
And undeceive his vain deceived Heart;  
Strike thou his spirit, for he nothing fears,  
And him and his beloved humours part:   

[22.]  
Thou God of love and grace, show mercy to him,  
Vouchsafe to turn him, ere he goes to hell;  
O let not lusts, pleasures, vain love undo him,  
Defeat him of thee, with the damned to dwell!   

[23.]  
But make him tractable to good Instruction,  
Conformable unto thy blessed pleasure,  
Complyable to every safe direction,  
And to esteem thy love above all treasure:   

[24.]  
Make this my endeavour serviceable to him,  
Make this to him as pleasant savoury food;  
Yea, make it powerful enough to woe him;  
To purge out evils, make it physic good.    

DIVINE BLOSSOMS.  

The Introduction.  

[1.]  
IF sickly Men fittest Physicians are,  
And troubled Consciences the best Divines,  
To contradict my fitness, then who dare,  
To speak to Youth in my unpolished Lines:  
My years being tender, I experience do  
What ere may be delightful Youth unto.   

[2.]  
Who better knows, or who's a fitter Man  
To tell the Road, than Carriers that do travel  
It every day? Perhaps another can  
Say what it was of late, and where some gravel  
Was laid on such a place, on such a day;  
But what at present 'tis, he cannot say.   

[3.]  
But he that is a travelling each hour,  
And seldom off the Road, can best discover  
Each miry Bog: The like hath he the power  
To do in any Art, that is a Lover  
Thereof, and a sound Student therein;  
To which, and to his Nature, there's some kin.   

[4.]  
My years being tender, and well near their Bloom;  
My blood being hot, and swelling in my veins;  
Cares being strangers, vigour taking room;  
Who better may greet youth with pleasant strains?  
Who better may describe and speak to is Nature,  
Than I that am a young and youthful Creature?   

[5.]  
Youth may say, Age lays too much burden on them,  
Having forgot what they in youth did do;  
May think their solid precepts much may wrong them,  
Or be too hard for Youth to attain unto:  
There being disparity in Age,  
They may object, their counsel is too sage.   

[6.]  
But these and many other such like cavils  
Are ta'en away while youth to youth doth speak;  
Young ones best know what young ones soon gravels  
Their folly, their vain courses, where they're weak:  
There's a propensity in youthful nature,  
Congruity in almost every feature.   

[7.]  
What shall I say to youthful years' Abuses?  
Them to describe, should I now make my task,  
Taking away their vain and fond Excuses,  
Too much time, pains, and labour would it ask:  
Again, then must I old Age blame and check,  
'Cause they neglected (carelessly) to deck.   

[8.]  
Their children's tender years with virtues veil,  
Which is the cause their Lives are now so bad,  
For Virtue might as well in Youth prevail,  
If that her solid precepts they had had:  
Train up a Child with precepts good and sage,  
And he will not forget the same in Age.   

[9]  
But how can Youth, Alas! how can he choose  
But vile and vain disordered Courses take?  
When as his Parent never did him use  
To contradict, nor good to him to speak:  
Ground sown with Nettles cannot bring forth Wheat,  
He's like to thrive that eateth dirt for meat.   

[10.]  
Oh Parents! what account d'ye think to make  
To great Jehov' at the great Judgement-day?  
Oh! how will ye appear? what can ye speak?  
The want of precepts made your Children stray:  
Their language then'll be this, when they shall see ye,  
Oh cursed Parents! Cursed, cursed be ye.   

[11.]  
H●d it not been for you, we had not come  
Into this place of Soul-tormenting pain,  
You made us guilty of this heavy doom,  
In that you cherished us in courses vain:  
You might have been the means of our Salvation,  
But you have been the means of our Damnation.   

[12.]  
Cursed be you with an eternal curse,  
Cursed be the time wherein you us begat,  
Cursed be the womb that bore's, she that did's nurse,  
Cursed be all they that much rejoiced at  
Our Birth and Being: miserable we  
That are confined in Torments e'er to be.   

[13.]  
Oh cursed Parents! you the woeful cause  
Of this our woeful case most truly were,  
In that you let us violate God's laws,  
Neglected to instruct us in his fear:  
Cursed we say, for ever cursed be you,  
Because the means of this our curse are you.   

[14.]  
You cockered, when you should have us instructed;  
You brought us up in vanity and sin,  
You laughed with us, when you should's corrected,  
And that encouraged us our courses in:  
You looked not to us with an eye severe,  
We never from you did sound precepts hear.   

[15.]  
Parents, what think ye of this woeful greeting?  
Is't nothing for to bed in flames of fire?  
And be saluted at your heavy meeting  
With stripes & strokes, with whips of knotted wire?  
Look for no less, your children will do so,  
What will not black Revenge fierce jury do?   

[15.]  
Bowels of love are turned there to hate,  
Your Children are transformed into Devils;  
I can't conceive, my Pen cannot relate  
How they'll torment ye ' for those forbidden Evils  
That they did learn from your vain conversation,  
Which greatly did conduce to their damnation.   

[16.]  
Indeed, Can they do less than torture you  
That were the cause that they are thus tormented?  
Parents, Remember this, Consider now  
In time, lest your damnation be augmented  
By their company in those fierce flames  
That ever burn, and nought their fury tames.   

[17.]  
Your greatest Duty lie not in providing  
Them here a portion, and in laying up  
Such things for them, as if they'd hear abiding  
For evermore, and should not taste the Cup  
That's in God's hand, containing Wine that's red  
(For them that know him not) by's fury bred.   

[18.]  
But I do not intent to task my Muse  
At present, for to speak unto old Age;  
No, at the present I the same refuse,  
Yet shall my matter be both grave and sage:  
'Tis Youth to whom I do intent my speech,  
'Tis Youth I do as Auditor beseech.   

[19]  
I shall not read Lectures of good Behaviour  
Now unto Age, how they should wisely live;  
How act themselves, that all their acts might savour  
Of Good; a good Example for to give  
To imitative Youth, that notes each thing  
They do, and does the like in many a thing.   

[20.]  
And though I have hinted, yet I have no more  
Than given an hint of that same weighty charge  
Of children's Education, on the score  
Of those that keep them, those of riper age:  
Those acts of yours, that you think time doth smother,  
Are kept alive, being acted by another.   

[21.]  
'Tis Gospel-Exhortation, BE DISCREET,  
(As well to Youth as Age directly given)  
'Tis not to one, but doth both Sexes greet,  
Speaks to all persons that look after Heaven:  
Be circumspect and wise, Redeem the time,  
You that would live in that all-glorious Clime.   

[22.]  
Old Age, remember, God doth notice take  
Of all your words, your gestures, thoughts and deeds,  
Of each of which you must a reckoning make;  
From Thoughts come Word, and from thence Action breeds:  
God views your Generation, Children, see  
The Devil's mind, then see you wary be.   

Excitations. [1.]  
But tender Youth, Come hearken, lend an Ear;  
My thoughts on you at present I do spend;  
It is to you, to you I do declare  
That which unto Soul-safety much doth tend:  
Now thou art young, and sound, and strong in stature,  
Remember, Oh Remember thy Creator.   

[2.]  
Begin betimes to seek the King of glory,  
At whose right hand pleasures for evermore  
Do bide and dwell, whose worth the Angel's story,  
And they with Saints and Seraphims adore:  
Up, up Youth, and pursue this glorious prize;  
Shake, shake off sloth, come quickly, quickly rise.   

[3.]  
Thy blood is hot (Youth) let that heat excite thee,  
And stir thy spirits, move them to a flame;  
Collect thy spirits strength, here's that will fight thee;  
Arise, arise, thy sloth I greatly blame:  
'Tis Glory, 'tis a Kingdom, 'tis laid down,  
The brows of the victorious for to crown.   

[4.]  
Come, here are brave attempts, noble achievements,  
Here, here's the way, the way to purchase honour;  
Here's truly noble, truly brave employments,  
To be a Soldier under Christ's own Banner:  
The God of Heaven and Earth the Captain is,  
The cause is good, 'tis for eternal bliss.   

[5.]  
O put on courage! Let that boiling blood  
That heats your veins, turn into holy rage;  
Bid Sin avaunt, let Satan be withstood,  
And in that holy War yourselves engage:  
Redeem your time, your freedoms, and yourselves,  
For all are Captives unto hellish Elves.   

[6.]  
Your enemy is strong, a potent foe,  
He's full of might, of policy and skill;  
The World, the Flesh do join their strength un●●,  
Most earthly Powers do obey his will:  
Things that do look with seeming glorious faces,  
Principalities and Foes in heavenly places   

[7.]  
You have to fight against: Engines of War  
Your Foeman hath, sleights, stratagems and wilds,  
Whereby he often conquers from afar,  
And often many Creatures he beguiles:  
We are his Slaves, and in fell bondage all,  
Stand at his beck, and run when he doth call.   

Encouragements [8.] and Exhortations.  
Oh let us rouse us, quitting sinful sloth,  
And put on courage, and go forth with might;  
For to engage in fight, let's not be loath,  
Because we lose our Souls else, and their right:  
What though our Foe be strong, our Captain's stronger:  
What though his arm be long? our Captain's longer.   

[9]  
The Body's broke, Up, up, and take the spoil,  
The Body of our foes puissant strength,  
Our noble Captain ' th' given Death the foil,  
And we shall be victorious to him at length:  
Fall on, Fall on, our foes are in a Rout,  
The Victory is ours, out of doubt.   

[10.]  
Right noble Spirits, true heroic Minds,  
Delight t' engage where Courage may appear,  
I have oft heard how glad He is that finds  
A desperate attempt, that may him dare;  
And this they do, that the shrill Trump of Fame  
Unto the Age may blazon forth their Name.   

[11.] Argument 1.  
But young Men, Hark ye, If that airy honour  
May move hot Spirits to adventure far,  
Then what may this under Jehovah's Banner  
(For your own Interests) t' attempt a War?  
YE are Slaves to Sin, and to each Humour; then  
Arise, arise, and quit yourselves like Men.   

[12.]  
The Spoil is good, the Triumph and the Joy  
Is great and glorious, Ever doth endure;  
Time shan't wear out, Oblivion shan't destroy  
Your Trophies of Renown, you shall be sure  
Ever to have, and therewithal a Crown  
Of lasting Glory, when this life's laid down.   

[13.]  
Each valiant Act, and each Heroic Deed  
You do, or ever shall attempt to do  
With real Heart, taking respective heed,  
Shall much the glory of your Crown add to:  
For every Lust you conquer and subdue  
Joy, Peace, and Comfort will to you ensue.   

[14.] Argument 2.  
Nay, 'Tis high Honour for you then to join  
With Gods own Son, the Heir of Earth and Heaven,  
Your spirits then with his Spirit combine,  
For to destroy all Sin his Life was given:  
He came to overthrow the works of th' Devil,  
The same do you, when you oppose an Evil.   

[15.]  
Youth, wouldst have Honour? Prithee tell me then,  
What is't to be Favourite to a King?  
The King of Kings, that rules and reigneth when  
The world shall cease, and every earthly thing:  
This thou shalt be, if thou dost to him live:  
A Crown and Kingdom likewise he'll thee give.   

[16.]  
Tell me then, Can thy strength be laid out better?  
Can thy hot vigorous Youth itself employ  
For more advantage, then to make him Debtor  
Unto thee, that doth Heaven and Earth enjoy:  
His Love thou gainest by living in his will  
Shalt Him and his possess on Zions' Hill.   

[12.]  
Oh lay not out the strength of youthful years  
To feed foul humours, and a fond desire,  
Vain pleasures will procure eternal tears,  
And make thee lodge in everlasting fire:  
Resist, oppose thy youthful inclination  
That leads thee captive to each sordid passion.   

[13.]  
Wilt serve him whom thou art ashamed to own,  
As Master of the work that thou dost do?  
Be not deceived, but look what thou hast sown  
Thou canst not but expect to reap also:  
Bur-seed doth Burrs, Dill-seed doth Dill bring forth,  
The fruit and seed are ever of like worth.   

[14.]  
Thou sow'st in Flesh, of Flesh thou shalt reap shame;  
But if in Spirit, glory thou shalt find;  
Permit not puny pleasure for to maim  
Thy Souls best strength, nor to enerve thy Mind:  
Thou canst not say but 'tis an absurd evil  
To give the worst to God, the best to th' Devil.   

[15.]  
Tax me not Youngman, that I do enjoin  
Thee to a thing impossible to do;  
No, I'll assure thee, here is not a line  
But 'tis thy safety to comply unto:  
'Tis not by Hear-say that the thing I tell,  
But by Experience I know it well.   〈…〉 

[21.]  
My heart esteemsed the noblest design,  
That ere my youth can make adventure on,  
Unto Jehove to make a full resign,  
And in my Soul for to set up his Throne:  
I would that he should reign o'er me as King,  
And every thought to his Subjection bring.   

[22.]  
His service I esteem at such a rate,  
I would not leave it for to be a King,  
An Emperor the mightiest Potentate  
The Earth ere boar: I do esteem that thing  
Of far less worth in Splendour, far more dim,  
Then for to be a Servant unto him.   

[23.]  
I scorn a Crown, an Earthly Diadem,  
The Sceptre of this universe to sway;  
Compared with that matchless glorious Gem  
Of grace: for why that Honour's but a day.  
But grace doth bring to glory evermore,  
Makes a possessor of all glorious Store.   

[24.]  
If that a Crown was laid at my feet,  
As sure as I do live, there should it lie;  
If with Imperial honour men should greet  
Me, as the greatest Earthly majesty;  
I would refuse that honour and that grace,  
For those same troubles that attend the place.   

