A crucifixe: or, A meditation vpon repentance, and, the holie passion. Written by Christopher Lever

A CRVCIFIX , OR A Meditation vpon Repentance , and the holy Passion . THere is a griefe , which farre exceedes the skill Of many learned spirits to define : And this deriued is from doing ill ; Yet doth it rectifie , and much refine , The blurred Image , of that power diuine . Which in our purer soules , at our creation , Made vs beloued , and of estimation . Such is the terrour of a wounded Soule , Stretched vpon the painefull racke of try all , Presented with that blacke accusing scroule , The register of sinne , the Lords espiall ; Authorities , that ne'r admit deniall . For when our Conscience doth display our sinne , Then true affected griefe , doth first beginne . It were in vaine , I labour'd to expresse , The just proportion , and the qualitie Of horred griefe : nor what amazednesse , Attends this court of lawe , and equitie , The Soule ▪ must here implead impietie Against the Soule . The Iudge that here preceedeth Against himselfe , himselfe the law impleadeth . 〈◊〉 that haue 〈◊〉〈◊〉 for your sinnes ▪ 〈◊〉 bath ▪ d your 〈◊〉 in your repentan●…●…eares ▪ 〈◊〉 when your reformation first beginnes 〈◊〉 ●…ur 〈◊〉 harts , tell me what feares ▪ 〈◊〉 horrednesse , remorsefull conscience beares : 〈◊〉 rather , doe confesse , as doth my verse ; There is no power of words , can it reherse . The Father Iudge , that sits his Sonne to trie ▪ Cannot resist the torture of his minde : When he denounceth sentence ( thou must die ) Examples may be fitted to this kinde : But to resemble ours no like we finde : For here the Iudge , that giues the dying word , Condemnes himselfe : euen of his owne accord . The eye , condemnes the sight , the sight the eye ; The power of speach , our much offending tongue : All qualities , their instruments envie ; And say , their aptnesse to offence and wrong , Impels the sence ; the weaker by the strong , Is capt●…uate : And sinne that hath the reynes ; The common wealth in man , to sinne constraines . Like as that Bull , Perillus fram'd of brasse ; To be a wond'rous instrument of woe : Within whose wombe , when the offendor was ▪ In brutish sort , he as a Bull did lowe , The organe of the beast , did cause it so . Right so our bodies , beastlie by our sinne ; Doe bestifie the soule , that liues within . In opposition to this formall plea ; The body , to the soule againe replyeth . The state of sinne , hath his estate in thee : Our soules without , sinne in our bodies dyeth ; Nature to liuelesse things , all act denyeth . For as the Ayre , is mooued with the wind , So are our subject bodies , by the mind . Who euer yet accus'd the murderous knife , As actor of that horrible effect : The agent , must be somewhat that hath life . It is the liuing hand , that doth direct The mortall blade : Nor is there had respect , To instrumentall causes of offending : For in the agent , guilt hath his depending . 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 of ho●… contention : 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 himselfe diuide . 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 which jud●…ment hath descride : 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 the conscience anght can hide ▪ 〈◊〉〈◊〉 state of wretchednesse doth dwell 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 them my verse 〈◊〉 tell 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 the 〈◊〉 cup of pleasure ; 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 in nothing but expending ▪ 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 fall his treasure ▪ 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 shame with much commending , 〈◊〉〈◊〉 your 〈◊〉 liues ▪ shall ne're haue ending . 〈◊〉〈◊〉 remembrance of repentant teares ▪ 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 inlarge your feares . 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 , where death is eminent ▪ 〈◊〉 bubble of this life , cannot secure thee : There is an after-state , most permanent , 〈◊〉〈◊〉 in honour , o●… in death assure thee ▪ 〈◊〉〈◊〉 to honour , now to die mure thee : 〈◊〉 he , whose life will mortifie no sinne , 〈◊〉 finde the gate of Mercie shut to him . Thy life is truely by resemblance said To be a shadowe : shado●…es from the Sun Deriued be : for sure there is no shade , Where ●…haebus doth not guild our horizon : So we may say , the pride of life is done , When as the Sunne of Glorie shall denie , To giue the beames of his resplendent Eye . Change your corrupt opinions of delight . Sometime delight in teares , in bitter woe . To launce and cut , oft heales the wounded Knight . If we to heauen ; we must as Pilgrims goe : It is a Christian pleasure to doe so : For he that doth appoint al times for pleasure : To his repentance can admit no leisure . Were it , that he that over-loads the sense , In surffetting the much forbidden tree , Could with the habite of his sinnes dispense , Whilst he might view his soules enormitie , And with the judgement of Discretions eie , Sentence his vaine , exorbitant delight , And all his pleasures that doe sinne invite . Then might he see the powre of much offending , The little powre of him that so offendeth : That warre of soules that never can have ending , Where sinne in opposition , death intendeth , To him that ( prodigall ) in sinne expendeth His very selfe , and like a traitor thiefe , In his owne treason makes himselfe a chiefe . Who ever sawe a Generall in Armes , Whenas the day determineth the warre ; To be imprison'd in the treacherous armes Of such as neerest to his person are , Vnto himselfe may make a like compare : For such are we when our delightfull pleasure , Vpon our soules ( like traitors ) make a seasure . 