The ioy of tears or Cordials of comfort springing vp in the region of sorrow.

THE JOY OF TEARS .

BOth night and day my bones are pierc'd with grief , Oh if my wounds be deep ! who can them cure No sweetnes now , no joy , peace nor relief , Ease is away , mirth I may not endure . My paines encrease , sins guilt doth them procure ▪ Fears mee beset , belike GOD is my foe : Faith , hope and love are hid with clouds impure , Expect I can nothing but wrath and woe . Entrusting much my heart I truth forgoe , Menstrous I am , no creature more vile , More foule , more filthie : yea though earth no moe In it containd , yet I would all defile . Great cause I have each moment to deplore My want of that which should my soul decore . Iudgements I justly merite and deserve , Oft do I faile , oft hear I Peters cock : From GODS commands most frequently I swerve , I love to dwell within a rotten stock . Trifling allurements hold mee from Christs flock , False foolish pleasures do beguile my sight : Lost is my strength , through bearing of sins yoke , Hourely I erre , in taking wrong for right . Excuse my self I will no● for my might , My thoghts , my words , my wayes , my works , my pai● ▪ My wit , my will are great unfriends to light I can not see what profite mee constrains . In mee no worth which Wisdome can commend , Good LORD I pray thee help , reform , amend . I know thy mercies far all sins exceed , Thrise blest are they in whom the same abide ▪ Except against the holy Ghost no seed Of sin outbreaketh which they can not hide . To thee I cry , from whom I oft backslide , Father , forgive my faults both great and small : Let out thy streames , come in with thy spring-tide , With joy of heart receave a prodigall . Establish mee , least I again should fall : Make sure my steps , confirme mee by thy grace : Remove the curtains , and partition wall Of guiltinesse , thine image which deface , Gainst thee alone I have made great assaults : Give place to Mercy , pardon all my faults . CHRISTS ANSWERE . REjoice thy self in mee , sweet Iesus saith , Winters of mourning make much for thy good : Early and late for thee my Spirit prayeth . Eternall life receave through my rich blood . When God was angrie in the gape I stood , I suffered all his justice could require : Enter in rest , I stopped have hels flood , Seald is thy peace , possesse thy soules desire . In the meane time weep , weep , and do not tire : Th● seedes of te●r●s bring foorth great cropes of joy : Thy mourning dayes wi● suddenly expire , I see what way thy sobs thou dost employ , Thy sighs , thy groanes , thy vext and troubled minde ▪ For grieving mee constraine mee to bee kinde . In heart I feel more joy than tongue can tell , Oh if I could my Saviour magnifie ! No longer ( by his grace ) will I rebell , Enlargd hee hath his bountie towards mee . Come , come , draw neer ye Saints , come , taste and see Flaggons of comfort , which will make you glad . Lo , how the pledges of GODS amitie Erect my sprit ; which formerly was sad . Earths whole delights if at my will I had , Misprise I would , for draughts of such sweet wine : More other things to seek is to bee mad , In greatest straits this is the best propine . My soul , praise thou the Lord with thy whole might Who hath receav'd thee kindly in his sight . I have a pleasant birth , yet I must cry O * * 1 Sam. 4 . 2● . Ichabod ! O captive Ark once free ! Now Philistims with peace possesse ; all my Excellencie is gone , I wish to die . Life , pleasure , joy withdraw your selves from mee , Fraughted I am , and overchargd with grief : Light of mine eyes is faild , I can not see : Elies last end , nought else can bring relief . Entred in Bethell have men of mischief , Making GODS lawes to bee of no respect : Though once they seemd well setled in belief , Yet now their craft and falshood they detect . With filthie smoak the house , of pray'r they fill , And there intend to change all things at will . Ierusalem is of her freedome spoild , Orders of mens devising there bee plac'd : True CHRIST is bound , thief Barrabas assoild . Esaw much praised , Iacob much disgracd . The heritage of GOD is all defacd , Formalities to substance are preferd : Lawes are imposd grievous to bee embracd ▪ Earths fatnesse upon Iudas is