Diuine poems containing the history of [brace] Ionah, Ester, Iob, Sampson : Sions [brace] sonets, elegies / written and newly augmented by Fra. Quarles.

DIVINE POEMES Reuised , and Corrected with Additions By the Author Fra: Quarles .

Printed for Iohn Marriott in St Dunstons Church yard 〈…〉

DIVINE POEMS : Containing The History of IONAH . ESTER . IOB . SAMPSON . SIONS SONETS . ELEGIES .

Written and newly augmented , BY FRA : QVARLES .

LONDON , Printed by M. F. for I. MARRIOT , and are to be sold at his Shop in St. Dunstans Church-yard in Fleet-streete .

TO THE SACRED MAIESTIE of King CHARLES . SIR ,

WHen your Landed Subject dyes , and leaves none of his Blood to inherite , the Lawes of this your Kingdome finds the King heyre : In this Volume are contained severall Poems lately dedicated to divers of your Nobility , whom they have out-lived ; So that the Muses ( who seldome or never give honour for lifes ) have found them all for the King , which ( have here gathered together , and prostrated before the feet of your Sacred Majesty . Indeed one of them I formerly dedicated and presented to your selfe . So that now they are become doubly yours , both by Escheate , and as Survivour . And if you please to owne me as your servant , your Majestie hath another Title good , by which I most desire they should bee knowne yours : I will not sin against the common good so much as to expect your Majesties serious eye upon them : If when your Crowne shall be most favourable to your Princely browes , you please to afford a gracious hearing , they will with the helpe of some benevolous Reader , and your Royall acceptance ( I hope ) relish in your sacred eares , and receive honour from your accustomed goodnes , farre above their merits , or the expectation of

Your true-hearted and loyall Liegeman , FRA : QVARLES .

To the READER .

I List not to tyre thy patient eares with unnecessary Language , ( the abuse of Complement● ) My mouth 's no Dictionary : it only serves as the needfull Interpreter of my Heart .

I have here sent thee the first fruits of an abortive Birth . It is a daintie Subject , not Fabulous , but Truth it selfe .

Wonder not at the Title ( A FEAST FOR WORMES : ) for it is a Song of Mercy : What greater FEAST than Mercy ? And what are Men but WORMES ?

Moreover , I have gleaned some few Meditatations , obvious to the History ; Let mee advise thee to keepe the Taste of the one , whilest thou readest the other , and that will make thee relish both , the better .

Vnderstanding Reader , favour mee : Gently expound , what it is too late to correct .

He leva le Golpe , Dios sea con ella . Farewell .

THE PROPOSITION of this first Worke. ●TIs not the Record of great Hectors glory , Whose matchlesse Valour makes the World a Story ; Nor yet the swelling of that Romans name , That onely Came , and Look'd , and Overcame ; Nor One , nor All , of those brave Worthies nine , ( Whose Might was great , and Acts almost divine , That live'd like Gods , but dy'd like Men , and gone ) Shall give my Pen a Taske to treat upon : I sing the praises of the KING of Kings . Out of whose mouth a two-edg'd Smiter springs , Whose Words are Mystery , whose Works are Wonder , Whose Eyes are Lightning , and whose Voice is Thunder ; Who like a Curtaine spreads the Heavens out , Spangled with Starres , in Glory round about : 'T is He , that cleft the furious waves in twaine , Making a High-way passage through the Maine , 'T is He , that turn'd the waters into Blood , And smote the Rocky stone , and caus'd a Flood ; 'T is He , that 's justly armed in his Ire , Behinde with Plagues , before with flaming Fire , More bright than mid-day Phoebus , are his Eyes , And whosoever sees his Visage , dyes . I sing the Praises of Great Iudahs Lyon , The fragrant Flowre of Iesse , the Lambe of Sion , Whose Head is whiter than the driven Snow , Whose visage doth like flames of Fier glow : His Loynes begirt with golden Belt , his Eyne Like Titan , ridinst in his Southerne Shine , His Feet like burning Brasse , and as the noise Of surgie Neptunes roaring in hi● Voice , This is that Paschall Lambe whose dearest Blood Is soveraig●e Drinke , whose Flesh is saving Food : His precious Blood , the Worthies of the Earth Did drinke , which ( though but borne of mortall birth ) Return'd them Deities : For who drinkes This , Shall be receiv'd into Eternall Blisse ; Himselfe 's the Gift , which He himselfe did give , His Stripes heale us , and by His Death we live ; He acting God and Man , in double Nature , Did reconcile Mankinde , and Mans Creator . I , heere 's a Taske indeed ; If Mortalls could Not make a Verse , yet Rockes and Mountaines would : The Hills shall dance , the Sunne shall stop his Course , Hearing the subiect of this high Discourse : The Horse , and Gryphin , shall together sleepe , The Wolfe shall fawne upon the silly Sheepe , The crafty Serpent , and the fearfull Hart , Shall joyne in Consort , and each beare a part , And leape for Ioy ; when my Vrania sings , She sings the praises of the King of Kings .

The Introduction . ¶ THat Ancient Kingdome , that old Assur swayd , Shew'd two great Cities : Ah! but both decayd , Both mighty Great , but of unequall growth ; Both great in People , and in Building , both ; But ah ! What hold is there of earthly good ? Now Grasse growes there , where these brave Cities stood . The name of one , great Babylon was hight , Through which the rich Euphrates takes her flight From high Armenia to the ruddy Seas , And stores the Land with rich Commodities . ¶ The other Ninus , Nineveh the Great , So huge a Fabricke , and well-chosen Seat Don Phoebus fiery Steeds ( with Maines becurl'd , That circundates in twice twelve houres the world ) Ne're saw the like : By great King Ninus hand , 'T was rais'd and builded , in th' Assy●ians Land . On one hand , Lycus washt her fruitfull sides , On t'other , Tygris with her hasty ●ides . Begirt she was with walles of wondrous might , Creeping twice fifty foot in measur'd height . Vpon their bredth ( if ought we may rely On the report of Sage Antiquity , ) Three Chariots fairely might themselves display , And ranke together in a Ba●tell ray : The Circuit that her mighty Bulke imbraces Containes the mete of sixty thousand 〈◊〉 : Within her well-fenc'd walls you might discover Five hundred stately Towers , thrice told over ; Whereof the highest draweth up the eye , As well the low'st , an hundred Cubits hie ; All rich in those things , which to state belong , For beauty brave , and for munition strong : Duly , and daily this great Worke was tended With ten thousand Workmen ; begun and ended In eight yeares space : How beautifull ! how faire Thy Buildings ! And how foule thy Vices are ! ¶ Thou Land of Assur , double then thy pride , And let thy Wells of Ioy be never dry'd , Thou hast a Palace , that 's renown'd so much , The like was never , is , nor will be such . ¶ Thou Land of Assur , treble then thy W●● , And let thy Teares ( doe as thy Cups ) o'reflow ; For this thy Palace of so great renowne , Shall be destroy'd , and sackt , and batter'd downe . But cheere up , Niniveh , thine inbred might Hath meanes enough to quell thy Foemans spite : Thy Bulwarkes are like Mountaines , and thy Wall Disdaines to stoope to thundring Ordnance call : Thy watchfull Towers mounted round about , Keepe thee in safety , and thy Foe-men , out : I , But thy Bulwarkes aid cannot withstand The direfull stroake of the Almighties hand ; Thy Wafer-walls at dread Iehovahs blast Shall quake , and quiver , and shall downe 〈◊〉 . Thy watchfull Towers shall asleepe be found , And nod their drowsie heads downe to the ground : Thy Bulwarks are not Vengeance-proofe ; thy Wall , When Iustice brandisheth her Sword , must fall : Thy lofty Towers shall be dumbe , and yeeld To high Revenge ▪ Revenge must win the field ; Vengeance cryes loud from heaven , she cannot stay Her Fury , but ( impatient of delay ) Hath brimm'd her 〈◊〉 full of deadly B●ne : Thy Pal●ce shall be burnt , thy People slaine ; Thy Heart is hard as Flint , and swolne with pride , Thy murth'rous Hands with guitlesse blood are dy'd ; Thy silly Babes doe starve for want of Food : Whose tender Mothers thou hast drencht in Blood : Women with childe , lye in the streets about , Whose Braines thy savage hands have dashed out : Distressed Widowes weepe , ( but weepe in vaine ) For their deare Husbands , whom thy hands have slaine : By one mans Force , another man 's devour'd , Thy Wives are ravisht , and thy Maids deflowr'd ; Where Iustice should , there Tort & Bribes are plac't : Thy ' Altars defil'd , and holy things defac't : Thy Lips have tasted of proud Babels Cup , What thou hast left , thy Children have drunke up : Thy bloody sinnes , thine Abels guiltlesse blood , Cryes up to heaven for Vengeance , cryes aloud ; Thy sinnes are seire , and ready for the fire , Heere rouze , ( my Muse ) and for a space , respire .

TO THE MOST HIGH , HIS HVMBLE SERVANT IMPLORES HIS FAVOVrable Assistance . O All sufficient God , great Lord of Light , Without whose gracious ayd , & constant sprite , No labours prosper , ( howsoe're begun ) But flye like Mists before the morning Sun : O raise my thoughts , and cleare my Apprehension , Infuse thy Spirit into my weake invention : Reflect thy Beames upon my feeble Eyes , Shew me the Mirrour of thy Mysteries ; My Art-lesse Hand , my humble Heart inspire , Inflame my frozen tongue with holy fire : Ravish my stupid Senses with thy Glory ; Sweeten my Lips with sacred Oratory : And ( thou O FIRST and LAST ) assist my Quill , That first and last , I may performe thy will : My sole intent's to blazon forth thy Praise ; My ruder Pen expects no crowne of Bayes . Suffice it then , Thine Altar I have kist : Crowne me with Glory ; Take the Bayes that list .

A FEAST FOR WORMES .

By Fra: Quarles .

LONDON , Printed for IOHN MARRIOT . 1633.

A FEAST FOR WORMES .

THE ARGVMENT . The word of God to Ionah●●me ●●me , Commanded Ionah to pro●lame The ●engeance of his M●jestie , Against the sinnes of 〈◊〉 . Sect. 1. TH' Eternall Word of God , whose high Decree Admits no change , and cannot frustrate be , Came downe to Ionah , from the heavens above , Came downe to * Ionah , heavens anointed Dove ; Ionah , the flowre of old 〈◊〉 youth , Ionah , the Prophet , Sonne , and Heire to Truth , The blessed Type of him , that ransom'd us , That Word came to him , and bespake him thus : " Arise ; trusse up thy loynes , make all thing● meet , " And put thy Sandals on thy hasty feet , " Gird up thy reynes , and take thy staffe in hand , " Make no delay , but goe , where I command ; " Me pleases not to send thee ( Ionah ) downe , " To sweet Gath-Hepher , thy deare native Towne , " Whose tender paps , with plenty overflow ; " Nor yet unto thy brethren shalt thou goe , " Amongst the Hebrewes , where thy spr●dden fame " Fore-runnes the welcome of thine honor'd name ▪ " No , I 'le not send thee thither : Vp , arise , " And goe to Niniveh , where no Allies , " Nor consanguinity prese●ves thy blood ; " To Ni●iveh , where strangers are withstood : " To Niniveh , a City farre remov'd " From thine acquaintance , where th' art not belov'd " I send thee to Mount Sinay , not Mount Sion , " Not to a gentle Lambe , but to a Lion : " Nor yet to Lydia , but to bloody Pashur , " Not to the Land of Canaan , but of Ashur , " Whose language will be riddles to thine eares , " And thine againe will be as strange to th●irs ▪ " Isay , to Niniveh , the worlds great Hall , " The Monarchs seat , high Court Imperiall . " But terrible Mount Sinay●ill ●ill affright thee , " And Pashurs heavy hand is bent to smite thee ▪ " The Lions rore , the people'● strong and stout , " The Bulwarkes stand a front to keepe thee out . " Great Ashur minaces with whip in hand , " To entertaine thee ( welcome ) to his land . " What then ? Arise , be gone ; stay not to thinke : " Bad is the cloth , that will in wetting shrinke . " What then , if cruell Pashur heape on stroakes ? " Or Sinay blast thee with her sulph'rous smokes ? " Or Ashur whip thee ? Or the Lions rent thee ? " P●sh , on with courage ; I , the Lord have sent thee ▪ " Away , away , lay by thy foolish pity , " A●d goe to Niniveh , that mighty City : " Cry loud against it , let thy dreadfull voice " Make all the City eccho with the noise : " Not like a Dove , but like a Dragon goe , " Pronounce my judgement , and denounce my Woe : " Make not thy bed a fountaine ●all of teares , " ●o weepe in secret for her sinnes . Thine eares " S●all heare such things , will make thine eyes run over , " ●hine eyes shall smart with what they shall discover : " Spend not in private , those thy zealous drops , " But hew , and backe ; spare neither trunke nor l●ps : " Make heaven , and earth rebound , when thou discharges ▪ " Plead not ( like Paul ) but roare ( like Boanarges : ) " Nor let the beauty of the buildings bleare thee , " Let not the terrors of the Rampiers feare thee ; " Let no man bribe thy fist , ( I well advise thee ) " Nor foule meanes force thee , nor let faire entice thee : " Ramme up thine eares : Thy heart of stone shall be ; " Be deafe to them , as they are deafe to me : " Goe , cry against it . If they aske thee why ? " Say , heavens great Lord commanded thee to cry : " My Altars cease to smoke ; their holy fires " Are quencht , and where praiers should , their sin aspires ▪ " The fatnesse of their fornication fryes " On coales of ragi●g l●st , and upward flies , " And makes me seek : I heare the mournefull gro●es " And heavy sighes of such , whose aking bones " Th' oppressor grindes : Alas , their griefes implore me , " Their pray'rs , prefer'd with teares , plead lowd before 〈◊〉 ▪ " Behold , my sonnes , they have opprest , and kill'd , " And bath'd their hands within the blood they spill'd : " The steame of guiltlesse blood makes suit unto me , " The vo●●e of many bloods is mounted to me ; " The vile prophaner of my sacred Names , " He teares my titles , and my honour maim●s , " Makes Rhet'rick of an oath , sweares and forsweares , " Recks not my Mercy , nor my Iudgement feares : " They eat● , they drinke , they sleepe , they tire the ●igh● " 〈…〉 ●alliance , and uncleane delight . " Heavens winged Herald Iona● , up and goe " To mighty Niniveh , Denounce my woe . " Advance thy voice , and when thou hast advan●●● it , " Spare Shrub , nor Cedar , but cry out against it : " Hold out thy Trumpet , and with louder breath ▪ " Proclame my sudden comming , and their death . The Authors Apology . IT was my morning Muse ; A Muse whose spirit Transcend● ( I feare ) the fortunes of her merit ; Too bold a Muse , whose fethers ( yet in blood ) She never bath'd in the Pyrenean Flood ; A Muse unbreath'd , unlikely to attaine An easie honour , by so stout a Traine ; Expect no lofty Hagard , that shall flye A lessning pitch , to the deceived eye ; If in her Downy Soreage , she but ruffe So strong a Dove , may it be thought enough ; Beare with her ; Time and Fortune may require Your patient sufferance , with a fairer flight . The generall Application . TO thee ( Mal●id● ) now I turne my Quill ; That God is still that God , and will be still . The painfull Pastors take up Ionah's roome : And thou the Ninivite , to whom they co●e .

Medit. 1. HOw great 's the love of God unto his creature ? Or is his Wisedome , or his Mercy greater ? I know not whether : O th' exceeding love Of highest God! that from his Throne above Will send the brightnesse of his grace to those That grope in darknesse , and his grace oppose : He helpes , provides , inspires , and freely gives , As pleas'd to see us ravell out our lives ; He gives us from the heape , He measures not , Nor deales ( like Manna ) each his stinted lot , But daily sends the Doctors of his Spouse , ( With such like oyle as from the Widowes cruse Did issue forth ) in fulnesse , without wasting , Where plenty still was had , yet plenty lasting . I , there is ●are in heaven , and heavenly sprights , That guides the world , and guards poore mortall wights , There is ; else were the miserable state Of Man , more wretched and unfortunate Than salvage beasts : But O th' abounding love Of highest God! whose Angels from above Dismount the Towre of Blisse , flye to and fro , Assisting wretched Man , their deadly foe . What thing is Man , that Gods regard is such ? Or why should heaven love rechlesse Man so much ? Why ? what are men ? but quickned lumps of earth ? A Feast for Wormes ; a bubble full of mirth ; A Looking glasse for griefe ; A flash ; A minute ; A painted Toombe , with putrifaction in it ; A mappe of Death ; A burthen of a song ; A winters Dust ; A worme of five foot long : Begot in sinne ; In darknesse nourisht ; Born● In sorrow ; Naked ; Shiftlesse , and forlorne : His first voice ( heard ) is crying for reliefe ; Alas ! He comes into a world of griefe : His Age is sinfull ; and his Youth is vaine ; His Life 's a punishment ; His Death 's a paine ; His Life 's a houre of Ioy ; a world of Sorrow ; His death 's a winters night , that findes no morrow : Mans Life 's an Hower-glasse , which being run , Concludes that houre of joy , and so is done . Ionah must goe ; nor is this charge confinde To Ionah , but to all the world enjoyn'd ; You Magistrates , arise , and take delight In dealing Iustice , and maintaining Right ; There lyes your Niniveh : Merchants arise , And mingle conscience with your Merchandise : Lawyers arise , make not your righteous Lawes , A tricke for gaine ; Let Iustice rule the cause : Tradesmen arise , and plye your thriving shops , With truer hands , and eate your meate with drops : Paul to thy Tents , and Peter to thy Net , And all must goe that course , which God hath set . ¶ Great God awake us , in these drowsie times , Lest vengeance finde us , sleeping in our Crymes , Encrease succession in thy Prophets liew , For loe , thy Harvest 's great , and workmen few .

THE ARGVMENT . But Ionah toward Tharsis went , A Tempest doth his course prevent : The Mariners are sore opprest , While Ionah sleepes and takes his rest . Sect. 2. BVt Ionah thus bethought : The City's great , And mighty Ashur stands with deadly threat ; Their hearts are hardued , that they cannot heare : Will greene wood burne , when so unapt's the seire ? Strange is the charge : Shall I goe to a place Vnknowne and forraigne ? Aye me ! hard 's the case , That righteous Isr●el , must be thus neglected , When Miscreants and Gentiles are respected : How might I hope my words shall there succeed , Which thrive not with the flockes I daily feed ? I know my God is gentle , and en●linde , To tender mercy , apt to change his minde Vpon the least repentance : Then shall I Be deem'd as false , and shame my Prophecie . O heavy burthen , of a doubtfull mind ! Where shall I goe , or which way shall I wind ? My heart like Ianus , looketh to and fro ; My Credit bids me , Stay ; my God bids , Goe : If Goe ; my labour 's lost , my shame 's at hand : If stay , Lord ! I transgresse my Lords command : If goe ; from bad estate , to worse , I fall . If stay , I slide from bad , to worst of all . My God bids goe , my credit bids me stay : My guilty feare bids fly another way . So Ionah straight arose , himselfe bedight With fit acoutrements , for hasty flight : In stead of staffe , he tooke a Shipmans weed ; In stead of going , lo● , he flyes with speed . Like as a Hawke ( that overmatcht with might ) Doing sad penance for th' unequall fight , ( Answ●ring the Falkners second shout ) does flee From fist ; turnes tayle to foule , and takes a tree : So Ionah baulks the place where he was sent ( To Nineveh ) and downe to Iaffa went : He sought , enquired , and at last , he found A welcome Ship , that was to Tharsis bound , Where he may flye the presence of the Lord : He makes no stay , but straightway goes aboord , His hasty purse for bargaine findes no leisure , ( Where sinn delights , there 's no account of treasure ) Nor did he know , nor aske , how much his Fare : He gave : They tooke : all parties pleased are : ( How thriftlesse of our cost , and paines , are we , Great God of heaven and earth , to fly from thee ! ) Now have the sailors drunke their parting cup , They goe aboord ; The S●●les are hoisting up ; The Anchor 's wayd ; the keele begins t' obey Her gentle Rudder ; leaves her quiet Key , Divides the streames , and without winde or oare , She easly glides along the moving shore : Her swelling Canvace gives her nimbler motion , Sh'outstrips the Tide , and hies her to the Ocean : Forth to the deepe she launches , and outbraves The prouder billowes , rides upon the waves ; She plies that course , her Compas hath enjoindher , And soone hath left the lessned land behind her ; By this , the breath of heaven began to cease ; Calme were the Seas ; the waves were all at peace ; The flagging mainsaile flapt against her yard , The uselesse Compasse , and the idle Card Were both neglected : Vpon every side The gamesome Porpisce tumbled on the Tide . Like as a Mastis●e , when restrain'd a while , Is made more furious , and more apt for spoile , Or when the breath of man , being bard the course , At length breakes forth , with a farre greater force , Even so the mi●der breath of heaven , at last , Le ts flye more fierce , and blowes a stronger blast ; All on a sudden darkned was the Sky With gloomy clouds ; heavens more refulgent eye Was all obscur'd : The aire grew damp and cold , And strong mouth'd B●reas could no longer hold : Eolus le ts loose his uncontrouled breath , Whose language threatens nothing under death : The Rudder failes ; The ship's at random driven ; The eye no object ownes , but Sea and Heaven : The Welkin stormes , and rages more and more , The raine powres down ; the heavens begin to rore As they would split the massie Globe in sunder , From those that live above , to those live under ; The Pilot's frighted ; knowes not what to doe , His Art 's amaz'd , in such a maze of woe ; Faces grow sad : Prayers and complaints are rise ; Each one 's become an Orator for life : The Windes above , the waters underneath , Ioyne in rebellion , and conspire death . The Seamens courage now begins to quaile ▪ Some ply the plump , whilst others strike the ●aile , Their hands are busie , while their hearts despaire , Their feares and dangers move their lips to praier : They praid , but winds did snatch their words away , And lets their pray'rs not go to whom they pray : But still they pray , but still the wind and weather Do turn both ship & prai'rs they know not whether : Their gods were deafe , their danger waxed greater ; They cast their wares out , and yet ne're the better : But all this while was Ionah drown'd in sleepe , And in the lower decke was buried deepe .

Medita. 2. BVt stay : this was a strange and uncouth word : Did Ionah flye the presence of the Lord ? What mister word is that ? He that repleats The mighty Vniverse , whose lofty seat's Th' imperiall Heaven , whose footstoole is the face Of massie Earth ? Can he from any place Be barr'd ? or yet by any meanes , excluded , That is in all things ? ( and yet not included ) Could Ionah finde a resting any where So void , or secret , that God was not there ? I stand amaz'd , and frighted at this word : Did Ionah flye the presence of the Lord ? Mount up to Heaven , and there thou shalt discover The exc'lent glory of his kingly power : Bestride the earth beneath ( with weary pace ) And there he beares the Olive branch of Grace : Dive downe into th' extreme Abisse of Hell , And there in Iustice doth th' Almighty dwell . What secret Cloister could there then afford A screene'twixt faithlesse Ionah , and his Lord ? ¶ ●onah was charg'd , to take a charge in hand ; But Ionah turn'd his backe on Gods command ; Shooke off his yoke , and wilfully neglected , And what was strictly charg'd , he quite rejected : And so he fled the power of his Word ; And so he fled the presence of his Lord . ¶ Good God! how poore a thing is wretched man ? So fraile , that let him strive the best he can , With every little blast hee 's overdon : If mighty Cedars of great Leban●n , Cannot the danger of the Axe withstand , Lord ! how shall we , that are but bushes , stand : How fond , corrupt , how senselesse is mankinde ? How faining deafe is he ? How wilfull blinde ? He stops his eares , and sinnes : he shuts his eyes , And ( blindfold ) in the lap of danger flyes : He sinnes , despaires ; and then to stint his griefe , He chuses death , to baulke the God of life . ¶ Poore wretched sinner , travell where thou wilt , Thy travell shall be burthen'd with thy guilt : Climb tops of hils , that prospects may delight thee , There wil thy sins ( like wolves & bears ) afright thee , Fly to the vallies , that those frights may shun thee , And there , like Mountains , they will fall upon thee : Or to the raging Seas , ( with Ionah ) goe ; There will thy sinnes like stormy Neptune flow . Poore shiftlesse Man ! what shall become of thee ? Wher'ere thou fly'st , thy griping sinne will flee . ¶ But all this while , the ship where Ionah sleepes , Is tost and torne , and batter'd on the Deeps , And well-nigh split upon the threatning Rocke , With many a boistrous brush , and churly knocke : God helpe all desp'rate voyagers , and keepe All such as feele thy wonders on the deepe .

THE ARGVMENT . The Pilot thumps on Ionah's brest , And rowzeth Ionah from his rest : They all cast Lotts , ( being sore afrighted ) The sacred Lott on Ionah lighted . Sect. 3. THe amazed Pilot finding no successe , ( But that the storme grew rather more than lesse , For all their toilsome paines , and needlesse praiers ▪ Despairing both of life , and goods ) repaires To Ionahs drowsie Cabbin ; mainly cals ; Cals Ionah , Ionah ; and yet lowder yawles ; Yet Ionah sleepes ; and gives a shrug , or two , And snores , ( as greedy sleepers use to doe . ) The wofull Pylot jogs him , ( but in vaine . ) ( Perchance he dreames an idle word , or twaine ▪ ) At length he tugs and puls his heavy coarse , And thunders on his brest , with all his force : But ( after many yawnes ) he did awake him , And ( being both affrighted ) thus bespake him : " Arise , O Sleeper ; O arise and 〈◊〉 , " There 's not a twiny thred'twixt death , and thee : " This darkesome place ( thou measur'st ) is thy grave , " And sudden Death rides proud on yo●der wave ; " Arise , O sleeper , O arise , and pray ; " Perhaps thy God will heare , and not say , Nay : " Repaire the losse of these our ill spent houres , " Perchance thy God's more powerfull than ours ; " Heavens hand may cease , and have compassion on us , " And turne away this mischiefe it hath done us . The sturdy Saylors ( weary of their paine ) Finding their bootlesse labour lost , and vaine , Forbare their toilesome task and wrought no more , Expecting Death , for which they lookt before ; They call a parley , and consult together , They count their sinnes , ( accusing one another ) That for his sinne , or his , this ill was wrought : In fine , they all proove guilty of the fault : But yet the question was not ended so : One sayes , 'T was thine offence ; but he sayes , No , But 't was for thy sake , that accuses me ; R●sht forth a third ( the worser of the three ) And swore it was anothers , which ( he hearing ) Deny'd it 〈◊〉 , and said , 'T was thine for swearing : In came a fift , accusing all ; ( replying But little else ) they all chid him for lying ; One said it was , another said 't was not : So all agreed , to stint the strife by Lott : Then all was whist ▪ and all to prayer went ; ( For such a bus'nesse a fit complement ) The Lott was cast ; t'pleas'd God by Lots to tell , The Lott was cast ; the Lott on Ionah fell ,

Medita. 3. O Sacred subj●ct of a Meditation ! Thy Workes ( O Lord ) are full of Admiration , Thy judgements all are just , severe , and sure , They quite cut off or else by lancing , cure The festring sore of a rebellious heart , Lest-foule infection taint th' immortall part . How deepe a Lethargy doth this disease Bring to the slumbring soule , through carelesse ease ▪ Which once being wak't , ( as from a golden dreame ) Lookes up , and sees her grief●s the more extreme . How seeming sweet's the quiet sleepe of sin ? Which when a wretched man 's once nuzzled in , How soundly sleepes he , without feare , or wit ? No sooner doe his armes infolded knit A drowzy knot upon his carelesse brest , But there he snorts , and snores in endlesse rest ; His eyes are closed fast , and deafe his eares , And ( like Endymion ) sleepes himselfe in yeares ; His sense-bound heart relents not at the voice Of gentle warning , neither does the noise Of strong reproofe awake his sleeping eare , Nor louder threatnings thunder makes him heare ; So deafe's the sinners eare , so numb'd his sense , That sinne 's no corrosive , breeds no offence ; For custome brings delight , deludes the heart , Beguiles the sense , and takes away the smart . ¶ But stay ; Did one of Gods elected number , ( Whose eies should never sleep , nor eie lids ●lumber ) So much forget himselfe ? Did Ionah fleepe , That should be watchfull , and the Tower keepe ? Did Ionah ( the selected mouth of God ) In stead of roaring judgements , does he nod ? Did Ionah sleepe so sound ? Could he sleepe then , When ( with the sudden sight of Death ) the men ( So many men ) with yelling shrikes , and cryes , Made very heaven report ? Were Ionah's eyes Still clos'd , and he , not of his life bereaven ? Hard must he wink that shuts his eies from heaven . O righteous Isr'el , where , O , where art thou ? Where is thy Lampe ? thy zealous Shepheard now ? Alas ! the rav'nous Wolves will worr' thy Sheepe ; Thy Shepheard's carelesse , and is falne asleepe ; Thy wandring flockes are frighted from their fold , Their Shepherd's gone , and Foxes are too bold : They , they whose smooth-fac'd words become the altar , Their works dissent , & first begin to faulter ; And they that should be watchlights in the Temple Are snuffes , and want the oyle of good example ; The chosen Watch-men that the tow'r should keep Ate waxen heavy-ey'd , and falne asleepe . ¶ Lord if thy watchmen wink too much , awake them ▪ Although they slumber , do not quite forsake them ; The flesh is weake , say not ( if dulnesse seize Their heavy eyes ) sleep henceforth : take your ●ase : And we poore weaklings , when we sleepe in sin , Knocke at our drowzy hearts , and never lin , Till thou awake our sin-congealed eyes ; Lest ( drown'd in sleepe ) we sinke and never rise .

THE ARGVMENT . They question Ionah whence he came , His Country , and his peoples Name . He makes reply : They mone their woe , And aske his counsell what to doe . Sect 4. AS when a Thiefe's appr'hended on suspect , And charg'd for some supposed malefact , A rude concourse of people , straight accrewes , Whose itching eares even smart to know the newes . The guilty pris'ner ( to himselfe betraid ) He stands dejected , trembling and afraid : So Ionah stood the Sailers all among , Inclosed round amid the ruder throng . As in a Summers evening you shall heare In Hives of Bees ( if you lay close your eare ) Confused buzzing , and seditious noise , Such was the murmure of the Saylers voice . " What was thy sinfull act , that causes this , " ( Sayes one ) wherein hast thou so done amisse ? " Tell us , What is thine Art ( another sayes ) " That thou professest ? Speake man , Whences awayes , " From what Confines ca●●'st thou ? ( A third replyes ) " What is thy Country ? And of what allies ? " What , art thou borne a Iew ? or Gentile ? whether ? " ( 〈◊〉 he could lend an answer unto either ) " A fourth d●●ands ; Where hath thy breeding beene ? All what they askt , they all askt o're agen : In fine , their eares ( impatient of delay ) Becalm'd their tongues to hear what he could say . So 〈◊〉 ( humbly rearing up his eyes ) Breaking his long-kept silence , thus replyes : " I am an Hebrew , sonne of Abraham , " From whom my Land did first derive her name , " Within the Land of Iury was I borne , " My name is Ionah , ●etchelesse and forlorne ▪ " I am a Prophet : ah ! but woe is me , " For from before the face of God I flee ; " From whence ( through disobedience ) I am driven : " I seare Iehovah , the great God of Heaven : " I feare the Lord of Hosts , whose glorious hand " Did make this stormy Sea , and massie Land . So said , their eares with double ravishment , Still hung upon his melting lips , attent , Whose dreadful words their harts so neer impierc●t , That from themselves , themselves were quite divers● ▪ As in a sowltry Summers evening tide , ( When lustfull Phoebus re-salutes his Bride , And Philomela 'gins her caroling ) A Herd of Deere are browzing in a Spring , With eger appetite , misdeeming nought , Nor in so deepe a silence fearing ought : A sudden cracke , or some unthought-of sound , Or bounce of Fowlers Peece , or yelpe of Hound , Disturbs their quiet peace with strange amaze Where ( senslesse halfe ) through feare , they stand a● gaze So stand the Sea-men , ( as with Ghosts affrighted , ) Entraunc'd with what this man of God recited : Their tyred limbes doe now waxe faint , and lither , Their harts did yern , their knees did smite together . Congealed blood usurpt their trembling hearts , And left a faintnesse in their feeble parts : Who ( trembling out distracting language , ) thus : " Why hast thou brought this mischiefe upon us ? " What humour led thee to a place unknowne , " To seeke forraigne Land , and leave thine owne ? " What faith hadst thou , by leaving thine abode , " To thinke to flye the presence of thy God ? " Why hast thou not obey'd ( but thus transgrest ) " The voyce of God , whom thou acknowledgest ? " Art thou a Prophet , and dost thou amisse ? " What is the cause ? and why hast thou done this ? " What shall we do ? The tempest lends no eare " To fruitlesse that , nor dot the b●llowes heare , " Or marke our language : Waves are not a●tent : " Our goods they fl●at , our needlesse paines are spent , " Our Barke's not weather proofe : no Fort 's so stout , " To keepe continuall siege and battry out . " The Lot accuses thee , thy words condemne thee , " The ●●ves ( thy deaths men ) strive to overwhelme thee : " What she we doe ? Thou Prophet , speake , we pray thee : " Thou fear'dst the Lord ; Alas ! we may not stay thee : " Or shall we save thee ? No , for thou dost flye " The face of God , and so deserv's● to dye : " Thou Prophet , speake , what shall be done to thee , " That angry Sea ▪ may calme , and quiet be ?

Medita. 4. GIve leave a little to adjoyne your text , And ease my soule , my soule with doubts perplex● . Can he be said to feare the Lord , that flyes him ? Can word confesse him , when as deed denies him ? My sacred Muse hath rounded in mine eare , And read the mystery of a twofold feare : The first , a servile feare , for judgements sake ; And thus hells Fire-brands doe feare and quake : Thus Adam fear'd , and fled behinde a tree : And thus did bloody Cain feare and flee . Vnlike to this there is a second kinde Of feare , extracted from a zealous minde , Full fraught with love , and with a conscience clear From base respects : It is a filiall feare ; A feare whose ground would just remaine , & level , Were neither Heaven , nor Hel , nor God , nor devil ▪ Such was the feare that Princely David had ; And thus our wretched Ionah fear'd , and fled : He fled asham'd , because his sinnes were such ; He fled asham'd , because his feare was much . He fear'd Iehovah , other fear'd he none : Him he acknowledg'd ; him hee fear'd alone : Vnlike to those who ( being blinde with errour ) Frame many gods , and multiply their terrour . Th' Egyptians , god Apis did implore . God Assas the Chaldeans did adore : Babel to the Devouring Dragon seekes ; Th' Arabians , Astaroth ; Iuno , the Greekes ; The name of Belus , the Assyrians hallow , The Troian● , Vesta ; Corinth , wise Apollo ; Th' Arginians sacrifice unto the Sunne ; To light-foot Mercury bowes Macedon ; To god Volunus , Lovers bend their knee : To Pavor , they that faint and fearefull bee : Who pray for health , and strength , to Murcia those ▪ And to Victoria , those that feare to lose : To Muta , they that feare a womans tongue : To great Lucin● , women great with young : To Esculapius , they that live opprest : And such to Quies , that de●ier rest . O blinded ignorance of antique times , How blent with errour , and how stuft with crimes Your Temples were ! And how adulterate ! How clogg'd with needlesse gods ! How obstinate ! How void of reason , order , how confuse ! How full of dangerous and foule abuse ! How sandy were the grounds , and how unstable ! How many Deities ! yet how unable ! Implore these gods , that list to howle and barke , They bow to Dagon , Dagon to the Arke : But hee to whom the seale of mercy 's given , Adores Iehovah , the Great God of Heaven : Vpon the mention of whose sacred Name , Meeke Lambs grow fierce , & the fierce Lions tame : Bright Sol shall stop , & heaven shal turn his course : Mountains shall dance , and Neptune slake his force : The Seas shall part , the fire want his flame , Vpon the mention of I●hovah's Name : A Name that makes the roofe of Heaven to shake , The frame of Earth to quiver , Hell to quake : A Name , to which all Angels blow their Trumps : A Name , puts frolicke man into his dumps , ( Though ne're so blythe ) A Name of high renown : It mounts the meeke , and beats the loftie downe ; A Name , divides the marrow in the bone ; A Name , which out of hard , and flinti● stone Extracteth hearts of flesh , and makes relent ▪ Those hearts that never knew what mercy ment , O Lord ! how great 's thy Name in all the Land : How mighty are the wonders of thy hand ? How is thy glory plac't above the heaven ? To tender mouthes of Sucklings thou hast given Coercive pow'r , and boldnesse to reproove , When elder men doe what them not behoove . O Lord , ! how great 's the power of thine hand ? O God! how great 's thy Name in all the Land !

THE ARGVMENT . The Prophet doth his fault discover , Perswade● the men to cast him over : They row , and toyle , but doe no good , They pray to be excus'd from blood . Sect. 5. SO Ionah fram'd this speech to their demand , " Not that I seeke to traverse the command " Of my deare Lord , and out of minde perverse , " T' avoid the Ninivites , doe I amer●e " My selfe : Nor that I ever heard you threat , " ( Vnlesse I went to Niniveh ( the great ) " And doe the message sent her from the Lord ) " That you would kill , or cast me over-boord , " Doe , I , doe thi● ; 'T is my deserved fine : " You all are guiltlesse , and the fault is mine : " T is I , 't●● I alone , 't is I am he : " The tempest comes from heaven , the cause from me ; " You shall not lose a haire ●or this my s●● , " Nor perish for the fault that mine hath bin ; " Lo , I the man am here : L● , I am he , " The root of all ▪ End your reven●e on me ; " I fled th' Eternall God ; O , let me then " ( Because I fled my God ) so flie from men : " Redeeme your lives with mine ; Ah , why should I , " Not guiltlesse , live ; and you not guilty , die ? " I am the man , for whom these billowes dance , " My death shall purchase your deliverance ; " Feare not to cease your feares ; but throw me in ; " Alas ! my soule is burthen'd with my sin , " And God is just , and bent to his Decree , " Which certaine is , and cannot alter'd be ; " I am proclaim'd a Traitor to the King " Of heaven an earth : The windes with speedy wing " Acquaint the Seas : The Seas mount up on high , " And cannot rest , untill the Traytor die ; " Oh , cast me in , and let my life be ended ; " Let Death make Iustice mends , which Life offended ; " Oh , let the swellin● waters me enbalme ; " So shall the Waves be still , and Sea be calme . So said , th' amazed Mariners grew sad , New Love abstracted , what old Feare did adde ; Love called Pity : Feare call'd vengeance in ; Love view'd the Sinner ▪ Feare beheld the Sin ; Love cry'd out , Hold ; for better sav'd than spil'd ; But Feare cry'd , Kill ; O better kill , than kill'd : Thus plung'd with Passions they distracted were Betwixt the hopes , and doubts of Love and Feare ; Some cry'd out , Save : if this foule deed we doe , Vengeance that haunted him , will haunt us too : Others cry'd , No ; May rather death befall To one ( that hath deserv'd to dye ) then all : Save him ( sayes one ) Oh save the man that thus His dearest blood hath profer'd to save us ; No , ( sayes another ) vengeance must have blood , And vengeance strikes most hard , when most withstood . In fine ( say all : ) Then let the Prophet die , And we shall live ; For Prophets cannot lye . Loth to be guilty of their owne , yet loth To haste poore Ionahs death , with hope , that both Th' approching evils might be at once prevented , With prayers and paines reutter'd , reattented , They try'd new wayes , despairing of the old , Love quickens courage , makes the spirits bold ; They strove , in vaine , by toile to win the shore , And wrought more hard than er●e they did before : But now , both hands and hearts begin to quaile , ( For bodies wanting rest , must faint and faile ; ) The Seas are angry , and the waves arise , Appeas'd with nothing but a Sacrifice ; Gods vengeance stormeth like the raging Seas , Which nought but Ionah ( dying ) can appease : Fond is that labour , which attempts to free , What Heaven hath bound by a divine decree : Ionah must die , Heaven hath decreed it so , Ionah must die , or else they all die too ; Ionah must die , that from his Lord did flie ; The Lott determines , Ionah then must die ; His guilty word confirmes the sacred Lott ▪ Ionah must die then , if they perish not . " If Iustice then appoint ( since he must die , " Said they ) us Actors of ●is Tragedy , " ( We beg not ( Lord ) a warrant to offend ) " O pardon blood-shed , that we must intend ; " Though not our hands , yet shall our hearts be cleare ; " Then let not stainlesse consciences beare " The pond'rous burden of a Murders guilt , " Or pay the price of blood that must be spilt ; " For 〈◊〉 , ( deare Lord ) it is thine owne decree , " And we sad ministers of Iustice be .

Meditat. 5. BVt stay a while ; this thing would first be known : Can Ionah give himselfe , and not his owne ? That part to God , and to his Countrey this Pertaines , so that a slender third is his ; Why then should Ionah doe a double wrong , To deale himselfe away , that did belong The least unto himselfe ? or how could hee Teach this , ( Thou shalt not kill ) if Ionah be His lifes owne Butcher ? What , was this a deed That with the Calling he profest , agreed ? The purblinde age ( whose workes ( almost divine ) Did meerely with the oyle of Nature shine , That knew no written Law , nor Grace , nor God , To whip their conscience with a steely rod , ) How much did they abhorre so foule a fact ? When ( led by Natures glimpse ) , they made an act , Selfe-murderers should be deny'd to have The charitable honour of a Grave : Can such doe so , when Ionah does amisse ? What , Ionas , Isr'els Teacher ! and doe this ? The Law of Charity doth all forbid , In this thing to doe that which Ionah did ; Moreo're , in charity , 't is thy behest , Of dying men to thinke , and speake the best ; The mighty Samson did as much as this ; And who dare say , that Samson did amisse , If heavens high Spirit whisper'd in his eare Expresse command to doe 't ? No wavering feare Drew backe the righteous Abram's armed hand From Isaacks death , secur'd by heavens command . ¶ Sure is the knot that true Religion tyes , And Love that 's rightly grounded , never dyes ; It seemes a paradoxe beyond beliefe , That men in trouble should prolong reliefe ; That Pagans ( to withstand a Strangers Fate ) Should be neglective of his owne estate . Where is this love become in later age ? Alas ! 't is gone in endlesse pilgrimage From hence , and never to returne ( I doubt ) 'Till revolution wheele those times about : Chill brests have starv'd her here , and she is driven Away ; and with Astraea fled to heaven . Poore Charity , that naked Babe is gone , Her honey's spent , and all her store is done ; Her winglesse Bees can finde out ne're a bloome , And crooked A●● doth usurpe her roome : Nepenthe's dry , and Love can get no drinke , And curs'd Ar●en●e flowes above the brinke . Brave Mariners , the world your names shal hallow , Admiring that in you , that none dare follow ; Your friendship 's rare , and your conversion strange , From Paganisme to zeale ? A sudden change ! Those men doe now the God of heaven implore , That bow'd to Puppets , but an houre before ; Their zeale is fervent , ( though but new begun ) Before their egge-shels were done off , they runne : And when bright Phoebus in a Summer tide , ( New ris●n from the bosome of his Bride ) Enveloped with misty fogges , at length Breakes forth , displaies the mist , with Southerne strength ; Even so these Mariners ( of peerlesse mirrour ) Their faith b'ing veil'd within the mist of errour , At length their zeale chac'd ignorance away , They left their Puppets , and began to pray . ¶ Lord how unlimited are thy confines , That still pursu'st man in his good designes ! Thy mercy 's like the dew of Hermon hill , Or like the Oyntment , dropping downward still From Aarons head , to beard ; from beard to foote : So doe thy mercies drench us round about : Thy love is boundlesse ; Thou art apt and free , To turne to Man , when Man returnes to thee .

THE ARGVMENT . They cast the Prophet over boord : The storme alay'd : They feare the Lord ; A mighty Fish him quick devoures , Where he remained many houres . Sect. 6. EVen as a member , whose corrupted sore Infests , and rankles , eating more and more , Threatning the bodies losse ( if not prevented ) The wise chirurgion ( all faire meanes attented ) Cuts off , and with advised skil doth choose , To lose a part , then all the body lose ; Even so the feeble Sailors ( that addresse Their idle armes , where heaven denyes successe ) Forbeare their thrivelesse labours , and devise To roote that Evill , from whence their harms arise : Treason is in their thoughts , and in their eares Danger revives the old , and addes new feares ; Their hearts grow fierce , and every soule applies T' abandon mercy from his tender eyes : They cease t' attempt what heaven so long withstood , And bent to kill , their thoughts are all on blood : They whisper oft , each word is Deaths Alarme ; They hoyst him up ; Each lends a busie arme , And with united powers they entombe His out-cast body in Thetis angry wombe : Whereat grim Neptune wip't his fomy mouth , Held his tridented Mace upon the South ; The windes were whist , the billows danc't no more , The storme allay'd , the heavens left off to rore , The waves ( obedient to their pilgrimage ) Gave ready passage , and surceast their rage , The skie grew cleare , and now the welcome light Begins to put the gloomy clouds to flight : Thus all on sudden was the Sea tranquill , The Heav'ns were quiet , and the Waves were still ▪ As when a friendly Creditor ( to get A long forborne , and much-concerning debt ) Still plies his willing debter with entreats , Importunes daily , daily thumps , and beates The batter'd Portals of his tyred eares , Bedeafing him with what he knowes , and heares ; The weary debter , to avoid the sight He loathes , shifts here , and there , and ev'ry night Seekes out Protection of another bed , Yet ne'rethelesse ( pursu'd and followed ) His eares are still laid at with lowder volley Of harder Dialect ; He melancholy , Sits downe , and sighs , and after long foreslowing , ( T' avoid his presence ) payes him what is owing ▪ The thankfull Creditor is now appeas'd , Takes leave , and goes away content , and pleas'd . Even so these angry waves , with restlesse rage , Accosted Ionas in his pilgrimage , And thundred Iudgement in his fearefull eare , Presenting Hubbubs to his guilty feare : The waves rose discontent , the Surges beat , And every moments death , the billowes threat , The weather-beaten Ship did every minuit Await destruction , while hee was in it : But when his ( long expected ) corps they threw Into the deepe , ( a debt , through trespasse , due ) The Seagrew kinde , and all her frownes abated , Her face was smooth to all that navigated . 'T was sinfull Ionah made her storme and rage , 'T was sinfull Ionah did her storme asswage . With that the Mariners astonisht were , And fear'd Iehovah with a mighty feare , Offring up Sacrifice with one accord , And vowing solemne vowes unto the Lord . But he whose word can make the earth's foundation Tremble , and with his Word can make cessation , Whose wrath doth mount the waves , & toss the Seas , And make them calme & smooth , when e're he please : This God , ( whose mercy runs on endlesse wheele , And puls ( like Iacob ) Iustice by the heele ) Prepar'd a Fish , prepar'd a mighty Whale , Whose belly was both prison-house , and baile , For retchlesse Ionah . As the two leaf'd doore Opens , to welcome home the fruitfull store , Wherewith the harvest quits the Plowmans hope , Even so the great Leviathan set ope His beame-like Iawes , ( prepar'd for such a boone ) And at a morsell , swallow'd Ionah downe , 'Till dewy-check't Aurora's purple dye Thrice dappell'd had the ruddy morning skie , And thrice had spred the Curtaines of the morne , To let in Titan , when the day was borne , Ionah was Tenant to this living Grave , Embowel'd deepe in this stupendious Cave .

Meditat. 6. LO , Death is now , as alwaies it hath bin , The just procured stipend of our sinne : Sinne is a golden Causie , and a Road Garnisht with joyes , whose pathes are even & broad But leads at length to death , and endlesse griefe , To torments , and to paines , without reliefe . Iustice feares none , but maketh all afraid , And then fals hardest , when t is most delaid , But thou reply'st , thy sinnes are daily great , Yet thou sittst uncontrold upon thy seat ; Thy wheat doth flourish , and thy barnes do thrive , Thy sheepe encrease , thy sonnes are all alive , And thou art buxom ▪ and hast nothing scant , Finding no want of any thing , but want , Whil'st others , whom the ●quint-ey'd world counts holy , Sit sadly drooping in a melancholy , With brow dejected , and downe-hanging head , Or take of almes , or poorely begge their bread : But young man , know there is a Day of doome , The Feast is good , untill the reck'ning come . The time runnes fastest , where is least regard , The stone that s long in falling , falleth hard ; There is a dying day , ( thou prosp'rous foole ) When all thy laughter shall be turn'd to Doole , Thy roabes to tort'ring plagues , & fel tormenting , Thy whoops of Ioy , to howles of sad lamenting : Thy tongue shall yell , and yawle , and never stop , And wish a world , to give for one poore drop , To flatter thine intolerable paine ; The wealth of Pluto could not then obtaine A minutes freedome from that hellish rout , Whose fire burnes , and never goeth out : Nor house , nor land , not measur'd heaps of wealth , Can render to a dying man , his health : Our life on earth is like a thred of flax , That all may touch , and being roucht , it craks . ¶ As when an Archer shooteth for his sport , Sometimes his shaft is gone , sometimes , 't is short , Somtimes o' th left hand , wide , sometimes o' th right At last , ( through often tryall ) hits the White ; So death sometimes with her uncertaine Rover , Hits our Superiours ( and so shoots over ) Sometimes for change , shee strikes the meaner sort , Strikes our Inferiours ( and then comes short ) Sometimes upon the left hand wide shee goes , And so ( still wounding some ) shee strikes our foes ; And sometimes wide upon the right hand bends , There with Imperiall shafts , she strikes our friends ; At length ( through often triall ) hits the White , And so strikes us into Eternall night . ¶ Death is a Kalender compos'd by Fate , Concerning all men , never out of Date : Her dayes Dominicall , are writ in blood ; She shewes more bad daies , than she sheweth good : She tels when dayes , & monthes , & termes expire , Meas'ring the lives of mortals by her squire . ¶ Death is a Pursivant , with Eagles wings , That knocks at poore mens door , & gates of Kings . Worldling , beware betime ; death sculks behind thee And as she leaves thee , so will Iudgement find thee .

THE ARGVMENT . Within the bowels of the Fish , Ionah laments in great anguish ; God heard his pray'r , at whose command , The Fish disgorg'd him on the Land . Sect 7. THen Ionah turn'd his face to heav'n , and pray'd Within the bowels of the Whale , and said , " I cry'd out of my balefull misery " Vnto my God , and he hath heard my cry ; " From out the paunch of hell I made a noyse , " And thou hast answer'd me , and heard my voyce : " Into the Deeps and bottome thou hast throwne me , " Thy Surges , and thy Waves have past upon me . " Then Lord ( aid I ) from thy refulgent sight " I am expell'd , I am forsaken quite , " Nay'thelesse while these my wretched eyes remaine , " Vnto thy Temple will I looke againe . " The boystrous Waters compast me about , " My body threats to let her pris'ner out , " The boundlesse depth enclosed me , ( almost dead ) " The weeds are wrapt about my fainting head , " I liv'd on earth rejected at thine hand , " And a perpetuall pris'ner in the Land ; " Yet thou wilt cause my life t' ascend at length , " From out this pit , O Lord , my God , my Strength . " When as my soule was over-whelm'd and faint , " I had recourse to thee , did thee acquaint " With the condition of my woefull case , " My cry came to thee , in thine holy Place , " Who so to Vanities themselves betake , " Renounce thy mercies , and thy love for sake : " To thee I 'le sacrifice in endlesse dayes , " With voyce of thankes , and ever-sounding praise : " I 'le pay my vowes ; for all the world records " With one consent , Salvation is the Lords . But he ( whose word 's a deed , whose breath 's a law ; Whose just command implies a dreadfull awe , Whose Word prepar'd a Whale upon the Deepe , To tend , and wait for Ionah's fall , and keepe His out-cast body safe , and soule secure ) This very God ( whose mercy must endure , When heaven , & earth , when sea , & all things faile ) Disclos'd his purpose , and bespake the Whale , To redeliver Ionah to his hand ; Whereat the Whale disgorg'd him on the land .

Medita. 7. I Well record , a holy Father sayes , " He teaches to deny , that faintly prayes : The suit surceases , when desire failes , But whoso prayes with fervency , prevailes ; For Prayr's the key that opes th' eternall gate , And findes admittance , whether earl' or late ; It forces audience , it unlockes the eare Of heavens great God ( though deafe ) it makes him heare . Vpon a time Babel ( the worlds faire Queene Made drunk with choller , and enrag'd with spleen ) Through fell disdaine , derraigned war 'gainst them That tender homage to Ierusalem : A maiden-fight it was , yet they were strong As men of Warre ; The Battaile lasted long , Much blood was shed , an spilt on either side , That all the ground with purple gore was dyde : In fine , a Souldier of Ierusalem : Ch●●●ssa hight , ( the Almner of the Realme ) Chill'd with an ague , and unapt to fight , Into Iustitia's Castle too her flight , Whereat great Babets Queene commanded all , To lay their siege against the Castle wall ; But poore Tymissa ( not with warr acquainted ) Fearing Charissa's death , fell downe , and fainted ; Dauntlesse Prudentia rear'd her from the ground , Where she lay ( pale and senselesse ) in a swound , She rub'd her temples , and at length awaking She gave her water , of Fidissa's making , And said , Cheare up , ( deare sister ) though our foe Hath tane us Captives , thus besieg'd with woe , We have a King puissant , and of might , Will see us take no wrong , and doe us right , If we possesse him with our sad complaint , Cheare up , wee 'l send to him , and him acquaint . Tymissa ( new awak'd from swound ) replies , Our Castle is begirt with enemies , And troops of armed men besiege our walls , Then suer Death , or worse than death befalls To her , ( who ere she be ) that stirs a foote , Or rashly dares attempt to venture out , Alas ! what hope have wee to finde reliefe , And want the meanes that may divulge our griefe ? Within that place a jolly Matron dwell'd , Whose lookes were fixt and sad ; her left hand held A paire of equall ballances ; her right A two-edg'd sword , her eyes were quicke & bright , Not apt to squint , but nimble to discerne ; Her visage lovely was , yet bold and sterne ; ●●r name Iustitia ; to her they make Their moane , who , well advis'd , them thus bespake : Faire Maidens , more beloved then the light , ●rue the suffrance of your wofull plight , ●ut pitty's fond alone , recures no griefe , ●ut fruitlesse fals , unlesse it yeeld reliefe . Cheare up , I have a Messenger in store , Whose speed is much , but faithfull trust is more , Whose nimble wings shall cleave the flitting skies , And scorne the terrour of your enemies , ●ratio hight , well knowne unto your King , Your message she shall doe , and tydings bring , Provided that Fidissa travaile with her , And so ( on Christs name ) let them goe together . With that Fidissa having ta'ne her errant , And good Oratio with Iustitia's Warrant , In silence of the midnight tooke her flight , Arriving at the Court that very night ; But they were both as flames of fier hot , For they did fly as swift , as Cannon shot , But they ( left sudden cold should do them harme ) Together clung , and kept each other warme : But now , the kingly gates were sparr'd , and lockt , They call'd , but none made answer them they knockt Together j●yning both their force in one , They knockt againe ; Yet answer there was none ; But they that never learn'd to take deniall , With importunity made further triall ; The King heard well , although he list not speake , Till they with strokes the gate did wel-nie breake : In fine , the brazen gates flew open wide ; Oratio moov'd her suit ; The King replide , ●ratio was a faire , and welcome guest ; So heard her suit , so granted her request . Fraile man , observe ; In thee the practice lies , Let sacred Meditation moralize : Let Pray'r bee servent , and thy Faith intire , And heaven , at last , will grant thee thy desire .

THE ARGVMENT . The second time was Ionah sent To Niniveh : now Ionah went : Against her crying 〈…〉 cry'd , And her destruction prop●●●y'd . Sect. 8. ONce more the voyce of heavens high-Cōmander , ( Like horrid claps of heav'ns-dividing thunder Or like the fall of waters breach ( the noise B●ing heard farre distant off ) such was the voyce ) Came downe from heav'n to Ionah , new-borne-Man , To re-baptized Ionah , and thus began ; Am I a God ? Or art thou ought but Dust ? More than a man ? Or are my Lawes unjust ? Am I a God , and shall I not command ? Art thou a man , and d●r'st my Lawes withstand ? Shall I ( the motion of whose breath shall make Both earth , and Sea , and Hell , and Heaven quake ) By thee ( fond man ) shall I be thus neglected ; And thy presumption scape uncorrected ? Thy faith hath sav'd thee ( Ionah : ) Sin no more ; Lest worse things happen after , than before ; Arise ; let all th' assembled pow'rs agree To doe th' Embassage I impose on thee ; Trifle no more ; and , to avoid my sight , Thinke not to baulke me with a second flight . Arise , and goe to Niniveh ( the great ) Where broods of Gentiles have ta'ne up their seat , The great Queene regent mother of the L●nd , That multiplies in people like the sand ; Away , with wings of time , ( I 'le not essoyne thee ) Denounce these fiery Iudgements , I enjoyne thee . Like as a youngling that to schoole is sent , ( Scarce weaned from his mothers blandishment Where he was cockerd with a stroking hand ) With stubborne heart denyes the just command His Tutor wils : But being once corrected , His home-bred stomack 's curb'd , or quite ejected : His crooked nature 's chang'd , and mollifi'd , And humbly seekes , what stoutly he deny'd ; So Ionah's stout , perverse , and stubborne heart , Was hardned once , but when it felt the smart Of heav'ns avenging wrath , it straight dissolv'd , And what it once avoyded , now resolv'd , T' effect with speed , and with a carefull hand Fully replenish'd with his Lords Command , To Niniv●h he flyeth like a Roe , Each step the other strives to overgoe ; And as an Arrow to the marke does flie , So ( bent to flight ) flies he to Niniveh . ¶ Now Niniveh a might Citie was , Which all the Cities of the world did passe , A Citie which o're all the rest aspires Like midnight Phoebe 'mongst the lesser fires ; A Citie , which ( although to men was given ) Better beseem'd the Majestie of Heaven : A City Great to God , whose ample wall , Who undertakes to mete with paces , shall Bring Phoebus thrice to bed , ere it be done , ( Although with dawning Hesperus begun . When Ionas hath approacht the City gate , He made no stay to rest , nor yet to bait , No supple oyle his fainting head anoints , Stayes not to bathe his weather-beaten joynts , Nor smooth'd his countenance , nor slick ' his skin , Nor craved he the Hostage of an Inne , To ease his aking bones ( with travell sore ) But went as speedy , as he fled before ; The Cities greatnesse made him not refuse , To be the trump of that unwelcome newes His tongue was great with ; But ( like thunders noise ) His mouth flew ope , and out there rusht a voyce . When dewy-cheek't Aurora shall display Her golden locks , and summon up the day Twice twenty times , and rest her drowzy head Twice twenty nights , in aged Tithons bed , Then Niniveh this place of high renowne , Shall be destroy'd , and sackt , and batterd downe . He sate not downe to take deliberation , What maner people were they , or what Nation , Or Gent' , or Salvage ; nor did he enquier What place were most convenient for a Cryer , Nor like a sweet-lipt Orator did steare , Or tune his language to the peoples eare , But bold , and rough , yet full of Majesty , Lift up his trumpet , and began to cry , When forty times Don Phoebus shall fulfill His Iournall course upon th' Olympian Hill , Then Niniveh ( the Worlds great wonder ) shall Startle the Worlds foundation with her fall . The dismall Prophet stands not to admire , The Cities pompe , or peoples quaint attire , Nor yet ( with fond affection ) doth pity Th' approaching downfall of so brave a City , But dauntlesse he his dreadfull voice extends , Respectlesse , whom this bolder cry offends , When forty daies shall be expir'd , and run , And that poore Inch of time drawne out and done , Then Niniveh ( the Worlds Imperiall throne ) Sall not be left a stone , upon a stone .

Meditat. 8. BVt stay ; Is God like one of us ? Can he When he hath said it , alter his Decree ? Can he that is the God of Truth , dispence With what he vow'd ? or offer violence Vpon his sacred Iustice ? Can his minde Revolt at all ? or vary like the winde ? How comes this alteration then that He Thus limiting the' effect of his Decree Vpon the expiring date of forty daies , He then performes it not ? But still delaies His plagues denounc't , & Iudgement stil forbeares , And stead of forty dayes gives many yeares ? Yet forty dayes , and Niniveh shall perish ? Yet forty yeares , and Niniveh doth flourish : A change in man's infirme , in God 't is strange ; In God , to change his Will , and will a Change , Are divers things : When he repents from ill , He wils a change ; he changes not his Will ; The subject's chang'd , which secret was to us , But not the mind , that did dispose it thus ; Denounced Iudgement God doth oft prevent , But neither changes counsell , not intent : The voyce of he●●en doth seldome threat perdition But with expresse , or an imply'd condition , So that , if Niniveh returne from ill , God turnes his hand , he doth not turne his Will . ¶ The stint of Niniveh was forty dayes , To change the By as of her crooked wayes : To some the time is large , To others , small ; To some 't is many yeares ; And not at all To others ; Some an houre have , and some Have scarce a minute of their time to come : Thy span of life ( Malfid● ) is thy space , To call for mercy , and to cry for grace . ¶ Lord ! what is man , but like a worme that crawles Open to danger every foote that fals ? Death creepes ( unheard ) and steals abroad ( unseen ) Her darts are sudden , and her arrowes keene , Vncertaine when , but certaine she will strike , Respecting King and Begger both alike ; The stroke is deadly , come it soone , or late , Which once being strucke , repenting's out of date ; Death is a minute , full of sudden sorrow : " Then live to day , as thou maist die to morrow .

THE ARGVMENT . The Ninivites beleeve the word , Their hearts returne unto the Lord ; In him they put their onely trust : They mourne is Sackcloth , and in dust . Sect. 9. SO said ; the Ninivites beleev'd the Word , Beleeved Ionas , and beleev'd the Lord ; They made no pause , nor jested a● the newes , Nor slighted it , because it was a Iew 's Denouncement : No , nor did their gazing eyes ( As taken captive with such novelties ) Admire the strangers garb , so quaint to theirs , No idle chat possest their itching eares , The whil'st he spake : nor were their tongues on fier To raile upon , or interrupt the Cryer , Nor did they question whether true the message , Or false the Prophet were , that broght th' embassage But they gave faith to what he said ; relented , And ( changing their mis-wandred wayes ) repented ; Before the searching Ayre could coole his word , Their hearts returned , and beleev'd the Lord ; And they , whose dainty lips were cloy'd while ere With cates , and viands , and with wanton cheare , Doe now enjoyne their palats not to tast The offall bread , ( for they proclaim'd a Fast ) And they , whose looset bodies once did lye Wrapt up in Robes , and Silkes of Princely Dye , Loe now , in stead of Robes , in rags they mourne , And all their Silkes doe into Sack-cloth turne , They read themselves sad Lectures on the ground , Learning to want , as well as to abound ; The Prince was not exempted , nor the Peere , Nor yet the richest , nor the poorest there ; The old man was not freed , ( whose hoary age Had ev'n almost outworne his Pilgrimage ; ) Nor yet the yong , whose Glasse ( but new begun ) By course of Nature had an age to runne : For when that fatall Word came to the King , ( Convay'd with speed upon the nimble wing Of flitting Fame ) he straight dismounts his Throne , Forsakes his Chaire of State he sate upon , Disrob'd his body , and his head discrown'd , In dust and ashes grov'ling on the ground , And when he rear'd his trembling corps againe , ( His haire all filthy with the dust he laie in ) He clad in pensive Sackcloth , did depose Himselfe from State Imperiall , and chose To live a Vassall , or a baser thing , Then to usurpe the Scepter of a King : ( Respectlesse of his pompe ) he quite forgate He was a Monarch mindlesse of his State , He neither sought to rule , or be obay'd , Nor with the sword , nor with the Scepter sway'd .

Meditat. 9. ¶ IS fasting then the thing that God requires ? Can fasting expiate , or slake those fires That sinne hath blowne to such a mighty flame ? Can sackcloth cloth a fault ? or hide a shame ? Can ashes , clense thy blot ? or purge thy ' offence ? Or doe thy hands make heaven a recompence , By strowing dust upon thy bryny face ? Are these the trickes to purchase heavenly grace ? No , though thou pine thy selfe with willing want ; Or face looke thinne , or Carkas ne're so gaunt , Although thou worser weeds then sackcloth weare : Or naked goe , or sleepe in shirts of haire , Or though thou chuse an ash-tub for thy bed , Or make a daily dunghill on thy head , Thy labour is not poys'd with equall gaines , For thou hast nought but labour for thy paines : Such holy madnesse God rejects , and loathes , That sinkes no deeper , than the skin , or cloathes : 'T is not thine eyes which ( taught to weepe by art ) Looke red with teares , ( not guilty of thy hart ) 'T is not the holding of thy hands so hye , Nor yet the purer squinting of thine eye ; 'T is not your mimick mouths , your antick faces , Your Scripture phrases , or affected Graces , Nor prodigall up-banding of thine eyes , Whose ga●●●full bals doe seeme to pelt the skyes ; 'T is not the strict reforming of your haire So close , that all the neighbour skull is bare ; 'T is not the drooping of thy head so low , Nor yet the lowring of thy sullen brow , Nor wolvish howling that disturbs the aire , Nor repetitions or your tedious prayer ; No , no , 't is none of this , that God regards ; Such sort of fooles their owne applause rewards , Such puppet-plaies , to heaven a●e strange , & quaint , Their service is unsweet , and foully taint , Their words fall fruitlesse from their idle braine ; But true repentance runnes in other straine ; Where sad contrition harbours , there the heart Is truly'acquainted with the secret smart Of past offences , hates the bosome sin The most , which most the soule tooke pleasure in ; No crime unsifted , no sinne unpresented Can lurke unseene ; and seene , none unlamented ; The troubled soule 's amaz'd with dire aspects Of lesser sinnes committed , and detects The wounded Conscience ; it cryes amaine For mercy , mercy , cryes , and cryes againe ; It sadly grieves , and soberly laments , It yernes for grace , reformes , returnes , repents ; I , this is incense , whose accepted savour Mounts up the heavenly Throne , & findeth favour : I , this is it , whose valour never failes , With God it stoutly wrestles , and prevailes : I ; this is it , that pearces heaven above , Never returning home ( like Noab's Dove ) But brings an Olive leafe , or some encrease , That workes Salvation , and Eternall Peace .

THE ARGVMENT . The Prince and people fasts , and prayes ; God heard , accepted , lik'd their wayes : Vpon their timely true repentance , God rever'st , and chang'd his sentence . Sect. 10. THen suddenly , with holy zeale inflam'd , He caus'd a generall Act to be proclaim'd , By sage advice , and counsell of his Peeres ; " Let neither man , or child , of youth , or yeares , " From greatest in the Citie , to the least , " Nor Herd , nor pining Flocke , nor hungry beast , " Nor any thing that draweth ayre , or breath , " On forfeiture of life , or present death , " Presume to taste of nourishment , or food , " Or move their hungry lips to chew the cud ; " From out their eyes let Springs of water burst , " With teares ( or nothing ) let them slake their thirst : " Moreo're , let every man ( what e're he be ) " Of higher quality , or low degree , " D'off all they weare ( excepting but the same " That nature craves , & that which covers shame ) " Their nakednesse with sackcloth let them hide , " And mue the vest'ments of their silken pride ; " And let the brave cariering Horse of Warre , " ( Whose rich Caparisons , and Trappings are " The glorious Wardrobe of a Victors show ) " Let him disrobe , and put on sackcloth too ; " The Oxe ( ordain'd for yoke ) the Asse ( for load ) " The Horse ( as well for race , as for the roade ) " The burthren-bearing Camell ( strong and great ) " The fruitfull Kine , and every kinde of Neate , " Let all put sackcloth on , and spare no voyce , " But cry aloud to heaven , with mighty noise ; " Let all men turne the bias of their wayes , " And change their fiercer hands to force of praise : " For who can tell , if God ( whose angry face " Hath long bin waining from us ) will embrace " This slender pittance of our best indeavour ? " Who knowes , if God will his intent persever ? " Or who can tell , if he ( whose tender love " Transcends his sharper Iustice ) will remove " And change his high decree , & turn his sentence " Vpon a timely , and unfain'd repentance ? " And who can tell , if heaven will change the lot , That we , and ours may live , and perish not ? So God perceiv'd their workes , & saw their waies , Approv'd the faith , that in their workes did blaze , Approv'd their works , approv'd their workes the rather because their faith & works went both together : He saw their faith , because their faith abounded ; He saw their works , because on faith they grounded He saw their faith , their workes , and so relented , H'approv'd their works , their faith , & so repented ; Repented of the plagues they apprehended ; Repented of the evill , that he intended : So God the vengeance of his hand withdrew , He tooke no forfeiture , although 't were due ; The evill , that once hee meant , he now forgot , Cancell'd the forfeit bond , and did it not .

