Lo here's the Author's Shadow, pass it by;  
These Lines his Substance, will in Part descry.  
Gaze not upon his Shade unless to see,  
And learn thereby, that all Men Shadows be.   


All flesh is Grass, the best men vanity;  
This, but a shadow, here before thine eye,  
Of him, whose wondrous changes clearly show,  
That GOD, not men, sways all things here below    

MOUNT-ORGVEIL: OR DIVINE AND PROFITABLE MEDITATIONS, RAISED FROM The Contemplation of these three Leaves of Nature's Volume, 1. ROCKS, 2. SEAS, 3. GARDENS, digested into three distinct Poems.  
To which is Prefixed, a Poetical Description, of Mount-Orgueil Castle in the Isle of Jersy.  
BY WILLIAM PRYNNE, Late Exile, and Close Prisoner in the said Castle.  
A Poem of The Souls Complaint against the Body; and Comfortable Cordials against the Discomforts of Imprisonment, etc. are hereto annexed.  Psalm 19 14. 
Let the Words of my mouth, and the MEDITATION of my Heart, he acceptable in thy sight, O Lord my Strength, and my Redeemer.  Psalm 143. 5. 
I remember the days of Old; I MEDITATE on all thy Works; I muse on the Work of thy hands.  
LONDON, Printed by Tho. Cotes, for Michael Spark Senior, and are to be sold by Peter Inch of Chester. 1641.   

TO The Right Worshipful his ever Honoured worthy Friend, Sir PHILIP CARTERET Knight, Lieutenant Governor and Bailiff of the Isle of Jersy.  
SIR, Your great Favour and Humanity  
To Me whiles Exile, Prisoner in Jersy,  
Wholly secluded from all Friend's access,  
Under the angry Frowns of their Greatness  
Who sent Me thither, to deprive me quite  
Of worldly Comforts; challenge a just Right  
To these rude Meditations, which there grew,  
And so in Justice are your proper Due.  
Accept them than, as a small Pledge of my  
Thanks unto You, till Opportunity  
And better Days, enable me to find,  
Some other means to pay all that's behind.  
Your Eternally Obliged 
 Friend and Servant 
 WILLIAM PRYNNE.   

TO THE CHRISTIAN READER,  
SHut up Close-Prisner in Mount-Orgueil Pile,  
A lofty Castle, within Jersie Isle,  
Remote from Friends, 
* I arrived in jersy, january the 17. 1637. and received the Tidings of myenlargement thence by warrant from the Parliament November 17. 1640. the same day of the Month, I there first landed.  near three years' space, where I  
Had Rocks, Seas, Gardens daily in mine Eye,  
Which I oft viewed with no small delight,  
These pleasing Objects did at last invite  
Me, to contemplate in more solemn wise,  
What useful Meditations might arise  
From each of them, my soul to warm, feast, cheer,  
And unto God, Christ, Heaven mount more near.  
In which pursuit, I found such inward Joys,  
Such Cordial Comforts, as did over-poise  
My heaviest Crosses, Losses, and supply  
The want of all, Foes did me then deny;  
Give me assurance of a sweet Return  
Both from my Exile, Prison, and mine Urn:  
Revive my cold dead Muse, and it inspire  
Though not with brightest, yet with Sacred fire:  
Some Sparks whereof raked up in Ashes then,  
I laid aside, for want of Ink and Pen:  
But now enlarged by the mighty hand  
Of that sweet God, who both by 
* Isa 43. 2. Psa. 66. 12. Ps. 139. 9 10. Josh. 1. 5. 9  Sea and Land▪  
In sundry Prisons, Countries, kept me so  
In health and comfort, that I met with no  
One day of Sickness, Sadness, Discontent,  
In 
* I was first committed Prisoner to the Tower of London, Feb. 1. 1632. where after two removals to the Fleet for a short space, I remained Prisoner till July the 27. 1637. & was then removed to Carnarvan Castle in North-wales, where I arrived August the 5. and was there kept close Prisoner till I was by special warrant shipped & sent close Prisoner for Jersy, Octob. the 10. 1637. where I arrived not till January the 17. following. From whence I departed by Warrant from the Parliament, Novemb. 19 1640. and landed at Dartmouth Novem. 22. came into London Novemb. 28. was presented to the Commons House Novem. 30 where my Petition was read Decem. 3.  eight years' Troubles, and Imprisonment:  
(Which I relate, that all may bless his Name  
For his great Mercy, and expect the same  
Support and Presence of our God in all  
Those sharp Afflictions which may them befall,  
As I have found, by sweet experiment  
To my surpassing Solace, and Content:)  
I have blown up these buried Sparks a new,  
And here present them to thy Christian view,  
(Kind Reader) to the end that thou mayst be  
Refreshed with those Thoughts, which refreshed me,  
And Steel thy Soul with Faith, Hope, Confidence,  
Against all Carnal fears and diffidence,  
With that which made Me to expect with joy,  
That blessed Enlargement I do now enjoy.  
From my long Durance, Censures, Banishment,  
Which God hath made a fresh, sweet Monument  
Of his Almighty power, that all thereby  
In all their Troubles and Adversity,  
May learn with Faith, Hope, comfort to depend  
On God, who in due time Release will send.  
Thy Comfort, Profit is all I desire,  
Next to God's glory; Lord, let the sweet fire  
Of thy good Spirit by these Lines convoy  
Such Flames of Love, zeal, Comfort, Grace, & Joy  
Into each Readers soul, that he may see  
These Meditations were inspired by Thee.  
If any profit, fruit, thou from them gain,  
O pray for him, who ever shall remain  
Thy Unfeigned 
 Christian Friend 
 WILLIAM PRYNNE.   

A POETICAL DESCRIPtion of Mount-Orgueil Castle in the Isle of jersy, interlaced, with some brief Meditations from its rocky, steep, and lofty Situation.  
MOunt Orgueil Castle is a lofty pile,  
Within the Eastern parts of Jersy Isle,  
Seated upon a Rock, full large & high,  
Close by the Seashore, next to Normandy;  
near to a Sandy Bay, where boats do ride  
Within a Peer, safe both from Wind and Tide.  
Three parts thereof the flowing Seas surround,  
The fourth (Northwestwards) is firm rocky ground.  
A proud Highmount it hath, a Rampeir long,  
Four gates, four Posterns, Bulwarks, Sconces strong,  
All built with Stone, on which there mounted lie,  
Fifteen cast pieces of Artillery;  
With sundry Murdering Chambers, planted so,  
As best may fence itself, and hurt a foe.  
A Guard of Soldiers (strong enough till war  
Begins to thunder) in it lodged are;  
Who watch and ward it duly night and day;  
For which the King allows them Monthly pay.  
The Governor, if present, here doth lie,  
If absent, his Lieutenant deputy.  

* F. H.  A man of War the keys doth keep, and lock  
The Gates each night of this high towering Rock.  
The Castle's ample, Air healthy, and  
The Prospect pleasant, both by Sea and Land.  
Two boisterous foes, sometimes assault with loss  
This Fortress, which their progress seems to cross.  
The Raging waves below, which ever dash  
Themselves in pieces, whiles with it they clash,  
The Stormy winds above, whose blasts do break  
Themselves, not it, for which they are too weak.  
For why this fort is built upon a Rock,  
And so by 
a Mat. 7, 24, 25.  Christ's own verdict free from shock  
Of floods and winds; which on it oft may beat,  
Yet never shake it, but themselves defeat.  
Thus potent Tyrants, whiles they strive to quash.  
Christ's feeble members, oft 
b Ps. 2. 9 Re. 2. 17. Mat. 21. 44.  themselves quite dash  
To shivers, 'gainst the Rock Christ, upon whom  
They safely founded stand what ever come.  
A Rock too high for floods to reach; too strong,  
Too firm for fiercest winds to shake, though long  
They beat upon it, with a roaring sound,  
And blustering storms, to cast it to the ground.  
This Castles 
* Mount Orgueil, signifies a proud Mount; or Mount of pride.  haughty name, and lofty seat,  
(Enough to puff up minds not truly great,)  
Portend at first, that pride itself should dwell  
Within it: or such who in pride excel;  
Since haughty 
c Rev. 18 7. Dan. 4 26, 27, 28. Act. 12, 22, 23. Psal. 73. 6. Ezek. 16. 49.  Titles, 
d Obadiah. 3  places too oft find,  
Or Make at least a proud and haughty mind.  
But though this vice in former times (perchance)  
Might here reside, and her proud throne advance;  
Yet now she's banished hence with all her train,  
And long be it ere she return again.  
Now nought but meekness and humility  
In mind and habit, mixed with charity.  
The truest 
e Prov. 15. 33. c. 18. 12. Phil. 2. 5. to 10. Col. 3. 11. 1 Pet. 3. 5. Prov. 22. 4. Zeph. 2. 3.  ensigns of a noble Race;  
And pious heart) adorn this stately place,  
Let worthless upstarts, beggars, peasants vile  
Be proud and haughty: this high mounted pile,  
Possessed by those of better Birth, Blood, Place,  
Ignoble pride shall never once Embrace,  
When Christ 
g Mat. 11. 29. c. 21. 5. Phil. 2. 5, to 10.  the pattern of Humility  
Would teach this virtue, to a 
h Mat. 5. 1, 3, 5, 7.  mountain high  
He forthwith goes: and thence exhorteth all  
To seek this grace; fly pride, by which they 
i Prov. 16. 18. c. 29. 23. Isa. 25. 11. c. 28. 1. 3. Dan. 4. 37. 26. to 30. Jam. 4. 6. Zeph. 2. 10.  fall,  
Showing hereby, that pride more oft doth dwell  
In 
k Isa. 3. 5. 1 Tim. 3. 6.  lowest valleys, and the meanest Cell;  
Than in the greatest Mounts, Men, Minds; who 
l Prov. 8. 13.  hate  
This vice, and humble are in highest state.  
Whence can you better learn Christ's lesson now  
Than in this Mount; where Humbleness doth grow.  
In great and small, with other virtues bright,  
Which grace these walls, and to the Isle give light?  
O let this Castle on a Rock Inure.  
Our souls to 
m Eph 2. 20. 21, 22. Mat. 7. 24, 25. 1 Pet. 2. 4, 5, 6. Psal. 18. 1, 2.  build on Christ, A Rock most sure:  
A Castle, Fortresse, bulwark, Hold and Tower  
Above the reach of Foes, or humane power.  
And let this Mount, up which we daily climb,  
Advance our thoughts to objects more sublime;  
Yea 
n Col. 3. 1, 2. 3 Thess. 5. 16, 17, 18, 23. Col. 3. 16, 17.  Mount our souls, hearts, minds, to things above  
The highest heavens, with the wings of love,  
Faith, servant prayers, sighs, tears, Psalms of praise  
Both day and night. Thus spending all our days  
In 
o Phil. 3. 20. Eph. 2. 6.  heaven whiles here on earth we breath; that so  
We may from 
p Luk. 16. 22.  hence to it in triumph go.  
What though the way be 
q Mat 7. 14. Luk. 13. 24.  narrow, craggy, steep,  
Up which we cannot run with ease, but creep  
With pain and toil, encountering 
r Act. 14. 22. Rev. 7. 14. 1 Thess. 3. 4.  sundry foes,  
Great crosses, losses, and a world of woes;  
The top once won, is pleasant; where the Gain  
A 
s Mat. 19 29. 2 Cor. 4. 17.  Thousand-fold surmounts our loss and pain,  
There shall we ever dwell in 
t Ps. 16. 11. Isa. 51. 11.  perfect joy;  
Free from all dangers that may us annoy;  

u 2 Cor. 4 17. 2 Tim. 4. 8.  Crowned with bliss and glory, which 
x 1 Cor. 2. 9  transcend  
Our largest thoughts, and never know an end.  
Thither Christ bring us, whose most 
y Revel. 1. 5. Heb. 9 12. c. 10. 19  sacred blood  
Hath purchased Heaven, for our Endless good.  
FINIS.   

ROCKS IMPROVED, COMPRISING CERTAIN POETICAL MEDITATIONS, Extracted from the contemplation of the Nature and Quality of ROCKS; a barren and harsh Soil, yet a Fruitful, and Delightful subject of Meditation.  
By WILLIAM PRYNNE, late Exile, and close Prisoner in Mount-Orgueil Castle in the Isle of jersy.  Psal. 18. 2. 31. 46. 2 Sam. 22. 2. 3. 32. 
The Lord is my Rock and my Fortress, and my deliverer, my God, my strength in whom I will trust, my buckler, and the horn of my Salvation, and my high Tower; my Saviour, thou savest me from violence. Who is a Rock save our God? The Lord liveth, and blessed be my Rock, and let the God of my Salvation be exalted.  Psal. 40. 1, 2, 3. 
I waited patiently for the Lord, and he inclined unto me, and heard my cry: He brought me also out of an horrible pit, out of the miry clay, and set my feet upon a Rock, and established my goings, etc.  
London, Printed by T. Cotes for Michael Spark, dwelling at the blue Bible in Green Arbour. 1641.   

Courteour Reader, I shall request thee to correct these few Press errors, which have scaped in some Copies in my absence.   

Errata.  
Page 1. line 10. for the, read this. p. 3. l. 12. r. make. p. 18. l. 3. when whom. l. 6. them. r. him. p. 19 l. 8. to r. in. p. 32. l. 24. of, on. p. 33. l. 18. sin, weeds. p. 34. 7. they, these. p. 47. l. 5. must, much. p. 65. l. 15. be, lie. p. 71. l. 19 greatest. p. 82. l. 21. lose, close. p. 83. l. 13. others, 1. p. 93. l. 21. fined, fixed. p. 95 l 22. and, Oh. l. 23. Satan, Satin. p. 98. l. 25. them, then. l. 27. stations, passions. p. 103. l. 15. over, ever. p. 108. l. 21 thee, they. p. 119. l. 6. to. or. p. 125. l. 23 arrived, armed. l. 25. flattering. p. 149. l. 6. shall, should. p. 164. l. 1. the, then. p. 165. l. 13. th'one, thine. p. 169. l. 11. prints, paints.  
Printers oft err, but not as other men;  
Their Errors are corrected with a Pen.   

ROCKS IMPROVED. Comprising certain Poetical Meditations, extracted from the contemplation of the Nature and Qualities of Rocks; a Barren and Harsh Soil, yet a Fruitful and Delightful Subject of Meditation.  

THE PROEM.  
WHen from the lofty 
* Mount-Orguil.  Castle I espy  
The ragged Rocks, which round about it lie;  
My Working thoughts begin from thence to raise  
Some 
a Psal. 77. 12. Psal. 19 14. Psal. 143. 5. Psa. 104. 34.  Meditations, to their Maker's Praise,  
And mine own Profit: which my heart may warm,  
Yea mount to Heaven, and vain fancies charm.  

Meditations of the first Rank, Parallelling Christ and Rocks together.  
ANd first, the Rocks do lively represent  
A complete Image, full of sweet content,  
Of Christ our Rock; sith that both They and He  
In Name and Nature fitly do agree.  
Are they called Rocks? So he in sacred Writ  
A 
b 1 Cor. 10. 4. Psal. 18. 2. 31. 46. Ps. 28. 1. Ps. 31. 3. Psa. 42. 4. Ps. 62. 2. 7. Psal. 71. 3. Ps. 89. 26. Psal. 92. 15. Ps. 94. 22. Psal. 95. 1. Deut. 32. 31. 2 Sam. 22. 2. 3. 32. 47.  Rock is styled, in these regards most fit.  

1.  
The Stony Rocks no other Father know  
But God who made them, from whose 
c Psal. 148. 5. joh. 3. 3.  word they flow  
So Christ (both God and Man) no Father knows  
But 
d joh. 5. 17. 18. joh. 8. 16. 18. 19 28. 38. 41. 49. 54.  God eternal; from whose Loins he flows  
By such a 
e joh. 1. 14. c. 3. 16. Act. 13. 33. Heb. 1. 5. c. 5. 5.  Generation as exceeds  
men's shallow Thoughts, and in them wonder breeds.   

2.  
Rocks are the 
f Mat. 7. 24. 25. Luk. 6. 47. 48.  firmest ground whereon to lay,  
And found such buildings as shall not decay.  
But last and stand in spite of Floods, Storms, wind,  
Which may beat on them, yet no entrance find,  
So 
g Isa. 28. 16. Mat. 16. 18. 1 P●●. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. Psal. 118. 22. Act. 4. 11. 1 Co. 3. 11. Ephes. 2. 20. 21.  Christ's the only Rock, the tried stone  
On which the Church is built: On Him alone  
Our Souls so safe, fast, firmly, founded lie,  
That they shall stand for all eternity  
Unshaken, undemolisht, maugre all  
The 
h Mat. 7. 24. 25. c. 16. 18. Rom. 8. 35. to 39 2. Pet. 1. 10. Psal. 125. 1. 2 Cor. 4. 7, 8, 9 1 Cor. 10. 13.  Storms, Floods, Winds, that on them beat & fall  
Through Men or Devils Malice: Happy they  
Who on this firm Rock, all their buildings lay.   

3.  
Rocks yield the sweetest 
i Psal. 81. 16. Deut. 32. 13.  Honey, Men to feed:  
The 
k 2 Cor. 1. 3. 4, 5, 6. Psal. 71. 21. Cant. 2. 5. Isa. 40. 1. c. 51. 3. c. 61. 1. ●.  sweetest honey comforts, Joys proceed  
From Christ our Rock, men's drooping souls to cheer  
And sweeten all sour Crosses which they bear.   

4.  
All precious Stones, and Jewels Rocks do breed:  
All Gems and Pearls of Grace from 
l joh. 1. 16. Rev. 3. 18. Col. 2. 2. 39  Christ proceed  
The first, our Bodies deck, but for a space;  
The last, our 
m Psal. 45. 9 13. 14. 1 Pet. 3. 3. 4, 5. 1 Tim 2. 9 10. Cant. c. 1. to 8.  Souls, with an eternal Grace.  
The first, in Man's eyes are a lovely sight;  
The last in God's eyes makes us shine most bright.  
O let us then, these Jewels only prize,  
Which make us 
n Ezech. 16. 8. to 15. Cant. 2. 1. 2. c. 4. 1. 2. etc. c. 5. 1. to 8.  comely in Gods sacred eyes.   

5.  
The richest Mines of Silver, Gold, Tin, Led,  
Brass, Copper, in the wombs of 
o Deut. 8. 9 joh. 28. 2.  Rocks are bred:  
Whence not digged out with pains, they useless lie  
And none are bettered, or enriched thereby.  
Thus all the Mines, and Treasures of God's Grace  
Are 
p Col. 2. 2. 3. 9 joh. 1. 15. 16 Ephes. 3. 8. 18. 19  hid in Christ, as in their proper place.  
Yet none do happy, rich, or wealthy grow  
By these hid Treasures, though they overflow;  
But those who take much 
q Prov. 2. 3, 4, 5 Mat. 13, 44, 45. 46. Rev. 3 18. c. 22. 17. joh. 1. 15 16. Mat. 7. 7. 8. c. 21. 22. jam. 5. 7. 8. Rom. 8. 24. 25.  pains to dig them thence  
With Prayers, Tears, Faith, Hope, and Patience.  
O let us then be ever drawing Oar  
Out of our Rock Christ, in whom there's such store  
Of richest golden Mines, that all 
r Rev. 3. 18. c. 22. 17. Is. 55. 1. 2. 3 joh. 7. 37.  who will  
May there their Souls, and Bags for ever fill.   

6.  
The purest, best, and pleasanist waters spring  
Out of 
s Deut. 8. 15. Psal. 105. 41. Psa. 114. 8. Isa. 48. 21. Ps. 104. 10, 11, 12, 13.  Rocks sides; which sweet refreshment bring  
To Man and Beast, whose Thirst they quench and stay,  
Their bodies bathe, and wash their filth away.  
Thus from our Rock Christ, and his pierced side,  
Such peerless Streams of 
t joh. 19 34. 1 joh. 5. 6. 8. c. 1. 7. Rev. 1. 5. Heb. 9 14. Eph 5. 26. 1 Cor. 6. 11. Eph. 1. 5. 2. 13. Heb. 10. 19 c. 13. 12. 20. 1 Pet. 1. 19  Blood and Water glide,  
(To save, bathe, cleanse, refresh all broken Hearts,  
And quench hell flames, with Satan's, fiery Darts:)  
As far surpass the purest Streams that flow,  
From all the Rocks, or Fountains here below.  
And now (me thinks) 
v Exod. 17. 5. 6. Num. 20. 10. Deut. 8. 15. Neh. 9 15. Psal. 78. 16. 20. Ps. 105. 41. Psal. 114. 8. Isa. 48. 21.  the Rock in wilderness  
Whence streams of waters gushed to redress,  
And quench the People's Thirst, when Moses Rod  
It smote, and pierced by command from God.  
(Yea every Rock whence Crystal waters spring)  
A lively 
x 1 Cor. 10. 4.  Picture was, and is to bring  
Our Rock Christ to our Minds, and to present  
Him to our eyes, and Hearts with great content:  
From whose pierced Hands and side with Nails and Spear,  
Whole 
y Joh. 19 34. 1 joh. 5. 6. 8. 1 Joh. 1. 7. Rev. 1. 5. c. 22. 17. joh. 7. 37. Eph. 5. 26. Isay 55. 1. 2.  Streams of precious Blood, and waters clear  
Did sweetly flow, God's wrath to quench, alloy,  
His people's Thirst, and wash their sins away.  
We need not then a Crucifix, to bring  
Christ to our Minds, sith every Rock and Spring  
That flows from thence, doth in more 
z 1. Cor. 10. 4. Gal. 3. 1.  lively wise  
Present Christ and his Passion to our Eyes;  
Let Papists then behold their painted sticks;  
Each Rock to me shall be a Crucifix,  
As 
a 1. Cor. 10. 4.  God hath made it: and shall teach me more,  
Than all the Pictures of the Roman Whore;  
Which are mere 
b Psal. 135. 15. 16. 17. 18.  Idol, heathenish vanities,  
And 
c Jer. 10. 8. 9 Hab. 2. 18. Zech. 10. 2. Isay 41. 29.  teach nought else, but Errors, Sins, and Lies.   

7.  
Rocks yield a pleasant 
d Isay 32. 2. Joh. 4. 5. 6. Job 7. 2.  shade against the Heat,  
The scorching Sun and Storms that on Men beat;  
Which sweet Refreshment to the weary brings,  
And cools them more than any limpid Springs.  
Christ our Rock is a sweet refreshing 
e Isay 25. 4. 5. c. 4. 6. Cant. 2. 3. Psal. 17. 8. Ps. 36. 7. Ps 57 1. Psal. 91. 1. Hosea. 14. 7.  shade  
Against all Heats that scorch, all sins that lad  
His Saints; whose weary Sinne-burnt Souls can gain  
No 
f Mat. 11. 28. 29. 2 Thess. 1. 7.  rest but in his shade, which ends their pain;  
Yea fills them with such 
g Isa. 35 2. 10. Rom. 14. 17. c. 15. 13. Gal. 5. 22. 1 Pet. 1. 8.  Peace, joy, Cheerfulness,  
That they an Heaven here on Earth possess.  
O let us still abide in this blessed shade,  
Wherewith our souls are eased, and happy made.   

8.  
The Holes and Cliffs in Rocks to which Men 
h 1 Sam. 13. 6. c. 23. 3. 4. Judg. 20. 45. 47. Isa. 2. 10. 19 21 c. 7. 19 c. 57 5. Jer. 16. 16. Rev. 6. 15. 16. Jer. 13. 4.  fly  
In times of Danger, for Security;  
Paint out the Holes, Cliffs, wounds in Christ's pierced 
i Joh. 19 34. Isa. 15 4. 5. Ps. 27. 5. Ps. 143. 9 Cant. 2. 14.  side  
Feet, Hands, wherein our Souls may safely hide  
Themselves against all storms that Devils, Hell,  
World, flesh, or Sin can raise up, them to quell.  
O let us to these blessed Holes, Cliffs fly  
For Shelter, and in them both live and die.  
Yea let each Hole and Clift which we espy  
In Rocks, present Christ's wounds, Holes, to our Eye,  
And so imprint them in our Hearts and Mind,  
That they may still sweet Solace in them find.   

9  
Rocks seldom 
k Mat. 7. 25. 26. Job 6. 12. c. 19 24.  wear or waste, but last and know  
No changes, while Things, Seas still ebb, and flow  
About them. So our Rock Christ lasts for aye  
Without all Change, both 
l Heb. 13. 8. Ps. 102. 12. 26. 27. Mal. 3. 6. Jam. 1. 17. Rev. 1. 8. 17. 18. Heb. 1. 11. 12.  yesterday, to day,  
And still the same for all eternity,  
When all things else decay, wax, old and die.  
Friends, Parents, Kindred, Goods, Lands, Cities, States,  
Kings, Kingdoms, yea the world, have 
m Psal. 102. 12. 25. 26. Heb. 1. 11. 12. Isa. 2. 22. c. 26. 14. c. 40. 6. 7. Dan. 4. and 5. and 10. & 11. & 12. 2 Chron. 36.  all their Fates,  
Falls, Changes, Periods; and do pass away;  
Whiles Christ our Rock stands firm at the 
n Heb. 13. 8.  same stay.  
No change, age 
o Rom. 6. 9 10. Rev. 1. 8. 17. 18.  death can on him seize, or light,  
He still continues in the selfsame plight,  
O let us then make Him our only 
p Psal. 73. 25. Ps. 119. 57  stay,  
Friend, Treasure, Portion, who thus lasts for aye,  
Then when all Friends, Helps, Stays, Hopes else fail, He  
Alone 
q Psal. 27. 10. Eph. 1. 23. Col. 3. 11. 1 Cor. 15. 28. Psal. 90. 1.  more than all these to us will be.  
Oh prise Him most who doth all else excel,  
And still remains when they bid us farewell.   

10.  
Rocks are to Men the 
r Num. 24. 21. Judg. 15. 8. c. 20. 45. 47. 1 Sam. 23. 25. Ps. 94. 22. 1 Sam. 13. 6. c. 24. 2. Isa. 2. 10. 19 21 c. 17. 19 c. 33. 16. Jer. 4. 29. c. 16. 16. c. 48. 28. c. 49. 16. c. 51. 25. Obed. 3. 4. Rev. 6. 15. 16.  strongest, safest Fence,  
Fort, Refuge in all Dangers: and from hence  
Most Castles, Towns, Forts on them settled are,  
Which guard whole Kingdoms, both in Peace and war;  
To these men in all places use to fly  
For aid and shelter in extremity,  
And is not Christ our Rock, the strongest Mound,  
The safest 
s Psal. 18. 2. 31. 48. Ps. 31. 3. Psa. 61. 2. Ps. 94. 22. Deut. 32. 4.  refuge of his Saints? who found  
Their Forts, strength, fafty upon Him, and fly  
To him alone in all their Misery?  
Where they in safety live, and dare defy  
Both Men and Devils with security.  
O let us then on Him alone repose  
Our Souls, who will 
t 1 Pet. 4. 19 2 Tim. 4. 18. joh. 10. 28. 29.  protect them from all foes.   

11.  
Doves, Eagles, Coneys, Fish in 
v Cant. 2. 14. Pro. 30. 26. Numb. 24. 21. Job 39 28. 29. Psal. 104. 18. Jer. 48. 28.  Rocks do breed,  
Build, dwell and hide themselves: Christ's chosen seed  
In 
x Joh. 15. 1. to 8. Cant. 2. 14. Isay. 25. 4. Ps. 32. 7. Ps. 119 119. Isa. 32. 2.  Him alone breed, build, dwell, live, and hide  
From all such Perils as shall them betid.  
Let this their wisdom teach all others grace  
In this Rock Christ, their Strength, Nests, Homes to place.   

12.  
Rocks have no outward 
y Isa. 2. 21. Ezech. 26. 4.  form nor comeliness  
To make them lovely. 
z Isa. 53. 2. 3. Psa. 22. 14. 15. 16. 17. Isa. 52. 14.  Scripture is express  
That Christ our Rock had none, whence most 
a Isa. 53. 3. Mark. 9 12. Ps. 118. 22. Mar. 21. 42. Act. 4. 11. Joh. 1. 10. 11.  despise  
Him whiles they view Him but with carnal Eyes.  
And yet as Rocks, though ragged, vile and bare  
In outward form, contain within them rare  
And precious Jewels, Stones, Mines, of all Kind's;  
So though our Rock, Christ, unto carnal Minds  
In outward show seems base; yet in Him lie  
The 
b Ephes 3. 8. Col. 1. 16. 17. 18. c. 2. 9 10. Eph. 1. 23. joh. 1. 16.  richest Treasures, Mines, Gems, hid from eye:  
O judge not then by 
c 1 Sam. 16. 7.  out side, since corpse skin  
And rags oft times have Treasures, Pearls 
d Jam. 2. 5. Psal. 45. 13. 1 Pet. 3. 4. Rom. 2. 28. 29.  within,  
Whiles guilded Outsides (like a 
e Mat. 23. 27. 28.  painted Grave)  
Nought else but Dust, Dross, Dung, within them have.   

13.  
Rocks fence the Land against the raging Seas,  
Which else would swallow it with speed, and ease.  
So 
f Mat. 16. 18. c. 28. 20. joh. 10. 28. 29. Rom. 8. 35. to 39 Psal. 121. 1. to 8. Psal. 125. 1. 2. 3.  Christ defends his Church and feeble Sheep,  
'Gainst Devils, Tyrants, Wolves; who else would sweep  
Them clean away, and speedily devour,  
If not protected by his Mighty Power.  
O give Him then the praise of this sweet Grace  
Who thus preserves us safe in every place.   

14.  
Rocks oft times Harbours make for Ships to ride  
In safety both from Pirates, Storms, winds, Tide.  
So Christ our Rock, an 
g Jer. 16. 19 Psal. 18. 1. 2. Psal. 9 9 Psal. 46. 1. 2. 3. Psal. 62. 7. 8. Isa. 25. 4. Heb. 6. 18. Psal. 60. 11  Harbour is to all,  
Who fly to Him, and for help on him call  
In all their Troubles; where they may repose  
Themselves in safety, maugre Storms, or Foes.   

15.  
Rocks through the world near hand dispersed lie  
For Men to 
h Judg. 15. 8. c. 20. 45. 1 Sam. 13. 6. c. 23. 25. c. 24. 2. Isa. 2. 10. 19 21.  fly too, in extremity.  
Christ in 
i Mat. 28. 20. Ps. 34. 18. Psal. 145. 18. Rom. 10. 6. 7. 8. Act. 10. 35. Psal. 18. 1. 2.  all places is still near at hand,  
A Rock to shield, and guard his chosen Band,  
In all their Dangers, and perplexities,  
Thrice happy he who in him fenced lies.   

16.  
God well accepted in most grateful wise,  
And by some wonder graced the Sacrifice  
Which holy Men upon bare 
k Judg. 6. 20. 21. c. 13. 19 20.  Rocks did lay,  
And offer to him; not on Altars gay.  
Thus God those Praises, Alms, Tears, Prayers, Cries,  
(A Christians best and only 
l Psal. 51. 17. Heb. 13. 15. 1 Pet. 2. 5. Phil. 2. 17. c. 4. 8. Ps. 107. 22. Rom. 12. 1.  Sacrifice)  
Doth most regard, and them alone approve  
Which laid on 
m Heb. 13. 15. Col. 3. 17. Joh. 13. 13. 14. c. 16. 24. 26.  Christ our Rock, do from Him move,  
And mount to Heaven 
n Rev. 5. 8. c. 8. 34.  sweetened with the fume  
Of his rich Odours, which their stink consume.   

17.  
Altars of old were built on 
o Judg. 6. 26. c. 13. 19 20.  Rocks; to show  
That we no 
p Heb. 13. 10 Rev. 16. 9 c. 8. 3. c. 9 13.  Altar else but Christ should know;  
And that all Altars, Offerings must proceed  
From Him, or else they'll stand us in no steed.  
Those Altars than are built but on the 
q Mat. 7. 26. 27. Luk. 6. 47.  Sand,  
And sure to fall, which on Christ do not stand;  
As none do now, sith 
r Heb. 7. 12. 13. 14. to 28. c. 8. & 9 & 10. c. 13. 10. 1●. 1 Cor. 9 13. 14. c. 10. 16. to 22. c. 11. 24. to 37. Col. 2. 10. to 22.  Christ's death overthrew  
All Altars but Himself, both old and new.   

18.  
No lazy, fearful Persons can ascend  
Steep Craggie 
s Amos. 6. 12. 1 Sam. 14. 4. 13. Jer. 4. 29.  Rocks, but only those who bend  
Their Minds, Force, Might thereto, who hardly get  
Upon them but with earnest pain and sweat,  
Nay falls, ofttimes, and Bruises: so all those  
Who 
t Mat. 25. 26. Rom. 12. 11. Heb. 6. 12. Pro. 21. 25.  slothful are, with Christ can never close:  
A Rock so Narrow, craggy, steep, Sublime  
That, none, with Ease, with Pains, 
v Mat. 7. 13. 14. Luk. 13. 24.  few can Him (Climb,  
Meeting with 
x Joh. 16. 33. Act. 14. 22. 1 Thes. 3. 4.  many Rubs, Falls, Bruises, ere  
They climb upon Him, and a building rear.  
O then let all who think this Rock to mount  
Of Pains, Sweat, Fals, Rubs, crosses, make 
y Luk. 14. 28. to 34.  account.  
And then address themselves with 
z Deut. 6. 5. Luk. 13. 24.  all their might  
Unto this work, which will their pains requite.   

19  
Rocks are too Hard, on which to sleep secure:  
And they must 
a Mat. 24. 42. c. 26. 41. Mar. 13. 37. Luk. 21. 36.  watch, not sleep whom Christ keeps sure.  
Those who intent on this Rock safe to lie,  
Must 
b Rom. 13. 14. Lnk. 22. 46. 1 Thes. 5. 6. 7. Eph. 5. 14.  Shake off sleep, with all security:  
Watching and 
c 2 Thes. 5. 17. Eph. 6. 18. Rom. 12. 12. Act. 6. 4. Luk. 21. 36.  praying always night and day,  
Lest world, flesh, Devil them surprise and slay.   

20.  
Rocks in, or near the Seas, and waters are;  
And do their heads, most part 
d Ps. 40. 2. Ps. 61. 2.  above them bear:  
So Christ, our Rock, on earth did oft reside  
Near to the Sea; yea, on it, walk and ride:  
Lifting his Head above the proudest Seas,  
And calming all their raging waves with ease:  
To show that He was 
e Mat. 4. 13. 15. 18. c. 8. 24. 26. 27. c. 13. 1. c. 14. 24. 25. 26. c. 15. 29. Mar. 2. 13. c. 3. 7. c. 4. 1. c. 5. 1. 21. c. 7. 3. Luk. 6. 17. c. 21. 15. Joh. 6. 1. 16. 18. c. 21. 1.  Supreme Lord of all  
The world, 
f Mat. 8. 27. Mar. 4. 41. Luk. 8. 25. Mat. 14. 33.  when Seas and floods before Him fall;  
Yea, prove a footstool for his feet to tread,  
And 
g Ma.. 14. 25. 26. Mar. 6. 48. 49. Joh. 6. 19  walk upon in safety, without dread.  
All other Rocks in waters sink, Christ Sailes,  
Swims, walks upon, and over them prevails.   

21.  
Most, ragged Rocks contemn, neglect, forsake,  
Until some 
h Judg. 15. 8. c. 20. 45. 1 Sam. 13. 6. c. 24. 2. c. 23. 25. 26. Isa. 2. 10. 19 21. c. 7. 19 Jer. 4. 29.  Dangers force them to betake  
Themselves unto them for security,  
And then they praise, and highly magnify  
Those Rocks they held before in such disgrace,  
As the most strong, sweet, best, and safest place.  
So, most this Rock Christ quite 
i Isa. 53. 3. Psal. 118. 22. Act. 4. 11. Mar. 9 12. Joh. 1. 10. 11.  neglect, despise,  
Desert, abandon till 
k Mat. 11. 28. 29. 2 Chron. 33. 12. Hos. 5. 15. Psa. 78. 34. 35. 36. Isa. 55. 1. 2. Zeph. 3. 12. 1 Tim. 5. 5.  extremities  
Enforce them to Him, to protect and free.  
Them from the Evils which they fear and flee.  
And then no place so sweet, safe, delicate  
As this our Rock before left desolate.  
But yet as those who unto Rocks do fly,  
Not out of love, but mere necessity,  

l Psal. 78. 34. 35. 36. 37. Jer. 3. 10. Exod. 8. & 9 & 10. Judge 2. 17. 18. 19 c. 3. 10. to 16. c. 4. 1. to 6. c. 6. 1. to 11.  Forsake them quite, when as their Dangers end;  
So, such whom Fears, or Perils force, and send  
(Not sincere love) to Christ our Rock, 
l Psal. 78. 34. 35. 36. 37. Jer. 3. 10. Exod. 8. & 9 & 10. Judge 2. 17. 18. 19 c. 3. 10. to 16. c. 4. 1. to 6. c. 6. 1. to 11.  away  
Depart from Him, and will no longer stay,  
When as their Dangers, Troubles, Fears are gone,  
And most unkindly leave Him all alone.  
Hence may all Popelings Learn, that Multitude,  
Christ's, or his Church's truth doth 
m Mat. 7. 12. 13. 14. c. 20. 16. c. 22. 24. Luk. 13. 23. 24. 1 Pet. 20. 21. Rev. 3. 4. 1 King. 22. 6. to 29.  ill conclude.   

22.  
Rocks humble are, and never upwards tend,  
Mount, swell, but 
n Exod. 15. 5. Nah. 1. 6.  down their Heads and Motions bend.  
So Christ our Rock, did 
o Mat. 11. 29 Phil. 2. 5. 6. 7. 8. Joh. 6. 15. 16. Eph. 4. 9 Heb. 2. 7. 9 Zech. 9 9  humble and abase  
Himself, but never sought high state or Place;  
Moving from Heaven down to Earth below,  
To quench all Pride, and make men humble grow.  
Who then dares swell with Pride, or Haughtiness  
When Christ, Himself did thus so low depress;  
Though 
p Phil. 2. 5. 6. 7. 8. 1. Tim. 6. 15. Rev. 17. 14. c. 19 6. Deut. 10. 17.  King of Kings, and Lord of Lords, most High,  
Nay second Person in the Deity?   

23.  
High Rocks a pleasant 
q Num. 23. 9 job. 39 28. 29.  Prospect yield, whence Men  
Sea, Land, nay Heaven may the better Ken.  
And with delight see farther, and far more  
Than they on lower ground beheld before.  
Thus men high mounted on our Rock, Christ, view  
From thence, with most delight, such 
r 2 Cor. 5. 16. 17. 18. 1 Cor. 2. 7. to 16. Act. 26. 18. 2 Cor. 3. 18. Col. 3. 1. 2. 3. Phil. 3. 7. 8. 9 20. Eph. 3. 8. 9 20. Eph. 3. 8. 9 10.  pleasant, new  
And glorious Sights of God, and things above  
As rap their souls, and make them sick of Love.  
Thence they behold all Earthly things below  
With other Eyes, and both discern and know  
Them to be vile, base 
s Eccles. 1. 2. 14. 1. joh. 2. 15. 16. 17. Phil. 3. 7. 8, 9 Prov. 23. 4, 5.  Dross, mere vanity;  
And very small when viewed thus from on high.   

24.  
When 
t Pro. 30. 19  Serpents upon Rocks do creep or glide  
They leave no tract, way, steps, that can be spied.  
When that old Serpent Satan crept upon  
Our Rock Christ, with his strong Temptation,  
He 
v Mat. 4. 1. to 10. Lu. 4. 1. to 10. joh. 14. 30. Heb. 4. 15.  nought prevailed, and no print, step, trace,  
Of him or his Assaults on Him took place.   

25.  
When Christ our Rock for forty days and nights  
Had fasted, than the Devil Him incites  
To 
x Mat. 4. 2. 3. 4. Luk. 4. 2. 3. 4.  turn stones into Bread, Himself to feed;  
Which He denied, though then he bread did need:  
Yet of his tender Mercy to Mankind,  
And their poor souls, which are with hunger pined,  
He daily turns a Rock (Himself) to 
y Joh. 6. 32. to 64.  Bread  
Of life, wherewith their hungry Souls are fed.  
Yea, rather than his chosen, Bread shall need,  
The Rocks and Stones their Souls shall fat and feed,  
Nay feast with those sweet wafers, which their Mind,  
By 
z Psal. 77. 12. Ps. 143. 5.  Meditations doth within them find.  
Let then our Hearts be right we need not fear  
A 
a Psal. 34. 9 10. Psa. 37. 25. 1 King. 17. 6. 7. 11. 12. 13.  want of Bread, Food, them to feed, feast, cheer,  
Since every Rock and Ston's a Magazine  
To feed, store, feast them still with Bread Divine.   

26.  
When God himself of his abundant Grace  
Showed forth his glorious Presence, and blessed Face  
To Moses and Elias; he them placed  
In 
b Exod. 33. 21. 22. 23. 1 King. 19 9 to 16.  Cliffs or Caves of Rocks, and there them graced  
With this grand Honour, Him to view. When we  
God's sweetest 
c Mat. 3. 17. Joh. 1. 18. c. 6. 46. c. 14. 7. 9  Face and Presence long to see,  
Our Souls to ravish; we must stand, and hide  
Within the Cliffs of our Rock, Christ's pierced side  
(Which these Rocks do but 
d 1 Cor. 10. 4.  figure,) the sole place  
Wherein we may with Comfort view God's face.  
O let our Souls in these Cliffs dwell and stay,  
Where God his 
e Joh. 14. 7. 9 2 Cor. 5. 19 20.  Face and presence doth display,  
In such sweet manner, and such lively sort,  
As will our Souls with Love and Joy transport.   

27.  
Rough ragged Rocks and Stones, cause Men to 
f Isa. 8. 14. 15 Luk. 2. 34. Ro. 9 33. 1 Pet. 2. 8. 2 Chron. 25 12. Zech. 12. 3 Psal. 141. 6.  fall  
And stumble on them; yea, oft times withal,  
Themselves to bruise, maim, break, and hurt so sore,  
That they expire therewith, and rise no more;  
Thus Christ becomes to many a wicked one  
A 
g Isa. 8. 14. 15. Luk. 2. 34. Rom. 9 33. 1 Pet. 2. 8.  Rock offensive, and a stumbling stone  
Who on Him stumble, slip, and headlong fall,  
And dash themselves in pieces therewithal.  
O then beware how we against Him hit  
spurn, stumble, who to 
() Luk. 2. 34. Mat. 21. 44.  shivers will us split.   

28.  
Some 
h Deut. 32. 13. Job. 29. 6.  Rocks of flint yield softest oil, to suage,  
And supple hardest swellings, when they rage.  
Heale wounds, and Ulcers; supplest Oils of Grace,  
Which 
i Ezech. 11. 19 c. 36. 26.  soften hard Hearts in a little space;  

k Mat. 11. 28 Psal. 41. 4. Mal. 4. 2. Rev. 22. 2.  Assuage our Pain, our Aches, wounds, sores cure,  
Proceed from Christ, a Rock most firm and sure.  
Lord give us store of this soft Oil, that we  
Our Hearts made soft, our wounds quite healed may see.   

