Thrifts equipage Viz. fiue diuine and morall meditations, of 1. Frugalitie. 2. Prouidence. 3. Diligence. 4. Labour and care. 5. Death.

THRIFTS EQVIPAGE : Viz.

Fiue Diuine and Morall Meditations , OF 1. Frugalitie . 2. Prouidence . 3. Diligence . 4. Labour and Care . 5. Death .

Prou. 28. 19. He that tilleth his Land shall haue plenteousnes of bread , but he that followes idle persons , shall haue pouertie .

LONDON , Printed for Iohn Teage , and are to be sold at his shop in Pauls Church-yard at the signe of the Ball. 1622.

I Meddle not with newes of Parlament , Court-Fauourites , or Kingdomes gouernement ; I on Kings secrets , and affaires of State , Nor know , nor need , nor care to meditate : Let gods , who haue the charge of all , beare sway , The Muses must not censure , but ob●y . I sing what most I wish ; what 's that ? to thriue , Without least wrong to any man aliue : A gratefull Worke to all , to young and old , That seeke to get or to increase their gold : But why goes Death then with this thriftie traine ? Because I hold , it is the greatest gaine To die well : For we no man truely call Or rich , or happie , till his Funerall .

To the Author . VErtue thine Obiect , thou her Subiect art ; Thou deck'st her in thy verse , she decks thine heart : Each th' other doth deseruedly set foorth ; From thee her praises flow , from her thy woorth . R. C.

TO THE RIGHT HONORABLE , WILLIAM , LORD MAYNARD , MY very good Lord . TO whom should I these pleasing paines commend , My Muse hath ●ane Frugality to trade ? But to the Muses deare and noble friend , Who , as in Honour , seekes to thriue in Grace : Who , truly nob●e , honoureth his Place ; Nor f●r his Place is onely honoured : Whom should the Muses more desire to grace , Then whom they haue vp in their Bosomes bred , And who with bount●ous gifts them ●ath reguerdoned ? Such Bounty is true Thrift : Thus thou dost lay Thy treasure vp in heau'n ; thus thou dost gaine : By giuing of some fading goods away , True honour , which for euer shall remaine : If thou wilt pleased be to entertaine Thrift and her traine , into thy Patronage , I boldly dare in her behalfe maintaine , Shee is faire , bounteous , sober , graue and sage , And fit to counsell thee , in Youth , in Strength , and Age . Next , Prouidence shall guide thee and 〈◊〉 , In all wherein 〈◊〉 hand is diligent , And holy Care and Labour shall direct Thy Counsels to a iust and good 〈◊〉 , To hau'n of Rest , to harbour of Content : And if thou please to reade Deaths Meditation , Thou shalt perceiue her as an Herald sent , To summon thee to heau'nly habitation , To blessed Bride and Bridegroomes marriage-consummation : Most happy end of all , that rightly runne Their courses in the dayes of vanity ! With Wisedomes study Solomon begun , But ends all with this Epithalamic : Sweet Swan-like Farewell of Mortality ! Taste of true Ioy which euer shall remaine ! Then know , it is thy highest Dignitie , This Earnest sure , of heau'n on earth , to gaine ; Which I will pray for , Thou must labour to attayne . Your Lordships most deuoted in all affectionate duty and seruice , Robert Aylet .