[25.]  
Much more would I contemn it, if it should  
Be proffered to me, if I would forsake  
The Service of my God, or if I would  
Myself subservient to my humours make;  
No, such petty honour I disown,  
I eye no less than an alglorious Crown.   

[26.]  
An Earthly Crown's too mean for my desire,  
Too base an object for my heart to fix on:  
My Spirit's filled, with more Heroic fire,  
I beauty love, not such a dull complexion;  
My Noble Soul doth crave a bigger boon,  
I must enjoy that sacred Three in one.   

[27.]  
Your fading honour I esteem as dung,  
Earth's weltering glory as the dirt in street;  
I will not lodge one thought thereof among  
Those noble thoughts, my Soul do daily greet;  
Base servile earth, avaunt, I'll not enslave  
My thoughts with thee, if I the world might have.   

[28.]  
Alas poor earth, what's all that thou canst give,  
Or dost afford, when sorrow greets the mind?  
Wherein can an awakened conscience live?  
What cordial in thy Storehouse can it find?  
Thou canst not give thereto one dram of peace;  
'Tis not in thee to make distraction cease.   

[29.]  
Alas, Alas! thy glories are too mean.  
Too mean an object, for the Souls desire:  
The Souls desire's vast and too extreme,  
'Tis too extreme, and heat with better fire,  
Then to be quenched, then for to be contented,  
What those poor shadows that by 's presented.   

[30.]  
Thy wealth, what's that a truss of mere deceit,  
A bladder full of wind, an empty joy,  
A real nothing, yet a glorious bait,  
That doth beguile man of eternal joy;  
And shall my noble Spirit than lay out  
Her precious thoughts, such vanities about.   

[31]  
No, No, my Soul's immortal, and must have,  
Such wealth as is of an immortal being;  
Such treasures as endure for aye I crave,  
What don't I lightly prise and value, seeing  
It cannot answer my Souls vast desire,  
Alloy nor cool the heat thereof the fire.   

[32.]  
Thy pleasures (world) thy Sense-besotting pleasures,  
That so bewitch's men of tender years:  
Conduce as much to joy as do thy treasures,  
Unto contentment, and to free from fears;  
But this is that, that most of ' th' world do follow,  
'Tis after pleasure that they hoop and hollow.   

[33.]  
'Tis pleasure that doth take the heart of youth,  
'Tis pleasure his desires lead him to;  
His hot veins swell, and pleasure straight doth sooth,  
His lively humours makes them act and go:  
Pleasures doth lull most younglings fast asleep,  
Makes them laugh, now, eternally to weep.   

[34.]  
O Young ones know Pleasure's the Devil's bait,  
Wherewith he fishes for immortal souls;  
In Pleasure he doth lodge a grand deceit,  
And so (most) youthful Nature he befools;  
Your boiling blood do soon close with pleasures,  
Which of God's wrath doth oft unlock the Treasures.   

[35.]  
Alas! and what are pleasures to God's Ire?  
Pleasures are fading that doth Age endure:  
Think ye, can pleasures cool those flames of fire,  
Or th' bitings of those hellish Scorpions Cure.  
No your delightful pleasures than will sting ye,  
As sure as now they unto Hell will bring ye.   

[36.]  
Pleasure's a Ship that doth embark for Hell  
All Passengers that are contained therein;  
In endless flames they must be sure to dwell,  
That do indulge and live and die in sin;  
They sweet and swiftly Sail, and that doth tend,  
Quickly to bring 'em to their journeys end.   

[37.]  
O stay thy course young man, lower thy Sails,  
Wind up thy Canvas Tie it close to the Mast:  
(Being open spread the wind than most prevails,)  
Oh therefore wind it up and tie it up fast.  
The affections are the Sails, the which the Gusts;  
Of vain desires do fill full with wanton Lusts.   

[38.]  
The Mast I'd have thee tie these Sails about,  
Is Solid reason, and a judgement true:  
Reason should guide th'affections throughout,  
And judgement should inordinacy subdue;  
Reason is Mistress Governess, will, desire, affection,  
As handmaids should attend her in subjection.   

[39]  
But for to speak more properly unto thee,  
Respecting what delights most tender years;  
Preventing pleasures that they mayn't undo thee,  
And so expose thee unto endless tears;  
I say Religion yields as much delight,  
As sin can do, persisted in aright.   

[40.]  
All pleasure rises from congruity,  
And fitness 't●een the faculty and object;  
When there's a natural propensity,  
Needs must it be a●●ost delightful subject.  
Guide then thy Soul by ●udgments solid Art,  
What makes delight's the ●●mper of the Heart?   

[41.]  
An earthly heart doth earthly things pursue,  
An heavenborn Spirit takes delight in heaven:  
From a luxurious heart there doth ensue  
Luxuriousness, (of virtue quite bereaven;)  
An empty wanton heart filled with air,  
ev'ry vain object's ready for to dare.   

[42.]  
And such a heart like an un-ballasted Ship,  
Is turned o'er with ev'ry breath of wind;  
As empty vessels under sail do skip,  
That they within them, nought but danger find,  
So 's the immortal Spirit tossed to and fro;  
Hurried up and down, where fancy wills to go.   

[43.]  
This matchless Gem, this noble worthy Pee●e,  
Continually of shipwreck is in danger;  
Tost to and fro, now there, and sometime here,  
Unto all safety a perpetual stranger;  
So long as moved by the light wind of passion,  
Subject to nothing but to alteration.   

[44.]  
Inestimable worth, value unknown.  
And past conceiving is the Soul of man,  
A treasure, Jewel, that Jehove do●h own,  
Term so; and take delight in; tell me then,  
Should this same peerless Spirit serve an humour,  
A besteal, sordid lust, it● 〈…〉 ngth consumer.   

[45.]  
The Soul's a heavenborn virgin prostitute her  
Wilt thou, to loathsome sin and so to Hell?  
Ah! canst thou suffer Devils to deprive her,  
Of state, of glory, with them for to dwell?  
Must She her country, and her kindred leave,  
A cursed doom with Devils to receive?   

[46.]  
My heart doth ache to think of the abasement  
The Soul doth suffer, while it traide with sin:  
My Spirit sobs to view that foul defacement,  
Of J'hoves bright glorious beauty's seated in  
The Soul of man; there ever to endure,  
Consisting in an holy heart and pure.   

[47.]  
Ah wanton youth, are earth's vain worthless pleasures  
So dear unto thee, that thou'lt not them leave;  
For fear of great Jehovahs' direful treasures,  
Nor yet a Crown of glory to receive?  
Wilt thou sell life and glory for a toy,  
For sordid pleasure barter heavenly joy?   

[65.]  
Ah canst thou be content to bed in flames,  
In utter darkness to make thine abode?  
Canst thou dwell there where nothing fury tames,  
Eternally deprived of thy God?  
Ah canst thou bear the burden of God's Ire,  
When as that task shall never out expire.   

[49.]  
O youth remember thine immortal Soul,  
And bear in mind what price was for it given!  
Remember what can purge it being foul,  
Consider what may bring it unto Heaven;  
Gods only Son had of it such esteem,  
That with his death its life he did redeem.   

[50.]  
For Christ's sake thou thy Soul's Salvation prize,  
Because his death did life unto it give,  
Permit not pleasures to put out thy eyes,  
But ronze thy sloth, and up unto him live;  
Live unto him whose death bought thy Salvation,  
Die for his sake whose Life's thy preservation.   

[51.]  
Oh die thou must, or thou canst never live,  
Die to thyself, to thy hearts lusts and pleasures;  
Die to all sin, or thou canst not receive,  
Those glorious sweets that God to his out-measures  
Thy Souls redemption cost Christ's utmost breath,  
And its Salvation must be by sins death.   

[52.]  
Thou must be buried with him into death▪  
Or thou canst not in life with him partake:  
That sharp (two edged) cutting sword unsheathe,  
To cut down lusts that separation make  
Between thee and him, between his Spirit and Thine,  
That do thee 'gainst him unto ill incline.   

[53.]  
Know, fleshly lusts do war against the Soul,  
And seek its utter ruin and undoing:  
'Tis thy soul's safety, Youth, them to control,  
But thou art ever courting and a wooing  
Them with delight unto thee, thy desires  
Do beak themselves at lusts base smoky fires.   

[54.]  
My Soul doth groan for to behold the Courses  
That young ones take; how they with full career  
Seek their own ruin, and as tender Nurses,  
Do nourish, cherish, and redeem as dear,  
That which deprives them of a dwelling place,  
In Heaven to behold Gods glorious face.   

[55.]  
Luxurious youth, a little lend an Ear  
To me, and I'll thee some few precepts give;  
Be sober minded then attend and hear:  
Some rules I'll set thee down whereby to live;  
First guard thy heart with double diligence,  
And let thine eye therein have residence.   

[56.]  
And being sober, then straight look about,  
For matter wherewithal t'employ thy mind;  
Rouse up thyself, give slavish thoughts the rout,  
Let sor did lusts within thee no place find;  
Read sacred writ, and meditate thereon,  
Be ruminating ever thereupon.   

[57]  
That lose licentious Lusts may find no room,  
No place for entertainment in thy Soul,  
That when (according to their wont) they come,  
Thy minds employment may their course control  
Oppose an Evil, and it shan't o'ercome thee,  
Resist the Devil, and he will fly from thee.   

[58]  
When saucy mirth, or any wanton lust  
Doth proffer thee a greeting any more,  
Tell'em, you know 'em not, and that you must  
Have no acquaintance with them as before  
You had unto your cost, when they did fool  
Your noble spirit, bearing in it rule.   

[59]  
Tell 'em that now you have found a better Master,  
And nobler service for to pitch upon;  
You'll seek to spare where you have been a waster,  
And will not do as you before have done;  
When they do knock, tell them you ain't at leisure  
To let 'em in, but bid 'em wait your pleasure.   

[60]  
And sure I am that such like entertainment  
As this, will cause bold Sin to hang its ears:  
These words or others of the like concernment  
(Maintained with heart sincere & ardent Prayers)  
Will make the Devil in thee hid his face,  
Will overcome him, make him quit the place.   

[61]  
And then Christ Jesus and his glorious Train  
(By his Soul-sanctifying Spirit) will  
Enter thy heart, set up his Throne, and reign,  
And all his blessed Pleasure there fulfil;  
He'll enter then, who is the Prince of Peace,  
Triumphing gloriously will make Sin cease.   

[62]  
And as before thy Soul was a foul Cage  
Of unclean Birds, a Sty of nasty Devils,  
Hell's Council-Chamber, and thy Acts Hell's Stage,  
Whereon thou didst display all inbred Evils;  
Now 'tis become the Palace of a King,  
The King of Glory, blest in every thing.   

[63]  
Where Devils did in consultation sit,  
(As they do always about acts unclean)  
Malicious hellish mischiefs, which to beget  
Not yet brought in action to be seen)  
There Gods blessed Spirit (Now) doth counsel give,  
Unto the Soul disport itself and live.   

[64]  
Note this, young Man, peruse well the expression,  
Me thinks ' tshould thy hot blood convert to slames,  
JEHOVAH will not only take possession,  
And dwell in thee, but also Son thee names;  
He'll be thy Father, thou shalt be his Son,  
Learn at all times to say, Thy will be done.   

[65.]  
But that's not all, though that's a glorious favour,  
To be a child to the eternal God:  
I'll walk in thee: Oh here's a speech doth favour  
Of more than making with thee an abode;  
Myself I'll joy refresh, disport, delight  
In thee, says the allglorious God of might.   

[66.]  
For what doth walk, speak less than recreation,  
Delight, refreshment, (not excluding) joy,  
As also (oft 'tis) Soul accommodation,  
Which senses (here) done't Scripture truth destroy;  
For Scripture doth the same to us commence,  
What not in the same words, yet in the sense.   

[67.]  
But one thing more, youth, let me hint unto thee,  
From this same text now I have touched upon:  
God says he'll dwell in thee, then let it woe thee  
To say to Hell, Avaunt; to sin, Begun;  
For he and sin in one heart cannot dwell,  
No more than thou canst live at ease in Hell.   

[68]  
I'll walk in thee, the which expression speaks,  
(As well as joy) that he'll take notice too  
Of all thy acts, and all those private tricks  
That thou in secret undescryed dost do:  
He that is always walking round about  
A house, can't choose but see what's done throughout.   

[69.]  
But to come closer to the thing in hand,  
I'll put it to thee, youngling for to judge;  
Whether herein or sinne most joy doth stand,  
Peace this attending (too) but sin a scourge;  
Sin leads the Soul a dance, I sigh to tell,  
It here gins, but ends i'th' lowest Hell.   

[70.]  
Moreover youngling I can tell thee this,  
That that which makes sin lively to appear,  
And doth bewitch thy Soul thereon, nought is,  
But those same borrowed garments she doth wear  
That she hath stolen from virtue; whose they are,  
As't will hereafter plainly appear.   

[71.]  
There's but a painted strumpet that doth lure  
All persons void of understanding to her;  
Saw ye her in her night , I am sure  
She would affright ye, and you'd cease to woe her;  
She's decked in virtue's robes, and so she's fine,  
Yet at the best, she's but a painted shrine.   

[62.]  
But if vain pleasures must thy Mistress be,  
And have the service of thy best affection,  
Then thou to bed with her must sure be,  
Nor canst thou that deny, since in subjection  
To her thy Soul doth live, and acts her will,  
And all her heads dost faithfully fulfil.   