Medita. 10. ¶ SEe , into what an ebbe of low estate The soule that seekes to be regenerate , Must first descend , before the ball rebound , It must be throwne with force against the ground ; The seed increases not in fruitfull eares , Nor can she reare the goodly stalke she beares , Vnlesse bestrow'd upon a mould of earth , And made more glorious by a second birth : So man , before his wisedome can bring forth The brave exploits of truly noble worth , Or hope the granting of his sinnes remission , He must be humbl'd ●●rst in sad contrition . The plant ( through want of skill , or by neglect ) If it be planted from the Sunnes reflect , Or lacke the dew of seasonable showres , Decayes , and beareth neither fruit , nor flowres : So wretched Man , if his repentance hath No quickning Sun-shine of a liuely Faith , Or not bedew'd with showres of timely teares , Or workes of mercy ( wherein Faith appeares ) His prayers and deeds , and all his forced groanes , Are like the howles of dogs , and works of Drones . The wise Chirurgeon , first ( by letting blood ) Weakens his Patient , ere he does him good ; Before the Soule can a true comfort finde , The body must be prostrate , and the minde Truly repentive , and contrite within . And loathe the fawning of a bosome sin . But Lord ! Can Man deserve ? Or can his best Doe Iustice equall right , which he transgrest ? When Dust and Ashes mortally offends , Can Dust and Ashes make eternall mends ? Is Heaven unjust ? Must not the recompence Be full equivalent to the offence ? What mends by mortall Man can then be given To the offended Majesty of Heaven ? O Mercy ! Mercy ! on thee my Soule relyes , On thee we build our Faith , we bend our eyes ; Thou fill'st my empty strain , thou fill'st my tongue ; Thou art the subject of my Swan-like song ; Like pinion'd pris'ners at the dying tree , Our lingring hopes attend and wait on thee ; ( Arrain'd at Iustice barre ) prevent our doome ; To thee with joyfull hearts wee cheerly come ; Thou art our Clergy ; Thou that dearest Booke , Wherein our fainting eyes desire to looke ; In thee , we trust to read ( what will release us ) In bloody Characters , that name of IESVS . ¶ What shall we then returne the God of heaven ? Where nothing is ( Lord ) nothing can be given ; Our soules , our bodies , strength , and all our pow'rs , ( Alas ! ) were all too little , were they ours : Or shall wee burne ( untill our life expires ) An endlesse Sacrifice in Holy fires ? ¶ My Sacrifice shall bee my HEART intire , My Christ the Altar , and my Zeale the Fire .

THE ARGVMENT . The Prophet discontented praye ▪ To God , that he would end his dayes ; God blames his wrath so unreprest , Reproves his unadvis'd request . Sect 11. BVt this displeasing was in Ionah's eyes , His heart grew hot , his blood began to rise , His eyes did sparkle , and his teeth strucke fire , His veines did boyle , his heart was full ire : At last brake forth into a strange request , These words he pray'd , and mumbl'd out the rest ; Was not , O was not this my though ! ( O Lord ) Before I fled ? Nay was not this my word , The very word , my jealous language vented , When this mis-hap might well have beene prevented ? Was there , O was there not a just suspect , My preaching would procure this effect ? For Lord , I knew of old , thy tender love ; I knew the pow'r , thou gav'st my tongue , would move Their Adamantine hearts ; I knew 't would thaw Their frozen spirits and breed relenting awe ; I knew ( great God ) upon their true repentance , That thou determin'dst to reverse thy sentence ; For well I knew , thou were a gracious God , Of long forbearance , slow to use the Rod ; I knew , the power of thy Mercies bent The strength of all thy other workes outwent ; I knew the tender kindnesse , and how loath Thou wert to punish , and how slow to wrath ; Turning by Iudgements , and thy plagues preventing , Thy minde rever sing , and of ev'll repenting : Therefore ( O therefore ) upon this perswasion , I fled to Tarshish , there to make evasion , To save thy credit ( Lord ) to save mine owne : For when this blast of zeale is over-blowne , And sackcloth left , and they surcease to mourne , When they ( like dogs ) shall to their vomit turne , They 'll vilipend thy Sacred Word , and scoffe it , Saying , was that a God , or this a Prophet ? They 'll scorne thy judgements , and thy threats despise , And call thy Prophets , Messengers of lyes . Now therefore ( Lord ) bow downe attentive eare , ( For ah my burthen's more than fl●sh can beare ) Make speed ( O Lord ) and banish all delayes , T' extinguish now the Taper of my dayes : Let not the minutes of my time extend , But let my wretched houres finde an end ; Let not my fainting spirits longer stay In this fraile mansion of distempered clay : The threds but weake , my life depends upon , O , cut that thred , and let my life be done ; My brest stands faire , strike then , and strike againe , For nought but dying can asswage my paine : O may I rather dye , than live in shame ; Better it is to leave , and yeeld the game , Than toyle for what , at length , must needs be lost ; O , kill me , for my heart is sore imbost : This latter boone unto thy servant give ; For better 't is for me , to dye than live . So wretched Ionah : But Iehovah thus ; What boot's it so to storme outragious : Becomes it thus my servants heart to swell : Can anger helpe thee , Ionah ? dost thou well ?

Medita. 12. HOw poore a thing is man ! How vain 's his mind ! How strange , how base ! & wav'ring like the wind How uncouth are his wayes ! how full of danger ! How to himselfe , is hee himselfe a stranger ! His heart 's corrupt , and all his thoughts are vaine , His actions sinfull , and his words prophane , His will 's deprav'd , his senses are beguil'd , His reason 's darke , his members all defil'd , His hasty feet are swift and prone to ill , His guilty hands are ever bent to kill , His tongue 's a spunge of venome , ( or of worse ) Her practice is to sweare his skill to curse ; His eyes are fire-bals of lustfull fire , And outward helps to inward foule desire , His body is a well-erected station , But full of folly and corrupted passion : Fond love ; and raging lust ; and foolish feares ; Griefes overwhelmed with immoderate teares ; Excessive joy ; prodigious desire , Vnholy anger , red and hot as fire ; These daily clog the soule , that 's fast in prison , From whose encrease this lucklesse b●ood is risen , Respectlesse pride , and lustfull idlenesse , Base ribbauld talke , and loathsome drunkennesse , Faithlesse Despaire , and vaine Curiosity ; Both false , yet double-tongu'd Hypocrisie ; Soft flattery , and haughty-ey'd Ambition ; Heart-gnawing Hatred , and squint-ey'd Suspition , Selfe-eating En●y , envious Detraction , Hopelesse distrust , and too-too sad Dejection ; Revengefull Malice , hellish Blasphemy , Idolatry , and light Inconstancy ; Daring Presumption , wry-mouth'd Derisson , Damned Apostasie , Fond superstition , ¶ What heedfull watch ? Ah what continuall ward ? How great respect , and howerly regard , Stands man in hand to have ; when such a brood Of furious hel-hounds seeke to suck his blood ? Day , night , and hower , they rebell and wrastle , And never cease , till they subdue the Castle . ¶ How slight a thing is man ? how fraile and brittle ? How seeming great is he ? How truly little ? Within the bosome of his holiest works , Some hidden Embers of old Ada● lurkes , Which oftentimes in men of purest wayes , Burst out in flame , and for a season blaze ¶ Lord , teach our hearts , and give our soules directions , Subdue our passions , curb our stout affections , Nip thou the bud , before the bloome begins : Lord , shield thy servants from presumptuous sins .

THE ARGVMENT . A Booth for shelter Iona● made ; God sent a Gourd for better shade ; But by the next approching light , God sent a Worme consum'd it quite . Sect. 12. SO Ionah ( sore opprest , and heavie-hearted ) From out the Cities circuit straight departed , Departed to the Easterne borders of it , Where sicke with anguish sate this sullen Prophet ; He built a Booth , and in the Booth he sate , ( Vntill some few dayes had expir'd their date With over-tedious pace ) where he might see , What would betide to threatned Nineveh . A trunke that wanteth sap , is soone decay'd ; The slender Booth of boughes and branches made , Soone yeelding to the Sun's consuming Ray , Crumbled to dust , and early dry'd away : Whereat , the great Iehovah spake the word , And over Ionah's head there sprang a Gourd , Whose roots were fixt within the quickning earth , Which gave it nourishment , as well as birth ; God raised up a Gourd , a Gourd should last , Let winde , or scorching Sun , or blow or blast : As coales of fier rak'd in embers lye Obscure , and undiscerned by the eye ; But being stirr'd , regaine a glimm'ring light , Revive , and glow , burning afresh and bright ; So Ionah 'gan to cheere through this reliefe , And joyfull was , devoyded all his griefe ; He joy'd to see that God had not forgot His drooping servant , and forsooke him not ; He joy'd , in hope the Gourds strange wonder will Perswade the people , hee 's a Prophet still ; The fresh aspect did much refresh his sight ; The herball savour gave his sense delight ; Thus Ionah much delighted in his Gourd , Enjoy'd the pleasures that it did affoord , But , Lord ! what earthly thing can long remaine ! How momentany are they ! and how vaine ! How vaine is earth , that man 's delighted in it ! Her pleasures rise , and vanish in a minit : How fleeting are the joyes , we finde below , Whose tides ( uncertaine ) oftner ebbe than flow ! For see ! this Gourd ( that was so faire , and sound ) Is quite consum'd , and eaten to the ground ; No sooner Titan had up-heav'd his head , From off the pillow of his Saffron bed , But heav'n prepar'd a silly , silly worme , ( Perchance brought thither by an Eastern storme ) The worme that must obey , and well knew how , Consum'd the Gourd , nor left it root , nor bough ; Consum'd it straight within a minutes space , Left nought , but ( sleeping ) Ionas in the place .

Medit. 12. ¶ THe pleasures of the world , ( which soon abate ) Are lively Emblemes of our owne estate , Which ( like a Banquet at a Fun'rall show ) But sweeten griefe , and serve to flatter woe . ¶ Pleasure is fleeting still , and makes no stay , It lends a smile or twaine , and steales away : ¶ Man's life is fickle , full of winged haste , It mockes the sense with joy and soone does waste : ¶ Pleasure does crown thy youth , & Iuls thy wants ; But ( sullen age approaching ) straight avaunts : ¶ Man's life is joy , and sorrow seekes to banish , It doth lament and mourne in age , and vanish . ¶ The time of pleasure 's like the life of Man ; Both joyfull , both contained in a span ; Both highly priz'd , and both on sudden lost , When most we trust them , they deceive us most ; What fit of madnesse makes us love them thus ▪ We leave our lives , and pleasure leaveth us : Why , what is pleasure ? But a golden dreame , Which ( waking ) makes our wants the more extreme ? And what is Life ? A bubble full of care , Which ( prickt by death ) straight empties into ayre : The flowers ( clad in farre more rich aray , Than e're was Salomon ) doe soone decay ; What thing more sweet , or fairer then a flowre ? And yet it bloomes , and fades within an houre ; What greater pleasure then a rising Sun ? Yet is this pleasure every evening done : But thou art heyre to Croesus , and thy treasure Being great , and endlesse , endlesse is thy pleasure ; But thou ( thou Croesus heyre ) consider must , Thy wealth , and thou , came from , and goes to dust ; Another's noble , and his name is great , And takes his place vpon a lofty seat ; True 't is , but yet his many wants are such , That better 't were he were not knowne so much . Another binds his soule in Hymens knot , His Spouse is chast , unblemisht with a spot , But yet his comfort is bedasht , and done , His grounds are stockt , and now he wants a sonne ¶ How fickle and unconstant's Mans estate ! Man fain would have , but then he knows not what ; And having , rightly knowes not how to prize it , But like that foolish Dunghill-cock imployes it ; But who desires to live a life content , Wherein his Cruze of joy shall ne're be spent , With fierce pursuit , let him that good desire , Whose date no change , no fortune can expire . For that 's not worth the craving , to obtaine A happinesse , that must be lost againe ; Nor that , which most doe covet most , is best ; Best are the goods , mixt with contented rest ; Gasp not for honour , wish no blazing glory , For these will perish in an ages story ; Nor yet for power ; power may be carv'd To fooles , as well as thee , that hast deserv'd . Thirst not for Lands nor Money ; wish for none , For wealth is neither lasting , nor our owne : Riches are faire inticements to deceive us ; They flatter , while we live , and dying , leave us .

THE ARGVMENT . Ionas desires to die , the Lord Rebukes him , be maintaines his word , His anger hee doth justifie , God pleads the cause for Ninevie : Sect. 13. WHen ruddy Phoebus had with morning light Subdu'd the East , & put the stars to flight , Heav'ns hand prepar'd a servent Easterne winde , Whose drought together with the Sun combin'd , The one as bellowes blowing t'others fire , With strong united force , did both con●pire To make assault upon the fainting head Of helplesse Ionah , that was well nye dead , Who turning oft , and tossing to and fro , ( As they that are in torments use to doe ) And ( restlesse ) finding no successe of ease , But rather that his tortures still encrease ; His secret passion to his soule betraid , Craving no sweeter boone then death , and said , O kill me ( Lord ) or loe , my heart will rive ; For better 't is for me to dye than live . So said , The Lord did interrupt his passion , And said , How now , is this a seemely fashion ? Doth it become my servants heart to swell ? Can anger helpe thee ? Ionah , dost thou well ? Is this a ●it speech ? or a well-plac'd word ? What , art thou angry ( Ionah ) for a Gourd ? What , if th' Arabians with their ruder traine , Had kild thine Oxen , and thy Cattell sl●ine ? What if consuming fier ( falne from heaven ) Had all thy servants of their lives bereaven , And burnt thy sheepe ? What , if by strong oppression The Chaldees had usurp'd unjust possession Vpon thy Camels ? Or had Boreas blowne His full-mouth'd blast , and cast thy houses downe , And sl●ine thy sonnes amid their jollities ? Or hadst thou lost thy Vineyard full of trees ? Hadst thou beene ravisht of thine onely Sheepe , That in thy tender bosome us'd to sleepe ? How would thine ●asty spirit then bin stirr'd , If thou art angry , Ionah , for a Gourd ? To which , thus Ionah vents his idle breath , Lord , I doe well to vexe unto the death ; I blush not to acknowledge , and professe Deserved rage , I 'm angry , I ●onfesse ; ‛ I would make a spirit that is thorow frozen , To blaze like flaming Pitch , and fry like Rozen : Why dost thou aske that thing that thou canst ●ell ? Thou know'st I 'm angry ' , and it beseemes me well . So said ; the Lord to Ionah thus respake ; Doest thou bemoane , and such compassion take Vpon a Gourd , whose seed thou didst not sow , Nor mov'd thy busie hands to make it grow , Whose beauty , small ; and value was but slight , Which sprang , as also perisht in a night ? Hadst thou ( O dust and ashes ) such a care , Such in-bred pitty , 'a trifling plant to spare ? Hadst thou , ( O hard and incompassionate , To wish the razing of so brave a State ) Hadst thou ( I say ) compassion to bewaile The extirpation of a Gourd so fraile ? And shall not I ( that am the Lord of Lords ) Whose Fountain's never dry , but still affords Sweet streames of mercy , with a fresh supply , To those that thirst for grace : What shall not I , ( That am the God of mercy , and have sworne To pardon sinners , whensoe're they turne ? ( I say ) shall I disclaime my wonted pitty , And bring to ruine such a goodly City , Whose hearts ( so truely penitent ) implore me , Who day and night powre forth their soules before me ? Shall I destroy the mighty Ninevie , Whose people are like sands about the Sea ? 'Mong which are sixe score thousand Babes ( at least ) That bang upon their tender Mothers brest , Whose pretty smiles could never yet descry The deare affection of their mothers eye ? Shall I subvert , and bring to desolation A City , ( nay , more aptly term'd a Nation ) Whose walls boast lesse their beauty than their might ? Whose hearts are sorrowfull , and soules contrite ? Whose Infants are in number , so amounting ? And beasts , and cottell endlesse , without counting ? What , Ionah , shall a Gourd so move thy pity ? And shall not I spare such a goodly Citie ?

Meditatio ultima . MY heart is full , my vent is too too straight ; My tongue 's too trusty to my poore conceit ▪ My mind's in labour , and finds no redresse ; My heart conceives , my lips cannot expresse ; MY organs suffer , through a maine defect ; Alas ! I want a proper Dialect , To blazon forth the tythe of what I muse ; The more I meditate , the more accrewes ; But Io , my faultring tongue must say no more , Vnlesse she step where she hath trod before . What ? sha●● I then be silent ? No , I le speake ( Till tongue be tyred , and my lungs be weake ) Of dearest mercy , in as sweet a straine , As it shall please my ●use to lend a vaine ; And when my voice shall stop within her source , And speech shall faulter in this high Discourse , My tyred tongue ( unsham'd ) shall thus extend , Onely to name , Deare Mercy , and so end . ¶ Oh high Imperiall King , heavens Architect ! Is Man a thing befitti●g thy ●espect ? Lord , thou art Wisedome , and thy wayes are holy , But Man 's polluted , full of filch , and folly ; Yet is he ( Lord ) the tabricke of thy hand , And in his Soule he beares thy glorious Brand , Howe're defaced with the rust of Sin , Which hath abus'd thy stamp , and eaten in ; 'T is not the frailty ' of Mans corrupted nature , Makes thee asham'd t' acknowledge Man thy Creature ; But like a tender Father , here on earth , ( Whose Childe by nature , or abortive birth , Doth want that sweet and favourable relish , Wherewith , her creatures , Nature doth imbelish ) Respects him nerethelesse ; even so thy Grace ( Great God ) extends to Man ; though sin deface The glorious pourtraiture that man doth beare , Whereby he loath'd and ugly doth appeare , Yet thou , ( within whose tender bowels are Deepe gulfes of Mercy , sweet beyond compare ) Regard'st , and ●ov'st ( with rev'rence ●e it said ) Nay seem'st to dote on Ma● ; when he hath straid , Lord , thou hast bro●ght him to his Fold againe ; When he was lost , thou didst not then disdaine To thinke upon a vagabond , and give Thy dearest Sonne to dye , that he might live . How poore a mite art thou content withall , That ●an may ●cape his downe●approching fall ? Though base we are , yet thou dost not abhorre us , But ( as our Story speaks ) art pleading for us , To save us harmelesse from our Foe-mans jawes ; Art thou turn'd Orator to plead our cause ? ¶ How are thy Mercies full of admiration ! How soveraigne ! how sweet 's their application ! Fatning the Soule with sweetnesse , and repayring The rotten ruines of a Soule despairing . ¶ Lo here ( Malfido ) is a Feast prepar'd ; Fall to with courage , and let nought be spar'd ; Tast freely of it , Here 's no Misers Feast ; Eate what thou canst , and pocket up the rest : These precious Viands are Restoritie , Eate then ; and if the sweetnesse make thee drie , Drinke large Carouses out of Mercies Cup , The best lies in the bottome , Drinke all up : These Cates are sweet Ambrosia to thy Soule , And that which fills the brim of Mercies bowle , Is dainty Nectar ; Eate and drinke thy fill ; Spare not the one , nor yet the other spill ; Provide in time : Thy Banquet is begun , Lay up in store against the Feast be done : For loe , the time of banquetting is short , And once being done , the world cannot restor't ; It is a feast of Mercy , and of Grace ; It is a Feast for all , or high , or base : A feast for him that begs upon the way , As well for him that does the Scepter sway ; A feast for him that howerly bemoanes His dearest sins , with sighs , and teares and groane● ; A feast for him , whose gentle heart reformes ; A feast for MEN ; and so a FEAST FOR WORMES ▪ ¶ Deare liefest Lord , that feast'st the World with grac● , Extend thy bounteous hand , thy glorious face : Bid ioyfull welcome to thy hungry guest , That we may praise the Master of the Feast ; And in thy mercy grant this boone to mee , That I may dye to sinne , and live to thee . S. AMBROSE . Misericordia est plenitudo omnium virtutum . FINIS .

THE GENERALL VSE OF this HISTORY . ¶ WHen as the ancient world did all imbark Within the compass of good Noahs Arke , Forth to the new-washt earth a Dove was sent , Who in her mouth return'd an Olive plant , Which in a silent language this related : How that the waters were at length abated , Those swelling waters , is the wrath of God , And like the Dove , are Prophets sent abroad ; The Olive-leafe's a joyfull Type of peace , A faithfull signe Gods vengeance doth decrease ; They salve the wounded heart , and make it whole , They bring glad tydings to the drooping soule , Proclaiming grace to them that thirst for Grace , Mercy to those that Mercy will embrace . ¶ Malfido , thou , in whose distrustfull brest Despaire hath brought in sticks to build her nest , Where she may safely lodge her lucklesse brood , To feed upon thy heart , and sucke thy blood , Beware betimes , lest custome and permission Prescribe a title , and so claime possession . ¶ Despairing man , whose burthen makes thee stoop Vnder the terror of thy sinnes , and droop Through dull despaire , whose too too sullen griefe Makes heav'n unable to apply reliefe ; Whose eares are dull'd with noyse of whips and chaines ; And yels of damned soules , through tort'red pains , Come here , and rouze thy selfe , un●eele those eyes , Which sad Despaire clos'd up ; Arise , Arise , And goe to Nineveh , the worlds great Palace , Earths mighty wonder , and behold the Ballace , And burthen of her bulke , is nought but sin , Which ( wilfull ) she commits , and wallowes in ; Behold her Images , her fornications , Her crying sinnes , her vile abominations ; Behold the guiltlesse blood that she did spill , Like Spring-tides in the streets , and reeking still : Behold her scorching lusts , and taint desier Like sulph'rous Aetna , blaze , and blaze up higher ; She rapes , and rends , and theeves , & there is none Can justly call the thing he hath , his owne ; That sacred Name of God , that Name of wonder , In stead of worshipping , she teares in sunder ; She 's not enthrall'd to this Sin , or another , But like a Leper's all infected over ; Not onely sinfull , but in sinnes subjection , Shee 's not infected , but a meere infection . No sooner had the Prophet ( Heav'ns great Spy ) Begun an onset to his lowder Cry , But she repented , sigh'd , and wept , and tore Her curious hayre , and garments that she wore , She sate in ashes , and with Sack-cloth clad her , All drencht in brine , that griefe cannot be sadder ; She calls a Fast , proclames a prohibition To man and beast ; ( sad tokens of contrition ) No sooner pray'd , but heard ; No sooner groan'd , But pittied ; No sooner griev'd but moan'd ; Timely Repentance speedy grace procur'd , The sore that 's salvd in time , is eas'ly cur'd : No sooner had her trickling teares ore-flowne Her blubber'd cheeks , but heav'n was apt to mone Her pensive heart , wip'd her suffused eyes , And gently strok'd her cheekes , and bid her rise ; No faults were seene as if no fault had bin , Deare Mercy made a Quittance for her sin . ¶ Malfido , rouze thy leaden spirit , bestirre thee ; Hold up thy drouzy head , here 's comfort for thee What if thy zeale be frozen hard ? What then ? Thy Saviours blood will thaw that frost agen : Thy pray'rs that should be servent , hot as fier , Proceed but coldly from a dull desier ; What then ? Grieve inly , But do not dismay , Who heares thy pray'rs , will give thee strength to pray : Though left a while , thou art not quite giv'n ore , Where Sinne abounds , there Grace aboun●eth more : This , this is all the good that I can doe thee , To ease thy griefe , I here commend unto thee A little booke , but a great Mystery , A great delight , A little History ; A little branch slipt from a saving tree , But bearing fruit as great , as great mought be ; A small abridgement of thy Lords great love ; A message sent from heaven by a Dove : It is a heavenly Lecture , that relates To Princes , Pastors , People , all Estates Their sev'rall duties . ¶ Peruse it well , and binde it to thy brest , The rests the Cause of thy defect of rest : But read it often , or else read it not : Once read , is not observ'd , and soone forgot , Nor is 't enough to read , but understand , Or else thy tongue , for want of wit 's prophan'd , Nor is 't enough to purchase knowledge by it ; Salve heales no sore , unlesse the party ' apply it ; Apply it then ; which if thy flesh restraines , Strive what thou canst , & pray for what remaines .

The particular Application . ¶ THen thou , that art opprest with sad Despaire , Here shalt thou see the strong effect of pray'r : Then pray with faith ▪ & ( servent ) without ceasing ( Like Iacob ) wrestle , till thou get a blessing . ¶ Here shalt thou see the type of Christ thy Saviour ; Then let thy suits be through his name and favour , ¶ Here shalt thou finde repentance and true griefe Of sinners like thy selfe , and their beliefe ; Then suit thy griefe to theirs , and let thy soule Cry mightily , untill her wounds be whole . ¶ Here shalt thou see the meeknesse of thy God , Who on Repentance turnes , and burnes the Rod ; Repents of what he purpos'd , and is sorry ; Here may ye heare him stoutly pleading for ye : Then thus shall be thy meed , if thou repent , In stead of plagues and direfull punishment , Thou shalt find mercy , love , and Heav'ns applause , And God of Heav'n ( himselfe ) will plead thy cause . ¶ Here hast thou then compil'd within this treasure , First , the Almighties high and just displeasure Against foule sinne , or such as sinfull be , Or Prince , or poore , or high or low degree . ¶ Here is descri'd the beaten Road to Faith : ¶ Here maist thou see the force that Preaching hath ¶ Here is describ'd in ( briefe but ) full expression , The nature of a Convert , and his passion : His sober Dyet , which is thin and spare ; His clothing , which is Sack-cloth ; and his Prayre Not faintly sent to heaven , nor spatingly , But piercing , ●ervent , and a mighty cry : ¶ Here maist thou see how Pray'r , & true repentance Do strive with God , prevaile , and turn his sentence From strokes to stroking , & from plagues infernall ▪ To boundlesse Mercies , and to life Eternall . ¶ Till Zephyr lend my Barke a second Gale , I slip mine Anchor , and I strike my saile . FINIS . O dulcis Salvator Mundi ! ultima verba quae tu dixisti in Cruce , sint ultima mea verba in Luce ; & quando amplius effari non possum , exaudi tu cordis mei desiderium .

A HYMNE to GOD. WHo gives me then an Adamantine quill ? A marble tablet ? And a Davids skill ? To blazon forth the praise of my deare Lord In deepe-grav'n Characters , upon record To last , for times etc●nall processe , suer , So long , as Sunne , and Moone , and Starres endure : Had I as many mouthes , as Sands there are , Had I a nimble tongue for every Starre , And every word I speake , a Character , And every minutes time ten Ages were , To chaunt forth all thy prayse it no'te availe , For tongues , & words , and time and all would faile : Much lesse can I , poore Weakling , tune my tongue , To take a taske befits an Angels song ; Sing what thou canst ▪ when thou canst sing no more Weepe then as fast , that thou canst sing no more , Beblurre thy booke with teares , and go thy wayes , For every blurre will prove a booke of prayse . Thine eye that viewes the moving Spheares above Let it give praise to him that makes them move : Thou riches hast ; Thy hands that hold , & have them , Let them give praise to him , that freely gave them : Thine armes defend thee ; then for recompence , Let them praise him , that gave thee such defence : Thy tongue was given to praise thy Lord , the Giver ; Then , let thy tongue praise highest God for ever : Faith comes by hearing , & thy Faith will save thee ; Then let thine cars prais him that hearing gave thee : Thy bea rt is beg'd by him whose hands did make it , My Sonne , Give me thy Heart ; Lord , free●y take it : Eyes , ●ands , and armes , tongues , eares and hearts of men Sing praise , and let the people say , Amen . ¶ Tune you your Instruments , and let them vary , Praise him upon them in his Sanctuary , Praise him within the highest Firmament , Which shewes his Power , and his Government ; Praise him for all his mighty Acts are knowne , And suit thy praises to his high Renowne , Praise him with Trump victorious , shrill , & sharpe , With Psaltry lowd , and many-stringed Harpe , With sounding Timbrell , and the warbling Flute , With ( Musicks full Interpreter ) the Lute ; Praise him upon the Maiden Virginalls , Vpon the Clerick Organs , and Cymballs , Vpon the sweet Majestick Vyalls touch , Double your joyes , and let your prayse be such ; Let all , in whom is life and breath , give praise To heav'ns eternall God , in endlesse dayes ; Let every Soule , to whom a voyce is given , Sing Holy , Holy , Holy , Lord of Heaven ; For loe , a Lambe is found , that undertooke To break the seven-fold-Seale , & ope the BOOK● , ¶ O let my life adde number to my dayes , To shew thy glory , and to sing thy praise ; Let every minute in thy praise be spent , Let every head be bare , and knee be bent To thee ( deare Lambe , ) ▪ Who ere thy praises hide , Clos'd be his Lippes , and tongue for ever ty'de . Hallelujah . Gloria DEO in excelsis .

ELEVEN PIOVS Meditations . 1. ¶ WIthin the holy Legend I discover Three speciall Attributes of God ; his Power , His Iustice , and his Mercy , All uncreated , Eternall all , and all unseparated From Gods pure Essence , and from thence proceeding ; All very God , All perfect , All exceeding : And from that selfe-same text three names I gather Of great lehova ; Lord , and God , and Father ; The first denotes him mounted on his Throne , In Power , Majesty , Dominion ; The second shewes him on his kingly Bench , Rewarding Evill with equall punishments ; The third describes him on his Mercy-seat , Full great in Grace ; and in his Mercy , great ; ¶ All three I worship , and before all three My heart shall humbly prostrate , with my knee ; But in my private choice , I fancy rather , Then call him Lord , or God , to call him Father . 2. ¶ IN hell no Life , in heaven no Death there is , In earth both Life and Death , both Bale and Blis ▪ In Heaven 's all Life , no end , nor new supplying ; In hell 's all Death , and yet there is no dying ; Earth ( like a partiall Ambidexter ) doth Prepare for Death , or Life , prepares for both ; Who lives to sinne , in Hell his portion 's given , Who dyes to sinne , shall after live in Heaven . ¶ Though Earth my Nurse be , Heaven , bee thou my Father , Ten thousand deaths let me endure rather Within my Nurses armes , then One to Thee ; Earths honour with thy frownes is death to mee : I live on Earth , as on a Stage of sorrow ; Lord , if thou pleasest , end the Play to morrow : I live on Earth , as in a Dreame of pleasure , Awake me when thou wilt , I wait thy leisure : I live on Earth , but as of life bereaven , My life 's with thee , for ( Lord ) thou art in Heaven . 3. NOthing that e'r was made was made for nothing Beasts for thy food , their skins were for thy clothing , Flowers for thy smell , and ●earbs for Cure good Trees for thy shade , Their Fruit for pleasing Food : The showers fall upon the fruitfull ground , Whose kindly Dew makes tender Grasse abound , The Grasse springs forth for beasts to feed upon , And Beasts are food for Man : but Man alone Is made to serve his Lord in all his wayes , And be the Trumpet of his Makers praise : ¶ Let Heav'n be then to me obdure as brasse , The Earth as iron , unapt for graine or grasse , Then let my Flocks consume , and never steed mee , Let pinching Famine want wherewith to feed mee , When I forget to honour thee , ( my Lord ) Thy glorious Attributes , thy Workes , thy Word . O let the Trump of thine eternall Fame , Teach us to answer , Hallow'd be thy Name . 4. ¶ GOd built the World , and all that therein is He framed , yet how poore a part is his ? Quarter the Earth , and see , how small a rome Is stiled with the name of Christe● dome ; The rest ( through blinded ignorance ) rebels , O're-runne with Pagans , Turkes , and Infidels : Nor yet is all this little quarter his , For ( though all know him ) halfe know him amisse , Professing Chr●●● for lucre , ( as they l●st ) And serve the triple Crowne of An●●●hrist ; Yet is this little handfull much made lesser , There 's many L●●ertines , for one Pr●fessour : Nor doe Professours all professe aright , ‛ Mong ' whom there often lurks an Hypocrite . ¶ O where , and what 's thy Kingdome ( blessed God ) Where is thy Scepter ? where 's thine iron Rod ? Reduce thy reck'nings to their totall summe , O let thy Power , and thy kingdome come . 5. ¶ MAN in himselfe 's a little World , Alone , His Soul 's the Court , or high Imperiall throne Wherein as Empresse sits the Vnderstan●ing Gently directing , yet with awe Commanding : Her Handmaid's will : Affections , Maids of Honour , All following close , and duely waiting on her : But Sin , that alwayes envi'd mans Condition , Within this Kingdome raised up Division ; Withdrawne the Will , and brib'd the false Affection , That This , no order hath ; nor That Election ; The Will proves Traitor to the Vnderstanding ; Reason hath lost her power , and left commanding , She 's quite depos'd , and put to foule disgrace , And Tyrant Passion now usurps her place . ¶ Vouchsafe ( Lord ) in this little World of mine To raigne , that I may raigne with Thee in thine : And since my Will is quite of good bereaven , Thy will be done in earth , as 't is in Heaven . 6 ¶ WHo live to sin , are all but theeves to hear̄ And Earth ; They steale from God , & take ungiven , Good men they rob , & such as live upright , And ( being bastards ) share the freemans Right : They 're all as owners , in the owners stead , And ( like to Dogs ) devoure the childrens bread ; They have , and lacke , and want that they possesse , Vnhappy most , in their most happinesse : They are not goods , but riches , that they wast , And not be●ng goods , to ev'ls they turne at last . ¶ ( Lord ) what I have , let me enjoy in thee , And thee in it , or else take it from mee ; My store or want , make thou , or fade , or flourish , So shall my comforts neither change , nor perish ; That little I enjoy , ( Lord ) make it mine , In making mee ( that am a Sinner ) thine ; 'T is thou or none , that shall supply my need , Great God , Give us this day our daily bread . 7. ¶ THe quick conceited Schoole-men doe approve A difference 'twixt Charity and Love : Love is a vertue , whereby we explaine Our selves to God , and God to us againe : But Charitie 's imparted to our Brother , Whereby we trafficke , one man with another : The first extends to God ; The last belongs To Man , in giving right , and bearing wrongs ; In number , they are twaine , In vertue one ; For one not truely being , t' other's none . ¶ In loving God , if I neglect my Neighbour , My love hath lost his proofe , and I my labour : My Zeale , my Faith , my Hope , that never failes me , ( If Charity be wanting ) nought a vailes me . ¶ ( Lord ) in my Soule , a spirit of Love create me , And I will love my Brother , if he hate me : In nought but love , let me envy my betters ; And then , Forgive my debts , as I my detters . 8. ¶ I Finde a true resemblance in the growth Of Sin , and Man ; A like in breeding , both ; The Soul 's the Mother , and the Devill , Syer ; Who lusting long in mutuall desier Enjoy their Wils , and joyne in Copulation ; The Seed that fils her wombe , is foule Tentation ; The sinnes Conception , is the Soules co●sent ; And then it quickens , when it breeds content ; The birth of Sin is finisht in the action , And Custome brings it to its full perfection . ¶ O let my fruitlesse Soule be barren rather , Then bring forth such a Child for such a Father : Or if my Soule breed Sinne ( not being wary ) Let not her wombe bring forth , or else miscarry ; She is thy Spouse ( O Lord ) doe thou advise her , Keepe thou her chast , Let not the Fiend entice her : Try thou my heart , Thy Trials bring Salvation . But let me not be led into temptation . 9. ¶ FOrtune ( that blinde supposed Goddesse ) is Still rated at , if ought suceed amisse ; 'T is shee ( the vaine abuse of Providence ) That beares the blame , when others make th' offence ; When this mans barne finds not her wonted store , Fortun 's cond●mn'd , because she sent no more ; If this man dye , or that man live too long , Fortun 's accus'd , and she hath done the wrong ; Ah foolish Dolls and ( like ●our Goddesse ) blinde ! You make the fault , and call your Saint unkinde ; For when the cause of Ev'll begins in Man , Th' effect ensues from whence the cause began ; Then know the reason of thy discontent , Thy ev'll of Sinne , makes the Ev'll of punishment . ¶ ( Lord ) hold me up , or spurre mee when I fall ; So shall my Ev'll bee just , or not at all : Defend me from the World , the Flesh , the Devill , And so thou shalt deliver me from Evill . 10. ¶ THe Priestly Skirts of A'rons holy coate I kisse ; and to my morning Muse devote : Had never King , in any age , or Nation , Such glorious Robes , set forth in such a fashion , With Gold , and Gemmes , and Silks of Princely Dye , And Stones befitting more than Majesty : The Persian Sophies , and rich Shaeba's Queene Had n'er the like , nor e'r the like had seene ; Vpon the Skirts ( in order as they fell ) First , a Pomegranat was , and then a Bell ; By each Pomegranat did a Bell appeare ; Many Pomegranats , many Bels there were ; Pomegranats nourish , Bels doe make a sound ; As blessings fall , Thanksgiving must rebound . ¶ If thou wilt cloth my heart with A'rons tyer , My tongue shall praise , as well as heart desier . My tongue , and pen , shall dwell upon thy Story , ( Great God ) for thine is Kingdome , Power , Glory . 11. ¶ THe Ancient Sophists , that were so precise , ( and oftentimes ( perchance ) too curious nice ) Averre , that Nature hath bestow'd on Man , Three perfect Soules : When this I truly scan , Me thinks , their Learning swath'd in Errour , lyes ; They were not wise enough , and yet too wise ; Too curious wise , because they mention more Then one ; Not wise enough , because not foure ; Nature , not Grace , is Mistris of their Schooles ; Grace counts them wisest , that are veriest Fooles : Three Soules in man ? Grace doth a fourth allow , The Soule of Faith : But this is Greeke to you : 'T is Faith that makes man truly wise ; 'T is Faith Makes him possesse that thing he never hath . ¶ This Glorious Soule of Faith bestow on me , ( O Lord ) or else take thou the other three : Faith makes men lesse then Children , more then Men , It makes the Soule cry Abba , and Amen . The End .

PENTELOGIA .

Morstua , Mors Christi , Fraus Mundi , Gloria Coeli , Et D●lor Inferni , sunt meditanda tibi . Thy death , the death of Christ , the worlds tentation ; Heavens joy , hels torment , be thy meditation .

LONDON , Printed for IOHN MARRIOT . 1632.

Mors tua . 1. ¶ ME thinkes , I see the nimble-aged Sire Passe swiftly by , with feet unapt to tire ; Vpon his head an Hower-glasse he weares , And in his wrinkled hand a Sythe he beares , ( Both Instruments , to take the lives from Men ) Th' one shewes with what , the other sheweth when . Me thinkes I heare the dolefull Passing-bell , Setting an onset on his louder knell ; ( This moody musick of impartiall Death Who dances after , dances out of breath . ) Me thinkes I see my dearest friends lament , With sighs , and teares , and wofull dryriment , My tender Wife , and Children standing by , Dewing the Death-bed , whereupon I lie : Me thinkes , I heare a voyce ( in secret ) say , Thy glasse is runne , and thou must die to day .

Mors Christi . 2. ¶ ANd am I here , and my Redeemer gone ? Can He be dead , and is not my life done ? Was he tormented in excesse of measure , And doe I live yet ? and yet live in pleasure ? Alas ! could Sinners finde out ne're a one , More fit than Thee , for them to spit upon ? Did thy cheekes entertaine a Traylors lips ? Was thy deare body scourg'd , and torne with whips ? So that the guiltlesse blood came trickling after ? And did thy fainting browes sweat blood and water ? Wert thou ( Lord ) hang'd upon the Cursed Tree ? O world of griefe ! And was all this for me ? ¶ Burst forth , my teares , into a world of sorrow , And let my nights of griefe finde ne're a morrow ; Since thou art dead ( Lord ) grant thy servant roome , Within his heart , to build thy heart a Tombe .

Fraus Mundi . 3. ¶ WHat is the World ? a great exchange of war● , Wherein all sorts , & sexes cheapning art , The Flesh , the Devill sit , and cry , What lacke ye ? When most they fawn , they most intend to rack ye The wares , are cups of Ioy , and beds of Pleasure , Ther 's goodly choice , down weight , & flowing me●sure , A soul 's the price , but they give time to pay , Vpon the Death-bed , on the dying day . ¶ Hard is the bargaine , and unjust the measure , When as the price so much out-lasts the pleasure : The joyes that are on earth , are counterfaits ; If ought be true , 't is this , Th' are true deceits : They flatter , fawne , and ( like the Crocodile ) Kill where they laugh , and murther where they smile ▪ They daily dip within thy Dish , and cry , Who hath betraid thee ? Master , Is it I ?

Gloria Coeli . 4. ¶ WHen I behold , and well advise upon The Wisemans speech , There 's nought beneath the Sun , But vanity , my soule rebels within , And lothes the dunghill prison she is in : But when I looke to new Ierusalem , Wherein 's reserv'd my Crown , my Diadem , O what a Heaven of blisse my Soule enjoyes , On sudden rapt into that heaven of Ioyes ! Where ravisht ( in the depth of meditation ) She well discernes , with eye of contemplation , The glory ' of God , in his Imperiall Seat , Full strong in Might , in Majesty compleat , Where troops of Powers , Vertues , Cherubims , Angels , Archangels , Saints , and Seraphims , Are chaunting prayses to their heavenly King , Where Hallelujah they for ever sing .

Dolor Inferni . 5. ¶ LEt Poets please to torture Tanialus , Let griping Vultures gnaw Prometheus , And let poore Ixion turne his endlesse wheele , Let Nemesis torment with whips of steele ; They far come short , t' expresse the paines of those That rage in Hell , enwrapt in endlesse woes ; Where time no end , and plagu●s finde no exemption ; Where cryes admit no helpe , nor place redemption ; Where fier lacks no flame , the flame no beat , To make their torments sharpe , and plagues complea● ▪ Where wretched Soules to tortures bound shall be● , Serving a world of yeares , and not be Fre● ; Where nothing's heard but yells , and sudden cryes ; Where ●ier never flakes , nor Worme e're dyes : But where this Hell is plac'd ( my Muse ) stop there ; Lord , shew me what it is , but never where .

Mors tua . 1. ¶ CAn he be faire , that withers at a blast ? Or he be strong , that ayery Breath can cast ▪ Can he be wise , that knowes not how to live ? Or hee be rich , that nothing hath to give ? Can he be young , that 's feeble , weake , and wan ? So faire , strong , wise , so rich , so young is m●n : So faire is Man , that Death ( a parting Blast ) Blasts his faire flow'r , and makes him Earth at last ; So strong is Man , that with a gasping Breath Hee totters , and bequeathes his strength to Deat● , So wise is Man , that if with Death he strive , His wisedome cannot teach him how to live ; So rich is Man , that ( all his Debts b'ing paid ) His wealth 's the winding-sheet wherein he 's laid : So yong is Man , that ( broke with care and sorrow ) He 's old enough to day , to Dye to morrow : Why brag'st thou then , thou worm of five-foot long ▪ Th' art neither faire , nor strong , nor wise , nor rich nor 〈◊〉 ▪

Mors Christi . 2. I Thurst ; and who shall quench this eager Thurst ? I grieve ; and with my griefe my heart will burst ; I grieve , because I thurst without reliefe ; I thurst , because my Soule is burnt with griefe ; I thurst ; and ( dry'd with griefe ) my heart will dye ; I grieve , and thurst the more , for Sorrow's dry : The more I grieve , the more my thurst appeares : Would God I had not griev'd out all my teares ; I thurst ; and yet my griefes have made a Floud ; But teares are salt ; I grieve , and thurst for blood ; I grieve for blood , must send reliefe ; I thurst for blood , for blood for blood must ease my griefe ; I thurst for sacred blood of a deare Lambe ; I grieve to thinke from whence that deare blood came ; 'T was shed for me , O let me drinke my fill , Although my griefe remaine entier still : O soveraigne pow'r of that Vermilian Spring , Whose vertue , neither heart conceives , nor tongue can sing .

Fraus Mundi . 3. I Love the World ( as Clients love the Lawes ) To manage the uprightnesse of my Cause ; The World loves me , as Shepheards doe their flockes , To rob , and spoile them of their fleecy lockes ; I love the World , and use it as mine Inne , To bait , and rest my tyred sarkeise in : The World loves me : For what ? To make her 〈◊〉 ▪ For filthy sinne , she sels me timely shame ; She 's like the Basiliske , by whose sharpe eyes The living object , first discover'd , dyes ; Forth from her eyes empoysoned beames do dur●● Dyes like a Basiliske , discerned first ; We live at jarres as froward Gamesters doe , Still guarding , nor regarding others foe ; I love the World , to serve my turne , and leave her , 'T is no deceit to co●zen a Deceiver ; She 'll not misse me ; I , lesse the world shall misse , To lose a world of griefe , t' enjoy a world of Bl●sse .

Gloria Coeli . 4. EArth stands immov'd , and fixt ; her situation Admits no locall change , no alteration , Heaven alway moves , renewing still his place , And ever sees us with another Face ; Earth standeth fixt , yet there I live opprest ; Heaven alway mooves , yet there is all my rest : Enlarge thy selfe , my Soule , with meditation , Mount there , and there bespeake thy habitatio● ; Where joies are full , & pure , not mixt with mourni●● All endlesse , and from which is no returning ; No theft , no cruell murther harbours there , No hoary-headed - Care , no sudden Feare , No pinching want , no ( griping-fast ) oppression , Nor Death the stipend of our first transgression : But dearest Friendship , Love , and lasting Pl●●sure , Still there abides , without or stint , or measure ; Fulnesse of Riches , comf●●●t sempeternall , Excesse without a surfetting ; And Life Eternall .

Dolor Inferni . 5. THe Trump shall blow , the dead ( awak'd ) shal rise , And to the Clouds shall turn their wondring eies ; The heav'ns shal ope , the Bridegroom forth shal come , To judge the World , and give the World her doome : Ioy to the Iust , to others endlesse smart ; To those the Voyce bids Come ; to these , Depart ; Depart from Life , yet ( dying ) live for ever ; For ever dying be , and yet Dye never ; Depart like Dogs , with Devils take your lot ; Depart like Devils , for I know you not ; Like Dogs , like Devils goe , Goe howle and barke ; Depart in darknesse , for your deeds were darke ; Let r●aring be your Musicke , and your Food Be flesh of Vipers , and your drinke , their blood ; Let Fiends afflict you , with Reproach and Shame , Depart , depart into Eternall Flame : If Hell the Guerdon then of Sinners be , ( Lord give me Hell on earth , ( Lord ) give mee heav'n with thee . — w — w — Iam de●ine Tibia versus . FINIS .

Hadassa .

Horat. Ode 6. ●onamur tenues , grandia ; nec pudor , ●mbellisque Lyrae Musapotens vetat .

By Fra. Quarles .

LONDON , Printed for IOHN MARRIOT . 1632.

A PREFACE TO THE READER .

A Sober veine best suits Theologie : If therefore thou expect'st such Elegancy as takes the times , affect some subject as will beare it . Had I laboured with over-abundance of fictions , or flourishes , perhaps they had exposed mee , censurable , and disprized this sacred subject : Therefore I rest more sparing in that kinde .

Two things I would treate of : First , the matter , secondly , the manner of this History .

As for the matter , ( so farre as I have dealt ) it is Canonicall , and indited by the holy Spirit of God , not lyable to errour , and needs no blanching .

In it , Theologie sits as Queene , attended by her handmaid Philosophy ; both concurring to make the understanding Reader a good Divine , and a wise Moralist .

As for the Divinitie ; it discovers the Almighty in his two great Attributes ; in his Mercy , delivering his Church ; in his Iustice , confounding her enemies .

As for the Morality ; it offers to us the whole practick part of Philosophy , dealt 〈◊〉 into Ethicks , Politicks , and Oeconomick● .

1. The Ethical part ( the object wherof is th● manners of a private man ) ranges thro●●● the whole booke , and empties it selfe 〈◊〉 the Catalogue of Morall vertues , either th●● that governe the body ; as Fortitude , Ch●● 9. 2. and Temperance , Chap. 1. 8. or tho●● which direct the soule , either in outwa●● things , as Liberalitie , Chap 1. 3. Magnif●cence , Chap. 1. 6. Magnanimity , Chap. 2. ● ▪ and Modesty , Chap. 6. 12. or in conversatio● as Iustice , Chap. 7. 9. Mansuetude , Chap 5 ▪ &c.

2. The Politicall part ( the object whereof ▪ publike Societie ) instructs , first , in the behaviour of a Prince to his Subject ; in punish●● his vice , Chap 7. 10. in rewarding of vertu● Chap. 8. 2. 15. Secondly , in the behaviour 〈◊〉 the Subject to his Prince ; in observing 〈◊〉 Lawes , and discovering his enemies , Ch●● 2. 22. Thirdly , the behaviour of a Subiect , 〈◊〉 a Subject ; in mutuality of love , Chap. 4. 7. 〈◊〉 propagation of peace , Chap. 10. 3.

3. The Oeconomical part ( the object wh●●● of is private Society ) teacheth , first , the 〈◊〉 riage of the Wife , to her Husband : in 〈◊〉 , Chap. 1. 22. of the Husband to his Wife , is ruling , Chap. 1. 22. Secondly , of a Father to his Childe , in advising , Chap. 2. 7 , 10. of a Childe to his Father , in observing , Chap. 2. 20. Thirdly , of a Master to his Servant , in commanding , Chap. 4. 5. of a Servant to his Master , in effecting his command , Chap. 4. 6.

Furthermore , in this history , the two principall faculties of the soule are ( nor in vaine ) imployed .

First , the Intellect , whose proper object is Truth . Secondly , the Will , whose proper object is good , whether Philosophicall , which the great Master of Philosophy calls Wisedome : or Theologicall , which wee point at now , hoping to enjoy hereafter .

Who the Pen-m●n of this sacred History was , or why the name of God ( as in few other parts of the Bible ) is unmentioned in this , it is immateriall and doubtfull . For the first , it is enough for anuncurious questioner to know , it was indited by the Spirit of God : for the second , let it suffice , that that Spirit will'd not here to reveale his name .

As for the Manner of this history ( consisting in the Periphrase , the adjournment of the Story , and interposition of Meditations ) I I hope it hath not injured the Matter : For in this I was not the least carefull , to use the light of the best Expositors , not daring to goe un-led , for feare of stumbling . Some say , Divinity in Verse is incongruous and unpleasing : such I referre to the Psalmes of David , or the Song of his sonne Salomon , to bee corrected . But in these lewd times , the salt , and soule of a Verse , is obscene scurrility , without which it seemes dull , and livelesse : And though the sacred History needs not ( as humane doe ) Poetry , to perpetuate the remembrance ( being by Gods owne mouth blest with Eternity ) yet Verse ( working so neare upon the soule , and spirit ) will oft times draw those to have a history in familiarity , who ( perchance ) before , scarce knew there was such a Booke .

Reader , bee more than my hasty pen stiles thee : Reade mee with advice , and thereafter judge me , and in that judgement censure me . If I jangle , thinke my intent thereby , is to to●● better Ringers in ▪ Farewell .

THE INTRODVCTION . WHen Zedechia ( He whose haplesse hand Once held the Scepter of Great Iudahs Land Went up the Palace of Proud Babylon , ( The Prince Serajah him attending on , ) A dreadfull Prophet , ( from whose blasting breath Came sudden death , and nothing else but death ) Into Serajah's peacefull hand betooke , The sad Contents of a more dismall Booke : Breake ope the leaves , those leaves so full of dread , Read ( sonne of thunder ) said the Prophet , reade ; Say thus , say freely thus , The Lord hath spoke it , 'T is done , the world 's unable to revoke it ; Woe , woe , and heavy woes ten thousand more Betide great Babylon , that painted whore ; Thy buildings , and thy ●ensive Towers shall Flame on a sudden , and to cinders fall , None shall be left to waile thy griefe with Howles : Thy streets shall peopl'd be with Bats and Owles : None shall remaine to call thy places voyd , None to possesse , nor ought to be enjoy'd ; Nought shall be left for thee to terme thine owne , But helplesse ruines of a haplesse towne : Said then the Prophet , When thy language hath Empty'd thy Cheekes of this thy borrow'd Breath , Close then the Booke , and binde a stone unto it , That done , into the swift Euphrates throw it , And let this following speech explane withall The Hieroglyphick● of proud Babels fall . Thus , thus shall Babel , Thus shall Babels glory , Of her destruction leave a Tragick story : Thus , thus shall Babell fall , and none relieve her , Thus , thus shall Babel sinke , Thus sinke for ever . And falne she is . Thus after-times made good That sacred Prophesie , confirm'd in blood . Great Royall Dreamer , where is now that thing Thou so much vaunted'st of ? where , O soveraig●● King , Is that great Babel , that was rais'd so high , To shew the highnesse of thy Majesty ? Where is thy Royall off-spring to succeed Thy Throne , and to preserve thy Princely seed Till this time ? Sleeping , how could'st thou fore●●● That thing , which waking thou thoghtst ne'r would be● And thou Belshazzar , ( full of youthfull fire , Vnlucky Grand-child to a lucklesse Syre ) On thee the sacred Oracles attended , For with thy life , great Babels Kingdome ended : What made thy Spirit tremble , and thy hayre Bolt up ? what made thee ( fainting ) gaspe for ayre ▪ A simple Word upon a painted Wall ? What 's that to thee ? If ought , what harme at all ? Could words affright thee ? O preposterous wit , To feare the writing , not the hand that writ ! The Hand that writ , it selfe ( unseene ) did shroud Within the gloomy bosome of a Cloud ; The Hand that writ , was bent , ( nor bent in vaine ) To part the Kingdome , and the King in twaine , The Hand that writ , did write the sentence downe ▪ And now stands armed to depose the Crowne ; The hand that writ , did threaten to translate Thy Kingdome ( Babel ) to the Persian state ; Th' effect whereof did brooke no long delayes , For when Belshazzar had spun out his dayes , ( Soone cut by that Avengers fatall knife , ) Proud Babels Empire ended with his life . As when that rare Arabian Bird doth rest Her bedrid carkase in her Spicy nest , The quick-devouring fire of heaven consumes The willing sacrifice in sweet perfumes , From whose sad cinders ( balm'd in fun'rall spices ) A second Phoenix ( like the first ) arises ; So from the Ruines of great Babels Seat ; The Medes and Persians Monarchy grew great : For when Belshazzar , last of Babels Kings , Yeelded to death , ( the summe of mortall things ) Like earth-amazing thunder from above , And lightnng from the house of angry Iove , Or like to billowes in th' Euboean Seas , Whose swelling , nought but shipwrack can appease , So bravely came the fierce Darius on , Marching with Cyrus into Babylon , Two Armies Royall stoutly following , The one was Medes , the other Persia's King : As when the Harvester with bubling brow . ( Reaping the intrest of his painfull Plough , ) With crooked Sickle now a shock doth sheare , A handfull here , and then a handfull there , Not leaving , till he nought but stubble leave ; Here lies a new falne ranke , and there a sheave ; Even so the Persian Host it selfe bestur'd , So fell great Babel by the Persian Sword , Which warm with slaughter , & with blood imbru'd , Ne'r sheath'd till wounded Babel fell subdu'd . But see ! These brave Ioynt-tenants that surviv'd To see a little world of men unliv'd , Must now be parted : Great Darius dyes , And Cyrus shares alone the new-got prize ; He fights for Heaven , Heavens foemen he subdues : He builds the Temple , he restores the Iewes , By him was Zedechias force disjoynted , Vnknowne to God he was , yet Gods Anointed ; But marke the malice of a wayward Fate ; He whom successe crown'd alwayes fortunate , He that was strong t' atchieve , bold to attempt , Wise to foresee , and wary to prevent , Valiant in warre , successefull to obtaine , Must now be slaine , and by a Woman slaine . Accursed be thy sacrilegious hand ; That of her Patron rob'd the holy Land ; Curs'd be thy dying life , thy living death , And curs'd be all things that proud ●omyris hath , O worst that death can doe , to take a life , Which ( lost ) leaves Kingdomes to a Tyrants knife : For now , alas ! degenerate Cambyses ( Whose hand was fill'd with blood , whose hart with vices Sits crowned King , to vexe the Persian state , With heavy burdens , and with sore regrate . O Cyrus , more unhappy in thy sonne , Then in that stroke wherewith thy life was done ! Cambyses now fits King , now Tyrant ( rather : ) ( Vnlucky Sonne of a renowned Father ) Blood cries for Blood : Himselfe revenged hath His bloody Tyranny with his owne death ; That cruell sword on his owne flesh doth feed , Which made so many loyall Persians bleed , Whose wofull choyce made an indiff●rent thing , To leave their lives , or lose their Tyran King : Cambyses dead , with him the latest drop Of Cyrus blood was spilt , his death did stop The infant source of his brave Syers worth , Ere after-times could spend his rivers forth . Tyrant Cambyses being dead and gone , On the reversion of his empty Throne , Mounts up a Magus with dissembled right , Forging the name of him , whose greedy night Too early did perpetuate her owne , And silent death had snatcht away unknowne . But when the tydings of his Royall cheat Times loyall Trumpe had fam'd , th' usurped seat Grew too-too hot , and longer could not beare So proud a burthen on so proud a Chayre ; The Nobles sought their freedome to regaine , Not resting till the Magi all were slaine ; And so renowned was that happy slaughter , That it solemniz'd was for ever after ; So that what pen shall write the Persian story , Shall treat that Triumph , & write that daies glory ▪ For to this time the Persians ( as they say ) Observe a Feast , and keepe it holy-day ; Now Persia lacks a king , and now the State Labours as much in want , as it of late Did in abundance ; Too great calmes doe harme Sometimes as much the Sea-man , as a storme ; One while they thinke t' erect a Monarchy ; But that ( corrupted ) breeds a Tyranny , And dead Cambyses , fresh before their eyes , Afrights them with their new-scap'd miseries ; Some to the Nobles would commit the State , In change of Rule , expecting change of fate ; Others cry'd , no ; More Kings then one , incumber ; Better admit one Tyrant , than a number : The rule of many doth disquiet bring ; One Monarch is enough , one Lord , one King : One sayes , Let 's rule our selves ; let 's all be Kings : No , sayes another , that confusion brings ; Thus moderne danger bred a carefull trouble , Double their care is , as their feare is double ; And doubtfull to resolve of what conclusion , To barre confusion , thus they bred confusion ; At last ( and well advis'd ) they put their choyce Vpon the verdict of a Iuries voyce ; Seven is a perfect number , then by seven , Be Persia's Royall Crowne , and Scepter given ; Now Persia , doe thy plagues or joyes commence ; God give thy Iurie sacred evidence : Fearefull to chuse , and faithlesse in their choyce , ( Since weale or woe depended on their voyce , ) A few from many they extracted forth , Whose even poys'd valour , and like equall worth Had set a Non plus on their doubtfull tongues , Vnweeting where the most reward belongs , They this agreed , and thus ( advis'd ) bespake ; Since purblinde mortalls , of themselves , can make No difference 'twixt good , and evill ▪ nor know A good from what is onely good in show , But , with unconstant frailty , doth vary From what is good , to what is cleane contrary ; And since it lyes not in the braine of man , To make his drooping state more happy , than His unprospitious stars allot , much lesse To lend another , o● a state successe , In vaine you , therefore shall expect this thing , That we should give you fortune , with a King : Since you have made us meanes to propagate The joyfull welfare of our headlesse State , ( Bound by the tender service that we beare Ou● native soyle , farre than our lives more deare , ) We sifted have , and boulted from the Rest , Whose worst admits no badnesse , and whose best Cannot be bettered : When Chaunticleere , ( the Belman of the morne ) Shall summon twilight , with his bugle horne , Let these brave Hero's , drest in warlike wise , And richly ●ounted on their Pa●feries , Attend our rising Sun-gods ruddy face , Within the limits of our Royall place , And he whose lusty Stallion first shall neigh , To him be given ●he doubtfull Monarchy , The choyce of Kings lies not in mortals b●east , This we ; The Gods , and Fortune doe the rest . So said , the people tickl'd with the motion , Some tost their caps some fell to their devotion , Some clap their joyfull hands , some shout , some sing , And all at one cry'd out , A King , A King . When Phoebus Harbinger had chac'd the night , And tedious Phosphe brought the breaking light , Compleat in armes , and glorious in their traine , Came these brave Heroes , prancing o're the plaine , With mighty streamers came these blazing starres , Po●tending Warres , ( and nothing else but Warrs ; ) Into the royall Palace now they come : There sounds the martiall Trump , here beats the Drum , There stands a Steed , and champes his frothy steele This stroaks the ground , that scorns it with his heel ; One snorts , another puffs out angry wind ; This mounts , before ; and that curvets , behind ; By this , the fomy Steeds of Phaeton Puffe too , and spurne the Easterne Horizon : Whereat the Nobles , prostrate to the ground , Ador'd their God ( their God was early found . ) Forthwith , from out the thickest of the crowd , In depth of silence , there was heard the loud , And lustfull language of Darius Horse , Who in the dialect of his discourse , Proclaim'd his rider King ; whereat the rest ( Patient to beare what cannot be redrest ) Dismount their lofty steeds , and prostrate bring Their humbled bodies to their happy King ; God save the King , they joyntly say ; God blesse Thy prosprous actions with a due successe ; The people clap their sweaty palmes , and shout , The bonfires smoake , the bels ring round about , The minstrels play , the Parrats learne to sing , ( Perchance as well as they ) God save the King , Assuerus now 's invested in the throne , , And Persia's rul'd by him , and him alone ; Prove happy Persia : Great Assuerus prove As equall happy in thy peoples love . Enough ; And let this broken breviate Suffice to shadow forth the downfall state Of mighty Babel , and the conquest made By the fierce Medes , & Persians conqu'ring blade ▪ Whose just succession we have traced downe , Till great Assuerus weare the Persian Crowne ; Him have we sought , and having found him , rest ; To morrow goe we to his royall Feast . FINIS .

TO THE HIGHEST : His Humble Servant Implores his gracious ayde . THou great Directer of the Hearts of men , From whence I propagate what e're is mine , Still my disquiet thoughts , Direct my Pen No more mine owne , if thou adopt it thine : O be thy Spirit ●ll in All to me , That will implore no ayde , no Muse but thee : ●e thou the Load-starre to my wandring minde , ●ew rigg'd , and bound vpon a new Adventure : ●fill my Canvas with a prosp'rous winde ; ●nlock my Soule , and let thy Spirit enter : So blesse my Talent with a fruitfull Lone , That it , at least , may render two for one . Vnworthy I , to take so high a Taske ; Vnworthy I , to crave so great a Boone , Alas ! unseason'd is my slender Caske , My Winters day hath scarcely seene her 〈◊〉 But if the Childrens Bread must be deny'd , Yet let me licke the Crummes that fall be●●●●

THE HISTORIE OF ESTER .

THE ARGVMENT . The King Assuerus makes two Feasts , Invites his great and meaner guests : He makes a Statute to represse The lothsome sin of Drunkennesse . Sect. 1. WHen great Assuerus ( under whose Command The worlds most part did in subjection stand , Whose Kingdome was to East and West confin'd , And stretcht from Ethiopia unto Ind ' , ) When this brave Monarch had with two yeers pow'r Confirmd himselfe the Persian Emperour ; The peoples patience nilling to sustaine The hard oppression of a third yeares raigne , Softly began to grumble , sore to vexe , Feeling such Tribute on their servile necks ; Which when the King ( as he did quickly ) heares , ( For Kings have tender , and the nimblest eares ) Partly to blow the coales of old affection , Which now are dying through a forc'd subiection ▪ Partly to make his Princely might appeare , To make them feare for love , or love for feare , He made a Feast : He made a Royall Feast , Fit for himselfe , had he himselfe beene Guest ; To which he calls the Princes of his Land , Who ( paying tribute ) by his power stand ; To which he calls his servants of Estate , His Captains , and his Rulers of the State , That he may shew the glory of his store , The like unseene by any Prince before ; That he may boast his Kingdomes beauty forth , His servant Princes , and their Princely worth ; That he may shew the Type of Sov'raignty Fulfill'd in th' honour of his Majesty : He made a Feast , whose Date should not expire , Vntill seven Moones had lost and gain'd their 〈◊〉 When as this Royall tedious Feast was ended , ( For good more common 't is , 't is more commende● For meaner sort he made a second Feast ; His Guests were from the greatest to the least In Susa's place ; Seven dayes they did resort To Feast i' th' Palace Garden of the Court ; Where in the midst , the house of Bacchus stands To entertaine when Bounty claps her hands ; The Tap'stry hangings , were of divers hue , Pure white , and youthfull Greene , and joyful 〈◊〉 The maine supporting Pillars of the Place Were 〈◊〉 ●arble of the purest race ; The 〈◊〉 were rich right Princely to behold , Of b●aten Silver , and of burnish't Gold . The ●●vement was dis●olour'd Porphyry , And during Marble , colour'd diversly ; In lavish Cups of oft-refined gold , Came Wine unwisht , drink what the people 〈◊〉 The Golden vessel , did in number pasle , Great choyce of Cups , great choyce of wine the 〈◊〉 And since Abuse attends vpon Excesse , Leading sweet Mirth to loathsome Drunkenne●● A temp'rate Law was made , that no man might Inforce an undisposed Appetite : So that a sober mind may use his pleasure , And measure drinking , though not drinke by measure .

Medit. 1. NO man is borne unto himselfe alone ; Who lives unto himselfe , he lives to none : The World 's a body ' , each man a member is , To adde some measure to the publike blisse ; Where much is giv'n , there much shall be requir'd , Where little , lesse ; for riches are but hyr'd ; Wisedome is sold for sweat ; Pleasures for paine ; Who lives unto himselfe , he lives in vaine ; To be a Monarch is a glorious thing ; Who lives not full of Care , he lives no King ; The boundlesse glory of a King is such , To sweeten Care , because his Care is much ; The Sun ( whose radiant beames reflect so bright ) Comforts and warmes , as well as it gives light , By whose example Phoebe ( though more dim ) Does counterfeit his beames , and shines from him : So mighty Kings are not ordain'd alone To pearch in glory on the Princely Throne , But to direct in Peace , command in Warre Those Subjects , for whose sakes they onely are ; So loyall Subjects must adapt them to Such vertuous actions as their Princes doe : So shall his people , even as well as He , Princes ( though in a lesser volume ) be . ¶ So often as I fixe my serious eye Vpon Assuerus Feast , me thinkes , I spye The Temple dance , me thinkes my ravisht eare , ( Rapt with the secret musicke that I heare ) Attends the warble of an Angels tongue , Resounding forth this sense-bereaving Song ; Vashti shall fall , and Ester rise , Sion shall thrive , when Haman dyes . Blest are the meetings , and the Banquets blest , Where Angels caroll musicke to the Feast ; ¶ How doe our wretched times degenerate From former ages ! How intemperate Hath lavish custome made our bedrid Age , Acting obscoene Scenes on her drunken Stage ! Our times are guided by a lewder lot , As if that world another world begot : Their friendly feasts were fill'd with sweet sobrie● Ours , with uncleane delights , and base ebriety ; Theirs , the unvalued prise of Love intended ; Ours seeke the cause whereby our Love is ended ; How in so blind an Age could those men see ! And in a seeing Age , how blinde are we !

THE ARGVMENT . The King sends for the Queene ; the Queene Denies to come ; His hasty spleene Inflames , unto the Persian Lawes He leaves the censure of his cause . Sect. 2. TO adde more honour to this royall Feast , That Glory may with Glory be increast , Vashti the Queene ( the fairest Queene on earth ) She made a Feast , and put on jolly mirth , To bid sweet welcome with her Princely cheere To all her Guests ; Her Guests all , women were . By this , the Royall bounty of the King Hath well-nigh spent the seven dayes banquetting . Sixe ioviall dayes have run their howers out , And now the seventh revolves the Weeke about , Vpon which day , ( the Queenes unlucky Day ) The King , with jollity intic'd away , And gently having slipt the stricter reynes Of Temperance , ( that over-mirth restraines ) Rose up , commanded that without delay , ( Howe're the Persian custome doe gain-say That men and married Wives shold feast together ) That faire Queene Vashti be conducted thither , For him to shew the sweetnes of her face , And peerelesse beauty mixt with Princely Grace ; To wound their wanton hearts , and to surprize The Princes with th' Artill'ry of her eyes . But fairest Vashti ▪ ( in whose scornfull Eyes More haughty pride , then heav'nly beauty lies ) With bold deniall of a flinty brest , Answer'd the longing of the Kings request ; And ( fill'd with scorne ) return'd this message home Queene Vashti cannot , Vashti will not come , Whereat , as Boreas with his blustering , ( When sturdy Aries ushers in the Spring ) Here fells an aged Oke , there cleanes a Tree , Now holds his full-mouth'd blast ▪ now lets it flee , So stormes the King ; now pale , now fiery red , His colour comes and goes , his angry head He sternly shakes , spits his inraged spleene , Now on the messenger , now on the Queene : One while he deeply weighs the foule contempt , And then his passion bids his wrath attempt A quicke revenge ; now creepe into his thought Such things as aggravate the peevish fault ; The place the persons present , and the time Increase his wrath , increase his Ladies Crime . But soone as Passion had restor'd the Reyne To righteous Reason's goverment againe ; The King ( unfit to judge his proper Cause ) Referr'd the triall to the Persian Lawes : He call'd his learned Counsell , and display'd The nature of his Grievance thus , and said ▪ By vertue of a Husband , and a King , ( To make compleat our Royall banq●etting ) We gave command , we gave a strict command , That by the office of our Eunuchs band , Queene Vashti should in state attended be Into the presence of our Majestie , But in contempt she slacks our dread bebest Neglects performance of our deare Request , And ( through disdaine ) disloyally deny'd , Like a false subject , and a faithlesse bride : Say then ( my Lords ) for you ( being truely wise ) Have braines to judge , and judgements to advise ; Say , boldly ( say ) what doe the Lawes assigne ? What punishment ? or what deserved Fine ? Assuerus bids , the mighty King commands ; Vashti denyes , the scornefull Queene withstands .