MEDITATION 1. Of Frugality , or Thrift . MY Muse now fares like some plaine country Mayd , Walking in fairest Garden for delight , With all variety and choyce arrayd , Of herbs and flowers to please the Sent & Sight ; Who with the choycest flowers doth first bedight White silken pillowes of her bosome faire ; But after their rich colours her inuite , With them to decke her head and golden haire , That as she them adornes , so they may all begay her . For when Brides garden first I entered Of Graces , for delightfull meditation , I onely some choyce Flowers gathered , For holy Life , and heau'nly Contemplation : But passing foorth with choyce of Delectation , Such sweet and rich variety I find , Fit to adorne my life and conuersation , Out of those pleasant knots I cannot wind , Which with new choyce of flowres & herbs delight my mind . But amongst all the fragrant herbes and flowers , That in the Graces garden doe abound , I find none of more sou'raigne grace and powers , Than this of Thrift , which next I do propound : An herbe indeed that 's hardly to be found , Because she most what in a corner growes , And matteth low vpon the fattest ground , And many her mistake for likely showes , But scarce one of an hundred that her truly knowes . Oh heau'nly Muse ! that taught the shepherds swaine , ( As he his flockes was following great with yong , To feed them on faire Iordans flowrie plaine ) Diuinest skill in Tunes and heau'nly Song ; With some such holy Fury touch my tong , Whilst I now of Frugality do sing ; Who , though she little doth to me belong , Yet if thou help● to touch my harsher string , I may teach some her practice , whilst her praise I ring . She is that Vertue , or that golden Mea●e , 'Twixt Auarice and Frodigalitie , The constant Moderation betweene Base Niggardize , and wasting Luxury . We Temp●rance , Abstinence , and Modes●y , With Continence , in this word THRIFT contain ; And yet exclude not Liberality . Who doth to name of a a 〈◊〉 frugi frugall man attaine , One of the highest Titles due to man doth gaine . And such indeed haue onely right fruition Of all such fruits , as God to man doth send ; Who prudently here weighing their condition , Preserue the Substance , and the fruits do spend : Who flockes and cattell diligently tend , Grasse , Vines and Corn that in the fields do grow , To them their lambes for clothing , Wooll will lend ; From Goats and Kine great store of milke shal flow , To feed their houshold , and large gifts abroad bestow . There is a Thrift in Substance , and in Grace ; One temporall , the other spirituall : They that the one , without the other , trace , Do neither of them find perpetuall : God is of both the Cause effectuall ; Apo●lo water , Paul may plant and sow , But God it is that work to all in all : As all spirituall Thrift from him doth flow , So , by his blessing all in substance thriue and grow . This did the a a Laban Churle by good experience proue , So long as he good Iacob could retaine , He saw great blessings come from heau'n aboue , And therefore sought him ay to entertaine : Whilst Ioseph with th' Egyptian doth remaine , All prospers in his house , and in his field , And in the prison h● doth fauour gaine , Because all well succeeds that he doth wield : By heau'ns sweet influence the earth her fruits doth yeeld . Thrift eldest daughter is of Temperance , By Prudence nursed in her tender yeeres , But when to riper yeeres she doth aduance , A Standard vnder Fortitude she beares : Shee , graced by these three most noble Peeres , By their aduice directs her actions right , By Temperance she feedes , and cloathing weares ; By Prudence store prouides with wise foresight ; By Fortitude 'gainst Fortunes blasts she stands vpright . She moderateth all delights and pleasure , Not that she vs forbids all sports or play , But makes vs recreate our selues with measure , That from our selues they take vs not away : As he that moderates , vpon the way His ●iercer Steed , is said to vse him right ; Not he that let 's him runne about and stray : So onely he doth pleasures vse aright , That serues not them , but makes them serue to his delight . For she not onely is a Moderation In meates , and what to clothing doth pertaine , But she eke moderates our recreation , Lest for it we do lose a greater gaine : She doth too much of any thing refraine , And cuts off all luxurious vaine expence . If thou to thrift and riches wouldst attaine Here , seeke not to increase and raise thy rents , But moderate Desire , and vaine Concupiscence . I euer from Frugalitie exclude All sordid basenesse , want of aliment , She out of plenty alwaies doth seclude Some few things necessary for Content : For to be frugall and magnificent , May both well in a prudent man combine , Else Thrift no daughter is of Temperment ; I onely those for frugall men define , Who vse their store , but suffer it not to decline . I oft do find in some a simulation , Or ostentation of Frugality ; When great men follow thriftie imitation Of those , which are of meaner qualitie : And this may be too much Rusticitie , Be it in Diet , Vessels , Ornament ; Best rule for Thrift in all , is Modesty : For where it meetes with one that 's prouident , Hee 's temp'rate , modest , frugall and magnificent . But the most deare and faithfull friend to Thrift , Is carefull Husbandry , and Prouidence : This is the thriuing Vertue , which is grift On stocke of Labour , Care , and Diligence . This brings in sewell to Magnificence , And like good huswife fetcheth food from farre . The thriftie handmaid of Beneficence , In Summer for the Winter taketh care ; And , ere she builds , Materials doth abroad prepare . Fye on the lazie Gras●opper , that sings All Summer , and in Winter sterues for cold , Vnlike the frugall Pismire , which still brings In new prouision , ere she spend her old : Like many youthfull Gallants , who their gold , In summer of their youth do sport away ; But when their coyne is spent , and land is sold , Too la●e , find Ryo● cause of their decay : But prudent Thrift foresees and shunnes such euill day . By ciuill Law , the madde and prodigall Are interdicted the administration Of their owne Goods ; and haue Curators all , To manage their estate in frugall fashion : And so long must they both abide Curation ; The furious till he gets his wits againe , The Prodigall , till he to emendation Doth of his Manners and his Thrift attaine : 'T is good for Common-wealth , none spend his state in vaine . One , Thrift vnto the Temples doth compare Amongst the Heathen , which , most sure Asyle , And Sanctuaries for all Debtors were : Another likes a thrifty man , ere-while , To ground wel compast , and wel till'd with toyle : For as such lands grow foule by slothfulnesse , But fruitfull , where the plough doth stir the soyle : So men grow grosse and foule by Idlenesse , But pure and healthfull by laborious Thriftinesse . Heathen , such fruitfull frugall men compare Vnto the gods , who had so little need , Though they had all , that they it all could spare To mortals , who did here their blessings need : Farre otherwise 't is with our rich-mens breed ; They nothing spare , but spend eu'n all and more , Their Flesh and Lusts luxuriously to feed : Thus they , in plenty swimming , are but poore , When those that haue but little , yet haue greater store . This their rich misery doth not proceed From any fault , that is in outward store , But from Lusts and Cupidities which breed In Soule and Body , as I said before : Like some in fits of Agues , who the more Coole Beere they drink , the more they do desire , Their drinking thirst increaseth : He therefore Must purge the humours , cause of all this Fire , Else drinke till he burst , he growes within the drier . Me thinkes I rightly may this Thrift compare Vnto the seu'n ●at Kine on Nylus shore , Or those seu'n goodly ●ares of Corne , which were To Egypts Monarch signes of Thrift and store : The blasted eares , and Bullockes leane and poore , I liken vnto Prodigality : Who all the fruits deuowers vp , and more , That are prouided by Frugality : Thus she with her owne bowels feeds her enemy . As when the Ayer suckes immoderatly Vp moysture from the ground , the clouds do fall From thence againe on Earth most lauishly : Eu'n so , when Misers here do licke vp all , For to enrich their heyers therewithall , Soone as the long-expected day doth come Of their most welcome , tearelesse funerall , Their wealth all lauishly about doth run , Till their rich cloud be spent , and they be quite vndone . It is most terrible , prodigious , To see an Earthquake , with dread violence , Swallow a Country , City , Towne , or House ; Yet Prodigals , oft by profuse expence , Do swallow Towers , Houses , Farms and Rents : Then they , saith one , them vomit vp againe , Not truly sell them ; for they haue long since Them spent in drinking , lusts and pleasures vaine ; They onely now are faint to spue them out for paine . Many good precepts find I of the wise , Vs to instruct in true Frugality ; But Dauid doth the onely way aduise , In his most sweet diuinest Psalmody : He shall haue plenty and prosperity , That feares the Lord , and scatters to the poore , His name be blessed to Posterity . He that disperseth shall haue greater store : For goods-disposer giues him all his wealth therefore . Abels first frugall man I of do reade , Who gaue the fairest firstlings of his Flockes , Because there was no poore that then had need , To him that gaue him all his store and stockes . This gaue to Isaac great and castie Shockes , When in one yeere he reapt an hundred-fold : Iacob , that went out with a staffe , now stockes All Shechims country with his Herd and Fold : The land of Canaan scarce can all his substance hold . The Heathen say , that heau'nly Prouidence To mortals here for labours Blessings sell : And therefore do require all diligence Of all , that would haue all things prosper well . Of Abstinence and Continence some tell , That giue a man with little , much content ; Which of anothers inch will make an ell , By whom nought lauishly on Lusts is spent , But onely needfull wants of Nature to content . Fabricius thus with little , doth despise Great Princes presents , and the gifts of Kings : His Flocks him cloath , his Farmes with food suffi●e . Scranus is his plough a-following , When as the Senate comes , him newes to bring , That they him their Dictator had elected . Braue Curius , who , for Empires managing , Was after of all Consuls most respected , Dwelt in a country-Cottage all alone neglected . More royal's sure Content in Pouerty , In little homely B●●res , which can defend Vs from Sunnes heate , and Ayers iniury , Then glistring Towers , where they waste & spend In pompe and luxury , what God doth lend : There , costly Dainties oft with poyson wound : Here , without cost , the earth sound Cates doth send : There , golden Vessels , purple Beds are found : Here , all the flowry bankes do rest and quiet sound . When Alexander , in a little Tunne , Saw a great Tenant with content of mind , The Cynicke , Lo , saith he , that here doth wu● More rest , than I in all the world can find : I couet all , he nothing lesse doth mind . They surely haue more pleasure , and lesse paine , Who are with little vnto Thrift inclin'd , Than they that seeke a world of wealth to gaine , That they may more indulge to ease and pleasure vaine . One praiseth hunger , as best sawce to meat , Because it cost him least , yet sauour'd best , And alwaies with delight did drinke and eate , Because he ne're did without hunger feast . Some onely liue to eate , drinke and digest , But we ought onely eate and drinke to liue ; To liue to feed , is to be like a beast : Who would in reason more , than sense , be thriue , To body needfull things , to Soule must plenty giue . Xantippe's said once Socrates too blame , For that he often made an inuitation Of greatest friends ; yet 's fare was still the same , Auoyding alwaies costly preparation : Soone he replide thus to her allegation : If , as they seeme , they be our friends indeed , They will respect our Thrift ; but if for fashion They make a shew : let 's to our selues take heed , And not spend our estate , them daintily to feed . These patternes are of frugall abstinence , Which , as you see , the Heathen eu'n adore ; Now see the holy fathers prouidence To raise themselues to plenty being poore : No● , Abraham , Booz , and a thousand more , Liue vpon Tillage , Grazing , Husbandry , And tend their flockes , come , cattell , grasse , and store : Yea , Kings did hereunto themselues apply , To ioyne Magnificence with this Frugality . Eu'n after Saul anoynted is a King , He followeth the Cattell from the field , And they that death to Ishbosheth did bring , Came to buy Corne ; it seemes he Tillage held . None e're did so magnificently weld A Scepter , as did royall Salomon , To which his Thrift such wondrous store did yeeld : To his sheepe-shearing sprucest Absolon , Inuites eu'n princely Dauid , and his eldest sonne . See how great Princes , and the sonnes of Kings Are not ashamed of Frugality . Priests liu'd indeed of Tythes and Offerings , And therefore lookt most to Gods husbandry : Paul had a trade , although a Pharisie ; And though he to th' Apostleship attaine , Yet workes he in his Trade and Mysterie , His liuing with his labour here to gaine , Nor will he charge the Church , though bound , him to maintaine . Th' Apostles all were Fishermen , and gain'd Their liuing , by induring wet and cold : Diuines thinke , Ioseph blessed Iesus train'd In his owne Trade , till he thrise ten yeeres told . I could be yet three times as manifold , This Vertue with examples to commend , But I had rather be a little bold , And you perswade her practice to intend ; One's for her praise , but this is counsell for a friend . Oh what a happinesse it is to liue , And do much good , without offence , to all ! To eate secure those cates our ground doth giue , To lie so low , one can no lower fall . Yet haue eu'n there Content imperiall : No wickednesse can enter such a Cell , Highest delights , that can a Prince befall , This priuate Cottage may affoord as well , Where care not halfe their sorrowes vnto thee will tell . To many , Ri●t from meane to great estate , Is not an end , but change of Misery : The fault is in the Mind , ( not in the Fate , ) Which is the same in wealth and pouerty : Who onely mind change and variety , Liue ill , because they still begin to liue : They rightly here inioy prosperity , That so much pleasure to their Bodies giue , As they not for , but in the Body sought to liue . Happy is he , who neuer saw that one With whom he would exchange his meane estate ; Most miserable , who to that are come , They things , which were superfluous of late , Haue now made necessary to their state : Such are eu'n slaues , not masters of their pleasure ; They loue their ills , which is the hardest fate . Alas ! there is no remedy nor measure Of Vices , when as men esteeme them as a treasure . No good befals a man vnder the Sunne , The which his mind is not prepar'd to lose : No losse more easie is to any one , Than of the things he hath no need to vse : He 's neuer poore , who Natures rules doth chuse ; Nor rich , that liueth by Opinion : Natures desires be finite ; boundlesse those , That false Opinion depend vpon , Loathing no Sallet : Hunger likes an Onion . Sure he is best , to whom with sparing hand , God giues sufficient , let him wish no more : In need of things superfluous to stand , Is miserable want , in greatest store . Excesse oppresseth many , who before With little could haue liu'd and beene content : These , though they haue enough , yet stil be poore , Because they first beyond their compasse went : This euill prudent Thrif● betimes seeke to preuent . Who is not made in Husbandry to sweat , May sweat in Arts or Lawes politicall ; 'T is fit all earne their bread , before they eate : Nothing is more expensiue , prodigall , Than to haue nothing here to doe at all : Want of employment , Ease , and Idlenesse , Haue caus'd more noble Houses here to fall , Than Fortunes blasts , or Enuies bitternesse . Let him not liue to spend , that nothing doth professe . Then let him neuer liue , that doth professe What 's worse than nothing , basest Vsury : Herein is certaine profit , I confesse , But alwaies with anothers misery : Is this the vertue of Frugality ? By others losses to increase our store ? Then so is rapine , theft , and robbery , Selling of Iustice , which oft bring in more , Than all the frugall Trades I named haue before . Since Nature with so little is content , Who here would vse vnlawfull Arts for gaine ? We are but Stewards here of what is sent , If we our Talents vse aright to gaine , We twice as many shall of God obtaine : But if to hide them in the earth we chuse , Or spend them on our Lusts and Pleasures vaine , They shall be tane from vs , who them abuse , And giu'n to such as shall them to Gods glory vse . But I so worldly Thrift haue followed , That I forgotten haue to thriue in Grace , And as it in the world is practised , Must put her off vnto the second place : For I so neere haue finished my race , I must deferre this to another time : God grant we may them both aright imbrace . Now , like good husbands , knocke we off betime , And be at worke to morrow in the mornings prime . BEhold ! how Birds for morrow take no care ; Secure , God will due food for them prepare : Can woorthlesse Birds be confident of meate ? And is a farthing-Sparrowes Faith so great , She knowes , but by Gods will , she cannot fall ? And shall Gods sonnes , Christs images , once call In doubt their Makers will , to do then good ? No sure : who lends them life , will giue them food .

