Mortalities meditation: or, A description of sinne VVith a definition and plaine setting forth of mans three chiefest and greatest enemies; to wit, the world, the flesh, and the Diuell. Written by William Hall.

Mortalities Meditation , or a Description of Sinne. 1 I That as yet nere tasted one poore drop , Of the Castalian Liquor ; nor as yet Did ere mine eyes behold Pernassus top : How should my vnderstanding then beget , Nay , or begin and frame my Pen to write , Since I my selfe knows not how to indite . 2 Your helpe , Oh sacred Muses , I must craue , But not the blotting of Apolloes P●n , By any meanes I must , nor will not haue , But simply of mine owne inuention then ; And industry some simple worke I le make , Since I haue gone thus farre to vndertake . 3 Cicero I want thy learned eloquence , And Mars thy stout and valiantnes of heart ; And likewise Sol thy shining influence , To accommodate me and to take my part . Against enuious tongues that seeke to shame me , And belying me oft-times doe defame me . 4 My Inke congeales , vnwilling to fulfill , My Hand vnsteady , Palsie-like doth shake : My Memory is dull , and I want skill , For to set forth that which my Mind should speake : Obliuiousnesse doth so my Braines possesse , That what I should , I forget to expresse . 5 Of Tilts and Triumphs my Muse shall not sing , Ne wars nor wonders wrought within the ayre Nor how Tamberlaine did Baiazet bring , Conquered by him in the Turkish warre : And carried by him in ●n Iron Cage , To bee a Spectacle vnto that Age. 6 Nor yet of ancient Stories will I write ; Nor trauellers that goe beyond the Cope , As did Parismus , Huon and the like ) Nor such as sacrifice vnto the Pope : Hel-hounds they are that denye their Maker , The Diuels friends , but the Lords forsaker . 7 But of a meaner Subiect will I treate , That which I know is true I will reueale ; And all the Follies of my Youth repeate : There 's nothing hidden that I will conceale : And rip the target of my troubled heart , Which long haue caus'd my wounded soule to smart . 8 And hauing then laid open to your sight , A Mappe of all my foule enormious Crimes , Committed both by day and eke by night In all places , all seasons , at all times : Now I le begin my dolefull Song to sing , And hope the same to good effect to bring . 9 But if I faile , I pray spare not to iudge , But passe your censures on me how you will ; I care not though you owe to me a grudge , Speake what you will I care not good or ill : Now once againe my song I will begin , No Song of Songs : but it 's a Song of Sinne. 10 For since the time that I was first conceiu'd Within the wombe and entrailes of my Mother ; Before I was into the world receiu'd Sinne was my Father , Sister , and my Brother : Being borne in sinne , in sinne I liued still , And vnto pleasure only gaue my will . 11 Who vrg'd and prickt me alwaies to goe forward , And follow still the same I had begun ; Saying , I was a goodly Child and toward ; But yet this pleasure I did seeke to shun : Who luld and rockt my senses fast asleepe , Which since hath caus'd me many times to weepe : 12 To see that pleasure ouercame me so , For I no Reason had it to withstand : But when I saw it was my deadly foe , I would no longer liue at her Command : But threw her slauish yoake from off my necke , And then began my follies for to checke . 13 Which long time had b●reft me of my sight , That I at no time any good could see ; It kept me vnder in most slauish spight , Vntill the Lord was mercifull to me , Opening my eyes to me the way did showe , That I must walke the Gospell for to know . 14 Then I began the English tongue to learne , My vowels and my Letters for to spell ; And in mine yeares I somewhat could discerne , How Latin writers English doe excell : Who can compare with Horace , Virgil , and Homer , which hath all vnder his command . 15 In which mine yeares I many sinnes committed , Through ignorance against my Soueraigne Lord , All those I hope through Christ are cleane remitted , As also those were done by my accord : As I to knowledge afterward increased , Sinning I sinn'd , from sinning I nere ceased . 16 But still prouokt the Lord of Hosts to ire , And had no care his Statutes to obey ; The Stipend due for sinners is hell fire , And those that from their Maker runne astray , Let them be sure to feele his scourging Rod , He is a iust , a wise , and louing God . 17 Ezeck. 27.18 21. The death of Sinners he doth not desire , But that they would returne and follow grace ; It 's true repentance that he doth require , That they may see his glory face to face : And praise his glorious name with one accord , Reu. 19.3 . With singing Halleluiah to the Lord . 18 My Infancie and Childhood being past , My Youth and Manhood posting on with speed , Non videbo id Manticae quod intergo est . Still I my faults and sinnes behind me cast : And would not see them vntill vtmost need Compel'd me from this wicked kinde of life , Where was continuall wars and deadly strife . 19 Betwixt my Spirit alwayes ready prest For Gods Seruice contrary to euill ; And my weake flesh continually opprest , Hauing conflicts with the World and Diuell : Being thus bagirt with foes on euery side , Vnto thy mercy Seat I come to hide . 20 My sences are inueloped in sinne , The waight whereof into Hell would sinke me , When on the wicked life I haue liued in , And Hels torments I begin to thinke me : Oh how I am perplext with griefe of minde , My troubled Conscience can no comfort finde . 21 With Dauid now I am enforst to crye , Psal. 22.6 . I am a worme of men the very scorne , My helpe on thee O Lord doth still relie , And haue done euer since that I was borne : In time of old age off doe me not cast ; Nor yet when strength doth faile me at the last . Psal. 71.1 . 22 The Sabbaths which thou vnto vs dost giue , Commanding vs it holy for to keepe , Exod. 31.13.14 . Giuen as a signe , or else wee should not liue Amongst the flocke of thy elected sheepe : Who so defiles thy Sabbaths sure shall dye , Wert not for mercy Lord , euen so should I. 23 For I thy Sabbaths often haue prophaned , And spent them vildly to thy abusing ; Against thy holy name I haue exclaimed , Vnder colour of my faults excusing : I went to Church Gods holy word to heare , But was exempt from all Paternall feare . 