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George Herbert, The Temple [OCR PDF, 6 MB]

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'- 1 __ ~_"_'_~~_:';_~ __- O-_.: .. - . __' _ _ _____ l Digiti,edbyGoogle SACRED POEMS AND PRIVATE EJACULATIONS BY GEORGE HRRB"ER'l' VSALlI X:\IX IN HIS TEMPLE DOTH EVER.Y MAN SPEAK OF HIS HONOUIt . ~5. ~o ~J: ;.,_ F., 'J ~:.." \-~ 1) U r~ i '.' .~ V i -r ,{ \ LlI1 t<.r,R Y NO" 1 i,,:1 i I,ONDON: c. WHITTINGHA.M, TOOJ:S Digiti ... PREFACE TO THE SECOND EDITION OF THE POEMS. THE Poetical Works of George Herbert are here given to the public in a more complete edition than bas hitherto appeared. They consist of the "Temple," which, together with the" Church Militant," was first published at Cambridge, A. D. 16:J3, with a pre-. face by Nicholas Ferrar, who was usually called .. The Protestant Saint Nicholas, and the pious Mr. Herbert's brother," and certain Latin and Greek poems, which, being written' on subjects of temporary interest, Ilre nOW almost unknown. Of the former work, the Temple, it has been remarked by tbe Rev. Barnabas Oley in the life prefixed to Herbert's Remains, " He that reads Mr. Herbert's poems attendingly, shall finde IIOt only the excellencies of Scripture Divinitie, and choice passages of the Fathers bound up in meetre; but the doctrine of Rome also finely and strongly confuted; a8 in the poems ' To Saints and Angels,' 'The British Church,' , The Church Militant,''' &c. A high panegyric is passed on the poems of Herbert by Baxter, who, in the preface to his Poetical Fragments (Lond. 1681) speaks thus :-" Next to the Scripture Poems, there are none so savoury to me as Mr. George Herbert's and Mr. George Sandys's. I k.now that Cowley and others far excel Herbert in wit and a~curate compolure; But (as Seneca takes vi PREFACE. with me above all his contemporaries, because he speaketh things by words, feelingly and seriously. like a man that is palt jest, 10) Herbert speaks to God like one that really believeth a God, and wbose buainess in tbis world is most with God. Heart-work and Heaven-work mate up his books." . Walton states that Herbert, on bis deatb-bed, delivered the Temple to Mr. Edmond Duncon, his executor, with the following injunction: .. , Sir, I pray deliver this little book to my dear brother Ferrar, and tell him, he shall find in it apicture of the many spiritual conflicts that have passed betwixt God and my soul, before I could subject mine to the will of Jesus my master, in whose service I have now. found perfect freedom; desire him to read it, and then if he can think it may tum to the advantsge of any dejected poor soul, let it be made public; if not,. let him bum it, for I and it are less tban tbe least of God's mercies.' Thus meanly did this humble man tbink of this excellent book, whicb now bears the name of THE TEMPLE, or Sacred Poems and Private Ejaculations; ofwbicb Mr. Ferrarwould say, there was the picture of a Divine Soul in every page; and tbat the wbole book was such a harmony of holy passions, as would enrich the world with pleasure and piety. And it appears to have done so, for tbere have been ten thousand of tbem sold since the first impression."- • Jzask Walton published his life of Herbert in 1670. In the fourth' edition, 1674, Walton says, that· there have been more than twenty thonsand of them sold since the first impression.' The Temple was first printed lIt Cambridge, 1683 ; the second edition the same year; third edition in 1634; fourth edit. 1635 ; fifth edit. 1638; sixth edit. 1641 ; seventh edit. 1656; eighth edit. 1660; ninth edit. 1667; tenth edit. 1674; eleventh edit. 1678; twelfth edit. 1703; thirteenth D;g;';2Od by Coogle PREFACE. In the life of Dr. Donne, Walton says:- "And in this enumeration of bis friends, tbougb many must be omitted; . yet that man of primitive piety, Mr. George Herbert, may not: I mean that George Herbert, wbo was the author of ' The Tem· pie, or Sacred Poems and Ejaculations,' a book, in which, by declaring his own spiritual conflicts, be hath comforted and raised many a dejected and discomposed soul, and channed them into sweet and quiet ihoughts;· a book, by the frequent reading whereof, and the assistance of that spirit that seemed to inspire the author, the reader may attain habits of peace and piety, and all the gifts of the Holy Ghost and Heaven, and may by still reading still keep those sacred fires burning upon the altar of so pure a heart, as shall free it from the anxieties of the world, and keep it fixed upou tbings tbat are above. Betwixt this George Herbert and Dr. Donne there was a long and dear friendllhip, made up by such a sympathy of inclinations, that they coveted and joyed to be in each other's company; and this edit. 1709; fourteenth edit. Bristol, 1799; fifteenth edit. Lond. 1805. In the Bodleian Library is a MS. formerly be. longing to Abp. Sancroft, and then to Bp. Tanner, entitled, " The original of Mr. George Herbert's Temple, as it was at first Licensed for the Presse. W. Sancroft;" beautifully written in folio, the punctuation altered by Sancroft. Dr. B\ias 88YS, tbat the poems are the same with those ed.1656, on a slight collation, there does not appear to be any various readings, and but one transposition. On the title is the poetical dedication, and at the bottom, original autogrspba.B. Lany Procan. Tho. Bainbrigg. M. Wren. William Beale. Tho. Freman. There is also in the same library the following in MS. "Mr. Herbt!rt's Temple and Church Militant, explained and im. proyed by a discourse npon each poem, critical and practical, byGeo. Ryley, 1715." D;g;';2Od by Coogle viii PREFACE. happy friendship was still maintained by many sacred endearments." Of the Latin poems, three are appended to the original edition of his Remains, two are (ound in the LacrymlB Cantabrigiellses and Epicedium Cantabrigiense, and three more are given from autographs in the hands oftbe puhlisher. Some others were first printed by Dr. Ja. Duport, Professor of Greek in the University of Cambridge, atthe end of a small volume,- containing other similar productions. They are introduced with this notice, " Epigrammata q_dam pro duciplina Ecclelit11 noltrm Apologetica, aliquot aMinc anni, con.cripta a Geo. Herberto, at quali et quanto viro et poeta, qua". pio, quam ingeniolo! de quo prmltat omnino tacere qllam palU:a dicere; prt11lertim cum eximiam ~jUl pietatem admirabili, ingenii ,ale cOliliitam loquetur Tempi""" 10quetur Tempus, loquetltr .iEternittJI. Hmc igitur carmina, polita ad modum et elegantia, ,.oii 1f'a"p01: yvr,tf,a ,.If(va, et Auctori, genium plane redoleRtia, qua,i aurem coronidu (XPVtfS'lV f(OPWV'IV Hom.) loco p"ioribus attexere visum elt." . • Ecclesiastes Solomonis, Auctore Joan. Viviano, Canticum Solomonis: necnon Epigrammata Sacra per Ja. Duportum. Accedunt Georgii Herberti Musle Responsorile, &c.1662. In Duport's Musle Subsecivle, &c. Camb. 1676, 8vo. are Latin verses addressed to Herbert; also in a volume of Latin Poems by Will. Dillingham, D.D. of Camb.8vo. 1678, are translations of five of Herbert's, viz. The Church Porch, The Sacrifice, Providence, Charms and Knots, and Man's Medley. In Crasbaw's Steps to the Temple, 1648, will be found verses" On Mr. George Herbert's booke, entitled the Temple or Sacred Poems, sent to a Gentlewoman:" printed also at the end of Walton's Life. And in tbe Poems of Daniel Baker, M.A. 1697, 8l'9 verses" On Mr. George Herbert's Poems, called the Temple." In Tho. Forde's Panegyrick on K. Charles' return, !9th May, 1660, are some verses entitled, " with Herbert's Poeme." PREFACE. ix TIle works of Herbert are not extensive: it hal' therefore been thought advisable to insert in this volume every which remains him a poet; though the reader of the present day will be little disposed to agree in the above unqualified eulogy on his Latin compositions. The Synagogue, a collection of poems generally appended to the Temple, has been retained in this edition. were first printed A.D. 1640, and have been, with much probability, attributed the Rev. Cbristopher Harvey, M. A.* By the kindness of the Rev. Dr. Bliss, Registrar of the University of Oxford, the publisher is enahled to add Poem, ascribed to Herbert, t entitled" a Paradox, that the sicke are in a better calle then the whole ;" and for some particulars ofC. Harvey. The Notes by the late S. T. Coleridge, printed at the end of this volume, occur a copy of Temple which formerly belonged to and with whom it was a great favorite. He appears to have contemplated selel!tion, with a few slight alterations of the verse. The Greek and Latin Poems entitled Parentalia, which hefore, account their been covered too late for insertion,' were attached to the' RemaLin:s, have, in this second edition, been inserted in their proper places: they were found at the end of a Sermon by Dr. ]jonne, on the death of Danvers, the mother G. Herbert. In the old copies all the Greek and Latin poems are very incorrectly in the present edition they are greatly amended, by the revision of the Rev. • See the advertisement before the Synagogue in this edition. From MS. collection of Poems the Bodleian Library, chiefiy by Cambridge men, and written from 1647 to 1658. Jitized PREFACE. J. Allen Giles, late fellow of Corpus Christi College, Oxford, whose critical acumen in the detection of a false reading is not less remarkable than the facility with which he discovers the true one. Another volume similar to the present, entitled Remains, contains the Priest to the Temple, Pro-. verbs, Letters, and other prose writings of Herbert, with his life by Walton and that by Barnabas Oley ; and the two volumes together comprise the entire works of George Herbert now first collectt'd. Chancery Lane, Feb. 22, 1838. D;g;';2Od by Coogle CONTENTS. Page COMMENDATORY VERSES........................ ............ xv Tbe Printers to the Reader .................... ........ ..... xxi I. THE TEMPLE............................................. l' Page Aaron ..................... 183 A Dialogue-Anthem ..• 178 Affliction .................. 38 Allliction ................... 66 Affliction .................. 68 ABliction ;................. 87 ABliction ......... ..... ... . 95 Anagram ................... 73 An Offering ......... ...... 162 Antiphon..... ..... ........• 46 Antiphon ....... ..... ...... 90 A Parody.. ................ 193 Artillery .................. 143 ,Assurance .................. 161 A true Hymn ............ 176 Avarice ..................... 73 A Wreath .................. 196 Bitter-sweet ............... 180 Business ......... ...... .•• 113 Charms and Knots ...... 94 Cbristmas...... ............. 77 Church Lock and Key.. 60 Churcb Monuments ... ". 59 Churcb-Music ..... ....... 60 Cburch-Rents&Schisms 144 Claspine" .. of,Hands .. : ..•. 163 Coloss. 111. 3. "Our bfe·ls hid with Christ in God" 82 Complaining ............... 1411 Confession .. .... ......... 128 Conscience ............... 104 Constancy.................. 67 Content ...................... 63 PIljtP Death ..................... 196 Decay ..................... 97 Dedication ............... 1 DeniaL ................... 76 Dialogue .................. 114 Discipline .................. 188 Divinity .................. 137 Doomsday............... 197 Dotage ..................... 175 Dulness ..................... 116 Easter ....................... 33 Easter· Wings.............. 35 Employment......... ...... 50 Employment............... 75 Epbes. i"\'. 30 ... Grieve not the Holy Spirit," &c.. 139 Evensong. ......... ......... 58 l!'aitb ........................ 42 Frailty......... ............. 66 Giddiness ................. : 129 Good l!'riday .............. 30 Grace....................... 54 Gratefulness ............ 125 Grief ......................... 171 Heaven ..................... 199 Holy·Baptism............. 36 Holy Baptism....... ...... 36 Holy Communion......... 44 Home ........................ 106 Hope ........................ 123 Humility.............. ...... 65 Jesu ........................ 112 Jordan .. ; .. :........... ....• 50 D;g;';2Od by Coogle xii CONTENTS. Pap Jordan .........•........••• 101 Joseph's Coat ............ 166 Judgmellt .................. 198 Justice ..................... 94 J lIstice ..................... \ 4S Lent .............. : ......... 83 Life ........................ 92 Longing .................. 154 Love ......................... 47 Love. ........................ 200 Love-joy... ... ...... ...... 11 7 Love Unknown ......... 131 Man ........................ 88 Man's Medley ............ 133 Mary Magdalen .•• •••••• 182 MalI08 ...................... 56 Misery ..................... 98 Mortification ..•.•• ••• ... 96 Nature...................... 37 Obedience ............... 103 Paradise .................. 135 Peace ..................... 126 Praise....................... 55 Praise ..................... 151 Praise ..................... 164 Prayer ...................... 44 Prayer ..................... 102 Providence .. ............. 117 Redemption............... 32 Repentance. .•. ........... 41 Self-condemnation ...... 179 Sepulchre .. ....... .... ..... 32 Sighs and groans.... ..... 80 Sin........................... 38 Sin ........................... 57 Sins round ......... ...... 123 Sion ........................ 105 Submission • ...... •••••... 93 ·Sunday ..................... 70 Superliminare ... .... ••••• 17 The Agony................... 29 Tile Altar.................. 17 The Answer ............... 177 The Bag .................. 157 The Banquet ............ 191 The British Church ...... 109 Page The Bunch of Grapes.... 130 The Call .................. 163 The Church-Floor........ 61 The Church-Porch....... 1 The Collar ............... 159 The Croea .............. 172 The Dawning ............ 112 The I>ischarge ............ 149 The Elixir ............... 195 The Family ............... 140 The Flower .... ........... 173 The Foil .................. 185 The Forerunners ......... 186 The Glance .......... ..... 180 The Glimpse ........ ...• 160 The Hold-fast ............ 148 The HoI,. Scriptures..... 51 The Invitation ............ 190 The Jews .................. 158 The Method... ........ .... 136 The Odour ............... 184 The Pearl............ ...... 86 The Pilgrimase ......... 146 The Priesthood ......... 167 The Pulley ............... 166 The Quiddity ............. 64 The Quip .................. 110 The Reprisal............... 28 The Rose ........ .......... 187 The Posy • .......... .... 193 The Sacrifice......... ..... 18 The Search ........ ....... 169 The Size .................. 141 The Sinner...... ........... 30 The Son .................. 176 The Star .................... 69 The Storm... ....... ........ 135 The Temper ............. ;.. 48 The Temper ........... .... 49 The Tbaokagiving........ 27 The Twenty-third Psalm 181 The Water-course ...... 178 The Windows ............ 62 The World .................. 8] Time ........................ 124 To all Angels and Saints 74 D;g;';2Od by Coogle CONTENTS •. xiii Page Page Trinity-Sunday............ 621 Vanity ..................... 111 Un"aratefulness ............ 79 Virtue ........... .......... 85 Unkindness """."""" 9] Whitsunday............... 53 Vanity.. .................... 82 . , Il. THE CHURCH MILITANT ..................... 201 L'Enyoy ...................................................... 209 Ill. MISCELLANEOUS ................................. 210 1. New year's gift to his Mother ........................ 210 2. 1'0 his successor at BemerLOn ........................ 211 3. On Lord DanveJ'll ....................................... 211 4. A Paradox, &c .......................................... 212 IV. PARENT ALIA .......................................... 215 V. MUSlE RESPONSORI.£, &:c .................... 229 VI. EPIGRAMMATA APOLOGETICA PRO DISCIPLlNA ECCLESIlE NOSTR.£ ...... 237 VII. INVENTA BE~LICA .............................. 261 . VIlL ALIA POEMATA LATlNA ..................... 265 THE SYNAGOGUE, by the Rev. C. Harvey, M.A ... 273 A Paradox ............... P3a3g6e "~' he An nuncl;at.io n, or Page A Stepping stone to the Lady-Day ............ 316 threshold of Mr. Her- The Ascension, or Holy bert's Church-Porch.. 280 Thursday ............... 325 Church Festivals ......... 314 1'he Bible .................. 292 Church-oilicers ......... 301 Too Bi,hop ............... 312 Church-utensils ......... 287 The .Book of Common- Comfort in Extremity ... 332 Prayer .................. 291 Commendatory Verses ... 275 The Church ............... 284 Communiou Plate ...... 299 The Church-gate ......... 282 Confusion .................. 334 The eburch-porch ...... 285 Engines ..................... 352 The Church·stile ......... 282 Inmates .................. 337 The Church·walls ...... 283 Inundations........ ....... 347 The Church· Warden ... 306 Invitation .................. 331 The Church.yard ......... 281 Resolution andAssurance 333 The CircumCISion, or N ew- Sin ........................... 348 Year's Day ............ 319 Subterliminare ........... 279 1 1'he Clerk .................. 303 D;g;';2Od by Coogle · xiV' (:ONTENTS. Page The Communion Table •• 297 The Curb •••••••..•••.•.... 341 The Deacou .............. 308 The Dedication .......... 281 The Epipbauy, or Twelfth Day ..................... 321 The Font ...... ............ 288 The Journey ............... 350 The Loss...... ..... ....... 342 The N atiYity, or Christ· mas-Day ............... 318 The Overseer of the Poor 304 The Pa88ion, or Good Friday ..... : ............ 322 • Page The Priest.............. .•.• 310 The Pulpit . ............ 294 The Readiug·pew ...... 289 The Resurrection, or Easter.Day .. ...... .... 324 Tbe Return.. ...... ....... 345 The Sabbath,or Lord's . Day ..................... 315 The Search ............ ,.. 343 The Sexton ............... 301 Travels at Home ......... 349 Trinity Sunday............ 329 Vows brokenandrenewed 333 Whitsunday ............... 327 Notes OD the Temple and Synagogue, by S. T. Cole- .ridge ........................................................ 355 D;g;';2Od by Coogle COMMENDATORY VERSES. A MEMORIAL TO TilE HONOURABLE GEORGE HERBERT, AUTHOR OP THE SACRED POEMS, WHO DIED ABOUT ANNO 1635. • REAn O'fJr these raptures with a curious eye, You must conclude, this eagle IIOIIred high: Montgomery Castle Willi the place where he Had his first breathing and nstivity. Of that most noble house this hero came, Who left the world this legacy of fame. Great lsint, unto thy memory and shrine lowe all veneration, save divine, For thy rare poems: piety and pen Speak thee no less than miracle of men, The graces all, both moral and divine, In thee concentre, and with thee combine: These sacred lessons, set to thy sweet lute, Was music that would make Apollo mute: Nay, all those warbling chanters of the spring Would sit half tune to hear Arion sing. What province hsth produced a grester BOul, Between the arctic and antarctic pole, Than Wales hsth donel where Herbert's church shall be A llIIIting pyramid for him and thee. • In the Register of Fuggleston and Bemerton, the following entry occurs, .. Mr. George Herbert, Esq. Parson oC Fugglelton and Bemerton, W&!I buried 8 day of Marc!., 1632," D;g;';2Od by Coogle xvi COMMENDATORY \'ERSE.". What father of a church can you rehearse, That gain'd more BOuls to God 'twixt pro~e and verse? Wbat orator had more magnetic Ptrain,,? What poet such a fancy, pen, or brains, In our great hierarchy? ahow me the man That Bang more sadly than this dying swan, This bird of paradise, this glowworm bright, Tbis philomel, this glory of the night. Seeing the deluge rage, the clouds still dark, Restless below, return'd up to the ark, This sacred dove, before he scaled the skies, Rarely set forth, the world's great sacrifice j A melting poem, all the relt BO high, That the dull world may learn to live and die. Never did pen humane, or ellring brain, Express or vent such a serapbic strain. You that are poets born, contend and strive, In spite of deatb, dead Herbert to revive. Bring wreaths oflarix, an immortal tree, To Salem's sacred hill, for obsequy. ParnassuI' mount was never BO divine, To turn the muse's water into wine. Tbe Delphian poet went from thence to Rome, And there was entertain'd as major dome; And though the bishop and hi, clerks do boast, That old fllise prophet there doth rule the roast. A lasting spring of blood springs near that hill, There he did bsthe j there you your phials fill. 'Twill melt your hearts to view those desolations j Yet from that spring llows highest inspirations. Therein your annals such encomiums bring '1'0 bis memorial, as tbe doves in spring. Such moan 88 Egypt's viceroy once did make At Abel-Mizraim for bis father's sake, !\lake your shrill trumpets: from that thomy bill Benhinnon's valleys with amazement lill. To the sepulchre go, there sacrilice Tbe distillations of your hearts and eyes. When you depart, fall down, .and kiss that land, Wbere once his master's sacl'f'd feet did stand. No art or engine can you safely trust D;g;';2Od by Coogle COMlIfENDATORY VERSE!!!. To polish him, but his own sacred dust. N or can you paint or pencil him too high, That lived and died without an enemy; That left behind him this admired tomb, But no Elisha in Eliah's room. AN EPITAPH UPON THE HONOURABLE GEORGE HERBERT. You weeping marbles, monuments, we trust, As well with the injurious, as the just. When your great trust at last shall be resign'd, And when his noble dust shall be refined: You shall more gold, myrrh, frankincense return, Than shall be found in great Augustus' urn. He was the wonder of a better age, The eclip.e of this, of empty heads the rage. PhrenU: of Wales, of his great name the glory, A theme above all verse, beyond all story. " A plant of Paradise; which, in a word, Worms ne'er shall wither, as they did the gourd. Go, you unborn, bedew dear Herbert's tomb; No more such babes are in Dame Nature's womb. No more such blazing comets shall appear, Nor leave so happy inluences here. Go, thaw your hearte at his celestial fire, And what you cannot comprehend, admire. Go, you dl\J'k poems, dark even as the skies, Make the BCales fall from our dark dazzling eyes. lofirrors were made to mend, not mar our sight, GlowWOt:mB to glitter in the most gloomy night. About those glorious regions he is led, Where Qnce Saint Paul was rapt and ravished. Here a divine, prophet, and poet lies, That laid up manna for posterities. P. D. Esq. D;g;';2Od by Coogle CO)J)JENDATORY VERSES. 'rUE cnURCH MILITANT. THl< Church's progress is m88terpiece, Limn'd to the life, of Egypt, Rome, and Greece: Wherein he gives conclave such a blow, Thev ne'er received from either friend or England and France do bear an equal share In hig predictions, which time will declare Here's height of malice, here's prodigious lust, Impudent sinning, cruelty, distrnst ; Here '5 black ingratitnde, bere's pride and seom. Here's damned oaths, that cause the land to mourn; And here's oppression, marki of future blltle, And bere's hypocrisy, the counterplltle. Here's love of guine88, curse:! root of all, And here's religion tum'd to the wall:" And could see with eagle eyes, Without checkmate religion westward Hies, A sad IIIIlri6ce W88 of late Of God's poor lambs by Pharasaic hate. For discipline with doctrine so to Was just like bringing justice to Was it the will, or judgment, or commands, Of the grellt pilot for to pal! the ; Well may hope, that our quick-sighted slate Will take God's grievance into a debate. Cathedral priests loug since have about Hammer and tongs, drive religion out. Her grace and majesty makes them so fraid, They cry coutant, IIl'1d so espouse maid. She's decent, lovely, chaste, divine they say, She loves their sons, that sing our sins away. Could we count the thouijands every year These dreams consume, the music is too dear. Wheu Eli'a sons made luxury their god, Their widows named their posthumes Icabod. They both were slain, God's sacred ark was lost, Though they had it most mighty Jitized COllfMENDATORY VERSES. Well may ingratitude make UII all mourn PearIs we receive, poor pebbll!s we return. Now Seine is swallowing Tiber; if the Thames, By letting in them both pollute her stremns; Or ilthe seers shall connive or wink, Beware the thunderbolt; lIfigr"emUl him. o let me die, and not survive to sel! Before my death religion's obsequy. Religion and dear truth will prove lit length The alpha and omega of our strength; Our HoRZ, our Jachin, our Great Britaill's glory, I.ook'd on by owls as a romantic story. Our cloud, that comes behind us in the day, Night's fiery pillar, to direct our way. Our Chariots, ships, and horsemen, to withstand The fury of our foes by sea or land. Our eyes may see, as hath been seen before, Religion's foes lie 1Ioating on the shore: The head of England's church proud Babels, but Will faith defend, and peace will Janus shut. Advel'llUB Impia. Anno 1670. xix LlNES INTENDED TO BE PLACED UNDER HERBERT'S PORTRAIT. BmOLD an orator, divinely sage, The prophet and apostle of that age. View hut his Porch and Temple, you shan see The body of divine philosophy. Examine well the lines of his dead face, Therein you may discern wisdom and grace. Now if the shell 80 lovely doth appear, How oriellt was the pelld impri80u'd here! _\t(l0 D;g;';2Od by Coogle THE PRINTERS TO THE READER.· E dedication of this work having been made by the author to the Divine Majesty only, how should we now presume to in~erest any mortal man in the patronage of it? Much lesS think we it meet to seek the recommendation of the Muses, for that which himself was confident to have been inspired by a diviner breath than flows from Helicon. The world therefore, shall receive it in that naked simplicity with which he left it, without any ad~ dition either of support or ornament, more than is included in itself. We leave it free and unforestalled to every man's judgment, and to the benefit that he shall find by perusal. Only for the clearing of some passages, we have thought it not unfit to make the common Reader privy to some few particularities of the condition and disposition of the person. Being nobly born, and as eminently endued with gifts of the mind, and having by industry and happy education perfected them to that great height of excellency, whereof his fellowship of Trinity College in Cambridge, and his Oratorship in the University, together with that knowledge which the King's Court had taken of him, could make relation far above ordinary. Quitting both his ~eserts and al1 the opportunities that he had • Published with first edition, Cambridge, 1633. D;g;';2Od by Coogle xxii TO THB READER. for worldly preferment, be betook himself to tilt Sanctuary and Temple of God, cboosing rather 18 &e"e at God'. Altar, than to seek the honour of State employments. As for those inward enforcements to this course (for outward there was noDe,) which many of these enauing verses bear witnea of, they detract not from the freedom, hut add to the honour of this resolution in bim, As God had enabled him, .0 be accounted him meet not only to be called, but to be, compelled to tbi& se"ice: Wherein bis faithful discharge was BUch, as may make him justly a companion to the primitive Saints, and a pattern or more for the age he Jived in. To testify his independency upon all others, and to quicken his diligence in this kind, he used in hi. ordinary speech, when he made mention of the bleued name of our Lord and Saviour, Jeaua Christ, to add, My Master. Next God, he loved that which God himself l1ath magnified above all things, that is, his W ord-: 80 all' he hath been heard to make solemn protestation, that he would not part with one leaf thereof for the whole world, if it were offered him in exchange, His obedience and confonnity to the Church and the discipline thereof was singularly remarkable: Though he abounded in private devotions, yet went he every morning and evening with his family to the Church; and by his example, exhortationa, and encouragements drew: the greater part of his parishioners to accompany him daily in the public celebration of Divine Service, D;g;';2Od by Coogle TO TilE READER. xxiii As for worldly matters, his love and esteem to them was so little, as no man can more ambitiously seek, than he did earnestly endeavour the resignation of an Ecclesiastical dignity, which he was possessor of. But God permitted not the accomplishment of this desire, having ordained him his instrument for re-edifying of the Church belonging thereunto, that had lain ruinated almost twenty years. The reparation whereof, having been uneffectuallyattempted by public collections, was in the end by his own and some few others' private free-will-offerings successfully effected. With the remembrance whereof, as of an especial good work, when a friend went about to comfort him on his death-bed, he made answer, " It is a good work, if it be sprinkled with the blood of Christ:" otherwise than in this respect he could . find nothing to glory or comfort himself with, neither in this nor in any other thing. • And these are but a few of many that might be said, which we have chosen to premise as a glance to some parts of the ensuing book, and for an example to the Reader. We conclude all with his own Motto, with which he used to conclude all things that might seem to tend any way to his own honour, " Less than the least of God's mercies." [NICHOLAS FERRAR.] D;g;';2Od by Coogle D;g;';2Od by Coogle I. THE T E M P L E. THE DEDICATION. LORD, MY FIRST FRUITS ,PRESENT THEMSELVES TO THEE; YET NOT MINE NEITHER: FOR FROM THEE THEY CAME, AND MUST RF.TIIRN. ACCEPT OF THEM AND ME, AND MAKE US STRIVB, WHO SHALL SING BEST THY NAME. TURN THEIR EYES HITHER, WHO SHALL MAKE A GAIN : THEIRS, WHO SHALL HURT THI£MSELVES OR ME, REFRAIN. I. THE CHURCH-PORCH. , PERIRRHANTERIUM. THOU, whose sweet youth and early hopes enhance Thy rate and price, and mark thee for a treasure, Hearken unto a Verser, who may chance Rhyme thee to good, and make a bait of pleasure : A verse may find him, who a sermon flies, And turn delight into a sacrifice. Beware of lust; it doth pollute and foul Whom God in Baptism wash'd with his own blood: It blots the lesson written in thy soul; The holy lines cannot be understood. How dare those eyes upon a Bible look, Much less towards God, whose lust is all their book! B r 2 TilE CIIURCH-POIlCH. Wholly abstain, or wed. Thy bounteous Lord Allows thee choice of paths: take no by-ways; But gladly welcome what he doth afford; Not grudging, that thy lust bath bounds and stays. Continence hath bis joy: weigh botb; and 80 If rottenness have more, let Heaven go. If God had laid all common, certainly Man would have been the encloser: but since now God hath impaled us, on the contrary Man breaks the fence, and every ground will plougb. o wbat were man, migbt he himself misplace ! Sure to be cross he would shift feet and face. Drink not tbe third glass, which thou canst not tame, When once it is within thee; but before Mayst rule it, as tbou list: and pour the shame, Which it would pour on thee, upon the floor. It is most just to throw that on the ground, Wbich would throw me there, ifI keepthe round. He that is drunken may his mother kill Big with bis sister: he hath lost the reins, Is outlaw'd by himself: all kind of ill Did with bis liquor slide into bis veins. Tbe drunkard forfeits Man, and doth divest All worldly right, save what he hath by beast. Shall I, to please another's wine-sprung mind, Lose all mine own 1 God hath given me a measure Short of his can, and body; must I find A pain in that, wherein he finds a pleasure? Stay at the third glass: if thou lose thy bold, Then thou art modest, and the wine grows bold. d D;g;';2Od by Coogle THE CHURCH-PORCH. I f' reason move not Gallants, quit the room; . (All in a shipwreck shift their several way) ut not a common ruin thee intomb: ' Be Dot a beast in courtesy: but stay, Stay at the third cup, or forego the place. Wine above all things doth God's stamp deface. Yet, if thou sin in wine or wantonness, 3 Boast not thereof; nor make thy shame thy .glory. Frailty gets pardon by submissiveness; But he that boasts, shuts that out of his story : He makes flat war with God, and doth defy With his poor clod of earth the spacious sky. Take not His name, who made thy mouth, in vain : I t gets thee nothing, and hath no excuse. Lust and wine plead a pleasure, avarice gain: But the cheap swearer through his open sluice Lets his soul run for nought, as little fearing: Were I an Epicure, I could bate swearing. When thou dost tell another's jest, therein ·Omit the oaths, which true wit cannot need: Pick out of tales the mirth, but not the sin. He pares his apple that will cleanly feed. Play not away the virtue ofthat name, [tame. Which is thy best stake, when griefs make thee The cheapest sins most dearly punish'd are; Because to shun them also is so cheap: For we have wit to mark them, and to spare. o crumble not away thy soul's fair heap. If thOu wilt die, the gates of hell are broad : Pride and full sins have made the way a road. D;g;t;zed by Coogle THE CHURCH-PORCH. Lie not; bat let thy heart be true to God, Thy mouth to it, thy actiODB to them both: Cowards tell lies, and those that fear the rod ; The stormy working soul spits lies and froth. Dare to be true. Nothiog can need a lie: A fault, which needs it moat, grows two thereby. Fly idlene88, which yet thou canat not fiy By dreaaing, miatre88iog, and complement. If those take up thy day, the sun will cry AgaiDBt thee; for his light was only lent. [feathem God gave thy soul brave wings; put not those Into a bed, to sleep out all ill weathers. Art thou a Magistrate? then be severe : If studious; copy fair what time hath blurr'd; Redeem truth from his jaws: if soldier, Chase brave employments with a naked sword Th~ughouttheworld. Fool not ; forallmayhave, If they dare try, a glorious life, or grave. o England! full of sin, but most of sloth ; Spit out tby phlegm, and fill thy breast with glory: Thy Gentry bleats, as if thy native cloth Transfused a sheepishness into thy story: Not that they all are so; but that the most Are gone to grass, and in the pasture lost. This loss springs chiefiy from our education. Some till their ground, but let weeds choke theirson : Some mark a partridge, never their child's fashion: Some ship them over, and the thing is done. Study this art, make it thy great design ; And if God's image move thee not, let thine. D;g;';2Od by Coogle THE CHURCH-PORCH. Some great estates provide, but do not breed A mastering mind; so both are lost thereby: Or else they breed them tender, make them need All that they leave: this is flat poverty. For he, that needs five thousand pound to live Is full as poor as he, that needs but five. The way to make thy son rich, is to fill I) His mind with rest, before his trunk with riches: For wealth without contentment, climbs a hill, To feel those tempests, which fly over ditChes. But if thy son can make ten pound his measure, Then all thou addest may be call'd his treasure. When thou dost purpose ought, (within thy power) Be sure to do it, though it be but small : Constancy knits the bones, and makes us stour When wanton pleasures beckon us to thrall. Who breaks his own bond, forfeiteth himself: What nature made a ship, he makes a shelf. Do all things like a man, not sneakingly: Think the king sees thee still; for his King does. Simpering is but a lay-hypocrisy: Give it a corner, and the clue undoes. Who fears to do ill, sets himself to task : Who fears to do well, sure should wear a mask. Look to thy mouth: diseases enter there. Thou hast two sconces, if thy stomach call; Carve, or discourse; do not a famine fear. Who carves, is kind to two; who talks, to all. Look on meat, think it dirt, then eat a bit; And say withal, Earth to earth I commit. D;g;';2Od by Coogle 6 THE CHURCH-PORCH. Slight thOle who say amidst their sickly healths, Thou livest by rule. What doth not so but man ? Houses are built by rule, and commonwealths. Entice the trusty sun, if that you can, From his ecliptic line; beckon the sky. Who lives by rule then, keeps good company. Who keeps no guard upon himself, is slack, And rots to nothing at the next great thaw. Man is a shop of rules, a well-trusa'd pack. Whose every parcel underwrites a law. Lose not thyself, nor give thy humours way: God gave them to thee under lock and key. By all means use sometimes to be alone. Salute thyself: see what thy soul doth wear. Dare to look in thy chest; for 'tis thine own: And tumble up and down what thou find'st there. Who cannot rest till he good fellows find, He breaks up house, tUrDS out of doors his mind. Be thrifty, but not covetous: therefore give Thy need, thine honour, and thy friend his due. Never was scraper brave man. Get to live; Then live, and use it: else, it is not true That thou hast gotten. Surely use alone Makes money not a contemptible stone. N ever exceed thy income. Youth may make Even with the year: but age, if it will hit, Shoots a bow short, and lessens still his stake, As the day lessens, and his life with it. Thy children, kindred, friends upon thee call; Before thy journey fairly part with all. THE CHURCH-PORCH. 7 Yet in thy thriving still misdoubt some evil; Lest gaining gain on thee, and make thee dim To all things else. Wealth is the conjurer's devil; Whom when he thinks he hath, the devil hath him. Gold thou mayst safely touch; but if it stick Unto thy hands, it woundeth to the quick. What skills it, if a bag of stones or gold About thy neck do drown thee? raise thy head; Take stars for money; stars not to be told By 1UlY art, yet to be purchased. None is so wasteful as the scraping dame: She loseth three for one; her soul, rest, fame. By no means run in debt: take thine own measure. Who cannot live on twenty pound a year, I Cannot on forty: he's a man of pleasure, I A kind of thing that's for itself too dear •. The curious unthrift makes his clothes too wide, And spares himself, but would his tailor chide. r Spend not on hopes. They that by pleading clothes Do fortunes seek, when worth and service fail, Would have their tale believed for their oaths, And are like empty vessels under sail. Old courtiers know this; therefore set out so, As all the day thou mayst hold out to go. In clothes, cheap handsomeness doth bear the bell. Wisdom's a trimmer thing, than shop e'er gave. Say not then, This with that lace will do well ; But, This with my discretion will be brave. Much curiousness is a pel'JMltual wooing. Nothing with labour, folly long a doing. D;g;';2Od by Coogle 8 THE CHURCH-PORCH. Play not for gain, but sport. Who plays for more, Than he can l08e with ple88ure, stakes his heart: Perhaps his wife's too, and whom she hath bore: Servants and churches also play their part. Only a herald, who that way doth P888, [gl888. Finds his crack'd name at length in the church- If yet thou love game at so dear a rate, Learn this, that hath old gamesters dearly cost: Dost lose? rise up: dost win? rise in that state. Who strive to sit out losing hands, are l08t. Game is a civil gunpowder, in peace Blowing up houses with their whole increase. In conversation boldness now bears sway. But know, that nothing can so foolish be, As empty boldness: therefore first 888ay To stuff thy mind with solid bravery; Then march on gallant: get substantial worth: Boldness gilds finely, and wiII set it forth. Be sweet to all. Is thy complexion sour? Then keep such company; make them thy allay: Get a sharp wife, a servant that will lour. A stumbler stumbles least in rugged way. ·Command thyself in chief. He life's war knows, Whom all his passions follow, 88 he goes. Catch not at quarrels. He that dares not speak Plainly and home, is coward of the two. Think not thy fame at every twitch will break: By great deeds shew, that thou canst little do; And do them not: that shall thy wisdom be; And change thy temperance into bravery. Digiti"d by Goog Ie .' If that thy 'Tis a thin CHURCH-PORCH. toy be posed, POll80IIlOllS fancies make Eut the great soldier's honour was composed Of thicker stuff, which would endure a shake. Wisdom picks friends; civility plays the rest. A toy shunn'd cleanly passeth with the best. Laugh not too much: the witty man laughs least: For wit is ignorance. Less at thine Thy person Make not That feeds laugh: lest in the conceit advance. abuses: for the fly, coloured thereby. Pick out of mirth, like stones out of thy ground, Profaneness, filthiness, abusiveness. These are the scum, with which coarse wits abound: The fine may spare these well, yet not go less. All things are big with jest: nothing that's plain But may thou hast the vein. Wit's an wildly striking sometimes the engineer: pamper it not with not too dear. Many affecting wit beyond their power, Have got to be' a dear fool for an hour. A sad wise valour is the brave complexion, That leads the van, and swallows up the cities. The giggler is a milk-maid, whom infection, Or a fired beacon from his ditties. Then he's And the mirth then in him of all his jests. 