Medit. 2. EVil manners breed good Lawes : & that 's the 〈◊〉 That e're was made of bad : The Persian fea● ( Finding the mischiefe that was growne so rife ) Admitted not with men a married wife . How carefull were they in preserving that , Which we so watchfull are to violate ! O Chastity the Flower of th● soule , How is thy perfect fairenesse turn'd to foule ! How are thy Blossomes blasted all to dust , By sudden Lightning of untamed Lust ! How hast thou thus defil'd thy Iv'ry feet ! Thy sweetnesse that was once , how far from sweet ! Where are thy maiden-smiles , thy blushing cheeke ? Thy Lamb-like countenance , so faire , so meeke ? Where is that spotlesse Flower , that while-ere Within thy lilly bosome thou didst weare ? Has wanton Cupid snatcht it ? Hath his Dart Sent courtly tokens to thy simple heart ? Where dost thou bide ? the Country halfe disclaimes thee ; The City wonders when a body names thee . Or have the rurall woods engrost thee there , And thus fore-stall'd our empty markets here ? Sure th' art not , or kept where no man showes thee ; Or chang'd so much , scarce man or woman knowes thee . ¶ Our Grandame Eve , before it was forbid , Desired not the fruit , she after did : Had not the Custome of those times ordain'd That women from mens feasts should be restrain'd , Perhaps ( Assuerus ) Vashti might have dyed Vnsent for , and thy selfe beene undenyed : Such are the the fruits of mirth's and wine's abuse , Customes must crack , & love must breake his truce , Conjugall bands must loose , and sullen Hate Ensues the Feast , where Wine 's immoderate . ¶ More difficult it is , and greater skill To beare a mischiefe , ' than prevent an ill : Passion is naturall , but to bridle Passion , Is more divine , and vertues operation : To doe amisse , is Natures act ; to erre , Is but a wretched mortalls Character ; But to prevent the danger of the ill , Is more then Man , surpassing humane skill : Who playes a happy game with crafty slight , Confirmes himselfe but fortunes Favorite ; But he that husbands well an ill-dealt game , Deserves the credit of a Gamesters name ; ¶ Lord , if my Cards be bad , yet lend me skill To play them wisely ' and make the best of ill .

THE ARGVMENT . The learned Counsell ple●d the case ; The Queene degr●ded from her place ? Decrees are sent throughout the Land , That Wives obey , and men command . Sect. 3. THe righteous Counsel ( having heard the cause ) Adviz'd a while , with respite of a pause , Till Memucan ( the first that silence brake ) Vnseal'd his serious lips , and thus bespake : The Great Assuerus Sov'raigne Lord and King , ( To grace the period of his banquetting ) Hath sent for Vashti ; Vashti would not come , And now it rests in us to give the doome . But left that too much rashnesse violate The sacred Iustice of our happy state , We first propound the height of her offence , Next , the succeeding inconvenience , Which through the circumstances does augment , And so discend to th' equall punishment ; Th' offence propounded , now we must relate Such circumstances that might aggravate , And first the Place , ( the Palace of the King , ) And next the Time , ( the Time of Banquetting ) Lastly , the Persons , ( Princes of the Land ) Which witnesse the contempt of the command ; The Place , the Persons present , and the Time , Make ●oule the fault , make foule the Ladies crime ; Nor was her fault unto the King alone , But to the Princes , and to every one , For when this speech divulg'd about shall be , Vashti the Queene withstood the Kings Decree , Woemen ( that soone can an advantage take Of things , which for their private ends doe make ) Shall scorne their coward husbands , and despise Their deare requests within their scornfull eyes , And say , if we deny your h●sts , then blame not , Assuerus sent for Vashti , but she came not ; By Vashties patterne others will be taught ; Thus her example 's fouler then her fault : Now therefore if it like our gracious King , ( Since he refers tous the censuring ) Let him proclaime ( which untransgressed be ) His royall Edict , and his just Decree , That Vashti come no more before his face , But leave the titles of her Princel●● place : Let firme divorce unloose the Nuptiall knot , And let the name of Queene be quite forgot , Let her estate and Princely dignity , Her Royall Crowne , and seat assigned be To one whose sacred Vertue shall attaine As high perfection , as her bold disdaine ; So when this Royall Edict shall be fam'd , And through the severall Provinces proclaim'd , Disdainfull ●ives will learne , by Vashties fall , To answer gently to their Husbands call . Thus ended Memucan ; the King was pleas'd ; ( His blustring passion now at length appeas'd ) And soone apply'd himselfe to undertake , To put in practice what his Counsell spake : So , into every Province of the Land , He sent his speedy Letters , with command , That Husbands rule their wives , & beare the sway , And by subjection teach their Wives t' obey .

Meditat. 3. WHen God with sacred breath did first inspire The new-made earth with quick , & holy fire , He ( well advising , what a goodly creature He builded had , so like himselfe in feature ) Forth-with concluded by his preservation T'eternize that great worke of Mans creation ; Into a sleepe he cast this living clay , Lockt up his sense with drouzy Morpheus key , Opened his fruitfull flanke , and from his side , He drew the substance of his helpfull Bride , Flesh of his flesh , and bone made of his bone He framed Woman , making two of one ; Thus broke in two , he did anew ordaine That these same two should be made One againe : Till singling Death this sacred knot undoe , And part this new-made One , once more in two . ¶ Since of a Rib first framed was a Wife , Let Ribs be Hi'roglyphicks of their life : Ribs coast the Heart , and guard it round about , And like a trusty Watch keepe danger out ; So tender wives should loyally impart Their watchfull care to fence their Spouses heart : All members else from out their places rove , But Ribs are firmely fixt , and seldome move : Women ( like Ribs ) must keepe their wonted home , And not ( like Dinah that was ravisht ) rome : If Ribs be over-bent , or handled rough , They breake ; If let alone , they bend enough : Women must ( unconstrain'd ) be plyant still , And gently bending to their Husbands will , The sacred Academy of mans life Is holy wedlocke in a happy Wife . It was a wise mans speech , Could never they Know to command , that knew not first t' obey : Where 's then that high command ? that ample fam● Your sexe , to glorifie for their honour'd name , Your noble sexe in former dayes atchiev'd ? Whose sounding praise no after-times out-liv'd . What brave exploits , what well deserving glory ; The subject of an everlasting story , Their hands atchiev'd ? they thrust their Scepters then As well in Kingdomes , as in hearts of men ; And sweet obedience was the lowly staire , Mounted their steps to that commanding chaire . ¶ A Womans rule should be in such a fashion , Onely to guide her houshold , and her passion : And her obedience never's out of season , So long as either Husband lasts , or Reason : Ill thrives the haplesse Family , that showes A Cocke that 's silent , and a Hen that crowes . I know not which live more unnaturall lives , Obeying Husbands , or commanding Wives .

THE ARGVMENT . Assuerus pleas'd ; his servants motion Propounded , gaine his approbation . Esters descent , her Iewish race : Her beauties , and her perfect grace . Sect. 4. WHen Time ( that endeth all things ) did asswage The burning Fever of Assuerus rage , And quiet satisfaction had assign'd Delightfull lu'lips to his troubled minde , He call'd his old remembrance to account Of Vashti , and her Crimes that did amount To th' summe of her divorcement : In his thought He weigh'd the censure of her heedlesse fault : His fawning servants willing to prevent him , Lest too much thought should make his love repent him , Said thus : ( If it shall please our gracious Lord To crowne with audience his servants word ) Let strict inquest , and carefull Inquisition In all the Realme be made , and quicke provision Throughout the Medes and Persians all along For comely Virgins , beautifull and young , Which ( curiously selected ) let them bring Into the Royall Palace of the King ; And let the Eunuchs of the King take c●re For Princely Robes , and Vesture , and prepare Sweet Odors , choyce Perfumes , and all things meet , To adde a greater sweetnesse to their sweet ; And she , whose perfect beames shall best delight , And seeme most gracious in his Princely sight ; To her be given the conquest of her face , And be enthron'd in scornfull Vashties place . The project pleas'd the King , who straight requires That strict performance second their desires : Within the walls of Shusa dwelt there one , By breeding and by birth a Iew , and knowne By th' name of Mordecai , of mighty kin , Descended from the Tribe of Benjamin , ( Whose necke was subject to the slavish yoke , When Ieconiah was surpriz'd and tooke , And caried captive into Babels Land , With strength of mighty Neb'chadnezzars hand ; ) Within his house abode a Virgin bright , Whose name was Ester or Hadassa hight , His brothers daughter , whom ( her parents dead ) This Iew did foster , in her fathers stead ; She wanted none , though father the had none , Her Vncles love assum'd her for his owne ? Bright beames of beauty streamed from her eye , And in her cheeke sate maiden modesty ; Which peerelesse beauty lent so kind a rellish To modest Vertue , that they did imbellish Each others ex'lence , with a full assent , In her to boast their perfect complement .

Medita. 4. THe strongest Arteries that knit and tye The members of a mixed Monarchy , Are learned Counsels , timely Consultations , Rip'ned Advice , and sage Deliberations ; And if those Kingdomes be but ill be-blest , Whose Rule 's committed to a young mans brest : Then such Estates are more unhappy farre , Whose choicest Counsellors but Children are : How many Kingdomes blest with high renowne , ( In all things happy else ) have plac'd their crowne Vpon the Temples of a childish head , Vntill with ruine , King , or State be sped ! What Massacres ( begun by factious jarres , And ended by the spoile of civill warres ) Have made brave Monarchies unfortunate , And raz'd the glory ' of many ' a mighty State ? How many hopefull Princes ( ill advis'd By young , & smooth-fac'd Counsell ) have despis'd The sacred Oracles of riper yeares , Till deare Repentance wash the Land with teares ? Witnesse thou lucklesse , and succeeding Son Of ( Wisdomes Favourite ) great Salomon ; How did thy rash , and beardlesse Counsell bring Thy fortunes subject to a stranger King ? And laying burthens on thy peoples necke , The weight hung sadly on thy bended backe . Thou second Richard , ( once our Britaine King , Whose Syr's , and Grandsyr's fame the world did ring How was thy gentle nature led aside , By greene advisements , which thy State did guide , Vntill the title of thy Crowne did cracke , And fortunes ( as thy Fathers name ) were blacke ? ¶ Now glorious Britaine , clap thy hands , and blesse Thy sacred fortunes ; for thy happinesse ( As doth thy Iland ) does it selfe divide , And sequester from all the world beside ; Blest are thy open Gates with joyfull peace , Blest are thy fruitfull Barnes with sweet increase , Blest in thy Counsell , whose industrious skill , Is but to make thy fortunes happy still ; In all things blest , that to a State pertaine ; Thrice happy in my dreaded Soveraigne , My sacred Sov'raigne , in whose onely brest , A wise Assembl ' of Privy Counsels rest , Who conquers with his Princely heart as farre By peace , as Alexander did by Warre , And with his Olive branch more hearts did boord , Than daring Cesar did , with Cesars sword : Long maist thou hold within thy Royall hand , The peacefull Scepter of our happy Land : ¶ Great Iudah's Lyon , and the Flow'r of Iesse . Preserve thy Lyons , and thy Flowers blesse .

THE ARGVMENT . Faire Virgin , brought to Hege's hand , The custome of the Persian Land ; Esters neglect of rich attire , To whet the wanton Kings desire . Sect. 5. ANd when the lustfull Kings Decree was read In ev'ry eare , and Shire proclam'd , & spread , Forthwith unto the Eunuch Hege's hand The Bevy came , the pride of beauties band , Armed with joy , and warring with their eyes , To gaine the conquest of a princely prize ; But none in peerlesse beauty shin'd so bright , As lovely Ester did in Hege's sight : In loyall service he observed her ; He sent for costly Oyles , and fragrant Myrrh , To ●it her for the presence of the King : 〈◊〉 Tyres , and change of vesture did he bring ▪ Seven comely maids he gave to tend upon her , To shew his service , and increase her honour : But she was watchfull of her lips , and wise , Disclosing not her kinred , or alyes : For trusty Mardoche●s tender care Gave hopefull Ester Items to beware To blaze her kin , or make her people knowne , Lest for their sake , her hopes be overthrowne . Before the Gates he to and fro did passe , Wherein inclos'd the Courtly Ester was , To understand how Ester did behave her , And how she kept her in the Eunuchs favour , Now when as Time had fitted ev'ry thing , By course , these Virgins came before the King . Such was the custome of the Persian soyle , Sixe months the Virgins bath'd in Myr●h & Oyle , Sixe months perfum'd in change of odours sweet , That perfect lust , and great excesse may meet ; What costly Robes , rare Iewels , rich attire , Or curious Fare , these Virgins did desire , 'T was given , and freely granted , when they bring Their bodies to be prostrate to the King : Each Virgin keepes her turne , and all the night They lewdly lavish in the Kings delight , And soone as ●orning shall restore the day , They in their bosomes beare blacke night away , And ( in their guilty breasts , as are their sinnes Close prisoners ) in the house of Concubines Remaine , untill the satiate King shall please To lend their pamper'd bodyes a r●lease . Now when the turne of Ester was at hand , To satisfie the wanton Kings command , Shee ●ought not ( as the rest ) with brave attire , To lend a needlesse spurre t' unchast Desire , Nor yet endeavours with a whorish Grace , T'adulterate the beautie of her face : Nothing she sought to make her glory braver , But simply tooke what gentle Hege gave her : Her sober ●●sage daily wan her honour : Each wandring eye inflam'd , that look'd upon her .

Meditat. 5. WHen God had with his Al-producing Blast , Blown up the bubble of the World , & plac't In order that , which he had made in measure , As well for necessary use , as pleasure : Then out of earthy mould he fram'd a creature Farre more Divine , and of more glorious feature Than earst he made , indu'd with understanding , With strength , victorious , & with awe commanding , With Reason , Wit , repleate with Majesty , With heavenly knowledge , and Capacity , True embleme of his Maker : Him he made The sov'raigne Lord of all ; Him all obay'd ; Yeelding their lives ( as tribute ) to their King ; Both Fish , and Bird , and Beast , and every thing : His body 's rear'd upright , and in his eye , Stand radient beames of awfull sov'raignty ; All Creatures else po●e downward to the ground , Man looks to heaven , and all his thoughts rebound Vpon the Earth ( where tydes of pleasures mecro ) He treads , and daily tramples with his feete ; Which reade sweet Lectures to his wandring eyes , And teach his lustfull heart to moralize : Naked he liv'd , nak'd to the world he came ; For he had then nor fault to hide , nor shame : His state was levell , and he had free will To stand or fall , unforc't to good or ill ; Man had ( such state he was created in ) Within his pow'r , a power not to sinne : But Man was tempted , yeelded , sinn'd , and fell , Abus'd his free will , lost it , then befell A worse succeeding state ; who was created Complete , is now become poore , blinde , and naked ; He 's drawne with head-strong bias unto ill , Bereft of active pow'r to will , or nill ; A blessed Saint's become a balefull Devill , His free-will's onely stinted now to evill : Pleasure 's his Lord , and in his Ladies eyes His Christall Temple of devotion lyes : Pleasures the white , whereat he takes his levell , Which ( too much wronged with the name of evill ) With best of blessings takes her lofty seat , Greatest of goods , and seeming best of great : What s good , ( like Iron ) rusts for want of use , And what is bad is worsed with abuse ; Pleasure , whose apt , and right ordained end Is but to sweeten labour , and attend The frailty ' of man is now preferr'd so hie , To be his Lord , and beare the sov'raignty , Ruling his slavish thoughts , ignoble actions , And gaines the conquest of his best affections , Sparing no cost to bolster up delight , But force vaine pleasures to unwonted height : ¶ Who addes excesse unto a lustfull heart , Commits a costly sin , with greater Art .

THE ARGVMENT ▪ Ester's belov'd , wedded , crown'd ; A Treason Mordecai betrai'd ; The Trailors are pursu'd , and ●ound , And for that treason well appaid . Sect. 6. NOw , now the time is come , faire Ester must Expose her beauty to the Letchers lust ; Now , now must Ester stake her honour downe , And hazzard Chastity to gaine a Crowne ; Gone , gone she is , attended to the Court , And spends the evening in the Princes sport : As when a Lady , ( walking Flora's Bowre ) Picks here a Pincke , and there a Gilly-flowre , Now plucks a Vi'let from her purple bed , And then a Primerose , ( the yeares maiden-head ) There , nips the Bryar ; here , the Lovers Pauncy , Shifting her dainty pleasures , with her Fancy , This , on her arme ; and that , she li●ts to weare Vpon the borders of her curious haire , At length , a Rose-bud ( passing all the rest ) She plucks , and bosomes in her Lilly brest : So when Assuerus ( tickled with delight ) Perceiv'd the beauties of those virgins bright , He lik't them all , but when with strict revye , He viewed 〈◊〉 face , his wounded eye Sparkl'd , whilst Cupid with his youthfull Dart , Transfixt the Center of his feeble heart ; Ester is now his joy , and in her eyes , The sweetest flower of his Garland lyes : Who now but Ester ? Ester crownes his blisse , And hee 's become her prisoner , that was his : Ester obtaines the prize , her high desert Like Di'mond's richly mounted in his heart ; Iô , now Iô Hymen sings ; for shee That crownes his joy , must likewise crowned bee : The Crowne is set on Princely Esters head , Ester sits Queene , in scornefull Voshties stead . To consecrate this Day to more delights , In due solemnizing the nuptiall rites , In Esters name , Assuerus made a Feast , Invited all his Princes , and releast , The hard taxation , that his heavy hand Laid on the subjects of his groning Land ; No rights were wanting to augment his joyes , Great gifts confirm'd the bounty of his choyce : Yet had not Esters lavish tongue descri'd Her Iewish kin , or where she was aly'd ; For still the words of Mordecai did rest Within the Cabbin of her Royall breast , Who was as pliant ( being now a Queene ) To sage advice , as ere before sh 'ad beene . It came to passe , as Mardochaeus sate Within the Portall of the Princes gate , He over-heard two servants of the King , Closely combin'd in hollow whispering : ( Like whistling Notus that foretels a raine ) To breathe out treason 'gainst their Soveraigne : Which , soone as loyall Mardochaeus heard , Forthwith to Esters presence he repair'd ; Disclos'd to her , and to her care commended The Traitors , and the treason they intended : Whereat , the Queene ( impatient of delay ) Betraid the Traitors , that would her betray , And to the King unbosom'd all her heart , And who her Newes-man was , and his desert . Now all on hurly-burly was the Court , All tongues were fill'd with wonder and report : The watch was set , pursuit was made about , To guard the King , and finde the Traitors out , Who found , and guilty found , by speedy tryall , ( Where witnesse speaks , what boots a bare deniall ) Were both hang'd up upon the shamefull tree : ( To beare such fruit let trees ne're barren be : ) And what successe this happy Day afforded , Was in the Persian Chronicles recorded .

Meditat. 6. THe hollow Concave of a humane brest Is Gods Exchequer , and therein the best , And summe of all his chiefest wealth consists , Which he shuts up , and opens when he lists : No power is of man : to love or hate , Lyes not in mortals brest , or pow'r of Fate : Man wants the strength to sway his strong affections What power is , is from Divine directions ; Which oft ( unseene through dulnesse of the minde ) We nick name , Chance , because our selves are blind And that 's the cause , mans first beholding eye Oft loves , or hates , and knowes no reason why . ¶ 'T was not the brightnesse of Rebecca's face , Or servants skill that wan the virgins grace : 'T was not the wish , or wealth of Abraham , Or Isacks fortune , or renowned name , His comely personage , or his high desert , Obtain'd the conquest of Rebecca's heart : Old Abra'm wisht , in secret God directed ; 'T was Abra'm us'd the meanes ; 't was God effected : Best marriages are made in heaven ; In heaven , The hearts are joyn'd ; in earth the hands are given , First God ordaines , then man confirmes the Love , Proclaming that on earth was done above . ¶ 'T was not the sharpnesse of thy wandring eye , ( Great King Assuerus ) to picke Majesty From out the sadnesse of a Captives face ; 'T was not alone thy chusing , nor her grace ; Who mounts the meeke , and beates the lofty down , Gave thee the heart to chuse , gave her the Crown : Who blest thy fortunes with a second wife , He blest thy fortunes with a second life ; That brest that entertain'd so sweet a Bride , Stood faire to Treason , ( by her meanes descride ; ) With double fortunes , wer 't thou doubly blest , To finde so faire , and scape so foule a guest . ¶ Thou aged father of our yeares and houres , ( For thou as well discoverst , as devoures ) Search still the entrails of thy just Records , Wherein are entred the diurnall words And deeds of mortall men ; Bring ( thou ) to light All trech'rous projects , mann'd by craft , or might ; With Towr's of Brasse , their faithful heart's imbosse That beare the Christian colours of the Crosse. ¶ And Thou Preserver of all mortall things , Within whose hands are plac'd the hearts of Kings ; By whom all Kingdomes stand , and Princes raigne Preserve thy CHARLES , and my dear Soveraigne ; Let Traitors plots , like wandring Atomes , fly , And on their heads pay ten-fold usury ; His bosome tuter , and his safety tender : O be thou his , as hee 's thy Faiths Defender : That thou in him , and hee in thee may rest , And we of both may live and die possest .

THE ARGVMENT . The line of Haman , and his race ; His fortunes in the Princes grace : His rage to Mordecai exprest , Not bowing to him , as the rest . Sect 7. VPon a time , to Persias Royall Court , A forraigne Stranger used to resort , He was the issue of a royall breed , The off-cast off-spring of the cursed seed Of Amelck , from him descended right , That sold his birth-right for his Appetite ; 〈◊〉 his name ; His fortunes did improve , Increast by favour of the Princes love : Full great he grew , preferd to high command , And plac'd before the Princes of the Land : And since that honour , and due reverence Belong where Princes give preeminence ; The King commands the servants of his State , To suit respect to Hamans high estate , And doe him honour , fitting his degree , With vailed bonnet ; and low bended knee : They all observ'd ; but aged Mordecai ( Whose stubborne joynts neglected to obey The seed which Heaven with infamy had branded ) Stoutly refused what the King commanded ; Which when the servants of the King had seene , Their fell disdaine mixtwith an envious spleene , Inflam'd ; They question'd how he durst withstand The just performance of the Kings Command : Daily they checkt him for his high disdaine , And hee their checks did daily entertaine With silent slight behaviour , which did prove As full of care , as their rebukes of love . ¶ Since then their hearts ( not able to abide A longer sufferance of his peevish pride ) ( Whose scorching fires , passion did augment , ) Must either breake , or finde a speedy v●nt : To Haman they th' unwelcome newes related , And what they said , their malice aggravated . Envie did ope her Snake-devouring Iawes , Foam'd frothy blood , and bent her unked Pawes Her hollow eyes did cast out sudden flame , And pale as ashes look't this angry Dame , And thus bespake ! Art thou that man of might , That Impe of Glory ? Times great Favorite ? Hath thy deserved worth restor'd againe The blemisht honour of thy Princely straine ? Art thou that Wonder , which the Persian State Stands gazing at so much , and poynting at ? Filling all wo●dring eyes with Admiration , And every loyall heart with Adoration ? Art thou that mighty He ? How haps it then That wretched Mordecai , the worst of men , A captive slave , a superstitious Iew , Slights thee , and robs thee of thy righfull due ? Nor was his fault disguis'd with Ign●●●ce , ( The unfee'd Advocate of sinne ) or Chance , But backt with Arrogance and fo●le Despite : Rise up , and doe thy suffring honour right . Vp ( like his deepe Revenge ) rose Haman then , And like a sleeping Lion from his Den , Rouz'd his relentlesse Rage ; But when his eye Confirm'd the newes Report did testifie , His Reason straight was heav'd from off his henge , And Fury rounded in his eare , Revenge , And ( like a rash Adviser ) thus began : There 's nothing ( Haman ) is more deare to man , A●d cooles his ●oyling veines with sweeter pleasure , Than quicke revenge ; for to revenge by leisure , Is but like feeding , when the stomacke 's past , Pleasing nor eager appetite , nor taste : ●et when delay returnes Revenge the greater , Like poynant sa●ce , it makes the meate the sweeter : It fi●s not th' honour of thy personage , Nor stands it with thy Greatnesse , to ingage Thy noble thoughts , to make Revenge so poore , To ●e reveng'd on one alone : thy sore Needs many plaisters : make thy honour good , Not with a drop , but with a world of blood : Borrow the Sy●●e of Time , and let thy Passion Mowe downe thy Iewish Foe , with all his Nation .

Medita. 7. FIghts God for cursed Amalek ? That hand That once did curse , doth now the curse withstand : Is God unjust ? Is Iustice fled from heaven ; Or are the righteous Ballances uneven ? Is this that Iust Iehova's sacred Word , Firmely inroll'd within the Lawes Record , I le fight with Amalek , destroy his Nation , And from remembrance blurre his Generation ? What , shall his curse to Amalek be void ? And with those plagues shall Isr'el be destroyd : Ah , sooner shall the sprightfull flames of fire Descend and moysten ; and dull earth , aspire , And with her drinesse quench faire Titans heate , Then shall thy words , and just Decrees retreat : The Day , ( as wery of his burden ) tyres ; The Yeare ( full laden with her months ) expires : The heav'ns ( growne great with age ) must soon decay , The pondrous earth in time shall passe away ; But yet thy sacred words shall alway flourish , Though daies , & years , & heaven , & earth do perish : How perkes proud Haman then ? What prosp'rous fate Exalts his Pagan head ? How fortunate Hath favour crown'd his times ? Hath God decreed No other Curse upon that cursed seed ? The mortall eye of man can but perceive Things present ; when his heart cannot conceive , Hee 's either by his outward senses guided , Or , like a Quere , leaves it undecided : The fleshly eye that lends a feeble sight , Failes in extent , and hath no further might Than to attaine the object : and there ends His office ; and of what it apprehends , Acquaints the understanding , which conceives , And descants on that thing the sight perceives , Or good , or bad ; unable to project The just occasion , or the true effect : Man sees like man , and can but comprehend , Things as they present are , not as they end ; God sees a Kings heart in a shepheards brest , And in a mighty King , he sees a Beast : 'T is not the spring tyde of an high estate Creates a man ( though seeming ) Fortunate : The blaze of Honour , Fortunes sweet excesse , Doe undeserve the name of Happinesse : The frownes of indisposed Fortune makes Man poore , but not unhappy . He that takes Her checks with patience , leaves the name of poor , And lets in Fortune at a backer doore . ¶ Lord , let my fortunes be or rich , or poore : If small , the lesse account ; if great , the more .

THE ARGVMENT . Vnto the King proud Haman sues , For the destruction of the Iewes : The King consents , and in his name Decrees were sent t' effect the same . Sect. 8. NOw when the year had turn'd his course about And fully worne his weary howers out , And left his circling travell to his heire , That now sets onset to th' ensuing yeare , Proud Haman ( pain'd with travell in the birth , Till after-time could bring his mischiefe forth ) Casts Lots , from month to month , from day to day , To picke the choycest time , when Fortune may , Be most propitious to his damned plot ; Till on the last month fell th' unwilling Lot : So Haman guided by his Idoll Fate , ( Cloaking with publike good his private Hate ) In plaintiffe tearmes , where Reason forg'd a rellish Vnto the King , his speech did thus imbellish : Vp●● the limits of this happy Nation , There flotes a skum●e , an off-cast Generation , Disperst , despis'd , and noysome to the Land , And Refractory to the Lawes , to thy Command . Not stooping to thy Power , but despising All Government , but of their owne devising , Which stirs the glowing embers of division , The hatefull mother of a States perdition , The which ( not soone redrest by Reformation ) Will ruine-breed to thee , and to thy Nation , Begetting Rebels , and seditio●s broyles , And fill thy peacefull Land , with bloody spoyles : Now therefore , if it please my gracious Lord , To right this grievance with his Princely sword , That Death , and equall Iustice may o'rewhelme The secret Ruiners of thy sacred Realme , Vnto the Royall Treasure of the King , Ten thousand silver Talents w●ll I bring . Then gave the King , from off his heedlesse hand His Ring to Haman , with that Ring command , And said : Thy proffer'd wealth possesse , Yet ●e thy just Petition ne'rthelesse Entirely granted . L●e , before thy face Thy vassals lye , with all their rebell race ; Thine be the people , and the power thine , T' allot these Rebels their deserved Fine . Forthwith the Scribes were summon'd to appeare ▪ Decrees were written , sent to every Shire ; To all Lieutenants , Captaines of the Band , And all the Provinces throughout the Land , Stil'd in the name and person of the King , And made authentick with his Royall Ring ; By speedy Post men were the Letters sent ; And this the summe is of their sad content : ASSVERVS REX . Let ev'ry Province in the Persian Land , ( Vpon the Day prefixt ) prepare his hand , To make the Channels flow with Rebels blood , And from the earth to roote the Iewish brood : And let the s●finesse of no partiall heart , Through melting pitie , love , or false desert , Spare either young or old , or man , or woman , But like their faults , so let their plagues be common . Dicreed , and signed by our Princely Grace , And given at Sushan , from our Royall Place . So Haman fill'd with joy ( his fortunes blest With faire successe of his so foule request ) Laid care aside to sleepe , and with the King , Consum'd the time in jolly banquetting : Meane while the Iewes , ( the poore afflicted Iewes Perplext , and startl'd with the new-bred newes ) With drooping heads , and selfe-imbracing armes , Wept forth the Dirge of their ensuing harmes .

Medita. 8. OF all diseases in a publike weale , No one more dangerous , and hard to heale , ( Except a tyrant King ) then when great might Is trusted to the hands , that take delight To bathe , and paddle in the blood of those , Who● jealousies , and not just cause oppose : 〈…〉 as haughty power is conjoynd Vnto 〈◊〉 will of a distemper'd mind , What ●●re it can , it will , and what it will , It in it 〈◊〉 , hath power to fulfill : What! 〈◊〉 then can linger , unattemted ? What base attempts can happen , unprevented ? Statutes must breake , good Lawes must go to wrac● And ( like a Bow that 's overbent ) must cracke : Iustice ( the life of Law ) becomes so furious , That ( over-doing right ) it proves injurious : Mercy ( the Steare of Iustice ) flyes the City , And falsly must be term'd a foolish Pity , Meane while the gracious Princes tender brest ( Gently possest with nothing but the best Of the disguis'd dissembler ) is abus'd And made the cloke , wherewith his fault 's excus'd : The radient beames that warme , & shine so bright , Comfort this lower world with heat and light , But drawne , and recollected in a glasse , They burne , and their appointed limits passe : Even so the power from the Princes hand , Directs the subject with a sweet command , But to perverse fantasticks if confer'd , Whom wealth , or blinded Fortune hath prefer'd , It spurres on wrong , and makes the right retire , And sets the grumbling Common-wealth on fire : Their foule intent , the Common good pretends , And with that good they maske their private ends , Their glorie 's dimme , and cannot b'understood , Vnlesse it shine in pride , or swimme in blood : Their will 's a Law , their mischiefe Policy , Their frownes are Death , their power Tyranny : Ill thrives the State that harbours such a man , That can , what e're he wills ; wills what he can . May my ungarnisht quill presume so much , To glorifie it selfe , and give a touch Vpon the Iland of my Soveraigne Lord ? What language shall I use , what new-foun●●ord , T' abridge the mighty volume of of his worth , And keepe me blamelesse , from th' untimely birth Of ( false reputed ) flattery ? He lends No cursed Haman pow'r , to worke his Ends Vpon our ruine , but transferres his grace On just desert , which in the ugly face Of foule detraction , ( untouch't ) can dare , And smile , till black-mouth'd Envy blush , and tare Her Snaky fleece . Thus , thus in happy peace He rules , to make our happinesse increase , Directs with love , commands with Princely awe , And in his brest he beares a living Law : Defend us thou , and heavens thee defend , And let proud Haman have proud Hamans end .

THE ARGVMENT . The Iewes and Mordecai lament , And waile the height of their distresses : But Mordecai the Queene possesses , With cruell Hamans foule intent . Sect ▪ 3. NOw when as 〈◊〉 ( the daughter of the earth Newly dis-burthen'd of her plumed birth ) From off her Turrets did her wings display , And pearcht in the sad cares of Mordecai , He rent his garments , wearing in their stead Distressed sack-cloth : on his fainting head He strowed Dust , and from his showring eyes Ran floods of sorrow , and with bitter cryes His griefe saluted heaven ; his groanes did borrow No Art to draw the true pourtraict of sorrow : Nor yet within his troubled brest alone , ( Too small a stage for griefe to trample on ) Did Tyrant sorrow act her lively Sceane , But did inlarge ( such griefe admits no meane ) The lawlesse limits of her Theater I th' hearts of all the Iewish Nation , where ( With no dissembled Action ) she exprest The lively Passion of a pensive brest . Forthwith he posteth to the Palace gate , T' acquaint Queene Ester with his sad estate , But found no entrance : for the Persian Court Gave welcome to delights , and youthly sport , To jolly mirth , and such delightfull things : Soft rayment best befits the Courts of Kings : There lyes no welcome for a whining face , A mourning habit suits no Princely Place : Which when the Maids , and Eunuchs of the Queen ( Vnable of themselves to helpe ) had seene , Their Royall Mistresse straight they did acquaint With the dumb-shew of her sad Cousins plaint ; Whereat ( till now a stranger to the cause ) Perplext , and forced by the tender Lawes Of deare affection , her gentle heart Did sympathize with his conceived smart : She sent him change of rayment to put on , To vaile his griefe ; But he received none : Then ( sore dismai'd , impatient to forbeare The knowledge of the thing she fear'd to heare ) She sent her servant to him , to importune , What sudden Chance , or what disast'rous fortune Had caus'd this strange and ill-apparell'd griefe , That she ( if in her lyes ) may send reliefe : To whom his sorrowes made this sad Relation , And this , the tenor of his Declaration : Hamans ( that cursed Hamans ) haughty pride ( Because my 〈◊〉 deservedly denyde To make 〈◊〉 Idoll of his greatnesse ) hath Incenst the fury of his jealous wrath , And profer'd lavish bribes to buy the blood Of me , and all the faithfull Iewish brood : In , here the copy , granted by the King , Sul'd in his name , confirmed with his Ring , 〈◊〉 of the which , into his hands , 〈◊〉 Haman hath ingrost our lives , our lands : 〈◊〉 tell the Queene , it resteth in her powers To helpe ; the case is ●ers as well as Ours : 〈◊〉 tell my cousin Queene , it is her charge , To use the meanes , whereby she may inlarge H●● aged kinsmans life , and all her Nation ; Preferring to the King her supplication .

Meditat. 9. WHo hopes t' attain the sweet Elysian Layes , To reap the harvest of his wel-spent daies , Must passe the joylesse streames of Acaron , The scorching waves of burning Phlegeton , And sable billowes of the Stygian Lake : Thus sweet with sowre , each mortall must partake . What joyfull Harvester did ere obtaine The sweet fruition of his hopefull gaine , Vntill his hardy labours first had past The Summers heat , and stormy Winters blast ? A sable night returnes a shining morrow ; And dayes of joy ensue sad nights of sorrow : The way to blisse lyes not on beds of Downe , And he that had no Crosse , deserves no Crowne : There 's but one Heav'n , one place of perfect ease , In man it lies , to take it where he please , Above , or here below ; And few men doe Injoy the one ; and tast the other too ; Sweating , and constant labour wins the Goale Of Rest ; Afflictions clarifie the soule , And like hard Masters , give more hard direction● , Tut'ring the nonage of uncurb'd affections : Wisedome ( the Antidote of sad despayre ) Makes sharpe Afflictions seeme not as they are , Through patient sufferance , and doth apprehend , Not as they seeming are , but as they end : To beare Affliction with a bended brow , Or stubborne heart , is but to disallow The speedy meanes to health ; salve heales no sore , If mis-apply'd , but makes the griefe the more : Who sends Affliction , sends an end ; and He Best knows what 's best for him , what 's best for me : 'T is not for me to carve me where I like ; Him pleases when he list to stroke or strike : I le neither wish , nor yet avoid Tentation , But still expect it , and make preparation : If he thinke best , my Faith shall not be tryde , ( Lord ) keep me spotless from presumptuous pride : If otherwise ; with tryall , give me care , By thankfull patience , to prevent Despaire ; Fit me to beare what e're thou shalt assigne ; I kisse the Rod , because the Rod is thine . How-ere , let me not boast , nor yet repine , With tryall , or without ( Lord ) make me thin● .

THE ARGVMENT . Her ayd implor'd , the Queene refuses To helpe them , and her selfe excuses : But ( urg'd by Mordecai ) consents To die , or crosse their foes intents . Sect. 10. NOw when the servant had returrn'd the words Of wretched Mordecai , like pointed swords They neere impierc't Queene Esters tender heart , That well could pity , but no helpe impart ; ●allac'd with griefe , and with the burthen foyld , ( Like Ordnance over-charg'd ) she thus recoyl'd : G●● , Hatach , tell my wretched kinsman thus , The case concernes not you alone , but us : 〈◊〉 the subject of proud Hamans hate , As well as you ; our life is pointed at As well as yours , or as the meanest Iew , N●● can I helpe my selfe , nor them , nor you : You know the Custome of the Persian State , No King may breake , no subject violate : How may I then presume to make accesse ●●fore th' offended King ? or rudely presse ( V●call'd ) into his presence ? How can I Expect my suit , and have deser●'d to dye ? May my desiers hope to find successe , When to ●ffect them , I the Law transgresse ? Th●se thirty dayes uncall'd for have I bin 〈◊〉 my Lord ; How dare I now goe in ? G●● , Hatach , a●d returne this heavy newes 〈…〉 the truth of my vnforc'd excuse . Whereof when Mordecai was full possest , His troubled Soule he boldly thus exprest : Goe , tell the fearfull Queene ; too great 's her feare , Too small her zeale ; her life she rates too deare : How poore's th' adventure , to ingage thy blood , To save thy peoples life , and Churches good ? To what advantage canst thou more expose Thy life than this ? Th' ast but a life to lose ; Thinke not , thy Greatnesse can excuse our death , Or save thy life , thy life is but a breath As well as ours , ( Great Queene ) thou hop'st in raine , In saving of a life , a life to gaine : Who knowes if God on purpose did intend Thy high preferment for this happy end ? If at this needfull time thou spare to speake , Our speedy helpe shall ( like the morning ) breake From heaven , together with thy woes ; and he That succours us , shall heape his plagues on thee . Which when Queen Ester had right well perus'd ▪ And on each wounding word had sadly mus'd , Startled with zeale , not daring to deny , She rouz'd her faith , and sent this meeke reply : Since heaven it is endowes each enterprize With good successe , and onely in us lies To plant , and water ; let us first obtaine Heavens high assistance , lest the worke be vaine : Let all the Iewes in Susa summon'd ●e , And keepe a solemne three dayes Fast , and we , With all our servants , and our maiden traine , Shall fast as long , and from our thoughts abstaine : Then to the King ( uncall'd ) will I repaire , ( Howe'r my boldnesse shall his Lawes contraire , ) And brauely welcome Death before mine eye , And scorne her power : If I dye , I dye .

Meditat. 10. AS in the winged Common-wealth of Bees , ( Whose carefull Summer-providence foresees Th' approching fruitlesse Winter , which denies The crowne of labour ) some with laden thighs Take charge to beare their waxy burthens home ; Others receive the welcome load ; and some Dispose the waxe ; others , the plot contrive ; Some build the curious Comb , some guard the Hive Like armed Centinels ; others distreine The purer honey from the waxe ; some traine , And discipline the young , while others drive The sluggish Drones from their deserved Hive : Thus in this Common-wealth ( untaught by Art ) Each winged Burger acts his busie part ; So man ( whose first creation did intend , And chiefly pointed at no other end , Then ( as a faithfull Steward ) to receive The Fine and quit-rent of the lives we live ) Must suit his deare indeavour to his might ; Each one must lift , to make the burthen light , Proving the power , that his gifts afford , To raise the best advantage for his Lord , Whose substitute he is , and for whose sake We live and breath ; each his account must make , Or more , or lesse ; and he whose power lacks The meanes to gather honey , must bring waxe : Five Talents double five ; two render foure ; Wher 's little , little 's crav'd , where much , there 's more : Kings by their Royall priviledge may do , What unbefits a mind to search into , But by the force of their prerogatives , They cannot free the custome of their lives : The silly Widow ( from whose wrinkled browes Faint drops distill , through labour that she owes Her needy life , must make her Audite too , As well as Kings , and mighty Monarks doe : The world 's a Stage , each mortall Acts thereon , As well the King that glitters on the throne , As needy beggers : Heav'n Spectator is , And markes who acteth well , and who amisse . ¶ What part befits me best , I cannot tell : It matters not how meane , so acted well .

THE ARGVMENT . Vnto the King Queene Ester goes , He unexpected favour showes , Demands her suit , she doth request The King and Haman to a Feast . Sect. 11. WHen as Queen Esters solemne 3. daies Fast Had feasted heaven with a sweet repast , Her lowly bended body she unbow'd , And ( like faire Titan breaking from a cloud ) She rose , and with her Royall Robe she clad Her livelesse limmes , and with a face as sad As griefe could paint , ( wanting no Art to borrow A needlesse helpe to counterfeit a sorrow , ) Softly she did direct her feeble pace Vnto the inner Court , where for a space , She boldly stood before the Royall Throne , Like one that would , but durst not make her mone : Which when her princely husband did behold , His heart relented , ( Fortune helpes the bold ) And to expresse a welcome unexpected , Forth to the Queene his Scepter he directed ; Whom ( now imboldned to approch secur'd ) In gracious termes , he gently thus conjur'd : What is 't Queene Ester would ? What sad request Hangs on her lips , dwells in her doubtfull brest ? Say , say , ( my lifes preserver ) what 's the thing , That lyes in the performance of a King , Shall be deny'd ? Faire Queen● , what e're is mint Vnto the moity of my Kingdome 's thine ▪ So Ester thus : If in thy Princely eyes Thy loyall Servant hath obtain'd the prize Of undeserved favor , let the King And Haman grace my this dayes-banquetting , To crowne the dainties of his handmaids Feast , Humbly devoted to so great a Guest . The motion pleas'd , and fairly well succeeded : ( To willing minds , no twice intreaty needed ) They came ; but in Queene Esters troubled face , ( Robd of the sweetnesse of her wonted grace ) The King read discontent ; her face divin'd The greatnesse of some further suit behind . Say , say , ( thou bount●ous harvest of my joyes ) ( Said then the King ) what dumpish griefe annoyes Thy troubled soule ? Speake , Lady , what 's the thing Thy heart desires ? By th' onour of a King , My Kingdomes halfe , requested , I 'le divide To faire Queene Ester , to my fairest Bride . L● then the tenour of my deare request , ( Repli'd the Queene , ) unto a second Feast , Thy humble Suitor doth presume to bid The King , and Haman , as before she did : Now therefore if it please my gracious Lord , To daig●e his Royall presence , and afford The peerlesse treasure of hi● Prince●y Grace , To dry the sorrowes of his Handmaids face , Then to my Kingly , and thrice-welcome Guest His servant shall unbosome her Request .

Medita. 11. HE that invites his Maker to a Feast , ( Advising well the greatnesse of his Guest ) Must purge his dining chamber from infections , And sweepe the Cobwebs of his lewd affections , And then provide such Cates , as most delight His Palate , and best please his Appetite : And such are holy workes and pious deeds , These are the dainties whereon heaven feeds : Faith plaies the Cook , seasons , directs , and guides ; So man findes meate , so God the Cooke provides : His drinke are teares , sprung from a midnight cry , Heaven sips out Nectar from a sinners eye ; The dining chamber is the soule opprest ; God keepes his revells in a Sinners brest : The musicke that attends the Feast , are grones , Deep-founding sighes , and loud lamenting mone● : Heav'n heares no sweeter musick , than complaints ; The Fasts of sinners , are the Feasts of Saints , To which heav'n dains to stoop , & heav'ns hie King Descends , whilst all the quire of Angels sing , And with such sense-bereaving Sonets fill The hearts of wretched men , that my rude quill ( Dazeld with too much light ) it selfe addressing To blaze them forth , obscures then in th' expressing : Thrice happy man , and thrice-thrice happy Feast , Grac'd with the presence of so great a Guest ; To him are freely giv'n the privy keyes Of heav'n and earth , to open when he please , And locke when e're he li●t ; In him it lyes To ope the showring flood-gates of the skies , Or shut them at his pleasure ; in his hand The Host of heaven is put ; if he command , The Sunne ( not daring to withstand ) obeyes , Out-runnes his equall howres , flies back , or stayes , To him there s nought uneasie to atchieve ; Hee le rouze the graves , and make the dead alive . ¶ Lord , I 'me unfit t' invite thee to my home , My Ca●es are all too coorse , too meane my Roome ▪ Yet come and welcome : by thy pow'r Divine , Thy Grace may turne my Water into Wine .

THE ARGVMENT . Good Mordecai's unreverence Great Hamans haughty pride offends : H'acquaints his wife with the offence ; The counsell of his wife and friends . Sect. 12. THat day went Haman forth ; for his swolne brest Was fill'd with joyes , and heart was full possest Of all the height Ambition could require , To satisfie her prodigall Desire . But when he passed through the Palace Gate , ( His eye-sore ) aged Mardocheus sate , With head unbar'd , and stubborne knee unben● , Vnapt to fawne , with slavish blandishment : Which when great Haman saw , his boyling brest ( So great disdaine unable to digest ) Ran o're ; his blood grew hot , and new desires Incenst , and kindled his avenging fires : Surcharg'd with griefe ▪ and sick with male-content Through his distemper'd passion , home he went ; Where ( to asswage the swelling of his sorrow With words , the poorest helps distress can borrow ) His wife , and friends he summon'd to partake His cause of discontent , and thus be spake : See , see , how Fortune with a lib'rall hand , Hath with the best , and sweetest of the Land , Crown'd my desiers , and hath timely blowne My budded hopes , whose ripenesse hath out-growne The limits , and the height of expectation , Scarce to be had , but in a Contemplation : See , see , how Fortune ( to inlarge his breath , And make me living in despight of Death ) Hath multiply'd my loynes , that after-Fame May in my flocke preserve my blood , my Name . To make my honour with my fortunes even , ●ehold , my gracious Lord the King hath given And trusted to my hand the sword of Pow'r ; Or life , or death lies where I laugh or lowre : Who stands more gracious in my Princes eye ? How frownes the King , if Haman be not by ? Ester the Queene hath made the King her Guest , And ( wisely weighing how to grace the Feast With most advantage ) hath ( in policy ) Invited me : And no man else but I ( Onely a fit Companion for a King ) May taste the secrets of the banquetting . ● Yet what availes my wealth , my place , my might ▪ How can I relish them ? with what delight ? What pleasure it in dainties , if the taste Be in it selfe distemper'd ? Better fast : In many sweets , one sowre offends the pallate , One loa●●some weed annoyes the choycest Sallat : What are my riches , what my honourd Place ? What are my Children ? or my Princes Grace , So long as cursed Mordecai survives ? Whose very breath in●ects , whose life deprives My life of blisse , and visage sternely strikes Worse venome to mine eyes then Basiliskes . When Haman then had launc'd his ripned griefe ▪ In bloody termes , they thus apply'd reliefe : Erect a Gibbet , fifty Cubits hie , Then urge the King ( what will the King deny When Haman sues ? ) that slavish Mordecai Be hang'd thereon ; his blood will soone allay The heat of thine ; his cursed death shall fame The highn●sse of thy power , and his shame ; So when thy suit shall find a faire event , Goe banquet with the King , and live content . The Councell pleas'd : The Gibber fairly stands ▪ Soone done , as said : Revenge finds nimble hands .

Meditat. 12 : SOme Ev'ls I must approve , al Goods , I dare not ▪ Some are , & seem not good ; some seem & are not : In choosing goods my heart will make the choyce , My flattring eye shall have no casting voyce ; No outward sense may choose an inward blisse , For seeming Happinesse least happy is : The eye ( the chiefest Cinque-port of the Heart ) Keepes open doores , and playes the Traytors part , Le ts painted pleasures in , to bribe th' Affections , Which masks foule faces under false complexions ; It hath no pow'r to judge , nor can it see Things as they are , but as they seeme to be . There 's but one happinesse , one perfect blisse ; But how obtain'd , or where , or what it is , The world of nature ne're could apprehend , Grounding their labours on no other end Than bare opinion , diversly affecting Some one thing , some another , still projecting Prodigious fancies , till their learned Schooles Lent so much knowledge as to make them fooles : One builds his blisse upon the blaze of glory : Can perfect happinesse be transitory ? In strength , another summes Felicity : What horse is not more happy farre than he ? Some pile their happinesse on heapes of wealth : Which ( sicke ) they 'd loath , if gold could purchase health : Some , in the use of beautie place their end ; Some , in th' enjoyment of a Courtly friend : Like wasted Lampes , such happinesses smother ; Age puffeth out the one ; and wants , the other . The happinesse , whose worth deserves the name Of chiefe , with such a fier doth inflame The brests of mortalls , that heav'n thinkes it fit That men should rather thinke than taste of it ; All earthly joyes some ●ther aime intend , This , for it selfe's desir'd , no other end : Those , ( if enjoy'd ) are crost with discontent , If not in the pursuit , in the event : This ( truly good ) admits no contrarietie , Without defect , or yet a loath'd ●aciety . ¶ The least is more than my desert can claime , ( Thankfull for both ) at this alone I aime .

THE ARGVMENT . The King askes Haman , what respects Befits the ●an that he affects ; And with that ●onour doth appay The good deserts of Mordecai . Sect. 13. NOw when as Morpheus ( S●rjeant of the night ) Had laid his mace upon the dawning light , And with his Iustlesse limbes had closly spred , The sable Curtaines of his drouzy Bed , The King slept not , but ( indispos'd to rest ) Disguised thoughts within his troubled brest Kept midnight Revells . Wherefore ( to recollect his randome thought ) He gave command the Chronicles be brought , And read before him ; where , with good attention , He mark'd how Mordecai ( with faire prevention ) Of a foule treason 'gainst his blood intended ) His life , and state had loyally defended ; Whereat the King ( impatient to repay Such faithfull service with the least delay ) Gently demands what thankfull recompence , What worship or deserved reverence , Equivalent to such great service , hath Iustly repaid this loyall Liege-mans faith ? They answer'd , None : Now Haman ( fully bent To give the vessell of his poison , vent ) Stood ready charg'd with full Revenge , prepar'd To beg his life , whom highly to reward The King intends : Say ( Haman ) quoth the King , What worship , or what honourable thing Best fits the person , whom the King shall place Within the bounty of his highest Grace ? So Haman thus be thought , Whom more than I Deserves the Sun-shine of my Princes eye ? Whom seekes the King to honour more than me ? From Hamans mouth , shall Haman honour'd be ? Speake freely then , And let thy tongue proclame An honour suting to thy worth , thy name : So Haman thus : This honour , this respect Be done to him the King shall most affect , In Robes Imperiall be his body drest , And bravely mounted on that very Beast The King bestrides ; then be the Crowne of State Plac'd on his lofty browes ; let Princes waite Vpon his Stirrop , and in triumph leade This Impe of Honour , in Assuerus flead ; And to expresse the glory of his name . Like Heralds , let the Princes thus proclame ; " This peerlesse honour , and these Princely rites " Be done to him in whom the King delights . Said then the King , ( O sudden change of Fate ) Within the Portall of our Palace Gate There sits a Iew whose name is Mordecai , Be●he the man ; Let no per●erse delay Protract ; But what thy lavish tongue hath said , Doe thou to him : So Haman sore dismaid ; His tongue ( ty'd to his Roofe ) made no reply , But ( neither daring answer , not deny ) Perforce obey'd , and so his Page became , Whose life he sought to have bereav'd with shame : The Rites solemniz'd , Mordecai return'd Vnto the Gate ; Haman went home and mourn'd , ( His visage muffled in a mournfull vale ) And told his wife this melancholy Tale ; Whereat amaz'd , and startled at the newes , Despairing , thus she spake : If from the Iewes This Mordecai derive his happy line , His be the palme of victory , not thine ; The highest heavens have still conspir'd to blesse That faithfull seed , and with a faire successe Have crown'd their just designes : If Mordecai Descend from thence , thy hopes shall soone decay , And melt like waxe before the mid-day Sun . So said , her broken speech not fully done , Haman was hasted to Queene Esters Feast ; To mirth and joy , an indisposed Guest .

Medita. 13. THere 's nothing under heaven more glorifies The name of King , or in a subjects eyes Winnes more observance , or true loyalty , Than sacred Iustice , shared equally : No greater glory can belong to Might , Than to defend the feeble in their right ; To helpe the helplesse and their wrongs redresse ; To curbe the haughty-hearted , and suppresse The proud ; requiting ev'ry speciall deed With punishment , or honourable meed : Herein Kings aptly may deserve the name Of gods , enshrined in an earthly frame ; Nor can they any way approach more nye The full perfection of a Deity , Than by true Iustice , imitating heaven In nothing more , than in the poizing eaven Their righteous ballance : Iustice is not blinde , As Poets feigne ; but , with a sight refin'd , Her Lyncian eyes are clear'd , and shine as bright As doe their errours , that denie her sight ; The soule of Iustice resteth in her eye , Her contemplation's chiefly to descry True worth , from painted showes ; and loyalty , From false , and deepe dissembled trechery ; A noble Statesman , from a Para●ite ; And good , from what is meerely good in sight : Such hidden things her piercing eye can see : If Iustice then be blinde , how blinde are we ! ¶ Right fondly have the Poets pleas'd to say , From earth the faire Astraea's fled away , And in the shining Baudrike takes her seat , To make the number of the Signes compleat : For why ? Astraea doth repose and rest Within the Zodiake of my Sov'raignes brest , And from the Cradle of his infancy Hath train'd his Royall heart with industry , In depth of righteous lore , and sacred thewes Of Iustice Schoole ; that this my Haggard Muse Cannot containe the freenesse of her spright , But make a Mounty at so faire a flight , ( Perchance ) though ( like a bastard Eagle daz'd With too great light ) she winke , and fall amaz'd : ¶ Heav'n make my heart more thankfull , in confessing So high a blisse , than skilfull , in expressing .

THE ARGVMENT . The Quene brings Hamans accusation ; The King 's displeas'd , and growes in possion : Proud Hamans trechery descry'd ; The shamefull end of shamelesse pride . Sect. 14. FOrthwith to satisfie the Queenes request , The King and Haman came unto her Feast , Whereat the King ( what then can hap amisse ? ) Became her suitor , that was humbly his , And fairely thus intreating , this bespake : What is 't Queene Ester would ? and for her sake , What is 't the King would not ? preferre thy suit , Faire Queene : Those that despaire , let them be mute ; Cleare up those clouded beames ( my fairest Bride ) My Kingdomes halfe ( requested ) I 'le divide . Whereat the Queene , halfe hoping , halfe afraid , Disclos'd her trembling lips , and thus she said : If in the bounty of thy Princely Grace , Thy sad Petitioner may finde a place To shrow ●her most unutterable griefe , Which ( if not there ) may hope for no reliefe ; If in the treasure of thy gracious eyes , ( Where mercy and relenting , pity lies ) Thy hand-●aid hath found favour , let my Lord Grant me my life ( my life so much abbord , To doe him service ) and my peoples life , Which now lye open to a Tyrants knife : Our lives are sold , 't is I , t is guiltlesse I , Thy loyall Spouse , thy Queene and ●ers must dye : The spotlesse blood of me , thy faithfull Bride , Must swage the swelling of a Tyrants pride : Had we beene sold for drudges , to attend The busie Spindle ; or for slaves , to spend Our weary howers , to deserve our bread , So as the gaine stood but my Lord in stead , I had beene silent , and ne're spent my breath : But neither he that seekes it , nor my death , Can to himselfe the least advantage bring , ( Except revenge ) nor to my Lord the King . Like to a Lyon rouzed from his rest , Rag'd then the King , and thus his rage exprest● Who is the man that dares attempt this thing ? Where is the Traitor ? What ? am I a King ? May not our subjects serve , but must our Queene Be made the subject of a vis●aines spleene ? Is not Queene Ester bosom'd in our heart ? What Traitor then dares be so bold , to part Our heart and us ? Who dares attempt this thing ? Can Ester then be slaine , and not the King ? Reply'd the Queene , The man that hath done this , That cursed Haman , wicked Haman is . Like as a Felon shakes before the Bench , Whose troubled silence proves the Evidence , So Haman trembled when Queene Ester spake , Nor answer , nor excuse his guilt could make : The King , no longer able to digest So foule a trechery , forsooke the Feast , Walk'd in the Garden , where consuming rage Boil'd in his heart , with fire ( unapt t' asswage , ) So Haman pleading guilty to the fault , Besought his life of her , whose life he sought . When as the King had walk'd a little space , ( So rage and choller often shift their place ) In he return'd , where Haman fallen flat Was on the bed whereon Queene Ester sate ; Whereat the King new cause of rage debares , ( Apt to suppose the worst , of whom he hates ) New passion addes new fuell to his fire , And faines a cause , to make it blaze the higher : Is 't not enough for him to seeke her death , ( Said hee ) but with a Letchers tainted breath , Will be inforce my Queene before my face ? And make his Brothell in our Royall Place ? So said , they veiled Hamans face , as he Vnfit were to be seene , or yet to see : Then said an Eunuch sadly standing by In Hamans Garden , fifty Cubits high , There stands a Gibbet , built but yesterday , Made for thy loyall servant Mordecai , Whose faithfull lips thy life from danger freed , And merit leads him to a fairer meed . Said then the King , It seemeth just and good , To shed his blood , that thirsted after blood ; Who plants the tree , deserves the fruit ; 't is fit That he that bought the purchase , hansell it : Hang Haman there ; It is his proper good ; So let the Horseleach burst himselfe with blood : They straight obeyd : Lo here the end of Pride : Now rests the King appeas'd , and satisfi'd .

Meditat. 14. CHeere up , and caroll forth your silver ditie , ( Heavens winged quiristers ) and fil your City earth : ( The new Ierusalem ) with jolly mirth : The Church hath peace in heaven , hath peace on Spread forth your golden pinions , and cleave The fl●tting skies ; dismount , and quite bereave Our stupid senses with your heavenly mirth , For loe , there 's peace in heav'n , there 's peace on earth : Let Hallelujah fill your warbling tongues , And let the ayre , compos'd of saintly songs , Breathe such celestiall Sonnets in our eares ; That whosoe're this heav'nly musicke heares , May stand amaz'd , & ( ravisht at the mirth ) Chant forth , there 's peace in heav'n , there 's peace on earth ; Let mountaines clap their joyfull , joyfull hands , And let the lesser hils trace o're the lands In equall measure ; and resounding woods Bow downe your heads , and kisse your neighb'ring floods : Let peace and love exalt your key of mirth ; For now there 's peace in heav'n , there 's peace on earth : You holy Temples of the highest King● Triumph with joy ; Your sacred Anthemes sing ; Chant forth your Hymns , & heav'nly roundelaies , And touch your Organs on their louder keyes : For Haman's dead , that danted al your myrth , And now there 's peace in heav'n , there 's peace on earth : Proud Haman's dead , whose life disturb'd thy rest , Who sought to cut , and seare thy Lilly brest ; The rav'nous Fox , that did annoyance bring Vnto the Vineyard , ●s taken in a Spring . ¶ Seem'd not thy Spouse unkind , to hear thee weep And not redresse thee ? Seem'd he not asleepe ? No , ( Sion ) no , he heard thy bitter pray'r , But let thee weepe , for weeping makes thee faire . The morning Sun reflects , and shines most bright , When Pilgrims grope in darknesse all the night : The Church must conquer , e're she gets he prize , But there 's no conquest , where 's no enemies : The day is thine ; In triumph make thy mirth , For now there 's peace in heav'n , there 's peace on earth : What man 's so dull , or in his brains undone , To say , ( because he sees not ) There 's no Sun ? Weake is the faith , upon a sudden griefe , That sayes , ( because not now ) There 's no reliefe : God's bound to helpe , but loves to see men sue : Though datelesse , yet the bond 's not present due , ¶ Like to the sorrowes of our child-bed wives , Is the sad pilgrimage of humane lives : But when by throes God sends a joyfull birth , Then find we peace in heav'n , & peace on earth●

THE ARGVMENT . Vpon the Queene and Mordecai Dead Hamans wealth and dignity The King bestowes : to their discretion Referres the Iewes decreed oppression . Sect. 15. THat very day , the King did freely adde More bounty to his gift : What Haman had Borrow'd of smiling Fortune , he repaid To Esters hand , and to her use convaid : And Mordecai found favour with the King ; Vpon his hand he put his Royall Ring , Whose Princely pow'r proud Haman did abuse , In late betraying of the guiltlesse Iewes ; For now had Ester to the King descry'd Her Iewish kin , how neere she was ally'd To Mardocheus , whom ( her father dead ) His love did foster in her fathers ' stead . Once more the Queene prefers an earnest suit , Her humble body lowly prostitute Before his Royall feet , her cheekes o'reflowne With marish teares , and thus her plain'full mone , Commix't with bitter singults , she exprest : If in he Cabin of thy Prin●ely brest Thy loyall servant ( undeserv'd ) hath found A pl●ce wherein her wishes might be crown'd With faire successe ; If in thy gracious ●ight I pleasing , or my cause seeme just , and right , Be speedy letters written , to reverse Those bloody Writs which Haman did disperse Throughout thy Provinces , whose sad content Was the subversion of my innocent And faithfull people ; Helpe , ( my gracious Lord ) The time 's prefixt , wherein th' impartiall Sword Must make this massacre , the day 's at hand , Vnlesse thy speedy Grace send countermand : How can I brooke within my tender brest , To breake the bonds of Natures high behest , And see my peopl● ( for whose sake I breath ) Like stalled Oxen , bought and sould for death ? How can I see such mischiefe ? how can I Survive , to see my kin , and people dye ? Said then the King ; Lo cursed Haman hath The execution of our highest wrath , The equall hire of his malicious pride ; His welth to thee I gave ; ( my fairest Bride ) His honour ( better plac'd ) I have bestow'd On him , to whom my borrow'd life hath ow●d Her five yeares breath , the trusty Mordecai , Our loyall kinsman : Let his hand pourtray Our pleasure , as best liketh him , and th●e ; Let him set downe , and be it our D●cree , Let him confirme it with our Royall Ring , And we shall signe it with the name of King : For none may alter , or reverse the same That 's seal'd and written in our Princely name .

Medita. 15. TO breathe , 's a necessary gift of nature , Whereby we may discerne a living Creature From plants , or stones : 'T is but a meere degree From Vegetation ; and this , hath shee Like equally shar'd out to brutish beasts With man , who lesse observes her due behests ( Sometimes ) than they ; and oft , by accident , Doe lesse improve the gift in the event : But man , whose organs are more fairely drest , To entertaine a farre more noble Guest , Hath , through the excellence of his Creation , A Soule Divine ; Divine by inspiration ; Divine through likenesse to that pow'r Divine , That made and plac'd her in her fleshly shrine ; From hence we challenge lifes prerogative ; Beasts onely breath ; 'T is man alone doth live ; One end of mans Creation , was Societie , Mutuall Communion , and friendly Piety : The man that lives unto himselfe alone , Subsists and breaths , but lives not ; Never one Deserv'd the moity of himselfe , for hee That 's borne , may challenge but one part of three ; Triparted thus ; his Country clames the best ; The next his Parents ; and himselfe the least . He husbands best his life , that freely gives It for the publike good ; he rightly lives , That nobly dyes : 't is greatest mastery , Not to be fond to live , nor feare to dye On just occasion ; He that ( in case ) despises Life , earnes it best ; but he that over-prizes His dearest blood , when honour bids him die , Steales but a life , and lives by Robbery . ¶ O sweet Redeemer of the world , whose death Deserv'd a world of lives ! Had Thy deare breath Beone deare to Thee ; Oh had'st Thou but deny'd Thy precious Blood , the world for e'r had dy'd : O spoile my life , when I desire to save it , By keeping it from Thee , that freely gave it .

THE ARGVMENT . Letters are sent by Mordecai , That all the Iewes , upon the day Appointed for their death , withstand The fury of their ●oe-mens hand . Sect. 16. FOrthwith the scribes were summon'd to appear ; To ev'ry Province , and to ev'ry Shire Letters they wrote ( as Mordecai directed ) To all the Iewes , ( the Iewes so much dejected ) To all Liev-tenants , Captains of the Band , To all the States , and Princes of the Land , According to the phrase , and divers fashion Of Dialect , and speech of ev'ry Nation ; All which was stiled in the name of King , Sign'd with his hand , seal'd with his Royall Ring ; Loe here the tenour of the Kings Commission ; Whereas of late , ( at Hamans urg'd petition , ) Decrees were sent , and spred throughout the Land , To spoile the Iewes , and with impartiall hand , ( Vpon a day prefixt ) to kill and slay ; We likewise grant upon that very day , Full power to the Iewes , to make defence , And quit their lives , and for a Recompence , To take the spoiles of those they shall suppresse , Shewing like mercy to the mercilesse . By posts , as swift as Time , was this Decree Commanded forth ; As fast as Day they flee , Spurr'd on , and hast'ned with the Kings Command Which straight was noys'd , & publisht through the Land . As warning to the Iewes , to make provision To entertaine so great an opposition . So Mordecai ( disburthned of his griefe , Which now found hopefull token● of reliefe ) Departs the presence of the King , addrest In royall Robes , and on his lofty Crest He bore a Crowne of Gold , his body spred With Lawne , and Purple deepely coloured : Fill'd were the Iewes with triumphs , & with noise , ( The common Heralds to proclaime true joyes : ) Like as a prisner muffled at the tree , Whose life 's remov'd from death scarce one degree His last pray'r said , and hearts confession made , ( His eyes possessing deaths eternall shade ) At last unlook'd for comes a slow Reprieve , And makes him ( even as dead ) once more alive : Amaz'd , he rends deaths muffler from his eyes , And ( over-joy'd ) knowes not he lives , or dyes ; So joy'd the Iewes , whose lives , this new Decree Had quit from death and danger , and set free Their gasping soules , and ( like a blazing light ) Disperst the darknesse of the approaching night ; So joy'd the Iewes : and with their solemne Feasts They cha●'d dull sorrow from their pen●ive brests● Meane while the people ( startled at the newes ) Some griev'd , some envi'd , some ( for feare ) turn'd Iewes .

Meditat. 16. AMong the noble Greekes , it was no shame To lose a Sword ; It but deserv'd the name Of warres disastrous fortune ; but to yeeld The right and safe possession of the Shield , Was foule reproach , and manlesse cowardize , Farre worse than death to him that scorn'd to prize His life before his Honour ; Honour 's wonne Most in a just defence ; Defence is gone , The Shield once lost , the wounded Theban cry'd , How fares my Shield ? which safe , he smil'd & dy'd : True honour bides at home , and takes delight In keeping , not in gaining of a Right ; Scornes usurpation , nor seekes she blood , And thirsts to make her name not great , as good : God gives a Right to man ; To man , defence To guard it giv'n ; but when a false pretence Shall ground her title on a greater Might , What doth he else but warre with heav'n , and fight With Providence ? God se●s the Princely Crowne On heads of Kings , Who then may take it downe ? No juster quarrell , or more noble Fight , Than to maintaine , where God hath giv'n a Right ; There 's no despaire of Conquest in that warre , Where God's the Leader ; Policy 's no barre To his designes ; no Power can withstand His high exploits ; within whose mighty Hand Are all the corners of the earth ; the hills His fensive bulwarks are , which when he wills , His lesser breath can bandy up and downe , And crush the world , and with a winke , can drowne The spacious Vniverse in suds of Clay ; Where heav'n is Leader , heav'n must win the day : God reapes his honour hence ; That combat's safe , Where hee 's a Combatant , and ventures halfe : Right 's not impair'd with weaknesse , but prevailes In spight of strength , when strength & power failes : Fraile is the trust repos'd on Troops of Horse ; Truth in a handfull , findes a greater force . ¶ Lord maile my heart with faith , and be my shield , And if a world confront me I 'le not yeeld .