〈◊〉 like , as when the man reported borned , 〈◊〉 chased by the seruants of his pleasure ; 〈◊〉 ●…hen by monstrous sinne , we are deformed , 〈◊〉 finde offensiue , what we held our treasure ▪ 〈◊〉 ●…ame affects ( like dogges ) doe make a seasure 〈◊〉 ●…on our soules : and like the hunted Deere ▪ 〈◊〉 our loud yelping sinnes , we stand in feere When we can truelie , thus suruey our sinne , Our state of death , our death in our offending : The warre intestine , that we haue within ; 〈◊〉 infinite of griefe , thereof depending ; 〈◊〉 little power we haue , of our amending . When this we know , we know our stat 's not well : 〈◊〉 doth the sicke , that heares his passing bell . ●…hen in the ballance of suspence , we say , Our little hope , the mountaine of our care . The scale of seare , by much doth ouer sway ▪ Our owne assurances , that nothings are : 〈◊〉 makes , this sicke man of his health despaire And were it not , that grace did vs auaile , We should not stand , the triall of the scaile . 〈◊〉 had I neede ▪ a new to inuocate , That all sufficient , to direct my verse : My selfe much sinfull , cannot sinne relate . Whose largenesse dis●…inables my rehearse . O giue me power to beautifie the hearse Of Penitence : which then is said to die . When men liue most in their securitie . If euer thing of greatest admiration , Could draw the vulgar eye , for to admire it ; Then let the subject , of this poore relation , Be powerfull in their harts , that shall desire it : It is a heauenly act , for to inspire it . For though our penance , be a crabbed tree , Yet is the fruit , of rare proprietie . Suppose thy selfe , araigned at the barre , Laden with fetters of thine owne offence ; Thy crying sinnes , thy aduerse Lawyers are ▪ The Diuell , doth his action here commence , And for his witnesse , hath thy conscience . Suppose this court-house , in thy soule to be , Thy selfe to plead , thy selfe to answere thee . That part , which best remembers , plaies the Clarke , Who , when the word of silence , is proclaim'd . Intreates , that great assemblie well to marke Th' inditement of that Traytor : who asham'd , Stands at the barre of death : and being nam'd , Holdes vp his guilty hand . The Clarke then readeth , Those treasons , which my vtterance much exceedeth ▪ Yet as I may : This I suppose was said . ( Traytor ) thou art more ancient in thy sinne Then in thy dayes : It cannot be denai'd , But when thy first fore-father did beginne , To listen to his wifes solliciting : Thou in him then , didst with him giue consent , To further , that his treasonous intent . 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 Patents did produce thee , 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 thy soule more blinde . 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 to execuse thee . 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 ●…n ●…y minde : 〈◊〉〈◊〉 bodie , can●…t thou finde 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 Fathers generation . 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 not giues it limitation . 〈◊〉〈◊〉 thy 〈◊〉 , so doe thy sinnes augment : 〈◊〉 , they ou●…●…trip thy time in forwardnesse . ●…or long before thy childishnes be spent , Thou wil●… be aged in thy wickednesse . Childrens first aptitudes doe well expresse , Whether the progresse of their liues intend ▪ For like beginning , often hath like end . What though thy Parents in their prouidence , Couet to better thee , by education . Yet is their trauell , but a vaine expence , Thy time of youth , will giue an intimation , How much vnlike thou art thy first creation . Neuer could any precepts from the wise , Er'e rectifie a mans infirmities . Thus dost thou make gradation in thy sinne , Till thou attaine , the vtmost step of life ; And like Report , when it doth first beginne , Is then the least ; yet when it waxeth rife , It doth inlarge it selfe : So sinfull life , By custome , and continuance in sinning , Men are much worse , then in their first beginning . For when their time doth bring them to that state , That makes a man ; the strength of nature then , Doth their injurious parts corroborate . The length of yeares , doth euer giue to man , Habilitie in wickednesse : and whan Depraued man , hath meanes of doing ill , He makes them serue , his much depraued will . Like as the neighbour Riuers to the Sea Cannot support vpon their shallowe backes ; The huge proportion of an Argosie , Because the little currant water lackes : Yet when the Sea ( that all resistance wrackes ) Shall fill the emptie channell with his Tide ; The greatest vessell with great ease may glide . 〈◊〉 are the first vnable yeares of man , 〈◊〉 ●…eake ●…n moouing the huge bulke of sinne : 〈◊〉 when the ●…ide of yeares approcheth , than 〈◊〉〈◊〉 more impudent in their committing ; 〈◊〉〈◊〉 ●…ceiue the mightiest vessels in , 〈◊〉 ha●…bour , in their little streame of Time , 〈◊〉〈◊〉 ●…nd , shall cut their little twine . 