10 THE CHUR.CH-POacH. Towards great persona use respective boldneas: That temper gives them theirs, and yet doth take Nothing from thine: in service, care, or coldness Doth ratably thy fortunes mar or make. Feed no man in his sina: for adalaUon Doth make thee parcel-devil in damnation. Envy not greatne88: for thou makest thereby Thyself the worse, and so the distance greater. Be not thine own worm: yet such jealousy, As hurts not others, but may make thee better, Is a good spur. Correct thy passion's spite; Then may the beasts draw thee to happy light. When baseness is exalted, do not bate The place.its bonour for the person's sake. The shrine is that which thou dost venerate ; And not the beast, that bears it on his back. I care not though the cloth of state should be Not of rich arras, but mean tapestry. Thy friend put in thy bosom: wear his eyes Still in thy heart, that he may see what's there. If cause require, thou art his sacrifice; Thy drops of blood must pay down all bis fear : But love is lost; the way of friendship's gone; Tbough David had his Jonathan, Christ his John. Yet be not surety, if thou be a father. Love is a personal debt. I cannot give My children's right, nor ought he take it: rather Both friends should die, than hinder them to live. Fathers first enter bonds to nature's ends; And are her sureties, ere they are a friend's. D;g;';2Od by Coogle THE CIIURCR-PORCB. If thou be single, all thy goods and ground Submit to love; but yet not more ihan all. Give one estate, as one life. None is bound To work for two, who brought himself to thrall. 11 God made me one man; love makes me no more, Till labour come, and make my weakness score. In thy discourse, if thou desire to please : All such is courteous, useful, new, or witty : Usefulnesa comes by labour, wit by ease; Courtesy grows in court; news in the city. Get a good stock of these, then draw the card; That suits him best, of whom thy speech is heard. Entice all neatly to what they know best; For so thou dost thyself and him a pleasure : (But a proud ignorance will lose his rest, Rather than show his cards) steal from his treasure Wbat to ask furtber. Doubts well raised do lock The speaker to thee, and preserve thy stock. If thou be Master-gunner, spend not all That thou canst speak, at once; but husband it, And give men turns of speecb : do not forestall By lavishnesa thine own, and other's wit, As if thou madest thy will. A civil guest Will no more talk all, than eat all the feast. Be calm in arguing: for fierceness makes Error a fault, and truth discourtesy. Why should I feel another man's mistakes More, than his sicknesses or poverty 1 In Jove I should: lJut anger is not love, Nor wisdom neither; therefore gently move. D;g;';2Od by Coogle 12 THE CHURCH-PORCH. Calmne88 is great advantage: he that lets Another chafe, may warm him at his fire: Mark all his wanderings, and enjoy his frets; As cunning fencers suffer heat to tire. Truth dwells not in the clouds: the bow that's there Doth often aim at, never hit the sphere. Mark what another says: for many are Full of themselves, and answer their own notion. Take all into thee; then with equal care Balance each dram of reason, like a potion. If truth be with thy friend, be with them both: Share in the conquest, and confe88 a troth. Be useful where thou livest, that they may Both want, and wish thy pleasing presence still. Kindness, good parts, great places are the way To compass this. Find 'lut men's wants and will, And. meet them there. All worldly joys go less To the one joy of doing kindne88es. Pitch thy behaviour low, thy projects high; So shalt thou humble and magnanimous be: Sink not in spirit: who aimeth at the sky Shoots higher much than he that means a tree. A grain of glory mixt with humbleness Cures both a fever and lethargicness. Let thy mind still be bent, still plotting where, And when, and how the business may be done. Slackness breeds worms; but the sure traveller, Though he alight sometimes, still goeth on. Active and stirring spirits live alone: Write on the others, Here lies such a one. D;g;';2Od by Coogle THE CHURCH-PORCH. Slight not the smallest 1088, whether it be In love or honour; take account of all : Shine like the sun in every comer: see Whether thy stock of credit swell, or fall. Who say, I care not, those I give for lost; And to instruct them, 'twill not quit the cost. Scorn no man's love, though of a mean degree ; (Love is a present for a mighty king,) Much less make anyone thine enemy. As guns destroy, 80 maya little sling. The cunning workman never doth refuse 13 The meanest tool, that he may chance to use. All foreign wisdom doth amount to this, To take all that is given; whether wealth, Or love, or language; nothing comes amiss : A good digestion tumetb. all to health : And then as far as fair behaviour may, Strike off all scores; none are 80 clear as they. Keep all thy native good, and naturalize All foreign of that name; but scorn their ill : Embrace their activeness, not vanities. Who follows all things, forfeiteth his will. If thou observest strangers in each fit, In time they'll run thee out of all thy wit. Affect in things about thee cleanliness, That all may gladly board thee, as a flower. Slovens take up their stock of noisomeness Beforehand, and anticipate their last hour. Let thy mind's sweetness have his operation Upon thy body, clothes, and habitation. D;g;';2Od by Coogle 14 TilE CHURCII-PORCH. In Alms regard thy means, and other's merit. Think heaven a better bargain, than to give Only thy single market-money for it. Join hands with God to make a man to live. Give to all something; to a good poor man, Till thou change names, and be where he began. Man is God's image; but a poor man is Christ's stamp to boot: both images regard. God reckons for him, counts the favour his : W rite, So much given to God; thou shalt be heard. Let thy alms go before, and keep heaven's gate Open for thee; or both may come too late. Restore to God his due in tithe and time: A tithe purloin'd cankers the whole estate. Sundays observe: think when the bells do chime, 'Tis angels' music; therefore come not late. God then deals blessings: If a king did so, Who would not haste, nay give, to see the show? Twice on the day his due is understood; For all the week thy food so oft he gave thee. Thy cheer is mended; bate not of the food, Because 'tis better, and perhaps may save thee. Thwart not the Almighty God: 0 be not cross. Fast when thou wilt; but then 'tis gain, not loss. Though private prayer be a brave design, Yet public hath more promises, more love: And love's a weight to hearts, to eyes a sign. We all are but cold suitors; let us move Where it is warmest. Leave thy six and seven; Praywith the most: forwheremostpray, is heaven. byGOOgle THE CHURCH-PORCH. 15 When once thy foot enters the church, be bare. God is more there, than thou: for thou art there Only by his permission. Then beware, And make thyself all reverence and fear. Kneeling ne'er spoil'dsilk stocking: quit thy state. All equal are within the church's gate. Resort to sermons, but to prayers most: Praying's the end of preaching. 0 be drest; Stay not for the other pin: why thou hast lost A joy for it worth worlds. Thus hell doth jest Away thy ble88ings, and extremely flout thee, Thyclothes being fast,but thysoullOO8e about thee. In time of service seal up both thine eyes, And, send tbem to thy heart; that spying sin, They may weep out the stains by them did rise: Those doors being shut, all by the ear comes in. Who marks in church-time others: symmetry, Makes all their beauty his deformity. Let vain or busy thoughts have there no part: Bring not thy plough, thy plots, thy pleasures thither. Christ purged his temple; so must thou thy heart. All worldly thoughts are but thieves met together To cozen thee. Look to thy actions well; For-churches either are our'heaven or hell. Judge not the preacher; for he is thy Judge: If thou mislike him, thou conceivest him not. God calleth ,preaching folly. Do not grudge To pick out treasures from an earthen pot. The worst speak something good: if all want sense, God takes a text, and preacheth patience. D;g;';2Od by Coogle 16 THE CHURCH-PORCH. He that gets patience, and the blessing which Preachers conclude with, hath not l08t his pains. He that by being at church escapes the ditch, Which he might fall in by companions, gains. He,that loves God's abode, and to combine With saints on earth,shallone day with them shine. Jest not at preachers' language, or expression: How know'st thou, but thy sins made him miscarry? Then tum thy faults and his into confession: God sent him, whatsoe'er he be: 0 tarry, And love him for his Master: his condition, Though it be ill, makes him no ill Physician. None shall in hell such bitter pangs endure As those, who mock at God's way of salvation. Whom oil and balsams kill, what salve can cure? They drink with greediness a full damnation. The Jews refused thunder; and we, folly. Though God do hedge us in, yet who is holy? Sum up at night what thou hast done by day; And in the morning, what thou hast to do. Dress and undress thy soul: mark the decay And growth of it: if with thy watch, that too Be down, then wind up both, since we shall be Most surely judged, make thy accounts agree. In brief, acquit thee bravely: play the man. Look not on pleasures as they come, but go. Defer not the least virtue: life's poor:span Make not an ell, by trifling in thy woe. If thou do ill, the joy fades, not the pains: If well; the pain doth fade, the joy remains. D;g;';2Od by Coogle THE CHURCH. 17 '--I I------------~ '----------~ II. SUPERLIMINARE. THOU, whom the fonner precepts have Sprinkled and taught, how to behave Thyself in church; approach, and taste The church's mystical repast. Avoid profaneness; come not here: Nothing but holy, pure, and clear, Or that which groaneth to be so, May at his peril further go. III. THE ALTAR. A BROKEN ALTAR, Lord, thy servant rears, Made of a heart, and cemented with tears: Whose parts are as thy hand did frame; Nowork.man's tool hath touch'd the same. A HEART alone Is such a stone, As nothing but Thy power doth cut. Wherefore each part "- Of my hard heart Meets in this frame, To praise thy name: That, if I chance to hold my peace, These stones to praise thee may not cease. o let thy blessed SAC R I F ICE be mine, And sanctify this A L TAR to be thine. C D;g;t;zed by Coogle J8 THE CHURCH. IV. THE SACRIFICE. OH all ye, who paaa by, whose eyes and mind To worldly things are sharp, but to me blind; To me, who took eyes that I might you find: Was ever grief like mine? ~ The Princes of my people make a head Against their Maker: they do wish me dead, Who cannot wish, except I give them bread: Was ever grief like mine? Without me each one, who doth now me brave, Had to this day been an Egyptian slave. They use that power against me, which I gave: Was ever grief like mine? Mine own Apostle, who the bag did bear, Though he had all I had, did not forbear To sell me also, and to put me there : Was ever grief like mine? j.'or thirty pence he did my death devise, Who at three hundred did the ointment prise, Not half 80 sweet as my sweet sacrifice: Was ever grief like mine? Therefore my soul melts, and my heart's deart.:easure Drops blood (the only beads) my words to measure: o let this cup pass, if it be thy pleasure : Was ever grief like mioe ? D;g;';2Od by Coogle THE CHURCH. 19 These drops being temper'd with a sinner's tears, A balsam are for both the Hemispheres, Curing all wounds, but mine; all, but my fears. Was ever grief like mine? Yet my Disciples sleep: I cannot gain One hOllr of watching; but their drowsy brain Comforts not me, and doth my doctrine stain: Was ever grief like mine? Arise, arise, they come. Look how they run! Alas! what haste they make to be undone I How with their lanterns do they seek the sun! Was ever grief like mine? With clubs and staves tbey seek me, as a thief, Who am the way of truth, the true relief, Most true to those who are my greatest grief: Was ever grief like mine? Judas, dost thou betray me with a kiss? Canst thou find hell about my lips? and miss Of life, just at the gates of life and bliss? Was ever grief like mine? See, they lay hold on me, not with the hands Of faith, but fury; yet at their commands I suffer binding, who have loosed their bands: Was ever grief like mine? All my Disciples fly; fear puts a bar Betwixt my friends and me. They leave the star, That brought the wise men of the East from far: Was ever grief like mine? D;g;';2Od by Coogle 20 THE CHURCH. Then from one ruler to another bound They lead me: urging, that was not sound What I taught: Comments would the text confound. Was ever grief like mine ? The Priests and Rulers all false witness seek 'Gainllt who !leeks not but is the meek And ready Paschal Lamb of this great week: Wall ever grief like mine ? Then they accuse me of great blasphemy, That I did thrust into the Deity, Who never thought that any robbery : Was ever like mine? Some said, that the Temple the floor In three days razed, and raised as before. Why, he that built the world can do much more: Was ever grief like mine? Then they condemn me all with that aame breath, Which I do give them daily, unto death. ThUll Adam my first breathing rendereth : Was ever grief like mine ? They bind, and lead me unto Herod: he Sends me Pilate. This makes agree; But yet their friendship is my enmity. Was ever grief like mine? Herod and all his bands do set me light, Who teach all hands to war, fingers fight, And only am the Lord of hosts and might. Was ever grief like mine? Digiti zIe THE CHURCH. Herod in judgment sits, while I do stand; Examines me with a censorious hand: I him obey, who all things else command: Was ever grief like mine? The Jews accuse me with despitefulness; And vying malice with my gentleness, Pick quarrels with their only happiness: Was ever grief like mine? I 8.D8wer nothing, but with patience prove If 8tony hearts will melt with gentle love. But who does hawk at eagles with a dove? Was ever grief like mine? My silence rather doth augment their cry; My dove doth back into my bosom fiy, Because the raging waters still are high: Was ever grief like mine? Hark how they cry aloud still, Crucify : It is not fit he live a day, they cry, Who cannot. live less than eternally: Was ever grief like mine? Pilate a stranger holdeth oft'; but they, Mine own dear people, cry, Away, away, With noises confused frighting the day: Was ever grief like mine? 21 Yet still they shout, and cry, and stop their· ears, Putting my life among their sins and fears, And therefore wish my blood on them and theirs : Was ever grief like mine? D;g;';2Od by Coogle 22 THE CHURCH. See how spite cankers things. These words aright Used, and wish'd, are the whole world's light: But honey is their gall, brightneu their night: Was ever grieflike mine? They choose a murderer, and all agree In him to do themselves a courtesy; For it was their own caUle who killed me: Was ever grieflike mine? And a seditious murderer he was : But I the Prince of Peace; peace that doth pass. All understanding, more than heaven doth glass: Was ever grief like mine? Why, C_ar is their only King, not I: He clave the stony rock, when they were dry; But surely not their hearts, as I well try: Was ever grief like mine? Ah, how they IIcourge me! yet my tenderneu Doubles each lash: and yet their bitterneu Winds up my grief to a mysteriousness : Was ever grief like mine? They buffet me, and box me as they list, Who grasp the earth and Heaven with my fist, And never yet, whom I would punish, miss'd : Was ever grief like mine? Behold, they spit on me in scornful wise ; Who by my spittle gave the blind man eyes, Leaving his blindness to mine· enemies: Was ever grieflike mine? D;g;';2Od by Coogle THE CHURCH. My face they cover, though it be divine. As Moses' face was veiled, so is miDe, Lest on their double-dark lOuIs either shine: Was ever grief like mine? Servants and abjects flout me; they are witty: Now prophesy who strikes thee, is theil' ditty. So they in me deny themselves all pity: Was ever grief like "IOine ? And now I am deliver'd unto death, Which each one calls for so with utmost breath, That he before me well-nigh suft'ereth : Was e\'er grief like mine? 23 Weep not, dear friends, since I for both have wept, When all my tears were blood, the while you slept: Your tears for your own fortunes should be kept.: Was ever grief like mine? The soldiers lead me to the common hall; There they deride me, they abuse me all: Yet for twelve heavenly legions I could call: Was ever grief like mine? Then with a scarlet robe they. me array; Which shews my blood to be the only way, And cordial left to repair man's decay: Was ever grief like mine? Then on my bead a crown of thorns I wear; For these are all the grapes Sion doth bear, Though I my viDe planted and water'd there: Was ever grief like mine? D;g;';2Od by Coogle 24 THE CHURCH. So sits the earth's great curse in Adam's fall Upon my head; so I remove it all From the earth unto my brows, and bear the tbrall : Was ever grief like mine? Then with tbe reed they gave to me before, They strike my head, the rock from whence all store Of heavenly blessings issue evermore: Was ever grief like mine? They bow their knees to me, and cry, Hail, king: Whatever scoffs or scornfulness can bring, I am the floor, the sink, where they it fling: Was ever grief like mine? Yet since man's sceptres are as frail as reeds, And thorny all their crowns, bloody tbeir weeds ; I, who am Truth, turn into truth their deeds: Was ever grief like mine? The soldiers also spit upon that face Which Angels did desire to have the grace, And prophets, once to see, but found no place: Was ever grief like mine? Thus trimmed forth they bring me to the rout, Who Crucify him, cry with one strong shout. God bolds his peace at man, and man cries out: Was ever grief like mine? They lead me in once more, and putting tben Mine own clothes on, tbey lead me out again. Whom devils fly, thus is he toss'd of men : Was evel' grief like mine? D;g;';2Od by Coogle THE CHURCH • .And now weary of sport, glad to engross All spite in one, counting my life their loss, They carry me to my most bitter cross: Was ever grief like mine? My cross I bear myself, until I faint: Then Simon bears it for me by constraint, The decreed burden of each mortal Saint: Was ever grief like mine? o all ye who pass by, behold and see: Man stole the fruit, but I must climb the tree; The tree of life to all, but only me: Was ever grief like mine? Lo, here I hang, charged with a world of sin, The greater world o' the two; for that came in By words, but this by sorrow I must win: Was ever grief like mine? Such sorrow, as if sinful man could feel, Or feel his part, he would not cease to kneel, Till all were melted, though he were all steel. Was ever grief like mine? But, 0 my God, my God! why leavest thou me, The Son, in whom thou dost delight to be? My God, my God --- Was ever grief like mine? 25 Shame tears my soul, my body many a wound; Sharp nails pierce this, but sharper that confound; Reproaches, which are free, while I am bound: Was ever grief like mine? D;g;';2Od by Coogle 26 THE CHURCH. Now heal thyself, Physician; now come down. Alas! I did 80, when I left my crown And father's smile for you, to feel his frown: Was ever $'rief like mine? In healing not myself, there doth consist All that salvation, which ye now resist; Your safety in my sickness doth subsist: Was ever grief like mine? Betwixt two thieves I spend·my utmost breath, As he that for some robbery sutIereth. Alas! what have I stolen from you? death: Was ever grief like mine? A king my title is, prefix'd on high; Yet by my subjects I'm condemn'd to die A servile death in servile company': ' Was ever grief like mine? Thei gave me vinegar mingled with gall, But more with malice: yet, when they did call, With Manna, Angels' food, I fed them all: Was ever grief like mine? They part my garments, and by lot dispose My coat, the type of love, which once cured those Who sought for help, never malicious foes: Was ever grief like mine? Nay, after death their spite shall further go; For they will pierce my side, I full well know; That as sin came, so Sacraments might flow: Was ever grief like mine? D;g;';2Od by Coogle THE CHURCH. 27 But DOW I die; now all is finished. My woe, man's weal: and now I bow my head: Only let others say, when I am dead, Never was grief like mine. V. THE THANKSGIVING. OH King of grief! (a title strange, yet true, To thee of all kings only due) Oh King of wounds! how shall I grieve for thee, Who in all grief preventest me ? Shall I weep blood? why, thou hast wept such store, That all thy body was one door. Shall I be scourged, fiouted, boxed, sold? 'Tis but to tell the tale is told. My God, my God, why dost thou part from me ? Was such a grief as cannot be. Sball I then sing, skipping, thy doleful story, And side with thy triumphant glory ? Shall thy strokes be my stroking? thorns,myflower? Thy rod, my posy? cross, my bower? But how then shall I imitate thee, and Copy thy fair, "though bloody hand? Surely I will revenge me on thy love, And try who shall victorious prove. If thou dOlt give me wealth; I will restore All back unto thee by the poor. If thou dost give me honour; men shall see, The bonour doth belong to thee. I will not marry; or, if she be mine, She and her children shall be t.hine. D;g;';2Od by Coogle 28 THE CHURCH. My bosom-friend, if he blaspheme thy name, I will tear thence his love and fame. One half of me being gone, the rest I give Unto some Chapel, die or live. As for thy passion-But of that anon, When with the other I have done. For thy predestination, I'll contrive, That three years hence, if I survive, I'll build a spital, or mend common ways, But mend my own without delays. Then. I will use the works of thy creation, As if I used them but for fashion. The world and I will quarrel; and the year Shall not perceive, that I am here. My music shall find thee, and every string Shall have his attribute to sing; That altogether may accord in thee, And prove one God, one harmony. If thou shalt give me wit, it shall appear, If thou hast given it me, 'tis here. Nay, I will read thy book, and never move Till I have found therein thy love; Thy art of love, which I'll tum back on thee, o my dear Saviour, Victory! Then for thy passion-I will do for thatAlas, my God, I know not what. VI. THE REPRISAL. I HAVE consider'd it, and find There is no dealing with thy mighty passion: For though I die for thee, I am behind; My sins deserve the condemnation. D;g;';2Od by Coogle THE CHURCH. o make me innocent, that I May give a disentangled state and free; And yet thy wounds still my attempts defy, For by thy death I die for thee. Ah! was it not enough that thou By thy eternal glory didst outgo me ? 29 Couldst thou not grief's sad conquests me allow, But in all victories overthrow me ? Yet by confession will I come Into the conquest. Though I can do nought Against thee, in thee I will overcome The man, who once against thee fought. vu. THE AGONY. PHILOSOPHERS have measured mountains, Fathom'd the d\lpths of seas, of states, and kings, Vi alk' d with a staff to heaven, and traced fountains : But there are two vast, spacious things, The which to measure it doth more behove: Yet few there are that sound them; Sin and Love. Who would know Sin, let him repair Unto mount Olivet; there shall he see A man, so wrung with pains, that all his hair, His skin, his garments bloody be. Sin is that press and vice, which forceth pain To hunt his cruel food through every vein. Who knows not Love, let him assay, 'And taste that juice, which on the cross a pike D;g;';2Od by Coogle 30 THB CHURCH. Did let abroach; then let him say If ever he did taste the like. LoTe ia that liquor sweet and most divine, Which my God feels as blood; but I, as wine. VDI. THE SINNER. loRD, how I am all ague, when I seek What I have treasured in my memory ! Since, if my 8001 make even with the week, Each seventh note by right ia due to thee. I find there quarries of piled vanities, But shreds of holiness, that dare not venture To show their face,since'cJ'088 to thy decrees: There the circumference earth ia, heaven the centre. In 80 much dregs the quintessence is small : The spirit and good extract of my heart Comes to about the many hundredth part. Yet, Lord, restore thyimage, hear my call : [groan, And though my hard heart scarce to thee can Remember that thou once didst write in stone. IX. GOOD FRIDAY. o MY chief good, How shall I measure out thy blood ? How shall I count what thee befell, And each grief tell ? D;g;';2Od by Coogle THE CHURCH. Shall I thy woes Number according to thy foes? Or, since one star show'd thy first breath, Shall all thy death ? Or shall each leaf, Which falls in Autumn, score a grief? Or cannot leaves, but fruit, be sign Of the true vine? Then let each hour Of my whole life one grief devour; That thy distreBB through all may run, And be my sun. Or rather let My several sins their sorrows get; That, as each beast his cure doth know, Each sin may BO. SINCE blood is fittest, Lord, to write Thy BOrroWS in, and bloody fight; My heart hath store; write there, where in One box doth lie both ink and sin: That when sin spies so many foes, Thy whips, thy nails, thy wounds, thy woes, All come to lodge there, sin may say, No room for me, and flyaway. Sin being gone, oh fill the place, And keep posseBBion with thy grace; Lest sin take courage and return, And all the writings blot or bum. 31 D;g;';2Od by Coogle 32 THE CHURCH.' X. REDEMPTION. HAVING been tenant long to a rich Lord, Not thriving, I resolved to be bold, And make a suit unto bim, to afford A new small-rented lease, and cancel the old. In Heaven at his manor I him sought: They told me there, that he was lately gone About some land, which he had dearly bought Long since on earth, to take possession. I straight return'd, and knowing his great birth, Sought him accordingly in great resorts ; Incities, theatres, gardens, parks, and coorts: At length I heard a ragged noise and mirth Of thieves and murderers: there I him espi ed, Who straight, Your suit is granted, said, and died. XI. SEPULCHRE. o BLESSED body! whither art thou thrown? No lodging for thee, but a cold hard stone? So many hearts on earth, and yet not one . Receive thee? Sure there is ~oom within our hearts good store ; For they can lodge transgressions by the score : Thousands of toys dwell there, yet out of door They leave thee. D;g;';2Od by Coogle THE CHURCH. aa But that which shews them large, shews them unfit. Whatever sin did this pure rock commit, Which holds thee now? Who hath indited it Of murder? Where our hard hearts have took up stones to braiQ thee, • ADd missing this, most falsely did arraign thee; Only these stones in quiet entertain thee, And order. And as of old, the law by heavenly art Was writ in stone; so thou, which also art· The letter of the word, find'st no fit heart . To hold thee. Yet do we still persist as we began, And 80 should perish, but that nothing can, Though it be cold, hard, foul, from loving man Withhold thee. XII. EASTER. RISE heart; thy Lord is risen. Sing his praise Without delays, Who takes thee by the hand, that thou likewise With him mayst rise: That, as his death calcined thee to dust, His life may make thee gold, and much more just. D D;g;';2Od by Coogle 34 THE CHURCH. Awake, my lute, and struggle for thy part With all thy art. The cross taught all wood to resound his name Who bore the same. His stretched sinews taught all strings, what key Is best to celebrate this moat high day. Consort both heart and lute, and twist a BOng Pleasant and long: Or since all music is but three parts vied, And multiplied; o let thy blessed Spirit bear a part, And make up our defects with his sweet art. I got me flowers to strew thy way; I got me boughs off many a tree: But thou wast up by break of day, And brought'st thy sweets along with thee. The Sun arising in the East, Though he give light, and the East perfume ; If they should offer to contest With thy arising, they presume. Can there be any day but this, Though many suns to shine endeavour? We count three hundred, but we miss: There is but one, and that one ever. D;g;';2Od by Coogle CHURCH. XUI. LoRD, who createdst man in wealth and store, Though foolishly he lost the same, Decaying more and more, Till he As larks, harmoniously. And sing this day thy victories: Then shall the fall further the flight in a6· THB CHURCII,· XIV. HOLY BAPTISM. As he that sees a dark and shady grove, Stays not, but looks beyond it on the sky; So when I view my sins, mine eyes remove More backwa.rd still, and to that water lIy, Which is above the heavens, whose spring and vent Is in my dear Redeemer's pierced side. o blessed streams! either ye do prevent And stop our sins from growing thick and wide, . Or else give tears to drown them, as they grow. In you Redemption measures all my time, And spreads the plaster equal to. the crime: You taught the book of life my name, that so, Whatever future sins should me miscall, Your first acquaintance might discredit all . . XV. HOLY BAPTISM. SINCE, Lord, to thee. A narrow way and little gate Is all the passage, on my infancy Thou didat lay hold, and antedate My faith in me. o let me still Write thee great God, and me a child: .THB CHURCH. Let me be soft and supple to thy will, Small to myself, to others mild, Behither ill. Although by stealth My llesh get on; yet let her sister My soul bid nothing, but preserve her wealth: The g~wth of flesh is but a blister; . Childhood is health. XVI. NATURE. FULL of rebellion, I would die, Or fight, or travel, or deny That thou hast ought to do with me. ·0 tame my heart; It is thy highest art To captivate strong holds to thee. If thou shalt let this venom lurk, And in snggestions fume and work, My soul will turn to bubbles straight, And thence by kind Vanish into a wind, Making thy workmanship deceit. o ,mooth my rugged heart, and there Engrave thy reverend law and fear; Or make a Dew one, since the old . Is sapless grown, And a much fitter stone To hide my dust, than thee to hold. 37 D;g;';2Od by Coogle 31 THB CHURCH; XVD. SIN. loRD, with what care hut thou begirt us roond! Parents first season us: then schoolmasters Deliver us to laws; they send us bound To rules of reason, holy messengers, Pulpits and sundays, BOrrow dogging sin, Afflictions sorted, anguish of all sizes, Fine nets and stratagems to catch us in, Bibles laid open, millions of surprizes, Blessings beforehand, ties of gratefulneu, The sound of glory ringing in our ears : Without, our shame; within, our consciences; Angels and grace, eternal hopes and fears. Yet all these fences and their whole array One cunning bosom-sin blows quite away. XVID. AFFLICTION. WHEN first thou didst entice to thee my heart, I thought the service brave: So many joys I writ down for my part, Besides what I might have Out of my stock of nMural delights, Augmented with thy gracious benefits. D;g;';2Od by Coogle THE CHURCH. I looked on thy furniture so fine, And made it fine to me ; Thy glorious household-stuff did me entwine, And 'tice me unto thee. 39 Such stars I counted mine: both heaven and earth Paid me my wages in a world of mirth. What pleasures could I want, whose King I served, Where joys my fellows were? Thus argued into hopes, my thoughts reserved No place fur grief or fear; Therefore my sudden 80ul caught at the place, And made her youth and fierceness seek thy face: At first thou gavest me milk and sweetnesses; I had my wish and way: My days were strew'd with flowers and happine88; There was no month but May. But with my years sorrow did twist and grow, And made a party unawares for woe. My flesh began unto my soul in pain, Sicknesses clave my bones, Consuming agues dwell in every vein, And tUDe my breath to groans: Sorrow was all my sou\; I scarce believed, Till grief did tell me roundly, that I lived. When I. got he.plth, thou took'st away my life. And more; for my friends die: My mirth and edge was lost; a blunted knife Was of more USll than I. Thus thin and lean without a fence or friend, I was blown through with every storm and wind. D;g;';2Od by Coogle 40 THE CHURCH. Whereas my birth and spirit rather took The way that takes the town ; Thou didst betray me to a lingering book, And wrap me in a gown. I was entangled in the world of strife, Before I had the ']lOwer to change my life. Yet, for I threaten'd oft the siege to raise, Not simpering all mine age, Thou often didst with Academic praise Melt and dissolve my rage. I took thy sweeten'd pill, till I came near; I could not go away, nor persevere. Yet lest perchance I should too happy be In my unhappiness, Turning my purge to food, thou throwest me Into more sicknesses. Thus doth thy power crou-bias me, not making Thine own gift good, yet me from my ways taking. Now I am here, what thou wilt do with me None of my books will show: I read, and sigh, and wish I were a tree; For sure then I should grow To fruit or shade: at least some bird would trust Her household to me, and I should be just. Yet, though thou troublest me, I must be meek; In weakneu must be stout. Well, I will change the service, and go seek Some other master out. Ah, my dear. God! though I am clean forgot, Let me not love thee, if I love thee not. D;g;';2Od by Coogle THE CHl1RCH. XIX. REPENTANCE. LoRD, I confeu my sin is great; Great i. my sin. Oh! gently treat With thy quick Hower, thy momentany bloom; Whose life still preuing Ie ODe undre88ing, A steady aiming at a tomb. Man'. age is two hours' work, or three; Each day doth round about us .ee. Thus are we to delight.: but we are all To sorrows old, If life be told From what life feeleth; Adam's fall. o let thy height of mercy then Compassionate short-breathed men, Cut me not off for my most foul transgression: I do confeu My foolishne88; My God, accept of my confeuion. S~eeten at length thi. bitter bowl, Which thou hast pour'd into my .oul ; 41 Thy wormwood tum to health, winds to fairweatber: For if thou stay, I and thie day, As we did rise, we die together. D;g;';2Od by Coogle 42 THE CHURCH. When thou for sin rebukest man, Forthwith he waxeth woe and wan: Bitteme88 fills our bowels; all our hearts Pine, and decay, And drop away; And carry with them the other parts. But thou wilt sin and grief destroy; That so the broken bones may joy, , And tune together in a well-set song, Full of his praises Who dead men raises. Fractures well cured make us more strong. XX. FAITH. loRD, how couldst thou so much appease Thy wrath for sin, as when man's sight was dim, And could see little, to regard his ease, And bring by Faith all things to him 'I Hungry I was, and had no meat: I did conceit a most delicious feast; I had it straight, and did as truly eat, As ever did a welcome guest. There is a rare outlandish root, Which when I could not get, I thought it here: That apprehension cured 80 well my foot, That I can walk to heaven well near. D;g;';2Od by Coogle THE CHURCH. lowed thousands and much more : I did believe that I did nothing owe, And lived accordingly; my creditor Believes so too, and lets me go, Faith makes me anything, or all That I believe is in the sacred story : And when sin placeth me in Adam's fall, Faith sets me higher in his glory. If I go lower in the book, What can be lower than the common manger? Faith puts me there with him, who sweetly took Our flesh and frailty, death and danger. If bliss had lien in art or strength, None but the wise and strong had gain'd it: Where now by Faith all arms are of a length; One size doth all conditions fit, A peasant may believe as much . 43 As a great Clerk, and reach the highest stature. Tbus dost thou make proud knowledge bend and While grace fills up uneven nature. [crouch, When creatures had no real light . Inherent in them, thou didst make the SUD, Impute a lustre, and allow them bright: And in this shew, what Christ hath done. That which before was darken'd clean With bushy groves, pricking the looker's eye, Vanish'd away, when Faith did change the scene: And then appear'd a glorious sky. D;g;';2Od by Coogle • ·THE CHURCH. What though my body run to duSt? Faith cleaves unto it, counting every grain, W itb an exact and moat particular trust, Reserving all for flesh again. XXI. PRAYER. PRAYER, the Church's banquet, Angel's age, God's breath in man returning to his birth, The BOul in paraphrase, heart in pilgrimage, The Christian plummet sounding heaven and earth i Engine against the Almighty, sinner's tower, Reversed thunder, Christ-side-piercingspear, The six days' world-transposing in an hour, A kind of tune, which all things hear and fear; Softne88, and peace, and joy, and love, and bli88, Exalted Manna, gladness of the best, Heaven in ordinary, man well dreat, The milky way, the bird of Paradise, Church-bells beyond the stars heard, the soul's blood, The land of spices, ~omething understood •. XXII. HOLY COMMUNION. NOT in rich furniture, or fine array, Nor in a wedge of gold, Thou, who from me wast BOld, D;g;';2Od by Coogle 1:HE CHURCH. To me d08t DOW thyself convey; For 80 thou shouldst without me still have been, Leaving within me sin: But by the way of nourishment and strength, Thou creep'st into my breast; Making thy way my rest, And thy small quantities my length; Which spI:'8ad their forces into every part, Meeting sin's force and art. Yet can these not get over to my soul, Leaping the wall that parts Our souls and fleshly hearts ; But as the out-works, they may control My rebel-flesh, and, carrying thy name, Affright both sin and shame. 46· Only thy grace, which with these elements comes, Knoweth the ready way, And hath the privy key, 0pening the soul's most subti! rooms: While those to spirits refined, at door attend Despatches from their friend. GIVE me my captive soul, or take My body also thither. Another lift like this will make Them both to be together. Before·that sin tum'd flesh to stone, And aU our lump to leaven; A fervent sigh might well bave blown Our innocellt earth to heaven. D;g;';2Od by Coogle 46 THE CHURCH. For sure when Adam did not know To sin, or sin to smother; He might to heaven from Paradise go, As from one room to another. Thou hast restored us to this ease By this thy heavenly blood, Which I can go to, when I please, And leave the earth to their food. XXIII. ANTIPHON. Cho" LET all the world in every corner sing, My God and King. Verso The heavens are not too high, His praise may thither fly : The earth is not too low, His praises there may grow. Cho. Let all the world in every corner sing, My God and King. Verso The church with psalms must shout, No door can keep them out: 'But above all, the heart Must bear the longest part. Cho. Let all the world in every comer sing, My God and King. THE CHURCH. 47 XXIV. LOVE. 1. IMMORTAL Love, author of this great frame, Sprung from that beauty which can never fade; How hath man parcel'd out thy glorious name, And thrown it on that dust which thou hast made, While mortal love doth all the title gain! Which siding with invention, they together Bear all the sway, possessing heart and brain, (Thy workmanship) and give thee share in neither. Wit fancies beauty, beauty raiseth wit: The world is theirs; they two play out the game, Thou standing by: and though thy glorioQs name Wrought our deliverance from the inferual pit, Who sings thy praise? only a scarf or glove Doth warm. our hands, and make them write of love. 2. IMMORTAL Heat, 0 let thy greater fiame Attract the lesser to it: let those fires Which shall consume the world, first make it tame, And kindle in our hearts such true desires, As may consume our lusts, and make thee way. Then shall our hearts pant thee; then shall our All her inventions on thine Altar lay, [brain And there in hymns send back thy fire again : D;g;';2Od by Coogle - 48 THE CHURCH; Our eyes shall see thee, which before saw dust; Dust blown by wit, till that they both were blind: Thou shalt recover all thy goods in kind, Who wert disseized by usurping lust: All knees shall bow to thee; aU wits shall rise, And praise him who did make and mend our eyes. XXV. THE TEMPER. How should I praise thee, Lord! how should my rhymes Gladly engrave thy love in steel, If what my soul doth feel sometimes, My soul might ever feel! Although there were some forty heavens, or more, Sometimes I peer above them all ; Sometimes I hardly reach a score, . Sometimes to hell I fall. o rack me not to such a vast extent; Those distances belong to thee : The world's too little for thy tent, A grave too big for me. Wilt thou meet arms with man, that thou dost stretch A crumb of dust from heaven to hell ? Will great God measure with a wretch? Shall he thy stature spell ? THE CHURCH. o let me, when thy roof my soul hath hid, o let roost and nestle there Then a sinner thon art rid, _ And I of hope and fear. Yet take thy way; for sure thy way is best: Streteh or contract me poor debtor This is but tuning of my breast, make the music better. Whether I fiy with angels, fall with dust, hands and I am tbere. Thy power and love, my love and trust, Make place every where. XXVI. TIlE TEMPI!~R. IT eannot be. Where is that mighty joy, Which just now took up all my heart? lord if thou mUlt needs use thy dart, Save that, and me; or sin for both destroy. The grosser world stands to thy word and art; But thy diviner werld of grace Thou suddenly dOllt raise and raze, And every day a new Creator art: o fix thy chair of grace, that all my powers May also their reverence For when thou dost depart from hence, They grow and sit in thy bowers. E Jitized ".+. 