24 The subtile Serpent , subtiller then the rest , Of all the beasts which the Lord God did make , Hee cunningly doth creepe into my brest , And the good sowne seed away doth take : Pleasures of Sinne also choake many seeds , Which nere sprung vp puld down by vicious weeds . 25 I lookt for Sundayes to no other end , But take my pleasure in pastime and play , In doing so I was not my owne friend , The aged Counsell I would not obay : But ran at pleasure to drinke and carouse , In some by place , or in some tipling house . 26 I car'd not where if that I liquor had , For to content and please my fianticke Braine , I car'd not greatly where 't were good or bad , If so I were in a right roring straine ; A roring straine , yea that s the terme we vsed , Whereby Gods day and name was much abused , 27 Yet in this Sinne I neuer was alone , But had Copartners alwayes lesse or more ; For them , and I , and all , I make great mone , And pray that they , nor I doe so no more : Who so doth vse it , let him marke me well , It 's both the High-way and the Gate to Hell . 28 This sinne is odious in Iehouahs sight , He doth abhor the person and the Crime , With th' instrumentall meanes that gaue them light , Also the place , the season and the time : Yet some doe seeke this sinne for to extenuate , But yet it doth the vsers life abreuiate . 29 Pro. 23.29.30 . Who hath wo , babling , sorrow , who hath strife , But those that follow wine and drinke their fill ? Of wine that s mixt , ohtis a drunken life , To spend their dayes so wicked and so vile : Let them be sure God will strike home at last , Though he forbeare his anger is not past . 30 With true repentance Lord I come to thee , And hearty sorrowing for my former sinne ; In mercy Lord vouchsafe to looke on me , To lead a new life now I will begin : Grant me thy grace I beseech thee therefore , My idle wayes I may hate and abhorre . 31 Forgiue me Lord the sinnes I haue committed , Against thee both in word , in deed , and thought , Hauing done euill but the good omitted , Which in thy sacred Scriptures thou hast taught : Godly repentance worketh to saluation , 2 Cor. 7.10 . Whereby wee shall be freed from condemnation . 32 Forgiue me Lord , for mercy now I call , Blot out my sinnes , no more them thinke vpon ; Before thy Mercy seat I prostrate fall , And begge thee bury them in obliuion : Mercy good Lord , mercy , I mercy craue , Hoping throgh Christ that thou my soule wilt saue . 33 Farewell all sinfull pleasures of my youth , Thrice farewell to the exercise I haue vsed : Which long hath caus'd me to erre from the truth , Both God contemned and his Lawes abused : Farewell I say ; thrice farewell and adue , Too long God knowes I haue been led by you . 34 For twenty yeares and vpward I haue led , A wicked life displeasing vnto God ; On worldly vanities I haue still fed , For which I doe do serue Gods scourging Rod: Except his Mercy , his Iustice ouercome , I must expect a dismall day of Doome . 35 My life was sinfull Lord I doe confesse it , Spare them O Lord that doe their faults confesse ; As it was sinfull now I will redresse it , And from those errors euer will I cease , Then mercy on me take , heare my complaint , Of a vild Sinner make me a glorious Saint . 36 Being with sinne poluted and defild , Which cann't be clensed without Christ his bloud ; ( In whose sight I a Sinner am most vild ) Which was shed for vs all to doe vs good ; Yea for vs all which in time doe repent . That we Gods future anger may preuent . 37 There is no bondage like to that of Sinne , Where neither Body nor yet minde is free , To slauish seruitude we are kept in , When as our Soules bereft of libertie : From that bondage good Lord deliuer me , That I may sing continuall praise to thee . 38 My Soule from out of prison Lord then bring , As Dauid prayed in like wise doe I , Thy Song in a strange Land how can I sing , Psal. 137.4 . I would bee set at freedome willingly ; Freedome each Creature gladly doth require , And to be free from sinne is my desire . 39 Three enemies we haue with all to fight , Which doe incite vs euill to commit , Yea they suggest vs all wayes day and night , That the good which we should doe we omit : We commit nothing but that which is euill , These three are , the World , the flesh and Diuell . 40 The World inticeth vs to pleasures vaine , That momentary things wee more respect , Then that which doe belong Heauen to gaine , Those things wee altogether doe neglect : We spend our time , or study and our wit , To that which turnes not to our benefit . 41 Our greatest care is how to gather wealth , The nature of most men . To purchase Land , to rise vnto promotion ; At no time wee take care for our Soules health , Nor to serue God with any good Deuotion : That which by vs should chiefly be respected , Continually by vs is still neglected . 42 Wee striue for honour , follow after pleasure , Pauls exhortation seldome we obay , As for Decorum we keepe little measure , Our chiefe delight 's in pride and going gay : Hauing good cloathes that we goe neat and fine , Wee take no care how many Bodies pine . 43 Dauid describeth how vaine man doth wast , Homo vanitate fimales factus est . Psal. 144.4 . And to a shadow hee doth him compare , Which is no sooner seene but staight its past , So fraile , so fickle , and so weake we are : We gather wealth which turnes to our annoy , Psal. 39.7 . But yet know not who shall it enioy . 44 The Lillies of the field , Luk. 12.27 . consider how They get their liuing , for they neuer spin ; Nor once take paines their Bodies for to bowe , At no time they doe any worke begin : Yet Salomon being a mighty King , Such cloathing as this was he could not bring . 45 Baruch 3.17.19 . What are become of those that hoord vp Gold , And of their gettings neuer make an end ? Still scraping wealth vntill it can't be told , But yet they know not who the same shall spend : Vanisht they are and gone downe to the graue , Others come vp their riches for to haue . 46 Who will it spend faster then 't was gotten , When as their meanes doe come into their hand ; Those friends that it gaue shall be forgotten , To purchase parrell they will pawne their Land : They 'l sell their credit all what ere they haue , But they will haue cloathes to goe neat and braue . 