〈◊〉 a wondrous taske to make relation , 〈◊〉〈◊〉 grieuance in particular : 〈◊〉 ●…nes of bloud , of wanton agitation . 〈◊〉 ●…inite in euerie kind they are , Hearts may suppose ; but Speech cannot declare . For when that man in Nature is most strong ; He is most powrefull then , in doing wrong . See , if thy time grow aged with expence Of many yeares , be lesse in thy offending : T●…me is the giuer of experience : Old age will preach to youth , their youthes offending ; ●…et ●…outhful sinnes , in youth haue not their ending . For when old men are stepping to their graue , ●…n youthfull sinning , strong desires they haue . ●…ld age , ( though colde ) can neuer quench the fire Of ●…full youth ▪ Though age be in thy flesh , Yet in thy thoughts , thou dost maintaine desire ; ●…hich in performance , thou canst not expresse , By reason of thy bodies ●…eeblenesse . Yet know , that when Desire is in thy hart , It is as much , as thou an Actor wert . This thy Desire , incends the noble parts Of reason , and blunteth thy discretion . Makes a combustion in obdurate harts ; Depraues the sence , and blindeth thy election ; Dries vp repentant teares , ( thy soules refection : ) And sure that man , eternallie shall die , Whose hart will not giue water to his eye . Thus ( O thou worst of Gods creation ! ) Thou dost reuerse the ordinance of Nature . All other Beings , keepe their ordination ; Obedience liues , in euery other creature ; Only in him , that hath the goodliest feature . He that from God , most blessings hath deriued ; He against God , most treasons hath conspired . Search the immence circumference of Earth , The many wondrous mouers in the Sea , The Element of Ayre , wherein we breathe , The regiment of Heauen , and sympathy Of moouing orbs , and starrie deitie . In all the parts of this circumference , No one like man in dis-obedience . If God command the Seas to patience : They still their noise , and smooth their horred face . Let him againe be mooued to offence , The raging wind , the swelling billowes chase , Vnto the daring rockes that doe imbrace Their violence , and there doth bound the Seas , Vntill a calme , their troubles do●… appease . 〈◊〉 ●…ommand 〈◊〉 ●…owdes 〈◊〉 ●…eare the Avr●… 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 in the ●…lade . 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Time ●…o giue the yeare ▪ 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 ●…oures for her distinction . 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 Time well ordered were ▪ 〈◊〉〈◊〉 ●…nd Time to Ordination ; 〈◊〉〈◊〉 vnto Gods creation ▪ 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 ●…at Times ●…nconstant are ; 〈◊〉〈◊〉 they are more certaine farre . 〈◊〉〈◊〉 ●…he Sea-deuouring 〈◊〉 ▪ 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 ●…oore ●…onas to the shoare . 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 Eg●…pt doe auaile ▪ 〈◊〉〈◊〉 warre : ●…ay more . 〈◊〉〈◊〉 the 〈◊〉 chamber ●…ore , 〈◊〉〈◊〉 person , of a mightie King , 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 they had a warranting . 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 his sacred breath on 〈◊〉 ▪ 〈◊〉 countervaile the Angels that erst fell : ●…ing thy soule of his Eternitie ; Yet thrust thy betters , for lesse sinne to hell . Did God refuse those Spirits that excell In holy worship ; to partake thy nature ? He did , for thy redemption this ( O Traytor ) If God command let this , or that be done ; The little Creature , that is bid to doe it , Is wondrous quicke in execution : Yet vnto man , that hath the power of 〈◊〉 ; And in the verie place of God doth sit : Is giuen a law , the which was neuer kept ▪ By any one : ( The sonne of God except . ) Now to inlarge the huge proportion Of thy offence ( Traytor ) thou didst attempt , That treason , which exceedes comparison : Whose horrour did bedimme the Element : Both Heauen , and Earth in wonders did consent ; To point it out , for greatest admiration , Which farre exceeds the power of all relation . This little out of much . God to redeeme , The lost integritie , of man his creature . Did his defaced Image so esteeme , As he inuested in thy humane nature , The sonne of God , ( the word that made each creature ▪ ) Eternall Christ , who in his flesh did merit , Eternall life , for each beleeuing spirit . See how thou dost returne him recompence . Thou gau'st him pouertie , that was a King : Iustice it selfe , yet blam'st his innocence : Great majestie , had but the poore attending : Nor had thy treasons , in these wrongs their ending . But didst with ( wicked Iewes ) conspire his death , That first did giue , thy first fore-father breath . And didst preuaile . Thy tongue did sentence him ; Thy hands ( O wicked instruments of sinne ) Bound the most free , and tortur'd euery lim ; Nor so content , labour'd to vex within His sacred Spirit , with most vile profaning ▪ And last , to please the spirits of thine eye , The Holy Lambe betweene two thieues must die . Was this enough , or art thou still more great In thy offence ? O still thou dost augment it : Thou want'st not sinne , but I wordes to repeate Thy infinites : thy soule cannot repent it ; For thy delight is euer to augment it : Witnes