50 THE CHURCH. Scatter, or bind them all to bend to thee: Though elements change, and heaven move; Let not thy higher Court remove, But keep a standing Majesty in me. XXVD. JORDAN. WHO says that fictions only and false hair Become a verse? Is there in truth no beauty ? Is all good structure in a winding stair? May no lines pass, except they do their duty Not to a true, but painted chair? Is it not verse, except enchanted groves And sudden arbours shadow coarse-spun lines ? Must purling streams refresh a lover's loves? Must all be veil'd, while he that reads, divines, Catching the sense at two removes 1 Shepherds are honest people; let them sing: Riddle who list, for me, and pull for Prime: I envy no man's nightj.ngale or spring; Nor let them punish me with loss of rhyme, Who plainly say, My God, my King. XXVIII. EMPLOYMENT. IF as a flower doth spread and die, Thou wouldst extend me to some good, Before I were by frost's extremity Nipt in'the bud; D;g;';2Od by Coogle THE CHURCH .. The sweetness and the praise were thine; But the extension and the room, Which thy garland should fill, were mine At thy great doom. For 8S thou dost impart thy grace, The greater shall our glory be. The measure of our joys is in this place, The stuff with thee. Let me not languish then, and spend life barren to thy As is the dust, to which that life doth tend, But delays. things are busy only Neither bring honey with the bees, Nor flowers to make that, nor the husbandry water these. am link thy great chain, But all my company is a weed. Lord, place me thy consort give one strain To my poor reed. XXIX. THE HOLY SCRIPTURES. 1. OR Book! infinite sweetness! let my heart Suck every letter, a Precious for any grief in any part ; To clear the breast, to mollify all Jitized 51 52 THB CHURCH. Thou art all health, health thriving, till it make A full eternity: thou art a mass Of strange delights, where we may wish and take. Ladies, look here; this is the thankful glasa, That mends the looker's eyes: this is the well That washes what it shows. Who can endear Thy praise too much? thou art heaven's Lieger here, Working against the states of death and hell. Thou art joy's handsel: heaven lies fiat in thee, Subject to every mounter's bended knee. 2. OR that I knew how all thy lights combine, And the configurations of their glory! Seeing not only how each verse doth shine, But all the constellations of the story. This verse marks that, and both do make a motion Unto a third, that ten leaves off doth lie: Then as dispersed herbs do watch a potion, These three make up some Christian's destiny. Such are thy secrets, which my life makes good, And comments on thee: for in every thing Thy words do find me out, and parallels bring, And in another make me understood'. Stars are poor books, and oftentimes do miss: This book of stars lights to eternal bliss. D;g;';2Od by Coogle THE CHURCH. XXX. WHITSUNDAY. LIsTEN sweet Dove unto my song, And spread thy golden winge in me; Hatching my tender heart 8p long, Till it get wing, and fiy away with thee. Where is that fire which once descended On thy Apostles? thou didst then Keep open house, richly attended, Feasting all comers by twelve chosen men. Such glorious gifts thou didst bestow, That the earth did like a heaven appear: The stars were coming down to know 53 If they might mend their wages, and serve here. The sun, which once did shine alone, Hung down his head, and wish'd for night, When he beheld twelve suns for one Going about the world, and giving light. But since those pipes of gold, which brought That cordial water to our ground, Were cut and martyr'd by the fault Of those who did themselves thro' their side wound; Thou shutt'st the door, and keep'st within; Scarce a good joy creeps through the chink: And if the braves of conquering sin Did Dot excite thee, we should wholly sink. D;g;';2Od by Coogle 54 THE CHURCH. Lord, though we change, thou art the same; The same sweet God of love and light Restore this day, for thy great name, Unto his ancient and miraculous XXXI, GRACE. My stock dead, and increase Doth my dull husbandry improve: let thy graces without cease Drop from above! If still the should hide his face, Thy house would but a dungeon prove, Thy works night's captives: let grace Drop from above ! The dew doth every morning fall ; And shall the dew outstrip thy dove? The dow, for which grass oannot call, Drop from above. Death is still working like a molep And digs grave at ellch remove: Let grace work too, and on my soul Drop from above, Sin is still hammering my heart Unto hardness, void of love: Let suppling grace, to cross his art Drop from above, Digiti zIe THE CHURCH •. o come! for thou dost know the way. Or to thou wilt not move, Remove me where I need not say- Drop from above, XXXII. PRAISE. To write a verse or two, is all the praise, That I can raise: Mend my estate in any ways, Thou have more. I go to Church; me to wings, and Man is Will thither fly ; Or, if mount unto the sky, I will more, weakness; there is no such thing As Prince or King: His arm is short yet with sling He may do more. 55 A herb distill'd, and drunk, may dwell next door, On the same floor, To a brave soul: Exalt the poor, They can do more. o raise me then! poor that ~ork day, Sting my delay, Who have work, as well they, And much, much more. THE CHURCH. xxxm. AFFLICTION. KILL me not every day, Thou Lord of life; since thy one death for me Is more than all my deaths can be, Though I in broken pay Die over each hour of Methusalem's stay. If all men's tears were let Into one common sewer, sea, and brine; What were they all, compared to thine? Wherein if they were set, They would discolour thy most bloody sweat. Thou art my grief alone, Thou Lord conceal it not: and as thou art All my delight, so all my smart: Thy cross took up in one, By way of imprest, all my future moan. XXXIV. MATINS. I CANNOT ope mine eyes, But thou art ready there to catch My morning-soul and sacrifice: Then we must needs for that day make a match. My God, what is a heart? Silver, or gold, or precious stone, Or star, or rainbow, or a part Of all these things, or all of them in one? D;g;';2Od by Coogle THE CHURCH. My God, what is a heart, That thou ahouldst it 80 eye, and woo, Pouring upon it all thy art, As if that thou hadst nothing else to do ? Indeed, man's whole estate Amounts (and richly) to serve thee ~ He did not heaven and earth create, Yet studies them, not him by whom they be. Teach me thy love to know; That this new light, which now I see, May both the work and workman show: Then by a sunbeam I will climb to thee. XXXV. SIN. o THAT I could a sin once see ! We paint the devil foul, yet he Hath some good in him, all agree. Sin is fiat opposite to the Almighty, seeing It wants the good of Virtue, and of being. But God more care of us hath had, If apparitions make us sad, By.sight ohin we should grow mad. Yet 88 in sleep we see foul death, and live; So devils are our sins in prospective. 57 D;g;t;zed by Coogle 58 THE CHURCH. XXXVI. EVENSONG. BLEST be the God of love, Who gave me eyes, and light, and power this day, Both to be busy, and to-play. But much more blest be God above, Who gave me sight alone, Which to himself he did deny: For when he sees my ways, I die : But I have got his son, and he hath none. What have I brought thee home For this thy love? have I discharged the debt, Which this day's favour did beget? I ran; but all I brought, was foam. Thy diet, care, and cost Do end in bubbles, balls of wind; Of wind to thee whom I have crost, But balls of wild. fire to my troubled mind. Yet still thou go8st on, And now with darkness closest weary eye8, Saying to man, It doth 8uffice : Henceforth repose; your work is done. Thus in thy Ebony box Thou dost inclose us, till the day Put our amendment in our way, And give new wheels to our disorder'd clocks. D;g;';2Od by Coogle THE CHURCH. 59 I muse, which shows more love, The day or night j that is the gale, this the harbour; That is the walk, and this the arbour .. Or that the garden, this the grove. My God, thou art all love. Not one poor minute 'scapes thy breast, But brings a favour from above; And in this love, more than in bed, I rest. XXXVll. CHURCH MONUMENTS. W BILE that my BOul repairs to her devotion, Here I intomb my flesh, that it betimes May take acquaintance of this heap of dust j To which the blast of death's incessant motion, Fed with the exhalation of our crimes, Drives all at last. Therefore I gladly trust My body to the school, that it may learn To spell his elements, and find his birth Written in dusty heraldry and lines; Which dissolution sure doth best discern, Comparing dust with dust, and earth with earth. These laugh at Jet, and Marble put for signs, To sever the good fellowship of dust, And spoil the meeting. What shall point out them, When they shall bow, and kneel, and fall down flat To kiss those heaps, which now they have in trust? Dear flesh, while I do pray, learn here thy stem And true descent; that when thou shalt grow fat, D;g;';2Od by Coogle 60 THE CHURCH. And wanton in thy cravings, thou mayst know, That Hesh is but the glass, which holds the dust That measures all our time; which also shall Be crumbled into dust. Mark here below, How tame these ashes are, how free from lU8t, That thou mayst fit thyself against thy fall. XXXVIII. CHURCH-MUSIC. SWEETEST of sweets, I thank you: when displeasure Did through my body wound my mind, You took me thence; and in your house of pleasure A dainty lodging me assign'd. Now I in you without a body move, Rising and falling with your wings : We both together sweetly live and love, Yet say sometimes, God help poor Kings. Comfort, I'll die; for if you post from me, Sure I shall do so, and much more: But if I travel in your company, You know the way to heaven's door. XXXIX. CHURCH LOCK AND KEY. I KNOW it is my sin, which locks thine ears, And binds thy hands ! Out-crying my requests, drowning my tears j Or else the chilness of my faint demands. D;g;';2Od by Coogle THE CHURCH. But as cold hands are angry with the fire, And mend it still j So I do lay the want of my desire, Not on my sins, or coldness, but thy will. Yet hear, 0 God, only for his blood's sake, Which pleads for me : 61 For though sins plead too, yet like stones they make His blood's sweet current much more loud to be. XL. THE CHURCH-FLOOR. MARK you the floor? that square and speckled stone, Which looks so firm and strong, Is Patience: And the other black and grave, wherewith each one Is checker'd all aloug, Humility: The gentle rising, which on either hand Leads to the quire above, Is Confidence: But the sweet cement, which in one sure band Ties the whole frame, is Love And Charity. Hither sometimes Sin steals, and stains The marble's neat and curious veins : But all is cleansed when the marble weeps. Sometimes Death, puffing at the door, D;g;';2Od by Coogle 62 THE CHURCH. Blows all the dust about the floor: But while he thinks spoil the room, he sweep!!. Blest be the Architect, whose art Could build 80 strong in a weak heart. XLI. THE WINDOWS. loRD, how can man preach thy eternal word ? He a brittle crazy glass:. Yet in thy temple thou dost him afford This and transcendent place, To be a window, through thy grace. Bnt when thou dOl!t anneal glass story, Making thy life to shine within The holy Preachers, the light and More reverend grows, and more doth win ; Whicb else showl! vl!aterish, bleak, thin. Doctrine and life, colonrs and light, in one Wheu they combine and briug A strong regard and awe: but speech alone Doth vanish like flaring thing, And in the ear, not conscience ring. XLII. TRINITY-SUNDAY. wllo hast form'd me out of mud, And hast redeem'd me through thy blood, And sanctified me do good ; Digiti zIe THE CHURCH. Purge all my sins done heretofore ; For I confess my heavy score, And I will strive to sin no more. Enrich my heart, mouth, hands in me, With faith, with hope, with charity ; That I may run, rise, rest with thee. XLIII. CONTENT. 63 PEACE muttering thoughts, and do not grudge to Within the walls of your own breast. [keep Who cannot on his own bed sweetly sleep, . Can on another's hardly rest. Gad not abroad at every quest and call Of an untrained hope or passion. To court each place or fortune that doth fall, Is wantonness in contemplation. Mark how the fire in flints doth quiet lie, Content and warm to itself alone : But when it would appear to other's eye, Without a knock it never shone. Give me the pliant mind, whose gentle measure . • Complies and suits with all estates; Whichcan let loose to a crown,andyetwith pleasure Take up within a cloister's gates. This BOul doth span the world, and hang content From either pole unto the centre : Where in each room of the well-fumish'd tent He lies warm, and without adventure. D;g;';2Od by Coogle THE CHURCH. The brags of life are but a nine days' wonder: And after death the fumes that spring From private bodies, make as big a thunder As those which rise from a huge King • .. Only thy Chronicle is l08t: and yet Better by worms be all once spent, Than to have hellish moths still gnaw and fret Thy name in books, which may not rent. When all thy deeds, whose brunt thou feel'st alone, Are chaw'd by others' pens and tongue, And as their wit is, their digestion, Thy nourish'd fame is weak or strong. Then cease discoursing soul, till thine own ground; Do not thyself or friends importune. He that by seeking hath himself once found, Hath ever found a happy fortune. XLIV. THE QUIDDITY. My God, a verse is not a crown; No point of honour, or gay suit, No hawk, or banquet, or renown, Nor a good sword, nor yet a lute: It cannot vault, or dance, or play; It never was in France or Spain; Nor can it entertain the day With a great stable or domain. D;g;';2Od by Coogle THE CHURCII. It is no office, art, or news; Nor the Exchange, or busy Hall: But it is that, which while I use, I am with thee, and Most take all. XLV. HUMILITY. I SAW the Virtues sitting hand in hand In several ranks, upon an azure throne, 65 Where all the beasts and fowls, by their command, Presented tokens of submission. Humility, who sat the lowest there To execute their call, When by the beasts the presents tender'd were, Gave them about to all. The angry Lion did present his paw, Which by consent was given to Mansuetude. The fearful Hare her ears, which by their law Humility did reach to Fortitude. The jealous Turkey broug'ht his coral chain, That went to Temperance. On Justice was bestow'd the Fox's brain, Kill'd in the way by chance. At length the Crow, bringing the Peacock's plume, (For he would not) as they beheld the grace Of that brave gift, each one began to fume, And challenge it, as proper to his place, Till they fell out; which when the beasts espied, They leapt upon the throne; F D;g;';2Od by Coogle 66 THE CHURCH. And if the Fox had lived to rule their side, They had deposed each one. Humility, who held the plume, at this Did weep so fast, that the tears trickling down Spoil'd all the train: then saying, Here it is For which ye wrangle, made them tum their frown Against the beasts: so jointly bandying, They drive them soon away; And then amerced them, double gifts to bring At the next Session-day. XLVI. FRAILTY. LORD, in my silence how do I despise What upon trust Is styled honour, riches, or fair eyes; But is-fair dust!. I surname them gilded clay, Dear earth, fine grass or hay; In all, I think my foot doth ever tread Upon their head. But when I view abroad both Regiments, The world's, and thine; Thine clad with simpleness, and sad events ; The other fine, Full of glory and gay weeds, Brave language, braver deeds: That which was dust before, doth quickly rise, . And prick mine eyes. D;g;';2Od by Coogle THB CHURCH. o brook not this, lest if what even oow My foot did tread Affront those joys, wherewith thou didst endow, And long since wed My poor BOul, e'en sick of love; .It maya Babel prove, . Commodious to conquer heaven and thee Planted in me. XLVII. CONSTANCY. WHO is the honest man? He that doth still and strongly good pursue, To God, his neighbour, and himself mOlt true: Whom neither force nor fawning can Unpin, or wrench from giving all their due. Whose honesty is not So loose or easy, that a rufHing wind Can blow away, or glittering look it blind : 61 Who Jides his sure and even trot, While the world now rides by, now lags behind. Who, when great trials come, Nor seeks, nor shuns them; but doth calmly stay, Till he the thing and the example weigh: All being brought into a sum, What place or person calls fur, he doth pay. Whom none can work or woo, To use in any thing a trick or sleight; D;g;t;zed by Coogle 68 THE CH'tJRCH. For above all things he abhors deeeit: His words and works and fashion too All of a piece, and all are. clear and straight. Who never melts or thaws At close temptations: when the day is done, His goodneu sets. DOt, but in dark can run : The sun to others writeth laws, And is their virtue; Virtue is his Sun. , Who, when he is to treat With sick folks, women, those whom passions sway, Allows for that, and keeps his constant way: Whom others' faults do not defeat; But though men fail him, yet' his part doth play. Whom nothing can. procure, When the wide world runs bias, from his will . To writhe his limbs, aIld share, not mend the ill. This is the Marksman, safe and sure, Who still is right, and prays to be so still. XLvm. AFFLICTION • . My heart did heave. and there came forth, 0 God! :. By that I knew that thou wast in. the grief, To guide and govern it to my relief, Making a sceptre of the rod : Hadst thou not had thy part, Sure the unruly sigh had broke my heart. D;g;';2Od by Coogle CHURCH. But since Thou know'lIt me both life and and when there's ~~ .. ,-,-"", So much to a sigh, what' II then behind Or if some years with it escape, The sigh then only is A gale to bring me sooner to my bliss. Thy life on earth was grief, and thou art still Constant uuto it to be A point of grieve in me, And members suffer ill. lament one cross, thee to thy loss. XLIX. THE STAR. BRIGHT brighter place, Where beamll ~",_ft"~.1 my Saviour's face, Canst where So ? Yet, if thou wilt from thence depart, Take a bad lodging in my heart;. For thou canst make a debtor, And make it better. First with thy fire-work bum to dust Folly, and folly, lust: Then refine, And shine. 70 THE CHURCH.' So disengaged from sin and sickness, Touch it with thy celestial quickness, That it may hang and move After thy love. T.hen with our trinity of light, Motion, and heat, let's take our flight Unto the place where thou Before didst bow. Get me a standing there, and place Among the beams, which crown the face Of him, who died to part Sin and my heart: That so among the rest I may Glitter, and curl, and wind as they: That winding is their fashion Of adoration. Sure thou wilt joy by gaining me To fly home like a laden bee Unto that hive of beams And garland-streams. L. SUNDAY. o DAY most calm, most bright, The fruit of this, the next world's bud, The indorsement of supreme delight, Writ by a friend, and with his blood; The couch of time; care's balm and bay; D;g;';2Od by Coogle THE CHURCH. The week were dark, but for thy light: Thy torch doth show the way. The other days and thou Make up one man; whose face thou art, Knocking at heaven with thy brow: The working-days are the back part ; The burden of the week lies there, Making the whole to stoop and bow, Till thy release appear. Man had straight forward gone To endless death; but thou dost pull And tum us round to look on one, Whom, if we were not very dull, We could not choose but look on still ; Since there is no plaCe 80 alone The which he doth not fill. Sundays the pillars are, On which heaven's palace arched lies: The other days fill up the spare And hollow room with vanities. They are the fruitful beds and borders In God's rich garden: that is bare 71 Which parts their ranks and orders. The Sundays of man's life, Thredded together on time's string, Make bracelets to adorn the wife Of the eternal glorious King. On Sunday Heaven's gate stands ope; Blessings are plentiful and rife, More plentiful than hope~ D;g;';2Od by Coogle 72 TJIE CHURCH. This day my Saviour rose, And did enclose this light for his : That, as each beast his manger knows, Man might not of his fodder miss. Christ hath took in this piece of ground, And made a garden therefor those Who want herbs for their wound. The rest of out Creation Our great Redeemer did remove' With the same shake, which at his passion Did the earth and all things with it move. As Samson bore the doors away, Christ's hands, though nail'd, wr6ught our salvation, And did unhinge tha,t. day. The brightness of that day We sullied by our foul offence: Wherefore that robe we cast away, Having a new, at his expenSe, Whose drops of blood paid the full price, That was required to make us gay, And fit for Paradise. Thou art a day of mirth : And where the week days trail on ground, Thy flight is higher, as tby birth : o let me take thee at the bound, Leaping with thee from seven to seven, Till that we both, being'toss'd from earth, Fly hand in hand to heaven! D;g;';2Od by Coogle THB CHuaCH. 73 . LI. A V ARleE. MONEY, thou bane of bliss, and source of woe, Whence comest thou, that thou art so fresh and fine? I know thy parentage is base and low: Man found thee poor and dirty in a mine. Surely thou didst so little contribute To this great kingdom, which thou now hast got, That he was fain, when thou wast destitute, To dig thee out of thy dark cave and grot. Then forcing thee, by fire he made thee bright: Nay, thou hast got the face of man; for we Have with ourstamp and seal transferr'd our right: Thou art the man, and man but dross to thee. Man caUeth thee his wealth, who made thee rich; And while he digs out thee, falls in the ditch. LII. ANA_{MARY}GRAM. ARMY How well her name an ARMY doth present, In whom the LoaD OF HOSTS did pitch his tent ! D;g;';2Od by Coogle 74 THE CHURCH. LIII. TO ALL ANGELS AND SAINTS. OH glorious spirits, who after all your bands See the smooth face of God, without a froWn, Or strict commands: Where every one is king, and hath his crown, If not upon his head, yet in his hands: Not out of envy or maliciousness Do I forbear to crave your special aid. I would addre88 My vows to thee most gladly, blessed Maid, And Mother of my God, in my distress: Thou art the holy mine, whence came the gold, The great restorative for all decay In young and old: Thou art the cabinet where the jewel lay: Chiefly to thee would I my soul unfold. But now, alas! I dare not; for our King, Whom we do all jointly adore and praise, Bids no such thing: And where his pleasure no injunction lays, ('Tis your own case) ye never move a wing. All worship is prerogative, and a flower Of his rich crown, from whom lies no appeal At the last hour: Therefore we dare not from his garland steal, To make a posy for inferior power. D;g;';2Od by Coogle THE CHURCH. 75 Although then others court you, if ye know What·s done on earth, we shall not fare the worse, Who do not 80 ; Since we are ever ready to disburse, If anyone our Master's hand can show. LIV. EMPLOYMENT. HE that is weary, let him sit. My soul would stir And trade in courtesies and wit, Quitting the fur, To cold complexions needing it. Man is no star, but a quick coal Of mortal fire : Who blows it not, nor doth control A faint desire, Lets his own ashes choke his 8Oul. When the elements did for place contest With him, whose will Ordain'd the highest to be best; The earth sat still, And by the others is opprest. Life is a business, not good cheer; Ever in wars. The SUD still shineth there or here, Whereas the stars Watch an advantage to appear. D;g;';2Od by Coogle 76 THE cnURCH. Oh that I were an Orange-tree, That busy plant ! Then should I ever laden be, And never want Some· fruit for him that dre88eth me. But we are still too young or old; The man is gone, Before we do our wares unfold: So we freeze on, Until the grave increase our cold. LV. DENIAL. WlIEN my devotions could not pierce Thy silent ears ; Then was my heart broken, as was my verse ; My breast was full of fears And disorder. My bent thoughts, like a brittle bow, Did fly asunder: Each took his way; some would to pleasure go, Some to the wars and thunder OfaIarms. As good go any where; they say, As to'benumb Both knees and heart; in crying night and day, Come, come, my God, 0 come, But no hearing. D;g;';2Od by Coogle CHURCH, o thou that dust a tongue to thee, And then not crying! all day long My heart was in my knee, But no hearing. Therefore my soul lay. out of sight, Untuned, unstrung: look. right, U'U'''''~''U, hung Discontented. o cheer heartless breast, no time; That so thy favours granting my request, They and my mind may chime, And mend my rhyme. CHRISTMAS. ALL after pleasures as rid one day, My horse and I, both tired, body and mind, With full cry of affections, quite astray; I took up in the next inn I could find. There when I came, whom found I but my dear, My dearest till the grief Of pleasures to him, ready there To be all sweet relief? 78 THBCHURCH. o Thou, whose glorious, yet contracted light, Wrapt in night's mantle, stole into a manger; Since my dark 80ul and brutish is thy right, To Man of all beasts be not thou a stranger: Furnish and deck Illy 8Oul, that thou mayst have A better lodging, than a rack, or grave. THE shepherds sing; and shall I silent be? My God, no hymn for thee ? My soul's a shepherd too; a flock it feeds Of thoughts, and words, and deeds. The pasture is thy word; the streams, thy grace Enriching all the place. Shepherd and flock shall sing, and all my powers Out-sing the daylight hours. Then we will chide the sun for letting night Take up his place and right: We sing one common Lord; wherefore he should Himself the candle hold. I will go searching, till I find a sun Shall stay, till we have done; A willing shiner, that shall shine as gladly, As frost-nipt SUDS look sadly. Then we will sing, and shine all our own day, ADd ODe another pay: His beams shall cheer my breast, and both so twine, Till even his beams sing, and my music shine. D;g;';2Od by Coogle THE CHURCH, LVII, UNGRATEFULNESS. loRD, with what bounty and rare clemency Hast thou redeem'd us from the grave! If thou hadst let us run, had man adored the sun, thought his god most brave Where DOW we shall be better gods than he. 79 Thou hast but two rare Cabinets full of treasure, The Trinity, and Incarnation: Thou hast unlock'd them both, And made them to betroth The work of thy creation Unto thyself in pleasure. The statelier Cabinet is Trinity, Whose sparkling light access denies: Therefore thou clost not show This fully to till death blow The dust into our eyes; For by powder thou wilt make see. But all sweets pack'd in the other; Thy mercies thither flock and flow; That, as first affrights, This may allure us with delights; Because this we know For we have all of us just such another. But man is close, reserved, and dark to thee; When thou demandest but a heart, gitize \,.J\' 31\: 80 THE CHURCH. He cavils instantly. In his poor cabinet of bone Sins have their box apart, Defrauding thee, who gavest two for one. LVIII. SIGHS AND GROANS. o DO not use me After my sins! look not on my'desert, • But on thy glory! then thou wilt reform, And not refuse me: for thou only art The mighty God, but I a silly worm : . 0 do not bruise me ! o do not urge me ! For what account can thy ill steward make? I have abused thy stock, destroy'd thy woods, Suck'd all thy magazines: my head did ache, Till it found out how to consume thy goods : o do not scourge me ! o do not blind me ! I have deserved that an Egyptian night Should thicken all my powers; because my iust Hath still sew'd fig-leaves to exclude thy light: But I am frailty, and already dust: o do not grind me ! o do not fill me With the turu'd vial of thy bitter wrath! For thou hast other vessels full of blood, D;g;';2Od by Coogle THE CHURCH. A part whereof my Saviour empted liath, Even unto death: since he died for my good, ° do not kill me ! But 0, reprieve me! 81 For thou hast life and death at thy command; Thou art both Judge and Saviour, feast and rod, Cordial and Corrosive: put not thy hand Into the hitter box; but, ° my God, My God, relieve me. LIX. THE WORLD. LOVE built a stately house; where Fortune came: And spinning fancies, she was heard to say, That her fine cobwebs did support the frame, Whereas they were supported by the same: But Wisdom quickly swept them all away. Then Pleasure came, who, liking not the fashion, Began to make Balconies, Terraces, Till she had weaken'd all by alteration: :But reverend laws, and many a proclamation Reformed all at length with menaces. Then enter'd Sin, and with that Sycamore, [dew, Whose leaves first sheJter'd man from drought and Working and winding slily evermore, The inward walls and summers cleft and tore: But Grace shored these, and cut that as it gt'ew, G D;g;';2Od by Coogle 82 THE CHURCH. Then Sin combined with Death in a firm band, To raze the building to the very floor: Which they effected, none could them withstand; But Love and Grace took Glory by the hand, And built a braver Palace than before. LX. COLOSS. nit 3. OUR LIFE IS HID WITH CHRIST IN GOD. My words and thoughts do both express this notion, That LIFE hath with the sun a double motion. The first IS straight, and our diurnal friend; The other HID, and doth obliquely bend. One life is wrapt IN flesh, and tends to earth: The other winds towards HIM, whose happy birth Taught me to live here so, THAT still one eye Should aim and shoot at that which IS on high; Quitting with daily labour all MY pleasure. To gain at harvest an eternal TREASURE. LXI. VANITY. THE fleet Astronomer can bore And thred the spheres with his quick-piercing mind: He views their stations, walks from door to door, Surveys, as if he had design'd To make a purchase there: he sees their dances, And knoweth long before, Both their full-ey'd aspects, and secret glances. D;g;';2Od by Coogle THE CHURCH. 83 The nimble Diver with his side Cots through the working waves, that he may fetch His dearly-earned pearl, which God did hide On purpose from the venturous wretch; That he might save life, and also Who with excessive pride Her own destruction and danger wears. The subtile can divest And strip the creature naked, till he find The callow principles within their nest: There imparts to them his Admitted to their bed-chamber, before They appear trim and drest To ordinary suitors at the door. What hath not man sought out and found, But his dear God? who yet his glorious law Embosoms in us, mellowing the ground With showers and frosts, with love and So that we need not lIay, this command? Poor man! thou searchest round To find out but missest life at hand. LXII. LENT. WELCOME, dear feast of Lent: who loves not thoe, loves not Temperance, Authority, But is composed of passion. Scriptures bid fast the Church says, Give to thy Mother what thou wouldstallow every Corporation, Jitized 84 THE CHURCH. The humble soul composed of love and fear, Begins at home, and lays the burden there, When doctrines disagree;: He lays, things which use hath justly got, I a scandal the church, and not The Church is so to me. True Christians should be glad of an occasion To use temperance, seeking'no evasion, When good is seasonable j Unless Authority, which shculd increase The obligation in U8, make it less, And Power itself disable .. ' Besides the cleanness of sweet abstinence, thoughts and motions a small expense, A face not fearing light: Whereas fuiness there are sluttish fumes, Sour exhalations, and dishonest rheums, Revenging the Then those same pendent profits, which the spring And Easter intimate, enlarge the thing, And goodness of the deed. Neither ought men's abuse of Lent Spoil the good use j lest by that argument We forfeit all our Creed. 'Tis true, cannot reach Christ's fortieth day j Yet go part that religioull way Is better than to rest: We cannot reach our Saviour's purity ; Yet are we bid, "Be holy e'en as he." In both let's do our belt. Digiti zIe THE CHURCH. Who goeth in the way which Christ hath gone, Is much more sure to meet with him, than one That travelleth by-ways. Perhaps my God, though he be far before, May tum, and take me by the hand, and more, May strengthen my decays. Yet, Lord, instruct us to improve our fast By starving sin, and taking such repast As may our faults control: That every man may revel at his door, Not in his parlour; banqueting the poor, And among those his soul. LXIII. VIRTUE. SWEET day, so cool, so calm, so bright, The bridal of the earth and sky, The dew shall weep thy fall to-night; For thou must die. Sweet rose, whose hue angry.and brave Bids the rash gazer wipe his eye, Thy root is ever in its grave, And thou must die. Sweet spring, full of sweet days and roses, A box where sweets compacted lie, My music shows ye have your closes, And all must die. Only a sweet and virtuous 10ul, Like season'd timber, never gives; But though the whole world tum to coal, Then chiefty lives. 85 D;g;';2Od by Coogle THE CHURCH. LXIV. THE PEARL. MATT. XIII. I KNOW the ways of learning; both the head And pipes that feed the press, and make it run; What reason hath from nature borrowed, Or of itself, like a good housewife, spun In laws and policy; what the stars conspire, What willing nature speaks, what forced by fire ; Both the old discoveries, and the new-found seas, The stock and surplus, cause and history : All these stand open, or I have the keys : Yet I love thee. I know the ways of honour, what maintains The quick returns of courtesy a!ld wit: In vies of favours whether party gains, When glory swells the heart, and mouldeth it To all expressions both of hand and eye, Which on the world a true-love-knot may tie, And bear the bundle, wheresoe'er it goes: How many drams of spirit there must be To sell my life unto my friends or foes: Yat I love thee. I know the ways of pleasure, the sweet strains, The lullings and the relishes of it ; The propositions of hot blood and brains; What mirth and music mean; what love and wit Have done these twenty hundred years, and more : D;g;';2Od by Coogle THE CHURCH. I know the projects of unbridled store: My stutIis fiesh, not brass; my senses live, And grumble oft, that they have more in me Than he that curbs them, being but one to five: Yet I love thee. I know ail these, and have them in my hand: Therefore not sealed, but with open eyes I fly to thee, and fully understand Both the main sale, and the commodities; And at what rate and price I have thy love; With all the circumstances that may move: 87 Yet through the labyrinths, not my groveling wit, But thy silk-twist let down from heaven to me, Did both conduct and teach me, how by it To climb to thee. LXV. AFFLICTION. BROKEN in pieces ail asunder, Lord, hunt me not, A thing forgot, Once a poor creature, now a wonder, A wonder tortured in the space Betwixt this world and that of grace. My thoughts are all a case of knives, Wounding my heart With scatter'd smart; As watering-pots give fiowers their lives. Nothing their fury can control, . While they do wound and prick my soul. D;g;';2Od by Coogle THE CUURCH. All my attendants are at strife, Quitting their place Unto my face: Nothing performs the task of life: The elements are let loose fight, And while live, try out their right. Oh help, my God! let not their plot Kill them me, And also thee, Who my life: dissolve the knot, As the sun scatters by his light All the rebellions of the night. Then shall those powers, which work for grief, Enter thy pay, And day by day Labour thy praise aud my relief; With care and courage building Till I reach heaven, and much more, thee. LXVI. MAN. My God, I heard this That none doth build a stately habitation, But he that means to dwell therein. What house more stately hath there been, Or can be, than Man? whose creation All things are in decay. gitize \,.J\' 31\: THE CH11RCH. For Man is every thing, And more: He is a tree, yet bears no fruit: A beast, yet is, or should be more : Reason and speech we only bring. Parrots may thank us, jf they are not mute, ·Tbey go upon the score. Man is all symmetry, Full of proportions, one limb to another, And all to all the world besides : Each part may call the farthest, brother : For head with foot hath private amity, And both with moons and tides. Nothing hath got 80 far, But Man hath caught and kept it, as biB prey. His eyes dismount the highest star : He is in little all the sphere. Herbs gladly cure our flesh, because that they Find their acquaintance there. 8~ For us the winds do blow; [flow. The earth doth rest, heaven move, and fountains Nothing we see, but means our good, As our delight, or as our treasure: The whole is, either our cupboard of food, Or cabinet of pleasure. The stars have us to bed: Night draws the curtain, which the sun withdraws : Music and light attend our head. All things unto our Hesh are kind In their descent and being; to our mind In their ascent and cause. D;g;t;zed by Coogle 90 THE CHURCH. Each thing is full of duty: Waters united are our navigation; Distinguished, our habitation; Below, our drink; above, our meat: Both are our cleanliness. Hath one such beauty? Then how are all things neat! More servants wait on Man, Than he 'n take notice of: in every path He treads down that which doth befriend him, When sicknesll makes him pale and wan. Oh mighty love! Man is one world, and hath Another to attend him. Since then, my God, thou hast So brave a Palace built; 0 dwell in it, That it may dwell with thee at last! Till then, alford us so much wit, That, 8S the world sel:Yes us, we may serve thee, And both thy servants be. LXVII. ANTIPHON. Char. PRAISED be the God of love, Men. Here below, Angels. And here above': Chor. Who hath dealt his mercies so, Ang. To his friend, Men. And to his foe; Char. That both grace and glory tend Ang. Us of old, Men, And us in the end. Di9itizedbyGOOg e THE CHURCH. Chor. The great Shepherd of the fold Ang. Us did make, Men. For us was sold. Chor. He our foes in pieces brake: .Ang. Him we ~uch; Men. And him we take. Chor. Wherefore "inee that he is such, .Ang. We adore, Men. And we do crouch. Chor. Lord, thy praises shan be more. Men. We have none, Ang. And we no store. Chor. Praised be the God alone 91 Who hath 'made of two folds one. LXVIII. UNKINDNESS. LoRD, make me coy and tender to offend: In friendship, first I think, if that agree, Which I intend, Unto my friend's intent and end. I would not use a friend, as I use Thee. If any touch my friend, or his good name, It is my honour and my love to free His blasted fame From the least spot or thought of blame; I could not use a friend, as I use Thee. D;g;';2Od by Coogle 92 THE CHURCH. My friend may spit upon my curious floor: Would he have gold? I lend it instantly; But let the my friend pretendeth interest, and leave But when thy grace Sues for my heart, I thee displace; Nor would I use a friend, as I use Thee. Yet can a friend what thou hast done fulfill ? o write in brass, My God upon a tree His LXIX. LIFE. I MADE a posy, while the day ran by: Here will I smell my remnant out, and tie My life within this band. But time did beckon to the flowers, and they most cunningly did And hand. next to them, without more thinking, Time's Who did so sweetly death's sad taste convey, Malting my mind to smell my fatal day, Yet sugaring the suspicion. Digiti THE CHURCH. 93 Farewell, dear flowers, sweetly your time ye spent, Fit, while ye lived, for smell or ornament, And after death for cures. I follow straight without complaints or grief, Since if my scent be good, I care not if It be as short as yours. LXX. SUBMISSION. BUT that thou art my wisdom, Lord, And both mine eyes are thine, My mind would be extremely stirr'd For missing my design. Were it not better to bestow Some place and power on me ? Then should thy praises with me grow, And share in my degree. But when J thus dispute and grieve, I do resume my sight; And pilfering what I once did give, Disseize thee of thy right. How know I, if thou shouldst me raise, That I should then raise thee? Perhaps great places and thy praise Do not so well agree. Wherefore unto my gift I stand; I will no more advise: Only do thou lend me a hand, Since thou hast both mine eyes. D;g;';2Od by Coogle 94 THE CHURCH. LXXI. JUSTICE. I CANNOT skill of these thy ways: Lord, thou didst make me, yet thou woundest me: Lord, thou dost wound me,yet thou dost relieveme: Lord, thou relievest, yet I die by thee: Lord, thou dost kill me, yet thou dost reprieve me. But when I mark my life and praise, Thy justice me most fitly pays: For I do praise thee, yet I praise thee not: My prayers mean thee, yet my prayers stray: I would do well, yet sin the hand hath got: My soul doth love thee, yet it loves delay. I cannot skill of these my ways. LXXII. CHARMS AND KNOTS. WHO read a chapter when they rise, Shall ne'er be troubled with ill eyes. A poor man's rod, when thou dost ride, Is both a weapon and a guide. Who shuts his hand, hath lost his gold: Who opens it, hath it twice told. Who goes to bed, and doth not pray, Maketh two nights to every day. THE CHURCH. Who by aspersions throw a stone At the head of others, hit their own Who looks on ground with humble eyes, Finds himself there, and seeks to rise. When the hair is sweet through pride or lust, The powder doth forget the dust. Take one from ten, and what remains ? Ten still, if sermons go for gains. In shallow waterS heaven doth show : But who drinks on, to hell may go. LXXIII. AFFLICTION. 