47 Eclesiast . 5.12.3 . The sonne of Syrach poynteth at the pride , And vaine excesse of parell in our dayes : Decking our selues much good time we let slide , And spend it all to Iehouahs dispraise , Pride will raigne in some men doe what they can , Eccles. 10.7 . It 's a sinne hated both of God and man . 48 Eccles. 11.4 . To boast in rayment is 'gainst God a fault , Knowing we are but worm ▪ s meat and dust ; Likewise in honour our selues to exalt , Neither in strength we ought not put our trust : Help vs good tord in trouble and in paine , Psal. 60.11 . As for the helpe of man it is but vaine . 49 1 Tim. 6.7 . Th' Apostle wils vs for to be content , And not for worldly wealth to care and cracke , It is enough if we haue food and rayment , What need wee then for drossie pelfe to rake ? Considering as we here this wealth did finde , Wee must depart and leaue it all behind . 50 From the mean'st Caitiue to the mightiest King , That euer breath'd , or on the earth did raigne : Into this world nothing at first did bring , 1 Tim. 6.1 . And sure shall carry nothing forth againe : Except a Coffin and a winding sheete , Tied with two knots , one at the head and feete 51 To many errors the world doth vs leade , Which for to follow we are apt you see ; But in the path of Vertue we nere tread , We run the Race when once the raine's let free , Of lustfull youth wee swagger , lye and sweare , And with blasphemous oathes the Lord we teare . 52 We ought to tremble when Gods name wee heare , And not blaspheme him , nor against him spue : Such Oathes that stinke before him ( I doe feare , I write no more then what is too to true : ) Wee still blaspheme him , and wee forget how At 's name each knee in heauen & earth shall bowe . Phil. 2.10 . 53 For foure causes God bestowes on men , Riches to vse , as goods vnto them lent , They must leaue all behind but knowes not when , And therefore care not how their time be spent : Th' vnthrifty will spend all in Prodigality , But the old Miser none in hospitality . 54 The first is for the honor of Gods name , Pro. 3.9 . And propagation of Gods holy word , Still to continue and preserue the same , That we may praise his name with one accord , And that the splendent light of this cleare Sun , May alwayes shine but yet be neuer done . 55 The second vse for which our goods were giuen , Is for to spend it for our Countries sake ; By our wealth others might be relieuen , With it a freedome or releasment make : We ought to spend our goods , our liues , our blood , In any thing to doe our Countries good . 56 The third vse . Is for the good of those by whom we liue , That are in need , necessity , and want ; To them part of our meanes we ought to giue , And to relieue them if their store be scant : Pro 31.20 . Yea to strengthen with all our power , And to refresh their bodies euery hower . 57 The last is for the maintenance of those Which are our seruants , yea and for vs all ; Yea for our selues we may thinke and suppose , And for all others that on him doe call : Luk. 16.3 . Opening his hand each liuing thing doth fill , With plenteousnesse according to his will . 58 1 Ioh. 2.25 . Saint John exhorts vs from this worldly loue , Quisquis amat mundum , amor dei non est in illum . And not to loue it nor the things therein , Yea , very plainly , he the same doth proue , That whatsoere is of the world is sinne : Then of this enemy we must beware , That hee at no time doe our Soules insnare . 59 How many Diues at this time haue wee , Which doe fare most deliciously each day ; In Purple and fine Linnen wee them see , Being brauely clad in Robes and rich array : Luk. 16.19 . These Silke-wormes many Lazarus will starue . Rather then with their scraps they wil them serue . 60 The second Enimie's our fleshly Lust , Mans second enemy is himselfe . And alwaies fresh assaults with him wee haue , Vnto our selues therefore we must not trust , But flye to Christ , i●●● hee our Soule must saue : Who conquered hath the graue , yea death , and hell , All our aduersaries for to expell . 61 Each sense and member festered is with sinne , Yea and corrupted in Iehouas sight : Such an infectious time we doe liue in , And this sinne serpent-like doth vs so bite , Euen as a scurfe doth ore mans bodie spread , So soule and bodies with sinn 's pestered . 62 Our bodies to sinne are so linckt and chained , Euery sense of Vertue is be reft . And Vitiousnesse in vs so long hath Raign'd , So little goodnesse in vs there is left , Turning from God , wee are Christs sinfull abiects , But vnto Sathan very louing subiects . 63 From top to toe we are with sinne Closd fast , That in vs there is no whole part nor sound , Our breath infects the Ayer at each blast , Our feete vnworthy to treade on the ground : Sinne doth Raigne in vs and about vs Round , Is nought but sinfullnesse for to be found . 64 Our head is the Receptakle of sinnes , And first receiuer of vngodly deeds , Yea the head Fountaine where all vice begines , Vpon mans bodie greedily it feeds : And like the horse-leach still doth cry giue , giue , Seldome forsaking men whilst they doe liue . 65 Our memory with dulnesse is possest , Especially in hearing of thy word ; For that wee seeke not which should please thee best , But follow vanity with one accord : We quite forsake that which being vnderstood , At present time would proue our future good . 66 Our eyes spectators on iniquity , The gate and entrance to the inward man ; Delight wee take to gaze on vanity , But seldome satisfied doe what we can : Wee greedily desire what we doe see , Longing to haue it although ill it be . 67 Our eyes should be imployd to better vse , The sacred Scripture with them we should read ; But oft we doe neglect and still refuse , The way that we a godly life might lead : We run the way that is composd of euill , Following which path we walke vnto the Diuell . 68 Our eares are open blasphemies to heare , And all reuilings 'gainst Gods holy name , And gainst his Christ which all our sinnes did beare , To free vs from that euerlasting paine : To vs belongeth both shame and confusion , To which wee are led by Sathans illusion . 