THE ARGVMENT . The bloody Massacre : The I●wes Prevaile : their ●atall sword subdues A world of men , and in that ●ray , Hamans ten cursed sonnes they slay , Sect. 17. NOw when as Time had rip'ned the Decree , ( Whose Winter fruit unshaken from the tree Full ready was to fall ) and brought that Day , Wherein pretended mischiefe was to play Her tragicke Sceane upon the Iewish Stage , And spit the venome of her bloody rage Vpon the face of that dispersed Nation , And in a minute breathe their desolation ; Vpon that day ( as patients in the fight ) Their scatter'd force the Iewes did reunite , And to a head their straggling strength reduc'd , And with their fatall hand ( their hand disus'd To bathe in blood ) they made so long recoyle , That with a purple streame , the thirsty soyle O'rflowd : & on the pavement ( drown'd with blood ) Where never was before , they rais'd a flood : There lies a headlesse body , there a limme Newly dis-joynted from the trunke of him That there lies groaning ; here , a gasping head Cropt from his neighbors shoulders ; there , halfe dead Full heapes of bodies , whereof some curse Fate , Others blaspheme the name of Heav'n , and rate Their undisposed Starres ; with bitter cries , One pities his poore widow-wife , and dies ; Another bannes the night his sonnes were borne , That he must dye , and they must live forlorne ; Here ( all besmeard in blood congeald ) there lyes A throng of carcases , whose livelesse eyes Are clos'd with dust , & death : there , lies the Syre Whose death the greedy heire did long desire ; And here the sonne , whose hopes were all the pleasure His aged father had , and his lifes treasure : Thus fell their foes , some dying , and some dead , And onely they that scap'd the slaughter , fled ; But with such strange amazement were affrighted , ( As if themselves in their owne deaths delighted ) That each his force against his friend addrest , And sheath'd his sword within his neighbours brest ; For all the Rulers ( being sore afraid Of Mardocheus name ) with strength , and ayde Supply'd the Iewes : For Mardecheus name Grew great with honour , and his honour'd Fame Was blaz'd through ev'ry Province of the Land , And spred as farre , as did the Kings Command : In favour he increast ; and ev'ry how'r Did adde a greater greatnesse to his pow'r : Thus did the Iewes triumph in victory , And on that day themselves were doom'd to dye , They slew th' appointed actors of their death , And on their heads they wore that noble wreath , That crownes a Victor with a Victors prize ; So fled their foes , so dyde their enemies : And on that day at Susan were imbru'd In blood , five hundred men whom they● subdu'd ; The cursed fruit of the accursed Tree That impious Decad , Hama●s progeny , Vpon that fatall day , they overthrew , But tooke no spoile , nor substance , where they slew .

Medit. 17. I Lately mus'd ; and musing stood amaz'd , My heart was bound , my sight was overdaz'd To view a miracle : could Pharo fall Before the face of Isr'el ? Could her small And ill-appointed handfull then prevaile , When Pharo's men of warre , and Charr'ots faile ? These stood like Gyants ; those like Pigmy brats : These soar'd like Eagles ; those like swarms of gnats : On foote these marcht ; those rod on troops of horse These never better arm'd ; they , never worse ; Strong backt with vengeance & revenge were they ; These , with despaire , themselves , themselves betray ; They close pursu'd ; these ( fearefull ) fled the field ; How could they chuse , but win ? or these , but yeeld ? Sure 't is , nor man , nor horse , nor sword availes , When Isr'el conquers , and great Pharo failes : Poore Isr'el had no man of warre , but One ; And Pharo having all the rest , had none ; Heav'n fought for Isr'el , weakned Pharo's heart , Who had no Counter-god to take his part : What meant that cloudy Pillar , that by day Did usher Isr'el in an unknowne way ? What meant that fi'ry Pillar , that by night Appear'd to Isr'el , and gave Isr'el light ? 'T was not the secret power of Moses Rod , That charm'd the Seas in twaine ; 't was Moses God That fought for Isr'el , and made Pharo fall ; Well thrives the Fray where God's the Generall : 'T is neither strength , nor undermining sleight Prevailes , where heav'ns ingaged in the fight . ¶ Me list not ramble into antique dayes , To manne his theame , lest while Vlysses strayes , His heart forget his home Penelope : Our prosp'rous Brittaine makes sufficient Plea To prove her blisse , and heav'ns protecting power , Which had she mist , her glory in an hower Had falne to Cinders , and had past away Like smoke before the winde ; Which happy Day , Let none but base-bred Rebels ever faile To consecrate ; and let this Age entaile Vpon succeeding times Eternity , Heav'ns highest love , in that dayes memory .

THE ARGVMENT . The sonnes of Haman ( that were slaine ) Are all hang'd up : The Iewes obtaine Freedome to fight the morrow after ; They put three hundred more to slaughter . Sect. 18. WHen as the fame of that dayes bloody newes Came to the King , he said ; Behold , the Iewes Have wonne the day , and in their just defence , H●●e made their wrong , a rightfull recompence ; Five hundred men in Susan they have staine , And that remainder of proud Hamans straine , Their hands have rooted out ; Queene Ester , say , What further suit ( wher●in Assuerus may Expresse the bounty of his Royall hand ) Res●s in thy bosome : What is thy demand ? Said then the Queene : If in thy Princely sight My boone be pleasing , or thou take delight To gra●t thy servants suit , Let that Commission ( Which gave the Iewes this happy dayes permission To save their lives ) to morrow stand in force , For their behal●es that onely make recourse To God , and thee , and let that cursed brood ( The sonnes of Haman , that in guilty blood Lye all ingoar'd , unfit to taint a Grave ) Behang'd on Gibbets , and ( like co-●eires ) have Like equall shares of that deserved shame , Their wretched father purchas'd in his name : 〈◊〉 The King was pleas'd , and the Decree was giv'n From Susan , where betwixt the earth and Heaven , ( Most undeserving to be own'd by either ) These cursed ten ( like twins ) were borne together : When Titan ( ready for his journall chase ) Had rouz'd his dewy locks , and Rosie face Inricht with morning beauty , up arose The Iewes in Susan , and their bloody blowes So roughly dealt , that in that dismall day A lease of hundreds fell , but on the prey No hand was laid : so , sweet and jolly rest The Iewes enjoy'd , and with a solemne Feast , ( Like joyfull Victors dispossest of sorrow ) They consecrated the ensuing morrow ; And in the Provinces throughout the Land , Before their mighty and victorious hand , Fell more than seventy thousand , but the prey They seiz'd not ; and in mem'ry of that day , They solemnized their victorious Guests , With gifts , and triumphs , and with holy Feasts .

Medit. 18. THe Doctrine of the Schoole of Grace dissents From Natures ( more uncertaine ) rudiments , And are as much contrayr , and opposite As Yea , and Nay , or blacke , and purest white : For nature teaches , first to understand , And then beleeve ; but Grace doth first command Man to beleeve , and then to comprehend ; Faith is of things unknowne , and must intend , And soare above conceit ; What we conceive , We stand possest of , and already have : But faith beholds such things , as yet we have not , Which eye sees not , eare heares not , heart conceives not . Hereon , as on her ground-worke , our salvation Erects her pillars ; From this firme foundation , Our soules mount up the new Ierusalem , To take possession of her Diad eme ; God loves no sophistry ; Who argues least In graces Schoole , concludes , and argues best ; A womans Logicke passes there ; For 't is Good proofe to say , 'T is so , because it is ; Had Abraham adviz'd with flesh and blood , Bad had his faith beene , though his reasons good ▪ If God bid doe , for man to urge a Why ? Is , but in better language , a deny : The fleshly ballances of our conceits Have neither equall poysure , nor just weights . To weigh , without impeachment , Gods designe ; There 's no propor●ion betwixt things Divine , And mortall : Lively faith may not depend , Either upon th' occasion , or the end . ¶ The glorious Suns reflected beames suffice To lend a luster to the feeblest eyes , But if the Eye too covetous of the light , Boldly out-face the Sun , ( whose beames so bright And undispers'd , are too-too much refin'd For view ) is it not justly strucken blind ? I dare not taske stout Samson for his death ; Nor wandring Ionah , that bequeath'd his breath To raging Seas , when God commanded so ; Nor thee ( great Queene ) whose lips did overflow With streames of blood ; nor thee ( O cruell kind ) To quench the f●er of a womans mind , ●ith flowing rivers of thy subjects blood ; from bad beginnings , God creates a good , 〈◊〉 happy end : What I cannot conceive , ●●●d , let my soule admier , and beleeve .

THE ARGVMENT . The Feast of Purim consecrated : Th' occasion why 't was celebrated ; Letters were writ by Mordecai , To keepe the mem'ry of that Day . Sect. 19. SO Mardocheus throughout all the Land Dispers'd his Letters , with a strickt command To celebrate these two dayes memory With Feasts , and gifts , and yeerely jollity , That after ages may record that day , And keepe it from the rust of time , ● that they Which shall succeed , may ground their holy mirth Vpon the joyes , those happy dayes brought forth , Which chang'd their sadnes , and black nights of sorrow , Into the brightnesse of a gladsome morrow ; Whereto the Iews ( to whom these letters came ) Gave due observance , and did soone proclame Their sacred Festivalls , in memory Of that dayes joy , and joyfull victory : And since the Lots , ● ( that Haman did abuse , To know the dismall day , which to the Iewes Might fall most fatall , and , to his intent , Least unpropitious ) ● were in th' event Crost with a higher Fate , than blinded Chance , To worke his ruine , their deliverance : They therefore in remembrance of the Lot ( Whose hop'd-for sad event succeeded not ) The solemne feasts of Purim did invest , And by the name of Purim call'd their Feast ; Which to observe with sacred Complement , And ceremoniall rites , their soules indent , And firmly ' inroll the happy memory I th' hearts of their succeeding Progeny , That time ( the enemy of mortall things ) May not with hov'ring of his nimble wings , Beat downe the deare memoriall of that time , But keepe it flowring in perpetuall prime . Now , lest this shining day in times progresse Perchance be clouded with forgetfulnesse , Or lest the gauled Persians should debate The bloody slaughter , and re-ulcerate In after-dayes , their former misery , And blurre the glory of this dayes memory , The Queene and Morde●ai sent Letters out Into the Land , dispersed round about To re-confirme , and fully ratifie This feast of Purim , to eternity ; That it to after-ages may appeare , When sinners bend their hearts , heav'n bowes his eare .

Medit. 19. ANd are the Lawes of God defective then ? Or was the Paper scant , or dull the Pen That wrote those sacred lines ? Could imperfection Lurk closly there , where heav'n hath giv'n direction How comes it then new feasts are celebrated , Vnmention'd in the Law , and uncreated By him that made the Law compleat , and just , Not to be chang'd as brain-sicke mortalls lust ? Is ●ot heavens deepest curse with death to boot , Denounc'd to him that takes from , or ads too 't ? True 't is ; the Law of God's the rule and squire , Whereby to limit Mans uncurb'd desire , And with a gentle hand doth justly paize The ballances of his unbevell'd wayes , True 't is accurs'd , and thrice accurs'd be he That shall detract , or change such Lawes , as be Directive for his Worship , or concerne His holy Service● these we strictly learne Within our constant brest to keepe inshrin'd , These in all seasons , and for all times binde : But Lawes ( although Divine ) that doe respect Thy publike rest , and properly direct , As Statutes politike , doe make relation To times and persons , places , and occasion : The brazen Serpent , which , by Gods command , Was builded up , was by the Prophets hand Beat downe againe , as impious , and impure , When it became an Idoll , not a Cure . ¶ A morall Law needs no more warranty , Then lawfull givers , and conveniency , ( Not crossing the Divine : ) It lies in Kings , To act , and to inhibit all such things As in his Princely wisedome shall seeme best , And most vantagious to the publike rest , And what before was an indifferent thing , His law makes good or bad : A lawfull King Is Gods Liev-tenant ; in his sacred eare God whispers oft , and keepes his presence there● ¶ To breake a lawfull Princes just Command , Is brokage of a sinne , at second hand .

THE ARGVMENT . Assuerus Acts upon Record : The just mans vertue , and reward . Sect. 20. ANd Assuerus stretcht his heavy hand , Laying a Tribute both on Sea , and Land ; What else he did , what Trophies of his fame , He left for time to glorifie his Name , With what renowne and grace , he did appay The faithfull heart of loyall Mordecai ; Are they not kept in endlesse memory , Recorded in the Persian History ? For Mordecai possest the second seat In all the Kingdome , and his name is great ; Of God and man his-vertues were approv'd , Of God and man , much honour'd and belov'd ; Seeking his peoples good , and sweet prosperity , And speaking joyfull peace to his posterity .

Meditat. 20. THus thrives the man , thus prosper his endevors That builds on faith , & in that faith persevers : ¶ It is no losse , to lose ; no gaine , to get , If he that loses all , shall win the Set : God helpes the weakest , takes the losers chayre , And setting on the King , doth soone repayre His losse with vengeance ; Hee 's not alway best That takes the highest place , nor he the least That sits beneath : for outward fortunes can Expresse ( how great , but ) not how good 's the man ; Whom God will raise , he humbles first a while ; And where he raises , oft he meanes to spoyle . ¶ It matters not ( Lord ) what my fortunes be , May they but lead or whip me home to thee . Here the Canonicall History of Queene ESTER ends .

IOB MILITANT :

Horat. car . lib. 1. ode 17. — Dijs , piet as mea , Et Musa , cordi est . —

By Fra. Quarles .

LONDON , Printed by MILES FLESHER . 1632.

The Proposition of the WORKE . WOuldst thou discover in a curious Map , That Iland , which fond worldlings call Mishap , Surrounded with a sea of briny tears , The rockie dangers , and the boggie Feares , The stormes of Trouble , the afflicted Nation , The heavy soyle , the lowly scituation ? On wretched Iob then sp●nd thy weeping eye , And see the colour painted curiously . Wouldst thou behold a Tragick Sceane of sorrow , Whose wofull Plot the Author did not borrow From sad invention ? The sable Stage , The lively Actors with their equipage ? The Musicke made of Sighs , the Songs of Cries , The sad Spectators with their watry Eyes ? Behold all this , comprized here in one ; Expect the Plaudit , when the Play is done . Or wouldst thou see a well built Pinace tost Vpon the swelling Ocean , split ( almost ) Now on a churlish Rocke ; now , fiercely striving With labouring Winds ; now , desperately driving Vpon the boyling Sands , her storme-rent Flags , Her Main-mast broke , her Canvas torne to rags , Her Treasure lost , her men with lightning slaine , And left a wrecke to the relentlesse Maine ? This , this and more , unto your moistned Eyes , Our patient Iob shall lively moralize . Wouldst thou behold unparalleld distresse , Which minds cannot out-think , nor tongs express Full to the life , the Anvill , whereupon Mischiefe doth worke her master-piece , for none To imitate ; the dire Anatomy Of ( curiously-dissected ) Misery ; The face of Sorrow , in her sternest lookes , The rufull Arg'ment of all Tragicke bookes ? In briefe , Would tender eyes , endure to see ( Summ'd up ) the greatest sorrowes , that can be ? Behold they then , poore Iob afflicted here , And each Beholder spend ( at least ) his Teare .

TO THE GREAT TETRAGRAMMATON , LORD PARAMOVNT OF HEAVEN AND EARTH : His Humble Servant dedicates himselfe , and implores the Enfranchising of his Muse. 1 GReat God th' indebted praises of thy glory , If Man shold smother , or his Muse wax faint To number forth ; the stones wold make complaint , And write a never-ending Story , And , not without iust reason , say , Mens hearts are more obdure than they . 2 Dismount from Heaven ( O thou diviner Power ) Handsell my slender Pipe , breath ( thou ) upon it , That it may run an everlasting Sonnet , Which envious Time may not devoure : Oh , let it sing to After-dayes ( When I am Dust ) thy louder Praise . 3 Direct the footsteps of my sober Muse To tread thy glorious path : For be it knowne , She only seeks thy Glory , not her owne , N●rrouzed for a second use ; If otherwise , O! may she never Sing more , but be strucke dumbe for ever .

IOB MILITANT :

THE ARGVMENT . Iobs Lineage , and Integrity , His Issue , Wealth , Prosperity , His childrens holy Feast : His wise Forecast , and zealous Sacrifi●e . Sect. 1. NOt far from Casius , in who●e bounteous womb , Great Pompeys dust lies crowned with his tomb , Westward , betwixt Arabia and Iudaea , Is situate a Country , called Idumaea , There dwelt a man ( brought from his Lineage , That for his belly , swopt his Heritage , ) His name was Iob , a man of upright Will , Iust , fearing Heaven , eschewing what was Ill , On whom his God had heapd in highest measure , The bounteous Riches of his boundlesse Treasure , As well of Fortune , as of Grace , and Spirit , Goods for his Children , Children to inherit ; As did his Name , his wealth did dayly wexe , His Seed did germinate in either Sexe A hopefull Issue , whose descent might keepe His righteous Race on foot ; seven thousand sheepe Did pay their Summer-tribute , and did adde Their Winter blessings to his Fold : He had Three thousand Camels , able for their load , Five hundred Asses , furnisht for the road , As many yoake of Oxen , to maintaine His houshold , for he had a mighty Traine ; Nor was there any in the East , the which In Vertue was so rare , in Wealth so rich . Vpon a time , his Children ( to improve The sweet affection of their mutuall love ) Made solemne Feasts ; each feasted in his turne , ( For there 's a time to mirth , as well as mourne ) And who , by course , was Master of the Feast , Vnto his home invited all the rest . Even as a Hen ( whose tender brood forsake The downy closet of her Wings , and take Each its affected way ) markes how they feed , This , on that Crum ; and that , on t' other Seed ; Moves , as they move ; and stayes , when as they stay , And seemes delighted in their infant-play : Yet ( fearing danger ) with a busie eye , Lookes here and there , if ought she can espy , Which unawares might snatch a booty from her , Eyes all that passe , and watches every commer . Even so th' affection of this tender Syre , ( B'ing made more fervent , with the selfe-same ●●re Of dearest love , which flamed in their brests , Preserved ( as by fuell ) in those Feasts ) Was ravisht in the height of joyes , to see His happy Childrens ten-fold unity : As was his joy , such was his holy feare , Lest he , that plants his Engines every where , Baited with golden Sinnes , and re-insnares The soule of Man , turning his Wheat to Tares , Should season Error with the taste of Truth , And tempt the frailty of their tender youth . No sooner therefore had the dappled skie Opened the Twilight of her waking eye , And in her breaking Light , had promis'd day , But up he rose , his holy hands did Iay Vpon the sacred Altar ( one by one ) An early Sacrifice for every Sonne : For who can tell , ( said he ? ) my Sonnes ( perchance ) H●ve slipt some sinne ; which neither Ignorance Pleaded , nor want of heed , nor youth can cure . Sin steales , unseene , when men sleep most secure :

Meditat. 1. WAnt is the badge of poverty : Then he That wanteth most , is the most poore , say we . The wretch , that hunger drives from door to door , Aiming at present Almes , desires no more . The toiling Swaine , that hath with pleasing trouble Cockt a small fortune , would that fortune double , Which dearly bought with slav'ry , then ( alas ) Hee would be deem'd a Man , that 's well to passe : Which got , his mind 's now tickled with an itch , But to deserve that glorious stile of Rich. That done , h'enjoyes the crowne of all his labour , Could he but once out-nose his right-hand-neighbour● Lives he at quiet now ? Now , he begins To wish that Vs'ry were the least of sinnes : But great , or small , he tries , and sweet 's the trouble And for its sake , he wishes all things double , Thus wishing still , his wishes never cease , But as his Wealth , his Wishes still encrease . Wishes proceed from want : The richest then , Most wishing , want most , and are poorest men : If he be poore , that wanteth much , how poore Is he , that hath too much , and yet wants more ? Thrice happy he , to whom the bounty of heaven , Sufficient , with a sparing hand , hath given : 'T is Grace , not Gold , makes great ; sever but which , The Rich man is but poore , the Poore man rich . The fairest Crop , of either Grasse , or Graine , Is not for use , undew'd with timely raine . The wealth of Croesus , were it to be given , Were not thank-worthy , if unblest by Heaven . Even as faire Phaebe , in Diameter , ( Earth interpos'd betwixt the Sunne and her ) Suffers Eclips , and is disrobed quite ( During the time ) of all her borrowed Light ; So Riches , which fond Mortals so embrace , If not enlightned with the Beames of Grace , B'ing interposed with too grosse a Care , They lye obscured ; and no riches are . My stint of Wealth lyes not in my expressing , With Iacobs Store ( Lord ) give me Iacobs Blessing ; Or if , at night , thou grant me Lazars Boone , Let Dives Dogs licks all my sores at noone . Lord , pare my wealth , by my Capacity , Lest I , with it , or it suit not with mee . This humbly doe I sue for , at thy hand , Enough , and not too much , for my command . Lord , what thou lend'st , shall serve but in the place Of reckoning Counters , to summe up thy Grace .

THE ARGVMENT . Satan appeares , and then professes Himselfe mans Enemy , confesses Gods love to Iob , malignes his Faith , Gaines power over all he hath . Sect. 2. VPon a time , when heavens sweet quire of Saints ( Whose everlasting Hallelujah chaunts The highest praise of their celestiall King ) Before their Lord did the presentment bring Of th' execution of his sacred Will , Commited to their function to fulfill : Satan came too ( that Satan , which betraid The soule of man , to Deaths eternall shade , Satan came too ) and in the midst he stands , Like to a Vulture 'mongst a herd of Swans . Said , then , th' Eternall ; From what quarter now Hath businesse brough thee ? ( Satan ) whence com'st thou ? The Lord of Heaven ( said th' Infernall ) since Thou hast intitled me the Worlds great Prince , I h●ve beene practising mine old profession , And come from compassing my large Possession , Tempting thy sonnes , and ( like a roaring Lion ) Seeking my prey , disturbe the peace of Sion ; I come from s●wing Tares among thy Wheat ; To him , that shall dissemble Peters seat , I have beene plotting , how to prompt the death Of Christian Princes , and the bribed breath Of cheapned Iustice , hath my fire inflam'd With spirit of boldnesse , for a while , unsham'd . I come from planting strife , and sterne debate , 'Twixt private man and man , 'twixt State and State , Subverting Truth with all the power I can , Accusing Man to God , and God to Man : I daily s●w fresh Schismes among thy Saints ; I buffet them , and laugh at their complaints ; The Earth is my Dominion , Hell 's my Home , I round the World , and so from thence I come . Said then th' Eternall : True , thou hast not fail'd Of what thou say'st ; thy spirit hath prevail'd To vexe my little Flocke ; Thou hast beene bold To make them stray , a little , from their Fold . B●t say ; In all thy hard Adventures , hath Thine eye observed Iob my Servants faith ? Hath open force , or secret fraud beset His Bulwarkes , so impregnable , as yet ? And hast thou ( without envy ) yet beheld , How that the World his second cannot yeeld ? Hast thou not found , that he 's of upright will , Iust , fearing God , ●schewing what is ill ? True Lord , ( reply'd the Fiend ) thy Champion ●●th A strong and fervent ( yet a crafty ) Faith , A forced love needs no such great applause , He loves but ill , that loves not for a cause . Hast thou not heap'd his Garners with excesse ? Inricht his Pastures ? Doth not he possesse All that he hath , or can demand from Thee ? His Coffers fill'd , his Land stock'd plenteou●●y ? Hath not thy love surrounded him about , ●And ●edg'd him in , to fence my practice out ? But small 's the triall of a Faith , in this , ●f thou supp●rt him , t is thy strength , not his● Can then my power , that stands by thy permission , Encounter , where Thou mak'st an Opposition ? Stretch forth thy Hand , and smite 〈◊〉 what he hath , And prove thou then the temper of his Faith ; Cease cock'ring his fond humour , veile thy Grace , No doubt , but he 'll blaspheme thee to thy f●●c . L●e , ( said th' Eternall ) to thy cursed hand , I ●ere commit his mighty Stocke , his Land , His hopefull Issue , and Wealth , though nere so much ; Himselfe , alone , thou shalt forbeare to touch .

Medita. 2. SA●an beg'd once , and found his pray'rs reward : We often beg , yet oft returne , unheard . If granting be th' effect of love , then we Conclude our selves , to be lesse lov'd than hee : True , Satan beg'd , and beg'd his shame , no lesse ; 'T was granted ; shall we envie his successe ? We beg , and our request 's ( perchance ) not granted ; God knew , perhaps , it were worse had than wanted . Can God and Belial both joyne in one will ; The one to aske , the other to fulfill ? Sooner shall Stygian darknesse blend with light , The Frost with Fier , sooner day with Night . True , God and Satan will'd the selfe-same Will , But God intended Good ; and Satan , Ill : That Will produc'd a severall conclusion ; He aim'd at Mans , and God at his confusion ▪ He that drew Light from out the depth of Shade , And made of Nothing , whatsoe're he made , ●an out of seeming Evill , bring good Events ; God worketh Good , though by ill Instruments . As in a Clocke , one motion doth convay And carry divers wheeles a severall way : Yet altogether , by the great wheeles force , Direct the hand unto his proper course : Even so , that sacred Will , although it use Meanes seeming contrary , yet all conduce To one effect , and in a free consent , They bring to passe heavens high decreed intent . Takes God delight in humane weaknesse , then ? What glory reapes he from afflicted men ? The Spirit gone , can Flesh and Blood indure ? God burnes his Gold , to make his Gold more pure , Even as a Nurse , whose childes imperfect pace Can hardly leade his foote from place to place , Leaves her fond kissing , sets him downe , to goe , Nor does uphold him , for a step or two : But when she findes that he begins to fall , She holds him up , and kisses him withall : So God from man sometimes withdrawes his hand A while , to teach his Infant faith to stand ; But when he sees his feeble strength begin , To faile , he gently takes him up againe . Lord , I 'm a childe ; so guide my paces , than , That I may learne to walke an upright man : So shield my Faith , that I may never doubt thee , For I shall fall , if e're I walke without thee .

THE ARGVMENT . The frighted M●ssengers tell Iob His foure-fold losse : He rends his Ro●e , Submits him to his Makers trust , Whom he concludeth to be just . Sect. 3. VPon that very day , when all the rest Were frollicke at their elder Brothers fea●t , A breathlesse man , prickt on with winged feare , With staring eyes distracted here and there , ( Like kindled Exhalations in the Aire At midnight glowing ) his stiffe-bolting haire , ( Not much unlike the pennes of Porcupines ) Crossing his armes , and making wofull signes , Purboyl'd in sweat , shaking his fearfull head , That often lookt behinde him , as he fled , He ran to Iob , still ne'rethelesse afraid , His broken blast breath'd forth these words , & said : Alas , ( deare Lord ) the whiles thy servants ply'd Thy painfull Plough , and whilest , on every side Thy Asses fed about us , as we wrought , There sallyed forth on us ( suspecting nought Nor ought intending , but our cheerfull paine ) A rout of rude Sabaeans , with their Traine Armed with death , and deafe to all our Cries , Which , with strong Hand , did in an houre suprize All that thou hadst , and whilest we strove , in vaine ) To guard them , their impartiall hands have slaine Thy faithfull Servants , with their thir●ty Sword ; I onely scap't , to bring this wofull word . No sooner had he clos'd his lips , but see ! Another comes , as much agast as he : A ●lash of fire ( said he ) new falne from heaven , Hath all thy servants of their lives bereaven , And burnt thy She●pe ; I , I alone am he That s left unslaine , to bring the newes to thee . This Tale not fully told , a third ensues , Whose lips in labour with more heavy Newes , Brake thus ; The forces of a triple Band , Brought from the fi●rce Caldaeans , with strong hand Hath seiz'd thy Camels , murther'd with the sword Thy servants all , but me , that brings thee word . Before the aire had cool'd his hasty breath , Rusht in a fourth , with visage pale as Death : The while ( said he ) thy children all were sharing Mirth , at a feast of thy first Sonnes preparing , Arose a Winde , whose errand had more hast , Than happy speed , which with a full-mouth blast Hath smote the house , which hath thy children reft Of all their lives , and thou art childlesse left ; Thy children all are slaine , all slaine together , I onely scap't to bring the tidings hither . So said , Behold the man , whose wealth did flow Like to a Spring-tide , one bare houre agoe , With the unpattern'd height of fortunes blest , Above the greatest Dweller in the East ; He that was Syre of many sonnes but now , Lord of much people , and while-e're could show Such Herds of Cattell , He , whose fleecy stocke Of Sheepe could boast seven thousand , in a flocke , See how he lies , of all his wealth dispoil'd , He now hath neither Servant , Sheepe , nor Childe . Like a poore man , arose the patient Iob , ( Stun'd with the newes ) and rent his purple Robe , Shaved the haire from off his wofull head , And prostrate on the floore he worshipped : Naked , ah ! Poore and naked did I come F●rth from the closet of my mothers wombe ; And shall returne ( alas ) the very same To th' earth as poore , and naked as I came : God gives , and takes , and why should He not have A priviledge , to take those things he gave ? We men mistake our Tenure oft , for He Lends us at will , what we miscall as Free ; He reassumes his owne , takes but the same He lent a while . Thrice blessed be his Name . In all this passage , Iob , in heart , nor Tongue , Thought God unjust , or charg'd his hand with wrong .

Medita. 3. THe proudest pitch of that victorious spirit Was but to win the World , whereby t'inherit● The ayrie purchase of a transitory And glozing Title of an ages Glory ; Would'st thou by conquest win more fame than He ? Subdue thy selfe ; thy selfe's a world to thee : Earth's but a Ball , that Heaven hath quilted o're With wealth and Honour , banded on the floore Of fickle Fortunes false and slippery Court , Sent for a Toy , to make us Children sport , Mans satiate spirits , with fresh delights supplying , To still the Fondlings of the world , from crying , And he , whose merit mounts to such a Ioy , Gaines but the Honour of a mighty Toy . But would'st thou conquer , have thy conquest crown'd By hands of Seraphins , trimph'd with the sound Of heavens loud Trumpet , warbled by the shrill Celestiall quire , recorded with a quill , Pluckt from the Pinion of an Angels wing , Confirm'd with joy , by heavens Eternall King ? Conquer thy selfe , thy rebell thoughts repell , And chase those false affections that rebell . Hath Heaven dispoil'd what his full hand had given thee ? Nipt thy succeeding Blossomes ? or bereaven thee Of thy deare latest hope , thy bosome Friend ? Doth sad Despaire deny these griefes an end ? Despair's a whispring Rebell , that within thee , Bribes all thy Field , and sets thy selfe agin thee : Make keene thy Faith , and with thy force let flee , If thou not conquer him , hee 'll conquer thee : Advance thy Shield of Patience to thy head , And when griefe strikes , t will strike the striker dead● The patient man , in sorrow spies reliefe , And by the taile , he couples Ioy with Griefe . In adverse fortunes be thou strong and stout , And bravely win thy selfe , Heaven holds not out His Bow , for ever bent . The disposition Of noblest spirits , doth , by opposition Exasperate the more : A gloomy night Whets on the morning , to returne more bright ; A blade well tri●d , deserves a treble price , And Vertu 's purest , most oppos'd by Vice : Brave mindes , opprest , should ( in despight of Fa●● ) Looke greatest , ( like the Sunne ) in lowest state . But ah ! shal God thus strive with flesh and blood ▪ Receives he Glory from , or reapes he Good In mortals Ruine , that he leaves man so To be or'ewhelm'd by his unequall Foe ? May not a Potter , that from out the ground , Hath fram'd a Vessell , search if it be sound ? Or if by for bushing , he take more paine To make it fairer , shall the Pot complaine ? Mortall , thou art but Clay : Then shall not he , That fram'd thee for his service , season thee ? Man , close thy lips ; Be thou no undertaker Of Gods designes , Dispute not with thy Maker . Lord , 't is against thy nature to doe ill ; Then give me power to beare , and worke thy Will ; Thou know'st what 's best , make thou thine owne conclusion Be glorifi'd , although in my confusion .

THE ARGVMENT . Satan the second time appeares , Before th' Eternall , boldly dares Maligne Iob● tryed Faith afresh , And gaines th' afflicting of his Flesh. Sect. 4. ONce more , when heavens harmonious queristers Appear'd before his Throne , ( whose Ministers They are , of his concealed will ) to render Their strict account of Iustice , and to tender Th' accepted Sacrifice of highest praise , ( Warbled in Sonnets ▪ and celestiall Layes ) Satan came too , bold , as a hungry Fox , Or ravinous Wolfe amid the tender Flockes , Satan , ( said then th' Eternall ) from whence now Hath thy imployments driven thee ? whence com'st thou ? Satan replies : Great God of heaven & earth , I come from tempting , and from making mirth : To heare thy dearest children whine , and roare : In briefe , I come , from whence I came before . Said then th' Eternall , Hast thou not beheld My servants Faith , how , like a seven-fold shield , It hath defended his integrity Against thy fiery Darts ? Hath not thine Eye , ( Thine envious eye ) perceiv'd how pu●ely just He stands , and perfect , worthy of the trust I lent into his hand , persisting still Iust , fearing God , eschewing what is ill ? 'T was not the losse of his so faire a Flock , Nor sudden rape of such a mighty Stock ; 'T was neither losse of Servants , nor his Sonnes Vntimely slaughter , ( acted all at once ) Could make him quaile , or warpe so true a Faith , Or staine so pure a Love ; say ( Satan ) hath Thy hand ( so deepely counterfeiting mine ) Made him mistrust his God , or once repine ? Can there in all the earth , say , can there be A man so Perfect , and so Iust , as He ? Replyes the Tempter , Lord , an outward losse Hopes for repaire , it 's but a common crosse : I know thy servant's wise , a wise forecast , Grieves for things present , not for things are past ; Perchance the tumour of his sullen heart , Brookes losse of all , since he hath lost a part ; My selfe have Servants , who can make true boast , They gave away as much , as he hath lost : Others ( which learning made so wisely mad ) Refuse such Fortunes , as he never had ; A Faith 's not try'd by this uncertaine Tuch , Others , that never kn●w thee , did as much : Lend mee thy Power then , that I might once But Sacrifice his Flesh , afflict his Bones , And pierce his Hide , but for a moments space , Thy Darling then would curse thee to thy Face ▪ To which , th' Eternall thus : His body 's thine , To plague thy fill , withall I doe confine Thy power to her ●ists : Afflict and teare His flesh at pleasure : But his life forbeare .

Meditat. 4. BOth Goods , and body too ; Lord , who can stand ? Expect not Iobs uprightnesse , at my hand , Without Iobs aid ; The temper of my Passion , ( Vntam'd by thee ) can brooke no Iobs Temptation , For I am weake , and fraile , and what I can Most boast of , proves me but a sinfull man ; Things that I should avoid , I doe ; and what I am injoyn'd to doe , that doe I not . My Flesh is weake , too strong in this , alone , It rules my spirit , that should be rul'd by none But thee ; my spirit 's faint , and hath beene never Free from the fits of fins quotidian Fever . My pow'rs are all corrupt , corrupt my Will , Marble to good , and Waxe to what is ill ; Eclipsed is my reason , and my Wit ; By interposing Earth 'twixt Heaven , and it : My mem'ri's like a Scarce of Lawne ( alas ) It keepes things grosse , and lets the purer passe . What have I then to boast , What Title can I challenge more than this , A sinfull man ? Yet doe I sometimes feele a warme desire , Raise my low Thoughs , and dull affections higher Where , like a soule entranc't , my spirit flies , Makes leagues with Angels , and brings Deities Halfe way to heaven , shakes hands with Seraphims And boldly mingles wings with Cherubims , Frem whence , I looke askauns adowne the earth , Pity my selfe , and loath my place of birth : But while I thus my lower state deplore , I wake , and prove the wretch I was before . Even as the Needle , that directs the howre , ( Toucht with the Loadstone ) by the secret power Of hidden Nature , points upon the Pole ; Even so the wav'ring powers of my soule , Toucht by the vertue of thy Spirit , flee From what is Earth , and point alone to Thee . When I have faith , to hold thee by the Hand , I walke securely , and me thinkes I stand More firme than Atlas ; But when I forsake The safe protection of thine Arme , I quake Like wind-shakt Reeds , and have no strength at all , But ( as a Vine , the Prop cut downe ) I fall . Yet wretched I , when as thy Iustice lends Thy glorious Presence from me ) straight am friends With Flesh and blood , forget thy Grace , flye from it , And , like a Dog , returne unto my vomit ; The fawning world to pleasure then invites My wandring eyes ; The flesh presents delights Vnto my yeelding heart , which thinke those pleasures ▪ Are onely bus'nes now , and rarest treasures , Content can glory in , whilst I , secure , Stoope to the painted plumes of Satans Lure : Thus I captiv'd , and drunke with pleasures Wine , Like to a mad-man , thinke no state like mine , What have I then to boast , what title can I challenge more than this , A sinfull man ? ● feele my griefe so enough , nor can I be ●edrest by any , but ( Great God ) by thee . ●oo great thou art to come within my Roofe , ●ay but the word , Be ●●●le , and 't is enough ; ●ill then , my tongue shall never 〈◊〉 , mine Eyes ●●e're cloze , my lowly bended knees ne're rise ▪ ●ill then my soule shall ne're want early sobs , My cheekes no teares , my Pensive brest no throbs , My hart shall lack no zeale , nor tongue expressing , ●le strive like Iacob till I get my Blessing : Say then , Be clea●e , I 'le never stop till then , Heaven ne'r shall rest , till Heaven shal say , Amen

THE ARGVMENT . Iob , smote with Vlcers , groveling lyes , Plung'd in a Gulfe of Miseries , His Wife to blasphemy doth tempt him , His three Friends visit , and lament him . Sect. 5. LIke as a Truant-Scholler ( whose delay Is worse than whipping , having leave to play ) ●●kes haste to bee inlarged from the Iayle ●his neglected Schoole , turnes speedy tayle ●●on his tedious booke ( so ill befriended ) ●●fore his Masters Iie be full ended : So thanklesse Satan , full of winged haste , Thinking all time , not spent in Mischiefe , waste , Departs with speed , lesse patient to forbeare The patient Iob , then patient Iob to beare . Forth from the furnace of his Nostrell , flies A sulpherous vapour , ( which by the envious eyes , Of this foule Fiend inflam'd ) possest the faire And sweet complexion of th' Abused Ayre , With Pestilence , and ( having power so farre ) Tooke the advantage of his worset Starre , Smote him with Vlcers ( such as once befell Th' Egyptian Wizzards ) Vlcers hot and fell , Which like a searching Tetter uncorrected , Left no part of his body unaffected , From head to foote , no empty place was found That could b'afflicted with another wound : So noysome was the nature of his griefe , That ( left by friends , and wife , that should be chiefe Assister ) he ( poore he ) alone remain'd , Groveling in Ashes , being ( himselfe ) constrain'd , With pot-sheards to scrape off those rip'ned cores , ( Which dogs disdain'd to licke ) from out his sores , Which when his wife beheld , adust , and keene , Her passion waxt , made strong with scorn & spleen ▪ Like as the Winds , imprison'd in the earth , And barr'd the passage to their naturall birth , Grow fierce ; and nilling to be longer pent , Break in an Earthquake , shake the world , and vent ▪ So brake shee forth , so forth her fury brake , Till now , pent in with shame , and thus she spake . Fond Saint , thine Innocence findes timely speed , A foolish Saint receives a Saintly meed ; Is this the just mans recompence ? Or hath Heaven no requitall for thy painfull Faith , 〈◊〉 then this ? What , haue thy zealous Qualmes , ●●●●ious Fastings , and thy hopefull Almes , Thy private groanes , and often bended knees , No other end , no other thankes , but these ? 〈◊〉 man submit thee to a kinder fate , 〈◊〉 to be righteous at so deare a rate : 'T is Heaven , not Fortune that thy weale debarres ; C●●se Heaven then , and not thy wayward flarres : 'T is God that plagues thee , God not knowing why ; C●●se then that God , revenge thy wrongs and dye . 〈◊〉 then reply'd : God loves where ●e chas●iz'd , Thou speakest like a foole , and ill adviz'd ; ●●●gh we to licke the sweet , and shall we lowre , If ●e be pleas'd to send a little sowre ? 〈◊〉 I so weake , one blast or two , should chill me ; I 'le trust my Maker , though my Maker kill me . When these sad tidings fill'd those itching eares Of Earths black babling daughter ( she that heares And vents alike , both Truth and Forgeries , And utters , often , cheaper then she buyes ) She spred the pinions of her nimble wings , Advanc'● her Trumpet , and away she springs , And fils the whispering Ayre which soone possest The spacious borders of th' enquiring East , Vpon the summon of such solemne Newes , Whose truth , malignant Fame could not abuse , His wofull friends came to him , to the end , To comfort , and bewaile their wretched friend . But when they came farre off they did not know , Whether it were the selfe same friend or no , ( Brim-fill'd with briny woe ) they wept and tore ( ●●express their grief ) the garments that they wore Seven dayes and nights they sate upon the ground , But spake not , for his sorrowes did abound .

Medit. 5. SAy , is not Satan justly stiled than , A Tempter , and an enemy to Man ? What could he more ? His wish would not extend To death , lest his assaults , with death should end : Then what he did , what could he further doe ? His Hand hath seiz'd both goods and body too . The hopefull Issue of a holy straine , In such a dearth of holinesse , is slaine . What hath the Lazar left him , but his griefe , And ( what might best been spar'd ) his foolish wife ? Cold mischief bin more hard ( though more in kind ) To nip the flowers , and leave the weeds behind Woman was made a Helper by Creation , A Helper , not alone for Propagation , Or fond Delight , but sweet Society , Which Man ( alone ) should want , and to supply Comforts to him for whom her Sex was made , That each may ioy in eithers needfull ayde : But fairest Angels , had the foulest fall ; And best things ( once abus'd ) prove worst of all , Else had not Satan beene so foule a Fiend , Else had not Woman prov'd so false a Friend . Ev'n as the treachrous Fowler , to entice His silly winged Prey , doth first devise To make a Bird his stale , at whose false call , Others may chance into the selfe-same thrall : Even so , that crafty snarer of Mankind , Finding mans righteous Palate not enclin'd To taste the sweetnesse of his gilded baites , Makes a collaterall Su●e , and slily waites Vpon the weakenesse of some bosome friend , From whose enticement , he expects his end . Ah righteous Iob , what crosse was left unknowne ? What griefe may be describ'd , but was thine owne ▪ Is this a just mans case ? What doth befall To one man , may as well betide to all . The worst I 'le looke for , that I can project , If better come , 't is more then I expect ; If otherwise , I 'm arm'd with Preparation ; No sorrow's sudden to an expectation . Lord , to thy Wisedome I submit my Will , I will be thankfull , send me good or ill ; If good , my present State will passe the sweeter ; If ill , my Crowne of glory shall be greater .

THE ARGVMENT . Orewhelm'd with griefe , Iob breaketh forth Into impatience : Bans his birth , Professes , that his heart did doubt And feare , what since hath fallen out . Sect. 6. WOrn bare with griefe , the patient Iob betrai'd His seven-daies silence , curst his day , & said : O that my Day of birth had never bin , N●● yet the Night , which I was brought forth in ! Be it not numbred for a Day , let Light Not make a difference 'twixt it and Night ; Let gloomy Shades ( then Death more sable ) passe Vpon it , to declare how fatall 't was : Let Clouds ore-cast it , and as hatefull make it , As lifes to him , whom Tortures bid , forsake it : From her next day , let that blacke Night be cut , Nor in the reckning of the Months , be put : Let Desolation fill it , all night long , In it , be never heard a Bridall song : Let all sad Mourners that doe curse the light , When light 's drawne in begin to curse this night ? Her evening Twilight , let foule darknesse staine ; And may her midnight expect light in vaine ; Nor let her infan● Day ( but newly borne ) Suffer't to see the Eye-lids of the morne , Because my Mothers Wombe it would not cl●ze , Which gave me passage to endure these Woes : Why dyed I not in my Conception , rather ? Or why was not my Birth , and death together ? Why did the Midwife take me on her knees ? Why did I sucke , to feele such griefes as these ? Then had this body never beene opprest , I had injoy'd th' eternall sleepe of rest ; With Kings , and mighty Monarchs , that lie crown'd With stately Monuments , poore I had found A place of Rest , had borne as great a sway , Had beene as happy , and as rich as they : Why was not I as an abortive birth , The ●e're had knowne the horrors of the earth ? The silent Grave is quiet from the feare Of Tyrants : Tyrants are appeased there : The grinded Prisner heares not ( there ) the noyse , Nor harder threatnings of th' Oppressors voyce : ●oth rich and poore are equal'd in the Grave , Servants no Lords , and Lords no Servants have : What needs there light to him that s comfortlesse ? Or life to such as languish in distresse , 〈◊〉 long for death , which , if it come by leysure , They ransack for it , as a hidden treasure ? What needs there Life to him , that cannot have A B●●ne , more gracious , then a quiet Grave ? Or else to him , whom God hath wall'd about , That would , but cannot finde a passage out ? When I but taste , my sighes returne my food , The flowing of my teares have rais'd a flood ; When my estate was prosperous , I did feare , Le●t , by some heedlesse slip , or want of care , I might be brought to Misery , and ( alas ! ) What I did then so feare is come to passe : But though secure , my soule did never slumber , Yet doe my Woes exceed both Waight , and Number .

Meditat. 6. SO poore a thing is Man . No Flesh and blood Deserves the stile of Absolutely Good : The righteous man sins oft ; whose power 's such , To sin the least , sins ( at the least ) too much : The man , whose Faith disdain'd his Isaacks life , Dissembled once , a Sister , for a Wife : The righteous Lot , being drunk , did make ( at once ) His Daughters both halfe sisters to their sonnes : The royall Favorite of heaven , stood Not guiltlesse of Adultery and Blood , And he , whose hands did build the Temple , doth Bow downe his lustfull knees to Ashtaroth The sinfull Woman was accus'd , but none Was found , that could begin to fling a stone : From mudled Springs , can Christall water come ? In some things , all men sin ; in all things , some . Even as the soyle , ( which Aprils gentle showers Have fild with sweetnesse , and inricht with flowers ) Reares up her suckling plants , still shooting forth The tender blossomes of her timely Birth , But , if deny'd the beames of cheerly May , They hang their withered heads , and fade away : So man , assisted by th' Almighties Hand , His Faith doth flourish , and securely stand , But left a while , forsooke ( as in a shade ) It ●●nguishes , and nipt with sin doth fade : No Gold is pure from Drosse , though oft refin'd ; The strongest Cedar's shaken with the wind ; The fairest Rose hath no prerogative , Against the fretting Canker-worme , The Hive No honey yeeld● unblended with the wax , The finest Linnen hath both soyle and bracks : The best of men have sins ; None lives secure , In Nature nothing's perfect , nothing pure . Lord , since I needs must sin , yet grant that I Forge no advantage by infirmity : Since that my Vesture cannot want a staine , Assist me , lest the tincture be in Graine . To thee ( my great Redeemer ) doe I flye , It is thy Death alone , can change my Dye ; Teares , mingled with the Blood , can scower so , That Scarlet sinnes shall turne as white as Snow .

THE ARGVMENT . Rash Eliphaz reproves , and rates , And falsly censures Iob ; Relates His Vision ; shewes him the event Of wicked men : Bids him repent . Sect. 7. THen Eliphas , his pounded tongue repliev'd , And said , shold I contend , thou wold'st be grievd ; Yet what man can refraine , but he must breake His angry silence , having heard thee speake ? O sudden change ! many hast thou directed , And strengthned those , whose minds have bin dejected ; Thy sacred Thewes , and sweet Instructions , did Helpe those were falling , rais'd up such as slid : But now it is thy case , thy soule is vext , And canst not help thy selfe , thy selfe perplext ; Thou lov'st thy God but basely for thy profit , Fear'st him in further expectation of it ; Iudge then : Did Record ever round thine eare , That God forsooke the heart that was sincere ? But often have we seene , that such as plow Lewdnesse , and mischiefe , reape the same they sow : So have proud Tyrants from their thrones bin cast , With all their off-spring , by th' Almighties Blast ; And they whose hands have bin imbrew'd in blood , Have with their Issue dyed , for want of Food : A Vision lately appear'd before my sight , In depth of darknesse , and the dead of night , Vnwonted feare usurpt me round about , My trembling bones were sore , from head to foot : Forthwith , a Spirit glanc'd before mine eyes , My browes did sweat , my moistned haire did rise , The face I knew not , but a while it staid , And in the depth of silence , thus it said , Is man more just , more pure then his Creator ? Amongst his Angels , ( more upright by nature Then man ) he hath found Weaknesse ; how much more Shall he expect in him , that 's walled ore With mortall flesh and blood , founded , and floor'd With Dust , and with the Wormes to be devour'd ? They rise securely with the Morning Sunne , And ( unregarded ) dye ere Day be done ; Their glory passes with them as a breath , They die ( like Fooles ) before they think of death . Rage then , and see who will approve thy rage , What Saint will give thy railing Patronage ? Anger destroyes the Foole , and he that hath A wrathfull heart , is slaine with his owne wrath ; Yet have I seene , that Fooles have oft beene able To boast with Babel , but have falne with Babel : Their sons despairing , roare without reliefe In open ruine , on the Rocks of Griefe : Their harvest ( though but small ) the hungry eate , And robbers seize their wealth , thogh ne'r so great ; But wretched man , were thy Condition mine , I 'de not despaire as thou dost , nor repine , But offer up the broken Sacrifice Of a sad soule , before his angry eyes , Whose workes are Miracles of admiration , He mounts the meeke , amidst their Desolation ▪ Confounds the worldly wise , that ( blindfold ) they Grope all in darknesse , at the noone of day : But guards the humble from reproach of wrong , And stops the current of the crafty Tongue . Thrice happy is the man his hands correct : Beware lest Fury force thee to reject Th' Almighties Tryall ; He that made thy wound In Iustice , can in Mercy make it sound : Feare not though multiply'd afflictions shall Besiege thee ; He , at length , will rid them all ; In Famine he shall feed , in Warre defend thee , Shield thee from slander , & in griefes attend thee , The Beasts shall strike with thee eternall Peace , The Stones shall not disturbe thy fields Encrease ; Thy House shall thrive , replenisht with Content , Which , thou shalt rule , in prosp'rous Government , The number of thy Of-spring shall abound , Like Summers Grasse upon a fruitfull Ground , Like timely Corne well ripened in her Eares , Thou shalt depart thy life , strucke full of yeeres : All this , Experience te●ls : Then ( Iob ) advise , Thou hast taught many , now thy selfe be wise .

Meditat. 7. THe perfect Modell of true Friendship 's this : A rare affection of the soule , which is Begun with ripened judgement , doth persever With simple Wisedome , & concludes with Never . 'T is pure in substance , as refined Gold , That buyeth all things , but is never sold : It is a Coyne , and most men walke without it ; True Love 's the Stamp , I●hovah's writ about it ; It rusts unus'd , but using makes it brighter , 'Gainst Heav'n high treason 't is , to make it lighter . 'T is a Gold Chain , links soule and soule together In perfect Vnity , tyes God to either . Affliction is the touch , whereby we prove , Whether 't be Gold , or gilt with fained Love . The wisest Moralist , that ever div'd Into the depth of Natures bowels , striv'd With th' Augur of Experience , to bore Mens hearts so farre , till he had found the Ore Of Friendship , but , despairing of his end , My friends ( said he ) there is no perfect Friend . Friendship 's like Musicke , two strings tun'd alike , Will both stirre , though but onely one you strike . It is the quintessence of all perfection Extracted into one : A sweet connexion Of all the Vertues Morall and Divine , Abstracted into one . It is a Mine , Whose nature is not rich , unlesse in making The state of others wealthy by partaking : It bloomes and blossomes both in Sun and shade , Doth ( like the Bay in winter ) never fade : It loveth all , and yet suspecteth none , Is provident , yet seeketh not her owne : 'T is rare it selfe , yet maketh all things common , And is judicious , yet it judgeth no man . The noble Theban , being asked which Of three ( propounded ) he suppos'd most rich In vertues sacred treasure , thus reply'd : Till they be dead , that doubt cannot be tryde . It is no wisem●ns part to weigh a Friend , Without the glosse and goodnesse of his End : For Life , without the death considered , can Afford but halfe a Story of the Man . 'T is not my friends affliction , that shall make Me either Wonder , Censure , or Forsake : Iudgement belongs to Fooles ; enough that I Find he 's afflicted , not enquier , why : It is the hand of Heaven , that selfe-same sorrow Grieves him to day , may make me grone to morrow Heaven be my comfort ; In my highest griefe , I will not trust to Mans , but Thy reliefe .

THE ARGVMENT . Iob counts his sorrowes , and from thence Excuses his impatience ; Describes the shortnesse of Mans Time , And makes confession of his Crime . Sect. 8. BVt wretched Iob sigh't forth these words , & said , Ah me ! that my Impatience were weigh'd With all my Sorrowes , by an equall hand , They would be found more pondrous then the sand That lies upon the new-forsaken shore : My griefes want utterance , & haue stopt their dore : And wonder not heav'ns shafts have struck me dead ▪ And God hath heapt all mischiefes on my head : Will Asses bray , when they have grasse to eate ? Or lowes the Oxe , when as hee wants no meat ? Can palates finde a relish in distast ? Or can the whites of Egges well please the tast ? My vexed soule is dayly fed with such Corruptions , as my hands disdaine to touch . Alas ! that Heav'n would heare my hearts request ▪ And strike me dead , that I may find some rest : What hopes have I , to see my end of griefe , And to what end should I prolong my life ? Why should not I wish Death ? My strength ( alas ) Is it like Marble , or my flesh like Brasse ? What power have I to mitigate my paine ? If e're I had , that power now is vaine ; My friends are like the Rivers , that are dry In heat of Summer , when necessity Requireth water ; They amazed stand To see my griefe , but lend no helping hand . Friends ; beg I succour from you ? Craved I Your Goods , to ransome my Captivity ? Shew me my faults , and wherein I did wrong My Patience , and I will hold my tongue ; The force of reasonable words may moove , But what can Rage or Lunacie reproove ? Rebuke you ( then ) my words to have it thought My speech is franticke , with my griefe distraught ? You take a pleasure in your friends distresse , That is more wretched than the fatherlesse : Behold these sores : Be judg'd by your owne eyes , If these be counterfeited miseries ; Ballance my words , and you shall finde me free From these foule crimes wherewith ye branded me And that my speech was not distain'd with sin , Onely the language sorrow treated in . Is not mans day prefixt , which , when expir'd , Sleepes ●e not quiet as a servant hir'd ? A servants labour doth , at length , surcease , His Day of travell findes a Night of peace ; But ( wretched ) I with woes am still oprest , My mid-day torments see no Even of Rest ; My nights ( ordain'd for sleep ) are fill'd with griefe , I looke ( in vaine ) for the next dayes reliefe : With dust and wormes my flesh is hid , my sorrowes Have plow'd my skin , and filth lyes in her furrows : My dayes of ioy are in a moment gone , And ( hopelesse of returning ) spent and done : Remember ( Lord ) my life is but a puffe , I but a man , that 's misery enough ; And when pale death hath once seald up my sight , I ne're shall see the pleasures of the light , The eye of Man shall not discover me , No , nor thine ( Lord ) for I shall cease to be ; When mortalls dye , they passe ( like clouds before The Sun ) and backe returne they never more ; T' his earthly house he ne're shall come agin , And then shall be , as if he ne're had bin : Therfore my tongue shal speak while it hath breath Prompted with griefe , and with the pangs of death : Am I not weake and faint ? what needst thou stretch Thy direfull hand upon so poore a wretch ? When as I thinke that night shall stop the streames Of my distress , thou frightst me then with dreams ; So that my soule doth rather choose to dye , Than be involved in such misery ; My life 's a burthen , and will end : O grieve No longer him , that would no longer live . Ah! what is Man , tha● thou should'st raise him so High at the first , then sinke him downe so low ? What 's man ? thy glory 's great enough without him : Why dost thou ( thus ) disturb thy mind about him ? Lord , I have sinn'd ( Great Helper of Mankind ) I am but Dust and Ashes , I have sinn'd : Against the● ( as a marke ) why hast thou fixt me ? How have I trespast , that thou thus afflict'st mo ? Why , rather , didst thou not remoue my sin , And salve the sorrowes that I raved in ? For thou hast heapt such vengeance on my head ; That when thou seekst me thou wilt find me dead .

Meditat. 8. TH' Egyptians , amidst their sollemne Feasts , Vsed to welcome , and present their Guests With the sad sight of Mans Anatomy , Serv'd in with this loud Motto , All must dye . Fooles often goe about , when as they may Take better vantage of a neerer way . Looke well into your bosomes ; doe not flatter Your knowne infirmities : Behold , what matter Your flesh was made of : Man , cast back thine eye Vpon the weaknesse of thine Infancye ; See how thy lips hang on thy mothers Brest , Bawling for helpe , more helplesse then a Beast , Liv'st thou to childhood ? then , behold , what toies Doe mocke the sense , how shallow are thy joyes . Com'st thou to downy yeares ? see , how deceits Gull thee with golden fruit , and with false baits Slily beguile the prime of thy affection . Art thou attain'd at length to full perfection Of ripened yeares ? Ambition hath now sent Thee on her frothy errand , Discontent Payes thee thy wages . Doe thy grizly haires Begin to cast account of many cares Vpon thy head ? The sacred lust of gold Now fits thy spirit , for fleshly lust , too cold , Makes thee a slave to thine owne base desire , Which melts and hardens , at the selfe-same Fire . Art thou de●repit ? Then thy very breath I● grievous to thee , and each griefe 's a death : Looke where thou list , thy life is but a span , Thou art but dust , and , to conclude , A Man . Thy life 's a Warfare , thou a Souldier art , Satan's thy Foe-man , and a faithfull Heart Thy two-edg'd Weapon , Patience thy Shield , Heaven is thy Chiefetain , and the world thy Field . To be afraid to dye , or wish for death , Are words and passions of despairing breath : Who doth the first , the day doth faintly yeeld , And who the second , basely flies the field . Man s not a lawfull Stearsman of his dayes , His bootlesse wish , nor hastens , nor delayes : We are Gods hired Workmen , he discharges Some , late at night , and ( when he list ) inlarges Others at noone , and in the morning some : None may relieve himselfe , till he bid , Come : If we receive for one halfe day , as much As they that toyle till evening , shall we grutch ? Our life 's a Road , in death our Iourney ends , We goe on Gods Embassage , some he sends Gall'd with the ●●otting of hard Misery , And others , pacing on Prosperity : Some lagge , whilest others gallop on , before ; All goe an end , some faster , and some slower . Lead me that pase ( great God ) that thou think'st best , And I will follow with a dauntlesse brest : Which ( ne'rethelesse ) if I refuse to doe , I shall be wicked , and yet follow to . Assist me in my Combat with the flesh , Relieve my fainting powers , and refresh My feeble spirit : I will not wish to be Cast from the world ; Lord , cast the world from me .

THE ARGVMENT . Bildad , mans either state expresses , Gods Mercy and Iustice Iob confesses ; He pleads his cause , and begs reliefe , Foild with the burthen of his griefe . Sect. 9. SO Bildads silence ( great with tongue ) did breake , And , like a heartlesse Comforter did speake : How long wilt thou persist to breathe thy minde In words that vanish as a storme of winde ; Will God forsake the innoc●nt , or will His Iustice smite thee , undeserving ill ? Though righteous death thy sinfull sons hath rent From thy sad bosome , yet if thou repent , And wash thy wayes with undissembled teares , Tuning thy troubles to th' Almighties eares , The mercy of his eyes shall shine upon thee : And shoure the sweetnesse of his blessings on thee : And though a while thou plunge in misery , At length hee l crowne thee with prosperity : Run backe , and ●earne of sage Antiquity , What our late births , to present times , deny , See how , and what ( in the worlds downy age ) Befell our Fathers in their Pilgrimage ; If Rushes have no mire , and Grasse no raine , They cease to flourish , droop their heads , ● waine : So fades the man ▪ whose heart is not upright , So perisheth the double Hypocrite ; His hopes are like the Spiders web , to day That 's flourishing , to morrow swept away : But he that 's just is like the flowting tree , Rooted by Chrystall Springs , that cannot be Scorcht by the noone of day , nor stird from thence , Where , firmely fixt , it hath a residence ; Heaven●never failes the soule that is upright , Nor offers arme to the base Hypo●rite : The one , he blesses with eternall joyes , The other , his avenging hand destroyes . I yeeld it for a truth , ( sad Iob reply'd ) Compar'd with God , can man be justifi'd ? If man should give account what he hath done , Not of a thousand can he answer one : His hand 's all-Power , and his heart all pure , Against this God , what man can stand secure ? He shakes the Moun●aines , and the Sun he barres From circling his due course , shuts up the Starres , He spreades the Heavens , and rideth on the Flood , His workes may be admir'd , not understood : No eye can see , no heart can apprehend him : Lists he to spoile ? what 's he can reprehen● h●m ? His Will 's his Law . The smoothest pleader hath No power in his lips , to slake his Wrath , Much lesse can I pleade faire immunity , Which could my guiltlesse tongue attaine , yet I Would kisse the Footstep of his Iudgement-seat : Should he receive my cry , my griefe 's so great , It would perswade me , that he heard it not , For he hath torne me with the five-fold knot Of his sharpe Scourge , his plagues successive are , That I can finde no ground , but of Despaire . If my ●●old lips should dare to justifie My selfe , my lips would give my lips the lye . God owes his mercy , nor to good , nor bad ; The wicked oft he spares , and oft does adde Griefe to the just mans griefe , woes after woes ; We must not judge man , as his Market goes . But might my prayers obtaine this boone , that God Would cease those sorrowes , and remove that Rod , Which moves my patience ; I would take upon me , T'implead before him , your rash judgement on me , Because my tender Conscience doth perswade mee , I 'me not so bad , as your bad Words have made me . My life is tedious , my distresse shall breake Into her proper Voyce , my griefes shall speake ; ( Iust ●udge of Earth ) condemne me not , before Thou please to make me understand wherefore Agrees it with thy Iustice , thus to be Kinde to the wicked , and so harsh to Me ? Seest thou with fleshly eyes ? or doe they glance By favour ? Are they clos'd with Ignorance ? Liv'st thou the life of man ? Dost thou desire A space of time to search , or to enquire My sinne ? No , in the twinkling of an eye Thou seest my heart , seest my Immunity From those foule crimes , wherewith my friends at pleasure Taxe me , yet thou afflict'st me , in this Measure : Thy hands have form'd , and fram'd me , what I am , Wh●n thou hast made , wilt thou destroy the same ? Remember , I am built of Clay , and must Returne againe ( without thy helpe ) to Dust. Thou didst create , preserve me , hast indu'd My life with gracious blessings oft renew'd Thy precious favours on me : How wert thou , Once , so benigne , and so cruell now ? Thou hunt'st me like a Prey , my plagues encrease , Succeed each other , and they never cease . Why was I borne ? Or why did not my Tombe Receive me ( weeping ) from my mothers wombe ▪ I have not long to live ; Lord grant that I May see some comfort , that am soone to dye .

Meditat. 9. HE that 's the truest Master of his owne , Is never ●esse alone , than when alone ; His watchfull eyes are plac't within his heart ; His skill , is how to know himselfe ▪ his Art , How to command the pride of his Affections , With sacred Reason : how to give directions Vnto his wandring Will ; His conscience checks hi● More looser thoughts ; His 〈◊〉 sins , she vexes With frights , and feares within her owne precincts , She rambles with her Whips of wire , ne're 〈◊〉 At smallest faults , like as a tender Mother ( How e're she loves her darling ) will not 〈◊〉 His childish fault ▪ but shee ( her selfe ) will rather Correct , than trust him to his angry Fat●●er : Even so , the tender Conscience of the wise , Che●ks her beloved soule , and doth chastise , And Iudge the crime it selfe , lest it should stand As lyable to a severer hand . Fond soule beware , who e're thou art , that spies Anothers fault , that thou thine owne chastise , Lest , like a foolish man , thou judge another , In those selfe-crimes , which in your brest you smother● Who undertakes to dreine his brothers eye Of noisome Humours , first , must clarifie His owne , lest when his brothers blemish is Remov'd , he spie a fouler Blame in his . It is beyond th' extent of Mans Commission , To judge of Man : The secret disposition Of Sacred Providence is lockt , and seal'd From mans conceit , and not to be reveal'd , Vntill that Lambe breake ope the Seale and come , With life and death , to give the world her doome . The ground-worke of our faith must not relie On bare Events ; Peace and Prosperity Are goodly favours , but no proper Marke , Wherewith God brands his Sheepe : No outward barke Secures the body to be sound within . The Rich man liv'd in Scarlet● dyed in Sinne. Behold th' afflicted man ; affliction moves Compassion ; but no confusion proves . A gloomy Day brings oft a glorious Even : The Poore man dy'd with sores , and lives in heaven . To good and bad , both fortunes Heaven doth share That both , an after-change , may hope , and feare . I 'le hope the best , ( Lord ) leave the rest to thee , Lest while I judge another , thou judge me ; It 's one mans worke to have a serious sight Of his owne sinnes , and judge himselfe aright .

THE ARGVMENT . Zophar blames Iob ; Iob equall makes His wisdome unto theirs : He takes In hand to pleade with God ; and then Describes the fraile estate of men . Sect. 10. THen Zophar from deepe silence , did awake His words , with louder language , and bespake : Shall Pratlers bee unanswe'rd , or shall such Be counted just , that speake , for babbling much ? Shal thy words stop our mouths , he that hath blamd And scoft at others , shall he die unsham'd ? Our cares have heard thee , when thou hast excus'd Thy selfe of evill , and thy God accus'd : But if thy God should pleade with thee at large , Thou 'dst reape the sorrows of a double charge . Can●t thou , by deepe inquiry , understand The hidden Iustice of th' Almighties hand ? Heavens large dimensions cannot comprehend him ; What e're hee doe , what 's he can reprehend him ? What refuge hast thou then , but to present A heart , inricht with the sad compliment Of a true convert , on thy bended knee , Before thy God , t' attone thy God and thee ? Then doubt not , but hee 'll reare thee from thy sorrow , Disperse thy Clouds , and like a shining Morrow , Make cleare the Sun-beames of Prosperity , And rest thy soule in sweet Security . But he , whose heart obdur'd in sinne , persists , His hopes shall vanish , as the morning Mists . But Iob , even as a Ball against the ground Banded with violence , did thus rebound : You are the onely wisemen , in your brests The hidden Magazen of true Wisdome rests , Yet ( though astund with sorrowes ) doe I know A little , and ( perchance ) as much as you ; I 'm scorned of my Friends , whose prosprous state Surmises me ( that have expir'd the date Of earths faire Fortunes ) to be cast away From heavens regard , think none belov'd , but they ; I am despised , like a Torch , that 's spent , Whiles that the wicked blazes in his Tent : What have your wisdoms taught me , more than that Which birds & beasts ( could they but fpeak ) would chat ? Digests the Stomack , e're the Pallat tastes ? O weigh my Words , before you judge my case . But you referre me to our Fathers dayes , To be instructed in their wiser Layes ▪ True , length of dayes brings Wisdome ; but , I say , I have a wiser teacheth me , than they : For I am taught , and tutor'd by that Hand , Whose unresisted power doth command The limits of the Earth , whose Wisdome schooles And traines the simple , makes the learned fooles : His hand doth raise the poore , deposes Kings ; On him , both Order , and the change of things Depend ; he searches , and brings forth the light From out the shadowes , and the depth of night . All this , mine owne Experience hath found true , And in all this , I know as much as you . But you averre , If I should plead with God , That he would double his severer Rod. Your tongue belies his Iustice , you apply Amisse , your Med'cine , to my Malady ; In silence , you would seeme more wise , lesse weake ; You having spoke , now lend me leave to speake . Will you doe wrong , to doe Gods Iustice right ? Are you his Counsell ? Need you helpe to fight His quarrels ? Or expect you his applause , Thus ( brib'd with selfe-conceit ) to plead his cause ? Iudgement 's your Fee , when as you take in hand Heavens cause , to plead it , and not Heav'n command . If that the foulnesse of your censures could Not fright you , yet , me thinks , his greatness should , Whose Iustice you make Patron of your lies ; Your slender Maximes , and false Forgeries Are substanc't like thedust that flyes besides me ; Peace then , and I will speake , what e're betides me : My soule is on the rack , my tears have drown'd me , Yet will I trust my God , though God confound me ; He , He 's my Towre of strength ; No hypocrite Stands , unconfounded , in his glorious sight : Ballance my words ; I know my case would quit Me from your censures , should I argue it . Who takes the Plaintifes pleading ? Come , for I Must plead my right , or else perforce must die . With thee ( great Lord of Heaven ) I dare dispute , If thou wilt grant me this my double Suit ; First , that thou slake these sorrows that surround me ; Then , that thy burning Face doe not confound me ; Which granted , then take thou thy choyce , let me Propound the question , or , else answer Thee . Why dost thou thus pursue me , like thy Foe ? For what great sinne dost thou afflict me so ? Break'st thou a withred Leafe , thy Iustice doth Summe up the reckonings of my sinfull youth : Thou keep'st me pris'ner , bound in fetters fast , And , like a thred-bare garment doe I wast . Man borne of Woman , hath but a short while To live , his dayes are fleet , and full of toyle ; Hee 's like a Flower shooting forth and dying , His life is as a Shadow , swiftly flying . Ah! b'ing so poore a thing ; what needst thou minde him ? The number of his dayes thou hast confin'd him ; Then adde not plagues unto his Griefe , O give Him peace , that hath so small a time to live : Tree's that are fell'd , may sprout again , man never ; His dayes are numbred , and he dyes for ever ; He 's like a Mist , exhaled by the Sunne , His dayes once done , they are for ever done . O that thy Hand would hide me close , and cover Me in the Grave , till all thy Wrath were over ! My desperate sorrows hope for no reliefe , Yet will I waite my Change . My day of griefe Will be exchang'd for an Eternall day Of joy : But now , thou dost not spare to lay Full heapes of vengeance on my broken soule , And writ●st my sinnes upon an ample scrowle ; As ●ountaines ( being shaken ) fall , and Rocks ( Though firm ) are worn , & rent with many knocks : So strongest men are batterd with thy strength , Loose ground , returning to the Ground at length : So mortals die , and ( being dead ) ne're minde The fairest fortunes that they leave behinde . While man is man ( untill that death bereave him Of his last breath ) his griefes shal never leave him .

