The teares of the beloued: or, The lamentation of Saint Iohn, concerning the death and passion of Christ Iesus our sauiour. By I.M.

THE TEARES OF the Beloued . THou first and last , author and cause of all , That wast with God , before these worlds were made , Thou perfect Good , whom I Gods word will call , Most soueraigne grace , do with thy grace me trade , That from thy fauors , as from fountaine rare In flowing sort , I may thy selfe declare . Euen in thy might , thou art beyond esteeme : For this wide world , thou art the chiefest King : For heauens high head , the angels all thee deeme , Within thy Church , thy saints thy prayses sing . Vnto my soule , thou art the chiefe of choyce ; Life of my life , I must in thee reioyce . Now that I leane vpon thy sacred brest , In thee I ioy , sweete Sauiour of mankind : Hauen of health , succour to soules opprest , Oceans of ease , in thee the poore shall finde : For broken heart , pyning away with griefe , Sorrowing for sinne , findeth in thee reliefe . Fly foorth , my soule , for sure this Word diuine , Hath power on thee , to call thee backe againe ; Vnseene thou art , my body doth thee shrine , Bodilesse , and immortall , subiect to ioy or paine . To none more like , then to that hidden grace The godhead hath , which Sathan would deface , O that I might commaund the moone to stay ; O that the houre of darknes , hence might poast ; But Gods decree must stand , though flesh gainsay ; There 's no resist , to that he purposeth most . His bitter death , from death shall saue mankinde ; Wonder of Angels , to foes that art so kinde . Come , Peter , come , come , Iames , my brother deare ; Our Lord doth haste , and hasting calles vs hence ; You know the place , although it darke appeare ; This light so true , and truth is our defence . More might he hath , then any fenced tower More strength he hath , then any earthly power . Now in our walke , recompt his power diuine , Which like sunne-rayes , shall spread in euery place . Such strange effects from this chiefe good do shine , That foggie mists of foes farre hence shall chace . Stoope , furious fiends , ye malice him in vaine : He hath great power , your frenzies to restraine . See how this Lambe , of sinne that hath no spot , Seemes dombe , and mute , he answereth not at all ; What he foretold , must not be now forgot : Let vs with teares , record what must befall . Exceeding griefe we had , when thou didst say ; One of vs twelue , should thee our Lord betray . That griefe being past , another is in place . But may it be that thus thou shouldest faint ? Ah , shew thy might , those hellish hags to chace , Who thee and vs do force to sad complaint . I say no more , that must my moane restraine : This garden wils , I should a while refraine . Refraine , said I ? no , now began my moane ; Seeing sluggish sloth , my eyes with sleepe opprest , I carelesse slept , but Lord of Life did groane , With griefe of griefs , that brought him such vnrest . Woe worth my sinne , the cause of his complaint , Forcing my Lord indure such hard constraint . He will'd vs stay , and watch with him a space , And proofe hereof , we had from sad aspect . Full fraighted he with griefe for mans disgrace , Strangely perplext , did yeeld cause of suspect . My soule , he said , is heauie to the death , Oh stay and watch , sorrow now stops my breath . Away he went , and fell vpon his face , Where groanes , and sighes , shewed a troubled minde . O father mine , he said , afford this grace , If it may be , thou wilt approue thy kind : Let this fierce cup , I pray thee passe from me : Not as I will , but as thou wilt , let be . After he came , and found vs three to sleepe , Simon , said he , can ye not watch one houre ? Watch ye with me , 't is prayer must ye keepe From Sathans spight , to tempt he hath the power . See , see , the spirit is prest , the gole to gaine : But flesh is fraile , esteeming labour paine . Away from vs the second time he went , Begging againe , Oh father mine I pray , If thou as yet , to fauour so art bent , Permit this cup , no longer with me stay : If needes I must indeede drinke of the same , Thy will be done , vpon me rest the blame . And then he came , but found vs fast to sleepe , Our heauie heads were glad in warre to rest . He saw our want , and kept vs as his sheepe : Cause had he none , being himselfe opprest . For friends are knowne , when dangers most assaile : Deeme him thy selfe , that for thee shall preuaile . Stay here and pawse , before he come againe , Why what should moue vs three be so vnkinde , To worke our woe , to seeke our selues such paine , That what he would we should so little minde ? Surely the best , in their decline should say ; There is iust cause , Sathan should on vs pray . Admit before , his preaching did vs stay , Or such like let , cannot our crime excuse : He is our Lord , how might we him gainesay ? For fond resist , proues , we did him abuse . Ours was the lot , our Lord thus to