[73.]  
Should I describe the Bed, and the place where  
The Bed is made, 'twould task my Muse too hard,  
But look where Devils dwell, the place is there,  
The Bed itself can't be by me declared;  
'Tis sulphurous flames, 'tis torments sharp and fell,  
'Tis gnawing Conscience, (in a word) 'tis Hell.   

[74.]  
One word more youngling, wilt thou sell thy sight?  
Or wilt thou for a price part with the light?  
What wilt thou ask for this thy breathing right?  
Or take, the world to be bought out of quite?  
I know thy answer to these very well,  
For ten world's worth, thou none of these canst sell.   

[75.]  
And I believe thou dost abhor the thought  
Of valuing of those with any thing:  
Nay, I believe thy Soul with sorrows fraught,  
When any doth these into question bring:  
I know young man, that here thou art so nice,  
Thou loathest to hear these valued at a price.   

[76.]  
But forasmuch as none these things may mention  
Unto thee: Hark, I'll tell thee in thine ear,  
And tell thee truth, for that's my heart's intention,  
Thou overlov'st these, yet not countest them dear,  
For why, thou spendest them on thy mistress Pleasure,  
And lavishly dost waste them out of measure.   

[77]  
Nay, thou dost sell a Pearl worth all of these,  
More precious Gems thou partest with for her sake  
Than I can utter, that whoever sees  
That dangerous course that thou dost for her take,  
Can't choose but say, Thou wastes thy strength, and sight  
Most wickedly, and so deserv'st no light.   

[78.]  
More plainly, is the light a pleasant thing,  
That thou'dst not be deprived of for a world?  
Then part with Sin, for else it will thee bring  
Into perpetual darkness, to be hurled.  
Thou shalt for evermore part with the light,  
And be included in perpetual night.   

[79.]  
Thy sight is precious to thee, 'cause the light  
Doth pleasant objects unto it unfold,  
But know in Hell the use is altered quite,  
There's darkness, nought but terrors to behold;  
So that for Sin both Light and Sight thou sell'st,  
Both Life and Joy, and for its sake thou dwellest   

[80.]  
Amidst fierce fiery flames, and dost debar  
Thy Soul that blessed Privilege, to see  
Gods glorious face, the which exceedeth far  
What ere thy worldly interest to thee  
Can give, and what's thy breathing right to this?  
Breath well improved may make a gale to bliss.   

[81.]  
O youngling therefore if thou prizest aught  
That's dear or good, why then shake hands with sin,  
And be not by't into subjection brought,  
Nor in its slavery continue in:  
Pleasures of sin but for a moment are,  
The purchase of them therefore's too too dear.   

[82.]  
Besides its motions, force them from thy Soul,  
And hold no private consultation with him:  
Its rising power betimes suppress, control,  
For growing great thou canst not lightly will'm.  
If any sordid evil you'd entomb,  
The readyest way's to kill it in the womb.   

[83.]  
Give sin no footing, for it will intrude,  
IT will make its passage like a mighty stream;  
Give it but an entrance, and you strait include  
Ten times more inconvenience than you deem;  
If entertained for a month's space,  
It strait becometh Master of the place.   

[84.]  
'Tis a bold guest, and though a sordid groom,  
Too base to come within the Souls confines:  
Yet takes it up the best and bravest room,  
And further, all its forces strength combines;  
To keep the same, and there as Lord to reign,  
Permitting it none else to entertain.   

[85.]  
Sin's a most cruel Taskmaster to evil,  
It giveth work, but gives no time to play,  
Doth tyrannize as a most cruel Devil,  
‛ Fording no intermission Night nor Day:  
Heart, hand, eyes, ears, nor tongue, nor lips m'ned stound,  
But eagerly persist to run Sins round;   

[86.]  
The Eyes must gaze the Heart to set on fire,  
The Ear attends for to blow up the flame,  
Which to express the Tongue doth never tyre,  
And yet this Tyrant sharply doth them blame,  
Says they are idle, that they nothing do,  
(When as their spirits faint, their work is so.)   

[87.]  
Here's Slavery exceeding Egypt's Task,  
They Brick must make, yet store themselves with Straw,  
No ease, no respite, nor no help must ask,  
But ev●r in yoke, like Slaves, like Horses, draw:  
From this to th' other ill the poor Soul trudges  
From that for t' other Lust the poor Soul drudges.   

[88]  
Yet so the Creature's fooled, that it contents  
Itself in this hard bondage; don't complain  
Of Servitude, nor in the least reputes,  
But layeth out its strength for to maintain  
These sordid humours, and their lives to cherish,  
Though for the same both Soul and Body perish.   

[89.]  
What doth the Drunkard prise above his Pots?  
Who is more free than he? He doth not think  
That he's a Slave, nor that ought him besots,  
Although he place his happiness in Drink:  
O how his heart doth long, and thirst, and pine,  
E'er to be drinking, quaffing Beer or Wine!   

[90.]  
He loves good Fellows, Pot-companions dear,  
His Life and Joy lies in that Fellowship,  
theyare fare more prized by him than all Heavens Queer.  
Than Living Waters he had rather sip  
His lunish Cups of Soul-confounding Drink,  
Though thereby Health, Estate, Soul, Body sink.   

[91.]  
Tush, tell not him of the Tribunal Day,  
Nor of Jehovah's dreadful flaming ire;  
Come give him Drink to wash dry cares away;  
He fears no Hell, he fears no flames of fire;  
Thus doth his throat already him foretell  
His Souls Disease for evermore in Hell.   

[92.]  
And are proud Wantoness any whit less Fools?  
Their task's as hard, and yet that task is sweet  
Unto them, the heat of their desire what cools?  
Thoughts of Eternity must not them greet:  
Bid them be humble, holy, chaste, and pure,  
Such clownish Precepts they cannot endure.   

[93.]  
But why stand I thus for to instance any  
One single Vice, when all the Ills of Nature  
Do prove the same most clearly? though not many  
Take notice of it, active in each feature  
The most of men hotly persist to do,  
What ere their wieldy Passions lead them to.   

[94.]  
Well to conclude young man; Remember this,  
Thy Soul's immortal, and must aye endure,  
'Twas made by God a Subject fit for Bliss,  
And of eternal Doom it must be sure.  
If thou liv'st well, a Crown he'll to thee give;  
If ill, thy Dooms with Devils for to live.   

[95.]  
But having been too tedious in my verse  
Upon this subject Pleasure, (and yet I  
Have been but brief and short, seeing commerce  
By youth is held with Pleasure constantly)  
Shall now for Recreation sake express  
In varied Verse what my experience is.   

[96.]  
And what in mine own practice I do act  
Of youthful pleasure, how I it esteem,  
I shall lay down my thoughts of many a Fact  
Tending thereto, and what I of it deem.  
Example is a living Argument,  
Myself to thee, as so I here present.  
Pleasure I find to be a sly,  
A deadly, subtle Enemy,  
'Twill sleer i' th' face, 'twill kiss the lip,  
Yet then look to it, 'twill up thee trip;  
'Twill speak thee fair, 'twill kindly greet,  
And strait 'twill lay thee at its feet;  
'Twill promise thee large liberty,  
(When nothing's a more real Lie;)  
'Twill build thee Castles in th' air,  
'Twill fawn, and lie, and speak thee fair,  
'Twill mention Peace, that it will give thee,  
But trust it not, it will deceive thee;  
'Twill ' ford content and satisfaction,  
But than it must be in Soul-distraction;  
'Twill promise els, perform no Inch;  
Thou needst not question at a pinch  
But it will help thee unto sorrow,  
Deep-dyed in grain, and Scarlet-horrour;  
'Twill proffer thee its company,  
And promise true fidelity;  
Faithful 'twill be (indeed) it w'oned leave thee  
Herein, I say, it w'oned deceive thee,  
'Twill stick close to thee to bereave thee  
Of what ere Heaven, or God can give thee;  
'Twill lodge thee with itself in Hell,  
Together live and die (all's well;)  
'Tis sweet in show, but proves most sour,  
Shows lovely fair, but yet will lower;  
It says, in it thou shalt enjoy  
Such matter as shall ne'er thee cloy:  
'Tis partly truth, for parting never  
Is living and enjoying ever,  
Which thou, and it, and Hell shan't do,  
When once conjoined thereunto:  
O therefore now betimes resolve  
That knot of Friendship to dissolve,  
When ere she doth herself present  
(I need not question her intent,  
I know her well, though she doth bring  
Honey in mouth, her tail doth sting)  
To me, I ask what she doth crave?  
Or what 'tis of me she would have?  
I ask, how long I shall be sure  
What she can give me will endure?  
(Before I leap I love to look,  
But all such counsel cannot brook)  
Shall this thy joy continue ever?  
And shall its life expire never?  
Say I to her, Will this thy Pleasure  
Not damage my eternal Treasure?  
If it be ned eternal, then be gone,  
Entice me not, let me alone;  
'Tis no fit object for my view,  
An unfit subject to pursue,  
To gain those things I will persever,  
That (like my Soul) endure for ever,  
I dare not give thee any room,  
Because to judgement I must come;  
I know the Judge and thou art Foes,  
If thee I follow, him I lose.  
Avaunt, Be gone, Stand off; therefore  
Don't dare (bold Sin) to tempt me more:  
My heart thy dainties doth disrelish,  
Because deceit doth them embellish:  
Such Evils (too) they tend to cherish,  
As will make Soul and Body perish;  
Thy pleasant Path doth lead to Hell,  
With damned spirits for to dwell;  
Mine eyes therefore thereon sha'ned look,  
To hear thereof mine ears shan't brook,  
Unto thy Paths my feet shan't walk  
Nor of thee shall not my tongue talk:  
All thoughts of thee, O may I smother,  
Who am the interest of another:  
Disloyal am I him unto,  
If I strike friendship with his Foe,  
I dare not, O, I dare not I,  
Think such a thought, for he stands by,  
He hath a  in my Breast,  
He knows what's not by me expressed,  
His eye doth every secret see,  
Kept ignorant he cannot be,  
He's omni-present, filleth all  
And every place both great and small;  
His arm is long, he will me reach,  
From East to West the same doth stretch,  
How then dare I consent to sin,  
Or any one thought harbour in  
My tender breast, that may conduce  
His sacred Name to prejudice;  
He's just and jealous, I don't dare  
Him to offend, my Soul doth fear  
His righteous judgements, and my flesh  
Doth tremble, and can do no less:  
His Majesty, in flames of fire  
Clothed with wrath and furious ire,  
Shall make appearance when the world  
By fiery flames shall be dissolved,  
Shall mount upon his glorious Throne,  
And then examine every one;  
All acts must into judgement come,  
And every one receive their Doom,  
According to their several Deeds,  
The Judge to them their Sentence reads,  
He says to them that have done well,  
Ye blessed of my Father dwell  
In his bright glories, mount the Throne  
Prepared for ye every one;  
Ye did your hearts for me maintain,  
Come therefore now and with me reign;  
Ye on the earth did to me live,  
Now I to you a Kingdom give;  
You hated Sin, now I you own,  
And give you an all-glorious Crown;  
You of your ways did conscience make,  
Your wills and lusts too (for my sake)  
Did crucify, with strength oppose  
All the suggestions of my foes;  
Your strength up to me you did give,  
Come therefore your Reward receive.  
But as for you, you hellish Elves,  
That to your Lusts did give yourselves,  
That ever burned with strong desire,  
Bred and maintained by wanton fire;  
Be gone from me into those flames,  
That burn and nought their fury tames,  
As in your life-time you have been  
A near Associate to Sin,  
So now therewith go bide and dwell  
For ever in the lowest Hell,  
In utter darkness make abode,  
Under my flaming furious Rod,  
There live out your eternal breath,  
With howling cries, with gnashing teeth,  
I know right well this is Sins Doom,  
Therefore I dare not give it room,  
I dare not entertain it in me,  
For sure I am it soon will win me,  
Its joy doth but a moment last,  
But ah! its pain is never passed,  
Eternity my Soul doth eye,  
Vain Pleasure therefore dare not I  
Once look upon▪ nor will I greet  
It, wheresoever I it meet:  
I know it is an hellish Fiend,  
And all its courses thither tend.  
Be gone, be gone, thou dost beguile me,  
And of most pleasant sweets dost spoil me,  
Thou giv'st me Pebbles for my Treasures,  
Sharp sorrows for delightful Pleasures:  
Mine own I am not, but am bought  
At a dear rate, and therefore aught  
To give both Soul and Body too  
Unto his blessed service, who  
Did me redeem from bondage fell,  
Reprieve my Soul from Death and Hell;  
He gave his Life, his Love was such,  
To men, and shall I then think much  
To answer love with love entire,  
And for his sake to quench the fire  
Of lower loves, and with affection  
Most pure and true, yield him subjection;  
Long may I to him loyal prove,  
Strong may I with him be in love;  
The pleasures of religion I,  
Do find more sweet and do espy  
More beauty in, than want on pleasure  
Can give to them, that have most leisure  
To wait thereon▪ in it I find  
That sweet repose unto my mind,  
That peace, that sweet delight, that joy,  
That worldly powers can't destroy:  
Faith feeds me with the Bread of Heaven;  
Thereby to me its joys are given  
In such a measure that oft I  
Being overcharged with joy do cry,  
(As of my senses quite bereaven)  
Whether am I now in Earth or Heaven?  
What's this I both feel, taste and see?  
Sure I am in Heaven, or Heaven's in me.  
Time slacks his course, his glass do'ned run,  
Or is eternity begun?  
Both weeks and months their motions stay,  
They are to me as one short day;  
But they that would of Soul delight  
(Than this) have a more fuller sight  
From me, then let them please to look  
Upon another former book;  
I penned (in part) long since, and there  
Expressions make it at large appear.   

