The synagogue, or, The shadow of the temple Sacred poems, and private ejaculations. In imitation of Mr. George Herbert.

THE SYNAGOGVE , OR , THE SHADOW OF THE TEMPLE .

SACRED POEMS , AND PRIVATE EJACVLATIONS .

In imitation of Mr. GEORGE HERBERT .

Stultissimum credo ad imitandum non optima quaeque proponere . Plin. Secund. lib. 1. Epist. 5. Not to imitate the best example is the greatest folly .

LONDON , Printed 〈◊〉〈◊〉 for Phil Stephens , and Chrystopher 〈◊〉 , at the golden Lion in St. Pauls Church-yard . 1640.

The Dedication . LOrd , my first fruits should have been sent to thee , For thou the tree That bare them , onely lentest unto me . But while I had the use , the fruit was mine , Not so divine As that I dare presume to call it thine . Before 't was ripe , it fell unto the ground : And since I found It bruised in the dirt , nor cleane nor sound ; Some I have wip'd and pickt , and bring thee now , Lord , thou know'st how : Gladly I would , but dare it not avow . Such as it is , 't is here . Pardon the best , Accept the rest : Thy pardon and acceptance maketh blest .

Subterliminare . A stepping-stone to the threshold of Mr. Herberts Church-porch . DIc , Cujus templum ? Christi . Quis Condidit ? e●e . Condidit Herbertus : dic , quibus auxiliis ? Auxiliis multis : quibus , haud mihi dicere fas est , Tanta est ex dictis lis oriunda meis . Gratia , si dicam , dedit omnia , protinus obstat Ingenium , dicens cuncta fuisse sua . Ars negat , & nihil est non nostrum dicit in illo : Nec facile est litem composuisse mihi . Divide : Materiam det gratia , Materiaeque Ingenium cultus induat , arsque Modos . Non : ne displiceat pariter res Omnibus ista , Nec sortita velint jura vocare sua ; Nempe pari sibi jure petunt cultusque , modosque , Materiamque , ars , & gratia , & ingenium . Ergo velit siquis dubitantem tollere elenchum , De templo Herberti talia dictadabit . In templo Herbertus condendo est Gratia totus , Ars pariter totus , totus & Ingenium . Cedite Romanae , Graiiae quoque cedite Musae : Vnum prae cunctis Anglia jactet opus . WHat Church is this ? Christs Church . Who builds it ? Mr. George Herbert , Who assisted it ? Many assisted : who , I may not say , So much contention might arise that way . If I say Grace gave all , Wit straight doth thwart , And sayes all that is there is mine : but Art Denies and sayes ther 's nothing there but 's mine : Nor can I easily the right define . Divide : say , Grace the matter gave , and Wit Did polish it , Art measured and made sit Each severall piece , and fram'd it all together . No , by no means : this may not please them neither . None 's well contented with a part alone , When each doth challenge all to be his owne : The matter , the expressions , and the measures , Are equally Arts , Wits , and Graces treasures . Then he that would impartially discusse This doubtfull question , must answer thus : In building of this temple Mr. Herbert Is equally all Grace , all Wit , all Art . Roman and Grecian Muses all give way : One English Poem darkens all your day .

¶ The Church-yard . THou that intendest to the Church to day , Come take a turn or two , before thou go'st , In the Church-yard : the walk is in the way . Who takes best heede in going , hasteth most : But he that unprepared rashly ventures , Hastens perhaps to seale his deaths Indentures .

¶ The Church-stile . SEest thou that stile ? observe then how it rises Step after step , and equally descends : Such is the way to winne celestiall prizes ; Humility the course begins and ends . Would'st thou in grace to high perfection grow ? Shoot thy roots deep , ground thy foundations low . Humble thy selfe , and God will lift thee up ; Those that exalt themselves , he casteth down : The hungry he invites with him to sup , And cloaths the naked with his robe and Crown . Think not thou hast what thou from him would'st have ; His labour 's lost , if thou thy self canst save . Pride is the prodigalitie of grace , Which casteth all away by griping all : Humilitie is thrift , both keeps its place , And gaines by giving , rises by its fall . To get by giving , and to loose by keeping , Is to be sad in mirth , and glad in weeping .