offend : His was the grace , to guide vs to the end . And though we slept , from heauen an angell sent , Did comfort him , whom we in griefe did leaue : Great was his griefe ; for hell did him preuent , With endlesse pangs , of heauen him to bereaue : And gastly sweate , vpon his face was found , Like drops of blood , that trickling fell to ground . Ye siluer drops , that from my eyes thus streame ; Crossing that coulour , brinish as ye be ! My Lords were red ; for forc't with paines extreame , He ventured life , from death to set vs free . His bitter pangs , what pen or wit can tell ? My Lord indured th' extreame paines of hell . Cast we our sight on one that parteth hence , Striuing for life , when soule away must poast ; In such we see cleane gone to be their sence , They yeld to that , which cleareth euery coast . So when that death , his message pale hath done , He sweeps all hence ; and thus the fort is wonne . Or thinke thou standst , this present at the barre , Before the iudge , that pryes into thy blame , Thou knowst thy guilt , thy discord makes the iarre : Thy sinnes preuaile , forcing thy vtter shame . The irefull iudge begins with angry frowne : And e're he speake , thy conscience casts thee downe . O Sauiour sweete , thou hadst thy proper sence : With perfect health , thou didst approch this place , All furious fiends of hell thou driuedst hence , Death hath no power thy godhead to deface : The angry iudge , thou needest not to feare , Thou hadst no sinne , and yet our sinne didst beare . Our sinnes did force , that far from natures reach , These blooddy drops should still from our sweet head , In these , euen yet , presumers he doth teach , They be not bold , the tract of hell to tread , Lest all too soone they fall into the snare , The angry iudge doth for his foes prepare . These drops declare his inward sad lament ; For greater griefe no earthly tongue can tell : They shew his loue to vs what good he ment He would we knew , his griefe did farre excell . Oh , why do men delight with sinnes to dwell , When sinnes do weigh the sinner downe to hell ? He gaue the checke to vs for former sleepe , Graunting vs leaue , of ease to take our fill , That had no care , in anguish him to keepe , With good regard who suffred for our ill . Behold , quoth he , of darknes now the hower : Of Sonne of man , sowle sinners haue the power . Iudas , that treason harbored in his brest , Knew well that here our Lord did oft resort Vnto this place : knowledge had wrought thy rest , If all in time , thou wouldst haue found comfort : But murtherous wretch , this onely did thee good : Thou thirstie wert after th' innocent blood . O monstrous change , that from a friend of trust , Thou art a fox , and wilt thy friend betray ! Companion once , and now mongst thieues to thrust , As chiefest guide , the spotlesse Lambe to fray . Cannot great fauours , cause thee to returne , Thou wofull wretch , at goodnes that dost spurne : How many speeches , tending to our health ; What feruent vowes , he sent beyond the sky : All wayes were sought , still to procure our wealth ; His grace to none that would , he did deny . Might not his grace , from treason thee reclaime , But at his life , thou traytour , now wilt aime ? Ye couetous carles , that for a little gaine Set soule to sale , as though there were no hell , Looke on this Iudas , thinke vpon his paine ; His endlesse pangs all torments far excell . The very fire , the forged far doth passe : And like hell fire , no torment euer was . Consider yet , while here we haue a space , What griefe it is , to be exilde from God ; What ioy it is , to view his pleasant face ; What paine it is , to feele his heauie rod . Thrise happie they , that cleaue vnto thy grace : Thrise cursed they , that will not life imbrace . O wretched man , bereft of inward peace , Commest thou arm'd , with weapons and with lights ? A cutthroate crew serue for thy shames increase , Are these thy mates ? belike feare thee affrights . A guiltie conscience brings a restlesse griefe : Easlesse in ease , finding no sound reliefe . Thou stately citie , of the highest King , Fitting thy name , that hadst the prince of peace : Whilom whose praise , the virgins faire did sing , What time thy glory , the chiefest did increace : Thy famous temple deuotion that relieues , Is now become a den for lothsome thieues . And must thy rulers now their forces bend , To send their seruants forth in all the haste , To binde this lambe , and then his blood to spend ? What do ye long , to see your land lye waste ? All this was done the Scripture to fulfill . Who can dissolue , what God alone doth will ? In these we see , that bring such weapons stoare , How foes with might , Gods children doe oppresse , They haue no truth , and as for iustice loare , They likewise want , which causes should redresse : Trusting to flesh , this stay as it is wurst : So for this fault , they are of God accurst . Forward they march , bringing along their light , Their lanterns , that a little light containe , With other helpes , to guide them in the night , Vsing the lesse , and from the great refraine : To dim that light , each one doth now prepare : For light of world , no whit at all they care . Christ knowing well the secrets of mankind , This instant sawe , what should to him betyde ; Forward he goeth against the crue vnkind , From whom he could haue parted cleane vnspyde . Whom do ye seeke , said he , to me now tell . Iesus of Nazareth , said they ; and downe they fell . This hath the taste of his most soueraigne might , Who with a word , could strike them to the ground . Weake is mans power , if God begin to fight , His only breath can all his foes confound . If slender touch , huge mountaines maketh smoke , How dates then man , his Maiestie prouoke ? The harmlesse Lambe deuoide of sinfull spot , Askes the offenders and doth them preuent . Wanted they lawes ? was piety cleane forgot ? Should they not loue , and keepe the innocent ? Yes , yes , they knew , th' innocents blood would cry For sharpe reuenge , against this carelesse fry . Whom do ye seeke ? he verely did scorne Their fond attempt , deriding all their force : Yet offereth grace to men that were forlorne : And sure he had , euen of his foes remorce . For from themselues , he would they should confesse , That weaponlesse , he could their wrong represse . Oh , when we heare , that of his francke accord Our God is good , to his professed foes ; How kinde a good , is this our soueraigne Lord , Vnto his friends , on whom he grace bestowes ? Oh , loue this Well , and Fountaine of all grace : Tender his truth , and all his heasts imbrace . No whit dismaid , Christ said , Euen I am he : Which ready speech prooueth he fear'd not death . This holy Sauiour would his owne flocke free , By suffring shame , and stopping of his breath . Learne courage hence , Gods cause if we defend , He fights for vs , that life for vs did spend . Now Iudas stood , with all this armed traine , Like Bayard bold , forecasting no mishap Vnto himselfe , whereby he might refraine The further ill , by falling in the trap . Thus one vile sinne , another sinne doth chaine , Vntill it bring th' offender to his paine . Whom do ye seeke ? the second time he said . Iesus of Nazareth , they say to him againe . That I am he , before I not denayd : If me ye seeke , from these I pray refraine . This , that the word fulfil'd might be , he spake : Of them thou gauest , I will not one forsake . Now louing Lord , I thinke vpon this care Thou hadst for vs , and I remember well , Seeing thou alone , to suffer didst prepare : For so of old , sweete Esay did foretell . And when thy pangs appeard , fresh to approch , Thou hadst a care , foes should not vs reproch . Attend ye pastors , that your flocke should feede : How that our Lord did say , he none had lost . Your charge is great , ye dayly prayer neede , To cheere those soules , bought with so royall cost . They are Christs flocke , his blood them bought indeed . My lambs , good Peter , O my sheepe still feed . Before that Peter heard these words thrise tolde , He was couragious ere he saw the fight ; His sword he drew , like to a champion bolde , And Malchus eare , he cutteth off outright . Into thy sheath , thy sword put vp let be . Shall I not drinke that cup preparde for me ? Thus said our Lord , who by this checke so kinde , Would take from Peter , his no small offence ; From priuate men , the vse of sword to binde : Except that Kings arme subiects for defence . And for Religion gladly should we fight : That cause is good , and God will aide the right . But Peters fault appeareth now the more : For sharpe reuenge belongeth vnto God : Too saucie he , Gods taske to take therefore : Him to resist , is to procure his rod : For spirituall warre are weapons of that kinde : Search we the word , and there we shall them finde . And now the band , the captaine , with the rest , Our Sauiour tooke , and fast they do him binde , His inward griefe I moand , now is exprest : The outward anguish , that my Lord did finde . They had no might , his person to assaile , He suffred them , and then they did preuaile . Not one , but many ( then began their spight , ) Inflam'd with wrath , incensed with great yre , Their masters would , them now in blood delight , And they deuise , how to increase that fire . If high estates against Religion frowne , They shall haue mates , to cast it hedlong downe . Ah wicked Iudas , this was thy consent , Vsing all meanes , that might our Lord betray . Lay holde on him , were words with fury bent : No maruayle then , if these from reason stray . Thy words , and workes so treasonfull descry , Vnder greene grasse , a serpent foule may lye . The father in law of Caiphas was the first : Annas I meane , to whom my Lord was led . He , and the other , ye all , for blood did thirst : Not one I saw , as yet with pittie sped . Their violent wrongs proued so huge a streame , Suppressing