29.  
The Mines and Treasures which in Rocks hid lie,  

l Isa. 2. Z.  Exceed Man's search and full discovery.  
The Sacred hidden Treasures which do dwell  
In Christ our Rock, are so 
m Ephes. 3. 8. 10. 19 20. 1 Cor. 2. 9 Col. 2. 3. 9 c. 1. 19  unsearchable;  
Vast, boundless, endless, that they far exceed  
Saints largest thoughts and in them wonder breed.  
O let us still contemplate more and more  
The 
n Eph. 3. 18. 19 Psal. 62. 2. 6. 7. Psal. 73. 25.  height, depth, length, breadth, of this searchlesse store.  
To fill our Souls with sweetest joys, and make  
Them for the Love of these, all else forsake.   

30.  
Rocks are most Patient and do not 
o Job. 6. 12. Jer. 23. 29.  complain  
Cry, stir, though Tempests, Seas, Winds, Axes, Rain,  
Nay Sledges be at upon them, and them bruise,  
Break, hue, cleave, pierce, cut, lance, & much misuse.  
So Christ our Rock, endured 
p Isa. 53. 7. Mat. 26. 63. c. 27. 12. Act. 8. 32. 2 Pet. 2. 23. Heb. 12. 2. Rev. 19  patiently,  
His Cross, wrongs, sufferings, Death without all cry,  
Complaint, resistance; like a Sheep before  
Her shearer, which doth never bleat, stir, roar.  
O let all Christians now at last from 
q 1 Pet. 2. 19 to 25. Rev. 12. 12. Rom. 13. 10. Jam. 1. 3. 4.  hence  
Learn to bear crosses with like Patience.   

31.  
The 
r Mat. 7. 25. Luk. 6. 47. 48.  Floods, winds, storms against the Rocks oft beat;  
They still exposed are to Cold, or Heat:  
Sometimes the Seas surround & drown them quite  
And oft the ice and snow them hide from sight:  
So Christ on earth 
s 1 Pet. 2. 22. 23. Heb. 2. 9 10. 18. c. 4. 15. c. 12. 2. Matth. 4, 2. to 10. c. 27. and 28. Mar 15. & 16. Luk. 23. & 24. Act. 2. 23. to 37. c. 3. 13. to to 22. c. 4. 26. 27. 28.  assaulted was with winds;  
Floods, Tempests, Heat, Cold, Crosses of all Kinds,  
Which for a time did hide, immerge, at last,  
Quite over-whelme Him, till the Storm was passed.  
What Christian then can think himself 
t Joh. 15. 20. Mat. 10. 22. 23. 24. 25.  secure  
From Storms, Winds, Floods, sith Christ did them endure?   

32.  
When Christ gave up the Ghost, the 
v Mat. 27. 51  Rocks did rend,  
The Death of this chief Rock for to lament:  
Yea, to bear witness of his Deity,  
Who though he died, made 
x 1 King. 19 11. Nah. 1. 6.  Rocks in pieces fly.  
That Heart is harder, worse than Rock or Stone,  
Which Christ's Death cannot rend, nor cause to moan.  
Yea every 
y Ezech. 22. 14. c. 36. 26. c. 11. 19 Luk. 24. 32. Isa. 13. 7. Ezech. 21. 7. Jer. 23. 29.  Rocky Heart must melt, rent, fall  
In pieces, when Christ shall it shake, smite, call  
By his Almighty Hand, or voice; which make  
The hardest 
z 1 King. 19 11. Josh. 2. 11. Amos. 9 13. Nah. 1. 5. 6.  Rocks and Hearts to melt, split, shake.  
Lord let the Thoughts of thy Death quite relent  
Our Rocky Hearts, and move them to repent.   

33.  
Rocks 
a Job. 6. 12. c. 14. 24.  seldom rot, corrupt, or putrify:  

b Act. 2. 24. 31. c. 13. 34. 35. 36. 37. Psal. 16. 10.  Christ rotten not, whilst he in Grave did lie;  
That so he might our rotten Corpse thence 
c 1 Cor. 15. 42. 43. 52. 53. 54. 55. 56. Phi. 3. 21.  raise  
Free from corruption, Him for aye to praise.  
O fear not then, though we return to dust,  
Christ at the last 
d Rom. 6. 9 10. 1 Cor. 15. 42. 43. 52. to 57  will scour off all our Rust;  
Dross, and Corruption; and our Corpse restore  
To such a State, that it shall die no more;  
But live in endless Glory, and excel  
The 
e Joh. 13. 2. Phil. 3. 21. Mat. 13. 43. Dan. 12. 3.  shining Rays, which in Stars, Moon, Sun, dwell.   

34.  
Rocks though they drowned be, appear again,  
And fixed in their Places still remain:  
So Christ, though Dead, and laid in Grave, arose  
Again the 
f Mat. 26. 6. 7. Mar. 16. 6. 1 Cor. 15. 4. 5. 6. 12. to 23.  third day, yea to Heaven up goes,  
Above the reach of Floods; where he on high  
Hath fixed his Throne for all 
g Heb. 1. 8. 12. Psal. 145. 13. 2 Pet. 1. 11.  Eternity.  
Here shall this everliving raised Rock  
For ever 
h Rev. 22. 5.  reign amidst his chosen Flock.   

35.  
Our Rock Christ being dead entombed lay  
Within a 
i Mar. 15. 46. 47. Mat. 27. 60. Luk. 23. 53.  Rock; where He grim death did slay.  
We, Dust and Earth, when dead, to 
k Gen. 3. 19 Eccles. 3. 10.  them return:  
But our dead Rock, a Rock had for his Urn:  
Which Him received, and habored even when,  
He Slain, and quite 
l Isa. 53. 3. 14 c. 4. 11.  rejected was by Men.  
O Rocks of Flesh, and Bowels, which first 
m Mat. 27. 51.  rend  
Themselves, His bloody Passion to Lament!  
And then Him in their Bosom's lodge, and placed,  
When men Him slew, forsaken, and most disgraced!  
O men (more 
n Jer. 5. 3. Ezech. 3. 5.  hard than any Rock, Flint, Stone,  
Who never, pity, feel, regard, bemoan  
Christ's cruel Death and Passion; nor receive  
Him, when the Rocks rend, and Him Houseroom give!  
O let us learn from hence, how hard, unkind,  
Ingrate we are to Him, who still shall 
o Joh. 1. 10. 11. Mat. 8. 20. Luk. 9 58. Job 24. 7. 8.  find  
More pity, harbour, love, from Rocks than we,  
Until our Hearts by Grace relented be.  
And let this Thought our Hearts of Rock now thaw,  
And Floods of bitter Tears out from them draw.   

36.  
In fine; when we consider that 
p Mar. 15. 46. 47. c. 16. 1. 2. 3. Mat. 27. 60. c. 28. 5. 6. Luk. 23. 53. c. 24. 6. 7. Joh. 19 41. 42. c. 20. 1. to 26.  Christ lay  
Entombed in a Rock; yet the third day  
Rose up from thence: it makes each Hole and Cave  
We see in Rocks, no other but a Grave:  
And points us out the 
q Job. 17. 1. 13. Psal. 88 3. 5.  Place where we must lie  
Interred, ere long, and fits us still to 
r 2 Tim. 4. 6. 7. 8. 1 Cor. 15. 31.  die:  
Which done, it than revives our souls again  
With this sweet Thought, that we 
s Psal. 19 9 10 Act. 2. 32. c. 13. 33. 1 Cor. 15. 1 Thes. 4. 14. to 18. 2 Cor. 4. 14. Rom. 8. 11.  shall not remain  
In Grave for ever; since our Saviour rose  
From thence again, to raise us, and all those  
Who are his Members, from the Dust, to 
t Rev. 22. 5.  reign  
In endless Bliss, where he doth now remain.  
Let these sweet Speculations ever cheer  
Our drooping Souls, and banish all their Fear.  
Thus Barren Rocks unto a pious Mind  
May fruitful prove, if it 
v 1 Cor. 10. 4.  Christ in them find;  
When they in Name and Nature thus express  
Unto the life, with Fruit and Pleasantness;  
Fare better than all Pictures which the Blind,  
Dull Papists make, to bring them to their Mind,  
As if His 
x 1 Cor. 11. 25. 26. 29. Gal. 3. 1. 1 Cor. 2. 2. Rom. 1. 19 20.  Word, Works, Sacraments, yea, 
y Gen. 1. 26. 27. c. 3. 1. c. 9 6. 1 Cor. 11. 7. Eph. 4. 24. Col. 3. 10. Heb. 1. 3. c. 2. 11. 12. 13. 14. 16. 17. Phil. 2. 7. 8. 1 Joh. 3. 2. Joh. 1. 14. 30.  Man  
The truest, best Idea that we can  
Have of Him) with each Rock, Stone they espy  
Were not enough to show him to their eye,  
Without those Idols, which have thrust aside  
These better Pictures, and Christ from them hide.   

38.  
Blessed Lord Jesus who the 
z Psal. 62. 2. 6. 7. Psal. 94. 22. Ps. 18. 2. 31. 1 Cor. 10. 4.  only Rock,  
And Refuge art of thine Elected Flock,  
Teach us thus sweetly to behold, and view  
Thee in each Rock we see; for to renew,  
Melt, change, delight, rejoice our Hearts, & make  
Them out of love to Thee, all else 
a Lu. 14. 33. Mar. 10. 28. 29. Psa. 73. 25.  forsake:  
Still 
b Rom. 4. 7. 8. 2 Cor. 5. 8.  living, cleaving, dying unto Thee  
The only Rock, where they full safe shall be.    

Meditations of the second Kind, comparing Rocks and Sins together.  
Again, Me thinks, the Rocks do typify,  
the nature of those Sins which in us lie.  

1.  
For first, all Rocks exceeding 
c Pro. 27. 3. Zech. 12. 3. Isa. 32. 2.  Heavy are,  
To those who them upon their shoulders bear:  
Yet Light, not ponderous to their proper place:  
So, to all Hearts renewed with saving Grace  
All sins more 
d Ps. 38. 4. 5. Job 6. 3. 4. Mat. 11. 28.  heavy than Rocks are, and seem;  
Though stony hearts them light and easy deem. 
e Zech. 12. 3. Dan. 2. 34. 35. Prov. 27. 3. 2●. Chron. 25. 12. Ps. 137. 9 Eccl. 10. 9 Josh. 10. 11.    

2.  
Rocks press and bruise Them sore on whom they lie,  
And for mere anguish make them Roar and Cry.  
Sins do so too; when God doth once awake  
men's souls, their Pressure makes them 
f Psal. 38. 1. to 11. Ps. 32. 3. Ps. 22. 1. Joh. 3. 24. Ps. 88 1. 2. 3.  roar and quake.  
O then beware of Sins, which 
g Mar. 11. 28. Psal. 38. 8. 2 Sam. 24. 14.  bruise, oppress  
Our souls, and work nought else but their distress.  
Rocks sink, and bend still 
h Exod. 15. 5. Neh. 7. 11. Jer. 51. 63. 64.  down wards: Sins do so,  
Tending to 
i Psal. 9 17. Psal. 55. 15. Pro. 5. 5. 2 Pet. 2. 14. Isa. 24. 24.  Hell the Place to which they go:  
Each day they sink men lower than they were,  
Till by degrees they them to Hell downe-beare.  
Oh then betimes shake off these 
k Heb. 12. 1. Amos 2. 13. Rev. 18. 21.  weights, which press  
And sink our Souls to Hell, without redress.   

4.  
Rocks 
l Exod. 15. 16. 1 Sam. 25. 35.  cold, hard, dead and senseless are; 
m Heb. 3. 13. Ezech. 3. 7. Ephes. 2. 1. 2. c. 4. 18. 19  Sins make  
All such, within whose Hearts they Lodgings take:  
Beware then how such Guests we entertain,  
By which our Souls are deadened, 
n 2 Chro. 25. 12. Isa. 8. 14. 15. Psal. 141. 6. Zech. 12. 3.  hurt and Slain.   

5.  
Rocks make men oft to stumble, slip, and fall;  
And break their Bones, Limbs, Necks, oft times withal:  
Sins 
o Isa. 8. 15. Jer. 18. 15. Isa. 24. 20. Jer. 8. 4. 12. c. 25. 27. c. 50. 32.  do the like. If then we would be free  
From Slips and Break-neck-falls, we must them flee.   

6.  
Rocks are 
p Isa. 2. 21.  deformed, horrid, barren, vile;  
And so are 
q Isa. 64. 6. Ezech. 16. 3. to 40. Pro. 13 5. Gen. 49. 4.  sins, with all whom they defile.  
These make Men ugly, filthy, Sterile, base,  
And all their Glory, Beauty quite deface;  
Yea, change them into 
r Ezech. 21. 25. c. 22. 27.  Monsters, wolves, dogs, swine;  
Nay 
s Joh. 6. 70. 71. c. 8. 44. Act. 20. 29. 2 Pet. 2. 22. Rev. 22. 15.  Fiends incarnate. O than Sins decline!   

7.  
Where 
t Exod. 15. 16. Job 18. 4. c. 28. 9  Rocks once fix their Stations, they remain;  
And none but God can move them thence again:  
So Sins once settled in men's Hearts, there 
v Jer. 13. 23. Rom. 7. 18. to 25. Zeph. 12. Judas 10. 11. 12. 13.  stand  
Fast centred, till Gods own Almighty hand  
Expel them thence. O then let no Sins lie  
Upon our Souls, but out them presently,  
Lest they should 
x Heb. 3. 12. 13. Eph. 1. 1. 2. 3. c. 4. 18. 19 Rom. 1. 23. to 29.  settle; for if once they rest  
Within them, they are hardly dispossessed.   

8.  
Rocks are 
y Jer. 5. 3. Mat. 7. 25. 26. Job 41. 24.  exceeding hard to batter, break,  
Mine, pierce, demolish. So let all Men speak,  
And they must say, that 
z Jer. 13. 23. Ephes. 1. 19 20. 1 Cor. 9 27. Rom. 7. 18. to 25. Heb. 12. 1.  all Sins are so too,  
We ruin, break them still with much ado.  
He who doth think his Sins with ease to quell,  
Shall never tame, nor from him them expel.   

9  
Rocks make their Dwellers 
a Obad. 3. 4. Jer. 21. 13. c. 49. 16.  fearless, and secure  
Of Foes or Perils, and to think all sure:  
Sins 
b Job 12. 6. Isa. 28. 15. 18. Deut. 29. 19 20 Judg. 18. 7. 10. 27. Ezech. 28. 2. to 12.  do the like to those that in them dwell;  
Who fear no dangers till they sink to hell.  
O then beware lest Sins make us secure.  
No State's so ill, as that which seems most sure!   

10.  
All Rocks are 
c Jer. 5. 3.  blushless, shameless, impudent;  
Sins are so too, nought can then daunt, relent.  
And by degrees men's Hearts, Brows they so 
d Jer. 3. 3. c. 6. 15. c. 8. 12. Ezech. 2. 4. c. 3. 7. Heb. 3. 13.  steel  
That they no Sin, Blush, shame, disgrace can feel.  
Take heed then lest Sin, first, us shameless make,  
Then Senseless, Graceless, fit for Hell's dread Lake.   

11.  
Rocks, stones 
e 2 King. 3. 19 25.  good grounds oft spoil, and quite deface:  
So 
f Ezech. 18. 24. 26.  sins good men deprave, mar shame, disgrace.   

12.  
Rocks, Stones in fertile Soils them 
g Isa. 5. 2. 2 King. 53. 19 25. Mat. 13. 5. Mat. 4. 5. 6. Lu. 8. 6. 7.  barren make;  
And nought will spring, or grow there, till men take  
Them thence: So Rocks and Stones of Sin decay,  
And make Men 
h 1 Pet. 2. 1. 2. Jam. 4. 1. to 12.  fruitless till removed away.  
No fruits of Grace will ever grow, or sprout  
Up in them, till these Stones be digged out.   

13.  
Great Rocks 
i Ezech. 24. 7. 8. Rev. 6. 15. 16. Numb. 23. 9  apparent are to each Man's eye,  
And all both far and near may them espy.  
Great Sins in all, in 
k 2 Sam. 12. 10. 11. 12. 14. Exech. 16. 36. 37. 38. Isa. 3. 9  Great men specially,  
Themselves to all both far and near descry;  
Whence 
l Ezech. 24. 7. 8.  Scripture saith, they are on Rocks Tops set,  
And do in 
m 1 King. 13. & 14. & 16.  others worlds of Sins beget.  
Let all, but Great ones chiefly, all Sins fly;  
Which though kept close, will yet 
n 2 Sam. 12 1. 12. Psa. 90. 8 Eccles. 12. 14. Mar. 4. 22.  themselves descry.   

14.  
Wild 
o 1 Sam. 24. 2. Job. 39 1.  Goats in Rocks seed, live, and much delight:  
So, wicked Men, styled 
p Mat. 25. 32. 33.  Goats both day and night  
In 
q Eph. 2. 1. 2. 3. c. 4. 19 Rom. 1. 27. to 32. 1 Joh. 5. 19 2 Pet. 2. 13. to 22.  sins and lusts do wallow, live and joy;  
Though they their souls at last will quite destroy.  
O Madness! thus in Sins to take delight,  
Which against God, Soul, Body, always 
r 1 Pet. 2. 11. Act. 5. 39 c. 2●. 9  fight.   

15.  
The Steep high Rocks, and Forts which on them stand  
Are never 
s Jer. 39 1. 2. 3. Ezech. ●9. 18.  scaled, or won but by strong hand;  
Much Pains, Long Siege, or Famine, which do pine,  
Or starve their Men, and cause them to resign.  
The steep, high, craggy Rocks and Forts of sin  
Within us, none can ever 
t 1 Cor. 9 27. Rom. 7. 18. to 25. Mat. 17. 21. Luk. 2. 37. 1 Cor. 7● 5. 2 Cor. 6. 5. c. 11. 27.  Scale, force, win,  
But by strong hand, much cost, pains, sweat, strife, care,  
Long Siege, and Easts, by which they starved are,  
And forced at last for very want to yield,  
Where else they would have made us leave the field.  
It's then no easy thing to conquer Sin:  
They must bestir them who its Forts would win.   

16.  
Rocks, 
v Act. 27. 29.  wreck, sink, break Ships, Boats: So Sins oft 
x 1 Tim. 6. 9 Rev. 21. 18.  split  
And drown those Souls which on them dash or hit;  
Not in Sea-waters, but in Lakes of fire,  
Where they shall ever feel God's scorching Isle.   

17.  
Instruct us then, O Christ, our Rock, to shun  
All Sins as Rocks; and not on them to run,  
For fear of ruin, and still give us Grace  
To fly these Rocks of Sin in every place,  
With greater care than 
y Act. 27. 29.  Seamen do avoid  
Those noted Rocks, which thousands have destroyed;  
Not once presuming to approach or hit  
Against such Rocks; as others Souls have split.  
And since sunk Rocks of 
z Psa. 19 12. Job. 34. 32.  secret Sins that lie  
Hid in our Hearts, and 
a Jam. 5. 1. 5. Isa. 22. 12. 13. 14. c. 5. 12. 13. 14. c. 47. 7. 8. 9 Zeph. 2. 15. Job. 21. 10 12. 13. Amos. 6. 3. to 8. c. 8: 10.  worldly jollity,  
Mirth, Pastimes, Pleasures, (where we least suspect,  
Or fear a danger) most souls still have wrecked;  
Teach us these Rocks to see, and then to fly  
With chiefest care, and them not to come nigh.  
Yea, sith no Sea so fraught with Rocks can be,  
As this whereon our Souls sail towards Thee:  
O Shield us from these Rocks by thy great Power,  
Which else will Split and Sink us every hour:  
That so we may at last arrive secure  
In Heaven's blessed Port, where Joys for aye endure.    

Meditations of the third Sort, suiting Rocks, and Gods Elect together.  
BEsides, these Rocks present before our Eyes  
The State of God's Elect, in lively wise.  

1.  
Rocks fixed are, 
b Job 18. 4. Mat. 7. 25. 26.  not tossed to and fro,  
With every Wind, Storm, Tempest: Even so  
God's Chosen Sheep with 
c Rom. 8. 35. 36. 37. 38. 39  firm and stable Hearts  
Adhere to Him in all their Troubles, Smarts:  
No Storms, Winds, Crosses, Changes can remove  
Them from his Word, Son, Spirit, Truth or Love:  
When 
d Joh. 6. 66. 67. 68 2 Pet. 1. 10. 11.  Troops of others shrink, and fall away,  
They cleave to him as to their only Stay.   

2.  
Rocks many 
e Mat. 7. 25. 26.  Winds, Storms, Tempests undergo:  
And do not all the 
f Psal. 34. 13. Act. 23. 22. Psa. 73. 14.  Saints, whiles here, do so?   

3.  
Rocks meekly bear and suffer Storms that fall,  
And never fret, rage, or repine at all:  
Gods 
g Psal. 39 2. 9 1 Sam. 3. 8. 2 Sam. 15. 25. 26. 27. c. 18. 4. to 14.  Saints without all murmur, fret, or cry  
Their Crosses, Losses bear most quietly;  
Submitting unto God, whose Providence  
All bitter Potions doth to them dispense.   

4.  
All men on 
h Mat. 7. 25. 26.  Rocks may safely build and rest:  
And of all trusty friends, the Saints are best.  
On 
i 3 joh. 5. 6. Prov. 17. 17. c. 18. 24. Joh. 15. 13.  whom we may all times with trust rely,  
And to them in all Dangers safely fly.   

5.  
Rocks 
k Isa. 2. 21. Ezech. 26. 4.  bare and ragged are: The Saints oft 
l Psa. 37, 26. Jam. 2. 5. 1 Cor. 4. 11. 12. c. 16. 1. 2. 2 Cor. 6. 10. c. 8. 2. 4. Rom. 15. 26.  Poor,  
In outward State; but seldom beg at door.   

6.  
Yet though Rocks Outsides be but base and rude,  
They richest Mines within their wombs include:  
So though Saints Outsides be but ragged, base,  
Within them 
m Jam. 2. 5. Psal. 45. 13. Ephes. 3. 19 Phil. 1. 11. Col. 1. 9 10. 11. Heb. 11. 37. 38.  hidden lie gold-Mines of Grace.   

7.  
Stones digged out of Rocks and hewed square  
The 
n 1 King. 5. 17. 18. c. 6. 7. 8. c. 7. 3. 10. 11. 2 Chron. 2. & 3. 2 King. 12. 12. Ezech. 40. 42.  fairest Temples, Buildings make that are.  
So Gods Elect, though vile while that they lie  
In Nature's Quarries in deformity;  
Yet hew'de out thence, squared, polished by God's Grace,  
And laid in order in their proper Place,  
Become 
o Psal. 14, 4. 12. Isa. 11. 11. 12. 1 Cor. 3. 16. 17. 2 Cor. 6. 16. Ephes. 2. 21.  rich Temples wherein God doth dwell,  
And do all other structures far excel,  
In worth, and glory: Lord thus square, and lay  
Us in these Sacred walls, which last for aye.   

8.  
Rocks for the most part lowly are and meek:  
The 
p Psa. 131. 1. 2. 3. Col. 3. 1. 2. 3. Heb. 11. 13. 14. 15. 16. 24. 25. 26. 35. 36. 37. 38. 2 Cor. 4. 9 to 18.  Saints are so, and no high places seek;  
In this vain world; where they dejected lie  
Till God advance them to the Starry sky.   

9  
Rocks Kingdoms, Islands guard and fortify  
'Gainst raging Seas, Floods, Storms, and Enemy:  

q Exod. 32. 11. to 15. Jam. 5. 16. 17. 18. 2 King. 2. 12. c. 6. 2. to 24. c. 8. 9 c. 20. 6. Gen. 28. 23. to 25. Act. 27. 24. 2 King. 13. 14. 28.  Saints holy Lives, and frequent Prayers are  
States surest Guards; Forts, both in Peace and war;  
These Shield-off Judgements, Foes, Plagues, yea Gods Ire,  
Which else would waste, and scorch them worse than Fire.   

10.  
Rocks from their Sides send forth 
r Numb. 20. 10. 11. 12. Deut. 8. 15. Psal. 105. 41.  Springs sweet and pure,  
men's Thirst to quench, their wounds and sores to cure:  
And who but Christ and Saints can 
s Isa. 61. 1. c. 4●. 1. 2. 2 Cor. 1, 4. 5.  Comfort bring  
To Sinne-sicke Souls, and those who feel the Sting  
Gripes, Torments, Flames of Hell and Conscience?  
Or bind up broken, hearts, and chase from thence  
All fears and horrid Terrors? Which an Hell  
On Earth oft make in those wherein they dwell?  
Hence all such wounded Souls do ever fly  
To 
t 2 Cor. 1. 4. 5. 6. Act. 9 10. to 20.  these for Comfort in extremity:  
Since no ungodly wretch can cheer, or ease  
A Sinne-sicke Soul, nor aching Heart appease.   

11.  
Rocks most despised and neglected are,  
As worthless Creatures: Thus God's Saints oft fare  

v 1 Cor. 4. 9 to 13. Heb. 11. 36. 37. 38. Mal. 3. 14. to 18.  Contemned, abhorred of Most, as vile and base,  
Though of Mankind the only Pearls, Stars, Grace.   

12.  
Rocks hurt no Ships, Boats, Men, but such as 
x Act. 27. 29.  hit  
Themselves against them; and so break or split:  
So Gods Elect do never hurt, break, quash  
Any, but those who 
y 1 King. 13. 4. 6. Act. 9 4. 5.  wilfully rune, dash,  
Bruise, break, themselves against them; who must check?  
And blame themselves, not them, for this their wreck.   

13.  
God first engraved his Sacred Laws upon  
A Marble Rock 
z Exod. 24. 12. c. 31. 18. c. 34. 29. Deut. 4. 13. c. 5. 22. c. 9 10. 11. 15. 17.  a Table made of Stone;  
Not brittle Glass, soft Paper; that they might  
Out last all time: God, still, his Laws doth write  
On hardest Rocks; Saints stable 
a Jer. 31. 33. 2 Cor. 3. 3.  Hearts, whereby  
They Time survive, and gain eternity.  
The two first Stony Tables wherevopon  
God stamped his Laws, broke, lost were long agone:  
These harder Tables of Saints Hearts remain,  
And in them God's blessed Laws for aye retain.  
Lord, I my heart a 
b Ezech. 11. 19 c. 36. 26.  Rock have made: O carve  
Therein thy Laws, from which it may not swarve.  
And since it shall out-dure the firmest Rock,  
O, this rich treasure ever in it lock!  
Yea, make each Saint's Stone-Heart the Treasury  
Of thy sweet Laws, for all eternity.   

14.  
Rocks in most places thinly scattered are;  
Saints in all places are most 
c Luk. 13. 23. 24. Isa. 17. 6.  thin and rare.  

d 1 Pet. 1. 1. 2. Heb. 11. 36. 37.  Dispersed here and there, where hid they lie  
In secret Corners in obscurity;  
Driven from Country, Lands, House, Home, by those  
Who for their 
e Psal. 38. 20.  Goodness only are their Foes.   

15.  
Rocks burnt to 
f Isa. 33. 12.  Lime, do fasten, join, cement  
Stones in all Buildings, and them free from rent:  
Yea; laid on barren Grounds where nought would spring,  
They make them fertile, and great Crops to bring:  
So God's Elect, when melted by the Flame  
Of his sweet Spirit, 
g Eph. 4. 3. to 17. Rom. 15 5. 6. 7. c. 16. 17. 18. 1 Cor. 1. 10. 11. 12. 13. c. 12 4. to 31. Phil. 1. 27. 28. Jud. 3. 4. Rev. 2. 14.  knit, unite the Frame  
And Stones of his Church here on Earth together,  
And keep out Errors, Sects that would it sever:  
Yea, sent to barren Soils where grew no Grace,  
They make them 
b Act. 26. 17. 18. Rom. 1. 13. c. 15. 18. 19 20. Col. 1. 6.  fruitful, and in better case.   

16.  
Rocks cut and polished, turn to richest Gems  
Become Kings Treasures, 
i Zech. 9 16. 2 Sam. 12. 30.  crown their Diadems.  
Saints squared and polished from their dross by Grace,  
Prove Gods rich 
k Mal. 3. 17.  Jewels, in his Crown have place.  
Lord so refine me that I may be set,  
A Stone, Pearl, Jewel in thy Coronet.  
Amidst those Saints which thou reput'st such Gems  
As far excel, outshine all Diadems.  
Sweet Jesus make me of thy Chosen Flock,  
That I, like them, may be a blessed Rock.    

Meditations of the fourth Class, sampling Rocks, and Rocky Hearts, with ungodly Men, together.  
YEt more, me thinks Rocks represent to all  
Man's Rocky Heart, and Nature, since the fall,  
In some Respects, wherein they well agree  
With Stony Hearts; from which God make us free.  

1.  
Rocks are exceeding 
l Jer. 5. 3.  Shameless, Impudent;  
Nought will them daunt, or cause for to relent.  
So men of Stony Hearts, have 
m Jer. 3. 3. c. 5. 3. c. 8. 12. Ezech. 2. 4. c. 3. 7.  Brows of Steel,  
Faces of Rock, which no blush, shame can feel.  
No shameful Sin, Convictions, or Disgrace  
Will daunt, or cause them once to hide the Face.  
It is their 
n Phil. 3. 19  glory to be void of shame,  
And vaunt of that which doth them most defame.   

2.  
Rocks show no mercy, but to 
o Josh. 10. 10. Judg. 9 53. 54. Zech. 12. 3. Luk. 13. 4. 2 Chron. 25. 12.  pieces maul,  
Break, bruise, or hurt, all those on whom they fall.  
So men of Rocky hearts are 
p 2 King. 8: 12. 13. Gen. 5. 7. Psal. 71. 4. Prov. 12. 10. Je●. 6. 23. c. 50. 42. Psal. 27. 12. Ezech. 34. 4.  merciless,  
And break, bruise, tear, crush, all they do oppress.  
No Cries, Parts, Virtues, Merits can assuage  
Their cruel Projects, nor divert their Rage.  
O let me rather fall into the Paws  
Of 
q Prov. 17. 12.  Bears or Lions, than an hard Hearts Jaws.   

3.  
Rocks make those 
r Isa. 47. 2.  Millstones which do grind, bruise, tear  
The Corn we use, to make us Bread, or Beer:  
So men of Rocky Hearts still serve to 
s Exod 1. 12. c. 4. Isa. 3. 15.  grind,  
Press, bruise Gods Chosen, till they be refined  
From all their Husks of sin, and made meet Food  
For Gods sweet palate, to their greatest Good.   

4.  
Some Rocks burnt in the Furnace harder grow;  
And nought but 
t Deut. 8. 9 Job 28. 2.  Steel, or Iron from them flow:  
Which serves to break, hue, polish, fit, and square  
Rude Rocks and Stones, and Stately piles to rear:  
Gods fiery Furnace Rocky Hearts makes more  

v Isa. 1. 5. 6. 2 Chro. 28. 22. 23.  Hard, and obdurate than they were before;  
Yea all its scorching Heat the which they feel,  
Serves but to turn them into harder Steel,  
Or Iron; for to break, hue, polish, pair  
The Rocks and Stones which God lays in the rare  
And choicest Buildings of his Church: whose walls  
Are 
x Exod. 1. 12. c. 4.  built, not razed, with these hard Iron Malls.  
And Tools of Steel, though they no 
y Act. 8. 21.  Part nor share  
Have in the Temples which they help to rear.   

5.  
The most mischievous Instruments of war  
Wounds, Bloodshed, first from 
z Job 28. 2. Deut. 8. 9  Rocks extracted are;  
As Canons, Muskets, Bullets, Sword, Bills, Spears  
With other weapons, where with Man kills, tears,  
Torments, Maims, Stabs his Brother in despite,  
As if he did in nought but Blood delight:  
So from men's Stony 
a Mat: 15. 19 Gen. 6. 5. c. 8. 21. c. 27. 41.  Hearts first flow and spring  
All Mischiefs, Murders, Wars, Sins, each ill thing:  
These were the Artists which did first invent  
Each bloody, murdering, warlike Instrument;  
The Shops in which they forged were, the Arms  
That wield them still, & work a world of Harms.  
O cursed Hearts of Rock from whence do flow  
All Evils, Mischiefs, woes we hear, see, know!  
Lord free and ever keep us from such Hearts,  
Which are the Cause of all our Sins, Ills, Smarts.   

6.  
Rocks make those in them 
b Obad. 3. 4. Jer. 21. 13. 14. c. 49. 16.  careless, Proud, Secure  
From fear of Danger: Stony Hearts are sure  
To make all 
c Is. 47. 7. 8 9 10. 11. c. 5. 19   
Them in great Mischiefs ere they be aware.  
Rocks are 
d Job 41. 24. Jer. 23. 29. Nah. 1. 6. Jer. 5. 3.  exceeding Hard; and sooner broke  
Than squared or polished with the Axes stroke:  
men's Stony Hearts so hard and flinty are,  
That all Gods Axes, Judgements 
e Isa. 1. 5. 2 Chron. 28. 22. Exod. 5. to 13. Jer. 5. 3. c 2. 30. Isa. 9 30. Amos 4. 6. to 14. Rom. 2. 4. 5.  cannot square  
Them to his Rules, nor cause them to amend,  
And sooner break than rent, or make them bend.  
He who in hardest 
f Exo. 31. 18. c. 34. 1. 4. 29.  S●●●es of old impressed  
His Sacred Laws, upon a Rocky Breast  
Cannot engrave them: Lord what Hearts of Flint  
Have Men, whereon thy Laws can make no Print!  
Nought but Christ's blood these 
g Ezech. 11. 19 c. 36. 26. Jer. 32. 39  Adamants can thaw  
And square them to the Models of Gods Law.   

8.  
No heat of Sun or Furnace Rocks will melt,  
But harden rather, and their Heats not felt:  
God's 
h Isa. 26. 10. 11. c. 1. 5. c. 9 30. Jer. 5. 3. 2 Chro. 36. 14. 15 16. Jer. 25. 3. to 15. c. 29. 19 c. 32. 33. Amos. 4. 6. to 13. Hos. 6. 4. 5. Rom. 2. 4. 5.  Sunshine Mercies, and his sweetest Grace;  
His fiery Furnace, and his frowning face,  
men's Rocky Hearts will neither warm, relent,  
Affect, melt, change, nor move them to repent.   

9  
Most Rocks are 
i Ezech. 26. 4 Amos 6. 12.  barren, yielding nought for Back  
Or Belly, that Mankind or Beasts do lack:  
Man's 
k Ezech. 11. 19 Math. 13. 5. 6. 20. 21. Mar. 4. 5. Luke 8. 6.  Stony Heart's as Barren: no good Thing,  
No Fruits of Grace, Faith, Virtue in it spring.   

10.  
Thorns, Thistles, 
l Judg. 8. 7. 16.  Brambles, Weeds of Rocks oft grow;  
All Stony Hearts with these, still 
m Heb. 6. 8. Rom. 1. 24. to 32. c. 2. 4. 5.  overflow:  
Fruitful in nothing, but those tares of vice,  
And sin, which bar them out of Paradise.   

11.  
Rocks Deaf and Senseless are of good, and ill:  
Hard 
n Ephes. 4. 18. 19 1 Tim. 4. 2. Proverb. 23. 35. Deut. 29 2. 3. 4. Isa. 6. 9 10. 2 Chron. 36. 15. 16.  Hearts are so, and neither can, do, will,  
God's Word, Law, Works regard, Hear, understand;  
Nor, fear his angry; kiss, his soothing hand.   

12.  
The fiercest Storms, 
o Mat. 7. 25. 26.  Winds, Waves, on Rooks do dash:  
Gods 
p Deut. 28. 15. to 68 1. Sam. 5. 7. 2. Chron. 21. 19 Ezech. 14. 21. Mich: 2. 10. Heb. 10. 29.  Sorest Judgements Stony Hearts do lash:  
And though they seldom feel God's stroke or Curse;  
This nothing Mends, but 
q Ephes. 4. 18. 19 Rom. 2. 5.  makes their Case far worse.   

13.  
The pleasant Showers, Drops, Dews that on Rocks light.  
Make them not fruitful; nor in better plight:  
But glide away forthwith, not sinking down  
To make them Mellow, good, or sin to drown:  
So Rocky 
r Heb. 6. 7. 8. c. 3. 13. 8. Mat. 13. 5. 6. Isa. 28. 10. 13. 2 Chro. 36. 15. 16. Jer. 23. 3. 4. c. 35. 15.  Hearts, though they receive the rain,  
And frequent showers of God's blessed Word; remain  
Still Barren, Hard, and Senseless; nought will stay  
That drops upon them, but all slides away  
That's Good or Sacred; only Floods of 
s Job 15. 16.  sin  
Sink down with speed, and freely enter in.   

14.  
None craggy 
t Luk. 8. 6. 13. Amos. 6. 12.  Rocks will Till, Plough, Plant, or Sow;  
Their Labours lost who do it, nought will grow.  
Obdurate Hearts few use to Plough or Till  
With Godly Precepts, Counsels; sith they still  

v 2 Chron. 36. 15. 16. Jer. 23. 3. 4. Mat. 7. 6. Prov. 9 7. 8.  Neglect, deride, contemn them; so as all  
The seed is lost which on the Rocks doth fall.   

15.  
Rocks blunt, and hurt the edge of Tools that smite,  
Or square them for good uses; yea in spite  
Their Chips and Shivers dash against the Eyes,  
Face, Shins of those that hue them. Lo the guise  
Of Rocky Hearts, which 
x Pro. 9 7. 8. Mat. 7. 6. Prov. 15. 12. 1 King. 13. 4. c. 18. 17. 18. 2 Chron. 24. 19 20. 21. 22. c. 36. 15. 16. Mat. 23. 37. Gal. 4. 16.  hurt and malice those  
Who check their sins, and hate them as their Foes.  
Yea, let their Pastors in their Ministry  
But touch their Sores, into their Face they fly:  
So zealous are they for those Sins, which end  
In hell, when they will not God's cause defend.  
O that our zeal for God were half so much  
As for our darling Crimes, when Men them touch:  
Then would we let them 
y Psal 141. 5. Psal. 139. 23. 24. Prov. 8. 9 c. 29. 25.  strike, wound, lance, yea Slay  
Our dearest Sins; and thank, not them gainsay.   

16.  
Rocks Cold and Heavy are, and 
z Job. 18. 4.  never move  
Out of their Places; nor mount up above  
Unless perforce; and then they ever 
a Rev. 18. 21. Jer. 51. 63. 64. Neh. 9 11. Exod. 15. 5. 10 Matth. 18. 6. Mark. 9 42. Luk. 17. 2.  bend  
Down to the Centre; whence they did ascend  
So 
b Rom. 2. 4. 5. c. 1. 23. to 32. Ephe. 4. 18. 19 2 Pet. 2. 20. 21. 22.  Rocky Hearts are Cold, and lumpish still  
To all that good is; prone to nought but Ill:  
No Love, Heat, zeal to God within them flame;  
His Cause they'll not stir in for Love, nor Shame:  
Their Thoughts, Minds, Cares are fixed on 
c Phil. 3. 18. 19  things below,  
And never upwards Soar to view, mind, know  
The things above; unless some 
d Isa. 26. 11. 16.  sudden Fear  
Of Death, Hell, Danger up them screw or rear  
Against their Wills: which passed, to Earth they high  
With greater poise, and there still grovelling lie.   

17.  
Rocks 
e Hab. 2. 19  Dumb and silent are: So Hearts of Stone  
For good Discourse have neither Tongue, nor Tone  
Sitting still 
f Isa. 56. 10. Job. 15. 3.  Mute like stones without voice, sense,  
When any fall to godly Conference.   

18.  
Rocks 
g Ezech. 26. 4.  bare and naked are; whence all may spy  
Their Nakedness, and gross Deformity.  
All Stony Hearts, are 
h Ezech. 16. 3. to 15. Rev. 17. 18.  naked, poor, and bare;  
Their Bareness, vileness, wants exposed are  
To all men's view; till Christ's rich Robes of Grace  
Cloth or Adorn them, and these wants deface.   

19  
Rocks Liveless are; and Stony Hearts are 
i Mat. 8. 22. Joh. 5. 25. 19 Ephes. 2. 1. 5. c. 5. 14.  Dead;  
No life of Grace was ever in them bred:  
Yea, all who now draw breath, must shortly 
K Heb. 9 27. Psal. 89. 48.  die,  
(Who knows how soone) and dead as Rocks shall lie.   

20.  
Rocks till by force they broken be, and slit,  

l 2 Chron. 2. 2. 18. 1 King. 5. 17. c. 7. 9 10. 12.  Hewed, polished, for all Buildings are unfit:  
Thus Rocky Hearts till God them 
m Ezech. 36. 26. Joel 2. 13. Hosea 6. 5.  rent, hue, square;  
To build his House, Church, Temple, useless are.   

21.  
Rocks make Men 
n Isa. 8. 14.  fall and stumble, to their Pain  
And Hurt: That 
o Rom. 2. 5. Eph. 4. 18. 19  Rocky Hearts do thus, 'tis plain;  
Since all our Slips, Falls, Bruises, Sins proceed  
From Stony Hearts, which make us take no heed.   

22.  
Rocks 
p Act. 27. 29.  Shipwreck those, who do too near them sail;  
And sunken Rocks to split Ships most prevail:  
Thus Rocky Hearts unless we from them fly  
Will 
q Rom. 2. 4. 5. Ephes. 4. 18. 19 1 Tim. 6. 9  wrack us all; but yet especially  
When neither Felt, nor Seen: for than we run  
With full-saile on them, and are quite undone.   

23.  
Rocks feel no Burdens, weights that on them lie;  
So Rocky Hearts do never 
r Ephes. 4. 18. 19  sigh, groan, cry  
Under the Weights and Burdens of their Crimes,  
(Though 
s Psal. 38. 4. Matth. 11. 28. Job 6. 3.  heavier than the Sands a thousand times)  
And why? because they never feel their poise  
Till it them sink to Hell, and quite destroys.   

24.  
Not all the Men on Earth, with all their Art  
Can make one Rock, or Stone; much less an Heart;  
But only 
t Joh. 1. 3.  God himself: yet Men alone  
Are the 
v Psal. 95. 8. Exod. 8. 15.  Creators of all Hearts of Stone,  
Not God: O wonder, that Men should create  
Nought but Hard Rocky Hearts which God doth hate:  
Such Hearts can none else but Men, Fathers call,  
Which sink still downwards, till to Hell they fall.   

25.  
O then when ever we a Rock shall see,  
Let these thoughts to our Minds recalled be:  
Yea, ponder what Old 
x Ezech. 11. 19 c. 36. 26. Psal. 51. 10. 17.  Rocky Hearts we have  
By Sin and Nature: then New, soft Hearts crave,  
With fervent Prayers, Groans, Sighs, Tears; so we  
Our Hearts of Rock, to flesh transformed shall see.  
And if we find, feel, know by signs most sure  
Our hearts thus changed, and made soft, and pure;  
Let us for ever in Word, Deed, Life, Thought,  
Extol and (y) praise Him who this Change hath wrought;  
Keeping a narrow 
z Act. 2. 46. 47. Eph. 3. 20. 21.  watch both night and day,  
Over our cheating Hearts; for fear lest they  
Should by degrees freeze, or grow 
a Heb. 3. 13. c. 12. 15. Prov. 4. 23.  hard again,  
Yea turn to Rocks, and so for aye remain.   

26.  
Sweet Jesus 
b Ezech. 11. 19 c. 36. 26.  take our Stony Hearts away,  
And give us hearts of flesh, we humbly pray;  
And of all other Plagues, from us avert  
This as the greatest, an obdurate Heart.  
And since of all our Parts Thou dost require,  
Seek, prise our 
c Prov. 23. 26.  Hearts most; grant us we desire  
Such broken, contrite tender Hearts, as may  
Delight Thee most; and never from Thee stray.  
Such Hearts Thou only canst 
d Psal. 51. 10. 17.  create, not we;  
Make our Hearts such; then happy shall we be.    

miscellany Meditations of the fifth Kind.  
TO wind up all; Rocks to our Minds present Some other useful Thoughts, with great content.  