¶ The Church-gate . NExt to the stlie , see where the gate doth stand , Which turning upon hooks and hinges may Easily be shut or open'd with one hand , Yet constant in its center still doth stay ; And fetching a wide compasse round about , Keeps the same course and distance , never out . Such must the course be that to Heaven tends : He that the gates of righteousnesse would enter , Must still continue constant to his ends , And fix himselfe in God as in his center . Cleave close to him by faith , then move which way Discretion leads thee , and thou shalt not stray . We never wander , till we loose our hold Of him that is our way , our light , our guide : But when we grow of our own strength too bold , Vnhookt from him , we quickly turn aside . He holds us up , whilest in him we are found : If once we fall from him , we goe to ground .

¶ The Church-wals . NOw view the Wals , the Church is compast round , As much for safety as for ornament : 'T is an inclosure , and no common ground ; 'T is Gods freehold , and but our tenement . Tenants at will , and yet in taile we be : Our children have the same right to 't as we . Remember there must be no glatts left ope , Where God hath fenc'd for feare of false illusions : God will have all or none ; allows no scope For sinnes incroachments , and mens own intrusions . Close binding locks his laws together fast : He that plucks out the first , puls down the last . Either resolve for all , or else for none ; Obedience universall he doth claime : Either be wholly his , or all thine owne . At what thou canst not reach , at least take aime . He that of purpose looks beside the marke , Might as well hoodwinkt shoot , or in the darke .

¶ The Church . LAstly consider where the Church doth stand ; As neer unto the middle as may be : God in his service chiefely doth command Above all other things sinceritie . Lines drawn from side to side within a round , Not meeting in the Center , short are found . Religion must not side with any thing That swerves from God , or else withdraws from him : He that a welcome sacrifice would bring , Must fetch it from the bottome , not the brim . A sacred Temple of the Holy Ghost Each part of man must be , but his heart most . Hypocrisie in Church is Alchymie , That casts a golden tincture upon brasse : There is no essence in it ; 't is a lye , Though fairely stampt for truth it often passe : Onely the Spirits aqua regia doth Discover it to be but painted froth .

¶ The Church-porch . NOw ere thou passest further , sit thee down In the Church-porch , & think what thou hast seen ; Let due consideration either crown , Orcrush thy former purposes . Between Rash undertakings and firme resolutions , Depends the strength or weaknesse of conclusions . Trace thy steps backward in thy memory , And first resolve of that thou heardest last : Sinceritie . It blots the historie Of all religious actions , and doth blast The comfort of them , when in them God sees Nothing but outsides of formalities . In earnest be religious , trifle not ; And rather for Gods sake then for thine own : Thou hast rob'd him , unlesse that he have got By giving , if his glory be not grown Together with thy good . Who seeketh more Himself then God , would make his roofe his floore . Next to sinceritieremember still , Thou must resolve upon Integritie : God will have all thou hast ; thy minde , thy will , Thy thoughts , thy words , thy works . A nullitie It proves , when God , that should have all , doth finde That there is any one thing left behinde . And having given him all , thou must receive All that he gives . Meete his commandement , Resolvethat thine obedience must notleave Vntillit reach unto the same extent : For all his precepts are of equall strength , And measure thy performance to the length . Then call to minde that Constancy must knit Thine undertakings and thine actions fast : He that sets forth towards Heaven , and doth sit Down by the way , will be found short at last . Be constant to the end , and thou shalt have An heavenly garland , though an earthly grave . But he that would be constant , must not take Religion up by fits and starts alone ; But his continuall practise must it make : His course must be from end to end but one . Bones often broken and knit up againe , Loose of their length , though in their strength they gaine . Lastly , remember that Humilitie Must solidate and keep all close together . What pride puffes up with vaine futilitie , Lyes open and expos'd to all ill weather . An empty bubble may faire colours carry ; But blow upon it , and it will not tarry . Prize not thine own too high , nor under-rate Anothers worth , but deale indifferently ; View the defects of thy spirituall state , And others graces with impartiall eye : The more thou deemest of thy selfe , the lesse Esteeme of thee will all men else expresse . Contract thy lesson now , and this is just The summe of all . He that desires to see The face of God , in his religion must Sincere , entire , constant , and humble be . If thus resolved , feare not to proceed ; Else the more haste thou mak'st , the worse thou 'lt speed .