[97.]  
But still for to pursue my present task,  
As youthful blood doth make the wind aspire  
To fading honour, after pleasure ask,  
Setting the Senses thereon all on fire;  
So too that heated blood the Soul doth move,  
To be a thralled Captive unto Love.   

[98.]  
Youth's swelling veins made hot with blood and Spirits,  
Doth like to fire never cease to stir:  
Will be in motion, though thereby it inherits,  
Shame for the same a constant blur,  
The Soul of man is made of living fire,  
That never moves yet motion don't expire.   

[99]  
The Devil therefore tends with diligence,  
To give it matter whereupon to act:  
Presents an object to the greedy Sense,  
The which from thence the Soul doth soon infect,  
Unto the Eye of youth he proffers beauty,  
And straight fond youth presents it shrine with duty.   

[100]  
Beauty to youth is as the oil it a fire,  
And as dry fuel unto raging flames  
It doth convert him all into desire,  
And what is it then that furious passion tames;  
Th' eye to the heart presents this foul infection,  
Poisons the Soul throughout, by the affection.   

[101.]  
Youth now doth love, and must possess in love  
What he desires, on whom his heart is fixed;  
All arguments are far too weak to move,  
There is no incongruity betwixt  
Her whom he loves and him; no he can tell  
She suits his disposition very well.   

[102.]  
What will he stick to venture for her sake,  
Whom he so fond loves, as that his life  
I ned dear unto him, so he may partake  
Her fellowship, and she be made his wife;  
Heaven and earth and God and life and bliss,  
Compared with her unto him nothing is.   

Youths antic tricks herein I shan't discover,  
I do'ned intent to toil my muse so much:  
Again my Soul thereof was ne'er a lover,  
And therefore once to speak of them I grudge;  
My Soul takes no delight such things to mention,  
Further than is concerned in my intention.   

[104.]  
Is thy blood hot? (youth) do thy Spirits move,  
And work thee to a flame of strong desire?  
Make God the only object of thy love,  
Present him with an heart sound and entire;  
He's the alone-original of beauty,  
His loveliness (from thee) may win a duty.   

[105.]  
If thou couldst see him with a single eye  
His lovely beauty, but by glance behold:  
I'm sure in him thy Soul would soon espy,  
That which would make thy burning love grow cold  
To all things else, and all things disappear,  
In loveliness to what before me were.   

[106.]  
Those sparkling glories, whose unmatchless lustre  
Do make a heaven where e'er they are unfolded,  
Displayed to thy view thy thoughts would muster,  
And set them free from what they are enthralled;  
'Twould flame thy Spirits, and thou then shouldst prove,  
The power of that noble heaven-bred love.   

[107.]  
Love of this beauty don't the Soul abase,  
Nor make it act below itself as the other:  
Which doth ignoble it, and much deface  
Its beauties, tending also for to smother  
All sparks of good, that are contained therein,  
By the base smoky vapours of foul Sin.   

[108.]  
No this doth raise and elevate the mind,  
And doth ennoble, and sublime the Soul:  
It makes it unto real good inclined,  
Refines and purges it from courses foul;  
It doth transmute, transform and make the Spirit  
From real ill true goodness to inherit.   

[109.]  
This love to God doth spread itself throughout  
The inner man, and strange effects it worketh:  
It doth employ its utmost strength about  
Ejecting Sin from whence it closely lurketh;  
Oh, here's delight indeed! the Soul doth move,  
Employed in the service of its love.   

[110.]  
Lovers oft beg this on their bended knee,  
(O great abasement of a noble Soul!)  
That by their mistress they employed may be,  
The service ne'er so base, low, mean or foul;  
O for her sake what won't they deign to do,  
They'll bended bow even for to kiss her Shooe.   

[111.]  
Love's Nature 'tis to act with joy and cheer,  
In any act whereto their Love enjoynes'm:  
Love's life therein consists, and doth appear  
'Tis love, and loved self thereof doth mind'm;  
Then Christians who are happier men than you,  
That ever have advantages enough   

[112.]  
To prove and to express your love to him,  
The fountain of all love, the King of glory:  
Unto whose shine Sol's splendent rays are dim,  
Whose beauty Seraphimsed would pose to story;  
By mortifying Sin, by crucifying  
All earthly members, to self-wisdome dying.   

[113.]  
Oh! 'tis advantage Christians to be tempted,  
By sordid humours, by a base desire;  
For why; thereby occasion is presented,  
To purge your Souls and prove your love entire;  
Sin tempts, the Soul opposes, God looks on  
As the Spectator, to behold what's done.   

[114.]  
O how thou'dst fight young man, if that a foe  
Of thy beloved's did encounter with thee;  
Especially if she commanded so,  
And did look on herself; but then I prithee  
Tell me, dost think service to the creator  
Affords less joy than service to the creature?   

[115.]  
How happy do your lovers think themselves,  
If they may be but graced for to talk  
With their dear love: Oh! how the mind now delves  
For matter, there's no faculty doth balk,  
It's utmost strength for to give up in this,  
In this same act wherein consists its Bliss,   

[116.]  
Words from her mouth you prize as honey dews,  
Yea Nectar, & Ambrosia ain't so sweet  
As her discourse is to you; while her brows  
Displayed in lovely smiles deigns you to greet;  
Her words drop down like Manna from the Skies,  
While with delights ye bathe ye in her eyes.   

[117.]  
O happy ye, your hearts now melt in love,  
And like to Wax before the Sun dissolveth,  
Ye now lie captivated, cannot move  
Until she from this bondage you absolveth;  
You bathe your souls in this her sunny-shine,  
And think her favours more than half divine.   

[118.]  
But what's all this to those unmatchless favours,  
That they who seek the face of God do meet?  
The very way and path they tread in, savours  
Of joys illustrious, most delightful sweet,  
Where ere he moves the sweets he leaves behind him  
Is a sufficient tract whereby to find him.   

[119.]  
They that love him he turns them love again,  
And who with diligence his face do seek  
His glorious face shall see (to quit their pain)  
(Under a veil) yet lovely, sweet and meek;  
O could I tell what his imperial brow  
Affords to them that see't, 'twould ravish you.   

[120.]  
So lively glorious, so sweet, so clear,  
So Sp'ritly vigorous, and Soul-reviving,  
So mild, so gentle, yet so lovely fair,  
The Soul that sees it, ceases e'er from dying;  
I cannot half conceive, much less express  
The joy, the blessedness that therein is.   

[121.]  
Converse with him; yea freely that you may,  
He'll find you matter fit for to converse on;  
Nay, further He'll you send a glorious ray,  
To fit your hearts for what they do commerce on;  
Here's love indeed your Love, this thing can't do,  
If you're infirm, she throws a scorn on you.   

[122.]  
He sends his Spirit to renew dead flames,  
To quicken, to revive th' affection dying:  
A God of grace and love, himself he names,  
His Nature's so; his Soul is ever eyeing  
His creatures wants, the languishing desire  
He cherishes with Grace, doth re-enspire.   

[123.]  
How sweet soe'er your thoughts are when you muse,  
Upon your Mistress' most lovely face,  
Her person and proportion, when refuse  
You do that any thoughts them should displace;  
Yet know even then the thoughts of God are sweeter,  
His love more lovelyer, his Spirit fleeter.   

[124.]  
Being wounded by the beauty of her face,  
Her words have power to kill or give you life:  
Your Souls do sue for to obtain her grace,  
To gain her love, that she'd be made your wife;  
When she is pleased to greet you with disdain,  
Your Spirit sinks, no life in't doth remain.   

[125.]  
But this to great Jehovahs' powerful voice,  
Which is Soul quickening, or Soul confounding:  
Wilt thou join parallel to make a choice,  
(Between real want and what is most abounding?)  
His voice such rare magnetic power doth give;  
IT preserves the dying, makes the dead to live.   

[126.]  
Touched with his beams, touched with his flames of love,  
An ecstasy that Soul must needs remain in,  
'Tis bounden to him, and it cannot move,  
That bed ' manes ever green that it hath lain in;  
Oh, stop my lavish pen, I can't tell how,  
Those rare unmatchless sweets ●'describe to you.   

[127.]  
Youth, canst thou dote on any female beauty,  
What dost thou think thou shalt therein enjoy?  
That thou dost vow thereto such solemn duty,  
Demean thyself so like a witless boy;  
By any antic gestures her to gain,  
Whom being got thou dost possess with pain,   

[128.]  
Alas, thou over-prize●● things a far,  
And buyest th' enjoyments at a rate too dear,  
'Tis granted in their place they something are  
But what; ('tis not my task to ●ell you here;)  
Yet mind ye what Elchanah said to Hanny,  
Am not I more to thee than children many?   

[129.]  
So in Jehove is far more to be found,  
Than in all Creatures if conjoined together:  
All creature-sweet is in a moment drowned  
In those delights that he affordeth, whither  
The Soul at all times freely may resort,  
And with those pleasures may itself disport.   

[130.]  
Pleasures, sweet pleasures, precious delights,  
To these expressions youngling sure I see thee  
Attend and bend thine ear, (come nought affrights)  
Be sober and let those expressions cheer thee;  
God is the rist of beauty, peace and love,  
Joy and delight, and therefore to him move.   

[131.]  
As from a mighty fountain that disperses  
Its great abundance through many springs,  
And in those narrow channels quickly passes,  
And spreads its self and waters divers things;  
So doth Jehove from his own fullness give  
What ever good the creature can receive.   

[132.]  
Now 'tis absurd to think, much more to say,  
That there resides that fullness in one Spring  
That in the fountain head itself doth stay,  
No more can any creature comfort bring  
That peace, joy, Satisfaction to the mind,  
That in Jehove himself thy Soul may find.   

[133.]  
Extract what ere thou canst from every creature,  
And pack that lovelines all up in one;  
Beauty from one and from another feature,  
(Perfection resteth not in one alone,)  
From a third virtue, a well composed Spirit,  
That sweetness, patience, mildness doth inherit,   

[134.]  
Nay take the Quintessence of every thing  
That thou in any creature good canst call,  
And then know this that all that good doth spring,  
From God its fount and its original;  
And if one single good so lovely is,  
What's he in whom thou mayst them all possess.   

[135.]  
Note this young man, and deep impression give it  
Upon thine heart, endorse it on thy mind:  
Upon thy judgement do it fast on rivet,  
And let it equal entertainment find  
To things of far less worth, inferior beauty,  
Remove from that, and give to this that duty.   

[136.]  
Thou canst not say that this is a demand,  
Unreasonable of thee to be asked?  
The worth of th'object rightly understand,  
And then thou'lt not complain that thou art tasked,  
In any service that thou undertakest  
For it to do, nor that deer thou forsakest   

[137.]  
It for to gain, cause worth far less doth move  
Thee, cost, labour and strength for to lay out,  
To be an humble servant in her love,  
And think't a bliss to be employed about  
(At any time) the service of her pleasure,  
Which to fulfil, thou sparest for no treasure.   

[138.]  
And all's to gain what may be lost to morrow,  
But if not so, yet's but a petty good,  
A sweet that doth contain a deal of sorrow,  
A peace that many discontentment's hood.  
Leave not the kernel for the empty shell,  
When as thou mayst enjoy'm both aswell.   

[139.]  
But to look over those petty petty sweets,  
That thou endearest to thee as thy life:  
And for to mention some of many feats,  
That in thy nature's acted very rife;  
Thou ne'er dost leave till thou hast found an object,  
Whereto thou makest thine affection's subject.   

[140.]  
Oh! might thy active thoughts employ themselves  
No less in seeking out to find abode,  
‛ Cquaintance and friendship and him that e'er dwells,  
Between the Cherubims, thy heaven, thy God;  
Thyself cast down before him, prostrate   
With resolution, if I die, I die.   

[141.]  
This thou wilt do to gain her worthless favour,  
On whom thou dost thy fond affection pitch:  
There is no good like that, that thou canst favour,  
Nor any thing that thou esteemest so much;  
Therefore thou layst out all thy Art and strength,  
With strong desire, her to enjoy at length.   

[142.]  
The Sun's bright rays do far less comfort yield,  
Then doth the sunny beauty of her face;  
To which thou thinkest that the fragrant field  
Is less delightful, nor of so much grace.  
There is no happiness thou canst espy,  
Out of the sunshine of thy Mistress' eye:   

[143.]  
Thy life and happiness lies in her smiles,  
Thy death and misery in her frown consisteth,  
Thy fond affection thus thy judgement spoils,  
Will and desire do in thee what them listeth;  
Affection, will, and vain desire together  
Do lead th'enthralled judgement any whither.   

[144.]  
But oh fond youth that thou couldst turn about,  
And see that worth from which thou turn'st thy face,  
Ah! didst thou but behold it, out of doubt  
Thou wouldst endeavour for to give it place;  
'tis worth where from th'algorious Queer of Heaven  
Have all their happiness unto them given.   

[145.]  
'tis worth affording each Soul faculty,  
A full contentment of all needful things:  
A real worth where's no deceit, no ,  
Perfect delight and joy that's free from stings;  
'Tis more than th' Quintessence of every good,  
It is a worth that can't be understood.   

[146.]  
It is a worth from whenceall worths derived,  
'Tis real substance, thine a vain conceit:  
'Tis death eternal for to be deprived  
Sight of the face of that al-glorious wight;  
'Tis life e'rlasting it for to enjoy,  
Where's all delight and peace without annoy.   