MEDITATION 2. Of Prouidence . THe frugall Husband , which I erst describ'd , So soone as Titan with his glistring Beames , Begilds the locks of stately Pines , which hide The tops of Mountaines from his hotter gleames ; Walkes foorth amongst his cattell , flocks & teames , His Land to open to Sunnes mellowing heate , And feed his Herds along the siluer streames , To drinke and bathe , when they their fil haue eate , That fat they him may feed , that now prouides them meate . Thus early rising ; as the Prouerbe sayes , Brings Thrift in body , in estate , and mind ; The early riser spends in health his dayes , And by his diligence doth plenty find ; And in the morning better is inclin'd To Prayer , and diuinest Meditation : Thus , in a three-fold Cord , he Thrift doth wind ; He driueth Slouth farre from his habitation , His Soule in Grace , his Body 〈◊〉 by recreation : For these respects the Husbands country life Transcends the Citie trades mechanicall , Or showes at Court , where reign● Ambition strife , Or Merchants which on hazzard stand or fall : For though Thrift in estate these oft befall ; And Thrift in Grace , in many there we finde , Yet scarce a strong sound Body 'mongst them all , They want pure aire whereby the bloud 's refinde And wholesome exercise to co●ntry life assign'd . Well as I could , I rich Frugality Did late , as her beseemed well , array : I next describe foure of her company , Which alwayes with this thrifty vertue stay : The first two well I name the daughters may Of Prudence , Prouidence , and Diligence , Next two themselues from Temperance conuay , Thrifts Sisters , Abstinence and Continence : Of these foure I would sing , and first of Prouidence . Oh! thou by whose most pow'rfull onely Word , All was of nothing made and finished , And of this All , mad'st man the little Lord , That by him All might well be ordered : Who hayers of our head hast numbred , Nor lettest the least Sparrow fall to ground , But as thou hast before determined , Make heauenly Wisedome in mine heart abound , That I may wade , not drowne , in Prouidence profound . There is Diuine and humane Prouidence , Diuine is infinite , vnlimited Transcending Reason , more than Reason Sense , And may to glorious Sunne be likened : The Stars who thence their light haue borrowed , Doth humane Prouidence resemble right , Which by diuine is aye enlightened , And though like Starres it oft appeareth bright , Yet when the heau'nly shines , it is obscured quite . Then pardon , Reader , if my Muses eye Dazeled with glory great , and splendour bright Of Prouidence diuine , heere to descry Vnable is the darke obscured light Of humane ; as indeed I ought by right : When I come to her Sister D●l●gence , I may recouer well againe my sight , My Muse now rapt with heau'nly Prouidence Can not descend to highest humane excellence . But that I may describe her as a Grace , And linke her in the vertues golden Chaine , ● her th' Almighties Scep●er call or Mace Which doth all Peace and Order heere maintaine : The bounteous hand , which al things doth sustaine , Whose eyes for nourishment vp to her looke , Who iust's rewards , and eke the wickeds Paine Doth register for euer in a booke : Thus , as Gods Truth and Loue , she fer a grace is tooke . Thus one eternall powrefull Prouidence Heere gouernes all things being by Creation : The necessary Age , is , wanting sense , Receiue their motion by her ordination : The voluntary by her moderation Are aye dispos'd , and rul'd by their owne will , Which will she vseth as a Mediation ; No man against his will doth good or ill , Though without Grace we of our selues no good can wil● . Sure Ad●m in pure innocence was free To eate the fruit forbidden , or abstaine : Else iustly how could he condemned be , Except he had a power to refraine ? But since that gu●lt originall did staine , With him , all imps which from that stock proceed ; We still retaine freewill , none dares gainesaine , But it is onely vnto euill deed , Grace onely by New birth a will to good doth bre●d . Schooles may dispute ; the Truth is plainely this : As we are men , we power haue to will , As men corrupt , we alwayes will amisse , As borne againe , to good we haue a will . Thus Nature Freewill giues , Sinne bends to ill ; Grace vnto Good : But now I seeme to stray From Prouidence diuine , to mans freewill , But this as needfull shew I by the way , How Prouidence doth voluntary agents sway . Her Nature yet more plaine to vnderstand , We must conceiue the worlds great Marischall , As he made all things by his mighty hand , So he for euer them disposeth all By Prouidence ; not onely generall , By which the Spheres in their due motions ride , And Summer and the winter seasons fall , But as he by his speciall doth guide And orders euery thing , that doth on earth betide . And this we call diuine Necessitie , Free from Coaction , which doth all dispose To proper ends , yet with free liberty Of Will , the things we doe to leaue or choose : Thus in respect of God , that future knowes As present , all effects are necessary , And , in respect of second causes those , To vs contingent are : Last voluntary , As they respect mans will , and motion arbitrary . God wonders sees in Moses weeping face , When Pharao's Daughter him in Arke doth finde , As she by chance , did wash her in that place , And 's mother for his nurse , by chance assign'd ; And when to leaue the Court hee was inclin'd , His Brethrens ●●uell bondages to see , He went forth with a free and willing mind ; Lo thus in this example all the three , Diuine foresight , man's will , and Chance in one agree : And therefore when of Fortune you do reade , With reference to man it vnderstand , Who most to the euent of things take heed , Not to the Cause , Gods most Almighty hand : Else Chance and Prouidence can neuer stand Together in th' Almighties gouernment ; Who being Cause of all he doth command , Them orders all vnto a sure euent , Though farre aboue mans limited intendemen● . Of things indeed which seeme by chance to be , The Order , Cause , Necessity and end Are hid , in Gods close Counsell and Decree : We onely able are to apprehend By the euent , how God doth them intend : Thus Clerk's a threefold working doe obserue Of Prouidence ; which far their reach transcend , And yet they all to one same end doe serue , To shew Gods glory , and his creatures to preserue . Thus meanes and second causes she doth vse , Oft workes without , by power immediate , And oft to worke against meanes she doth chuse : Two last men call Necessity or Fate , Because the Cause they can not calculate : ( Oh richest Wisedome , Knowledge without bound Of the Almighty ! without time , or Date , Thy Iudgements no man able is to ●ound , Beyond all mens conceit , thy counsels are profound . ) Like this is that Philosophers assigne To Counsell , Nature , Chance and Prouidence ; By Counsell , they meant Will and Reasons line ; By Nature , force of heau'nly influence ; By Chance , when they below beheld euents , But not their Cause : Last when some Grace did fall Past Natures , Chance , and Counsels euidence , That Speciall Prouidence diuine they call , Not but they vnderstood she had her ●and in all . Sweet fruit of Prouidence to be perswaded , That all below is ordered by Gods hand , Nothing by Chance : Thus when we are inuaded By Foes , Death , Hell , we most vndanted stand : We , God prime cause of all things vnderstand , Respecting yet inferiour in their place , Which alwayes wait vpon the first 's command , And all are to the glory of his grace , Whereby God his elect doth aye in loue embrace . Oh what inestimable quietnesse ! From hence ariseth to a godly minde , Though euils without number him oppresse , Which like so many Deaths he then doth finde , Knowing not how his wretched selfe to winde From Cruelty , which him fast followeth , And doth so fast with cords and fetters binde , That eu'ry minute threateneth his Death ; And scarcely suffers him to draw his languid breath . Yet if this Light of heau'nly Prouidence Shines to his Soule ; then all Anxiety , Feare , Care , Distrust , are banisht quite from thence , And he releeu'd in all extremity : Then knowes he that one gracious Maiesty , Heere by his power so directeth all , By wisedome rules , and by his Bonity Disposeth so , that nothing euer shall , But for Gods glory and his owne good him befall . To fleshes obloquy , some giuing way , Confesse the highest Powers gouerne all , But that with mortals heere they vse to play , As we at hazzard tosse a Tennis-ball : Some all would haue by Chance and Fortune fall ; Some others grant that God doth all incline , But that mans wit , and will must worke withall , These men with God in gouernment , doe ioyne And his most constant purpose to mans will confine . Some , to excuse God , grant that Power diuine Permitteth euill , but not with his will , And suffreth Satan heere to blind the eyne Of Reprobates ; but no wayes ill doth will , But sure God willingly permitteth ill , Since by his power he goodnesse able is , To draw from ill , his purpose to fulfill ; For thus did Pharaoh wilfully amisse , Yet God turnes all to 's glory , and his chosens blisse . As Sunnes pure beames exhale from filthy Oose Foule vapours , which no whit the Sunne defile , So doth Gods Prouidence of ill dispose , Yet of no euill he partakes the while : And as not in Sunnes Beames , but in the soyle , The matter of th● vapour doth consist , So in mans heart is Bitternesse and bile , And not in God , who euill doth resist , Or turnes such euill into Goodnesse , as he list . Thus Kings , Priests , Rulers , Elders all combin'd Against the Lord , and his anointed Sonne : And Pilat● , Herod , Iewes and Gentiles ioynd , To doe what God decreed to be done : But they ment wickedly eu'n euery one , The people a vaine thing imagined , To crucifie the Lord of Life they runne , But God , we see , thereby hath quickened The members all , whereof he is the glorious head . As when we see faire Phoebus gentle beames , Vnited in a burning glasse , enflame , We vse not to accuse Sunnes gracious gleames , For such offence , but Burning-glasse doe blame , Wherin , without the Sunne , 's nor heat nor flame . So when we see the wicked man abuse The fairest gifts of Nature to his shame ; The Author of them we must not accuse , But wilfull man , that doth them heere vnduly vse . Good , Powerfull , Wise , Disposer of all things ! So w●se thou all Disorders ordrest right , So good thy Goodn●s good from euill brings , So pow'rfull all subsist vpon thy might : How should an ignorant , weake , wicked wight , Conceiue thy Wisedome , Power , and Prouidence ? Much lesse by Simile it more inlight , It farre surpasseth mine intelligence : Things knowne I doe admire , the rest I reuerence . But I by Prouidence diuine am led To passe the bounds of f●ugall meditation : Pardon , great Clarkes , that I haue meddled To taste a mysterie , by Contemplation , Worthy your argument , and disputation : I was desirous to resolue my minde In this high point of heau'nly moderation , Wherein most wondrous comfort I doe find , To see how things on earth are first in heau'n design'd . Who can suppose this world so perfect , rare , Not gouern'd by one pow'rfull prouidence ? Since all which without moderat●urs are , Consisting of the foure first elements , Can not continue ; Houses , ●enements , Without a tenant , ruine and decay : Vnpruned Vines doe loose their excellence , Mans Body failes , when soule doth passe away ; So would this Vniuerse , should God forbeare a day . As members of a man aright do moue First by his vnderstanding and his will , So doth this Vniuerse by God aboue , And all concord his pleasure to fulfill : Who duely wait on Prouidence , he will Make happy heere , and blessed euermore : Not that he doth the carelesse idle fill With blessings temporall , or heau'nly store . Who will not row on Sea , shall neuer come a-shore . It is a dangerous and impious thing , Thus to dispute with Prouidence diuine , Mine arme nor good , nor bad , to passe can bring , All 's done by the Almighties firme designe : The written Word must be our square and line , Gods secret purpose , and reuealed Will Confound not by a vaine conceit of thine : Thus Theeues may , blamelesse , true men rob and kill , And say they but Gods secret purposes fulfill . For Prouidence doth not vs mortals tend , As mothers infants newly brought to light , Which haue no strength themselues then to defend 'Gainst ayers iniuries , or forreine might : But as the Father that his Sonne hath dight With strength , and weapons 'gainst his enemies , Directeth him to order them aright , And to defend himselfe from iniuries , Religion neuer negligent and idle lyes . They that are godly and religious , With Prouidence sweet Diligence do ioyne , God that without our selues hath fashion'd vs , Without thy selfe saues neither thee nor thine : And therefore prudent men prouide in time , Against all future want that happen may ; When therefore we for morrow do designe Things necessary ; none can iustly say , Or iudge vs too much carefull , for the following day . The Lord of all did needfull things prouide , Therefore the bagge false Iudas carried , The Loaues and Fishes which he did diuide Amongst fiue thousand which him followed , Th' Apostles carri'd for their dayly bread : Paul temp'rall Almes prouideth for his Nation , Where he the spirituall had published : Ioseph from N●le comes to make preparation , To saue aliue old Iacob and his generation . Of these learne to prouide things necessary : Of Beasts to shunne and to auoid all ill ; Who neere things hurtfull to them do not tarry , Nor nigh vnto those places trauell will , Where they into a Ditch haue lately fill ; The Bird escapt , eschewes the Fowlers gin , Nor will be tempted more with all his skill : The fish that finds the hooke the bait within , Thence to prouide against such danger doth begin . Things past , for future , are sound documents , He that is wise , the euill doth foresee , And hides himselfe from many nocuments , Which can not by the foole auoided be : Most admirable , vertuous , wise is he , That things foreseeing wisely can prouide , Nothing on earth without a cause we see , Though them the highest Wisdome so doth hide They can not by our feeble reason be descride . The World may be compared to a Stage , We mortals to spectators , they that stay Without to see her antique equipage ; Doe truely as they ought behold the play : The curious that about the Stage do stray , And pry into the secret tyring roome , Are by Stage-keepers often driu'n away : All must not into Natures secrets come , Although she many Mysteries reueale to some . How dares proud man inquire so curiously Of Gods ●id counsels , and his secret will ? The Bethshemites into the Arke did pry , And God with sudden vengeance them doth kill . Prouide thee good things , and auoid the ill , So maist thou many liue , and happy dayes , Presume not to be wise aboue thy skill , By Gods reuealed will guide all thy wayes , His secret Counsels search not , but admire and praise . And yet because God all doth here dispose , Thou like a senslesse Idol must not stand : God gaue thee not for nought , eares , eyes , hands , nose , A will to do , a wit to vnderstand : Employ these alwayes by his iust command , The whole successe leaue to his Prouidence , Acknowledge all good blessings from his hand , And labour , with all care and diligence , To thriue in Goodnesse , Grace , and all Intelligenc● ▪ But aboue all from murmuring refraine , Or magnifying fl●shes arme or might : So axe may boast , that it along hath laine The Cedars ; and the Plane may claime , as right , That by it's worke thy roofe so faire was dight : So may the rod of Moses bragge and boast , It all the Wonders did in Pharao●s sight : The Asses Iaw-bone , that it slue an host : But most the house , when Samson pulled downe the post . On whom we ought to cast eu'n all our care , To him we must ascribe the Praise of all : In his hand both our Soules and Bodies are , By Power of his Breath we stand and fall : From him all was , is now , and euer shall : Of all the things done vnderneath the Sunne , The a a Eecl. 8. 17 Wiseman sought a reason naturall , But was as blind , as when he first begunne , Though first he thought he could discouer any one . Gods counsels shall for euermore indure , His thoughts stand firme in eu'ry generation ; Our hearts he fashions , and conceiueth sure , Our workes ▪ and secretest imagination : Who to the Rau'ns giues food and sustentation , So gouernes all , they nothing here shall need , That wait on him with patient expectation : With temporall and heau'nly he doth feed All those , that craue aright of him spirituall ●eed . In number , measure , weight , he doth dispose Of all things ; He preserues both man and beast : When care and paines may saue thee from thy foes , Vse diligence , to God commit the rest : And when thou art so mightily distrest , Thou canst no helpe in arme of fles● behold , Vpon his prouidence that made thee , rest : That in thy mothers wombe thy members told , And in his Booke hath eu'ry one of them inrold . Good counsell gaue that Heathen , Haue a care Vnto thy selfe ; most of thyselfe take heed : He meant , Lusts and Corruptions which are Within vs ; which to vs most danger breed : With others we deale warily indeed , Lest they deceiue vs by their subtilty , But our owne vile affections little heed , Although we haue no greater enemy ; Thus we escape Gaths sword , and on our owne do di●. The Iewes may with their Oratour conspire Pauls ruine ; nothing shall to him befall , But to aduance his Crowne , and Gospell hier : So as his bonds in Caesars Iudgement hall , Are manifest and famous 'mongst them all : To the Elect , and those that truly loue , Nothing but for the best shall euer fall : This by examples thousand I could proue , Happy who finds it written in his heart by loue . The Lyons want and hunger may endure ; Who se●kes the Lord , wants nothing that is good , The Angel of the Lord him keepes secure , From his owne lusts hels fury , wickeds mood . This of the weakest may be vnderstood . If ought here passeth thine intelligence , Sucke thou the milke , and leaue the stronger food . Here ends my song of heau'nly Prouidence , Next , followes her attendant humane Diligence .