¶ Invitation . TVrn in , my Lord , turn in to mee : My heart 's an homely place ; But thou canst make corruption flee , And fill it with thy grace . So furnished , it will be brave ; And a rich dwelling thou shalt have . It was thy lodging once before ; It builded was by thee : But I to sinne set ope the doore , It rendred was by mee ; And so thy building once defac'd , And in thy roome another plac'd . But he usurps , the right is thine : Oh dispossesse him , Lord . Doe thou but say , this heart is mine , He 's gone at the first word . Thy word 's thy will , thy will 's thy power , Thy time is alwaies ; now 's mine hower . Now say to sinne , depart ; And , sonne , give me thine heart . Thou ; that by saying let it be , didst make it ; Canst , if thou wilt , by saying give 't me , take it .

¶ Comfort in extremitie . ALas ! my Lord is going ; Oh my woe ! It will be mine undoing , If he goe . I 'le runne and overtake him : If he stay , I 'le cry aloud , and make him Look this way . Oh stay my Lord , my love ; 't is I . Comfort me quickly , or I dye . Cheere up thy drooping spirits ; I am here . My all-sufficient merits Shall appeare Before the throne of glory In thy stead ; I 'le put into thy story , What I did List up thine eyes , sad soule , and see Thy Saviour here . Loe , I am he . Alas ! shall I present . My sinfulnesse To thee ? Thou wilt resent The loathsomnesse . Be not afraid , I 'le take Thy sinnes on me ; And all my favour make To shine on thee . Lord , what thou 'lt have me , thou must make me . As I have made thee , now I take thee .

¶ Resolution and assurance . LOrd , thou wilt love me . Wilt thou not ? Beshrew that not ; It was my sinne begot That question first : Yes Lord , thou wilt ; Thy bloud was spilt To wash away my guilt . Lord , I will love thee . Shall I not ? Beshrew that not . 'T was deaths accursed plot To put that question . Yes I will , Lord , love thee still In spite of all my ill . Then life and love continue still ; We shall and will My Lord and I , untill In his celestiall hill We love our fill When he hath purged all my ill .

¶ The Nativitie . VNfold thy face , unmaske thy ray , Shine forth , bright Sunne , double the day : Let no malignant misty fume , Nor foggy vapour once presume To interpose thy perfect sight This day , which makes us love thy light For ever better that we could That blessed object once behold , Which is both the circumference And center of all excellence : Or rather neither , but a treasure Vnconfined without measure : Whose center and circumference Including all preheminence , Excluding nothing but defect , And infinite in each respect ; Is equally both here and there , And now and then , and every where ; And alwaies one himselfe the same , A beeing farre above a name . Draw neerthen , and freely poure Forth all thy light into that houre Which was crowned with his birth , And made heaven envy earth . Let not his birth-day clouded be , By whom thou shinest , and we see .