69 Psal. 58.45 . Like the deafe Adder wee doe stop our eares , Yea deafe and dumbe almost our selues we faine , The Charmers voyce we doe refuse to heare , Charme whilst he will his charming is in vaine : Though he charme wisely wee don 't it respect , He and his charming both wee doe neglect . 70 To talke of Riches , of wealth and glory , To heare of newes of merriment and sport , To passe our time in things transitory , To this whole flocks of people will resort : With great attention all will hearken to it , Though it be ill actors enough to doe it . 71 Our mouth the Chamber of vngodlines , Our lips the Roofe which doth that hose couer ; Through which all emitable beastlines , Proceedeth forth which doth our liues discouer : And shewes the wicked life we haue liued in , Which to amend wee neuer doe begin . 72 Our teeth's a hedge fos that vnruly member , Which do we what we can it will breake out ; To haue a care of him we must remember , For in vaine he too fast will run about , The tongue is a good member if well vsed , Lingua quid peius eadem . But it 's the worst we haue if that abused . 73 That godly Prophet holy Dauid sayes , As with a bit he will his mouth keepe fast ; Psa. 39.123 . Looke to his tnngue take heed vnto his wayes , And speake not till the wicked ones be past : Yea from good words he also did refraine , Although to him it was both griefe and paine . 74 Scurrility we alwayes ought to flye , And not with cursings once our mouthes defile ; All beastly idle talke and blasphemy , Wee from our mouthes should vtterly exile : Paul doth will vs lying to put away , Eph. 4 . 2● And each man to his neighbour truth to say . 75 Mat. 12.6 . It s written wee a iust account must giue Of euery idle word that we doe speake ; But yet alas how vainly doe we liue , And neuer care how we Gods Statutes breake : Mat. 12.37 . For by our words wee iustifide shall be , Or else condemn'd to liue in miserie . 76 Pro. 10.11 . A righteous mouth is like a Well of life , From the which many godly streames doe flow ; A wicked mouth is alwayes fild with strife , Which nought but wrath and violence doth show : Knowing the best , the same we ought to choose , And from the worst refraine and it refuse . 77 Euery member of vs that s within With wickednesse is so repleat and stuft ; Wee are so soone tempted vnto each sinne , And with security we be so puft : If we consider how we are opprest , We neuer should liue quiet , nor at rest . 78 Sinne is a foe externall and internall , Eternally heereafter it will shame And bring vs into the Lake infernall , Which still doe burne in continuall flame : Both soules and bodies shall be there tormented , If in life time our sinnes be not repented . 79 Psal. 51.6 . Truth thou requirest in the inward parts , We should performe as much as in vs lies ; Create in vs both new and contrite hearts , Such ones ( O Lord ) which thou wilt not despise Grant wee may be amongst the sheepe elected , And not amongst the Goats to be reiected . 80 Our hearts are harder then an Adamant , Zach. 7.12 . Gods Law nor word we at no time will heare , So obdurate that we cannot recant Our wicked life , nor of God stand in feare : We nere obey but disobey him still , And doe prouoke to wrath Gods holy will . 81 Yet God is iust in all that hath beene done , Vnto vs sinners euery thing is right , But we contemned haue God and his sonne , And wickedly haue wee done in his sight : Yet Lord forgiue vs our sinnes wee thee pray , Thy heauy hand of Iustice from vs stay . 82 Our mind so eleuated is with pride , Our selfe-conceipt doth puffe vs vp on high , Our equalls and inferiours we deride , Against our betters oft-times we inueigh : What we affect to be good we approue , Though it be hurtfull , yet the same we loue . 83 Modesty is a bridle to raine backe Modestie and humility are two bridles for Pride . This swift wingd pride swifter then a swallow , Our appetite to it wee should keepe slacke ; For if we giue way sure it will follow : If that we let it run his full Careere , Ore soules and bodies it will donineere . 84 What things we doe we must of it esteeme , So that in it no pride at all we take ; Better then wee are we ought not to deeme Rom. 12.3 . Our selues ▪ but from all errors to awake : He that thinkes himselfe wise in 's own conceit , Doth like a foole fill his heart with deceit . 85 Humility a curbe to keepe vs in , Much like a Snaffle , nay rather a Bit , Which doth with-hold vs from that deadly sinne , Mat. 11.4 . And keepe vs that we doe not it commit : Who humbleth himselfe like vnto a Child . Of Heauens Ioyes shall not be beguild . 86 Psa. 131.13 . Like weaned Children we should vs behaue , Haue no proud lookes , nor yet no scornfull minde ; If that we doe intend our soules to saue , These misdemeanors wee must cast behind : Our smallest thoughts on it we must not spend , On Elohim should all our hope depend . 87 The pleasures of the flesh are manifold , Yea numberlesse they cannot be accounted ; Which causeth all to sinne both young and old , Our sinnes the sands in number haue surmounted : In number more then the haires of our head , Such an impious Course of life we haue led . 88 Now hauing thus describ'd each seuerall sence , Throughout mans body in which sinne doth raigne ; Which oft is coloured vnder good pretence , Of godlines from which we doe refraine : We take no paines nor care the Lord to serue , The least of 's mercies we doe not deserue . 89 We neuer thanke God for what he hath done , Creating vs after his Image right ; And redeeming vs with Christ his deere Sonne , To sanctifie vs with his holy Spirit : By our workes we expect Iustification , And after death we hope glorification . 90 My Muse to the last enemy is come , With much adoe the other two are past ; My scantling glasse of time is almost runne , Time is soone gone , yet comes againe as fast : Lord I beseech thee guide my heart and hand , This cunning Aduersary to withstand . 91 Sathan did tempt our Parents first of all , Our third enemy is the Diuell . Gen. 3.4 . And the forbidden fruite caus'd them to eate : Eating this fruit it brought 's all into thrall , Our misery no tongue can halfe repeate : Deceiuer-like hee said yee shall not dye , To which they condiscended willingly . 92 And eate the fruit forbidden of the Lord , Hee first vnto the woman did it giue , Shee to her Husband , thus with one accord Both sure of death though promised to liue : By his inticements hee them both allured , By which he their eternall woe procured . 