thy horred customary swearing , Wherewith each day his body thou art tearing . ●… Here let the Conscience make some little pause , Whilst that the Diuell that intends the plea , Produceth witnesses to prooue the cause ; Shewing large recordes of impietie : And with a wondrous skill in Sophistrie , Giues a proportion to his sinful state , Hoping to make the Guiltie desperate . Hoping to make the guiltie desperate , He doth augment the Volume of our sinning ▪ Adding inlargements to exasperate The Iudge , that stands to sentence our offending : Euen from our birth , to these our dayes of ending : It hath , and will be still his exercise , Against our happy beings to deuise . Witnes his enuy at our first creation , That did deny our state of innocence , A little breathing rest from his temptation ; But with the smoothed face of faire pretence , Suggests into our natures his offence : Witnesse againe this time of our repentance , How he incites the Iudge to cruell sentence . No one ( howeuer skilfull in his Art ) Can giue more fit expressing formes to sinne . He makes a priuie search within the heart , And laies that open that was hid within ; And with most curious workemanship doth limme The vgly formes of our impieties ; And then presents their Terror to our eyes . This , and much more this enemy of man , And then the Conscience doth againe beginne ; ( Traitor ) how is t , this thy accuser can Produce these certaine probats of thy sinne ? Speake ; canst thou cleare thy selfe of guilt heerein ? Thy cause will not finde help in thy deniall , For in the court of Conscience is thy triall . Like vnto him , that in a mighty throng , Labors to hasten to some businesse , With heate and sweate doth vex himselfe among The moouing multitude , that in their prease , Arrest his haste , and stoppe his forwardnesse : So doe our sighes , our teares and griefe within , Arrest our words , when gladly we beginne . ( Alas ) what else , but Guiltie in the weake ! Which he , in broken accents would relate . He puffes it out in sighes , that cannot speake ; The sence of sinne , doth so exanimate Those faculties , that on our soules doe wa●…te : As with a lawfull warrant , may be said , In this estate , our verie Soules are dead . Our Reason then , demandes our guilty spirit ; What for our justice we can argument . Whether our Iudgement correspond our merit ; Or if corruption in this parlament , Heere in thy owne free holde , we doe conuent ; The Iurie , that doth sentence what thou art , Are of thy Tenants , dwelling in thy hart . Nothing ( alas ) the Conscience can replie . Nothing ( indeede ) nor no word to excuse vs ; Where all is Sinne , ther 's no integrity . All our cuasions , in this case refuse vs ; Nothing in vs can comfort , but accuse vs . For he that hath this sorrowe in his flesh ; Hath least of joy , and most of heauinesse . The judgement then ( for judgement must be just ) Denounceth sentence of our condemnation . ( Traytor ) thy flesh , shall first returne to dust ; The matter of thy first formation ) Thy Soule transported to that strange vexation ; Whereas the soules of damned doe beginne , To act the wofull parts , of tragike Sinne . . This is the law , and thus we sentence thee ; Our power extends not for to moderate ; This court is Iustice , Iustice we decree . The seate of Mercie is predominate , And liues in God , he that did first create Thy Innocence . To him thou must appeale , If this our Condemnation thou repeale . ¶ Thus farre the law : Now to our worke of Grace ▪ To wash this Moore , and giue him Innocence : To reobtaine what ●…r'st he did deface , Integritie : To cancell his offence ; In lieu whereof , to giue him excellence . To make that glorious , that before was base , ( Doubt those that list ) It is a worke of Grace . Of Grace ? me thinkes th' vngratious will replie , I rob Gods Image of his worthinesse . Because to sinfull man , I doe denie Innatiue power to worke his holinesse . Will you ( O men deceiued ) I confesse , That God will share the glory of his name , With men , whose liues dishonour most the same . Here is the world , in great dispute and strife , Whence doth arise , this penitentiall fire , That purgeth Sinne , and rectifies the life : Some will deriue it from their owne desire : Others , the blessed Angels doe inspire ; Some in their Friends , and many in thei●… Priest , In Errour all , in God they place it least . When God did giue a spirit vnto man , He did but gently breathe it in his flesh ; But if he once call backe the same againe , He speaketh loud , and groanes with painefulnesse : Adam , and Lazarus doe well expresse , That he that can determine sinfull strife ; Doth somewhat more , than he that gaue vs life . It were a well deseruing worke , to set The kirnell that 's a prisoner in the shell : Which , when the Sunne doth warme , and heauens wet ▪ Receiues a life , yet doth it farre excell In curious Art , to make that prosper well ; Which ( like a rotten member of a tree ) For fewell fit , for Grace vnfit to be . Me thinkes , I heare the Mutinous repine . And blame the hard construction of my verse : And to the fire condemne this discipline ; Or wish , my recantation to reuerse , The doome I censure on this vniuerse . ( Thus these repiners ) God should wrong our spirits ▪ To giue