¶ Vows broken and rewarded . SAid I not so , that I would sinne no more ? Witnesse my God , I did . Yet I am runne againe upon the score , My faults cannot be hid . What shall I doe ? Make vows and break them still ? 'T will be but labour lost : My good cannot prevaile against mine ill , The businesse will be crost . Oh! say not so ; thou canst not tell , what strength Thy God may give thee at the length . Renew thy vowes , and if thou keep the last , Thy God will pardon all that 's past . ( may Vow whil'st thou canst ; whil'st thou canst vow , tho● may●● Perhaps performe it when thou thinkest least . Thy God hath not deny'd thee all , Whilest he permits thee but to call : Call to thy God for grace to keep Thy vowes ; and if thou break them , weep . Weep for thy broken vowes , and vow againe : Vowes made with tears cannot bee still in vaine . Then once againe I vow to mend my wayes : Lord say Amen , And thine be all the praise .

¶ Confusion . OH ! how my minde is gravel'd ! not a thought That I can finde , but 's ravel'd all to nought . Short ends of threds , and narrow shreds of lists , Knots snarled ruffes , loose broken tufts of twists , Are my torne meditations ragged clothing ; Which wound and woven shape a suit for nothing . One while I think , and then I am in paine To think how to unthink that thought againe . How can my soule but famish with this food ? Pleasures full bowle tastes rammish , taints the blood : Profit picks bones , and chewes on stones that choak : Honour climbes hils ; fats not , but fils with smoak . And whilst my thoughts are greedy upon these , They passe by pearles , and stoop to pick up pease . Such wash and draffe is fit for none but swine ; And such I am not , Lord , if I am thine . Cloth me anew , and feed me then afresh : Else my soule dyes famisht and starv'd with flesh .

¶ A Paradox . THe worse the better . Welcome my health : this sicknesse makes me well . Medicines adiew : When with diseases I have list to dwell , I 'll wish for you . Welcome my strength ▪ this weakenesse makes me abl● Powers adiew : When I am weary grown of standing stable , I 'le wish for you . Welcome my wealth : this losse hath gain'd me more ▪ Richesadiew : When I again grow greedy to be poore , I 'le wish for you . Welcome my credit : this disgrace is glory . Honours adiew : When for renown and fame I shall be sorry , I 'le wish for you . Welcome content : this sorrow is my joy . Pleasures adiew : When I desire such griefes as may annoy , I 'le wish for you . Health , strength , and riches , credit and content , Are spared best sometimes , when they are spent ; Sicknesse and weaknesse , losse , disgrace and sorrow , Lend most sometimes , when they seeme most to borrow : Blest be that hand that helps by hurting , gives By taking , by forsaking me relieves . If in my fall my rising be thy will ; Lord , I will say , the wors the better still . I 'le speak the Paradox , maintaine thou it ; And let thy grace supply my want of wit . Leave me no learning that a man may see , So I may be a scholar unto thee .