right , their dealing was extreame . There I espied , how cruelty with deceight , Had this pretence to stop the common fame : Matters of slate , and those of no small weight , Were laid to Christ , for which they do him blame . Their high account , which all in them esteeme , Must beare then out , whatsoe're men should deeme . Besides , let Christ with wisdome him defend , And them confute , this they did all agree , The Romanes should his life soone bring to end : Thus were they bent , no more to set him free . Here may ye see the force of Enuyes spight , Glutted with gall , and doth in death delight . Caiphas was he , to Iewes that counsell gaue , How it was meete , that one for them should dye : A visage fowle , a vizor faire doth craue . Sathan would not that all his craft should spy . Oh , such preuaile oft times , who faire pretend : But giue me him , that faithfull proues in end . I do not muse , so much how natures kinde Appeareth changed , in so corrupt a man : For God I know , euen from his foes will finde Matter of worth , fit for his will to scan . So Balaams Asse , against his proper kinde , Once checkt his Lord , when he remained blinde . There was no cause , O Caiphas thou shouldst feare , How that our Lord would take from thee thy state . This Lambe of God , which all our sinne did beare , Did much abhor , his extreame foes to hate . Malicious man , whom Enuy so did blinde , To vrge his guilt , in whom no guilt ye finde . Peter did follow , so did I like case : But I was knowne , and went into the hall ; Without stoode Peter : then I left my place , And had great care , my fellow in to call . I spake to her , who there the dore then kept , To shew him fauour , who in boldly stept . The selfe same woman , vnto Peter said , Of this mans schollers art thou not now one ? The fearefull man , to lye was not afraid , Boldly to say , of them that he was none . Art thou the man , which with our Lord wilt dye ? And all in haste , dost flatly him deny ? The officers , and seruants of that place , Stoode there also , for they had made a fire : The extreame cold , with heate away they chace : Peter , and they to warme themselues desire . It 's not amisse , Gods graces should be vsed , So in the vse , his grace be not abused . Then the high priest doth these two things propound Vnto sweete Iesus , of his disciples first : Next of his doctrine , two demaunds profound . The wolfe was dry , and after blood did thirst . The hypocrite one thing in shew doth minde : But is another in his proper kinde . Our Sauiour said nothing of vs at ●●l : One him betraid , another him denide : The rest did flee from Christ being in thrall : Small was the solace , in so sad a tide . And for his doctrine , the world might testifie : What Truth he taught , was spoken openlie . The Synagogue , and Temple for resort , To all the Iewes , ye euery one can tell : Who did me heare , let such of me report ; Aske these I pray , and then thou shalt do well . Herein Christ moued him , who did faire pretend , Vnmasking his malice , and his doctrine did defend . Note the proceeding , in a cause vniust , An officer there smote Iesus with his rod : Our high priest thus , to answere now thou must ? O great oppression , hatefull indeed to God! Such blinde presumption , mortall man to please So great outrage , the highest to disease . If I , quoth Iesus , haue spoken that is ill , Then witnes beare vnto the ill thy selfe : But for good speech , thy fury to fulfill , Why smitest thou me ? what , is it hope of pelfe ? For earthly gaine , men oft times runne astray : For stoare of gold , men will whole lands betray . Annas had now Christ bound to Caiphas sent , And Simon Peter stoode himselfe to warme . Thus to , and fro , they lead the innocent : Who still did good , must suffer extreame harme . But Peter once , being tangled in the snare , The second time , to deny our Lord doth dare . What , not content , our Life twise to deny ? For high priests seruant and a kinseman neere , To Malchus said , Did I thee not espie With Christ in garden ? 't is a case most cleere . Peter euen then denied our Lord againe . Fraile is our flesh , if faintnes we retaine . The crowing cocke must Peter put in minde Of his offence ; for thus our Sauiour said : And he remembring , ( Sathan did him blinde ) Poasteth away , his guilt made him afraid . He that euen now , a firme faith could not keepe , Pries for a place , with bitternes to weepe . And now they lead Christ to the common hall ; For day appear'd , high priests not thither went , For being defil'd , yet were to sinne a thrall ; And for to eate , the Passouer they ment . See how great sinners , not so great would seeme : Making moats mountaines , & mountains moats esteeme . For Pilates place , he being vncircumcizde , Would them defile , but not the innocents blood : Their soules , their tongues , with murther were surpriz'd , They vs'd all meanes , to haue the truth withstood . Great sepulchers without are