MEDITATION 3. Of Diligence . WHo , with a prudent heart , and godly minde , Wil take a view how things are wrought below , In all effects shall good and euill find , As cause is good or ill , from whence they flow ; Thus God first Cause of all thy actions know , As they be good ; thy selfe as they be ill ; Which doth Gods pow'r and goodnesse greater show , In vsing heere mans vile corrupted will , As second cause his sound , good purpose to fulfill . All euill then comes from mans vicious will , Not moou'd thereto by meere necessity , As senselesse Agents are to good or ill , But giues consent thereto most willingly : By Natures Light we good from ill descry , But this vs onely leaues without excuse , When seeing better we the worst doe try , And thus God of mans malice makes good vse , And he is iustly punished for his abuse . Oh mans peruersenesse ! grant him least freewill , And he becomes vaine , proud and insolent : D●ny him any power to doe or will , And he growes lazy , slothfull , negligent : First kinde are meritorious , impudent , And merit for themselues and others will , The other Epicure-like , take content In pleasure , eating , drinking of their fill , Or in an idle , melan●●●lique sitting still . But Diligence , the Grace I next propound , For this last euill is best remedy , This Viper which most dang'rously doth wound Our soules with senselesse spirituall Lethargy , And brings too aspish-lazy Accidy : Most perilous , because we feele least harme . Oh , this is Satans subtillest Lullaby , Our soules with stupid lazinesse to charme , And then of spirituall armes and weapons to disarme ▪ Thou that hast promis'd endlesse happinesse , To all which at thy comming thou dost-find Intent vnto their Masters businesse , And diligent in body and in minde , Make all my Soules and Bodies powr's inclind To Diligence , whilst I her praises write , Vnloose the chaines , the fetters strong vnbind Of Sloth and Dulnesse , which , to blackest night Leade blindfold , drowsie soules that take therein delight . Vigilance , Industry , and Diligence So like indeed one to another are , My plainer Muse scarse sees a difference , And therefore all will but as one declare ; Our soules and bodies powers they prepare , In eu'ry noble Vertue to transcend , Nothing on earth that 's admirable rare , Without these can be brought to perfect end , On these do honest care and labour aye attend . For godly , iust and necessary cares Are parts substantiall of Diligence , And as she for the future thus prepares , Hauing to Truth and Iustice reference , She is a Grace of wondrous excellence : But if she spring from Enuy , emulation , Ambition , Feare , or other base pretence , She is a curious base abomination , The busie vice that author is of desolation . Industry best agreeth to the mind , In which she frames a quicke Dexterity , In Arts and Sciences the right to find , And they that know her wondrous energy , In Phisicke , Law , and in Diuinity , Know , that she tends the neerest to perfection , And is to humane imbecillity Most sound defence , secure , and safe protection , 'Gainst Satans Malice , their owne Lusts , & worlds i●fectio● . We well Dame Nature may the Mother name Of noble Industry and Diligence , Yet oft we see their wondrous force doth tame , Things against Nature , without violence ; All other Vertues glorious excellence , Which we in Heroes iustly do admire , Haue their Beginning and Perfection thence : Where Industry and Diligence conspire , Wants nothing that we can in mortall man desire . For as she many euill things amends , So is she of all good the consummation , Most dissolute base manners she commends Soone , vnto honest thrifty reformation . An infirme body by exercitation , And Diligence , becommeth strong and sound : She frees old-Age from grieuous molestation Of painefull sharpe Diseases that abound . Fields of the diligent are fruitfull eu●r found . For by this Diligence all well succeed , No idle hower on her head doth shine , She her best howers spends with prudent heed , And all her businesse aright doth line , She finds to all things an appointed time , Except it be for Slouth and Idlenesse . If idle words be iudged such a crime , Much more the losse of times high preciousnesse , Which cannot be regain'd with cost and carefulnesse . Wherefore good fathers of a Family , First rise , and latest go to bed at night : And those that loue the Mus●s company , Do vse their eyes to read by Candle-light . Artificer , good-Husband , Merchant , Knight , And Magistrate , this Vertue doth defend . Nothing so difficult , but by the might Of Diligence , is conquer'd in the end , Therefore in all affaires she is our surest friend . But non● more enemies than Negligence , Slouth , Dulnesse , Carelesnesse , and Idlenesse , Impurest mire of foule Concupiscence , The forge of Lust , and draught of filthinesse ; Whence come all Vices , Sinne and Wickednes , Which turne men into Beasts , like Sirens charmes . Oh Slouth ! the nurse and mother of excesse , Like Statue standing still with folded armes , And neuer moues to good , for feare of future harmes . Vnnecessary Burthen on the ground , Who when he hath consumed all his owne , Deuoures his friends , and then a theefe is found , More false , yea , than a begger bolder growne ; For though the beggers-bodies hands are sown , And 's mind is all on slouth and idlenesse , Yet often in his mouth Gods Name is knowne : But God all honesty and shamefastnesse , He loaths that is possest of slouth and sluggishnesse . A Sluggard is vnto himselfe , and all A most pernicious wicked enemy , By Slouth his mind and body soone do fall To sicknesses , and all impurity : He is the bane to all good company , The stinking Sepulchre of one aliue , Shadowes of men ! Tunnes of Iniquity , Whose soul●s base ease , of Reason doth depriue , Whilst , as a Swine with Mast , their bodies fat and thriue . We Sloth , like Lazy Asse , at home do finde : But listen out , you lowd shall heare him bray , Iust like a coward dogge of currish kinde , That doth at harmelesse Pilgrims barke and bay ; But comes a Wolfe , for feare he runnes away : Like fearefull Hart , when as he comes to fight , But as a Lyon greedy of the prey ; All day asleepe , but in the dead of night , He woorrieth the fould , for hunger and despight . Oh Diligence ! perfection of all , When as thou dost with truth and vertue dwell , But if to Vice and errour thou doe fall , Thou passest H●ggs and Furies all of Hell ; Hels waking Cerberus is not so fell , As popish priests , who compasse Sea and Land , Into Cymmerian darknesse to compell Those that in Sun-shine of the Gospel stand : Thus diligently they obey their Lords command . Oh would we be for Truth as diligent , As they for errours and traditions vaine ! But I haue too much of my hower spent , Against the Vice , the Vertue to maintaine . To Diligence I now returne againe , Which like heau'ns glorious Sun doth neuer rest , But like a gyant runnes his Course amaine , Vntill she of the garland be possest . This life 's no mansion , but a way to heau'nly rest . In heau'n are many Mansions , heere we stay Onely to finish that for which we come , If trewan●like we spend our time in play , And be with drinke , or sleeping ouercome : Oh! when our fatall hower-glasse is runne , And we are call'd to render our account , Of good and euill in the body done ; Our debts , alas ! will all our wealth surmount , And our Omissions more than numbers vp can count . This Diligence is like one in a Myne , That digges much earth a little gold to find ; Like Silkeworme , who her slendrest silken twine , By Diligence doth on a bottome wind : Like husbandman , who little sheaues doth bind , Wherewith he fils his Barnes and Garners full : Like little stones by Morter fast combin'd , Raisd to a Temple large and beautifull : Like mighty hostes which Dukes of single men do cull . Some by a night-Owle , and a Dragons eyes , This vertue Diligence haue figured , And therefore Poets Fables do deuise , The Golden-fleece so highly valued , Kept by a Dragons diligence and heed . The Golden-fleece , the Kingdomes Peace I call : The Dragon , him by whom all 's ordered : For on whose shoulders such a charge doth fall , He must be vigilant , and diligent in all . This Vertue is indeed most soueraigne , In highest Rulers which the Publique sway , Who are set ouer vs for our owne gaine , If them as Gods Vicegerents we obay : They keepe continuall watch both night & day For all our goods , so they be diligent : God grant such Rulers euer gouerne may His little Fold within this Iland pent , To ioy of all our friends , and foes astonishment . The Latines , Diligence deriue from Loue : For he that loueth , doth eu'n all fulfill , Yea nothing hard or difficult doth proue To him , that knowes 't is his beloueds will ; Whose hearts this glorious Grace of Loue doth fil , They here despise all losses , griefe , and paine : Let heau'nly loue into mine heart distill , I worlds discouragements will all disdaine : For Diligence on earth , I loue in heau'n shall gaine . This loue in Dauids heart doth so aboun● , It from his eyes and eye-lids did expell All sleepe , till he a resting place had found , Wherein the Lord of life might alwaies dwell . This made the Mount of Sion so excell , That it the glory of the earth became . This diligence makes all to prosper well , Though but a sparke of Loues celestiall flame , It gaines vs loue in heau'n , on earth eter●●ll fame . Oh blessed Paul ! had I thy eloquence , Thy indefatigable paines to sound , Thy wondrous trauell , care , and diligence , Thy Masters will to know , do , and propound . How many Sees of Bishops didst thou found ? How didst thou preach by day , and work by night ? How diligently Heretickes confound ? And eu'n in Hels , Worlds , Tyran●s , Iewes despight , By Diligence declare the power of Loues might . Should I the Fathers liues trace to the Floud , And into Egypt , follow them from thence ; From thence , through wildernesse to their abode , By Iordans bankes , in Houses , Cities , Tents , They all are Maps to vs of Diligence : From Genesis vnto the Reuelation , Their Pilgrimages all haue reference , To new a a Reu. 21. 1● Ierusalem , Saints habitation : And we all stones , and Builders on that one foundation . As God , so we must worke before we rest , We may not cease till all be finished : In heau'n we shall enioy eternall Rest , Which by the Sabbaoth was prefigured . The Spouse may seeke , but finds not in the Bed Her Bridegroome : he is like the nimble Hind , He must be b b Ca● . 3. 1. diligently followed : But if by Diligence we once him find , c c Cant. 2. 8 He skipping comes o're hils , and mountains like the wind . But if I onely speake of Diligence , And image-like to others point our-right , Yet liue in Carelesnesse , and Negligence : I , like the blind , may others Lampes inlight , But stray and wander all the while in night . Our life 's a moment here , if we regard Eternity : A cloud to heau'nly light : Like drop vnto the Ocean compar'd , Is earthly Ioy , to that which is in Heau'n prepar'd . The Ayer without motion putrifies : The standing-Poole becomes vnsauourie : The hottest Fier without blowing dies : The Land with thornes and weeds doth barren lie , That is not exercis'd with husbandry . Thy house and houshold-stuffe do soone decay , Except they be emploid continually : Thy lockt-vp garments are to Moth's a prey : All things not vs'd , like Steele by rust , consume away . Looke on the nimble Motions of the skie , How all moue diligently to their end : Looke on the Beasts that creepe ; the Birds that fly , How they no time to Idlenesse will lend : Earth , though the dullest Element doth spend Her strength , for all the Creatures preseruation : The Creatures eu'n their bloud and life do send To man , for Life's and Bodies sustentation . Thus all are diligent here in their occupation . Oh man ! though Lord of all , who yet art borne To labour , as the Sparkes do vpward flie , To learne here of thy Vassals do not scorne , But eate thy Bread in sweat continually . In Labour did the Fathers liue and die , To do Gods will was Christ his drinke and food , Not to dispute thereof with subtilty , And nice distinctions , which do little good , But make things easie erst , now hardlier vnderstood . One thing is necessary , doe and liue : Practice and Knowledge , must goe hand in hand : The gods for labours , blessings here do giue , Not curious knowledge : They that vnderstand , And yet forbeare to doe their Lords command , Thereby most inexcusable become , When all before the dreaded Iudge shall stand , More then shall heare the finall dreadfull doome , For things omitted here , than things which they haue done . Like Plutarchs Lamiae , we are quicke of sight Abroad , at home we lay aside our eyes : If each his owne affaires could order right , That town would soone to wealth and honour rise : The street , where ech his dore sweeps , cleanly lies . I do not here forbid all forraine care : To paire of Compasses I like the wise , Halfe of their thoughts at their hearts center are , The other , round about , do for the publique care . The Cynicke , that he might his hate expresse To Slouth , would often tumble vp and downe His Tunne , to keepe himselfe from Idlenesse . Base Commodus , of all the Caesars knowne To be most wicked , was not of his owne Nature so vile : but when his youth by ease , Into contempt of Businesse was growne , This was the Empires fatall last disease , Which lost the Caesars all their fathers did increase . Oh cursed Negligence ! that dost confound Soules , Bodies , Churches , Cities , Families ; No gracious Thrift will grow vpon thy ground , Thy field like wildernesse all barren lies . It Soules , like deadly Opium , stupifies : It with diseases doth our Bodies fill , Puls downe our Temples , which did dare the skies , Layes ope the City walls to Victors will , And thorow houses roofes rain-droppings makes distill . Bewaile with me the ruthfull Tragedy , That Slouth hath made within this holy Land , I meane , those a a Abbeys , &c. Houses faire of Sanctity , Which like so many Pyrami'ds did stand , Erected first by holy Founders hand : First raisd by Diligence , now raz'd to ground By Slouth , those lazie-belly-gods to brand With shame , whose Idlenesse did thus confound Those Places , where Gods holy Worship should abound . Behold , with Salomon , the sluggards field , Which all ore-growne with Mosse and Bushes lies , Whilst Rents and Sales to him abundance yeeld , He lookes not after Industries supplies , Like Grasse-hopper , he skipping liues , and dies , Or sterues , if Winter bringeth Pouerty : Th' industrious Ant , and Bee he doth despise . Oh Slouth ! the sinke of all iniquitie , That changest men to swinish Bestiality . Awake you sluggards , you that powre in wine , The day 's at hand , when you account shall make ; As of your workes , so of your idle time : To some employment do your selues betake , And sayle not alwaies on the idle Lake : It is a filthy , muddy , standing poole , No good , or honest mind can pleasure take , To row at ease in such a muddy hole , Though there his vessel 's subiect to no winds controule . Oh you , whom God , eu'n gods on earth , doth style , Withdraw not from the weight of gouernement Your shoulders , nor let Ease your soules beguile Of time , which should be in deuotion spent : Rulers must most of all be diligent , All euill cleaues on them by Idlenes . Looke on all States , and forraine Regiment , They all corrupt by Ease and slouthfulnes , But flourish , and grow strong by frequen● Busines . You heau'nly-Watchmen , of whom I desire Rather to learne , than teach you ought to mend , Marke onely what Paul doth of you require , With diligence your selues and flockes attend ; God made you ouerseers for that end : As nought more than assiduous Exercise Of Soule and Body , doth from sinnes defen● , So nothing fills them with iniquities , More than this sluggish slouth , and idle vanities . Elian doth of th' Egyptian Dogge report , That when he drinkes , he neuer standeth still By Riuers side , lest poysonous beasts him hurt , Who li● in waite , him whilst he drinks , to kill : Oh could we see the poysoning serpent still , Waiting occasion with invenom'd sting , Our bones with Lust , and Luxury to fill ▪ And vs by slouth , and idlenesse to bring To carelesnesse of God , and any holy thing . That thus would wind vs from all Diligence , Like lazie Sluggards , onely to rely Vpon th' Almighties care an● Prouidence ; But lo , the Israelites send first to spie The earthly Canaan , which did typifie That heau'nly ; whither , through this Wildernesse , We must not hope to passe so easily ; They wanne the cities which they do possesse , With paines and Diligence , not slouth and idlenesse . This was their way , this also must be ours ; Priests feet the flouds of Iordane may diuide , Their trumpets throw downe Iericho's proud towres : But Ai will many bloudy blowes abide . He little thinkes Hels force , that neuer tride . Th' Amalekites , and Moa● will assay To stop thy course to Iordans fruitfull side : Thou must with Diligence maintaine thy way , And fight with hardy resolution night and day . Lord grant I may , like Paul , be diligent , Who wrought his owne , and all the Soules to saue , That with him in the ship to Caesar went : And though he knew , that God , who to him gaue Eu'n all their liues , his promise would not wau● ▪ Yet see , he leaues not any meanes vntride . Lord grant me Diligence aright to craue , And Patience thy leasure to abide , So nothing that I aske , shall be to me denide . My Muse would faine aboord , but Diligence Would neuer let my Meditation end , And blames me sore , that I with Negligence , Too briefe the story of her Praise haue pen'd ; But Care and Labour next I must attend ; Which two , with Diligence , go hand in hand : God , better lucke , me in their praises send ! I now will driue my little Boat to land , And rest , that I more stoutly may to labour stand .