vs Lawes , and take away our Mer●… . Thus may your earthen vessels make dispute , And aske , how hap the Potter made them so ? Doe you not know , that God is absolute ? Nor giues a reason for his doing so ? Shall God out of himselfe for wisedome goe ? How dar'st thou argument with God maintaine , Being his vassaile , he thy Soueraigne . To make it best , thus I compare thy state , Like to a Candle wel prepar'd for light : The reason why I thus doe estimate , Is thy Discourse , thy Reason , and Delight To vnderstand each cause . But the insight Of that which neerest doth concerne thy minde ▪ In this thou art not sighted , but starke blinde . Suppose ten thousand torches in the night ; They giue no light , vnlesse thou giue them fire : So is thy Reason , and thy judgements sight , Blind in it selfe , if Grace giue not desire . It is the God of Spirits , doth inspire Thy soule with Grace , For when it wants his light ; It is more blacke , then is the darkest night . And in this darknesse , this our man of Griefe , ( Whome we proportion , ) is in darknesse placed . Within himselfe , he cannot finde reliefe : What was diuine in him , is now defaced . The pride of his deseruings is disgraced . And when a man in this dejection lyeth , He wastes in sorrow , and in teares he dyeth . And die he must , in his repentant teares , Before his reformation can beginne : The graine must die , before the blade appeares ; New birth is gotten , by the death of sinne . When thus we die , our spirit that 's within , Respires a life , that neuer will deceiue vs ; Whereof , nor Time , nor Enuie can berea●…e vs . The manner how : This out of my report . When man is ouer-charged with the cares Arising from the judgement of this Court. And when within himselfe he much despaires ; The holy Spirit , then to him repaires , And brings his Pardon , testified good , With this subscription ( IESVS ) writ in blood . And thus ( this sacred instrument of life ) ( Poore man ) we adde not , to thy heauinesse : To speake in anger or contentious strife ; Mercie is only in our businesse : We come to make thy much affliction lesse ; And offer to thy neere despairing spirit , The Psalme of Mercie . Mercie best can merit . See here , the booke of Life I do present thee ; Wherein thou maist Eternitie behold . Thou canst not reade , before thou first repent thee ; Thou must first know thy selfe , and then vnfold This sacred volume . The Spirit then doth hold , Before the darkned spirits of his eye , A Representment , how his Christ did die . Said I , a representment , and no more ; It is much more , then in my wordes can be ▪ My soule conceits , a verie Christ before ; Spreading his sacred bodie on the Tree . Me thinkes , his verie torments I doe see ▪ This Crucifix , is that most sacred booke , Wherein each happy Spirit needes must looke . And this the holy Ghost presents the eye , And bids vs reade our penitentiall verse : If we can ( Clarkely ) reade this mystery , He promiseth , our judgement for to trauerse , And all our condemnation to reuerse : But Sinne ( alas ) so darkned hath the minde , As in this holy learning we are blinde . Like when th' vnlearned Fellon hath his booke , Without a Prompter , he no letter readeth ; Although with much desire , he thereon looke , Euen so our Soules , as much ( vnlearned ) needeth , The help of that sweete comfort that proceedeth . For if that God assist vs not the better , We vnderstand , no sence , no word , nor letter . In this condition , this our man of sinne , Cannot reade mercie in these misteries , Before Gods holy spirit doe beginne , To cleanse the soule of his impieties . To moue the hart , and cleere the darkned eyes : When once this grace , in vs hath but a being , In holy secrets , we haue perfect seeing . The leaprous man , to heale his filthinesse , Must seauen times water his contagious skinne ▪ Is holy water of that worthinesse ? Then with repentant teares let vs beginne , To wash the leaprous body of our sinne . Seauen times is nothing , multiply thy seauen , We must wash cleane , ere we can enter heauen . This is our first degree of holinesse ; Which at the first , ( as all beginnings are ) Little ( in trueth ) but large in hopefulnesse . He that beginnes this sorrow with a teare , Vnto a better worke doth but prepare . And when in vs this grace hath but beginning , We liue to hope , and die vnto our sinning . Take for an instance him whom we proport : No more of sinne , but now the childe of Grace . As he wastes teares , his benefits resort ; The bad thrust out , the betters haue the place , What was delightfull now he doth deface : When thus he hath a new begotten minde , His eyes are open , that before were blinde . No sooner open , but with eagernesse , They gaze vpon that sanctimonious tree The holy Crosse , ( O sacred Worthinesse ! ) That beares the fruit of Immortalitie : And with a greedy appetite doth eie , This Crucifix , this Christ , that s nailde thereon , This God , this man , this our redemption . Not so●…m'd in mettle , or with curious paint , Nor hallowed with earthen sanctitie ; We estimate not much , a woodden Saint , Nor can a Painter learne the mysterie , To make a Christ , or giue diuinitie . Thus then of all I would be vnderstood , This Crucifix , nor mettle , paint , nor wood . But very Christ , which with a faithfull eie , This sonne of Grace reuiews with good affection : In euery part he earnestly doth prie For sacred bloud , which is the soules refection : For without bloud we seale not our election . Now giue him wordes , or else we doe him wrong , To giue him much Desire , and not a Tongue . ¶ Sacred ( he saith ) most glorious , most diuine ; Thou Word that mad'st , thou Christ that sav'dst all ; Thou Sonne that euerlastingly dost shine , Coequall God , and consubstantiall ; Thou Gate of mercy , way to life Eternall : O sith thou giv'st me sorrow for my sinne , Open thy Mercy gate , and let me in . Thou art that Foode , and ever-liuing Spring , Whereof who tastes , shall neuer thirst againe . O I am thirst , with my much sorrowing ; Euen as the parched land that gaspes for raine : Do not thy heauenly droppings then detaine . If that my soule this holy water want , What thriueth it , I set , I sowe , or plant ? But want I cannot , if I but desire it ; Thy mercy doth preuent my forwardnesse : Thou giuest grace before wee can require it . If in our hearts there be but willingnesse , Thou com'st vnto vs , ere we can expresse What we determine . In this , scarce one Of mortall rase , loues imitation . This , and tenne thousand testaments of Loue , T'vnworthy men , are daily multiplide , Which might their blunted vnderstandings moue To Loue and Honor , whom they crucified , Their King and Sauiour Iesus is denied . For euer be it hatefull in the Iewes , To choose a villaine , and the Iust refuse . Pilate , thou canst not wash in Innocence ; Nor Cayphas , how er'e in holy place , You give a monstrous sinne , a faire pretence ; Your greatnes cannot countenance the case : Both Prince and Prelate , and the vulgar base Conspire in one . These discords can agree To plot , and practise this conspiracie . Traitors , hold off your blacke and treasonous handes , Touch not his pure and neuer-tainted flesh : Villaines , your King , must he be lockt in bands ? How prodigall you be in wickednesse ! To buffet , binde , and whippe his sacred flesh . Let me my sinfull body interpose , The sinne was mine , let me beare off the blowes . See how his bloud spirts from their cruell stripes ; ( O sacred blood , O sacred body bleeding . ) These Iewes haue lesse compassion than their whippes , To sp●…ll that blood , which is the holy feeding Of blessed soules ▪ O cruelty exceeding ! Traitors , you little know one drop of blood , Would be enough to doe all sinners good . ( Sweete Ies●… , ) may thy seruant begge this grace , To be a vessell , to receiue this spilling . The earth my Lord 's a farre vnworthy place ; A place of bloud , a slaughter-house of killing ▪ Sith I haue woundes , O Iesu be thou willing , That some of this , these Iewes shed on the ground ▪ I may reserue , to cure a mortall wound . In this aray , their God , our Christ they bring Vnto the place of execution : His enemies entitle him a King ; Yet that is done in their derision . The Stage is Calueri●… they act vpon ; A place of Skulles , the morall may be this : We are but rotten bones without his blisse . Looke , as a Pyrate roauing at the Seas , When by aduenture hitting on a prise ; Doth first vpon their stoage make a sease , Then on their victor'd liues doth tyrannise : These hel-houndes so their envie exercise . First , they doe strippe our Sauiour of his cloathing , Then of his life , and thus they leaue him nothing . Is it not wonder this rebellious rout ; Trauells in sweat , to worke their fatall woe ? See , with what painefulnesse they goe about This horred act ; herein they are not slowe , That to a worke of Grace could neuer goe . They dragge , they binde , they na●…le , they fasten on ; Our holy life , but their damnation . Betweene two malefactors they did place him ; In scorne of his most perfect innocence . These Theeues there set , of purpose to disgrace him , Yet did these Varlets faile in their pretence ; Their neerenesse , could not gi●…e him their offence . For that is said to be the vertuous meane , That on each hand , hath neighbour'd the extreame . Now they haue reared vp this Crucifix , See how their resting time they entertaine . Some vinegre and gall togither mix ; Others deride , and all of them disdaine , In scorne they call him , Lord , and Soueraigne . The souldiers , that aboue the rest doe raue , Doe cast the Dice , who should his garment haue . My Lord is now in other businesse , Building the frame of mans saluation : These drops of bloud , and water doe expresse His inward griefe : he giues a demonstration Of torment , that exceedeth all relation . For , he that would bring merit vnto man , Must suffer more , then any other can . O what is man whome thou regardest so ! A stayned cloath , a beautie withered . Yet did my Lord his greatnesse humble so , As he inuests our Nature that was dead ; He brings againe what erst was perished . Now by his Bloud , and euer by his Grace , He makes vs worthie that before were base . What though they heape iniquitie on sinne ? He layeth not his sauing worke away : He helpeth most , when they most torture him ; To giue vs life , he doth his owne defray . ( Lord Christ ) thou didst for thy tormentors pray , Father forgiue them , ( thus thy innocence ) Forgiue them ( gratious Father ) their offence . The horror of this act , did blind the Sunne , Remoue the Earth , the holy Temple rend : Dead bodies from their Sepulchers did runne ; And preach to many how these Iewes offend : All things reprou'd , and nothing did commend . The Sunne , the Earth , the Temple , and the Graue , Haue more of Grace , then these Tormentors haue . The Sunne doth hide his euer-burning face , Abhorring to suruey their damned fact . The Earth did shame it , as her owne disgrace ; Because vpon her body they did act . The Graues disclaime , and dis-alowe the fact ▪ The holy Temple doth it selfe diuide , Because a holier they haue crucifide . Now giue me breath ( O sacred breathing spirit ! ) With faithfull affectation to applie , This Death , this Christ , this compotence of merit Vnto my soule ; that in it selfe would die , If not supported by the hand of Mercie . How helpeth it the hurt-man to be sound , Vnlesse the Salue be plasterd to the wound . And as the holy Prophet that did spread , His liuing body on the liuelesse corse , And so brought backe , the spirit vanished , And made a contract where there was diuorse : So , when our soules are mantled with this crosse ; That life of Grace , we erst had lost with sinning ▪ Hath then a second time in vs beginning . And to make sit for good digestion This bread of life ; we must the loafe diuide ; Our faithfull soules in morsels feeds thereon , So by degrees my Lord was crucified . In Ciuill fellowship it is denied , To gobbet vp a supper at a bit , When we haue time and leisure for to sit . It were good order we beginne the lowest , When we this Iacobs ladder would ascend ; In happie progresse we attaine the rest , And then we giue our trauells happie end . This only co●…nsaile I doe recommend : That he that would ascend these holy staires ▪ Must to his footing first direct his cares . Then with his blessed Feete let vs beginne , That now are stayned with the streaming bloud That 〈◊〉 from the Naile , that stickes therein . O that my eyes , would doe my hart that good , To be as mo●…st , as is the swelling floud ! For holy 〈◊〉 doth instruct my teares , To wash , and then to wipe them with my haires . These holy passengers doe neuer haste , To guilty bloud , nor vnto lustfull fire . No little minute of a time they waste , To minister to any vaine desire . In enuy therefore did the Iewes conspire , To naile those holy moovers vnto wood , That were such forward instruments of good . Their trauell was , to trauell to the weake ; Bring comfort to the vnrespected poore ; To giue the lame to goe , the dumbe to speake , And ●…it applyments vnto euery sore ; A greater yet than what was saide before : They brought the newes of Peace vnto our spirite . And therefore our acceptance they doe merite . See how his sacred Knees be markt with praire , A demonstration of his sanctitie . To Adulation they vncustom'd are ; Nor fawne they with officiall flatterie . Giue me ( sweete Lorde ) these merites to app●… : These markes are no disgrace vnto my skinne ▪ Better be markt with holy Prayer , than Sinne . . Now let me reach my meditation higher , And touch my Lords most blessed Heart that bleedeth : This bloud cannot extinguish holy fire ; That in this holy principall exceedeth : He warmes with Zeale , and with his Blood he feedeth Our spirites that are cold and hunger-starued , Wanting this Grace we men haue not deserued . This Heart is not the nursery of Pride ▪ Of Murther , Lust , of Mammon , and Debate : Within his secrets there is not implide , The new inuention to Equiuocate . This Heart must thinke what ere his wordes relat●… ▪ Lying is sinne , all sinne is from the Deuill , The Art of Reseruation then is euill . No sin had ere admittance in this place , ( O place , most sanctimonious , most diuine ! ) The Presence-chamber , and the seate of Grace , Whereas his soule in majestie did shine . How can it be the Holiest should incline , To entertaine into his Chaire of State , The ●…east of euills we can estimate ? May I ( sweet Iesu ) view in euery part , The secret closet of thy thoughts within ; The Spea●…e hath made a passage to thy Heart ; The entrance then is open ; let me in To see the merite that hath vanquisht sin . Do not thy mercy gate against me locke , For I will euer at thy Mercy knocke . See , here is nothing that presents my eie , But Loue , but Fauour , and Compassion : In euery quarter Mercy I espie ; Mercie 's the briefe of all I looke vpon ; Mercie the cause and meanes of my saluation . O , sith there is such mercy in thy hart , ( Sweete Iesu ) giue my grieued soule a parte . Like to a Prince that in his royall throne , Bethinkes what may his people benefit ; Sends this his good determination , To such as at his Counsaile Table sit , That by their Wisedomes they may order it : So dooth the Heart determine first the deede , Then sends it to the counsaile in the head . Let me alittle higher now ascend , Whereas my Lord his holy Armes doth spread , This moralles how his Mercy doth extend ; Invites to save what would be perished : Come vnto me all that are wearied , I will support your life , vnloade your cares , Infuse my Grace , and wipe away your teares ▪ Then sith I am inuited to this Grace , ( Sweete Iesu ) giue my spirite entertaine ; I would vnloade my burthen in this