painted fayre , But hold within all stench and lothsome ayre . Pilate perceiued , himselfe must take some paine , To goe to them , who frighted were with spight : Tell me , he said , of Christ sith ye complaine , So shew the wrong , that I the same may right . They then reply , Were not his doings ill , We would not vrge , that thou his blood shouldst spill . Pilate then said , Then man vnto ye take : Doome him to death , as your law shall permit . The Iewes that time , then vnto Pilate spake , This thy resist , doth not our humors fit . It is not lawfull , for any of our traine , To kill a man ; we must from blood refraine . This speech of theirs had also this effect : For he who knew the secrets of mankinde , Knew long before , we did the Iewes suspect ; His bitter death , and thereof eke the kinde . He would not faile , our ransome now to pay : Vs to redeeme , though hell would him gainsay . Let those that list , into their dealings pry . These wicked men , the rulers and the rest , False counsell sought , with which they meant to try Their great vntruth , that Iesus thus opprest , So foule offenders might be clear'd from blame : Thenselues thus clear'd , were they not neerer shame ? As if a wretch , incensed from deepe hell , Should kill a friend , that saued once his life : And seeing on sleepe , the wretch with fury fell , In sleepers hand should fast the blooddy knife ; And then abroad , with outcries should maintaine , His slaughtered friend was by the other slaine . False witnes sought , but none then found at all : Though many came , laden with vntruthes stoare ; At last came two into the high priests hall : These were the last , ( like bulles prepar'd to goare ) Who said that Christ , the Temple would deface , And reare it vp , againe , in three dayes space . The louely sweete , hereat did hold his peace . Then the high priest , incensed all with yre , By the liuing God , did charge Christ should not cease , But answere make , to that he would require . Art thou the Christ ? of God art thou the sonne ? Herewith he hoapt , Iesus should be vndonne . Iesus to this replies , Thou it hast said : But neuerthelesse , hereafter ye shall see The Sonne of man , when ye shall stand dismaid , All glorious seated , on Gods right hand to be : I then will come with glory & great might , Guarded with millions , compast with clowds most bright . Now thinke ye see vpon this answere prest , The high priest doth his cloathes in sunder rent : Christ hath blasphem'd , on witnesses to rest : I see 't is vaine , that longer time be spent . What thinke ye now ? ye heare his blasphemy . They answere all , He worthy is to dye . The fowle-mouth'd monsters spit vpon his face : Which face , the angels to behold are glad : They buffit him , and yeld him all disgrace , Smote him with rods ; hereat I waxt most sad . This to inlarge , as Peter much did moane : So what insues , must force th' offender groane . The extreame spight , shewed to Gods deare sonne , Was for our sinnes , our sinnes caused this spight . Vexe him not fresh , now that the Iewes haue done . Such vexe him still , who in their sinne delight . All armed foes cannot such paines procure , That wilfull sinners for euer shall endure . This will I proue , in one example plaine : When Iudas sawe our Lord condemn'd to dye , When he beheld him led with cursed traine , When in each place he did all violence spye , The sence of sinne assailes , and fresh doth fray , He yeldes , and said , I did my Lord betray . Let presse in sight , the kindnes of this Lord , In choosing me vnto so high estate , In trusting me , euen of his owne accord , In louing me , that did deserue all hate . Ah , brutish beasts are thankfull in their kinde : I much more brutish , his fauors did not minde . I others taught , my selfe I did not teach : I wonders wrought , and now haue wrought a wonder . Accursed houre , I after gaine did reach ! Woe to my selfe , God doth with vengeance thunder . Who lookes on me , with this will me vpbraid : There goes the wretch , his Master that betraid . I , there 's the sting that frets me to the gall : For ranckerous Iewes excuse them from my spight : I Christ betraid , on me all vengeance fall : I am condemn'd , that did in sinne delight . With graue forecast , why did I not preuent This monstrous sinne , for which I thus am shent ? Now must I looke vpon my present losse . And what is that ? but an Apostles place . That but , brings more , I gaind a little drosse : And thus lose heauen , the looking on Gods face . Ye greedy gripes , that feede on liuing men , Hasten to hell , my lothsome dark'ned den . Ye monstrous sinners , to my talke attend : Seducing Sathan snarde me with his baite : Faire words I had , but these , and deedes , did bend My couetous mind , on treason now to waite . If euery sinne should in their kinde appeare , Ye would detest , siluer to buy so deare . I seele my sinne , a cause my selfe to hate : I haue no sence , I should for mercy cry : My sinne exclaimes , accursed is my state : Iustice is iust , this course I minde to try : These thirty pieces of siluer now at last , I will againe , to priests , and elders , cast . Good worke this is , but wanteth loue , and faith : What helpeth it , to say I did offend ? The diuell prest , vnto my soule then saith , 'T is true thou speakst , despaire , and life now end . Thus he that first did me to mischiefe traine , Doth much reioyce at my perpetuall paine . I sinn'd a sinne , betraying the innocent blood : O innocent blood , with cryes that doest affright , Affright me not : why am I thus withstood ? Withstood with wrath , and with my tainted spright . One mischiefe doth vpon an another heape : 'T is good ye looke , before the ditch he leape . What 's that to vs ? see thou to these things looke : So said these guides , making of me a scorne ; No one I found , that pitty on me tooke : For I became , indeede , a wretch forlorne . A strangling coard made end of all my doubt : I hangd my selfe , my bowels gushed out . Suffer my speech , who suffer now with griefe : Death void of death , for death here liueth still , Barr'd from all hope , shut out from all reliefe , Most sad complaints , my hearing now doth fill : I haue no rest , but in vnrest remaine : No tongue , or penne , can well declare my paine . Now to returne to Pilate , who like case , To the common hall had entred now with speede : Who tendring much Caesars and his disgrace , Did aske of Christ , if he were King in deede ? For rebels wrought the Romanes much vnrest : Which caus'd great care , to haue such wrongs redrest . He questioned much , if Christ then were a King : But no aduantage of his words could take ; Our Sauiour so about his state did bring , That of his kingdome , thus in briefe he spake : My kingly state , it is no earthly might : For then my seruants would be prest to fight . Belike the saying of the wise men , much Moued mens minds , who called Christ a King . But this is sure , gainst Romanes all did gruch , The hope of freedome , flouring state would bring . Vaine was their hope , whom God ment not to free . Who fights gainst God , should he with such agree ? Our heauenly King , in his especiall grace , Doth spirituall gifts vpon his friends bestow : He loueth them , that loue him to imbrace . Who such sheepe are , this shepherd true doth know . Shaddowes haue shewes , wanting their proper weight , Who wants the ground , are fed with fond deceight . In this my moane , although I do digresse , Iust cause I haue , Christs kingdome me constraines : This same is it , which Sathan would oppresse , Herein the wicked most do tire their braines . The singer sweete of Israel saw this age : Which caus'd him muse , why vainely they do rage . Ye mortall men , who haue on earth your time , Like pilgrims poore , to plod in vncoath wayes , What are ye here , but drosse , earth , clay and slime ? Can ye prolong your life , with yeares , or dayes ? Your glasse doth run , though sand in glasse do stay : But being run , you hence must poast away . Vpon the charge , Pilate to Christ did lay : Our wisdome would , he should declare againe : If of himselfe , he then the words did say ? Or that some other , to speake so did him traine ? But as Iewes name , the Deputy did deny : So he declarde , on whom the blame did lye . Then he demaunds , what our sweete Lord had done , Sith earthly pompe of Kings he did not claime , For that with spight , the Iewes this threed had sponne Gainst proper life of Sauiour , so to aime . The heathen yet , he doth assay to teach , Though he did here matter aboue his reach . Harken to him , who is a glorious King : Whose gouernement , whose lawes , and other rights , Are fram'd from heauen , of him the Angels sing : Of him to talke , each godly one delights . For ods are great twixt that which shall decay , And this dread King , which shall indure for aye . Stoope , stately Kings , vnto this King indeede : Your greatest glory , to his is not a sparke : He you defends , his taske is you to feede : He is your light , and guides you in the darke . All possible good , from this great Good doth flowe : His are your crownes , to him your crownes ye owe . And Pilate said , A King now art thou then ? Iesus replyes , Thou saist I am a King . This title much doth trouble carnall men , Who causlesse heare , but conscience hath a sting . Yet of that sting they haue no sence at all , Which forceth them , to greater dangers fall . Euen for this cause , saith Iesus I am borne ; Into this world , for this cause I did come ; Witnes to beare to truth , which most men scorne : Yet friends to truth that heare my voyce are some . What is the Truth ? thus Pilate then did say , But turn'd his backe , and would no longer stay . A question sweete , Pilate , thou didst propound : Why wouldst not stay , to heare our Lords reply ? Thou shouldst haue heard him error soone confound : This gracefull Good would not to teach deny : But thou foreshewest , how some of chiefest place , To talke of truth , accompt it their disgrace . But glorious Truth shall in the end preuaile Against all foes , who seeke to presse it downe ; Sathan doth know , in vaine he doth assaile This onely Good , his ministers yet must frowne , Banding their might , against this highest grace , Working their spight , that do this truth imbrace . Most splendent Truth , thy glorious golden rayes , Many degrees surmounts the shining sunne : Thy marueilous might and thy most worthy prayse None can declare : for when we all haue donne , We come too short , thy greatnes to declare : Thee to disgrace , yet flesh and blood doth dare . But Sunne to darke , we know is practise vaine ; To warre with heauen , will proue a fearefull fight : God such doth hate , as do his truth disdaine : Against such foes , he girded is with might . Who for the truth , would not his life then spend , Seeing God is prest , his owne right to defend ? To Iewes now Pilate goeth yet once againe , And to them said , In Christ no cause I finde : Your custome is , I one should loose from paine , At this your feast ; then Iesus he doth minde : Ye Iewes , your King if now ye meane to choose , Your minds vnfold , will ye I Iesus loose ? Me thought this was , like to a sudden stay : Forc'd by retrait , where egre battaile meetes : Where man , doth man , with mutuall might assay , And bloodlesse bodies , earth then gladly greetes : But then againe , both armies forces tryes , Till one of them must yeeld with fainting cryes . So then this comfort , corsiue I may call : For what refreshing , found my sad lament ? My chiefe of choyce , my soule I saw in thrall , So I perceiued the Iewes to murther bent . Faces of men , are tables of their minde : By outward signes mens malice ye may finde . For wicked Iewes their clamours now began : We will not Iesus , Barrabas we will : Like craues their like , let loose a murtherous man . Haue ye no care , the spotlesse blood to spill ? Drop blooddy teares , my moysture waxeth dry , Like sommers drouth , that for more raine doth cry . Poore Iotham , now me thinkes , I do thee see , Who didst rebuke thy vnkinde countrymen , In offer made to trees , who King should be : They rule refus'd : but hooking bramble then Would needes be King , and then had his desire . The tyrants rule is like consuming fire . Ah , my Redeemer , this oft thou didst foretell In parables , and in thy preaching plaine , That of the Vineyard , wherein is vttered well , How for great good , they thee requite with paine . Gods heire thou art , to kill thee these now ment , Thou being slaine , they to possesse are bent . Possesse ye shall , and cruelly be destroyd : Oh wicked men , your glory shall decay , Your pleasant land shall lye both waste and voyd , To all the world ye shall become a pray . Such , who will not that Christ should rule alone , Must finde his might where they must waile & mone . Ye will not him that would your proper good ; Ye him reiect that came you to redeeme . Oh people blinde , that thus Gods grace withstood , So light to set of him beyond esteeme ! Vertue in place we haue no care to minde ; But being gone , we gladly would it finde .

The first Adiunct . My sweetest Sweete , my Lord , my loue , my life , The worlds bright lampe , farre cleerer then the sunne , What may this meane cannot I end this strife , This ranckorous spight , by wicked Iewes begunne ? O man most pure , for wretches most forlorne , Must my great God to men be made a scorne ? He made his soule an offring for our sinne ; His will was such , his death doth life prolong : He dying for vs , then did our life beginne : His is the gaine , to him all ioyes belong . Although our guilt did force our Lord to faint , Yet all his foes could not with sinne him taint . Thou Light of God , in whom no darknes dwels , Sole reconciler and worker of our wealth , Thy bitter pangs all passions farre excels , Our soules sweete shepheard cared for our health . Thus as my Loue constrained was to groane : So me permit againe refresh my moane . I grieue , that sleepe so sore did me oppresse : Sinne in my selfe moues me to sad complaint : For wicked men to watch themselues addresse To pamper pleasure , where 's one that seemes to faint ? What lawes forbid , to that in haste we poast : The best offends , though hypocrits yet will boast . Iudas slept not , nor any of his traine : Night after night men watch , if pleasure call . Our head did watch , I could not sleep refraine : Thus to my will I was become a thrall . Ah crooked will that wouldst me so misleade , That vnder foote my Lords will I should treade . I well recount what harmes haue come by sleepe : While Samson slept , he then did lose his might . Sleeping , Sauls sonne , his kingdome could not keepe . While Sisera slept , Iael him slew outright . In towne of warre if all should seeke for rest , Quickly they should with enemies be opprest . How glad is Satan , when we yeld to sleepe ? How sad