¶ Inmates . A House I had ( a heart I mean ) so wide And full of spatious roomes on every side , That viewing it I thought I might doe well ( Rather then keep it voide and make no gaine Of what I could not use ) to entertaine Such guests as came . I did . But what befell Me quickly in that course , I sigh to tell . A guest I had ( alas ! I have her still ) A great big bellyed guest , enough to fill The vast content of hell , Corruption : By entertaining her , I lost my right To more then all the world hath now in sight ; Each day , each houre almost she brought forth one , Or other base begot , Transgression . The charge grew great . I , that had lost before , All that I had , was forced now to score , For all the charges of their maintenance , In doomes-day book : who ever knew 't would say , The least summe there was more then I could pay , When first 't was due ; beside continuance , Which could not choose but much the debt enhance . To ease me , first I wisht her to remove ; But she would not . I sued her then above , And begg'd the Court of heaven , but in vaine , To cast her out . No , I could not evade The bargaine , which she pleaded I had made ; That whilest both lived , I should entertaine At mine own charge both her and all her traine . No helpe then , but or I must die or she ; And yet my death of no availe would be : For one death I had died already then , When first she liv'd in me ; and now to die Another death againe , were but to tye And twist them both into a third ; which , when It once hath seixed on , never looseth men . Her death might be my life ; but her to kill I of my selfe had neither power , nor will . So desperate was my case . Whil'st I delayd , My guest still teem'd , my debts still greater grew ; The lesse I had to pay , the more was due : The more I knew , the more I was affraid ; The more I mus'd , the more I was dismaid . At last I learnt , there was no way but one , A friend must doe it for me . He alone , That is the Lord of life , by dying can Save men from death , and kill Corruption : And many yeers agoe the deed was done ; His heart was piere'd , out of his side there ran Sinnes corrasives , restoratives for man . This precious balme I begg'd , for pities sake , At Mercies gate : where Faith alone may take , What Grace and Truth doe offer liberally . Bountie said , Come . I heard it , and beleeved None ever there complain'd but was relieved . Hope waiting upon Faith , said instantly , That henceforth I should live , Corruption dye . I 'd so she dy'd , I live . But yet , alas ! ●e are not parted . She is where she was ; Cleaves fast unto me , still looks through mine eies ●peaks in my tongue , and muses in my minde , ●orks with my hands : her body 's left behinde , Although her soule be gone . My miseries All flow from hence ; from hence my woes arise . Ioath my selfe , because I leave her not ; Yet cannot leave her . No , she is my lot Now being dead , that living was my choice ; And still though dead , she both conceives and beares Many faults daily , and as many feares : All which for vengeance call with a loud voice , And drown my comforts with their deadly noise . Dead bodies kept unburied quickly stink , And putrifie : how can I then but think Corruption noysome , even mortify'd ? Though such she were before , yet such to me She seemed not : Kind fooles can never see , Or will not credit , untill they have try'd , That friendly lookes oft false intents doe hide . But mortified Corruption lyes unmaskt , Blabs her own secret filthynesse unaskt , To all that understand her . That doe none , In whom she lives embraced with delight : She first of all deprives them of their sight ; Then dote they on her as upon their owne , And she to them seems beautifull alone . But woe is me ! one part of me is dead , The other lives . Yet that which lives , is led , Or rather carry'd captive unto sinne , By the dead part . I am a living grave , And a dead body I within me have . The worse part of the better oft doth win ; And when I should have ended , I begin . The sent would choak me , were it not that grace Sometimes vouchsafeth to perfume the place With odors of the spirit , which doe ease me , And counterpoise Corruption . Blessed spirit , Although eternall torments be my merit , And of my self Transgressions onely please me , Adde grace enough being reviv'd to raise me . Challenge thine own : Let not intruders hold Against thy right , what to my wrong I sold . Having no state my selfe but tenancy , And tenancy at will , what could I grant That is not voided , if thou say avaunt ? O speak the word , and make these inmates flee ; Or which is one , take me to dwell with thee .

¶ The Curbe . PEace rebell Thought : do'st thou not know thy King , My God is here ? Cannot his presence , if no other thing , Make thee forbeare ? Or were he absent , all the standers by Are but his spyes : And well he knows , if thou should'st it deny , Thy words were lyes . If others will not , yet I must , and will My selfe complaine . My God , even now a base rebellious thought Began to move , And subt'ly twining with me would have wrought Me from thy love : Faine he would have me to believe , that sinne And thou might both Take up my heart together for your Inne , And neither loth The others company ; a while sit still , And part againe . Tell me , my God , how this may be redrest : The fault is great , And I the guilty party have confest , I must be beat : And I refuse not punishment for this , Though to my paine , So I may learne to doe no more amisse , Nor sinne againe . Correct me , if thou wilt ; but teach me then , What I shall doe . Lord of my life , me thinks I heare thee say , That labour 's eas'd : The fault that is confest , is done away ; And thou art pleas'd . How can I sinne againe , and wrong thee then That do'st relent , And cease thine anger straight , as soon as men Doe but repent ? No rebell Thought : for if thou move againe , I 'le tell thee too .