Meditat. 10. DOth Hist'ry then , and sage Chronologi● , ( The Index , pointing to Antiquity , ) So firmly grounded on deepe Iudgement , guarded , And kept by so much Miracle , rewarded With so great glory , serve , but as slight Fables , To edge the dulnesse of mens wanton Tables , And claw their itching eares ? Or doe they , rather Like a conci●e Abridgement , serve to gather Mans high Adventures , and his transitory Atchievements to expresse his Makers glory ? Acts , that have blown the lowdest Trumpe of Fame Are all , but humours , purchas 't in His name . Is he , that ( yesterday ) went forth , to bring His Fathers Asses home , ( to day ) crown'd King ? Did hee , that now on his brave Palace stood , Boasting his Babels beauty , chew the cud An hower after ? Have not Babes beene crown'd , And mighty Monarchs beaten to the ground ? Man undertakes , heaven breathes successe upon it ; What good , what evill is done , but heaven hath done it ? The Man to whom th● world was not asham'd To yeeld her Colours , he that was proclam'd A God in humane shape , whose dreadfull voyce Did strike men dead like Thunder , at the noyse ; Was rent away , from his Imperiall Throne , Before his flowre of youth was fully blowne , His race was rooted out , his Issue slaine , And left his Empire to another straine . Who that did e're behold the ancient Rome , Would rashly , given her glory such a doome , Or thought her subject to such alterations , That was the Mistresse , and the Queen of Nations ? Egypt , that in her wals , had once engrost More Wisdome , than the world besides , hath lost Her senses now : Her wisest men of State , Are turn'd , like Puppets , to be pointed at : If Romes great power , and Egypts wisdome can Not ayde themselves how poore a thing is Man ? God plaies with Kingdomes , as with Tennis-balls , Fells some that rise , and raises some that fals : Nor policy can prevent , nor secret Fate , Where Heaven hath pleas'd to blow upon a State . If States be not secure , nor Kingdomes , than How helpelesse ( Ah! ) how poore a thing is Man ! Man 's like a flower , the while he hath to last , Hee 's nipt with frost , and shooke with every blast , Hee 's borne in sorrow , and brought up in teares , He lives a while in sinne , and dyes in feares . Lord , I 'le not boast , what e're thou give unto me , Lest e're my brag be done , thou take it from me . No man may boast but of his owne , I can Then boast of nothing , for I am a Man .

THE ARGVMENT . Rash Eliphaz doth aggravate The sinnes of Iob , malign's his fl●te , Whom Iob reproving , justifies Himselfe , bewailes his miseries . Sect. 11. DOth vaine repining ( Eliphaz replies ) Or words , like wind , beseeme the man that 's wise ? Ahsure , thy faithlesse heart rejects the feare Of heaven , dost not acquaint thy lips with pray'r : Thy words accuse thy heart of Impudence , Thy tongue ( not I ) brings in the Evidence : Art thou the first of men ? Doe Mysteries Vnfold to thee ? Art thou the onely wise ? Wherein hath Wisdome beene more good to you Then us ? What know you , that we never knew ? Reverence , not Censure , fits a young mans eyes , We are your Ancients , and should be as wise ; It't not enough , your Arrogance derides Our counsels , but must scorne thy God besides ? Angels ( if God in quier ) strictly must Not pleade Perfection : then can man be just ? It is a truth receiv'd , these aged eyes Have seen 't , and is confirmed by the wise , That still the wicked man is void of rest , Is alwayes fearefull ; falls when he feares least , In trouble he despaires , and is dejected , He begs his bread , his death comes unexpected , In his adversity , his griefes shall gaule him , And , like a raging Tyrant , shall in th●all him , He shall advance against his God , in vaine , For Heaven shall crush & beate him downe againe , What i● his Garners thrive , and goods increase ? They shall not prosper , nor he live in peace , Eternall horrour shall beg●●t him round , And vengeance shall both him and his confound , Amidst his joyes , despaire shall stop his breath , His sons shall perish , with untimely death ; The double soule shall die , and in the hollow Of all false hearts , fal●e hearts themselves shall swallow . Then answered Iob , All this , before I knew , They want no griefe , that finde such friends as you ? Ah , cease your words , the fruits of ill spent houres ! If heaven should please to make my fortunes yours , I would not scoffe you , nor with taunts torment ye , My lips should comfort , and these eyes lament ye : What shall I doe , speake not , my griefes oppresse My soule , or speake ( alas ) they 'r ne're thelesse ; Lord I am wasted , and my pangs have spent me , My skin is wrink●ed , for thy hand hath rent me , Mine enemies have smit me in disdaine , Laught at my torments , jested at my paine : I swell'd in wealth , but ( now ) alas , am poore And ( feld with woe ) lye groveling on the floore , In dust and sackcloth I lament my sorrowes , Thy Hand hath trencht my cheekes with water furrowes , Nor can I comprehend the cause , that this My smart should be so grievous as it is : Oh earth ! if then an Hypocrite I be , Cover my cryes , as I doe cover thee , And witnesse Heaven , that these my Vowes be tru● ( Ah friends ! ) I spend my teares to Heav'n , not you . My time 's but short , ( alas ! ) would then that I Might try my cause with God before I dye . Since then I languish , and not farre from dead , ●et me a while with my Accusers plead ( Before the Iudge of heaven and earth ) my right : Have they not wrong'd , and vext me day & night ? Who first , layes downe his Gage , to meet me ? Say , I doubt not ( Heaven being Iudge ) to win the day : You 'll say perchance , wee 'll recompell your word , E're simple truth should unawares afford Your discontent ; No , no , forbeare , for I Hate lesse your Censures , then your flattery ; I am become a By-word , and a Tabor , To set the tongues , and eares of men , in labour , Mine eyes are dimme , my body 's but a shade , Good men that see my case , will be afraid , But not confounded ; They will hold their way , And in a bad , they 'll hope a better day ; Recant your errours , for I cannot see One man that 's truly wise among you Three ; My dayes are gone , my thoughts are mis-possest , The silent night , that heaven ordain'd for rest , My day of travell is , but I shall have E're long ▪ long peace , within my welcome grave ; My neerest kinred are the wormes , the earth My mother , for she gave me first my birth ; Where are my hopes then ? where that future joy , Which you fals-prophecy'd I should enjoy ? Both hopes , and I alike , shall travell thither , Where , clos'd in dust , we shall remaine together .

Meditat. 11. THe Morall Poets , ( nor unaptly ) faine , That by lame Vulcans help , the pregnant brain Of soveraigne ●ove , brought forth , and at that birth , Was borne Minerva , Lady of the earth . O strange Divinity ! but sung by rote ; Sweete is the tune , but in a wider note . The Morall sayes , All Wisedome that is given To hood-wink't mortals , first proceeds from heaven Truth 's errour , Wisedom's but wise insolence , And light 's but darknesse , not deriv'd from thence ; Wisedom's a straine , transcends Morality , No Vertu 's absent , Wisedome being by . Vertue , by constant practice , is acquir'd , This ( this by sweat unpurchas't ) is inspir'd : The master-piece of knowledge , is to know But what is good , from what is good in show , And there it rests : Wisedome proceeds , and chuses The seeming evill , th' apparent good refuses ; Knowledge descries alone ; Wisedome applies , That makes some fooles ; this , maketh none but wise : The curious hand of knowledge doth but picke ●are simples , wisdome pounds them , for the sicke ; In my afflictions knowledge apprehends , Who is the Author , what the Cause , and Ends , It findes that Patience is my sad reliefe , And that the hand that caus'd , can cure my griefe : To rest contented here , is but to bring Cloudes without raine , and heat without a Spring : What hope arises hence ? The Devils doe The very same : They know , and tremble too ; But sacred Wisdome doth apply that good , Which simple knowledge barely understood : Wisedome concludes , and in conclusion , proves , That wheresoever God corrects , he loves : Wisedome digests , what knowledge did but tast , That deales in futures ; this , in things are past : Wisdome's the Card of knowledge , which , without That Guide , at random's wreck't on every doubt : Knowledge , when wisdome is too weak to guide her Is like a head-strong horse , that throwes the rider : Which made that great Philosopher avow , He knew so much , that he did nothing know . Lord , give me Wisedome to direct my wayes , I beg nor riches , nor yet length of dayes : O grant thy servant Wisedome , and with it , I shall receive such knowledge as will fit To serve my turne : I wish not Phoebus waine , Without his skill to drive it , lest I gaine Too deare an Honour : Lord , I will not stay , To picke more Manna , then will serve to day .

THE ARGVMENT . Bildad , the whil'st he makes a show To strike the wicked , gives the blow To Iob : Iobs misery , and faith ; Zophar makes good what Bildad saith . Sect. 12. SAid Bildad then , When will yee bring to end The speeches whereabout ye so contend ? Waigh eithers words , lest ignorant confusion Debarre them of their purposed conclusion : We came to comfort , fits it then that wee Be thought as beasts , or fooles accounted bee ? But thou , Iob , ( like a madman ) would'st thou force God , to desist his order , and set course Of Iustice ? shall the wicked , for thy sake ( That would'st not taste of evill ) in good partake ? No , no , his Lampe shall blaze , and dye , his strength Shall faile , and shall confound it selfe , at length He shall be hampred with close hidden snares , And dog'd , where e're he starts , with troops of fears ; Hunger shall bite , destruction shall attend him , His skin shall rot , the worst of deaths shal end him : His feare , shall bee a thousand linkt together , His branch above , his roote beneath shall wither , His name shall sleepe in dust , in dust decay , Odious to all , by all men chas't away , No Son shall keepe alive his House , his Name , And none shall thrive , that can alliance clame , The after-age shall stand amaz'd , to heare His fall , and they that see 't , shall shake for feare : Thus stands the state of h●m that doth amisse , And ( Iob ) what other is thy case , then this ? But Iob reply'd , how long , ( as with sharp swords ) Will ye torment me , with your pointed words ? How often have your biting tongues defam'd My simple Innocence , and yet unsham●d ? Had I deserv'd these plagues , yet let my g●iefe Expresse it selfe , though it find no reliefe ; But if you needs must weare your tongues upon me Know , 'T is the hand of God hath overthrowne me ; I roare , unheard ; his hand will not release me ; The more I grieve , the more my griefs oppress me , He hath despoyl'd my joyes , and goes about ( My branches being lopt ) to story the Root ; His plagues , like souldiers trench within my bones My friends , my kinred flye me all at once , My neighbors , my ●amiliars have forgone me , My houshold stares , with strangers eyes , upon me : I call my servant , but his lips are dumbe , I humbly begg his helpe , but hee 'l not come : My own wife loaths my breath though I did make ●y solemne suit , for our dead childrens sake : The poor , whose wants I have supply'd , despise me , And he that liv'd within my brest , denyes me : My bones are hide-bound , there cannot be found One piece of skin , ( vnlesse my gums ) that 's sound . Alas ! complaints are barren shadowes , to Expresse , or cure the substance of my woe . Have pity , ( oh my friends ) have pitty on me , 'T is your Gods hand and mine , that lyes upon me , Vexe me no more . O let your anger be ( If I have wrong'd you ) calm'd with what yee see ; O! that my speeches were ingraven , then , In Marble Tablets , with an yron Pen : For sure I am , that my Redeemer lives , And though pale death consume my flesh , and gives My Carkas to the wormes yet am I sure , Clad with this self-same flesh ( but made more pure ) I shall behold His glory ; These sad eyes Shall see his Face , how-e're my body lyes Mouldred in dust ; These fleshly eyes , that doe Behold these Sores , shall see my Maker too . Vnequall hearers of unequall griefe , Y' are all ingag'd to the selfe●same beliefe ; Know there 's a Iudge , whose voyce will be as free , To judge your words , as you have judged me . Said Zoph●r then , I purpos'd to refraine From speaking , but thou mov'st me backe againe : For having heard thy haughty spirit breake Such hasty termes , my spirit bids me speake : Hath not the change of Ages , and of Climes , Taught us , as we shall our succeeding times , How vain 's the triumph , and how short the blaze , Wherein the wicked sweeten out their dayes ? Though for a while his Palmes of glory flourish , Yet , in conclusion they grow sere , and perish : His life is like a Dreame , that passes o're , The eye that saw him , ne're shall see him more ▪ The Sonne shall flattter , whom the Syre opprest , And ( poore ) he shall returne , what he did wrest ; He shall be bayted with the sinnes , that have So smil'd upon his Child-hood , to his Grave ; His plenty ( purchas 't by oppression ) shall Be honey , tasted ▪ but digested , Gall ; It shall not blesse him with prolonged stay , But evilly come , it soone shall passe away ; The Man , whose griping hath the poore opprest , Shall neither thrive in state , nor yet find rest In soule , nought of his fulnesse shall remaine , His greedy Heire shall long expect in vaine ; Soak't with extorted plenty , others shall Squeeze him , and leave him dispossest of all ; And when his joyes doe in their height a bound , Vengeance shall strike him groaning , to the ground If Swords forbeare to wound him , Arrowes shall , Returning forth , anoynted with his Gall ; No shade shall hide him , and an unblowne Fyer Shall burne both him and his . Heav'n , like a Cryer Shal blaze his shame , and Earth shall stand his foe , His wandring Children shall no dwelling know ; Behold the mans estate , whom God denyes , Behold thine owne , pourtraicted to thine Eyes .

Meditat. 12. CAn mercy come from bloody C●in ? Or hath His angry Brow a smile ? or can his wrath Be quencht with ought , but righteous Abels blood ? Can guilty Pris'ners hope for any good From the severer Iudge , whose dismall breath Dooms them to die , breaths nothing else but death Ah righteous Iudge ! wherein hath Man to trust ? Man hath offended , and thy Lawes are just ; Thou frownest like a Iudge , but I had rather , That thou would'st smile upon me like a Father , What if thy Esau be austere and rough ? Thou hast a Iacob that is smooth enough : Thy Iacobs tender Kid brings forth a blessing , While Esaus tedious Ven'zon is a dressing . Thy face hath smiles , as well as frownes , by turnes ; Thy fier giveth light as well as burnes ? What if the Serpent stung old Adam dead : Young Adam lives , to breake that Serpents head ? Iustice hath struck me with a bleeding wound , But Mercy poures in Oyle , to make it sound . The milk-white Lamb confounds the roaring Lion , Blasted by Sinah , I am heal'd by Sion : The Law finds guilty , and Death Iudgement gives , But sure I am , that my Redeemer lives . How wretched was mans case , in those dark dayes When Law was only read ? Which Law dismayes And , taking vantage , through the breach of it , The Letter kills , and can no way admit Release by pardon ; for by Law we dye . Why then hop'd man , without a reason Why ? Although there was no Sun , their Morning eyes Saw by the Twilight , that the Sun would rise . The Law was like a mistie Looking-Glasse , Wherein the shadow of a Saviour was , Treats in a darker straine by Types and Signes , And what should passe in after-dayes , divines . The Gospell sayes , that he is come and dead , And thus the Riddle of the Law is read . Gospell is Law , the Myst'ry being seal'd ; And Law is Gospell , being once reveal'd . Experience tells us when as birth denyes To man ( through Natures oversight ) his eyes , Nature ( whose curious workes are never vaine ) Supplyes them , in the power of his Braine : So they , whose eyes were barr'd that glorious sight Of the Messiah's day , receiv'd more Light , ( Inspired by the breath of Heaven ) then they , That heard the tydings of that happy day . The man , that with a sharpe contracted eye , Lookes in a cleere Perspective-Glasse , doth spi● Objects remote , which to the sense appeare ( Through help of the Perspective ) seeming neere . So they that liv'd within the Lawes Dominion , Did heare farre off , a bruit and buzz'd Opinion , A Saviour one day should be borne ; but he That had a Perspective of Faith , might see That long-expected day of joy as cleere , As if the triumph had beene then kept there . Lord , so direct me in thy perfect Way , That I may looke , and smile upon that Day : O! bathe me in his blood , spunge every staine , That I may boldly sue my Counter-paine : O! make me glorious in the doome he gives , For sure I am , that my Redeemer lives .

THE ARGVMENT . Earths happinesse is not Heavens brand : A rash recounting of Iob's crimes : Iob trusts him to th' Almighties hand : God ties his Iudgements , not to Times . Sect. 31. THen Iob replyde : O , let your patience prove , You came ( not to afflict me but ) in Love . O! beare with me , and heare me speake at leysure , My speech once ended , mock , & scoffe your pleasure Myst'ries I treat , not Toyes ; If then I range A thought beyond my selfe , it is not strange ; Behold my case , and stand amaz'd , forbeare me ! Be still , and in your deeper silence heare me . Search you the hearts of men ( my Friends ) or can You judge the Inward , by the Outward Man ? How haps the wicked then , so sound in health , So ripe in yeeres , so prosperous in wealth ? They multiply , their house is fill'd with Peace , They passe unplagu'd , their fruitfull flocks increase Their children thrive in joyfull melody , Prosperous they live , and peacefully they dye ; Renounce us ( God ) say they ( if God there be , ) What need we knowledge of thy Word or Thee ? What is th' Almighty , that we should adore him ? What hoots our prayer , or us to fall before him ? 'T is not by chance , their vaine Prosperity Crownes them with store , or Heav'n ; not knowing why : But you affirme , That in conclusion they Shall fall ; But not so sudden , as you say : But can ye limit forth the space , confine How long , or when their lamps shal cease to shine ? Will any of you undertake to teach Your Maker , things so farre above your reach ? The bad man lives in plenty , dyes in peace : The good , as doe his houres , his griefes increase ; Yet both the good and bad alike shall haue , Though lives much differing , yet one common grave I know your mining thoughts ; You will demand , Where is the wickeds power ? And where stand Their lof●y buildings ? Are they to be seene ? Enquire of wandring Pilgrims that have beene Experienc'd in the Roade ; and they ' lrelate The Princely greatnesse of their Tow●'s and State : Live any more secure then they ? Or who Dare once reprove them , for the deeds thy doe ? He lives in power , and in peace he dyes , Attended in his pompeous Obsequies . How vaine are then the comforts of your breath , That censure goodnesse , or by Life or Death ? Said Eliph●z ; What then remaines ? Thy tongue Hath quit thy selfe , accus'd thy God of wrong . Gaines he by mans uprightnesse ? Can man adde To his perfection , what he never had ? Fears he the strength of Man ? doth he torment him Lest that his untam'd power should prevent him ? What need I wast this breath ? Recall thy senses , And take the Inventory of thy ' offences : Thou tookst the poore mans Pawne , nor hast thou fed Thy needy Brother , with thy prosp'rous Bread ; Thy hands perverted Iustice , and have spoyl'd The hopelesse Widow , with her helplesse child . Hence spring thy sorrowes ( Iob ) 'T is Iustice , then Thou shouldst-bee plagu'd , that thus plagu'd other men ; Is heaven just ? Can heavens just Creator Let passe ( unpunisht ) Sinnes of so high nature ? Hath not experience taught , that for a while , The Wicked may exalt their Crests , and smile , Blowne up with Insolence : But in conclusion They fall , and good men laugh at their confusion ? Iob , adde not sinne to sinne , cease to beguile Thy selfe , thinking to quench thy fire with Oyle ; Returne thee to thy God , confesse thy crimes ; Returne , and he will crowne thy after times With former Blessings , and thy Riches shall Be as the Sand : for God is all in all ; His face shall welcome thee , and smile upon thee , And cease that mischief his just hand hath done thee ▪ He shall be pleased with thy holy Fires , And grant the issue of thy best Desires . Iob answer'd then : Although my soule be faint , And griefes weigh down the scale of my complaint , Yet would I plead my cause ( which you defam'd ) Before my Maker , and would plead , unsham'd ; Could I but find him , I would take upon me , To quite the censures you have passed on me , His Iustice hath no limits , is extended Beyond conceit , by man vnapprehended , Let Heaven be Vmpire , and make Arbitration , Betwixt my guiltlesse heart , and your taxa●ion , My Embrion thoughts and words are all inroll'd , Pure will he find them , as refined Gold ; His steps I followed , and uprightly stood ; His Lawes have been my guide , his words my food ; Hath he but once decreed ? ( alas ! ) there 's none Can barre : for what he wills , must needs be done ; His Will 's a Law : If he have doom'd that I Shall still be plagu'd , 't is bootlesse to reply . Hence comes it , that my sore afflicted spright Trembles , and stands confounded at his sight ; His hand hath strucke my spirits in a maze , For I can neither end my Griefes nor dayes . Why should not times in all things be forbid , When to the just , their time of sorrow 's hid ? Some move their Land marks , rob their neighbour flocks ; Others in gage ▪ receive the widowes oxe , Some grind the poore , while others seeke the prey ; They reape their Harvest , beare their graine away ; Men presse their Oyle , & they distraine their store , And rend the Gleanings from the hungry poore . The City roares , the blood which they have spent , Cryes ( unreveng'd ) for equall punishment ; Early they murther , and rob late at night , They trade in Darknesse , for they hate the Light ▪ They sin ( unpunisht ) thriving , uncontrold , And what by force they got , by force they hold . O friends ! repeale your words , your speeches bring No lawfull issue , prove not any thing : Your deeper wisedomes argue in ( effect ) That God doth , or not know , or else neglect : Conclude with me , or prove my words untrue , I must be found the lyar , or else you .

Meditat. 13. THe wisest men that Nature ere could boast , For secret knowledge of her power , were lo●t , Confounded , and in deepe amazement stood , In the discovery of the Chiefest Good : Keenly they hunted , beat in every bracke , Forwards they went , on either hand , and backe Return'd they counter ; but their deep-mouth'd art , ( Thogh often challeng'd sent , yet ) ne're could start In all th' Enclosures of Philosophy , That Game , from squat , they terme , Felicity : They jangle ; and their Maximes disagree , As many men , so many mindes there be . One digs to Pluto's Throne , thinks there to finde Her Grace ▪ rak't up in Gold : anothers mind Mounts to the Courts of Kings , with plumes of honor , And feather'd hopes , hopes there to seize upon her ; A third , unlocks the painted Gate of Pleasure , And ransacks there , to finde this peerlesse Treasure . A fourth , more sage , more wisely melancholy , Perswades himselfe , her Deity 's too holy For common hands to touch , he rather chuses , To make a long dayes journey to the Muses : To Athens ( gown'd ) he goes , and from that Schoole Returnes unsped , a more instructed foole . Where lyes she then ? Or lyes she any where ? Honours are bought and sold , she rests not there , Much lesse in Pleasures hath she her abiding , For they are shar'd to Beasts , and ever sliding ; Nor yet in Vertue , Vertue 's often poore , And ( crusht with fortune ) begs from doore to door , Nor is she sainted in the Shrine of wealth ; That , makes men slaves , is unsecur'd from stealth ; Conclude we then , Felicity confists Not in exteriour Fortunes , but her lists Are boundlesse , and her large extension Out-runnes the pace of humane apprehension ; Fortunes are seldome measur'd by desert , The fairer face hath oft the fouler heart ; Sacred Felicity doth ne're extend Beyond it selfe : In it all wishes end : The swelling of an outward Fortune can Create a prosp'rous , not a happy man ; A peacefull Conscience is the true Content , And Wealth is but her golden Ornament . I care not so my Kernell relish well , How slender be the substance of my shell ; My heart b●ing vertuous , let my face be wan , I am to God , I onely seeme to man .

THE ARGVMENT . Bildad showes mans impurity ; Iob se●teth forth th' Almighties power , Pleads still his owne integrity : Gods Wisedome no man can discover . Sect. 14. SAid Bildad then , With whom dost thou contest , But with thy Maker , that lives ever blest ? His pow'r is infinite , mans light is dimme ; And knowledge darknesse not deriv'd from him ? Say then , who can be just before him ? No man Can challenge Purity , that 's borne of Woman . The greater Torch of heaven in his sight , Shall be asham'd , and lose his purer light ; Much lesse can man , that is but living Dust , And but a ●airer Worme , be pure and just . Whereat Iob thus : Doth heav'ns high judgement stand To be supported by thy weaker hand ? Wants he thy helpe ? To whom dost thou extend These these thy lavish lips , and to what end ? No , Hee 's Almighty , and his Power doth give Each thing his Being , and by him they live : To him is nothing darke , his soveraigne hands Whirle round the restless Orbs , his pow'r commands The even●pois'd Earth ; The water-pots of heaven He empties at his pleasure , and hath given Appointed lists , to keepe the Waters under ; The trembling skies he strikes amaz'd , with thunder : These , these the Trophies of his Power be , Where is there e're a such a God as He ? My friends , these eares have heard your censures on me , And heavens sharp hand doth waigh so hard upon me ▪ So languishing in griefe , that no defence Seemes to remaine , to shield my Innocence : Yet while my soule a gaspe of breath affords I 'le not distrust my Maker , nor your words Deserve , which heaven fo●fend , that ever I Prove true , but I 'le plead guiltlesse till I dye , While I have breath , my pangs shal ne're perswade me To wander , and revolt from Him that made me . E're such thoughts spring from this confused bre●t , Let death and tortures doe their worst , their best . What gaines the Hypocrite , although the whole Worlds wealth he purchase , with the prize on 's soule ? Will heaven heare the voice of his disease ? Can he repent , and turne , when e're he please ? True , God doth sometime plague with open shame The wicked , often blurres he forth his Name From out the earth , his children shall be slaine , And who survive shall beg their bread in vaine ; What if his gold be heapt , the good man shall Possesse it , as true Master of it all ; Like Moths , their houses shall they build , in doubt And danger , every houre to be cast out ; Besieg'd wi●h want , their lips make fruitlesse mone Yet ( wanting succour ) be reliev'd by none ; The worme of Conscience shall torment his brest , And he shall rore , when others be at rest , Gods hand shall scourge him , that he cannot flie , And men shall laugh , and hisse , to heare him cry . The purest metal 's hid within the mould , Without is gravell , but within is Gold ; Man digs , and in his toile he takes a pleasure , He seekes , and findes within the turfe , the treasure ; He never rests unsped , but ( underneath ) He mines , and progs , though in the fangs of death : No secret , ( how obscure soever ) can Earths bosome smother , that 's unfuond by man ; But the Divine , and high Decrees of Heaven , What minde can search into ? No power 's given To mortall man , whereby he may attaine The rare discovery of so high a straine : Dive to the depth of darknesse , and the deepes Renounce this Wisdome : The wide Ocean keepes Her not inclos'd ; 'T is not the purest Gold Can purchase it , or heapes of silver , told ; The Pearles , and peerlesse Treasures of the East , Refined Gold , and Gemmes , are all , the least Of nothings , if compar'd with it , as which , Earths masse of treasure , ( summ'd ) is not so rich ; Where rests the wisedome then ? If men enquire Below , they finde her not ; or if they ( higher ) Soare with the Prince of Fowles , they stil despaire , The more they seeke , the further off they are . Ah friends ! how more than men ? how Eagle-eyd Are you , to see , what to the world beside Was da●ke ? To you alone ( in trust ) was given To search into the high Decrees of Heaven : You read his Oracles , you understand To riddle forth mans fortunes by his hand ; Your wisedomes have a priviledge to know His secret Smiling from his angry Brow : Let shame prevent your lips , recant , and give To the Almighty his prerogative , To him , the searching of mens hearts belong , Mans judgement sinks no deeper than the tongue ▪ He overlookes the World , and in one space Of time , his Eye is fixt on every place : He waighes the Waters , ballances the Ayre , What e're hath Being , did his hands prepare ; He wills that Mortalls be not over-wise , Nor judge his Secrets with censorious eyes .

Medit. 14. T Is Vertue to flye Vice : there 's none more stou● Than he that ventures to picke vertue out Betwixt a brace of Vices : Dangers stand , Threatning his ruine upon either hand ; His Card must guide him , lest his Pinnace run Vpon Charybdis , while it Scylla shun : In moderation all Vertue lyes ; T is greater folly to be over-wise , Than rudely ignorant : The golden meane , Is but to know enough ; safer to leane To Ignorance , than Curiosity , For lightning blasts the Mountaines that are high● The first of men , from hence deserv'd his fall , He sought for secrets , and found death , withall : Secrets are unfit objects for our eyes , They blinde us in beholding ▪ He that tryes To handle water , the more hard he straines And gripes his hand , the lesse his hand retaines : The mind that 's troubled with that pleasing itch Of knowing Secrets , having flowne a pitch Beyond it selfe , the higher it ascends , And strives to know , the lesse it apprehends : That secret Wiseman , is an open Foole , Which takes a Counsell-chamber , for a Schoole . The eye of Man desires no farther light , Than to descry the object of his sight : And rests contented with the Suns reflection , But ( lab'ring to behold his bright complexion ) If it presume t' out-face his glorious Light , The beames bereave him , justly , of his sight : Even so the mind should rest in what 's reveal'd , But over-curious , if in things conceald She wades too farre , beyond her depth , unbounded , Her knowledge will be lost , and she confounded . Farre safer 't is , of things unsure , to doubt , Than undertake to riddle secrets out . It was demanded once , What God did doe Before the World he framed ? Whereunto Answer was made , He built a Hell for such , As are too curious , and would know too much . Who flyes with Icarus his feathers , shall Have Icarus his fortunes and his fall . Anoble Prince , ( whose bounteous hand was bent , To recompence his servants faith , and vent The earnest of his favors , ) did not profer , But wild him boldly to prevent his offer : Thankfull , he thus replyed , Then grant vnto me , 〈…〉 , With-●old thy Princely secrets from me . That holy Man , in whose familiar eare Heavn oft had thundred , might not come too near : The Temple must have Curtaines ; mortall hearts Must rest content to see his Hinder-parts . I care not ( Lord ) how farre thy Face be off , If I but kisse thy Hand , I have enough .

THE ARGVMENT . Iob wisheth his past happinesse , Shewes his state present , doth confesse That God's the Auth●r of his griefe , Relates the purenesse of his life . Sect. 15. OH ! that I were as happy as I was , When Heavens bright favours shone upon my face , And p●sperd my affaires , inricht my joyes , When all my sonnes could answer to my voyce ; Then did my store , and thriving flocks encrease , Offended Iustice sought my hands , for peace ; Old men did honour , and the young did feare mee , Princes kept silence ( when I spake ) to heare me ; I heard the poore , reliev'd the widowes cry , Orphans I succour'd , was the blind mans eye , The Cripples foote , my helplesse brothers drudge , The poore mans Father , and th' oppressors I●dge ; I then supposed , that my dayes long Lease Would passe in plenty , and expire in peace ; My Rootes were fixed , and my Branches sprung , My Glory blaz'd , my Power grew daily strong ; I speaking , men stood mute , my speeches mov'd All hearts to joy , by all men were approv'd : My kindly words were welcome , as a latter Raine , and were Oracles in a doubtfull matter . O sudden change ! I 'm turn'd a laughing - 〈◊〉 To boyes , and those that su'd to tend my flock , And such , whose hungry wants have taught their hands To scrape the earth , and digge the barren lands For hidden rootes , wherewith they might appeas● Their Tyran' stomacks , these , ( even very these ) Flout at my sorrowes , and disdaining me , Point with theire fingers , and cry , This is he : My honour 's foyl'd , my troubled spirit lies Wide open to the worst of injuries ; Where ere I turne , my sorrow , new , appeares , I 'me vext abroad with flouts , at home with feares ▪ My soule is faint , and nights that should give ●ase To tyred spirits , make my griefes encrease ▪ I loath my Carkeise , for my ripened sores Have chang'd my garments colour with their cores● ▪ But what is worst of worsts , ( Lord ) often I Have cry'd to thee , a stranger to my cry , Though perfect Clemency thy nature bee , Though kinde to all , thou art unkinde to me . I nere waxt pale , to see another thrive , Nor e're did let my ' afflicted brother strive With teares , alone : but I ( poore I ) tormented , Expect for succour , and am unlamented : I mourne in silence , languish all alone , As in a Desart , am re●iev'd by none : My sores have dy'd my skin with filth , still turning My joyes to griefe , and all my mirth to mourning . My Heart hath past Indentures with mine Eye , Not t● behold a Maid , for what should I Expect from heaven but a deserv'd reward , Earn'd by so foule a sinne ? for death 's prepar'd , And flames of wrath are blowne for such : Doth H● No● know my actions , that so well knowes mee ? If I have lent my hand to slye deceit , Or if my steps have not beene purely strait , What I have sowne , then let a stranger eate , And root my Plants untimely from their seate . If I with Lust have e'●e distain'd my life , Or beene defiled with anothers Wife , In equall Iustice let my Wife be knowne Of all , and let me reape as I have sowne : For Lust , that burneth in a sinfull brest , Till it hath burnt him too , shall never rest . If e're my haste did treat my Servant ill , Without desert , making my power my Will , Then how should I before Gods Iudgement stand , Since we were both created by one Hand ? If e're my power wrong'd the Poore mans cause , Or to the Widow , lengthned out the Lawes : If e're ( alone ) my lips did taste my bread , Or shut my churlish doores , the poore unfed , Or bent my hand to doe the Orphane wrong , Or saw him naked , unapparell'd long ; In heapes of Gold , if e're I tooke delight , Or gave Heavens worship to the heavenly Light , Or e're was flattred by my secret Will ; or joyed in my Adversaries Ill ; Let God accurse mee from his glorious Seat , And make my plagues ( if possible ) more great , Oh! That some equall hearer now were by , To judge my righteous cause : Full sure am I , I shall be quitted by th' Almighties hand . What , therefore , if censorious tongues withstand The judgement of my sober Conscience ? Compose they Ballads on me , yet from thence My simple Innocence shall gaine renowne , And on my head , I 'le weare them , as my Crowne : To the Almighties care will I reveale My secret wayes ; to him , alone , appeale : If ( to conclude ) the Earth could finde a tongue , T●impeach my guiltlesse hands of doing wrong : If hidden Wages ( earn'd with sweat ) doe lye Rak't in her furrowes , let her wombe deny To blesse my Harvest , let her better Seeds Be turn'd to Thistles , and the rest , to Weeds .

Medita. 15. THe man whose soule is undistain'd with Ill , Pure from the check of a distempred Will , Stands onely free from the distracts of Care , And flies a pitch above the reach of Feare : His bosome dares the threatning Bow-mans arme , His wisedome sees , his Courage feares no harme ; His brest lyes open to the re●king Sword ; The darts of swarthy Maurus can affoord Lesse dread , than danger ▪ to his well prepar'd And setled minde , which ( standing on her guard ) Bids Mischiefe doe the worst she can , or will , For he that does no ill , deserves no ill . Would any strive with Samson for renowne , Whose brawny arme can strike most pillers downe ▪ Or try a fall with Angels , and prevaile ? Or with a Hymne unhinge the strongest Iayle ? Would any from a pr●●ner prove a Prince ? Or with slow speech best Orators convince ? Preserve he then , unstained in his brest , A milke●white Conscience ; let his soule be blest With simple Innocence : This seven fold shield No dart shall pierce , no sword shall make it yeeld ▪ The si●ewy Bow , and deadly headed Launce , Shall breake in shivers and the splinters glaunce Aside , returning backe , from whence they came , And wound their hearts with an eternall shame . The just and constant minde , that perseveres Vnblemisht with false pleasures , never feares The bended threatnings of a Tyrants brow , Death neither can disturbe , nor change his Vow ; Well guarded with himselfe , he walkes along , When , most alone , he stands a thousand strong . Lives he in weale , and full Prosperity ? His wisedome tells him , that he lives to dye . Is he afflicted ? Sharpe afflictions give Him hopes of Chang , and that hee dyes , to live . Is he revil'd and scorn'd ? He sits , and smiles , Knowing him happy , whom the world reviles . If Rich , he gives the Poore , and if he live In poore estate , he findes rich friends to give : He lives and Angel in a mortall forme ; And having past the brunt of many a storme , At last ariveth at the Haven of Rest , Where that just Iudge , that rambles in his brest , Ioyning with Angels , with an Angels voyce , Chaunts forth sweet Requie●s of Eternall joyes .

THE ARGVMENT . Elihu Iob reproves , reproves His Friends alike ; he pleades the case With Iob in Gods behalfe , and moves Him to recant , and call for Grace . Sect. 16. THus Iob his ill ▪ defended Cause adjournes , And silence lends free liberty of turnes , To his unjust Accusers , whose bad cause Hath left them grounded in too large a pause , Whereat Elihu ( a young stander-by , ) Whose modest eares , upon their long reply Did wait , his angry silence did awake , And ( craving pardon for his Youth ) bespake . Young Standers-by doe oftentimes see more Than elder Gamesters : Y' are to blame all foure : T' ones cause is bad , but with good proofs befriended , The others just and good , but ill defended : Though reason makes the man , Heaven makes him wise , Wisdome in greatest Clerks not alway lyes : Then let your silence give me leave to spend My judgement , whilst your heedfull eares attend . I have not heard , alone , but still expected To heare what more your spleenes might have objected Against your wofull Friend , but I have found Your reasons built upon a sandy ground . Flourish no Flags of Conquest : Vnderstand , That he 's afflicted by th' Almighties hand : He hath not fail'd to crosse your accusations ; Yet I ( though not with your ●oule exprobations ) Will crosse him too . I 'me full , and I must speake , Or like unvented vessels , I must breake ; And with my tongue , my heart will be reliev'd , That swells , with what my patience hath conceiv'd : Be none offended , for my lips shall tread That ground ( without respect ) as Truth shall lead ; God hates a flattering language : then how can I Vnliable to danger , flatter any ? Now , Iob , to thee I speake , O , let my Errant Be welcome to thine ●ares , for truth 's my warrant ▪ They are no slender trifles that I treat , But things digested with the sacred heat Of an inspired knowledge ; 'T is no rash Discharge of wrath , nor wits conceited flash ; I 'le speake , and heare thee speake as free , for I Will take no vantage of thy Misery . Thy tongue did challenge to maintaine thy cas● With God , if he would veile his glorious face : Be I the man ( though clad with clay and dust , And mortall like thy selfe ) that takes the trust To represent his Person : Thou dost terme Thy selfe most just , and boldly dost affirme , That Heaven afflicts thy soul without a reason . Ah Iob ! these very words ( alone ) are treason Against th' Almighties will : Thou oughtest rather Submit thy passion to him , as thy Father , Than plead with him , as with thy Peere . Is he Bound to reveale his secret Will to thee ? God speaketh oft to man , not understood , Sometimes in dreames , at other times thinkes good To thunder Iudgement in his drowzy eare ; Sometimes , with hard afflictions scourge , doth teare His wounded soule , which may at length give eas● ( Like sharper Physicke ) to his foule Disease : But if ( like pleasing Iulips ) he afford The me●ke Expounders of his sacred Word , With sweet perswasions to recure his griefe , How can his sorro●es wish more faire Reliefe ? Ah , then his body shall wax young and bright ; Heavens face that scorcht before , shall now delight , His tongue with Triumph , shall confesse to men , I was a Leper , but am cleare agen . Thus , thus that Spring of Mercy oftentimes Doth speak to man , that man may speak his crimes ? Consider , Iob ; my words with judgement weigh ; Which done ( if thou hast ought ) then boldly say ; If otherwise , shame not to hold thy peace , And let thy wisedome with my words encrease . And you , you Wisemen that are silent here , Vouchsafe to lend my lips your ripened ear● , Let 's call a parly , and the cause decide ; For Iob pleads guiltlesse ▪ and would faine be try'd ; Yet hath his boldnesse term●d himselfe upright , And tax't th' Almighty for not doing right ; His Innocence with Heaven doth he plead , And that unjustly he was punished : O Purity by Impudence suborn'd ! He scorn'd his Maker , and is justly scorn'd : Farre be it from the heart of man , that He Who is all Iustice , yet unjust should be . Each one shall reape the harvest he hath sowne , His meed shall measure what his hands hath done ▪ Who is 't can claim the Worlds great Soveraignty ? Who rais'd the Rafters of the Heavens , but He ? If God should breathe on man , or take away The breath he gave him , what were man but Clay ▪ O , let thy heart , th' unbridled tongue conuince ! Say ; Dare thy lips defame an earthly Prince ? How darst thou then maligne the King of Kings , To whom great Princes are but poorest things ? He kicks down kingdoms , spurns th' emperial crown And with his blast , puffes mighty Monarchs down . 'T is vaine to strive with him , and if he strike , Our part 's to beare , not fondly to mislike , ( Misconstruing the nature of his drift ) But husband his corrections to our thrift . If he afflict , our best is to implore His ●lessing with his Rod , and sin no more . What if our torments passe the bounds of measure ? It unbefits our wils , to stint his pleasure , Iudge then , and let th' impartiall world advise , How farre ( poore Iob ) thy judgement is from wise : Nor are these speeches kindled with the fire Of a distempred spleene , but with desire T' inrich thy wisdome , lest thy fury tye Presumption to thy rash infirmity .

Meditat. 16. FOr mortals , to be borne , waxe old , and dye , Lyes not in Will , but bare Necessity , Common to beasts , which in the selfe degree , Hold by the selfe-same Patient , even as we : But to be wi●e is a diviner action Of the discursive Soule , a pure abstraction Of all her powers , united in the Will , Ayming at Good , rejecting what is Ill : It is an Influence of inspired breath , Vnpurchased by birth , unlost by death , Entail'd to no man , no , not free to all , Yet gently answers to the eager cal Of those , that with inflam'd affections seeke , Respecting tender youth and age alike ; In depth of dayes , her spirit not alway lyes , Yeeres make man Old , but heaven returnes him Wise ; Youths Innocence , nor riper ages strength Can challenge her as due ; ( Desired ) length Of dayes , produced to decrepit yeeres , Fill'd with experience , and grizly hayres , Can claime no right ; th' Almighty ne're engages His gifts to times , nor is he bound to Ages ; His quickning Spirit , to sucklings oft reveales , What to their doting Grandsires he conceales , The vertue of his breath can unbenumme The frozen lips , and strike the speaker dumme : Who put that moving power into his tongue , Whose lips did right the chast Susanna's wrong , Vpon her wanton false Accusers death ? What secret fire inflam'd that fainting breath That blasted Pharo ? Or those ruder tongues , That schoold the faithlesse Prophet for the wrongs He did to sacred Iustice ? matters not How sleight the meane be in it selfe , or what In our esteemes , so wisedome be the message ; Embassadours are worthied in th' Embassage : God sowes his harvest to his best increase , And glorifies himselfe how e're he please . Lord , if thou wilt , ( for what is hard to thee ? ) I may a Factour for thy glory bee , Then grant that ( like a faithfull servant ) I May render backe thy stocke with Vsury .

THE ARGVMENT . God reapes no gaine by mans best deeds Mans misery from himselfe proceeds : Gods Mercy and Iustice are unbounded ; In workes of Nature man is grounded . Sect. 17. ELihu , thus his pausing lips againe Disclos'd , & said , ( rash Io● ) dost thou maintaine A rightfull cause , which in conclusion , must A vow thee blamelesse , and thy God unjust ? Thy lawlesse words implying , that it can Advantage none to live an upright man ? My tongue shall schoole thee , and thy friends , that would ( Perchance ) refell thy reasons , if they could : Behold thy glorious Makers greatnesse , see The power of his hand ; say then , can He Be damag'd by thy sinne , or can He raise Advantage , by the uprightnesse of thy wayes ? True , the afflicted languish oft in griefe , And roare to heaven ( unanswer'd ) for reliefe , Yet is not Heaven unjust , for their fond cry Their sinne bewailes not , but their misery . Cease then to make him guilty of thy crimes , And waite his pleasure , that 's not bound to times , Nor heares vaine words . The sorrowes thou art in Are sleight , or nothing , ballanc'd with thy sin : Thy lips accuse thee , and thy foolish tongue , To right thy selfe , hath done th' Almighty wrong . Hold back thine answer , let thy flowing streame Find passage , to surround my fruitfull Theame ; I 'le raise my thoughts , to plead my Makers case , And speake , as shall befit so high a place : Behold th' Almighitie's meeke as well as strong , Destroyes the wicked , rights the just mans wrong , Mounts him to honour ; If by chance he stray , Instructs , and shewes him where he lost his way : If he returne , his blessing shall encrease , Crowning his joyes with plenty and sweet peace ; If not , th' intailed sword shall ne're depart His stained house , but pierce his hardned heart ; Ah sinfull Iob ! these plagues had never bin , Had'st thou beene guiltlesse ( as thou boasts ) of sin : But thy proud lips against their Maker plead , And draw downe heapes of vengeance on thy head : Looke to thy selfe , seek not to understand The secret causes of th' Eternals hand ; Let wisdome make the best of misery , Know who inflicts it , aske no reason why : He will's beyond thy reach , and his Divine And sacred knowledge farre surpasseth thine , Ah! rather , praise him in his workes , that lye ( Wide open to the world ) before thine eye ; His meaner Acts , our highest thoughts o'retops , He pricks the clouds , stils down the raine by drops , Who comprehends the lightning , or the thunder ? Who sees , who heares them , unamaz'd with wonder ? My troubled heart chils in my quivering brest , To relish these things , and is dispossest Of all her powers : who ever heard the voyce Of th' angry heavens , unfrighted at the noyse ? The beast by nature daz'd with sudden dread , Seekes out for covert to secure his head : If God command , the dusky clouds march forth Into a Tempest ; From the freezing North He beckens Frost , and Snow ; and from the South He bloweth Whirlewinds with his angry Mouth . Presumptuous Io● ! if thou canst not aspire So high , to comprehend these things , admire . Know'st thou the progresse of the rambling clouds ? From mortal eyes , when gloomy darkness shrouds The lamps of heaven ? know'st thou the reason why ? Can'st thou unriddle heavens Philosophy ? Know'st thou th' unconstant nature of the weather ? Or whence so many Winds proceed ▪ and whither Wer 't thou made privy , or a stander●by , When God stretcht forth his spangled Canopy ? Submit thy selfe , and let these sec●ets teach , How farre his Myst'ries doe surmount thy reach : For Hee 's Almighty , and his sacred will Is just , nor renders an unearned ill ▪ His workes are objects for no soaring eyes , But wheresoe're he lookes , he findes none wise .

Meditat. 17. THe World 's an Index to Eternity , And gives a glance of what our cleerer eye , In time shall see at large ; nothing's so slight , Which in it nature sends not forth some light , Or Memorandum of his Makers Glory : No Dust so vile , but pens an ample story Of the Almighties power , nor is there that , Which gives not man just cause to wonder at . Cast down thine eies , behold the pregnant earth , ( Her selfe but one ) produceth at one birth A world of divers natures : From a seed Entirely one , things hot and cold proceed , She suckles with one milke , things moist , and dry , Yet in her wombe is no repugnancy Or shall thy reason ramble up so high , To view the Court of wilde Astronomy ? Behold the Planets , round about thine eares , Whirling like firebals in their restlesse Spheares , At one selfe-instant moving severall wayes , Still measuring out our short ▪ and shorter dayes . Behold the parts whereon the World consists , Are limited in their appointed lists , Without rebellion unapt to vary , Though being many , divers and contrary : Looke where we list , above , b●neath , or under , Our eyes shall see to learne , and learne to wonder ; Their depth shall drown our judgements , and their height Besides his wits , shal drive the prime conceit : Shall then our daring minds presume t' aspire To heavens hid Myst'ries ? shall our thoughts inquir● Into the depth of secrets , unconfounded , When in the shoare of Nature they were drowned ? Fond man be wise , strive not above thy strength , Tempt not thy Barke beyond her Cables length ; And , like Prometheus , filch no sacred fire , Lest Eagles gripe thee : Let thy proud desire Suit with thy fortunes ; Curious mindes , that shall Mount up with Phaeton , shall have Phaetons fall . Vnb●nd thy bow betimes , lest thou repent Too late , for it will breake , or else stand bent . I 'le work at home , ne'r crosse the scorching Line , In unknowne lands , to seeke a hidden Mine : Plaine Bullion pleaseth me , I not de●ire Deare Igno●s from th' Elixars techy fire ; I 'le spend my paines ( where best I may be bold ) To know my selfe , wherein I shall behold The world abridg'd , and in that world my Maker , Beyond which taske , I wish no Vndertaker . Great God , by whom it is , what-e're is mine , Make me thy Viceroy in this World of thine , So cleare mine eyes , that I may comprehend My slight beginning , and my sudden end .

THE ARGVMENT . God questions Iob , and proves that man Cannot attaine to things so high , As divine secrets , since he can Not reach to Natures ; Iobs reply . Sect. 18. FOrth from the bosome of a murm'ring Cloud , Heavens great ●ehovah did , at length unshroud His Earths-amazing language ( equally Made terrible with Feare and Majesty ) ( Challeng'd the Duell ) he did undertake His grumbling servant , and him thus bespake , Who , who art thou , that thus dost pry in vaine , Into my secrets , hoping to attaine , With murmuring , to things conceal'd from man ? Say ( poreblinde mortall ) Who art thou that can Thus cleare thy crimes , and dar'st ( with vaine applause ) Make me defendant in thy sinfull cause ? Ioe , here I am ; Engrosse into thy hands Thy soundest weapons : Answer my demands : Say , where wert thou , when these my hands did lay The worlds foundation ? canst thou tell me ? Say , Was earth not measur'd by this Arme of mine ? Whose hand did ayde me ? was I help't by thine ? Where wert thou , when the Planets fi●st did blaze , And in their sphears sang forth their Makers praise ? Who is 't that tames the raging of the Seas , And swathes them up in mists , when e're he please ? Did'st thou divide the darknesse from the Light ? Or know'st thou whence Aurora takes her flight ? Didst ere enquire into the Seas Abysse , Or mark'd the Earth of what a bulk she is ? Know'st thou the place whence Light or Darknesse spring● Can thy deepe age unfold these secret things ? Know●st thou the cause of Snow or haile , which are My fierce Artill'ry in my time of warre ? Who is 't that rends the gloomy Clouds in sunder , Whose sudden rapture strikes forth fire & thunder ? Or who bedewes the earth with gentle showres , Filling her pregnant soyle with fruits and flowres , What father got the raine ? from what chill wombe Did frosts , and hard-congealed Waters come ? Canst thou restraine faire Maja's course , or stint her ▪ Or sad Orion ushering in the Winter ? Will scorching Cancer at thy summons come ? Or Sun-burnt Autumne with he fruitfull wombe ? Know'st thou Heavens course above , or dost thou know Those gentle influences here below ? Who was 't inspir'd thy soule with understanding ? A●d gave thy spirit the spirit of apprehending ? Dost thou command the Cisternes of the Skie To quench the thirsty soyle ; or is it I ? Nay , let thy practice to the earth descend , Prove there , how farre thy power doth extend ; From thy full hand will hungry Lions eate ? Feed'st thou the empty Ravens that cry for mea●e● Sett'st thou the season , when the fearfull Hind Brings forth her painfull birth ? Hast thou assign'd The Mountaine-Goate her Time ? Or is it I ? Canst thou subject unto thy soveraigntie The untam'd Vnicorne ? Can thy hard hand Force him to labour on thy fruitfull land ? Did'st thou inrich the Peacock with his Plume ? Or did ●hat Steele-digesting Bird assume His downy Flags from thee ? Didst thou endow The noble Stallion with his strength ? Canst thou Quaile his proud courage ? See , his angry breath Puffes nothing forth , but fears● summ'd up in death Marke with what pride his horny hoofes doe tabor The hard resounding Earth ; with how great labour ▪ How little ground he spends : But at the noyse And fierce Alar'm of the hoarse Trumpets voyce He breaks the ranks amidst a thousand Speares Pointed with death , undaunted at the feares Of doubfull warre , he rushes like a Ranger , Through every Troop , & scorns so brave a danger● ▪ Doe lofty Haggards cleave the flitting Ayre , With Plumes of thy devising ? Then how dare Thy ravenous lips thus , thus at randome runne And countermaund what I the Lord have done ? Thinkst thou to learne ( fond Mortall ) thus , by diving Into my secrets , or to gaine by striving ▪ Plead then : No doubt but thine will be the Day ; Speake ( peevish Plaintiffe ) if th' aft ought to say . Io● then replyde : ( Great God , I am but Dust , ●y heart is sinfull , and thy hands are just ; I am a Sinner ( Lord , ) my words are wind , My thoughts are vaine , ( Ah Father ) I have sinn'd : Shall dust reply ? I spake too much before , I le close these lips , and never answer more .

Meditat. 18. O Glorious Light ! A light unapprehended By mortall eyes ! O Glory , never ended , Nor ere created , whence all Glory springs In heavenly bodyes , and in earthly things ! O power Immense , derived from a Will Most just and able to doe all , but ill ! O Essence pure , and full of Majesty ! Greatnesse ( it selfe ) and yet no quantity ; Goodnesse , and without quality ; producing All things from out of Nothing , and reducing All things to nothing ; past all comprehending Bo●h first and Last , and yet without an ending , Or yet beginning ; filling every Creature , And not ( it selfe ) included ; above Nature , Yet not excluded ; of it selfe subsisting , And with it selfe all other things , assisting ; Divided , yet without division ; A perfect three , yet Three , entirely one ; Both One in Three , and Three in One , together ; Begetting , and begotten , and yet neither ; The Fountaine of all Arts , confounding Art ; Both all in All , and all in every part ; Still seeking Glory , and still wanting none ; Though just , yet reaping , where thou ne'r hast 〈◊〉 Great Majestie , since Thou art every where , O , Why should I misdoubt thy Presence here ? I long have sought thee , but my ranging heart Ne'r quests , and cannot see thee where thou art : There 's no Defect in thee , thy light hath shin'd , Nor can be ●id ( great God ) but I am blind . O cleare mine eyes , and with thy holy fire Inflame my brest , and edge my dull desire : Wash me with Hysope , clense my stained thoughts , Renew my spirit , blurre forth my secret faults ; Thou tak'st no pleasure in a Sinners death , For thou art Life , thy Mercy 's not beneath Thy sacred Iustice : Give thy servant power To seeke aright , and ( having sought ) discover Thy glorious Presence ; Let my blemisht Eye See my Salvation yet before I die . O , then my Dust , that 's bowell'd in the ground , Shall rise with Triumph at the welcome sound Of my Redeemers earth-awaking Trumpe , Vnfrighted at the noyse ; no sullen Dumpe Of selfe-confounding Conscience shall affright me , For he 's my Iudge , whose dying blood shal quite me .

THE ARGVMENT . God speaks to Iob the second time : Iob yeelds his sin , repents his crime : God checks his friends , restores his health , Gives him new issue , double wealth . Sect. 19. ONce more the mouth of Heav'n rapt forth a voice , The troubled Firmament was fill'd with noise , The Rafters of the darkned Skie did shake , For the Eternall thundred thus , and spake : Collect thy scattered senses , and advise , Rouze up ( fond man ) and answer my replies . Wilt thou make Comments on my Text , & must I be unrighteous , to conclude thee , just ? Shall my Decrees be licenced by thee ? What , canst thou thunder with a voyce like Me ? Put on thy Robes of Majestie ; Be clad With as bright glory ( Iob ) as can be had ; Make fierce thy frownes , and with an angry face Confound the Proud , and his high thoughts abase , Pound him to Dust : Doe this , and I will yeeld , Thou art a God , and need'st no other sheild . Behold , the Castle-bearing Elephant , That wants no bulke , nor doth his greatnesse want An equall strength . Behold his massie bones , Like barres of Yron ; like congealed stones , His knottie sinewes are ; Him have I made , And given him naturall weapons for his ayde ; High mountaines beare his food , the shady boughes His Covers are , Great Rivers are his Troughes , Whose deepe Carouses would to standers-by , Seeme at a watring to draw Iordan dry : What skilfull huntsman can , with strength out-dare him ? Or with what engines can a man ensnare him ? Hast thou beheld the huge Leviathan , That swarthy Tyrant of the Ocean ? Can Thy bearded hooke impierce his Gils , or make him Thy landed Prisner ? Can thy angles take him ? Will he make suit for favour from thy hands , Or be enthralled to thy fierce commands ? Will he be handled as a bird ? or may Thy fingers bind him for thy childrens play ? Let men be wise , for in his lookes he hath Displayed Banners of untimely death . If Creatures be so dreadfull , how is he More bold then wise , that dares encounter Me ? What hand of Man can hinder my designe ? Are not the Heavens , and all beneath them mine ? Diffect the greatnesse of so vast a Creature , By view of severall parts summe up his feature : Like Shields his scales are plac't , which neither art Knowes how to sunder , nor yet force can part . His belching rucks forth flames , his moving Eye Shines like the glory of the morning skie ; His cragg●e sinewes are like wreaths of brasse , And from his mouth , quicke flames of fier passe As from an Oven , the temper of his heart Is like a Nether-milstone , which no Dart Can pierce , secured from the threatning Speare ; Affraid of none , he strikes the world with feare : The Bow-mans brawny arme sends shafts in vaine , They fall like stubble , or bound backe againe : Stones are his pillow , and the Mud his Downe , In earth none greater is , nor equall none , Compar'd with him , all things he doth deride , And well may challenge to be King of Pride . So said , th' amazed Iob bent downe his eyes Vpon the ground , and ( sadly ) thus replyes . I know ( great God ) there 's nothing hard to Thee , Thy thoughts are pure , and too too deepe for me : I am a foole , and my distempered wits , Longer out-stray'd my Tongue , than well befits ; My knowledge slumbred , while my lips did chat , And like a Foole , I spake I knew not what . Lord , teach me Wisedome , lest my proud Desire , Singe her bold feathers in thy Sacred fire ; Mine eare hath oft beene rounded with thy Story , But now these very eyes have seene thy glory . My sinfull words I not ( alone ) lament , But in the horror of my soule repent ; Repent with Teares in sack-cloth , mourne in Dust ; I am a sinfull man , and Thou art just . Thou Eliphaz . that makst my sacred Word , An Engine of Despaire ( said then the Lord ) Behold full Vyolls of my wrath attends On thee , and on thy two too-partiall Friends ; For you have judg'd amisse , and have abus'd My Word to worke your ends , falsly accus'd My righteous Servant : Of you all there 's none Hath spoke uprightly , as my Iob hath done . Haste then ( before my kindling fire begin To flame ) and each man offer for his sin , A sacrifice , by Iob my servants hand , And for his sake , your Offrings shall withstand The wages of your sinnes ; for what can I , If Iob , my servant , make request , deny ? So straight they went , and ( after speedy pardon Desir'd and had ) the righteous Iob ( for guerdon Of his so tedious Griefe ) obtain'd the health Of a sound body , and encrease of wealth ; So that the second Harvest of his store , Was double that which he enjoy'd before . Ere this was blazed in the Worlds wide Eares , ( The frozen brests of his familiars , And cold Allyes , being now dissolv'd in Griefe , ) His backward friends came to him with reliefe , To feed his wants , and with sad shouring eyes , To moane his ( yet supposed ) Miseries : Some brought him sheepe to blesse his empty Fold , Some precious Earings , others , Rings of Gold . God blest his loyns , from whence there sprang again The number of his children that were slaine , Nor was there any in the Land so rare In vertue as his daughters , or so faire . Long after this he liv'd in peace , to see His childrens children to the fourth degree , Till at the lenth , cut short by Him that stayes For none , he dy'd in peace , and full of Dayes .

Meditat. 19. EVill's the defect of Good , and as a shade , That 's but the ruines of the light decay'd : It hath no being , nor is understood , But by the opposition of Good . What then is man ? whose purest thoughts are prest For Satans warre , which from the tender brest , With Infant silence , have consented to Such sinfull Deeds , as ( babes ) they could not doe ? What then is man , but Nothing , being Evill , His Lunatike affections doe unlevell , What Heaven created by just Waight and measure ; In pleasures sinke , he takes a swine like Pleasure ; His span of life , and beauties like a Flower , Faire flourishing , and fading in an hower . He breakes into the world with teares , and then Departs with Griefe , not knowing how , nor when . His life 's a Bubble full of seeming Blisse , The more it lengthens , the more short it is ; Begot in darknesse , he 's brought forth , and cries For succour , passes ore the stage , and dyes ; Yet , like a Moale , the earth he undermines , Making the World , the Forge of his designes : He plots , complots , for esees , prevents , directs , Hee hopes , he feares , he doubts , pursues , effects ; Each hath his plot , each one his course doth bend , Each hath his project , and each one his end . Thus restlesse man doth still his soule molest To finde out ( that which hath no being ) Rest ; Thus travels sinfull man in endlesse toyle ; Taking a pleasure in his owne turmoyle . Fond man , first seeke to purchase that divine And sacred prize , and all the world is thine : Great Salomon made suit for Wisdome , and he found Not ( barely ) Wisdome , but that Wisdome crown'd With Diadems of wealth , and faire encrease Of Princely Honour , with long dayes of Peace . ( With safe respect , and awfull reverence To Myst'ries ) Meditation doth commence An earnest doubt : Was Iobs dispoiled Flock Restored double : Was his former Stock Renew'd with double vantage ? Did heaven adde To all his fortunes double what he had ? Yet those sweet Emblemes of his dearest love , ( His sonnes ) whom death untimely did remove From off the face of the unthankfull earth , Why likewise sprang not they in double birth ? Bruit beasts that perish once , are lost for ever , Their substance , and their All consumes together ▪ Once having given a farewell to the light . They dye , and with them is perpetuall night : But man , ( unorgan'd by the hand of Death ) Dyes not , is but transplanted from beneath , Into a fairer soyle , or as a stranger , Brought home secure from the worlds pleasing danger : Iobs flocks were lost , and therefore double given , His Issue 's equall shar'd 'twixt Earth and Heaven , One halfe in heav'n are glorious in their doome , Ingag'd as Pledges till the other come . Great God! my Time 's but short , and long my way , My Heart hath lost her Path , and gone astray , My spirit 's faint and fraile , my soule 's imbost , If thou helpe not , I am for ever lost ; Though Dust and Ashes , yet I am thy Creature , Howe're my sinnes are great , thy Mercie 's greater : Of nothing didst thou make me , and my sinne Hath turn'd me back to nothing , once agin : Create me a new heart , ( great God ) inspire My cold affections with thy sacred fire : Instruct my Will , and rectifie my Wayes , O teach me ( Lord ) to number out my Dayes .

The Digestion of the whole HISTORY . 1 In Prosperity . THou , whose lank fortunes heav'n hath swel'd with store , Make not thy selfe , by over-wishing , poore , Husband that good , which else , abuse makes bad , Abstracting , where thy base desire would adde : Lines flowing from a Sophoclean quill , Deserve no Plaudit , being acted ill . 2 In Adversity . Hath heav'n withdrawn the talent he hath giv'n thee Hath envious Death of all thy Sons bereaven thee ? Have soule Diseases foil'd thee on the floore ? He earnes no sweet , that never tasted sowre : Thou art a Scholler ; if thy Tutor doe Pose thee too hard , he will instruct thee too . 3 In Tentation . Art thou oppos'd to thine unequall Foe ? March bravely on ; thy Gen'rall bids thee goe ; Thou art heav'ns Champion to maintain his right ; Who cals thee forth , wil give thee strength to fight . God seekes , by conquest , thy renowne , for He Will win enough : Fight thou , or Faint , or Flee . 4 In Slander . If Winter fortunes nip thy Summer Friends , And tip their tongues with Censure , that offends Thy tender Name , despaire not , but be wise , Know Heaven selecteth , whom the world denies : Thou hast a milke-white This●y that's within 〈◊〉 , Will take thy part when all the world's ●gi● thee . 5 In Re-advancement . Art thou advanc'd to thy supreme desier ? Be still the same ; Feare Lower , aime no higher : Mans Play hath many Sceanes , but in the last , Heaven knits up all , to sweeten all that 's past : Affliction is a Rod , to scourge us home , An 'a painfull earnest of a Heaven to come , The end .

THE HISTORIE OF SAMSON :

By Fra. Quarles .

LONDON , Printed by MILES FLESHER , for I. MARRIOTT , in S. Dunstans Church-yard in Fleet-street . 1632.

To the READER .

THe tyranny of my affaires was never yet so imperious , but I could steale some howers to my private Meditations ; the fruits of which stolne time I here present thee with , in the History of Samson : Wherein if thy extreme severity check at any thing which thou conceivest may not stand with the Majesty of this sacred Subject ; know , that my intention was not to offend my brother : The wisest of Kings inspired by the King of Wisdome , thought it no detraction from the gravity of his Holy Proverbs , to describe a Harlot like a Harlot , Her whorish Attire ; her immodest Gesture ; her bold Countenance ; her flattering Tongue ; her lascivious Embraces ; her unchast Kisses ; her impudent Invitations : If my descriptions in the like kinde , offend ; I make no question but the validitie of my Warrant will give a reasonable satisfaction : He that lifts not his feet high enough , may easily stumble : But on the contrary , if any be , whose worse then sacrilegious minds shall prophane our harmles intentions with wanton conceits , to such I heartily wish , a Procul Ite ; Let none such looke farther then this Epistle , at their own perils : If they doe , let them put off their shoos , for this is holy Ground : Foule hands will muddle the clearest waters : & base minds will corrupt the purest Text : If any offence be taken , it is by way of stealth , for there is none willingly given : I write to Bees , and not to Spiders : They will sucke pleasing honey from such flowers : These may burst with their owne poyson : But you , whose well-seasond hearts are not distempered with either of these extremities , but have the better relish of a Sacred understanding , draw neere , and reade .

I Sing th' illustrious , and renowned Story Of mighty Samson ; The eternall glory Of his Heroicke acts : His life , His death : Quicken my Muse with thy diviner breath , Great God of Muses , that my prosp'rous Ri●es May live and last to everlasting times ; That they unborne may , in this sacred Story , Admire thy goodnes , and advance thy glory .

THE HISTORIE OF SAMSON .