1.  
When we behold some 
e 2 Chro. 2. & 3. 1 King. 5. 17. 18. c. 6. 7. 8. c. 7. 3. 10. 11. 2 King. 12. 12. c. 32. 6.  Stones with Tools and Bars  
Digged out of Rocks, and taken from the Quarres;  
To build some Stately Church; whiles others stay  
Still there, unwrought; though quite as good as they:  
It minds us of that common Rock wherein  
Mankind corrupted lay, through Adam's Sin:  
From whence God by 
f Psal 144. 12. Isa. 14. 11. 12. c. 51. 1. Rom. 9 11. to 31. c. 8. 29. 30. c. 11. 5. 6. 7. Ephes. 1. 4. 5. 11. c. 2. 4. to 22 c. Pet. 2. 4. 5. 6. 7. 2 Thes. 2. 13. Mat. 24. 40. 4. c. 20. 16. Mal. 1. 2. 3. Ex. 33. 19 Jer. 18. 6. 2 Tim. 2. 9  Election and mere Grace  
Culls out some Stones (though few) which he doth place  
Within his Church's Buildings; where they lie  
Fast joined to Christ, for all Eternity:  
When as all others (though as good as they  
And of the selfsame Rock, 
Original or Actual.  Quar, Lump, and Clay:)  
Lie still unpolisht, in the rotten Mass,  
And State of Sin, until to Hell they pass;  
Without Injustice, since God's Grace is 
g Hos. 14. 4. Mat. 10. 14. Rom. 3. 24. c. 8. 32. c. 11. 5. 6.  free;  
And none but for 
h Math. 25. 41. 42. 43. Mark. 16. 16. Psal. 51. 4. 5. Lam. 3. 39  some Sin shall damned be.   

2.  
When I consider that all 
i Isa. 22. 16. Mark. 15. 46.  Tombestones, Urns,  
And Tombs, where Man, 
* Gen. 3. 19  mere Dust, to Dust returns;  
Are broken pieces of some Rocks; I then  
Behold my Tombstone, in each Rock I ken:  
And say; Lo here's the lasting Monument  
Wherein my Body must ere long be penned,  
And shut Close Prisoner, till the 
k Joh. 5. 58. Rev. 20. 12. 13.  Judgement day,  
When all its Rust and Bolts shall fall away.  
Which Thought digested, makes me still amend  
My Life; and fits me always for mine End.  
Let all revolve it oft within their Mind,  
And they shall Treasure, Honey in it find.   

3.  
When I behold some people dwell, live, lie  
In 
l Job 24. 8. Obad. 3. Jer. 48. 28.  Caves of Rocks; I then think presently;  
He who a Cottage wants his Head to Hide,  
Shall find some Rock, or Hole where to abide;  
In which he may sleep freer from fears, Foes,  
And Cares, than those whom Castles, Guards, enclose.  
What need we care then here for House or Home,  
If these should fail, yet Rocks will give us Room  
To Lodge and hide in: Here 
m 1 King. 17 4. 13. c. 19 9 11. 15. Heb. 11. 38. Gen. 19 30. Judg. 6. 2. 1 Sam. 13. 6. c. 24. 2. 3. 4. 7. Exod. 33. 21. 22.  God's dearest Saints  
Have lived, and hid oft times without Complaints;  
And been more happy in these caved Stones  
Than greatest Monarches in their royal Thrones.  
Repine not then though Cliffs of Rocks should be  
Thine House or Home, sith there thou mayst be free,  
Safe, blessed, cheerful, and to God more nigh  
Than those who in the fairest Palace lie.   

4.  
The precious Jewels 
n Prov. 2. 4. Job 3. 21. Mat. 14. 44. Psal. 17. 14. Col. 2. 3.  Treasures, Stones which are  
Locked up and hid in coursest Rocks, declare  
God's dearest Saints and Jewels common Case,  
And State on Earth: who thrust out with disgrace  
From House and Home, enforced are to fly  
To 
o 1 King. 19 9 11. 15. c. 17. 4. 13. 1 Sam. 13. 6. c. 24. 2. 3. 4. Heb 11. 38. 39  Caves and Rocks, where they imprisoned lie:  
Whence driven out again by bloody Foes  
(Like Gold or Jewels out of Rocks;) they close  
And lock them up again in 
p Psal. 88 8. Jer. 31. 2. c. 33. 1. c. 36. 5. c. 39 15. Luk. 3. 20. Act 5. 18. 21. c. 12. 4.  Prisons, Goals  
Or nasty Dungeons, amidst filth, dust, 
* Bonner Imprisoned the Martyrs in his Coal-house in Queen Mary's days.  Coals,  
The common 
q Heb. 11. 35. to 39  Gaskets where these Gems, Pearls lie  
Until some Flames them into Ashes frie.  
Yet courage Noble Souls, whiles thus you fare  
It's a sure Sign you peerless 
r Mal. 3. 17 Isa. 61. 10. Exo. 19 5. Ps. 135. 4  Jewels are,  
And God's Choice Treasures, since you under Lock,  
Thus lie, like Gold, Gems in some Casket, Rock:  
And that you shall be 
s Psal. 88 6. 8. 18. Cant. 5. 4. 6. Jer. 30. 2. 3. Act. 16. 23. 24. Heb. 11. 36.  surest kept of any,  
Because kept closest, and not seen of many.  
The choicest Things Men ever closest 
t Cant. 4. 3. Psal. 17. 14. Mar 13. 44. Job 3. 21. Prov. 2. 4. Col. 2. 3.  Lock;  
And Wolves run loose, whiles God doth 
v Ezech. 34. 14. Joh. 10. 16.  fold his Flock.   

5.  
Rocks love to 
x Ezec. 26. 4. c. 24. 7. 8.  show, not hide their Nakedness:  
Adam and Eve 
y Gen. 3. 7. 10. 11. 21. c. 9 22. 23.  blushed at their Naked Dress  
When they beheld it, and did hide for shame,  
Till they with Coats of Figge-leaves veiled the same.  
Those wanton Females then that take delight,  
Their 
z Ezech. 16. 36. 37. Hosea 2. 2. 3. 4. 2 Cor. 5. 5. Revel. 3. 17. 18. c. 16. 15. Gen. 9 22. 23. Heb. 2. 15. Isa. 47. 3.  Naked Breasts, Necks, Arms, (like some strange sight)  
To show to others, without Blush or shame,  
In spite of God, Men, who them tax and blame:  
Are rather shameless Rocks than Adam's Race;  
And for the most part void of Sense, shame, Grace;  
If not of Honour, and true 
a Hosea 2. 2. 34. Ezech. 16. 35. 36. 37. 38. 39 c. 23. 10. 11 18. 19 23.  Chastity,  
Sith most is common which doth open lie.   

6.  
When we behold Men with much Danger, Swet,  
Paines, Trouble, vilest wrack to gather, get,  
And draw from Sea-Rockes, for to burn, or dress  
Their tilled Grounds, and mend their fruitfulness.  
Me thinks it should wring 
b Phil. 3. 18. 19  Tears from us, to see  
What Pains these take for Dung, whiles they and we  
Do not take half the Care, Paines, Travel, Sweet  
The richest Gems of Grace to dig, fetch, get  
From Christ our Rock, which would not only cheer  
And warm our Souls, and make them fruit to bear;  
But them 
c Rev. 3. 18. Psal. 45. 13. 14.  adorn, every, store in such wise,  
That they all else as vile Dung would despise.  
For shame then henceforth let us take 
d Luk. 13. 24 1 Cor. 9 25. 26. 17. 2 Pet. 1. 5. 10.  more pain  
These richest Gems, than they base wrack to gain.   

7.  
When I a Rent or Clift in Rocks espy,  
It minds me of the dreadful Majesty,  
And mighty Power of our God which make  
The hardest 
e 1 King. 19 11. Nah. 1. 5. 6. Mat. 27. 51.  Rocks for fear to split 
f Joel. 2. 12. 13. 10.  rend shake  
And duly pondered would in pieces tear  
Our Rocky Hearts, & make them quake for fear   

8.  
When I behold Men, Tempests, Waves, Rain, Winde,  
Beat long on 
g Mat. 7. 25. 26.  Rocks, and yet no entrance find:  
It makes me see what 
h Ezech. 11. 19 c. 36. 26.  rocky hearts we have  
At which though Christ (who seeks our Souls to save)  
Doth daily 
i Rev. 3. 20. Isa. 53. 1. 3. Joh. 12. 37. 38 39 40. c. 1. 10. 11. Rom. 10. 21. Isa. 5. 1. to. 7. Je●. 25. 5. to 8. c. 29. 19  knock by his Word, Grace and Spirit,  
Saints, Preachers, Motions; and oft times them smite  
With sundry Judgements, Tempests, Seas, Malles, Winds  
To make them open, yet but 
k Jer. 2. 20. Isa. 1. 5. c. 3. 9 Jer. 5. 3. Amos 4. 6. to 13. Ps. 95. 8. 10. Deut. 8. c. c. 29. 3. 4. 5. Josh. 5. 4. Heb. 3. 8. 9 17. 2 Chron. 36. 15. 16. Jer. 25. 4. to 8. c. 32. 33. 34.  seldom finds,  
Or makes an Entrance: nay though many years,  
He thus beats on them, yet no fruit appears:  
O Hearts more hard than any Rock, Flint, Steele,  
Which all these strokes upon them never feel!  
O 
l 2 Pet. 3. 9 Rev. 1. 9 c. 3. 10. Rom. 15. 5.  patient Jesus! who so long canst bear,  
With such hard hearts, which will not melt nor tear!   

9  
When I behold Rocks, Stones, most ragged, base,  
Rude and deformed in their Native place,  

m 2 Chron. 2. & 3. 1 King. 5. and 6. & 7.  Hewed out from thence, and polished by Mankind  
Turned into goodly Structures of each Kind  
And made rich Statues, 
n Zech. 9 16. 2 Sam. 12. 30.  Jewels, Ouches, Gems,  
Yea, set in Gold and royal Diadems.  
I thence conclude, that God with much more ease  
Speed, Art, can turn, when ever he shall please,  
The 
o Ezech. 36. 26. 1 Cor. 3. 16. 17. 2 Cor. 6. 16. Ephes. 2. 21. Mal. 3. 17.  hardest, vilest, rocky Hearts that are  
Into rich Temples, Jewels, Gems most rare;  
Yea set them in Christ's very royal Crown  
Like precious stones unto their great renown.  
As he did 
p 1 Tim. 1. 13 14. 15. 16.  Paul, 
q 2 Chron. 33. 12. to 20.  Manasses, and all those  
Most glorious Saints which Heaven doth now enclose.  
Let no man than though ne'er so mean, vile, base,  
Lewd, sinful, once despair of God's free Grace,  
Which in a moment can 
r Ephes. 2. 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. c. 3. 20. 21.  change and translate  
Him from his wretched to a glorious state.   

10.  
When as I see the 
s Job. 28. 10. Ps. 105. 41.  waters that do stream  
And gush from stony Rocks, me thinks they seem  
A lively Image of those 
t 2 King. 20. 5. Job 16. 20. Lam. 2. 18. Jer. 9 1. 8. Luk. 7. 38. 44. Act. 20. 19 31. Mat. 26. 75.  Tears that flow  
From Rocky Hearts, when they once tender grow.  
Through God's sweet Grace and Spirit, which can melt  
The hardest Hearts to Tears, and them relent  
As He did Rocks of Old, whence 
v Psal. 105. 41. Exod. 17. 6 Numb. 20. 11. 12.  water gushed  
By streams when He them either smote or crushed.  
Blessed Lord Jesus, soften, break, relent  
Our Hearts of Rock, and cause them to repent,  
And send forth Streams, nay Floods of Tears to wash,  
Our sins away, and all their force to quash.   

11.  

x Job 39 28. 29. Jer. 49. 16.  Eagles in lofty Rocks still breed and lie,  
And from their Tops their Prey far off espy:  
Gods chosen Saints whom Scriptures oft compare  
To 
y Psa. 103. 5. Isa. 40. 13. Mat. 24. 28. Luk. 17. 37.  Eagles, upon Christ high mounted are:  
(The tallest Rock) on whom they 
z Ephes. 2. 20.  build, lodge, stay,  
And thence they seek, find, take their sacred prey.  
Lord make our Souls with Eagles wings to fly,  
To this sweet Rock, and there to live and die.   

12.  
When I contemplate how Rocks 
a Job. 28. 10. Psal. 104. 10. 11. 12. 13. 14.  Crystal Springs  
Which serve to moisten, soften other Things,  
Make trees, herbs, grass, plants, flowers spring and grow;  
And quench the Thirst of all things here below;  
Yet neither moisten, soften, fructify  
The Rocks themselves, still barren, fruitless, dry:  
Me thinks I view in them some Rocky Hearts,  
Endued with rare, rich, profitable Parts  
Of Art and Nature; which do good to many,  
Yet to their Owners good, they do not any.  
How many Preachers others help to save  
Yet 
b Mat. 22. 7. 1 Cor. 9 27.  damn themselves? and whiles they others gave  
The Food of life, have starved themselves to death:  
Others made Fertile, themselves barren Heath?  
How many 
c 2 Sam. 16. 23. c. 17. 23.  wise to teach, rule, counsel all  
Except themselves, and so through folly fall:  
It's hardly worth the Name of Good Art, Skill  
That betters others, makes the Owners iii.   

13.  
When I espy Rocks trampled on by all,  
Christ's and true Christians States, to mind I call.  

d Isa. 53. 2. 3. 4. Mar. 9 12. Psal. 118. 22. 1 Cor. 4. 9 10. 11. 12. 13. 2 Cor. 4. 8. 9 10. 11. c. 6. 4. to 11. Heb. 11. 36. 37. 38.  Trod under feet, with all contempt, spite, hate  
Throughout the world, and valued at no rate.  
Complain not then of any disrespect.  
No greater Honour than Ill men's neglect.   

14.  
Each vast, high-towring, massy Rock we eye  
Presents to us the strength and Potency  
Of that Almighty God, whose 
e Isa. 40. 12: to 18. Psal. 89. 13.  Potent Hand  
Did in a moment, both by Sea and Land  
Raise up so many vast high Piles, and Pack  
Such Massy Rocks on one another's back;  
Without an Engine, by his 
f Psal. 148. 5.  Word alone,  
And them so strongly solder one to one  
That all the Art, Wit, Strength, in Man's to weak  
To raze these Mounts, and them in Pieces break.  
We wonder much at 
* See Camden's Brittania Wiltshire.  Stonedge, where there lie  
A few large stones, piled up not very high  
On one another's head, and think it strange,  
How men such ponderous Stones could rear and range,  
In such a manner, though these great stones be  
But Pigmies, Pebbles to the Rocks we see.  
How much more than with wonder and amaze  
Should we upon those Massy high Rocks gaze  
Which them so far in Bulk, weight, height exceed,  
And may true admiration in us breed  
Of God's Almighty Power, which could raise  
Such grand, rare, lasting Trophies to his praise.  
To which all Structures made by men do seem  
But Molehills, Atoms, and of no esteem.  
He who such heavy Rocks could make, lift, rear,  

g Isa. 40. 12. 15.  Weigh, toss with ease, as if they feathers were;  
With greater ease can lift and elevate  
His humbled Saints out of their 
h Psa. 113. 7. 8. 1 Sam. 2. 7. 8.  lowest State:  
And in an instant into 
i Psal. 2. 9 Psal. 107. 40.  shivers dash,  
All who with Him or Them presume to clash.   

15.  
When we discern the Sea, and Time to 
k Job. 14. 9  wear  
The very Rocks, and them to waste, eat, tear;  
Think and contemplate then, how time, age, space  
All things consume, waste, weaken and deface;  
But chiefly Men, compact of 
l Gen. 3. 19 Eccles. 3. 10. c. 12. 7.  Dust, not stone  
Who fade like 
m Ps. 103. 14. 15. 16. Psa. 90. 5. 6. Isa. 4. 6. 7. 8. Job 14. 1. 2. Jam. 1. 10. 1 Pet. 1. 24.  grass, are in a Moment gone.  
How can mere Dust and Ashes think to last,  
When time and age the hardest Rocks do waste?   

16.  
Those who in lofty, fenced, steep Rocks dwell  
Are 
n Obad. 3. Jer. 49. 16. c. 21. 13.  haughty, proud, secure, and far excel  
Most others in these vices, slighting all,  
As if no Mischief could upon them fall.  
Whence sudden Dangers, Ruins them surprise  
(To quell their Pride) from those they most despise;  
Thus carnal Men advanced and fortified  
With potent Friends, wealth, Honours, swell with 
o Ezech. 28. 2. to 29. Isa. 47. 7. to 12. Rev. 18. 7. 8.  Pride;  
Deride all Dangers, Foes, grow so secure,  
As if their Props and Stays should still endure.  
Whence God their Pride to punish and abate  
Casts them down headlong by some sudden Fate.  
Which should make all, but great men specially  
Beware of Pride, and gross Security,  
The sad 
p Prov. 16 18 Rev. 18. 7. 8.  Forerunners of a certain fall,  
Which them and theirs will soon to pieces maul.   

17.  
When as we see Men with must cost and pain  
To Mine the Rocks, and Treasures thence to gain  
Of sundry Sorts; where with they much increase  
Their wealth, and make things meet for war and Peace:  
It forthwith minds us how with far more care,  
Cost, Paines, Sweat, Labour all who Christians are,  
Should daily 
q Prov. 2. 4. Col. 2. 2. 3. Mat. 13. 44.  Search, and Mine for richer Oar  
In Christ their Rock; in whom there is such store  
Of peerless Mines, and Treasures of each Kind  
As well content, yea 
r Ephes. 1. 23 Joh. 1. 16.  fill the vastest Mind;  
And store all Christians with all Things they need  
In Peace and War, Life, death! Let this then breed  
A Resolution in us, still to Mine,  
And draw these Treasures from this Rock Divine.   

18.  
Whiles that we view Men Rocks to smite, pierce, rend  
With Sledges, Axes, or like Instrument;  
We then should ponder, how we all each day  
Our blessed Rock Christ Jesus 
s Amos 2. 13. Heb. 10. 29. c. 6. 6. 2 Pet. 2. 1. Rev. 1. 7.  smite, stab, slay  
A fresh with those accursed Sins and Crimes  
Wherewith we grieve, pierce, wound Him at all times:  
Which Thought should turn the Edge, and Point of all  
Our Sins from Him; upon ourselves to maul  
Break, wound our Rocky hearts, because we rend,  
Abuse Christ thus; and cause us to repent.   

19  
When we espy Rocks dart out Sparks of fire  
When smote, or cut with Tools of Steel or I're:  
It sweetly minds us, how the Hand of God  
Smiting upon us with an 
t Psal. 2. 9 10. 11. 12. Isa. 26. 9 11. 16. Hos. 5. 15. 2 Chr. 33. 12. 13. 2 Cor. 8. 2. 1 Thes. 1. 6. 7. 1 Pet. 1. 6. 7. 8. 9 Jam. 1. 2. 3. 12. c. 5. 13. Psal. 119. 67. 71. 75 107.  Iron Rod  
Should from our Hearts of Rock extract and draw  
Such sacred Sparks, yea flames as should them thaw,  
Purge all their Dross away, and them inflame  
With a most ardent Love, unto his Name.  
Lord when thy Rod shall ever on us light,  
Let it such Sparks, and Flames in us excite.   

20.  
Springs, Quarries, Mines in Rocks, ne'er drawn quite dry;  
Present most sweetly to each Mind and Eye  
The 
v Ephes. 3. 8. 10. 19 20. Joh. 1. 5. 16. Col. 2. 3. 8. 9 10.  inexhausted, boundless, Endless Mines,  
Springs, Treasures, Stores, and vastest Magazines  
Of Grace and Goodness, which enclosed lie,  
Within the Bosom of the Deity.  
To feed, feast, fill, every, each hungry, poor,  
Sad, pined Soul, with all their matchless store.  
The very thoughts whereof our Hearts should fill  
With sweetest Solace, and delight them still.   

21.  
When I perceive the smallest Pibble 
x Exod. 15. 5. Neh. 9 11. Jer. 51. 63. 64. Mat. 18. 6. Rev. 18. 21.  sink  
In Floods, as deep as greatest Rocks; I think  
How smallest Sins are deadly, and as well,  
As soon almost, as Great, sink Men to Hell.  
O then beware of all sins, since the small  
As well as great to 
y Rome 6. 23. c. 7. 24. 25. Ec. 12. 18. Math. 12. 36. 37.  Hell thus tend and fall.  
Let Papists talk of Venial sins, I trow  
No sin is venial, when all sink so low.   

22.  
The worthless Rubbish in each Rock exceeds,  
And hides the Mines and Precious stones it breeds:  
Yea, richest Mines have ever greater Store  
Of dross and off all, than refined Oar.  
Which pondered, learns us, how each Place, 
z Mat. 7. 13. 14. c. 13. 3. to 51. Luk. 13. 23. 24. Rom. 10. 16. c. 11. 4 5.  Church breeds  
More Bad than Good: that Good men's Ill, exceeds  
Their Goodness: that the Bad, Good Men obscure  
As Rubbish hides, Surmounts the Oar that's pure.  
Hence Multitude, and visibility  
Appear ill Marks a Church's Truth to try.   

23.  
When 
a Josh. 10. 11 Judge 9 53. 54. 2 Sam. 11. 21. Zech. 12. 3. Luk. 13. 4.  Rocks or Stones fall on Men, and them dash  
To pieces, or at least them bruise and quash:  
It minds us how our Rock Christ 
b Isa. 8. 14▪ 15. Luk. 2. 34. Psa. 2 9 Rev. 2. 27. c. 19 15.  grindeth all  
To powder, upon whom he doth once fall.  
O then beware how we pull on our backs  
This Massy Rock which Men to pieces cracks.   

24.  

c Psal. 41. 2. Psal. 61. 2.  Rocks keep from sinking those who walk or Stand  
Upon them, whiles such, who on Bogges, Floods, Sand  
Do walk, 
d Psal. 40. 2. Psal. 69. 2. 14. Mat. 14. 30. Jer. 38. 6. 20.  rest, stay, sink down and mired are,  
Yea oft times drowned without special care.  
Hence may we learn that those who walk, rest, stay,  
Themselves on Christ (the surest Rock) always  
Stand firm, safe, stable; never sinking down;  
Whiles those who on Bogges, Sands sink, stand, and drown.  
O let our feet on this Rock still abide  
Then are we certain not to sink, fall, slide.   

25.  
Rocks those who dwell upon them fence, 
e Isa. 33. 16.  defend,  
But those who Scale them, hurt, bruise and offend.  
So Christ our Rock 
f Joh. 10. 11. 14. 27. 28. 29. 1 Pet. 1. 5. c. 4. 19  protects his Chosen sheep  
Who rest upon Him, doth them safely keep.  
Yet hurts and breaks to 
g Luk. 2. 39 Mat. 21. 44. Ps. 2. 9 10.  pieces all such Foes,  
Who dare presume Him, and them to oppose.   

26.  
The sight of Rocks, their 
h Isa. 2. 10. 19 21. Rev. 6. 15. 16. 17. Luk. 23. 30. Hos. 10. 8.  Cliffs, Caves, Holes should Mind,  
All of the Day of Judgement, yet behind:  
So full of dreadful Terror and Affright  
That 
i 1 King. 19 11. Nah. 1. 5. 6. Mat. 27. 51. Isa. 64. 1. 2. 3. Psal. 97. 5. Amos 9 13. 2 Pet. 3. 10. 12. Judg. 5. 5.  Kings themselves, and men of greatest Might  
Shall quake and shake for very fear; and call  
Unto the Rocks and Hills on them to fall;  
And into Caves, Holes, Cliffs of Rocks shall fly  
To hide them from the Wrath, Sight, Majesty  
Of Christ our Rock, before whose dreadful face  
The Rocks shall then melt, fall, quake, change their place.  
And all the 
k Isa. 2. 10. to 18. c. 5. 15. 16. 2 Thes. 1. 8. 9 Jud● 14. 15.  Stout, proud, Rocky Hearts of those  
Who did Himself, Word, Grace, Saints here oppose.  
Shall be so daunted, stonisht, struck with fear  
And Horror, that they 
l Psal. 1. 5. 1. Pet. 4. 18. Mat. 25. 30 31. 32. 42. to 46. 2 Thes. 2. 8. 9 10. Dan. 12. 2. Joh. 5. 25. 29. Rev. 6. 14. 15. 16. 17. c. 20. 9 10. 12. 14. 15.  dare not once appear;  
Till dragged perforce before Christ's Bar and Face,  
Where tried, convict, condemned; with all disgrace  
They shall be cast for all Eternity  
Into Hell's fiery Flames, there still to fry.  
O let the Terror of this dismal Day,  
(Which now draws near, and we should 
m Jam. 5. 7. 8. 9 Rev. 22. 20  mind always;)  
For ever scare us from all Sin, and make  
Our Stony Hearts to melt, bleed, sigh, break, ache:  
And cause us now with speed to fly and hide  
Ourselves within the Holes of Christ's pierced side,  
Who shall us 
n 2 Cor. 5. 10. 11. Rom. 14. 10. 11. 12. Rom. 2. 16. Psa. 143. 9  judge: and then we boldly may  

o Luk. 21. 28.  Lift up our Heads, and Hearts in that great Day  
With joyful cheer, when others hang them down;  
And eke receive a Rich, Large, Massy 
p 2 Cor. 4. 17. 2 Tim. 4. 8.  Crown  
Of endless Glory, in the Heaven's high  
Where we shall reign for all Eternity. 
q Rev. 22. 4. 5.   
O Christ (our only Rock) of thy free Grace  
Advance, and bring us to this blissful Place:  
And let each Rock, Clift, Stone we henceforth see  
Instruct us thus, and bring us home to Thee.    

The Conclusion.  
With these sweet useful Thoughts, and thousands more  
The Barren Rocks, our Hearts, and Minds may store  
When we behold them: and if Nature's Book,  
And Rocks, whiles we upon them daily look,  
Can teach us Nothing which our Lives may mend,  
Or cause our Hearts, Minds, Thoughts up to ascend▪  
To Christ their Rock, God, and the Things above,  
Them to contemplate with the greatest Love;  
Our Hearts are Rocky; We, quite void of Grace;  
And Rocks than we, are yet in better Case.  
FINIS.     

A CHRISTIAN SEA-CARD. Consisting of sundry Poetical Meditations, raised from the Contemplation of the Nature and Qualities of the Sea.  
BY WILLIAM PRYNNE, Late Exile and Close Prisoner in Mount-Orgueil Castle in the Isle of jersy.  Psalm 104. 24. 25. 26. 
O Lord how manifold are thy Works! in Wisdom hast thou made them all; the Earth is full of thy Riches. So is this great and wide SEA, wherein are things creeping innumerable, both small & great beasts. There go the Ships; there is that Leviathan thou hast made to play therein.  Psal. 77. 19 
Thy way is in the SEA, and thy path in the GREAT WATERS, and thy footsteps are not known.  Isaiah 43. 1. 2. 3. 5. 6. 
But now thus saith the Lord that created thee, O Jacob, and he that form thee O Israel; Fear not, for I have redeemed thee, I have called thee by thy Name, thou art mine. When thou passest through the WATERS I will be with thee, and through the RIVERS, they shall not overflow thee; when thou walkest through the fire thou shalt not be burnt, neither shall the flame kindle upon thee. For I am the Lord thy God, the Holy One of Israel, thy Saviour, etc.  Psalm 66. 12. 
Thou hast caused men to ride over our heads; we went through FIRE and through WATER, but thou broughtest us out into a wealthy place.  
London Printed by T. Cotes, for Michael Spark dwelling at the blue Bible in Green Arbour. 1641.   

TO The Worshipful his highly Honoured Friend M rs Elizabeth Carteret, Daughter to Sir Philip Carteret, Knight, Lieutenant Governor and Bailiff of the Isle of Jersy.  
THat near relation wherein now you stand  
By Habitation, and a Nuptial Band,  
To Seas, and Seamen; did at first induce  
Me to digest this SEA-CARD for your Use,  
And his you most esteem; which in some sort  
May help conduct you unto heavens blessed Port,  
The only Haven which you now most Eye,  
And strive for to arrive in when you die.  
Accept it therefore (though scarce worthy view,)  
As a small pledge of his Respects to you,  
Who much adores your Virtues, and must deem  
His Muse too mean to add to your esteem.  
Your Engaged Friend 
 and Servant, 
 WILLIAM PRYNNE.   

Sigh God Seas, Rocks, in Place hath joined together  
It were unkindness them in Verse to sever.  
And hence my Muse, which bats to be unkind,  
Hath them, in these two Poems, here combined.   

A CHRISTIAN SEA-CARD. Consisting of sundry Poetical Meditations raised from the Contemplation of the Nature and Qualities of the Sea.  

THE PROLOGUE.  
THis World's an ample Volume, where we may  
Not only Read, but 
a Rom. 1. 19 20. Act. 14. 15. 16. 17. Psal. 19 1.  See God Day by Day;  
And every Creature which it doth comprise,  
A Text to preach him to our Hearts and Eyes:  
No Plant, Herb, Grass so small, so vile but can  
Teach, and demonstrate God himself to Man,  
With his eternal Wisdom, Goodness, Power,  
Which he is blind, who seeth not in each Flower.  
Look we above, beneath, or round about,  
All that we see doth 
b Psal. 8. 1. 3. 4. 9 Psal. 104. 24. 25. etc. Psal. 19 1.  point, nay paint God out,  
Amongst the world of Creatures which present  
God to our Thoughts, and Eyes with sweet content  
Me thinks the Sea, (oft viewed with delight,)  
Shows him most clearly to our Minds and sight.  
From whence a pious Heart may raise such store  
Of godly Thoughts, that plenty makes it poor.  

Meditations of the first Kind.  

1.  
ANd first, the vast Sea, which with speed can 
* Gen. 7. 18. to 24.  drown  
The greatest Island, Mountain, Ship or Town,  
As easy as the smallest, Molehill, Boat,  
Or cottage, in its alldevouring throat;  
Most sweetly represents to sinful Man  
The vast, immense, and boundless 
c Mich. 7. 19  Ocean  
Of God's free Grace and Mercy; so profound,  
That worlds of greatest sins in it are drowned;  
No crimes so heinous, great, or numberless;  
But if with bleeding souls we them 
c ●. Joh. 1. 7. Rev. 1. 5.  confess  
And quite abandon, this large sea of Grace  
Shall over-whelme, wash out, and clean deface:  
O sweetest solace to a broken Heart,  
And sinne-sicke soul, desirous to convert!  
What though thy horrid sins and heinous crimes,  
Be greater than the world ten thousand times?  
Lo, her's a Sea more vast shall 
d 1 Joh. 1. 7. Rev. 1. 5. Mich. 7. 19  drown them all  
Without exception, great, as deep, as small.  
O then despair not, but behold with joy  
This Ocean, which shall all thy sins destroy.  
Lord, let us ever Sail in this sweet Sea,  
Where Souls are saved, Sins only Shipwrackt be.   

2.  
Again, this 
e Psal. 104. 25. Psal. 107. 23. 24. Psal. 95. 3. 5. Gen. 1. 9  great Sea's huge immensity  
Length, Breadth, Depth; Bulk, a vaster Deity  
And greater God who 
e Psal. 104. 25. Psal. 107. 23. 24. Psal. 95. 3. 5. Gen. 1. 9  made it, clearly prove,  
Then fear, yea fly his wrath, embrace his love;  
Before all earthly monarchs, since they be  
Not by ten thousand parts so great as He;  
Or as the Sea, that shadows to our eyes,  
His 
f Psal. 145. 3. Isa. 40. 12. 15. 17. 22.  greatness which our thoughts cannot comprise.  
What Creature, danger then shall once dismay  
Those, who this Great God make their only stay?   

3.  
The Sea points forth unto us every hour,  
God's infinite, Almighty, Sovereign power;  
Who did 
g Psal. 95. 3. 5.  Create it with a Word, and still  
Controls, 
h Job 38. 11. Psal. 104. 9 to 11. Psal. 107. 25. to 30. Pro. 8. 29. Jer. 5. 22. cap. 31. 35.  rules, calms, its raging waves at will,  
When they with boisterous Tempest, roar, and swell  
As high as Heaven, sink down as low as Hell:  
Bounding its proudest floods with smallest Sand;  
To show how great a force weak things withstand  
When backed by God, sith petty Sands can stay  
The raging Seas fierce March, and block its way.  
Who but a 
i Psal. 89. 8. 9 Mat. 8. 26. 27. Isa. 51. 10. Psal. 7. 4. Psal. 106. 9 Psal. 78. 13. Psal. 93. 3. 4.  God of might can tame and charm  
Such foaming bedlam Seas, and them disarm.  
Of all their fury, strength, and them divide  
Yea, dry at pleasure; to abate their pride?  
And cannot he who bounds, rules, calms and quells  
The boisterous Ocean, when it roars and swells  
With greatest force and fury, bridle, suage  
Both men and Devils when they storm and rage?  
Yea 
* Psal. 2. 9  dash them into shivers with more ease  
And speed, than Seas a potsherd, if He please?  
Why should we then once 
k Psal. 46. 2. 3.  dread their threats or frowns,  
Their might or fury which our God still bounds?  
They cannot touch one 
l Luk. 21. 17. 18. Mat. 10. 28. 29. 30.  hair, if he say nay,  
Much less our Souls harm, or our bodies slay  
Whilst we with upright hearts for his cause stand.  
O sweet! sweet comfort to God's chosen Band!  
Think well of this, and then we shall 
m Neh. 6. 11. Dan. 3. 13. to 19 Psal. 26. 1. 2. Psal. 46. 1. 2. 3. Act. 21. 13. 14. Pro. 28. 1.  defy  
All Tyrant's rage, and near once fear, nor fly.  
What ever comes, when God shall call us out  
To fight for him, and show ourselves most stout.   

4.  
Besides, the Flux, and Reflux of Seas Tied  
At certain constant hours, without a guide:  
It's wise disposal to each shore, Port; Creek,  
Throughout the world, where men for traffic seek:  
It's close 
* Psal. 104. 8. to 15.  conveyance to all Fountains, Springs,  
The Earth to water, and all living things:  
The great and wondrous strange 
* Psal. 104. 25.  variety  
Of Fish and Creatures, which do live, breed, lie  
Within its womb, Men to delight and feed,  
As well in times of plenty as of need.  
What do they all demonstrate to our eyes  
And Minds, but that God is most skilful 
n Psal. 104. 6. to 15. 24. 25. 26. 27. Psal. 136. 5.  wise  
In these his wondrous works, exceeding all  
men's Art, far more than Earth a Tennis-Ball.  
O let us then in all we enterprise,  
Submit our wits to him who is so wise,  
Craving his aid, and giving him the praise  
Of his great wisdom, which must 
o Psal. 31. 3. Psal. 48. 14. Isa. 58. 11.  guide our ways.   

5.  
Yea, these show forth to Men God's Providence,  
Which doth the Sea thus order, guide, dispense  
In 
p Psal. 104. 28. 29. Ps. 145. 8. 9 15. 16.  wondrous manner, and feed, rule, sustain  
All Fishes, creatures which it doth contain;  
And is as watchful, restless 
q Psal. 121. 1. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8.  night and day,  
As Seas, which ever move, but never stay.  
Thrice 
r Psal. 146. 5. Psal. 34. 8.  happy they who firmly can rely  
Upon God's care in all extremity:  
He who each wave doth rule, and each fish feed,  
Will in 
s Psal. 34. 10. 17. 22. Psal. 37. 3 4. 5.  due season, send them all they need.   

6.  
The Seas great depth, which few or none can sound,  
Points out 
t Rome 11. 33 34. Psal. 36. 6. Job 11. 7. 8. 9  God's secret Judgements more profound:  
Yea, Ships, Barks, Boats which plough the Seas bright face,  
Yet leave no footsteps by which them to trace;  
Gods hidden Counsels; ways, and deep decrees  
Past finding out, present to all degrees.  
Hence God is 
v Psal. 77. 19  said, in Sea to have his way,  
His paths in waters deep past man's display,  
O then adore his Judgements, Counsels deep;  
And not 
* Deut. 29. 29. Rom. 12. 3. 1 Sam. 6. 19 Exod. 19 21. 22. 24.  presume into them once to peep  
With prying eyes, beyond those bounds which He  
In sacred writ hath fixed unto thee.   

7.  
The Length and 
x Psal. 104. 25. Josh. 1. 4.  wideness of the Sea, which spreads  
Itself both far and near, to pious Heads.  
And Hearts shows forth the vast immensity,  
And Omni-presence of the Deity;  
Which 
y Ju. 23. 24. Psa. 139. 3. 7. 9  fills both Earth and Heaven, Sea, world, Hell;  
Yea every part of each: O strange to tell!  
Oh horrid Meditation! to the Rout  
Of graceless sinners; when they go about  
To hide, or fly from God; who doth forestall,  
Nay 
z Psal. 139. 7. 3. 9 Amos 9 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. Jer. 5. 23. 24.  fill all corners into which they crawl.  
How can they then escape his venging hand,  
Which is so near them both by Sea and Land?  
Yet matchless solace to God's chosen sheep,  
That his sweet 
a Psal. 65. 5. & 139. 9 10. & 23. 4. Isa. 43. 2. Josh. 1. 5. 7. 9 Jer. 45 5.  presence shall them cheer, fence, keep,  
By Sea and Land, where ere they live or go:  
This makes them happy in a world of woe.  
What need we then to fear a banishment  
From Friends, or home, or close Imprisonment:  
In any hole or dungeon? since 
b Gen. 39 20. 21. 23. Act. 16. 24. 25. Dan 3. 23. 24. 24. 25. 26. 28. c. 6. 20. 21. 22. 23.  no place  
Can bar from us Gods presence or his Grace?  
Which ever make an Heaven where they dwell,  
A royal Palace of the darkest Cell.   

8.  
The raging Seas fierce waves and 
c Psal. 107. 25. 26. 27. 28. Isa. 50. 30. Lam. 2. 13. Jer. 31 35. Gen. 7. 18.  roaring Cry  
Which daunt all Hearts, spare neither Low nor High,  
Bearing down all before them who withstand  
Their furious progress, with a potent hand.  
Describe Gods 
d Nah. 1. 2. to 12. c. 2. 1.  dreadful wrath, and dismal Ire,  
Against obdurate sinners; who conspire  
To break his Laws, oppose his Christ, despite  
And grieve his Spirit, sinning with delight,  
Without remorse or check, till they 
e Psal. 2. 2. 3. 4. 5. 9 Deut. 29. 19 20. Jer. 7. 18. 19  provoke  
Him to consume them with a fatal stroke.  
O let us oft consider, still fear, shun  
His dreadful wrath 
f Psal. 139 7. 8. 9 10. Jer. 11. 11. 2 Chron. 20. 6.  from which we cannot run,  
Much less resist it, praying Christ to suage  
And quench it 
g Psal. 2. 12.  lest we perish in God's rage.  
The angry Floods can only drown or fright  
Us for a moment; but if God's wrath light  
Upon us; Soul and Body both shall be  
Under its Tortures for 
h Mat. 29. 41, Rev. 21. 8.  Eternity.   

9  
The Sea so useful, good, and meet for Fish  
And foul of all sorts that man's heart can wish:  
For Salt, Clounds, rain, springs, rivers 
i Eccles. 1. 7. Psal. 104. 9 10.  (which proceed  
From it) and traffic for all things we need:  
Proclaims to all 
k Psal. 33. 5. 145. 9 10.  God's goodness, bounty, grace,  
Who all this goodness in the Sea did place,  
To make Men happy. Let this goodness raise  
Our hearts to Love, and give him all 
l Psal. 107. 8. 15. 2. 31. Psal. 145. 7. 4. 10.  due praise.   

10.  
Once more; the Springs and Rivers which 
m Eccles. 1. 7. Psal. 104. 9 10.  ascend  
Out of the Sea at first, and in it end:  
Instruct us sweetly, how that every thing  
From God (the Sea of being) 
n Rom. 11. 36. Gen. 1. 1. Pro. 16. 4.  first did spring:  
And therefore should by way of thankfulness  
Their course, Aims, Ends to him alone address,  
But chiefly Man, (first made, and since that 
o 1 Cor. 11. 31. 1 Pet. 4. 11.  bought  
To 
p Luk. 1. 74. 75. Rom. 14. 7. 8.  serve God only in deed, word, and thought;)  
Should all return to him from whom it flows,  
Since 
q 1 Chron. 29. 11. to 18. 1 Cor. 4 7. and 15. 10.  all is his that on us springs or grows.  
O let us study from our Hearts to give  
All unto him, 
r Act. 17. 28.  in whom we are, move, live;  
It is his 
s 1 Chron. 29. 11. to 18. Psal. 29. 2. Psal. 56. 12. Psal. 116. 12.  due, our duty, all we have  
To render to him, who our souls must save:  
Most blessed God let us thus oft behold  
Thee in this Crystal glass, the Sea, our cold  
And frozen Hearts to warm, with these sweet Rays  
Which it reflects, to thine eternal praise.    

Meditations of the second Sort.  
Again the Sea's of Christ a lively Type  
And his dear blood, which doth our sins out-wipe.  

1.  
For, as the Sea all filth doth cleanse away  
From Bodies, Vessels, Meats, Herbs, Fruits, Array,  
That in it washed are: So Christ's sweet Blood  
(More 
t Mal. 3. 2. 3.  cleansing than the purest spring or Flood)  

* 1 Joh. 1. 7. Rev. 1. 5. Isa. 1. 16. 17.  All filth and spots of sin, which Souls defile,  
And in God's eyes present them foul and vile,  
Doth quite abolish, and so purge away  
From all such souls, as on him fast hold lay  
By faith unfeigned, that no filth nor stain  
Of any sin, upon them shall remain  
To make 
v 1 Joh. 1. 7. Rev. 1. 5. Heb. 9 14. Ephes. 5. 26. 27. 1 Cor. 6. 11. Act. 3. 19 Zech. 13. 1. Rev. 7. 14.  them loathsome in his Father's sight,  
In which they shine as stars most clear and bright.  
O let us prise this Blood beyond compare,  
By which our Souls from sin thus cleansed are. 
x Dan. 12. 3. Mat. 13. 43. Phil. 2. 15.    

2.  
The Sea which did the 
y Gen. 7. & 8.  wicked world destroy  
By God's command; yet saved upright Noy.  
With that red Sea, 
z Exod. 14. 15. to 31.  which the Egyptians drowned  
When Gods own people past it on dry ground  
In safety, shadow that red Sea of Blood,  
Which Christ upon the 
a Col. 1. 20. Rev. 7. 14.  Cross shed for our good:  
Wherein the 
b Mich. 7. 19 1 Joh. 1. 7. Jer. 50. 20. c. 31. 34.  sins of all his chosen sheep  
With Hellish Pharaoh, and his Host, so deep  
Are sunk and drowned, that they never shall  
Appear again, their Souls once to enthral.  
O let our Sins in this red Sea be drowned,  
Then are we certaine nought shall us 
c Isa. 45. 17.  confound.   

3.  
The Sea's the way, means, pass to 
d Jonah. 1. 3. Isa. 8. 2.  to transport  
Men to those Ports to which they would resort.  
Christ's blood's the sea, 
e Joh. 19 6. Ephes. 2. 12. 13. 18. 19 Rev. 5. 9 10. Heb. 10. 19 20.  way, ship which men convoys  
From Earth to Heaven, and eternal Joys.  
Sweet Jesus let the Sea of thy blessed Blood  
Conduct and lead us safely through the Flood  
And Rocks of this world's Sea, to Heaven's Port,  
To which thy chosen Flock with haste resort.   