95 My God, I read this day, . '0; That planted Paradise was not so firm As was and is thy floating Ark; whose stay And anchor thou art only, to confirm And strengthen it in every age, When waves do rise, and tempests rage. At first we lived in pleasure ; Thine own delights thou didst to us impart : When we grew wanton, thou didst use displeasure To make us thine: yet that we might not part, As we at first did °board with thee, Now thou wouldst taste our misery. There is but joy and grief; If either will convert Ull, we are thine: D;g;';2Od by Coogle 96 THE CHURCH. Some Angels used the first: if our relief Take up the second, then thy double line And several baits in either kind Furnish thy table to thy mind. Aftliction then is ours : . We are the trees, whom shaking fastens more, While blustering winds destroy the wanton bowers, And ruftle all their curious knots and store. My God, 80 temper joy and woe, That thy bright beams may tame thy bow. LXXIV. MORTIFICATION. How soon doth man decay! When clothes are taken from a chest of sweets To swaddle infants, whose young breath Scarce knows the way; Those clouts are little winding-sheets, Which do consign and send them unto death. When boys go first to bed, They step into their voluntary graves; Sleep binds them fast; only their breath Makes them not dead. Successive nights, like rolling waves, Convey. them quickly, who are bound for death. When youth is frank and free, And calls for music, while bis veins do swell, All day exchanging mirth and breath D;g;';2Od by Coogle THZ CHURCH. III c\)mpany; That music summou Which shall befriend him the knell, the house of death. When man grows staid and wise, Getting a house and home, where he may move Within circle of his breath, Schooling his eyes; That dumb inclosure maketh love Unto the coBin, that attends his death. When age grows low and weak, Marking hi. grave, and thawing every year, Till all do melt, and drown breath When he would speak; A chair litter shows the Which shall convey him to the house of death. Man, ere he is aware, Hath put together a solemnity, And drest his hearse, while has breath As yet to spare. Yet, Lord, instmct us to That all these dyings may be life in death. LXXV. DECAY. 97 SWEET were the days, when thou didstlodge with Lot, Struggle with Jacob, sit with Gideon, Advise with when thy power could Encounter Moses' strong complaints and moan: wor!Is were tRen, Let me alone. H Jitized 98 THB CHURCH. One might have sought and found tbee presently At some fair oak, or busb, or cave, or well: Is my God this way? No, they would reply; He is to Sinai gone, as we beard tell : List, ya may hear great Aaron's bell. But now thou dost thyself immure and close In some one comer of a feeble heart : Where yet both Sin and Satan, thy old foes, Do pinch and straiten thee, and use much art To gain thy thirds and little part. I see the world gnnts old', wben as the beat Of thy great love once spread, as in an urn Doth closet up itself, and still retreat, Cold sin still forcing it, till it return And calling justice, all things bum. LXXVI. MISERY. loRD, let the Angels praise thy name. Man is a foolish thing, a foolish thing; Folly and Sin play all his game. His house still burns; and yet he still doth sing, Man is but grass, He knows it, fill the glass. How canst thau brook his foolishnesa ? Why, he'll Dot lose a cup of drink for thee: Bid him but temper his excess; Not he: he knows, where he can better be, As he will swear, Than to serve thee in fear. D;g;';2Od by Coogle THE CHURCH. 99 What strange pollutions doth And make his own? as if none knew, hut he. No man shall beat into head That thou within his curtains drawn canst see: They are Where never yet came moth. The best of men, turn but thy hand For one poor stumble at a They would not have their actions scann'd, Nor any sorrow teU them that they sin, Though be And measure not their fall. They quarrel thee, and would give over The bargain made serve thee: but thy love Holds them unto it, and doth cover Their follies with wing of thy mild Dove, Not s!Jffering those Who would, be foes. My God, Man cannot praise name: Thoo art all brightness, perfect purity: The sun holds down his head for shame, Dead with eclipses, when we speak of thee. How shall infection Presume on thy perfection ? As dirty hands foul all they And those things most, which are most pure and Ji ne : So our clay-bearts, e'en when we crouch To sing thy praises, make them less divine. . Yet either this Or none thy portion is. gitize \,.J\' 31\: 100 THE CHURCH. Man cannot aerve thee; let him go And serve the swine: there, there is .his de1ight: He doth not like this virtue, no; Give him his dirt to wallow in all night : These Preachers make His head to shoot and ache. Oh foolish man! where are thine eyes? How hast thou lost them in a crowd of carea ? Thou pun'st the rug, and wilt not rise, No, not to purchase the whole pack of stars: There let them shine, Thou must go sleep, or dine. The bird that sees a dainty bower Made in the tree, where she was wont to sit, Wonders and sings, but not his power Who made the arbour: this exceeds her wit. But Man doth know The spring whence an things flow: And yet as though he knew it not, His knowledge winks, and lets his humours reign : They make his life a constant blot, And an the blood of God to run in vain. Ah, wretch! what verse Can thy strange ways rehearse ? Indeed at first Man was a treasure, A box of jewels, shop of rarities, A ring, whose posy was, My pleasure: He was a garden jn a Paradise: Glory and grace Did crown his heart and tace. D;g;';2Od by Coogle THE CHURCH. But sin hath fool'd him. Now he is A lump of llesh, without a foot or wing To raise him to the glimpse of bliss: A sick toss'd vessel, dashing on each thing; Nay, his own shelf: My God, I mean myself. LXXVII. JORDAN. 101 W HEN first my lines of heavenly joys made mention, Such was their lustre, they did so excel, That I sought out quaint words, and trim invention; My thoughts began to burnish, sprout, and swell, Curling with metaphors a plain intention, Decking tbe sense, as if it were to sell. Thousands of notions in my brain did run, Offering their service, if I were not sped : I often blotted what I had begun; This was not quick enough, and that was dead. Nothing could seem too rich to clothe the sun, Much less those joys which trample on his head. As llames do work and wind, when they ascend; So did I weave myself into the sense. But while I bustled, I might hear a friend Whisper, How wide is all this long pretence! There is in love a sweetness ready penn'd : Copy out only that, and save expense. D;g;';2Od by Coogle 102 THE CHURCH. LXXVIII. PRAYER. OF what an easy quick accesa, My blesaed Lord, art thou! how suddenly May our requests thine ear invade' To show that state dislikes not easinesa. If I but lift mine eyes, my suit is made: Thou caDIt DO more not hear, than thou CaDIt die. Of what supreme almighty power Is thy great arm which SpaDB the east and west, And tacks the centre to the sphere ! By it do all things live their measured hour: We cannot ask the thing, which is not there, Blaming the shallownesa of our request. Of what unmeasurable love Art thou posaest, who, when thou couldat not die, Wert fain to take our flesh and curse, And for our sakes in person sin reprove; That by destroying that which tied thy purse, Thou mightst make way for liberality ! Since then these three wait on thy throne, Ease, Power, and Love; I value prayer so, That were I to leave all but one, Wealth, fame, endowments, virtues, all should go; I and dear prayer would together dwell, And quickly gain, for each inch, lost, an ell D;g;';2Od by Coogle THE CHURCH. LXXIX. OBEDIENCE. My God, if writings may Convey a lordship any way Whither the buyer and the seller please j Let it not thee displease, If this poor paper do as much as they. On it my heart doth bleed As many lines, as there doth need To pass itself and all it hath to thee. To which I do agree, And here present it as my special deed. If that 'hereafter Pleasure Cavil, and claim her part and measure, As if this passed with a reservation, Or some such words in fashion j I here exclude the wrangler from thy treasure .• o let thy sacred will All thy delight in me fuUill ! Let me Dot think an action mine own way, But as thy love shall sway, Resigning up the rudder to thy skill. Lord, what is man to thee, That thou shouldst. mind a rotten tree? 103 Yet since thou canst not choose but see my actions j So great are thy perfections, Thou mayst as well my actions guide, as see. D;g;';2Od by Coogle 104 THl!. CHURCH. Besides, tby death and blood Show'd a strange love to all our good: Thy sorrows were in earnest; no faint proffer, Or superficial offer Of what we migbt not take, or be withstood. Wherefore I all forego : To one word only I eay, -No: Where in the deed there was an intimation Of a gift or donation, Lord, let it now by way of purchase go. He that will pass his land, As I have mine, may set his hand And heart unto this deed, when he hath read; And make the furchase spread To both our goods, ifhe to it will stand. How happy were my part, If some kind man would throat his beart Into these lines; till'in heaven's court: of rolls They were by winged souls Enter'd for both, far above their desert! LXXX. CONSCIENCE. PEACE, prattler, do not lour: Not a fair look, but thou doat call it foul: Not a sweet dishl but thou doat call it BOur: Music to thee doth howl. By listening to thy chatting fears I have both lost mine eyes and ears. D;g;';2Od by Coogle THE CHURCH. 106 Prattler, no more, I say: MY-thoughts must work, but like a noiseleaa sphere. Harmonious peace most rock them all the day : No room for prattlers there. If thou persisteth, I will tell thee, That I have physic to expel thee. And the receipt shall be My Savioor's blood: whenever at his board I do but taste it, straight it c1eanseth me, And leaves thee not a word ; No, not a tooth or nail to scratch, And at my actions carp, or catch. Yet if thou talkest still, Besides my physic, know there's some for thee: Some wood and nails to make a stall or bill For those that trouble me: The bloody cross of my dear Lord Is both my physic and my sword. LXXXI. SION. LoRD, with what glory wast thou served of old, When Solomon's temple stood and flourished! Where most things were of porest gold; The wood was all embellished With flowers and carvings, mystical and rare : All show'd the builders, craved the seer's care. Yet all this glory, all this pomp and state, Did not allect thee much, was not thy aim D;g;';2Od by Coogle 106 THE CHt1RCH. Something there was that sow'd debate: Wherefore thou quitt'st thy ancient claim: And now thy Architecture meets with sin ; For all thy frame and fabric is within. There thou art struggling with a peevish heart, Which sometimes crosseth thee, thou sometimes it: The fight is hard on either part. Great God doth fight, he doth submit. All Solomon's sea of brass and world of stone Is not so dear to thee as one good groan. And truly brass and stones are heavy things, Tombs for the dead, not temples fit for thee: But groans are quick, and full of wings, And all their motions upward be; And ever as they mount, like larks they sing: The note is sad, yet music for a king. LXXXII. HOME. COME Lord, my head doth bum, my heart is sick, While thou dOlt ever, ever stay: Thy long deferrings wound me to the quick, My spirit gaapeth night and day. o show thyself to me, Or take me up to thee ! How canst thou stay, considering the pace The blood did make, which thoudidstwaste? .. D;g;';2Od by Coogle TJB CHURCH. When I behold it trickling down thy face, I never saw thing make such haste. o show thyself to me, Or take me up to thee! When man was lost, thy pity look'd about, To see what help in the earth or sky: But there was none: at least no help without: The heip did in thy bosom lie. o show thyself, &c. 107 There lay thy son: and must he leave that nest, That hive of sweetness, to remove Thraldom from those, who would not at a feast Leaove one poor apple for thy love? o show thyself, &c. He did, he came: 0 my Redeemer dear, After all this canst thou be strange? So many years baptized, and not appear : As if thy love could fail or change ? o show thyself, &c. Yet if thou stayest still, why must I stay? My God, what is this world to me? Tbis world of woe? hence all ye clouds, away, Away; I must get up and see. o show thyself, &c. What is this weary world; this meat and drink, That chains us by the teeth so fast? What is this woman-kind, which I can wink Into a blackness and distaste? o show thyself, &c. D;g;';2Od by Coogle 108 THE CHURCH. With one amallsigh thou gavest me the other day I blasted all the joys about me : And scowling on them as they pined away, Now come again, said I, and flout me. o show thyself to me, Or take me up to thee! Nothing but drought and dearth, but bush and brake, Which way BOe'er I look, I see., Some may dream merrily, but when they wake, They dress themselves and come to thee. o show thyself, &a. We talk of harvests; there are no suoh things, But when we leave our com and bay: There is no fruitful year, but that which brings The last and loved, though dreadful day. o show thyself, &c. Oh loose this frame, this knot of man un tie, That my free BOul may use her wing, Which now is pinion'd with mortality, As an entangled, hamper'd thing. o show thyself, &0. What have I left, that I should stay and groan ,? The most of me to heaven is fled,: My thoughts and joys are all pack'd up and gone, And for their old acquaintance plead. o show thyself, &0. Come dearest Lord, pass not this holy season, My flesh and bones and joints do pray: And e'en my verse, when by the rhyme and reason D;g;';2Od by Coogle THE CHURCli. l'he word is, Stay, says ever, Come. o sbow thyself to me, Or take me up to thee! LXXXIII. THE BRITISH CHURCH. I JOY, dear Mother, when I view Thy perfect lineaments, and hue Both sweet and bright: Beauty in thee takes up her place, And dates ber letters from thy face, When she doth write. A fine aspect in fit array, Neither too mean, nor yet too gay, Shows who is best: Outlandish looks may not compare; For all they either painted are, Or else undrest. Sbe on the hills, wbich wantonly Allureth all in hope to be By her preferr'd, Hath kiss'd 110 long her painted shrines, That e'en her faee by kissing shines, For her reward. She in tbe valley is so shy Of dressing, that her hair doth lie About her ears : 109 D;g;';2Od by Coogle 110 THE CHURCH. While she avoids hel' neighbour's pride, She wholly goes on the other side, And nothing wears. But, dearest Mother, (what those miss) The mean thy praise and glory is, And long may be. Blessed be God, whoSe love it was To double-moat thee with his grace, And none but thee. LXXXIV. THE QUIP. THE merry world did on a day With his train-bands and mates agree To meet together, where I lay, And all in sport to jeer at me. First, Beauty crept into a rose; Which when I pluckt not, Sir, said she, Tell me, I pray, whose hands are those? But thou shalt answer, Lord, for me. Then Money came, and chinking still, What tune is this, poor man? said he: I heard in Music you had skill: But thou shalt answer, Lord, for me. Then came brave Glory puffing by In silks that whistled, who but he ! He scarce allow'd me half an eye: But thou shalt answer, Lord, for me. D;g;';2Od by Coogle THE CHURCH. Then 'came quick Wit and Conversation, And he would needs a comfort be, And, be short, make an oration. But thou shalt answer, Lord, for me. Yet when the hour of thy design To answer these fine shall come; Speak not at large, say, I am thine, And then they have their answer home. LXXXV. VANITY. POOR silly soul, whose and head lies low 111 Whose flat delights on earth do creep and grow: To whom the stars shine not so fair, as eyes; Nor solid work, as false embroideries; Hark: and beware, lest what you now do measure, And write for sweet, prove a most sour displeasure. o hear betimes, lest thy relenting May come too late To purchase heaven for repenting Is no hard rate. If souls be made of earthly mould, Let them love gold; If born on high, them unto their kindred fly : For they can never be rest, they regain their ancient nest. Then silly soul, take heed for joy Is but a bub.ble, and makes thee a boy. gitize \,.J\' 31\: 112 THE CHURCH. LXXXVI. THE DAWNING-. AWAKE sad heart, whom sorrow ever drowns: Take up thine eyes, which feed on earth, Unfold thy forehead gather'd into. frowns : Thy Saviour comes, and with him mirth : Awake, awake: And with a thankful heart his comforts take. But thou dost still lament, and pine, and cry : And feel his death, but not his victory. Arise sad heart; if thou dost not withstand, Christ's resurrection thine may he : Do not by hanging down break from the hand, Which, as it riseth, raiseth thee : Arise, arise; And with his burial linen dl'Y thine eyes. Christ left his grave-clothes, that we might, when grief Draws tears, or blood, not want a handkerchief. LXXXVII. JESU. J ESU is in my heart, his sacred name Is deeply carved there: but the other week A great affiiction broke the little frame, E'en all to pieces: which I went to seek: And firSt I found the corner where was J, After, where ES, and next where U was graved. D;g;';2Od by Coogle THE CHURCH. When I had got these parcels, instantly I sat me down to spel~ them, and perceived That to my broken heart he was 1 EASE YOU, And to my whole is JESU. LXXXVIII. BUSINESS. CANST be idle? canst thou play, Foolish soul "who sinn'd to-day? Rivers run, and springs each one Know their home, and get them gone: Hast thou tears, or hast thou none? If, poor soul, thou hast no tears, Would thou haclat no faults or fears ! Who hath these, tbose ilIs forbears. Winds still work: it is their plot, Be the season cold, or hot: Hast thou sighs, or hast thou not? If thou hast DO sighs or groans, Would thou hadst no flesh and bones! Lesser pains scape greater ones. But if yet thou idle be, Foolish soul, Who died for thee? Who did leave bis Father's throne, To assume thy flesh and bone? Had he life, or had he none? 1 113 D;g;';2Od by Coogle 114 THE CHURCH. If he had Dot lived for thee, Thou hadst died most wretchedly j And two deaths had been thy fee. He so far thy good did plot, That his own self he forgot. Did he die, or did he not? If he had not died for thee, Thou hadst lived in misery. Two lives worse than ten deaths be. And hath any space of breath 'Twixt his sins and Saviour's death-? He that loseth gold, though dross, Tells to all he meets, his cross: He that sins, hath he no loss ? He that finds a silver vein, Thinks on it, and thinks again : Brings thy Saviour's death no gain? Who in heart not ever kneels, N either sin nor Saviour feels. LXXXIX. DIALOGUE. SWEETEST Saviour, if my soul W ere ~t worth the having, Quickly should I then control . Any thought of waving. D;g;';2Od by Coogle THB CHURCH. But when all my care and pains Cannot give the name of gains To thy wretch so full of stains ; What delight or hope remains'? What (child), is the balance thine? Thine the poize and measure? If I say thou shalt be mine, Finger not my treasure. What the gains in having thee Do amount to, only he, Who for man was sold, can see, That transferr'd the accounts to me. But as I can see no merit, Leading to this favour: So the way to fit me for it, Is beyond my savour. As the reason then is thine; So the way is none of mine: I disclaim the whole design : Sin disclaims and I resign. That is all, if. that I could Get without repining ; And my clay my creature would Follow my resigning: That as I did freely part With my glory and desert, Left all joys to feel all smart-- Ah! no more: thou break'st my heart. lIS D;g;t;zed by Coogle ....... 1I6 THE CHURCH. XC. DULNESS. WHY do I languish thus, drooping and dull, As if I were all earth? o give me quickness, that I may with mirth Praise thee brimful ! The wanton lover in a curious strain Can praise his fairest fair; And with quaint metaphors her curled hair Curl o'er again; Thou art my loveliness, my life, my light, Beauty alone to me : Thy bloody death and undeserved, makes thee Pure red and white. When all perfections as but one appear, That those thy form doth show, The very dust, where thou dost tread and go Makes beauties here ; Where are my lines then? my approaches? views? Where are my window-songs ? Lovers are still pretending, and e'en wrongs Sharpen their Muse. But I am lost in flesh, whose sugar'd lies Still mock me, and grow bold; Sure thou didst put a mind there, if I could Find where it lies • D;g;';2Od by Coogle THE CHURCH. Lord, clear thy gift, that with a constant wit I may but look towards thee: Look only; for to love thee, who can be, What angel, fit ? XCI. LOVE-JOY. As on a window late I cast mine eye, I saw a vine drop grapes with J and C Anneal'd on every bunch. One standing by Ask'd what it meant. I (who am never loth To spend my judgment) said, it seem'd to me To be the body and the letters both Of Joy and Charity; Sir, you have not miss'd, The man replied; It figures JESUS CHRIST. XCII. PROVIDENCE.' 117 o SACRED Providence, who from end to end Strongly and sweetly movest! shall I write, And not of thee, through whom my fingers bend To hold my quill? shall they not do thee right? Of all the creatures both in sea and land, Only to Man thou hast made known thy ways, And put the pen alone into his hand, And made him S.ecretary of thy praise. Beasts fain would sing; birds ditty to their notes; Trees would be tuning on their native lute To thy renown: but all their hands and throats Are brought to Man, while they are lame and mute. D;g;';2Od by Coogle 118 THE CHURCH, Man is the world's high Priest: he doth present The sacrifice for ; while they below Unto the service mutter an assent, Such as springs use that fall, and winds that blow, He that to praise and laud thee doth refrain, Doth not refrain uuto himself But robs a thousand who would praise thee fain; And doth commit world of sin in The beasts say, Eat me; but, if beasts must teach, The tongue is yours to but mine praise. The trees say, Pull me: but the hand you stretch Is mine to write, it ill yourll raille. Wherefore, most sacred Spirit, here present For me and all my fellows praise to thee: And just it that should pay the rent, Because the benefit accrues to me, We acknowledge both thy power and To be exact, transcendent, and divine; Who dost strongly and so sweetly move, While all things have their will, yet none but thine. For either thy command, or thy permission Lay hands all they are thy right and left: The first puts on with speed and expedition; The other curbs sin's stealing pace and theft; Nothing escapes them both: all must appear, And disposed, and drel!8'd, and tuned by thee, Who sweetly temper'at all. If we could hear Thy skiM and art, what music would be ! Digiti zIe THE CHURCH. H!l Thou art in small things great, not small in any: Thy even praise can neither rise, nor fall. Thou art in all things one, in each thing many: For thou art infinite in one, and all. Tempests are calm to thee, they know thy hand, And hold it fast, as children do their fathers, Which cry and follow. Thou hast made poor sand Check the proud sea,e'en when it swells and gathel's. Thy cupboard serves the world: the meat is set Where all may reach: no beast but knows his feed. Birds teach us hawking: fishes have their net: The great prey on the less, they on some weed. Nothing engender'd doth prevent his meat; Flies have their table spread, ere they appear; Some creatures have in winter what to eat; Others do sleep, and envy not their cheer. How finely dost thou times and seasons spin, And make a twist checker'd with night and day! Which as it lengthens, winds, and winds us in, As bowls go on, but turning all the way. Each creature hath a wisdom for his good. The pigeons feed their tender offspring, crying, When they are callow; but withdraw their food, W·hen they are Hedge, that need may teach them flyling. Bees work for man; and yet they never bruise Their master's flower, but leave it, having done, As fail' as ever, and as fit to use: So both the flower doth stay, and honey run. D;g;';2Od by Coogle 120 THE CHURCH. Sheep eat the grass, and dung tbe ground for more: Trees after bearing drop their leaves for soil : Springs vent their streams, and by expense get store : Clouds cool by heat, and baths by cooling boil. Who hath the virtue to expre88 the rare And curious virtues both of herbs and stones1 Is there an herb for tbat 1 0 that thy care Would show a root, that gives expressions ! And if an herb hath power, what have the stars 1 A rose, besides his beauty, is a cure. Doubtless our plagues and plenty, peace and wars, Are there much surer than our art is sure. Thou hast hid metals: man may take them thence; But at his peril: when he digs the place, He makes a grave; as if the thing had senae, And threaten'd man, that he should fill the space. E'en poisons praise thee. Should a thing be lost 1 Should creatures want, for want of heed, their due? Since where are poisons, antidotes are moat; The help stands close, and keeps the fear in view. The sea, which seems to stop the traveller, Is by a ship the speedier passage made. The winds, who think they rule the mariner, Are ruled by him, and taught to serve his trade. And as thy house is full, so I adore Thy curious art in marshalling thy goods. The hills with health abound, the vales with store; . The South with marble; North with furs and woods. D;g;';2Od by Coogle THE CHUlLCH. 121 Hard things are glorious; easy things good cheap; The common all men have; that which is rare, Men therefore seek to have, and care to keep. The healthy frosts with summer-fruita compare. Light without wind is glass: warm without weight Is wool and furs: cool without closeness, shade: Speed without pains, a horse: tall without height A servile hawk: low without loss, a spade. All countries have enough to serve their need : If they seek fine things, thou dost make them run For their offence; and then dost turn their speed To be commerce and trade from sun to sun. Nothingwearsclothea, but Man; nothing doth need But he to wear them. Nothing ueeth fire, But Man alone, to ahow his heavenly breed: And only he hath fuel in desire. When the earth was dry, thou madeat a sea of wet: When that lay gather'd, thou didst broach the mounWhen yet some places could no moisture get, [tains: The winds grew gardeners, and the clouds good foun- [tains. Rain, do not hurt my flowers; but gently spend Your honey drops: press not to smell them here; When they are ripe, their odour will ascend, And at your lodging with their thanks appear. How harsh are thorns to pears! and yet they make A better hedge, and need less reparation. How smooth are silka, compared with a stake, Or with a stone! yet make no good foundation. D;g;';2Od by Coogle )22 THE CHURCH. Sometimes thou dost divide thy gifts to man, Sometimes unite. The Indian nut alone Is clothing, meat and trencher, drink and can, Boat, cable, sail and needle, all in one. Most herbs that grow in brooks, are hot and dry.' Cold fruit's warm kernels help against the wind. The lemon's juice and rind ~ure mutually. The whey of milk doth loose, the milk doth bind. Thy creatures leap not, but express a feast, Where all the guests sit close, and nothing wants. Frogs marry fish and flesh; bats, bird and beast: Sponges, nonsense and sense; mines, the earth and [plants. To show thou art not bound, as if thy lot Were worse than ours,sometimes thou shiftest hands. Most things move the under jaw; the Crocodile not. Mostthings sleep lying, the EIephantIeans or stands. But who hath praise enough 1 nay, who hath any ? None can express thy works, but he that knows them; And none can know thy works, which are 80 many, And so complete, but only he that owes them. All things that are, though they have several ways, Yet in their being join with one advice To honour thee: and so I give thee praise In all my other hymns, but in this twice. Each thing that is,' although in use and name It go for one, hath many ways in store To honour thee; and so eacb hymn thy fame Extolleth many ways, yet this one more. D;g;';2Od by Coogle THE CHURCH. XCIII. HOPE. I GAVE to hope a watch of mine: but he An anchor gave to me. Then an old prayer-book I did present: And he an optic sent. With that I gave a phial full of tears : But he a few green ears. Ah, Loiterer! I'll no more, no ,more I'll bring: I did expect a ring. XCIV. SINS ROUND. SoRRY I am, my God, sorry I am, That my offences course it in a ring. My thoughts are working like a busy flame, Until their cockatrice they hatch and bring: 123 And when they once have perfected their draughts, My words take fire from my enftamed thoughts. My words take fire from my enflamed thoughts, Which spit it forth like the Sicilian hill. They vent the wares, and pass them with their faults, And by their breathing ventilate the ill. But words suffice not, where are lewd intentions: My hands do join to finish the inventions: ~y hands do join to finish the inventions: And so my sins ascend three stories high, D;g;';2Od by Coogle 124 THE CHURCH. As Babel grew, before there were di88entioDB. Yet ill deeds loiter not: for they supply New thoughts of sinning; wherefore, to my shame, Sorry I am, my God, sorry I am. XCV. TIME. MEETING with Time, slack thing, said I, Thy scythe is dull; whet it for shame. No marvel Sir, he did reply, If it at length deserve some blame : But where one man would have me grind it, Twenty for one too sharp do find it. Perhaps some such of old did pa88, Wbo above all things loved this life; To whom thy scythe a hatchet was, Which now is but a pruning-knife. Christ's COining hath made man thy debtor, Since by thy cutting he gt'ows better. And in his blessing thou art blest: For where thou only wert before An executioner at best, Thou art a gardener now, and more. An usher to convey our souls Beyond the utmost stars and poles. And this is that makes life so long, While it detains us from our God. E'en pleasures here increase the wrong: D;g;';2Od by Coogle THE CHURCH. 125 And length of days lengthen the rod. Who wants the place, where God doth dwell, Partakes already half of hell. Of what strange length must that needs be, Which e'en eternity excludes! Thus far Time heard me patiently: Then chafing said, This man deludes: What do I here before his door? He doth not crave less time, but more. XCVI. GRATEFULNESS. Tnou that haat given 80 much to me, Give one thing more, a grateful heart. S~e how thy beggar works on thee By art. He makes thy gifts occaaion more, And says, If he in this be crost, All thou baat given him heretofore Is lost. But thou didst reckon, when at first Thy word our hearts and hands did crave, What it would come to at the worst To save. Perpetual knockings at thy door, Tears sullying thy transparent rooms, Gift upon gift; mueh would have more, And comes. D;g;';2Od by Coogle 126 THE CHURCH. This notwithstanding, thou went'st on, And didst allow us all-our noise : Nay thou hast made a sigh and groan Thy joys. Not that thou hast not still above Much better tunes, than groans can make; But that these country-airs thy love Did take. Wherefore I cry, and cry again; And in no quiet canat thou be, Till I a thankful heart obtain Of thee: Not thankful, when it pleaseth me; As if thy blessings had spare days: But such a heart, whose pulse may be Thy praise. XCVII. PEACE. SWEET Peace, where dost thou dwell? I humbly Let me once know . [crave, I BOught thee in a secret caM, And ask'd, if Peace were there. A hollow wind did seem to answer, No: Go seek elsewhere. 1 did; and going did a rainbow note: Surely, thought I, This is the lace of Peace's coat: D;g;';2Od by Coogle THE CHURCH. I will search out the matter. But while I look'd, the clouds immediately Did break and scatter. Then went I to a garden, and did spy A gallant flower, The croWD Imperial: Sure, said I, Peace at the root must dwell. But when I digg'd, I saw a worm devour What show'd so well. At length I met a reverend good old man : Whom when for Peace I did demand, he thus began; Tbere was a Prince of old At Salem dwelt, who lived with good increase Of flock and fold. He sweetly lived; yet sweetness did not save His life from foes. But after death out of his grave There sprang twelve stalks of wheat: Which many wondering at, got some of those To plant and set. It prosper'd strangely, and did soon disperse Through all the earth: For they that taste it do rehearse, That virtue lies therein; A secret virtue, bringing peace and mirth By flight of sin. Take of this grain, which in my garden grows, And grows for you; 127 D;g;';2Od by Coogle 128 THE CHURCH. Make bread of it: and that repose And peace, which every where With 80 much eameatneu you do pursue la only there. XCVIII. CONFESSION. o WHAT a cunning gueat Is this aame grief! within my heart I made Closets; and in them many a cheat; And like a master in my trade, In those cheats, boxea; in each box, a till : Yet grief knowa all, and enters when he will. No screw, no piercer can Into a piece of timber work and wind, As God's afBictions into man, When he a torture hath design'd. They are too subtle for the subtlest hearts; And fall, like rheums, upon the tenderest parts, Weare the earth; and they, Like molea within us, heave, and cast about: And till they foot and clutch their prey, They never cool, much less give out. No amith can make such locka, but they have keys: Closets al'e halls to them; and hearts, highways. Only an open breast Doth ahut them out, so tbat they cannot enter; Or, if they enter, cannot rest, D;g;';2Od by Coogle THB CHURCH. 129 But quickly seek some new adventure. Smooth open hearts no fastening have; but fiction Doth give a hold and handle to aftliction. Wherefore my faults and sins, Lord, I acknowledge; take thy plagues away: For since confession pardon wins, I challenge here the brightest day, The clearest diamond: let them do their best, They shall be thick and cloudy to my breast. XCIX. GIDDINESS. OB, what a thing is man! how far from power, From settled peace and rest! He is some twenty several men at least Each several hour. One while he counts of heaven, as of his treasure : But then a thought creeps in, And calls him coward, who for fear of sin Will lose a pleasure. Now he will fight it out, and to the wars; Now eat his bread in peace, And snudge in quiet: now he scorns increase; Now all day spares. He builds a house, which quickly down must go, As if a whirlwind blew And crush'd the building: and 'tis partly true, His mind is so. K D;g;';2Od by Coogle 130 THE CHURCH, o what a sight were Man, if his attires Did alter with his mind; And, like a Dolphin's skin, his clothes combined With his desires! Surely if each one saw another's heart, There would no commerce, No sale or bargain pass: all would disperse, live apart, Lord, mend rather make us: one creation not lIuffice our Except thou make us daily, we shall spuTn Our own salvation. C. THE BUNCH OF GRAPES. JOY, I did lock thee up: but some bad man Hath thee out again And now, methinks, l am where I began Seven years ago one vogue and One air of thoughts usurps my brain. did towards Canaan draw: but now I am Brought back to the Red Sea, the sea of shame. For the Jews of old by God's command Travell'd, and saw no town; 80 now each Christian hath his spann'd Th~ir story pens and sets us down. A deed is small renown. God's works are wide, and let in future times; His ancient justice overflows our crimell. Digiti zIe THE CHURCH. 131 Then have we too our guardian fires and clouds ; Our Scriptnre-dew fast: Vf e have our sands and serpents, tents and shrouds; Alas! our murmurings come not last. But where's the cluster 1 where's the taste Of mine inheritance? Lord. if I must borrow, Let me as well take up their joy, sorrow, But can want the grape, who hath the wine 1 have their fruit and more. Blessed be God, who prosper'd Noah's made it bring forth grapes store. But much more him 1 must adore, Who of law's sour juice sweet wine make, E'en God himself, being preSlled for my sake. CL LOVE UNKNOWN. DEAR friend, sit down, the tale is long and lad: And in faintings presume your love Will more comply, than help. A Lord 1 had, And have, of whom some grounds, which may I hold for two lives, and both lives in me. [prove, To him dish of fruit one day, And in the middle placed my heart. But he (I sigh to say) Loek'd on servant, who did know his eye Better than you know me, or (which is one) Than I myself. The servant inat"",>!" Quitting the fruit, seized on my heart alone, And threw it in font, wherein did fall Jitized 132 THE CHURCH. A stream of blood, which issued from the side Of a great rock: I welll'emember all, And have good cause: there it was dipt and dyed, And wash'd, and wrung: the very wringing yet Enforceth tears. Your heart was foul, I fear. Indeed 'tis true. I did and do commit Many a fault more than my lease will bear; Yet still ask'd pardon, and was not denied. But you shall hear. After my heart was well, And clean and fair, as lone even-tide (I sigh to tell) Walk'd by myself abroad, I saw a large And spacious furnace flaming, and thereon A boiling caldron, round about whose verge Was in great letters set AFFLlCTl~N. The greatness show'd the owner. So I went To fetch a sacrifice out of my fold, Thinking with that, which I did thus present, To warm his love, which I did fear grew cold. But as my heart did tender it, the man Who was to take it from me, slipt his hand, And threw my heart into the scalding pan; My heart that brought it (do you understand 1) The offerer's heart. Your heart was hal'd, I fear. Indeed 'tis true. I found a callous matter Began to spread and to expatiate there: But with a richer drug, than scalding water, I bathed it often, e'en with holy blood, Which at a board, ~hi1e many drank bare wine, A friend did steal into my cup for good, E'en taken inwardly, and most divine To supple hardnesses. But at the length Out of the caldron getting, soon I fled Unto my house, where to repair the strength THE CHURCH. 133 Which I had lost, I hasted to my bed : But when I thought to sleep out all these faults, (I sigh to speak) I found that some had stuft"d the bed with thoughts, I would say thorns. Dear, could my heart not break, When with my pleasures e'en my rest was gone? Full well I understood, who had been there: For I had given the key to none, but one: It must be he. Your heart was dull, I fear. Indeed a slack and sleepy state of mind Did oft possess me, so that when I pray'd, Though my lips went, my heart did stay behind. But all my scores were by another paid, Who took the debt upon him. Truly, Friend, For ought I hear, your Master shows to you More favour than you wot of. Mark the end. The Font did only, what was old, renew: The Caldron suppled, what was grown too hard: The Thorns did quicken, what was grown too dull : All did but strive to mend, what you had marr'd. Wherefore be cheer'd, and praise him to the full Each day, each hour, each moment of th~ week, Who fain would have you be, new, tender, quick. CII. MAN'S MEDLEY. HAB.K, bow the biras do sing, And woods do ring. All creatures have their joy, and man bath his. Yet if we rightly measure, Man's joy and pleasure Rather hereafter, than in present, is. D;g;';2Od by Coogle ]34 THE CHURCH. To this life things of sense Make their pretence: In the other Angels have a right by birth : Man ties them both alone, And makes them one, [earth. With the one hand touching heaven, with the other In soul he mounts and Hies, In Hesh he dies. He wears a stuff whose thread is coarse and round, But trimm'd with curious lace, And should take place After the trimming, not the stuff and ground. Not, that he may not here Taste of the cheer: But as birds drink, and straight lift up their head : So must he sip, and think Of better drink He may attain to, after he is dead. But as his joys are double, So is his trouble. He hath two winters, other things but one : Both frosts and thoughts do nip, And bite his lip ; And he of all things fears two deaths alone. Yet even the greatest griefs . May be reliefs, Could he but take them right, and in their ways. Happy is he, whose heart Hath found the art To tum his double pains to double praise .. D;g;';2Od by Coogle THE CHURCH. CIll. THE STORM. IF as the winds and waters here below Do fly and flow, My sighs and team as busy were above; Sure they would move And much affect thee, as tempestuous times Amaze poor mortals, and object their crimes. Stars have their storms, e'en in a high degree, As well as we. A throbbing conscience spurred by remol'8e Hath a strange force: 136 It quits the earth, and mounting more and more, Dares to assault thee, and besiege thy door. There it stands knocking, to thy music's wrong, And drowns the BOng. Glory and honour are set by till it An answer get. Poets have wrong'd pooratorms: such days are beat; They purge the air without, within the breast. CIV. PARADISE. I BLESS thee, Lord, because I GROW Among thy trees, which in a ROW To thee both fruit aDd order ow. D;g;';2Od by Coogle THE CHURCH. What open force, or hidden CHARM Can blast my or bring me HARM, While the inclosure is thine ARM? Inclose still for fear START. Be to me rather sharp and TART, Than let me want thy hand and ART. When thou dost greater judgments SPARE, And with thy knife but prune and PARE, E'en fruitful trees more fruitful ARE. Such sharpness shows the sweetest FRIEND Such cuttings rather heal than REND: And such beginnings touch their END. cv. THE METHOD. POOR heart, lament. For since God refuseth still, There is some rub, some discontent, Which cools his wilt Thy Father could Quickly effect, what thou d08t move; For he is Power and sure he would For he is Love. Go search this thing, Tumble thy and turn thy book : If thou hadst lost a glove or ring, W ouldst thou not look? gitize \,.J\' 31\: THE CHURCH. What do I see Written above there 1 Yesterday I did behave me carelessly, When Idid pray. And should God's ear To such indift'erents chained be, Who do not their own motioQB hear? Is God less free 1 But stay! what's there ? Late when I would have something done, I had a motion to forbear, Yet I went on. And should God's ear, Which needs not man, be tied to those Who hear not him, but quickly hear His utter foes 1- Then once more pray: Down with thy knees, up with thy voice : Seek pardon first, and God will say, Glad heart, rejoice. CVI. DIVINITY. 