THE ARGVMENT . A holy Angell doth salute The wife of Manoah , and inlarge Her barren wombe with promis'd fruit Of both their loynes . The Angles charge . Sect. 1. WIthin the Tents of Zorah dwelt a man Of Iacobs seed , and of the Tribe of D●n , Knowne by the name of Maenoah ; to whom Heaven had deny'd the treasure of the wombe ; His Wife was barren ; And her prayers could not Remove that great reproach , or clense that blot Which on her fruitlesse name appear'd so foule , Not to encrease the Tribe of Dan one soule : Long had she , doubtles , stroven with heaven by prair's Made strong with teares & sighs ; hopes & despaires No doubt had often tortur'd her desire Vpon a Rack , compos'd of frost and fire : But Heaven was pleas'd to turne his deafned eares Against those prai'rs made strong with sighs & tears : She often pray'd ; but pray'rs could not obtaine : Alas , she pray'd , she wept , she sigh'd in vaine : She pray'd , no doubt ; but pray'rs could finde no roome ; They prov'd , alas , as barren as her wombe . Vpon a time ( when her unanswer'd pray'r Had now given just occasion of despai●e , ( Even when her bed-rid faith was grown so fraile , That very Hope grew hartlesse to prevaile ) Appear'd an Angel to her ; In his face , Terrour and sweetnesse labour'd for the place : Sometimes his Sunbright eies would shine so fierce As if their pointed beames would even pierce Her soule , and strike th' amaz'd beholder dead : Sometimes , their glory would disperse , and spread More easie flames ; and , like the Starre , that stood O're Bethlem , promise and portend some good : Mixt was his bright aspect ; as if his breath Had equall errands both of life and death : Glory and Mildnesse seemed to contend In his faire eyes so long , till in the end , In glorious mildnesse , and in milder glory , He thus salutes her with this pleasing story . Woman ; Heaven greets thee well : Rise up , and feare 〈◊〉 ; Forbeare thy faithlesse tremblings ; I appeare not Clad in the vestments of consuming fire ; Cheare up , I have no warrant to enquire Into thy sinnes ; I have no Vyals here , Nor dreadfull Thunderbolts to make thee feare : I have no plagues t' inflict ; nor is my breath Charg'd with destruction ; 〈◊〉 my hand with death . No , no ; cheare up , I come not to destroy ; I come to bring thee tidings of great joy ▪ Rowze up thy du● beliefe● for I ap●eare , To exercise thy Faith , and not thy Feare : The G●iae , and great Creator of all things , Chiefe Lord of Lords , and supreme King of Kings , To whom an Host of men are but a swarme Of ●urm'●ing Guats , whose high prevailing arme Can crush ten thousand world● , and at one blow Can strike the earth to nothing , and ore-throw The Lofts of Heaven ; He that hath the Keyes Of 〈◊〉 , to shut , and ope them when he please ; He that can all things , that he will , this day , Is pleas'd to take thy long reproach away : Behold ; thy womb 's inlarg'd ; and thy desires Shall finde successe : Before long time expires , Thou sh●l● conceive : Ere twise five months be runne ▪ Be thou the joyfull mother of a sonne ; But see , thy wary palate doe forbeare The juice of the bewitching Grape ; Beware , Le●● thy defiers tempt thy lips to wine , Which must be faithfull strangers to the Vine . Strong drinke thou must not taste , and all such meate The Law proclaimes uncleane , refraine to eate : And when the fruit of thy restored wombe S●●ll see the light , take heed no Rasor come 〈◊〉 his fruitfull head ; for from his birth , 〈◊〉 as the wombe entrusts him on the earth , The child shall be a Nazarite , to God ; 〈◊〉 whose appointment , be shall prove a Rod , To scourge the proud Philistians ; and recall P●re suffring Israel from their slavish thrall ▪

Meditat. 2. HOw impudent is Nature to account Those acts her own , that doe so farre surmo●●● Her easie reach ! How purblinde are those eyes Of stupid mortals , that have power to rise No higher then her lawes , who takes upon her The worke , and robs the Author of his honour ! Seest thou the fruitfull Wombe ? How every yeare It moves thy Cradle ; to thy slender cheare Invites another Ghest , and makes thee Father To a new Sonne , who now , perchance , hadst rather Bring up the old , esteeming propagation A thanklesse worke of Supererogation : Perchance the formall Mid-wife seemes to thee Lesse welcome now ; than she was wont to bee : Thou standst amaz'd to heare such needlesse Ioy , And car'st as little for it , as the Boy That 's newly borne into the world ; Nay worse , Perchance , thou grumblest , counting it a curse Vnto thy faint estate , which is not able T' encrease the bounty of thy slender Table : Poore miserable man what ere thou bee , I suffer for thy crooked thoughts ; not thee : Thou tak'st thy children to be gifts of nature ; Their wit , their flowring beauty , comely stature , Their perfect health ; their dainty disposition , Their vertues , and their easie acquisition Of curious Arts , their strengths attain'd perfection You attribute to that benigne complexion , Wherewith your Goddesse Nature hath endow'd Their well-disposed Organs ; and are proud ; And here your Goddesse leaves you , to deplore , That such admir'd perfections should be poore : Advance thine eyes , no lesse then wilfull blinde , And with thine eyes , advance thy drooping minde ▪ Correct thy thoughts ; Let not thy wondring eye Adore the servant , when the Master 's by : Looke on the God of Nature : From him come These underprized blessings of the wombe : He makes thee rich in children ; when his store Crowns thee with wealth , why mak'st thou thy self poor ? He opes the womb : why then should'st thou repine ? They are his children , mortall , and not thine : We are but Keepers ; And the more he lends To our tuition , he the more commends Our faithfull trust ; It is not every one Deserves that honour , to command his Son ; She counts it as a fortune , that 's allow'd To nurse a Prince ; ( What nurse would not be proud Of such a Fortune ? ) And shall we repine , Great God , to foster any Babe of thine ? But 't is the Charge we feare : our stock 's but small ; If heaven , with Children , send us wherewithall To stop their craving stomacks , then we care not ; Great God! How hast thou crackt thy credit , that we dare Trust thee for bread ? How is 't , we dare not venture To keepe thy Babes , unlesse thou please to enter In bond , for paiment ? Art thou growne so poore , To leave thy famisht Infants at our doore , And not allow them food ? Canst thou supply The empty Ravens , and let thy children die ? Send me that stint , thy wisedome shall thinke fie , Thy pleasure is my will ; and I submit : Make me deserve that honour thou hast lent To my fraile trust , and I will rest content .

THE ARGVMENT● Th● wife ● Manoah attended with fearfull Hope , and h●pefull Feare , The joyfull tydings recommended to her amazed Husbands care . Sect. 2. THus , when the great Embassadour of Heaven Had done that sacred service , which was given , And trusted to his faithfull charge , he spred His ayre dividing pinions , and fled : But now , th' affrighted woman apprehends The strangenesse of the Message ; recommends Both it , and him , that did it , to her feares ; The newes was welcome to her gratefull eares , But what the newesman was did so encrea●e Her doubts , that her strange hopes could finde no peace ; For when her hopes would build a Tower of joy , O , then her feares would shake it , and destroy The maine foundation ; what her hopes in vaine Did raise , her feares would ruinate againe : One while , she thought ; It was an Angel sent : And then her feares would teach her to repent That frighfull thought ; but when she deeply waigh'd The joyfull message , then her thoughts obay'd Her first conceit ; Distracted , with confusion , Sometimes she fear'd it was a false delusion , Suggested in her too beleeving eares ; Sometimes she doubts it was a Dreame , that beares No waight but in a slumber ; till at last , Her feet , advised by her thoughts , made haste Vnto her husband ; in whose eares she brake This minde-perplexing secret thus , and spake ; Sir , As my discursive thoughts did lately muse On those great blessings , wherewith heaven doth use To crowne his children , here ; among the rest , Me thoughts no one could make a wife more blest , And crowne her youth , her age with greater measure Of true content , than the unprized treasure Of her chaste wombe : but as my thoughts were bent Vpon this subject , being in our Tent , And none but I , appear'd before mine eyes A man of God : His habit , and his guise Was such as holy Prophets use to weare , But in his dreadfull lookes there did appeare Something that made me tremble ; In his eye Mildnesse was mixt with awfull Majesty ; Strange was his language , and I could not chuse But feare the man , although I lik'd his newes ; Woman ( said he ) Cheare up , and doe not feare , I have no Vials , nor no Iudgements here , My hand hath no Commission , to enquire Into thy sinnes ; nor am I clad in fire : I come to bring thee tydings of such things , As have their warrant from the King of Kings ▪ Thou shalt conceive , and when thy time is come , Thou shalt enjoy the blessings of thy wombe ; Before the space of twice five months be runne , Thou shalt become the parent of a Sonne ; Till then , take heed , thou neither drinke , nor eate Wines , or strong drinke , or Law-forbidden meate , For when this promis'd child shall see the light , Thou shalt be mother to a Nazarite . While thus he spake , ● trembled : Horrid feare Vsurpt my quivering heart ; Onely mine eare Was pleas'd to be the vessell of such newes , Which Heaven make good ; and give me strength to use My better Faith : The holy Prophets name I was affraid t' enquire , or whence he came .

Meditat. 2. ANd dost thou not admier ? Can such things Obtain lesse priviledge , than a Tale , that brings The audience wonder , enter mixt with pleasure ? Is 't a small thing , that Angels can finde leisure To leave their blessed seates ; where face to face , They see their God , and quit that heavenly place , The least conception of whose joy , and mirth , Transcends th' united pleasures of the earth ? Must Angels leave their Thrones of glory thus , To watch our foot-steps , and attend on us ? How good a God have we ! whose eyes can winke , For feare they should discover the base finke Of our loath'd sinnes ; How doth he stop his eare , Lest , when they call for Iustice , he should heare ? How often , Ah , how often doth He send His willing Angels , hourely to attend Our steps ; and , with his bounty , to supply Our helplesse wants , at our false-hearted cry ? The bounteous Ocean , with a liberall hand , Transports her laden treasure , to the land ; Inriches every Port , and makes each towne Proud with that wealth , which now she cals her owne ; And what returne they for so great a gaine , But sinckes and noysome Gutters , backe againe ? Even so ( great God ) thou sendst thy blessings in , And we returne thee , Dunghils of our Sinne : How are thy Angels hacknei'd up and downe To visit man ? How poorely doe we crowne Their blessed labours ? They with Ioy , dismount , Laden with blessings , but returne th' account Of Filth and Trash : They bring th' unvalued prize Of Grace and promis'd Glory , while our eyes Disdaine these heavenly Factours , and refuse Their proferd wares ; affecting , more , to chuse Agraine of pleasure than a Iemme of glory ; We finde no treasure , but in Transitory And earth-bred Toi●s , while things immortal stand Like Garments , to be sold at second hand : Great God ; Thou know'st , we are but flesh & blood ; Alas ! we can interpret nothing , good , But what is evill , deceitfull are our Ioyes ; We are but children , and we whine for Toyes : Of things unknowne there can be no desire ; Quicken our hearts with the celestiall fire Of thy discerning Spirit , and we shall know Both what is good , and good desier too : Vouchsafe to let thy blessed Angell come , And bring the tidings , that the barren Womb● Of our affections is inlarg'd ; O when That welcome newes shall be revealed , then , Our soules shall soone conceive , & bring thee forth The firstlings of a new , and holy birth .

THE ARGVMENT . Manoah's wonder turnes to zeale ; his z●ale , to pray'r : His pray'rs obtaine : The Angel that did late reveale the joyfull newes , returnes againe . Sect. 3. NOw when th' amazed woman had commended Her tongue to silence , and her tale was ended ; Perplexed Manoah , ravisht at the newes , Within himselfe , he thus began to muse ; Strange is the message ! And as strangely done ! Shall Manoah's loynes be fruitfull ? Shall a Sonne Blesse his last dayes ? Or shall an Issue come From the chill closet of a barren wombe ? Shall Manoah's wife give suck ? and now , at last Finde pleasure , when her prime of youth is past ? Shall her cold wombe be now , in age , restor'd ? And was 't a man of God , that brought the word ? Or was 't some false delusion , that possest The weaknesse of a lonely womans brest ? Or was 't an Angel , sent from heaven , to show What Heaven hath will , as well as pow'r , to doe . Till then thou must refraine to drinke , or eate , Wines , and strong drink , and Law-forbidden meate ? Evill Angls rather would instruct to riot , They use not to prescribe so strict a Dyet ; No , no , I make no further question of it , 'T was some good Angel , or some holy Prophet , Thus , having mus'd a while , he bow'd his face Vpon the ground ; and ( prostrate in the place , Where first he heard the welcome tydings ) pray'd , ( His wonder now transform'd to zeale ) and said : Great God ; that hast ingag'd thy selfe , by v●w , When e're thy little Israel begs , to bow Thy gracious eare , O harken to the least Of Israel's sonnes , and grant me my request : By thee : I live , and breathe : Thou did'st become My gracious God , both in , and from the wombe ; Thy precious favours I have still possest , And have depended on thee , from the Brest : My simple Infancy hath bin protected By thee , my Child-hood taught , my youth corrected , And sweetly chastned with thy gentle Rod ; I was no sooner , but thou wert my God : All times declare thee good ; this very houre Can testifie the greatnesse of thy power , And promptnesse of thy Mercy , which hast sent This blessed Angel to us , to augment The Catalogue of thy favours , and restore Thy servants wombe , whose hopes had even given ore T' expect an issue : What thou hast begun , Prosper , and perfect , till the worke be done : Let not my Lord be angry , if I crave Aboone , too great for me to beg , or have : Let that blest Angel , that thou sent'st , of late , Reblesse us with his presence , and relate Thy will at large , and what must then be done , When time shal bring to light this promis'd sonne . About that time , when the declining Lampe Trebles each shadow ; when the evening dampe Begins to moisten , and refresh the land , The Wife of Manoah ( under whose command The weaned Lambes did feed ) being lowly seated Vpon a Shrubbe ( where often she repeated That pleasing newes , the subject of her thought ) Appear'd the Angell ; he , that lately brought Those blessed tidings to her : up she rose ; Her second feare had warrant to dispose Her nimble foot-steps to unwonted haste ; She runnes with speed , ( she cannot runne too fast ) At length , she findes her husband ; In her eyes , Were Ioy and Feare ; whilst her lost breath denies Her speech to him , her trembling hands make signs ; She puffes and pants ; her breathlesse tongue disjoynes Her broken words : Behold , behold , ( said she ) The man of God , ( if man of God he be ) Appear'd againe : These very eyes beheld The man of God : I left him in our field .

Meditat. 3. HEav'n is Gods Magazen ; wherein , he hath Stor'd up his Vials both of love , and wrath ; Iustice and Mercy , waite upon his Throne ; Favours and Thunderbolts attend upon His sacred Will and Pleasure ; Life and Death Doe both receive their influence from his breath ; Iudgements attend his left ; at his right hand Blessings and everlasting Pleasures stand : Heav'n is the Magazen ; wherein , he puts Both good and evill ; Pray'r is the key , that shuts And opens this great Treasure ; T is a key , Whose wards are Faith , and Hope , and Charity . Wouldst thou prevent a judgement , due to sinne ? Turne but the key , and thou maist locke it in : Or wouldst thou have a Blessing fall upon thee ? Open the doore , and it will shower on thee . Can Heav'n be false ? or can th' Almighties tongue , That is all very truth , doe truth that wrong , Not to performe a vow ? His lips have sworne , Sworne by himselfe , that if a Sinner turne To him , by pray'r ; his pray'r shall not be lost For want of eare ; nor his desier , crost : How is it then we often aske and have not : We aske , and often misse , because we crave no● The things we should : his wisdome can foresee Those blessings , better , that we want , than we● Hast thou not heard a peevish Infant baule To gaine possession of a knife ? And shall Th' indulgent nurse bee counted wisely kinde , If she be mov'd to please his childish minde ? Is it not greater wisdome , to deny The sharp-edg'd knife , and to present his eye With a fine harmlesse Puppit ? We require Things , oft , unfit ; and our too fond desire Fastens on goods , that are but glorious ills , Whilst Heav'ns high wisdome contradicts our wils , With more advantage , for we oft receive Things that are farre more fit , for us , to have : Experience tels ; we seeke , and cannot finde : We seeke , and often want , because we binde The Giver to our times : He knows we want Patience ; and , therefore he suspends his grant , T' encrease our faith , that so we may depend Vpon his hand ; he loves to heare us spend Our childish mouthes : Things easily obtain'd , Are lowly priz'd ; but what our prayers have gain'd By teares , and groanes , that cannot be exprest , Are farre more deare , and sweeter , when possest . Great God! whose power hath so oft prevail'd Against the strength of Princes , and hast quail'd Their prouder stomaks ; with thy breath , discrown'd Their heads , & thrown their Scepters to the ground , Striking their swelling hearts with cold despaire , How art thou conquer'd and o'recome by Pray'r ! Infuse that Spirit , Great God , into my heart , And I will have a blessing ere we part .

THE ARGVMENT . Manoah desires to know the fashion And breeding of his promis'd sonne ; To whom the Angel makes relation Of all things needfull to be done . Sect. 4. WIth that the Danite rose ; and being guided By his perplexed wife , they , both divided Their heedlesse paces , ●ill they had attain'd The field , 〈◊〉 the 〈◊〉 of God remain'd : And , drawing ●eerer to h●s presence , stai'd His weary steps , and , with obeysance , said : Art thou the 〈…〉 blessed lips ●oretold Those joyfull 〈◊〉 ? Shall my tongue be bold , Without the breach of manners to request This boone , Art tho●● that Prophet , that possest This barren woman , with a hope , that She Shall beare a Sonne ? He answer'd , I am He : Said Manoah , then ; Let not a word of thine Be lost ; let them continue to divine Our future happinesse : let them be crown'd With truth ; and thou with honour , to be found A holy Prophet : Let performance blesse And speed thy speeches with a faire successe : But tell me , Sir ; when this great worke is done , And time shall bring to light this promis'd Sonne , What sacred Ceremonies shall we use ? What Rites ? What way of bleeding shall we chuse T' observe ? What holy course of life shall be Be trained in ? What shall his Office be ? Whereat th' attentive Angel did divide The portall of his lips , and thus replide . The Child , that from thy fruitfull loynes shall come Shall be a holy Nazarite , from the wombe ; Take heed ; that wombe , that shall inclose this Childe , In no case be polluted or defilde With Law-forbidden meates : Let her forbeare To taste those things that are forbidden there . The bunch-back Camell shall be no repast For her ; Her palate shall forbeare to taste The burrow haunting Cony , and decline The swiftfoote-Hare , and mire-delighting Swine ; The griping , Goshauke ; and the towring Eagle ; The party-coloured Pye must not inveigle Her lips to move ; the brood-devouring Kite ; The croaking Raven ; th' Owle that hates the light ; The steele-digesting Bird ; the laste Snaile ; The Cuckow , ever telling of one tale ; The fish-consuming Osprey , and the Want , That undermines ; the greedy Cormorant ; Th' indulgent Pellican ; the predictious Crow ; The chattring Storke , and ravenous Vulter too ; The thorn-backt Hedgehogge , and the prating lay ; The Lapwing , flying still the other way ; The lofty-flying Falkon , and the Mouse , That findes no pleasure in a poore mans house ; The suck-egge Weasell , and the winding Swallow , From these she shall abstaine , , and not unhallow Her op'ned lips with their polluted flesh ; Strong drinke she must forbeare , and to refresh Her lingring palate , with lu●-breeding Wine ; The Grape , or what proceedeth from the Vine , She must not taste , for feare she be defilde , And so pollute her wombe-enclosed Childe : When time shall make her mother of a Sonne , Beware , no keen-edg'd Raisor come upon His b●llowed Crowne : the haire upon his head Must not be cut : His bountious lockes must spred On his broad shoulders : From his first drawne breath The Childe shall be a Nazarite , to his death .

Meditat. 4. WHat shallow judgment , or what easie braine Can choose but laugh at those , that strive in vaine To build a Tower , whose ambitious Spire Should reach to heaven ? what foole would not admire To see their greater folly ? who would raise A Tower , to perpetuate the praise And lasting Glory of their renowned Name , What have they l●ft but Monuments of shame ? How poore and slender are the enterprises Of man ; that onely whispers and advises With heedlesse flesh and blood , and never makes His God , of counsell , where he undertakes ! How is our God and wee of late falne out ! We rather chuse to languish in our doubt , Then be resolv'd by him ; We rather use The helpe of hell-bred wizzards , that abuse The stile of wise men● then to have recourse To him that is the Fountaine and the sourse Of all good Counsels , and from whom , proceeds A living Spring , to water all our needs ; How willing are his Angels to descend From off their throne of Glory , and attend Vpon our wants ! How oft returne they back Mourning to heaven , as if they griev'd for lack Of our imployment ! O how prone are they To be assistant to us , every way ! Have wee just cause to joy ? They 'll come and sing About our beds : Does any judgement bring Iust cause of griefe ? they 'll fall a grieving too ; Doe we triumph ? their joyfull mouthes will blow Their louder Trumpets , Or doe feares affect us ? They 'l guard our heads from danger , & protect us : Are we in prison , or in Persecution ? They 'l fill our hearts with joy , and resolution : Or doe we languish in our sickly beds ? They 'l come & pitch their Tents about our heads ; See they a sinner penitent , and mourne For his bewail'd offences , and returne ? They clap their hands , and joyne their warbling voyces , They sing , and all the Quire of Heaven rejoyces . What is in us poore Dust and Ashes , Lord , That thou should'st looke upon us , and afford Thy precious favours to us , and impart Thy gracious Counsels ? what is our desert , But Death , and Horror ? What can we more clame , Then they , that now are scorching in that flame , That hath nor moderation , rest , nor end ? How does thy mercy , above thought extend To them thou lov'st ! Teach me ( great God ) to prize Thy sacred Counsels : open my blinde eyes , That I may see to walke the perfect way ; For as I am , Lord , I am apt to stray And wander to the gulph of endlesse woe : Teach me what must be done , and helpe to doe .

THE ARGVMENT . Manoah desires to understand , but is deny'd the Angels name : He offers by the Angels hand : the Angel vanishes in a flame . Sect. 5. SO said , The sonne of Israel , ( easly apt To credit , what his soule desir'd , and rapt With better hepes , which serv'd him as a guide To his beliefe , o'rejoy'd ) he thus replide ; Let not the man of God , whose Heavenly voyce Hath blest mine eare , and made my soule rejoyce , Beyond expression , now refuse to come Within my Tent , and honour my poore home With his desired presence ; there to taste His servants slender diet , and repast Vpon his Rurall fare : These hands shall take A tender Kidde from out the flockes , and make , ( Without long tarriance ) some delighfull meate Which may invite the man of God to eate : Come , come ( my Lord ) and what defect of food Shall be , thy servants welcome shall make good : Whereto the Angel ( who as yet had made Himselfe unknowne ) reanswer'd thus , and said ▪ Excuse me : Though thy hospitable love Prevaile to make me stay , it cannot move My thankfull lips to taste thy liberall cheare ; Let not thy bounty urge in vaine ; Forbeare To strive with whom thy welcome cannot leade To eate thy Kid , or tast thy profer'd bread ; Convert thy bounty to a better end , And let thy undefiled hands commend A burnt oblation to the King of Kings ; 'T is he , deserves the thanks ; his servant brings But that bare message which his lips enjoyne ; His be the glory of the Act , not mine . Said then the Israelite , If my desire Be not too over-rash , but may conspire With thy good pleasure , let thy servants eare Be honourd with thy name ; that whensoere These blessed tidings ( that possesse my heart With firme beleefe ) shall in due time impart Their full perfection , and desir'd successe To my expecting eye , my soule may blesse The tongue that brought the message , and proclaime An equall honour to his honour'd name . To whom , the Angell ( whose severer brow Sent forth a frowne ) made answere ; Doe not thou Trouble thy busie thoughts with things , that are Above thy reach ; Enquier not too farre ; My name is cloath'd in mists ; 'T is not my taske , To make it knowne to thee ; nor thine , to aske : With that , the Danite tooke a tender Kid , And said ; my Lord , The Tribe of Dan's forbid To burne an offering ; Onely Levites may , And holy Prophets , If thou please to lay The sacrifice on yonder sacred Stone , I 'le fetch thee fire , for fier there is none , Forheare thy needlesse paines , the Angell said , Heaven will supply that want ; With that , he laid The offering on ; and , from the stone , there came A sudden fire , whose high ascending flame Burnt and consum'd th' accepted Sacrifice ; Now whilst th' amaz'd beholders wondring eyes Were taken Captives with so strange a sight And whilst the new-wrought miracle did affright Their trembling harts , the Man of God ( whose name Must not b'inquired ) vanisht in the flame , And left them both unable to expound Each others feares ; both groveling on the ground .

Meditat. 5. A Thankfull heart hath earnd one favour twice ; But he that is ungratefull , wants no vice : The beast , that onely lives the life of Sense , Prone to his severall actions and propense To what he does , without th' advice of will , Guided by nature , ( that does nothing ill ) In practicke Maximes , proves it a thing hatefull , T' accept a Favo●r , and to live ungratefull : But man , whose more diviner soule hath gain'd A higher step to reason : nay , attain'd A higher step then that , the light of grace , Comes short of them ; and in that point , more base Then they most prompt and perfect in that rude , Vnnaturall , and high sinne , Ingratitude : The Stall-fed Oxe , that is growne fat , will know His carefull feeder , and acknowledge too : The prouder Stallion , will at length espie , His Masters bounty , in his Keepers eye : The ayre-dividing Faulkon , will requite Her Faulkners paines , with a well pleasing flight : The generous Spaniell , loves his Masters eye , And licks his fingers , though no meate be by ; But Man , ungratefull Man , that 's borne , and bred By Heavens immediate pow'r ; mai●tain'd and fed By his providing hand ; observ'd , attended By his indulgent grace ; preserv'd , defended By his prevailing arme ; this Man , I say , Is more ungratefull , more obdure than they : By him , we live and move ; from him , we have What blessings he can give , or we can crave : Food for our hunger ; Dainties , for our pleasure ; Trades , for our buisnes ; Pastimes , for our leasure ; In griefe , he is our Ioy ; in want , our Wealth ; In bondage , Freedome ; and in sicknesse , Health ; In peace , our Counsell ; and in warre , our Leader ; At Sea , our Pilot ; and , in Suites , our Pleader ; In paine , our Helpe ; in Triumph , our Renowne ; In life , our Comfort ; and in death our Crowne ; Yet Man , O most ungratefull Man , can ever Enjoy the Gift , but never mind● the Giver ; And like the Swine , though pamper'd with enough , His eyes are never higher than the Trough : We still receive : our hearts we seldome lift To heaven ; but drowne the giver in the Gift ; We taste the Skollops , and returne the Shels ; Our sweet Pomgranats want their silver Bells : We take the Gift ; the hand that did present it , We oft reward ; forget the Friend that sent it , A blessing given to those , will not disburse Some thanks , is little better then a curse . Great giver of all blessings ; thou that art The Lord of Gifts ; give me a gratefull heart : O give me that , or keepe thy favours from me : I wish no blessings , with a Vengeance to me .

THE ARGVMENT . Affrighted Manoah and his Wife Both prostrate on the naked earth : Both rise : The man despaires of life ; The woman cheares him : Samsons birth . Sect. 6. WHen time , ( whose progresse mod'rates and out weares Th' extreamest passions of the highest fears ) By his benignant power , had re-inlarg'd Their captive senses , and at length discharg'd Their frighted thoughts , the trembling couple rose From their unquiet , and disturb'd repose : Have you beheld a Tempest , how the waves ( Whose unresisted Tyranny out-braves And threats to grapple with the darkned Skies ) How like to moving Mountaines they arise From their distempred Ocean , and assaile Heav'ns Battlements ; nay when the windes d●e faile To breathe another blast , with their owne motion , They still are swelling , and disturbe the Ocean : Even so the Danite and his trembling wife , Their yet confused thoughts , are still at strife In their perplexed brests , which entertain'd Continued feares , too strong to be refrain'd : Speechlesse they stood , till Manoah that brake The silence first , disclos'd his lips and spake ; What strange aspect was this , that to our sight Appear'd so terrible , and did affright Our scattering thoughts ? What did our eyes behold ? I feare our lavish tongues have bin too bold : What speeches past betweene us ? Can'st recall The words we entertain'd the time withall ? It was no man ; It was no flesh and blood ; Me thought , mine eares did ●ngle , while he stood , And commun'd with me : At each word be spake , Me thou●ht , my heart recoil'd ; his voyce did shake My very Soule , but when as he became So angry , and so dainty of his name , O , how my wonder-smitte● heart began To faile ! O , then I kn●w , it was no man : No , no ; It was the face of God : Our eyes Have seene his face : ( who ever saw 't , but dies ? ) We are but dead ; Death dwells within his eye , And we have seen 't , and we shall surely die : Where to the woman , ( who did either hide , Or else had overcome her feares ) replide ; Despairing Man ; take courage , and forbeare These false predictions ; there 's no cause of feare : Would Heaven accept our offerings , and receive Our holy things ; and , after that , bereive His servants of their lives ? Can he be thus Pleas'd with our offerings , unappeas'd with us ? Hath he not promis'd that the time shall come , Wherein the fruits of my restored wombe Shall make thee father to a hopefull Sonne ? Can Heaven be false ? Or can these things be done When we are dead ? No , no , his holy breath Had spent in vaine , if they had meant our death : Recall thy needlesse feares ; Heaven cannot lye ; Although we saw his face , we shall not dye . So said ; they brake off their discourse , and went , He , to the field ; and she into her Tent : Thrice forty dayes not full compleat , being come , Within th' enclosure of her quickned wombe , The Babe began to spring ; and , with his motion , Confirm'd the faith , and quickned the devotion Of his beleeving parents , whose devout And heaven-ascending Orizans , no doubt , Were turn'd to thanks , and heart-rejoycing praise , To holy Hymnes , and heavenly Roundelaies : The childe growes sturdy ; Every day gives strength Vnto his wombe-fed limmes ; till at the length Th' apparent mother , having past the date Of her accompt , does only now awaite The happy houre , wherein she may obtaine Her greatest pleasure , with her greatest paine . When as the faire directresse of the night Had thrice three times repar'd her wained light , Her wombe no longer able to retaine So great a guest , betraid her to her paine , And for the toilsome worke , that she had done , She found the wages of a new borne Sonne : 〈◊〉 , she call'd his name : the childe encreast , And hourely suckt a blessing with the brest , Daily his strength did double : He began To grow in favour both with God and Man : His well attended Infancy was blest With sweetnesse ; in his Childhood , he exprest True seeds of honour ; and his youth was crown'd With high and brave adventures , which renown'd His honour'd name , His courage was suppli'd With mighty strength : His haughty spirit defide And hoast of men : His power had the praise ●ove all that were before , or since his dayes : And to conclude , Heav'n never yet conjoyn'd So strong a body , with so stout a minde .

Meditat. 6. HOw pretious were those blessed dayes , wherein Soules never startled at the name of Sin ! When as the voyce of death had never yet A mouth to open , or to clame a debt ! When bashfull nakednesse forbare to call For needlesse skins to cover shame withall ; When as the fruit-encreasing earth obay'd The will of Man without the wound of spade , Or helpe of Art ! When he , that now remaines A cursed Captive to infernall chaines , Sate singing Anthems in the heavenly Quire , Among his fellow Angels ! When the Bryer , The fruitlesse Bramble , the fast growing weed , And downy Thistle had , as yet , no seed ! When labour was not knowne , and man did eate The earths faire fruits , unearned with his sweate ! When wombs might have conceiv'd without the stain Of sin , and brought forth children , without paine ! When Heaven could speak to mans unfrighted eare Without the sense of Sin-begotten feare ! How golden were those dayes ? How happy than Was the condition and the State of man ! But Man obey'd not : And his proud desire Cing'd her bold feathers in forbidden fire : But Man transgrest ; And now his freedome feeles A sudden change : Sinne followes at his heeles : The voice calls Adam : But poore Adam flees , And trembling hides his face behind the trees : The voice , whilere , that ravisht with delight His joyfull eare , does now , alas , affright His wounded conscience with amaze and wonder : And what , of late , was musicke ; now , is Thunder . How have our sinnes abus'd us ! and betrai'd Our desperate soules ! What strangenes have they made Betwixt the great Creator , and the worke Of his owne hands ! How closely doe they lurke To our distempred soules , and whisper feares And doubts into our frighted hearts and eares ! Our eyes cannot behold that glorious face , Which is all life , unruin'd in the place : How is our nature chang'd ? That very breath Which gave us being , is become our death : Great God! O , whither shall poore mortalls flie For comfort ? If they see thy face , they dye ; And if thy life-restoring count'nance give Thy presence from us ; then we cannot live : How necessary is the ruine , than , And misery of sin-beguiled Man ! On what foundation shall his hopes relie ? See wee thy face , or see it not , we dye : O let thy Word ( great God ) instruct the youth And frailty of our faith ; Thy Word is truth : And what our eyes want power to perceive , O , let our hearts admier , and beleeve .

THE ARGVMENT . Samson at Timnah falls in love And fancies a Philistian maide : He moves his parents : They reprove His sinfull choyce : dislike , disswade . Sect. 7. NOw when as strong limb'd Samson had dispos'd His trifling thoughts to children , and disclos'd His bud of child-hood , which being overgrowne , And blossome of his youth so fully blowne , That strength of nature now thought good to seeke Her entertainment on his downy cheeke , And with her manly bounty did begin To uneffeminate his smoother chin , He went to Timnah ; whither , did resort A great concourse of people , to disport Themselves with pastime ; or , perchance , to show Some martiall Feats ( as they were wont to doe ) Scaffolds were builded round about , whereon The Crowne of eye-delighted lookers on Were closely pil'd : As Samsons wandring eye Was ranging up and downe , he did espye A comely Virgin , beautifull and young , Where she was seated midst the gazing throng : The more he view'd , the more his eye desir'd To view her face ; and as it view'd , admir'd ; His heart , inflam'd ; his thoughts were all on fire ; His passions all were turn'd into desire ; Such were his lookes , that she might well discry A speaking lover in his sparkling eye : Sometimes his reason bids his thoughts beware , 〈◊〉 he be catcht in a Philistian snare ; And then , his thwarting passion would reply Feare not to be a prisoner to that eye : Reason suggests ; 'T is vaine , to make a choyce , Where parents have an over-ruling voyce : Passion replies , That feare and filiall duty Must serve affection , and subscribe to beauty : Whilst Reason faintly mov'd him to neglect , Prevailing passion urg'd his soule t' affect : Passion concludes ; Let her enjoy thy heart : Reason concludes ; But let thy tongue impart Thy affection to thy parents , and discover To them , thy thoughts : With that the wounded lover ( Whose quicke-divided paces had out-runne His lingring heart ) like an observant sonne , Repaires unto his parents ; fully made Relation of his troubled thoughts , and said , Sir ▪ 〈◊〉 day , at Timnah , to these wretched eyes , 〈◊〉 taken captive with the novelties 〈◊〉 entertain'd my pleased thoughts , appear'd 〈◊〉 object ; which , hath so endear'd 〈◊〉 very soule , ( with sadnesse so distrest ) That this poore heart can finde no ease , no rest ; It was a Virgin ; in whose Heavenly face , V●pattern'd Beauty , and diviner Grace Were so conjoyn'd as if they both conspir'd 〈…〉 Angell ; when these eyes enquir'd 〈◊〉 the excellence of her rare perfection , 〈…〉 not choose but like , and my affection Is so inflamed with desire , that I Am now become close prisoner to her eye ; Now if my sad Petition may but finde A faire successe to ease my tortur'd minde ; And if your tender hearts be pleas'd to prove A● prone to pitty mine , as mine to love ; Let me , with joy , exchange my single life , And be the husband of so faire a wife . Whereto , th' amazed parents , ( in whose eye Distast and wonder percht ) made this reply ▪ What strange desire , what vnadvis'd request Hath broken loose from thy distracted brest ? What! are the Daughters of thy brethren growne So poore in Worth , and Beauty ? Is there none To please that over-curious eye of thine , But th' issue of a cursed Philistine ? Can thy miswandring eyes choose none , but her , That is the child of an Idolater ? Correct thy thoughts , and let thy soule rejoyce In lawfull beauty : Make a wiser choyce : How well this counsell pleas'd the tyred eares Of love-sicke Samson : O , let him that beares A crost affection , judge : Let him discover The wofull case of this afflicted lover : What easie pencill cannot represent His very lookes ? How his sterne browes were bent ? His drooping head ? his very port and guise ? His bloodlesse cheekes , and deadnesse of his eyes ? Till , at the length , his moving tongue betrai'd His sullen lips to language , thus ; and said : Sir , Th' extreame affection of my heart does leade My tongue , ( that 's quickned with my love ) to plead What , if her parents be not circumcis'd ? Her issue shall ; and she , perchance , advis'd I● worship Israels God , and , to forget 〈◊〉 fathers house ; Alas , she is as yet , 〈◊〉 young ; her downy yeares are green 〈◊〉 tender ; 〈◊〉 but a twigge , and time may 〈…〉 ●●brace the truth : O●r counsells 〈…〉〈…〉 breeding , and so save a soule : 〈◊〉 who can tell , but Heaven did recommend 〈◊〉 beauty to these eyes , for such an end ? 〈◊〉 not that which Heaven is pleas'd to save , 〈◊〉 Samson then obtaine , as well as crave : 〈◊〉 gave me being , then prolong my life And make me husband to so faire a wife . With that the parents joyn'd their whispering heads ; 〈◊〉 observes ; and , in their parly , reads 〈◊〉 Characters of hope ; The mother smiles ; The father frownes ; which , Samson reconciles ●●th hopefull fears ; She smiles , & smiling crownes 〈◊〉 hopes ; which , He deposes with his frownes : 〈◊〉 whispring ended ; joyntly they displaid , ●●alfe resolved countenance , and said , Samson , suspend thy troubled minde a while , 〈◊〉 thy ●ver-charged thoughts recoile : 〈…〉 of Shipwracke ; Rocks are neare the Shore ; 〈◊〉 the Virgin , and resolve thee m●re .

Meditat. 6. LOve is a noble passion of the heart ; That , with it very essence doth impart All needfull Circumstances , and effects Vnto the chosen party it affects ; In absence , it enjoyes ; and with an eye Fill'd with celestiall fier , doth espye Objects remote : It joyes , and smiles in griefe ; It sweetens poverty ; It brings reliefe ; It gives the Feeble , strength ; the Coward , spirit ; The sicke man , health ; the undeserving merit ; It makes the proud man , humble ; and the stout It ouercomes ; and treads him underfoot ; It makes the mighty man of warre to droope ; And him , to serve , that never , yet , could stoope ; It is a fire , whose Bellowes are the breath Of heaven above , and kindled here beneath : T is not the power of a mans election To loue ; He loves no● by his owne direction ; It is nor beauty , nor ●enigne aspect That alwayes moves the Lover , to affect ; These are but means : Heavens pleasure is the cause ▪ Love is not bound to reason , and her Lawes Are not subjected to th' imperious will Of man : It lies not in his power to nill : How is this Love abus'd ! That 's onely made A snare for wealth , or to set up a trade ; T' enrich a great mans Table , or to pay A desperate debt ; or meerly to allay A base and wanton lust ; which done , no doubt , The love is ended , and her fier out : No ; he that loves for pleasure , or for pelfe , Loves truely , none ; and , falsely , but himselfe : The pleasure past , the wealth consum'd and gone , Love hath no subject now to worke upon : The props being falne , that did support the roofe , Nothing but rubbish , and neglected Stuffe , ●●ke a wilde Chaos of Confusion , lies Presenting uselesse ruines to our eyes : The Oyle that does maintaine loves sacred fire , Is vertue mixt with mutuall desire Of sweet societie , begun and bred 〈◊〉 soule ; nor ended in the mariage bed : This is the dew of Hermon , that does fill The soule with sweetnesse , watring Sions hill ; This is that holy fire , that burns and lasts , Till quencht by death ▪ The other are but blasts That faintly blaze like Oyle-forsaken snuffes Which every breath of discontentment puffs 〈◊〉 quite extinguishes ; and leaves us nothing 〈◊〉 an offensive subject of our loathing .

THE ARGVMENT . He goes to Timnah : As he went , he slew a Lyon , by the way ; He sues ; obtaines the Maids consent : and they appoint the mariage day . Sect. 8. WHen the next day had , with his morning light , Redeem'd the East from the dark shades of night ; And , with his golden raies , had overspred The neighb'ring Mountaines ; from his loathed Bed , Sick-thoughted Samson rose , whose watchfull eyes , Morpheus that night had , with his leaden keyes ; Not power to close : his thoughts did so incumber His restlesse soule , his eyes could never slumber ; Whose softer language , by degrees did wake His fathers sleepe-bedeafned eares , and spake ; Sir ; Let your early blessings light upon The tender bosome of your prosprous Sonne , And let the God of Israel repay Those blessings , double , on your head , this day : The long-since banisht shadowes make me bold To let you know , the morning waxes old ; The Sunbeames are growne strong ; their brighter 〈◊〉 Have broke the Mists , and dride the morning dewe ; The sweetnesse of the season does invite Your steps to visit Timnah , and acquite Your last nights promise : With that the Danite and his wife arose , Scarce yet resolv'd , at last they did dispose Their doubtfull paces , to behold the prize Of Samsons heart , and pleasure of his eyes ; They went , and when their travell had attain'd Those fruitfull hills , whose clusters entertain'd Their thirsty palats , with their swelling pride , The musing lover being stept aside To gaine the pleasure of a lonely thought , Appear'd a full ag'd Lyon , who had sought ( But could not finde ) his long desired prey ; Soone as his eye had given him hopes to pay His debt to nature , and to mend that fault His empty stomacke found , he made assault Vpon th' unarmed Lovers brest , whose hand Had neither staffe , nor weapon , to withstand His greedy rage ; but he whose mighty strength Or sudden death must now appeare , at length , Stretcht forth his brawny arme , ( his arme supplide With power from heaven ) and did , with ease , divide His body limme from limme , and did betray His flesh to foules , that lately sought his prey : This done ; his quicke redoubled paces make His stay amends ; his nimble steps ore take His leading parents ; who by this , discover The smoake of Timnah : Now the greedy Lover Thinkes every step , a mile ; and every pace A measur'd League , untill he see that face , And finde the treasure of his heart , that lies In the faire Casket of his Mistresse Eyes ; But , all this while , close Samson made not knowne Vnto his Parents , what his hands had done : By this , the gate of Timnah entertaines The welcome travellers : The parents paines 〈◊〉 now rewarded with their sonnes best pleasure ▪ The Virgin comes ; His eyes can finde no leisure , To owne another object : O , the greeting Th' impatient lovers had at their first meeting ! The Lover speakes ; She answers ; He replies ; She blushes ; He demandeth ; Shee denies ; He pleads affection ; She doubts ; He sues For nuptiall love ; She questions ; He renewes His earnest suite : Importunes ; She relents ; He must have no deniall ; She consents : They passe their mutual loves : Their joyned hands Are equall earnest of the nuptiall bands : The parents are agreed ; All parties pleas'd ; The day 's set downe ; the lovers hearts are eas'd , Nothing displeases now , but the long stay Betwixt th' appointment , and the mariage day .

Meditat. 8. T Is too severe a censure : If the Sonne Take him a wife ; the mariage fairely done , Without consent of parents , ( who perchance Had rais'd his higher price , knew where t' advance His better'd fortunes to one hundred more ) He lives , a Fornicator ; She , a Whore : Too hard a censure ! And it seemes to me , The Parent 's most delinquent of the three : What ; if the better minded Son doe aime At worth ? What , if rare vertues doe inflame His rapt affection ? What , if the condition Of an admir'd , and dainty disposition Hath wen his soule ? Whereas the covetous Father Finds her Gold light , and recommends him , rather , T' an old worne widow , whose more weighty purse Is fil'd with gold , and with the Orphans curse ; The sweet exubrance of whose full mouth'd portion Is but the cursed issue of extortion ; Whose worth , perchance , lies onely in her weight , Or in the bosome of her great estate ; What , if the Sonne , ( that does not care to buy Abundance at so deare a rate ) deny The soule-detesting profer of his Father , And in his better Iudgement chooses , rather , To match with meaner Fortunes , and desert ? I thinke that Mary chose the better part , What noble Families ( that have out-growne The best records ) have quite bin overthrowne By wilfull parents , that will either force Their sonnes to match , or haunt them with a curse ! That can adapt their humours , to rejoyce , And fancy all things , but their childrens choice ! Which makes them , often , timorous to reveale The close desiers of their hearts , and steale Such matches , as , perchance , their faire advice Might , in the bud , have hindred in a trice ; Which done , and past , O , then their hasty spirit Can thinke of nothing , under Disinherit ; He must be quite discarded , and exilde ; The furious father must renounce his childe ; Nor Pray'r nor Blessing must he have ; bereiven Of all ; Nor must he live , nor die forgiven ; When as the Fathers rashnesse , oftentimes , Was the first causer of the Childrens crimes . Parents ▪ be not too cruell : Children doe Things , oft , too deepe for us t' enquire into : What father would not storme , if his wilde Sonne Should doe the deed , that Samson here had done ? Nor doe I make it an exemplar act ; Onely , let parents not be too exact To curse their children , or to dispossesse Them of their blessings , Heaven may chance to blesse : Be not too strict : Faire language may recure A fault of youth , whilst rougher words obdure .

THE ARGVMENT . Samson goes downe to celebrate his mariage and his nuptiall feast : The Lyon , which he ●lew of late hath honey in his putrid brest . Sect. 9. When as the long expected time was come , Wherin these lingring Lovers should consumme The promis'd mariage , & observe the rites , Pertaining to those festivall delights , Samson went downe to Timnah ; there , t' enjoy The sweet possession of his dearest joy ; But as he past those fruitfull Vineyards , where His hands of late , acquit him of that feare ( Wherewith the fierce assaulting Lyon quail'd His yet unpractis'd courage ) and prevail'd Vpon his life ; as by that place he past , He turn'd aside , and borrowed of his hast A little time , wherein his eyes might view The Carkas of the Lyon which he slew ; But when his wandring footsteps had drawne neer The unlamented herse , his wondring eare Perceiv'd a murm'ring noise , discerning not From whence that strange confusion was , or what ; He staies his steps , and hearkens ; still the voyce Presents his eare , with a continued noyse ; At length , his gently moving feet apply Their paces to the Carkas , where his eye Discernes a Swarme of Bees , whose laden thighes Repos'd their burthens , and the painfull prize Of their sweet labour in the hollow Chest Of the dead Lyon , whose unbowell'd brest Became their plenteous storehouse , where , they laid The blest encrease of their laborious Trade ; The fleshly Hive was fill'd with curious Combes , Within whose dainty waxe-divided roomes , Were shops of honey , whose delicious taste Did sweetly recompence th' adjourned haste Of lingring Samson , who does now repay The time he borrow'd from his better way , And with renewed speed , and pleasure , flies , Where all his soule-delighting treasure lies ; He goes to Timnah , where his heart doth finde A greater sweetnesse , than he left behinde ; His hasty hands invites her gladder eyes To see , and lips to taste that obvious prize His interrupted stay had lately tooke , And as shee tasted , his fixt eyes would looke Vpon her varnisht lips , and , there , discover A sweeter sweetnesse to content a Lover : And now the busie Virgins are preparing Their costly Iewels , for the next dayes wearing ; Each lappe is sill'd with Flowers , to compose The nuptiall Girland , for the Brides faire browes ; The cost●neglecting Cookes have now encreast Their pastry dainties to adorne the feast ; Each willing hand is labring to provide ▪ The needfull ornaments to deck the Bride . But now , the crafty Philistins , for feare Lest Samsons strength , ( which startled every eare With dread and w●nder ) under that pretence , Should gaine the meanes , to offer violence ; And , through the shew of nuptiall devotion , Should take advantages to breed commotion , Or lest his popular power , by coaction Or faire entreats , may gather to his faction Some loose and discontented men of theirs , And so betray them to supected feares ; They therefore to prevent ensuing harmes , Gave strict command , that thirty men of armes , Vnder the ma●ke of Bridemen , should attend Vntill the nuptiall ceremonies end .

Meditat. 9. HOw high , unutterable , how profound , ( Whose depth the line of knowledge cannot sound ) Are the deerces of the Eternall God! How secret are his wayes , and how untrod By mans conceipt , so deeply charg'd with doubt ! How are his Counsels past our finding out ! O , how unscrutable are his designes ! How deepe , and how unsearchable are the Mines Of his abundant Wisdome ! how obscure And his eternall Iudgements ! and how sure ! Lists he to strike ? the very Stones shall flie From their unmov'd Foundations , and destroy : Lists he to punish ? Things that have no sense , Shall vindicate his Quarrell , on th' Offence : Lists he to send a plague ? The winters heate And summers damp , shall make his will compleate : Lists he to send the Sword ? Occasion brings New Iealousies betwixt the hearts of Kings : Wills he a famine ? Heaven shall turne to brasse , And earth to Iron , till it come to passe : Both stocks , and stones , and plants , and beasts fulfil The secret Counsell of his sacred will , Man , onely wretched Man , is disagreeing To doe that thing , for which he had his being : Samson must downe to Timnah ; in the way Must meet a Lyon , whom his hands must slay ; The Lyons putrid Carkas must enclose A swarme of Bees ; and , from the Bees , arose A Riddle ; and that Riddle must be read , And by the reading , Choller must be bred , And that must bring to passe Gods just designes Vpon the death of the false Philistines : Behold the progresse , and the royall Gests Of Heavens high vengeance ; how it never rests , Till , by appointed courses , it fulfill The secret pleasure of his sacred will . Great Savior of the world ; Thou Lambe of Sion , That hides our sinnes ; That art the wounded Lyon ▪ O , in thy dying body , we have found A world of hony ; whence we may propound Such sacred Riddles , as shall , underneath Our feet , subdue the power of Hell and Death ; Such Mysteries ; as none but he , that plough'd With thy sweet Hayfer's able to uncloud ; Such sacred Mysteries , whose eternall praise Shall make both Angels , and Archangels raise Their louder voyces , and , in triumph , sing , All Glory and Honour to our highest King , And to the Lambe , that sits upon the throne ; Worthy of power and praise is he , alone , Whose glory hath advanc'd our key of mirth ; Glory to God , on high ; and peace , on Earth .

THE ARGVMENT . The Bridegroome , at his nuptiall Feast , to the Philistians , doth propound A Riddle : which they all addrest themselves , in counsell to expound . Sect. 10. NOw , when the glory of the next dayes light Had chas'd the shadowes of the tedious night , 〈◊〉 coupling Hymen with his nuptiall bands , 〈◊〉 g●lden Fetters , had conjoyn'd their hands ; 〈◊〉 jolly welcome had to every Guest , ●●pos'd the bounty of the mariage Feast ; 〈◊〉 now appeased stomacks did enlarge 〈◊〉 captive tongues , with power to discharge 〈◊〉 quit their Table-duty , and disburse 〈◊〉 store of enterchangeable discourse , 〈◊〉 ●●genious Bridegroome turn'd his rolling eyes 〈◊〉 his guard of Bridemen , and applies ●●●peech to them : And , whil'st that every man 〈◊〉 his attentive eare , he thus began ; My t●ngue's in labour , and my thoughts abound ; 〈◊〉 a doubtfull Riddle , to propound ; 〈◊〉 if your joyned wisdomes can discover , 〈◊〉 our seven dayes feasting be past over ; 〈◊〉 , thirty Sheets , and thirty new supplies ●●●●●●ment shall be your deserved prize : 〈◊〉 be seven dayes feast shall be dissolv'd , 〈◊〉 darkned Riddle be resolv'd , Ye shall be all engaged to resigne The like to me , the vict'rie being mine : So said ; the Bridemen , whose exchanged eyes Found secret hopes of conquest , thus replies : Propound thy Riddle : Let thy tongue dispatch Her cloudy errand : We accept the match : With that , the hopefull Challenger convai'd His Riddle to their hearkning eares , and said ; The Riddle . Our food , in plenty , doth proceed from him that us'd to eate ; And he , whose custome was to feed does now afford as meate ; A thing that I did lately meet , as I did passe along , Afforded me a dainty sweet , yet was both sharpe and strong : The doubtful Riddle being thus propounded , They muse ; the more they mus'd , the more confounded ▪ One rounds his whispring neighbour in the eare , Whose lab'ring lips deny him leave to heare : Another , trusting rather to his owne Conceit , sits musing , by himselfe , alone : Here , two are closely whispring , till a third Comes in , nor to the purpose speakes a word : There , sits two more , and they cannot agree How rich the clothes , how fine the Sheets must be Yonder stands one that , musing , smiles ; no doubt , But he is neere it , if not found it out ; To whom another rudely rushes in , And puts him quite beside his thought agin : 〈◊〉 , three are Whispring , and a fourths intrusion Spoiles all , and puts them all into confusion : ●●re sits another in a Chaire , so deepe 〈◊〉 thought , that he is nodding fast asleepe : The more their busie fancie doe endever , The more they erre ; Now , farther off , than ever : 〈◊〉 when their wits , spur'd on with sharpe desire , Had lost their breath , and now began to tire , They ceas'd to tempt conceit beyond her strength ▪ And , weary of their thoughts , their thoughts at length Present a new exploit : Craft must supply Defects of wit ; Their hopes must now rely Vpon the frailty of the tender Bride ; She must be mov'd ; Perswasions may attaine ; If not , then rougher language must constraine : She must diclose the Riddle , and discover The bosome secrets of her faithfull Lover .

Medita. 10. THere is a time , to laugh : A time , to turne Our smiles to teares : There is a time to mourn : There is a time for joy , and a time for griefe , A time to want , and a time to finde reliefe , A time to binde , and there 's a time to breake , A time for silence , and a time to speake , A time to labour , and a time to rest , A time to fast in , and a time to feast : Things , that are lawfull , have their times , and use ; Created good ; and , onely by abuse , Made bad : Our sinfull usage does unfashion What heaven hath made , and makes a new creation ; Ioy is a blessing : but too great excesse Makes Ioy , a madnesse , and , does quite unblesse So sweet a gift ; And , what , by moderate use ; Crownes our desiers , banes them in th' abuse : Wealth is a blessing ; But too eager thurst Of having more , makes what we have , accurst : Rest is a blessing ; But when Rest withstands The healthfull labour of our helpfull hands , It proves a curse ; and staines our guilt , with crime , Betraies our irrecoverable time : To feast and to refresh our hearts with pleasure , And fill our soules with th' overslowing measure Of heavens blest bounty , cannot but commend The precious favours of so sweet a friend ; But , when th' abundance of a liberall diet , Meant for a blessing , is abus'd by Riot , Th' abused blessing , leaves the gift , nay , worse , It is transform'd , and turn'd into a curse : Things that afford most pleasure , in the use , Are ever found most harmfull in the abuse : Vse them like Masters ; and their tyrannous hand Subjects thee , like a slave , to their command ; Vse them as Servants ; and they will obey thee ; Take heed ; they'● either blesse thee , or betray thee . Could our Fore fathers but revive , and see Their Childrens Feasts , as now a dayes they bee : Their studied dishes , Their restoring stuffe , To make their wanton bodies sinne enough ; Their stomack-whetting Sallats , to invite Their wastfull palat to an appetite ; Their thirst-procuring dainties , to refine Their wanton tasts , and make them strong , for wine ; Their costly viands , charg'd with rich perfume ; Their Viper-wines , to make old age presume To feele new lust , and youthfull flames agin , And serve another prentiship to sinne : Their time-betraying Musicke ; their base noise Of odious Fidlers ; with their smooth-fac'd boyes , Whose tongues are perfect , if they can proclame The Quintessence of basenesse without shame ; Their deepe-mouth'd curses , new invented oathes , Their execrable Blasphemy , that loathes A minde to thinke on ; their obsceaner words , Their drunken Quarrels , their unsheathed swords : O how they 'd blesse themselves , & blush , for shame , In our behalfs , and hast from whence they came , To kisse their graves , that hid them from the crimes Of these accursed and prodigious times . Great God ; O , can thy patient eye behold This height of sinne , and can thy vengeance hold ?

THE ARGVMENT . The Philistins cannot unsolve the Riddle : They corrupt the Bride ; She wooes her Bridegroome to resolve her doubt , but goes away denyde . Sect. 11. NOw when three daies had run their howers out , And left no hope for wit-forsaken doubt To be resolv'd , the desp'rate undertakers Conjoyn'd their whispring heads ; ( being all partakers And joynt-advisers in their new-laid plot ) The time 's concluded : Have ye not forgot How the old Tempter , when he first began To worke th' unhappy overthrow of man , Accosts the simple woman ; and reflects Vpon the frailty of her weaker Sex ; Even so these curs'd Philistians ( being taught And tutor'd by the selfe same spirit ) wrought The selfe same way ; Their speedy steps are bent To the faire Bride ; Their haste could give no vent To their coarcted thoughts ; their language made A little respite ; and , at length , they said ; Fairest of Creatures : Let thy gentle heart Receive the crowne , due to so faire desert ; We have a Suite , that must attend the leisure Of thy best thoughts , and joy-restoring pleasure ; Our names , and credits linger at the stake Of de●pe dishonour : If thou undertake , 〈◊〉 pleasing language , to prevent the losse , They must sustaine , and draw them from the drosse Of their owne ruines , they shall meercly owe Themselves unto the goodnesse , and shall know No other Patron , and acknowledge none , As their redeemer , but thy love alone : We cannot reade the Riddle , whereunto We have engag'd our goods , and credits too ; 〈◊〉 thy jolly Bridgroome ; to unfold The hidden Myst'ry , ( what can he withhold 〈◊〉 the rare beauty of so rare a brow ? ) And when thou knowst it , let thy servants know : What ? dost thou frowne ? And must our easie triall ▪ At first , reade Hierogly ●hickes of deniall ? And are thou silent too ? Noy , we 'l give ore T● 〈◊〉 thy Bridall fondnesse any more : Betray your lovely husbands secrets ? No , 〈◊〉 first betray us , and our land : but know , Proud Samsons wife , our furies shall make good 〈◊〉 losse of wealth and honour , in thy bloud : ●●ere faire entreaties spend themselves in vaine , There f●●r shall consume , or else constraine . Kn●w then , falsehearted Bride , if our request 〈◊〉 finde no place within thy sullen brest , 〈◊〉 hands shall vindicate our lost desire , And burne thy fathers house , and thee with fire : Thus having lodg'd their errand in her cares ; They left the roome ▪ and her , unto her feares ; Who thus bethought ; hard is the case , that I Must or betray my husbands trust , or dye ; I haue a Wolfe by th' eares : I dare be bold , Neither with safety , to let goe , nor hold : What shall I doe ? Their mindes if I fulfill not , ●Tis death ; And to betray his trust , I will not : Nay , should my lips demand , perchance , his breath Will not resolve me , : Then , no way , but death : The wager is not great ; Rather the strife Were ended in his losse , than in my life ; His life consists in mine , If ought amisse Befall my life , it may indanger his : Wagers must yeeld to life ; I hold it best , Of necessary evils , to chuse the least : Why doubt I then ? when Reason bids me doe ; I le know the Riddle , and betray it too : With that , she quits her chamber , with her cares , And in her closset locks up all her feares , And , with a speed untainted with delay , She found that brest , wherein her owne heart lay ; Where resting for a while , at length , did take A faire occasion to looke up , and spake : Life of my soule , and love perpetuall treasure , If my desires be suiting to thy pleasure , My lips would move a Suite ; My doubtfull brest Would faine preferre an undeny'd request : Speake then ( my joy ) : Let thy faire lips expound That dainty Riddle , whose darke pleasure crown'd Our first dayes feast ; Enlighten my dull braine , That , ever since , hath mus'd , and mu'sd in vaine ; Who , often smiling on his lovely Bride , That longs to goe away resolv'd , reply'd ; Ioy of my heart , let not thy troubled brest Take the denyall of thy small request , As a defect of love : excuse my tongue That must not grant thy suite without a wrong To resolution , daring not discover The hidden Myst'ry , till the time be ●ver ; Cease to importune then , what cannot be ; My parents know it not , as well as thee : 〈◊〉 ought but this , thy Suite shall overcome me ; Excuse me then , and goe not angry from me .

Meditat. 11. HOw apprehensive is the heart of Man Of all , and onely those poore things that can Lend him a minutes pleasure , and appay His sweat but with the happinesse of a day ! How can he toyle for trifles , and take paine For fading goods , that onely entertaine His pleased thoughts with poore & painted showes , Whose joy hath no more truth , than what it owes To change ! How are the objects of his musing Worthlesse , and vaine , that perish in the using ? How reasonable are his poore desires , The height of whose ambition , but aspires To flitting shadowes , which can onely crowne His labour , with that nothing , of their owne ! We feed on huskes , that might as well ataine The fatted Calfe , by comming home againe : And , like to Esan , while we are suppressing Our present wants , neglect and lose the blessing : How wise we are for things , whose pleasure cooles Like breath ▪ For everlasting joyes , what Fooles ! How witty , how ingeniously wise , To save our credits , or to win a prize ! Wee plot ; Our browes are studious : First we try One way ; If that succeed not , we apply Our doubtfull mindes to attemt another course : We take advice ; consult ; our tongues discourse Of better wayes ; and , what our failing braines , Cannot effect with faire and fruitlesse paines ; There , crooked fraud must helpe , and slie deceit Must lend a hand , which by the potent sleight Of right-forsaking Bribry must betray The prize into our hands , and win the day , Which if it faile ( it does but seldome faile ) Then open force , and fury must prevaile : When strength of wit , and secret power of fraud Grow dull , constraint must conquer , and appla●d With ill got vict'ry ; which at length obtain'd , Alas , how poore a trifle have we gain'd ! How are our soules distempered ; to engrosse Such fading pleasures ! To ore-prize the drosse , And under-rate the Gold ▪ for painted Ioyes , To sell the true , and heaven it selfe for Toyes ! Lord ; clarifie mine eyes , that I may know Things that are good , from what are good in show ▪ And give me wisedome , that my heart my learne The diffrence of thy favours , and discerne What 's truely good , from what is good in part ; With Martha's trouble , give me Maries heart ,

THE ARGVMENT . The Bride she begs , and beg sin vaine : But like to a prevailing wooer , She sues , and sues , and sues againe ; At last he reads the Riddle to her . Sect. 12. WHen the next morning had renew'd the day , And th' early twilight now had chac'd away The pride of night , and made her lay aside Her spangled Robes , the discontented Bride ( Whose trobled thoghts were tyred with the night , And broken slumbers , long had wisht for light ) With a deepe sigh her sorrow did awake Her drowsie Bridegroome , whom she thus bespake : O , if thy love could share an equall part In the sad griefes of my afflicted heart , Thy closed eyes had never , in this sort , ●in pleas'd with rest , and made thy night so short : Perchance , if my dull eyes had slumbred too , My dreames had done , what thou deny'd to doe : Perchance , my Fancy would have bin so kinde , Tunsolve the doubts of my perplexed minde , T was a small suite , that thy unluckie Bride Must light upon : Too small to be denyde : Can love so soone — ? But ere her lips could spend The following words , he said , suspend , suspend Thy rash attempt , and let thy tongue dispense With forc'd denyall : Let thy lips commence Some greater Suite , and Samson shall make good Thy faire desiers with his dearest blood : Speake then , my love ; thou shall not w●sh , and want ; Thou canst not beg , what Samson cannot grant : Onely , in this , excuse me : and refraine To beg , what thou , perforce , must beg in vaine . In exorable Samson : Can the teares From those faire ●yes , not move thy deafned eares ? O can those drops , that trickle from those eyes Vpon thy naked bosome , not surprize Thy neighb'ring heart ? and force it to obey ? O can thy hear● not melt as well as they ? Thou little thinkst thy poore afflicted wife Importunes thee , and woes thee for her life : Her Suit 's as great a Riddle to thi●e eares , As thine , to hers ; O , these distilling teares Are silent pleaders , and her moistned breath Would faine redeeme her , from the gates of death ? May not her teares prevaile ; Alas , thy strise Is but for wagers ; Her 's , poore Soule , for life . Now when this day had yeelded up his right To the succeeding Empresse of the night , Whose soone-deposed raignc did reconvay Her crowne and Scepter to the new borne day , The restlesse Bride ( feares cannot brooke denyall ) Renewes her suit , and attempts a further tryall ; Entreats ; conjures ; she leaves no way untride : She will not , no , she must not be denyd : But he ( the portalls of whose marble heart Was lockt and barr'd against the powerfull art Of oft repeated teares , ) stood deafe and dumbe ; He must not , no , he will not be ore-come . Poore Bride ! How is thy glory overcast ! How is the pleasure of the Nuptialls past , When scarce begun ! Alas , how poore a breath Of joy , must puffe thee to untimely death ! The day 's at hand , wherein thou must untie The Riddles tangled Snarle , or else must dye : Now , when that day was come wherein the feast Was to expire ; the Bride , ( whose pensive brest Grew sad to death ) did once more undertake Her too resolved Bridegroome thus , and spake : Vpon these knees , that prostrate on the floore , Are lowly bended , and shall ne're give ore To move thy goodnesse , that shall never rise , Vntill my Suit finde favour in thine eyes , Vpon these naked knees , I here present My sad request : O let thy heart relent ; A Suitor sues , that never sued before ; And she begs now , that never will beg more : Hast thou vow'd silence ? O remember , how Thou art engaged by a former vow ; Thy heart is mine ; The secrets of thy heart Are mine ; Why art thou dainty to impart Mine owne , to me ? Then , give me leave to sue For what , my right may challenge as her due ; Vnfold thy Riddle then , that I may know , Thy love is more ; then only love in show : The Bridegroome , thus enchanted by his Bride , Vnseal'd his long-kept silence , and replyde : Thou sole , and great commandresse of my heart , Thou hast prevail'd ; my bosome shall impart The summe of thy desiers , and discharge The faithfull secrets of my soule , at large ; Know then , ( my joy ) Vpon that very day , I , first , made knowne my'affection , on the way , I met , and grappled with a sturdy Lyon , Having nor staffe nor weapon , to relie on , I was enforc'd to prove my naked strength ; Vnequall was the match , but at the length , This brawny Arme receiving strength from him That gave it life , I tore him limme from limme , And left him dead : Now when the time was come , Wherin our promis'd nuptialls were to summe , And perfect all my joyes , as I was comming That very way , 'a strange confused humming , Not distant farre , possest my wondring eare , Where guided by the noyse , there did appeare A swarme of Bees , whose busie labours fill'd The Carkasse of that Lyon which I kill'd With Combes of Honey , wherewithall I fed My lips and thine : And now my Riddle 's read .

Medita. 12. THe soule of man , before the taint of Nature , Bore the faire Image of his great Creator ; His understanding had no cloud : His will No crosse : That , knew no Error ; This , no ill : But man transgrest ; And by his wofull fall , Lost that faire Image , and that little all Was left , was all corrupt ; His understanding Exchang'd her object ; Reason left commanding ; His Memory was depraved , and his will Can finde no other subject now ; but Ill : It grew distemperd , left the righteous reine Of better Reason , and did entertaine , The rule of Passion , under whose command , 〈◊〉 fuffered Ship-wracke , upon every Sand : Where it should march , it evermore retires ; And , what is most forbid , it most desires : 〈◊〉 makes it see too much , and often , blinde ; 〈◊〉 makes it light , and waver like the winde : 〈◊〉 makes it fierce , and studious ; Anger , mad ; 〈◊〉 makes it carelesse ; Sorrow , dull and sad ; 〈◊〉 makes it nimble , for a needlesse tryall ; 〈◊〉 makes it too impatient of deniall . ●●eat Lord of humane soules ; O thou , that art The onely true refiner of the heart ; Those hands created all things perfect good , What canst thou now expect of flesh and blood ? How are our leprous Soules put out of fashion ! 〈◊〉 are our Wills subjected to our passion ! How is thy glorious Image soil'd , defac'd , And stain'd with sinne ! How are our thoughts displac'd ! How wav'ring are our hopes , turn'd here and there With every blast ! How carnall is our feare ! Where needs no feare , we start at every shade , But feare not , where we ought to be affraid . Great God! If thou wilt please but to refine Our hearts , and reconforme our wils , to thine , Thou 'lt take a pleasure in us , and poore we Should finde as infinite delight in Thee ; Our doubts would cease , our fears would al romove , And all our passions would turne Ioy , and Love ; Till then , expect for nothing that is good : Remember , Lord , we are but Flesh and Blood .

THE ARGVMENT . The Philistines , by her advice , expound the Riddle : Samson kild Thirty Philistians , in a trice ; forsakes his Bride : His Bed's defilde . Sect. 13. NO sooner was the Brides attentive eares Resolv'd , and pleas'd ; but her impetuous fears Cals in the Bridemen ; and to them betraid , The secret of the Riddle thus , and said : 〈◊〉 Sonnes of Thunder ; T was not the loud noise 〈…〉 provoking threats , nor the soft voice 〈…〉 prevailing feares , that thus addrest 〈◊〉 ●●●lding heart to grant your forc'd request ; 〈◊〉 language needed not have bin so rough 〈…〉 too much , when lesse had bin enough : 〈◊〉 speech at first was hony in mine eare ; 〈…〉 , it prov'd a Lyon , and did teare 〈◊〉 wounded soule : It sought to force me to 〈◊〉 your entreaties w●re more apt to doe : 〈◊〉 then ( to keepe your lingring eares no longer 〈◊〉 what ye long to heare ; ) Ther 's nothing stronger Then a fierce Lyon : Nothing more can greet 〈◊〉 pleased palats , with a greater sweet , Then Hony : But more fully to expound , 〈◊〉 a dead Lyon , there was Hony found . Now when the Sun was welking in the West , Whose fall determines both the day , and Feast ) The hopefull Bridegroome ( he whose smiling brow Assur'd his hopes a speedy Conquest now ) Even thirsting for victorious Triumph , brake The crafty silence of his lips , and spake : The time is come whose latest hower ends Our nuptiall Feast , and fairely recommends The wreathe of Conquest to the vict●rs brow : Say , is the Riddle read ? Expound it now ; And , for your paines , these hands shall soone resigne Your conquer'd prize : If not , The prize is mine : With that , they join'd their whispring heads , and made A Speaker ; who in louder language , said ; Of all the sweets that ere were knowne , There s none so pleasing be , As those rare 〈◊〉 which doe cr●wne The labour of the Bee : Of all the creatures in the field ; That ever man set eye on , There 's none , whose power doth not yeeld Vnto the stronger Lyon . Whereto th' offended Challenger , whose eye Proclaim'd a quicke Revenge , made this reply : No Hony's sweeter then a womans tongue ; And , when she list , Lyons are not so strong : How thrice accurs'd are they , that doe fulfill The lewd desiers of a womans will ! How more accurs'd is he , that doth impart His bosome-secrets to a womans heart ; They plead like Angell , and , like Crocadiles , Kill with their teares ; They murther with their smiles : How weake a thing is woman ? Nay how weake Is senslesse Man , that will be urg'd to breake His counsells in her eare , that hath no power To make secure a secret , for an homer ! 〈◊〉 , Victors , no : Had not a womans minde 〈◊〉 faithlesse , and vnconstant , as the winde , Mr Riddle had , till now , a Riddle bin ; 〈◊〉 might have mus'd , and mist ; and mus'd 〈◊〉 , When the next day had heav'd his golden head From the soft pillow of his Sea-greene bed ; And , with his rising glory , had possest The spatious borders of th' enlightened East , Samson arose , and in a rage , went downe ( By heaven directed ) to a neighbring towne : His choller was inflam'd and from his eye The sudden flashes of his wrath did flye , Palenesse was in his cheekes , and from his breath , There flew the fierce Embassadours of death ; He heav'd his hand , and where it fell , it flew : He spent , and still his forces would renew : His quick-redoubled blowes fell thick as thunder : And , whom he tooke alive , he tore in sunder : His arme nere mist : And often , at a blow , He made a Widow , and an Orphane too : Here , it divides the Father from the child , The husband from his Wife : there , it dispoild The friend on 's friend , the Sister of her brother : And , oft , with one man , he would thrash another : Where never was , he made a little flood , And where there was no Kin , he joyn'd in blood , Wherein , his ruthlesse hands he did imbrue : Thrice ten , before he scarce could breath , he flue : Their upper Garments , which he tooke away , Were all the spoyles the Victor had , that day : Wherewith , he quit the wagers that he lost , Paying Philistians , with Philistians cost : And thus , at length , with blood he did asswage , 〈◊〉 yet not quench the fier of his rage , For now the thought of his disloyall wife , In his sad soule , renew'd a second strife , From whom , for feare his fury should recoile , He thought most fit t' absent himselfe a while ; Vnto his fathers Tent , he now return'd ; Where , his divided passion rag'd , and mourn'd ; In part , he mourned ; and , he rag'd , in part , To see so faire a face ; so false a heart : But marke the mischiefe that his absence brings ; His bed's defiled , and the nuptiall strings Are stretcht and crackt : A second love doth smother The first ; And she is wedded to another .