93 Against the feebler Sexe his Rage is showne , The woman he did first of all attempt ; Thus his deceit was at the first made knowne , Yet from seducing he would not exempt , Nor free himselfe ; but like an old deceiuer , Of Soule and Bodies good hee 's a bereauer . 94 Hee 's alwayes ready for to lay his baites To catch all silly Soules and to insnare Them in his subtile and deceiuing slights ; For to withstand him then we must prepare , We cannot him resist doe what we can ; Helpe us Lord , for vaine is the helpe of Man . 95 The presumption of Sathan . Our Sauiours presence he did not refraine , With proffer'd shew of worldly wealth and pleasure ; This worldly pleasure hee did cleane disdaine , Hauing Gods word farre better then all treasure : Mat. 4.10 . Sathan did tempt , yea reattempt againe , And thrice deui'de before hee would refraine . 96 In thousand shapes hee will to vs appeare , What wee command him he will that fulfill ; Inuisible , we ca'nt him see nor heare , Yet soone will bee obedient to our will : Of our desire we shall not faile or misse , On the condition that wee will be his . 97 To any thing hee 'l tempt vs that is ill , Each motion that is good hee 'l from vs put ; With idlenesse allure vs he will still , Our thoughts in ignorance he close will shut : And blind vs from the loue of God the highest , 2 Ioh. 1.7 . Hee 's a Deceiuer and an Antichrist . 98 Hee often will insinuate into Our heads , our thoughts , our hearts for to offend ; God , King , and Countrey , all for to vndoe , In whose defence our deare blood we should spend : Against our selues he our owne selues will set , For to destroy vs if wee haue no let . 99 Hee will attempt vs for to hang our selues , Gal. 3.13 . Whereby Gods heauy wrath we doe procure ; To die in such a case like desperate clues , A curse denounced against all its sure : Yea against all that doe this sinne commit , Amen . God grant we may haue grace to witstand it . 100 Sometime he tempts vs when we are asleepe , With false deluding and deceitfuil dreames ; To drench our selues in some vast Ocean deepe , And lose our liues in one of Neptunes streames : God did it giue , it 's hee that must it take , 1 Cor. 10.20 A Sathans sacrifice we must not make . If wee destroy our bodies , wee sacrifice them to the Diuell . 101 Of our owne bodies or of any other , If Sathan doe intice vs for to murther ; Our dearest friends , our Sister , or our brother , To doe wicked deeds he will vs further : With hearty prayers we must it preuent , Thinke not on future time , but on th' euent . 102 And what will follow after shedding blood , Especially of those whom God doth loue : That we nere had beene borne it had beene good , Mat. 26.24 . Then to prouoke the holy one aboue : And grieue his holy Spirit which did seale Ephe. 4.30 . Vs to saluation if wee haue true zeale . 103 A murtherer from the Originall Ioh. 8 44. Belzebub is , the truth hee doth abhorre ; Also of lies he is the principall , And is to be of vs abhord therefore , Because that in the truth we should reioyce , 1 Cor. 13.6 . And laud the Lord both with our hearts and voice . 104 He can transforme himselfe to any shape , His cunning purposes for to obtaine ; Vnto the likenesse of a Beare or Ape , And then that likenesse can againe regaine : And change himselfe perchance to some Creature , Hee is of such a variable nature . 105 Like a Camelion quickly he can change His darke and obscure forme both cleare and bright : Throughout the spacious Orbe he still doth range , 2 Cor. 11.14 . Eph. 2.2 . And turnes himselfe to an Angels shape of light ; Prince of the Ayer he is cald likewise , Which workes in those that doe the Lord despise . 106 To malice , pride , and anger hee 'l prouoke Vs vnto drunkennesse and letcherie ; All Godly thoughts in vs he sure will choake , And stirre vs vp to wrath and trechery : To play the Prodigall and the vnthrift , To win our soules to him is all his drift . 107 Each baite for vice is hidden vnder pleasure , Which greedily wee follow and pursue ; And wickednesse we worke beyond measure , We nere regard , nor thinke what will ensue : So that of pleasure we may haue our fill , Wee doe not care although our soules it spill . 108 Vnder the honest shew of cleanlinesse , Pride walketh mask't yet all men may it see ; Old griping , carking raking couetousnes , Is cald of euery cloth good Husbandrie , In the superlatiue degree they sweare , As if the Diuell should them rent and teare . 109 Iam. 5.12 . My brethren saith Saint Iames sweare not at all ▪ Nether by Heauen nor yet by the Earth , Nor any Oth that may our soules inthrall , When euer Mors doth come to stop our breath , Mat. 5.37 . Yea , yea , nay , nay , are the oathes wee should call , Least into condemnation we fall . 110 Thus Swearing is the Diuels instrument , On of the lowdst alarums he can found ; Likewise the Diuell Pride did first inuent , The first Author of any sinne that 's found : Hee 's the first founder of iniquity , And the Originall of all antiquity . 111 We must assault this seauen headed beast , Reu. 12.3 . Hauing ten hornes ; yet not with dint of sword , Ne Lance nor Speare ( deceiuing hee 'l nere rest ) Hee must be conquered by Gods holy word : A Christians Armour then we must put on , And take a Christians courage vs vpon . 112 Our Loynes with truth they must be girded well , Eph. 6.44.15 16.17.18 . Of Righteousnes wee must haue the brest-plate , With preparation of the Gospell , Our feet must be shod , eschewing all hate : The shield of Faith , laying aside all euill , To quench the fiery Darts of the Diuell . 113 Also the Helmet of Saluation , The spirituall sword the Word of God ; Still praying with Prayer and Suppplication , That God would turne away his scoerging Rod , And all our misdeeds vtterly deface , Blot out our sinnes they nere may come in place . 114 Neither in this world vs for to accuse , Nor in the world to come vs to condemne ; The death of Christ will all our sinnes excuse , And his Bowels burie all and some : And being then from seruile sinne made free , Rom. 6.18 . True seruants of righteousnesse we might be . 