137 As men, for fear the stars should sleep and nod, And trip at night, have, spheres supplied; As if a star were duller than a clod, Which knows his way without a guide: D;g;';2Od by Coogle 138 THE CHURCH • . Just SO the other heaven they also serve, Divinity's transcendent sky: Which with the edge of wit they cut and carve. Reason triumphs, and faith lies by. Could not that wisdom, which first broach'd the wine, Have thicken'd it with definitions? And jagg'd his seamless coat, had that been fine, With curious questions and divisions? But all the doctrine, which he taught and gave, Was clear as heaven, from whence it came. At least those beams of truth, which only save, Surpass in brightness any flame. Love God, and love your neighbour. Watch and Do as you would be done unto. [pray. o dark instructions, e'en as dark as day! Who can these Gordian knots undo? But he doth bid us take his blood for wine. Bid what he please; yet I am sure, To take and taste what he doth there design. Is all that saves, and not obscure. Then bum thy Epicycles, foolish man; Break all thy spheres, and save thy head; Faith needs no staff of flesh, but stoutly can To Heaven alone both go, and lead. D;g;';2Od by Coogle THE CHURCH. eVIl. EPHES. IV. 30. GRIEVE NOT THE HOLY SPIRIT, ETC. AND art thou grieved, sweet and sacred Dove, When I am sour, And Cf088 thy love? 139 Grieved for me? the God of strengtb and power Grieved for a worm, which when I tread, I pass away and leave it dead ? Then weep, mine eyes, the God of love doth grieve: Weep foolish heart, And weeping live; For death is dry as dust. Yet if ye part, .End as the night, whose sable hue Your sins express; melt into dew. When saucy mirth shall knock or call at door, Cry out, Get hence, Or cry no more. Almighty God doth grieve, he puts on sense: I sin not to my grief alone, But to my God's too; he doth groan. Oh take tby lute, and tune it to a strain, Which may with thee All day complain. There can no discord but in ceasing be. Marbles can weep; and surely strings More bowels bave, than such hard things. D;g;';2Od by Coogle 140 THE CHURCH. Lord, I adjudge myself to tears and grief, E'en endless tears Without relief. If a clear spring for- me no time forbears, But runs, although I be not dry ; I am no Crystal, what shall I 1 Yet if! wail not still, since still to wail Nature denies; And flesh would fail, If my deserts were masters of mine eyes: Lord, pardon, for tby son makes good My want of tears with store of blood. CVIII. THE FAMILY. WHAT doth this noise of thoughts witbinmy heart, As if they !ad a part ? What do these loud complaints and pulling fears, As if there were no rule or ears ? But, Lord, the house and family are thine, 'l'hough some of them repine. Tum out these wranglers, which defile thy seat: For where thou dwellest all is neat. First Peace and Silence all disputes control, Then Order plays the soul ; And giving all tbings tbeir set forms and hours, Makes of wild woods sweet walks and bowers. D;g;';2Od by Coogle THE CHURCH. Humble Obedience near the door doth stand, Expecting a command: 141 Than whom in waiting nothing seems more slow, Nothing more quick when she doth go. Joys oft are there, and griefs as oft as joys; But griefs without a noise: Yet speak they louder, than distemper'd fears: What is so shrill as silent tears ? This is thy house, with these it doth abound: And where these are not found, Perhaps thou comest sometimes, and for a day; But not to make a constant stay. CIX. 'rHE SIZE. CONTENT thee, greedy heart. Modest and moderate joys to those, that have Title to more hereafter when they part, Are passing brave. Let the upper springs into the low Descend and fall, and thou dost flow. What though some have a fraught Of cloves and nutmegs, and in cinnamon sail ? If thou .hast wherewithal to spice a draught, When griefs prevail, And for the future time art heir To the Isle of spices, Is't not fair? D;g;';2Od by Coogle 142 THE CIlURCH. To be in both worlds full Is more than God was, who was hungry here. W ouldst thou his laws of fasting disannul? Enact good cheer? Layout thy joy, yet hope to save it ? W ouldst thou both eat thy cake, and have it? Great joys are all at once; But little do reserve themselves for more: Those have their hopes; these what they have re- And live on score : [ nounce, Those are at home; these journey still, And meet the rest on Sion's hill. Thy Saviour sentenced joy, And in the :flesh condemn'd it as unfit, At least in lump:. for such doth oft destroy; Whereas a bit Doth 'tice us on to hopes of more, And for the present health restore. A Christian's state and case Is not a corpulent, but a thin and spare, Yet active strength: whose long and bony face Content and care Do seem to equally divide, Like a pretender, not a bride. Wherefore sit down, good heart; Grasp not at much, for fear thou losest all. I{ co~orts fell according to desert, They would great frosts and snows destroy: For we should count, Since the last joy. D;g;';2Od by Coogle THE CHURCH. 143 Then close again seam, Which thou hast open'd; do not spread thy robe In of things. Call mind thy dream, An earthly globe, On whose meridian was engraven, These seas are tears, and heaven the haven. ex. ARTILLERY. As lone evening sat before my cell, Methought star did shoot into my I rose, and shook my clothes, as knowing well, That from small fires comes oft no small mishap: When suddenly I heard one say, Do as thou WIest, disobey, Expel good motions from Which have the face of fire, but end in rest. I, who had heard of music in the spheres, But of speech to muse: But turning to my God, whose ministers The stars all things are; If I refuse, Dread Lord, said I, oft my Then I refuse not e'en with blood wash away my stubborn thought: For I will do, or suffer what I ought. But I have also stars and shooters too, Bom where servants both artilleries use. My tears and prayers night and day do woo, And work to thee; thou dost refuse. Digiti zIe 144 THE CHURCH. Not but 1 am (I must say still) Much more obliged to do thy will, Than thou to grant mine: but because Thy promise now hath e'en set thee thy laws. Then we are shootel'lJ both, and thou dost deign To enter combat with us, and contest With thine own clay. But I would parley fain: Shun not my arrows, and behold my breast. Yet if thou shunnest, I am thine: I must be so, if I am mine. There is no articling with thee : I am but finite, yet thine infinitely. CXI. CHURCH-RENTS AND SCHISMS. BRAVE rose, (alas!) where art thou? in the chair, Where thou didst lately so triumph and shine, A worm doth sit, whose many feet and hair Are the more fonl, the more thou wert divine. This, this hath done it, this did bite the root And bottom of the leaves: which when the wind Did once perceive, it blew them under foot, Where rude unhallow'd steps do crush and grind Their beauteous glories. Only shreds of thee, And those all bitten, in thy chair I see. Why doth my Mother blush? is she the rose, And shows it so? Indeed Christ's precious blood Gave you a colour once; which when your foes Thought to let out, the bleeding did you good, D;g;';2Od by Coogle THE CHURCH. And made you look much fresher than before. But when debates and fretting jealousies 145 Did worm and work within you more and more, Your colour faded, and calamities Turned your ruddy into pale and bleak : Your health and beauty both began to break. Then did your several parts unloose and start: Which when your neighbours saw, like a north wind They rushed in, and cast them in the dirt Where Pagans tread. 0 Mother dear and kind, Where shall I get me eyes enough to weep, As many eyes as stars? since it is night, And much of Asia and Europe fast asleep, And e'en all Africk; would at least I might With these two poor ones lick up all the dew, Which falls by night, and pour it out for you ! CXII. JUSTICE. o DREADFUL justice, what a fright and terror Wast thou of old, When sin and error Did show and shape thy looks to me, And through their glass discolour thee ! He that did but look up, was proud and bold. The dishes of thy balance seem'd to gape, Like two great pits; The beam and scape L D;g;';2Od by Coogle 146 THE CHURCH. Did like some tottering eugine show: Thy hand above did bum and glow1 Daunting the stoutest hearts, the proudest wits. But now that Christ's p1ln\ veil presents the sight, I Bee DO fe&l'8 : Thy hand is white, Thy BcalEl8 like buckets, which attend And interchangeably deBCeDd, Lifting to heaven from this well of t('lars. For where before thou still didst calIon me, Now I still touch And harp on thee. God's promises have made thee mine: Why 8hould I justice now decline? Against me there is none, but for me much. CXIII. THE PILGRIMAGE. I TRAVELL'D on, seeing the. hill, where lay My expectation. A long it was and weary way. The gloomy cave of Desperation I left on the one, and on the other side The rock of Pride. And so I came to fancy's meadow strow'd With many a flower: Fain would I here have made abode, But I was quicken'd by my hour. D;g;';2Od by Coogle THE CHURCH. 147 So to care's copse I came, and there got through With much ado. That led me to the wild of passion; which Some call the world; A wasted place, but sometimes rich. Here I was robb'd of all my gold, Save one good Angel, which a friend had tied Close to my side. At length I got unto the gladsome hill, Where lay my hope, Where lay my heart; and climbing still, When I had gain'd the brow and top, A lake of brackish waters on the ground Was all I found. With that abash'd and struck with many a sting Of swarming fears, I fell, and cried, Alas, my King; Can both tbe way and end be tears ? Yet taking heart I rose, and then perceived I was deceived: My hill was further.: so I flung away, Yet heard a cry Just as I went, None goes that way And lives: If that be all, said I, After so foul a journey death is fair, And but a chair. D;g;';2Od by Coogle 148 THE CHURCH. CXIV. THE HOLD·FAST. I THREATEN'O to observe the strict decree Of my dear God with all my power and might: But I was told by one, it could not be ; Yet I might trust in God to be my light. Then will I trust, said I, in him alone. Nay, e'en to trust in him, was also his: We must confess, that nothing is our own. Then I confess that he my succour is : But to have nought is ours, not to confess That we have nought. I stood amazed at this, Much troubled, till I heard a friend express, That all things were more ours by being his. What Adam had, and forfeited for all, Christ keepeth now, who cannot fail or fall. CXV. COMPLAINING. Do not beguile my heart, Because thou art My power and wisdom. Put me not to shame, Because I am Thy clay that weeps, thy dust that calls. THE CHURCH. Thou art the Lord of glory; The deed and story Are both thy due: but I a silly fly, That live or die, According as the weather falls. Art thou all justice, Lord ? Shows not thy word More attributes? Am I all throat or eye, To weep or cry? Have I DO parts but those of grief? Let not thy wrathful power Affiict my hour, My inch of life: or let thy gracious power Contract my hour, That I may climb and find relief. CXVI. THE DISCHARGE. 149 Busy enquiring heart, what wouldst thou know? Why dost thou pry, And turn, and leer, and with a licorous eye Look high and low; And in thy lookings stretch and grow? Hast thou not made thy counts, and summ'd up all? Did not thy heart Give up the whole, and with the whole depart ? Let what will fall: That which is past who can recall? D;g;';2Od by Coogle 150 THE CHURCH. Thy life is God's, thy time to come is gone, And is his right. He is thy night at noon: he is at night Thy noon alone. The crop is his, for he hath sown. And well it was for thee, when this befell, That God did make Thy business his, ~nd in thy life partake: For thou canst tell, If it be his once, all is well. Only the present is thy part and fee. And happy thou, If, though thou didst not beat thy future brow, Thou couldst well see What present things required of thee. They ask enough; why shouldst thou further go ? Raise not the mud Of future depths, but drink the clear and good. Dig not for woe In times to come; for it will grow. Man and the present fit: if he provide, He breaks the square. This hour is mine: if for the next I care, I grow too wide, And do encroach upen death's side: For death each hour environs and surrounds • . He that would know And care for future chances, cannot go Unto those grounds, But thro' a churchyard which them bounds. D;g;';2Od by Coogle THE CHURCH. present shrink and die: thoughts and future grief, remove But it extend, And clraw the bettom out an end. 151 chains the night: wilt the chain, wake thy sorrow Wilt thou forestall it, and now grieve to-morrow, And then again Grieve over freshly all thy pain? grief will come: or if Do forecast: And while it cometh, it is almost past. Away distrust: My God hath promised; he is just. CXVII. PRAISE. KING of And that King of peace, will love may never 1 will mov/;! thee. Thou hast granted my request, Thou hast me: Thou didst my working breast, Thou hast me. Wherefore with my utmost art I will sing thee, .152 THE CHURCH; And the cream of all my heart I will bring thee. Though my sins against me cried, Thou dielst clear me ; And alone, when they replied, . Thou didst hear me. Seven whole days, not one in seven, I will praise thee. In my heart, though not in Heaven, I can raise thee. Thou grew'st soft and moist with tears, ThOq relentedst: And when Justice calJ'd for fears, Thou dissentedst. Small it is, in this poor sort To enrol thee: E'en eternity is too short To extol thee • . CXVIII. AN OFFERING. COME, bring thy gift. If blessings were as slow As men's returns; what would become of fools? What hast thou there? a heart? but is it pure? Search well and see; for hearts have many holes. Yet one pure heart is nothing to bestow: In Christ two natures met to be thy cure. D;g;t;zed by Coogle CHURCH. o that within had propagation, Since many challenge many hearts Yet one, if good, may title to a number; And single things grow fruitful by deserts. In public judgments one may be a nation, And fence a plague, while others sleep and slumber. But all I fear is, lest thy heart displease, As neither :so oft divisions Thy lusts not thy lusts alone Thy passions their set partitions, These parcel : recover these, And thou many gifts in one. There is a balsam, or indeed a blood, [close Dropping from heaven, which doth both cleanse and All sorts of wounds; of such strange force it is. Seek out this All-heal, and seek no repose, Until thou find, and use it to thy good: Then bring let thy hymn be my sadness gladness, convert, accept What thou hast kept, As thy due desert. Had I many, Had I any, (For this heart is none) were thine none of mine, alone. 154 THB CHuaal. Yet thy favour May give savour To this poor oblation; And it raise To be thy praise, And be my salvation. CXIX. LONGING. WITH sick and famish'd eyes, With doubling knees and weary bones, To thee my cries, To thee my groans, To thee my sighs, my tears ascend: No end? My throat, my soul is hoarse ; My heart is wither'd like a ground Which thou dost curse. My thoughts tum round, And make me giddy; Lord, I fall, Yet call. From thee all pity Hows. Mothers are kind, because thou art, And dost dispose To them a part : Their infants, them; and ~ey suck thee More free. D;g;';2Od by Coogle THE CHURCH. Bowels of pity, bear ! Lord of my 8Oul, love of my mind, Bow down thine ear! Let not the wind Scatter my worda, and in the same Thy name! Look on my sorrows round I Mark well my furnace I 0 what flames, What heats abound! What griefs, wbat shames! Consider, Lord; Lord, bow thine ear, And hear! Lord Jesu, thou didst bow Thy dying head upon the tree: o be not now More dead to me ! Lord, hear! Shall be that made the ear Not hear? Behold, thy dust doth stir; It moves, it creeps, it aims at thee : Wilt thou defer To succour me, Thy pile of dust, wberein each crumb Says, Come? To thee belp appertains. Hast thou left all things to their course, And laid the reins Upon the horse? Is alllock'd? hath a siDDer's plea No key? 155 D;g;t;zedby GoogIe 156 THE CHURCH. Indeed the world's thy book, Where all things have their leaf 88sign'd: Yet a meek look Hath interlined. Thy board is full, yet humble guests Find nests. Thou tarriest, while I die, And fall to nothing: thou dost reign, And rule on high, While I remain In bitter grief: yet am I styled Thy child. Lord, didst thou leave thy throne, Not to relieve? how can it be, That thou art grown Thus hard to me ? Were sin alive, good cause there were To bear. But now both sin is dead, And all thy promises live and bide. That wants his head; These speak and chide, And in thy bosom pour my tears, As theirs. . Lord JESu, hear my heart, Which hath been broken now so long, That every part Hath got a tongue I Thy beggars grow; rid them away To-day. D;g;';2Od by Coogle THE CHURCH. My love, my sweetness, hear! By these thy feet, at which my heart Lies all the year, Pluck out thy dart, And heal my troubled breast which cries, Which dies. CXX. THE BAG. A WAY despair; my gracious Lord doth hear, Though winds and waves assault my keel, He doth preserve it: he doth steer, E'en when the boat seems most to reel. Storms are the triumph of his art: Well may he close his eyes, but not his heart. 157 Hast thou not h"eard, that my Lord JEsus died? Then let me tell thee a strange story. The God of power, as he did ride In his majestic robes of glory, Resolved to light; and so one day fie did descend, undressing all the way. The atars his tire of light and rings obtain'd, The cloud his bow, the fire his spear, The sky his azure mantle gain'd. And when they' ask'd, what he would wear; He smiled, and said as he did go, He had new clothes a making here ~low. When he was come, as travellers are wont, He did repair unto an inn. D;g;';2Od by Coogle 158 THE CHURCH. Both then and after, many a brunt He did endure to cancel sin : given the rest up his life to pay returning, there upon him with a came hither all Bringing nor man, nor arms, nor fear, Received the blow upon his side, And straight he turn'd, and to his brethren cried, If ye have anything to send or write, (I have no bag, but here is room) father's hands and me) it shall safely mind, what you put it very near Or if hereafter any of my friends Will use me in this kind, the door Shall still be open; what he sends I will present, and somewhat more, Not to his burt. Sighs will convey Anything to me. Hark despair, away. CXXI. THE JEWS. nation, whose sweet Our cyons have purloin'd, and left you dry : Whose streams we got by the Apostles' sluice, And use in baptism, while ye pine and die: Digiti Tmr. CHURCH. 'Vho by not keeping once, became a debtor; And DOW by keeping 10118 the letter: Oh that my prayers' mine, alas ! Oh that some Angel might a trumpet lOund: 159 At which the Chureh falling upon her face Should cry 80 loud, until the trump were drown'd, And by that cry of her dear Lord obtain, That your sweet sap might come again! CXXII. THE COLLAR. I STRUCK the board, and cried, No more; I will abroad. What? shall I ever sigh and pine? My lines and life are free; free as the read, Loose as the wind, as large as store, Shall I be still in suit 1 Have I no harvest but a thorn To let me blood, and not restore What I have lost with cordial fruit? Sure there was wine, Before my sighs did dry it: there was corn, Before my tears did drown it. Is the year only lost to me ? Have I no bays to crown it ? No flowers, no garlands gay? all blasted? All wasted? Not so, my heart: but there is fruit, And thou hast hands. Recover all thy sigh-blown ;age D;g;';2Od by Coogle 160 THE CHURClI. On double pleasures: leave thy cold dispute Of what is fit, and not forsake thy cage, Thy rope of sands, Which petty thoughts have made, and made to thee Good cable, to enforce and draw, And be thy law, While thou didst wink and wouldst not see. Away; take heed: I will abroad. Call in thy death's-head there: tie up thy fears. He that forbears To suit and serve his need, Deserves his load. But as I raved and grew more fierce and wild At every word, Methought I heard one calling, Child: And I replied, My Lord. CXXIII. THE GLIMPSE. W lIlTlIER away delight? Thou camest but now; wilt thou so soon depart. And give me up to night? For many weeks of lingering pain and smart But one half hour of comfort for my heart ? Methinks delight should have More skill in music, and keep better time. Wert thou a wind or wave, They quickly go and come with lesser crime: Flowers look about, and die not in their prime. D;g;';2Od by Coogle THE CHURCH. Thy short abode and stay Feeds not, but adds to the desire of meat. Lime begg'd of old (they say) 161 A neighbour spring to cool his inward heat; Which by the spring's access grew much more great. In hope of tbee my heart Pick'd here and there a crumb, and would not die; ·But constant to his part, When as my fears foretold this, did reply, A slender thread a gentle guest will tie. Yet if the heart that wept Must let thee go, return when it doth knock. Although thy heap be kept For future times, the droppings of the stock May oft break forth, -and never break the lock. If I have more to spin, The wheel shall go, so that thy stay be short. Thou know'st how grief and sin Disturb tbe work. 0 make me not their sport, W.ho by thy coming may be made a court! CXXIV. ASSURANCE. o SPITEFUL bitter thought! Bitterly spiteful thought! Couldst thou invent So high a torture? Is such poison bought? Doubtless, but in the way of punishment, When wit contrives to meet with thee, No such rank poison can there be. M D;g;';2Od by Coogle 162 THE CHURCH. Thou said'st but even now, That all was not 80 fair, as I conceived, Betwixt my God and me; that I allow And coin large hopes; but, that I was deceived: Either the league was broke, or near that I had great cause to fear it. And what this? What more Could poison, if it had a tongue, express? What is thy aim W ouldst thou unlock the door To cold despairs, and gnawing pensiveness? Wouldst thou raise devils? I see, I know, I writ thy purpose long ago. But I will to my Father, Who beard thee lIay most gracious Lord, If all the hope and comfort that I gather, Were from myself, had not half Not half a letter to oppose What is objected by my foes. But thou art my desert : And in this league, which now my foes invade, Thou not only to perform part, But also mine; as when the league was made, Thou didst at oncethysclf indite, And hold hand, while I did write. Wherefore if thou canst fail, Then can thy truth and I: but while rocks stand, And rivers stir, thou canst not shrink quail: Yea, when both rocks and all things shall disband, Then shalt thou be my rock and tower, And make their ruin praise power. Digiti by l lOt ~ THE CHURCH. 163 Now foolish thought go on, Spin out. thy thread, and make thereof a coat To hide thy shame: for thou hast cast a bon~, Which bounds on thee, and will not down thy throat. What for itself love once began, Now love and truth will end in man. CXXV. THE CALL. COME, my Way, my Truth, my Life: Such aWay, as gives us breath: Such a Truth, as ends all strife: Such a Life, as killeth death. Come, my Light, my Feast, my Strength : Such a Light, as shows a feast: Such a Feast, as mends in length: S~ch a Strength, as makes his guest . . Come, my Joy, my Love, my Heart: Such a Joy, as· none can move: Such a Love, as none can part : Such a Heart, as joys in love. CXXVI. CLASPING OF HANDS. LoRD, thou art mine, and I am thine, If mine I am: and thine much more, Than I or ought, or can be mine. Yet to be thine, doth me restol'e; 164 THE CHURCH. SO that again I now am mine, And with advantage mine the more. Since this being mine, brings with it 1hiDe, And thou with me dost thee restore. If I without thee would be mine, I neither should be mine nor thine. Lord, I am thine, and thou art mine: So mine thou art, that something more I may presume thee mine, than thine. For thou didst suffer to restore Not thee, but me, and to be mine: And with advantage mine the more, Since thou in death wast none of thine, Yet then as mine didst me restore. o be mine still! still make me thine; Or rather make no Thine and Mine! CXXVII. PRAISE. LOIm, I will mean and speak thy praise, Thy praise alone. My busy heart shall spin it all my days: And when it stops for want of store, Then will I wring it with a sigh or groan, That thou mayst yet have more. When thou dost favour any action, It runs, it fiies : All things concur to give it a perfection. That which had bllt two legs before, [rise When tlJou dost bless, hath twelve: one wheel doth To twenty then, or more. D;g;';2Od by Coogle THE CHURCH. But when thou dost on business blow, It hangs, it clogs: Not all the. teams of Albion in a row Can hale or draw it out of door. 166 Legs are but stumps, and Phanaoh's wheels butIogs, And struggling hinders more. Thouaaode of things do thee employ In ruling all This spacious globe: Angels must have their joy, Devils their rod, the sea his shore, The winds their stint: and y.et wh~n I did caU, Thou heard'st my call, and' more. I have not lost one single tear : ,. But when mine eyes Did weep to heaven, they found a bottle 'here (As we have boxes for the poor) Ready to take them in; yet of a size That would contain much more. But after thou hadst slipt a drop From thy right eye (Which there did hang like streamers near the top Of some fair church, to show the sore And bloody battle which thou once didst try) The glass was full and more. Wherefore I sing. Yet since my heart, Though press'd, runs thin; o that I might some other hearts convert, And so take up at use good store: That to thy chests there might be coming in Both all my praise, and more! D;g;';2Od by Coogle 166 THE CHURCH • • CXXVln. JOSEPH'S COAT. WOUNDED I sing, tormented I endite, Thrown down I fall into a bed, and rest: Sorrow hath changed its note: such is his will Who changeth all things, as him pleaseth best. For well he knows, if but one grief and smart Among my many had his full career, Sure it would carry-with it e'en my heart, And both would run until they found a bier To fetch the body; both being due to grief. But he hath spoil'd the race: and given to anguish One of Joy's coats, 'ticing it with relief To linger in me, and together languish. I live to show his power, who once did bring My joys to weep, and now my griefs to sing. CXXIX. THE PULLEY. WHEN God at first made man, Having a glass of blessing standing by; Let us (said he) pour on him all we can: Let the world's riches, which dispersed lie, Contract into a span. So strength first made a way ; . Then beauty How'd, then wisdom, honour, pleasure : When almost all was out, God made a stay, Perceiving that alone, of all his treasure, Rest in the bottom lay. D;g;';2Od by Coogle THE CHURCH. For if I should (said he) Bestow this jewel also on my creature, He would adore my gifts instead of me, And rest in Nature, not the God of Nature: So both should losers be. Yet let him keep the rest, But keep them with repining restlessness: Let him be rich and weary, that at least, If goodness lead him not, yet weariness May toss him to my br~ast. CXXX. THE PRIESTHOOD. BLEST order, which in power dost so excel, That with the one hand thou liftest to the sky, And with the other throwest down to bell In thy just cenSures: fain would I draw nigh; Fain put thee on, exchanging my lay-sword For that of the holy word. But thou art fire, sacred and hallow'd fire; And I but earth and clay: should I presume To wear thy habit, the severe attire My slender compositions might consume. I am both foul and brittle, much unfit To deal in holy Writ. Yet Iiave I often seen, by cunning hand 167 And force of fire, what curious things are made Of wretched earth. Where once lscorn'd to stand, D;g;';2Od by Coogle 168 THE CHURCH. That earth is fitted by the fire and trade Of skilful artists, for the boards of those Who make the bravest shows. But since those great ones, be they ne'er so great, Come from the earth, from whence those vessels So that at once both feeder, dish, and meat, [come; Have one beginning and one final sum: I do not greatly wonder at the Bight, If earth in earth delight. But the holy men of God such ve88els are, As serve him up, who all the world commands. When God vouchsafeth to become our fare, Their hands convey him, who conveys their hands : o what pure things, most pure must those things be, Who bring my God to me ! Wherefore I dare not, I, put forth my hand To hold the Ark, although it leem to shake Through the old sins and new doctrines of our land. Only, since God doth often veuels make • Of lowly matter for high uses meet, I throw me at his feet. There will I lie, until my Maker seek For some mean stuff whereon to shew his skill : Then is my time. The distance of the meek Doth flatter power~ Lest good come short of ill In praising might, the poor do by submi88ion What pride by opposition. D;g;';2Od by Coogle THE CHURCH. CXXXI. THE SEARCH. WHITHER, 0, whither art thoufted, My Lord, my Love? My searches are my daily bread; Yet never prove. knees the earth, eyes the And yet the sphere And centre both to me deny That thou art there. Yet can I how herbs Grow green and gay ; As if to meet thee they did know, While I decay. Yet can I how stars Simper As having keys unto thy love, While poor I pine. sent a sigh leek thee out, Deep drawn pain, Wing'd like arrow: but scout Returns in vain. I .turn'd another (having store) Into a Because the was dumb before: But all one. D;g; ogle 170 THE CHURCH. Lord, dost thou some new fabric mould Which favour And keeps thee present, leaving the old Unto their sins ? Where is my God? what hidden place Conceals thee still What covert dare eclipse thy face? Is it ? o let not that of any Let rather brass, Or steel, or mountains be thy ring, And will pass. Thy will such an intrenching As passeth thoug'ht : To it aU strength, all subtilties Are things of nought. Thy will such a strange distance is, As that to it East and the poles do And parallels meet. Since then my grief must be as large As thy space, Thy distance from me; see my charge, Lord, see my case. o take these bars, these lengths, away: Tum, and restore me : Be not Almighty, let me say, Against, but for Digiti zIe THE CHURCH. - When thou dost turn, and wilt be near; What so What point so piercing can appear To come between ? For as absence doth excel All distance known: So doth thy nearness bear the bell, Making two one. ex XXII. GRIEF_ 171 o WHO will give me tears? Come all ye springs, Dwell my head and eyes: come, clouds, and rain: My grief hath need of all the watery things, That nature hath produced. Let every vein Suck up a river to supply mine eyes, My weary weeping eyes too for me, Unless they get new conduits, new supplies, To bear them out, and with state agree. What are two shallow fords, two little spouts Of less world? the greater but small, A narrow cupboard for my griefs and doubts, Which want provision the midst of Verses, ye are too fine a thing, too wise For my sorrows cease, be dumb and mute, Give up your feet and running to mine eyes, And keep your measures for some lover's lute, Whose grief allows him music and a rhyme: For mine excludes both measure, tune, snd time_ Alas, my God! 172 THB CHIHlCm. CXXXIII. THE CR0SS. WHAT is this strange and uncouth thing To make me sigh, and seek, and faint, and die, Until I had some place, where I might sing, And serve thee; and not only I, But all my wealth, and family might combine To set thy honour up, as our design. And then when after much delay, Much wrestling, many a combat, this dear end, So much desired, is given, to take away My power to serve thee: to unbend All my abilities, my designs confound, And lay my threatenings bleeding on the ground. One ague dwelleth in my bont-.8, Another in my soul (the memory What I would do for thee, if once my groaos Could. be allow'd for harmony) I am in all a weak disabled thing, Save in the sight thereof, where strength doth stiag. Besides, things sort not to my will, E'en when my will doth study thy renown: Thou turnest the edge of all things on me still, Taking me up to throw me down: So that, e'en when my hopes seem to be sped, I am to grief alive, to them as dead. To have my aim, and yet to be Farther from it than when I bent my bow ; D;g;';2Od by Coogle THB OHURCH. To make my hopes my torture, and the fee Of all my woes another woe, ls in the midst of delicates to need, And e'en in Paradise to be a weed. 173 Ah, my dear Father, ease my smart I These contrarieties crush me: these cross actions Do wind a rope about, and cut my heart : And yet since these thy contradictions Are properly a CroBB felt by thy Son, With but four words, my words, Thy will be done. CXXXIV. THE FLOWER. How fresh, 0 Lord, how sweet and clean Are thy returns! e'en as the. flowers in spring ; To which, besides their own demean, The late-past frosts tributes of pleasure bring. Grief melts away Like snow in May, As if there were no such cold thing. Who would have thought my shriveI'd heart Could have recover'd greenness? It was gone Quite under ground; as flowers depart To see their mother-root, when they have blown; Where they together All the hard weather, Dead to the world, keep house unknown. D;g;';2Od by Coogle 174 THE CHURCH. These are thy wonders, Lord of power, Killing and quickening, bringing down to hell And up to heaven in an hour; Making a chiming of a passing-bell. We say amiss, This or that is : Thy word is all, if we could spell. o that I once past changing were, Fast in thy Paradise, where no Hower can wither! Many a spring I shoot up fair, Offering at heaven, growing and groaning thither: Nor doth my Hower Want a spring-shower, My sins and I joining together. But while I grow in a straight line, Still upwards bent, as if heaven were mine own, Thy anger comes, and I decline: What frost to that? what pole is not the zone Where all things bum, When thou d08t tum, And the least frown of thine is shown? And now in age I bud again, After so many deaths I live and write; I once more smell the dew and rain, And relish versing: 0 my only light, It cannot be That I am he, On whom thy tempests fell all night. These are thy wonders, Lord of love, To make us see we are but Howers that glide : D;g;';2Od by Coogle THE CHURCH. Which when we once can find and prove, Thou hast a garden for us, where to bide. Who would be more, Swelling through store, Forfeit their Paradise by their pride. CXXXV. DOTAGE. 175 FA LSE glozing pleasures, casks of happiness, Foolish night-fires, women's and children's wishes, Chases in Arras, gilded emptiness, Shadows well mounted, dreams in a career, Embroider'd lies, nothing between two dishes; These are the pleasures here. True earnest sorrows, rooted miseries, Anguish in grain, vexations ripe and blown, Sure-footed griefs, solid calamities, Plain demonstrations, evident and clear, Fetching their proofs e'en from the very bone: These are the sorrows here. But oh the folly of distracted men, Who griefs in earnest, joys in jest pursue: Preferring, like brute beasts, a loathsome den Before a court, e'en that above so clear, Where are no sorrows, but delights more true Than miseries are here! D;g;';2Od by Coogle 176 THE CHURCH. CXXXVI. THE nations of their lanlnllure variety each tongue language, as our mon dress it well, want How neatly do we give one only name To parent's issue and the sun's bright star! A son is light and fruit; a fruitful flame Chasing the father's dimness, carried far From the first man in the East, to fresh and new Western discoveries of posterity. word our Lord's ----__ oO __ J upon him in a sense Christ once in hUlmblenooll1! glory call, The CXXXVII. A TRUE HYMN. My joy, my life, my crown! My heart was meaning all the day, Somewhat it fain would runneth muttering this,My joy, my slight not these few truly said, they may take Among the best in art. The fineness which a hymn or psalm affords, Is, when the soul unto the lines accords. Digiti THE CHURCH. He who craves all the mind, And all the soul, and strength, and time, If the words only rhyme, Justly complains, that somewhat is behind To make his verse, or write a hymn in kind. Whereas if the heart be mpved, Although the verse be somewhat scant, God doth supply the want. 177 As when the heart says (sighing to be approved) 0, could I lovei and stops; God writeth, Loved. cxxxvw. THE ANSWER. My comforts drop and melt away like snow: I shake my head, and all the thoughts and ends, Which my fierce youth did bandy, faU and flow Like leaves about me, or like summer friends, Flies of estates and sunshine. But to all, Who think me eager, hot, and undertaking, Bat in my prosecutions slack and small; As a young exhalation, newly waking, Scorns his first bed of dirt, and means the sky; But cooling by the way, grows pursy and slow, lAnd settling to a cloud, doth live and die In that dark state of tears: to all, that so. Show me, and set me, I have one reply, Which they that know the rest, know more thaD I. N D;g;';2Od by Coogle 178 THE CHURCH. CXXXIX. A DIALOGUE-ANTHEM. CHRISTIAN, DEATH • . Chr. ALAS, poor death! where is thy glory ? Where is thy famous force, thy ancient sting? Dea. Alas, poor mortal, void of story, Go spell and read how I have kill'd thy king. Chr. Poor death! and who was hurt thereby? Thy curse being laid on him makes thee ac[ curst. Dea. Let losers talk, yet thou shalt die; These arms shall crusb thee. Chr. Spare not. do thy worst. I shall be one day better than before : Thou 80 much worse, that thou shalt be DO more. CXL. THE WATER-COURSE. T.ou who doat dwell and linger here below, Since the condition of this world is frail, Where of all plants afilictiODB soonest grow ; If troubles overtake thee, do Dot wail : For who can look for less, that lovet {~!~fe. THE CHURCH. 119 But rather turn the pipe, and water's course To serve thy sins, and furnish thee with store Of sovereign tears, springing from true remorse That so in pureness thou mayst him adere Wh . h fit {Salvation. o gIves to man, e sees , Damnation. CXLI. SELF-CONDEMNATION. THOU who condemnest Jewish hate, For choosing Barabbas a murderer Before the Lord of glory ; Look back upon thine own estate, Call home thine eye (that busy wanderer) That choice may be thy story. He that doth love, and love amiss This world's delights before true Christian joy, Hath made a Jewish choice: The world an ancient murderer is ; Thousands of souls it hath and doth ch!stroy With b~r enchanting voice. He that hath made a sorry wedding Between his soul and gold, and hath preferr'd False gain before the true, Hath done what he condemns in reading: For he hath sold for money his dear Lord, And is Judas-Jew. ]80 THE CHU'RCH. Thus we prevent the last great day, And judge ourselves. That light which sin and passion Did before dim and choke, When once those snuffs are ta'en away, Shines bright and clear, e'en unto condemnation, Without excuse or cloak. CXLII. BITI'ER-SWEET. AH, my dear angry Lord, Since thou dost love, yet strike; Cast down, yet help afford; Sure I will do the like. I will complain, yet praise ; I will bewail, approve: And all my sour-sweet days I will lament, and love. CXLm. THE GLANCE. WHEN first thy sweet and gracious eye Vouchsafed e'en in the midst of youth and night To look upon me, who before did lie Weltering in sin ; I felt a sugar'd strange delight, Passing all cordials made by any art, Bedew, embalm, and overrun my heart, And take it in. CHURCH. Since many a bitter storm My soul hath able to destroy, Had the malicious and ill-meaning harm His swing and sway: But still thy, sweet original joy, Sprung frolll·thine eye, did work withiQ my soul, And surgiDg griefs, when they grew bold, control, And got the day. If so powerful be, A mirth but seaI'd up again; feel, when we shall full-eyed love! Wbe.n look us out of pain, And one aspect of thine spend in delight More than a thoutllUJd SUDS disburae in light, In. Heaven above. CXLIV. TWENTY-THIRD PSALM. THE shepherd is, doth me feed: While end I am his. What can I want or ueed ? He leads me to the tellder gras&, Where I both feed and rest; Then to the streams that gently pass : In both I have the best. Or if convert, my mind in frame 182 THB CHUacH. And all this not for my desert, But for his holy name. Yea, in death's sbady black abode Well may I walk, not fear: For thou art with me, and thy rod To guide, thy staf to bear. Nay, thou dost make me sit and dine, E'en in my enemies' sight; My head with oil, my cup with wine Runs over day and night. Surely thy sweet and wondrous love Shllli measure all my days; And 8S it never shall remove, So neither shall my praise. CXLV. MARY MAGDALEN. WHEN blessed Mary wiped her Saviour's feet, (Whose precepts she had trampled on before) And wore them for a jewel on her head, Showing his steps should be tbe street, Wherein she thenceforth evermore With pensive humbleness would live and tread : She being stain'd heflHllf, why did she strive To make him clean, who could not be defiled ? Why kept she not her tears for her own faults, • D;g;';2Od by Coogle THE CHURCH. And not his feet? Though we could dive In tears like 88as, our sms are piled 183 Deeper than they,in words,and works,and thoughts. Dear soul, she knew who did vouchsafe and deign To bear her filth; and that her sins did dash E'en God himself: wherefore she was not loath, As she had brought wherewith to stain, So to bring m wherewith to wash: And yet in washing one, she washed both. CXLVI. AARON. HOLINESS on the head, Light and perfections on the breast, Harmonious bells below, raising the dead To lead them unto life and rest. Thus are true Aarons drest. Profaneness in my head, Defects and darkness in my breast, A noise of passions ringing me for dead Unto a place where is no rest: Poor priest thus am I drest. Only another head I have, another heart and breast, Another m.usic, making live, not dead, Without whom I could have no rest: In him I am well drest. D;g;';2Od by Coogle 184 THK CHUBCH. Christ is my only head, My alone only heart and breast, My only muaic, striking me e'en dead; That to the old man I may reat, And be in him new dreat. So holy in my head, Perfect and light in my dear breast, My doctrine tuned by Christ, (who is not dead, But lives in me while I do reat) Come, people; Aaron's dreat. CXLvn. THE ODOUR. 