conferd . Eye weep , heart groan , black birds my mirth have mard Moon hath no light , the Sun his beames withdraweth : The mouth of godly Zephanie is bard , Because the truth in honestie hee showeth . Fountains of life which make Gods citie glad Are fild with earth , clear springs can not bee had . Stalf of religion greatly doth decay , The door of holy discipline is closd : Romes-cocatrice the lambs of God betray , To subtile dangers they bee much exposd . Good p●ople who are zealously disposd , The benefite of peace can not enjoy : No persons are so mightily opposd , As they who Babels building would destroy . The powers of darknes their whole strength employ , In their defence who the Popes liveray wear : But neither night nor day cease to annoy The sheep of Christ in whom grace doth appear . The hopes of bragging Papists are encreast , Now when they see Gods servants so opprest . Edoms curs'd children wickedly insult , Wounds of the beast again by them are cur'd : With death and hell they craftily consult , And make the Gospels lamp to bee obscurd . High courts of justice are bee them procurd , Where wickednesse is stablisht by decree : And where heavens heirs are wrongously injurd , And Amos words are judged heresie . In Babylon upon the willow tree My harp is hangd , for Sion I must weep : Yet they in scorn require some mirth from mee , And Hebrew songs , my sorrowes are most deep . Let my tongue bee within my mouth ty'd fast If I rejoice while Sions griefs be past . Gods captive Ark I long to see restord : Old dayes of mercy doubtlesse then would co● No land like Scotland was so well decord , Each hungrie soul did there receive a crum . Tabrets of power now dead pypes are become , Flammes of strange fire provoke GODS jealousie : Locusts of hell prevaile much over some , Edens fair orchard wants fertilitie . Exilements , fines , confines commissions bee Made 'gainst all these who would their hearts keepe pure ▪ Time-servers get honour and dignitie , Idolaters full libertie procure . None of an upright judgement dar appear , The hands are weakned which Christs image bear . I much lament to see GODS Saints so feard , That few , alace , sound Tenets dar professe : I much lament , to see men who compeard Once in defence of light , the light suppresse . I much lament to see such sleepinesse , When Christs best friends are thrald in burgh & town . I much lament to see who do possesse The chair of truth , which should hold errours down . I much lament to see a popish crown Upon the head of Christs once glorious bride . I much lament to see men get renown , Who dayly both from faith and truth do slide . Oh if I had in secret mine alone A cottage , where I might these ills bemone . Ioine , joine with mee , ye Saints , in pray'rs and tears , O Lord hear , help , consider Iosephs cace : The splendor of Kirk beautie disappeares , Enthrond are they who Romish rites embrace . Through fire and water woolfs thy lambs do chase : False brethren vexe thy flock who truth retain : Look to thy spouse which they seek to deface , Her cause defend , let thy foes wo sustain . Ensnare them all who make thy sheep complain , And fight against thine ancient liberties : Much they conspire , much untruth they maintain , In thy chaire they spew foorth their damned lies . Thy veritie in corners is confind , The wrong thou gets scarce can it be defind . Where once thou had a throne Prince Mammon sits , Destroying that which built was by thy Sprit : And building that which many pregnant wits Doth captivat , and grieve each Isralite , Good Ieremie who was thy favourite Perceaving how thy glory was empard , A wildernesse he thought most requisite , Nothing but tears and groanes he did regard , What christian man with him can bee compard ? Heart-breaking grief like his can not bee found : Carefull was hee to have thy house repard , Which now , alace , is brought down to the ground . His lamentations , zeal , and fervencie Thou hast reserv'd to the posteritie . And for what else but that thy children dear May thereby learn to mourn for Sions wrack , And to deplore the boastings which they hear Of Bashans buls , who truth would captive take . Earth-Mammonists count not what shifts they make , Providing they may come to their intent : Sound reasoning they purposly hold back , And in Christs mistick body make a rent . Thou must arise , thy terrour must bee sent , To stop the madnes of their wicked rage , And to compell their furie to relent , Which so bursts foorth in this malicious age . Thy temple clenge , thine heritage reform , Make all things to thy patern be conform . For Sions sake I can not bee at rest , To her relief while thou incline thine ear : H●ar thou her not , now when shee is distrest , Then close mine eyes , my life I count not dear . Thy foes insult , O how thou dost forbear ? And suffer them on earth to bee extold ? In thy behalf no subject dar appear , To vindicat thy truth so much controld , Look how thy Servants names are all enrold In registers , as men deserving shame : Only because thy crown they do uphold , And will not thy sworn covenant disclame . Bee Agent for thy Spouse , supplie her wants , And hear the groanings of thy weeping Saints ▪

The Lords exhortatorie and expostulatorie reply GRievd Saincts I much affect , saith Isra'ls GO● Who sigh and sob for Sions wofull state : I have her humbled under mans sharp rod , That she may learn to keep my well path'd gate , Apostasie extreamely I do bate , Vngrately hath shee gone from her first love : Carnall respects have caused her of late Forsake her crown , and the Beasts mark approve . Oh if she would from Babell yet remove . Oh if she would turn home again to mee . Then would I make my presence from above Her corners all with light to beautifie . I , as I live , delight not in her death , I rather would she might evite my wrath . My Covenant I charge her to renew , Or else a cup of trembling she shall drink : Wil-worship I command her to eshew , At such a sin my justice can not wink . Her whoorishnesse gives mee cause to forethink , That ever I her wedded to my wife : What reason hath she from my truth to shrink ? Am I not able to preserve her life ? Should fear or danger of a wodden knife Debar her from obedience to my will ? Should she provock my clemencie to strife , And move me with mine anger her to kill ? O how my lovelie nature she doth crosse ! I would her save , she will her own self losse . Sauls sinfull fact who kild the Gibeonits I wish she would remark attentively : More easie shall it be to Gomorrhits Then to these who their faith do falsifie . I will not faile to punish perjurie , In whomsoever I the same perceive : She needs not think to plead immunitie , Her slyding back no coverture can have . I gave her life , I brought her from the grave , I her enrich'd , I made her glory shine : I ransond her when she was Satans slave , I fild her flaggons with my choisest wine . No fabrick had in any former age Such heaven out pillars as mine heritage . Her name was famous the whole earth throughout , Her pretious stones shin'd clearer than bright gold : My pleasure was to walk her To●ers about , Her carved work was heavenly to behold . Armies with banners terrible and bold Amazed were , and fled before her face : Her wals were thick , her bulwarks manifold , Shee without stroke of s●ord her foes did chase . Now dogs and swine possesse mine holy place , Iudah doth walk contrare to my des●re , No cons●ien●e makes shee errours to embrace , Nor to prophane mine Altar with strange fire . Land-monsters she hath chosen her to lead , Who seek advancement above mee her head . My stat●ts , orders , comely government Shee hath rejected to her open shame : With my prescriptions shee is not content , Her wayes , her words , her works the same proclame . Bethaven hath become my Bethels name , Her filthinesse in her shirts doth appear : Her solemn feasts and sabboths I disclame , Her sighs , her sobs , her groanes I will not hear : Her ●●st , her drosse pollute my fountains clear , With might and main Romes rites shee doth defend : How can I any longer her forbear ? My Sprite shee forceth with her to contend . I look shee should acknowledge her offence , ●ut ●o how she my love doth recompence . Who would have thought she would have mee renounc'd , And taken uncouth lovers by the hand ? Who would have thought her mouth would have pronounc'd Such damned errours , as my truth gainstand ? Should shee repugne to my most just command ? Can I permit my glore to bee