115 This old deceiuer will vs not yet leaue , So long as there is any sparke of life ; In our bodies he will our Soules deceiue , Till death doth cut it with his fatall knife : Ofttimes in sicknesse he will some molest : With terrors which are not to be exprest . 116 This is the Dragon which would vs deuoure , This is the Serpent which did Eue beguile ; This is the roring Lion which each hower , This he that seekes t' insnare vs with his wile : This is the father of falshood and lies , The worker of our woes and miseries . 117 Peter commands vs to be vigillant , This deadly Aduersary to withstand ; Him to resist with force and to bee valiant , Our soules and bodies against him to band : And reunite our forces altogether , Yea to defie him still we must perseuer . 118 If these vngodly sinnes wee follow still , And the inticers of them doe obay ; And follow it : in Folio wee shall fill A Volume great compil'd against that day , In which one good deed done will profit more Then thousands of Gold hoorded vp in store . 119 And hauing seru'd these Maisters whilst we liue , Farre worse then slaues by them wee are kept vnder ; Yet vnto them by no meanes we shall giue , One inch of leaue ; for they are nere asunder : To worke our bodies or our soules annoy , They doe incite themselues both to destroy . 120 Our worldly pleasures little will auaile , Our fleshly lusts will nothing helpe at all ; Our hoorded wealth will naught at all preuaile , When we are summon'd by deaths fatall call : Who vncertaine yet certaine will meet vs , And with , Sir I arrest you , it will greet vs . 121 Like a bold Sergeant with his Mase in 's fist , Not to be danted , for death no man feares ; Who can resist him then , not he that list , The rich mans threats , nor yet the widdowes teares : Hee 's vnrelenting for he neuer respects , Rich , poore , faire , foule , hee all to graue deiects . 122 Hee 's so impartiall that he none will spare , Both young and old , yea all death will surprize ; For fatherlesse nor Orphants he doth care , Weepe whilst they will he nere regards their cryes : Death is the wages that is due for sinne , Rom. 6.13 . Which all our life time wee haue liued in . 123 Certaine death will come , we must expect it , The time and place God hath from vs conceal'd ; Is 't fit for vs therefore for to neglect it , Because our day of death is not reueal'd : Wee should thinke on it and premeditate , Before it come and our selues consolate . 124 Against the time that death will vs depriue , Of all this worldly pleasure wee inioy ; It is in vaine to withstand him or striue Against him : for hee soone can vs destroy : And change vs as is Gods decree we must , Be turned into ashes and to dust . 125 Death is the depriuation of Life , Ordaind by God , imposd on man for sinne ; Rom. 5.12 . A punishment which endeth all our strift , Due vnto vs since Life did first begin : And by the disobedience of one man , Sinne entred first , and death by him began . 126 To seize on all the time of Adams Kace , Vpon each Creature , there 's not one that 's free , Or can escape , each one must it imbrace , Yea , all are subiect to Mortality : Be it Emperour , King , Potentate or Prince , Death stands not with him for to dispence . 127 Two kinds of death the Scripture saies there are , The first whereof is called corporall ; Of which each Mothers Sonne must haue a share ; The last and second is spirituall . Ordain'd by God to be a punishment , For all hard hardned hearts that don't repent . 128 Of corporall death each Creature must tast , Birds , Fishes , Beasts , as well as mortall men ; Therefore before spirituall death it 's past , As it in order first proceedeth when Corporall death of life doth vs depriue , Gainst which all humane creatures still do striue . 129 Betwixt Mans death and Beasts the difference After they are of vitall life bereauen , The spirit of Man hath his perfect essence , With the immortall God that reignes in Heauen : And though mans body be dissolu'd to dust , At day of Iudgement rise againe we must . 130 And hauing finished death corporall , Which is the depriuation of breath ; So that our soules may become immortall , So that wee need not feare the second death : Reu. 2.11 That through Christ who hath bruiz'd the Serpents head , Our soules may liue although our Bodies dead . 131 Yet dead we are not , but in Christ we sleepe , Though in the ground our bodies buried be ; We hope th●ogh Christ that God our soules doth keep Who hath redeem'd vs with his blood , and freed Vs from the bondage both of death and Hell , That his elected might in glory dwell . 132 The death of a beast now is otherwise , Hee being dead his body is resolued ; To the first maker his soule doth arise From the temperature , and is dissolued , To nothing , which was nothing first of all , There is the end of breath and life finall . 133 Spirituall d●ath's the totall separation , Of Soule and body from the loue of Christ ; And from that blessed Congregation , Which doe remaine aboue with God the highest Triumphantly reioyce and singing praise , Lauding and blesse Gods holy name alwaies . 134 Who would not then spend well in this little time , That is bestowed on vs , and vs lent ; We should haue a care to commit no crime , To serue the Lord our chiefe care should be bent ; In prime of youth we ought to thinke on death , Seeing you know not when hee 'le stop our breath . 135 Perhaps it may be at this present hower , When least of all wee thinke vpon our end ; Man withereth ( saith Job ) as doth a flower , So doth Man perish and come to an end : Christ which our sins did beare this salue did giue , Pet. 11.24 . Being dead through sinne , to righteousnesse to liue . 136 Our youthfull dayes of iollity and pleasure , Those dayes wee sacrifice vnto the diuell ; For Gods seruice seldome we find leasure , Our lips is ●o composed of all euill , That sin●e we doe commit whilst we haue power , And nere desist from sinning day nor hower . 137 But to doe euill still we doe insue , Eph. 4.19 . All wickednesse we worke with greedinesse , Each motion that is good we doe eschew , Wee giue our minds vnto lasciuiousnesse , With wanton pleasures we our selues deceiue , And nere leaue sinning till sinne doth vs leaue . 138 Death in his nature fearefull is and grim , Christ by his death that feare hath rane away , And with his powerfull death vanquished him , That we to death triumphantly may say : 1 Cor. 15.55 Death where s thy sting ? and likewise to the graue No victory of vs thou now canst haue . 