MEDITATION 4. Of Care and Labour . MY freer Muse now like a Faulcon flies , Who hauing stoup't a Mallard at the Brooke , Remounts againe vp to the azure skies , And for a second Souse at him doth looke : But suddenly she hath that prey forsooke , And towreth at a Heron in the Ayre : So though at first my Muse had vndertooke Faire Abs●inence ; yet seeing Thrift doth pray her , To sing of Care and Labour next , I will obay her . This Booke indeed I wholly did intend Vnto the honour of Frug●lity , And morall vertues that her Grace attend : But so my Muse doth loue her libertie , And at the fairest is so vsde to flie ; She will not leaue her heau'nly Meditation , For any Flower of Humanity : Her food diuine of holy Contemplation , For any earthly Good , Content , or Delectation . I grant indeed , that morall Meditation May much amend our manners , and our mind , But no such pleasing taste and sustentation , As in diuine , the soule of man can find : And therefore though I often am inclin'd , The Praise of morall Vertues here to sing , My freer Muse that will not be confin'd , Runs straight on 〈…〉 string , Else I , in others 〈…〉 not meddeling . And yet I hope no wiser Clerkes will blame My boldnesse , here to taste , by meditation , The Mysteries , whose knowledge they proclaime To vs , as necessary for Saluation : Thereby to square our Liues and Conuersation . And though indeed my Writings I intend , For others minds and manners reformation , Yet if hereby I may mine owne amend , I haue attained more then halfe my wished end . It is no part of holy Contemplation , To seeke reuenge for vndeserued wrong ; Meeknesse and Patiences meditation Haue taught my Muse to sing another song : God send me more Wit , them a better Tong. Now Thou , that Adam in his vprightnesse , ( To shew , that Labour doth to man belong ) Didst place in Eden , it to plant and dresse , Helpe me , the praise of Care and Labour to expresse . Care 's an attent intention of the mind , To any thing that 's needfull to be done , Which good and honest for our selues we find , And may vnto the publike profit come : Labour puts Care in execution , And is our minds and bodies Enargy , In any businesse by Care begun : For when to Businesse we do apply Our selues , we call that Labour , Paines , and Industry . Care comes from Wits chiefe Vigor , Strength , and Light , And ready , watchfull euermore doth stand : Labour , the Bodies Faculty is hight , Which doth performe the thing we haue in hand : Where these two powr's of action do band , We Actors and Directors call them may ; One doth what worke the other doth command : For as the Body doth the Soule obay , So Labour is to noble Care obedient ay . L●bour and Care , simply considered , Nor good , nor ill are , but indifferent , And not amongst those Vertues numbered , Which in the Court of Loue are eminent : But for they nothing , that is excellent , Can without Care and Labours helpe attaine , All in their Company take great content , And honour much amongst Loues royall traine : And glad is she , that can their best acquaintance gaine . Care 's like an old experienc't Generall , Too weake to fight , yet orders all the Hoste : Labour is lusty , valiant , young , and tall , And strikes , where foes he may indanger most : Care hath an eye about to euery Coast , With all aduantages to win the day : And though more sweat and blood it Labour cost , Yet which deserueth best , 't is hard to say ; Neither had wonne the field , had one but beene away . When Iupiter an Hercules would frame , Three nights at once he with Al●mena lay : Thus to beget one that should Monsters tame , Men lost , to lengthen out the night , a day : Besides , the pangs of Birth her so dismay , It little fail'd , but she had borne her last . By witty Fictions , Poets thus bewray , How it Ioues ordinary strength surpast , A true Id●a of high Labour here to cast . And thus they make Ioue , Hercules his Sire , Who must on earth all Labours vndertake ; And clense worlds Stables from impurest mire , And Ioue of him a mighty god should make . To tell what for immortall Honors sake He did , were too long for a Meditation : He made the yron-gates of Hell to quake , And Atlas-like , bare vp the worlds foundation , What can be more for Care and Labours commendation ? He was not fostred in his younger yeeres , With Pleasures , wanton Ease , and Idlenesse , But fought with Lyons , Tygres , Goats , and Beares , Lust , Rapine , Tyranny , Vnrighteousnesse . No high thing is attain'd by Slouthfulnesse . Then spake great Alexander like a King , By calling seruile Slouth and Lazinesse , But Care and Labour highly honouring , Which in small time to him worlds Monarchy did bring . No good thing without Care and Labo●r growes , With them is Thrift , without a barren Soile : Labour increaseth strength , and who her knowes , Doth passe through hardest iourneys without toile . Labour our fiercenes●e naturall may spoile , But raiseth Vertue : Labour doth restore Those that are fall'n : things hardest reconcile , She Vertue by employment furthers more . In all a●chieuements Captaine Labour goes before . And Pleasure followes : for obserue these two , Delight and Labour though much differing In nature , yet they link't together go ; Delight , I say , still Labour following : For things we labour most to passe to bring , We ioy in more , then those which vs befall By Chance , and without Paines and labouring . That conquest is mo●● glorious of all , Which hath indanger'd most the H●ste and Generall . No solace without Labour : no man gaines The Hony , without danger of the Sting : He that will haue the Kernell , must take paines To breake the shell : who , sweetest Rose in Spring Will gather , feares not Bushes prickeling : But he that in his bosome hides his hand , Whom honor , profit , feare , nor shame can bring To action , but doth all day idle stand , He hates all Vertue , and is hated by their Band. The Roots of Arts are bitter , but they beare The sweetest fruits : we can no Good obtaine But by hard Labour . Thus if we prepare Vs quiet Peace , what happinesse we gaine ? The Minds and Bodies rest , them fits againe For Cares and Labours new : as Bow vnbent , Or Lute-string loosed to a lower straine , That it may be vp to a higher pent , And that the Bow may shoot the stronger newly bent . God here hath placed on our either hand , Commodities and Discommodities : These neere , those far , Labor 'twixt both doth stand : To these a way prone and precipite lies , Who comes to those , great difficulties tries , Which they by Labour onely ouercome . Labour which wise mens wishes here supplies , And doth to them the trustiest Guide become , Eu'n from their infancie , vnto their resting Tombe . Worse than the vilest Infidell is he , That will not care nor labour for his owne : How many goods and benefits there be , To men on earth by Care and Labour knowne ; So many ills by Carelesnesse are sowne : Base Carelesnesse and Slouth ! But I before In Diligence their Pedigree haue showne : I sing the vertue of the vice no more , She to my Muse yeelds matter most abundant store . For Care and Labour is the very ●orne Of Amalthea , and all plenteous store : She brings good-husbands store of grasse and corne , And plentifully feeds the hungry poore : She makes the Shepherds lambes grow great and more , She is the stay of Trades and Merchandize ; As good on surging seas , as on the shore : All needfull things she by her hand supplies : Labour most actiue is , Care politique and wise . Like Ab●shai and Ioab when they fought With Ammon , and the Syrians on the plaine , Both constant , noble , resolute , and stout , Both striuing , that they may the day obtaine : If that the Syrians ground on Moab gaine , Then Abishai must helpe : if th' Ammonite Preuaile against Ab●shai : Ioab againe Must succour him , with all his force and might . Care , Labour thus , from losse , each mutually acquite . L●bour betweene the Graces and the Mind , Is as the light 'twixt colours and the fight : As without light the Eye is alwaies blind , So without Labour dwels the mind in night . And as the Lord ordained hath the Light , To be the meane here colours to discerne , So Labour , he appoints the medium right , Whereby the mind may Grace and Vertue learne , And ioyne them fast together by a force inter●e . And as all l●fe and actiue strength proceed From feeding , so from Labour all our good : And as Men , to prolong their life , do feed , So good-men haue for good to Labour stood . As necessary to our life is food , So vnto honesty is exercise ; And as none will expect fruit from the wood , Except he blossoms first thereon espies , So there 's no hope of Age , that paines in Youth despise . As is a womans fruit without a man , So fairest hopes are without Labour vaine : Many haue hotly at the first began , But Courage want to th' end it to maintaine : Like some rash Summers storme , or dash of raine , That corne beats downe with sudden inundation , But soakes not halfe so deepe in flowrie plaine , As showres that fall with sober moderation : Things violent incline to sudden alteration . And as we nothing to our healths do find More dangerous , than Ayers alteration , So nought more hurts the Body and the Mind , Than change to slugg●shnesse from recreation . Delight or Labour , without moderation , Destroy mens bodies , and their wits ●onfound , Like Nightingales , that take such delectation , Sweet notes aboue their fellowes to propound , Their spirits faile , and they are dead with singing found . Many will labour , but they soare too hie , Or else most basely s●nke downe to the deepe ; They either will into Gods secrets pry , Or downe into Earths baser bowels creepe : A few or none true moderation keepe ; They either diue for profits base and vaine , Or clime vp to Gods secret Mountaine steepe : In both their steps no longer do remaine , Then way of Bird in th' ayre , or ships vpon the Maine , You that the Muses Secretaries are , And pen the counsels of the King of Kings , I know your Labour , Industry , and Care , To