4.  
The Seas fair, lovely, shining azure Face,  
It's pleasant Calms in Halcion-days Gods Grace,  
And sweet appeased 
f Psal. 80. 7. 19 & 89. 15. Cant. 2. 14. Act. 2. 28.  Loving Countenance  
To us in Christ, (which raps into a trance  
The saddest Hearts and fills them with content  
And matchless joys) most lively represent.  
O then in all our grief and misery,  
On God's sweet smiling Face still fix an Eye,  
Which will support our souls in all distress,  
And cheer them so, that nought shall us oppress.  
Sweet Jesus when the Sea we view or pass,  
Present thyself thus to us in its glass:  
Then if it wreck or drown us, yet shall we  
Through thy Blood's Sea, escape and saved be.    

Meditations of the third Rank.  
BEsides, the Sea exhibits to our sight  
A lively Emblem of the State and plight  
Of God's Elect, with all those sore and great  
Storms of Afflictions, which do daily beat  
Upon them, whiles they pass this Sea below.  
Where 
g 1 Pet. 5. 8. 1 Joh. 215. 16. 1 Pet. 2. 11.  World, Flesh, Devil, seek to overthrow.  

1.  
For first, the Sea is 
* Isa. 57 20.  restless night and Day;  
Its flux and constant progress, none can stay:  
Just so are Gods elect, who always move;  

h Psal. 84. 7. Phil. 3. 13. 14. 15.  Tending to Heaven and the things above;  
No Banks, Wind, Stormes, 
i Rom. 8. 35. 36. 37. 38. 39 2 Cor. 1. 8. 9 10. 11. c. 6. 4. to 11. Heb. 11. 35. 36. 37.  threats, death, their course can cease  
Till they arrive at Heaven's Port in Peace.   

2.  
The Sea is ever 
k Jam. 1. 6. Jer. 5. 22.  tossed from place to place  
With Winds, storms, Tides: And is not this the Case  
Of God's dear Saints? still 
l Job 7. 4. Psal. 109. 23. Isa. 22. 18. c. 54. 11. Heb. 11. 8. 9 13. 14. 27. 37. Gen. 12. 1. 5. 6. 8. 9 10. c. 15. 13. 1 Cor. 11. 23. to 29. Ruth. 1.  handed too and fro  
(By sundry Tempests which they undergo)  
From Coast to Coast, from Goal to Goal, to show  
They Pilgrims are, and Strangers here below.  
Fixed to no Certain Clime, and that their home  
And resting place, is in the world to come. 
m Gen. 47. 9 1 Chron. 29. 15 Psal. 39 12. Psal. 119. 19 Heb. 11. 13. 14. 1 Pet. 2. 11. Leu. 25. 23.    

3.  
The Sea is ever working, purging forth,  
And 
n Isa. 57 20.  casting out filth, weeds, trash of no worth  
Which falls into it, and corrupt, defile  
Its Crystal streams, making them foul and vile.  
Thus Gods Elect still 
o Isa. 1. 16. Cant. 5. 3. 1 Cor. 6. 11. 2 Cor. 7. 1. Rev. 7. 14. Heb. 9 14. Tit. 3. 3. 5. Ephes. 4. 22. to 32.  purge out, and eject.  
Those Lusts, sins, vices, which their Souls infect  
With such suggestions as foul Devils cast  
Into their Hearts, them to pollute and Waste.   

4.  
The Sea's 
p Psal. 107. 25. to 30. Jon. 1.  exposed to all storms and Winds;  
So 
q Psal. 34. 19 Psal. 42. 7. Act. 14. 22. Heb. 11. 35. 36. 37. 38. 2 Cor. 11. 23. to 29. Ruth. 1. 20. 21.  Saints to Troubles, Crosses, of all kinds,  
To make them humble, and translate their love  
From things on Earth, unto the things above.   

5.  
None dare to cross the Sea without a Card  
Or Compass, which they still with care regard,  
Steering their course thereby, for fear they stray  
Or miss their Port, and so be cast away:  
Thus Gods Elect, whilst they do sail and rove  
In this world's Sea, by Compass ever move;  
Steering their Rudder, by 
r Psal. 119. 9 11. 24. 30. 98. to 106. Gal. 6. 16. 2 Pet. 1. 19  God's Sacred Writ  
For fear they miss their Harbour, or else hit  
Their Souls against those Rocks, Shelves, Sands which lie  
To Cross their voyage to Eternity.   

6.  
The Ebbing Sea discovers to the eye  
Those dangrous Rocks, Shelves, Sands, that hidden lie  
At full Sea Tides, which then oft drown and sink  
Those who approach them, when they least fear, think  
Of any danger: So the Ebbing State,  
The Crosses of Gods Chosen 
s Psal. 119. 67. 71. Ezech. 16. 62. 63. 2 Chron. 23. 11. 12. 13. Heb. 11. 24. 25. 26. 27.  Demonstrate  
And point out to them many Rocks, Shelves, Sands,  
To shipwreck Souls, betray them to the hands  
Of Hellish Pirates, which still hidden lie,  
And undiscerned in prosperity.  
By which they eat their danger, and commend  
These Ebbs, which from such perils them defend,  
Before those Full-Sea-Tides of wealth and joy,  
Which 
t Prov. 1. 32. Jer. 22. 21. 1 Joh. 2. 15. 16. 1 Tim. 6. 9 10.  Shipwreck thousands, and their Souls destroy.   

7.  
The lowest Ebb, hath still the highest Flood;  
Saints deepest sorrows 
v Psal. 1 26. 2. 3. 5. 6. Isa. 25. 8. 9 c. 35. 3. 4. 10. c. 61. 3. c. 9 3. 4. c. 65. 14. Mat. 5. 4. 11. 12. Rev 6. 9 14. 15. 16. 17.  end in greatest good:  
Their Floods of joy transcend their Ebbs of woe  
Beyond compare, and all their griefs outgo.   

8.  
When Seas are at their lowest Ebb, they then  
Forthwith begin to spring and flow. So men  
Beloved of God, when as they seem to lie  
At lowest 
w Ephes. 3. 20. 21. Gen. 22. 10. to 20. c. 42. 9 to 50. Exod. 12. and 14. Hest. 5. 6. 7. 8. & 9 Dan. 3. 8. to 30. c. 4. 33. 34. 35. 36. 37. c. 7. 15. to 28. Mat. 27. & 28. 1. 2. 1 Sam. 2. 6. 7. 8. Psal. 3. 2. 3.  Ebb, in deepest misery,  
Past help, past hope in Carnal men's account,  
Beyond all expectation, spring and mount  
Above their Crosses, and enjoy a Flood  
Of Peace, wealth, honour; and the greast good.  
If old examples fail, you may now view  
The truth hereof in some yet fresh and new.   

9  
God's 
x Psal. 95. 4. 5. Job 38. 2. 10.  Will and pleasure only is the Cause  
Why Seas do Ebb and flow; not any Laws  
Of Nature, Moon, or Planets: So the will  
And 
y Job 1. 21. 1 Sam. 3. 18. & 2. 6. 7. 8. Deut. 32. 39 Mat. 10. 29. 30. 31.  blessed pleasure of our God is still  
The first chief cause, of all the Ebbs and Tides  
Which here befall his Saints, nought else besides:  
Yea, as Sea Storms 
z Psal. 107. 25. 26. 27. Jon. 1. 4.  proceed from God, and toss  
Men up towards Heaven: So each storm and cross  
Which light on God's Elect 
a Psal. 73. 14. 25. 26. 28. Phi. 3. 26. Psal. 130. 1. 5. 6.  from him first springs  
And nearer Heaven them lifts up, and brings.   

10.  
The Sea is 
b Numb. 34. 3. 12.  Salt and brackish: Crosses are  
The like, at 
c Heb. 12. 11. Psal. 71. 20. Ruth. 1. 20.  first, to Saints who do them bear.   

11.  
The Saltest Seas the sweetest Fishes breed:  
Saints 
d 2 Cor. 1. 4. 5. 6. Heb. 12. 11. 12. Psal. 126. 5. 6.  sweetest comforts from the Cross proceed:  
Yea, as the best and largest Fish are found  
In Saltest waters: So the best, most sound,  
Large, strongest Christians, which we find, or know,  
In 
e Psal. 119. 67. 71. Isa. 48. 10. Jam. 5. 10.  harshest Floods of Sorrows always grow.   

12.  
The Seas salt waters cleanse and purify  
Things that are filthy: Thus adversity  
Doth 
f Dan. 12. 35. c. 12. 10. Isa. 1. 25. 1 Pet. 1. 7. Zech. 13. 9  purge and wash away from Gods Elect  
Those Spots, sins; vices, which their Souls infect.   

13.  
Seas brinish waters pickle and preserve  
Things from corruption: So 
g Psal. 119. 61. 71. 75. 2 Tim. 4. 17. 18. ●●● 30. 20. 21.  Afflictions serve  
To season Saints, who else would putrify,  
And rot in those foul sins, which now they fly.   

14.  
Sea storms drive Men to 
h Psal. 107. 27. 28. 29. Jon. 1. 4. to 16. Mat. 8. 24. 25.  prayers, cries, and tears,  
Augmented and intended by their Fears:  
Yea, make them post to Harbours, for relief;  
And bid the Sea adieu with Joy, not grief:  
Thus troubles cause the Saints to 
i Psal. 18. 6. 118. 15. 120. 1. Hos. 5. 15.  pray and cry  
To God for help with greater fervency;  
Intent, increase their prayers; make them 
k Psal. 143. 9 10. 11. 12.  fly  
To God their Harbour, for security;  
Cause them to loath and 
l Phil. 1. 21. 23. Job 10. 1. 1 King. 19 4.  leave this world with joy:  
Whose waves and Tempests them still sore annoy.   

15.  
And as great blustering storms do sooner drive  
Ships to the Harbours where they would arrive,  
Then Calmes and mildest Gales: So 
m Hosea 5. 15. Psal. 107. 27. 38. 30. Psal. 143. 9 10.  Crosses mend  
Gods darlings speed, and oft times sooner send  
Them unto Heaven, than 
n Psal. 30. 6. Jer. 22. 21. Pro. 1. 27.  prosperity,  
Which calms their Sails, and makes them still to lie.   

16.  
The Tempest that befell the Ship wherein  
The Prophet 
o Jonah 1.  Jonah fled, and slept in sin,  
Did never slack nor cease, till he was cast  
Into the Sea, which done, the storm was passed:  
So, Saints afflictions 
p Josh. 7. 11. 12. Jona. 3. 10. Hos. 5. 15. Isa. 27. 9 Ezeck. 16. 61. c. 36. 21. to 38.  never suage nor end,  
Till Jonah be cast out, and they amend,  
Which done, their Tempests cease, and calms succeed,  
Unless some other Jonah in them breed.   

17.  
In storms at Sea, the 
q Jer. 51. 42. Mat. 6. 24. Psal. 107. 27. 28. 29.  waves come on so fast,  
That fresh succeed before the first be passed:  
So Crosses on God's Saints so thick oft light  
To humble, 
* Dan. 11. 35.  try, purge, wash and make them bright:  
That one 
r Job. 1. 13. to 22. Psal. 42. 7. 88 7. & 34. 19 Isa. 54. 11.  treads on the others heels, and new  
Come on before the old bid them adieu.   

18.  
Yet, as Sea-storms, though long, still 
s Psal. 107. 28. 29. 30. Jon. 1. 5. Mat. 8. 24. 26. Psal. 8. 9  end at last  
In pleasant Calms; thus Cross, which so fast,  
So, thick press on God's Saints for many Days,  
(Yea months and years ofttimes) 
t Psal. 34. 19 & 37. 38. 39 40. Job 42. 10. 11. Jam. 5. 11. Psal. 94. 13. & 116. 7. Isa. 14. 3. c. 57 2. 1 King. 5. 4. Mic. 7. 8. 9  conclude always,  
In God's due time, in sweetest Calms of peace,  
And Tides of Joy: Blessed Tempests which so cease!  
O then in all thy sorrows, Troubles, still  
Wait and depend on God by Faith, who will  
(In 
v 1 Pet. 5. 6. Psal. 37. 34. Isa. 25. 9  fittest season) send such Joy and Ease  
As shall thine Heart cheer, and all storms appease.   

19  
The Seas great deluge did both 
x Gen. 7. & 8.  overflow  
The wicked old world, and it overthrow,  
Yet Righteous No did then escape its rage;  
And landed safely when the Flood did suage.  
Just thus, Afflictions waves and Deluge 
y Nah. 1. 8. 9 10. Jer. 15. 6. 7. Judg. 5. 31. Psal. 80. 16.  wrack,  
And drown all carnal wretches which do lack  
God's grace and faith to hold them up; when they  
Who with true faith, their souls on God can stay  
And Anchor; never sink; but swim and bear  
Their 
z Psal. 46. 1. 2. 3. 4. & 27. 1. 3 Rom. 8. 35. 36. 37. 38. 39 Mic. 7. 8. 9  heads above all Seas with joyful cheer;  
Arriving safely, when the Storms are past,  
In Heaven's Harbour, where they Anchor cast.   

20.  
All those who use the Sea, do ever mind  
The 
a Psal. 107. 30.  Port to which thy Sail; and as the wind  
Doth bring them nearer to it day by day  
Their Joys increase, the more sails on they lay,  
Longing to end their voyage, and arrive  
At that sweet Haven unto which they drive:  
Thus Gods Elect 
b Phil. 1. 23. c. 3. 2. 3. Rom. 8. 23. 2 Cor. 5. 1. 2. 3. 5. 8. Luk. 2. 29. 2 Tim. 4. 6. 7. 8. Rev. 22. 20.  have always in their Eye  
The Port above, to which they daily fly  
With all their speed and might, and as each day  
Doth bring them nearer to this happy Bay;  
Their inward Joys and Comforts still increase,  
The more they long there to arrive in peace:  
Mending their speed, embracing with delight  
(That which all others doth so sore affright)  
Grim 
* Luk. 2. 29. Gen. 46. 30.  pallid Death, the Pilot to convoy  
Them to this Haven of Eternal Joy.  
Lord, teach us Heavens Port thus still to eye  
Whilst here we sail, that when we come to die,  
We may attain it; and there safely ride  
Free from all perils of winds, storms, and tide.  
Lord make us thine Elect, that we may gain  
This Port, where all thy Saints in bliss shall reign.    

Meditations of the fourth Class.  
FUrther, the Sea doth fitly Charactrize  
Most wicked men's deportment, and their guise.  

1.  
For, as the Sea, so they still 
c Isa 57 20. 21. c. 1. 4. 5. 6. 2 King. 6. 33. 2 Chron. 28. 22. 23.  rage, foam, roar,  
When crossed, sick, pained storming more and more  
As their afflictions grow, and multiply;  
So as, their Physic proves their Malady;  
Whereas the godly are 
d Psal. 39 9 Lam. 3. 26. Judg. 10. 13. 1 Sam. 3. 18.  meek, patient, still,  
And silent in the greatest storms of ill.   

2.  
The Sea's 
e Isa. 47. 20. 21.  oft troubled, and then casts out nought  
But mire and dirt from its dis-gorging throat:  
Ungodly men are restless in their Mind,  
Much troubled, vexed; leaving nought behind  
But 
f 2 Chron. 28. 19 22. 23. 1 Cor 15. 33.  dirt and filth of Oaths, lewd talk, sins, crimes,  
And noisome lusts; which they cast up oft times  
In such abundance, that they soon 
g 1 Cor. 5. 6. Gal. 5. 9 2 Kin. 13. 6. c. 14. 29. c. 17. 21.  infect  
All places with the filth they thus eject.   

3.  
The Sea a 
h Ps. 104. 25. Lam. 4. 3.  world of ugly monsters breeds  
Within her womb, the which she daily feeds  
Whole 
i Rom. 1. 29. 30. 31. Act. 13. 10. Eph. 4. 19  worlds of monstrous Sins and lusts are bred  
In wicked Hearts, and daily nourished.   

4.  
The Sea is 
k Isa. 57 20. Jam. 1. 6. Gen. 49. 4.  floating and unconstant still,  
Moving with Wind and Tide which way they will  
Direct and steer its course; so wicked men  
Are 
l Gen. 49. 4. Jam. 1. 8. 2. Pet. 2. 14. c. 3. 16. Isa. 1. 5. c. 31. 6. Jer. 5. 23. c. 6. 28. c. 3. 6. 8. 11. 12. Hos. 11. 7.  fickle and unstable, even when  
They seem most firm; changing their friendship, love,  
Yea Faith, Oaths, Friends; as Times, Winds, Tides them move.   

5.  
We see, the Sea is 
m Eccles. 1. 7.  never full, though all  
Springs, Rivers, Waters, daily run and fall  
Into it; So though this world's streams all flow  
And fall into Ill men, they never grow  
The 
n Eccles. 5. 10. 12. 17. Pro. 30. 15.  fuller by them, but still empty are,  
The more they have, the more they cark and care.   

6.  
The Sea is 
o Psal. 135. 6. Gen. 1. 2. c. 7. 11.  deep, deceitful: Ill men too  
Are 
p Psal. 64. 6. Psal. 35. 20. and 43. 1. Jer. 17. 9  so: whence both a world of men undo:  
Then never make a wicked man thy Friend,  
For fear he cheat, undo Thee in the end.   

7.  
Seas show no mercy but 
q Exod. 14. 28. Gen. 7. 21. 22. 23.  devour, drown all  
Without remorse, who in their mouths once fall:  
Thus wicked men are 
r Prov. 12. 10. Hos. 12. 7. Act. 9 2. Zech. 3. 3. Mat. 2. 16.  cruel; merciless,  
Void of all pity, ready to oppress.  
And ruin all Sorts; no worth, parts, sex, age,  
Can rest exempted from their Hellish rage.   

8.  
The Sea is full of 
* Act. 27. 29.  Rocks, Shelves, Sands which split,  
Wreck, drown ships, boats, and men that on them hit.  
Ill men are 
s Prov. 5. 3. to 15. c. 1. 10. to 20. c. 7. 8. to 27.  fraught, with Rocks, Shelves, Sands of vice  
And sin, to which they others oft entice,  
Amidst the which they so long sail and play,  
Till both their souls be split and cast away.   

9  
The Sea is harsh, tart, brinish, and nought grows  
Upon those Sands and Banks it overflows:  
Ungodly men are 
t 1 Sam. 25. 10. 11. Rom. 1. 29. 30. 31. 2 Tim. 3. 2. 3. 4.  churlish, crabbed, rude,  
Unkind, at least to those who are renu'de:  
Barren of goodness, grace, truth, piety;  
And others make so by their company.  
No grace or goodness shall once 
v Isa. 5. 2. 7. 2. Tim. 2. 17. 1 Cor. 5. 8. Isa. 1. 5. 6. 7. 2 Chro. c. 28. & 33.  thrive, or sprout  
Where things are swayed by this wicked Rout.   

10.  
The 
x Psal. 104. 25. 26.  Sea is ever open night and day  
To all of all sorts, like a common way:  
Thus, lewd men's Hearts do always open lie  
To sins of 
y Rom. 1. 29. 30. 31. Ephes. 4. 19 2 Tim. 2. 26. Rom. 6. 12. 13. 17.  all kinds; no iniquity  
So great, strange, horrid, but may freely sail  
Within their Hearts, and over them prevail.   

11.  
The Seas salt waters far exceed the sweet  
And pleasant streams; yea, drown them when they meet,  
Ungodly men in number much Surmount  
Christ's chosen flock; so 
z Mat. 7. 13. 14. Luc. 13. 23. 24. Rom. 9 27. c. 10. 16. 1 Pet. 3. 20. Rev. 3. 4. Isa. 17. 5. 6. 1 King. 19 14.  small in Man's account,  
That they oft times are hardly seen; and lie  
Like wheat in chaff, hid in obscurity:  
From whence we learn that Papists ill conclude  
Their Church the truest, from her multitude.   

12.  
The Sea is Lawless, Lordlesse, 
a Joh. 9 8. Psal. 89. 9 Psal. 93. 4.  none can tame  
Or rule it, but that God that made the same:  
Lewd men are such, no 
b 2 Tim. 3. 2. 3. 4. Jam. 3. 7. 8. Psal. 2. 2. 3.  mortal wight but God  
Can break, tame, sway them, with his Iron Rod.   

13.  
Sea waters heated, soon grow cold again,  
And always after cold, harsh, salt, remain;  
So wicked men heat with afflictions fire  
Or some good fits of zeal, do 
* Psal. 106. 13. 21. Hos 6. 4.  soon retire  
Unto their former coldness, brackishness,  
Which to their 
* Joh. 8. 21. 24.  dying days do them possess.   

14.  
We see Sea waters themselves cast and mould  
Into each vessels shape, which doth them hold:  
So, ill men will themselves 
* Psal. 106. 35. 36. Judg. 1. 21. 33. c. 2. 2.  shape, and apply  
To every place, time, fashion, company;  
And water like, will suit themselves full well  
To any Sect, Religion, where they dwell.   

15.  
The Sea, with rage, the Rocks doth oft assail,  
To overturn them, yet can nought prevail,  
But still with loss self doth break and split,  
Not them, whiles its fierce waves against them hit:  
Thus wicked men, whilst they with fury rage  
Against our Rock Christ, or his Heritage,  
Themselves (not him, nor them) to 
c Psal. 2. 2. 3. 9 Rev. 2. 27. Ps. 50. 22. Mat. 21. 44. Isa. 8. 9  powder grind  
And in the close, nought but confusion find.  
O dash not then against these Rocks, which shall  
Stand 
d Psal. 125. 1. Prov. 10. 30. Isa. 33. 20. Mat. 7. 24. 25.  firm amidst all storms that on them fall:  
Lord let us never be of this lewd crew,  
But with thy grace our Hearts and Lives renew  
That so we may escape that 
e Rev. 19 20. c. 20. 10. c. 21. 8. Mat. 25. 41.  Lake of fire  
Where they shall ever feel thy scalding Ire.    

Meditations of the fifth Sort.  
ONce more, me thinks the Sea (which ever floats,  
But never rests,) presents unto my thoughts  
A lively Map of this vain World; (which, it.  
In some respects resembles very fit;)  
Yielding them ample Sea-room, for to hale,  
And chase this Theme with a delightful Gale,  
Until my roving Muse, quite tired shall  
Take in her Sails, and let her Anchor fall.  

1.  
Now to begin this pleasing chase? the Seas  
Are salt, harsh, brackish, and no Palates please:  
This world is 
f Ruth. 1. 20. 21. Exod. 1. 19 Job. 3. 10. c. 13. 26. c. 23. 2.  bitter, tart, and salt to all,  
Through sickness, sorrows, crosses, which befall  
Them in some kind or other, for to make  
Their Hearts more willing its love to forsake:  
But most unpleasant is it to God's Saints  
Of any others; whose most sad 
g Job 3. & 6. 10. Psa. 6. & 31. & 35. & 38. and 62. & 69 & 22. Lam. 1. & 2. & 3. & 4.  Complaints  
Of its 
h Job 7. 11. c. 9 18. c. 10. 1. c. 25. 25. Isa. 38. 15. 17. Lam. 1. 4. c. 3. 15.  sharp Brine, would pierce a heart of steel,  
And make all salt we in it taste, or feel.  
How can we then this brinish world once love,  
Or be unwilling from it to remove  
Unto that other? fraught with all 
i Psal. 16. 11. Isa. 35. 10. c. 51. 11. Rev. 22. 2. to 8.  delights,  
All sweetest Joys, and Soule-refreshing sights!   

2.  
Sea waters drunk down, hurt, gnaw, fret, decay  
The entrails, and oft times take life away:  
This brackish world, quaffed down, 
k Jam. 4. 4. 9 10. 1 Joh. 2. 15. 16. 17..  the soul annoys,  
Corrodes, consumes, and at the last destroys.  
Those who sip of it, sickly grow, but such  
Are passed all cure, who swallow overmuch.  
O let us never bib, carouse, or 
l 1 Cor. 7. 30. 31. 1 Joh. 2. 15. 16.  love  
Her poisonous cups, which do so deadly prove.   

3.  
Salt waters still increase, not quench men's thirst,  
He that drinks these, is drier than at first:  
This world's salt streams mens drought can never suage,  
The more they drink, the 
m Eccles 4. 8. c. 5. 15. Isa 56. 11.  more their thirst doth rage;  
A cup or two, still makes them long for more;  
And none so dry, as those who have most store  
Of this world's waters, which do only feed  
Not quench the dropsy; cause, not help their need.  
O taste not then her streams, but them defy,  
Which suage no thirst, but make men still more dry.   

4.  
The Sea is ever 
n Jam. 1. 6. Isa 57 20.  floating, changing place,  
State, and condition, never in one Case:  
Sometimes it flows a space; then ebbs again  
Forthwith; and Storms, its Calms still entertain.  
If now it smiles, anon it frowns, foams, swells,  
Ringing the changes more than any Bells:  
This 
o 1 Cor 7. 31.  world is flitting, fickle, mutable;  
We all like 
p Psal. 39 9 119. 19 Levit. 25. 23. 1 Chro. 29. 15. 1 Pet. 2. 11. Heb. 11. 8. 9 13. 14. 15. 16. 37. 38. Psal. 107. 4. 5.  strangers, pilgrims in it dwell,  
Roving from place to place till death arrest  
Our wand'ring Corpse, and lose us in Earth's breast.  
Sometimes the flowing Tides of happiness  
Mount us aloft; anon, some Ebbs depress  
And cast us down; far lower than before,  
As happy made, to be more vile and poor.  
One space a Calm or pleasant Gale doth smile  
And breath upon us; but within a while,  
Tempestuous storms and whirlwinds overtake,  
Toss; tear, split, sink us, and we shipwreck make.  
To day we rich are, 
q Job 1. 13. to 22. Prov. 23. 5.  ere to morrow poor;  
Well, in the morning, 
r 1 Sam. 4. 17 10 22. Job 8. 9 c. 14. l. 2. Jam. 3. 14. Isa. 37. 36. Psal. 103. 14. 15. 16. Luk. 18. 26. Psa 90. 5. 6. 7.  dead, or at death's door  
E'er night: in Honour and esteem this hour,  
The next, 
s Dan. 4. 3. to 35. c. 5. 30. 31. c 6. 23. Esth. 7.  cast down, base, withered like a flower.  
How many sailing in full streams of wealth,  
Pomp, Honour, Pleasure, Favour, Greatness, Health  
And all contentments which the world can give  
Unto her darlings, whilst they therein live,  
Have in one 
t Esther. 7. Dan. 4. 33.  hours' space, been stripped of all,  
And dashed in pieces with a sudden fall?  
How many 
v Exod. 14. 27. 28. Num. 31. 7. 8. 9 Josh. 8. & 10. 11. & 12. Judg. 1. 6. 7. c. 7. & 8. 1 King 16. 22. 2 King. 9 & 11. & 13. 14. 15. 16. 17. & 19 21. 23. 24. & 25. 2 Chron. 36. 1. to 22. Dan. 4. 30. to 35. c. 5. 30. 31. Act. 12. 21. 22. 23.  mighty Kings, States, Monarchies,  
Have in a moment felt such miseries,  
Such fatal changes in their worldly State,  
As no Heart could conceive no tongue relate?  
Unconstant world (more full of changes then  
The Sea or Moon) how can the sons of men  
Once 
x 1 Joh. 2. 15. 16. 17.  love or trust thee? Go, cheat  
Thy sickly friendship ever will defy.   

5.  
The Sea is full of 
y Act. 27. 29.  Rocks, which sink and quash.  
Those Ships, Barks, Boats, that do against them dash:  
This world hath far more Rocks to wrack and Split  
The Souls of such as do against them hit.  

z 1 Joh. 2. 15. 16. 17. c. 5. 19 Jam. 4. 4. 1 Tim. 6. 9 10. 11.  Wealth, honours, lusts, pomps, pleasures, pride of Life,  
With sundry other Rocks, are here at strife  
Which shall most souls destroy, and sink to Hell,  
In Seas and 
a Rev. 19 20. c. 20. 10. Mat. 25. 41.  Lakes of brimstone still to dwell.  
How dare we then approach these Rocks, or run  
Upon them, which whole Millions have undone?  
Or take delight this world's ill Seas to cross,  
Where most are Wrecked, none scape without some loss?   

6.  
The Sea a smiling, shining azure face  
And lovely outside hath herself to grace;  
Wherewith she hides her savage cruelty,  
Rocks, Shelves, Gulfs, and those Monsters that do lie  
Close couched in her, to wreck and to devour  
All those her beauty draws within their power.  
This cheating flattering world, men's souls to train  
Into her deadly Snares (where they remain  
Fast hampered till they perish) still presents  
Herself to them, decked with such Ornaments,  
Such outside, beauty, pomp, State, gaudiness,  
And seeming shows of present happiness,  
As ravish most men's Eyes and Hearts 
b 1 Joh. 15. 16. 17. Jam. 4. 4. Col. 3. 2.  with Love  
Of her, and turn them from the things above.  
Whereas, if they once saw, or could descry  
Those horrid Monsters, Rocks, gulfs, snares that lie  
Hid under her fair surface, they would shun  
Her Love, and faster from, than to her run  
O let us view her entrails, not her skin;  
She's Gold without, but Poison, Dross, within.   

7.  
The Sealyes open to all 
c Jonah. 1. 4. Psal. 107. 25. 26. 29.  storms and winds,  
This world exposed is unto 
d Joh. 16. 33. 1 Pet. 5. 9 2 Cor. 6. 4. 2 Tim. 3. 11. 12. 2 Cor. 4. 8. to 13.  all kinds  
Of Tempests, Crosses, Losses, Gusts, and Harms:  
How can we then lie sleeping in her Arms?  
Or hope to find peace, rest, content, or bliss  
In her, where we are certain all to miss?   

8.  
The Clouds above much darken, and obscure  
The Seas bright shining face, whiles they endure:  
So clouds of crosses sent from God, deface  
This world's bright Luster, much eclipse her grace;  
Making her 
e Job 10. 1. 1 Joh. 2. 15. 16. 2 Cor. 5. 2. 3. 4. Rom. 8. 19 to 24.  loathsome in these very Eyes,  
Which in her Sunshine, did her over prize.   

9  
Those Fogs, Clouds, Storms, which dark the light-some skies  
Eclipse the Sunshine, work much harm, arise  
Out of the 
f 1 King. 19 43. 44. Job 38. 8. 9  Sea at first: Most clouds of woes  
Mists, fogs of sorrows which do interpose  
'twixt Men and Heaven, hiding Gods sweet Face  
And presence from them, with his Rays of grace,  

g 1 Tim. 6. 9 10. Jam. 5. 1. to 7. Eccles. 2. 22. 23.  Vexing their Hearts, Minds, Souls, do ever spring  
From this world's Seas, which nought but mischief bring.  
O let us never fix our minds or Hearts  
On her, that is the cause of all our smarts!   

10.  
The lowest Ebbs Sea's highest Tides succeed:  
men's greatest falls from this world's heights proceed;  
Expect then when her Tides do highest flow,  
Some 
h Esth. c. 6. to 9 Dan. 4. 30. to 34. Act. 12. 11. 12. 13. Luk. 12. 15. to 21.  great approaching Ebb to bring thee low.  
Let not then her spring Tides of happiness  
Make men secure, proud, haughty, or to bless  
Themselves without good cause, since none so nigh  
Are to a fall, as those she mounts most high.   

11.  
The Breaches which the Sea makes on the maine  
Are 
i Lam. 2. 13. 2 Sam. 1. 20.  hardly made up, or repaired again:  
The Ruptures which this world's Floods daily make  
Upon those Souls they batter, enter, take,  
Are 
k Heb. 6. 5. 6. 7. 2 Tim. 4. 10. Mat. 13. 20. 1 Cor. 7. 31. 33. 34. Gal. 1. 4. 1 Tim. 6. 17. 2 Pet. 2. 17. 20. 21.  hardly cured and stopped up? Beware  
Their Breaches then, and them prevent with care;  
Their entrance is at first with Ease debarred  
But once got in, them to repulse is hard.   

12.  
All Rivers 
l Eccles. 1. 7.  run into the Sea, yet still  
It empty is, and never hath its fill,  
The streams of most men's Cares, thoughts, labours, brains,  
Into this world's Sea run, which yet remains  
As 
m Eccles. 5. 10. Isa. 56. 11.  empty as before. O then bestow  
Nought upon that which never full will grow.   

13.  
Most liveless things, as metals, stones, dust, sand  
And ponderous bodies 
n Exod. 15. 5. 10.  sink down out of hand  
As soon as cast into the Sea; where drowned,  
They are so lost, that they cannot be found.  
Yet trees, which mount from Earth up to the sky  
Whiles they are growing; and such fowls as fly  
Up towards heaven, safely 
o Gen. 7. 17. 18.  swim, and ride  
Upon the Sea, not fearing, winds, storms, tide:  
So men, deprived of the Life of Grace  
Made all of 
p Psal. 10. 18. Joh. 3. 31. Phi. 3. 19 Col. 3. 2.  Earth, on which they fix and place  
Their hearts and thoughts; no sooner launch or fall  
Into this world's Sea, but they sink down all  
So deep into it, that it 
q 1 Tim. 6. 9 10. 2 Tim. 4. 10. Eccl. 2. 22. 23. 1 Joh. 5. 19  drowns them quite,  
And in a moment swallows out of sight.  
Whereas Gods chosen Saints, whose hearts and Love  
Are ever centred on the 
r Phil. 2. 20. Col. 3. 1. 20. 1 Joh. 5. 4. 5. Jam. 1. 27. 1 Cor. 7. 33.  things above,  
And soaring upwards, safely swim and bear  
Themselves above her floods, and still appear.   

14.  
Sea waters quench not, but increase the flame  
On which men cast them. This worlds do the same;  
Her streams 
s Eccles. 5. 10. Isa. 56. 11. Hab. 2. 5.  augment, not quench men's raging fire,  
The more they have, the more they still desire.  
Why should we then affect her floods, or store  
Which never make us rich, but ever poor?   

15.  
The Sea still 
t Jona. 1. 13.  moves and runs with Wind and Tide,  
These steer this World, and do her Rudder guide:  
If Times, Winds, Tide, move with us, then will she  
Run 
v 2 King. 9 30. to 35. c. 10. 1. to 12. Esth. c. 6. & 7. & 8. Pro. 14. 20. Lam. 1. 2. 8. Psa. 88 18. Prov. 19 20. c. 19 14. 19 Psal. 38. 11.  with us too, and friendly seem to be;  
But let them once, begin on us to frown,  
she'll join with them to wreck and cast us down.  
O false deceitful world, who dost forsake  
All when they need thee most, and never take  
Their parts but when they need thee not, adieu:  
Unconstant friends are ever false, not true.   

16.  
The Sea the Earth doth compass and 
x Gen. 2. 11. Lam. 2. 13. Hab. 3. 9 10. Amos 9 5. Ezech. 27. 34.  surround,  
Some parts whereof by it are often drowned:  
Just so this 
y 2 Pet. 2. 20. 21. c. 1. 4. Gal. 1. 4.  world environs men about,  
Their Souls to swallow, so that ' few swim out  
Or scape her danger. O thrice happy he  
That can sail through it, and not drowned be.   

17.  
Sea fights of any other are most fell,  
Fierce, bloody, dangerous, hot and terrible.  
The Battles which this 
z 2 Pet. 2. 19 20. 21. 1 Cor. 3. 18. 19 Gal. 1. 4. Eph. 2. 2. Eph. 6. 12. Col. 2. 8. 20. 1 Tim. 6. 17. 2 Tim. 4. 10. Jam. 4. 4. 1 Joh. 2. 15. 16. 1 Joh. 5. 4. 5. 19  world doth daily make  
Against men's Souls them to destroy, or take,  
Are far more dangerous, deadly, worse than those  
Wherewith the Flesh, or Devil them oppose:  
Her Engines, trains, assaults, theirs much exceed,  
And none can scape them without special heed.   

18.  
As Ships built on the Land with force, toil, be  
Still launched and dradge out into the Sea:  
So man whence once formed in his Mother's womb  
With painful 
a Gen. 3. 16. c. 35. 16. 17. 18. Job 3. 3. 4. 5. 8.  Labour is enforced to come;  
And launched by her into the world's wide Sea,  
Where he from winds and storms is seldom free.  
Hence he with sighs, tears, cries, 
b Job 14. 1. 2. c. 3. 3. to 26.  laments in vain,  
As soon as borne, what he must here sustain:  
O let us then with 
c Luk. 2. 29. 30. Gen. 46. 30. Job 3. 3. to 10. Rev. 22. 20.  songs and shouts of joy  
Leave this world's Sea, which doth us sore annoy:  
And sith we enter it with tears, cries, pain,  
Its madness thus to part from it again.  
What we with force, grief, sobs, first undertake;  
We should with 
d Phil. 1. 20. 23. 2. Cor. 5 2. 31. 5. Rom. 8. 22. 23.  cheerful hearts at last forsake.  
Like ships, which gladly run themselves a shore;  
Because perforce launched into Seas before.  
And yet the most with greater 
e Psal. 55. 4. 116. 3.  grief (O Sin!)  
Depart this world, than they it entered in,  
And must by might, with groans, tears, shrieks and cry  
Be pulled out thence, and forced with woe to die.  
Blessed Lord God, so steer our ships and Helm  
Through this world's Sea, which would us overwhelm,  
And wreck for ever, that we may at last  
Gain heavens blessed Port, and there sure Anchor cast.    

Meditations of the sixth Sort.  
IN fine, the Sea suggests to each good mind  
These Meditations which are yet behind.  

1.  
First, when we see the Sea, it readily  
Presents that vow and 
f 1 Cor. 10. 2. 1 Pet. 3. 21.  Baptism to our eye,  
Which make us Christians, and oblige us still  
The 
g 1 Joh. 2. 15. 16. 17.  World, Flesh, Devil, with their Pomp, Lusts, will  
Quite to renounce; and ever to obey  
Gods holy Laws, who washed our sins away  
In these Baptismal waters; to the 
h Rom. 6. 1. to 20. c. 14. 7. 8. Luk. 1. 74. 75. Gal. 1. 4.  end  
That we by sinning should no more offend  
His Sacred goodness, but spend all our days  
In just, good, holy actions, to his praise.  
O then when ever we the waters see  
Let these things to our minds recalled be,  
To mend our Lives, renew our vows, and make  
Us World, Flesh, Devil, and their Lusts forsake.   

2.  
Crosse-Seas whose boisterous Tides by turns o'ersway  
Each other, and enforce their streams to stray  
Quite from their proper course, and overbeare  
Them so, that they their motions counter-steare  
To that course they intent; in lively wise  
A Newborn Christians state unto our Eyes  
Present, in whom two 
i Gal 5. 16. 17. 18. Rom. 7. 13. to 25.  Cross Seas, Tides contend  
And meet each day, contesting without end  
To overbeare each other: Sometimes the  
Floods of their fleshly Lust's prevailers be,  
And overbeare the Spirits counter-tydes,  
Which at the last prevail, put flesh besides  
Its course and channel, and through heaven's great might  
Bear down its streams, and over-comes them quite.   

3.  
The floating Sea when it invades the Land,  
And drowns the Coasts that next unto it stand;  
Paints out that 
k Gen. 7. & 8. 2 Pet. 2. 5. 1. Pet. 3. 20.  deluge in the days of Noy  
Which did the wicked old world quite destroy.  
And then instructs us with all care to fly  
Those sins which 
l 1 Tim. 6. 9 10. Rev. 20. 10. c. 21. 8. c. 19 20.  drown us for eternity,  
Both Soul and Body in the fiery Lake.  
This thought should move us, all sins to forsake.   

4.  
When we behold men, goods, lead, stones, 
m Exod. 15. 5. 10.  sink down  
Into the Sea, which them doth quickly drown  
So deep, that they can never rise again:  
It paints forth Hell unto us very plain,  
That sinks, 
n Revel. 19 20. c. 20. 10. c. 21. 8. Mat. 25. 41. 42.  drowns, tortures, for eternity  
men's souls and bodies, which there chained lie,  
So fast, so deep, that they can never rise,  
Nor swim out thence: Which should us all advice,  
To fly all sins; yea, more to fear and mind  
This fiery Lake, whence none redemption find.  
And sith all fear in Seas for to be drowned,  
How should they dread this Lake, that's more profound.   

5.  
The Sands on Seashores, which do far surpass  
All 
o Gen. 22. 15. c. 32. 12. Josh. 11. 4. 1 King. 7. 20. 29.  number, shows us like a Christ all glass  
Those multitudes of sins that in us breed  
Which do the 
p Job. 6. 3. Psal. 40. 10.  Sands in number far exceed,  
To make us humble. And each flowing Tide,  
Which doth the Sand both moisten, drown and hide  
From time to time, instructs us every day,  
With Floods of 
q Psal. 6. 6. Jer. 9 1. 18. Lam. 2. 10. 18.  tears our sins to wash away;  
And in Christ's 
r 1 Joh. 1. 7. Mich. 7. 19  blood them so to drown, and hide,  
Through Faith, that they may be no more espied.  
If thus we think, learn, do, by what we see,  
From day to day, thrice happy shall we be.   

6.  
The springing Tide which by degrees doth flow  
To Full-Sea mark, and then by steps falls low,  
With ships first built, then launched, next rigged, then sent  
And put to Sea, till they be wrecked or spent:  
Paint out Man's 
s Job 7. & 14.  birth, growth, age, death to our sight,  
With all those Floods, Ebbs, changes that do light  
Upon him from the womb unto his Urn,  
Where he mere 
t Gen. 3. 19 Eccles. 3. 20. c. 12. 7.  dust, shall unto dust return.   

7.  
The 
v Gen. 7. & 8. 1 Pet. 3. 20. 21. 2 Pet. 2. 5.  Ark of old, which on the floods did float,  
And saved Noah, with each Ship and boat  
Which cross the Seas, and those in safety keep  
That in them sail, when others in the deep  
Deprived of these, are drowned; sweetly show  
To us Gods Churches State, which here below  
On this world's Sea, doth 
x Isa. 42. 2. 2 Tim. 4. 17. 18.  safely float and ride  
(Though 
y Psal. 109. 23. Isa. 54. 11. Job 7. 4.  tossed and torn with Tempests, Winds, and tide)  
And 
z 1 Pet. 3. 20. 21. Joh. 15. 4. 5. 6. 7. Act. 2. 47.  saves all such as in her sail and stay;  
When all without, are drowned and cast away.  
Let this induce us in Christ's Church to dwell,  
Live, die, for fear we drown, and sink to Hell.   

8.  
The vastest Sea is 
a Jo● 38. 8. 10. 11. Psa. 104. 9 Jer. 5. 22. Prov. 29.  bounded, and obeys  
The Laws and Edicts, which God on its lays,  
As well as smallest springs, or streams: How then  
Dare greatest monarchs; Princes, Kings, or Men  
Themselves deem boundless, lawless and exceed  
The banks and 
b 2 Sam. 23. 2. 3. 4. Deut. 17. 15. to 22. 2 Chron. 9 8. Ps. 2. 10. 11. 12.  Laws which God to them decreed?  
Let senseless Seas now teach them to contain  
Within due Bounds, and not to over-straine.   