2 COB. II. How sweetly doth My Master BOUnd ! My Master! As ambergris leavea a rich acent Unto the taster: So do these words a sweet content, An oriental fragrancy, My Master. With these all day I do perfume my mind, My mind e'en thruat into them both; That I might find What cordials make this curioua broth, This broth of smelIa, that feeds IUJd fats my mind. My Master, shan I speak? 0 that to thee My Servant were a little 80, As ftesh may be ; That these two worda might creep and grow To lOme degree of IiIpiciness to thee I D;g;';2Od by Coogle THE CHURCH. "Then should the Pomander, which was before A speaking sweet, mend by reflection, And tell me more : For pardon of my imperfection Would. warm and work it sweeter than before. For when My Master, which alone is sweet, And e'en in my unworthiness pleasing, Shall call and meet, My servant, as thee not displeasing, That call is but the breathing of the sweet. 186 This breathing would with gains by sweetening me (As sweet things traffic when they meet) Return to thee. And 80 this new commerce and sweet Should all my life employ, and busy me. CXLvm. THE FOIL. IF we could see below The sphere of virtue, and each shining grace, As plainly as that above doth show; This were the better sky, the brighter place. God hath made stars the foil To set off virtues; griefs to set off sinning: Yet in this wretched world we toil, As if grief were not foul, nor virtue winning. D;g;t;zed by Coogle 186 THE CHURCH. CXLIX. THE FORERUNNERS. THE harbingers are come. See, see their mark; White is their colour, aDd behold my head. But must they have my brain? must they dispark Those sparkling notions, which therein were bred ? Must dulness tum me to a clod? Yet have they left me, Thou art still my God. Good men ye be, to leave me my best room, E'en all my heart, aDd what is lodged there: I pass not, I, what ofthe rest become, So, Thou art still my God, be out of fear. He will be pl~ased with that ditty; And if I please him, I write fine aDd witty. Farewell sweet phrases, lovely metaphors : But will ye leave me thus? when ye before Of stews aDd brothels only knew the doors, Then did .I wash you with my tears, aDd more, Brought you to Church well dreat aDd clad: My God must have my best, e'en all I had. Lovely enchanting language, sugarcane, Honey of roses, whither wilt thou fly? Hath some fond lover 'ticed thee to thy baDe? And wilt thou leave the Church, aDd love a sty? Fy, thou wilt soil thy broider'd coat, And hurt thyself, and him that sings the note. Let foolish lovers, if they will love dung, With canvass, not with arras clothe their shame: D;g;';2Od by Coogle THE CHURCH. Let folly speak in her own native tongue. True beauty dwells on high: ours is a flame But borrow'd thence to light us thither. 187 Beauty and beauteous words should go together. Yet if you go, I pass not: take your way: For, Thou art still my God, is all that ye Perhaps with more embellishment can say. Go, birds of spring: let wioter have his fee ; Let a bleak palene88 chalk the door, So all within be livelier than before. CL. THE ROSE. PRESS me not to take more pleasure In this world of sugar'd lies, And to use a larger measure Than my strict, yet welcome size. First, there is no pleasure here : Colour'd griefs indeed there are, Blushing woes, that look as clear, As if they could beauty spare. Or if such deceits there be, Such delights I meant to say; There are no such things to me, Who have p888'd my right away. But I will ~ot much oppose U oto what you now advise : Only take this gentle rose, And therein my answer lies. D;g;';2Od by Coogle illS THE CHURCH. What fairer than & rOle? What is sweeter yet it purgeth. Pnrgings enmity IIISCIOse, Enmity forbearance urgeth. If then all that worldlings prize Be contracted a rOlle; Sweetly there indeed it lies, But biteth in the close. So this flower doth and sentence Worldly joys to be a scourge: For they all produce repentance, And repentance is a purge. But I health, not physic choose: Only though I you oppose, Say that fairly I refuse, For my answer is a rOS6. CLI. DISCIPLINE. THRowaway thy rod~ Throwaway thy wrath: o my God, Take the gentle path. For my heart's desire Unto dline is bent: I aspire To a full consent. gitize \,.J\' 31\: THB CHURCH. Not a word or look I affect to own, But by book, And thy book alone. Though I fail, I weep: Though I halt in pace, Yet I creep To the throne of grace. Then let wrath remove; Love will do the deed: For with love Stony hearts will bleed. Love ia swift of foot: Love's a man of war, And can shoot, And can hit from far. Who can 'scape hia bow ? That which wrought on thee, Brought thee low, Needs must work on me. Throwaway thy rod : Though man frailties hath, Thou art God : Throwaway thy wrath. 189 D;g;t;zed by Coogle 190 THE CHURCH. CLII. THE INVITATION. COME ye hither all, whose taste III your waste; Save your cost, and mend your fare. God is here prepared and dress'd, And the feast, God, in whom all dainties are. Come ye hither all, whom wine Doth define, N aming y~u not your good : Weep what ye have drunk amiss, And drink this, Which before ye drink is blood. Come ye hither all, whom pain Doth alT8ign, Bringing all your sins sight: Taste and fear not: God is here In this And on sin doth cast the fright. Come ye hither all, whom joy Doth destroy, While ye graze without your bounds : Here is joy that drownetJt quite Your delight, As a flood the lower grounds. Come ye hither all, whose love Is your dove, Jitized THE CHURCH, 191 And exalts you to the sky: Here is love, which, having breath E'en death, After death can never die. Lord I have invited all, And I shall Still invite, stilI call to thee: For it seems but just and right In my sight, Where is all, there all should eLIII. THE BANQUET. WEI,COME sweet and sacred cheer, Welcome dear; With me, in me, li,'e and dwell : For thy neatness passeth sight, Thy delight Paseeth tongue to tillite tell. o what sweetness from the bowl Fills my soul, Such as and makes Is some star (fled from the sphere) Melted As we sugar melt in wine? Or hath sweetness in the bread Made a llead To subdue the smell of sin, and gums, and powders giving All their living, Lest the enemy should win? r gitize '-='~ 31<: 192 THE CHURCH. Doubtle88 neither star nor flower Hath the power Such a sweetness to impart : Only God, who gives perfumes, Flesh assumes, And with it perfumes my heart. But as Pomanders and wood Still are good, Yet being bruised are better scented ; God, to show how far his love Could improve, Here, as broken, is presented. When I had forgot my birth, And on earth In delights of earth was drown'd; God took blood, and needs would be Spilt with me, And so found me on the, ground. Having raised me to look up, In a cup Sweetly he doth meet my taste. But I still being low and short, Far from court, Wine becomes a wing at last. For with it alone I fly To the sky: Where I wipe mine eyes, and see What I seek, for what I sue; Him I view Who hath done so much for me. D;g;';2Od by Coogle THE CHURCH. Let the wonder of this pity Be my ditty, And take up my lines and life: Hearken under pain of death, Hands and breath, Strive in this, and love the strife. eLI V • THE POSY. LET wits contest, And with their words and posies windows fill : Less than the least Of all thy mercies, is my posy still. This on my ring, This by my picture, in my book I write: Whether I sing, Or say, or dictate, this is my delight. Invention rest; Comparisons go play; wit use thy will : Less than the least Of all God's mercies, is my posy still. CLV. A PARODY. SOUL'S joy, when thou art gone, And I alone, Which cannot be, Because thou dost abide with me, And I depend on thee; o 193 D;g;t;zed by Coogle 194 THE CHURCH. Yet when thou dost suppress The cheerfulness Of thy abode, And in my powers not stir abroad, But leave me to my load: o what a damp and shade Doth me invade! No stormy night Can so afBict or so affright As thy eclipsed light. Ah Lord! do not withdraw, Lest want of awe Make sin appear; And when thou dost but shine less clear, Say that thou art not here. And then what life I have, While sin doth rave, And falsely boast. That I may seek, but thou art lost; Thou and alone thou know·st. o what a deadly cold Doth me infold! I half believe, That Sin says true: but while I grieve, Thou comest and dost I'elieve. THE CHURCH. CL VI. 'rHE ELIXIR. TEACH me, my God and King, In all things thee to see, And what I do in any thing, To do it as for thee: Not rudely, as a beast, To run into an action; But still to make thee prepossest, And give it his perfection. A man that looks on glass, On it may stay his eye; Or if he pleaseth, through it pass, And then the heaven espy. All may of thee partake: Nothing can be so mean, Which with his tincture (for thy sake) Will not grow bright and clean. A servant with this clause Makes drudgery divine: Who sweeps a room, as for thy laws, Makes that and the action nne. This is the famous stone That tumeth all to gold: For that which God doth touch and own . Cannot for less be told. ]95 D;g;';"d by Coogle 196 THE CHURCH. CLVII. A WnEA TH. A WREATIJED garland of deserved praise, Of praise dese"ed, unto thee I give, I give to thee, who knowest all my ways, My crooked winding ways, wherein nive, Wherein I die, not live; for life is straight, Straight as a line, and ever tends to thee, To thee, who art more far above deceit, Than deceit seems above simplicity. Give me simplicity, that I may live, So live and like, that I may know thy ways, Know them and practise them: then shall I give For this poor wreath, give thee a croWD of praise. CLVIlI. DEATH. DEATH, thou wast once an uncouth hideous thing, Nothing but bones, The sad effect of sadder groans : Thy mouth was open, but thou couldst not sing. FOl" we consider'd thee as at some six Or ten years hence, After the loss of life and senae, Flesh being turn'd to dust, and bones to sticks. We look'd on this side of thee, shooting short; Where we did find D;g;';2Od by Coogle THE CHURCH. 197 The shells of fledge souls left behind, Dry dust, which sheds no tears, but may extort. But since our Saviour's death did put some blood Into thy face; Thou art grown fair and full of grace, Much in request, much sought for, as a good. For we do now behold thee gay and glad, As at doomsday ; When lOuis shall wear their new array, And all thy bones with beauty shall be clad. Therefore we can go die 8S sleep, and trust Half that we have Unto an honest faithful grave; Making our pillows either down, or dust. CLIX; DOOMSDAY. COME away, Make no delay. Summon all the dust to rise, Till it stir, and rub the eyes; While this me'mber jogs the other, Each one whispering, Live you, brother? Come away, Make this the day. Dust, alas, no music feels, But thy trumpet: then it kneels, As peculiar notes and strains Cure Tarantula's raging pains. D;g;t;zed by Coogle .... 198 THE CHURCH. Come away, o make no stay! Let the graves make their confession, Lest at length they plead possession : Flesh's stubbornness may have Read that lesson to the grave. Come away, Thy flock doth stray. Some to winds their bOdy lend, And in them may drQwn a friend: Some in noisome vapours grow To a plague and public woe. Come away, Help our decay. Man is out of order hurl'd, Parcell'd out to all the wOl'ld. Lord, thy broken consort raise, And the music shall be praise. CLX. JUDGMENT. ALMWtl'rY Judge, how shall poor wretches brook Thy dreadful look, Able a heart of iron to appal, When thou shalt call For every man's peculiar book? What others mean to do, I know not well ; Yet I hear tell, D;g;';2Od by Coogle THE ClIURCH. 199 That some will turn thee to some leaves therein So void of sin, That they in merit shall excel. But J resolve, when thou shalt call for mine, That to -decline, And thrust a Testament ioto thy hand: Let that be scann'd. There thou shalt find my faults are thine. CLXI. HEAVEN. o WHO will show me those delights on high? ECHO. I. Thou Echo, thou aJ't mortal, all men know. ECHO. No. Wert thou not bom among the trees and leaves? ECHO. Leaves. And are there any leal'cs, that still abide? ECHO. Bide. What leaves are they? impart the matter wholly. EcIlO. Holy. Are holy leaves the Echo then of bliss? EcHO. Yes. Then tell me, what is that supreme delight? ECHO. Light. Light to the mind: what shall the will enjoy? ECHO. . Joy. But are there cares and business with the pleasure? ECHO. Leisure. Light, joy. and leisure j but shall they persever ? ECHO. Ever. _~",Googlcf 200 TilE CHURCH. CLXII. LOVE. lovE bade me welcome: yet my BOul drew back, Guilty of duat and sin. But quick-eyed Love, observing me grow slack From my first entrance in, Drew nearer to me, sweetly questioning. If I lack'd any thing. A guest, I answer'd, worthy to he here: Love said, you shall be he. I the unkind, ungrateful? Ah my dear, I cannot look on thee. Love took my hand, and smiling did reply, Who made the eyes but I ? Truth Lord, but I have marr'd them: let my shame Go where it doth deserve. And know you not, says Love, who bore the blame? ~.then I will &an'e. You must sit down, saya L6ve-,tul~ taste my meat: So I did sit and e~~. FINIS. GLORY BE TO GOD ON HIGH, AND ON EARTU PEA-CE. GOOD WILL TOWARDS MEN. /' / I I D;g;';2Od by Coogle 201 II. THE CHURCH MILITANT . . ALMIGHTY Lord, who from thy glorioua throneSeest and rulest aU things e'en as one: The smallest ant or atom knows thy power, Known also to each minute of an hour: Much more do Common-weals acknowledge thee, And wrap their policies in thy decree, Complying with thy counsels, doing nought Which doth not meet with an eternal thought. But above all, thy Church and Spouse doth prove Not the decrees of power, but bands oflove. Early didst thou arise to plant this vine, Which might the more endear it to be thine. Spices come from the East; so did thy Spouae, Trim as the light, awee' as the laden boughs Of Noah's shady vine, chaste as the dove, Prepared and fitted to receive thy love. The course was westward, that the sun might light As well our understauding as our sight. Where the Ark did rest, there Abraham began To bring the other Ark from Canaan. Moses pursued this: but King Solomon ~ Finish'd andfix'd the old religion. When it grew loose, the Jews did hope in vain By nailing Christ to fasten it again. But to the Gentiles he bore cross and all, Rending with earthquakes the partition-wall. D;g;';2Od by Coogle 202 THE CHURCH MILITANT. Only whereas the Ark in glory shone, Now with the cross, as with a staff, alone, Religion, like a pilgrim, westward bent, Knocking at all doors, ever as she went. Yet as the sun, though forward be his flight, Listens behind him, and allows some light, Till all depart: so went the Church her way, Letting, while one foot stept, the othji stay Among the eastern nations for a time, Till both removed to the western clime. To Egypt first she came, where they did prove \V onders of anger once, but now of love. The ten Commandments there did flourish more Than the ten bitter plagues had done before. Holy Macarius and great Anthony Made Pharaoh Moses, changing the history. Goshen was darkness, Egypt fuIl of lights, Nilus for monsters brought forth Israelites. Such power hath mighty Baptism to produce, For things misshapen, things of highest use . . How dear to me, 0 God, thy counsels are! Who may with thee compare? Religion thence fled into Greece, where arts Gave her the highest place in all men's hearts. Learning was posed, Philosophy was set, Sophisters taken in a fisher's net. Plato and Aristotle were at a loss, And wheeI'd about again to speIl Christ's-Cross. Prayers chased syllogisms into their den, And Ergo was transform'd into Amen. Though Greece took horse as soon as Egypt did, And Rome as both; yet Egypt faster rid, And spent her period and prefixed time Before the other. Greece being past her prime, THE CHURCH MILITANT. 203 Religion went to Rome, subduing those, Who, that they might subdue, made all their foes. The 'Varrior his dear scars no more resounds, But seems to yield Christ hath the greater wounds ; Wounds willingly endured to work his bliss, Who by an ambush lost his Paradise. The great heart stoops, and taketh from the dust A sad repentance, not the spoils of lust: Quitting his spear, lest it should pierce again Him in his members, who for him was slain. The Shepherd's hook grew to a sceptre here, Giving new names and numbers to the year. But the Empire dwelt in Greece, to comfort them, Who were cut short in Alexander's stem. In both of these Prowess and Arts did tame And tune men's hearts against the Gospel came: Which using, and not fearing skill in the one, Or strength in the other, did erect her throne. Many a rent and struggling the empire knew, (As dying things are wont,) until it flew At length to Germany, still westward bending, And there the Church's festival attending: That as before Empire and Arts made way, (For no less Harbingers would serve than they) So they might still, and point us out the place, Where first the Church should raise her downcast face. Strength levels grounds, Art makes a garden there; Then showers Religion, and makes all to bear. Spain in the Empire shared with Germany, But England in the higher victory ; Giving the Church a crown to keep her state, And not go less than she had done of late. Constantine's British line meant this of old, r I D;g;';2Od by Coogle 204 THE CHURCH MILITANT. And did this mystery wrap up and fold Within a sheet of paper, which was rent From time's great Chronicle, and hither sent. Thus both the Church and Sun together ran Unto the farthest old meridian. How dear to me, 0 God, thy counsels are ! Who may with thee compare? Much about one and the same time and place, Both where and when the Church began her race, Sin did set out of Eastern Babylon, And traveU'd westward also: journeying on He chid the Church away, where'er he came, Breaking her peace, and tainting her good name. At first he got to Egypt, and did sow Gardens of gods, which every year did grow, Fresh and fine deities. They were at great cost, Who for a god clearly a sallet lost. Ah, what a thing is man devoid of grace, Adoring garlic with an humble face, Begging his food of that which he may eat, Starving the while he worshippeth his meat! Who makes a root his god, how low is he, If God and man be sever'd infinitely! What wretchedne88 can give him any room, Whose house is foul, while he adores his broom? None will believe this now, though money he In us the same transplanted foolery. Thus Sin in Egypt sneaked for a while; His highest was an ox or crocodile, [pass, And such poor game. Thence he to Greece doth And being craftier much than Goodne88 was, He left behind him garrisons of sins, To make good that which every day he wins. Here Sin took heart, and for a garden-bed D;g;';2Od by Coogle THE CHURCH MILITANT. 205 Rich shrines and oracles he purchased: He grew a gallant, and would needs foretell As well what should befall, as what befell. Nay, he became a poet, and would serve His pills of sublimate in that conserve. The world came both with hands and purses full To this great lottery, and all would pull. But all was glorious cheating, brave deceit, Where some poor truths were shuffled for a bait To credit him, and to discredit those, Who after him should braver truths disclose. From Greece he went to Rome: and as before He was a God, now he's an Emperor. Nero and others lodged him bravely there, Put him in trust to rule the Roman sphere. Glory was his chief instrument of old: Pleasure succeeded straight, when that grew cold: Which soon was blown to such a mighty fiame, That though our Saviour did destroy the game, Disparking oracles, and all their treasure, Setting aftIiction to encounter pleasure ; Yet did a rogue with hope of carnal joy, Cheat the most subtle nations. Who 80 coy, So trim, as Greece and Egypt? yet their hearts Are given over, for their curious arts, To such Mahometan stupidities, ·As the old Heathen would deem prodigies. How dear to me, 0 God, thy counsels are ! Who may with thee compare ? Only the West and Rome do keep them free From this contagious infidelity. And this is all the Rock, whereof they boast, As Rome will one day find unto her cost. Siu being not able to extirpate quite The Churches here, bravely resolved one night D;g;';2Od by Coogle 206 THE CHURCH MIUTAN1'. To be a Churchman too, and wear a Mitre: The old debauched ruffian would turn writer. I saw him in his study, where he sate Busy in controversies sprung of late. A gown pen became him wondrous His grave aspect had more of heaven than hell : Only there was handsome by, To which he lent a corner of his eye. As Sin in Greece a Prophet was before, And in old Rome a mighty Emperor; So now being Priest he did To make a jest of Christ's The rather since his scatter'd jugglings were United now in both time and From Egypt he took petty deities, From Greece oracular infallibilities, And fl'om old Rome the liberty of pleasure, By free of the Church's treasure. Then in memorial·of his ancient throne, He did surname.his palace, Babylon. Yet that he might the better gain nations, And make that name good by their transmigrations ; From all these places, but at divers times, He took fine vizards to conceal his crimes: From Egypt Anchorism and retiredness, Learning from Greece, fl'om old Rome stateliness; And blending he carried all men's eyes, While Truth sat by, counting his victories: Whereby he grew apace and scorn'd to use Sucb·forcc as once did captivate thc Jews; But did bewitch, and finally work each nation Into volnntary transmigration. All post to Rome: Princes submit their necks Either to public foot or private tricks. It did not fit his gravity to stir, Digiti zIe THE CHURCH MILITANT. Nor his long journey, nor his gout and fur: Therefore he sent out able ministers, Statesmen within, without doors Clu'uu,en~:rll Who without spear, or sword, or other drum, Than what was their tongue, did overcome; 207 And having conquer'd, did so strangely rule, That the whole world did seem but the Pope's mule, As new and old Rome did one Empire twist; So both together al'e one Antichrist; Yet with two facea, as their Janus was, Being in this their old crack'd looking-glass. How dear me, thy counsels are Who may with thee compare? Thua Sin triumphs in Western Babylon; Yet not as Sin, but all Religion. Of two thrones he made latter best, And to defray his journey from the East. Old and Babylon to hell and night, As the moon sun to heaven When the one did set, the other did take place, Confronting equally the law and grace. They are hell's land marks, Satan's double crest: They are Sin's nipples, the east and west. But as in vice the copy still exceeds The pattern, but not so in virtuous deeds So though Sin made bis latter seat the better, The latter Church is to the first a debtor. The second Temple could not reach tbe first: And the late reformation never durst Compare with ancient times and purer years; But in the Jews and us deserveth tears. Nay, it shall every year decrease and fade Till such a darkness do the world invade At Christ's last coming, as first did find: , Yet must there such proportions be assign'd Digiti zIe 208 THE CHURCH MILITANT. To these diminishingB, as is between The spacious world and Jewry to be seen. Religion stands on tiptoe in our land, Ready to pus to the American strand. When height of malice, and prodigious lusts, Impudent sinning, witchcrafts, and distrusts, (The marks of future bane,) shall fill our cup Unto the brim, and make our measure up ; When Seine shall swallow Tiber, and the Thames By letting in them both, pollutes her streams: When Italy of UI shall have her will, And all her calendar of sins fulfill; Whereby one may foretell, what sins next year Shall both in France and England·domineer: Then shall Religion to America Hee : They have their times of Gospel, e'en as we. My God, thou dost prepare for them a way, By carrying first their gold from them away: For gold and grace did never yet agree : Religion always sides with poverty. We think we rob them, but we think amiss : Weare more poor, and they more rich by this. Thou wilt revenge their quarrel, making grace To pay our debts, and leave our ancient place To go to them, while that, which now their nation But lends to us, shall be our desolation: Yet as the Church shall thither westward fly, So Sin shall trace and dog her instantly: They have their-period ako and set times J30th for their virtuous actions and their crimes. And where of old the Empire and the Arts Usher'd the Gospel ever in men's hearts, Spain hath done one; when Arts perform the other, - TheChurch shall come,and Sin the Church shall smoThat when they have accomplished the round, [ther: D;g;';2Od by Coogle THE CHURCH MILITANT. 209 And met in the east their first aud aucient sound, Judgment may meet them both, aud search them Thus do both lights, as well in Church as Sun, [round. Light one another, and together run. Thus also Sin and Darkness follow still The Church and Sun with all their power aud skill. But as the sun still goes both west and east: So also did the Church by going west Still eastward go; because it drew more near To time and place, where judgment shall appear. How dear to me, 0 God, thy counsels are! Who may with thee compare? L'ENVOY. KING of glory, King of peace, With the one make war to cease; With the other bless thy sheep, Thee to love, in thee to sleep. Let not Sin devour thy fold, Bragging that thy blood is cold; That thy death is also dead, While his conquests daily spread; That thy flesh hath lost his food, And thy Cross is common wood. Choke him, let him say no more, But reserve his breath in store, Till thy conquest and his fall Make his sighs to use it all ; And then bargain with the wind To discharge what is behind. BLESSED BE GOD ALONE, THRICE BLESSED THREE IN ONE. p D;g;';2Od by Coogle 210 III. MISCELLANEOUS POEMS. I. A SONNET. SENT BY GEORGE HERBERT TO HIS MOTHER AS A NEW YEAR'S GIFT FROM CAMBRIDGE. My God, where is that ancient heat towards thee, Wherewith whole shoals of Martyrs once did bol'll, Besides their other flames? Doth poetry Wear Venus' livery? only serve her turn ? Why are not Sonnets made of thee? and layes Upon thine altar burnt? Cannot thy love Heighten a spirit to sound out thy praise As well as any she? Cannot thy Dove Outstrip their Cupid easily in flight? Or, since thy ways are deep, and still the same, Will not a verse run smooth that bears thy name! Why doth that fire, which by thy power and might Each breast does feel, no braver fuel choose Than tbat, which one day, worms may chance reSure Lord, there is enough in thee to dry [fuse. Oceans of ink; for, as the Deluge did Cover the Earth, so doth thy Majesty: Each cloud distils thy praise, and doth forbid Poets to turn it to another use. Roses and lilies speak thee; and to make A pair of cheeks of them, is thy abuse. D;g;';2Od by Coogle MISCELLANEOUS. 211 Wby should I women's eyes for crystal take? Such poor invention burns in their low mind Whose fire is wild, and doth not upward go To praise, and on thee, Lord, some ink bestow. Open the bones, and you shall nothing find In the best face but filth; when Lord, in thee The beauty lies, in tbe discovery. II. INSCRIPTION IN THE PARSONAGE, BEMERTON. TO MY SUCCESSOR. IF thou chance for to find A new House to thy mind . And built without thy Cost: Be good to the Poor, As God gives thee store, And tben my Labour's not lost. m. ON LORD DANVERS. SACRED marble, safely keep His dust, who under thee must sleep, U ntilI the years again restore Their dead, and time shall be no more Mean while, if he (which all things wears) Does ruin thee, or if thy tears Are shed for him; dissolve thy frame, Thou art requited: for his fame, His virtue, and his worth shall be Another monument to thee. D;g;';2Od by Coogle 212 MISCELLANEOUS. IV. A PARADOX,· (FROM A )18. COLLECTION FOR)IERLY DR. RAWLINSON'S. IX THE BODLEIAN LIBRARY, OXFORD.) THAT THE SICK ARE IN A BETTER CASE, THEN TIlE WHOLE. You who admire yourselves because You neither groan nor weep, And think it contrary to Nature's laws To want one ounce of sleep, Your strong belief Acquits yourselves, and gives the sick all grief. Your state to ours is contrary, That makes you think us poor. So Black-moors think us foul, and wee Are quit with them, and more, Nothing can see, And judge of things but mediocrity. The sick are in themselves a state Which health hath nought to do. How know you that our tears proceed from woe, And not from better fate? Since that mirth hath Her waters also and desired bath. • See a poem (No. xli.) in the Synagogue at the end of the volume. D;g;';2Od by Coogle MISCELLANEOUS. How know you that the sighs we send From want of breath proceed, Not from excess? and therefore we do spend That which we do not need; So trembling may As well shew inward warbling, as decay. Cease then to judge calamities By outward form and shew, 213 But view yourselves, and inward tUrD your eyes, Then you shall fully know That your estate Is, of the two, the far more desperate. You always fear to feel those smarts Which we but sometimes prove, Each little comfort much affects our hearts, None but gross joys you move: Why then confess Your fears in number more, your joys are less. Then for yourselves not us embrace Plaints to bad fortune due, For though you visit us, and plaint or case, We doubt much whether you Come to our bed To comfort us, or to be comforted. D;g;';2Od by Coogle D;g;';2Od by Coogle IV. PARENTALIA. AUCTORE G. HERBERT.- MEMORLE MATRIS SACRUM. 1. Au Mater, quo te deplorem fonte? Dolores Que guttm poterunt enumerare meos? Sicca meis lacrymis Thamesis vidna videtur, Virtutumque choro sicdor ipse tuo. In Humen mrerore nigrum si funderer ardens, Lalldibus haud fierem sepia justa tuis. Tantum istmc scribo gratus, ne tu mihi tantum Mater: et ista Dolor nunc tibi Metra parit. 2. CORNEt.lA'. sanctm, graves Sempronim, Et quicquid uspiam e8t severe fremine, Conferta Iacrymaa: IlIa, qum vos miscuit Vestrasque laudes, poscit et mixtas genas. Namque hanc ruinam salva Gravit8fl defieat, Pudorque con stet vel solutis crinibus ; Quandoque vultus sola majestas, Dolor. - Printed at the end of Dr. Donne's Sermon of Commemoration of the Lady Danvers, late wife of Sir John Danvers, preached at Chelsea, July 1, lo!7, together with other commemorations of her by her son G. Herbert. Lond. l6!T, l8mo.-See Bamabu O1ey's Life of Herbert, p. civ. and Walton's Life, p. xviii. prefixed to Herbert's Remains. D;g;';2Od by Coogle 216 PARENTALIA. Decus mulierum periit: et metuunt viri Utrumque sexum dote ne mulctaverit. Non ilia soles terere comptu lubricos, Struices superbas atque turritum caput Molita, reliquum deinde garriens diem, (Nam post Babelem lingure adest confusio,) Quin post modestam, qualis integras decet, Substructionem capitis et nimbum brevem, Animam recentem rite curavit sacris Adorta Duman acri et iguea prece. Dein familiam lustrat, et res prandii, Rorti, colique distributim pensitat. Suum cu'iqne tempus et locus datur. Inde exiguntur pensa crudo vespere. Ratione certa vita constat et domus, Prudenter inito quot-diebus calculo. Tota renident rede decus et suavitas Animo renidentes prius. Sin rarior Magnatis appulsu extulit se occasio, ~urrexit una et ilia, seseque extulit : Occasione certat imo et obtinet. Proh? quantus imber, quanta labri comitas, Lepos severus, Pallas mixta GraWs; Loquitur numellas, com pedes, et retia: Aut si negotio hora sumenda est, rei Per angiportus et mreandros labitur, I psos Catones provocans oraculis. Tum quanta tabulis artifex? qure scriptio? Bellum putamen, nucleus belIissimus Sententire cum voce mire con venit. Volant per orbem Iiterre notissimre : o blanda dextra, neutiquam istoc pulveris, Quo nunc recumbis, scriptio merita est tua, PARENTALIA. Pactoli arena tibi tumulus est unicus. Adde his trientem Musices, qure moIliens Mulcensque dotes cseteras, visa est quasi Cselestis harmonise breve prreludium. Quam mira tandem Sublevatrix pauperum ? Languentium baculus, teges jacentium, Commune cordis palpitantis balsamum : Benedictiones publicse cingunt caput, Cselique referunt et prseoccupantmodum. Fatisco, referenB tanta quse numerant mei SolUm doloreB,-et doloreB, stellulre ! At tu qui inepte hrec dicta censes lilio, Nato parentis auferens Encomium, Abito trunce cum tuis pudoribus. Ergo ipse solum mutus atque excors ero Strepente mundo tinnullB prseconiis ? Mihine matris uma clausa eBt unico, Herbre exoletre, rOB-marinus arid us ? . Matrine linguam refero, solum ut mordeam ? Abito barde! Quam pie isdc sum impudens ? Tu verb mater perpetlm laudabere Nato dolenti: literre hoc debent tibi Queis me educaati; sponte chartas illinunt Fructum laborum consecutse maximum Laudando Matrem, cum repugnant inscii. 3. 217 CUR splendes, 0 Phmbe ? ecquid demittere matrem Ad noa cum radio tam rutilante potes ? At Buperat caput ilIa tuum~ quantum ipsa cadaver Mens Buperat; corpus solum Elementa tenent. D;g;';2Od by Coogle 218 PARBNTALIA. Scilicet id spleDdes: blBC est tibi causa micandi Et lucro apponi8 gaudia sancta tu~. Verum beu8 si nequeu cmlo demittere m,trem, Sitque omnia motful nescia, tan~ quies, Fac radios 8altem ingemines, ut dextera tortos Implicet, et matrem, matre maneDte, petam. 4. QUID nugor calamo ravens ? Mater perpetUiB uvida gaudii8, Horto pro tenui colit Edenem Borele fialibus invium. QUiD cmIi mibi 8UDt mei, Matemi decus, et debita nominia, Dumque hi8 invigilo frequens Stellarum socius, pellibus exuor. Quare Spbleram egomet meam CODnixu8, digiti8 impiger urgeo : Te, Mater, celebran8 dift, Noct6. 18 celebran8 luminis lemulo. Per te Ducor in hunc globum, Exemploque tuo nucor in alterum: Bia tu mater eras mibi, U t currat paribu8 gloria tibiis. 5. HORTI, delicile Dominie, marcescite tandem j Oma8ti8 capulum, nec 8uperesse licet. Ecce decu8 ve8trum spini8 horrescit, acuta Cultricem revocaDs anxietate manum: D;g;';2Od by Coogle PARENTALIA. 219 Terram et funus olent ftores: Dominmque cadaver Contiguas stirpes afil.at, eeeque J'OIU. In terram violm capite inclinantur opaco, Quaeque domus Dominm sit, gravitate docent. Quare baud VOl bortos, sed cmmeteria dico, Dum torus absentem quisque reponit heram. Euge, perite omnes; Dec posthac exeat una Quat8itum Dominam gemma vel herba suam. euncta ad radices redeant, tumulosque patemos ; (Nempe sepulcra Satis Rumen inempta dedit) Occidite; aut sane tantisper vivite, donec Vespere ros mmstis {unus bonestet aquis. 6. GALENE frustra es, cur miserum premens Tot qumstionum ftuctibus obruis, . Arterias tractans micantes Corporem ftuidmque molis Aegroto mentis? quam neque pixides N ec tarda possont pbarmaca consequi, Utrumque si pnederis Indum, Ultra. animus spatiatur exlex. Impos medendi, occidere si potes, N ec sic parentem ducar ad optimam : Ni lanete, uti mater, recedam, Morte magis viduabor ilIA-. QUiD ceme ut erras inscie, brachium Tentando lianum: si calet, eestuans, Ardore scribendi calescit, Mater ineat aaliente veDA-. Si totus iDfter, si tumeam crepax, Ne membra culpes, causa animo latet D;g;';2Od by Coogle 220 PARENTALIA. Qui parturit laudes parentis : N ec gravidis medicina tuta est. Irregularis nunc habitus mihi est: Non exigatur crasis ad alterum. Quod tu febrem censes, salubre est Atque animo medicatur unum. 7. P ALLIDA materni Genii atque exanguis imago, In nebulas similesque tui res gaudia numquid Mutata? et pro matre mihi pbantasma dolosum Uberaque aerea hiscentem fallentia natum? V re nubi pluvi! gravidre. non lacte, measque Ridenti lacrymas quibus unis concolor unda est. Quin fugias ? mea non fuerat tam nubila Juno, Tam segnis facies aurorre nescia vernre, Tam languens genitrix cineri supposta fugaci : Verum augusta parens, sanctum os creloque locan. Quale paludosos jamjam lictura recessus [dum, Prretulit Astrrea, aut solio Themis alma vetusto PensiIis, atque acri dirimens examine lites. Hunc vultum ostendas, et tecum nobile spectrum Quod superest vital, insumam: Solisque jugales Ipse ture solum adnectam, sine murmure, thensre. Nec querar ingratQs, studiis dum tabidus insto, Effiuxisse dies,· .sutIocatamve Minervam, Aut spes productas, barbataque somnia vertam In vicium Mundo sterili, cui cedo cometas • The old edition has suffocat amne Minervam. which is evidently corrupt and unmeaning. The emendation will at once be admitted by the scholar. D;g;';2Od by Coogle PARENTALIA. 221 Ipse suos, tanquam digno, pallentiaque astra. Est mihi bis quinis laqueata domuncula tignis Rure; brevisque hortus, cujus cum vellere Horum Luctatur spacium, qualem tamen eligit requi Judicii dominus, flores ut junctiUs halent Stipati, rudibusque volis impervius hortus Sit quasi fasciculus crescens, et nidus odorum. Hic ego tuque erimus, varire suffitibus herbre Quotidie pasti: tantum verum indue vultum Affectusque mei similem; nec languida misce Ora mere memori menti: ne dispare cultu Pugnaces, teneras Horum turbemus odores, Atque inter reliquos horti crescentia fretus Nostra etiam paribus marcescant gaudia fatis. 8. PARVAM piamque dum lubenter semitam Grandi rereque prrefero. Carpsit malignum sidus hanc modestiam Vinumque felle miscuit. Hinc fremere totus et minari gestio Ipsis severus orbibus, Tandem prehensa comiter lacemulft Susurrat aure quispiam, Hmc fuerat olim potio Domini tui. Gusto proboque Dolium. 9. Hoc, Genitrix; scriptum prales tibi sedula mittit. Siste parum cantus, dum legis ista, tuos. N6sse sui quid agant, quredam est quoque musica sanctls, D;g;';2Od by Coogle 222 PARENTALIA. Queque oHm fuerat cura, manere potest. NOli misen flemul, solellque obducimus almas V"i"'~LU"'. tanquam duplice nube, genis. Interea classem magnis Rex instruit ausis : autem fiemus : ea lIola tuill, Ecce solutura alit, ventos causata morantes : pluviam: fietus lIuppediwset aquas. Tillius incumbit Dano: Gallusque marinis : flendo: hEC nOlltnlm tessera lola dncum. Sic evum. exigitur tardum, dum prepetis anni Mille rote nimiis impediuntur aquis. Plura tibi missurus eram que mihi laUfU8, Quod nectar, nisi cum te celebrare diem 1) Sed partem in scriptis etiam lacryma poscit, Diluit oppositas candidus humor aquas. 10. NEMPE hucullque notos tenebricolos, Et mestum nimio madore Crelum, Tell~rillque Britannice salivam Injuste satis arguit viator. At te commoriente, Magna Mater, Recte, quem trahit, aerem repellit Cum probro madidum, reumque diffiat, Nam nunc Ager, Urbs, et Aula plorant: Te nunc Anglia, Scotieque bine, Quin Cambria defiet, Deducens lacrymas prioris revi N e serm meritis tuil! venirent. . Non est angulus uspiam serenus, Nee cingit mare, inundat omnes, Digiti zIe PARENTALIA. II. DUM lib rata suia heeret radicibus Hex Nescia Vulturnis cedere, firma'manet. Post ubi crudelem sentit diviaa securem, Quo placet oblato, mortua fertur, hero : 223 Arbor et ipse inversa vocor: dumque insitus almee Aesideo Matri, robore vineo cedros. Nunc 80rti pateo, expositus sine matre procellis, Lubricus, et superans mobilitate salum. Tn radix, tu petra mihi firmiasima, Mater Ceu Polypus, chelis saxa prehendo tenax : Non tibi nunc soli filum abrupere sorores Diasutus videor funere et ipse tuo. Uncle vagans pesailll recta vocer alter Ulysses, AIteraque hmc tua mors, Ilias esto mihi. 12. FACESSE Stoica plebs, obambulans caut,s. Exuta strato carnia, oasibus constans, Iiaque siccis, adeo ut 08 Molossonlm Haud glubat inde tres teruncios escm. Dolere prohibes? aut dolere me gentis Adeo inficetm, plumbem, Medusete, Ad saxa speciem retrahentis humanam, Tantoque nequioria optimA. PyrrhA.. At forte matrem perdere haud Boles demens : Quin nec potes; cui prmbuit Tigris partum. Proinde pareo bennis, Dec irascor. D;g;';2Od by Coogle 224 PARENTALIA. 13. EPITAPHIUM. HIe sita freminei laus et victoria sexus : Virgo pudens, uxor fida, severa parens: Magnatumque inopumque mquum certamen et ardor: N obilitate illos, hos pietate rapit. Sic excelsa humilisque simul loca dissita junxit, Quicquid habet teUus, quicquid et astra, fruens. 14. 'f IJx1i~ atT9E11E~ ;pICO~, a,ualJf~v '1fVEV,uaTO~ arro~· Tp~E 7rOf.pOr. TVP.r:'f ~I~EO, tp;~, p.ovov. Nii r alJTii Tatpo~ i;' atTT~p" tptrro~ ?,Or.p EICEI VH ~Errcd~1I p.ovov, oi~ ~IICO~, ~7rOf.IJ).IV EXEI. Ni/v 0faOf.~ OTI ICaMo~ a7rElplTOV &7r~~ a7rOf.IJ?'~~ Oli tTOf.9pov, OIJ~~ p.E>'Oiv E7r).ETo, aMOr. voo~. "O~ ~IOr. tTfIJ,uaTIOIJ 7rpOTEfOV 1COf.t vi/v ~I' 'O).VP.7rH 'AtTTpa7rTflJV, SlJe;~flJv oi~ MOf., vEip.E tTE~. 15. M1iTEf, ?,IJVOf.IICOiv ~Y).II, avgeal7rfIJV Ef'~' 'O~lJf,ua !:lOf.lP.OVflJV, @Eoii ?'Ealf?,IOV, nOi~ viiv atpl7rTOf.tTOf.I, ?,OH ICOf.t ICIV~VVOIJ cHp.a~ 'N7roiitTOf. ICIJx>-ogev P.ETOf.IXI'-IH~. MEvoiirye tTOtpiIlV, ei r a7r!l>.>.axlJal Xfecdv, ZfIJ1i~ ~lJVef?'ov tTnv~e ~1ar.9EivOf.1 TtICVOI, D;g;t;zedby GoogIe PARBNT ALtA.. "EXf'I' ~1I'1-a, '1""" '1"' i'lrl",,/l-f/'I (iloll. MD.cWY 'I"~ 'YAafJllfOV, ~"'E>.I;pOOV 'l"fO'Ir"", A6.,0IV 'l"E ~IA'I"fOV, ~rr' m~EA.!)E;' ",1". Nul' ~ :',,011 ~EVr4i, O"I:'fl¥'I"o, v .. ~ 41EfOlIl '1"0 'lriiv, "'YO/V' ~ ~, 'A'lrt¥f1t'l""'" K~'lroll ITIJVOI~V DwQI~V ;IIO/Mt:III, M,cZv '1"' a'l"I¥f'lrov tTII/I-'1l'0fEUEtT!iiou cl'rU~. 'E')"a, cl'E plV}.~up.C~ lm'Aa'l". Ef.".oll 'l"U"OlpJ ~~r ¥VTJ/~ t&'I"ft¥'Ir'IJii, 9411Eiv tTlJVflcl'a" "fEi'l"'I"OV, ~ c:iMOI~ fJ,eiW. 16. Xi¥AE'lrOV cl'~Ei cl'_fUtTaI. X \ \ ,~ ~ . i¥AE'lrOV p.E1I Oil o-f"tT"'" XI¥AE'lr~'I"EfOV cl'E 'lr"II'I"O/v , A-fuOIIT~ a.p.'lrt¥UEtTBau. fEVETElfl¥V 011 '1"1, ~vcl'fOl' Alcl'up.au~ ''''f''"' 'l"OIl¥U'I"II1I 'E'lrocl'ufE'I"1¥1 'lrfE'llT6v'I"0/~. T ~; Er$E 'Y" Af'Yo~ Ef1lv l1oA/Jop.p.l¥'I"o" 'lr0~~, "Ivl¥ /l-1I'I"fo, iu$EvOtJtT", 'A('E'I"as- cl',_f,$EltT~ '1M"", "Of""tTl ~O/. 