[147.]  
A dark and loathsome Dungeon is that place,  
(Of no delight, but sorrow now to thee?)  
That thy dear Loves sweet presence used to grace,  
Where thou her lovely-face didst use to see;  
Her sunny beauty was that place's light  
To thee, her absence makest a darksome night.   

[148.]  
This thou experiencest and know'st it truth,  
But in the Suuny beauty of God's eye  
(Regardless, negligent, vain, witless youth,)  
Thou know'st not what an happiness doth lie;  
For 'tis his face, his presence that makes Heaven,  
Who sees it not of all joys are bereaven.   

[149.]  
Ah! couldst but half consider what it is,  
To live without him, be deprived the place  
Of his abode, the misery to miss  
The sight of his best smiles, his lovely grace;  
IT would break thy heart to think upon that sorrow,  
(That thou must feel thereby) with deadly horror.   

[150.]  
The loss of any creature Love i'n't so,  
That loss may in an other be repaired:  
Bear but the grief, no punishment may go  
Along therewith beside, that may be spared;  
Considering (for aught thou knowst) that loss,  
It had by thee might have proved a cruel cross.   

[151.]  
For why on earth no sweets without some sour,  
There is no peace without some discontentment,  
Withoutsome weakness there's no strength, no power  
No earth without some grief can't make presentment  
Of any joy unto thee in the least,  
At its vain Loves let not thy soul (then) feast.   

[152.]  
But least some persons should exceptions take,  
(By misinterpreting my aim, my drift)  
And say God's ordinance I useless make,  
And chastity is a peculiar gift;  
I wish such persons rightly to conceive me;  
I aim at no such thing, if they'll believe me.   

[153.]  
I don't condemn such Love as lawful is,  
But fain would lead the creature a pitch higher,  
Above all first to seek eternal bliss,  
To God himself would have the Soul aspire;  
Would have it first to mind the things of heaven,  
Than all things else shall be (as vantage) given.   

[154.]  
I'd have youth give the prime of their affection,  
As their first fruit unto Jehovah due,  
Their will and their desire too in subjection,  
And after him with their whole strength pursue.  
For to his beauty all things else are dim,  
He is our Lord, and we must worship him.   

[155.]  
For fear I say if any misconstruction,  
I'll here turn off, and in few words express  
Myself herein, and so will by deduction,  
Declare how short all creature-comfort is;  
Touching upon in a compendious story:  
My Love's bright beauty excellence and glory.   

1.  
My tender youth hath found  
An object for its Love,  
Whereat I do not stound,  
But all my powers move,  
It for to gain,  
Though with much pain,  
And for to make it sure,  
I will not spare,  
Nor do I care,  
What ere I do endure.   

2.  
It is no lower wight  
That I do pitch upon,  
My subject of delight  
Is great Jehovah's Son,  
In him my mind  
That sweet doth find,  
That none with may compare,  
By him I have  
What ere I crave,  
Though ne'er so good and rare.   

3.  
My youth hath made a choice,  
That I will not forgo,  
Wherein I much rejoice  
And am affianced to,  
Whom my desire  
Is set on fire  
With ever to behold,  
And whom I love  
All things above,  
Therefore in suit am bold.   

4.  
Between my love and I  
Is such congruity,  
That nought unto mine eye  
Of like respect can be;  
I do not prise  
Nor hands, nor eyes,  
Nor ought else whatsoever,  
My very life  
Is but a strife,  
Not loved in his compare.   

5.  
Ah, could my tongue but tell  
The beauty of my love,  
Wherein he doth excel,  
whate'er doth breath or move,  
There's none I'm sure  
That could endure  
Him for to rest short of,  
They would him love,  
All things above,  
Though now they at him scoff.   

6.  
Can I but pencil out  
That bright perfection rare,  
That spreads itself about,  
His limbs and face so fair,  
Each Readers heart  
With Love's strong dart,  
Would suffer such a wound,  
So as that then  
With lock and key  
Were closely Prisoners bound.   

7.  
My Love's so fair, so clear,  
That neither Moon nor Sun  
Do light or bright appear  
In the Meridian,  
No they are dim,  
Compared with him,  
Their beauties ' clipsed quite  
They hid their face,  
As in disgrace,  
To such a glorious light.   

8.  
With glory he's arrayed  
As with a garment gay,  
His beauty may be said  
To be the Angel's day;  
Heaven can nought  
Afford that's aught,  
If dispossessed of him,  
For it is his light  
That makes it bright,  
His presence makes it trim.   

9  
O did you know the power  
Of his imperial brow,  
And what delights do tower  
Themselves therein, and how,  
Within your breast  
You could not rest,  
Till you had seen that face,  
Nor without doubt  
Can live without  
The presence of his grace.   

10.  
For why the Angel's joy,  
And Seraphims delight  
Consisteth constantly  
By being in his sight,  
Their happiness  
Is only this  
Him ever to behold,  
Whereby desire  
Is set on fire,  
And never waxes cold.   

11.  
His smiles do make an Heaven,  
His frowns produce an Hell,  
For where his favour's given  
No tongue their bliss can tell;  
His flaming ire  
Begets a fire  
That ever doth endure;  
His blessed love  
The Soul doth move  
To joy and Peace most sure.   

12.  
No Angels tongue can tell,  
Nor mortal ear ere heard,  
Nor heart conceive or spell,  
Those joys that are prepared,  
Prepared for them  
That as a Gem  
Do prise the Lord of Life,  
Whom he will grace  
With his blessed face,  
And marry as his Wife.   

13.  
His nature's sweet and mild,  
Lovely, and full of grace,  
Himself he so hath styled,  
And 'tis read in his face,  
His countenance  
Doth much advance  
His glories every where,  
It is so humble  
That none can stumble,  
Say no acceptance's there.   

14.  
For though he doth possess,  
All things in Earth and Heaven,  
Yet will he nevertheless  
His grace to such be given  
As do him seek  
With spirit meek  
Though ne'er so vile and poor,  
With real heart,  
If they do part  

* In will and intention.  With sin for evermore.   

15.  
His countenance doth carry  
In it such majestic grace,  
That where 'tis Sin w'oned tarry,  
But strait acquits the place;  
It's Pleasure's black  
Their Beauty lack,  
And melt away like Snow;  
They show then plain  
But grief and pain,  
But misery and wo.   

16.  
All worldly Pleasures are  
Compared with this delight  
But as a Candle's blear  
Unto the Sun's clear light,  
Or Glowworms shine  
In the daytime,  
Yea and far viler too;  
They then are sorrows,  
And deadly horrors,  
Loathsome the Soul unto  
A mass of real wo.   

17.  
I'll prove this strait a truth  
Unto your open view,  
Come wanton lustful youth,  
And give me answer now,  
Your mind aspires,  
Being filled with fires,  
And at great things doth aim,  
But whose intent  
Noblest descent,  
(Of you or I) can claim?   

18.  
Again in Pleasure's Pool  
Your youth doth bathe itself,  
But I my youth do school,  
In shunning of that elf;  
I deal with joys,  
Not such vain toys,  
A far they are below me,  
I trade for Treasures,  
Not carnal Pleasures,  
The which vain youth do cow thee.   

19  
Thou servest a sordid Lust,  
But I the God of Heaven;  
And if obey thou must,  
But to me freedom's given;  
My joys do lie  
With God on high,  
My youth's delights are there,  
I in his Court  
Myself disport,  
Where 'quaintance claim I dare.   

20.  
Thou wooest and su'st for love  
To some inferior Beauty,  
I God himself do move  
To him I tender duty,  
Nor w'oned give o'er  
My Suit before  
Himself I do obtain,  
My heart in trial  
Can't take denial,  
My Soul must with him reign.   

21.  
O tell me wanton youth,  
What's thy delight to mine?  
Wilt dare to say in truth,  
My love exceeds not thine?  
I know th' art shamed  
It should be named  
Upon that present day,  
You blush to see  
What fools you be,  
And therefore nought can say.   

(22.)  
But to proceed to speak  
Still further in his praise,  
Whereto my heart's too weak  
My eyes to view his Rays,  
His beauty bright  
Allows no night  
where ever it doth shine,  
He doth impart  
Unto that heart  
A light and life divine.   

(23.)  
He doth the soul revive  
Where ever he doth come,  
And gives it so to live  
That it may keep a room  
For Majesty,  
Therein to lie,  
And always find a place,  
He'll there keep Court  
The soul disport  
With his most lovely face.   

(24.)  
He doth the soul transform  
Into his own likeness,  
Doth it throughout adorn  
With his bright glorious grace,  
What found in him  
Although but sin  
Shall in it (too) appear.  
Transmutes & changes  
The soul estranges  
From what's to Nature dear.   

(25.)  
But not to soar above  
The reach of tender youth  
That slaves himself in love  
Whom vain fond humours soothe▪  
Whom up to lift  
It is my drift  
From off the dregs of nature,  
To fix on high  
And him to eye  
That is his blessed Creator.   

(26.)  
Most glorious is my Love  
As you may plainly see  
And dothed not me behoove  
Loyal to him to be?  
Yes that I will  
With all the skill  
That I can make or gain  
Whose work about  
I will lay out  
Myself with might and main.   

(27.)  
Come Lovers I'll you tell  
What privilege I have,  
The which I will not sell  
For all Earth's glory brave,  
Although that glory  
Shows none can story  
Whereof my love possessed  
Yet still dare I  
To him draw nigh  
In love to be refreshed.   

(28.)  
My love he is not coy  
Though beautiful and fair  
But fills my soul with joy,  
It glads me to appear  
Before his sight,  
For why? with might  
Afresh he doth me fill;  
He ne'er me scorns,  
But me adorns  
According to his will.   

(29.)  
While that low worthless beauty  
That thou dost so adore,  
(Presenting with such duty)  
Gives thee no thanks therefore  
But makes thee serve  
While like to starve  
Regarding not thy love  
Whom thou drawest nigh  
(Oft she is ,  
And doth far off remove.   

(30.)  
With scorn she oft thee flouts,  
(The fruit of loathed rejection)  
Disdains with churlish pouts  
Thy tenders of affection;  
Though thoudost crouch  
Her for to touch  
With lowly bended knee,  
Yet she flies off  
Doth at thee scoff,  
She will not, no not she:   

(31)  
O youth, what pains thou tak'st  
Her love for to obtain,  
Thyself most servile makest,  
Yet merits but disdain;  
But were I you,  
I ne'er would sue  
For love so frivolous,  
I would forsake,  
No suit more make  
To be rejected thus.  

(32.)  
Unto my Love I never did  
Tender my hearts desire,  
But he forth with me answered,  
And sent me fire for fire,  
What I him give  
He doth receive,  
And so in mutual love,  
We each enjoy  
Nor do we cloy,  
Oh may I never move.   

(33.)  
They that do give a heart  
Unto the great Jehove,  
May sure themselves that start  
He will not from his Love,  
I'm sure there's none  
Can make their moan,  
That they did to him tender,  
Not only part,  
But their whole heart,  
And he no love would render.   

(34.)  
Thinkest thou that Jesus Christ  
The Heir of Earth and Heaven,  
By whom thy soul was pricked  
And fort his life was given;  
Thinks thou (say I)  
That he'll deny  
Thee love when thou dost sue,  
Ah no he won't  
His practice don't  
Confirm that thing as true.   

(25.)  
He'll bind his listening ear  
When thou preferrest a suit  
Thy voice he soon will hear  
Nor will he then be mute,  
He'll condescend  
Unto that end  
For which thy suit was made,  
He will delight,  
And glad thy spirit,  
Come therefore bened afraid.   

(36.)  
None ever made a proffer  
Of any thing to him  
That he refused their offer  
Or fling their scorn on them  
Ah no his grace  
Doth soon give place  
To entertain that love,  
He'll answer them  
With love again  
That truth of heart doth move.   

(37.)  
And youth when thou hast gained  
The person thou dost sue for,  
Her love I mean obtained  
(Which oft thy heart did rue for)  
Thou art not sure  
It will endure  
For Lovers minds are changing,  
For all that love  
Don't constant prove  
(The mind is prone to ranging.)   

(38.)  
But sure I am that love  
That God doth give to his  
Is constant, can't remove,  
It everlasting is,  
The highest mountains  
And lowest fountains  
Shall all first cease to be,  
The mighty hills  
The desert fields  
Shall move into the Sea.   

(39)  
Can my tongue tell the sweets  
The pleasures of the mind  
That with my soul oft meets  
And I in love do find,  
There is no ear  
That could them hear,  
But would be ravished by 'em,  
And then would spy  
The vanity  
In earthly things, and fly 'em.   

(40)  
No place can me debar  
The presence of my love,  
That bideth every where,  
On earth beneath, above:  
No company  
Can me deny  
My sweet converse with him;  
Nor darkest night,  
Hid from my sight  
His beauties clear and trim.   

(41)  
This beauty can't decay,  
(Though age your love's defaces)  
My joys shall 'bide for aye,  
In mutual loves embraces;  
I shall enjoy,  
Without annoy,  
My love for evermore,  
In that bright glory,  
That none can story,  
Where Seraphims him adore.   

(42)  
The care that now I take,  
Is only so to live  
A life, that love may speak  
To whom my love I give;  
I care not I,  
Who doth defy,  
The service of my love;  
‛ I shall be my care,  
No cost to spare,  
Sincere to him to prove.   

(43)  
Commend, or discommend  
My love's most strict commands,  
It nought to me doth tend,  
My act not therein stands;  
I will endeavour,  
Now, and for ever,  
His pleasure for to do,  
With heart and might,  
Both day and night,  
Who ' er's averse thereto.   