139 Psal. 90.10 . Moses describes our yeares threescore and ten , But few doe liue to that , fewer to more ; So short then are the dayes of mortall men , Not one to twenty liues to be foure score : That godly Moses to the Lord still prayes , Teach me ( saith he ) for to number my dayes . 140 That holy Dauid likewise doth intreat Psal. 39.4 . That he the number of his dayes might know ; Yea earnestly these words he doth repeate , As is apparant , wherein he doth show : To know his frailty he doth it require , Which was the totall somme of his desire . 141 My dayes thou hast made like vnto a span , Psal. 39.5 . Mine age is nothing in respect of thee ; We must returne to dust doe what we can , Euery one liuing is but vanity : Like to a shadow time doth passe away , Without controulement , no man can him stay . 142 Each day our life doth hasten to an end , For wee are neerer vnto death this day , Then yesterday , who can with time contend , Nor bostingly no man ought thus to say , I certaine am to liue till to morrow , The smallest moment of time who can borrow . 143 Man is by Iob compared vnto grasse , Iob. 14.2 . Which now doe flourish , yet cut downe ere night : Or to a shadow which apace doth passe , Swifter then Eagles hastning in their flight : Death still pursues men wheresoere they goe , Friend to the Godly , but the wickeds foe . 144 Life is compar'd to things of short continuance , To smoke , to flowers , which doe vanish soone ; Vnto things which are of no persistance , And changeth oftner then the changing Moone : Vnto a dreame , or likewise vnto stubble , Which fire doth burne , or to a water-bubble . 145 Seing mans life is so vncertaine then , We need not wish long liuers for to be , Being certaine death will come wee know not when , And longest liuers greatest sinners be : Although we liue long , yet death comes at last , And then amongst dead men we must be plast . 146 Psal. 34.12 . What man is he that listeth long to liue , Vnto the vtmost as Long as may be , His minde to viciousnesse he must not giue , If that he doe intend good dayes to see : His heart vprightly he must keepe the while , His tongue and lips that they do speak no guile . 147 Our life 's compos'd of nought but misery , In Youth , in Manhood , and Decrepit age ; Nothing attends on these but vanity , Which doth the shortnesse of mans life presage , Which is Compar'd to glasse that is so brittle , And flyeth faster then a weauers Shittle , 148 For in this life is nought but vexation , Our minds and bodies are alwayes troubled , Repleat with sorrow and contemplation , Christs death these sorrowes all hath comforted , And buried them in his deare precious blood , Which is the salue that should do our soules good . 149 God grant it may , that we may raigne in heauen , And with Jehoua sing continuall praise ; Of care and sorrowes wee shall be bere●aen , If we take care to serue the Lord alwayes : Which for to doe we must our selues indeauour , From doing good we neuer must perseuer . 150 For of wel-doing we should not be weary , As wee haue sowne so wee shall reape likewise ; Gal. 6.8 . ● . Yea in due time we shall reape and be merry , If that we faint not , nor Gods lawes despise : We need not feare the fatall dint of death , Come when it will it can but take our breath . 151 Our bodies for a while may be dissolu'd , And turn'd to dust and earth from whence t was tane : Gen. 18.27 . Our soules shall liue w' are certainly resolu'd , To raigne with Christ with whom they did remaine : When we were in our Mothers wombe conceiued , Before we were into the world receiued . 152 As our soule is the vnion of life , So is ●he Spirit of God the soule of ours , Which cannot be diuided with deaths knife , If God his Spirit into our soules once power : In the Celestiall heauen we shall raigne , And neuer feele the force of death againe . 153 The thought of death in some will terror breed , ( And like Belshazzar make them trembling stand ; ) At the rememberance of each thought and deed , When all our enemies themselues doe band Against vs ; and the diuell will imploy , His best indeauors our soules to destroy . 154 Death to the Godly is a welcome guest , And such a one as they doe long to see , It being come their troubles shall haue rest , And they Gods glory face to face shall see : Blessed are those that in the Lord doe die , Reu. 14. ● . From their labours they rest eternally . 155 Certaine vncertaine death we must expect , And at all times we must stand on our Guard , No time nor moment we must once neglect , Vnto our selues we must haue more regard : That death at no time vnprouided catch vs , And vnexpected to the graue do snatch vs . 156 In dying well , God doth two things require , Of euery Christian man that he should saue ; At these two things I greatly doe admire , To see that men no greater wisedome haue : But to neglect a thing of greatest : good , In time to come if they it vnderstood . 157 The first is on death to premeditate , Come wh●n it will we may be ready for it ; And not deferre it till it be too late , So that wee need not feare it , nor abhorre it : To bid death welcome we should ready be , And think 't the ioyful'st day we ere shall see . 158 The second thing God doth of vs require , At time of death well our selues to behaue ; Whereby we may escape Hels burning fire , And flye to Christ that he our soules may saue : This wee should doe , deaths vigor to preuent , 'Gainst God doth come and call vs to iudgement . 159 Whilst we are liuing yet we may relent , And turne from vs Gods wrath and indignation , But being dead its too late to repent , There is no sacrifice nor satisfaction : For after death there is no change at all , The tree doth lie as is at first his fall . 160 And as men die they must to indgement rise , Qualis vitae finisita . To answer for those sinnes they haue committed ; Euen as they dyed and no otherwise , They can adde nought , nor ought can be omitted : To think on death each man somtime should spend , If that hee 'l make a sanctified end . 