vnderstand and publish holy things : Which vnto you such Ioy and Pleasure brings , As we that feele it onely vnderstand . Yet mount you high , Sol fries your waxen Wings ; If low , them Nept●ne wets with wauing hand : The golden Meane 'twixt two Extremes doth alwayes stand . Fraile mortall man ! if thou with fleshly Eye Behold'st the Sunne , thy sight is dazeled , Much more with brightnesse of Diuinity , Is thy Minds weaker Eye astonished : Glory shall him amaze , that will aread The Splendour of eternall Maiestie : Mans Mind , here with corruption limited , Hath no such ample large capacitie : No mortall seeth me ( saith God ) but he must die . Some Meates the appetite do more prouoke To eating , we of them must take most heed ; Such are the Labours which are vndertooke For too high Knowledge , or w●rlds baser meed : For these prouoke our appetites indeed Vnto Extr●mes , from that faire golden Meane ; Which do our Callings here so farre exceed , To which corrupted minds so much do leane , They alwaies fall into a curious Ex●●eme . Base wretched Cares ! whose Labour is in sinne , Which bring vs terrours in true pleasures steed , Vncessantly here taking paines to win Base Mammon , and this worlds vnrighteous meed ▪ Or an ambitiou● humour base to feed , Or their meane House to highest pitch to rayse , Or for Reuenge , or lustfull wicked Deed , Or to gaine popular applause or prayse , And be a precedent vnto succeeding dayes . As greater Fowles , though they be strong of wing , With bodies burthen are so weighed downe , They cannot mount like nimble Larke in Spring : So minds of men to these worlds Cares fast sowne , Soone like this world , are grosse and heauy growne : And though they might , by noble Industry , Be raisd againe to vnderstand their owne ; Yet stupid , senslesse on the dunghill lie , Drunke with foule Ease , and this worlds base Commodity . These louers of the world , though they wax strong In things ter●ene , in heau'nly weaker grow ; For worldly honour they will sweat and throng , Bu● to win Crownes in heau'n are dull and slow : For worldly Gaine they ought will vndergo , From heau'nly , least reproach or shame will bend : For Princes fauours they whole dayes will woo , But not one howre to God in Prayer spend : Thus present Shewes , not future Glory , all intend . What Labour hard , what time can we thinke long , Which doth to vs eternall glory gaine ? To haue our wils no labour seemes too strong : For Vertue , wee 'l not least delight refraine . Thinke but what holy Labour may obtaine , A certaine hope , and sweet remuneration , Of which , the Saints , forsaking Pleasures vaine , Haue by their liues giu'n plenteous commendation , Here labouring all , whilst they liu'd , in their Vocation . Here Plenty makes me sparing : read the acts Of all the holy Fathers till the Flood , From thence , to Egypts Bondage : next , the facts Of Moses , Iosuah , Kings and Iudges good : Haue they not all for Labour stoutly stood ? This shunning Labour by a Hermits Cell , A late deuice is of Romes lazie brood , To mumble Prayers , and their Beades to tell , But take no Care for neighbour , Church , or Commonweale . Is this Pauls Watching , Paine , and Wearinesse , Thirst , Hunger , Scourgings , Nakednes , and Cold ; Perils by land , by water sore Distresse ? Besides , his outward labours manifold , His inward Cares the Church in Peace to hold ? A liuing man lye buried in a tombe ; Lest worldly 〈◊〉 and labours him withhold From contemplation of that heau'nly roome , Where neuer such a slouthfull , idle wretch shall come . Braue actiue spirits ! though in Contemplation I spend much time , yet I your liues do hold To be more worthy praise and admiration , You bring to vs all good , and ill withhold : You , whose great cares and labours do vphold , Like Atlas shoulders , ciuill Gouernment : Your Splendors we , your cares cannot behold , Who know the Care and Weight of Regiment , Would neuer enuy them , their glory and content . O Muses Darlings ! do not then abuse Your heau'nly Numbers , ( which the Muses lend To honour of Authority to vse ) Their names with blots and infamy to blend . Your Muse not able is to apprehend Their deepe Foresight , that States and Kingdomes sway : With care and labour they at Helme attend , That sleepe and sing in ship you safely may : No gentle Dogge will at his Keeper barke and bay . Great Keeper of this famous Brittish Ile ! How dost thou care and labour for our ease ? Besides Kings ordinary Paynes and Toyle In Gouernement , thy Writings do increase To largest Volumes , for the Churches Peace : For Christs pure Spouse , and thy deare Kingdomes weale : Thy Watchings , Prayers , Labours , neuer cease , Else blos'mes of Vines , the F●xes soone would steale , Or wild Bore root vp all thy Church and Commonweale . When in his large , wise , vnderstanding heart , We , for our Good , such cares continuall see , What secret Malice can a man peruert , To deeme that in his Loue , and Wisedome he Aduance will any to Authoritie ; But whom he eu'ry way doth able finde , To care and labour for the safety Of Church and Kingdome , to his care assign'd ? Wise Masters best discerne how Seruants are inclin'd . Great Peeres appointed , by this Master wise , To Rule his Kingdome , and adorne his Hall , Of him learne Labour and braue exercise , And doe not vnto idle gaming fall : The Bane of Court , Towne , Country , Church and all : Oh spend the time you from emploiment spare , In Tilting , Hunting , Armes , Arts Liberall , And so with Piety your minds prepare , To labour in your charge , and haue of heau'n a care . Besides examples of your earthly King , Looke on our Lord that sits in heau'n aboue : Who heere on earth was alwayes labouring , Now as our Head himselfe he doth approue , Most carefull for his Spouse and dear●st Loue . See his Disciples , Saints and Martyrs all , How carefull and laborious they proue , In Writings , Preachings Counsels generall , Relieuing poore in want , redeeming Saints from thrall , Amongst these Lights of Labour , with me looke On one , though little , yet of wondrous might , Who , Dauid-like , takes stones out of the Brooke , The proud Goliah in the front to smite : Oh how do'st thou most valiantly acquite ! God and his Church , against Rome's railing Host , And that Augean stable purgest quite , Though it thee mickle care and labour cost : Of this would Her●'les more , than all his labours boast . Could Sloth her selfe that sweet Delight but taste , Which comes of Paines and honest exercise , Her precious time & strength she would not waste , In Idlenesse and worldly vanities . But like to nimble ●arke wo●ld early rise , Who mounting first to heau'n Deuotions sings , And afterwards her businesse applyes , So long as Light lends vse of eyes or wings , And then in ●est enioyes fruit of her trauelling● . Most sweet Delight ! at night when wearied , We end the Cares and Troubles of the day , When priuate , publique hauing profited , We down our selues with Peace and Comfort lay : Not like rich Mizers , to their Soules , that say , In this abundance lye thee downe and rest , When ah ! Who knowes but eu'n that night away , His Soule forth from his Body may be prest , And he all vnawares o're taken in his nest ? Vnnecessary Labours , worldly Cares , Which on themselues , not Prouidenc● depend , My Muse to them no such great fauour beares , As heere amongst the Graces to commend . All things created serue vnto their end , For which God at the first did them ordaine , And all vnto his Glory doe intend : Why then should man be slothfull , idle , vaine , So long as heere on earth he doth in health remaine ? He hath a minde firme , valid , rais'd on high , Able to soare aboue the Firmament , And by sweet Contemplation to descry The heau'ns swift motion , Order , Gouernment : All things are subiect to his Regiment , In squallid Slouth and ease yet downe he lyes , Till thou who first didst frame his earthly tent , Dost raise his mind to heau'nly exercise , Which may by Care and Labour him immortalize . Not a●xious , vnprofitable cares , Base off-spring of Distrust and Diffidence : With present , alwayes , discontent ; and feares Vaine , future wants , or childrens Indigence , Distrusting thus Gods gracious Prouidence , Which fils with open hands the mouthes of all , Whose eyes looke vp to his Beneficence , And Lillies clads in colours naturall , More faire than Salomons rich robes imperiall . He that this all did first of nought ordaine , And now it gouernes by wise Prouidence , Is by his Bounty able to sustaine , All those that labour with true Diligence : Sure he will giue aboundant recompence To all , who carefull , faithfully doe heere Rely on him , without least Diffidence : He for his Foes did spend his bloud most deare , Why then should Friends distrust his Prouidence and Care● Kindle thy Loue then in my frozen brest , Frame in my minde a study and desire , To follow thee , that canst direct me best , By thy command to march on or retire . Awake me from Slouth's filthy durt and mire , Lest darknesse me fast-sleeping apprehend , From which to Light againe i● no retire , Let me no houre vnprofitably spend , Nor passe one day vnfruitfully vnto mine end ! That faithfull seruants blessing on him light ! Whom Thou so doing , when thou com'st shalt find , Grant , whatsoeuer hower of the night My Lord and Master comes , my soule and mind May to continuall watching be inclin'd : But lest I labour heere too long in vaine , I next will passe vnto my Port assign'd , To Death ; the end of all my Care and Paine , To graue , where , till the finall doome , I must remaine . There quiet I shall sleepe and be at rest , With Kings , which heere their houses fill'd with gold , And Emperours , which all the world possest , Yet all too streight ambitious thoughts to hold : There small and great , free , bond , rich , poore , young , old , Oppressors , prisoners haue like fruition Of rest : All turne againe to dust and mould , As small an Vr●● then limits the Ambition Of Popes , and Caesars , as of Beggers meane condition .