(44)  
I prise no love to his;  
For what's all else to me?  
In him's contained my bliss;  
Nought care I else to see:  
'Tis he alone,   
That only one  
On whom my hair doth fix,  
Him would I serve,  
Not from him swerve,  
Nor other service mix.   

(45.)  
Oh may my heart be true,  
My will and my desire,  
Constantly him pursue,  
And be to him entire,  
Who is worthy  
Of more than I  
Am able for to give him,  
But to his praise  
Even all my days  
I crave that I may live him   

(46.)  
A thousand hearts had I  
And every heart the might  
The strength and valiancy  
Of thousands, as his right  
Them unto him  
(My hearts dear gem)  
Would I present and give,  
And think this all  
Yet far too small  
For him for to receive.   

(47.)  
My tender youthful years  
Hath long ago forsaken  
Earth's fading foolish toys,  
Of them farewel hath taken,  
My tender youth  
They may not soothe,  
For dead is my desire  
Unto its joys  
Such worthless toys  
That do so soon expire.   

(48.)  
My tender years present  
Their youthful strength to him  
With whole and joint consent  
To whom bright Sol is dim,  
Whom I adore  
For evermore  
As Sovereign, Lord, and King,  
Whom I'd reraise  
In strains of praise  
And of his Glories sing.     

The Conclusion.  

NOw, young man lay to heart what I have said,  
Note well each matter I have here down laid,  
Here's life and death presented fairly to thee,  
Be well advised they both alike do woe thee,  
Only there's this advantage, courses ill  
do swiftest go, their path is down the hill;  
But youth, thy breast is strong, and youthful fire  
May carry thee up-hill-wayes and yet not tyre,  
Put thy strength to it, do not back retire,  
Thy lungs being good, thy breath 'twill not expire,  
Though down-hill-ways are easy, yet there's danger  
In them, it is the practice of each stranger  
Easily to go, yea the light and lead their Horse  
There where the Road doth prove a downhill course:  
But up-hill ways do offer means to try  
The Horse's courage, strength and valiancy;  
The rider he delights swiftly to force  
A speedy passage on an up hill course:  
So young man, up-hill-ways present th' occasion  
To try thy youthful strength without persuasion,  
Come put on courage, put on manly might,  
And mount this hill, the which presents to sight  
A gallant prospect, the bright Court of Heaven,  
Where Saints and Angels, all the glorious seven  
Do sit, and chant the everlasting praise  
Of great Jehove, (decked with bright glorious rays)  
Women and Children labour to fulfil  
The puny wishes of their craving will;  
'Tis childishness to follow inclination,  
Effem'nacy to serve a foolish passion:  
These down-hill-ways though pleasant sweet & sooth,  
yet don't become, but much abase thy youth:  
Where's manly courage seen? up, up oppose,  
Resist, resist th' invasion of thy foes;  
Bened captivated by a head strong will,  
Fooled by affection, led for to fulfil  
A vain desire, to gratify a lust  
The soul and all her powers subservient must:  
Fie, fie young man, thyself confine to reason,  
And let grave precept thy weak judgement season;  
Let reason rule by Precepts, good direction  
Thy stubborn will, and thy vain fond affection.  
Art not ashamed to let a humour lead thee?  
Unruly lusts, untamed passions ride thee?  
Is the heat of thy young blood degenerated  
From all things good, to ill so closely mated?  
Hathed lost its strength and vigour with its heat,  
That it regards not worth, nor glory great?  
Rouse up thy soul young man, bened so besotted  
To let a Pearl of price in dung be rotten;  
Thy blood's waxed cold, obstructed, it don't run  
Quick in its channel, Glory is not won,  
Nor once regarded by thee, sure the course  
Of nature's changed, yea, from bad to worse.  
Motives enough I laid down to excite thee  
Sin to oppose, and unto God invite thee;  
Described during pleasures to delight thee,  
Set forth thine enemies in field to fight thee:  
What can I more? What can I further do?  
To gain upon the, which way should I go?  
Heaven and Glory I have laid thee down  
(As Garland) thy victorious brows to Crown,  
Pleasures and joys I have thee with presented  
That aye abides, and never shall be ended;  
Beauty I have protraicted to thy eye,  
For therein many a younglings heart doth lie,  
I showed thee how thy tender youth might gain  
Either of these, or all of them attain;  
Believe me youth if aught more lies in me  
To do thee good, thy servant I will be;  
How freely could I bear thee in mine arms,  
But ah they're weak and can't secure from harms,  
I'll take thee by the hand and gently lead thee,  
I'll go before thee and thy path out-tread thee:  
But what am I? a poor weak sorry Guide;  
Mistake me not! nor done't the speech deride,  
'Tis not of pride I speak't, but out of love,  
The bowels of my soul to youth doth move,  
Feign would I have him 'quainted with his God,  
That he might give him with himself abode:  
Oh tender youth be ruled, shake hands with sin  
And wanton courses don't continue in,  
They are not safe but full of deadly danger,  
Or sin with thee or God must be a stranger,  
They will not lodge together in one breast,  
For where sin reigns Jehovah will not rest.  
And thou sweet youth whose face is God-ward bend,  
Who of all sin and evil dost repent,  
I kindly greet thee, and if I did know thee,  
I would endeavour more of God to show thee;  
Well howso'er, thou to my heart art dear,  
And as my body to my soul as near;  
As true to God may thy heart be as mine  
Is true to thee, that dost to good incline;  
Thou art to me as dear as an own brother,,  
To Jesus Christ likewise thou art no other,  
He owns thee as a friend, a brother, wife,  
More dearer to him art thou than his life,  
For thee he died, and lives, and now doth sit  
At God's right hand, for thee to intercede;  
And whom Christ Jesus daignes himself to love,  
With best affection, I dare boldly move,  
But wheresoe'er thou art, my Counsels this  
To thee, persist and follow on to bless,  
In earnest seek him and thou then shalt find him,  
Which having done, with strong affection bind him,  
With constant suits salute his listing ear,  
Be confident and bold he will thee hear,  
He loves an earnest suitor at his Throne,  
And that's the way to thrive in grace (or none)  
Prayer gives to God his due, and shows the creature  
How far it is below its blessed Creator;  
It brings the soul as first itself to know  
It's own frailty, so its God also,  
And his abundant fullness of rich Treasure  
That he unto all creatures out doth measue,  
It brings the soul with its blessed God acquainted,  
Worksed off of sin wherewith 'twas foully tained,  
'Tis ardent prayer unlocks the gates of heaven,  
Nought God affords that is not by him given  
Unto the soul that earnestly doth sue  
With ardent fervent and affection true.  
In prayer there is that rare rich secret good  
That cannot be expressed, that can't be understood;  
Prayer is a jewel that I'd not forgo  
For all this world, I do esteem it so;  
Honour, wealth, fame, endowments laid at stake,  
For precious prayer I would them all forsake.  
The greatest honours loss it soon can gain,  
And wealth procure, yea wealth that doth remain  
For ever, when this world shall cease to be,  
This world's best wisdom is but foolery  
To that which heaven, (by earnest suit) doth give,  
A praying temper may I e'er in-live.  
Prayer is my souls delight, and I am mute,  
To none save God can I present a suit;  
Prayers my refreshment, and my greatest joy,  
I ne'er could say that e'er it did me cloy;  
Though days and nights, yea weeks and months together  
I gave it all my soul, it joys me ever.  
Were't not for prayer, what were this life unto me?  
Were't not for prayer, Devils would soon undo me,  
Were't not for prayer, the loathsome stink of sin  
Would poison me, and I should die therein:  
Were't not for prayer, in doleful misery  
(By God's permission) should I live and die;  
Were't not for prayer what comfort could I find?  
What solace? what refreshment to my mind?  
Were't not for prayer, how could I ought possess?  
How could I bear my head up in distress.  
Were't not for Prayer, what were all comforts to me  
Lawful? Indifferent things would quite undo me▪  
I have all things by Prayer, without I nothing;  
All things are joyous by it, without it, a loathing:  
Prayer is my soul's best banquet, nought more joys me  
then praying doth (you know what most then'noys me)  
Sweet Prayer, I'll ever live and die in thee,  
Till that time comes when thou shalt useless be;  
Even till I'm swallowed up in his blessed love,  
And full possessed thereof by thee, I'll move,  
I'll move by thee, soaring upon the wings  
Of Contemplation, until Death brings  
Me to enjoy most fully, what I now  
With longing heart, and true desire forsue;  
O blessed Majesty! Thou, Three in One,  
And One in Three, Thou art that One alone  
That I desire to be acquainted with.  
To love, to serve, to praise, to worship, sigh  
Thou art of during Goods, that blessed Fountain  
Of strength, and safety, that everlasting mountain:  
Thou giv'st most freely, yet hast still in store  
More than enough, to last for evermore.  
Thou giv'st, and yet by giving haste no less;  
Thy store increaseth that thou dost possess.  
Lord, I am poor, and thou art full of riches,  
Aboundest with wisdom, Folly me bewitches:  
Lord, I am weak, and thou art God of strength,  
Unless thou sav'st, I perish shall at length:  
Thou dost enjoin the Rich, unto the poor  
For to impart with some of their full store;  
And canst thou, God of Riches, do aught less,  
Then give to th' Needy what thou dost possess  
In great abundant▪ fullness? Ah! Canst thou,  
What thou enjoin'st thy Creatures to, tell how  
For to deny thyself? Oh! Wilt thou prove  
So cruel, so unkind? Thou God of Love!  
No sure thou canst not, thy delight's to give  
Abundantly to man; cravest that receive  
Of thee he would, that everlasting treasure  
Of thine consisting in true joy and pleasure.  
Miserable am I! whither should I turn  
But unto Mercy? My desires burn,  
And long, and pine, thy Grace for to possess.  
O thou in whom my life and pleasure is,  
Enlarge my Soul still more, fill my desires  
With greater long, with more stronger fires,  
That still my youth may make its boast of thee,  
And thou mayst still delight thyself in me,  
That the whole strength of these my younger days  
May be laid out and spent in thy blessed praise.  
As freely as thou gav'st my life to me,  
So freely do I give my strength to thee.    

A GLASS FOR VIRGINS.  
Wherein also every SOUL may see, and from whence may be gathered, The Duty of every SOUL to CHRIST.  
Held forth by a continued Parallel, Between, Virgins Behaviours to their Suitors, and The Christian Souls to Christ.  
Unto which likewise the Author expresseth himself.  
By F. G.  Young Men and Maids, Old Men and Children▪ Praise ye the Lord.  

THE AUTHOR Of this following POEM.  
ALthough young Women are included and comprehended always under the expression, young Man (when Mankind is spoken to in general) because things must be expressed in the Melior which the sacred Writ, as well as common Writ, witnesses, which take in this one instance for many, Psal. 119. Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way, & c? The Expression comprehending both Sexes, young Women as well as young Men; so also have I all along, as much as I could, hinted to young Women, in, and through young Men, oft times also expressing the term more indefinitely by the word youngling, which more clearly comprehends both Sexes: But for as much as in the pursuit of a Discourse we are bound to follow up matters in the melior, and to pursue Instances of the prime Concernment: Therefore do I think good to annex these following Lines to the former, wherein young Women shall be positively concerned, and the state of young Women absolutely spoke unto and paralleled as the nature and condition of young Men was before, yet so, as reserving that truth always in my mind, and carrying of it along in my thoughts with me in this Discourse, viz. that there is no distinction of Sexes with Christ.  
And therefore, peradventure, I may mix Expressions of both Sexes in one (oft times) because all is one in Christ.  
Herein will be what as well concerns the one Sex as the other, and that not absolutely young Ones only, but the Aged also may find their Duty in some measure herein laid down.  
Oh Reader, be sober, and read with a heart solid and spiritual, and thy delight (I doubt not) than will be as great in reading, as mine is in writing and was when I expressed from truth of Experience these things; thy good and prosperity in God I hearty wish.   

A Glass for Virgins.  

(1)  
NOw Virgins unto you, to you I speak,  
To you directly now my Speech I turn;  
For why? Your welfare I entirely seek,  
And thereunto doth my desire burn.  
You are to me alike beloved and dear,  
And every whit as precious as they were.   

(2)  
Christ maketh no distinction, no more do I,  
But good in any one I love and prize;  
And wheresoever Grace I do espy,  
Why in those persons my heart's pleasure lies.  
Both Male and Female are alike to me,  
When alike Principles I in them see.   

(3)  
My heart is dead, most cold is my desire  
To any's friendship where no Grace I find;  
Nought else but it can my affection fire,  
Or something that is like to it in kind.  
Partial: Oh! May I never he in Love,  
Nor ne'er affect where great Jehove don't move▪   

(4)  
Virgins attend: Note your denomination,  
You prise the Name, Oh! see you live unto it:  
You be●r yourselves upon that appellation,  
And so do I; what it bespeaks let's do it:  
Virgin speaks purity, and singleness,  
All Chastity, and Soul retiredness.   

(5)  
A Virgins heart's within itself compact  
In unity, within itself's composed,  
Each faculty's entire, and all exact;  
Its happiness within itself's enclosed.  
The heart's entire, th' affection whole and sound,  
T●e will, desire, unto themselves are bound.   

(6)  
A serene, quiet, calm, tranquillid frame  
Of spirit doth a Virgin's soul possess;  
And being so, nought can it easily maim:  
Nor is there aught can make their joys he less.  
Affections in 'em are not parcelled out,  
Disordered passions therefore can't them rout.   