transferd To other gods ? Surely it can not stand With that which my reveald will hath averr'd . Long have I spar'd , long haue I wrath deferd , Long have I her invited to repent : Long hath my goodnesse on her been conferd , Long hath she made my spirit to lament . Lost is my labour , wasted is mine oile , I reap no profite of my long some toile . Where is her light ? her crown ? her ornaments ? Her chain of love ? her peace ? her puritie ? Her fruitfull gardens ? her fair continents ? Her rights ? her seales of Life and Libertie ? All shee hath sold unto her enemie , Her vomite she hath licked up again : Great is her craft , great is her treacherie , Her purposes and projects are most vain . In her no honest dealing doth remain , My perfite pattern shee hath overthrown : Doubtlesse on her my judgements I would rain ▪ If secret wailers were from her withdrawn . Lot must be brought to Zoar ere I can Shoure down my furie upon sinfull man . Ye Mourners therefore leave not off to weep , Your faithfull pr●yers and tears my hands do bind : For Sions sake becaus● your wounds are deep , A good and gratious successe you shall since . Your melting hearts make my wrath flee behind , Your peace is made , let Dragons fret and fume : My light your joy , shall make their eyes stone-blind , Though now they think my Cedars to consume . To your comfort my promises resume , In your distresse I will not you forsake : Through my strong arme you boldly may presume , To make the stoutest brambles all to quake . I am your rock , gainst mee who can prevaile ? Earth shall decay , your strength shall never faile .

ALL endlesse praise be to my blessed LORD , O Soul rejoice , thy groanes he doth approve : From time to time his benefits record , Extoll his Name , him praise for his free love . Be zealous , stedfast , constant , do not move , Faiths-fruit is worth all pains thou canst sustain : Look to that glore hid up to their behove , Who valiantly his born down truth maintain . Elishaes words gainst all attempts retain , 2 King 6.16 Mo be for Christ than mortall eye can see : In suffering for his cause none needs complain , The crosse way leadeth to felicitie . When dayes of Christian conflicts are expird , More joy will come than ever heart desird . I know my plainnesse will be much revil'd , Obloquious raylings I must strive to bear : None so maligned as Gods dearest child , Edicts soul-vexing dayly he may hear . Black to call black what Christian should forbear ▪ Frettings of men like winde will passe away : Luck warmnesse all should shun who God would fear Esthers example Saints encourage may . Earnest was shee to fast both night and day : Hamans great malice deeply piercd her heart : Most wisely shee her credite did assay : In the kings presence shee took the Iewes part : No contrare law could her stop , nor withhold , From pleading stoutly with a courage bold . This femal-pleader lets mee understand , That GOD by weakest meanes gets greatest glore : And when the stronger ships sink in deep sand , The weaker vessell oft comes safe to shore . The naked truth is ay advancd the more , When there is least appearance of support : Though Potentats intend to crosse her sore , Yet shall shee flourish in a fruitfull sort . The darts of wicked men shee can retort Vpon themselves wherewith they think to shed The blood of these who Christianly dehort , From idol-feasts where with souls are misled . Her life , her crown , her jewels none shall get , Who for a part of earth would heaven wodset . Let Demas and Diotrephes take heed , Who heavenly substance for earths trash would sell ▪ The Truth alone can help in time of need , No other birthright can redeeme from hell . The way to life all other pathes excell , True godlinesse in it hath twofold gain , Of grace and glore , more than mans tongue can tell ▪ Hence comes that gold which ever shall remain . Proud Ishmalites this treasure which disdain . Shall never dwell upon Mount Sion hill : Nor shall enjoy the comfort of that rain , Nor of those drops which mercy doth distill . None , none but they who love , maintain , defend The Truth opprest shall get a blessed end .

The Authors epilogue . I am but sinfull dust , From God is my record , To mee belongeth shame , All glorie to the Lord .