MEDITATION 5. Of Death . COme , let 's shake hands , we in the end must meete : I haue prouided me this goodly Chain● Of Graces , at thy comming thee to greete , For thou wilt not for fauour , gold or gaine , Thy fatall stroke , one moment , heere refraine : Well , close mine eyes , and dimme my Bodies Light , These shining Gems for euer shall remaine , My soule for to enlighten ; Oh! then smite , It skils not when , nor how , so as my heart stands right . Ah! why look'st thou so pale , as thou didst feare ? Thee , before men and Angels , I forgiue , I wish thee not a minute to forbeare , I neuer shall the Life of Glory liue , Till thou vnlock'st the doore my soule to giue Inlargement from this Prison-house of clay , For which she long hath struggled and did striue , Yet still the Flesh , the Spirit downe doth way ; And fitting 't is I should my Makers leasure stay . Thou earthquake-like this prison house must shake , Before my Soule be loosed from her ●ands , And make my K●●pers tremble all and quake , Lo then a holy Angell ready stands , To saue her from he●s-watches grizly hands : And though heau'ns sudden Light my Soule amate , She forward goes , and nothing her withstands , A ioyfull entran●e to most happy state , Thus passe we thorow Deaths-doore , in at heau'ns narrow gate . Welcome , as sleepe , to them that right thee know , And easie as a Downy-Bed of Rest , But thou most gastly-terrible dost show , To those , that thou do'st vnawares arrest : Sweet hau'n to Soules with worlds winds , waues opprest ; A Rocke to those that swimme in sweet Delight ; Sweet hoast of Saints , who with perfumes hath drest The Beds , wherein their Bodies , all the night , May rest , till Trumpets sound , awake to glorious Light . To Poore thou shew'st thy honey , hid'st thy sting , The Rich thy Sting , but no● thy honey see , Like Iailour thou doest good and bad newes bring To Soules , that in the flesh imprison'd be ; One must dye euer ; th' other shall be free . Thou that dost Death , to thine , by dying make The Messenger of such great ioy and glee , Direct my Muse , in what I vndertake , That I may Death discerne , ere Death we ouertake . What 's Death but a diuorce or separation , Of Man and Wife , that neuer could agree , From Bed and Boo●d , and from Cohabitation ? The guilty Flesh payes Costs , the Soule is free ; Yet Both ere long shall one another see , Freed from foule Sinne , the cause of all their strife , And shall in Wedlocks Bands reioined be , To loue , and liue , for aye , like Man and Wife , A holy , happy , quiet , and eternall Life . But this I of the first Death vnderstand ; ( Lord ! of the second , neuer let me taste ) This is the way into the holy Land , That doth into continuall darknesse cast : No mortall Sense did euer see or tast The seconds anguish , terrour , horrour , paine : The first is short , the second aye doth last , Age , Sicknesse , men to dye the first constraine , The Diuels in the second , soules and bodies chaine . This , setteth willing soules from bodies free , That , soules in bodies holds against their will , By this , from Bodies weight we quited be , That , with such weight of sinne the soule doth fill , As to the Pit infernall presse it will : This , takes good men away before their time , Lest they be ouer-whelm'd with too much ill , That , seizeth on the wicked , for their crime . That leadeth downe to Hell , by this to heau'n we clime ▪ The first , hath onely power in the graue , Second , in Hell ; One , vs depriues of sense , By th' other , sense of endlesse Paine we haue , Both , haue one name , yet see their difference . Sinne mother is of both : In innocence Had Adam stood , Death neuer had been knowne , But second Adam hath remou'd long sence The sting of this first Death , eu'n by his owne : Thus from a Plague , Death is to Saints a fauour growne . Christ meeteth her as Esau on the way , And giues a charge vnto her rougher hands , No euill against Iacob to assay ; Thus turnes he to embracements all her Bands ; Death , made by Sinne our mortall foe , now stands Our first fast friend , to bring vs vnto blesse ; And though awhile our carkases she brands With vile corruption , a●d R●ttennesse , Our soules the whilst ab●de in ioy and happinesse . All first Death gets , is Rottennesse and Dust , A Body onely , in corruption sowne , To kill seeds of Concupiscence and Lust , That it more glorious after may be knowne , Our earthly part thus turneth to her owne , But shall againe a heau'nly body rise , And as at first , be with the Spirit one , Which long hath liu'd in ioyous Paradise , Waiting till Christ her mortall should immortalize . Alas ! why should wee then be so afraid , Heere to endure a little griefe or paine , Be it on Racke , or Bed ? so I be laid Safe in my Graue , my soule thereby shall gaine ; Lord ! grant me Faith , and Patience to maintaine Hels last encounter , when my Soule is shaken ! The holy Martyrs did not so complaine Of Paine , when Soule was from the body taken , As when their Conscience by tentation was awaken . This Death , though painefull , quicke dispatch doth make , The second , hath eternitie and paine , They rightly at Death's horrour , quake and shake , Where griefes within , more than without remaine , Whose conscienc● them more terribly doe straine , Than any outward torment they endure , Who sees heau'ns most incomparable gaine , And can thereof by Faith himselfe secure , Is certaine , Death can nought but good to him procure . For body fraile , one like his glorious head For pleasures , profits , hopes and honours vaine , ( Whereby than eas'd , we are more troubled : ) Eternall rest , and freedome from all paine , Wer 't thou , my Soule , but sentenc'd to remaine In this fraile body , yet a thousand yeeres , Oh! how wouldst thou of wearinesse complaine , And maladies thy Flesh about her beares , And seeke Death as a blessing eu'n with many teares ? Yea should this life last without tediousnesse , Oh! Doe but thinke that as thou more do'st sinne , Thou addest more vnto thy wretchednesse , For Death at first , by Sinne did enter in , Who would not leaue these loathsome ragges ! to winne That glorious , shining roabe of Righteousnesse , Thou shalt not lose thy Body , but thy Sinne , Thou it againe shalt meete in happinesse , Corruption shall indeede be changed , not thy Flesh. As Golden Ore , in Finers fier cast , Is not consum'd , but cleans'd from drosse , and tride ; So substance of the body doth not waste , Onely by Death is purg'd , and purifide . Should Soules heere in their Tabernacles 'bide , With all infirmities till Day of Doome , How weary would they be , of rest denide , And wish their Bodies sleeping in their Tombe , Vntill the ioyfull Day of Resurrection come ? So long as heere our Bodies doe remaine , They haue like Wooll one ti●cture naturall , But Death them dyeth all in purple graine , To make them Robes for Sprites Celestiall , For we in heau'n like Kings and Princes all Shall reigne in new Hierusalem for ay , The Graue vs like each side of Red Sea wall , From cruell Egypts bondage on our way , Doth to the Land of heauenly Canaan conuay . As he , who for ill-doing lyeth bound , Trembles & quakes when loosed from his bands , He must before the Iudgement Seal be found , To giue account for workes done by his hands , But he most stout and resolutely stands , Whose Conscience him of euill doth acquite : So men reioyce , or feare , when Death commands Them to appeare before the Iudge vpright , There to receiue iust doome , for things done wrong or right . As water-drops , which fall in Fountaine pure , Die not , but are preseru'd incontinent , So Bodies perish not , but ay indure , Onely resolu'd to their first Element : Our spirits fly to heau'n whence they were lent . As drops of raine which from the heau'ns descend , Are all into the wombe of Tethys sent : So Saints dead Bodies to Earths bowels tend , Whence drawn vp by Sonnes heate , to heau'n they re-ascend . What is our Life ? a wind , a course to death : They that on Earth the longest course can gaine , Runne in the end themselues quite out of breath , And no more but their courses end obtaine ; To which , they that liue fewer yeeres attaine . God here to men doth life , like money , lend : Which at our Day we must pay backe againe . As without oyle the Lampe no light doth send , So when our humid's spent , our Life is at an end . As Pilgrim with long trauell wearied , Layes downe his Flesh to sleepe in darkest night , But Visions houering about his head , Do shew vnto his Soule most heau'nly Light , And doth with Dreames his spirits so delight , He wisheth oft the night would euer last : So fares it with the new-deceased wight , When in the graue his Body sleepeth fast , And Angels haue his Soule in Abra●ams-bosome plac't . As Starres of heau'n , which first in East do shine , Arise , till their Meridian they haue past , But do from thence as fast againe decline , Till they into the Westerne Seas are cast : Eu'n so vaine Mortals , here are all in hast , Till they their highest pitch of strength attaine ; But that once got , they fall againe as fast , And downeward to the graue descend amaine , Some here a shorter , some a longer course obtaine . And as hee 's happiest , whom the swiftest wind Brings soonest to the Port , and hau'n of rest , So 's he , that soonest in the graue doth find Harbour against worlds stormes , which him infest . Death doth but like his brother Sleepe arrest The weary wight , where he a longer night , Himselfe in graue , than in his bed may rest ; And yet no longer , than till Christ our Light Awakes vs , to enioy for ay his glorious sight . To all that labour , pleasing is the end ; The Traueller inquireth for his Inne : The hired Seruant , when his Yeere doth end : The