(7)  
A Virgins glory's to maintain this frame,  
'tis this they make their business of life;  
Their strength's laid out for to maintain the same,  
And so their souls preserved are from strife.  
Thus is Virginity Angelical,  
And to be prized the best estate of all.   

(8)  
A Virgin's honour lives in modest looks,  
In sober, and yet humble carriages,  
A Virgin's spirit no uncleanness brooks,  
Hates of impurity all passages:  
Her front shines with a kind of Majesty,  
True virtue may be seen with in her eye.   

(9)  
This is a Virgins ' state: I have defined  
A Virgin's Nature; I have pencilled out  
The Acts of them th●t have themselves resigned  
Up thereunto, with their employment what about.  
The which so worthy, and approved carriage,  
Presents them most desirable in marriage.   

(10)  
Choose to what person you will this apply,  
To God himself, or to a lower creature,  
For both in love the carriages do eye,  
Deporture and demeanour in each feature.  
To one, to both, this lovely you presents  
(Though God alone to please were your intents)   

(11)  
Oh Virgins know, Jehovah hath a Son,  
The Heir of heaven and earth (alone) is he;  
He's meek and mild, yet hath by courage won  
Of the world, sin, hell, and death, th' victory.  
All power, and might, and strength's subjected to him▪  
He is so truly rich, nought can undo him.   

(12.)  
This person's single, and he seeks a wife  
Amongst the sinful childerens of men,  
He was so real, that he gave his life  
To gain their love, and to redeem them, when  
They were sold captives unto hellish fiends,  
Under darkness bound with everlasting chains.   

(13.)  
Which was such love, that now a silent suit  
('Tis thought) might be enough to gain their love,  
Because their lives are his in small dispute,  
May cause affections unto him to move;  
His Love was true and real, no vain proffer,  
No compliment, no superficial offer.   

(14.)  
His blood did seal the truth of his affection,  
His life throughout did testify the same,  
His neck he bowed under all subjection,  
Nay he so much did do, I can't it name;  
And may such real love, be disrespected  
While lighter's prised, shall this be rejected?   

(15.)  
If your hot blood may move your minds t' aspire  
To high preferment, by some noble match,  
If honour, riches, pleasure you desire,  
His love embrace, and his kind proffers catch;  
For why? all these you meet withal in him,  
Yea and much more whereto all these are dim.   

(16.)  
He is a King and therefore can advance ye,  
A King that tules and reigns for evermore,  
A price upon his love therefore enhance ye,  
He's full professor of enduring store;  
If therefore you would unto honour rise,  
And happy be, accept his love, be wise.   

(17.)  
The best of mortals can't advance ye so,  
The greatest Monarch can't that honour give,  
The mightiest Potentate, cannot bestow,  
That wealth and pleasure that in him ye have;  
Those full contentments, those delightful pleasures,  
Enduring ever with all peaceful treasures.   

(18.)  
Comprise the whole together, and 'tis this,  
The God of Glory, heir of Earth and Heaven;  
In whom all honour, pleasure, wealth and blsis,  
Doth bide and dwell: whose precious blood was given  
For man's Redemption; to the soul of man  
Becomes a suitor, tries all ways he can.   

(19)  
To gain that love he over dearly bought,  
To win that heart, for which he gave his life,  
It to enjoy, that being lost, he sought  
Eternally to make his glorious Wife:  
His Grace doth sue, Oh can our hearts deny,  
Hold off, and so abase such Majesty.   

(20.)  
Shall he to whom the glorious Queen of Heaven,  
E'er sues for favour, suit our worthless Love,  
That are of whatsoever's good bereaven,  
Shall he suit us, and we to him not move?  
When he presents himself can we be ?  
Ah shall he woe, and we his suit deny?   

(21.)  
Maidens are wont much to regard their beauty,  
They mayn't admit a blemish in the face,  
Adorn themselves, in carriages are haughty,  
Are circumspect lest they incur disgrace;  
They heed to shape each action, work and carriage,  
So as they mayn't prevent 'em in their marriage.   

(22.)  
Oh Virgins! this Christ Jesus looks upon,  
A comely face with answerable attire,  
Whose heart doth monut in contemplation,  
Who'reare cautious what they will, what they desire;  
Whose spirits are sublime, and scorn the earth,  
And mount a lost according to their birth.   

(23.)  
May I explain myself in this expression,  
By a comely face, a sincere heart is meant,  
Pure and humble, (●ear with this digression,  
Not a bare say so, and a compliment  
A gracious conversation is th' attire  
Answering thereto, the which he doth desire.   

(24.)  
Our employment he'd have noble, and our thought  
Raised above these low inferior things,  
Our Virgin spirit he would not have fraught  
With other matter, than what glory brings;  
What would us suit, we may with scorn deny,  
Or our heart's court; unto we may be .   

(25.)  
A Virgin stands upon her reputation,  
A haughty scorn oft times doth fill her breast,  
(Remember this in Christian conversation)  
She won't be in a sluttish habit dressed;  
She blushes much at every misbehaviour,  
And only things commendable will savour.   

(26.)  
Then Damsel hear, make conscience of sin;  
Your reputation that doth foully blemish,  
Reject and scorn its paths to trample in,  
Look e'er upon it with a look most squeamish;  
Abhor each though of sin, it doth defile you,  
Blemish your honour, doth of your glory spoil you   

(27.)  
It mars your beauty, and your comely looks,  
It disproportionates you throughout,  
It makes you loathsome for Christ Jesus brooks;  
No sin delighting soul, that thereabout  
Doth spend its precious time, and trade in folly,  
No, he delights and is a person holy.   

(28.)  
Oh Virgins! shame to prostitute yourselves,  
And give the strength of your young tender years,  
Unto the service of those hellish Elves,  
That so●● delight unto your nature bears;  
Remember that this Virgin-Prince looks on,  
Sees ev'ry act, though ne'er so secret done.   

(29.)  
Oh! how you blush when young men do descry you  
'Bout some uncivil, some immodest act;  
You hang your heads, and from their sight soon high you,  
Ashamed you should be seen in such a fact;  
You will not dare then once to show your face,  
So long as they continue in that place.   

(30.)  
This Heavenborn heir, this Prince of great descent,  
That seeks your love, that tenders you affection;  
Veiws your immodest looks, your heart's intent,  
Beholds full well to what you give subjection;  
Blush you may at this, but ye cannot flee him,  
He sees you well, although you do not see him.   

(31)  
Consider Maidens, should a worthy Suitor,  
A well bred man, a man of noble birth;  
Learned by virtue, having it his Tutor;  
A comely person, owner of much wealth:  
Should such a one unto you make a proffer  
Of love, and would you then contemn his offer.   

(32)  
Would you before him, yourselves mis-behave?  
No, for your reputations you would not,  
Although he did not from you favour crave,  
Nor tender your affection one jot.  
For fear that i● should be by him reported.  
You were ill bred, to vanities besotted.   

(33)  
Think this in all the actions of your life,  
For sure Jehovah evermore doth eye ye,  
He sees what ills are in your nature's ●ife,  
In closest misdemeanours he will spy ye.  
Tremble hereat, for he will blaze the same,  
More openly then by the trump of Fame.   

(34)  
But further, Virgins, note your own behaviours,  
Before, and to the person that doth tender  
You hearty love, and deigns you many favours.  
Consider well I say, how you do render  
Yourselves unto him, also how before him,  
You do behave ye (though you done't adore him.)   

(35)  
Your looks are sober, carriages severe,  
Modest your countenance, most chaste your eye;  
You heed your gestures all (I mayn't say fear)  
Lest any absurd carriage he should spy.  
You watch your words, & strictly guard your tongue,  
And heed that wisdom be your words among.   

(36)  
All this you do, nor can ye do aught less,  
Whether ye respect the person ye or no,  
Because your worth lies in your carriages,  
For credit and much praise ye do gain so.  
To ev'ry person ye must give respect,  
Show carriage good, though him ye do reject.   

(37)  
But how much more, yea, with what aggravations,  
Of all this do ye (with much care) demean  
Yourselves to him, and to all his relations,  
Whom of your best respects you worthy deem.  
Yea, heed with patience, and much humbleness,  
Yet very gladly what he doth, express.   

(38)  
You suit yourselves with him (prising his love)  
The temper of his Spirit you delight in;  
Your will doth close with his, and you approve  
What e'er he doth, and love what he hath right in▪  
An Oneness so is made up in your Spirits,  
Nought you can do, but you think he it merits.   

(39)  
Behold the worthiest Suitor that did ever  
Make suit to Creature, Gods (sole) eldest Son,  
Doth to you, Virgins, his hearts love deliver,  
Expressly penned in what he hath done.  
Had not he loved us, sure he'd not have given  
Himself to death, to purchase for us heaven.   

(40)  
But may this love be termed; or a debt  
That's to him due, that suffered so much for us?  
We are the purchase of his Blood, and yet  
He craves our love, when as he might abhor us.  
He need not sue our hearts, enough are his,  
If that a debt by way of purchase is.   

(41)  
About this matter let me reason with ye;  
Were we not his, we could not be our own;  
His en by debt (mistake me not I prithee)  
He was our Help when we were helpless grown.  
When we were lost, why then he did us find;  
When none regarded us, he did us mind.   

(42)  
When we were Captives bound unto the Devil,  
And to partake with him in his sad doom,  
Sold unto Sin, and to each sordid evil,  
For our Redemption, than his Grace did come  
To satisfy for us God's flaming ire,  
And save our Souls from everlasting fire.   

(43)  
He drunk that Cup, which else we must have drunk;  
He felt for us▪ what else we should have felt;  
He plunged those deeps, wherein we should have sunk;  
He bore that blow, that justice to us dealt.  
For Mankind's safety he his life laid down,  
And by his Death did purchase him a Crown.   

(44)  
Now doth he sue, 'tis but his own he sues for,  
It is the purchase of his blood he craves,  
Denial here is that, the soul e'er rues for,  
Who so complies thereto the same he saves;  
Oh Virgins be ye solid, be ye wise,  
Undone for ever she's his suit denies.   

(45)  
Be circumspect, look well to your behaviours,  
Return him for his love true love again,  
Who doth not, Ingenuity not savours,  
And must feel for it everlasting pain;  
He'as over-bought our love, who doth deny  
To give't him, therefore's worthy aye to die.   

(46)  
Who doth accept his love, he makes his Wife,  
Whom he doth cloth with Robes of brightest glory,  
Fills with all joy and peace, that's free from strife,  
Her state's then such, as Seraphims scarce can story;  
The best of Sains cannot (while here) conceive it,  
Oh may we ever faithfully believe it.   

(47)  
His Grace doth sue that we'd hold forth in carriage,  
That him we prise, and love and do adore,  
That we would live as those that expect marriage  
With him, that rules and reigns for evermore;  
Most reasonable is this, then let's comply,  
With mind and members, let us instantly.   

(48) 
Parallel this with 34.   
Oh! Virgin souls, can ye less worthy judge him,  
Than carnal Lovers, that can gain respect,  
At all hands from ye? Oh! how can ye grudge him  
Those common favours, and his love neglect?  
Careful are ye to live as e'er before him,  
And with your souls whole strength do ye adore him.   

(49) 
This with the 35.   
Are ye e'er sober, modest, chaste and wise,  
Respective in each gesture, each behaviour,  
All this you'll be before your Suitors eyes,  
Your words or actions may of no ill savour;  
Solid you seem, not garish in your looks,  
No ill discourse your ear (at that time) brooks.   

(50)  
Can ye do this for them? less worthy deem him,  
That as your Love, so is your Lord and King;  
Oh! can ye, can ye lightlier esteem him?  
Would ye far less respect unto him bring?  
He eyes your carriages as well as they,  
And thinks the same respect expect he may.   

Staff 37 (51)  
Do you love those that are related to him?  
Do you respect them as your Lover's kin?  
Think ye in love that your dear life ye own him?  
Spare ye for nought, his favour for to win?  
All this for lower Lovers ye will do,  
To th' God of life and glory won't ye so●   

(52)  
Your Lover's voice is pleasant to your ear,  
No burden is the precept he lays on you,  
You joy as much to do't, as it to hear,  
Dissent thereto in the least tittle won't you;  
The God of life for this same thing doth woe,  
And ye will not for him comply thereto.   

(53)  
Ah must he be denied, that which his Creature  
May gain, and have with joy full cheerful heart,  
Expressed clear by many a lovely feature,  
You will not stick, nor with his Love won't part  
You will maintain that love on any terms,  
Your souls with strong resolves themselves so arms.   

(54)  
This prince of Light, of Glory, Wealth and Peace,  
Doth crave no more than what you to these give,  
From evil courses he would have you cease,  
And then a life conformed to him live;  
Tender his Precepts, and obey his voice,  
Making his pleasure your selected choice.   

(55)  
He craves respect as lower Lovers have,  
And then your heart's affection he doth sue for,  
He gives true love, and he true love doth crave,  
Which for to do, bid all the World adieu for;  
This seems not harsh, for persons whom ye love  
You'll all forsake, and with them you will move.   

(56)  
" Who so loves me, give ear unto my voice,  
" (Says this blessed heir) and note my precepts well,  
" To keep my Hests make evermore your choice;  
" And ever with you then I'll bide and dwell:  
" Than unto you shall my affections move,  
" To joy and be enjoyed in mutual love.   

(57)  
" If you love me then keep you my Commands,  
" And you shall loved be by the most high;  
" Of me these were my Father's strict Demands,  
" And I obeyed his glorious Majesty;  
" Do thou obey, and his love eke and mine,  
" Twisted together, shall be both made ●hine.   