Meditat. 13. WAs this that wombe , the Angel did enlarge From barrennesse ? And gave so strict a charge ? was this that wombe , that must not be defil'd With uncleane meates , lest it pollute the child ? Is this the Nazarite ? May a Nazarite , then , E●brue and paddle in the bloods of men ? Or may their vowes be so dispens'd withall , That they , who searce may see a funerall , Whose holy foot-steps must beware to tread Vpon , or touch the carkasse of the dead ? May these revenge their wrongs , by blood ? may these Have power to kill , & murther where they please ? T is true : A holy Nazarite is forbid To doe such things as this our Nazarite did : He may not touch the bodies of the dead , Without pollution ; much lesse , may shed The blood of man , or touch it , being spilt , Without the danger of a double guilt : But who art thou , that art an undertaker , To question with , or plead against thy Maker ? May not that God , that gave thee thy creation , Turne thee to nothing , by his dispensation ? He that hath made the Sabbath , and commands It shall be kept with unpolluted hands ; Yet if he please to countermand agin , Man may securely labour , and not sin ; A Nazarite is not allow'd to shed The blood of man , or once to touch the dead ; But if the God of Nazarites , bids kill He may ; and be a holy Nazarite still : But stay ! Is God like Man ? Or can he border Vpon confusion , that 's the God of order ? The Persian Lawes no time may contradict ; And are the Lawes of God lesse firme and strict ? An earthly Parent wills his child to stand And waite , within a while he gives command ( Finding the weaknesse of his sonne opprest With wearinesse ) that he sit downe and rest ; Is God unconstant then , because he pleases To alter , what he wild us , for our eases ? Know , likewise , O ungratefull flesh and blood , God limits his owne glory , for our good : He is the God of mercy , and he prizes Thine Asses life above his Sacrifices ; His Sabbath is his glory , and thy rest ; Hee 'l lose some honour , ere thou lose a Beast : Great God of mercy ; O , how apt are wee To rob thee of thy due , that art so free To give unaskt ! Teach me , O God , to know What portion I deserve , and tremble too . ●That heare the newes ) thus with himselfe besought ; It cannot be excus'd : It was a fault , It was a foule one too ; and , at first sight , 〈◊〉 greate for love , or pardon to acquite : ● , ●ad it beene a stranger , that betraid ●●posed secrets , I had onely laid The blame ●pon my unadvised tongue ; Or bad a common friend but done this wrong To besome trust , my patience might out warne it ▪ I could endur'd , I could have easily borne it ; 〈◊〉 this to be betraied by a wi●e , The par●ner of my heart ; to whom my life , 〈◊〉 very soule was not estee●ed deare , It 〈◊〉 than flesh , is more than bloud can beare : 〈◊〉 yet alas , She was but greene and young , And had not gain'd the conquest of her tongue ; ●●season'd vessells , wi●● finde a leake At first ; but after hold : She is but weake ; ●●y , cannot yet write woman ; which , at best , 〈◊〉 a fraile thing : Alas young , things will quest At every turne ; Indeed , to say the truth , Her yeares could make it but a fault of youth : Samson , returne ; and let that fault be set Vpo● the score of youth : forgive , forget : 〈◊〉 is my wife : Her love hath power to hide A fouler errour ; Why should I diuide My presence from her ? There 's no greater wrong 〈◊〉 love , than to be silent over long : 〈◊〉 , poore soule ! No doubt , her tender eye 〈◊〉 wept enough ; perchance she knowes not why 〈◊〉 turn'd so great a stranger to her bed , And boord : Nodoubt , her empty eyes have shed A ●●●ld of teares ; perchance , her 〈◊〉 thought 〈◊〉 my absence 〈◊〉 a greater fault Then that of late , her harmlesse errour did ; I 'le goe and draw a reconciling Kid From the faire flocke ; My feet shall never rest , Till I repose me in my Brides faire brest ; He went , but ere his speedy lips obtain'd The merits of his haste , darknesse had stain'd The cristall brow of day ; and gloomy night Had spoil'd and rifled heaven of all his light : H' approacht the gates ; but being entred in , His carelesse welcome seem'd so cold and thin , As if that silence meant , it should appeare , He was no other , than a stranger there ; In every servants looke , he did espie An easie Copie of their Masters eye ; He call'd his wife , but she was gone to rest ; Vnto her wonted chamber he addrest His doubtfull steps ; till by her father , staid , Who taking him aside a little , said : Sonne , It was the late espousals that doe move My tongue to use that title ; not thy love : 'T is true ; there was a Marriage lately past Betweene my childe and you ; The knot was fast And firmely tyed , not subject to the force Of any power , but death , or else divorce : For ought I saw , a mutuall desire Kindled your likings , and an equall fire Of strong affection , joyned both your hands With the perpetuall knot of nuptiall bands ; Mutuall delight , and equall joyes attended Your pleased hearts , untill the feast was ended ; But then I know no ground , ( you know it best ) As if your loves were measur'd by the Feast , The building fell , before the house did shake , 〈◊〉 fire was quencht , ere it began to slake ; All on a sudden were your ioyes dis●eis●d ; F●rsooke your Bride , and went away displeas'd ; 〈◊〉 left my child to the oppro●rions tongues Of open censure , whose malitious wrongs ( Maligning her faire merits ) did defame Her wounded honour , and unblemisht na●e ; I thought , thy love , which was so strong , of late , Had on a sudden , turn'd to perfect hate : At length , when as your longer absence did C●●firme my thoughts ; and time had quite forbid Our hopes t' expect a reacdesse of love , Thinking some new affection did●●emove Your heart , and that some second choice might smother The first , I matcht your Bride unto another ; If 〈◊〉 have done amisse , the fault must be Imputed yours , and not to her , nor me ; But if your easie losse may be redeem'd With her faire Sister ( who ; you know's esteem'd More beautifull than she , and younger too ) She shall be firmely joyn'd by nuptiall vow , And , by a present contract , shall become Thy faithfull spouse , in her lost sisters roome : With that poor● Samson , like a man entranc'd , And newly wakened , thus his voice advanc'd ; Presumptuus Philistine ! That dost proceed From the base loines of that accursed seed , Blanded for slaughter , and mark'd out for death ; And utter ruine ; this my threatning breath Shall blast thy nation ; This revenging hand Shall crush thy darkasse , and thy cursed land ; ●●le give thy flesh to Ravens ; and ravinous Swine Shall take that rancke and tainted bloud of thine For wash and swill , to quench their eager thirst , Which they shall sucke , and guzzle till they burst ; I 'le burne your standing Corne with flames of fire , That none shall quench ; I 'le drag ye in the mire Of your owne blouds , which shall ore-flow the land And make your pasture barren as the sand ; This ruthlesse arme shall smite and never stay , Vntill your land be turn'd a Golgotha ; And if my actions prove my words untrue , Let Samson die , and be accurs'd , as you .

Medit. 14. GOd is the God of peace : And if my brother Strike me on one cheeke , must I turn the other ? God is the God of mercy ; And his childe Must be as he his , Mercifull and milde ; God is the God of Love : But sinner know , His love abus'd , hee 's God of vengeance too . Is God the God of vengeance ? And may none Revenge his private wrongs , but he alone ? What meanes this franticke Nazarite to take Gods office from his hand , and thus to make His wrongs amends ? Who warranted his breath To threaten ruine , and to thunder death ? Curious Inquisitor ; when God shall strike By thy stout arme , thy arme may doe the like : His Patent gives him power to create A deputie ; to whom he doth collate Assistant power , in sufficient measure , To exercise the office of his pleasure ; A lawfull Prince is Gods Lieutenant here : As great a Maiesty as flesh can beare , He is endued with all ; In his bright eye ( Cloath'd in the flames of Majesty ) doth lie Both life and death ; into his royall heart Heaven doth inspire , and secretly impart The treasure of his Lawes ; Into his hand He thrusts his sword of Iustice and Command : He is Gods Champion ; where his voice bids , kill , He must not feare t' imbrew his hands , and spill , Abundant bloud ; Who gives him power to doe , Will finde him guiltlesse , and assist him too : O , but let flesh and bloud take heed , that none Pretend Gods quarrell , to revenge his owne ; Malice and base Revenge must step aside , When heavens uprighter Battels must be tride . Where carnall glory , or ambitious thurst Of simple conquest , or revenge , does burst Vpon a neighbouring Kingdome ; there to thrust Into anothers Crowne , the warre 's not just ; 'T is but a private quarrell ; and bereft Of lawfull grounds ; 'T is but a Princely theft : But where the ground 's Religion ; to defend Abused faith , let Princes , there , contend , With dauntles courage : May their acts be glorious ; Let them goe , prosperous ; and returne victorious : What if the grounds be mixt ? Feare not to goe ; Were not the grounds of Sampsons Combate so ? Goe then with double courage and renowne , When God shall mixe thy quarrels with his owne : 'T is a brave conflict ; and a glorious Fray , Where God and Princes shall divide the Prey .

THE ARGVMENT . He burnes their standing corne ; makes void Their Land : The Philistines enquire The cause of all their evill ; destroy'd The Timnite , and his house with fire . Sect. 15. AS ●agefull Samsons threatning language ceast , His resolution of revenge increast ; Vengeance was in his thoughts , and his desire Wanted no fuell to maintaine her fire : Passion grew hot and furious , whose delay Of execution , was but taking day For greater payment : His revengefull heart Boild in his brest ; whilst Fury did impart Her readie counsels , whose imperious breath , Could whisper nothing , under bloud , and death : Revenge was studious , quickned his conceit , And s●rew'd her Engins to the very height : At length , when time had rip'ned his desires , And puffing rage had blowne his secret fires To open flame , now ready for confusion , He thus began t' attempt his first conclusion ; The patient Angler , first provides his baite , Before his hopes can teach him to awaite Th' enjoyment of his long expected prey ; Revengefull Samson , ere he can appay His wrongs with timely vengeance , must intend To gaine the Instruments , to worke his end ; He plants his Engines , hides his snares about , Pitches his Toiles , findes new devices out , To tangle wilie Foxes ; In few dayes , ( That land had store ) his studious hand betrayes A leash of hundreds , which he thus imploye As Agents in his rashfull enterprize ; With tough , and force-enduring thongs of Leth , He joynes and couples taile , and taile together , And every thong bound in a Brand of fire , So made by Art , that motion would inspire Continuall flames , and as the motion ceast , The thriftie blaze would then retire and rest In the close brand , untill a second strife Gave it new motion ; and that motion , life : Soone as these coupled Messengers receiv'd Their fiercy Errand , though they were bereiv'd Of power to make great hast , they made good speed ; Their thoughts were diffring , though their tailes agreed : T' one drags and draws to th' East ; the other , West ; One fit , they runne , another while they rest ; T' one skulks and snarles , the t' other tugges and hales ; At length , both flee , with fire in their tailes , And in the top and height of all their speed , T' one stops before the other bee agreed ; The other pulls , and dragges his fellow backe , Whilst both their tailes were tortur'd on the racke ; At last both weary of their warme Embassage , Their better ease discride a fairer passage , And time hath taught their wiser thoughts to joyne More close , and travell in a straiter lin● : Into the open Champion they divide Their straggling paces ( where the ploughmans pride Found a faire object , in his rip'ned Corne ; Whereof , some part was reapt ; some , stood unshorne ) Sometimes the fiery travellers would seeke Protection beneath a swelling Reeke ; But soone that harbour grew too hot for stay , Affording onely light , to runne away ; Sometimes , the full-ear'd standing●wheat must cover And hide their flames ; and there the flames would hover About their eares , and send them to enquire A cooler place ; but there the flaming fire Would scorch their hides ; & send them sindg'd away ; Thus doubtfull where to goe , or where to stay , They range about ; flee forward , then retire ; Now here , now there , wher ere they come , they fire : Nothing was left , that was not lost , and burn'd ; And now , that fruitfull land of Iewry's turn'd A heape of Ashes ; That faire land , while ere Which fild all hearts with joy , and every eare With newes of plenty , and of blest encrease , ( The joyfull issue of a happy peace ) See , how it lies in her owne ruines , void Of all her happinesse , disguis'd , destroyd : With that the Philistines , whose sad reliefe And comfort 's deeply buried in their griefe , Began to question ( they did all partake In th' irrecoverable losse ) and spake , What cursed brand of Hell ? What more than Devill , What envious Miscreant hath done this evill ? Whereto one sadly standing by , replide ; It was that cursed Samson ( Whose faire Bride Was lately ravisht from his absent brest By her false father ) who before the feast Of nuptiall was a mo●th expir'd , and done , By second marriage , own'd another Sonne ; For which this Samson heav'd from off the henge Of his lost reason , studied this revenge ; That Timnits falshood wrought this desol●tion ; Samson the Actor was , but he , th' occasion : With that they all consulted to proceed In height of Iustice , to revenge this deed ; Samson whose hand was the immediat cause Of this foule act , is stronger than their lawes ; Him , they referre to time ; For his proud hand May bring a second ruine to their land ; The cursed Timnite , he that did divide The lawfull Bridgroome from his lawfull Bride , And mov'd the patience of so strong a foe , To bring these evils , and worke their overthrow , To him they haste ; and with resolv'd desire Of bloud , they burne his house , & him with fire .

Meditat. 15. DOst thou not tremble ? does thy troubled care Not tingle ? nor thy spirits faint to heare The voice of those , whose dying shriekes proclaime Their tortures , that are broyling in the flame ? She , whose illustrious beautie did not know Where to be matcht , but one poore houre agoe ; She , whose faire eyes were apt to make man erre From his knowne faith , and turne Idolater ; She , whose faire cheeks , inricht with true complexion , Seem'd Beauties store-house of her best perfection ; See how she lies , see how this beautie lies , A foule offence , unto thy loathing eyes ; A fleshly Cinder , lying on the floore Starke naked , had it not beene covered ore With bashfull ruines , which were fallen downe From the consumed roofe , and rudely throwne On this halfe roasted earth . O ; canst thou reade Her double storie , and thy heart not bleed ? What art thou more than she ? Tell me wherein Art thou more priviledg'd ▪ Or can thy sinne Plead more t' excuse it ? Art thou faire and young ? Why so was she : Were thy temptations strong ? Why so were hers : What canst thou plead , but she Had power to plead the same , as well as thee ? Nor was 't her death alone , could satisfie Revenge ; her father , and his house must die : Vnpunisht crimes doe often bring them in , That were no lesse than strangers to the sinne : Ely must die ; because his faire reproofe Of too foule sinne , was not austere enough : Was vengeance now appeas'd ? Hath not the crime Paid a sufficient Intrest for the time ? Remove thine eye to the Philistian fields ▪ See what increase their fruitfull harvest yeelds : There 's nothing there , but a confused heape Of ruinous Ashes : There 's no corne to reape : Behold the poyson of unpunisht sinne : For which the very earth 's accurst againe : Famine must act her part ; her griping hand , For one mans sinne must punish all the land : Is vengeance now appeas'd ? Hath sinne given ore To cry for plagues ? Must vengeance yet have more ? O , now th' impartiall sword must come ; and spill The bloud of such , as famine could not kill : The language of unpunisht sinne cryes loud , It roares for Iustice , and it must have bloud : Famine must follow , where the fire begun ; The sword must end , what both have left undone . Iust God! our sinnes doe dare thee to thy face ; Our score is great , our Ephah fills apace ; The leaden cover threatens every minut , To close the Ephah , and our sinnes within it . Turne back thine eye : Let not thine eye behold Such vile pollutions : Let thy vengeance hold : Looke on thy dying Sonne , there shalt thou spie 〈◊〉 object , that 's more fitter for thine eye ; 〈◊〉 sufferings ( Lord ) are farre above our finnes : 〈◊〉 , looke thou there ; Ere Iustice once begins ●T ' unsheath her sword : O let one precious drop Fall from that pierced side , and that will stop The eares of vengeance , from that clamorous voice Of our loud sinnes , which make so great a noise : O , send that drop , before Revenge begins , And that will crie farre louder than our sinnes .

THE ARGVMENT . He makes a slaughter ; Doth remove To Etans rocke , where to repay him The wrongs that he had done , they move The men of Iudah to betray him . Sect. 16. THus when th' accurs'd Philistians had appaid The Timnies sinne , with ruine : and betraid Th' unjust Offenders to their fierce desire , And burn'd their cursed Family with fire : 〈◊〉 the greatnesse of whose debt deni'd So short a payment : and whose wrongs yet cride● For further vengeance , to be further laid Vpon the sinne-conniving Nation , said , Vnjust Philistians , you that could behold 〈◊〉 a crime , and yet with-hold 〈◊〉 well deserved punishment so long ; 〈◊〉 made you partners in their sinne , my wrong ; Had yee at first , when as the fault was young , Before that Time had lent her clamorous tongue So great a strength to call for so much bloud ; O , hid your earlie Iustice but thought good To strike in time ; nay , had you then devis'd Some easier punishment , it had suffic'd ; But now it comes too late ; The sinne has cryed , Till heaven hath heard , and mercy is denied : Nay , had the sinne but sp●r'd to roare so loud , A drop had serv'd , when now a Tide of bloud Will hardly stop her mouth : Had ye done this betimes ! But now , this hand Must plague your persons , and afflict your land : Have ye beheld a youth-instructing Tutor , ( Whose wisdome's seldome seene , but in the future ) When well deserved punishment shall call For the delinquent Boy ; how , first of all , He preaches fairely ; then proceeds austerer To the foule crime , whilst the suspitious hearer Trembles at every word , untill at length , His language being ceas'd , th' unwelcome strength Of his rude arme , that often proves too rash , Strikes home , and fetches bloud at every lash : Even so stout Samson , whose more gentle tongue , In easie tearmes , doth first declare tho wrong , Injustice did , then tells the evill effects That mans connivence , and unjust neglects Does often bring upon th' afflicted land ; But , at the last , upheaves his ruthlesse hand ; He hewes , he hacks , and furie being guide , His unresisted power doth divide From top to toe ; his furious weapon cleft , Where ere it strucke : It slue , and never left , Vntill his flesh-destroying arme , at length , Could finde no subject , where t' imploy his strength : Here stands a head-strong Steed , whose fainting guider Drops down ; another drags his wounded rider : Now here , now there his franticke arme would thunder And at one stroake , cleaves horse & man in sunder , In whose mixt bloud , his hands would oft embrue , And where so ere they did but touch , they slew : Here 's no imployment for the Surgeons trade , All wounds were mortall that his weapon made ; There s none was left , but dying , or else dead , And onely they , that scap'd his fury , fled ; The slaughter ended , the proud victor past Through the afflicted land , untill at last , He comes to Iudah ; where he pitcht his tent , At the rocke Etan : There some time he spent ; He spent not much , till the Philistian band , That found small comfort in their wasted land , Came up to Iudah and there pitch'd not farre From Samsons tent ; their hands were arm'd to warre : With that the men of Iudah , strucke with feare , To see so great an Armie , straite drew neere , To the sad Campe ; who , after they had made Some signes of a continued peace , they said ; What new designes have brought your royall band 〈◊〉 the borders of our peacefull land ? 〈◊〉 strange adventures ? What disastrous weather 〈◊〉 you this way ? What businesse brought you hether ? 〈◊〉 my Lords be angry , or conceive 〈◊〉 evill against your Servants : What we have , 〈◊〉 : The peacefull plentie of our land 〈◊〉 we , are yours , and at your owne command : 〈◊〉 , to what purpose are you pleas'd to shew us 〈◊〉 strength ! Why bring you thus an Army to us ? 〈…〉 our yearly tributes justly paid ? Have we not kept our vowes ? have we delaid Our faithfull service , or denied to doe it , When you have pleas'd to call your servants to it ? Have we , at any time , upon your triall , Shrunke from our plighted faith , or prov'd disloyall ? If that proud Samson have abus'd your land , 'T is not our faults ; Alas , we had no hand In his designes : We lent him no releefe ; No aid ; No , we were partners in your griefe . Whereto the Philistines , whose hopes relyde Vpon their faire assistance , thus replyde : Feare not yee men of Iudah ; Our intentions Are not to wrong your peace : Your apprehensions Are too toe-timerous ; Our desires are bent Against the common Foe , whose hands have spent Our lavish bloud , and rob'd our wasted land Of all her joyes : T is he , our armed band Expects , and followes : He is cloystred here , Within your Quarters : Let your faiths appeare Now in your loyall actions , and convay The skulking Rebell to us , that we may Revenge our bloud , which he hath wasted thus , And doe to him , as he hath done to us .

Meditat. 16. IT was a sharpe revenge : But was it just ? Shall one man suffer for another ? Must The childrens teeth be set on edge , because Their fathers ate the grapes ? Are heavens lawes So strict ? whose lips did , with a promise , tell , That no such law should passe in Israel : Because the injurous Timnits treacherous hand 〈◊〉 the fault , must Samson scourge the land ? 〈◊〉 is a furious plague , and it infects 〈◊〉 next inhabitant , if he neglects 〈◊〉 meanes t' avoid it : T is not because he sinnes 〈◊〉 thou art punisht : No , it then begins ●●fect thy soule ; when , thou a stander by , ●proves it not : or when thy carelesse eye 〈◊〉 it as nothing : If a sinne of mine 〈◊〉 not thy wounded soule , it becomes thine . 〈◊〉 yee that God commits the Sword of power 〈◊〉 the hands of Magistrates , to scower 〈◊〉 keep it bright ? Or onely to advance 〈◊〉 yet unknowne Authority ? Perchance , 〈◊〉 glorious Hilt and Scabberd make a show 〈◊〉 serve his turne , have it a blade , or no , 〈◊〉 neither knowes , nor cares : Is this man fit 〈◊〉 obtaine so great an honor , as to fit 〈◊〉 Gods Lievtenant , and to punish sinne ? 〈◊〉 leaden Magistrates , and know agin , 〈◊〉 Sword was giv'n to draw , and to be dyde 〈◊〉 guilty blood , not to be layd aside 〈◊〉 the request of friends , or for base feare , 〈◊〉 when your honor 's ended with the yeare , 〈◊〉 may be baffled : 't is not enough that you 〈◊〉 bread be waight , or that the waights be true : 〈◊〉 not enough , that every foule disorder 〈◊〉 be refer'd to your more wise Recorder : 〈◊〉 charge is given to you : You must returne 〈◊〉 account , or else , the Land must mourne : 〈◊〉 keepe your swords too long a season in , 〈◊〉 God strikes us , because you strike not sinne : 〈◊〉 too remisse , and want a Resolution : 〈◊〉 Lawes lie dead for lack of execution : 〈◊〉 Oath is growne so bold , that it will laugh The easie Act , to scorne : Nay , we can quaffe And reele with priviledge : and we can trample Vpon our shame-shrunke cloakes , by your example : You are too dull : too great offences passe Vntoucht ; God loves no service from the Asse ; Rouze up , O use the spurre , and spare the bridle , God strikes , because your swords , and you are idle ; Grant Lord that every one may mend a fault ; And then our Magistrates may stand for nought .

THE ARGVMENT . The faithlesse men of Iudah went To make him subject to their bands : They bound him by his owne consent , And brought him prisoner to their bends . Sect. 17. SO said : The men of Iudah ( whose base feare Taught them to open an obedient eare To their revengefull and unjust request ) Accept the treacherous motion , and addrest Their slavish thoughts , to put in execution The subject of their seruile resolution : With that , three thousand of their ablest men Are soone employ'd ; To the fierce Lyons den They come , ( yet daring not approach too neare ) And sent this louder language to his eare ; Victorious Samson , whose renowned facts Have made the world a Register of thy acts ; Great Army of men , the wonder of whose power Gives thee the title of a walking Tower , 〈◊〉 hast thou●thus betraid us to the hand Of the accur'd Philistines ? Thou know'st our Land Does owe it selfe to thee ; There 's none can clame So great an interest in our hearts : Thy name , Thy highly honour'd name , for ever , beares A welcome Accent in our joyfull eares ; But now the times are dangerous , and a band Of proud Philistians quarter in our land , And for thy sake , the tyranie of their tongues Hath newly threatned to revenge the wrongs Vpon our peacefull lives : Their lips have vow'd And sworne to salve their injuries with our bloud ; Their jealous fury hollowes in our eares , They 'l plague our Land , as thou hast plagued theirs , If we refuse to doe their fierce command , And bring not Samson prisoner to their hand ; Alas , thou know'st our servile necks must bow To their imperious . Yoke ; Alas , our vow Of loyalty is past : If they bid , doe ; We must ; or lose our lands , and our lifes too , Were but our lifes in hazard , or if none Should seele the smart of death , but we alone , Wee 'd turne thy Martyrs , rather than obey'm , Wee 'd die with Samson sooner than betray'm ; But we have wifes , and children , that would be The subjects of their rage , as well as wee : Wherefore submit thy person , and fulfill . What we desire so much against our will : Alas our griefes in equall poisure lye ; Yeeld , and thou dyest : yeeld not , and we must die : Whereto sad Samson , whose faire thoughts did guide His lips to fairer language , thus replide ; ●e men of Iudah , what distrustfull thought Of single Samsons violence hath brought So great a strength , as if you meant t' ●rethrow Some mighty Monarch , or suprise a Foe ! Your easie errand might as well bin done By two or three , or by the lips of one ; The meanest child of holy Israels seede Might conquer'd Samson with a bruised reede : Alas , the boldnesse of your welcome words Need no protection of these slaves and swords : Brethren , the intention of my comming hither Was not to wrong you , or deprive you , either Of lives , or goods , or of your poorest due ; My selfe is cheaper to my selfe , than you ; My comming is on a more faire designe , I come to crush your tyranous foes , and mine , I come to free your countrey , and recall Your servile souldiers from the slavish thrall Of the proud Philistines ; and with this hand , To make you freemen in your promis'd Land ; But you are come to binde me , and betray Your faithfull Champion to those bands , that lay Perpetuall burdens on , which dayly vex Your galled shoulders , and your servile neckes : The wrongs these cursed Philistines have done My simple innocence , have quite outrunne My easie patience : If my arme may right My too much injur'd sufferance , and requite What they have done to me , it would appease My raging thoughts , and give my tortures ease ; But ye are come to binde me : I submit ; I yeeld ; And if my bondage will acquit Your new borne feares , 'T is well : But they that doe Attempt to ruine me , will ransacke you : First , you shall firmely engage your plighted tr●th , By the acceptance of a sacred ●ath , That when I shall be pris'ner to your bands , I may not suffer violence by your hands : With that , they drawing nearer to him , laid Their hands beneath his brawny thigh , and said , Then let the God of Iacob cease to blesse The tribe of Iudah , with a faire successe , In ought they put their cursed hand unto , And raze their seed , If we attempt to doe Bound Samson violence ; And if this curse Be not sufficient , heaven contrive a worse : With that the willing prisoner joyn'd his hands , To he subjected to their stronger bands : With treble twisted cords , that never tried The twitch of strength , their busie fingers tied His sinewy wrists , which being often wound About his beating pulse , they brought him bound To the forefront of the Philistian band , And left him captive in their cursed hand .

Meditat. 17. O What a pearle is hidden in this field , Whose orient luster , and perfections yeeld So great a treasure , that the Easterne Kings , With all the wealth , their colder Climate brings , Nere saw the like : It is a pearle whose glory Is the diviner subject of a story , Pend by an Angels quill ; not understood By the too dull conceit of flesh and bloud ! Vnkinde Iudeans , what have you presented Before your eyes ? O , what have you attented ! He that was borne on purpose , to release His life for yours , to bring your Nation peace ; To turne your mournings into joyfull Songs ; To fight your Battells ; to revenge your wrongs ; Even him , alas , your cursed hands have made This day your prisoner ; Him have you betraid To death : O , he whose snowy arme had power To crush you all to nothing , and to shower Downe strokes like thunderbolts , whose blasting breath Might in a moment , puft you all to death , And made ye fall before his frowning Brow , See how he goes away , betraid by you ! Thou great Redeemer of the world ! whose bloud Hath power to save more worlds , than Noahs floud Destroyed bodies ; thou , O thou that art The Samson of our soules , How can the heart Of man give thankes enough , that does not know How much his death-redeemed soule does owe To thy deare merits ? We can apprehend No more than flesh and bloud does recommend To our confined thoughts : Alas , we can Conceive thy love , but as the love of man : We cannot tell the horror of that paine Thou bought us from ; nor can our hearts attaine Those joyes that thou hast purchas'd in our name , Nor yet the price thou paidst : our thoughts are lame , And craz'd ; Alas , things mortall have no might , No meanes to comprehend an Infinite : We can behold thee cradled in a Manger In a poore Stable : We can see the danger The Tetrarch's fury made thee subject to ; We can conceive thy poverty ; We know Thy blessed hands ( that might bin freed ) were bound , We know , alas , thy bleeding browes were crown'd With pricking thorne ; Thy body torne with whips ; Thy palmes impeirc'd with ragged nailes ; Thy lips Saluted with a Traitors kisse ; Thy browes Sweating forth bloud : Thy oft repeated blowes ; Thy fastning to the crosse ; Thy shamefull death ; These outward tortures all come underneath Our dull conceits : But , what thy blessed soule ( That bore the burden of our guilt , and Scroule Of all our sinnes , and horrid paines of Hell ) O , what that soule endur'd , what soule can tell !

THE ARGVMENT . He breakes their bands ; And with a bone A thousand Philistians he slue : Hee thirsted ; fainted ; made his moane To Heaven : He drinkes , his spirits renew . Sect. 18. THus when the glad Philistians had obtain'd The summe of all their hopes , they entertain'd The welcome pris'ner with a greater noise Of triumph than the greatnesse of their joyes Required : Some , with sudden death would greet The new come Guest ; whilst others , more discreet , With lingring paines , and tortures more exact , Would force him to discover , in the Fact , Who his Abettors were : others gainsaid That course , for feare a rescue may be made ; ●ome cry , ' T is fittest that th' Offender bleed 〈◊〉 , where his cursed hands had done the deed : Others cryed , No , where Fortune hath consign'd him , Wee 'le kill him : Best ; to kill him , where we finde him : Thus variously they spent their doubtfull breath , At last they all agreed on sudden death ; There 's no contention now , but onely who Shall strike the first , or give the speeding blow : Have ye beheld a single thred of flax , Touch'd by the fire , how the fire crackes With ease , and parts the slender twine in sunder , Even so , as the first arme began to thunder Vpon the Prisners life , he burst the bands From his strong wrists , & freed his loosned hands ; He stoop'd ; from off the bloud-expecting grasse , He snatcht the crooked jaw-bone of an Asse ; Wherewith , his fury dealt such downe-right blowes So oft redoubled , that it overthrowes Man after man ; And being ring'd about With the distracted , and amazed rout Of rude Philistians , turn'd his body round , And in a circle dings them to the ground : Each blow had proofe ; for , where the jaw-bone mist , The furious Champion wounded with his fist : Betwixt them both , his fury did uncase A thousand soules , which in that fatall place , Had left their ruin'd carkeises , to feast The flesh-devouring fowle , and rav'nous beast : With that , the Conquerour , that now had fed And surfeited his eye upon the dead His hand had slaine , sate downe ; and having flung His purple weapon by , triumpht , and sung ; SAmson rejoyce : Be fill'd with mirth ; Let all Iudea know , And tell the Princes of the earth How strong an arme hast thou : How has thy dead enricht the land And purpled ore the grasse , That hadst no weapon in thy hand , But the jaw-bone of an Asse ! How does thy strength and high renowne The glory of men surpasse ! Thine arme has strucke a thousand downe , With the jaw-bone of an Asse : Let Samsons glorious name endure , Till Time shall render One , Whose greater glory shall obscure The glory thou hast wone . His song being ended , rising from the place Whereon he lay , he turn'd his ruthlesse face Vpon those heapes his direfull hand had made , And op'ning of his thirsty lips , he said : Great God of conquest , thou by whose command The heart received courage , and this hand Strength , to revenge thy quarrels , and fulfill The secret motion of thy sacred will ; That , shall thy Champion perish now with thirst ? Thou knowst , I have done nothing , but what first Was warranted by thy command : 'T was thou That gave my spirit boldnesse , and my brow A resolution : 'T is mine arme did doe No more , than what thou didst enjoyne me to : And shall I die for thirst ? O thou that sav'd Me from the Lyons rage , that would have rav'd Vpon my life : by whom I have subdu'd Thy cursed enemies , and have imbru'd My heaven-commanded hands , in a spring-tyde Of guilty bloud ; Lord , shall I be denyde A draught of cooling water to allay The tyranny of my thirst ? I , that this day Have labourd in thy Vineyard ; rooted out So many weeds , whose lofty crests did sprout Above thy trodden Vines ; what , shall I dye For want of water , thou the fountaine by ? I know that thou wert here , for had'st thou not Supplyde my hand with strength , I ne're had got So strange a vict'rie : Hath thy servant taken Thy worke in hand , and is he now forsaken ? Hast thou not promis'd that my strengthned hand Shall scourge thy Foe-men , and sccure thy Land From slavish bondage ? will that arme of thine Make me their slave , whom thou hast promist mine ? Bow downe thy eare , and heare my needfull crye ; O , quench my thirst , great God , or else I dye : With that the jaw , wherewith his arme had laid So many sleeping in the dust , obeyde The voice of God , and cast a tooth , from whence A sudden spring arose , whose confluence Of chrystall waters , plenteously disburst Their precious streames ; and so allaid his thurst .

Meditat. 18. THe jaw bone of an Asse ? how poore a thing God makes his powerfull Instrument to bring Some honour to his name , and to advance His greater glory ! came this bone , by chance , To Samsons hand ? Or could the Army goe No further ? but must needs expect a foe Iust where his weapon of destruction lay ? Was there no fitter place , for them to stay , But even just there ? How small a thing 't had bin ( If they had beene so provident ) to winne The day with ease ? Had they but taken thence That cursed bone , what colour of defence Had Samson found ? Or how could he withstood The necessary danger of his bloud ? Where Heav'n doth please to ruine , humane wit Must faile , and deeper policie must submit : There , wisdome must be fool'd , & strength of braine Must worke against it selfe , or worke in vaine : The tracke that seemes most likely , often leads To death ; and where securitie most pleads , There , dangers , in their fairest shapes , appeare , And give us not so great a helpe , as feare : The things we least suspect are often they , That most affect our ruine , and betray : Who would have thought , the silly Asses bone , Not worth the spurning , should have overthrowne So stout a band ? Heav'n oftentimes thinkes best , To overcome the greatest with the least : He gaines most glory in things , that are most slight , And winnes in honour , what they want in might : Who would have thought that Samsons deadly thurst Should have bin quencht with waters , that did burst And flow from that dry bone ? who would not thinke The thirstie Conquerour , for want of drinke , Should first have died ? what mad man could presume So dry a tooth should yeeld so great a Rheume ? God does not worke like man ; not is he tyed To outward meanes : His pleasure is his guide , Not Reason : He , that is the God of nature , Can worke against it : He that is Creator Of all things , can dispose them , to attend His will , forgetting their created end : Hee whose Almighty power did supply This bone with water , made the red Sea dry : Great God of nature , 'T is as great an ease For thee to alter nature , if thou please , As to create it ; Let that hand of thine Shew forth thy powre , and please to alter mine : My sinnes are open , but my sorrow 's hid ; I cannot drench my couch , as David did ; My braines are marble , and my heart is stone : O strike mine eyes , as thou didst strike that bone .

THE ARGVMENT . He lodgeth with a Harlot : Wait Is laid , and guardes are pitcht about● ▪ He beeres away the City gate Vpon his shoulders , and goes out . Sect. 19. THus when victorious Samson had unliv'd This hoast of armed men ; and had reviv'd His fainting spirits , and refresht his tongue With those sweet christal streames , that lately sprung From his neglected weapon , he arose ( Secured from the tyrannie of his Foes By his Heaven-borrowed strength ) & boldly came To a Philistian City , knowne by th' name Of Azza ; where , as he was passing by , The carelesse Champion cast his wandring eye Vpon a face , whose beauty did invite His wanton heart to wonder and delight : Her curious haire was crisp'd : Her naked brest Was white as Ivory , and fairely drest With costly Iewells : In her glorious face , Nature was hidden , and dissembled grace Damaskt her rosie cheekes : Her eyes did sparke , At every glance , like Diamonds in the darke ; Bold was her brow ; whose frowne was but a foile To glorifie her better-pleasing smile ; Her pace was carelesse , seeming to discover The passions of a discontented Lover : Sometime , her opned Casement gives her eye A twinckling passage to the passer by ; And , when her fickle fancy had given ore That place , she comes , and wantons at the doore ; There Samson view'd her , and his steps could finde No further ground ; but ( guided by his minde ) Cast Anchor there : Have thy observing eyes Ere mark'd the Spiders garbe , How close she lies Within her curious webbe ; And by and by , How quicke she hastes to her intangled Flie ; And whispring poyson in her murmuring eares , At last , she tugges her silent guest , and beares His Hampred body to the inner roome Of her obscure and solitary Home ; Even so this snaring beauty entertaines Our eye-led Samson , tampred with the chaines Of her imperious eyes ; and he , that no man Could conquer ; now lies conquered by a woman : Faire was his welcome , and as fairely exprest By her delicious language , which profest No lesse affection than so sweet a friend , Could , with her best expressions , recommend : Into her glorious chamber she directs Her welcome guest , and with her faire respects She entertaines him ; with a bountious kisse , She gives him earnest of a greater blisse ; And with a brazen countenance , she brake The way to her unchaste desires , and spake ; Mirrour of mankinde , thou selected flowre Of loves faire knot , welcome to Flora's howre ; Cheare up my Love ; and looke ●pon these cyes , Wherein my beauty , and thy picture lyes ; Come take me prisner , in thy folded armes ; And boldly strike up sprightly loves alarmes Vpon these rubey lips , and let us trie The sweets of love ; Here 's none but thee and I : My beds are softest downe , and purest lawne My sheets ; my Vallents and my curtaines drawne In gold and silkes of curious di● : Behold , My covrings are of Tap'stry , ' inricht with gold ; Come , come , and let us take our fill of pleasure ; My husbands absence lends me dainty leasure To give thee welcome : Come , let 's spend the night In sweet enjoyment of unknowne delight . Her words prevail'd : And being both undrest , Together went to their defiled rest : By this the newes of Samsons being there Possest the City , and fill'd every eare : His death is plotted ; And advantage lends New hopes of speed : An armed guard attends At every gate , that when the breaking day Shall send him forth , th' expecting forces may Betray him to his sudden death ; and so Revenge their kingdomes ruines at a blow : But lustfull Samson ( whose distrustfull eares Kept open house ) was now possest with feares : He heares a whisp'ring ; and the trampling feet Of people passing in the silent street ; He whom undaunted courage lately made A glorious Conquerour , is now afraid ; His conscious heart is smitten with his sinne ; He cannot chuse but feare , and feare agin : He feares ; and now the terrible alarmes Of sinne doe call him from th' unlawfull armes And lips of his luxurious Concubine ; Bids him , arise from dalliance , and resigne The usurpation of his luke-warme place To some new sinner , whose lesse dangerous case May lend more leisure to so soule a deed : Samson , with greater and vnwonted speed Leapes from his wanton bed : his feares doe presse More haste to cloath ; than lust did , to undresse : He makes no tarryance ; but with winged hast , Bestrides the streets ; and to the gates he past , And through the armed troupes , he makes his way ; Beares gates , and barres , and pillers all away ; So scap'd the rage of the Philistian band , That still must owe his ruine , to their land .

Medit. 19. HOw weake , at strongest , is poore flesh & blood ! Samson , the greatnes of whose power withstood A little world of armed men , with death , ●ust now be foyled with a womans breath : The mother , sometimes lets her infant fall , To make it hold the surer by the wall : God lets his servant often goe amisse , That he may turne , and see how weake he is : David that found an overflowing measure Of heavens high favours , and as great a treasure Of saving grace , and portion of the Spirit , As flesh and bloud was able to inherit , Must have a fall to exercise his feares , And make him drowne his restles couch with tears : Wise Salomon , within whose heart was planted The fruitfull stockes of heavenly wisdome , wanted Not that , whereby his weakenesse understood The perfect vanity of flesh and bloud : Whose hand seem'd prodigall of his Isaacs life , He durst not trust Gods providence with his wife : The righteous L●t had slidings : Holy Paul He had his pricke ; and Peter had his fall : The sacred Bride , in whose faire face remaines The greatest earthly beauty , hath her staines : If man were perfect , land entirely good , He were not man : he were not flesh and blood : Or should he never fall , he would at length , Not see his weakenesse , and presume in strength : Ere children know the sharpnesse of the Edge , They thinke , their fingers have a priveledge Against a wound ; but having felt the knife , A bleeding finger , sometime saves a life : Lord , we are children , & our sharpe-edg'd knives , Together with our bloud , le ts out our lives ; Alas , if we but draw them from the sheath , They cut our fingers , and they bleed to death . Thou great Chirurgion of a bleeding soule , Whose soveraigne baulme , is able to make whole The deepest wound , Thy sacred salve is sure ; We cannot bleed so fast , as thou canst cure : Heale thou our wounds , that , having salv'd the sore Our hearts may feare , and learne to sinne no more ; And let our hands be strangers to those knives , That wound not fingers onely , but our lives .

THE ARGVMENT . He falls in league with Delila : The Nobles bribe her to discover Her Samsons strength , and learne the way To binde her arme-prevailing Lover . Sect. 20. NOt farre from Azza , in a fruitfull Valley Close by a brooke , whose silver streams did da●ley ●ith the smooth bosome of the wanton sands , ●hose winding current parts the neighbring lands , And often washes the beloved sides ●her delightfull bankes , with gentle tydes ; ●●re dwelt a Beauty , in whose Sunne-bright eye , 〈◊〉 sate in thron'd ; and full of Majestie , 〈◊〉 forth such glorious eye-surprizing rayes , 〈◊〉 she was thought the wonder of her dayes : 〈◊〉 name was called Delila , the faire ; ●●ther did amorous Samson oft repaire , 〈◊〉 with the piercing flame of her bright eye , 〈◊〉 so long ; that like a wanton flye 〈◊〉 ●urnt his lustfull wings , and so became 〈◊〉 slavish prisner to that conquering flame : She askt , and had : There 's nothing was too high For her , to beg ; or Samson to denie : Who now , but Delila ? What name can raise And crowne his drooping thoughts , but Delila's ? All time 's mispent , each houre is cast away , That 's not imploy'd upon his Delila : Gifts must be given to Delila : No cost , If sweetest Delila but smile , is lost : No ioy can please ; no happinesse can crowne His best desires , if Delila but frowne : No good can blesse his amorous heart , but this , Hee 's Delila's , and Delila is his : Now , when the louder breath of fame had blowne Her newes-proclaiming Trumpet , & made knowne This Lovers passion , to the joyfull eares Of the cow'd Philistines ; their nimble feates Advis'd their better hopes , not to neglect So faire advantage , which may bring t' effect Their best desires , and right their wasted Land Of all her wrongs , by a securer hand : With that , some few of the Philistian Lords Repaire to Delila ; with baited words They tempt the frailty of the simple maid , And , having sworne her to their counsell , said : Faire Delila ; Thou canst not chuse but know The miseries of our land : whose ruines show The danger , whereinto not we , but all , If thou deny they helpefull hand , must fall : Those fruitfull fields , that offer'd , but of late , Their plenteous favours to our prosperous state ; See , how they lie a ruinous heape , and void Of all their plenty ; wasted , and destroyde : Our common foe hath sported with our lives : Hath slaine our children , and destroy'd our wives : 〈…〉 poore distressed land doth grone Vnder that mischiefe that his hands have done ; ●●dowes implore thee , and poore Orphans tongues ●all to faire Delila , to right their wrongs : 〈◊〉 lies in thee , to help ; Thy helpefull hand May ha●e the Glory to revenge thy land ; For which our thankefull Nation shall allow Not onely honour ; but reward ; and thou , From every hand that 's present here , shall gaine 〈◊〉 a thousand Sicles for thy paine : To whom , faire Delila , whom reward had tied To satisfie her owne desires , replied ; My Lords ; My humble service I acknowledge due , 〈◊〉 , to my native country ; next , to you : If Heaven , and Fortune , have enricht my hand , With so much power , to relieve our Land , When ere your honours please to call me to it , 〈◊〉 Delila shall die , or doe it : Say then ( my Lords ) wherein my power may doe This willing Service to my land , or you . Thou knowest , ( say they ) No forces can withstand The mighty strength of cursed Samsons hand ; 〈◊〉 ruines Armies , and does overthrow 〈◊〉 greatest Bands , nay , kingdomes at a blow ; The limits of his , more then manly , powers Are not confin'd , nor is his Arme like ours : His strength is more then man ; his conquering Arme Hath , sure , th' assistance of some potent charme ; 〈◊〉 , nothing but the glory of thine eyes , ( Wherein a farre more strong enchantment lies ; ) 〈◊〉 overthrow : He 's prisoner to thine eye , 〈◊〉 canst thou aske , what Samson can deny : 〈◊〉 sweetnesse of thy language hath the Art , To dive into the secrets of his heart ; Move Samson then : unbarre his bolted brest , And let his deafned eares attaine no rest , Vntill his eye-inchanted tongue replyes , And tells thee , where his hidden power lyes : Vrge him to whisper in thy private ●are , And to repose his magicke mystr'y , there ; How , by what meanes , his strength may be betray'd To b●nds , and how his power may be allaid ; That we may right these wrongs , which his proud hand Hath rudely offer'd to our ruinous land : In this , thou shalt obtaine the reputation To be the sole redeemer of thy Nation , Whose wealth shall crowne thy loyalty with a meed Due to the merits of so faire a deed : Whereto , faire Delila ( whose heart was tyed To Samsons love , for her owne ends ; ) replied ; My honourable Lords : If my successe In these your just imployments prove no lesse Then my desiers , I should thinke my paines Rewarded in the Action : If the raines Of Samsons headstrong power were in my hands , These lips should now performance : Your commands Should worke obedience , in the loyall brest Of your true servant ; who would never rest , Till she had done the deed : But know , my Lords , If the poore frailty of a womans words May shake so great a power , and prevaile , My best advis'd endeavours shall not faile To be imploy'd : I le make a sudden triall ; And quickly speed , or finde a soule deniall .

Meditat. 20. INsatiate Samson ! Could not Azza smother Thy flaming Lust ; but must thou finde another ? Is th' old growne stale ? And seekst thou for a new ? Alas , where Two's too many , Three 's too few : Mans soule is infinite , and never tires In the extension of her owne desires : The sprightly nature of his active minde Aimes still at further ; Will not be confinde To th' poore dimensions of flesh and blood ; Something it still desiers : Covets good , Would faine be happy , in the sweet enjoyment Of what it prosecutes , with the imployment Of best endeavours ; but it cannot finde So great a good , but something 's still behind : It first propounds , applauds , desires , endeavours ; At last enjoyes ; but ( like to men , in Feavours , Who fancy alway those things that are worst ) The more it drinks , the more it is a thirst : The fruitfull earth ( whose nature is the worse For sin ; with man partaker in the curse ) ●●mes at perfection : and would faine bring forth ( As first it did ) things of the greatest worth ; ●er colder wombe endeavours ( as of old ) To ripen all her Metals , unto Gold ; O , but that sin-procured curse hath chill'd The heate of pregnant Nature , and hath filld Her barren seed , with coldnesse , which does lurke In her ●aint wombe , that her more perfect worke Is hindred ; and , for want of heate , brings forth Imperfect metals , of a baser worth : Even so , the soule of Man , in her first state , Receiv'd a power , and a will to that Which was most pure , and good ; but , since the losse Of that faire freedome , onely trades in drosse ; Aimes shee at Wealth ? alas , her proud desire Strives for the best ; but failing to mount higher Than earth , her errour grapples , and takes hold On that , which earth can onely give her , Gold : Aimes she at Glory ? Her ambition flies As high a pitch , as her dull wings can rise ; But , failing in her strength , she leaves to strive , And takes such Honour , as base earth can give ; Aimes she at Pleasure ? her desires extend To lasting joyes , whose pleasures have no end ; But , wanting wings , she grovels on the Dust , And , there , she lights upon a carnall Lust ; Yet nerethelesse , th' aspring Soule desires A perfect good ; but , wanting those sweet fires , Whose heate should perfect her unrip'ned will , Cleaves to th' apparent Good , which Good is ill ; Whose sweet enjoyment , being farre unable To give a satisfaction answerable To her unbounded wishes , leaves a thirst Of re-enjoyment , greater than the first . Lord ; When our fruitlesse fallowes are growne cold ; And out of heart , we can inrich the mould With a new heate ; wee can restore againe Her weakned soile ; and make it apt for graine ; And wilt thou suffer our faint soules ; to lie Thus unmanur'd , that is thy Husbandry ? They beare no other bulke , but idle weeds , Alas , they have no heart , no heate ; Thy seedes Are cast away , untill thou please t'enspire New strength , & quench them with thy sacred fire : Stirre thou my Fallowes , and enrich my mould , And they shal bring thee'encrease , a hundred fold .

THE ARGVMENT . False Delila accosts her Lover : her lips endeavour to entice His gentle nature to discover his strength : Samson deceives her thrice . Sect. 21. SOone as occasion lent our Champions eare To Delila , which could not chuse but heare , If Delila but whisper'd ; she , whose wiles Were neatly baited with her simple smiles , Accosted Samson ; Her alluring hand Sometimes would stroke his Temples ; sometime span'd His brawny arme Sometimes , would gently gripe His sinewy wrest ; Another while , would wipe His sweating browes ; Her wanton fingers plai'd , Sometimes , with his faire lockes ; sometimes , would brai'd His long dishevell'd hair ; her eyes , one while Would steale a glance upon his eyes , and smile ; And , then , her crafty lips would speak ; then , smother Her broken speech ; and , then , begin another : At last , as if a sudden thought had brake From the faire prison of her lips , she spake ; How poore a Grisle is this arme of mine ! Me thinkes , 't is nothing , in respect of thine ; I 'd rather feele the power of thy Love , Than of thy hand ; In that , my heart would prove The stouter Champion , and would make thee yeeld , And leave thee captive in the conquer'd field . The strength of my affection passes thine , As much as thy victorious arme does mine ; The greatest conquest , then , is due to me ; Thou conquer'st others , but I conquer thee : But say , my love , is it some hidden charme , Or does thy stocke of youth enrich thy arme With so great power , that can overthrow , And conquer mighty Kingdomes , at a blow ? What cause have I to joy ! I need not feare The greatest danger , now my Samson's here : I feare no Rebels now ; me thinks , thy power Makes me a Princesse , and my house , a Tower : But say , my Love , if Delila should finde thee , Lost in a sleepe , could not her fingers binde thee ? Me thinkes they should : But I would scorne to make So poore a Conquest : When th' art broad awake , Teach me the tricke : Or if thou wilt deny me ; Know , that my owne invention shall supply me , Without thy helpe : I 'le use a womans charmes , And binde thee fast , within these circled Armes : To whom , the Champion , smiling , thus replied ; Take the greene Osyers that were never dried , And bind thy Samsons wrists together , then , He shall be fast , and weake as other men : With that , the Philistines , that lay in waite Within an eares command , commanded strait , That Osyers should be brought : wherwith she tyed Victorious Samsons joyned hands , and cryed ; Samson make haste ; and let thy strength appeare : Samson take heed ; the Philistines , are here : He starts , and as the flaming fier cracks The slender substance of th' untwisted flaxe , 〈◊〉 ●witcht in sunder his divided bands , 〈◊〉 in a moment freed his fastned hands ; 〈◊〉 that offended Delila bewrai'd 〈◊〉 frowne , halfe sweetned with a smile , and said ; Thinkst thou , thy Delila does goe about 〈◊〉 ●rappe thy life ? Or , can my Samson doubt ●wrod● ledge a secret in the loyall brest 〈◊〉 faithfull Delila , that findes no rest , 〈◊〉 happinesse , but in thy heart , alone , 〈◊〉 Ioy I prize farre dearer then my owne ? 〈◊〉 then shouldst thou deceive me , and impart S●●oule a falshood , to so true a heart ? C●me , grant my suite , and let that faithlesse tongue Make love amends which hath done love this wrong : To whom dissembling Samson thus replied , Take twisted ropes , whose strength was never tryed , And tye these closed hands together ; then , I shall be fact , and weake as other men : With that , she bound him close ; and having made The knot more suer , then her love's , she said ; Samson arise ; and take thy strength vpon thee ; Samson make hast ; the Philistines are on thee : He straight arose , and as a striving hand Would breake a Sisters thred , he crackt the band That bound his arms , he crackt the bands insunder ; But frowning Delila , whose heart did wonder No lesse then vexe , being fill'd with discontent , She said ; False lover , If thy heart had meant , What thy faire tongue had formerly profest , Thou nere hadst kept thy secrets from my brest : Wherein hath Delila bin found unjust , Not to deserve the honour of thy trust ? Wherein , have I beene faithlesse of disloyall ? Or what request of thine , are found denyall ? Had I but bin so wise , as to deny , Samson might beg'd , and mis● , as well as I : But 't is my fortune , still , to be most free To those , as are the ●est reserv'd to me : Be not ingratefull , Samson ; If my brest Were but as false , as thine is hard , I 'd rest To tempt thy silence , or to move my suite ▪ Speake then , but speake the truth ; or else be mute . To whom , fond Samson : If thy hands would tye These locks to yonder Beame , they will diserie My native we●knesse : and thy Samson , then , Would be as poore in strength , as other men : So said ; her busie fingers soone obey'd ; His locks being platted to the beame , she said : Samson bestirre thee ; and let thy power appeare : Samson take heed ; the Philistines are here : With that he quits the place ( whereon he lay , Fallne fast asleepe ) and bore the Beame away .

Meditat. 21. SEe , how the crafty Serpent , twists and windes Into the brest of man ! What paths he findes , And crooked by-wayes ! With how sweet a baite He hides the hooke of his inveterate hate ! What suger'd words , and eare-delighting Art He uses , to supplant the yeelding heart Of poore deceived man , who stands and trusts Vpon the broken staffe of his false ●●●sts ! He tempts ; allures ; suggests ; and , in conclusion , Makes Man the Pander to his owne confusion : The fruit was faire and pleasing to the eyes , Apt to breed knowledge , and to make them wise ; Must they not taste so faire a fruit , not touch ? Yes , doe : T will make you Gods , and know as much As he that made it : Thinke you , you can fall Into deaths hands ? Yee shall not dye at all : Thus fell poore man : his knowledge proved such , Better 't had bin , he had not knowne so much : Thus this old Serpent takes advantage still On our desiers , and distemperd will : Art thou growne Covetous ? wouldst thou faine be rich ? He comes and strikes thy heart with the dry itch Of having : Wealth will rouze thy heartles friends ; Make thee a potent Master of thy Ends ; 'T will bring thee honour ; make thy suites at Law Prosper at will ; and keepe thy Foes in awe : Art thou Ambitious ? He will kindle fire In thy proud thoughts , & make thy thoughts aspire ; ●ee'l come and teach thy honour how to scorne 〈◊〉 old acquaintance , whom thou hast outworne : 〈◊〉 teach thee how to Lord it , and advance 〈◊〉 servants fortunes , with thy Countenance : Wouldst thou enjoy the Pleasures of the flesh ? 〈◊〉 bring thee wanton Ladies , to refresh 〈◊〉 drooping soule : He 'l teach thine eyes to wander ; 〈◊〉 thee how to wooe ; Hee 'l be thy Pander : 〈◊〉 fill thy amorous soule with the sweet passion 〈◊〉 powerfull Love : Hee 'l give thee dispensation , 〈◊〉 sinne at pleasure ; He will make thee Slave 〈◊〉 thy own thoughts : hee 'l make thee beg & crave 〈◊〉 be a drudge : hee 'l make thy treacherous breath 〈◊〉 thee , and betray thee to thy death . Lord ; if our Father Adam could not stay 〈◊〉 his upright perfection , one poore day ; How can it be expected , we have power To hold out Seige , one scruple of an hower : Our Armes are bound with too unequall bands ; We cannot strive ; We cannot loose our hands : Great Nazarite , awake ; and looke upon us : Make haste to helpe ; The Philistines are on us .

THE ARGVMENT . She sues againe : Samson replies The very truth : Her lips betray him : They binde him ; They put out his eyes , And to the prison they convey him . Sect. 22. WIth that ; the wanton , whose distrustfull eye , Was fixt upon reward , made this reply ; Had the deniall of my poore request Proceeded from th' inexorable brest Of one , whose open hatred sought t' endanger My haunted life ; Or had it bin a stranger , That wanted so much nature , to deny The doing of a common curtesie ; Nay , had it bin a friend that had deceiv'd me , An ordinary friend , It nere had griev'd me : But thou , even thou my bosome friend , that art The onely joy of my deceived heart ; Nay thou , whose hony-dropping lips so often Did plead thy undissembled love , and soften My deare affection , which could never yeeld To easier termes ; By thee , to be beguild ? How often hast thou mockt my slender suite With forged falshood ? Hadst thou but beene mute , I●ere had hop'd : But being fairely led Towards my prompt desiers , which were fed With my false hopes , and thy false-hearted tongue , And then beguild ? I hold it as a wrong : How canst thou say thou lov'st me ? How can I Thinke but thou hat'st me , when thy lips deny So poore a Suite ? Alas , my fond desire Had slak'd , had not deniall blowne the fire : Grant then at last , and let thy open brest 〈◊〉 that thou lov'st me ' , and grant my faire request : Speake , or speake not , thy Delila shall give ore To urge ; her lips shall never urge thee more : To whom the yeelding Lover thus betrai'd His heart , being tortur'd unto death , and said ; My deare , my Delila ; I cannot stand Against so sweet a pleader ; In thy hand There entrust , and to thy brest impart In Samsons life , and secrets of his heart ; 〈◊〉 then my Delila , that I was borne ●Nazarite ; These locks were never shorne ; 〈◊〉 Raisar , yet , came ere upon my crowne ; There lies my strength , with them , my strength is gone : 〈◊〉 they but shaven , my Delila ; O , then , In Samson should be weake as other men ; No sooner had he spoken , but he spred His body on the floore , his drowzy head , 〈◊〉 pillow'd on her lap ; untill , at last , He fell into a sleepe ; and , being fast , She clipt his locks from off his carelesse head , And beckning the Philistians in , she said ; Samson awake ; Take strength and courage on thee ; Samson arise ; The Philistines are on thee : Even as a Dove , whose wings are clipt , for flying , Flutters her idle stumps ; and still 's relying Vpon her wonted refuge , strives in vaine , To quit her life from danger , and attaine The freedome of her ayre-diuiding plumes ; She struggles often , and she oft presumes To take the sanctuary of the open fields ; But , finding that her hopes are vaine , she yeelds ; Even so poore Samson ( frighted at the sound , That rows'd him from his rest ) forsook the ground ; Perceiving the Philistians there at hand , To take him pris'ner , he began to stand Vpon his wonted Guard : His threatning breath Brings forth the prologue to their following death : He rowz'd himselfe ; and , like a Lyon , shooke His drowzy limmes ; and with a cloudy looke , ( Fore-telling boystrous , and tempestuous weather ) Defi'd each one , defi'd them all together : Now , when he came to grapple , he upheav'd His mighty hand ; but , now ( alas , bereav'd Of wonted power ) that confounding arme , ( That could no lesse then murther ) did no harme Blow was exchang'd , for blow ; & wound for wound He , that , of late , disdained to give ground , Flies backe apace ; who , lately , stain'd the field With conquer'd blood , does now begin to yeeld ; He , that , of late , brake twisted Ropes in twaine , Is bound with Packthred ; He , that did disdaine To feare the power of an Armed Band , Can now walke prisoner in a single hand : Thus have the trecherous Philistines betray'd Poore captive Samson : Samson now obay'd : Those glowing eyes , that whirled death about , Where ere they view'd , their cursed hands put out They led him pris'ner , and convai'd him downe 〈◊〉 strong-wall'd d' Azza ( that Philisti●● towne , Those gates his shoulders lately bore away ) ●●ere , in the common Prison , did they lay ●●stressed Samson , who obtain'd no meate , 〈◊〉 what he purchas'd with his painfull sweate ; 〈◊〉 , every day , they urg'd him to fulfill 〈◊〉 twelve howres taske , at the laborious Mill ; 〈◊〉 , when his wasted strength began to tyre , ●●ey'd quicken his bare sides , with whips of Wire : ●●ll'd was the towne with Ioy , and Triumph : All , from the high-Prince , to th' Cobbler , on the stall , ●ept holy-day , whilest every voice became ●oarse , as the Trumpe of newes-divulging fame ; 〈◊〉 tongues were fill'd with shouts : And every eare ●●as growne impatient of the whisperer ; 〈◊〉 generall was their Triumph , their Applause , That children shouted ere they knew a cause : The better sort betooke them to their knees , Dagon must worship'd be : Dagon , that frees ●oth Sea , and Land , Dagon , that did subdue 〈◊〉 common ●oe : Dagon must have his due : Dagon must have his praise ; must have his prize : Dagon must have his holy Sacrifice : Dagon has brought to our victorious hand ●roud Samson : Dagon has redeem'd our land : 〈◊〉 call to Dagon : and our Dagon heares ; 〈◊〉 groanes are 〈◊〉 to holy Dagons eares ; To Dagon , all renowne and Glory be ; Where is there such another God as Hee ?

Medita. 22. HOw is our story chang'd ? O , more then strange Effects of so small time ! O , sudden change ; Is this that holy Nazarite , for whom Heaven shew'd a Miracle on the barren wombe ? Is this that holy Thing , against whose Birth Angels must quit their thrones , and visit Earth ? Is this that blessed Infant , that began To grow in favour so with God and man ? What , is this he , who ( strengthn'd by heav'ns hand ) Was borne a Champion , to redeeme the Land ? Is this the man , whose courage did contest With a fierce Lyon , grapling brest to brest ; And in a twinkling , tore him quite in sunder ? Is this that Conquerour , whose Arme did thunder Vpon the men of Askalon , the power Of whose bent fist , slew thirty in an hower ? Is this that daring Conquerour , whose hand Thrasht the proud Philistines in their wasted land ? And was this He , that with the helpe of none , Destroy'd a thousand with a silly Bone ? Or He , whose wrists , being bound together , did Break Cords like flax , and double Ropes like thrid ? Is this the man whose hands unhing'd those Gates , And bare them thence , with pillars , barrs & Grates ? And is he turn'd a Mill-horse now ? and blinde ? Must this great Conquerour be forc'd to grinde For bread and water ? Must this Heroe spend His latter times in drudgery ? Must he end His weary dayes in darknesse ? Must his hyer , Be knotted cords , and torturing whips of wyer ? ●●ere heaven withdraws , the creaturs power shakes ▪ 〈◊〉 miserie 's wanting there , where God forsakes ? 〈◊〉 Samson not abus'd his borrow'd power , 〈◊〉 had still , remain'd a Conquerour : 〈◊〉 Philistins did act his part ; No doubt , 〈◊〉 eyes offended , and they pluck'd them out : 〈◊〉 will be just : He punishes a sin , 〈◊〉 in the member , that he findes it in : ●●en faithlesse Zacharias did become 〈◊〉 curious , his lips were strucken dumbe : 〈◊〉 whose lustfull view did overprize ●●lawfull beautie's punisht in his eyes ; 〈◊〉 flaming eyes seduc'd his wanton minde 〈◊〉 act a sinne ; Those eyes are stricken blinde ; 〈◊〉 beauty he invaded , did invade him , 〈◊〉 that faire tong , that blest him so , betraid him : 〈◊〉 strength , intemperate lust imploy'd so ill , 〈◊〉 a d●iving the laborious Mill ; 〈◊〉 naked sides , so pleas'd with lusts desire , 〈◊〉 now , as naked , lasht with whips of wire : Lord , shouldst thou punish every part in me 〈◊〉 does offend , what member would be free ? 〈◊〉 member acts his part ; They never lin 〈◊〉 they joyne , and make a Body ' of fin : 〈◊〉 sinne my burthen ; Let it never please me ; 〈◊〉 thou hast promis'd , when I come , to ease me .

THE ARGVMENT . They make a feast . And then to crowne Their mirth , blind Samson is brought thither : He pulls the mighty pillers downe ; The Building falls : All slaine together . Sect. 23. THus when the vulgar Triumph ( which does last But seldome , longer then the newes ) was past , And Dagons holy Altars had surecast To breath their idle fumes : they call'd a feast , A common Feast ; whose bounty did bewray A common joy , to gratulate the day ; Whereto , the Princes , vnder whose command Each province was , in their diuided land ; Whereto , the Lords , Leiutenants , and all those , To whom the supreme Rulers did repose An under-trust ; whereto , the better sort Of gentry , and of Commons did resort , With mirth , and jolly triumph , to allay Their sorrowes , and to solemnize the day ; Into the common Hall they come : The Hall Was large and faire ; Her arched roofe was all Builded with massie stone , and over-lai'd With pond'rous Lead ; Two sturdy Pillers stai'd Her mighty Rafters up ; whereon , relied The weighty burthen of her lofty pride . When lusty dyet , and the frollicke cup Had rouz'd and rais'd their quickned spirits up , 〈◊〉 brave triumphing Bacchus had displaid 〈◊〉 conquering colours , in their cheeks , they said , 〈◊〉 Samson forth ; He must not worke to● day ; 〈…〉 feast ; Wee 'l give him leave to play ; 〈…〉 bravely ? Does our Mill-horse sweat ? 〈◊〉 lacke nothing ; What he wants in mea●e , 〈◊〉 in lashes ; He is strong and stout , 〈◊〉 his breath can drive the Mill about : 〈◊〉 too hard , we feare : Goe downe and free him ; 〈◊〉 that his Mistresse , Delila would see him : 〈◊〉 of him will take our howers short ; 〈◊〉 him then to make our Honours sport : 〈◊〉 provia● some Riddles ; Let him bring 〈◊〉 of Triumph : He that 's blinde , may sing 〈◊〉 better boldnesse : Bid him never doubt 〈◊〉 What matter though his eyes be out ? 〈◊〉 dishonour , that he cannot see ; 〈◊〉 , the God of Love's as blinde , as hee : 〈◊〉 that they brought poore Samson to the Hall ; 〈◊〉 as he past , he gropes to finde the wall ; 〈◊〉 pa●● was slow , His feet were lifted high ; 〈◊〉 tongue would taunt him Every scornfull eye 〈◊〉 filld with laughter ; Some would cry aloud , 〈◊〉 in state : His Lordship is growne proud : 〈◊〉 bid his honour , ●asle , whilst others cast ●prochfull termes upon him ; as he past , 〈◊〉 would salute him fairely , and embrace 〈◊〉 wounded sides , then spit upon his face : 〈◊〉 would cry ; For shame for heare t' abuse 〈◊〉 high and great redeemer of the Iewes : 〈◊〉 gibe and flout him with their taunts & quip● ▪ 〈◊〉 others flurt him on the starting lips ; 〈◊〉 that poore Samson , whose abundant griefe , 〈…〉 hopes of comfort or reliefe , Resolv'd for patience : Turning round , he made Some shift to feele his Keeper out , and said ; Good Sir , my painfull labour in the Mill Hath made me bold ( although against my will ) To crave some little rest ; If you will please To let the Pillour but afford some ease To my worne limmes , your mercy should relieve A soule that has no more but thanks , to give : The keeper yeelded : ( Now the Hall was filld With Princes , and their People , that beheld Abused Samson ; whilst the Roofe retain'd A leash of thousands more , whose eyes were chain●● To this sad Object , with a full delight , To see this flesh-and-blood-relenting sight ; With that the pris'ner turnd himselfe and pray'd So soft , that none but heaven could heare , and said● My God , my God : Although my sinnes doe cry For greater vengeance , yet thy gratious eye Is full of mercy ; O , remember now The gentle promise and that sacred vow Thou mad'st to faithfull Abram , and his seed , O , heare my wounded soule , that has lesse need Of life , then mercy : Let thy tender eare Make good thy plenteous promise now , and heare ; See , how thy cursed enemies prevaile Above my strength ; Behold , how poore and fraile My native power is , and , wanting thee , What is there , Oh , what is there ( Lord ) in me ? Nor is it I that suffer : My desert May challenge greater vengeance , if thou wert ●xtreme to punish : Lord , the wrong is thine ; The punishment is just , and onely mine : I am thy Champion , Lord ; It is not me They strike at ; Through my sides they thrust at thee : 〈◊〉 thy Glory 't is , their Malice lies ; 〈◊〉 at that when they put out these eyes : 〈◊〉 their blood-b●dabl'd hands would flie 〈…〉 thou but cloth'd in flesh , as I : 〈◊〉 thy wrongs , great God ; O let thy hand 〈◊〉 thy suffring honour , and this land : 〈◊〉 ●e thy power ; Renew my wasted , strength , 〈…〉 fight thy b●ttels ; and at length , 〈◊〉 thy glory ; that my hands may do 〈◊〉 faithfull service they were borne unto : 〈…〉 thy power , that I may restore 〈◊〉 , and I will never urge thee more : 〈◊〉 having ended , both his armes he laid , 〈◊〉 the pillours of the Hall ; and said ; 〈◊〉 , with the Philistines , I resigne my breath ; 〈◊〉 let my God finde Glory in my death : 〈◊〉 having spoke , his yeelding body strain'd 〈◊〉 those Marble pillours , that sustain'd 〈◊〉 pondrous Roofe ; They cracket ; and , with their fall , 〈◊〉 fell the Battlements . and Roofe , and all ; 〈◊〉 with their ruines , slaughter'd at a blow , 〈◊〉 whole Assembly ; They , that were below , 〈◊〉 their sudden deaths from those that fell 〈◊〉 off the top ; whilst none was left , to tell 〈◊〉 horrid shreckes , that filld the spatious Hall , 〈◊〉 ruines were impartiall , and slew all : 〈◊〉 fell ; and , with an unexpected blow . 〈◊〉 every one his death , and buriall too : Thus di'd our Samson ; whose brave death has won 〈◊〉 honour , then his honourd life had done : 〈◊〉 di'd our Conquerour ; whose latest breath 〈◊〉 crown'd with Conquest ; triumph'd over death ; 〈◊〉 di'd our Sampson ; whose last drop of blood ●deem'd heavn's glory , and his Kingdome 's good : Thus di'd heavens Champion , and the earths bright Glory ; The heavenly subject of this sacred Story : And thus th' impartiall hand of death that gathers All to the Grave , repos'd him with his fathers ; Whose name shall flourish , and be still in prime , In spight of ruine , or the teeth of Time ; Whose fame shal last , till heaven shal please to free This Earth from Sinne , and Time shall cease to be .