sweete Iesus , when we slouth imbrace ? Sleepe not securely , yet that are Christs sheepe , With sighes and groanes pray vnto God for grace : For in our sinne if God with iudgement ceaze , Late will it be his iustice to appeaze . Now in my moane , to him I will returne , Who trayterously had made a cursed change : The Vine most true this withered branch did spurne . Such wander wide who in by-paths do range . O treasonfull wretch , my Lord as thou hast sold , Shall those fowle lips to kisse my Lord make bold ? The subtill serpent seeking to seduce , Shroudeth himselfe vnder a faire pretence , In heart hath hate , with tongue he taketh truce , His spightfull spirit he shields with sweete defence . His chearefull looke , who gaue the glad all haile , Fed fowle conceite his treason should preuaile . Our tainted nature quickly will vs teach , To follow that we can in others blame . What needes the serpent th' apple faire to reach ? We hazard all as though we were past shame . The way to hell appeareth wondrous faire , The end whereof doth lead to fowle despaire . Regard in Iudas , when fraile flesh begins To nibble a little vpon the Serpents baite , How such will make a sport of all their sinnes : Doubtlesse such sinners neere to Sathan waite . For so at first the diuell Iudas tooke , And held him fast vpon his siluer hooke . Christ is betrayed of many in this life . For art thou where Religion is abused , And hast no care then to confute that strife ? There is great feare thy selfe shall be refused . Thou stragling sheepe , herein thou goest astray ; Thy silence proues , thou Iesus doest betray . Else doest thou take on thee a Christians name , Following not that thou seemest to professe ? Thy owne vilde life Religion much doth shame , Thou Christ betraiest that doest his truth represse . Repent thee soone for former life mispent , And turne to God , while God to grace is bent . Iesus to Iudas vseth words most kinde : For , Friend , he saith , a reason to me render , Why thou art come ? as if he would him binde From former good his owne estate to tender . But none more blinde then wilfull blinded bee , That to renownce , which offereth cause of glee . Traytor , thou camest another to annoy , To annoy him , who euer sought thy good ; Thy good he sought , and thou wilt him destroy . But be thou sure , thus thirsting after blood , That thou thy selfe of blood shalt haue thy fill , Though thou delight the guiltlesse blood to spill . This to conclude , our Prince of might did foyle Not onely Sathan , but all his darkesome traine . Betray not Christ , by giuing backe the spoyle Vnto his foes ; from so vile sinne refraine . As God in Christ hath shewed his bountie large , So haue great care still to regard thy charge . On Peter now if we shall cast our sight , Else on vs all the Apostles to our Lord , Cause great we haue , not to boast of our might , That weaknes are , and fall of franke accord . Yet in our fall as we feele want of strength : So God relieues , and succour sends at length . God suffred vs to see our weak'ned state , That seeing it , we should detest our sinne : He did vouchsafe to open wide his gate , His gate of grace , that we should enter in . But that his grace to vs did much abound , He had iust cause for aye vs to confound . The wounded soule from vs may comfort finde : For though we fell , yet God did vs vphold , He tendred vs , and we againe him minde , Yelding him thankes and praises manifold . How so e're , Lord , of frailty we offend , Succour thou vs , and vs with Grace defend . What now remaines vnto the hardned Iewes , Iewes that would not our Lord as King should raigne ? Raigne yet'he must , although they doe refuse : Refuse that list , he will his right maintaine . I know , when time of darknes shall expire , Our glorious King will haue his full desire . For of this nation our Sauiour did foretell , That as they sought from them his state to cleare , So God in wrath would them from thence expell , Who did reiect his louing Sonne so deare . Learne hence therefore , if ye desire Gods grace , Haue good regard Gods Christ ye doe imbrace . If Christ alone ye would in you should raigne , ( For he delights within our soules to dwell ) Haue good regard affections to restraine , That are not good , but of our flesh do smell . If Christ vs guide , our gaine exceeds esteeme , We haue more store , then all the world can deeme . The last of all , yet first in next complaint , Is the selfe same , who was chiefe actor made . Who seeth not , he did true Iustice taint ? Doubtlesse , the wicked make of sinne a trade . These yet ( forsooth ) must equitie pretend , Though to the world oppression they defend . Why , Pilate , why ? thou art a man of might , Thy country lawes vilde violence doth detest : As thou art Iudge , thou ought'st regard the right , And haue great care the poore be not opprest : Desire to please should not thy minde peruert , That rightfull cause thou shouldest so subuert .

FINIS .