9  
When Seas through winds or storms do 
c Gen. 7. 8. 8. Neh 1. 8. 2 Pet. 2. 6. Jer. 47. 2. Isa. 48. 2.  overflow,  
Or break their banks, great mischiefs, losses grow  
From thence to men and Beasts, (which then are drowned)  
And all such places which they do surround:  
When Kings, or great ones out of Avarice,  
Pride, Lust, Ambition, or some other vice  
Outswell, or break the bounds which God hath set,  
A 
d Exod. 14. 22. to 31. Josh. c. 3. to c. 14. Judg. c. 1. to 15.  Flood of woes and mischiefs they beget,  
Wherein they drown themselves and many more;  
And then, too late, their dismal Fates deplore.  
Let Kings and Grandees than take special heed,  
How they their fined Bounds break, or exceed.   

10.  
The Sea below doth ever flow Ebb move,  
As 
e Psal. 104. 6. to 14. c. 107. 25. 26. 29.  God himself doth steer it from above:  
So men on Earth, their thoughts, words, acts should frame  
And Guide, as 
f Psal. 119. 9 Gal. 6. 16.  God above directs the same.   

11.  
Now waters ever stink or putrify  
Whiles they within their 
g Psal. 104. 6. to 14.  Channels move, and lie:  
But once removed out of their proper place,  
Or let lie still, they stink, and lose their grace.  
Thus men do seldom rot in sins, lusts, vice  
Whilst they their 
h 2 Thes. 3. 6. to 14. Rom. 12. 6. 7. 8.  honest calling, exercise  
And keep within their Compass. But if they  
Grow 
i Ezech. 16. 49. 1 Tim. 5. 12. 13. 2 Thes. 3. 6. to 13. Pro. 19 15.  idle, lazy, or begin to stray  
Out of their fixed Stations, in short space  
They rot and stink, in Sins to their disgrace.  
O then beware of sleep and idleness  
Which 
k Ezech. 16. 45. 50.  rot and Slay the Souls they once possess.   

12.  
When I perceive the Seas sweet flowing tide  
Upon the dry Sands, shores to creep, steal, glide  
By senseless steps, until it drown them quite:  
It represents unto my thoughts, mind, sight,  
Howsinnes and vices by 
l Heb. 3. 12. 13. Jam. 1. 14. 15.  degrees, creep, grow,  
On men, till they them drown and overflow.  
O then let all, their first progress withstand  
Else they will them soon 
m Heb. 12. 1. 2 Tim. 6. 9  drown, as Seas do Land:  
Nay worse; since flowing Seas still Ebb again,  
And leave the Sands dry: Sins still flow and gain  
On Men, and drown them each day 
n Revel. 22. 11. 2 Tim. 3. 13.  more and more  
They know no Ebbs, but flow and ne'er give o'er.   

13.  
The Ebbing Sea which all its filth behind  
Leaves on the shore; should put all men in mind  
How their Ebbs, and afflictions should still make  
Them all their filth of sin quite to 
o Rev. 7. 14. Dan. 11. 35. Isa. 1. 25.  forsake;  
Which being once cast up upon the shore,  
Must 
p Psal. 85. 8. Hos. 14 8.  never be resumed by them more.   

14.  
When I behold Our Females wash away  
With water, all black spots of Ink, Soot, Clay,  
Which on their faces fall by accident,  
I wonder much, and cannot but lament  
To see some spot their faces studiously  
With Antic Patches of a Sable dye;  
Should God himself their visage thus bespot  
They would repute it an uncomely Blot  
A great dishonour, and use all their skill  
To cure, or hide such black spots, Moles as ill:  
How dare they then use Artificial spots  
Which they, if native, would repute for blots  
And deem a blemish to their beauty, nay  
A sad ill Omen? May I not then say  

q Deut. 32. 5.  These spots are not the spots of God's Children  
Which make them odious to God and good Men,  
Who love 
r Job 11. 15.  no spots, since Christ his blood out-shed  
To cleanse his chosen from all 
s Eph. 5. 27. Cant. 4. 7. Job. 11. 15. 1 Pet. 1. 19 2. Pet. 3. 14.  Spots and dread,  
Wash off, renounce these Satan- Spots, lest He  
Them Satan's Spots adjudge, and you to be  
His marked Vassals, not his own washed train  
Sith such black spots upon your face remain.  
To wear white Linen 
t Judas 23.  spotted, is disgrace,  
What is it then to wear a spotted Face,  
And that in Gods own presence? Certainly  
It cannot but be sin or infamy.  
A Spotless Soul abhors a 
v Job 11. 15. 1 Pet. 1. 19  spotted Face  
Which where all's clean within, can have no place  
By Christ's own verdict, so that all may fear  
Inward uncleanness where such 
y 2 Pet. 2. 13. Judas 12.  spots appear;  
Which spring no doubt from 
* Isa. 3. 16. to 25. 1 Joh. 2. 15 16. Rom. 12. 1. 2. 1 Tim. 2. 9 10.  Pride, lust, wantonness,  
Or following great Vain Persons antique Dress,  
The Sea which hates spots, shall in judgement rise  
Against all who with spots their Fronts disguise.   

15.  
The flowing Seas, which seem to kiss, embrace  
The shore in lovely sort, yet in short space  
Recoil again, and leave it naked, dry,  
And faster from than to it use to fly,  
Paint out in lively sort before our Eyes  
Those hollow hearted friends unconstant guise  
Who in the flood of men's prosperity  
Can hug, embrace, protest to live and die  
Together with them, But as soon as they  
Begin to Ebb, and their estates decay,  
Forthwith 
z Nah. 3. 17. Rev. 18. 10. Ps. 35. 14. 15. Psa. 41. 9 10. Psal. 88 18. Pro. 14. 20. Job 16. 20. c. 19 14. to 20. Psal. 38. 11. Prov. 19 4. 7.  retire, and in post from them fly,  
Leaving them naked in their misery.  
This is the common friendship, now adays,  
Wherein true Friends deserve both love, Crown's praise,  
Who still stick closest in 
a Pro. 17. 17. c. 18. 24.  adversity  
And then draw nearest when all others fly.   

16.  
Few put to Sea, or come a shore, but when  
It flows, not Ebbs, which Character, that Men  
Delight to 
b Job. 29. 2. to 25. Luk. 16. 19 Jam. 5. 3. 5. 6.  swim still in prosperity  
And flowing streams, shunning adversity,  
With Ebbs of Fortune; though the 
c Psal. 119. 71. 67. Heb. 12. 11.  School of grace  
And virtue, which in full Seas scarce find place:  
For as the flowing Sea still runs amain  
Towards the Earth, and never turns again  
Till Ebbs recall it: So prosperities  
Increasing Flood, men's hearts, minds, loves, carries  
Still towards 
d Jam. 5. 1. to 8. Prov. 1. 32. Phil. 3. 19  Earth and worldly things below  
Drowning all Graces, virtues that should grow  
Within them; till some cross Ebbs which befall  
Them, their hearts, thoughts affections quite 
e 2 Chro. 33. 12. to 20.  recall  
From Earth and worldly things, to things above  
Turning the stream of their desires, hearts love  
To God and grace above, the Port, But, End  
To which our Thoughts, Acts, motions should still tend.  
O 
f Psa. 119. 71. 1 Pet. 1. 6. 7. Heb. 12. 3. to 12. Rom. 5. 3. 4. 5.  happy Ebbs, which mount our souls on high  
And them translate from Earth above the sky:  
Were it not for these Ebbs, few would arrive  
At heaven's blessed Port, to which they most mwn drive.   

17.  
When 'tis full Sea at one place, it is then  
Low Ebb at others, It's Just so with men:  
Somes wealth, flood, greatness, others make poor, low.  
And these their Ebbs, cause them to spring, rise, flow.  
'tis never full Sea at once in all climes,  
Nor in all men's Estates, which have their times  
To 
g Psal. 30. 5. 6. 7. Psal. 107. 40. 41. Ps. 113. 7. 8.  Ebb and flow by turns; we cannot all  
Be happy here; when some rise, some must fall.  
Yea, those who have the highest worldly Flood,  
Have oft with it the lowest Ebbs of good:  
Their Floods of 
h 2 Tim. 4. 10. Hos. 4. 7. c. 10. 1. Prov. 1. 32.  worldly wealth, Pomp, State, effect  
Strange Ebbs of Grace, and make them God neglect.   

18.  
The Sea in Calmes, and where no Rocks, Shelves lie,  
To cross its course, runs smooth without waves, cry;  
But crossed by winds, storms, rocks, sands, instantly  
It swells, roars, fumes, and rageth furiously  
Beyond all measure, caring not to split  
And break itself 'gainst Rocks that hinder it:  
Thus many men who seem mild, meek and sweet  
Of Nature, whiles they with no winds, rubs meet  
Which Cross their Wills, designs, swell foam, 
i 1 King. 13. 4. Dan. 3. 11. to 23.  rage, fret,  
Storm, and all rules of reason quite forget.  
Oft in a moment, when crossed in their will  
Aims, Ends, Lusts, Causes, whether good or ill;  
And like some furious, Bedlams, void of wit,  
Will in their fits of choler rather split  
And wreck themselves for ever, than not have  
Their wills in all things, which they seek or crave.  
This Bedlam fury doth too oft undo  
Those it possesseth, if not looked unto  
In time, and quite subdued, especially  
Great men, or those who would be climbing high.  
Let all them fly it: 'tis men's shame to be  
As mad, rash, raging, as the Senseless Sea;  
And to permit their stations to transport  
Them past the bounds of reason, in this sort.   

19  
When I behold men with much toil to row,  
And beat the Seas ofttimes when cross winds blow,  
Or tides against them run till they with pain  
Their wished Haven at the last obtain.  
It minds me how all Christians while below  
In this world's Sea, 
k Luk. 13. 24.  should daily strive and row,  
Against all winds, Tides, Storms, which cross or drive  
Them from Heaven's Port, till they therein arrive  
In safety: which blessed Harbour none can gain  
Without much 
l 1 Cor. 9 24 25. 26. 27.  labour, rowing; sweat, and pain.   

20.  
It's dangerous crossing of the Seas at night;  
When neither Sun, Moon, Stars yield any light.  
Hence most ships in the night are cast away  
For want of light, when few are wrecked by day;  
This world's Seas are most dangerous, specially  
In darkest Nights, when no light from on high  
Of saving Grace or 
m Joh. 11. 9 10. Hos. 4. 6. Mar. 15. 14. 1 Joh. 2. 11. Joh. 12. 35.  knowledge doth appear  
Within men's souls, whereby their course to steer.  
Needs must men perish then for want of light  
To shun Rocks, Shelves, and guide their ships aright.  
We should then for this light of Grace more pray  
And long, than 
* Act. 27. 29.  Seamen in a storm for Day.   

21.  
The deepest Seas run silent without noise  
When as the shallow, roar, lift up their voice;  
With horrid rage and outcry. So we see  
The deepest, wisest men most silent be,  
Making least noise or brags, and 
* Psal. 39 1. 2. 9  patiently  
Under all storms and Crosses quiet lie.  
When shallow Pates like 
* 1 Cor. 13. 1.  empty vessels make  
The greatest noise, brags, and most on them take;  
And being crossed, pinched with adversity,  

* Isa. 59 11. c. 57 20. 21.  Roar, rage, storm, vex like Bedlams furiously.  
To brag, vaunt, rage, foam, chafe and over-prate,  
Is a sure Symptom of a shallow Pate.   

22.  
Whiles that the Sunbeams on the Sea shine bright  
They make her shine so, that she blears the sight  
And eyes of men, with those mere borrowed Rays  
Which she reflects, and so to them conveys:  
But let the Sun set, or a cloud it hide,  
Her shining lustre's gone, and not espied;  
When as the Sunshine of prosperity  
Breaks out on this 
o 1 Joh. 15. 2. 15. 16. 17.  world's Sea, it blears the eye  
Of Carnal men, and makes her shine so bright  
That nought to them seems half so clear, or light,  
Though all her Lustre be but borrowed Rays,  
Which 
p 1 Cor. 7. 31. Eccles. 1. & 2.  pass away, and in her make no stays:  
As soon as Clouds or Crosses hide this Sun,  
Her glory fades, and all her splendor's gone;  
O dote not then upon her hired light,  
Which if it lasts all day, still 
q Psa. 49. 16. 17. 18. Jer. 15. 9 Amos 8. 9  sets at Night.   

23.  
The Sea is liquid, and whiles men do think  
To walkeupon it, down they fall and 
r Psal. 69. Mat. 14. 30. 31.  sink;  
Unfaithful friends are like; whiles we rest, stay  
On them, we fall, sink, and are cast away.  
Try then before you trust; and 
t Isa. 2. 22. Psal. 146. 3. Psa. 118. 8. 9  rest on none  
Who are mere flesh, but upon God alone:  
Who 
v Psal. 61. 8. Deut. 31. 6. Josh. 1. 5. Psal. 27. 9 10. Psal. 60. 11.  never fails, when false friends from us fall  
And true Friends die, or cannot help at all.   

24.  
When we behold Seas constantly to flow  
In spite of winds & storms which on them blow,  
Twice every day; It minds us how each day  
We 
x Psal. 92. 2. 55. 17. Ps. 53. & 56. 8. & 88 13. Dan. 6. 10. 1 Thes. 5. 17. Ephes. 6. 18. Luk. 18. 1. c. 23. 36.  twice, at least, to God should duly pray,  
Maugre all Winds, Storms, Sports, Works, Company,  
That would us hinder from this piety.  
A type whereof the 
y Exod. 29. 39 c. 30. 7. 8. Leu. 6. 12. 20. 1 Chro. 16. 40. 2 Chron. 2. 4. c. 13. 11. c. 31. 7. Ezra. 3. 3.  double Sacrifice  
Of old each day, did paint forth to our eyes:  
And as Sea-waters always jointly flow,  
Twice every day together, whence they grow  
More strong and great: So every family  
Wherein the 
z The practice of Piety p. 26 1. etc. Heb. 10. 24. 25. Deut. 6. 6. 7. c. c. 11. 19 18. 20. Psal. 95. 1. 2. 3. 4. 5.  Practice of true Piety  
Or gifts of grace reside, should twice each day  
Morning and Evening, to God jointly pray,  
As well as privately; that so their Tears,  
Sighs, Cries might sound more loud, sweet, in God's ears,  
And 
a Rom. 13. 30. 31. Philem. 22. 1 Thes. 5. 2●. 2. & 3. 1. Heb. 13. 18. 2 Cor. 1. 11.  more prevail with him; O happy they  
Who with pure Hearts to God thus daily pray.   

25.  
When we espy ships driven quite besides  
Their course and Compass, with storms, Winds, and Tides,  
In darkest nights, and tempests for to cross,  
Sail, pass in safety, without wreck, bruise, loss,  
Amidst unknown most dangerous, Rocks, Shelves when  
All 
b Act. 27. 20. to 44. Psa. 107. 25. to 31.  hopes of safety fail in thoughts of men,  
Sith divers ships have there been cast away  
Though steered by skilful Pilots, at midday  
In Calmes and fairest weather: we must thence  
Conclude, and cry, God's secret 
c Act. 20. 27. 31. to 40. Psal. 107. 24. to 31. Isa. 22. 2. Jon. 2. 6. Psal. 66. 12.  Providence  
(The best and only Pilot) did direct  
Their Helm, and them from Shipwrecks thus protect.  
And learn that humane skill, Art, nought avails  
Unless God steers the Rudder, guides the Sails.  
No matter then what ere the Pilot be,  
If God us guide, we shall from wrecks be free.  
O Let us 
d Psal. 78. 53. Psal. 3. 8. 43. 2. & 68 20.  pray to him always to steer  
Our Helms, than we no Rocks, wrecks, need to fear,  
And shall sail safe, whiles others who rely  
Upon their skill, not God, wreck, split, drown, die:   

26.  
When I behold sweet pleasant streams to fall  
Into salt Seas at last, which drown them all.  
I thereby learn, how worldly jollity,  
And streams of sinful pleasures 
e Luk. 16. 25. Job 21. 11. 12. 13. Pro. 14. 13. Rev. 18. 7. 8. Amos 6. 1. to 8.  end only  
In Seas of brinish tears, in floods of grief,  
And plunge men into 
f Job 21. 12. 13. Isa. 5. 11. to 16. Luk. 16. 19 to 26. Eccl. 11. 9  Hell past all relief.  
Fly then these pleasant streams which ever end  
In saltest Seas, and men post to Hell send.   

27.  
When Mariners or Passengers long lie  
Waiting for Wind, and opportunity  
To cross the Seas to those Ports, Towns, Countries  
To which they bound are, they will in no wise  
Let slip, but take the first good Gale; which lost  
May quite undo, or put them to great cost.  
Their Wisdom should instruct all those who lie  
On Earth below, for passage to their high  
And Heavenly Country, never to omit  
One 
g Heb. 3. 7. 8. 12. 13. 15. c. 4. 1. 11. 16.  Gale of Grace which blows well towards it,  
But whiles Life, Time, and means of Grace endure  
And breath upon them, to make heaven sure,  
And post on to it, with full Sails each day;  
For fear they 
* Mat. 25. 9 to 12.  lose their passage through delay.  
One Gale of Grace or opportunity  
Neglected, may lose us eternity.  
God's 
h Luk. 19 42 Psal. 95. 7. 8. 11. 1 Thes. 5. 19  Spirit, which blows when and where it will  
Must not be slighted, but observed still:  
It will not ever wait, nor 
i Joh. 3. 8. Gen. 6. 3.  strive with men  
And once departed, returns not again.   

28.  
Sea waters in their Channels, are but light;  
Under them all a Child may stand upright:  
But taken thence, they very ponderous prove,  
A Pipe or two, no Giant can remove;  
Whole Seas of vastest sins are very 
k 1 King. 16. 30. 31. 32. Eze. 26. 37. Ephes. 4. 18. 19 Jer. 36. 23. 24.  light  
On carnal Hearts, who never feel their weight:  
Whereas to humbled Souls, the smallest Crimes  
Are 
l Psa. 38. 3. 4. 6. 8. Mat. 11. 28. Job 6. 2. 3. 4. Amos 2. 13. Rom. 7. 23. 24. 25.  heavier than the Sea ten thousand times;  
Wherewith their Souls, are burdened, and oppressed,  
More than if Mountains lay upon their breast.  
The reasons plain; in one, sins in its place;  
But 
m Hos. 14. 2. 8. Rom. 6. 2. to 22.  out of it, in Hearts renewed by grace.  
Try then thy State hereby: if sins weigh light  
In thy Souls Seals, thy case is ill, not right.   

29.  
The Sea is 
o Gen. 1. 9 10. Psal. 33. 7. 104. 6. to 15. Hab. 2. 14. c. 3. 15. Job 38. 16. Isa. 60. 5.  full of waters, which there lie  
Piled up in Heaps, as in God's Treasury,  
Or Common store-house; who doth thence disperse  
Them to all Places of the Universe,  
Where they are needful: Which in lively wise  
Paints out most sweetly to our Hearts and Eyes,  
Those inexhaust, vast, boundless 
p Joh 1. 16. Col. 1. 19 c. 2. 9  Magazines  
Of goodness, grace, with all those golden Mines  
Laid up in God and Christ, who day by day  
With open Hands 
q Psal. 104. 21. 26. 27. 28. 145. 15. 16. Psa. 17. 14. Mat. 5. 6.  disperse, and give away  
These precious stores, to every living thing  
Throughout the world, and to their Homes them bring.  
How should the thought of their vast stores, feast, cheer  
Our hungry Souls, and banish all their fear?  
Sith Seas shall 
r Hab. 3. 17. 18. 19 Psal. 102. 26. 27. 28. Isa. 19 4. Jer. 31. 34. 36. 37. c 33. 20. 21. Ps. 136. & 145. 9 15. 16. 17. 18.  sooner fail of streams, and dry  
Quite up, than these stores of the Deity  
Faile, or diminish, which still open stand  
All needful things to yield us out of hand.   

30.  
When I consider how the Seas did stand  
And swim at first 
s Gen. 1. 9 10. Job 38. 8. 9 10 Psal. 104. 6. 7. 8. 9 Psal. 33. 7. Psal. 136. 6. Prov. 8. 29. Jer. 5. 22. Gen. 6. 17. c. 7. 11. to 24. c. 8. 1. to 22.  above the highest Land,  
Till God confined them within Banks; whence they  
If but permitted, would soon scape away,  
And in a moment drown the world again:  
Me thinks it points out to us very plain  
The patience, mercy, and 
t Exod. 34. 6. Psal. 103. 8. 9 10. 11. Psal. 86. 15. 16  abundant grace  
Of our sweet God, who keeps them in their place,  
Though 
v Psal. 7. 11. Lam. 3. 22. 23. Isa. 54. 9 10.  daily urged by our sins, and Crimes,  
To let them lose, to drown us, sundry times.  
And then instructs us, him not to offend,  
Who can at will whole Seas against us send,  
(Yea troops of 
x Mat. 5. 9 to 15. Luk. 8. 30. to 35. Job 1. & 2.  Devils) which would soon devour  
Us, if not held off by his mighty Power.   

31.  
When I in 
y Psa. 24. 2.  Scripture read, that God did found  
This world on Seas and floods, ●s on its ground;  
I find the cause of this World's 
z 1 Cor. 7. 31. 1 Joh. 2. 15 16. 17.  fickleness,  
And all the things that We therein possess.  
For how can aught be stable, firm or stayed,  
That on unstable, floating Seas is laid?  
O then make nought that this world yields, your 
a Psal. 62 10. 1 Tim. 6. 17. Prov. 23. 4. 5.  stay,  
Or Treasure, sith it floats and swims away.   

32.  
The Sea is homogenial, and each small  
Drop in it, hath the nature of it all,  
In all respects; and will not 
b Isa. 57 20. Jam. 3. 11.  mix, nor close  
With strange or foreign things, but them oppose:  
Which should instruct all Christians, to agree,  
Yea in Faith, Word, and Deed but 
c Joh. 17. 20. 21. 22. 23. Rom. 12. 16. c. 15. 5. 6. Phil. 2. 2. Act. 4. 32.  one to be,  
And not to hug, love, like, but 
d Psal. 119. 115. Psal. 101. 6. 7. 8. Psa. 139. 21. 22. 2. Joh. 5. 5. 10. 11. 1 Cor. 59 10. 11.  eat all those  
Who in Faith, Life, works do not with them close.   

33.  
The Sea retains in every coast and place,  
Her Native Colours, and sweet azure face.  
A check and shame to that fantastic crew  
Which 
e 2 King. 9 10. Jer. 4. 30. c. 22. 14. Ezech. 23. 40. Isa. 3. 16. to 25. Zeph. 1. 8. 9  paint, and chop old fashions still for new:  
And to those 
f Jam. 1. 6. 8. 2 Pet. 2. 14. 15. 17. 20. Judas 12. 13. Ephes. 4. 1.  changelings, who to serve the time  
Can suit themselves to every Sect, Place, Clime;  
And whiles they thus 
g 1 Cor. 9 20. 21. 22.  become all things to all,  
In truth are nothing, and the worst of all.   

34.  
When angry 
h Act. 27. 41.  Cross Seas meet and clash together  
They foam, rage, roar, yea raise storms in fair weather  
And toss, wreck, or endanger all that sail  
Or pass their race, and over them prevail.  
When Potent Neighbour Princes, strive, war, fight  
One with another, with great force and might,  
Nought else but 
i Josh. cap. 3. to 13. 2 Chron. 15. 5. 6. c. 36. 16. 17. 18. 19 20. Jer. 14. 19 1 Sam. 31. 1. to 7. 2 Sam. 2. 26.  bloody Battles, tumults, cries,  
Storms, perils to their Subjects still arise,  
Which wreck, consume their Fortunes, Goods, Lands, Lives.  
And of all worldly blessings them deprives.  
O Let us then be thankful for our peace:  
And 
k Psal. 122. 6. 7. 8. Psal. 128. 6. Isa. 26. 3. 12.  pray that it may last, and still increase.   

35.  
The Sea and Skies in colour both agree,  
When as in most things else they different be.  
It's then 
l 1 Sam. 15. 6. 7. Joh. 7. 24. Mat. 23. 27. 28.  ill judging by the mere outside:  
Those who thus do, shall oft times err and slide.   

36.  
All Springs and 
m Eccles. 5. 1. 7.  Rivers run with cheerful speed  
Into the Ocean whence they first proceed:  
And should not we, with equal 
n Luk. 1. 29. 30. Gen. 46. 30. Rom. 8. 23. 2 Cor. 5. 2. to 8. Phil. 1. 23. Job 14. 13. 14. c. 3. 22.  cheerfulness  
And speed, our courses to the grave address?  
Since we from 
o Gen. 3. 19 Job 4. 19 c. 34. 15. Psa. 103. 14. 15. Eccles. 3. 20. c. 12. 7.  Dust did spring at first, and shall  
By God's decree to dust and ashes fall?  
(How soon 
p Gen. 27. 2. Eccles. 9 12. Job 14. 1 Thes. 5. 2. 3.  he only knows:) thrice happy we  
If for the grave we still prepared be:  
The only Harbour where we rest secure,  
From all those Tempests, we did here endure.   

36.  
Nor need we fear; since we shall not remain  
Still in our Graves, but thence 
q Job 19 25. Dan. 12. 21. Isa. 26. 19 Act. 24. 15. Rev. 20. 23. 1 Cor. 15. 12. to 57 Joh. 11. 23. 24. 1 Thes. 4. 13. to 18. Joh. 6. 39 40. 44. 54.  rise up again:  
For, as the Ebbing Sea when it sinks low,  
And seems quite lost, and never like to flow;  
Yet in short space returns, and springs a fresh  
As high as ever; So our Corpse, and flesh,  
Though turned to dust and rotten in the Grave,  
A spring, and rich return from thence shall have  
With great advantage; rising up again  
Free from 
r 1 Cor. 15. 42. 43. 44. 48. 49. 52. 53. 54. 2 Joh. 3. 2. Dan. 12. 3. Mat. 13. 43. Phil. 3. 21. 2 Thes. 1. 10.  corruption, sin, ache, sickness, pain  
And imperfection, in such glorious plight,  
That Sun, Moon, Stars, shall not shine half so bright.  
Why should we then once 
s 1 Cor. 15. 14. 51. 56. 57  dread death, or the grave,  
Or 
t Mar. 8. 36. Joh. 12. 25. Mat. 5. 29. 30.  lose our Souls, our Goods, Lives, Limbs to save?  
Since our dead Corpse, 
v Joh. 6. 39  lost Limbs shall rise again  
In such surpassing glory; and then 
x 2 Tim. 2. 12. Rev. 20. 6. c. 22. 5. 1 Thes. 4 17.  reign  
(Joined to our Souls, and never more to die,)  
In perfect bliss, for all eternity?  
Instruct us Lord to 
y Ro. 14. 7. 8.  live to Thee by grace,  
Whiles we here sail in this Seas dangerous race:  
Then are we 
z Job 19 25. 1 Joh. 3. ●●●.  certain when we end our days,  
That thou wilt us from grave, to Heaven raise  
Where we more Bliss and glory shall receive  
Than 
a 1 Cor. 2. 9 Isa. 64. 4. Psal. 31. 19 Rev. 22. 1. to 8.  tongues can utter, or our hearts conceive.  
Lord, let these 
b Psal. 19 14.  Meditations of mine Heart,  
Mine own, and others Souls to thee convert,  
And rap them into such sweet Ecstasies  
That they 
e Psa. 73. 25. Phil. 3. 7. 8. 9  nought else but Thee, may Love and prize.    

The Epilogue.  
IF all who use, cross, view the Sea, would raise  
Such Meditations from it, to the praise  
Of its Creator, spending day by day  
Some vacant time, and pious thoughts this way;  
What Floods and streams of grace? what tides of Joy  
And 
a Psal. 104. 34.  sweetest Raptures (able to destroy  
Those sins, lusts, vices, which now taint, defame  
Their very Callings, and their Persons 
b Judas 13. Pro. 13. 5. c. 14. 34.  shame,  
Would spring up in them? what blessed Calmes 
c Isa. 26. 3. Phil. 4. 7.  of Peace  
Amidst all winds and storms? what great increase  
Of Faith Love, knowledge, zeal, and each sweet Grace  
Might thee enjoy, whiles they the Ocean trace?  
How might their Souls 
d Phil. 3. 20. Col. 3. 2. 3.  mount up above the sky  
When as their ships sink and their bodies die?  
What change of Heart and Life would it effect  
In those, who now God, and their Souls neglect?  
What holy, pious Saints might 
e Psal. 107. 23. to 33. Jona. 1. 5. to 17.  Seamen be,  
If they the Sea would thus divinely see?  
O! as they love their Souls, let me request  
Them, and all others, as they would be blest,  
Henceforth at vacant times to lay aside  
All sins, Lusts, Vices, which their Souls misguide;  
(With worldly works, thoughts, cares) and then address  
Their Hearts and Minds in Sacred earnestness  
To pious 
f Gen. 24. 63. Psal. 77. 12. Psa. 119. 97. Ps. 143. 5. Ps. 8.  Meditations, from the sight  
And Nature of the Sea, which will 
g Psal. 104. 34 Psal. 8.  delight  
Their drooping Hearts, their wicked Lives amend,  
And lodge their souls in 
h Phil. 3. 10.  Heaven ere they end.  
If any want instructions to direct,  
Or help them in this kind, let them reflect  
On this rude Christian-Sea-Card, which may guide  
Them, till some better Card thrust it aside;  
By which if they their course shall henceforth steer,  
They need no Rocks, Shelves, Gulfs, Storms, Wrecks to fear.  
FINIS.     

A CHRISTIAN PARADISE: OR A Divine Posy, Compiled of sundry Flowers of Meditation, gathered from the Sweet and Heavenly Contemplation of the Nature, Fruits, and Qualities of Gardens.  
BY WILLIAM PRYNNE, late Exile and Close Prisoner in the Isle of jersy.  Isaiah 61. 10. 11. 
I Will greatly rejoice in the Lord, my Soul shall be joyful in my God, for he hath clothed me with the Garments of Salvation, he hath covered me with the Robe of Righteousness: as a Bridegroom decketh himself with Ornaments, and as a Bride adorneth herself with her Jewels. For as the Earth bringeth forth her bud, & as the GARDEN causeth the things that are sown in it to spring forth; so the Lord will cause Righteousness and praise to spring forth before all the Nations.  Cant. 5. 1. 
I am come into my GARDEN my Sister, my Spouse; I have gathered my Myrrh with my Spice; I have eaten my Honeycomb with my Honey, I have drunk my Wine with my Milk. O Friends, drink and be drunken with love, O beloved.  Isaiah 58. 11. 
And the Lord shall guide thee continually, and satisfy thy Soul in drought; and make fat thy bones; and thou shalt be like a watered GARDEN, and like a Spring of Water, whose waters fail not.  
London Printed by T. Cotes, for Michael Spark dwelling at the blue Bible in Green Arbour. 1641.   

TO The Worshipful his ever Honoured Kind Friends, Mrs Douse, and M rs Margaret Carteret, Daughters to Sir Philip Carteret Knight, Lieutenant Governor and Bailiff of the Isle of Jersy.  
Sweetness and Beauty, two chief Qualities  
Of Gardens, shine forth in such radiant wise  
In you sweet M rs Douse, fair Margaret  
Prime Flowers of the House of Carteret,  
That 'twere Ingratitude, nay Injury  
For me in silence here to pass You by,  
And not inscribe this PARADISE to You,  
To whom it is in all respects most Due.  
Deign then to own this little Testimony  
Of Thanks, for all your Love and Courtesy  
To me an Exiled Prisoner, in Jersy,  
Who shall endeavour to be till I die,  
Your Devoted Friend 
 and Servant, 
 WILLIAM PRYNNE.   

A CHRISITAN PARADISE. OR A Divine Posy, Composed of sundry Flowers of Meditation, gathered from the sweet and Heavenly Contemplation of the Nature, Fruits, and Qualities of Gardens.  

THE PREFACE.  
Soar up my Muse upon the Eagles Wings,  
Above the Clouds, and screw up all thy strings  
Unto their Highest Strains, with Angels Lays  
men's Souls to ravish, and their Hearts to raise  
From Earth to Heaven, with those sweetest Notes  
Which Gardens tender to thy plodding thoughts.  
A Theme of Meditation, so Divine,  
Rich, pleasant, useful, that no golden Mine,  
No Honeycomb may once with it compare;  
Lord Feast our Souls with its Celestial fare,  
Fruits, pleasures in such wise, that they may still  
Loath this world's Cates, with all things that are Ill,  
Tasting no Pleasure but in Things above,  
The only Dainties which they ought to love.  

A brief Character of a Garden.  
A Garden is an Earthly Paradise,  
No mortal Creatures, but Gods own devise,  
(The 
a Gen. 2. 8. 9  first who Planted Gardens, which began  
At the Creation; God then binding Man,  
(The 
b Gen. 1. 28. 29. c. 2. 8. 15.  Lord of all his works) to this sweet Trade  
To Keep and Dress the Garden he had made:  
This was Man's first employment; so as He  
In this Respect a Gardner styled may be;  
The first and best of Trades; which 
c Gen. 3. 6. to 20.  Adam's taste  
Of the forbidden fruit hath much debast,  
And with it Gardens too, which thereby lost  
Much of their Pleasure, to our Pain and cost.  
Yet in this doleful State of sin, and vice;  
They still remain Man's terrene 
d Eccles. 2. 5.  Paradise;  
Yielding not only Profit, but delight.  
Food, Cates, Salves, Physic, Pleasures to the sight,  
And other Senses; solacing the Mind  
With sundry Objects which it there may find,  
It, and the Body to refresh and cheer,  
When as they tired, vexed, grieved are.  
But this is nought to those Soul-ravishing,  
Sweet, heavenly Meditations which do spring  
From Gardens, able to rap and inspire  
The coldest Muse, with a Celestial fire;  
Yea melt the flintiest Heart, and it advance  
Above the Spheres in a delightful Trance?  
These make an Eden of each Garden-Plot,  
And here are fallen to my Muses Lot.   

Meditations of the first Kind.  

1.  
FIrst then, a garden paints out to our Eyes  
And Hearts, its prime 
e Gen. 2. 8. 9  Inventor, God most wise;  
Whose peerless 
f Psal. 104. 24. Dan. 2. 20. Pro. 3. 19 Jer. 10. 12. c. 51. 15. Ephes. 3. 10. Col. 2. 3.  Wisdom, Art, skill shine most bright  
In every Tree, Plant, Herb, Flower which our sight  
Beholds in Gardens; whose variety.  
In smell, taste, colour, form, fruit, quality,  
And useful virtues for all maladies,  
Wounds, Ulcers, Aches, stripes, Infirmities  
Of Man and Beast, (so many that Man's Art  
Hath not as yet found out the thousand part  
From Adam's fall till now,) at large descry  
Gods matchless Art and wisdom to each eye.  
View we the goodly Colours, Beauty, Frame,  
Embroidry, carving, fruits, leaves, roots (which shame  
And pose all Artists) with the Joints, and sweet  
Proportion of those Parts, which in them meet;  
And we must needs confess him 
g Psal. 104. 24. 1 Tim. 1. 17.  only wise  
Who these rare pieces did at first devise,  
Without a Pattern; and doth daily raise  
Such worlds of goodly Fabrics to his praise.  
O let our Hearts, words, works, still celebrate  
His 
h Psal. 147 5. Job 36. 5 Rev. 7. 12.  boundless wisdom, who did these create.   

2.  
That most transcendent Beauty which we see  
With daily admiration in each Tree,  
Plant, Herb, Carnation, Lily, Tulip, Rose,  
With worlds of other Flowers, which the Nose  
Affect with 
i Cant. 2. 12. c. 5. 13.  pleasant smells, and beautify  
The Earth and Gardens, more than stars the sky,  
Shining with rarest Colours of each kind,  
So fresh, mixed, sorted, that they rap the Mind  
Into amazement; sweetly manifest,  
In some dark measure, to each pious Breast,  
God's most surpassing 
k Psal. 27. 4. Psal. 90. 17.  Beauty; to whose 
l 1 Tim. 6. 16. 1 Joh. 1. 5.  Light  
The Noonday Sun's more dark than any Night.  
Why do we then like doting Fools admire  
A comely Face, neck, hand, bush, brave Attire,  
Or wax proud of them? (as most do,) since grass,  
Trees, 
m Mat. 6. 28. 29. Luk. 12. 27 Isa. 40. 6. 7. 8.  Lilies, flowers, In beauty far Surpass  
The fairest Kings Queen's, Ladies, whose hands, face  
And rich Array, compared to these, are base.  
O! if we dote on Beauty, let the Rays  
Of 
n 1 Tim. 6. 16.  Gods Eternal Glory, past all praise  
And Comprehension, pierce, melt, rap, transport  
Our Souls with 
o Psa. 116. 1. Psal. 73. 25. 26. Psal. 16. 2. 5. 6. 11.  Love, & scorch them in such sort,  
That they may ever burn with its sweet flame,  
And deem all Beauty else not worth the Name;  
Being imperfect, 
p Isa. 40. 6. 7. 8. Psal. 103. 15. 16. Psal. 90. 5. 6. 7.  fading every Hour,  
Not half so lovely, comely as a flower.   

3.  
Each Plant, Herb, Root, Grass, Flower which doth grow,  
In Gardens, 
q Psal. 104. 1. 14. 15. 16. Jer. 10. 12. 13. c. 51. 15. c. 32. 17.  Gods Almighty power forth show.  
Since all the monarchs, Artists, Men that live,  
With all their might, wit, skill, can never give  
Life to existence to the smallest flower.  
Much less an Essence: O what little power  
Is there in greatest Kings; who cannot make  
One Grass, Herb, Plant, though Nestor's years they take  
To do it! O, what wondrous Potency  
Is there in God whose 
r Gen. 1. & 2. Psal. 104. 14. 15. 16. Psa. 33. 6.  word did instantly  
Create all Creatures, Herbs, Trees, Plants that grow,  
In Gardens, Orchards, Woods, Fields here below?  
O let our Minds, when we these Creatures see,  
Upon his 
s Jer. 5●. 15. Dan. 2. 27.  mighty Power still fixed be:  
Which as it 
t Psal. 104. 14. 15. 16. Psal. 147. 8. Mich. 5. 7.  daily makes the fairest Trees,  
Plants, Herbs, and Flowers, spring by sweet degrees  
Out of the vilest dust; can likewise raise  
Us from the very grave, his power to praise.  
Be then our 
v Psal. 116. 6. Psa. 116. 6. Psa. 40. 2. 3. Jer. 32. 17. 27. Eph. 3. 20.  Cases, Crosses ne'er so ill,  
Take courage, God can mend them when he will;  
And in due season make us spring again,  
Like withered Plants, Herbs, Flowers, after rain.   

4.  
Gardens show forth 
x Psal. 33. 5. Psal. 65. 11. Gen. 1. 11. 12. 29. 30.  God's goodness to mankind,  
Which he who seeth not in them, is quite blind.  
For, doth not that great, sweet, variety  
Of garden Plants, Fruits which delight the Eye  
And other Senses; ease, help, and redress  
All pains, wounds, sores, diseases that oppress  
Both Man and Beast; yielding them Physic, Food,  
Salves, Sauce, Cates, Cordials, Fumes, clothes, all that's good  
Or useful for them, plainly 
y Psal. 104. 24. Psal. 145. 7. 15. 16.  manifest  
Gods gracious Bounty to each Man and Beast?  
O what abundant Service, 
z Psal. 107. 8. 15. 21. Ps. 145. 7. 8. Zech 9 17.  thanks, praise, Love,  
Are due from Man unto his God above?  
Who hath thus stored Gardens, fields, each place,  
With such great plenty of these gifts of grace?  
O, let us blush that we serve, love, no more  
God, who hath blest us with this happy store.  
And hence conclude in our Necessity,  
That this good God will 
a Phil. 4. 19  all our Wants supply:  
He who our Gardens doth with these things store,  
Our Bodies, Souls, will feed, feast, fill much more.   

5.  
A Garden like a Glass, God's 
b Psal. 104. 1. 14. 15. 16.  Providence  
Reflects most clearly, to the dullest sense;  
Who for Man's use and Service in each Clime,  
Makes Trees, Plants, Herbs, Flowers, Seeds 
c Cant. 7. 12. c. 2. 12. 13. Gen. 1. 11. 12. 29. 30.  spring in due time,  
Which are most useful, fit to ease, heal, feed,  
And help those in the countries where they breed.  
And placed near him great variety  
Of Herbs, Salves, Physic, for each Malady,  
Both easy, cheap and ready still at hand,  
If He their virtues did but understand.  
O what a tender 
d Psal. 8. 4. Job 7. 17. 18. Ezech. 47. 12.  Care hath God of Man,  
Thus to provide for each disease that can,  
Or doth befall him, such cheap, ready Cures!  
O 
e Psal. 145. 1. 2. 7. 21.  praise him for this care which still endures.  
And sith that He our wealth doth so respect,  
Let us 
f Deut. 6. 12. c. 8. 11.  take heed, we never him neglect;  
Nor yet ourselves, but thankfully 
g Isa. 38. 21. Ezech. 47. 12. 2 King. 8. 29.  make use  
Of what may to our Health, or ease conduce.  
Lord, when we walk in Gardens to delight  
Our minds, or senses, let the sweetest sight  
Of Thee, and these thy Attributes, which they  
Present most clearly to us day by day;  
Rap up our Souls into such Ecstasies,  
That they nought else but Thee; may love or prize.    

Meditations of the second Rank.  
MOreover Gardens lively represent  
Christ to our Eyes and Minds, with blessed content.  

1.  
For first, as Gardens, yield all 
h Gen. 2. 8. to 17. Eccles. 2. 5. Jer. 29. 5. 28. Cant. 4. 16. c. 5. 1. 2. c. 6. 2. 3. 11.  rarities  
And pleasant Objects to delight the Eyes  
And other Senses; so all pleasant, sound  
Soule-chearing 
i 2 Cor. 1. 3. 4. 5. 6. Phil. 2. 7. 8. 9 Heb. 10. 33. 34.  Comforts, Joys in Christ are found.  
Our Hearts to solace; whence most sweetness springs  
When we taste nought but Gall in other things:  
O blessed Jesus such Soul ravishing  
Groves, streams of 
k 2 Cor. 1. 3. 4. 5. 6.  sweetest Cordials from Thee spring  
To cheer our drooping Souls in all distress,  
That did they once but 
l Psal. 34. 8  taste their lushiousnesse,  
And more than Honey sweetness, they would be  
Rapt and 
m Psa. 73. 25. Cant. 2. 5. c. 5. 8.  enamoured with nought else but Thee.  
O let me feel how good, how sweet thou art.  
Then thou alone shalt feast, fill, have mine Heart.   

2.  
Again, as fruitful Gardens bring forth store  
Of 
n Ezech. 47. 12. Deut. 11. 10 1 King. 21. 2. Gen. 2. 9  Herbs, Receipts, for every Sickness, sore,  
Wound, Ulcer, Ache that happeneth to Mankind.  
So in our 
o Isa. 53. 4. 5. 6. 1 Joh. 1. 7. c. 2. 2. Rev. 1. 5.  Saviour Christ, our Souls may find  
A Sovereign Herb, Balm, Salve for to appease  
Help, heal, each sore, wound, ulcer, ache, disease  
That doth or can them any times annoy,  
Grieve, pain, perplex, or threat them to destroy:  
Are then our Souls sick, wounded, like to die  
With any sin, or deadly Malady;  
O let us then 
p Mat. 11. 28. 29. c. 9 11. 13. 1 Tim. 1. 15.  resort to Christ with speed,  
For Herbs, Salves, Physic, all else that we need;  
Whose 
q 1 Joh. 1. 7. Rev. 1. 5. Heb. 9 14.  Blood's a royal Balm, receipt to save  
All Souls which from it help, health, Physic crave.   