161 As death doth leaue them so God will them finde , And as hee finds them so they iudg'd shall be ; If to doe well they haue themselues inclin'd , From all eternall woe they shall be free : Certaine all must die by Gods appointment , Heb. 9.27 . And after death all must come to iudgement . 162 Nam scriptum est that we account must giue , Mat. 12.36 . Of euery idle word we peake that s bad ; In what state of condition we did liue , A Redde rationem must be had : Luk. 16.2 . Of all our sinnes we must cast vp the summe , When we before Gods Iudgement seat doe come . 163 The Booke laid open our offences read , Reu. 20.12 . Before Gods face all must trembling stand ; Both small and great , yea all that haue been dead , Being summoned by Trumpets Command : Blessed are they thrice blessed in their heart . Reu. 20.6 . That in the first Re●urrection had part . 164 Whether one talent be hid or destroy'd , Mat. 25 . 1● . Vnder ground , account shall be demanded , To what good vse or bad it be imployed . Doing Gods Seruice as we are commanded : That we may goe into our Mosters ioy , And vtterly be freed from all annoy . 165 Mat. 24.29 . The Sun in that day shall be darkened quite , The Firmaments of light shall be bereau●n ; The changing Moone shall not renew her light , The Starres likewise shall fall downe from Heauen : All mortalls hearts with feare must needs be taken When as the powers of Heauen shall be shaken . 166 The Earth shall be remou'd from off her place , The Ayre shall be dissolu'd to drops with heate ; Euery thing thus chang'd , it 's a heauy case , The terror of that day who can repeate : It would dissolue a heart harder then Ire , To behold the world in a burning fire . 167 Zeph. 1.15 . This is a day of wrath and wearinesse , A day of Clouds and of thicke gloominesse , A day of desolation and distresse , A day of trouble and of wastinesse : This day will put the stoutest heart to feare , Maugre his force in it he must appeare . 168 1 Cor. 5.10 . Before the Iudgement seat of Iesus Christ , For to receiue the guerdion for their hire ; If it be good they shall raigne with the highest ; If otherwise they are fit for Hell-fire : Fewell for Gods wrath to be tormented , Because in life their sinnes were not repented . 169 Iud. 1.6 . Iude , Iames his Brother , likewise tels vs plaine , That the Angels which kept not their estate , Their first estate , but follow'd pleasures vaine , Their Habitation they left desolate , In euerlasting chaines he them reserues , Against the Iudgement day , as they deserues . 170 In what place will the sinner then apeare , No place is left for him himselfe to hide ; When God in Iudgement begins to draw neere , Before whose Iustice he cannot abide : With all his power he will crye and call , And wish that mountaines on him then would fall . 171 And hide them from the face of him that sitteth Vpon the Throne , and from the angry Lambe : Being a Iudge , all feare to him befitteth , Ioh. 15. ●8 . To him that before Abram was , I am : Before his face all men must trembling stand , Like Belshazzer summond by trumphs command . 172 The signe of the Sonne of Man shall appeare , In the Cloudes comming with power and glory , Who will astonish all mens hearts with feare , What will profit this life transitory ? Each creature for feare shall be forlorne , And all the Tribes of the earth then shall mourne . 173 In an instant God will his Angels send , Mat. 25.39 . With Trumpets sound to gather his Elect ; From the foure corners of the earth hee 'l send Legions of Angels to call his Elect : This Iudgement 's generall we must surmise , Mat. 29 ●2 . All graues must open , all dead must arise . 174 And all before the Iudge must be presented , Rich , poore , young , old , persons are not respected , Twice happy are those that their sinnes repented , Rom. 2.11 . But treble woe to those that it neglected : The ioyes of one shall nere be deceiued , The others torments cannot be conceiued . 175 This is a time of trouble and Vexation , A time of griefe of sorrow and of paine ; A time of anguish and desolation , A time that former time will not regaine : One hower the worth of thousands will surmount , Of howers , dayes , years , we now make no account . 176 A separation of Goates from the sheep , Sheepe on the right hand , Goates on left being placd : With mercy and iustice God will iudgement keepe , In no wise he will haue his Saints disgrac'd : Each one shall shine farre brighter then the Sun , Being so decreed by God it must be done . 177 Vnto the sheepe with ioy the Lord shall say , Mat. 25.34 . Come yee blessed of my Father inherit The Kingdome that 's prepar'd for you for aye , Because in life time you the same did merit : You cloath'd me naked , hungry you me fed , And if not me , poore Brethren in my stead . 178 Vnto the goates the Lord will say in 's ire , Mat. 25.41 . Yee workers of iniquity depart ; Goe yee cursed into erelasting fire , I doe hate and abhorre you with my heart : I being hungry you no meate me gaue , And in my Kingdome you no share shall haue . 179 What ioy and sorrow will be vttered then , The iust to goe singing continuall praise ; That they shall raigne with God who were but men , In the fellowship of Angels alwayes : Continually with prayses there to sing , Vnto the Lord both earth and heauens King . 180 Oh endlesse Ioy that doth all Ioy containe , Oh happy hauen whose harbor is ease ; Oh place of rest for to be freed from paine , Oh fruitfull tree that fruit dost neuer lack , Oh place delightfull which shall neuer cease , Oh Blest hauen that nere sufferest wracke . 181 Euen as their Ioyes be innumerable , So in likewise the wicked are in paine ; They suffer torments insupportable , And nere shall be at ease nor rest againe , A terrible woe against them is denounst , When as the sentence , goe , is once pronounc'd . 182 Woe be to them they still shall liue in paine , Woe vnto them they torments shall indure ; Woe to them they shall nere be freed againe , Woe to their sinnes for they did this procure : Wo be to them , and woe be to vs all , For sinning thus we bring our soules in thral 183 Now that we may leaue sinning God grant grace , That in the highest heauens we may raigne ; There to behold Jehouahs shining face , In that celestiall place still to remaine : There we shall praise his name with one accord With singing Halleluiah to the Lord . Memento to esse Mortalem . FINIS .