¶ The Losse . THe match is made between my love and me : And therefore glad and merry now I 'le be . Come Glorie , crowne my head , and pleasures drowne my bed of thornes in downe . Sorrow be gone , delight and joy alone befit my honey moone . Be packing now you comb'rous Cares and Feares : Mirth will allow no roome to sighs and teares . Whilst thus I lay as ravisht with delight , I heard one say , so fooles their friends requite . I knew the voyce , my Lords ; and at the noise his words did make , arose . I lookt and spied each where , and lowdly cry'd , my deare ; but none reply'd . Then to my griefe I found my love was gone , Without reliefe , leaving me all alone .

¶ The Search . WHither , oh ! whither is my Lord departed ? What can my Love , that is so tender hearted , Forsake the soule which once he thorow darted , As though it never smarted ? No sure , my Love is here , if I could finde him : He that fils all can leave no place behinde him . But oh ! my sences are too weak to winde him , Or else I doe not minde him . Oh! no , I mind him not so as I ought ; Nor seek him so as I by him was sought , When I had lost my selfe ; he dearely bought Me that was sould for nought . But I have wounded him , that made me sound ; Lost him againe , by whom I first was found ; Him , that exalted me , have cast to th' ground : My sinnes his bloud have drown'd . Tell me , oh ! tell me ( thou alone canst tell ) Lord of my life , where thou art gone to dwell : For in thy absence heaven it selfe is hell ; Without thee none is well . Or if thou beest not gone , but onely hidest Thy presence in the place where thou abidest ; Teach me the sacred art , which thou providest For all them whom thou guidest , To seek and finde thee by : Else here I 'le lye , Vntill thou finde me . If thou let me dye That onely unto thee for life doe cry , Thou dyest as well as I. For if thou live in me , and I in thee , Then either both alive or dead mu●t be : At least , I 'le lay my death on thee , and see If thou wilt not agree . For though thou be the judge thy selfe , I have Thy promise for it which thou canst not wave , That who salvation at thy hands doe crave , Thou wilt not faile to save . Oh! seek and finde me then , or else deny Thy truth , thy selfe . Oh! thou that canst not lye Shew thy selfe constant to thy word , draw nigh ; Finde me . Loe , here Ilye .

¶ The Returne . LOe , now my love appeares , My teares Have clear'd mine eyes . I see 'T is he . Thanks blessed Lord , thine absence was my hell ; And now thou art returned , I am well . By this I see I must Not trust My joyes unto my selfe : This shelfe Of too secure and presumptuous pleasure Had almost sunke my ship , and drown'd my treasure . Who would have thought a joy So coy , To be offended so And go So suddenly away ? as though enjoying Full pleasure and contentment were annoying . Hereafter I had need Take heed : Joyes , amongst other things , Have wings , And watch their opportunities of flight ; Converting in a moment day to night . But is 't enough for me , To be Instructed to be wise ? I 'le rise , And reade a lecture unto them that are Willing to learn , how comfort dwels with care . He that his joyes would keept , Must weepe , And in the brine of teares And feares Must pickle them . That powder will preserve : Faith with repentance is the soules conserve . Learne to make much of care : A rare And precious balsome 't is For blisse ; Which oft resides where mirth with sorrow meets . Heavenly joyes on earth are bitter-sweets .