3.  
Gardens still yield a pleasant fragrant 
r Gen. 27. 27 Hos. 14. 6. Cant. 2. 13. c. 4. 11. c. 7. 13.  smell,  
And rich perfumes; Christ doth them far excel  
In his 
s Cant. 1. 3. 12. 13. 14. Eph. 5. 2. Cant. 5. 5. 13. Rev. 8. 3. 4.  sweete-smelling Odours, which ascend  
Into God's Sacred Nostrils, to amend  
Perfume and sweeten, all those stinking, sour,  
unsavory Prayers, which to God we pour,  
In Christ's sweet Name; whose horrid sent and stink  
(More Loath-some than the vilest kennel, sink,)  
Would else so much 
t Isa. 64. 6.  offend his Sacred Nose  
That he both it, and his Ears too would close  
Against them; yea 
v Isa. 1. 13. 14. 15. Pro. 28. 9  detest, both them and us;  
Where now these Odours make them gracious,  
far 
x Rev. 8. 3. 4.  sweeter than the richest scent that can  
Be found out, to delight the Nose of Man.  
And as Christ's fragrant perfumes far excel  
The sweetest Incense, in his Father's smell,  
So do they likewise in the sent of those  
Whom he hath chosen; to whose Sacred Nose  
The fragrant'st Odours matched with 
y Cant. 1. 3. 12. 13. 14.  Christ's are stink  
And more unsavoury than the foulest sink:  
Sweet Jesus let thy pleasant perfumes move,  
And ravish all our Souls, with thy sweet Love.   

4.  
Gardens have pleasant 
z Gen. 2. 10. Isa. 53. 11. Cant. 4. 15.  Fountains, where we may  
Our bodies bathe, and wash their filth away,  
Yea quench our thirst, our heats cool, and revive  
Those Trees, Herbs, Plants that fade, and make them thrive.  
Christ hath a pleasant 
a Isa. 55. 1 Joh. 7. 37. 38. c. 4. 13. 4. 15. Jer. 2. 13. Zech. 13. 1. Rev. 1. 5. 1 Joh. 1. 7.  Fountain, Spring, or Well  
Of sweet and living waters, that excel  
All others, springing in him, where we may  
bath, cool, refresh our Souls, and wash away  
The filth of all our sins; and eke revive  
Our withering Graces, and them cause to thrive.  
Lord ever ba the our Souls in this blessed spring,  
Which will both Health, Joy, safety to them bring.   

5.  
Most Pleasant 
b Gen. 1. 11. 12. 22. 30. Gen. 2. 8. to 16. 1 King. 21. 1. Cant. 6. 2. c. 5. 1. etc.  Herbs, Roots, Fruits in Gardens grow,  
To feed and feast men's Palates: Such fruits flow,  
And spring from Christ, our Souls to fat, 
c Mat. 11. 28. 29. Psal. 63. 5. Psal. 19 10. Isa. 25. 6.  feast, cheer,  
As far surpass all Cates that Gardens bear;  
No Honey, Marrow, Manna may compare  
With his rare sweetmeats, and Celestial Fare.  
O come and 
d Psal. 34. 8.  taste how sweet Christ's dainties be,  
Then will we long to feast with None but Herald   

6.  
Gardens are fraught with Arbours, Trees, whose 
e Psal. 80. 10. Hos. 4. 13. Jon. 4. 5. 6.  shade  
Cools and repels Heat, storms which would invade,  
And scorch us sore: Christ hath a 
f Cant. 2. 3. Isa. 25. 4. 5. c. 4. 6. c. 32. 2. Psal. 121. 5. Psal. 17. 8. 1 Thes. 1. 10.  shade most sweet  
Against all scalding Heats, all storms we meet,  
Yea from his Father's burning Wrath and Rage,  
Which none but he can quench, cool, or assuage:  
O then in all such scorching Flames still fly  
To Christ's sweet shade, for ease and remedy.   

7.  
Gardens are full of 
g Gen. 2. 8. to 17. c. 3. 1. 2. 3. Cant. 5. 1. c. 6. 2. Eccle. 2. 5.  beauty and delight  
And so is Christ in all his chosen's sighed;  
None half so 
h Cant. 5. 9 10. 11.  comely, Lovely, fair as He,  
In whom we nought but comeliness can see.  
O let his beauty 
i Cant. 5. 4. to 16. c. 8. 6. 7. Rom. 8. 38. 39  kindle such a fire  
In all our Soul, as never shall expire;  
And may consume all flames of lustful Love,  
Wedding us only unto Christ above.   

8.  
Gardens are ever rich and fruitful ground;  
All useful Herbs, 
k Gen. 2. 8. to 16. Isa. 51. 3. c. 61. 11. Ezech. 28. 13. c. 31. 8. 9 c. 36. 35. Joel. 2. 3.  Trees, fruits in them abound;  
Christ is the 
l Cant. 5. 10. Joh. 1. 1. 2. 16. Rom. 8. 29. Col. 2. 9 10.  best, prime piece of all Mankind,  
In whom alone all good things we may find  
At any season, in such copious store,  
As will suffice mankind for evermore.  
O then 
m Isa. 55. 1. 2. Jam. 1. 5. Joh. 1. 16.  resort to him for every thing  
We want, in whom all good things grow and spring.   

9  
The Seeds, Plants, Roots which we would have to grow.  
In Gardens, we 
n Gen. 28. Isa. 61. 11. Luk. 13. 19  there bury, set, or sow:  
So Christ that he might grow and fructify, 
o Joh. 19 41. 42.   
Within a 
p Joh. 20. 1. to 18.  Garden did entombed lie,  
Where 
q Mat. 28. 19 Mar. 16. 15. Col. 1. 5. 6. 23. Rom. 10. 18. Rev. 14. 6. Psal. 19 4.  springing up from death to life again,  
He filled the 
q Mat. 28. 19 Mar. 16. 15. Col. 1. 5. 6. 23. Rom. 10. 18. Rev. 14. 6. Psal. 19 4.  world with his increased train;  
Which jury only did confine before,  
But now the world, which scarce contains his store.   

10.  
Christ, here on earth did Gardens highly grace  

r Joh. 18. 1. 2. 3. 26. c. 19 41. 42. c. 20. 1. to 18.  Resorting oft unto them, in which place  
He was betrayed, entombed, raised up, and then  
First there appeared to Mary Magdalen.  
Each Garden than we see, should still present  
Christ to our sight, minds, thoughts, with sweet Content;  
Wherein with Eyes of Faith, we may behold  
Christ walking with us, as he 
s Joh. 18. 1. 2.  walked of old  
With his Disciples, to instruct, joy, cheer,  
Our blind, sad Hearts, and banish all their fear:  
Here may we view false 
t Joh. 18. 3. to 18.  Judas, him betray,  
With feigned kisses; and thence lead away  
With Bands of Catchpoles, armed with, Swords, Bills, staves;  
To teach us to beware such flattering Knaves,  
Who are most treacherous when they seem most kind:  
And that a Judas we shall ever find  
Amidst Christ's choice Apostles; who for gain  
Will both betray Christ, and his chosen train,  
And them in their sweet Gardens trap, surprise,  
Where they no danger saw, nor could devise:  
Here, may we eye 
v Joh. 19 41. 42.  Christ lying in his Tomb  
To sweeten death, and all our graves perfume.  
Here may we see him 
x Joh. 20. 1. to 18. 1 Cor. 15. 54. 55. 56. 57  rise up the third day  
To conquer Death, and take his sting away,  
Leading him Captive in triumphant wise  
That we might learn his terrors to despise,  
And never dread this 
y 1 Cor. 15. 54. Rom. 6. 9 10. 11.  vanquished Enemy,  
Who kills us once to live eternally.  
Here may we view our Bodies, by 
z Job 19 25. 26. 27. 1 Cor. 15. 20. to 56. 1 Thes. 4. 13. to 18. Rom. 6. 9 10. 11.  death slain  
And turned to Dust, by Christ raised up again  
In glorious state, to live in Endless Joy  
Above Death's reach, and all them can annoy.  
Here may we find our Saviour still appear  
From day to day, our drooping Hearts to cheer,  
In each root, seed, plant, herb, which shall arise  
Out of the Earth; which 
a Rom. 1. 19 20. 21.  shows him to our eyes;  
What need of Popish Pictures then to bring  
Christ to our Eyes, minds, thoughts? sith every thing,  
Plant, Herb that in our Gardens sprouts, lives, grows,  
His life, Death, rising, far more clearly shows?  

b Isa. 2. 20. c. 30. 22. c. 31. 7.  Away then with these Cursed Idols; we  
Christ no where else will ever seek, view, see  
But in his 
c Gal. 3. 1. 1 Cor. 10. 3. 4. c. 11. 24. 25.  Word, Works, Sacraments, wherein  
We only can behold him, without sin;  
And when we long him, or his Acts to Eye,  
If Bibles fail, each Garden will descry  
Them to us, in more sweet and lively wise,  
Than all the Pictures Papists can devise.  
Blessed Lord Jesus when we ever walk  
Within a Garden, Let us with thee talk,  
In such sweet Contemplations, and delight  
Our Souls, Eyes, Senses with thy blessed sight,  
Which every Garden Tree, Plant, Herb, Flower, Grasse,  
Reflects more clearly than a Crystal Glass:  
Then shall each Garden which we view or see,  
A blessed second 
d Ezech. 28. 13.  Eden to us be.    

Meditations of the third Class.  
A Garden is a Map of Paradise,  
The plot, 
e Gen. 2. 8. 9  from whence all Gardens took their rise.  
Compared, they suit, and make an Harmony,  
Which cheers our Souls with its sweet melody.  

1.  
For first, as God did 
f Gen. 1. 8. to 16. c. 3. 1. 2.  Eden Plant, deck, fill  
With choicest Trees, Herbs, Fruits; so men do still  
Their 
g Deut. 11. 10 Can. 6. 2. 3. 11. to 16. c. 5. 1. 2.  Gardens with these daily deck, store, grace,  
And more enrich, than any other place.   

2.  
Eden was full of 
g Gen. 2. 8. to 16. Isa. 51. 3.  pleasure and delight  
Of goodly Trees, Flowers, Fruits to please the sight,  
And palate: So are 
h Eccles. 2. 5 Cant. 5. 1. 2. c. 6. 2. 11.  Gardens, where we find  
Most pleasant objects both for Eye, Mouth, Mind.   

3.  
Eden was very 
i Isa. 51. 3. Joel. 2. 3. Gen. 13. 10.  fruitful: Gardens are  
The 
k Isa. 58. 11.  fertil'st plots, and most Fruits ever bear.   

4.  
Eden was seated close by 
l Gen. 2. 9 10. 11. 12.  Rivers sides,  
And watered with their Crystal streams and tides;  
Thus are most 
m Isa. 58. 11. Num. 24. 6. Cant. 4. 5.  Gardens seated, that they may  
Become more fruitful, pleasant, green, fresh, gay.   

5.  
Eden was kept and dressed by 
n Gen. 2. 15. 16.  Adam, who  
Was bound by God this task to undergo.  
And who but 
o Joh. 20. 15. Jer. 29. 5. 28. Amos 9 14.  Men, do yet still keep and dress  
Those pleasant Gardens which we here possess?  
Beasts, Horses, Oxen, help to till our ground,  
Fit to dress Gardens, only Men are found.  
Hence may we learn that God 
p Ezech. 16. 49. Mat. 20. 3. 6. 1 Tim. 5. 13. 1 Thes. 4. 11. 2 Thes. 3. 6. to 16. Exod. 20. 9  hates Idleness  
In all estates, who ought still to address  
Themselves to some good honest work, Art, trade,  
Sith adam's 
q Gen. 2. 15. c. 3. 13.  set to work as soon as made;  
Though the sole Monarch of the world, and all  
The Creatures in it; which before the fall  
Were at his mere Command, and did afford  
Him all he needed, 
r Gen. 1. 26.  of their own accord.   

6.  
God had no sooner Adam made, but He  
Him 
s Gen. 2. 8. to 17. c. 3. 1. to 7. Isa. 51. 3.  placed in Eden, happy there to be,  
As in the choicest, fruitefulst, pleasantest plot  
This lower world could unto him allot.  
All take delight in 
t Cant. 5. 1. c. 6. 2. 11. c. 8. 13.  Gardens to reside,  
The only eden's where they would abide:  
Whence all who have but one small piece or plot,  
Of Earth, will to a 
v Jer. 19 5. 18. Amos 9 14.  Garden it allot.   

7.  
Man entered 
x Gen. 2. 15. to 25. c. 3. 1. 2.  into Eden void of sin;  
O let us think of this, when we begin  
Our Garden doors to enter, that we may  
Avoid all sin, which 
y Rom. 5. 12. 13. 14.  mankind first did slay;  
And daily strive to be as Innocent  
As Adam, when he into Eden went.   

8.  
The Tree of Knowledge (which did typify  
Christ, or his Sacred Word to Adam's Eye,)  
In 
z Gen. 2. 3. 16. Rev. 2. 7.  midst of Eden stood: Thus each Plant, Tree  
Which we in midst of Gardens chance to see,  
Christ and his Sacred Word in lively wise  
Present, show, point out to our minds and Eyes.   

9  
Eden a 
a Gen. 3. 1. to 16. 2 Cor. 11. 3. 1 Tim. 2. 24.  Serpent had which did betray  
First Eve, than Adam, and them cast away  
By his Temptations, their Credulity.  
No wonder then if we sometimes espy  
Not only Weeds, but Serpents, Adders, Snakes,  
Toads, & such vermin (whose mere aspect makes  
Most men to tremble) in our Garden-plots,  
To make us fear that 
b 2 Tim. 2. 26. 2 Cor. 11. 3.  Serpent, which besots,  
Betrays, and stings us still through pleasures, vice.  
As he did Adam in old Pardise:  
O let us then in no place rest secure;  
Sith he in Eden did Man first allure.  
Much less in pleasant 
c Isa. 1. 29. c. 65. 3. c. 66. 17. Cant. 5. 1. c. 6. 2.  Gardens, where he still  
Tempts Men and Women oft times unto ill:   

10.  
The 
d Gen. 3. 1. to 16.  first and Mother sin, from whence all vice  
Sins, mischief's spring, was hatched in Paradise:  
Here Father Adam caught that breake-necke fall,  
Which in a moment quite undid us all.  
O let our Gardens put us still in mind  
Of this great sin, whose relics we still find  
Remaining in us: and let every weed  
We see in Gardens, cause us to take heed  
That no one sin within us ever spring,  
To work our ruin, or our souls to sting.   

11.  
Man had no sooner sinned, but God 
e Gen. 3. 8. to 24.  cast  
Him out of Eden, and then laid it waste;  
Cursing the Earth with thorns, Weeds, Barrenness  
For his offence, which he before did bless:  
When then our Gardens, weedy, barren grow  
Think of the cause from whence these evils flow,  
(Our sin; God's curse:) and when we enter in,  
Or issue out of Gardens, let that sin  
Which moved God mankind first to exclude.  
From Eden's bliss, with tears be of us rude.  
We cannot over-ponder or lament  
That sin which Man out of his Eden sent.  
And learn from hence, that none gain aught by vice,  
Or 
f Rev. 22. 14. 15.  sin, at Last, but loss of Paradise.   

12.  
Man banished Eden for his wilful sin,  
Was ever after 
g Gen. ●. 22. 23. 24.  barred from entering in  
Again, by a bright sword with fiery flame  
Which turned every way to guard the same.  
The hedges, pales, walls, doors, that close and fence  
Our gardens, to keep Men and beasts from thence,  
Should ever mind us of this sword, that vice,  
Which thrust and kept man out of Paradise:  
And teach us with all care, pains, industry,  
To strive to enter 
h 2 Cor. 12. 4. Rev. 2. 7.  Eden that's on high.  
Since we are thus excluded this below,  
The very place whereof none this day know;   

13.  
Man's loss in Eden's Garden, might affright  
Us all, and damp the joy, mirth, and delight,  
Which Gardens yield; yea had not Christ repaired,  
What man there lost, we should have quite despaired.  
But now take courage and no more complain;  
Christ in a garden hath restored again  
What Adam therein lost; that we might all  
Be there repaired, where first we caught our fall:  
Which that I may with sweeter fruit declare,  
I'll Christ with Adam; place with place compare.   

1.  
Adam at first in Eden was 
i Gen. 3. 1. to 9  betrayed,  
And trapped by those snares which the Serpent laid.  
Christ in a Garden was betrayed, and snared  
By Judas, 
k Joh. 18. 1. to. 16.  and those troops which he prepared.   

2.  
Adam in Eden 
l Gen. 3. 1. to 24.  caught that breakneck fall  
Which in a moment did undo us all:  
Christ in a 
m Joh. 19 41. 42. Rom. 6. 1. to 12.  Garden took his lowest fall  
Into the grave, which raised and made us all.   

3.  
Adam there fell in 
n Gen. 3. Rom. 5. 12. 13. 14.  state of Innocence,  
And wrecked us all, by this his prime offence:  
Christ in 
o Joh. 18. 1. to 16. c. 19 41. 42. Rom. 6. 7. 8. 9  a garden fell, though free from fault,  
To make us guiltless, and our state exalt.   

4.  
Adam 
p Rom. 5. 12. 13.  by sin, Christ 
q Isa. 53. 4. to 12. Rom. 4. 25.  for sins only fell:  
He for his own; Christ, for those in us dwell.   

5.  
Adam fell 
r Gen. 3. 22. 23, 24.  flat, but could not rise again:  
Christ fell 
s Act. 2. 24. to 37.  but rose, nought could him down detain.   

6.  
His fall himself, with all 
t Rom. 5. 12. to 20. 1 Cor. 15. 22.  his race down threw:  
Christ's fall him raised, with all his chosen crew.   

7.  
He in a 
v Gen. 3. Joh. 19 41, 42. c. 20. 1. to 12.  Garden fell; there Christ arose  
To save man there, where he himself did lose.   

8.  
Adam there falling, did 
x Gen. 3. 19 Rom. 5. 8, 9  corruption bring  
Unto himself, and all who from him spring:  
Christ dead and buried here, did 
y Act. 2. 24. to 36. c. 13. 34. 35. 37. 1 Cor. 15. 50. 52, 53. 54.  never see  
Corruption, and all his did from it free.   

9  
He fell in Eden 
z Gen. 3. 1. to 12.  by the tree of life  
Of which he ate, alured by his wife:  
Which tree (that in the 
a Gen. 2. 9  midst of Eden grew)  
Instead of giving life 
b Rom. 5. 7, 8, 9 etc.  him and us slew.  
We by our 
c Joh. 6. 50. 51. 54. 57, 58.  eating of this blessed tree  
Of life, Christ Jesus, are thereby made free  
From death and hell, who planted was, and lay  

d Joh. 19 41. 42.  Entombed amidst a garden, 
e 1 Cor. 15. 54, 55, 57  death to slay:   

10.  
Adam was 
f Gen. 3. 22.  thrust from Eden to his loss:  
Christ from a 
g Joh. 18. 1. 2. to 16.  Garden lead was to his Cross.   

11.  
He 
h Gen. 3. 22, 23, 24.  banished Eden, could return no more,  
Christ all his chosen thither to restore,  
Dragged 
i Joh. 18. 1. 2. c. 19 41, 42.  from a garden, was brought back again  
And there entombed, as soon as he was slain.   

12.  
In Eden 
k Gen. 3. 3. to 18. Rom. 5. 7. to 16.  death against man first prevailed:  
Death in a 
l Joh. 19 41. 42. c. 20. 1. to 17.  Garden was by Christ first quailed:  
Here he arose again from death: and then  
Appeared there first to Mary Magdalen.  
Winning the field of Deaths, Sins, Devil's Host,  
In that same place where Adam first it lost:  
And there triumphed over all this Sect,  
Where they their Trophies did at first erect.  
Needs must our Gardens then be very sweet,  
And pleasant, where these acts of Christ all meet:  
Which rightly pondered by us, in a trice,  
Would change each Garden to a Paradise,  
And make us see, that we by Christ gain more  
In Gardens now, than Adam lost before.  
Sweet Jesus when a Garden we espy  
Rap thou our souls into an ecstasy.  
With these, or such like pious Thoughts; that we  
An Eden in each Garden-plot may see;  
And feel a blessed Heaven still to grow,  
Within our souls, whiles we are here below.    

Meditations of the fourth Class.  
Again; me thinks a Garden God's blessed Word  
Doth well resemble, and therewith accord.  

1.  
For first as 
m Gen. 27 27. Hosea 14. 6.  Gardens yield most fragrant smells,  
So God's dear Word in 
n Cant. 5. 16. 2 Cor. 2. 15.  sweetness far excels:  
It's rich perfumes, and odours still entice  
His Saints to 
o Ps. 119. 97. 47. 48. 72. 111. 112 113. 127. 140. 159. 167.  love it, in most ardent wise.  
O let our 
p Deut. 6. 6. 7. 8. 9 c. 11. 18. 19 20. Ps. 119. 97.  houses, words, thoughts, acts, lives, smell  
Of its sweet odours, which all else excel.   

2.  

q Cant. 5. 1. 2. 3. 1 King. 21. 2.  Gardens yield store of pleasant fruits, roots, cates,  
Herbs, salads, cordials, fit for all estates,  
To feed, feast, please their palates, and to cheer  
Their drooping hearts, oppressed with pain, grief, fear.  
God's blessed word is stored with 
r 2 Pet. 1. 3. 4. 2 Cor. 1. 4. 20. Rom. 15. 4. 9 10. Ps. 19 8. 10. Ps. 119. 72. 127. jer. 15. 16.  promises,  
Which feed, feast, cheer, the hearts of all degrees:  
And are more pleasant, cordial, sweet, and dear  
To drooping souls, than all this world's best cheer.  
O let us daily solace, fat, feast, fill,  
Our souls with these blessed cates, & cheer them still.   

3.  
As Gardens so the Scriptures yield great store,  
Of 
s Psal. 42. 4. to the end. Ps. 43. 5. Isa 1. 5. 6. to 21. Act. 3. 19 1 Joh. 1. 7.  salves, and good receipts for every sore,  
Wound, sickness, grief, which men's souls can affect,  
No hope of health, for those who them neglect.  
O let us prize these balms, which souls can cure,  
If they be healed the bodies safe and sure.   

4.  
Gardens are full of all 
t Gen. 2. 8. to 16. Cant. 6. 2. c. 5. 1. 2.  variety  
Of flowers, herbs, fruits which delight the eye.  
And bring most sweet refreshment and content,  
To such as are to meditation bend,  
Yea all of all sorts: So Gods sacred word  
To all of all ranks, can and doth afford  
A copious store, and sweet variety  
Of 
u 2 Pet. 1. 3. 4. 1 Tim. 3. 16. Heb. 6. 12.  great and precious promises, which lie  
Dispersed in it, to refresh, joy, ease  
All sad dejected souls, and them appease.  
O with what pleasure, joy, and blessed delight,  
May tired drooping souls, both day and night  
Walk in the midst of this sweet Paradise,  
Where all refreshing comforts grow and rise?  
Let these be still our 
x Psal. 1. 2. Psal. 119. 97. Deut. 6. 6, 7, 8, 9 c. 17. 19 Josh. 1. 8.  study, night and day,  
Which all our griefs, fears, sins will chase away.   

5.  
All 
y Cant. 5. 1. c. 6. 2. 11.  Gardens sweet refreshment still afford  
To tired bodies, spirits: So God's word  
To 
z Isa. 40. 1. 2. c. 61. 1. 2. 3. c. 26. 20. Rom. 15. 4.  weary souls oppressed with sin, and spent  
With grief, yields sweet refreshment and content:  
Here may they find blest rest, repose, and ease,  
When nought else can them comfort or appease.  
O let our souls for ever dwell and rest  
In its refreshing shade, which makes them blest.   

6.  
Gardens 
a Cant. 4. 12. Isa. 5. 1.  enclosed are, God's word is so,  
Within his 
b Rom. 3. 2. 1 Tim. 3. 15. Isa. 6. 16.  Churches pale: there must we go  
To seek and find it; sith the Church doth keep,  
And show the Scriptures to Christ's chosen sheep;  
But not confirm or give authority  
To them, who do 
c Rom. 2. 16. Ephes. 2. 20.  her judge, surport, and try.   

7.  
Gardens are 
d Jer. 39 4. c. 52. 7. c. 29. 5. 18 Amos 9 14.  Common both to rich and poor,  
To all of all sorts: So the Scriptures door  
Is shut to none, but open stands to 
e Mat. 28. 19 20. Mar. 6. 15.  all  
Degrees of men: to rich, poor, great, and small.  
Yea 
f Luk. 4. 18. c. 7. 22. Mat. 11. 5. Jam. 2. 5. 6. 2 Cor. 9 9  poor-men (most part) have a greater share  
In this rich Garden, than the great'st that are.   

8.  
Gardens are fruitful, and make all things 
g Isa. 61. 11.  grow,  
That men in season in them plant, or sow:  
God's word is fertile too, and 
h Col. 1. 6. Act. 19 20. 1 Thes. 1. 5. to the end.  makes men spring,  
Grow, thrive in grace, and much fruit forth to bring.   

9  
Gardens most sweetly picture to our eyes  
Minds, thoughts, God, Christ, and man in lively-wise:  
Thus do the 
i Joh. 5. 39 2 Pet. 1. 2. 4. 19 Eph. 2. 8. to 13. c. 2. 12. 13. Ps. 39 5. 6.  Scriptures too, in far more bright  
And perfect colours paint them to our sight.  
He who would these exactly know and see,  
Must on the Scriptures always looking be.   

10.  
Gardens are full of objects, whence we may  
Sweet 
k Psal. 143. 5. Ps. 104. Isa 40. 6, 7, 8. c. 61. 11.  contemplations raise from day to day,  
To make us better, and translate our love  
From earth to heaven, and the 
l Col. 3. 1, 2, 3.  things above:  
So are the Scriptures. O thrice happy they  
Who 
m Psal. 1. 1. 2.  meditate still in them night and day,  
To mend their lives, hearts, souls, and elevate  
Them from an earthly, to an heavenly state.  
All other 
n Act. 19 19 Col. 2. 8.  studies, 
o Joh. 17. 3. Jer. 23. 28, 29. 1 Pet. 1. 23. 25. Psal. 119. Psal. 19 7. to 14.  matched with these, are base,  
And leave the soul but in a damned case.  
Only the Scriptures make us truly blest,  
And guide our souls unto eternal rest.   

11.  
Lord let us daily more and more descry  
The sacred Scriptures worth and dignity;  
Our souls to cheer, feast, ravish with their love,  
That we our words, thoughts acts may guide and move,  
As they direct, and let each Gardens sight  
Present them to our thoughts with sweet delight.  
That while we view this leaf of nature's book,  
We may more clearly into God's book look;  

p Rom. 1. 19 20. 21. Act. 14. 17. c. 17. 24. to 31.  The one whereof gives to the other light:  
And both conjoined, will yield more sweet delight.    

Meditations of the fifth Sort.  
Again, in Gardens we may view and find  
A lively map and picture of mankind;  
And day by day both in them read and see  
The story of ourselves, and what we be.  

1.  
For first those 
q Luk. 13. 19  seeds, which we in gardens saw:  
And bury in their wombs that they may grow,  
And spring up thence: present unto our eyes  
That 
r Gen. 38. 8. 9  humane seed, from which we all arise,  
And sprout: at first sown, planted in the womb,  
And there interred, as in a Garden tomb,  
Till it be quickened form and made fit  
To come into the World, and break from it.   

2.  
Each seed, root, plant we see in Gardens spring,  
And peep out of the earth, doth sweetly bring  
Unto our minds, and shadows to our eyes  
Man's birth into this world, in lively-wise:  
Who 
s Gen. 38. 28, 29. 30.  breaks, and creeps out from his mother's womb,  
Like seed out of the earth, that he may come  
Into this wretched world, whose misery  
As soon as borne, still makes him weep and cry.   

3.  
The weak young tender blades, and sprouts that grow,  
Up first from seeds, roots, plants, do lively, show  
Unto our eyes and thoughts, man's infancy  
Who 
t Ezech. 16. 4, 5. Exod. 2. 6.  cannot stand or go, but crawl and lie  
Upon the ground, like blades, grass, sprigs new thrust  
Out of the earth, which lean, lie on the dust.   

4.  
Their further growth in strength, height, breadth, each day;  
Man's 
* Gen. 21. 8. 12. c. 25. 27. Judg. 13. 24.  daily growth in all these, well display;  
Until his youth out-grows his infancy,  
By senseless steps, and make him sprout up high.   

5.  
Their progress till they blossom and forth bring  
Gay, goodly, lovely, sweet flowers in the spring,  
And Summer season, aptly typify  
Our fresh, sweet 
* 1 Cor. 7. 36.  flowering youth, which in each eye  
Makes us as comely, lovely, fresh, and gay,  
As garden-trees, flowers in the month of May;  
Though still as 
u Isa. 40. 6, 7. 8. 1 Pet. 1. 20. Psal. 102. 11. Psal. 103. 15. Ps. 90. 5, 6. Jam. 1, 10. Job. 14. 2.  fading as the tenderest flower,  
Oft cropped and withered in less than one hour.   

6.  
Their next succeeding fruits and seeds, express  
Our riper years, and age of fruitfulness;  

* Num. 1. 3. 18. c. 4. 3. 1 Tim. 3. 4, 5, 6. 2 Chr. 10. 6. to 12.  Fit for employment, and the practice part  
Of any science, calling, trade, skill, art,  
Or public office in the Church, or State:  
For which our youth's too soon, our age too late.   

7.  
Their full ripe Leaves, fruits seeds, which bend, and 
* Isa 34. 4. c. 64. 4.  fall  
Unto the earth at last; may mind us all  
Of man's old age, which will him 
x Eccles. 12. 2, 3, 4.  bow, then cast,  
Or bring quite down unto the 
y Gen. 3. 19  dust at last,  
From whence he sprung, and useth to 
z 2 Sam. 19 31, 35, 35. 1 King. 1. 1. Gen. 27. 1.  decay  
His strength, teeth, senses, parts, which fall away  
As leaves, seeds, fruits in autumn: and him make  
Like withered stalks, which leaves, seeds, fruits forsake;  
Before his aged shriv'led Body dies,  
Whilst it weak, bedrid, senseless, half-dead lies.   

8.  
The 
* Zech. 11. 2.  falling of their withered stalks, trunks, boughs,  
Unto the earth at last; most lively shows,  
That our 
a Job 5. 26.  old age, itself will kill us all  
At last, and make us dead to earth to fall,  
Though near so healthy, wealthy, mighty, strong:  
And that, if nought else kill us, 
b Gen. 5. 5. to 32.  living long  
Will do it: a disease which none can cure:  
If others scape, old men to die are sure.   

9  
The buring of these old stalks, leaves again,  
When fall'n down on the earth, shows forth most plain,  
Before our eyes, our funerals, when we  
Quite dead and withered, shall 
c Gen. 23. 4. to 20. c. 47. 30.  interred be,  
And shut close prisoners in our mother 
d Gen. 3. 19  earth's  
Dark womb, from whence at first we had our births.   

10.  
Their rotting there, and turning into dust;  
Instructs us how the grave shall rot and rust  
Our corpse, and turn them into 
e Gen. 3. 19 Eccles. 3. 10. c. 12. 7.  dust at last,  
Sith God such sentence hath against them past.   

11.  
The seeds which drop into the earth, and there  

f 1 Cor. 15. 36, 37, 38. to 55. 1 Thes. 4. 13. to 18. Job. 19 25, 26, 27.  Rot for a time, but yet again appear,  
And spring afresh, more glorious than before,  
And by their rising much increase their store:  
Demonstrate to us in most pregnant wise,  
How our dead rotten Corpse again shall rise  
Out of the dust, and graves wherein they lie,  
In greater vigour, glory, dignity.  
Then ever they enjoyed; and gain far more  
By rising, than by death they lost before.  
O let this arm us against all the fear  
Of death or grave, and still us joy and cheer.   

12.  
When we behold some 
g Ps. 90. 5, 6. Ps. 103. 15. 16. Psal. 129. 6.  tender bud or blade,  
Nipped with the frost, winds, storms, to fall and fade  
So soon as shot forth: we may learn thereby  
How men oft times even in their 
h Eccles. 4. 3. Job. 3. 11. 16. 21. c. 10. 18. 19  infancy  
As soon as borne, yea sometimes in the womb  
Are nipped and cropped by death, and to their Tomb  
Depart from hence so soon, so suddenly,  
As if they were borne only for to die.  
Let younglings then, as well as old prepare  
For death, from which 
i Isa. 40. 6, 7, 8. Heb. 9 27.  none un-exempted are.   

13.  
When as we view the 
k Psal. 103. 15, 16. Isa. 40. 6, 7, 8. Job. 14. 1, 2. Isa. 28. 1. 4. Jam. 1. 11. 1 Pet. 1. 24.  bravest, fairest flowers  
Cropped, blasted, withered, vanished in few hours:  
We may therefrom contemplate, how that we  
By sudden death oft blasted, withered be,  
Cropped off, consumed in few minute's space,  
Even in the flower, prime, pride, choice, vigour, grace  
Of all our days, when 
l Isa. 28. 15. 18.  death from us did seem  
The farthest off, and we did not once dream  
Of its approach. A truth we daily see,  
Which should teach youth, for death prepared to be.   

14,  
The ripe fruits, seeds which we in gardens view,  
Plucked off, and gathered; clearly to us show  
How 
m Job. 5. 26.  men of ripe years, are most commonly,  
Pulled off by death, and so should look to die,  
At least as soon as ripe, if not before,  
Sith than they stand near unto grim deaths door,  
Whom if he spare to pull or shake down, they  
Will of themselves in short space fall away,  
And drop into his mouth. Let then all such  
Stand 
n Job. 14. 14. Gen. 27. 2.  still prepared for death, who doth them touch.   

15.  
Each seed, fruits, leaf, flower, blossom we see fall,  
Fade, rot within our Gardens 
o Isa. 1. 30. c. 34. 4. c. 40. 6, 7, 8. c. 64. 6. Job. 14. 1, 2. Heb. 9 27.  show how all  
Mankind must fade, fall, rot, and die like these  
Each in his time, and perish by degrees;  
And that no age, sex, calling, state is free  
From death, to which they ever subject be:  
And so should teach all to 
p Psal. 90. 5. 6. 12 Ps. 39 4. 5. 12.  account each day  
Their last, wherein they look to pass away.   

16.  
Each Garden in the years four seasons paints  
Forth to our eyes, and us full well acquaints  
With man's four ages, which do comprehend  
The whole race of his life, until it end.  
In 
q Psal. 38. 35, 36. Ps. 92. 7.  spring time they depaint our infancy,  
And younger years: in summer they descry  
Our youthful flowering age. In Autumn they  
Our riper years, and drooping age display;  
In 
r Isa. 1. 30. Ezech. 17. 9, 10. Psal. 102. 4. 11.  winter when they shrivelled, naked are,  
And all amort, decayed: they then declare  
Our old decrepit, withered, dying years,  
When, all within us, dead, nought fresh appears,  
We can no time then in our gardens be,  
But we ourselves may there read, know, view, see,  
By contemplation, in more complete wise  
Than in all pictures painters can devise.  
O let us view ourselves in this bright glass  
Each day, and 
s Psal. 90. 9, 10.  see there how our ages pass,  
And slit away, until we whither, die;  
To 
t Deut 32. 29.  mind us still of our mortality:   

17.  
Besides, by meditation we may hence  
Behold, mind, know our state of innocence  
Before our fall: since God did 
u Cen. 2. 8. to 17.  Adam place  
In Eden's garden, in a state of Grace,  
And Innocence, it both to keep and dress,  
Where he not long enjoyed this happiness.   

18.  
Yea, in our Gardens we may read and eye  
Our fall and state of sin and misery,  
Sith we in 
x Gen. 3. Rom. 5. 8, 9 etc.  Eden's Garden caught that fall  
Through Adam's sin, which did undo us all,  
And 
y Rom. 7. 8. to 25. c. 9 12.  plunge us into such a woeful state  
Of sin, and vice, as makes God us to hate;  
And daily 
z Rom. 1. 25. to 32. c. 7, 8, to 25. Jam. 1. 13, 14, 15.  spurs us unto all excess  
Of horrid sins, and monstrous wickedness;  
Which 
a Psal. 9 17. Mat. 25. 41. 46.  cast us headlong into hell, and make  
Us nought but fuel for that fiery Lake,  
A dismal state indeed, whose thought should rend  
Our stony hearts, and cause them to relent.   

19  
But not despair, sith in this very place  
Christ hath restored us to a state of grace,  
Of which it minds us, all sad hearts to cheer,  
And us from our collapsed state help rear.  
For as Christ in a 
b Joh. 18. 1. to 16. c. 19 41, 42. c. 20. 1. to 17. Rom. 4, 25. 1 Cor. 15. throughout. 2 Cor. 4. 14. Eph. 2. 10.  Garden was betrayed,  
And dead, there in a new sepulchre laid,  
So did he there from death rise up again,  
And thereby raised up all his chosen train,  
From their lost, lapsed, to a blessed state  
Of grace and glory. O then celebrate,  
And ever bless, praise, love, serve Christ, who thus  
Hath raised, redeemed, restored, exalted us:  
And let each Garden put us still in mind  
Of these three states belonging to mankind,  
Without whose perfect knowledge, view, and sight,  
We cannot know God, nor ourselves aright.   

20.  
Each weed which we in gardens see to grow,  
Our sinful state, and seeds of vice us show,  
Both from 
c Gen 3. 17, 18, 19  man's fall in Eden first did spring,  
And sighs, 
d Gen. 3. 1, 2. 1 King. 11. 1, to 10. 2 Chron. 21. 1, to 12. 2 Tim. 2. 17. c. 3. 1. to 9 2 Pet. 2. 1, 2. Col. 2. 8. Act. 20. 29, 30.  groans, tears, should from our hard hearts wring,   

21.  
We see the fattest Garden ground still breeds  
The largest, rankest briers, 
* Prov. 24. 31. Isa. 39 13. Zeph. 2. 9 Hos. 9 6.  nettles, weeds:  
So greatest sins, crimes, vices usually,  
In men of greatest parts, wit, dignity,  
And in the richest persons, Natures grow,  
Not in the vulgar meaner sort below.  
The pregnant wits, best Nature's void of grace,  
Are greatest sins, crimes, vices common place.  
O trust not then to 
e Eph. 2. 1, 2, 3. c. 4. 17, 18, 19 Rom. 1. 24. to 32. Job. 15. 16. Rom. 7. 14. to 25.  Nature, parts or wit,  
Which if true grace control not, are but fit  
To breed those rankest weeds, which overgrow  
Them in short space, and work their overthrow.   

22.  
That 
f Isa. 58. 11. c. 61. 11. Ezec. 36. 35. Joel. 2. 3. Deu. 22. 2.  fruitfulness and great variety  
Of good and useful fruits, plants, herbs we eye  
In Gardens: minds us of that 
g Col. 1. 10. 6. Rom. 1. 13. Phil. 4. 17. c. 1. 11. Jam. 3. 17. 2 Pet. 1. 5. to 11.  fruitfulness,  
Those useful virtues, graces they express,  
Which should still grow, and flourish in mankind,  
In whom, alas, we them most rarely find.  
What? shall our gardens, fruitful, useful be,  
Stored with all good fruits, herbs, roots? and yet we  
Be barren, fruitless, void of virtue, grace,  
And nought but lust, vice, weeds in us have place?  
O shame! O sin! let gardens teach us then,  
Now to prove fertile, good and gracious men.   

23.  
Each Gardens 
h Cant 2. 12, 3. Hosea 14. 16, 7. Ps 103. 25, Ps. 92. 17.  glorious lustre in the spring,  
And Summer time: sets forth men's 
i Dan. 4. 4 30.  flourishing,  
Gay, prosperous worldly State, which carnal eyes,  
And hearts, most part, do over love and prize,  
Without good reason, sith 
k Dan. 4. 30, 31, 32, 33. c. 5. 30, 31. c. 6. 1. to 27. Psal. 37. 35, 36. Ps. 73. 18, 19, 20. Job. 20. 5, 6, 7. c. 21. 11, 12, 13. Psal. 92. 17. 2 Chron. 33. 11. c. 36. 1. to 22. Josh. c. 10. & 11. & 12. Judg. 1. 5, 6, 7. Job. 1. 13. to 22. Lam. 4. 6.  within one hour  
It ofttimes fades, and withers like a flower.  
How many see we great, rich, in good plight,  
At morning; base, poor, wretched, dead, ere night?  
In thrones to day, adorned with a Crown;  
In chains ere morning, slain, or quite put down?  
All times and stories seal this truth; be wise  
Then now, and learn this world's pomp to despise.   

24.  
The sudden blasts and winters which befall  
Our Gardens, and 
l Ps. 103. 15, 16. Isa. ●0. 6. 7. 8.  decay or strip of all  
Their lustre, beauty, flowers, fruits, represent  
Unto our eyes and minds; that discontent,  
Diseases, crosses, losses, which oft blast  
Decay, consume, dry up, spoil, and lay waste  
men's bodies, fortunes, states, and in short space  
Leave them weak, 
m Job. 1. & 2. & 3. see k. before.  naked, in most wretched case.  
A truth we daily see. Let none then bless  
Himself, or trust in worldly happiness,  
Which every cross, storm, sickness will decay;  
And when our winter comes will fade away.   

25.  
The Garden flowers we see, each year to die  
And 
n Isa. 40. 6. 7. 8. Ps. 103. 15. 16.  last not many Months: 
o Job. 14. 1. 2. c. 8. 9 Psal. 102. 11.  the brevity  
Of man's frail, life, demonstrates to our sight  
In lively sort, and should each day and night,  
Fit, and 
p Job. 14. 14. Isa. 38. 1. 2. 2 Tim. 4. 6. 7. 8. Mat. 24. 42. c. 25. 13. Luk. 12. 38.  prepare us for our dying day,  
And all vain thoughts of long life chase away.  
Hence holy men did place their 
q Joh. 18. 41. Mat. 27. 60. 2 King. 21. 18.  Tombs of old,  
Within their garden, where they did behold  
So many pictures of mortality,  
From day to day, and summons still to die;  
For fear their Garden pleasures and delights,  
Should chase away death from their thoughts or sights.  
And should instruct us in the 
r Eccles. 11. 8. 9 c. 12. 1. etc.  midst of all  
Our pleasures, pastimes death to mind to call.  
But chiefly when we in our Gardens walk,  
Where we still view him in each leaf, flower, stalk,  
That fades, falls, withers. So that we are blind,  
Yea sottish, if we there death do not mind.   

26.  
The new fresh garden flowers, 
s Job. 14. 7, 8, 9 12. Hosea 14. 5, 6, 7. Cant. 2. 12, 13. Psal. 104. 30.  herbs, plants we see  
Spring up in place of those that withered be,  
From their seeds, roots; most sweetly to us show,  
The new 
t Judg. 2. 10. Psal. 48. 15. Eccles. 1. 4.  successions in mankind, which grow,  
Out of the seed and loins of those who die,  
Whose vacant places they fill and supply.   