(58.)  
" Which when ye do, say then what is in Heaven  
" That you desire, or that your soul can crave,  
" Which at your earnest suit shall not be given?  
" And at my hands most freely ye can't have?  
" Enlarge your hearts, and crave what e'er you will,  
I ready am, the same for to fulfil.   

(59)  
" Ask what you will and I'll accord unto it,  
" For powers all in Heaven and Earth are mine,  
" Soul speak thy suit, I won't refuse to do it,  
" My ear and heart, shall thereunto incline;  
" Thou canst not ask what I can't to thee give;  
Nor canst thou fail because I ever live▪   

(60)  
Soul, if thou lov'st him, then let these his words  
Be sweeter to thee than the honey dews;  
For whatsoever God or Heaven affords,  
Of joy or peace, then to thy Soul acrews.  
Thou then shalt have him here, and evermore  
Possess him, after with all glorious store.   

(61) 
Staff 38.   
You suit you to the temper of your Love,  
Are pleased and delighted with his pleasure;  
What e'er he wills you to, you do approve,  
And his deserts out by your love you measure.  
Demean yourselves to Jesus Christ but so,  
(You shame to say to this Proposal, No.)   

(62)  
But if you reckon upon life and bliss,  
And that your Souls should scape e'●lasting fire,  
Close with his love, your safety else you miss,  
And are frustrated in your hearts desire.  
Shall he enjoy you that did never love you,  
Nor with a Lover's suit did ever move you?   

(63)  
Ah! Sure he shan't; it is for love you marry,  
'Tis mutual love that joineth hearts together:  
If you don't like the person, you will tarry.  
The case stands thus between us and Christ; for either  
We must love, prize, esteem him above all,  
Or '●is in vain him our loved Lord to call.   

(64)  
He will not save that Soul that doth not love him:  
Marriage can't be where persons don't affect.  
Can he unite with them thatn're did move him,  
Nor show unto him any love Respect?  
Life is not dear where love hath taken place,  
How do we prise? How do we ra●e his Grace?   

(65)  
Make we no Conscience of a course of Sin?  
Nor cool, nor quench, a soul or vain desire;  
Yet do we think his favou● for to win,  
And to be filled with that celestial fire?  
That mutually doth joy and re-enjoy  
Those pleasures in him, that can never cloy.   

(66)  
Think we, God's Son will marry with a Whore?  
Will he, that is the Heir of Earth and Heaven,  
Abase himself so much, as evermore  
To honour persons of all good bereaven?  
No, no, such persons as indulge in sin,  
He will not own (if live and die therein.)   

(67)  
I appeal to young Men (or to Virgins either)  
Would they present her with true love, that's common  
With every man? (The like to Virgins) Whether  
Can ye love him that deals with every Woman?  
Much less may any One expect to win  
Christ's favour, that trades with delight in sin.   

(68)  
Know whatsoever thou art, that dost commerce  
Continually with sin, that thou shalt never  
See or behold, much less, with have converse,  
This glorious Bridegroom, that doth live for ever;  
No know thou that he's full of jealousy,  
And cannot brook filthy Adultery.   

(69)  
And whensoever thou hold'st commerce with sin,  
Thou play'st the whore, committest adultery.  
Know whenso'r vain thoughts are lodged in  
Thy breast, thou losest thy Virginity;  
Sin doth pollute the heart, 'tis filthy, foul,  
It doth corrupt, it doth defile the soul.   

(70.)  
You know that 'tis abominable in nature  
To have a bed defiled, it moveth rage,  
And stirreth up that fury in a creature,  
That scarcely death and Divorce can assuage;  
In noble persons 'tis the greater sin,  
Noble I mean that wronged are therein.   

(71.)  
Now 'tis a King, the everlasting King,  
That is concerned in thee, O Virgin soul;  
'Tis he whose worth the glorious Angels sing,  
Whose nature doth abhor a deed that's foul;  
'Tis he, no less person that thou wrongest,  
Thou art his interest, unto him belongest.   

(72.)  
They that defile his bed, are worthy sure  
Of a Divorce, and of perpetual pain,  
Yea, they shall be confined to endure  
Such horrors as for evermore remain;  
Sin doth the soul divorce from God for ever,  
Brings it to torment that expireth never.   

(73.)  
To sum up all, then take the matter thus,  
Virgins while Virgins strict are and severe,  
Because their lives are then perspicuous  
Unto all persons, great respective care  
They have, that they miscarry not in aught,  
'Tis good behaviour makes them after sought.   

(74.)  
Their reputation lies in their behaviour  
'Tis that gains love and meriteth respect,  
'Tis that continueth their loveds favour,  
That may they therefore by no means neglect;  
O Virgin souls, remember all this carriage  
To Jesus Christ, who proffers to you marriage.   

(75.)  
When Wives they are, and in strict wedlock bound,  
Such carriage must they shape, as best may please,  
Their spoused Husbands, good Wives never stound  
To give it to them, as their spousal fees;  
If thou art spoused unto Christ, O soul,  
Remember this each surgent I'll control.   

(76.)  
But as thou standest in hope to be his Bride▪  
Thou strictly art enjoined to live up to him,  
To love him hearty and none beside  
(Conforming to his will doth strongly woe him)  
In holy life answer his gracious love,  
And he will thine repay, won't from thee move.   

(77.)  
O Virgin soul! triumph for to present  
His Majesty with love, and heart entire,  
Be sure let nothing frustrate thine intent,  
In giving to him thy heart's strongest fire;  
Love is a most delightful bed to lie in,  
Loves flames are very pleasant for to fry in.   

(78.)  
But to continue my old method still,  
Myself expressing in a varied verse  
For th' Readers pleasure, therefore now I will  
Put stop, and what remains therein rehearse,  
For both to th' outward and the inward man,  
I'll suit myself as pleasant as I can.    


(1)  
NOw myself for to express, then  
In a varied pleasant strain,  
And speak those sweets I taste, when  
Sin doth not my soul distrain,  
O may my Song  
And Lungs be strong  
To tell what joys there do remain.   

(2)  
As a Virgin sworn to him,  
Out of depth of true affection,  
So am I, and won't forego him,  
Nor refuse his blessed subjection;  
Long may I still  
Maintain my will,  
Obedient to his direction.   

(3)  
I do my high glory count it,  
To maintain a loyal heart  
Unto his Grace; and think amount it,  
Doth all treasuries and art;  
My soul doth crave,  
Still to behave  
Herself so, she mayn't with him part▪   

(4)  
He's my choice, and I do prize him  
Above all the world can show me;  
My Soul's ravished when she eyes him,  
And all things are then below me.  
She never meets,  
With such like sweets,  
As she conceius when he doth know me.   

(5)  
As a Virgin, may I ever  
Myself humble chastily carry,  
That displease him I may never,  
That abide he may, and tarry  
With me till th' time,  
In th' glorious clime,  
My worthless Soul doth with him marry.   

(6)  
Ah! might I ever feel the power  
Of his soul-melting love,  
That all sweet, and no whit sour,  
Ah then! how then should I move?  
With quickened pace,  
I'd keep no place,  
Till in the Courts of great Jehove.   

(7)  
O the sweets, the joys, the pleasures,  
That the soul doth taste and find!  
O the honours, glories, treasures,  
That are possessed by that mind;  
That Christ doth love,  
All things above,  
Showing not itself to him unkind!   

(8)  
There's no earthly sweet can gloss it,  
Nor shade it forth in meanest hue;  
There's no Artist that can dose it,  
Or dimention give it true;  
No, reason's blind  
And cannot find  
Wherewith to set it forth to view.   

(9)  
May my Virgin-soul enjoy him,  
He shall lodge between my breasts,  
And that nothing may annoy him,  
I'll keep watch while he there rests.  
He shall to me,  
Most welcome be,  
So long as in my Soul he guests.   

(10)  
He knows my heart, I'd not displease him  
(Willingly) to stir his ire,  
But when I do, why then I lease him:  
Yet than his patience I admire.  
For when that I,  
To him draw nigh,  
With Grace he doth me re inspire.   

(11)  
He's my joy, my crown, my glory,  
Such contentment he affords,  
As an Angel's Pen can't story,  
Far beyond all sense of words,  
Him for to gain,  
I fear no pain,  
Nor care I for the edge of Swords.   

(12)  
For What's life to the enjoyment  
Of his ever-blessed-love?  
The sweets of life oft prove a cloyment,  
Oft a loathing: I'll not move.  
I'll take no pain,  
Them for to gain,  
Because they mere deceits do prove.   

(13)  
But my joys in love last ever,  
When both light of Moon and Sun  
Shall cease to be; yea, cease for ever:  
And fierce fire this world shall burn.  
Say then shall she,  
Lo! This is he,  
That I have waited so upon.   

(14)  
Behold him now with glory claded,  
And his great Majestic train;  
Oh now how my soul is gladded!  
I shall with him e'er remain;  
With Angels I  
Eternally,  
Shall praise him in melodious strain.   

(15)  
Then will he in glory throne me,  
With his sacred Majesty,  
He as his dear spouse will own me,  
I shall bide e'er in his eye;  
And live by love,  
Of him above,  
In heaven to all eternity.   

(16)  
To such a Spouse as thus'll advance me,  
Say, may I be coy to love?  
At what a rate should I enhance me?  
With what hatred to sin move?  
How coy how   
With heart defy  
It? seeing he me terms his Dove.   

(17)  
My noble spirit scorns the abasement,  
Of the servitude of sin,  
It puts her beauties to defacement,  
Blasts and stains her Lilly-skin;  
Far may it be,  
The refore from me,  
Its pleasures by such loss to win.   

(18)  
No, Sin avaunt, my Soul doth loathe thee,  
Thou dost of my beauty spoil me:  
Begun, I say, my Soul abhors thee,  
Thy pleasures do not please, but toil me.  
Thy delights,  
My Soul affrights,  
And thy ease doth greatly foil me.   

(19)  
My Virgin-Soul's of noble birth,  
Of his royal blood descended,  
That is Lord of Heaven and Earth,  
Therefore aught to be attended  
As such a One,  
And not alone  
Left, for to be by Sin offended.   

(20)  
O Sin! Thou base foul Blackamoor,  
Hell's offspring, and by Devils nursed,  
That partest from God for evermore,  
And makest all like thyself accursed.  
Thou deadly Foe,  
Far from me go,  
Into my presence do not thrust.   

(21)  
For I am a Maid of Honour,  
Spoused to God's only Son.  
O'er whom he displays his Banner,  
And thereby hath conquest won,  
'Tis vain for you,  
Therefore to sue,  
Bold Sin avaunt, away be gone.   

(22)  
A chaste Virgin I must keep me,  
Till the day of Marriage come;  
At which time, who should, may reap me,  
Giving unto me this doom.  
True hast thou been  
(As I have seen,)  
To me, Therefore enjoy me, Come.   

(23)  
I know my Lord views my behaviour,  
I know he notes each gesture well,  
He regards how I him favour,  
And whereupon my thoughts do dwell:  
My Virgin Soul,  
If she prove foul,  
Must with the Devils bide in Hell,   

(24)  
Loathsome Sin, begone far from me,  
I dare not lodge thee: No I dare not,  
Thou brings grief and horror to me;  
Therefore for thy joys I care not.  
Thy seeming joys,  
Are sad annoys,  
Shall I transgress? O No, I dare not▪   

(25)  
What, shall such a one as I am,  
Prostitute myself to sin?  
No its pleasures I defy? 'em,  
And its ways to persist in,  
No I may not.  
Give place a jot,  
For the disgrace of my kin.   

(26)  
Shall I dare myself to banish.  
From my souls own native soil?  
For sins sake that soon doth vanish,  
And my choicest pleasures spoil?  
Oh! sure I won't;  
Therefore sin done't,  
Disturb me more, keep such a coil.   

(27)  
Shall I be bewitched with evil,  
So as with my God to part?  
Give my members to the Devil,  
And with them my mind and heart?  
Make I no more,  
To play the whore,  
And from my loved Lord to start?   

(28)  
No, I am a Virgin sworn,  
Unto great Jehovahs' Son,  
And my Virgin soul doth scorn,  
To be by another won;  
To do an act,  
Or any fact,  
That he prohibits to be done.   

(29)  
For life's to me far less dearer,  
Than his precious matchless love,  
Oh that that I were to him nearer,  
In his glorious house above,  
Him to enjoy  
Without annoy,  
And never more from him to move.   

(30)  
Dearest Lord, let me for ever,  
While I in this vale abide,  
Be disserted of thee never,  
What ills e'er so me betid;  
So sin shall be  
Abhorred by me,  
And all its motives e'er denied,   

(31)  
For thy looks revive my spirit,  
And new life therein inspire,  
They do give me to inherit,  
Those delights that I desire;  
Accord to me,  
Let me them see,  
And so they never shall expire.   

(32)  
Most Endeared, let me woe thee,  
With thy Counsels me to guide,  
And that nothing may undo me,  
Let thy presence with me bide;  
And so shall I  
Most constantly,  
Keep close unto thy foot and side.   
FINIS.   

THere is another Book, composed (long since) by this same Author, showing the Souls Conversation with God, Contemplation in God, Supplication to God, Adoration of God; and containing several Love Sonnets and Ejaculations, breathed forth according to the several Estates and Conditions of the Soul; laid down in several Odes as Occasion permitted the Author.  
Wherein, and whereby may be understood the manner of the Authors, Life and Carriage from time to time, which the Author gave forth to the Press long since, whatever is become of it, to the which this Quotes, and would be of great use to go along with this.