17. AI"'''' 'YEVETElfI¥V, E'lr"""'OlltTl'~ tV.Aol, Ou,,';~ i/l-~v jM~ ,6,..". 'Yf"~E~ t&eOl'YOV, I1fo""o/l-;" . cl" t&fm, "Ol~" :YEllE'I"Elfl¥" EMIITE" Q D;g;';"d by Coogle 22C1 . PAB.BNTALlA. Oilll :,, SaU/14 TOVtw VfJETEfl~EIV' O~~E 'YDr.f ;;~(df' Ou fJi'Y'Yo~ • .01,0, T' cZ')'lISOv, P.lap Ii, S6fav E'f'YEI" 'H S~,.,.,~, ir ~lIVaTov. np.IIOJ/I4TO, :'1n.ITO VTas",,,, A,,~,ol' T' r,~~ IC/llMii, SErOV TE ICIZTO'll'Tfoll. .. ' Aia~OI 'YEVETElfal', i'll'DU~O/JfTi 'YIIVDU1cE,,' OUIC :TI flaMo~~ XaflVIII f3ECO"'''P.EVDU hOf, . ,AZ;'af ~XEI p.E'Y~ ICfllT06p.EVDU: f~TE 'YDr.f aihal T~, 'II'Efi vUMaMOUVIV, ioii 'II'OIlC'~TO~ af~"" A,kp.oVE" ;, f3f,..o", vfJaAEfM IC~f Tfau/l4TI II,nT" ~Ef')'oU a/l4fT7l1Cuia, VEOV 'II'E'II'AoV ai/l4TI nllCTOV M"'fEf' Tlna/vowa, 'Yo~ xal 'II'h-SEVI v6,.xfollV. Al"alPoCo J 'YEV, ETElfall, E"'1IT1alal'o0 UVIV O,'ll'IOIf DU, OUIC :TI ~EV7I'O'''''' 'YAuICEf~ P.EAE~MIII Tf/ZfJEivDU' ''H,f3lo, ;'E"';OIO MIC"V, cZICTiva, ;Eno, llpaEi~ EiaflV06~ TE x;arai, E'II'IICI~VaTI IC~'II'OV' A~afor ~ SavaTo~ ICuf'''' ai, ~""O~ ~o~ IEiflOU ;'TT7ISEi~ f38"'~p..rMI, 'II'aVTa /l4falvEi. Z~ r aUTO, f3fax6 TI 'II'VElCoJII, ;" :p.'II'aAil' ariT~~ AT • ~ 1" \ , • , I\, IVOII op.ou loOlEII' 1CDU 7I'VEU/l4TO~ aAAo 'YEVEV.;;DU llvrii/l4, f3iou 'II'aE'o~tw p.oWOI, E'II'ErVVI p.ETf~va,. 18. K6p.aT' e'll'/ZfJf,o~na 8ap.~VEO~, ~ICE V""~""~ cPCoJTO, cZ'II'lZUfOP.""", O')'ICOU EfJEivSE nEtw. N~v SEP.I~ 0ffJllalrr p.E'Ya,..,,~ E'II'i ')'EjTOVO~ DU~V?f' OUAuP.'1ITOV~E f3,C"'I iip.p.", "VlnoyUIIOI~. 'AMDr. p.miT', ou ')'Dr.r Tafaxo~ 'II'oTi P."Tifa taa,,,?,, . K ' , "''' '" al 'II'fE'lrOV CoJor 'lrafa olZ1CfUIO f~VI p.E,E IV. / D;g;';2Od by Coogle PARENTAI.IA. 227 19. Excussos manibus calamos, falcemque resuDlptam Rure, sibi dixit Musa fuisse probro. Aggreditllr Matrem (conductis carmine Parcis) .Funereque hoc cultum vindicat regra slium. Non potlli non ire acri stimulante flagello: Quin matris superanll carmina poscit honos. Eja, agedum scribo: vicisti Musa; sed audi, Stulta semel scribo, perpetuo ut sileam. D;g;';2Od by Coogle • D;g;';2Od by Coogle V. GEORGII HERBER'rI A N G LIM US.iE RES P 0 N S 0 R I .iE, AD ANDRE..E MEL VINI SCOT! ANTI·TAl\II·CAMI·CATEGORIAM. PRO SUPPLICI EVANGELICORUM MINISTRORUM IN ANGLlA, AD SERENISSIMUM REGEM CONTRA LARVATAM GEMIME ACADEMI~ GORGONEM APOLOGIA; SIVE ANTI·T AM I-·C-AMI· CA TEGO RIA, AUCTORS AWDREA MELVINO. mPONSUM, NO~ DICTUM. IN80LENS, audax, facinus nefandum. Scilicet, (poscit ratio ut decori; Poacit ex omni officio ut sibi mens Conscia recti) Anxiam Christi vigilemque curam, QUE pias terria animas relictia Sublevana deducit in astra, nigroque Invidet Orca, R De sacri casta ratione cultlls, De sacro·sancti officii decoro Supplicem ritu veteri libellum Porgere regi, 1~ D;g;';2Od by Coogle 230 MUSil: RESPONSORIE. Simplici mente atque animo integello, Spiritu recto, et studiis m(Kte'stl!l, N uminis sancti veniam, et benigni Regis honorem 1'; Rite prrefantem: scalDs expiandum Scilicet tanromm, ovium, suumque Millibus centum, voluisse nudo Tangere verbo eo l'iroollllium fastus monuiBlie ritus lmpios, deridiculos, ineptos l.ege, 'ceu labes, maculasque lecta ex • Gents !:t .Iusque~jurandum UUL"IIIY'"O''' Exigi contra omnia; tum misellis Mentibus tristem ~""1,----- injici per Fasque,; nefasque. Turbida illimi crucis in lavacro Signa consignem ? magico rotatu Verba devolvam? sacra vox sacrata. murmuret unda 3~ Strigis in mOJ'em? rationis usu ad. ~fabor infanteul vaeuum oanons lngeram nugas minus audienti Dicta puello ? lI6 Parvulo impbstis manibus sacrabo GJ'atiae freclus digit6ne sponse Annulus sponsi impositus sacrabit Connubiale Digiti zIe MUSR. RESPONSQRtA:. Fmdus setemm bonitatis? Undi Num salutari mulier.sacerdos Tinget in vitam, Sephoramque ~ddet 231 Lustrica mater? ·u Pilei quadrum capiti rotundo Rite quadrabit? Pharium camillo Supparum Christi, et decus Antichristi Pontificale ? 48 Pastor examen gregis exigendum Curet invitus, celebrare calnam . Promptus areanam, memoranda ~esu Vulnera dh'a ? 52 Cantibus certent Berecyntbia rera Musicl1m {racus? reboentve rauco Templa mugitu? Illeeebris supremi ab Rector Olympi M Captus humanis ? .libitumque nobis, Scilicet, regi id 8upenim allubescet ? Somniumque mgri cerebri prof anum est. Dictio sacra? fio Haud secus lustri lupa Vaticani Romuli fsecem bibit. et bibendam Porrigit poc'lo, populisque et ipsis Regibus aureo. 6-& Non ita setemi Witakerus aeer Luminis vindex, patriseque lumen Dixit. aut sensit; neque celsasummi Penna Renoldi, lis D;g;';2Od by Coogle . • USA: KI8POJ1SOBI.&: Certa sublimes aperire calle., 8ueta ccelestes iterare CunUI,. La!ta misceri niveis beatle Civibua aulae; 7f Nec Tami, aut Cami accola laniore Mente, qui callum sapit in f'requenti Hermathenaeo, et celebri Lyeeo , Culta juventus, 76 Cujua atJulget genio Jov.lux, Cui nitens 801 justitiae "nidet, Quem jubar Christi radiaDtia.alto 8pectat Olympo. 80 Bucerum laudem? memoremque magnum Martyrem? gemmaa geminas renati Aurei saecli, duo dura sacri Fulmina belli ? Alterum Camus liquido recunu, . Alterum Tamus trepidante lymphA. Audiit, lnultum stupuitque magno Ore sonantem. 88 Anne mulcentem Rhodanum, et Lemanum Praedicem Bezam viridi in senecta ? Octies cujus trepidavit aetas Claudere denos Solis anf'ractus reditUsque, et ultra Quinque percurrens spatiosa in anpos Longiils florem viridantia aevi. . Prorogat et ver. 116 D;g;';2Od by Coogle RI!SPONSOR.l£~ Oris erumpit 1IC11ltel)la Amnis O"I'1nidi,,'nA rores Gratia frecunda apertis Auribus implent. Major hic omni invidia, et superstes Millibus milIe, et Sadecle, et omnium Maximo Calvino, alilsque veri Voce olorina Nunc canit Carmen, et Testibus mquis ; undas H@,uii'J119is almi eliquante Numinis aura, Sensa de castu sacra puriore, Dicta de cultu potiore' SaDcta; Arma qure in castris jugulent seved 100 , Tramitis hostes. 112 Cana cantanti Alpium aPlplallldtlDt, fesonllJUAIIUe Jura concentu n,,'mnpmln lIonoro, Et pater Ister Consonant longe; pater et bicornis Rhenus assensum ingeminat, Garumna,' Sequana" atque Arar, Liger: insularum et Undipotentum 120 Magna pars intenta Britannicarum Voce conspirat lIohlmque, Et salum, prmcinentis More, modoque 234 I\IUSJE RESPONSORI.I:. Concinunt Bezm numeris, modlsque Et plaudunt; referuntque leges Lege quas sanxit pius ardor, et rex Scoto-britannus. Sicut edictum tabulis ahenis Servat reternum pia cura regis Qui mare, et terras, varilsque nlUndum Temperat horis : l:lt Cujus requaUs soboles parenti Gentis electre pater, atque custOll; Par et ambobus, veniens utrinque Spiritus almus ; Quippe Tres-unus Deus; unus actus, Una natura est tl'ibus; una virtus Una Majestas, Deitas et una, Gloria et una. 110 Una vis immensa,'pel'ennis una V ita, lux una, et sapientia una,. Una mens, una etrano, una vox, et Una voluntas HI Lenis, indulgens, faciIis, benigna; Dura, et indemens, rigida, et severa Semperreterna, omnipotens, .et requa, et alma Lucidum cuju8 speculum est, rellectens Aureum 'vultas jubar, et verendum, Virginis sata crelo, et alti interpres Olympi : I~I MUSA: R'EIIPONSOR1A:. 295 Qui Patris mentemque, animumque SlDcti Filius pandit face noctiluca, . Sive doctrinm documenta, seu compendia Vitm, l&i Publicm, privm, sacra scita regni Regia ad nutum referens, domlisque Ad voluntatem Domini instituta Singula librans, 1/10 Luce quam Phrebus melior refundit, Lege, quam legum- tulit ipse -lator, Cujus exacti officii suprema est Norma voluntas. 16. Cmca mens humana, hominum voluntaa Prava, et aft'ectus rabidl: indigetque Luce mens, norma officii voluntas, Lege libido, 168 Quisquia hane- surda negat aure, qua se Fundit ubertim liquid as sub auras, I1Ie ter prudens, sapiensque, et omni ex Parte beatua. IT! EI'go vos Cami procerelJ, Tamique, Quos via flexit maleauadaa error, Denuo rectum, duce Rege Regum, insistite callem. ITo v 08 metus tangit si hominum Dec ullos, At Deum fandi memorem et nefandi Vindicem sperate, et amrena solia Tartara diris ; lilt) D;g;';2Od by Coogle IIUSA: BDPON80RLE; Quae manent sontel 'animu, truceaque Praesulum futu" male quu perurit Perrigil zelus vigilum, et gregis custodia pemox. un Velte bis tinct! Tyrio superbos Murice, et putos dape pinguiore Regia quondam aut Saliari'iriuncta abdomine crena. 188 Qualis Ursini, Damasique fastul TurgiduI, luxuque ferox; fer6que Ambitu pugnax, laCl'am et melero, et urbem Cmele nefand! 1\12 Civium inceetavit; et oJilinosum Traxit exemplum venieol'in IIlvum, Prresulum quod nobilium iodecoi'U1 Provocat ordo. 1116 Quid fames auri lacra? quid cupido Ambitu diro fera non propagat ' Postel;1 culpm? mala damna quota Plurima fundit 1 PRO DISCIPLINA ECCLESIA: NOSTR.£, EP,IGRAMMATA APOLOGETIC A I. AUGUSTISSIMO POTENTISSIMOQUE 1IONARCHI£ JACOBO, D. G., MAGN.I£ BRITANN1.l£; FRAliCI.I£, ET HlBERNlE REGl, FIDEI DEFENSORl, ETC. GEO. HERBERTUS. ECCE reeedentis freeundo in Iittore Nili Sol generat populum luee fovente novum. Ante tui, Cll!8ar, quam fulserat aura favoris, Nostne etiam Musal vile fuere lutum: N une adeo per te vivunt, ut repere possint, Sin'que ausllll tbalamum solis adire tui. II. fLLUSTRIS CELSISSIMOQUE CAROLO. WALLIE, ET JUVENTUTIS PRINClPI. QUAM ehartam tihiporrigo reeentem, Humanre deeus atque apex juventm, Obtutu placido benignus ames, N am[ que) aspectibus e tuis vel unus MDrdaees tineas, nigraBque blattas, Quu livor mihi parturit, retundet, 238 EPtGRAMMATA APOLOGETJCA. Ceu, quaa culta timet seges, pruinaa N ascentes radii fugant, vel acres TantUm dulcia leniunt catarrb08. Sic a te (juvenem, senemve) creelat Mors semper juveDem, seDem BritaDDi. III. REVERENDISSIMO IN CHRISTO PA'rRI, AC DOMINO, EPISCOPO VINTONIENSI, ETC. [LAVNCELOT ANDlI.EWES.] SANCTE Pater, creli custos, quo doctius uno Terra nihil, nec quo s8Dctius astra vident ; Cum mea flltilibus Dumeris se verba viderent Claudi, pene tUM prmteri~re fores. Sed propel'e, dextreque reduxit euntia sensus, Ista docens soli scripta quadrare tibi. IV. AD REGEll EPIGRAMMA'rA DUO. 1. IN!STITUTI EPIGRAMIIIATICI RATJO. CUM milleDa tuam pulsare Degotia mentelD Constet, et ex illa pendeat orbis ope; Nil te productis videar Inssal'8 camamis, Pro solido, Cmsar, cal'mine frustadaho. Cum tu contundens Catbaros, vult(lque librisque~ Grata mihi meDBIle sunt analecta tUlle. 2. AD MELVINUM. NON mea fert Iletas, ut te, v~ter8De, lac888aID ; NOD ut te superem: res tamen ipsa fel'8t.' D;g;';2Od by Coogle APOLOGETICA, lEtatis numerum IUI'ooltAhit Sic tu nunc eg6que senex, Aspice, dum perstas, ut te tua deserat mtas; Et mea sint canis scripta referta tuis. Ecce tamen quam suavis ero! cum, fine duelli, Clauserit extremas pugna peracta vices, Tum tibi, si placeat, fugientia tempora reddam ; Sufficiet votis ista juventa meis. 3. IN MONSl'RUM VOCABULI ANTI-TAl\UCAl\ II-CATEGORIA. EUNDEM. o QUAM bellus homo es! lepido quam nomine fingis letas Anti-Tami-Cami-Categol'ias ! Sic Catharis nova sola placent; res, verba novantur: Qum sapi!JDt mvum, ceu cariosa jacent. Quin liceat nobis aliquas procudere voces: Non tibi taberna patet. Cum sacra furor omnia, .""intnm Hoc erit, Pollubra vel damn~ris Regia in ara, Est Anti-pelvi-Melvi-Categoria. 4. PARTITIO ANTI-TAMI-CAMI-CATEGORIlE. TRES video partes, quo re distinctius ll13r, Anticategorim, Scoto-Britanne, tum,: Ritibus'" una ;t altera sanctol -------- -------- • Ab initio t Inde ad "era. 240 EPIGRAMMATA APOLOGETIC •• Pnedieat auctlOres;· tertia plena Deo e8t. Postremis ambaool idem sentimul uterque; Ipse pi08 laudo; DomeD et ipse colo. Non nisi prima luaa patiuntur pnelia lites. o bene quOd dubium poasideamus agrum ! S. IN METRI GENUS. CIIR, ubi tot ludat numeril antiqua poesis, Sola tibi Sappho, feminaque una placet? Cur tibi tam facile non arrisere poet&:! Heroum grandi carmina fulta pede? Cur non lugentes elegi? non acer Iambus? Commotoa animos reetius ista decent. Scilicet hoc vobis propriom, qui pttriUa itis, Et populi IpUrcas creditis eBBe viaa ; V 08 ducibus missis, mi88is doctorioos, omne. Femineum blanda faIlitis arte genus: Nunc etiam teneras quo versus gratior auree Muleeat, imbelles eomplaeuere modi. 6. DE ·LARVA'rA ·GORGONE.t GOROONA cur diram, larvasque obtrudis inanes, . Cum proptlsit nobis DUlsa, Medusa procul ? Si, quia feliees olim dixere poetlll Pallada gorgoneam, sic tua verba placent. Vel potius Iieeat distinguere. T6<)uetulque Sumite gorgoneam, n08traque Pallaa erit. - ,lnde 176. . t In titldo. EPIGIl.AJlMATA APOLOGETICA. 241 7. DE PRlESULUM FASTU.'" PRA:8ULIBU8 nostris fastus, Melvine, tumentes Slilpius aspergis. Siste, pudore vacas. An quod semotum populo laquearibu8 altis Eminet, id tumidum protinus eSBe feres ? ErgO etiam solem dicas, ignave, superbum, Qui tam sublimi conspicit orbe viam : Ille tamen, quamvis altus, tua crimina ridens Assiduo vitem lumine cingit humum. Sic laudandus erit nactus sublimia pflilsul, Qui dulci miseros irradiabit ope. 8. DE GEMINA ACADEMIA.t QUI8 htc superbit, oro? tune, an pflilsules ? \ Quos dente nigro corripis? Tu duplicem solus camrenarum thronum Virtute percellis tua; Et onus impar IIlstimatur viribus, Utrumque stemis calcitro: Omnesque stulti audimus, aut hYPOCritlll, Te perspicaci, atque integro. An rectius nos, si vices vertas, probi, Te contumaci, et livido ? Quisquis tuetur perspicillis Belgicis -Qua parte tractari solent, Res ampliantur, sin per adversam videt, Minora fiunt omnia: To qui superbos ClilteroS existimas • Ver.ll. t In titulo. R D;g;';2Od by Coogle 241 EPIGRU(MATA APOLOGETICA. (Superbius cum te nihil) Vertaa specillum: nam, prout se res habent, Vitro minUs recte uteris. 9. DE S. BAPTISMI RITU.· CUM tener ad sacros infans sistatur aquales, QuOd puer ignorat, verba profana putas? AllDon sic mercamur agros? quibus ecce Redemptor Comparat reterni regna beata Dei. Scilicet emptorem si res aut parcior retas Impediant, apices legis amicus obit. Forsitan et prohibes infans portetur ad undas, Et per se templi limen adire velis: Sin, Melvine, pedes alien08 postulet infans, Cur sic displiceat vox aliena tibi ? Rectiu.s innocuis lactentibus omnia prrestes, Qure ratio per se, si sit adulta, facit. Quid vetat ut pueri vagitus suppleat alter. Cum nequeat claras ipse litare preces ? Srevus es eripiens parvis vadimonia creli : Et tibi sit nemo prres, ubi poscis opem. 10. DE SIGNACULO CRUCIS.t CUR tanta sufilas probra in innocuam crucem ? Non plus maligni dremones Christi cruce Unquam fugari, quam tui socii solent. Apostolorum culpa non levis fuit Vitllsse Christi spiritum efilantis crucem. • Ver.M. t Ver.t9. D;g;';2Od by Coogle EPIGRAMMATA APOLOGETICA. 243 Et Christianus quisque piscis dicitur Tertulliano, propter undse pollubruPl, Quo tingimur parvi. Ecquis autem brachiis N atare sine clarissima potest cruce? Sed non moramur: namque vestra crux erit, Vobis faventibUsve, vel negantibus. 11. DE JURAMEN'.rO ECCLESI~.· A RTICULIS sacris quidam subscribere jussus, Ah! cheiragra vetat, quo minus, inquit, agam. o vere dictum, et belle! cum torqueat omnes Ordinis 080res articulare malum. 12. DE PURIFICATIONE POST PUERPERIUM.t ENIXAS pueros matres se sistere templis Displicet, et laudis tura litare Deo. Forte quidem, cum per vestras ecclesia turbas Fluctibus intemis exagitata natet, Vos sine maternis hymnis infantia vidit, Vitlique neglectas est satis ulta preces. Sed nos, cum nequeat parvorum lingua parentem Non laudare Deum, credimus esse nefas. Quotidiana suas poscant si fercula grates, Nostra caro sanctlle nescia laudis erit? Adde piis animis qusevis occasio lucro est, QUill possint humili fundere corde preces. Sic ubi jam mulier decerpti conscia pomi • Ver. i5. t Ver. t2. D;g;';2Od by Coogle 244 EPIGRAMMATA APOLOGETICA. Ingemat ob partus, ceu maledicta, SUOB, Apposite quem commotum subfugerat olim, Nunc·redit ad mitem, ceu benedicta, Deum. 13. DE ANTICHRISTI DECORE PONTIFICAL!.· NON quia Pontificum sunt olim afIlata veneno, Omnia sunt temere projicienda foras. Tollantur si cuncta malus qUill polluit USU8, Non remanent nobis corpora, non animm. 14. DE SUPERPELLICEO.t QUID sacra! tandem meru&-e vestes ? Quas malus livor jaculis lacessit Polluens castam chlamydis colorem Dentibus atria ? Quicquid ex urna lDeliore ductum Luce pitB1ustri, vel bonore pollet, Mens sub insigni specie coloris Concipit albi. Scilicet talem liquet eBBe solem; Angeli vultu radiante candent ; Incolm creli melioria albA. Veste triumphant. E creaturis sine mentis usu t Conditis binas bomini sequendas Spiritus proponit, et est utrique Candor amicus. • Ver.48. t Ver.49. * Ovis, at Columba. Columal. 6. 7. c. I. at 8. c. 8. D;g;';2Od by Coogle E~.IGI~Ai!IM:A·I·A APOLOGETICA. Ergo hostes, Filii malignus, Dum suum nomen tenet, et triumphat Albion albo. 15. DE PILEO QUADRATO.* QUA: dicteria Superpellicci trcmc.ndllll hostis, Isthmc Et partem Non sic supremam; vel unus Quo dictis minus acribus notetur. Verum heus! si reputes, tibi tUlsque Longe pileus anteit galerum, Ut fervor cerebri refrigeretur, Qui vestras edit intime medullas. Sed qui tam male pileos habetis, Quos veren4um . Ne tandem impetatis. CATHARUM. CUR Latiam linguam reris nimis esse profanaml Quam pra>missa probant secula, nostra probant 'I Cur teretem Grmcam damnas, atque Hellada totam, Qua tamen occisi fredera scripta Dei? &ilicet Hehr&laID cantas, et perstrepis unam : Hme facit loquela tuum. 45. 246 EPIGRAMMATA APOLOGETICA. 17. DE EPISCOPIS.· Quos charas habuit Christus Apostolos, Testatosque suo tradiderat gregi ; Ut cum mors rabidis unguibus imminens Doctrinm lI11Vios clauderet aurem, Mites acciperent lampada prmsules, Servarentque sacrum clavibus ordinem ; Hos nunc barbaries impia vellicat Indulgens propriis ambitionibus, Et quos ipsa nequit scandere vertices Hos ad se trahere, et mergere gestiens. o crecum populum! si bona res siet Prmsul, cur renuis? ain mala, paucul08 Quam cUDctoa fieri pnestat episcopos. 18. DE IISDEM, AD MELVINUM.t PR.£SULIBUS dirum 18 Musa coarguit hostem, An quia textores, artificesque probae ? 19. DE TEXTORE CATHARO. CUM piscatores Textor legit esse vocatos, Ut sanctum Domini persequerentur opus; Ille quoque invadit Divinam :Flaminis artem, Subtegmen reti dignius esse putane, Et nunc perlongas Scriptune stamine telae f Torquet, et in textu doctor utroque cluet. • Ver.lt9. t Ver.184. t Ver.59. D;g;';2Od by Coogle l!.PIGRAMMATA APOLOGETICA. 247 W. DE MAGICIS ROTATIBUS." murmur auscultas audio nullum. Age. provocemllil angelos ipsos, Auresque ipsi sint litis, Utrum tenore sint necne lEquabili facta. Ecquid ergo te tanta Calumniandi concitavit urtica, Ut, qure Papicolis propria, assuas nobis, Falsumque potius, quam crepes [vero?] versu? Tu perstrepis tamen; utque turgeat carmen Tuum tibi, belle mystes Magicos rotatllll, striges, t Dicteriis mordacibull clamas Non convenire n1r,,<,i I)m, o srevushostis r\ihilne res,polldebmlllil 21. AD FRATRES. o SECLUM lepidum! circum stant undique Fratres, Papicollsque sui sunt, catharisque sui. Sic nunc omnia fratris, amore Cum nil esse queat. 22. MACULISQUE·l WBECULAS, maculasque nobis objicis, Quid? hoccine est mirum? Viatores SUlDUS. • Verso 30. 32. t Ver.33. t Ver.23. Digiti 248 EPIGRAMMATA APOLOGETICA. QUO sanguis est Christi, nisi ut maculas lavet, Quas spargit animee corporis propius lutum? Vos ergo puri! 0 nomen appositissim um Quo vulgus ornat vos! At audias parum; Astronomus olim (ut £ama) dum maculas diu, Quas luna habet, tuetor, in foveam cadit, Tot6sque ceenum Cynthiee ignoscit notis. Ecclesia est mihi luna; perge in fabula. 23. DE MUSICA SACRA.· CUR efficaci, Deucalion, manu, Post restitutos ftuctibus obices, Mutu in humanam figuram Saxa supervacuasque cautes ? Quin redde formas, 0 bone, pristinas, Et nos reducas ad lapides avos: N am saxa mirantur canentes, Saxa Iyras, citharasque callent. Rupes tenaces, et silices ferunt Potentiori carmine percitaa SaItus per incultos, lacUsque Orphea melliftuum secutas. Et saxa diris hispida montibus Amphionis testitudine nobili Percussa dum currunt ad urbem, Meenia contribu~re Thebis. Tantum repertum est trux hominum genus, Qui templa sacris expoliant choris, Non erubescentes vel ipsas Duritia superare cautes. • Ver.5+. D;g;';2Od by Coogle ;EPIGRAMMATA APOLOGETICA. 249 o plena centum musica gratiis, Pneclariorum spirituum cibus, Quo me vocas tandem, tuumque Ut celebrem decus insusurraS ? Tu Diva miro pollice spiritum Cmno prof ani corporis exuens Ter millies Call!) repoq,is : Astra rogant, Novus hic quia hospes? Ardore Moses concitus entheo, Merais revertens lmtus ab hostibus . Exuscitat plebem sacratos Ad Dominum properare cantus . . Quid hocce? Psalmos audion'? 0 dapes ! o succulenti balsama spiritus! Ramenta cmli, guttulmque Decidum melioris orbis I Quos David, ipsm delicim Dei, Ingens piorum gloria Principum, Sionis excelsas ad arees Cum citharis, lituisque miscet. Miratur sequor finitimum sonos, Et ipse Jordan 8istit aquas stupens; Pm quo Tibris vultum recondit, EridanUsque pudore fusus. Tun' obdis aures, grex nove, barbaras, Et nullus audis? Cantibus obstrepens, Ut, quo fatiges verberesque Pulpita, plus spatii lucreris ? At cui videri prodigium potest Mentes, quietis tympana publicm, Discordiis plenas 80noris Harmoniam tolerare nullam ! D;g;';2Od by Coogle 250 EPIGRAMMATA APOLOGETICA. 24. DE EADEM.· CANTUS sacros, profane, mugitus vocas ? Mugire multO mavelim quam rudere. 25. DE RlTUUM USU.t CUlII primum ratibus suis Nostram Cmsar ad insulam Olim appelleret, intuens Omnes indigenas loci Viventes sine vestibus, o victoria. clamitat, Certa, ac perfacilis mihi ! Non alio Cathari modo Dum sponsam Domini piiB Orbam ritibus expetunt, Atque ad barbariem patrum Vellent omnia regredi, Illam tegminis insciam Prorsus dmmoni, et hostibus Exponunt superabilem. Atqui V08 secus, 0 boni, Sentire, ac sapere addecet, Si vestros anim08 regant Scripturm canones sacrm : Namque hmc, jure, ciiipiam Vestem non adimi suam, Sed nudis et egentibus Non suam tribui jubet. • Ver.85. t Ver.21. D;g;';2Od by Coogle EPI6RAM~IATA APOLOGETICA. 251 26. DE CONJUGALI. SED nee eonjugii signum, Melvine, probabis? Nee vel tantilIum pignus habebit amor? N una e nubibus areum erelesti moderatur aqum. Ina quidem a nostro non multum abludit imago, Annulus· et plenus tempore forsan erit. Sin nebulis pareas, et nostro pareito signo, absimi1is ut quos ante cum tedas lVu shed His shine, When he should see : But, till that be, I'll rest contented with it, 88 it is. TilE SYNAGOGUE. XVIII. CHURCH-OFFICERS .. STAY. Officers in Church? Take heed: it is A tender matter to be touch'd. If I chance to say anything amiss, Which is not fit to be avouch'd, 301 I must expect whole swarms of wasps to sting me, Few, or no bees, honey or wax, to bring me. Some would have none in Church do any thing As Officers, but gifted men; Others into the number more would bring, Than I see warrant for: So then, All that I say, 'tis like, well censured be, Through prejudice, or partiality. . But 'tis no matter; If men censure me, They but my fellow Be"ants are: Our Lord allows us all like liberty. I write, mine own thoughts to declare, Not to please men: and, if I displease any, I will not care, so they be ofthe Many. XIX, TilE SEXTON. THE Church's key-keeper opens the door, And shuts it, IweeJ18 the floor, Rings bell., digs graves, and fills them up again; All Emblem. unto men, Openly owning Christianity, To mark, and learn many good lessoD5 by, D;g;';2Od by Coogle 302 THE SYNAGOGUE. o thou that hast the key of David, who Open'st and shuttest so, That DOne can shut or open after thee, Vouchsafe thyself to be Our soul's door-keeper, by thy blessed spirit: The lock and key's thy mercy, not our merit. Cleans\! thou our sin-soiled souls from the dirt and Of every noisome lust, [dust Brought in by the foul feet of our affections : The besom of aftlictions, With the blessing of thy spirit added to it. If thou be pleased to say it s.haU, will do it. Lord, linging changes all our bells hath marr'd, . Jangled they have, and jarr'd So long, they're out of tune, and out of frame, They seem not DOW the same. Put them in frame anew, and once begin To tune them so, that they may c~ime all in. Let aU· our sins be buried in thy grave, No longer rant and rave, As they have done, to our eternal shame, And the scandal of thy name. Let's as door-keepers in thine house attend, Rather than the throne of wickedness ascend. D;g;';2Od by Coogle THE SYNAGOGUE. xx. THE CLERK. THE Church's Bible-Clerk attends Her Utensils, and ends Her Prayers with Amen; TUlles Psalms, and to the Sacraments Brings in the Elements, And takes them out again ; Is humble minded, and industrious handed, Doth nothing of himself, but as commanded. All that the vessels of the Lord Do bear with one a~coj.d Must study to be pure, As they are: if his holy eye Do any spot espy, He cannot it endure; But most expecteth to be sanctified In those come nearest him, and glorified. Psalms then are always tuned best, When there is most expreat The holy Penman's, heart: All Music is but discord where That wants, or doth not bear The first and chief est part. Voices, without afi'ections answerable, When best, to God are most abominable. Though in the blessed Sacraments The outward Elements 303 D;g;';2Od by Coogle 304 THE SYNAGOGUE. Are bllt as husks and shells; Yet he that knows the kernel's worth, If even those send (orth Some Aromatic smells, Will not esteem it waste, lest, Judas-like, Through Mary's side he Christhimselfshould strike. Lord, without whom we cannot tell How to speak or think, well, Lend us thy helping hand, That what we do may pleasing be, Not to ourselves but thee, And answer thy command: So that, not we alone, but thou mayst say Amen to all our prayers, pray'd the right way. XXI. THE OVERSEER OF THE POOR. TJiE Church's Almoner takes care, that none In their necessity Shall unprovided be Of maintenance" or employment; those alone, Whom ~areless idleness, Or riotous excess, Condemns to needless want, he leaves to be Chasten'd a while by their own poverty. Thou gracious Lord, rich in thyself, doat give To all meilliberally, Upbraiding none. Thine eye Is open upon all. In thee we live, D;g;';2Od by Coogle THE SYNAGOGUE. 306 We move, and have our being : But there is more than seeing. For the poor with thee: they are thy special charge; To the In thou dOlt thine heart and hand enlarge. Four sorta of poor there are, with whom thou deal'st, Though always differently, With such indifferency, That none hath reason to complain thou hearst • All those whom thou dost wound : If there be any found Hurt themselves, thou leavest them endure The pain, till the pain render them fit for cure. Some. in the world are poor, but rich in faitl! : Their outward poverty A plentifnl supply Of inward comforts and contentments hath. And thoir estate is blest, In this above the rost, It was thy choice, whilst thou on earth didst stay, And hadst nut whereupon thy head to Some poor in spirit in the world are rich, Although not many such And no man needs to grutch Their happiness, who to maintain that pitch, Have an hard task iu hand, Nor easily can withstand The strong temptations that attend on riches: Mountains are more exposed to storms than ditches. Some rich the world are spiritually POOl', And destitute of grace, x 306 THE SYN AGOGUE. Who may perchance have place III the Church upon earth j but heaven's door Too narrow is to admit Such camels in at it, Till they sell all they have, that field to buy, Wherein the true treasure doth hidden lie. Some spiritually poor, and destitute . Of grace in the world are poor, Begging from door to door, Accursed both in God's and man's rep:Jte, Till by their miseries Tutor'd they learn to prize Hungering and thirsting after righteousness, Whilst they're on earth, their greatest happiness. Lord, make me poor in spirit, and relieve Me how thou wilt thyself, No want of worldly pelf Shall make me discontented, fret and grieve. I know thine alms are best: But, above all the rest, Condemn me not unto the hell of riches, Without thy grace to countercharm the witChes. XXII. THE CHURCH-WARDEN. 'THE Church's guardian takes care to keep Her buildings always in repair, Unwilling that any decay should creep On them, before he is aware, D;g;';2Od by Coogle THE SYNAGOGUE. Nothing defaced, Nothing displaced He likes; but most doth long and love to see The living stones order'd as they should be. Lord, thou not only supervisor art 307 Of all our works, but in all those, Which we dare own, thine is the chief est part; For there is none of us, that knows How to do well; . Nor can we tell What we should do, unless by thee directed: It prospers not that's by ourselves projected. That which we think ourselves to mend, we mar, And often make it ten times ~orse : Reforming of religion by war Is the chymic blessing of a curse. Great odds it is That we shall miss Of what we looked for: Thine ends canDot By any but by thine own means be got. 'Tis strange we so much dote upon our own Deformity, and others scorn : As if ourselves were beautiful alone; When that which did us most adorn We purposely Choose to lay by, Such decency and order, as did place us In highest esteem, and guard as well as grace us. Is not thy daughter glorious within, When clothed in needle-work without? D;g;';2Od by Coogle 308 THE SYNAGOGUE. Or is't not rather both their shame and sin, That change her robe into a clout, Too narrow, and Too thin, to stand Her need in any stead, much less to be An ornament fit for her high degree. Take pity on her, Lord, and beal her breaches: Clothe all her enemies with shame: All the despite that's done unto her reaches To the dishonour of thy name. Make all her sons Ricb precious stones, To shine each of them in his proper place, Receiving of thy fulness grace for grace. XXlII. THE DEACON. THE Deacon! That's the Minister. True, taken generally; And without any sinister Intent, used specially, He's purposely ordain'd to Minister, In sacred things, to another officer. At whose appointment, in whose stead, He dotb what he should do, In some things, not in all: is led By law, and custom too. Where that doth neither bid, nor forbid, he Thinks this sufficient authority: D;g;';2Od by Coogle THE SYNAGOGUE. Loves not to vary, when he sees No great necessity; To what's commanded he agrees, With all humility; Knowing how highly God submiuion prizes, Pleased with obedience more than sacrifices. Lord, thou didst of thyself profess Thou wast as one that served, And freely choosest to go leu, 309 Though none so much deserved. With wb,at face can we then refuse to be Enter'd thy serVants in a low degree? Thy way to exaltation Was by humility; But we, proud generation, No difference of degree In holy orders will allow, nay, more, All holy orders would tum out of door. But, if thy precept cannot do't, To make us humbly serve, Nor thy example added to't, If still from both we swerve, Let none of us proceed, till he can tell, How to use the office of a Deacon well. Which by the bl888ing of thy spirit, Whom thou hast left to be Thy Vicar here, we may inherit, And minister to thee, Though not so well as thou mayst well expect, Yet so, as thou wilt pleased be to accept. D;g;';2Od by Coogle 310 THE SYNAGOGUE. XXIV. THE PRIEST. THE Priest I say, the Presbyter, I mean, As nowadays he's call'd By many men: but I choose to retain The name wherewith install'd He was at first in our own mother tongue: And doing so, I hope, I do no wrong. The Priest, I say, 's a middle Officer, Between the Bishop and The Deacon; as a middle officer, Which in the Church doth stand Between God and the people, ready press'd In the behalf of both to do his best. From him to them offers the promises Of mercy which he makes; For them to him doth all their faults confess, Their pray.ers and praises taltes ; And offers for them, at the throne of grace, Contentedly attending his own place. The ward and sacraments, the means of grace, He duly doth dispense, The flourishes of falsehood to deface, With truth's clear evidence;' And sin's usurped tyranny suppress, By ad"!ancing righteousness, and holiness. The public censures of the Church he sees To execution brought-: D;g;t;zed by Coogle THE SYNAGOGUE. But nothing rashly of himself decrees, Nor covets to be thought Wiser than his superiors j whom always He actively, or passively, obeys. Lord Jesus, thou the Mediator art Of the new Testament, And fully didst perform thy double part Of God and man, when sent To reconcile the world, and to atone 'Twixt it and heaven, of two making one. Yea, after the order of Melchisedeck, Thou art a Priest for ever. With perfect righteousness thyself dost deck, Such as decayeth never. Like to thyself make all thy Priests on earth, BI888'd fathers to thy sons of the second birth. 311 ThOll camest to do the will of him that sent thee, And didst his honour seek More than thine own: well,may it then repent thee, Being thyself so meek, To have admitted them into the place Of sons, that seek their fathers to disgrace. Lord, grant that the abuse may be reform'd, Before it ruin bring Upon thy poor despised Church, tranllform~ As if 'twere no such thing: Thou that the God of order art, and peace, Make cursed confusion and contention cease, D;g;';2Od by Coogle 312 THE SYNAGOGUE. XXV. THE BISHOP. THE Bishop 1 Yes, why not 1 What doth that name Import that is unlawful, OT unfit? To say the Overseer is the same In substance, and no hurt, I hope, in it : But sure if men did not despise the thing, Such scorn upon the name tbey would not fling. Some Priests, some Presbyters, I mean, would be Each Overseer of his several cure; But one superior, to oversee Them altogether, they will not endure: This the main difference is, that I can see, Bishops they would not have, but they would be. But who can show of old that ever any Presbyteries without their Bishops were: Though Bishops without Presbyteries many, At first must needs be, almost every where? That Presbyters from Bishops first arose, To assist them, 's probable, not these from those. However, a true Bishop I esteem The highest officer the Church on earth Can have, as proper to itself, and deem A Church without one an imperfect birth, If constituted so at first, and maim'd, If whom it had, it afterwards disclaim'd. D;g;';2Od by Coogle THB SYNAGOGUE. All order first from unity arlseth, And the essence of it is Bubo.,mnation: Whoever this contemns, and that despiseth, May talk of, but intends not, reformation. 'Tis not of God, of Nature, or of Art, To ascribe to all what's proper to one part. To rule and to be ruled are distinct, And several duties, severally belong To several persons, can no more be link'd In altogether, than amidst the throng Of rude unruly passions, in the heart, Reason can see to act her sovereign part. Bnt a good Bishop, as a tender father, 3]3 Doth teach and rule the Church, and is obey'd; And reverenced by it, 80 much the rather, By how much he delighted more to lead All by his own example in the way, Than punish any, when they go astray. Lord, thou the Bishop, and chief Shepherd, art Of all that flock, which thou hast purchased With thine own blood: to them thou doat impart The benefits which thou hast merited, Teaching, and ruling, by thy b1eBBed Spirit, Their 80uls in grace, till glory they inherit: The stars which thou dost hold in thy right hand, The Angela of the Churches, Lord, direct Clearly thy holy will to understand, And do accordingly: Let no defect Nor fault, no Dot in our Dew politics, Provoke thee to remove our candle-sticks; D;g;';2Od by Coogle THE SYNAGOGUE. But let thy Urim and thy Thummim be Garments praise to adorn thine oneil : Light and perfection let all men see Brightly shine forth in those rich precious stones; Of whom thou wilt make a foundation, To raise thy new Hierusalem upon. And, at the brightness of its rising, let All nations with people shout for joy Salvation for walls and bulwarks set About it, that nothing may it annoy. Then the whole World thy Diocess shaH be, And Bishops all but Suffragans to Thee. XX VI. CHURCH FES'l'IV ALS. MARROW of Eternity brief Compendiums Epitomized, the chief Contents, the Indices, the Title-pages all past, present, and sueeeeding agel, Sublimate graces, antidated glorie!!, The cream of holinellll, The inventories future blelsseldnEll!II, The Florilegia of celestial stolies, of joyl'!, the relishes and closes Angels' music, pearls roses Perfumed, sugar'd honey-combs, delights N ever highly prized, The marriage rites, Which solemnized Digiti zIe THE SYNAGOGUE. Usher espoused souls to bridal nights, Gilded sun-beams, refined Elixirs, And quintessential extracts of stars : Who loves not you, doth but in vain profess That he loves God, or heaven, or happiness. 315 XXVII. THE SABBATH, OR LORD'S DAY. HAIL Vail Holy Wholly King of days, To thy praise, The Emperor, For evermore Or universal [week's Must the rehearsal Monarch of time, the Of all, that honour seeks, Perpetual Dictator. Undertheworld'sCreator. Thy My Beauty Duty Far exceeds Yet must needs The reach of art, Yield thee mine heart, To blazon fully; And that not dully: And I thy light eclipse, Spirits of 8Ouls, not lips When I most strive to raiseAlone, are fit to praise [thee. [thee. What Nothing Else can be, Thou only art; The extracted spirit Of all Eternity, By favour antedated. That Slow thing Time by thee Hath got the start, And doth inherit That immortality Which sin anticipated. D;g;';2Od by Coogle 316 THE SYNAGOGUE. o That I Could lay by This body so, That my lOul might be Incorporate with thee, And no more to six days owe. XXVIII. THE ANNUNCIATION, OR LADY-DAY. UNTO the music of the spheres Let men, and Angels, join in concert theirs. So great a messenger From heaven to earth Is seldom seen, Attired in 80 much glory ; A message welcomer, Fraught with more mirth, Hath never been Subject of any story : This by a double right, if any, may Be truly styled the world's birth-day. The making of the world ne'er cost So dear, by much, as to redeem it lost. God said but, Let it be, And every thing Was made straightway, So as be saw it good : But ere that he could see A course to bring D;g;';2Od by Coogle THE SYNAGOGUE. Man gone astray To the place where he stood, His wisdom with his mercy, for man's sake, Against his justice part did take. And the result was this day's news Able the messenger himself to amuse, As well as her, to whom By him 'twas told, That though she were A Virgin pure, and knew No man, yet in her womb A son she should Conceive and bear, As sure as God was true. Such high place in his favour she possess'd, Being among all women bless'd. But bless'd especially in this, That she believed, and for eternal bliss Relied on him, whom she Herself should bear, And her own son Took for her Saviour. And if there any be, That when they bear, As sbe had done, Suit their behaviour, They may be blessed, as she was, and say, 'Tis their Annunciation-day. 317 D;g;';2Od by Coogle · 318 THE SYNAGOGUE. XXIX. THE NATIVITY, OR CHRISTMAS-DAY. UNFOLD thy face. UDmask thy ray, Shine forth bright sun, double the day. Let no malignant misty fume, Nor foggy vapour, once presume To interpose thy perfect sight This day, which makes us love thy light For ever better, that we could That blessed object once behold, Which is both the circumference, And centre of all excellence: Or rather neither, but a treasure Unconfined without measure, Whose centre~ and circumference, Including all pre-eminence, Excluding nothing but defect, And infinite in each respect, Is equally both here and there, And now,.and then, and every where, And always, one, himself,. the same, A being far above a name. Draw nearer then, and freely pour Forth all thy light into that hour, Which wall crowned with bis birth, And made heaven envy earth. Let not his birth-day clouded be, By whom thou shinest, and we see. D;g;';2Od by Coogle TilE SYNAGOGUE. 319 xxx. THE CIRCUMCISION, OR NEW-YEAR'S DAY. SORROW betide my sins! Must smart so soon Seize on my Saviour's tender Hesh scarce grown Unto an eighth days' age ? Can nothing else assuage The wrath of heaven, but his 1nfant-blood ? Innocent infant, infinitely good I Is this thy welcome to the world great God I No sooner born, but subject to the rod Of sin-incensed wrath? Alas, what pleasure hath Thy Father's justice to begin thy passion, Almost together with thine incaJ'llation ? Is it to antedate thy death? To indite Thy condemnation himself, and write The copy with thy blood, Since nothing is 80 good ? Or, is't by this experiment to try, Whether thou beest born mortal, and canst die? If man must needs draw blood of God, yet why Stays he not till thy time be come to die? Didst thou thus early bleed For us to show what need We have to hasten unto thee 8S fast ; And leam tbat all the time is lost that's pass'd ? D;g;';2Od by Coogle 320 THE SYNAGOGUE. 'Tis true, we should do 80: Yet in this blood There's something else, that mUBt be understood j It seals thy covenant, That 80 we may not want WitneBB enough against thee, that thou art Made subject to the Law, to act our part. The sacrament of thy regeneration It cannot be; it gives no intimation Of what thou wert, but we : . Native impurity; Original corruption, was not thine, But only .as thy righteousneBB is mine. In holy Baptism this is brought to me, As that in Circumcision was to thee : So that thy loas and pain Do prove my joy and gain. Thy Circumcision writ thy death in blood : Baptism in water seals my livelihood .. o bleBBed change 1 Yet, rightly understood, That blood was water, and this water's blood. What shall I give again, To recompense thy pain? Lord, take revenge upon me for this .mart : To quit thy fore-skin, circumcise my beart. D;g;';2Od by Coogle THE S YN AGOGUE. 