27.  
When we behold those garden flowers, herbs, trees,  
Which seemed quite dead in winter, by degrees  
When spring-time comes, 
u Cant. 2. 12, 13. Job. 14. 7, 8, 9 12. Hosea 14. 5, 6. 7.  revive, sprout up on high,  
And flourish more than they did formerly:  
It sweetly shows, minds, learns us, when as we  
With sickness, crosses, losses, withered be,  
And all amort, 
x Joh. 42. 10. to 17. Hosea 14. 5, 6, 7. Micah 7. 8, 9, 10. Psal. 34. 19 22. Ps. 37. 32, 33, 37, 39, 40. Ps. 40. 1, 2, 3. Psal. 138. 7. Ps. 142. 7. Psal. 145. 18, 19, 20. Psal. 71. 20, 21. Ezech. 37. 1. to 12.  that if with patience,  
Faith, prayer, hope and steadfast confidence  
We wait on God, we shall revive, grow, spring,  
In his due time, and gain a flourishing,  
far better state, than we enjoyed before;  
As Job with others have done heretofore.  
Be then our crosses, cases what they will,  
Past hope past help in carnal eyes: yet 
y Ps. 42. 5, to the end. Ps. 43. 2, 3, 5. Psal. 4●. 1, 2, 3. 4. Psal. 27. 1, 2, 3. 14. Psal. 29. 11. Psal. 31. 23. 24. Ps. 40. 1, 2, 3. Ezech. 37. 1. to 13.  still,  
Let us with cheerful, joyful hearts rely,  
And wait on God for help; who certainly  
Will in best time, our winter season end,  
And us a joyful Spring and Summer send:  
Wherein we shall revive, grow, flourish more,  
And happier be than ever heretofore  
God, who our fields and gardens makes to spring,  
Will much more cause us to 
z Hosea 14. 5, 6, 7.  sprout, grow, shout, sing:  
Which well digested, would us cheer and joy  
Amidst all crosses, which could us annoy:  
Yea banish all our 
a 1 Cor. 15. 55, 56.  fear of death or grave,  
From which we shall a 
b Isay 26. 19 Job. 19 25, 26, 27. 1 Cor. 15. 1 Thes. 4. 13. to 18. Joh. 11. 24.  resurrection have  
To endless glory, which each garden's spring,  
Unto our minds and eyes, with joy shall bring.   

28.  
The divers sorts of herbs, flowers, plants, roots, trees,  
Of different Natures, Qualities, Degrees,  
We see grow in our Garden, without jar,  
Or discord, close together, or not far  
Asunder: To us aptly represent,  
What sweet 
c Rom. 12. 10. 16, 18, 19 c. 13, 8, 9, 10. c. 15, 5, 6. 7. Gen. 13. 8, 9 Eph. ●. 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. Heb. 12. 14, 15.  agreement, concord, love, consent  
There aught to be 'twixt men, although they be  
Of different natures, callings, minds, degree,  
When planted in one Country, City, place,  
Church, household, or disjoined some little space.  
And checks all 
d Prov. 13. 10. c. 17. 14. c. 18. 6. 19 1 Cor. 1. 11, 12, 13. Rom. 16. 17, 18.  proud, malignant, turbulent,  
And greedy men, who are to discord bend;  
And never rest content with what they have,  
But others 
e Isay 5. 8. Mich. 2. 2, 3.  Lands, goods, places, seek and crave,  
Enduring none to live in quietness  
Near them, that they alone might all possess.   

5.  
When as we see weeds Gardens overgrow,  
Deface, kill herbs, flowers, fruits that in them blow,  
Through mere neglect, and want of weeding; we  
As in a map or glass, may thereby see,  
How weeds of 
f 2 Chron. 33. 2. to 15. Prov. 11. 11. c. 12. 7. c. 14. 11. Psal. 140. 11. Ps. 37. 38. 2 Pet. 2. 1. to 22.  sin, lust, vice men overgrow,  
Disgrace, deturpate, kill, and overthrow,  
For want of timely weeding: and deface,  
Choke all their parts, wits, virtues, gifts of grace:  
And so should teach us with all care to weed  
Them out, as fast as they within us breed:  
Which, if neglected will in short time gain  
Such root, that they will in us still 
* Joh. 8. 11. 2 Chro. 34. 15. 16. 17. Jer. 13. 23.  remain,  
Until they over-runne, kill, quite decay  
Our virtues, parts, and cast our souls away.   

30.  
As Gardens are the 
g Gen. 3. 8. to 15. Cant. 5. 1.  richest, pleasantest  
Prime parts of all the Earth: So 
h Gen. 1. 26. to 31. c. 2. 18. to 22. c. 3. 1. to 8. Psal. 8. 4. to 9  man's the best,  
Chief, primate, Lord of all God's works: which high  
Advancement and surpassing dignity,  
Should make him 
i Ps. 95. 1. 7. Psal. 100 1. 2. 3. 4.  thankful, and strive to excel  
All else in goodness, graces, living well;  
There being nought so 
k Prov 13. 5. Mat. 7. 6. 2 Pet. 2. 21. 22. Isa. 1. 6. c. 66. 3. 4. c. 64. 6. Zach. 11. 8.  loathsome, vile or base  
As men devoid of goodness, virtue, grace;  
The vilest toads, or creatures we behold  
Are better than such men ten thousand-fold.  
For shame then let our graces, lives, express,  
Grace, Crown that state of honour, we possess.   

31.  
The care men have to 
l Isa. 5. 2. Cant. 4. 12. Mat. 21. 33.  fence, weed, dung, prune, dress,  
Those Gardens, Orchards which they here possess  
To make them fruitful, pleasant: should excite  
Us all with greater care, pains and delight,  
Our souls to fence 
m Jer. 9 14. Isa. 55. 1, 2, 3. Joh. 15. 5. 8.  weed, water, dung, prune, dress,  
That they in fruits of grace, and pleasantness,  
May more abound; it being to no end  
Those, not ourselves, to fence, soil, dress, & mend.   

32.  
When we behold small Gardens fraught with store  
Of rarest flowers, herbs, fruits, and yielding more  
Of these than greatest Gardens, commonly  
Made more for pleasure, than commodity:  
We may contemplate, how some men of small  
And little stature, oft excel the tall,  
Great, vastest, men of bulk, in gifts, wit, parts,  
True valour, learning, wisdom, skill in Arts:  
And how 
n Psal. 78. 70. 71. 72. Eccles. 4. 13. 14. c. 9 15. 16. 1 Cor. 1. 16. 17. 18. Jam. 2. 1. to 8. 2 Cor. 4. 7. to 12. 1 Cor. 4. 9 to 14. Job. 32 9 Jer 5. 5. 6.  mean men for birth, state, fortune, place  
Oft times transcend in wisdom, parts, arts, grace  
In rarest gifts, and virtues of each kind  
The Greatest Nobles, Peers, in whom we find  
Too oft more show than substance, less within  
Than in a russet coat, or courser skin:  
It is not greatness, honour, wealth, place then  
That make us fruitful, good, or better men  
Than others: but our goodness, virtue, grace,  
And fruitful lives, without which all are 
o Dan. 11. 21. Psal 15. 4. Isa. 32. 5. 6.  base  
What ever he their births, states, dignities  
By them, not these, God will them 
p Mal. 3. 16. 17. Mat. 7. 22. 23. Act. 10. 34. Col. 3. 25. 1 Pet. 1. 17.  judge and prize,  
The poorest men adorned with them 
q Prov. 12 26. Ps. 16. 3.  excel  
The greatest Kings in whom they do not dwell.   

33.  
Lord, make each Garden, I shall henceforth see,  
A Crystal lookingglass, and book to me,  
Wherein I may mine own Mortality  
And humane state so clearly view, descry,  
Read, and contemplate, as each day to mend  
My sinful life, and fit me for my end;  
Still walking worthy of that humane state  
Wherein thou mad'st me, till thou shalt translate  
Me to a better in the heavens high,  
Where I with thee shall live eternally.    

Meditations of the sixth Rank.  
ONce more, a Garden paints forth to our view,  
The state of God's Church, and his chosen crew.  

1.  
For first, as Gardens are 
r Isa. 5. 1, 2, 3. Gen. 2. 8, to 12. 1 King. 21. 2. Cant. 4. 12. Mat. 21. 33.  choice plots culled out  
From other common grounds that lie about,  
And sequestered from them for special use:  
So God his Church and Saints doth call, and choose,  
Then set apart from others, 
s Isa 41. 8, 9 c. 44. 1, 2. Eph. 1. 4. 2 Thess 1. 13. 1 Pet. 2. 9 Rev. 17. 14.  of mere grace,  
For special use, and his own dwelling place.   

2.  
Gardens 
t Cant. 4. 12. Matth. 21. 33. Isa 5. 2.  enclosed are with walls, pales, bounds,  
Hedges, dikes, and more fenced than other grounds:  
So God his Church and chosen doth 
u Psal. 125. 2. Isay 4. 5. 6. c. 5. 1, 2. c. 27. 2, 3. Psal. 34. 7. Ps. 121. 3. to the end.  enclose,  
And fence with walls, pales, dikes against all foes,  
Boars, beasts that would annoy, or root them out,  
And none so safe as they are fenced about.   

3.  
Gardens are often 
x Mat. 21. 33. Isay 5. 2. 6. Luc. 13. 19  digged to kill their weeds;  
And them to plant, sow with good fruits, roots, seeds  
Of all sorts, which else would not there spring, grow:  
So Gods elect, and Church, whiles here below  
Are oft times digged and 
y Psal. 129. 3. Jer. 26. 18. Jer. 4. 3. Hos. 2. 23. c. 10. 12. 2 Chr. 33. 11, 12, 13. Psal. 119. 67. Isay 48. 10.  ploughed up sundry ways  
By foes, and crosses which God on them lays,  
Their weeds of sin, vice, error for to kill,  
And them with all good plants, roots, fruits to fill;  
Plant, sow, of which they were 
z Jer. 22. 21. 2 Chron. 34. 16, ●7.  uncapable,  
Until digged up, and made Gods arable.  
O let us never murmur, nor complain  
When God thus digs or ploughs us for our 
a Heb. 12. 10, 11. Ps. 119. 67. Isa. 1. 25. Dan. 11. 35. Mal. 3. 3.  gain,  
Our sins to root up, and in us to plant  
Instead of them, all graces which we want.   

4.  

b Isa. 5. 1, 2, 3. Mat. 21. 33.  Gardens are dunged, dressed, kept with special care  
To make them fertile, and more fruits to bear:  
God's Church and chosen are still dunged, soiled, fed,  
With his sweet 
c 1 Pet. 2. 2. Isa 55. 1. 3. Joh. 6. 30. to 62.  Word, and Sacramental bread,  
And daily 
d 1 Cor. 3. to 12.  dressed, kept with great cost, care, toil,  
To make them useful, fruitful, fat, rich soil,  
By sacred Gardeners; else no 
e Rom. 7. 18. Joh. 1. 1●. Act. 20. 32. c. 26. 18.  one good thing,  
No fruits of grace would in them grow or spring.  
O let us answer Gods great cost, pains, care!  
If after these we barren, fruitless are,  
It will be fatal; 
f Isa. 5. 1. to 8. Ps. 80. 12. 13. 2 Chron. 24. 15. 16, 17, 18.  God in wrath will haste  
To root us up, and lay us ever waste:   

5.  
No choice seeds, roots, plants, herbs in gardens grow,  
Unless men them there first 
g Gen. 2. 8. Isa. 5. 2, 3. Jer. 29. 5. 18. Amos 5. 11. c. 9 14.  plant, set, or sow,  
When 
h Gen. 3. 17. 18, 19 Heb. 6. 8. Prov. 24. 31. Zeph. 2. 9 Hosea 9 6. Isa. 34. 13.  weeds, grass, herbs, plants, that are common, there  
Spring up and grow without our cost, pains, care:  
No choice rare plants, roots fruits of saving grace  
Will spring or grow, in any Church, Saint, place,  
Unless God first them 
i Isa. 60. 21. c. 61. 9 1 Cor. 3. 5. to 12. Eph. 2. 1. to 14.  plant, sow cherish there,  
When all by nature weeds, and ill fruits bear,  
And common Moral virtues; which are found  
In very Pagans, heathens, common ground.  
Lord plant and store our souls with grace, that we  
May sweet and fruitful Gardens be to thee.   

6.  
Gardens are fruitful 
k Isa. 61. 11.  making that to grow  
With great increase, which men within them sow:  
God's Church and chosen 
l Mat. 13. 8. 24. Joh. 15. 5. 8. Col. 1. 10.  fertile are, the seed  
Sown in their hearts, a large increase doth breed,  
Though more in some than others: Happy we  
If such a large increase God in us see.   

7.  
No Garden soil so good, but that it 
m Gen 3. 18. Isay. 34. 13. Prov. 24. 31. Zeph. 2. 9 Hos. 9 6.  breeds,  
And of its own accord, brings forth some weeds,  
Which not plucked up with care would overflow,  
And quickly kill the fruits that in it grow:  
The best, the purest 
n Mat. 13. 24. to 51. Rev. 2. 3. 1 Joh. 11. 8. 9 10. Jam. 3. 2. Rom. 7. 7. to. 25. Prov. 24. 16.  Churches, Saints that be  
From weeds of sin, vice, errors are not free,  
Which do and will still in them daily grow  
Up of themselves, whiles they are here below.  
And not 
o Heb. 12. 15. 16, 17. Mat. 13. 1. 23. Heb. 4. 1. 11. c. 3. 13. 1 Cor. 5. 6, 7.  pulled up, kept down with daily care,  
Much pains, would soon hide, kill, choke all their rare  
Resplendent virtues, graces: O then still  
Be rooting up these weeds that be so ill.   

8.  

p Prov. 24. 30, 31.  Weeds in a Garden are a loathsome thing;  
And though we cannot hinder them to spring  
Up there, yet still we root them up with speed,  
And not permit them there to grow root, seed:  
Weeds of corruption, error, sin that rise  
Up in the Church, or Saints, to Gods pure eyes,  
(And their own too) are a vile 
q Hab. 1. 13. Prov. 13. 5. 1 Cor. 5. 1, 2, 6, 7, 10, 12, 13.  horrid sight,  
Which though they cannot shun, yet still they 
r Rom. 6. 1. to 23. c. 7. 7. to 25. Gal. 5. 16. to 26. Heb. 12. 4. 1 Cor. 9 26, 27.  fight  
Against them, never suffering them to dwell,  
Root, breed within them, but with care expel,  
And keep them under, that they never reign  
Within them, though their relics there remain:  
That Church, man then is but in evil plight,  
Which doth not thus against sin daily fight;  
Which should by far more loathsome to us be,  
Than all the weeds we in our gardens see.   

9  
As Gardens, so God's Church, Saints 
s Joh. 1. 16. Col. 1. 10. Eph. 1. 23. c. 3. 16, 17, 18, 19 2 Pet. 1. 5. to 12. 2 Cor. 8. 7.  stored are  
With all the fruits, herbs, plants, of grace most rare,  
Rich, useful: here alone we may view, find  
All graces, virtues, of what ever kind;  
Whose shining lustre and variety,  
Make them most lovely in each sacred eye.   

10.  
Gardens are very 
t Cant. 5. 1, 2. c. 6. 2. 11. c. 8. 13. Gen. 27. 27. Hos. 14. 6.  pleasant, sweet in smell,  
Alluring men in them to walk, live, dwell,  
God's Church and chosen Saints are like: no place  
Or company to all endued with grace  
Is half 
u Psal. 16. 3. Acts 2. 42, 46, 47. Heb. 10. 24, 25. 1 Joh. 1. 3. c. 2. 19 Ps. 27. 4.  so pleasant, lovely sweet as they:  
Wherein, wherewith they long to be, dwell, stay  
For ever, and 
x Psal. 84. 1. to 12. Psal. 42. 1, 2. Ps. 27. 4.  would rather Porters be  
Within God's house, than men of best degree,  
Or Kings without it: finding more content  
And sweetness in one day or hour well spent  
Within it, than in thousand years, weeks, days,  
Past else where in the pleasantest feasts, masks, plays.  
Those who in God's Church, Saints, no such delight,  
Or sweetness find, may judge, their states not right.   

11.  
And as men thus 
y Cant. 5. 1. c. 6. 2. 12. c. 8. 13.  delight to walk, live, dwell,  
In pleasant gardens, which they like full well:  
So 
z Cant. 8. 13. c. 6. 2. 2 Cor. 6. 16. 17. 18. Leu. 26. 12. Eph. 3. 17. Rev. 7. 15. c. 21. 3. c. 3. 20. Gal. 2. 20. 1 Joh. 3. 24. c. 4. 16.  Christ within his Church, Saints, walks, resides,  
Lives, dwells, and in no place on earth abides,  
Delights or joys, so much as in them: where  
He feeds, feasts, rests, and doth his palace rear.  
Sweet Jesus let my soul thy garden be,  
That thou mayst still delight, walk, dwell in me.   

12.  
No 
a Gen. 2. 5, 6. 10. 11. Job. 8. 16. c. 14. 9 Isa. 1. 30. Jer. 14. 1. to 21. Isa. 58. 11. Ps. 65. 10. 11. Hosea 14. 5, 6, 7.  Gardens spring, grow green, or fructify,  
Unless the Sun shine on them from on high,  
And clouds drop rain, dew on them to revive  
Their withered fruits, and make them sprout, grow, thrive:  
No Church or Saint can 
b Isa. 27. 2, 3. Mal. 4. 2. Psal. 80. 7. 19 Luc. 1. 78, 79. 2 Cor. 4. 4. 6. Ps. 72. 6. Joh. 1. 16. Heb. 6. 6, 7. Ephe. 4. 15. c. 2. 21. 2 Thess. 1. 3. 1 Pet. 2. 2. 2 Pet. 3. 18. 1 Cor. 3. 5. to 11.  spring, grow, thrive in grace,  
Unless the rays of Gods most blessed face,  
And Christ's (the Son of righteousness) bright beams,  
Shine on them: and their sweetest showers, dews streams,  
And influence from heaven on them drop,  
To make them bear a rich and ample crop.  
Lord let thy Church and chosen ever be  
Blest with these rays, showers, streams which flow from thee:  
Then shall they 
c Ps. 1. 3. Jer. 17. 8. Ps 92. 13, 14, 15.  still be green, fresh, flourishing,  
And store of fruits of grace to thee forth bring.   

13.  
Gardens have in them all sorts of herbs, trees,  
Flowers, roots, plants: So the 
d Eph. 2. 10. 12, 13. 16. to 25. c. 3. 5. 6. Gal. 3. 27, 28. Jam. 2. 1. to 10. Mat. 13. 47, 48.  Church hath all degrees,  
And ranks of men within her, high, and low,  
Rich, poor, old, young, good, bad, here in her grow.  
This 
e Acts 10. 11. to 17. Mat. 13, 47, 48, 49.  Peter's sheet, Christ's net did typify,  
And is a truth apparent to each eye.  
From hence the Church hath gained the stile and name  
Of 
f Psal. 19 11. Rom. 10. 18. Matth. 28. 19 Mar. 16. 15, 16.  Catholic, sith all sorts in the same  
Comprised are. Let no men than seclude  
Themselves from her, who doth all sorts include.   

14.  
As 
g Gen. 2. 10. Num. 24. 6. Isa. 58. 11.  Gardens, so God's Church, Saints planted are  
By 
h Ps. 1. 3. Jer. 17. 8. Heb. 6. 7. Cant. 4. 15. Isa. 27. 2, 3. Joh. 4. 13, 14, 15. c. 7. 38. c. 19 34. 1 Joh. 5. 6. 8. Re. 21. 6. c. 22. 17. 1 Cor. 3. 5. to 12.  rivers sides, and Crystal streams, their rare,  
Rich, precious fruits, to water day by day,  
Which else would fade, and wither quite away:  
The living waters, springs, streams of Christ's blood,  
Word, spirit, grace, prepared for their good;  
Still by or in them glide, run, flow, and spring,  
To make them sweet, green, pleasant fruits to bring  
In more abundance. O 
i Heb. 6. 8. Mat. 3. 10. c. 7. 19 Luc. 13. 6, 7, 8.  thrice wretched we,  
If under these we withered, barren be.   

15.  
When 
k Psal. 80. 13. Cant. 2. 15.  wild bores, beasts break into Gardens, they  
Them root up, waist, deface, and much decay:  
When 
l Psal. 80. 12, 13, 14, 15. 2 Chron. 34. 15. to 19 Acts 8. 1, 3, 4. c. 9 1, 2. c. 12. 1. to 7.  cruel, potent tyrants, wolves, boars, swine,  
Break in upon God's Church, or Saints, they mine,  
Root up, spoil, wast them, unless God assuage,  
Restrain, divert, or quell their spiteful rage.  
Lord always 
m Ps. 125. 2, 3.  fence thy Church, Saints round about,  
Against all foes, who seek to root them out;  
And when thou shalt permit them to break in,  
Oh then, let them root nought out but their sin.   

16.  
As ripe seeds shook down, with winds, storms or rain,  
In Gardens to the Earth, there 
n Luc. 13. 19 1. Cor. 15. 36, 37, 38. Mat. 13. 8.  spring again  
With great increase; where every little seed  
A new great plant, and more stalks, seeds doth breed:  
So in Christ's Church and Garden, every 
o Sanguis Martyrum semen Ecclesiae. Cyprian.  drop  
Of Martyr's blood there shed, brings forth a crop,  
And large 
p Acts 8. 1. to 16. c. 11. 19 to 25. Exod. 1. 11, 12, 13, 14, 15.  increase of Christian plants, who fill  
The places where their foes their blood did spill,  
To their great grief and shame: who thought thereby  
Quite to prevent and kill their progeny;  
Which they mean while did only plant and sow,  
And by that blood they shed made these to grow.  
Yea, as some Garden plants, herbs often cropped  
Spring up more thick: So God's Church, Saints oft lopped,  
Cut down, cropped, (nay destroyed in carnal eyes  
Conceit) by cruel Tyrants; sprout, arise,  
And grow more thick, great; numerous thereby,  
The 
q Exod. 1. 12. Philemon. 10. Philip. 1 1. 14. 16, 17, 18. Acts 8. 1. to 16.  more cut down, the more they multiply:  
Witness the 
r Euseb. Theodoret. Nicephorus, Socrates, Evagrius, the Centuries, the English, & French books of Martyrs.  Church's story in each age,  
Which gained, increased, not lost by tyrant's rage.  
O let us then be willing thus to sow  
Our blood, that thence new troops of Saints may grow,  
To store Christ Church, maintain his cause when we  
Are turned to dust, consumed and cease to be.   

17.  
The Garden herbs, flowers, plants which seem 
s Job 14. 7, 8, 9 Cant. 2. 11, 12, 13. Hosea. 14. 5, 6. Ps. 104. 29, 30. 14. Isa. 53. 2. Mat. 24. 32.  to die,  
In winter, when hid under earth they lie  
Within their Roots or Seeds, yet spring again,  
When winter ends, through Summer's heat and rain,  
And show that they were neither dead, killed, lost,  
But only nipped and hid by winter's frost;  
Because they thus in summer spring, revive,  
And show themselves to every eye alive:  
Most sweetly, clearly to us demonstrate,  
God's chosen Saints and Church's winter-state,  
Whose faith and saving graces 
t Psal. 51. 9, 10, 11, 12. Psal. 42. 5, 6. Ps. 77. 1 to 11. Revel. 3. 2.  seem to die  
In their temptations, and so buried lie  
Within their seeds, roots, that they want the sense,  
Fruits, comforts of them: and conclude from thence,  
That they no doubt are quite dead, killed, spoiled, lost  
And they undone, by their sharp winter's frost.  
But yet when these their boisterous storms are past,  
And Summer comes, they 
u Hosea 14. 5, 6. Mich. 7. 8, 9 Isa. 40. 29, 30, 31. Job 17. 9 Ps. 92. 12, 13, 14, 15. Luc. 22. 32 Rev. 2. 19  reappear at last,  
To their great comfort, and so sprout, grow, thrive  
A fresh, that all see, they were still alive;  
And only hid, benumbed for that space.  
O then let all endued with saving grace  
Learn hence their drooping souls to comfort, cheer,  
In all temptations, cases, where they fear  
A loss of graces: Lo, they 
x 1 Joh. 3. 9 Ps. 1. 3. Ps. 125. 1, 2. Rom. 8. 35. to the end. Jer. 32. 38, 39, 40, 41. Esa. 58. 11. Ps. 37. 24.  still remain  
In safety in them, and shall spring again.  
What though they cannot now them feel or eye;  
Wait but a while, and they shall them descry.  
It will not still be winter, 
y Cant. 2. 11, 12, 13. Hos. 14. 5, 6. Isa. 60. 1. Eph. 5. 14.  spring is near;  
If not before, yet than they will appear,  
In greater lustre, vigour than before.  
Lay up this blessed cordial then in store,  
Against all evil days which will us cheer,  
When as our graces hide, and disappear.   

18.  
Hence may we likewise Popish sots refel,  
Who hold 
z Stapleron, Bellarmin▪ Bozius, Augustinus Triumphans, and others.  God's Church on earth still visible,  
In glorious sort, as if she always grew  
In summer Lands, and no winter knew:  
When as each true Church, Saint, whiles here below  
Oft feel, and find such winters, storms, frost, snow.  
As quite eclipse, 
z 1 Kings 19 14, 15. 18. Ro. 11. 3. to 6. Mat. 26. 56. Acts 8. 1. Heb. 11. 36, 37, 38.  veil, hide them, and their grace,  
Yea make them seem dead, liveless for a space,  
Both in their own and others sense; as I  
By sundry stories might exemplify,  
Did not each garden's winter quarter teach  
This truth, and it unto our senses preach.   

19  
Hence may each Church, St further learn to cheer;  
Steel, arm themselves against all future fear  
Of winter storms, blasts, trials which may shake  
Their leaves, fruits, stalks down to the earth, & make  
Them in appearance liveless, void of grace,  
And in a wretched, helpless, hopeless case,  
Like Gardens in cold winters: But yet shall  
This daunt their faith, or make their hope quite fall?  
O no! this winter lasts but for a space,  
And then succeeds a blessed spring of grace;  
Which shall revive, refresh, repair, restore;  
Yea much increase, what seemed dead, lost before,  
As it did unto 
a Job 42. 10, to 17.  Job, whose latter end  
His first estate in bliss did far transcend:  
O then, what ever be thy case, 
b Mic. 7. 8, 9, 10. Ps. 27. 14. Ps. 37. 5, 6, 7, 34. 39 40. Ps. 40. 1, 2, 3. Psal. 113. 7, 8, 9  rely,  
Wait, rest on God with faith, hope, constancy,  
Who far beyond thy thoughts will thee translate,  
In his due season, to a blessed state:  
He who makes each grass, plant, herb, grow and spring,  
Will make his Church, Saints much more sprout, laugh, sing.   

20.  
Hence may all raging Persecutors see,  
That their attempts against Christ's Church, Saints, be  
Vain, bootless, senseless, 
c Exod. 1. 10, 11, 12, etc. Act 8. 1, to 16.  crossing in event  
The very end and scope of their intent,  
Making them more to thrive, increase, and grow,  
Instead of working their wished overthrow.  
O what a wise, sweet, gracious God have we  
Who works our 
d Exod. 1, & 2. Gen 38. to 49. c. 50. 20, 21. Ester. c. 5. to 10. Dan. 3. 19 to the end. etc. 7. throughout.  bliss out of our misery?  
And makes the malice of our enemies,  
The spring from whence our greatest Comforts rise?  
O what besotted, senseless fools are those  
Who Gods true Church, & chosen Saints oppose!  
They think to crush, but raise them: they intent  
To work their ruin, yet their states amend.  
This 
e Gen. 37. to 50.  joseph's brethren, 
f Esth 5. to 10.  Hamon's enmity,  
King 
g Exod. 1. & 2.  Pharaohs bloodshed, bondage testify;  
With others, whose attempts still overthrew  
Themselves at last, but made Gods chosen crew.   

21.  
In winter season we can hardly know,  
Dead Garden plants from living; sith in show  
They both seem dead and withered to the eye;  
But when as Summer comes, we presently  
Discern the dead from those that are alive,  
Because the one 
h Judas 12.  sprouts not, the other thrive:  

i Cant. 2. 11, 12, 13. Mat. 24. 32. Hosea 14. 5, 6, 7. Job 14. 7, 8, 9, 10.  Grow green, hear fruits; So when cold winters blast,  
Benumbs God's children's graces, or them cast  
Into a swooning fit, or Lethargy,  
Themselves or others hardly can descry  
Them from dead Christians: but when means of Grace,  
And summer once begin to come in place,  
Both are with ease discerned, 
k Isa. 66. 14. Mal. 4. 2. Joh. 15. 2. 7. 8.  Saints than spring,  
Revive, and goodly fruits of grace forth bring:  
And so their hidden life by 
l Jam. 2. 17, 18. Mat. 5. 16. Rev. 2. 19  works declare,  
The other spring not, or else fruitless are;  
And so proclaim themselves 
m Judas 12.  dead. Let all try  
Their inward state of life, and grace hereby.   

23.  
When 
n Isa. 5. 1. to 8.  Gardens fruitless be or overgrown  
With weeds or thorns, they are then open thrown,  
Pulled up, laid waste: So when a Church with weeds  
Is overrun, and nought but errors breeds,  
Or gross corruptions, sins; 
o Psal. 80. 12, 13. Isa. 5. 1. to 8. 2 Chron. 34. 15. to 20. Rev. 2. 5. Heb. 6. 4, 5, 6, 7, 8. c. 2. 3. c. 3. 11. to 17. Matth. 3. 9 c. 7. 19  God then doth cast  
Her walls, pales down, and forthwith lays her waist.  
Thus doth he deal with private Christians too,  
Who by their barrennesses, sins, Lusts undo  
Themselves, provoking God them off to cast,  
Pull down their hedge, and lay them ever waste.  
O let each Church and Christian then take heed  
How they prove barren, or sins in them breed.  
If God's Bill of devorce be once out sued,  

p 1 Chr. 28. 9 Psal. 95. 10, 11. Heb. 3. 11, 12. 1 Chr. 34. 16. Heb. 6. 5, 6. Dan. 1. 28. to 32. Heb. 12. 17.  There is no help, it cannot be escheued.   

23.  
In Gardens oft the shade and neighbourhood  
Of weeds or poisonous Plants, corrupt the good;  
Kill, blast, or harm them more or less: So ill  
Lewed men of all sorts in the Church, do still  
Deprave 
q Pro. 22. 24. 25. 1 Cor. 5. to 13. Heb. 12. 15. 2 Pet. 2. 1. 2. 2 Cor. 6. 14. 15. 16. 17. 18.  and hurt the better, their mere shade  
Hath blasted many, and them worse made.  
There's no such Quench-coale, Plague, or bane of grace  
As wicked Consorts, who it most deface.  
He who would thrive in Grace must ever 
r Psal. 26. 4. 5. Psal. 6. 8. Ps. 101. 2. to the end. Psal. 119. 115. Psal. 139. 19 Pro. 1. 12. to 17. Isa. 52. 11. Rev. 18. 4. Psa. 1. 1.  fly  
With chiefest Care, all ill men's Company.   

24.  
Some stinking weeds ill favour oft devours,  
Unsents the Perfumes of the sweetest flowers  
That Gardens yield: The 
s Isa. 1. 2. to 28. Heb. 6. 5. 6. 7. 8. 2 Pet. 2. 1. to the end. Rev. 2. 4. 5. 14. 15. 16. 19 20. c. 3. 15. 10. 17. Mat. 7. 21. 22. 23.  noisome sent and fume  
Of Saints and Churches vices oft consume,  
Out-smell the richest Odours of their Grace;  
Which in God's Nose, and men's then find no place,  
Whiles that the stinking savour of their weeds  
Thus drowns their virtues sent, and it exceeds.  
O than root out these nasty Plants, which sink  
Our sweeter fumes, and turn them into stink.   

25.  
Sweet Garden Herbs, Flowers, Spices Bruised, intent  
Their fragrant Odours, and their scents amend;  
Whilst whole they 
t Cant. 5. 13. Exod. 30. 34. 23. Isa. 42. 24. Jer. 6. 20.  sweet are, yet their scents but feeble  
When chrusht, the sweeter, and their smell grows treble,  
Thus God's dear Church and Saints, when pounded, broke  
Within Afflictions Mortar, by the stroke  
Of Gods chastising hand, do much 
v Phil. 1. 12. 13. 14. Jam. 5. 10. 11. Act. 8. 1. to 16. 1 Pet. 1. 6. 7. 1 Thes. 1. 5. 6. 7. 8. Rom. 1. 8.  augment,  
And more disperse their rich and fragrant sent:  
Their fumes, but weak, and scarce discerned before,  
Grow tenfold stronger, and increased in store:  
Sending their fragrant Odours far and nigh,  
Before scarce smelled by those who stood close by.  
I will not then repine, nor be offended  
At that whereby my scent's so much amended:  
Yea, so dilated, that its incense flies  
Throughout the Earth, and mounts above the skies:  
The dear, sweet Incense of an 
x Psal. 51. 17. Isa. 66. 2.  Heart contrite  
Perfumes the Heavens, and is God's delight:  
When as a 
y Rom. 2. 5.  heart unbroken, yields no scent,  
And ne'er grows sweet till into pieces 
z Joel. 2. 13.  rend.   

26.  
Gardens 
a Host. 7. 7. 8. Jer. 29. 5. Eccles. 2. 5. Luk. 13. 19  throughout the world dispersed lie  
In every Clime, graced through variety:  
God's Church and Saints are 
b Col. 1. 6. Mar. 16. 15. 2 Pet. 1. 1.  Catholic for place,  
In seat disjoined, 
c Ephe. 2. 13. 14. 15. to the end c. 4. 4. 5. 6. 7. 13. 14. Rom. 15. 5. 6.  all one in heart and grace,  
Their graces, virtues sweet variety  
Fills up their Consort, crownes their Harmony.   

27.  
Men Plant no Gardens, 
d Jer. 29. 5. 18. Amos. 9 14. Esth. 1. 5. c. 7. 7. 8.  but where they intent  
To dwell in Person, or some time to spend,  
And most part only on their proper Fee,  
That they to them and theirs entailed may be.  
God never planted Church in any Nation,  
But where he meant to fix his 
e Psal. 68 18. Psal. 131. 14. Levit. 26. 11. 12. 2 Cor. 6. 16. Rev. 21. 3.  habitation,  
At least for lives or years, most usually  
He plants in Fee; Saints for 
f Joh. 13. 1. Rom. 11. 29. Joh. 14. 16. 17. Isa. 59 25.  eternity.  
Churches, with means, Saints, still with 
g Phil. 1. 10. 11. Col. 1. 9 10. Gal. 5. 18. 22. 23.  fruits of grace,  
Those for his Common, these his Proper place.  
Church's may 
h Rev. 2. 5. Mat. 21. 43.  lose his presence; means decay,  
Saints 
i Joh. 10. 28. 29. Rom. 11. 29. c. 8. 30. to the end.  still enjoy him, gifts shall last for aye.  
Lord plant me as a Saint, that I may be  
To Thee, and Christ, th'one Heir, Eternal Fee.   

28.  
All Gardens 
k Cant. 6. 2. 3. 12. 1 King. 21. 2.  bear not the same kinds or store  
Of fruits alike; some fewer, some yield more,  
Some Plants thrive best in one, some in another,  
What wants in one, is still supplied by th'other,  
No one abounds with all things; all combined,  
In some or other we may all fruits find;  
Just so, no 
l 1 Cor. 12. 4. to 31. Ephes. 4. 13. 16.  Private Church, or Saint is stored  
With all perfections: nor do all afford  
The selfsame Measure, or degree of grace,  
Their gifts, fruits, Omers, vary as their place.  
Some in their 
i Rom. 1. 8. Eph. 1. 15. Col. 1. 4. 1 Thes. 1. 3.  faith excel, they all 
k Eph. 4. 5. Col. 1. 23.  agree  
In truth thereof, yet differ in degree;  
Others abound in 
k Col. 1. 4. 2 Thes. 1. 3.  love and Charity;  
Yet all divided in this unity:  
Some are more 
l Num. 12. 3. Zeph. 2. 3.  humble; some more 
m Jam. 5. 11.  patient  
These more 
n Dan. 6. 10.  devout are; Others, more 
o Phil. 4. 11.  Content,  
Those have more 
p 1 Cor. 12. 8. Phil. 1. 9  knowledge; these more 
q 1 Pet. 1. 8. Rome 15. 13. 2 Cor. 8. 2. Rom. 15. 13. 2 Cor. 8. 2.  joy, or peace  
All one in substance, divers in th' Increase.  
In sum, their 
r 1 Cor. 12. 4 to 31.  graces, their degrees are many;  
Each one his share hath; but the whole not any;  
To strangle pride, breed Love, make all 
s Eph. 2. 15. 16. 21. c. 4. 4. 5. 6. 13.  but one,  
Sith all 
t 1 Cor. 12. 4. to 31.  defective, Ciphers if alone.  
But joined in One (Christ, whence 
v Joh. 1. 16.  all graces flow)  
All are 
x Col. 2. 9 10. Ephes. 1. 23.  complete, All graces in All grow.  
Let none then think they have no grace at all,  
Because not all kinds equal; or those small  
And weak they have; perchance it is 
y Heb. 5. 12. 13. 14. 1 Cor. 3. 1. 1 Pet. 2, 2.  new sprung  
Infants are perfect Men, though small, weak, young,  
Complete in All their parts, though All not viewed  
At first, nor like in shape, strength, magnitude.   

29.  
The greatest 
z Jer. 39 4. c. 52. 7. Eccl. 25. 2 King. 21. 18. 1 King. 21. 2. Esth. 1. 5. c. 7. 7. 8.  Kings in Gardens much delight  
And plant them near unto their Palace site:  
So Christ, the King of Kings, hath a 
a Cant. 4. 12. 15. 16. c. 5. 1. c. 6. 2. 11. c. 8. 13.  Garden  
Here upon Earth, his Church and Godly men,  
Wherein he walks, dwells, much delights, and feeds,  
And plants them with all useful fruits, herbs, seeds.  
Eden was once 
b Gen. 2. 8. 9 10. c. 13. 10. Isa 51. 3. Ezec. 28. 13. c. 31. 8. 9 Joel. 2. 3.  God's Garden styled, but now  
He doth no other Garden claim or know  
But his true Church, and chosen Saints only:  
A Paradise most 
c Psal. 149. 4. Leu. 26. 11. 12. Isa. 5. 7.  pleasing to his eye.   

30.  
When as I view some Garden Plants, Herbs, Trees  
(Exceeding others in their heats degrees)  
Still 
z Psal. 1. 3. Jer. 17. 8. Ezec. 47. 13. 37. 35.  green all winter long, unnipt with Frost,  
When colder Plants Leaves, greenness, fruits are lost;  
And those not hot, quite 
a Isa. 1. 30. c. 64. 5.  shrivelled, killed with cold;  
I do therein contemplate and behold  
Three sorts of Christians, whose sad winter Fates  
In persecutions, differ like their states.  
The strongest Saints, hot in the fourth degree,  
Or third at least of faith, zeal; stand 
b Psa. 1. 3. Psa. 37. 31. Pro. 17. 8. Ezech. 47. 12. Rom. 8. 30. to the end. Cant. 8. 8. 6. 7.  firm, free  
From Winters Nips, Blasts, frosts, which though they beat  
Full sore upon them, cannot i'll their heat:  
Their inward fire still keeps them warm, fresh, green;  
When others fade, their Grace's most are seen.  
Martyrs were hottest, greenest, fruitefulst when  
Frosts hid, child, killed, most shrivelled other men.  
The weaker, younger true Saints, hot but in  
The first degree, or second, oft 
c 2 Tim. 4. 16. Mat. 13. 21.  draw in  
Their heat, sap, vigour from their outward parts  
Unto the Root and Centre of their hearts,  
When winter storms approach, so as their green  
Leaves of Profession fade, fall, are scarce seen  
Till winter's past: mean while their graces lie  
Hid for the most part in obscurity,  
Like Roots in Earth, good corn in chaff, or fire  
In ashes; and as heat is low, or higher  
Within, or frost without, so more or less  
They chill, fade, shrink, profess or not profess:  
Yet in these sharpest Frosts 
d 1 Joh. 3. 9  there's life within,  
The hearts not frozen, shrivelled, but the skin:  
When springs approach cold storms hath chased away,  
They soon peep up in fresh, green, bright array.  
The Common Christians, who have no degree,  
Of heat or saving grace 
e Mat. 13. 21. Luk. 8. 13. Judas 12.  quite killed be;  
And froze to death with persecutions frost,  
Their heat before was borrowed, now it's lost:  
It was the suns not theirs, all foreign fire;  
And summer fruits in Winter quite expire,  
Nor will the spring or summer them revive,  
No wonder, they were 
f Eph. 2. 1. 1 Tim. 5. 6. Rev. 3. 1.  dead when first alive.   

31.  
Roots, Plants, whiles they in Garden-Earth fast lie,  
Are fresh and live, but taken thence 
g Judas 12.  soon die:  
Gods true Church is a Christians 
h 1 John 2. 19 Eph. 4. 13. to 17. Heb. 10. 23. 24. 25.  Element  
Wherein he lives, grows, thrives; if from it rend,  
Disjoined, we soon fade, whither, quite expire,  
We have no life, but in the true Church fire.   

32.  
The plucking up, and casting out of weeds  
From Gardens, lest they should good Herbs, Plants Seeds  
Corrupt and overgrow; instruct and show,  
How each true Church should root up and 
i 1 Cor. 5. throughout. 1 Tim. 1. 20. Mat. 18. 17.  out-throw  
By sacred Censures, all lewd wicked, vile  
Notorious sinners, lest they should defile,  
Deprave the good, and her quite overgrow,  
At last, by steps, and work her overthrow.   

33.  
All Garden-Flowers, Herbs, Plants contented rest  
With their own 
k Mat. 6. 28. 29. 30.  Native Colours, as the best;  
Abhorring Artificial varnish paints:  
So all Gods chosen 
l Isa. 61. 3.  Plants, true hearted Saints,  
Themselves with their own 
m Mat. 5. 36. 1 Tim. 2. 9 10. 1 Pet. 3. 3. 4. 5. 1 Thes. 5. 22. 23.  Native Beauty, Hair,  
Content; Use no Arts, Paints, to make them fair.  
A counterfeit Complexion, Bush, Face, Paint.  
Do ill become a 
n Phil. 1. 10.  sincere-hearted Saint.  
Where false 
o Isa. 3. 16. to 25. 2 King. 9 30. Jer. 4. 30. Ezech. 23. 40. Rom. 12. 1. Ezech. 16. 49. 50. 1 Pet. 3. 2. 3. 4. 5.  Dies, spots, appear upon the skin,  
It's ten to one all's false, naught, foul within:  
Pride, Lust, Vainglory, Chambering, Wantonness,  
Or Vanity at least, such souls possess.  
The roots from whence these spots, prints, first arise,  
Enough to make all Christians them despise.   

34.  
The 
k Gen. 13. 10. Num. 24. 6.  lowest deepest Gardens most abound  
With fruits Herbs, Plants, and are the richest ground:  
The 
l Isa. 66. 2. c. 57 15. Jam. 4. 6. 1 Pet. 5. 5. 6.  humblest Saints in fruitfulness excel,  
And God in them delighteth most to dwell.  
Lord always deck me with humility  
Which makes men fruitful, lovely in thine Eye.   

35.  
Gardens have straight, sweet, pleasant walks for men,  
To 
l Esth 7. 7.  walk in, and refresh their spirits, when  
They tired, greeved, sick, perplexed are:  
So God's Church, Saints, have many pleasant, rare,  
Straight, even walks (Gods sacred 
m Psal. 119. 1. 3. 32. Gal. 6. 16. Psal. 1. 1. 2.  Laws, Word, Ways)  
Wherein to walk, run pass on, all their days;  
Which their 
n Psal. 19 7. to 13. Jer. 15. 16. Psal. 119.  Hearts, Souls refresh, cheer and delight,  
Yea, all their cares, griefs, pressures make more light  
And easy, if not totally expel:  
O let us in these walks still walk, run, dwell.   