¶ The Circumcision . SOorrow betide my sinnes ! Must smart so soon Seaze on my Saviours tender flesh , scarce grown Vnto an eight dayes age ? Can nothing else asswage The wrath of heaven but his infant blood ? Innocent infant , infinitely good ! Is this thy welcome to the world , great God : No sooner born but subject to the rod , Of sinne incensed wrath ? Alas ! what pleasure hath Thy Fathers justice to begin thy passion Almost together with thine incarnation ? Is it to antidate thy death ? Indite Thy condemnation himselfe ? and write The coppie with thy bloud , Since nothing is so good ? Cr●s't by this experiment to try , Whether thou beest borne mortall and canst dye ? If man must needs draw blood of God , yet why Stayes he not till thy time be come to die ? Didst thou thus early bleed For us , to shew what need We have to hasten unto thee as fast , And learne that all the time is lost that 's past ? 'T is true we should doe so . Yet in this blood Ther 's something else that must be understood : It seales thy covenant ; That so we may not want Witnesse enough against thee , that thou art Made subject to the law to act our part . The Sacrament of thy regeneration It cannot be . It gives no intimation Of what thou wert , but we . Native impuritie , Originall corruption , was not thine ; But onely as thy righteousnesse is mine . In holy Baptisme this is brought to mee , As that in Circumcision was to thee : And so thy losse and paine Did prove my joy and goine . Thy Circumcision writ thy death in blood : Baptisme in water seales my livelyhood . Oh blessed change ! yet rightly understood That blood was water , and this water's blood . What shall I give againe To recompence thy paine ? Lord , take revenge upon me for this smart : To quit thy fore-skin , circumcise my heart .

¶ Inundations . WE talke of Noahs flood as of a wonder ; And so we may : The Scrptures say , The waters did prevaile . the hils were under , And nothing could be seen but sea . And yet there are two other sloods surpasse That flood as farre , As heaven one starre : Which many men regard as little as The ordinariest things that are . The one is sinne , the other is salvation : And we must need Confesse indeed That either of them is an inundation , That doth the deluge farre exceed . In Noahs food he and his houshold liv'd ; And there abode A whole Ark-load Of other creatures , that were then repriev'd , All safely on the waters rode . But when sinne came , it overflowed all , And left none free : Nay , even he That knew no sinne , could not release my thrall ; But that he was made sinne for me . And when salvation came , my Saviours blood Drown'd sinne againe With all its traine Of evils ; overflowing them with good , With good that ever shall remaine . Oh! let there be one other inundation : Let grace overflow In my soule so , That thankfulnesse may levell with salvation , And sorrow sinne may overgrow . Then will I praise my Lord and Saviour so , That Angels shall Admire mans fall ; When they shall see Gods greatest glory grow , Where Satan thought to root out all .

¶ Sinne . SInne , I would faine define thee , but thou art An uncouth thing , All that I bring To shew thee fully , shews thee but in part . I call thee the transgression of the law . And yet I read , That sinne is dead Without the law ; and thence it strength doth draw . I say thou art the sting of death . 'T is true . And yet I finde Death comes behinde : The work is done before the pay be due . I say thou art the devils work . Yet hee Should much rather Call thee father : For he had been no devill but for thee . What shall I call thee then ? If death and devill , Right understood , Be names too good ; I 'le say thou art the quintessence of evill .

¶ Travels at home . OFt have I wisht a traveller to be ; Mine eyes did even itch the sights to see , That I had heard and read of . Oft I have Been greedy of occasion , as the grave That never sayes enough ; yet still was crost When oportunities had promis'd most . At last I said : What meanst thou wandring else To straggle thus ? Goe travell first thy selfe : Thy little world can shew thee wonders great ; The greater may have more , but not more neat And curious pieces . Search , and thou shalt finde Enough to talk of . If thou wilt , thy minde Europe supplies , and Asia thy will , And Africk thine affections . And if still Thou list to travell further , put thy sences For both the Indies . Make no more pretences Of new discoveries , whilst yet thine own And neerest little world is still unknown . Away then with thy quadrants , compasses , Globes , tables , cards , and mappes , and minute glasses : Lay by thy journals and thy diaries , Close up thine annalls and thy histories : Studie thy selfe , and reade what thou hast writ In thine own book , thy conscience : Is it fit To labour after other knowledge so , And thine own neerest , dearest selfe not know ? Travels abroad both deare and dangerous are , Whil'st oft the soule payes for the bodies fare ▪ Travels at home are cheape and safe . Salvation Comes mounted on the wings of meditation . He that doth live at home , and learns to know God and himselfe , needeth no further goe .

FINIS .