321 XXXI. THE EPIPHANY, OR TWELFTH-DAY. GREAT, without controversy great, They that do know it will confess The mystery of godliness j Whereof the Gospel doth intreat. God in the Hesh is manifest, And that which hath for ever been Invisible, may now be seen, The eternal deity new drest. Angels to shepherds broughi the news : And Wise men, guided by a Star, To seek the sun, are come from far: Gentiles have got the start of Jews. The stable and the manger hide His glory from his own; but these Though strangers, his resplendent rays Of Majesty divine have spied. Gold, frankincense, and myrrh, they give; And worshipping him plainly show, That unto him they all things owe, By whose free gift it is they live. Though clouded in a veil of Hesh, The sun of righteousness appears, Melting cold cares, and frosty fears, And making joys spring up afresh. y D;g;';2Od by Coogle 322 THE SYNAGOGUE. o that his light and influence, Would work effectually in me Another new Epiphany, Exhale, and elevate Die hence: That, as my calling doth require, Star-like I may to others shine; And guide them to that sun divine, Whose day-light never shall expire. XXXII. THE.PASSION, OR GOOD FRIDAY. THIS day my Saviour died: and do I live? What, hath not sorrow slain me yet? Did the immortal God vouchsafe to give His life for mine, and do I set More by my wretched life, than he by his, So full of glory, and of bliss? Did his free mercy, and mere love to me, Make him forsake his glorious throne, And mount a cross, the stage of infamy, That so he might not die alone; But dying sulfer more through grief and shame, Than mortal men have power to name? And can ingratitude so far prevail, To keep me living still? Alas! Methinks some thorn out of his crown, some nail, At least his spear, might pierce, and pass Thorough, and thorough, till it rived mine heart, As the right death-deseTl'ing part. Igi 'zed by Goog Ie lI'fNAGOGUE. And doth should be 80? Would price so great, And not look that his purchases should grow Accordingly? Shall I defeat Hisjust desire? 0 no, it cannot be: His death must needs be death to me. My life's not mine, but his: for he did die That I died so, That being alive; and I Thorough death must go To live with live by him here Is a part bear. Die then, dull soul, and if thou canst not die, DiBBolve thyself into a sea Of living tears, whose streams may ne'er go dry. No!' turned be another way, . Till they have drown'd all joys, but those alone, Which fo!' its own. and I am glad I do not: But, if T would, be sad And my lot Would be to grieve for ever, with a grief Uncapable of all relief. No grief was like that, which he g'I'ieved for me, A greater grief tpan can be told : And like my him'no grief should If I could I would : But what And will cannot, he doth see, died for me. 324 ·TIIE SYNAGOGUE. Lord, as thy grief and death for me are mine, For thou hast giyen them unto me; So my desires to grieve and die are thine, For they are wrought only by thee. Not for my sake then, but thine own, be pleased With that, which thou thyself hath raised. XXXIII. THE RESURRECTION, OR EASTER-DAY. Up, and away, Thy Saviour's gone before. Why dost thou stay, Dull soul? Behold, the door Is open, and his Precept bids thee rise, Whose power hath nnquish'd all thine enemies. Say not, I lin, Whilst in the grave thou liest : He that doth give Thee life would have thee prize't More highly than to keep it buried, where Thou canst not make the fruits of it appear. Is rottenness, And dust so pleasant to thee, That happiness, And heaven, cannot woo thee, To shake thy shackles oft', and leave behind thee Those fetters, which to death and hell do bind thee ? In vain thou saist, Thou art buried with thy Saviour, D;g;';2Od by Coogle TilE SYNAGOGUE. 325 If thou delay'st, To show, by thy behaviour, That thou art risen with him; Till thou shine Like him, how canst thou say his light is thine? Early he rose, And with him brought the clay, Which all thy foes Frighted out of the way: And wilt thou sluggard-like turn in thy bed, Till noon-sun beams draw up thy drowsy head? Open thine eyes, Sin-seized soul, and see What cobweb-ties They are, that trammel thee: Not profits, pleasures, honours, as thou think est : But loss, pain, shame,at which thou vainly winkest. All that is good Thy Saviour dearly bought With his heart's blood : And it must thel'e be, sought, Where he keeps residence, who rose this day: Linger no longer then; up, and away. xx X IV. THE ASCENSION, OR HOLY THURSDAY. MOUNT, mount, my 8Oul, and climb, or rather fly With aU thy force on high, Thy Saviour rose not only, but ascended; D;g;';2Od by Coogle 326 THB SYNAGOGUE. And he must be attended Both in his conquest and his triumph too. His glories strongly woo His graces to them, and will not appear In their full lustre, until both be there, Where he now sits, not for himself alone, But that upon his throne All hill redeemed may attendants be, Robed, and crown'd as he. Kings without Courtiers are lone men, they say; And dost thou think to stay Behind on earth, whilst thy King reigns in heaven, Yet not be of thy happiness bereaven ? Nothing that thou canst think worth having's here. Nothing is wanting there, That thou canst wish, to make thee truly blest. And, above all the rest, Thy life is hid with God in Jesus Christ, Higher than what is high'st. o grovel then no longer here on earth, Where misery every moment drowns thy mirth. But tower, my soul,-and soar above the skies, Where thy true treasure lies. Though with corruption, anet mortality Thou c1ogg'd and pinion'd be; Yet thy fleet thoughts, and sprightly wishes, may Speedily glide away. To what thou canst not reach, at least aspire, Ascend, if not in deed, yet in desire. D;g;';2Od by Coogle TJIE SYNAGOGUE. XXXV. WHITSUNDAY. NAY, startle not to hear that rushing wind, Wherewith this place is shaken: Attend a while, and thou shalt quickly find, How much thou art mistaken; If thou think here Is.any cause of fear. 327 Seest thou not how on those twelve reverend heads Sit cloven tongues· of fire? And as the rumour of that wonder spreads, . The multitude admire To see it: and Yet more amazed stand To hear at once so great variety Of language from them come, Of whom they dare be bold to say they be Bred no where but at home, And never were In place such words to hear. Mock not, profane despisers of the spirit, At what's to you unknown: This earnest he hath sent, who must inherit All nations !l8 his own': That they may know How much to him they owe. D;g;';2Od by Coogle 328, THE SYNAGOGUE. N ow that he is ascended up on high To his celestial throne, And hath led captive all captivity, He'll not receive alone, But lIkewise give Gifts unto all that live; To all that live by him, that they may be, In his due each one, Partakers with him in his victory, Nor he triumph alone; But take all his Unto him where he is. To fit them for which blessed state of glory, This is his agent here: To publish to the World tbat happy Always, and every where, This resident Embassador is sent. Heaven's lieger upon earth to counter-work The mines that Satan made, And bring to light those that lurk Under sin's gloomy shade: That hell may not Still boast what it hath got. Thus Babel's curse, confusion, is retrieved; Diversity of tongues By this divjsion of the spirit relieved: And to prevent all wrongs. One faith unites People different rites. gitize \,.J\' 31\: THE SYNAGOGUE. o let his entertainment then be such, As doth him best befit: Whatever he requireth think not much Freely to yield him it : For who doth this Reaps the first-fruits of bliss. XXXVI. TRINITY SUNDAY. GRACE, Wit, and Art, assist me; for I see The subject flf this day's solemnity So far excels in worth, That sooner may I drain the sea, Or drive the day With light away, Than fully set it forth, . Except you join all three to take my part, And chiefly grace fill both my head and heart. Stay, busy soul, presume not to enquire Too much of what Angels can but admire, And never comprehend: The Trinity In Unity, And Unity In Trinity, All reason doth transcend. God Father, Son God, and God Holy Ghost, Who most admireth, magnifieth most. 329 D;g;';2Od by Coogle 330 TilE SYNAGOGUE. And who most magnifies best understands, And best expre88eth what the heads, and hands, And hearts, of all men living, When most they try To glorify, And raise on high, Fall short, 'and lie, Groveling below: Man's giving Is but restoring by retail, with loss, What from his God he first received in gross. Faith must perform the office of invention, And Elocution, struck with apprehension Of wonder silence keep. Not tongues, but eyes Lift to the skies In reverend wise, Best solemnize This day : whereof the deep Mysterious subject lies out of the reach Of wit to learn, much more of art to teach. Then write n(ln ultra here; Look not for leal'e To speak of what thou never canst conceive Worthily, as thou shouldst : And it shall be Enough for thee, If none but he Himself doth see, Though thou canst not, thou wouldst Make his praise glorious, who is alone Thrice blessed one in three, and three in one. D;g;';2Od by Coogle THE SYNAGOGUE. XXXVII. INVITATION. TURN in, my Lord, tUl"n in to me: Mine heart's a homely place; But thou CaDst make corruption flee, And fill it with thy gl"ace : So furnished it will be brave, And a rich dwelling thou shalt have. It was thy lodging once before, It builded was by thee: But I to sin set ope the door, It l'ender'd was by me. And so thy building was defaced, And in thy room another placed. But he usurps, the right is thine: o dispossess him, Lord. Do thou but say, this heart is mine, He's gone at the first word. Thy word's thy will, thy will's thy power, Thy time is always; now's mine hour. Now say to sin, depart : And, Son give me thine heart. 331 Thou, that by saying, Let it be, didst make it, Canst, if thou wilt, by saying, Give't me, take it. D;g;';2Od by Coogle 332 TH2 SYNAGOGUE. XXXVIII. COMFORT IN EXTREMITY. ALAs! my Lord is going, Oh my woe! It will be mine undoing; If he go I'll run and overtake him : Ifhe stay, I'll cry aloud, and make him Look this way. o stay, my Lord, my Love, 'tis I; Comfort me quickly, or I die. Cheer up thy drooping spirits, I am here. Mine all-sufficient merits Shall appear Before the throne of glory I n thy stead : I'1l put into thy story What I did. Lift up thine eyes sad soul, and see Thy Saviour here. Lo, I am he. Alas! shall 1 present My sinfulness To thee? thou wilt resent The loathsomeness. Be not afraid, I'll take Thy sins on me, D;g;';2Od by Coogle THE SYNAGOGUE. 333 And all my favour make To shine on thee. Lord, what me, thou must make As I have DOW, I take thee. AND ASSURANCE. loRD, thou wilt love me. Wilt thou not? Beshrew that not : It was my sin begot That question first: Yes, Lord, thou wilt: Thy blood was spilt To wash guilt, Lord, I will I not? not. accursed plot I will, still, In spite of all my ill. Then life, and love continue still We fihall, and will, My Lord and I, until, In his celestial hill, We love our fill, When he hath mine ill. XL. VOWS AND RENEWED. ~AID I not would sin no more? Witness my God, I did; Yet I am run again upon the score: My faults cannot be hid. Digiti 334 THE SYNAGOGUE. What shall I do ? Make vows, and break tbem still ? "Twill be but labour lost; My good cannot prevail against mine ill : Tbe businesa will be crost. 0, say not so: thou canst not tell what strength Thy God may give thee at the length: Renew tby vows, and if thou keep the last, Thy God will pardon all tbat's past. [mayst Vow, whilst thou canst: while thou can.at vow, thou Perbaps perform it, wben tbou thinkest least. Thy God hath not denied thee all, Whilst he permits thee but to call : Call to thy God for grace to keep Thyvows; and if thou break tbem weep. Weep for thy broken vows, and vow again : Vows made with tears cannot be still in vain. Then once again I vow to mend my ways; Lord, say Amen, And thine be all the praise. XLI. CONFUSION. o ! .80W my mind Is gravell'd ! Not a thought, That I can find, But's raveU'd All to nought. Digitized by Goog Ie .' . ';rHE SYNAGOGUE. Short ends of threds, And narrow shreds Of lists, Knots snarled ruffs, . Loose broken tufts Of twists, 335 Are my tom meditation's ragged clothing, Which, wound and woven· shape a suit for nothing: ·One while I think, and then I am in pain To think h?w to unthink that thought again. How can my soul But famish With this food? Pleasure's full bowl Tastes ramish, Taints the blood. ·Profit picks bones, And chews on stones That choke: Honour climbs hills, Fats Dot, but fills With smoke. And whilst my thoughts are greedy upon these, They pass by pearls, and stoop to pick up pease. Such wash and dratf· is fit for none but swine: And such 1 am not, Lord, if I am thine. Clothe me anew, and feed me then afresh; Else my soul dies famish'd,and stal'ved with flelh. D;g;';2Od by Coogle 336 THE SYNAGOGUE. XLII. A PARADOX. THE WORSE THE BETTER. WELCOME mine health: this sickness makes me Medicines adieu : [well. When with diseases I have list to dwell, I'll wish for you. Welcome my strength: this weakness makes me Powers adieu: [able. When I am weary grown of standing stable, I'll wish for you. Welcome tny wealth: this loss hath gain'd me more. Riches adieu: When I again grow greedy to be poor, I'll wish for you. Welcome my credit: this dWace is glory. Honours adieu: When for renown, and fame I shall be sorry, I'll wish for you. Welcome contllnt: this sorrow is my joy. Pleasures adieu: When I desire such gl'iefs as may annoy, I'll wish for you. Health, strength, and riches, credit, and content, Are spared best, sometimes, when they are spent: , D;g;';2Od by Coogle c THE SYNAGOGUE. 337 Sickness and weakness, loss, disgrace, and sorrow, Lend most sometimes, when they seem moat to borrow. Blest be that hand, that helps by hurting, gives By taking, by forsaking me relieves. If in my fall my rising be thy will, Lord, I will say, The worse the better still. I'll speak the Paradox, maintain thOIl it, And let thy grace supply my want of wit. Leave me no learning that a man may see, So I may be a scholar unto thee. XLIII. INMATES. AN house I had (an heart, I mean), so wide, And full of spacious rooms on every side, That viewing it I thought I might do well, Rather than keep it void, and make no gain, Of what I could not use, to entertain Such guestl! as came: I did; But what befell Me quickly in that course, I sigh to tell. A guest I had (alas! I have her still) A great big bellied guest, enough to fill The vast content of hell, Corruption. By entertaining her, I lost my right To more than all the world hath now in sight. Each day, each hour, almost, she brought forth Or other base begot Transgression. [one, The charge grew great. I. that had lost before All that I had, was fOI·ced now to score z D;g;';2Od by Coogle 338 THE SYNAGOGUE. For all the charges of their maintenance In dooms-day book: Whoever knew't would say The least sum there was more than I could pay, When first 'twas due, besides continuance, Which could not choose but much the debt enhance. To ease me first I wish'd her to remove: But she would not. I sued her then above, And begg'd the Court of heaven but in vain To cast her out. No, I could not evade The bargain, which she pleaded I had made, That, whilst both lived; I should entertain, At mine own charge, both her and all her train. No help then, but or I must die or she; And yet my death of no avail would be : For one death I had died already then, When first she lived in me: and now to die Another death again were but to tie, And twist them both into a third, which when It once hath seized on, never looseth men. Her death might be my life; but her to kill I, of myself, had neither power nor will. So desperate was my case. Whilst I delay'd, My guest still teem'd, my debts stilI greater grew; The less I had to pay, the more was due. The more I knew, the more I was afraid: The more I mused, the more I was dismay'd. At last I learn'd,. there was no way but ODe: A friend must do it for me. He alone, That is the Lord of life, by dying can Digiti,edbyGOOgle THE SYNAGOGUE. 339 Save men from death, and kill Corruption: And many years ago the deed was done, His heart was pierced; out of his side there ran Sins corrosives, restoratives for man. This precious balm I begg'd, for pity's sake, At mercy's gate: where Faith alone may take What Grace and Truth do offer liberally. Bounty said, Come. I heard it, and believed; None ever there complain'd but was relieved. Hope waiting upon Faith said instantly, That thenceforth I should live, Corruption die. And so she died, I live, But yet, alas ! Weare not parted: She is where she was, Cleaves fast unto me still, looks thro' mine eyes, Speaks in my tongue, and museth in my mind, Works with mine hands: her body's left behind, Although her soul be gone. My miseries All flow from hence; from hence my woes arise. I loathe myself, because I leave her not; Yet cannot leave her. No, she is my lot, Now being dead, that living was my choice; And still, though dead, she both conceives and bears, Many faults daily, and as many fears : All which for vengeance call with a loud voice, And drown my comforts with their deadly noise. Dead bodies kept unburied quickly stink And putrefy. How can I then Imt think Corruption noisome, even mortified? Though such she were before, yet such to me She seemed not. Kind fools can never see. D;g;';2Od by Coogle' 340 THE SYNAGOGUE". Or will not credit, until they have tried, That friendly looks oft false intents do hide. But mortified Corruption lies unmask'd, Blabs her own secret filthiness unask'd, To all that understand her. That do none In whom she lives embraced with delight: She first of all deprives them of their sight; Then dote they on her, as upon their own, And she to them seems beautiful alone. But woe is me! One part of me is dead ; The other lives: Yet that which lives is led, Or rather carried captive unto sin, By the dead part. I am a living grave, . And a dead body I within me have. The worse part of the better, oft doth win: And, when I should have ended, I begin. The scent would choke me, were it not that grace Sometimes vouchsafeth to perfume the place With odours of the spirit, which do ease me, And counterpoise Corruption. BIessed spirit, Although eternal torments be my merit, And of myself Transgressions only please me, Add grace enough being revived to raise me. ChalI~nge thine own. Let not intrnders hold Against thy right, what to my wrong I sold. Having no state myself, but tenancy, And tenancy at will, what could I grant That is not voided, if thou say, avaunt! o speak the word, and make these inmates lIee: Or, which is one, ~ake me to dwell with thee. D;g;';2Od by Coogle THE SYNAGOGUE. 34l XLIY. THE CURB. PEACE, rebel thought: dost thou not know thy King, My God, is here ? Cannot his presence, if no other thing, Make thee forbear? Or were he absent, all the standers by Are but his spies: And well he knows, if thou shouldst it deny, Thy words were lies. If others will not, yet I must, and will, Myself complain. My God, e'en DOW a base rebellious thought Began to move, And subt'ly twining with me would have wrought Me' from thy love : Fain he would have me to believe, that sin And thou might both Take up my heart together for your Inn, And neither loathe The otner's company: a while sit still, And part again. Tell me, my God, how tllis may be redrest : The fault is great, And I the guilty.party have confest, I must be beat. And I refuse not punishment for this, Though to my pain; 342 THE SYNAGOGUE. So I may learn to do no more amiss, Nor sin again : Correct me, if thou wilt; but teach me then, What I shall do. Lord of my life, methinks I heard thee say, That labour's eased: The fault, that is confeBB'd, is done away, And thou art pleased. How can I sin again, and wrong thee then, That dost relent, And cease thine anger straight, as soon as men Do but repent ? No, rebel thought; for if thou move again, I'll tell that too. XLV. THE LOSS. THE match is made Between my love and me : And therefore glad . And merry now I'll be. Come, glory, crown My head; . And, pleasures, drowD My bed Of thorns in down. Sorrow, be gone ; Delight And joy alone D;g;';2Od by Coogle THE SYNAGOGUE. Befit My honey-moon. Be packing now, You cumb'rous cares, and fears: Mirth will allow No room to sighs and tears. Whilst thus lay, As ravish'd with delight, I heard one say, fools their friends requite. I knew the voice, My Lord's, And at the noise His words Did make, arose. I and spied Each where, And My dear; But none replied: Then to my grief I found my love was gone, Without relief, Leaving me all alone. XLVI, THE SEARCH. WHITHER, oh whither my Lord departed What can my love, that is so tender-hearted, 343 Forsake the which once he darted, As if it never smarted? 344 THE SYNAGOGUE. No, sure my love is here, if I could find him: He that fills all can leave no place behind him. But oh! my senses are too weak to wind him: . Or else I do not mind him. o no, I mind him not so as I ought; Nor seek him so as I by him was sought, When I had lost myself: he dearly bought Me, that was sold for nought. But I have wounded him, that made me sound; Lost him again, by whom I first was found: Him, that exalted me, have cast to the ground; My sins his blood have drown'd. Tell me, oh! tell me, (thou alone canst tell) Lord of my life, where thou art gone to dwell : For, in thy absence heaven itself is hell : Without thee none is well. Or, ifthou beest not gone, but only hidest Thy presence in the place where thou abidest, Teach me the sacred art, which thou providest . For all them, whom thou guidest, To Beek and find thee by. Else here I'll lie, Until thou find me. Ifthou let me die, That only unto thee for life do cry, Thou diest as well as I. For, if thou live in me, and I in thee, Then either both alive, or dead must be: At least I'll lay my death on thee, and see If thou wilt not agree. D;g;';2Od by Coogle THE SYNAGOGUE. 345 For, though thou be the Judge thyself, I have Thy promise for it, which thou canst not wave, That who salvation at thine hands do crave, Thou wilt not fail to save. Oh! seek, and find me then; or else deny Thy truth, thyself. Oh! thou that canst not lie, Show thyself constant to thy word, draw nigh. Find me. Lo, here I lie. XLVII. THE RETURN. Lo, now my love appears ; My tears Have clear'd mine eyes: Isee 'Tis he. Thanks, blessed Lord, thine absence was my hell ; And, now thou art returned, I am well. By this I see I must Not trust My joys unto myself: This shelf, Of too secure, and too presumptuous pleasure, Had almost sunk my ship, and drown'd my treasure. Who would hav~ thought a joy So coy To be offended so, And go So suddenly away? As if enjoying Full pleasur~ and contentment, were annoying, D;g;';2Od by Coogle 346 THE SYNAGOGUE. Hereafter I had need Take heed. Joys, amongst other things, Have wings, And watch their opportunities of flight, Converting in a moment day to night. But, is't enough for me To be Instructed to be wise? I'll rise, And read a lecture unto them that are Willing to learn, how comfort dwells with care. He that his joys would keep Must weep; And in the brine of tears And fears Must pickle them. That powder will preserve: Faith with repentance is the 8oul's conserve. Learn to make much of care : A rare And precious balsam 'tis For bliss; Which oft resides, where mirth with sorrow meets: Heavenly joys on earth are bitter-swe~ts. D;g;';2Od by Coogle THE SYNAGOGUE. XL VIII. INUNDATIONS. WE talk of Noah's flood, as ofa wonder; And well we may; The Scriptures say, The water did prevail, the hills were under, And nothing cOllld be seen but sea. And yet there are two other floods surpass That flood, as far, As heaven one star, Which many men regard, $II little, as The ordinariest things that are. The one is sin, the other is salvation: And we must need Confess indeed, That either of them is an inundation, Which doth the deluge far exceed. In Noah's flood he and his household lived: And there abode A whole Ark-load Of other creatures, that were then reprieved: All safely on the waters rode. But when sin came, it overflowed all, And left none free: Nay, even he, 347 That knew no sin, could not release my thrall, But that he was made Bin for me ; D;g;';2Od by Coogle tt 348 THE SYNAGOGUE. And, when salvation came, my Saviour's blood Drown'd sin again, With all its train one other inundation, Let grace o'erflow In my soul so, That thankfulness may level with salvation, And sorrow sin may overgrow. Then will I praise my Lord and Saviour so, That Angels shall Admire man's faU, see God's greatest Satan thought to root XLIX. SIN. SU', I would fain define thee; but thou art An uncouth thing: I All that I bring fully, shows thee transgression of the And yet r read That sin is dead and thence it IlU'BU,rtUUUIU I say thou art the sting of death. 'Tis true: And yet I find Digiti THE SYNAGOGUE. Death comes behind: The work is done befol'e the pay be due. I say thou art the devil's w.ork; Yet he Should much rather Call thee father; For he had been no devil but for thee. 349 What shall I call thee then? If death and devil, Right understood, . Be names too good, I'll say thou art the quintessence of evil. L. TRAVELS AT HOME. OFT have I wish'd a traveller to be: Mine eyes did even itch the sights to see, That I had heard and read of. Oft I have Been greedy of occasion, as the grave, That never says, enough; yet still was crost, When opportunities had promised most. At last I said, what mean'st thou, wandering elf, To straggle thus? Go travel first thyself. Thy little world can show thee wonders great: The greater may have more, but not more neat And curious pieces. Search, and thou shalt find Enough to talk of. If thou wilt, thy mind Europe supplies, and Asia thy will, And Afric thine affections. And if still Thou list to travel further, put thy senses For both the Indies. Make no more pretences, D;g;';2Od by Coogle 360 THE SYNAGOGUE. Of new discoveries, whilst yet thine own, And nearest, little world is still unknown. Away then with thy quadrants, compasses, Globes, tables, cards, and maps, and minute glasses: Lay by thy journals, and thy diaries, Close up thine annals, and thine histories. Study thyself, and read what thou hast writ In thine own book, thy conscience. Is it fit To labour after other knowledge so, And thine own nearest, dearest, self not know? Travels abroad both dear and dangerous are, Whilst oft the soul pays for the body's fare: Travels at home are cheap, and safe. Salvation Comes mounted on the wings of meditation. He that doth live at home, and learns to know God and hilnself, "needeth no further go. LI. THE JOURNEY. LIFE is a journey. From our mothers' wombs, As houses, we set out: and in our tombs, As Inns, we rest, till it be time to rise. 'Twixt rocks and gulfs our narrow foot-path lies : Haughty presumption and hell-deep despair Make our way dangerous, though seeming fair. The world, with its enticements sleek and sly, Slabbers our steps, and makes them slippery. The flesh, with its corruptions, clogs our feet, And burdens us with loads of lusts unmeet. The devil where we tread, doth spread his soares, And with temptations takes us unawares. D;g;';2Od by Coogle THE SYNAGOGUE. Our footstl!pS are our thoughts, our words, our works: These carry us along; in these there lurks EnVy, lust, avarice, ambition, The crooked turnings to perdition. One wliile we creep amongst the thorny bl'akes Of worldly profits; and the devil takes Delight to see us pierce ourselves with sorrow To-day, by thinking what may be to-morrow. Another while we wade, and wallow in Puddles of pleasure: and we never lin Daubing ourselves, with dirty damn'd delights, Till self-begotten pain our pleasure frights. Sometimes we scramble to get up the banks Of icy honour; and we break our ranks To step before our fellows; though, they say, He soonest til'eth, that still leads the way. Sometimes, when others justle and provoke us, We stir that dust ou\'selves, that serves to choke us ; And raise those tempests of contention, which Blow us beside the way into the ditch. Our minds should be our guides: but they are blind: Our wills outrun our wits, or lag behind. Our furious passions, like unbridled jades, Hurry us headlong to the infernal shades. If God be not our guide, our guard, our friend, Eternal death will be our journey's end. D;g;';2Od by Coogle 352 THE SYNAGOGUE. LII. ENGINES. MEN often find, when nature's at ,a stand, And hath in vain tried all her utmost &trength, That art, her ape, can reach her out a hand, To piece her powers with to a full length. And may not grace have means enough in store Wherewith to do as much as that, and more? She may: she hath engines of every kind, To work, what art and nature, when they view, Stupendous miracles of wonder find, And yet must needs acknowledge to be true; So far transcending all their power and might, That they amazed stand e'en at the sight. Take but three instances; faith, hope, and love. Souls help'd by the pel"!'pective glass of faith Are able to perceive what is above The reach of reason: yea, the Scripture saith, E'en him that is invisible behold, And future things, as if they'd been of old. Faith looks into the secret Cabinet Of God's eternal Counsels, and doth see Such mysteries of glory there, as set Believin~ hearts on longing, till they be Transform'd to the same image, and appear So alter'd, as if themselves were there. D;g;';2Od by Coogle THE SYNAGOGUE. :Faith can raise earth to heaven, or draw down Heaven to earth, make both extremes to meet; Felicity and misery, can crown 353 Reproach with honour, season sour with sweet; Nothing's impossible to faith: a man May do all things that he believes he .can. Hope founded upon faith can raise the heart Above itself in expectation Of what the soul desireth for its part: Then, when its time of transmigration Is delay'd longest, yet as patiently To wait, as if'twel'e answer'd by and by. When grief unwieldy grows, hope can abate The bulk to what proportion it will : So that a large circumference of late A-little centre shall not reach to fill. Nor that, which giant-like before did strout, Be able with a pigmy's pace to hold out. Hope can disperse the thickest clouds of night, That fear hath overspread the soul withal ; And make the darkest shadows shine as bright As the Sun-beams spread on a silver wall. Sin-shaken souls Hope anchor-like holds steady, When storm and tempests make them more than [giddy. Love led by faith, and fed with hope, is able To travel through the world's Wide wilderness; And burdens seeming most intolerable Both to take up, and bear with cheerfulne88. To do, or Buffer, what appears in sight Extremely heavy, love will make most light. A A D;g;';2Od by Coogle TUB SYNAGOGUE. Yea, what by: men is dODe, or suffered, Either for GOd, or else for one another, Though in itself it be much blemished With many imperfectioDS, which smother, And drown, the worth, and weight olit; yet, fall What will, or can, love makes amends for all. Love doth unite, and knit, both make, and keep Things one together, which were otherwise, Or would be both diverse, and distant. Deep, High, long, and broad, or whatsoever size Eternity is of, or happiness, Love comprehends it all, be't more or le88. Give me thiB threefold cord of graces then, Faith, hope, and love, let them JlO888II8 mine heart, And gladly I'll resign to other men All I can claim by nature or by art. To mount a soul, and make it still stand stable, These are alone Engines incomparable. D;g;';2Od by Coogle NOTES ON THE TEMPLE AND SYNAGOGUE. BY S. T. COLERIDGE. but a poet sui generis, merits of whose never be felt without pathy with appreciate not enough that the possesses a judgment, classical taste, poetic sensibility, unless hebe likewise a Christian, and both a zealous and an orthodox, both a devout and a devotional, Christian. But even this will not quite suffice. He must be an affectionate and dutiful child of the Church, and from habit, conviction, and a constitutional predisposition to ceremoniousness, in piety as in manners, find her fonus and aids of religion, not the element in he moves. the Churchmen of have been charged yearning after fopperies and even the usurpations, but we shall decide more correctly, as well as more charitably, if for the Romish and Papistic we substitute the Patristic leaven. There even was (natural enough from their distinguished learning, and knowledge of ecclesiastical antiquities) an overrating of the Church and of the Fathers, for the first five or even six centuries; the lines on the Egyptian monks, " Holy Macarius and great supply a striking instance illustration P. 11, lut not understand this 356 NOTES BY S. T. COLERIDGE. P. 39. 'My flesh began unto my soul in pain.' Either a misprint, or a noticeable idiom of the word ' began l' Yes! and a very beautiful idiom it is ;-the first colloquy or address ofthe flesh. P. 44. ' With an exact and most particular trust, &c.' I find few historical fucts so difficult of solution as the continuance, in Protestantism, of this anti-Scriptural superstition. P. 52. 'This verse marks that,' &c. The spiritual unity of the Bible=the order and connexion of organic forms, in which the unity of life is shewn, though as widely dispersed in the world of the "mere sight as the text. P . 52. • Then, as dispersed herbs do watch a potion.' Some misprint. P. 85. ' A boz where,' &C. Nest. P. 90. 'Distinguished.' I understand this but imperfectly. Distinguished-they form an island? and the next lines refer perhaps to the then belief that all fruits grow and are nourished by water 1 but then how is the ascending sap "our cleanliness 1" P. 138. 'But he doth bid us take his blood for wine.' Nay, the contrary; take wine to be blood, and the blood of a man who died 1800"years ago. This is the faith which even the Church of England demands; for Consubstantiation only adth a mystery to that of Transubstantiation, which it implies. P. t 13. ' Tile Flower.' .A. delicious poem. P. 113. 'The late-past frosts tributes of pleasure bring.' u - .. - - u u u Epitritus primus+Dactyl+Trochee+a long monosyllable, which, together with the pause intervening between it and the preceding trochee, equals u u u, form a pleasing variety in the Pentameter Iambic with rhymes. Ex. gr. Th~ late past frosts I tribiitl!s Of I pleasiire I bring. N. B. First, the difference between - u I - and an amphimacer-u - I and this not always or necessarily D;g;';2Od by Coogle NOTES BY S. T. COLERIDGE. 357 arising out of the latter being on~ word. It may even consist of three words: yet the effect be the same. It is the pause that makes the difference. Secondly, the expediency if not neces.~ity that the first syllable both of the Dactyl and the Trochee should be short by quantity, and only long by force of accent or positionthe Epitrite being true lengt~. Whether the last syllable be long or short, the force of the rhymes renders indifferent. P. 173. 'As ifthere were no such cold thing.' Had been no such thing. P. 179. ' That choice,' &c. Their. P. 182. 'E'en in my enemies' sight.' Foemen·s. P. 199. ' That they in merit shall excel.' I should not have expected -from Herbert so open an avowal of Romanism in the article of merit. In the same spirit is holy Macarius and great Anthony, p. 202.* • Tbe Rev. Dr. Bliss bas kindly furnisbed tbe following judicious remark, and whicb is proved to be correct, as tbe word is printed • heare' in the first edition (1633). He says, .. Let me take this opportunity of mentioning what a very learned and able friend pointed out on this note. The fact is, Coleridge bas been misled by an error of the press. What others mean to do, I know not well, Yet I here tell, &c. &c. ahould be hear tell. The sense is tben obVious, and Herbert i8 not made to do that whicb he was the last man in the world to have done, namely, to avow' Romanlsm in the anicle of merit;' on the contrary, be 8ays, a1tbougb I know not the intention of others, yet I am told that tbere are wbo will pleadtbeir freedom from sin and the excellence oftbeir own deeds-not so with me, wben my account is called for, so far from laying clsim to any merit, I sball at once tender the New Testament, by wbicb we learn that Cbrist bath taken upon bimself our sins. Herbert does not avow tbe article of merit; be bears tbat some do, but resolves' tbat _ to decline.' .. D;g;';2Od by Coogle 368 .NOTES BY II. T. COLEllIDGE. P. 291. • Although it be of touch.' Tuch rhyming to much, from the Oerman tltCh, cloth;-I never met with it before, as an English word. So I find platt tOr foliage in Stanley's Hist. of Philosophy, p. 22. P. 312. 'Though bishops without presbyteries many.' An instance of pr01ling too mltCh. P. 313.' To severalperlOftl,' &C. FunctiODll of times, but not penons, of necessity 1 Ex. Bishop to Archbishop. P. 315. 'That he lovell God, or heaven, or happiness.' Equally unthinking and uncharitable ;-1 approve of them;-but yet remember Roman Catholic idolatry, and that it originated in such high flown metaphors as these. P. 315. 'The Sabbath,or Lord's Day.' Make it sense, and lose the rhyme; or make it rhyme, and lose the sense. P. 318. 'The Nativity,' &c. The only poem in the Synagogue which possesses poetic merit; with a few changes and additions this would be a striking poem. Mr. C. proposes to substitute the following for the fifth to the eighth line: To sheath or blunt one happy ray, That wins new splendour from the day. This day that gives the power to rise, And shine on hearts as well as eyes : This birth-day of all souls, when first On eyes o(ftesh and blood did burst That primal great lucific light, That rays to thee, to us gave sight. P. 321.' Whitsunday.' The spiritual miracle was the descent of the Holy Ghost: the outward the wind and the tongues; and so St. Peter himself explains it. That each individual obtained the power of speaking all languages, is neither contained in, nor fairly deducible from, St. Luke's account. D;g;';2Od by Coogle NOTES BY I. T. COLERIDGE. 3i9 P. 329. ' All reason doth tramcend.' Most true; but not contradict. iteason is to faith, as the eye to the telescope. Mr. Coleridge, in his Biographia Literaria, after quoting some stanzas from Chaucer's Troilus and Cresstda, says, " Another exquisite master of this species of style, where the scholar and the poet supplies the material, but the perfect well-bred gentleman, the expressions and the arrangement, is George Herbert. As from the nature of the subject, and the too frequent quaintness of the thoughts, his c, Temple; or Sacred Poems and Private Ejaculations"are comparatively but little known, I shall extract two pOems. The first is a sonnet, equally admirable for the weight, Dumber,and expression of the thoughts, and for the simple dignity of the language, (unless indeed a fastidious taste should object to the latter half of the sixth line); the second is a poem of greater length, which I have chosen not only for the present purpose, but likewise as a striking example and illustration of an assertion hazarded in a former page of these sketches: namely, that the characteristic fault of our elder poets is the reverse of that, which distinguishes too many of our recent versifiers; the one conveying the most fantastic thoughts in the most correct and natural language; the other in the most fantastic language conveying the most trivial thoughts. The latter is a riddle of words; the former an enigma of thoughts. The one reminds me of an odd passage in Drayton's Ideas: SONNET IX. As other men, so I myself do muse, Why in this sort I wrest invention so; And why these giddy metapiwrs I u~, Leaving the path the greater part do go ? I will resolve you: lam lunatic ! D;g;';2Od by Coogle 360 NOTES BY S. T. COLERIDGE. The other recalls a still odder passage in the "Syna. gogue: or the Shadow of the Temple," a connected series of poems in imitation of Herbert's "Temple," and in some editions annexed to it : O! how my mind, &c. p. 334. Immediately after these burlesque passages, I cannot proceed to the extracts promised, without changing the ludicrous tone of feeling by the interposition of the three following stanzas of Herbert's : VIRTUE. Sweet day, &C. p. 85. THE BOSOM SIN. Lord, with what care, &c. p. 38. LOVE UNKNOWN. Dear friend, sit down, &C. p. 131. Vide Biograp/I", Literaria, vol. 2. p. 98. The best and most forcible sense ofa word is often that which is contained in its Etymology. The author of the Poems (the Synagogue), frequently affixed to Herbert's "Temple," gives the original purport of the word Integrity, in the following lines of the fourth stanza of the eighth poem; Next to Sincerity, remember still, Thou must resolve upon Integrity. God will have all thou hast, thy mind, thy will, Thy thoughts, thy words, thy works. And again, after some verses on constancy and humility, the poem concludes with-. . He that desires to see The face of God, in his religion must Sincere, elltire, constant, and humble be; D;g;';2Od by Coogle NOTES BY S. T. COLERIDGE. 361 Having mentioned the lIame of Herbert, that model of a man, a gentleman, and a clergyman, ret me add, that the quaintness of some of his thoughts, not of his diction, than which nothing can be more pure, manly, and unaffected, has blinded modem readers to the great general merit of his poems, which are for tm! most part exquisite in their kind. 'l'l'f Friend, vol. i. p. 53, edit. 1837. TilE END. DB D;g;';2Od by Coogle •• I.O~DOI" : C. WHITT1;\GHAlI J 'HJOKb c.:ln-RT, CHANC~I~RY I.A:'IriI-:. D;g;';2Od by Coogle I,O~DO~ : C. WHITTI!\GHA)'lJ 'HJOK~ CCl"RT, CHANC'F.RY I.A:'\I·:. D;g;';2Od by Coogle D;g;';2Od by Coogle Digiti D;g;';2Od by Coogle D;g;';2Od by Coogle This book should be r med to the Libraty on at befort the lut date stamped below. A fine is incurred by retaining it beyond the specified time. Please return promptly.