Husband , when his Haruest doth beginne : Merchant of his Aduentures comming in : The Woman , when her ninth Month doth expire : So Saints , of Death haue euer mindfull bin : For where 's our Treasure , there 's our hearts desire , And where our Crowne is laid , our eyes do ay aspire . Therefore the dying Saints like Swans do sing , Foreseeing , that they in the graue should rest From Labours , and be freed from the sting Of Sinne , which here their liues did most infest : Why should we with Deaths feare be so distrest ? When as the Lord of Life himselfe did die , That we from sting of Death might be releast ; Eu'n Sinne , the Cause of all our Misery , And made Death our first step to true Felicity . The truth hereof the sacred Pages seale , When that which commonly we dying call , They call it sleeping : For Christ did repeale The Act of dying , by his Funerall : Thus Patriarchs , Prophets , Kings , Apostles , 〈◊〉 Lie sleeping , till the finall Resurrection , From Ad●m , to the Iudgement generall , All to this fa●all Lord must yeeld subiection , And sleepe s●cure and sound vnder his safe protection . The Wiseman therefore , better doth commend The Day of Death , then of Natiuity ; By that , our paine and labours haue an end ; This , the Beginning is of Misery : The Lord of Life , who Life and Death did try , Proclaimeth endlesse Blessednesse to those , With rest from labour , in the Lord that die : Blessed whom he to liue in him hath chose , But till their Death , from Labour they haue no repose . See , but how wiser Heathens entertaine This fatall stroke , this last neces●ity : How they on Birth-dayes , lowd lament and plaine ; At Funerals , make mirth and melody ; For that begins , this ends all misery : No man , say they , that doth not Death despise , Can here on earth enioy true Liberty , They onely saw an end of miseries , But lo ! heau'n stands wide open vnto Christians eyes . Ah why should Painters limme Death with a dart , Time with a Syth , before him cuts all downe , Death doth but lance , and play the Surgeons part , Time fells the Corne , that 's ready to be mowne . Alas ! what Cruelty hath Death vs showne ? Thou art but as a Seruant vnto time ▪ To gather Fruits which , he saith , ripe be growne : In Wine-presse thou but treade●t out the wine , To barrell vp in Tomb●s that there it may refine . As we greene Fruites more difficultly pull , Than those we find hang ripe vpon the tree , So youthfull Sprites of heate and vigor full , More hardly die than they that aged be : This is the greatest difference we see , Betweene their courses that are short and long , Both goe the broad way of Mortality , Death , like a mighty wind here layes along , As weake and hollow El●nes , so Cedars stout and strong . Who is so strong whom she hath not cast downe ? Looke all the generations gone and past , Their ancient Monuments by Bookes are knowne , In Gra●e their Bodies all to dust do waste ; The Iewes long-life more eagerly imbrac't , As 't was a type of endlesse happinesse , But since Christ in his youth of Death did taste . All Substances fulfill'd , their Figures cease , Now happiest he whom Death the soonest doth release . Happy , though clouds of stones thy head infold Like Steph'ns , so open heau'ns shew pure & cleare , And though a Trance like Pauls so fast thee hold , That whether thou without the Body were , Or in the Body , thou canst not declare . Though thus Death doth like sleepe they flesh arrest , The ioyes of heau'n shall to thy Soule appeare , Not to be vttered : Lo , they are best By Negatiues , not by Affirmatiues exprest . No eye hath seene , no eare hath euer heard , No heart conceiue , no tongue that can recite The ioyes , th' Almighty hath in heau'n prepar'd , For them that here do liue and die aright : Oh enter Soule into thy Lords delight ! This ioy thou canst not in thy selfe containe , For thou art bounded , that is infinite ; Who enters , shall for euer there remaine , And for these finite Cares , Ioy infinite obtaine . Oh! who can know this Death , and be afraid ? Although amongst the pots thou lie a time , Thou like a siluer Doue , shalt be arraid With golden feathers , which like heau'n shall shine . But ah ! Thus with my selfe I do diuine , Without least perill , by free Speculation : But should Death seize on this my brittle Shrine , And offer me to act my Meditation , How should I tremble at my houses desolation ! That which is now familiar to my thought , Will bring me then Amazement , Horror , Feare . Alas ! this battel 's not so easily fought , Except Iehouah on our side appeare . Didst thinke , Death would with Complement forbeare , And onely thee delight with Meditation ? No , he will try what courage thou dost beare , And seize vpon thy Fleshes habitation , It laying waste , till all in Christ haue restauration . Then as I feele this outward man decay , Grant I may strong and stronger grow within , And by a constant daily dying may Be arm'd , against this strong man enter in ; That though he seize vpon this man of sinne , My inward man may like the siluer Doue , That newly hath escap't the Fowlers ginne , Fly to her Lord and Sauiour aboue , And be embraced in his blessed armes of Loue . Oh! there I shall inioy eternall rest , And happy Peace , which here I craue and misse , And wander further more and more distrest . What if some little paine in passage is , Which makes fraile flesh to feare Deaths pallid kisse ? That paine 's well borne , that endlesse ease doth gaine , And from Sinnes cruell slauery dismisse . Sleepe after Toyle , faire-weather after raine , Peace after Warre ; ease is most pleasing after paine . We all are wanderers weary of our way , And hasting to the Graue our certaine home : This world 's the Flood which doth our passage stay , Till a a Death Charons boat to weft vs ouer , come . Who Life did limit by eternall Doome , And times for all things hath established , Appoints each Centinel vnto his roome , And so the termes of Life hath limited ▪ None may depart , but by their Captaine licensed . Nefarious wretch ! who with flagitious hand ▪ Dares violate the Temple God did raise , A Mirrour here of all his Workes to stand , His wisedome to commend , and goodnesse praise : He that appoints the great worlds nights & daies ▪ From her Creation to last Reuol●tion , Determins all thy small worlds workes and wayes , Who wilfully then hasts his dissolution , Seekes to gain-say his Makers constant resolution . The longer life I know the greater sinne ; The greater sinne , the greater punishment , Yet if thou Souldier-like art entred in , Thou must go on with stoutest hardiment , And not depart without commandement . Oh lie not downe , and thee to rest betake , Ensuing ills of liu●ng to preuent ▪ Though life hath nought that can her loued make , Yet giues it no iust Cause that thou should'st it fo●sake : And yet , O sinfull man ! do not desire , To draw thy dayes forth to the last degree , Vntill the measure of thy sinfull hire , Be heaped vp with all impiety , Against the day of Wrath and Ielousie , Whilst thou this sinfull Body bearst about , Laden with Sinnes , and foule Iniquity , Their numbers more and more increase no doubt , Most happy he whom Death the soonest helpeth out . Despaire not yet , fraile , silly , fleshly wight , Nor let Distrust amate thy manfull heart , Nor Satans malicing dismay thy sprite , Thou in thy Sauiours meri●s hast a part , Oh why shouldst thou despaire , that certain art Of Christ thy Sauiour ? Lo ! in him is grace , From thee for euer to remoue Hels smart . And that accurst hand-writing to deface , No sinnes can be so great , but Mercy may haue place . How then should any wretched wight be wonne , To spoile the Castle of his life and state ? Is 't not Gods doing whatsoeuer's done In heau'n and earth ? Did he not all create To liue and die by his eternall Fate ? Who dares then striue with strong Necessity ? That constant holds the world in changing state , All ought be willing here to liue or die : Life , Death , ordained are by heau'nly Destiny . Then witnesse Death , that willing I lay downe My Body , sure to put it on againe ; My fleshly Baggage , for a heau'nly Crowne , My earthly Bondage in the heau'ns to raigne . I leaue this Tent of brittle clay , to gaine In heau'n a mansion holy , spirituall . Lo , my corruption here I downe haue laine , For incorruption , pure , Angelicall , And for a heau'nly Parlour , chang'd my earthly Hall . Lord , this I craue , Direct me in the way , So shall I certainly attaine my end : If well my Part on mortall Stage I play , Saints , Angels , my beholders , shall commend My Action : God and Christ shall be my friend : And when my flesh to Natures Tyring-●oome , From whence it came , shall quietly descend : It there shall rest vntill the Day of doome , And then in heau●nly Quire a Singing-man become . Sweet Death , then friendly let me thee embrace : He truly liues , that liuing , learnes to die : Now smiling , like a friend , I see thy face , Not terrible , like to an enemy : But I with Prayer end my melody : Lord grant , when Death my pass●ng-bell doth ring , My Soule may heare the heau'nly Harmony Of Sai●ts and Angels , which most ioyfull sing Sweet Hallelu●ahs to their Sauiour , God and 〈◊〉 ▪ FINIS .

TO thee , poore Bird , in Cage imprisoned ; How like am I , by Ag●e visited ? I cannot vse my horse , nor thou thy wing , And therefore both sit still within , and sing . My Muse hath with my Body Sympathie : If well , I learne to liue ; if sick● , to die .

Of dying young . THis world a banquet is , we , conviues all , Where most , by Drinke , to sinne and surfet fall . Who dyeth young , is like him that doth rise From banquet , ere the wine his wit surprize . FINIS .

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