36.  
When I behold the goodliest 
b Cant. 2. 12 Gen. 1. 12. c. 2. 9 Job 8. 16.  Trees, Flowers, grow,  
And spring out of vile earth, or dung below,  
Which have no beauty, splendour, comeliness  
Within them; but mere stink and rottenness.  
Me thinks I see thereby, how Gods great power,  
Makes sweet, fair, shining 
c Eph. 2. 1. to 8. 1 Cor. 6. 9 10. 11. Joh. 1. 16. Col. 1. 9 10. 11. 1 Thes. 1. 5. to 10.  graces spring in our  
Vile earthly, rotten, stinking, sinful hearts  
And Natures (when he us to him converts;)  
Wherein nought but sins, vices, lusts did spring  
Before; and no one grace, nor one good thing:  
O let none then despair of having grace  
Because his nature, heart are sinful, base,  
Corrupt and loathsome; since God makes stinking.  
Vile Earth, dung, sweet, fair, goodly flowers forth-bring.  
If thou be one of his 
d Rom. 8. 28. 29. 30. Eph. 2. 1. to the end.  Elect, no doubt  
All his sweet graces, shall in thee spring out  
In his due time; then neither fear, nor faint;  
The 
e 1 Tim. 1. 15 16. 13. 14. 2 Chron 33. 13. 14.  worst of sinners God can make a Saint.  
And though flowers beauty, and men's too which spring  
Out of mere dust, are 
f Psal. 103. 15. 16. Isa. 40. 6 7. 8. Mat. 6. 30.  fading, withering,  
Yea soon decay, and turn to dust again;  
Yet 
g 1 Joh. 3. 9 Rom. 11. 29. 2 Tim. 2. 19 Jer. 32. 39 40. Rom. 8. 30. to the end. Psal. 125. 1. 2. 3. Psal. 37. 23. 24, Isa. 40. 29. 30. 31. Joh. 10. 28. 29.  saving graces flourish, fresh remain,  
And last without decay, because they spring  
Not out of dust, but from Christ our head, King.  
Who doth preserve them always from decay,  
And keep Saints that they ne'er fall quite away  
From saving Grace. Nay, when as our Bodies  
Are turned to dung, 
h 1 Cor. 15. 1 Thes. 4. 14. 16. Job 19 25. 26. 27.  Christ shall cause them to rise  
Out of the dust, like flowers in the Spring,  
And to the state of endless glory bring.  
O sweet, sweet solace to each pious breast;  
Which here may sit down, and take up its 
i Psal. 4. 8. Psal. 116. 7.  Rest.  
Lord let each Garden which we henceforth eye  
Or walk in, such divine Thoughts instantly  
Bring to our Minds, to raise our Souls to Thee,  
And make us better by what there we see.    

The Epilogue.  
O That all Christians by this Posy, I  
Have here collected would learn instantly  
When as they in their pleasant Gardens walk,  
Thus with their own 
k Psal. 4. 4.  Hearts, God and Christ to talk  
By pious Meditations, from what they  
Behold within their Gardens day by day.  
How sweet then would their walks and Orchards prove?  
How would their Souls be fired with God's Love?  
Each Garden than would be a Paradise,  
A second Eden to the godly-wise:  
Is't not a Sinful, Shameful, beastly thing  
For Christians to toil, walk, talk, laugh, feast, sing,  
Play, sport themselves, or meditate only  
Of worldly things, in Gardens constantly;  
And in the mean time scarce to have one sweet;  
Or pious thought from objects they there meet,  
Of God, Christ, Heaven, Man's Mortality,  
Presented to them in each Herb they Eye?  
For shame then let us all this fault amend  
Hereafter, and our Hearts, Minds, fully bend  
To godly Meditations, whiles we pass  
Our time in Gardens, where each flower, herb, grass  
And Creature we behold, will soon suggest  
Some useful Thoughts to every pious Breast,  
It to amend, and with sweet Ecstasies  
To elevate above the starry skies.  
If any want help in this kind, they may  
Till better come, make use of this Essay.  
FINIS.     

THE SOULS COMPLAINT against the BODY'S ENCROACHMENTS ON HER: And the General Neglect she finds with Most.  
BY WILLIAM PRYNNE, above four years' Prisoner in the Tower of London; and since that, above three years Close Prisoner in Carnarvan in North-Wales, and in Mount-Orgueil Castle, in the Isle of jersy.  Matthew 16. 26. 
For what is a man profitted, if he shall gain the whole World, and lose his own Soul? or what shall a man give in exchange for his Soul?  Isaiah 55. 2. 3. 
Wherefore do ye spend money for that which is not Bread? and your labour for that which satisfieth not? Harken diligently unto me, and eat ye that which is good, and let your SOUL delight itself in fatness. Incline your ear and come unto me, hear and your SOUL shall live, and I will make an everlasting covenant with you, even the sure Mercies of David.  1 Peter 2. 11. 
Dear beloved, I beseech you as Pilgrims and Strangers abstain from fleshly lusts, which war against the Soul.  1 Peter 3. 3. 4. 
Whose adorning, let it not be that outward adorning of plaiting the hair, and of wearing of gold, or of putting on of apparel: But let it be the hidden man of the Heart, in that which is not corruptible; even the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit, which is in the sight of God of great price.  
London Printed by T. Cotes, for Michael Spark dwelling at the blue Bible in Green Arbour. 1641.   

TO The Right Worshipful his highly Honoured good Friend, the Lady ELIZABETH BALFOURE, Wife to Sr William Balfoure, Knight, Lieutenant of the Tower of LONDON.  
MADAM, Your Noble Favours whiles that I  
Did in the Tower of London Prisoner lie  
For sundry years; may now in Justice call  
For some expression of my Thanks, though small.  
Having no better means to testify  
My gratitude, than this small Poesy,  
Devoted to your Service, Use and Name;  
I crave your Kind Acceptance of the same,  
And those thereto annexed; fruits of my  
Imprisonment; who shall both live and die.  
Your Obliged Friend 
 and Servant, 
 WILLIAM PRYNNE.   

THE SOULS COMPLAINT AGAINST THE BODY'S ENCROACHMENTS ON HER: And the General Neglect She finds with most.  
I Soul, vive 
a Gen. 1. 26. 27 c. 5. 1. c. 9 6. Ephes. 4. 24. Col. 3 10.  Image of the Trinity,  
The 
b Gen. 2. 7.  Breath of God; the Pearl, which 
c Psal. 16. 10. Psal. 30 3. Psa. 34. 22. Psal. 72. 14.  Christ did die  
To purchase; 
d 1 Cor. 6. 19 20.  Temple of the Holy Ghost,  
The charge of 
e Luk. 16. 22.  Angels, and the Heavenly Host.  
Earth's Wonder, 
f 1 Pet. 5. 8. Job 1. 7.  Devil's envy; Man's Prime Part,  
The Masterpiece of God and Nature's Art;  

g Psal. 49. 7 8. Mat. 16. 26. Mar. 8. 36.  Worth thousand worlds; whose Peerless Dignity  
No tongues of Men or Angels can descry,  
Must here with brinish Tears, and Sobs relate  
My Scorned, Slighted, and Neglected State,  
Sith all my Vassals, made Me to attend,  
Make Me their slave, enforce Me still to bend  
To their unjust Commands, quite robbing Me  
Of their due Homage, my Regalite.  
Is not this Body wherein now I dwell,  
Nought But my Vassal, Casket, 
h Job. 4. 19 2 Cor. 5. 1. 2.  House, or shell?  
Compact of 
i Gen. 2. 7. c. 3. 19 c. 18. 27. Eccles. 3. 20. c. 12. 7. Job 4. 19  dust and Ashes, things most base;  
That it might not usurp my supreme place:  
Yet lo this Rebel Slave dethrones me quite,  
No Part thereof but Robs me of my Right;  
Receiving more 
k Isa. 3. 18. to 25. Rom. 13. 13. 14. 1 Tim. 2. 9 1 Pet. 3. 3. 4. 5.  Attendance, cost, pains, Care  
From most, than I do, though a Gem most rare:  
How many hundred Trades, what Worlds I pray,  
Of Men by Sea and Land, both Night and Day  
Are set on work to clothe the Back, and feed  
The alldevouring Paunch, with more than need?  
Have not the Head, Hands, Feet, Legs, Neck, nay Hair  
Their 
l Isa. 3. 18. 19 20. 21. 22. Ezec. 27. 13. to 28. Isa. 23. 2. 8.  several Trades to deck, make, keep them fair?  
Yet I poor Soul, among the Numberless  
Vocations which these Base Parts Possess,  
But one Profession have; in 
m 1 Cor. 4. 9 to 14. 2 Cor. 4. 8. 9 10. 11. 2 Chron. 36. 15. 16. Mat. 33. 31. 37. Act. 7. 52.  worst request,  
Lest minded, least employed of all the rest:  
Seldom regarded till the 
n Jam. 5. 14. 2 King. 1. 2. 3. to 18 c. 7. 8. 9  fatal Hour.  
Of death, or Hell stand pressed me to devour.  
Is but the Body Pained, 
o 2 King. 8. 29. c. 9 15. c. 5. 3. to 26. Mat. 4. 14 c. 8. 16. c. 12 15. 22 c. 15. 30. c. 19 2. Act. 28. 9 Joh. 5. 3. to 10.  ill, or sick;  
A Member bruised, hurt with Sword, Knife, prick:  
Do head, teeth, Stomach, Arms, Legs, Fingers Ache,  
Forthwith some good receipt Men seek and take  
To ease and cure them, making no delays,  
And think no Cost, Paines, Care misspent these ways:  
Yet I (Alas!) not days but years oft lie  
Sick, wounded, pained, 
p Ephes. 2. 1. 2. Ezech. 16. 6. Psal. 38. 1. to 12. Isa. 1. 6.  dead; nay Putrify  
Through many fostered ulcers, wounds, cares, sores,  
Of horrid sins; yet 
q Isa. 65. 1. Rom. 9 14, 15, 16. Joh. 1. 10, 11.  none my state deplores,  
Seeks out for cures, or once hasts to apply  
A salve to these my sores, through which I die,  
Yea, all the time, pains, care and little cost  
Bestowed on Me, by most is deemed but 
r Mal. 3. 14.  lost.  
If but a little spot, dirt, dust, or fly  
Light on the face, hands, clothes, men presently  
Wash, rub, or wipe it off with much disdain,  
Although it put them to some toil, cost, pain:  
But I (O wretch) defiled, stained, drenched throughout  
With filthy sins, which 
s Psal. 38. 4 ● Psal. 40. 12. Ps. 49. 5. Heb. 12. 1. Isa. 1. 6.  Compass me about  
And make me loathsome in the sacred Eyes  
Of God, who 
t Hab. 1. 13.  filth of sins most loathes, defies,  
Remain uncleansed, 
u Isa. 1. 6. 16. Jer. 4. 14.  unwashed from day to day;  
Till Hell surprise and sweep us clean away.  
My varlet flesh, it's palate to delight,  
Repast must have each morning, midday, night,  
Wherein all 
x Luk. 19 19 Gen. 9 3. 1 Sam. 25. 11. 36. Esther 1. 3. to 10. Isa. 22. 13. Amos 6. 4, 5, 6.  sorts of beasts, fowls, fruits, herbs, fish,  
Sweet meats, vines, waters, drinks, all heart can wish,  
Devoured are, 
y Gen. 3. 19 Eccles. 3. 20. c. 12. 7.  to fat that corpses which must  
Feed worms at last, and moulder into dust;  
Mean while, poor I, for want of food divine  
To feed, refresh Me, quite consume, starve, pine;  
Or if I Word and Sacraments enjoy,  
For want of faith and grace they me 
z 1 Cor. 11. 27. 29. 2 Cor. 2. 15. 16. Heb. 4. 2.  annoy,  
Not fat and nourish as they ought; whereby  
I 
a Isa. 55. 1, 2, 3.  famish, perish, die eternally,  
The Back, it's 
b Isa. 3. 18, 19, 20. Luk. 16. 19 Gen. 45. 22. 1 Pet. 3. 3, 4. 2 Sam. 1. 24. Zeph. 1. 8. Mat. 11. 8.  divers change of suties must have  
Of Velvits, Silks, Stuffs, Tissues, Satins, brave  
And new: Old Clothes, Rags, Course, or mean Array  
It scorns, and will be well clad every day:  
But I mean time quite stripped, and 
c Rev. 3. 17. 18.  naked am  
Of all the Robes of Grace to hide my shame,  
Clad only with the filthy weeds of Vice,  
And Adam's old Rags, which lost Paradise.  

d Rom. 13. 14. Rev. 3. 18. Psal. 45. 13, 14.  New garments of Christ's merits, and true grace,  
Which may adorn me, in so long a space,  
Are not once thought on, nor till back and I  
Surprised by death, in hell stark naked lie.  
What vast expenses, labour, thoughts, time, care,  
Have back and belly? as if all things wear  
Created for them, and man only made  
To cloth, and feed these, which like 
e Ps 90. 5, 6. Ps. 103. 15, 16. Isa. 40. 6, 7, 8.  grass shall fade,  
And perish: yet how little time, pains, cost  
Are spent on Me, by which all's saved or lost?  
How many Hours, 
f Esther. 1. 3, to 12. 2 Chron. 7. 8. Amos 6. 4, 5, 6. Job 21. 11, 12, 13. Jam. 5. 5.  Days, Nights, and Years are spent  
In Eating, Drinking, Feasting, Compliment,  
Vain Chat, Sports, Visits, Pleasures of each kind,  
The flesh to pamper? whereas I scarce find  
Admist all these diversions, one day's space,  
Or hour to fast, pray, weep, read, sue for grace.  
How many daily the whole morning pass,  
And vainly spend, between the Comb and Glass,  
In combing, frizling, powdering of their hair,  
And wanton locks, to make them seem more fair?  
No Lock, or hair must out of order stand,  
But sit in Print, and oft be viewed, curled, scanned.  
Nay, which is strange, more cost, time, now is spent  
Upon false Bushes of bought excrement,  
(Which some prefer before their native fleece,)  
Than upon me, man's honour, Masterpiece;  
When this is done, the Back, Neck, Feet, Hands, Face,  
And other parts must have their several space  
For to adorn them, so as half i day  
Is spent well nigh, the body to array:  
And that but until n●ght, when all this pride,  
Attire is quite stripped off, and laid aside,  
As if it never were. O fools to waste  
Time in these toys, which not one day's space last!  
Yet I neglected soul, whom to adorn  
And daily deck with grace mankind was borne,  
Untrimmed lie, no cost, time, pains are spent  
In decking me, man's only ornament.  
God's word (the 
g Jam. 1. 23. 24, 25.  Glass, which daily should descry  
My spots, stains, filth, and gross deformity,  
Them to redress, and help men to array  
Me with all Robes of grace which make me gay,)  
Is most part shut close, seldom looked into  
For these good ends, and if that any do  
Behold it now and then for custom sake,  
The 
i 1 Pet. 3. 3, 4, 5. 1 Tim. 2. 9, 10.  Rule to dress them by they'll not it make.  
And though my sacred beauty, robes, array,  
Do never fade, wax old, but last foc aye:  
Yea add more lustre to my Base part,  
The Flesh, than either nature or man's art  
Are able; causing it to 
k Dan 13. 3. Matth. 13. 43.  shine with rays  
Of brightest glory, which shall last always:  
Yet few or none spend half the time to dress,  
Adorn Me, which they wast with greediness  
Upon their bodies, faces, heads, locks, back,  
Themselves and Me, without God's grace, to wrack.  
This being now my rueful state; O let  
Me here beseech all who have souls, to set  
Some time apart to Ponder my complaint  
Thus tendered to them, under which I faint.  
And that you may just Judges 'twixt us prove,  
Hear but a word or two, as you me love.  
What is the body, but a loathsome Mass  
Of 
l Gen. 2. 7. c. 3. 19 c. 18. 27. Job 4. 19 c. 14. 1, 2, 3. Ps. 103. 14. Psal. 104. 29. Eccles. 3. 20. c 12. 7.  dust and ashes, brittle as a glass.  
Soon cracked and turn to rottenness dung, clay,  
Though fed with dainties, c●●d with rich array?  
What is the Faces, Beauty but a 
m Psal. 103. 15. Isa. 28. 1. 4. c. 40. 6, 7. Jam. 1. 11. 1 Pet. 1. 24.  flower  
Which sundry chances blast within one hour,  
And so deform, that we abhor the sight  
Of that marred face which was our chief delight:  
At best, 
n Isa. 3. 18. 24.  it is a comely glass our 
o Ps. 102. 11. Ps. 109. 23. Ps. 144. 4. Job 8. 9 c. 14. 2. c. 17. 7.  shade,  
Which sickness, Crosses, Age still cause to fade.  
What are our locks, our curled brayds of hair,  
But excrements at best? not half so fair,  
As plumes of sundry birds or peacocks tails,  
Though frizzled, powdered, decked with pearls, knots, veils.  
And yet how many more proud, careful are  
Of these vain bushes, than their soul's welfare?  
How many purchase heads of others hair,  
To mend God's work, and make them seem more fair?  
Spending more time, cost, thoughts on excrement,  
Than upon Me man's only ornament.  
What is the belly but a filthy sink,  
Jakes which engenders nought but dung and stink?  
So noisome, that its scent offends the smell,  
Corrupts the air, even when the body's well.  
What are the other members (head, hands, feet)  
But skin and bones? without my help unmeete  
For any use, yea let me once withdraw  
Myself from the most fair corpse, eyes ere saw,  
It's beauty 
p Psal. 39 11. Psal. 49. 14.  fades, it's flesh to rottenness  
Is turned, and all abhor its loathsomeness.  
What hath the flesh or body worthy love,  
Or praise, but that which from me first doth move?  
Let me desert them, all their worth is lost,  
And withered like grass nipped with winter's frost.  
Why should you then, (O fools, bereft of sense)  
From day to day, bestow so much expense,  
Time, pains, thoughts, Care on these things which so base,  
Mean, fading are, neglecting Me and grace?  
In which your chiefest good, yea, all your bliss  
Comprised are. If you judge not amiss.  
If this prevail not, but you still proceed  
Me to neglect, the flesh to deck, serve, feed;  
Tell Me, I pray you, when the dismal day  
Of sickness, death, or judgement, take away,  
And cite you to account, how you have spent  
Your golden days, for my use to you lent,  
What joy or comfort can you reap from all,  
Or any of those days, hours, which you shall  
Have thus misspent on belly, back, head, face,  
Hair, feasting, pastimes, pleasures void of grace;  
Or in the flesh or body's servitude?  
Which then will too too late be of you rued.  
Shall ye not then with sighs and tears lament,  
(And that in vain) the time you thus misspent;  
Offering to give ten thousand worlds, that you  
Had not bereft Me, of the time, care, due  
To Me alone, to fit Me for that place,  
Of endless bliss, which I for want of grace,  
Shall then be thrust from, and cast into hell,  
In 
q Mat. 25. 41. Mar. 9 43, 44, 46, 47. Rev. 1●. 20. c. 20. 10.  fiery flames and torments still to dwell.  
Will not you then wish, you had never seen  
This flesh, this body, which to me have been  
So traitorous, so unkind, Me to enthrall  
Unto their lusts, and spur Me into All  
That might undo, damn, both them Me, and you,  
And we shall in hell's flames for ever rue?  
If this be true: O then whiles life, time, space,  
Are left you to repent and seek for grace;  
Bewail what's past, and henceforth learn to be  
More loyal, kind, respectful unto Me.  
Save Me, save all; lose Me, and all is lost,  
For ever with Me; spend then all your cost,  
Thoughts, pains, cares, days, on Me; then shall you 
r Dan. 12. 3. Matth. 13. 43.  shine,  
More bright than Stars, Moon, Sun, with rays divine  
In Christ's own kingdom, where you shall possess  
Such endless joys, as no tongue can express.  
If this will not persuade you to amend,  
I'll cease my Plaint, and here in silence end.  
FINIS.   

Imprimatur  
Feb. 1. 1640. Tho. Wykes.   

COMFORTABLE CORDIALS, AGAINST UNCOMFORTABLE Fears of Imprisonment, and other sufferings in good causes. Containing some Latin Verses, Sentences, and Texts of Scripture, written by Mr. WILLIAM PRYNNE on his Chamber walls in the Tower of London, during his Imprisonment there; since Translated by him into English VERSE.  2 CORINTHIANS 1, 2, 3 4 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11. 
Blessed be God, even the Father of our Lord jesus Christ, the Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort; who comforteth us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort them which are in any troubles by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God. For as the sufferings of Christ abound in us, so our consolation also aboundeth by Christ. And whether we be afflicted, it is for your consolation, & salvation which is effectual in enduring of the same sufferings, which we also suffered: or whether we be comforted it is for your consolation and salvation. And our hope of you is steadfast; knowing that as you are partakers of the sufferings, so also you shall be of the consolation. For we would not, Brethren, have you ignorant of our trouble which came to us in Asia, that we were pressed out of measure above strength, in so much that we despaired even of life. But we had the sentence of death in ourselves that we should not trust in ourselves but in God which raiseth the dead: who delivered us from so great a death and doth deliver, in whom we trust that he will yet deliver us: you also helping together by Prayer for us that for the gift bestowed upon us, by the means of many persons thanks may be given by many on our behalf.  
Printed Anno. 161●.   

TO THE RIGHT Worshipful his very Noble and highly Honoured good Friend, SIR WILLIAM BALFORE Knight, Lieutenant of the Tower of LONDON.  
SIR, it were Ingratitude and Injury,  
For me in silence here to pass you by,  
And not present these Cordials unto you,  
Sith they, and all my service are your due,  
For all your Noble Favours in the Tower,  
Which have engaged me to my utmost power,  
To be your eternally devoted 
 poor Friend and servant, 
 WILLIAM PRYNNE.   

COMFORTABLE CORDIALS, OR Latin Verses and Sentences, written by Mr. William Prynne on his Chamber Walls in the Tower of London, during his Imprisonment there; Since translated into English by him.  

1.  
TRanslulit in Coelum Christi praesentia Claustrum:  
Quid faciet Coelo, quae Coelum jam creat Antro?  
Christ's presence hath my Prison turned into  
A blessed Heaven; what then will it do  
In Heaven hereafter, when it now creates  
Heaven in a Dungeon? Goals, to Courts translates?   

2.  
Stigmata Christicolis, splendentia sidera; sanguis,  
Purpura regalis; mutilataque Membra, Decorum;  
Vincula, gemmatus Torques; Opprobria, plausus;  
Vulnera, Martyrium; Mors; Vita; Gravamina, Lucrum.  
Optima cuncta piis, Tristissima sola ministrant;  
Vnica Crux sanctis, Via, janua, summa salutis.  
Brands, unto Christians are bright Stars; Blood spent,  
A Royal Purple; Maimed Limbs, Ornament;  
Bonds, Chains of Pearl; Reproaches, Praise (no stain)  
Wounds, Martyrdom; Death, Life; Oppressions, Gain.  
To godly men the saddest fates only  
All best things bring, and their joys multiply;  
The Cross alone to Saints is the high way,  
Gate, sum of safety, Means of endless Joy:   

3.  
Christus ubique pium comitatur; Carceris Antrum  
Ingreditur: Turres, Densissima Maenia, Rupes,  
Fossas, Ferratas Portas, Obstacula, Flammas  
Permeat intrepidus; socius solamen, Amicus,  
Omnia seclusis, 
oan. 20. 19  solus; saturatque benignus  
Deliciis superum sitientia Corda suorum,  
Discipulis foribus clusis intravit amaenus,  
Christicolis clausis habit at conviva perennis.  
O fortunatus, cui Con-captivus Iësus,  
Laetificans radiis tristissima Claustra supernis;  
Vincula non illum, Tormenta, gravamina moestum  
Efficiunt, animum retinentem utcunque serenum.  
Christ every where accompanies good Men;  
He goes with them into the Prisons Den;  
The Towers, thickest Walls broad ditches, Gates,  
Of Iron, Barracadoes, Flames and Grates  
Doth boldly pass through; proves Companion,  
Friend, solace, all things of himself alone;  
Unto close Prisoners and fills plenteously  
The thirsty souls of his, with heavenly  
Delights. 
* John 20: 19  He entered in the doors fast shut  
To his Disciples, them to comfort; but  
With godly prisoners he's a constant guess  
Resides; O happy he who doth possess  
Christ for his Fellow-prisoner, who doth glad  
With heavenly Sunbeams, Goals that are most sad,  
Bonds, Torments, Prisons, make not him sad; he  
Retains a quiet mind how ere things be.   

4.  
Nullatenus vinctus Christi virtute solutus;  
Permanet immunis, clusus vel Carcere Vinclis.  
Liber ubique, pius, placidus, benedictus, amoenus,  
Indomitus; tacitum circumfert pectore Coelum:  
Tristia Laetificans, Moestissima cuucta serenans;  
Vincula discutiens, arctissima claustra recludens.  
He is not bound whom CHRIST hath made free; he  
Though shut close Prisoner, chained, remains still free,  
A godly Man's at large in every place,  
Still cheerful, well content, in blessed case,  
Unconquered; he a secret Heaven still bears  
About within his breast, which sad things cheers,  
dispels his blackest clouds of grief, off shakes  
His chains; and closest prisons open makes.   

5.  
Vincula non Animam cohibent, haud carcere clusam:  
Sidera transvolitat, Terram, Mare, cuncta pererrat  
Alipes, immensi fines transcendit Olympi;  
Limitis impatiens, arctari nescia Mundi  
Cancellis; tantum requiescens Numine vasto;  
Securus, placidusque Piis, vel turbine, Portus;  
No bands the soul of Man can once restrain;  
No Prison it enclose, nor yet contain;  
It soars above the Stars, and swiftly flies  
O'er Earth, Sea, all things; mounts beyond the skies,  
And bounds of the vast heavens, impatient  
Of Limits, ignorant how to be penned  
Within the Rails of this whole world; only  
Resting within the boundless Deity;  
A secure, pleasant harbour to Godly  
Men, even in a storm of Misery.   

6.  
Vincula quid trepidas? quid tela minantia? Flammas,  
Vulnera? quid rabidi Tormenta, Crucesve Tyranni?  
Aspera pro Christo, 
* Rev. 2. 7. 11. 17. 21. c. 3. 5. 12. 21. c. 21. 7. 2 Tim. 1. 7. 8.  dulcissima; qui Diadema  
Vincenti Statuit, Lignique cruore paravit.  
Scenicaturba Choros, spectacula, Tympana, Mimos,  
Ludicra stuprosis celebret, spectetque Theatris;  
Vincula Christicolae, Mutilatio, stigmata, Furcae  
Gaudia plura ferunt, cumulataque Praemia condunt.  
Histrio, Scena, jocus, saltatio, Mascara, Cantus,  
Risus Sardonicos generant, fictosque Cachinnos.  
Cordolium verum, gemitus morsusque perennes:  
Dulcia post tristant, peramara salute coronant.  
Why fearest thou Bonds? why threatenings? Weapons? Fires?  
Wounds? why the torments, Crosses or the Ires  
Of raging Tyrants? sith the sharpest things  
We undergo for Christ, most sweetness brings.  
who hath prepared and purchased for him  
Who 
* Rev. 2. 7. 11. 17. 21. c. 3. 5. 12. 21. c. 21. 7. 2 Tim. 4. 7 8.  overcomes, a glorious Diadem  
By the Blood of his Cross. Let then the Crew  
Of stage Frequenters celebrate, and view  
Plays, Dances, Pastimes, Players, sports in base.  
And filthy theatres, where grows no grace.  
Chains, Mutilations, Pilories, Brandes bring,  
To godly Christians far more joys, heaping  
Most large rewards upon them. Players, Plays,  
Jests, Dancing, Masks, Songs, generate always  
But deadly Laughters, feigned shouts; 
* 0. m 4. 9 1 c. 5. 1.  true grief,  
Sighs, lasting gripes of Conscience, past relief.  
Sweet worldly pleasures still in 
* Pro. 14. 13.  sadness cease;  
When 
* 2 Cor. 4. 17. 2. Tim. 2. 12.  bitterest sufferings bring Crowns, safety▪ peace.   

7.  
Aulicus imbellis gemmis, Dominaeque Capillis  
Auriculas onerat magnoque decore venustat,  
Stigma, Cicatrices, mutilatio pulchrius Aures  
Christigenae decorant, radiisque micantibus ornant,  
O Decus eximium referentia Vulnera Christum:  
Talibus insignis superis peramatus abibis.  
Th'unmanly Courtier with his Mistress Hair,  
And Jewels, jades his ears, to make them fair.  
When as Brands, Scars, and Croppings far more dight  
A Christians ears, and make them shine more bright.  
O Matchless Glory, Wounds which Christ express!  
Adorned with these, God's love thou shalt possess.   

8.  
Passio Coelipetis Alpha, at Solamen Omega:  
Principium Lachrymis decoratur; Meta, Triumphis.  
Suffering their▪ Alpha who to Heaven tend;  
But Joy is their Omega, final end;  
Their Entrance is adorned with tears of Woe,  
Their end with Triumphs, which their griefs outgo.   

9  
Nil Crus sentit in Nervo, si Anima sit in Coel●.  
The Leg feels nothing in the stocks, if the  
Soul, mind, Affections in Heaven placed be.   

10.  
Non timet is carcerem, qui scit contemnere Libertatem,  
Vitam, voluptatem, Famam: cui Mundus Ergastulum,  
Terra Exilium, Deus habitaculum, Mors Solatium.  
He fears no prison who knows to despise  
Freedom, Life, pleasure, Fame, which others prize:  
To whom this world's a prison; Earth, a place  
Of Exile, God, a Mansion; Death, Solace.   

11.  
Servus Christi etiam in vinculis, Liber.  
Servus Peccati etiam in summa Libertate captivus.  
Christ's Servants even in prison are still free:  
Sins, in the greatest freedom, captives be.   

12.  
Nil corpus patitur in Ergastulo, si Animus sit in Coelo.  
The body suffers nought in prison, when  
The mind itself is lodged in Heaven.   

13.  
Quid Coelum sine Deo, nisi Barathrum?  
Quid Barathum eum Deo nisi Coelum?  
What's Heaven without God but a very Hell?  
What's Hell but a Heaven, if God once there dwell?   

14.  
Nullibi incarceratur, qui ubique in Christo liberatur:  
Nunquam dejicitur, qui semper à Jehova sustentatur.  
He in no place can once imprisoned be,  
Who in all places is 
* Joh. 8. 36. Gal. 5. 1.  by Christ set free:  
He never is 
* Psal. 37. 24.  dejected, who always  
Hath great jehovah for his prop and stay.   

15.  
Nusquam solus qui ubique cum Deo;  
Nunquam Miser quisemper cum Christo,  
He never is alone, who every where  
Hath God himself, him company to bear,  
He never can be miserable, who  
Is always with Christ, who doth with him go.   

16.  
Vbi Deus adest, ibi non est Carcer, sed Paradisus; Non Ergastulum,  
Sed Palatium; non Barathrum, sed Coelum.  
Where God is present, there no Prison is,  
But a sweet Paradise of Joy and bliss;  
No Bridewell, but a Palace; no dark Cell,  
But a bright Heaven, where all comforts dwell.   

17.  
Carcer probat Ami●es, detegit juimicos;  
Excludit Mundum, includit Deum:  
Alit virtutes, extinguit Libidines,  
Edocet Temperantiam; cohibet Luxuriam;  
Mortificat earnem, sanctificat hominem;  
Ingenerat gratiam, the saurizat Gloriam.  
A prison tries▪ men's friends, detects their Foes,  
Shuts out the world, God to men doth enclose;  
Nourisheth virtues, Lusts extinguisheth;  
Temperance teacheth, Riot restraineth,  
Quite kills the flesh, but makes the Man holy;  
Engenders Grace, 
* 2 Cor. 4. 17. 2 Tim. 4. 8.  and ire asures up glory.   

1  
Turris Christiaenos fideles fictè incarcerat, verè liberat, Vnicum Dulcissimum Christi, jugum, [cui subjugari est perfectè manumitti] Imponendo● multiplicia gravis simaque Carnis peccati, Mundi, Diaboli vincula [quibus ill● queari, est certissimè captivari,] discutiendo.  
The Tower true faithful Christians feignedly  
Imprisons, but them sets free verily,  
By putting on them Christ's sweet yoke only,  
To which to be subjected, is truly  
To be enfranchised; by shaking off  
The manifold, and most heavy chains of  
The flesh, sin, World, Di'le; in which for to lie  
Ensnared, is to be captived certainly.   

19  
Turris plurimis Spectaculum, multis habitaculum: nonnullis Refugium; aliis divers●rium; Regi Palatium; Regno Gazophylacium, Armamentarium, Propugnaculum, Monetarium: Vinctis piis, Oratorium; Papisticis, Purgatorium; Clausis, Monasterium; Innoxiis, Hospitium; Reis, Ergastulum; Literatis, Musaeum; Ebriosis, Oenopolium; proditoriis, Macellum.  
The Tower is to most, a Spectacle;  
To many its a house, wherein they dwell;  
To some a refuge; Others, a lodging;  
A Royal Palace, it is to the King;  
Unto the Kingdom it's a Treasury,  
Armoury, Bulwark, Mint': an Oratory  
To Godly prisoners; but a purgatory  
To popish; to close ones, a Monast'ry;  
To guiltless ones, it's an Inn; to guilty  
A Bridewell; to learned ones, it's a study;  
To idle ones a Dormitory; to  
Drunkards, a tippling-house them to undo;  
To Traitors it's a shambles, where their head  
And Quarters hang, when they are butchered.   

On his Exile into jersy Isle.  
Why should this Exile me grieve, 
Levit. 25. 23.  discontent,  
Sith this whole World's a place of Banishment?  
And men as truly Exiles are at home,  
As in the strangest Clime to which they come?  
Are not God, Christ, Grace, Heaven to us as nigh  
In foreign Parts, as in our own Country?  
Yea; and oft times more near: this true to be  
By 
* Psal. 39 12. psal. 119. 19 2 Chron: 29 15. Heb. 11. 13 1 pet. 2. 11.  Abraham, jacob, joseph, all may see,  
I will not then fly, fear my Banishment,  
But in it joy, and take most sweet content,  
Sith God will me protect, 
* Gen. 12. 28. to 48. Act. 7. 3. to 17. Heb. 11. 8.  restore again,  
Or else translate to Heaven, with him to reign,  
Mine only Proper 
* Isay 41. 5. 6.  Country, wherein I  
Shall live a Freeman for eternity,  
In spite of my Arch-foes; whom I shall see  
Exiled, 
* Heb. 11. 14. 16.  imprisoned, 
* Prov. 11. 8. c. 21. 18. c. 12. 13.  and myself set free.   

20. Deus Turris etiam in Turre:  

Turris 

Libertatis  
Consolationis  
Quietis,  
Foelicitatis  
Honoris  
Splendoris  
Securitatie  
Salutis  
Spei  
Gaudii  
Pacis  
Protectionis  
Gratiae  
Vitae  
Gloria 

in Turre 

Angustiae;  
Tristitiae;  
Molestiae;  
Miseriae;  
Dedecoris,  
Obscuritatis;  
Perturbationis,  
Perditionis,  
Desperationis  
Afflictionis,  
Belli;  
Periculi,  
Peccati;  
Mortis,  
Perpessionis.          

God is a 
* Psal. 18. 2. Psal. 1. 3. Psal. 144. 2.  Tower in the Tower.  
A Tower of Liberty,  
In the Tower of Restraint; a Tower  
Of Comfort, Jollity  
In the Tower of Sadness; a Tower  
Of sweetest Quietness  
In the Tower of Trouble; a Tower  
Of blessed Happiness,  
In the Tower of Misery; a Tower  
Of Honour, Dignity  
In the Tower of disgrace; a Tower  
Of bright Excellency  
In the Tower of darkness; a Tower  
Of strong security  
In the Tower of danger; a Tower  
Of health and true safety  
In the Tower of Sickness; a Tower  
Of hope and good success  
In the Tower of Despair; a Tower  
Of joy and cheerfulness  
In the Tower of sorrow; a Tower  
Of peace and union  
In the Tower of fierce war: a Tower  
Of safe Protection  
In the Tower of peril; a Tower  
Of Grace and Piety  
In the Tower of vile Sin; a Tower  
Of Life, eternity  
In the Tower of grim death; a Tower  
Of Glory and great praise,  
In the Tower of suffering: such Tower  
God proves to his always.   

21. Deus Turris.  


1.  
Protegendo;  
A malis,  
In malis,  
Contra malos,  
Inter malos,  
Vbique,  
Tutissimè,  
Fortissimè,  
Gratiosissimè,   

2.  
Consolando,  
In Malis,  
Semper,  
Abundunter,  
Suavissimè;   

3.  
Eripieudo,  
A Malis  
Citò  
Tempestiuè  
Potentissimè    
Mortalium proculdubiò Beatissimus, qui Mundi Exul, Christique Captivus, Turri isti tutissima, jucundissima, optimae, maximae perpetuò (dum vixerit) adjudicatur Saluò certè custoditur, quinon solùm à Deo, sed in Deo conservatur: arctari non potest, qui ipsa Dei infinitate (incarceratus) spatiatur. Ita ominatur Gulielmus Prynne: Martij 3. 1633.   

God is a Tower by protecting all  
His Saints from Ills, in Ills which them befall;  
Against, amidst ill men in every place,  
Most safely, strongly out of his mere grace;  
By comforting them in adversity  
Always, most sweetly, most abundantly:  
By freeing them from evils speedily,  
In the best time, and that most potently:  
No doubt he is the happiest man alive,  
Who this world's Exile, and Christ's dear Captive,  
Is during life adjudged perpetually  
In this most safe, sweet, best great'st Tower to lie.  
He is truly kept safely, who both by  
And in God is preserved continually:  
He cannot straitened be, who walks freely  
(Whiles prisoner) in God's vast Infinity.  
Of this opinion WILLIAM PRYNNE was the  
Third day of March, six hundred thirty three.   

Sentences of Scriptures there likewise written.  

PSAL. 69. 33.  
The Lord heareth the poor, and despiseth not his prisoners.   

PSAL. 146. 7, 8.  
The Lord looseth the prisoners; the Lord raiseth those that are bowed down.   

PHIL. 4. 11, 12, 13.  
I have learned in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content, I know both how to be abased, and I know how to abound: every where, and in all things I am instructed, both to be full, and to be hungry; both to abound, and to suffer need: I can do all things through Christ, which strengtheth me.   

PSAL. 34. 17. 19 22.  
The righteous cry, and the Lord heareth, and delivereth them out of all their troubles. Many are the afflictions of the righteous, but the Lord delivereth him out of them all; the Lord redeemeth the soul of his Servants, and none of them that trust in him, shall be desolate.   

PSAL. 37. 23, 24, 37, 38, 39, 40.  
The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord, and he delighteth in his way: Though he fall, he shall not be utterly cast down, for the Lord upholdeth him with his hand: Mark the perfect man, and behold the upright: For the end of that man is peace. But the transgressors shall be destroyed together, the end of the wicked shall be cut off: But the salvation of the righteous is of the Lord, he is their strength in the time of trouble. And the Lord shall help them and deliver them: he shall deliver them from the wicked, and save them, because they trust in him.   

PSAL. 71. 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24.  
Thy righteousness also O God, is very high, who hast done great things, O God who is like to thee? Thou which hast showed me great and sore troubles, shalt quicken me again, and shalt bring me up again from the depths of the earth. Thou shalt increase my greatness, and comfort me on every side. I will also praise thee, with the Psaltery even thy truth: O my God unto thee will I sing with the Harp, O thou holy one of Israel: My lips shall greatly rejoice when I sing unto thee: and my soul which thou hast redeemed: my tongue also shall talk of thy righteousness all the day long: for they are confounded, for they are brought unto shame that seek my hurt.   

MICAH: 7, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10.  
A man's enemies are the men of his own house: Therefore I will look unto the Lord; I will wait for the God of my salvation, my God will hear me: Rejoice not against me o mine enemy: when I fall, I shall arise: when I sit in darkness, the Lord shall be a light unto me. I will bear the indignation of the Lord, because I have sinned against him, until he plead my cause and execute judgement for me, He will bring me forth to the light, and I shall behold his righteousness. Then she that is mine enemy shall see it, and shame shall cover her which said unto me, where is the Lord thy God? mine eyes shall behold her, now shall she be trodden down, as the mire of the streets.    

On his Sufferings on the Pillory.  
Christ for 
* Isay 53. 4. 5. 6. 8. 10. Rome 4. 25. 1 Cor. 15. 3 1 Pet. 2. 24.  my sake, sins, and Redemption  
From Hell and endless Torments; suffered on  
The 
* Heb. 12. 2. c. 13. 12. 12. Gal. 3. 13. Phil. 2. 8.  Cross, a shameful, cursed Death, with all  
Alacrity, joy, promptitude: And shall  
I not for his sake then most cheerfully  
Both stand, and suffer on the Pillory,  
Without all blush, or fear? since 'tis no shame,  
But 
* Phil. 1. 29 2 Tim. 2. 12. Rev. 7. 13. to 17.  Honour, thus to suffer for Christ's name.   

Verses made by W. PRYNNE, as he returned by Water to the Tower after his last sufferings, upon his Stigmatising.  

S. L. Stigmata Laudis.  
Stigmata Maxillis referens, Insignia Laudis,  
Exultans remeo, victima grata Deo.  
Bearing Lands Stamps on my Cheeks, I retire  
Triumphing, God's sweet Sacrifice through fire.   

On his return from Exile.  
Foes sent me hence, but God, and his Saints cries  
Have brought me back, 'tis wondrous in all Eyes.  
No Exiles, Prisons, Chains, powers can detain  
Those whom God will recall, free, raise again.    

ISAY. 51. 11. 14. c. 41. 5, 6.  
The redeemed of the Lord shall return, and come with singing unto Zion, and everlasting joy shall be upon their head; they shall obtain gladness and joy; and sorrow and mourning shall flee away. The CAPTIVE EXILE hasteneth, that he may be loosed, and that he should not die in the pit, nor that his bread should fail. Fear not, for I am with thee, I will bring thy seed from the East, and gather thee from the West, I will say to▪ the North, Give up; and to the South, keep not back; bring my sons from far, and my daughters from the ends of the Earth.  
FINIS.    

ERRATA.  
IN the Epistle v. 1. it were, r. 'twere p. 2. l. 32. The r. He p. 3. l. 8. He's, r he The verses p. 9 of his Exile into Jersy, should have come in p. 15. after Stigmata Laudis.   

Courteour Reader, I shall request thee to correct these few Press errors, which have scaped in some Copies in my absence.   

Errata.  
Page 1. line 10. for the, read this. p. 3. l. 12. r. make. p. 18. l. 3. when whom. l. 6. them, r. him. p. 19 l. 8 to r. in. p. 32. l. 24. of, on. p. 33. l. 18. sin, weeds. p. 34. 7. they, these. p. 47. l. 5. must, much. p. 65. l. 5. be, lie. p. 71. l. 19 greatest. p. 82. l. 21. lose, close. p. 83 l. 13. others, l. p. 93. l. 21. fined, fixed. p. 95 l 22. and, Oh. l. 23 Satan, Satin. p. 98. l. 25. them, then. l. 27. stations, passions. p. 103 l 15. over, ever. p. 108. l. 21. thee, they. p. 119. l. 6. to. or. p. 125. l. 23 arrived, armed. l. 25. flattering. p. 149. l. 6. shall, should. p. 164. l. 1. the, then. p. 165. l. 13. th'one, thine. p. 169. l. 11. prints ' paints.  
Printers oft err, but not as others men;  
Their Errors are corrected with a Pen.