place , Whose weight is more than I can well sustaine : ( Lord Iesu ) ease thy seruant of this paine : Take off this heauy bondage of my sinne , Thy yoke is easie , let me liue therein . These Hands ( O sacred instruments of health ! ) That neuer failed yet in any cure ; The sicke mans comfort , and the poore mans wealth : Whose holy vertue euer shall indure , And euer for to help will them inure : Why doe the Iewes these holy helpers wound , Whose very touch made the diseased sound ? These mercifull and free bestowing Hands , Are euer reaching their beneuolence : He giueth aught to any that demands ; Neuer respecting gainefull recompence ; His bounty is not wasted with expence . For as the Springs supply the wasting Streames , So hath his Grace supplyment from the heauens . His Flesh they wound , and mortise it in wood , T'vnfit my Lord , from healing any more ; As they strike in , out starts the sacred blood , That cureth more than did his hands before : One dramme of this will helpe the greatest sore . These people in their purpose ( then ) did faile , : For heere is Vertue which they cannot naile . This holy Vertue ( might my Lord be pleasd , ) T'infuse my Soule , all hackt with mortall sinne ; Wounded , and sore , in euery parte diseasd ; I should my restauration then beginne . My hands haue blood , that ouer-spreads my skinne With sinfull Guilt ▪ O let thy blood diuine Exp●… my guilt , and then my blood refine ! Now I arriue my much desired Port ; The Orbe wherein all holinesse doth moue , The place whereto all wisedome doth resort , The Court of Mercy , Majestie , and Loue , Furnisht with all acquirements from aboue . Such is my Lords most sacred holy Head , With all these rich induments furnished . This is that one and vniuersall Head , That ouer all hath true preheminence ; Who seekes a second , from the first is dead : Two Vniuersals haue no excellence . Who can corriuall Christ without offence ? ( Lord Sauiour Christ ) it doth my soule content ▪ To be a member in thy regiment . From this First head deriued is all Grace ; That giues the members life , and holy being ▪ The head is said to be the fittest place , Where our immortall spirits be decreeing , How to repaire this house of flesh ; then seeing The lower parts to Reason are but dead , They must repaire for wisedome to the Head . See how these Iewes this Head doe dignisie ; His temples , with a crowne they doe adorne . They call him King , yet this their King must d●… ▪ They giue him state , but that is done in scorne , A Diademe they fashion him of thorne . Yet know ( you Traytors ) when it toucht his head , Neuer was Crowne so richly garnished . A crowne of thorne ? O let their great offence , Re-eccho backe my indignation ! Were ye ( good people ) at this great expence , To solemnize his coronation , That was the King , that gaue all Kings creation . See you these drops , that trickle from the thorne ? They damne your deede , but doe his Grace adorne . His holy Eyes , ( O sacred lamps of light ! ) The busie searchers of all mens distresse : Whose seeing is not letted by the night , In naked formes they all things can expresse ▪ They haue all knowledge , and all holinesse . These Pla●…s that are mouers in this Heauen ▪ Haue better Constellation then the Seauen . ( Lord Iesus ) let thy holy Eyes reflect Their influence , vpon my earthen state : Thy heauenly presence is a faire aspect ; There doth my soule delight to speculate . For by those Starres , I best can calculate My lot of Grace : which neuer is deni'd To him , that viewes this Christ thus cruci●…i'd . But O the organe of his holy Speech ; That breatheth life to euery faithfull eare ! This holy one , his holy word did preach : He gi●…es for nothing what would cost vs deare ; And makes assurance , where before was ●…eare . ( Lord Iesu ) giue me knowledge in thy teaching , I shall lesse neede these Times contentious preaching . His breath he formeth into holy prayer ▪ Which doth ascend the thro●…e of maiestie . For vs poore men , all his petitions were ; He aduocates for vs perpetuallie . Thinke ye , the Father will his sonne denie ? What neede I for moe Int●…rcessors care , When holy Christ doth interceede his prayer ? Thou Splendor of thy Fathers majestie . Thou God of God , thou man , all mens Redeemer . Thou King of Iewes , thou Christ they crucifie . Thou one , wherein all graces treasur'd are . Thou mercifull , thou all , thou euery where . To thee ( O Sauiour Iesus ) I repaire , Exhibite ( Lord ) my pardon in thy prayer . Pardon my youthfull sinning , and my old ; Pardon my secrete , and reuealed ●…nes ; Pardon my Errours , that be m●…old . Pardon committings , and omitions . Pardon my Nature stayned with corruptions . ( Lord ) pardon all , in all I haue offended : Thy pardon 's free , to all be it extended . Now ( holy Ioseph ) helpe me to interre This sacred Corse : my hart 's a fitting place , Wherein thou maist , his Sepulchre prepare . Digge deepe ( old man ) this Graue will not disgrace My willing hart , but dignifie the place . ( Lord Iesu ) if this resting place may please , Not three daies ( Lord ) but rest here many threes . God forbid that I should reioyce , but in the Crosse of our Lord Iesus Christ , whereby the world is crucified vnto me , and I vnto the world . Galat. 6. 14.