Medita. 23. WAges of sinne , is death . The day must come , Wherin , the equall hand of death must sum The severall Items of mans fading glory , Into the easie totall of one Story : The browes that sweat for Kingdomes and renown , To glorifie their Temples with a Crowne ; At length , grow cold , and leave their honourd name To flourish in th' uncertaine blast of Fame : This is the heighth that glorious Mortalls can Attaine ; This is the highest pitch of Man : The quilted Quarters of the Earths great Ball , Whose unconfined limits were too small For his extreame Ambition to deserve , Six foote of length , and three of bredth must serve : This is the highest pitch that Man can flie ; And after all his Triumph , he must die : Lives he in Wealth ? Does well deserved store Limit his wish , that he can wish no more ? And does the fairest bounty of encrease Crown him with plenty ; and , his dayes with peace● It is a right hand blessing ; But supply Of wealth cannot secure him ; He must die ; Lives he in Pleasure ? Does perpetuall mirth 〈◊〉 him a little Heaven upon his earth ? ●eets he no sullen care , no sudden losse 〈◊〉 coole his joyes ? Breathes hee without a crosse ? ●ants he no pleasure , that his wanton eye 〈◊〉 crave , or hope from fortune ? He must dye : 〈◊〉 he in Honour ? Hath his faire desart ●●tain'd the freedome of his Princes heart ? 〈◊〉 may his more familiar hands disburse 〈◊〉 liberall favors , from the royall purse ? 〈◊〉 , his Honour cannot soare too high , 〈◊〉 palefac'd death to follow : He must dye : Lives he a Conqu'rour ? And doth heaven blesse 〈◊〉 heart with spirit , that spirit , with successe ; Successe , with Glory ; Glory , with a name , To live with the Eternitie of Fame ? The progresse of his lasting fame may vye With time ; But yet the Conquerour must dye : Great , and good God : Thou Lord of life and deth ; 〈◊〉 whom , the Creature hath his being , breath ; Teach me to underprize this life , and I Shall finde my losse the easier , when I dye ; So raise my feeble thoughts , and dull desire , That when these vaine and weary dayes expire , I may discard my flesh with joy , and quit My better part , of this false earth ; and it Of some more sinne ; and , for this transitory And tedious life , enjoy a life of Glory . The end .

SIONS SONETS . Sung By SOLOMON the KING ; And PERIPHRAS'D

By Fra. Quarles .

LONDON , Printed by MILES FLESHER . 1632.

To the READERS .

REaders , now you have them . May the end of my paines be the begin●ing of your pleasures . Excuse me for ●haring so high , else give me leave to excuse my selfe ; Indeed I flew with Eagles feathers ; otherwise I had not flowne or falne . It is the Song of Songs , There present you with : The Author , King SOLOMON , the wisest of Kings ; The matter mysticall , the divinest of subjects , The Speakers , CHRIST , the Bridegroome ; the CHVRCH , the Bride ; The end , to invite you all to the wedding .

Farewell .

AN EPITHALME TO THE BRIDEGROOME . HOsanna to the Highest . Ioy betide The heavenly Bridegroome , and his holy Bride : Let Heaven above be fill'd with songs , Let Earth triumph below ; For ever silent be those tongues , That can be silent now . You Rocks , and Stones , I charge you all to breake Your flinty silence , if men cease to speake . You , that professe that sacred Art , Or now , or never show it , Plead not , your Muse is out of heart Here s that creates a Poet. Be ravisht Earth , to see this contract driven , 'Twixt sinfull Man , and reconciled Heaven . Dismount you Quire of Angels ; come , With Men , your joyes divide ; Heaven never shew'd so sweet a Groome , Nor Earth , so faire a Bride .

SIONS SONETS .

BRIDE . SONET . I. 1. O That the bounty of those lips divine , Wold seale their favors , on these lips of mine , That by those welcome * * Sensible graves . kisses , I might see The mutuall love , betwixt my Love and me , For truer blisse , no worldly joy allowes , Than sacred Kisses , from so sweet a Spouse , With which , no earthly pleasures may compare , Rich Wines are not so delicate as they 'r . 2. NOr Myrrh , nor Cassia , nor the choice perfume● Of unctious Narde , or Aromaticke fumes Of hot Arabia , doe enrich the Aire With more delicious sweetnesse , than the faire Reports , that crowne the merits of thy Name , With heavenly Lawrels of eternall fame ; Which makes the * * Pure in heart . Virgins fix their eyes upon thee And all that view thee , are enamour'd one thee . 3. O Let the beauty of thy Su●-like face Inflame my soule , and let thy glory chace Disloyall thoughts : Let no● the World allure My chaste desires , from a Spouse so pure ; But when as time shall place me on thy * * The Kingdome of Heaven . Throne , My feares shall cease , and interrupt by none , I shall transcend the stile of Transitory , And full of Glory , still be fill'd with glory . 4. BVt you , my curious ( and too nice ) allyes , That view my fortunes , with too narrow eyes , You say my face is * * Through apparant infirmities . black , and foule ; 't is true ; I 'm beauteous , to my Love , though black to you ; My censure stands not upon your esteeme , He sees me as I * * Glorious in him . am ; you , as I seeme ; You see the Clouds , but he discernes the Skie ; Know , 't is my * * Weaknesse of the flesh . mask that lookes so black , not I. 5. WHat if Afflictions doe dis-imbellish My naturall glory , and deny the rellish Of my adjourned beauty , yet disdaine not Her , by whose necessary losse , you gaine not ; I wa● inforc'd to swelter in * * Afflictions . the Sun , 〈◊〉 * * 〈◊〉 to Idolatrous superstitions . keepe a strangers Vine , left mine alone ; ●eft mine owne , and kept a strangers Vine ; 〈◊〉 fault was * * By reason of my ●●●●nesse . mine , but was * * Being seduced by false Prophets . not onely mine . 6. O Thou , whose love I prize above my life , More worthy farre t' enjoy a fairer wife , Tell me , to what cool shade dost thou resort ? ●here graze thy Sheepe , where doe thy lambs disport 〈◊〉 from the scorching of this * * Persecutions . sowltry weather ? 〈◊〉 tell thy Love , and let thy Love come thither : 〈◊〉 ( gentle Shepheard ) fits it thee , to cherish ●hy private Flocks , and let thy true Love * * By Idolatry . perish ?

BRIDEGROOME . SONET . II. ILlustrious Bride , more radiant and more * * Th●ough my merits and thy sanctification . bright , Then th' eye of Noon , thrice fairer then the light ; Thou dearest off-spring of my dying blood , ●ad treasure of my soule , why hast thou stood ●arching so long in those ambitious beames ? Come , come & coole thee in these silver * * The Doctrine of the true Prophets . streams ! ●nshade thy face , cast back those golden Locks , And I will make thee * * Teacher of my Congregations . Mistris of my Flocks . 2. O Thou , the Center of my choyce desires , In whom I rest , in whom my soule respires ; Thou art the flowre of beauty , and I prize thee Above the world , how e're the world despise thee : The blinde imagines all things black by kinde ; Thou art as beautifull , as they are blinde : And as the fairest troopes of Pharoes steeds Exceed the rest , so Thou the rest exceeds . 3. THy * * Thy most visible parts . cheek ( the garden where fresh beauty plā●● Her choicest flowers ) no adorning wants ; There wants no relish of * * Sanctification . diviner grace , To summe compleatnesse , in so sweet a face ; Thy Neck , without a blemish , without blot , Than pearl's more orient , cleare from stain or spot ; Thy Gemms and Iewels , full of curious art , Imply the sacred treasures of thy heart . 4. THe Sun-bright glory of thy resounding fame , Addes glory , to the glory of thy Name ; The more 's thy honor ( Love ) the more thou striv'st To honour me ; thou gainest what thou giv'st : My Father ( whom our Contract hath made thine ) Will give thee large endowments of * * The riches of his holy Spirit . divine , 〈◊〉 everlasting treasure ; Thus by me Thou shalt be rich , that am thus rich , in thee .

BRIDE . SONET . III. OH , how my soule is ravisht with the joyes That spring like fountains from my tru-loves voice 〈◊〉 cordiall are his lips ! How sweet his tongue ! Each word , he breathes , is a melodious song ; 〈◊〉 absent ( ah ) how is my glory dim ! 〈◊〉 have no beauty , not deriv'd from Him ; What e're I have , from Him alone , I have , And he takes pleasure in those gifts he gave ▪ 2. AS fragrant Myr●h , within the bosome hid , Sents more delicious , than ( before ) it did , And yet receives no sweetnesse from that brest , That proves the sweeter for so sweet a guest ; Even so the favour of my dearest Spouse , Thus priz'd and placed in my heart , endowes My ardent soule with sweetnesse , and inspires With heavenly ravishment , my rapt desires . 3. WHo ever smelt the breath of morning flowres , New sweet'nd with the dash of twilight shoures , Of pounded Amber , or the flowring Thyme , Or purple violets , in their proudest prime , Or swelling Clusters , from the Cypresse tree ? So sweet 's my Love ; I farre more sweet is He : So faire , so sweet , that Heavens bright eye is dim , And flowers have no sent , compar'd with Him .

BRIDEGROOME . SONET . IIII. O Thou , the joyes of my sufficed heart , The more thou think'st me fair , the more thou art ; Looke in the Christall Mirrours of mine eyes , And view thy beauty ; there thy beauty lyes : See there , th' unmated glory of thy Face , Well mixt with Spirit , and divinest grace ; The eyes of Doves , are not so faire , as * * The holy Prophets . thine : O , how those eyes , inflame these eyes of mine !

BRIDE . SONET V. MOst radiant , and refulgent Lampe of light , Whose midday beauty , yet ne're found a night , 'T is thou , 't is onely thou art faire ; from Thee Reflect those * * Thy holy Spirit . rayes , that have enlightned mee , And as bright Cinthia's borrow'd beames doe shine From Titan's glory , so doe I , from thine ; So dayly flourishes our fresh delight , In dayly * * In giving grace and receiving glory . giving , and receiving light . 2. NOr does thy glory shine to me alone ; What place , wherein thy glory hath not shone But O , how fragrant with rich odour , smells That * * The Congregation of Saints . sacred House , where thou my true Love dwells ? 〈◊〉 is it strange : How can those places bee 〈◊〉 fill'd with sweetnesse , if possest with thee ! 〈◊〉 heart 's a Heaven , for thou art in that heart , 〈◊〉 presence makes a Heaven , where e're thou art .

BRIDEGROOME . SONET VI. THou soveraigne Lady of my select desires , 〈◊〉 I , I am He , whom thy chaste soule admires : 〈◊〉 Rose , for smell , the Lily to the eye , 〈◊〉 so sweet , is not so faire as I : 〈◊〉 vailed beautie's not the glorious prize Of common sight : * * In inward graces . within , my beautie lies , 〈◊〉 ne'rethelesse , * * 〈◊〉 is outword glorie . my glory were but small , 〈◊〉 should want , to honour thee with all . 2. NOr doe I boast my excellence alone , But thine ( deare spouse ) as whom , the world hath none 〈◊〉 to faith , so pure in love , as whom 〈◊〉 not a Bride , so fits so chaste a Grome ; 〈◊〉 as the fairest Lily doth exceede 〈◊〉 fruitlesse Bramble , or the foulest weede , 〈◊〉 ( my love ) dost thou exceed the rest , ●●●fect beautie of a loyall brest .

BRIDE . SONET VII . ●Ooke how the fruitfull tree ( whose laden bough● With swelling pride , crowne Autumnes smiling ( browes ) Surpasses idle shrubs , even so in worth , My love transcends the worthies of the earth : He was my shore , in shipwracke ; and my shelter , In stormes ; my shade , when I began to swelter ; If hungry , he was Food ; and if opprest With wrongs , my Advocate ; with toile , my rest . 2 I Thirsted ; and full charged to the brinke , He gave me * * The holy Scriptures . bowles of Nectar , for my drinke And in his sides , he broacht me ( for a signe Of dearest love ) a Sacramentall wine ; He freely gave ; I freely dranke my fill ; The more I dranke , the more remained still : Did never Souldier , to his Colours prove More chaste , than I , to so entire a Love . 3. O How his beautie sets my soule on fire ! My spirits languish , with extreame desire ; Desires exceeding limits , are too lavish , And wanting meanes to be effected , ravish ; Then let thy * * Thy sweet promises . breath , like flaggons of strong wine Releeve and comfort this poore heart of mine ; For I am sicke , till time ( that doth delay Our Marriage ) bring our joyfull Marriage day . 4. TIll then , O let my dearest Lord , by whom , These pleasing paines of my sweet sorrowes com● 〈◊〉 for me his vowes , and with his due resort , 〈◊〉 me , to make the sullen time seeme short : 〈◊〉 his sweet presence , may I still be blest , 〈◊〉 barr'd from whom , my soule can finde no rest ; 〈◊〉 let all times be prosp'rous , and all places 〈◊〉 witnesse to our undefil'd Embraces . 5. ALl you , whose seeming favours have profest The true affection of a loyall brest , ●●ge you all by the true love you beare 〈◊〉 friendship , or what else yee count most deare , ●isturbe ye not my Love , O doe not reive 〈◊〉 of his joyes , that is so apt to grieve ; 〈◊〉 not to breake his quiet slumbers , lest 〈◊〉 rouze a raging Lyon from his rest . 〈◊〉 not his spirit with your sinnes . 6. HArke , harke , I heare that thrice-celestial voic● Wherein my spirits , rapt with joyes , rejoyce ; ●●ice , that tels me , my beloved's nie ; 〈◊〉 the Musicke , by the Majestie : 〈◊〉 he comes ; 'T is not my * * 〈◊〉 imperfections of my present state . blemisht face 〈◊〉 slacke the swiftnesse of his winged pace ; ●●old he comes ; His Trumpet doth proclaime ; ●●comes with speed ; A truer love ne're came . 7 BEhold the fleetnesse of his nimble feet : The Roe-Bucke , & the Hart were ne're so fleet , The word I spake , flew not so speedy from me , As He , the treasure of my soule comes to me , He stands behinde my wall , as if in doubt Of welcome : Ah , this * * The weakenesse of my flesh . Wall debarres him out ; O , how injurious is this Wall of sin , That barres my Lover out , and bolts me in !

The BRIDE in the person of the BRIDEGROOME . SONET VIII . HArke , harke , me thinks I heare my true love say Breake downe that envious bar & come away Arise ( my dearest Spouse ) and dispossesse Thy soule of doubtfull feares , nor overpresse Thy tender spirits , with the dull despaire Of thy demerits : ( Love ) thou art as faire , As Earth will suffer : Time will make thee clearer , Come forth ( my love ) then whom , my life's ne●● dearer 2. COme forth ( my joy , ) what bold affront of fear Can fright thy soule , & I , thy Champion here 'T is I that call , 't is I , thy Bridegroome , calls thee , Be●ide it me , what ever evill befalls thee : The winter of thy sharpe Afflictions gone : Why fear'st thou cold , and art so neare the Sunne 〈◊〉 thy Sunne , if thou be cold , draw nearer : 〈◊〉 forth ( my Love ) then whom my life 's not dearer● 3. COme forth ( my dear ) the spring of joyes invite thee , The * * The Elect. flowers contend for beautie to delight thee Their sweet ambition's onely , which might be 〈◊〉 sweet , most faire , because most like to thee : 〈◊〉 * * Angels . Birds ( sweet Heralds of so sweet a Spring ) ●arble high notes , and Hymeneans sing : ●●ing , with joy , t' enjoy so sweet a Hearer : Come forth ( my love ) them whom my life 's not dearer . 4 THe prosperous * * The Congregation of the faithfull . Vlne , which this deare hand did plant Tenders due service to so sweet a Saint : 〈◊〉 hidden Clusters swell with sacred pride , 〈◊〉 * * To offer up the first 〈◊〉 of obedience . kisse the lips of so , so faire a Bride : 〈…〉 in their leafes , they lurke , fearing to be Discryde by any , till first seene by thee : The clouds are past , the heavens cannot be clearer Come forth ( dear love ) them whom my lif 's not dearer . 5. MY Dove , whom daily * * ● Persecutions . dangers teach new shifts , That like a Dove , dost haunt the secret clifts Of solitary Rockes : How e're thou be Reserv'd from others , be not strange to me , Call me to rescue , and this brawnie Arme Shall quell thy Foe , & fence thy soule , from harme ; Speake ( Love , ) Thy voice is sweet ; what if thy face , Be drencht with teares ; each teare's a several grace . 6. ALl you that wish prosperity and peace , To crowne our contract , with a long encrease Of future joyes , O shield my simple Love From those that seeke her ruine , and remov The base Opposers of her best designes ; Destroy the Foxes , that destroy her Vines ; Her Vines are fruitfull , but her tender grapes Are spoil'd by Foxes , clad in humane shapes .

The BRIDE in her owne person . SONET IX . WHat greater joy can bless my soule , than this That my beloved's mine , and I am his ! Our soules are knit ; the world cannot untwine The joyfull union of his heart , and mine ; In him , I live ; in him , my soule 's possest With heavenly solace , and eternall rest : Heaven onely knowes the blisse , my soule enjoyes , Fond earth 's too dull , to apprehend such ioyes . 2. THou sweet perfection of my full delights , Till that bright * * The day of Iudgement . Day , devoted to the rites Of our solemniz'd Nuptialls , shall come , Come live with me , & make this heart thy Home : 〈◊〉 me not : Although my face appeare 〈◊〉 and cloudie , yet my heart is * * 〈◊〉 sanctification . cleare ; 〈◊〉 haste : Let not the swift-foot Roe-bucke flee 〈◊〉 following Hounde so fast , as thou to me . 3. ● Thought my Love had taken up his rest , Within the * * 〈◊〉 my soule . secret Cabin of my brest ; 〈◊〉 thought the closed curtaines did immure 〈◊〉 gentle slumbers , but was too secure ; 〈◊〉 ( driven with love ) to the false bed I * * By strict examination . stept 〈◊〉 view his slumbring beautie , as he slept , 〈◊〉 he was gone ; yet plainely there was seene The curious dint , where he had lately beene , 4. ●●patient of his absence , thus bereaven Of him , than whom , I had no other heaven , 〈◊〉 a while ; not able to digest So great a losse , to lose so faire a Guest : I left no path untrac'd ; no * * Amongst the wisest worldlings . place ●nsought ; No secret Cell unsearcht ; no way unthought ; I ask'd the shade , but shadowes could not hide him ; I ask'd the World , but all the world deny'd him . 5. MY jealous Love , distemp'red with distraction , Made fierce with feare , unapt for satisfaction , Aplyes fresh fuell , to my flaming fires , With Eagles wings supplies my quicke desires Vp to the walls I trampled , where I spide The * * The Ministers of the word . City watch , to whom with teares I cryde , Ah gentle Watchmen , you aloft descry What 's darke to us ; did not my love passe by ? 6 AT length , when dul despaire had gain'd the ground Of tyred hopes , my faith fell in a swound ; But He , whose sympathising heart did finde The tyrant passion of my troubled minde , Forthwith appear'd : What Angels tongue can let The world conceive our pleasures , when we met ? And till the joyes of our espoused hearts Be made * * At the resurrection . compleat , the world ne're more shall part 's .

BRIDEGROOME . SONET X. NOw rests my love : Till now , her tender brest Wanting her joy , could finde no peace , no rest : I charge you all by the true love you beare To friendship , or what else you count most deare , Disturbe her not , but let her sleepe her fill ; I charge you all upon your lifes , be still , O may that labouring soule , that lives opprest For me ; in me , receive eternall rest . 2. WHat curious face is this ? what mortall birth Can shew a beauty , thus * * Through sanctification by my merits unstain'd with earth ! What glorious Angell wanders thus alone , From earths foule dungeon , to my fathers throne ! 〈◊〉 is my love ; my love that hath denyde The world , for me ; It is my fairest Bride : 〈◊〉 fragrant is her breath ! How heavenly faire Her Angell face ! Each glorifying the Aire .

BRIDE . SONET XI . O How I 'm * * ●y heavenly contemplation . ravisht with eternall blisse ! Who e're thought heaven a joy compar'd to this ? ●ow doe the pleasures of this glorious Face Adde glory to the glory of this place ! 〈◊〉 , how Kings Courts surmount poore Shepheards cells , So this , the pride of Salom on excells , 〈◊〉 wreathes of glory crowne his royall Head , And troopes of Angels waite upon his bed . 2. THe Court of Princely Salomon was guarded With able men at armes ; their faith rewarded ●ith fading honours , subject to the fate Of Fortune , and the jealous frownes of State ; 〈◊〉 here th' harmonious quire of heaven attend , Those prize is glory , glory without end , ●●mixt with doubtings , or degenerous feare ; 〈◊〉 greater Prince , than Salomon is here ! 3. THe Bridall bed of Princely Salomon , ( Whose beautie amaz'd the greedie lookers on , Which all the world admired to behold ) Was but of Cedar ; and her Sted of gold ; Her pillars silver , and her Canopie Of silkes , but richly stain'd with purple die ; Her curtaines wrought in workes , workes rarely led By th' needles art , such was the bridall bed . 4. SVch was the bridall bed , which Time , or Age Durst never warrant from th' opprobrious rage Of envious fate ; Earths measure 's but a minit ; Earth fades ; all fades upon it ; all within it ; O , but the glorie ' of this diviner place , No age can injure , nor yet Time deface ; Too bright an object , for weake eyes to bide , Or tongues t' expresse : Who ever saw 't but dyde ? 5. WHo e're beheld the royall Crowne , set on The nuptiall browes of Princely Salomon ? His glorious pompe , whose honour did display The noysed triumphs of his Marriage day ? A greater Prince , than Salomon is here , The beauty of whose Nuptials , shall appeare More glorious farre transcending his , as farre As heavens bright lamp out-shines th' obscurest star

BRIDEGROOME . SONET XII . HOw orient is thy * * Through the gifts of my spirit . beauty ! How divine ! How darke's the glory of the earth , to thine ! Thy vailed * * The modestie and purity of thy judgement . eyes out-shine heavens greater light , Vnconquer'd by the shadie Cloud of night ; Thy curious * * Ornaments of necessary Ceremonies . Tresses dangle , all unbound With unaffected order , to the ground : How orient is thy beautie ! how divine ! How darke's the glory of the earth to thine ! 2. THy Ivory * * Sincere Ministers . Teeth in whitenesse doe out-goe The downe of Swans , or winters driven snow Those even proportions lively represent Th● harmonious Musicke of unite consent , Whose perfect whitenesse , Time could never blot , Nor age ( the Canker of destruction ) rot: How orient is thy beauty ! How divine ! How darke's the glory of the earth , to thine ! 3. THe rubie Portalls of thy ballanc'd * * Doctrine of thy holy Prophets . words , Send forth a welcome relish , which affords A heaven of blisse , and makes the earth rejoyce , To heare the Accent of thy heavenly voice ; The mayden blushes of thy Cheekes , proclaime A shame of guilt , but not a guilt of shame ; How orient is thy beauty ! How divine ! How darke's the glory of the earth , to thine ! * * Modest graces of the ●pirit . 4. THy * * Magistrates . necke ( unbeautifyde with borrowed grace ) Is whiter than the Lillies of thy face , 〈◊〉 whiter may ; for beauty , and for powre , T is like the glory of Davids princely Towre : What vassall spirit could despaire , or faint , Finding protection from so sure a Saint ? How orient is thy beauty ! How divine ! How darke's the glory of the earth , to Thine ! 5. THe deare-bought fruit of that forbidden Tree , Was not so dainty , as thy Apples be , These curious Apples of thy snowy * * The old and new Testaments . brests , Wherein a Paradise of pleasure rests ; They breathe such life into the ravisht * * The sanctified & zealous Reader . Eye , That the inflam'd beholder cannot * * The second death . dye : How orient is thy beautie ! How divine ! How darke's the glory of the earth , to Thine ! 6. MY dearest Spouse , I 'le * * I will withdraw my bodily presence . hie me to my home , And till that long-expected * * The day of judgement . day shall come , The light wherof , shall chase the night that shrouds Thy vailed beauty , in these envious * * Infirmities of the flesh . clouds ; Till then , I goe , and in my Throne , provide A glorious welcome , for my fairest Bride ; Chapplets of conqu'ring Palme , & Lawrel boughs Shall crowne thy Temples , and adorne thy browes . 7. WOuld beauty faine be flatter'd with a grace She never had ? May she behold thy face : Envie would burst , had she no other taske , Than to behold this face without a maske ; No spot , no veniall blemish could she finde , To feed the famine of her ranc'rous minde ; Thou art the flowre of beauties Crowne , & they 're Much worse than foule , that thinke thee lesse than faire . 8 Feare not ( my Love ) for when those sacred bands Of wedlock shall conjoyne our promis'd hands , I 'le come , and quit thee from this tedious * * This vale of miserie . place , Where thou art forc'd to sojourne for a space ; No forrein Angle of the utmost Lands , Nor seas Abysse shall hide thee from my hands ; No night shall shade thee from my curious eye , I 'le rouze the graves , although grim death stand by . 9. ILlustrious beames shot from thy flaming * * Thine eye of Faith . eye , Made fierce with zeale , and soveraigne Majestie Have scorcht my soule , and like a fiery dart Transfixt the Center of my wounded heart ; The Virgin swetnesse of thy heavenly grace Hath made mine eyes glad pris'ners to thy face ; The beautie of thine eye-balls hath bereft Me of my heart : O sweet , O sacred theft ! 10. O Thou , the deare Inflamer of mine eyes , Life of my soule , and hearts eternall prize , How delectable is thy love ! How pure ! How apt to ravish , able to allure A frozen soule , and with thy secret fire , T' affect dull spirits with extreame desire . How doe thy joyes ( though in their greatest dearth ) Transcend the proudest pleasures of the earth ! 11. THy lips ( my dearest spouse ) are the ful treasures Of sacred * * Divine Harmonie . Poesie , whose heavenly measures Ravish with joy the willing heart , that heares , But strike a deafenesse in rebellious eares : Thy words , like milke and Honie , doe requite The season'd soule , with profit and delight : Heavens higher Palace , and these lower places Of dungeon-earth are sweetned with thy graces . 12. MY Love is like a Garden , full of flowers , Whose sunny banks , & choice of shady bowres Give change of pleasures , pleasures wall'd about With Armed Angels , to keepe Ruine out ; And from her * * The two Testaments . brests ( * * Riddles to prophane Readers . enclosed from the ill Of looser eyes ) pure * * Celestiall comforts . Chrystall drops distill , The fruitfull sweetnesse of whose gentle showres Inrich her flowrs with beautie ' , & banks with flowrs 13. MY Love is like a Paradise beset With rarest gifts , whose fruits ( but tender yet ) The world ne're tasted , dainties farre more rare Than Edens tempting Apple , and more faire : Myrrhe , Alloes , Incense , and the Cypresse tree Can boast no swetnesse , but is breath'd from thee ; Dainties , for taste , and flowers , for the smell Spring all from thee , whose sweets , all sweets excell .

BRIDE . SONET XIII . O Thou ( my deare ) whose sweets , all sweets excell From whom my fruits receive their tast , their smell How can my thriving * * ●he faithfull . plants refuse to grow Thus quickned with so sweet a * * The Sunne of righteousnesse . Sun as thou ? How can my flowers , which thy Ewers nourish With showers of living waters , choose but flourish ? O thou , the spring , from whence these waters burst . Did ever any taste thy streames , and thurst ? 2. AM I a Garden ? May my flowers bee So highly honour'd to be smelt by thee ; Inspire them with thy sacred breath , and then Receive from them , thy borrowed breath agen , Frequent thy Garden , whose rare fruit invites Thy welcome presence , to his choise Delights ; Taste where thou list , and take thy full repaste , Here 's that wil please thy smel , thine eye , thy taste .

BRIDEGROOME . SONET XIIII . THou sacred Center of my soule , in whome I rest , behold thy wisht-for Love is come ; Refresht with thy delights , I have repasted Vpon thy * * Obedience . pleasures ; my full soule hath tasted Thy * * Strong workes of Faith . rip'ned dainties , and hath freely beene Pleas'd with those fruits , that are ( as yet ) but * * The new fruits of the Spirit . green All you that love the honour of my Bride , Come taste her Vineyards , and be deifi'de ,

BRIDE . SONET XV. IT was a * * To● much securitie . night , a night as darke , as foule , As that blacke Errour , that entranc'd my Soule , When as my best beloved came and knockt At my * * My heart . dull gates , too too securely lockt ; Vnbolt ( said he ) these churlish doores ( my Dove , ) Let not false * * The pleasures of the Flesh. slumbers bribe thee from thy Iove ; Heare him , that for thy gentle sake came hither , Long injur'd by this * * Thy hard-hearted unkindenesse . nights ungentle weather . 2. Heard the voice , but the perfidious pleasure Of my sweet slumbers , could not finde the leasure ●ope my drowsie dores ; my Spirit could speake ●ords faire enough , but ah , my flesh was weake , 〈◊〉 fond excuses taught me to betray 〈◊〉 sacred vowes to a secure delay : ●●●●dious slumbers , how have you the might 〈◊〉 blinde true pleasures , with a false delight ! 3. WHen as my Love , with oft repeated knocks Could not availe , shaking his dewy locks , ●●●ly displeas'd , he could no longer bide 〈◊〉 slight neglect , but went away denyde ; 〈◊〉 sooner gone , but my dull soule discern'd 〈◊〉 drowzie error ; my griev'd Spirit * * ●●pented . yearn'd 〈◊〉 finde him out ; these seiled eyes that slept 〈◊〉 soundly , fast , awak'd , much faster wept . 4. THus rais'd , and rouz'd from my deceitfull rest ▪ ●op'd my doores , where my departed Guest 〈◊〉 beene ; I thrust the churlish Portals from me That so deny'de my dearest Bridegroome to me ; 〈◊〉 when I smelt of my returned hand , 〈◊〉 soule was rapt , my powers all did stand ●●azed at the * * The sweetnesse of his graces . sweetnesse they did finde , Which my neglected Love had left behinde . 5. I Op'd my doore ▪ my Myrrhe● distilling doore , But ah , my Guest was gone , had given me o're : What curious pen , what Artist can define A matelesse sorrow ? Such , ah , such was mine ; Doubts , and despaire had of my life depriv'd me Had not strong hope of his returne reviv'd me , I sought , but he refused to appeare ; I call'd , but he would not be heard , nor heare . 6. THus , with the tyranny of griefe distraught , I rang'd a round , no place I left unsought , No care unask'd ; The * * False teachers . watch-men of the City * * With their false doctrines . Wounded my soule , without remorse of pity To virgin teares ; They taught my feet to stray , Whose steps were apt enough to lose their way ; With taunts & scornes they checkt me , and derided And call'd me Whore , because I walkt unguided . 7. YOu hallowed Virgins , you , whose tender hearts Ere felt th' impression of * * Divine Love . Loves secret darts , I charge you all , by the deare faith you owe To Virgin purenesse , and your vestall vowe , Commend me to my Love , if ere you meet him , O tell him , that his love-sick spouse doth greet him ; O let him know , I languish with desire T● enjoy that heart , that sets this heart on fire .

VIRGINS . SONET . XVI . O Thou the fairest flowre of mortall birth , If such a beautie may be borne of earth , ●●gell or Virgin , which ? or both in one , ●●gell by beauty , Virgin by thy moane , ●●y , who is He that may deserve these teares , ●hese precious drops ? Who is 't can stop his eares 〈◊〉 these faire lips ? Speake Lady , speake at large , ●ho is 't ? For whom giv'st thou so strict a charge ?

BRIDE . SONET XVII . MY Love is the perfection of delight , Roses , and Doves are not so red , so white ; ●●patern'd beautie summon'd every grace 〈◊〉 the composure of so sweet a face ; 〈◊〉 body is a Heaven , for in his brest ●he perfect Essence of a God doth rest ; ●he brighter eye of Heaven did never shine ●●an another glorie , so divine . 2. HIs * * His Dietie . Head is farre more glorious , to behold , Than fruitfull Ophyres oft refined gold , T is the rich Magazen of secret treasure , ●hence Graces spring in unconsined measure ; 〈◊〉 curl'd and dagling * * His Humanitie . Tresses doe proclame N●zarite , on whom ne're Razor came . Whose Raven-blacke colour gives a curious relish To that which beauty did so much imbellish . 3. LIke to the eyes of Doves are his faire * * His judgements and care of his Church . eyes , Wherein sterne Iustice , mixt with mercy , lies ; His eyes are simple , yet Majesticall , In motion nimble , and yet chaste withall , Flaming like fier , and yet burne they not , Vnblemisht , undistained with a spot , Blazing with precious beames , and to behold , Like two rich Diamonds in a frame of gold . 4. HIs cheeks are like two fruitfull beds ore-grown With Aromaticke flowers newly blowne , Whose odours , beauty , please the smell , the sight , And doubling pleasures , double the delight : His * * The discovery of him in his word . lips are like a chrystall spring , from whence Flow sweetned streames of sacred Eloquence , Whose drops into the eare distill'd , doe give Life to * * His promises . the dead , true joyes to * * Those that die to sinne . them that live . * * That live to righteousnesse . 5. HIs hands are deckt with rings of * * His actins . gold ; the rings With costly Iewels , fitting none but Kings . * * With purenesse . Which ( of themselves though glorious , yet ) receive More glorie from those fingers , than they give ; His * * His secret counsells . brests like Ivorie , circled round about With * * Inwardly glorious . veines , like Saphyres , winding in and out , Whose beautie is ( though darkened from the eye ) Full of divine , and secret Majestie . 6. HIs * * His waies constant , firme , and pure . legs like purest Marble , strong and white , Of curious shape , ( though quicke ) unapt for flight : His Feet ( as gold that 's oft refined ) are Like his upright proceedings , pure and faire ; His * * His whole carriage . Port is Princely , and his Stature tall , And , like the Cedar , stout , yet sweet withall : O , who would not repose his life , his blisse , ●pon a Base so faire , so firme as this ? 7 HIs mouth ! but stay , what need my lips be lavish In choice of words , when one alone wil ravish ? 〈◊〉 shall , in briefe , my ruder tongue discover The speaking Image of my absent Lover ? Then let the curious hand of Art refine The race of Vertues morall , and divine , From whence , by heaven let there extracted be ● perfect Quintessence ; even such is He.

VIRGINS . SONET XVIII . THrice fairer than the fairest , whose sad teares , And smiling words , have charm'd our eyes , our eares ; Say , whither is this prize of beauty gone , More faire than kinde , to let thee weepe alone ? Thy tempting lips have whet our dull desire , And till we see him , we are all on fire : Wee 'll finde him out , if thou wilt be our guide : The next way to the Bridegroome , is the * * The Church is the way to Christ . Bride .

BRIDE . SONET XIX . IF errour lead not my dull thoughts amisse , My Genius tells me , where my true Love is ; He 's busie lab●ring on his * * Congregation of the faithfull . flowry banks , * * Giving graces . Inspiring sweetnesse , and * * Receiving glory . receiving thanks , Watring those plants , whose tender roots are * * Despairing soules . dry , And pruning such , whose Crests aspire * * Not yet thorowly humbled . too high , Transplanting , grafting , reaping fruits from some , And covering others , that are * * Strengthning the weake in spirit . newly come . 2. WHat if the frailty of my feebler part , Lockt up the Portalls of my drowsie heart ? He knowes , the weaknesse of the flesh incumbers Th' unwilling spirit , with sense-bereaving slumbers , My hopes assure me , in despight of this , That my Beloved's mine , and I am his : My hopes are firme ( which time shall ne're remove ) That he is mine , by faith ; I , his , by love .

BRIDEGROOME . SONET XX. THy timely griefe , ( my teares-baptized Love ) Compels mine eares to heare ; thy tears , to move ; Thy blubber'd beauty , to mine eye appeares More bright than 't was : Such is the * * The force of repentance . strength of teares : ●eautie , & Terror , meeting in thine eye , Have made thy face the Throne of Majestie , Those awfull beames , the proudest heart will move To love for feare , untill it feare for love . 2. REpresse those flames , that furnace from thine eye , They ravish with too bright a Tyrannie ; Thy fires are too-too fierce : O turne them from me , They pierce my soule , & with their rayes o'recome me , Thy curious * Tresses dangle , all unbound , ●ith unaffected order , to the ground : How orient is thy beauty ! How divine ! How darke's the glory of the earth to thine ! 3. THy Ivory * * Sincere Ministers . Teeth in whitenesse doe out-goe The downe of Swans , or Winters driven snowe , Whose even proportions lively represent Th' harmonious Musicke of unite consent ; Whose perfect whitenesse , Time could never blot , Nor age ( the envious Worme of Ruine ) rot: How orient is thy beauty ! How divine ! How darke's the glory of the earth to thine ! 4 THy Temples , are the Temples of chaste love , Where beauty sacrific'd her milke-white Dove , Vpon whose Azure pathes , are alwaies found The heaven-borne Graces dauncing in a round : Thy maiden * * Thy visible parts . Blushes gently doe proclame A shame of guilt , but not a guilt of shame : How orient is thy be●●ty ! How divine ! How darke's the glory of the earth to thine ! * * Modestie , and zeale . 5. YOu , you brave spirits , whose imperiall hand Enforces , what your lookes cannot command , Bring forth your pamper'd Queenes , the lustfull prize And curious wrecks of your imperious eyes ; Surround the Circle of the earth , and levie The fairest Virgins in Loves fairest bevie ; Then take from each , to make one perfit grace , Yet would my Love out-shine that borrow'd face . 6. I Thou art she , corrivalld with no other , Thou glorious Daughter of thy glorious Mother The new lerusalem , whose virgin birth Shall deifie the * * The pure in hea●t . Virgins of the earth : The Virgins of the earth have seene thy beautie , And stood amaz'd , and in a prostrate duty Have sued to kisse thy hand , making thine eyes Their Lamps to light them , til the Bridegroom rise . 7. HArke , how the virgins hallow'd with thy fire , And wonder-smitten with thy beames , admire , Who , who is this ( say they ) whose cheekes resemble ●●●ora's blush , whose eye heavens lights dissemble ? Whose face is brighter than the silent Lampe That lights the earth , to breathe her nightly damp ; Vpon whose brow sits dreadfull Majestie , The frowne whereof commands a victorie . 8 FAire Bride , why was thy troubled soule dejected When I was absent ? was my faith suspected , Which I so firmely plighted ? Couldst thou thinke My love could shake , or such a vow could shrinke ? I did but walke among my tender Plants , To smell their odours , and supply their wants , To see my Stockes , so lately grifted , sprout , Or if my vines began to burgen out . 9. THough gone was I , * * My Spirit . my heart was in thy brest , Although to thee ( perchance ) an unknowne guest 'T was that , that gaue such wings to thy desire , T' enjoy thy love , and set thy soule on fire ; But my returne was quicke , and with a minde More nimble ( yet more constant ) than the winde , I came , and as the winged shaft doth flie With undiscerned speed ; even so did I. 10. REturne , ( O then returne ) thou child of Peace To thy first joyes , O let thy teares surcease ; Returne thee to thy Love ; let not the * * Securitie . night With flatt'ring * * Worldly pleasures . slumbers , tempt thy true delight : Returne thee to my bosome , let my brest Be still thy Tent ; Take there eternall rest ; Returne , O thou , in whose enchanted eye Are darts enough , to make an army flye . 11. FAire Daughter of the highest King , how sweet Are th' unaffected graces of thy * * Thy wayes . Feet ! From every step , true Majestie doth spring , Fitting the Daughter of so high a King : Thy Wast is circled with a * * The girdle of truth . Virgin Zone , Imbellisht round with many a precious * * The precious gifts of the Spirit Stone . ●●erein thy curious Workeman did fulfill 〈◊〉 utmost glory of his diviner skill . 12. THy * * Thereby there is a receipt of spirituall Conceptions . Navell , where thy holy Embrion doth Receive sweet nourishment , and heavenly growth ●●ke a Chrystal spring , whose fresh supply ●●living waters , Sunne , nor Drought can dry : 〈◊〉 * * Increase of the faithfull . fruitfull Wombe is like a winnow'd heape 〈◊〉 purest graine , which heavens blest hand did reap , ●●th Lillies fenc'd : True Embleme of rare treasure Those graine denotes increase ; whose Lillies pleasure . 13. THy dainty * * The old and new Testament . Brests , are like faire twins , both swelling In equall Majestie ; in hue excelling 〈◊〉 new-falne snow upon th' untroden mountains , From whence there flowes , as from exub'rous fountaines ●●●ers of heavenly Nectar , to allay The holy thirst of soules : Thrice happy they , ●●d more than thrice , whose blest affections bring Their thirstie palats to so sweet a Spring . 14. THy * * Magistrates . Necke doth represent an Ivory Tower , In perfect purenesse , and united power , Thine * * Teachers . Eyes ( like pooles at a frequented gate For every commer , to draw water at ) Are common treasures , and like chrystall glasses , Shwes each his lively visage , as he passes . Thy * * Glorious in all parts . Nose , the curious Organ of thy Sent , Wants nothing more , for use , for ornament . 15. THy * * The Ceremonies of the Church . Tyres of gold ( inricht with glorious gems , Rare Diamonds , and princely Diadems ) Adorne thy browes , and with their native worth Aduance thy glory , and set thy beautie forth : So perfect are thy Graces , so divine , And full of heaven , are those faire lookes of thine , That I 'm inflamed with the double fire Of thy full beauty , and my fierce desire . 16. O Sacred Symmetrie ! O rare connection Of many perfects , to make one perfection ! O heauenly Musicke , where all parts doe meet In one sweet straine , to make one perfect sweet ! O glorious members , whose each severall feature Divine , compose so , so divine a Creature ! Faire soule , as all thy parts united be Entire , so summ'd are all my joyes in thee . 17. THy curious Fabricke , and erected stature Is like the generous Palme , whose lofty nature , In spight of envious violence , will aspire , Then most supprest , the more it mounts the higher : Thy lovely brests , ( whose beautie reinvites My oft remembrance to her oft delights ) Are like the swelling Clusters of the vine ; So full of sweetnesse are those brests of thine . 18. AR● thou my Palme ? My busie hand shal nourish Thy fruitfull roots , & make thy branches flourish : 〈◊〉 thou my vine ? My skilfull arme shall dresse Thy * * Despairing soules . dying plants ; my living springs shall blesse Thy * * Young Converts . infant Buds ; my blasting breath shall quell * * Opposers of the Truth . Presumptuous weeds , & make thy clusters swell : And all that love thee , shall attaine the favour To taste thy sweetnesse , and to smell thy savour . 19. THose Oracles that from thy lips proceed , With sweet Evangels , shall delight and feed 〈◊〉 attentive eare , and like the Trumpets voyce 〈◊〉 faint hearts , but make brave spirits rejoice : Thy breath , whose Dialect is most divine , ●●cends quicke flames , where ember'd sparkes but shine ; 〈◊〉 strikes the Pleaders Rhet'ricke with derision , And makes the dullest soule a Rhetorician .

BRIDE . SONET XXI . MY faith , not merits , hath assur'd thee , mine ; Thy Love , not my desert hath made me , thine : Vnworthy I , whose drowsie soule rejected Thy precious favours , and ( secure ) neglected Thy glorious presence , how am I become A Bride besitting so divine a Groome ! It is no merit , no desert of mine , Thy love , thy love alone , hath made me thine . 2. SInce then the bountie of thy deare election Hath stil'd me thine , O let the sweet reflection Of thy illustrious beames , my soule inspire , And with thy spirit , inflame my hot desire ; Vnite our soules ; O let thy Spirit rest And make perpetuall home within my brest ; Instruct me so , that I may gaine the skill , To suite my service to thy sacred will . 3. COme , come ( my soules preserver ) thou that art Th' united joyes of my united heart , Come , let us visit with the morning light , Our prosperous * * Congregation of the faithfull . Vines ; with mutuall delight Lt's view those grapes , whose clusters being * * By affliction . prest Shall make rich wines , to serve your Mariage feast , That by the thriving plants it may appeare , Our joyes perfecting Mariage draweth neere . 4. BEhold , my new * * Young Convers. disclosed flowers present Before thy gates , their tributary sent ; Reserve themselves for Garlands , that they may Adorne the Bridegorme , on his Mariage day : My * * Assemblies . Garden 's full of * * Faithfull . Trees , and every Tree Laden with * * Faith and good workes . fruit , which I devote to thee ; Eternall joyes betide that happy guest , That tastes the dainties of the Bridegroomes feast . 5. O Would to God mine eyes ( these fainting eyes , Whose eager appetite could ne're devise A dearer object , might but once behold My Love ( as I am , clad in fleshly mold , That each may corporally converse with other As friend with friend ; as sister with her brother , O how mine eyes could welcome such a sight ! How would my soule dissolve with o're-delight ! 6. THen should this hand conduct my fairest Spouse , To taste a banquet at my mothers * * The universall Church . house ; Our fruitfull Garden should present thine eyes With sweet delights ; her trees should sacrifice Their early fruits to thee ; our tender Vine Should cheare thy palate with her unprest wine ; Thy hand should teach my living Plants to thrive ; And such , as are a dying , to revive . 7. THen should my soule enjoy within this breast , A holy Sabbath of eternall Rest ; Then should my cause that suffers through despight Of errour , and rude Ignorance , have right ; Then should these * * Teares and sorrowes . streames , whose tydes so often rise , Be ebb'd away , from my suffused eyes ; Then should my spirits fill'd with heavenly mirth , Triumph o're Hell , and finde a heaven on earth . 8. ALL you that wish the bountifull encrease Of dearest pleasures , and divinest peace , I charge you all ( if ought my charge may move Your tender hearts ) * * Not to vexe and grieve his holy Spirit . not to disturbe my Love ; Vexe not his gentle Spirit , nor bereave Him of his joyes , that is so apt to grieve ; Dare not to breake his quiet slumbers , lest You rouze a raging Lyon from his rest . 9. WHo ever lov'd , that ever lov'd as I , That for his sake renounce my selfe , deny The worlds best joyes , and have the world forgone ? Who ever lov'd so deare , As I have done ? I sought my Love , and found him * * In humility . lowly laid Beneath the tree of Love● in whose sweet shade He rested ; there his eye sent forth the fire , That first enflam'd my amorous desire . 10. MY dearest Spouse , O seale me on thy heart So sure , that envious Earth may never part . Our joyned soules ; let not the world remove My chast desiers from so choyce a Love ; 〈◊〉 O , my love 's not slight , her flames are serious ●as never death so powerfull , so imperious : 〈◊〉 jealous zeale is a consuming fire , 〈◊〉 burns my soule , through feare & fierce desire . 11. ●Ires may be quencht ; and flames , though ne'r so great , With many drops shal faint , and lose their heat : 〈◊〉 these quick fires of love , the more supprest , ●he more they flame in my inflamed brest ; ●ow darke is Honour ! how obscure and dim 〈…〉 bright glory , but compar'd with him ! 〈◊〉 ●oule is Beauty ! what a toyle is Pleasure ▪ 〈◊〉 poore is Wealth ! how base a thing is treasure ! 12. Have a * * The Church of the Gentiles then uncalled . Sister , which by thy divine 〈◊〉 bounteous Grace , our Marriage shall make thine ; 〈◊〉 is mine owne , mine onely Sister , whom 〈◊〉 Mother bare the youngest of her wombe : Shee 's yet a * * Vncall'd to the truth . childe , her beauty may improve , Her brests are small , and yet too greene for love ; When time and yeares shall adde perfection to her , Say ( dearest Love ) what honour wilt thou do her ?

BRIDEGROOME . SONET . XXII . IF she be faire , and with her beauty , prove As chaste , as loyall to her virgin-Love , As thou hast beene , then in that high degree I le honour her , as I have honour'd thee : Be she as constant as her Vestall vow , And true to her devoted faith , as thou , I le crowne her head , and fill her hand with power , And give a Kingdome to her for a Dower .

BRIDE . SONET . XXIII . WHen time shall ripen these her greene desires , And holy Love shal breathe her heav'nly fires Into her Virgin brest , her heart shall be As true to love , as I am true to thee : O , when thy boundlesse bountie shall conjoyne Her equall-glorious Majesty , with mine , My ioyes are perfect , then , in sacred bands Wedlocke shall couple our espoused hands .

BRIDEGROOME . SONET . XXIIII . I Am thy Gard'ner , Thou my fruitfull Vine , Whose rip'ned clusters swell with richest Wine , The Vines of So●omon were not so faire , His Grapes were not so pretious , as thine are ; His Vines were subject to the vulgar will O● hired ●ands , and mercinary skill ; Corrupted Carles were merry with his Vines , And at a price return'd their barter'd wines . 2. BVt mine 's a Vineyard , which no ruder hand Shall touch , subjected to my sole command , My selfe with this laborious arme , will dresse it , 〈◊〉 presence with a busie eye shall blesse it ; ●●rincely So●omon , thy thriving Vine 〈◊〉 not so saire , so bountifull as mine ; 〈◊〉 greedy sharers claime an earned hire , 〈◊〉 mine 's reseru'd , and to my selfe entire . 3. O Thou , that dwellest * * In the great Congregation . where th' eternall fame Of my renowne so glorifies my name , 〈◊〉 Bride , in whose celestiall tongue , 〈◊〉 sacred Spels t' enchant the ruder throng ; ●et thy lips , like a perpetuall story ; ●●ulge my graces , and declare my glory ; Direct those hearts , that errour leads astray , Dissolve the * * The penitent . Waxe , but make obdure the * * The presumptuous . Clay .

BRIDE . SONET XXV . MOst glorious Love , and honourable Lord , My heart 's the vowed servant of thy Word , But I am weake , and as a tender Vine . Shall fall , unpropt by that deare hand of thine : Assist me therefore that I may fulfill What thou commandst , and then command thy wil ; O leave thy Sacred Spirit in my brest , As earnest of an everlasting Rest. The end .

SIONS ELEGIES . Wept BY IEREMIE THE PROPHET ; And PERIPHRAS'D By FRA. QVARLES .

LONDON , Printed by MILES FLESHER . 1632.

To the READER .

IF the ruines of Troy , Rome , Thebes , or Carthage have beene thought a subject , worthy the imployment of more serious Pennes , to entaile the remembrance therof 〈◊〉 Posterity , how much more worthy the paines ●●livelier pen then mine , is this ancient , most 〈◊〉 , and never enough to bee lamented deso●●●●● , and Captivity of Ierusalem ; Ierusalem , 〈◊〉 holy City of GOD ; Ierusalem , the type of 〈◊〉 Catholike Church ?

After eighteene moneths siege , in the eleuenth 〈◊〉 of Zedekiah , the ninth day of the fourth 〈◊〉 , ( which was the eighteenth yeere of Ne●●hadonozor over Babylon ) the Princes of ●●bylon surprized and tooke this brave Citie of ●●●usalem : presently after which , Nabuzaradan 〈◊〉 General of the Babylonian Army ( comman●●● by Nebuchadonozor ) spoyled the Temple , ●●ried away the Vessels of Gold and Silver , that 〈◊〉 consecrated to Gods service , and the great 〈◊〉 given by King Salomon , and burned the ●●●ple , the first day of the next moneth , which was one and twenty dayes after the surpriz●● 〈◊〉 470. yeeres sixe moneths , and ten dayes after the foundation thereof ; 1062. yeeres , sixe moneths ▪ ten dayes after the departure of the people out of Egypt ; ●950 . yeeres , sixe moneths , ten dayes after the Deluge : and 3513. yeeres , sixe moneths , ten dayes after the Creation of Adam . Thus , and then , was this Citie of Ierusalem taken and for seventie yeeres , remained the lewes in this Captivitie : And this , in Briefe , is the generall occasion why , and the time when these Lamentations were compased . Reader , I tender to thy consideration two things : First , the Pen-man : Secondly , the Art and Method of this Threnodia As for the first , It was penned by Ieremie the Prophet , the sonne of Hilkiah , a Priest : and undoubt●dly endighted by the Spirit of God ; some thinke it was written , when the Prophet was in prison : others , when he was with Godoliah at Maspath : but whether at the one place or at the other , it is not much materiall to discourse .

Secondly , as touching the Art and Method , it is short and concise , as being most naturall to so lamentable a subject . Cicero sayes , Lamentationes debent esse concisae● & breves ▪ quia ●ito lachryma exarescit , & difficile est auditores aut lectores , in illo affectu summae commiserationis , diu tenere . The Method is truly elegious , not bound to any ordinary set forme , but wildly depending upon the sudden subject , that new griefes present , and indeed the deepest sorrowes cannot be , but distracted from all rules of method , the neglect of which , is veniall in such ejulations as these , as which , in all the Scriptures , there is none so copious , none so ardent ; concerning which Gregory Nazianzene confesses , Threnos Ieremiae nunquam à se siccis oculis lectos esse . Yet some thinke there is a Method kept , but too fine and intricate , for our grosse apprehensions : touching this point , Saint Ambrose lib. 8. Epist. adjust . sayes , Demus , eas secundum artem non scripsisse , at certè secundum gratiam scripsisse fatendum est , quae omnem artem longè superat , and with this , I rest .

You shall observe , that the foure first Chapters of these Lamentations carry a strict order , in the Originall , for every Verse throughout every Chapter begins with a severall letter of the Hebrew Alphabet , except the third Chapter , wherein the first and every third Verse onely is tyed to a Letter , and continues the Alphabet through ; which for me the Prophet used , partly for Eloquence , partly for Memory sake ; meaning either literally thus , that it ought to be perfect as the Alphabet , in memory ; or Hieroglyphically thus , that as the Alphabet is the Radix of all words , so the miseries of the Iewes , were the combination of all miseries .

For the same Causes , I likewise here in my Periphrase , have observed the same forme , and continue the Alphabet in English , as the Prophet did in the Hebrew , desirous to be his shadow , as much as I can .

It appeares by the strictnesse of the Order , that these Lamentations were Originally writ in verse and as some thinke in Sapphicks , but many of our learned Neotericks deny , that any writings of the Iewes cary , now , any direct or certaine Lawes of Poesie , though ( they confesse ) some ruinous Accents , here and there discovered , makes them imagine , they writ some things in verse ; but now , it seemes that God , in dispersing them , hath likewise dissolved , and strucke dumbe their musicke .

Farewell .

TO THE TRVE THEANTHROPOS , Iesus Christ , THE SAVIOVR OF THE WORLD : His Servant implores his favourable assistance . THou Alpha and Omega , before whom , Things past & present & things yet to come , Are all alike ; O prosper my designes , And let thy spirit inrich my feeble lines ; Revive my passion ; let mine eye behold Those sorrowes present , which were wept of old : Strike sad my Soule , and give my Pen , the Art To move ; and Me , an understanding heart . O , let the Accent of each word , make knowne , I mixe the Teares of Sion , with mine owne : Preserve all such , as beare true hearts to Sion . We are thy Lambes , O , be thou still our Lion .

SIONS ELEGIES .

Threnodia . I.

ELEG. 1. AH griefe of Times ! Ah , sable times of Griefe , Whose torments find a voice , but no reliefe ! Are these the buildings ? These the tower and state , That all th' amazed Earth stood wondring at ? Is this that Citie , whose eternall Glory , Could find no period , for her endlesse storie ? And is she come to this ? Her Buildings raz'd , Her Towers burnt ? Her Glory thus defac'd ? O sudden Change ! O world of Alterations ! She , she that was the Prince , the Queen of Nations See , how she lyes , of strength , of all , bereiv'd , Now paying Tribute , which she once receiv'd .

ELEG. 2. BEhold ! her eyes , those glorious eyes , that were Like two faire Suns , in one celestiall Sphaere , Whose radiant beames did , once , reflect so bright , Are now eclipsed , and have lost their light , And seeme like Ilands , about which appeares A troubled Ocean , with a Tide of Teares ; Her servant Cities ( that were once at hand , And bow'd their servile necks to her command , ) Stand all aloofe , as strangers to her mone , And give her leave to spend her teares alone , Her neighbours flatter , with a false reliefe , And with a kisse , betray her to her griefe .

ELEG. 3. COmpast around with Seas of briny teares , Iudah laments , distraught with double feares ; Even as the fearfull Partridge , to excuse her From the fierce Gos-hawk , that too close pursues her , Falls in a Covert , and her selfe doth cover her , From her unequall Foe , that sits above her : Meane while the treason of her quick Retrivers , Discovers novell dangers , and delivers Her to a second feare , whose double fright Findes safety nor in staying , nor in flight ; Even so is Iudah vext , with change of woes , Betwixt her home-bred , and her forreine Foes .

ELEG. 4. DId not these sacred Cawsies , that are leading To Sion , late seeme pav'd , with often treading ? Now secret Dens , for lurking Theeves to meet , Vnprest , unlesse with sacrilegious feet ; Sion the Temple of the highest God , Stands desolate , her holy steps untrod ; Her Altars are defac'd , her Virgin fires Surcease , & with a stinke , her snuff expires ; cries , Her Priests have chang'd their Hymus to sighs and cries , Her Virgins weepe forth Rivers from their eyes : O Sion , thou that wert the Childe of mirth , Art now the scorne , and By-word of the Earth ▪

ELEG. 5. ENcreas'd in power , and high Chevisance Of armes , thy Tyrant foem en doe advance Their crafty crests ; He , he that was thy father , And crownd thee once with blessings , now doth gather His troops to work thy end ; him , who advan●'t thee To be Earths Queen , thy sins have bent against thee Strange spectacle of Griefe ! Thy tender frie , Whom childhood taught no language , but their cry T' expresse their infant griefe , these , wretched these By force of childish teares , could not appease The ruthlesse sword , which deafe to all their cries , Did drive them Captives from their mothers eies .

ELEG. 6. FAire Virgin Sion , where ( ah ) where are those Pure cheekes , wherein the Lilly , and the Rose So much contended lately for the place , Till both compounded in thy glorious face ? How hast thou blear'd those sun-bright eies of thine Those beames , the royall Magazens of divine And sacred Majesty , from whose pure light , The purblind worldlings did receive their sight , Thy fearfull Princes , leave their fencelesse towers , And flie like Harts , before their swift pursuers ; Like light-foot Harts they flie , not knowing where , Prickt on with Famine , and distracted Feare .

ELEG. 7. GAll'd with her griefe . Ierusalem recalls To minde her lost delights , her Festivalls , Her peacefull freedome , and full joyes , in vaine Wishing , what Earth cannot restore againe ; Succour she sought , and begg'd , but none was there To give the Almes of one poore trickling teare ; The scornefull lips of her amazed Foes , Deride the griefe , of her disastrous woes ; They laugh , and lay more ample torments on her , Disdaine to looke , and yet they gaze upon her , Abuse her Altars , hate her Offerings , Prophane her Sabbaths , and her holy Things .

ELEG. 8. HAdst thou ( Ierusalem ) O , had thy heart Beene loyall to his love , whose once thou wert , O , had the beames of thy unvailed eye Continu'd pure ; hadst thou beene nice , to try New pleasures , thus thy Glory ne're had wasted , Thy Walls , till now , like thy Reproch , had lasted : Thy Lovers , whose false beauties did entice thee , Have seene thee naked , and doe now despise thee ; Drunke with thy wanton pleasures , they are fled , And scorne the bountie of thy loathed bed ; Lest to thy guilt ( the servant of thy sin ) Thou sham'st to show , what once , thou gloriedst i● .

ELEG. 9. IErusalem is all infected over With Leprosie , whose filth , no shade can cover , Puft up with pride , unmindfull of her end , See how she lyes , devoid of helpe , or friend . Great Lord of Lords ( whose mercy far transcends Thy sacred Iustice ) whose full Hand attends The cries of empty Ravens , bow downe thine eare● To wretched Sion , Sion drownd in teares ; Thy hand did plant her , ( Lord ) she is thy vine , Confound her foes : they are her foes , and thine : Shew wonted favour to thy holy hill . Rebuild her walls , and love thy Sion still .

ELEG. 10. KNees , falslie bent to Dagon , now defile Her wasted Temple rudely they dispoile Th' abused Altars , and no hand releeves ; Her house of prayer is turn'd a den of theeves Her costly Robes , her sacred treasure stands , A willing prey to sacrilegious hands , Her Priests are slaine , & in a lukewarme flood Through every channel runs the Levites blood ; The hallowed Temple of the highest God , Whose purer foot-steps were not to be trod With unprepared feet , before her eye , Is turn'd a Grove , for base Idolatrie .

ELEG. 11. LIngring with Death and Famine , Iudah groanes , And to the ayre , breathes forth her ayrie moanes , Her fainting eyes waxe dim , her cheekes grow pale , Her wandring steps despaire to speed , and faile , She faints , and through her trembling lips , halfe dead , She whispers oft the holy name of bread : Great God , let thy offended wrath surcease , Behold thy servants , send thy servants peace , Behold thy vassals , groveling on the dust ; Be mercifull ( deare God ) as well as just ; 'T is thou , 't is thou alone , that sent this griefe , 'T is thou , 't is thou alone , can send reliefe .

ELEG. 12. MY tongu's in labour with her painefull birth , That finds no passage ; Lord , how strange a dearth Of words , concomitates a world of woes ! I neither can conceale , nor yet disclose : You weary Pilgrimes , you whom change of Climes Have tought you change of Fortunes , and of Times , Stay , stay your feeble steps , and cast your eyes On me , the Abstract of all miseries . Say ( Pilgrimes ) say , if e're your eyes beheld More truer Iliades ; more unparalleld , And matelesse evils , which my offended God Reulcerates , with his enraged Rod.

ELEG. 13. NO humane power could no envious Art Of mortall man , could thus subject my heart , My glowing heart , to these imperious fires : No earthly sorrow , but at length expires ; But these my Tyrant-torments doe extend To infinites , nor having ease , nor end ; Loe , I the Pris'ner of the highest God , Inth●ailed to the vengeance of his Rod , Lie bound in fetters , that I cannot flie , Nor yet endure his deadly stroakes , nor die : My joyes are turn'd to sorrows , backt with feares , And I ( poore I ) lie pickled up in teares .

ELEG. 14. O! How unsufferable is the waight Of sinne ! How miserable is their state , The silence of whose secret sinne conceales The smart , till Iustice to Revenge appeales ! How ponderous are my crimes , whose ample scroul Weighs downe the pillars of my broken Soule ! Their sowre , masqu'd with sweetnes , overswai'd me And with their smiling kisses , they betrai'd me , Betraid me to my Foes , and what is worse , Betraid me to my selfe , and heavens curse , Betraid my soule to an eternall griefe , Devoid of hope , for e're to finde reliefe ▪

ELEG. 15. PErplext with change of woes , where ere I turne My fainting eyes , they finde fresh cause to mourne My griefes move like the Planets , which appeare Chang'd from their places , constant to their sphaere Behold , the earth-confounding arme of Heaven , Hath cow'd my valiant Captaines , and hath driven Their scattered forces up and downe the street , Like worried sheepe afraid of all they meet ; My younger men , the seede of propagation , Exile hath driven from my divided Nation ; My tender Virgins have not scap'd their rage , Which neither had respect to youth , nor age .

ELEG. 16. QVicke change of torments ! equall to those crimes , Which past unthought-of , in my prosp'rous times From hence proceed my griefes , ( ah me ) from hence My Spring-tyde sorrowes have their influence ; For these , my soul● dissolves , my eyes lament , Spending chose teares , whose store wil ne're be spent ; For these , my fainting spirits droepe , and melt In anguish , such as never Mortall felt ; Within the selfe-same flames , I freeze , and frie , I roare for helpe , and yet no helpe is nigh ; My sons are lost , whose fortunes would relieve me , And onely such triumph , that hourely grieve me .

ELEG. 17. REnt from the glory of her lost renowne , Sion laments ; Her lips ( her lips o'reflowne With floods of teares ) she prompteth how to breake New languages , instructs her tongue to speake Elegious Dialects ; She lowly bends Her dusty knees upon the earth , extends Her brawnlesse armes to them , whose ruthlesse eyes Are red , with laughing at her miseries ; Naked she lies , deform'd , and circumvented , With troopes of feares , unpitied , unlamented , A loathsome draine for filth , despis'd , forlorne ; The scorne of Nations , and the childe of scorne .

ELEG. 18. SOwre wages issue from the sweets of sin , Heavens hand is just , this trecherous heart hath bin The author of my woes : 'T is I alone ; My sorrowes reap , what my foule sins have sowne ; Often they cry'de to heaven , e're heaven reply'd , And vengeance ne're had come , had they ne'r cride ; All you that passe , vouchsafe your gracious eares , To heare these cries ; your eyes , to view these tears ; They are no heat-drops of an angry heart , Or childish passions of an idle smart , But they are Rivers , springing from an eye , Whose streams , no joy can stop , no griefe draw drie .

ELEG. 19. TVrne where I list , new cause of woe presents My poore distracted soule with new laments ; Where shall I turne ? shall I implore my friends ? Ah , summer friendship , with the Summer ends ; In vaine to them my groanes , in vaine my teares , For harvest friends can finde no winter eares ; Or shall I call my sacred Priests for aid ? Alas ! my pined Priests are all betraid To Death , and Famine ; in the streets they cryed For bread , & whilst they sought for bread , they died Vengeance could never strike so hard a blow , As when she sends an unlamented woe .

ELEG. 20. VOuchsafe ( great God ) to turne thy tender eyes On me poore wretch : Oh , let my midnight cries ( That never cease , if never stopt with teares ) Procure audience from thy gracious eares ; Behold thy creature , made by change of griefe , The barest wretch , that ever beg'd reliefe ; See , see , my soule is tortur'd on thy rack My bowels tremble , and my heart-strings crack ; Abroad , the sword with open ruine frights me ; At home , the secret hand of Famine smites me ; Strange fires of griefe ! How is my soule opprest , That findes abroad , no peace , at home , no rest !

ELEG. 21. WHere , where art thou , O sacred Lambe of peace , That promis'd to the heavie laden , ease ? Thee , thee alone , my often bended knee Invokes , that haue no other helpe , but thee ; My foes ( amazed at my hoarse complaining ) Scoffe at my oft repeated cries , disdaining To lend their prosp'rous hand , they hisse and smile , Taking a pleasure to behold my spoile : Their hands delight to bruize my broken reeds , And still persist , to prick that heart that bleeds ; But there 's a Day ( if Prophets can divine ) Shal scourge their sins , as they have scourged mine .

ELEG. 22. YOu noy some weeds , that lift your crests so high , When better plants , for want of moysture die ? Thinke you to flourish ever ? and ( unspide ) To shoot the flowers of your fruitlesse pride ? If plants be cropt , because their fruits are small , Thinke you to thrive , that beare no fruit at all ? Looke downe ( great God ) & from their places teare These weeds , that suck the juice , shold make us bear Vndew'd with showers , let them see no Sun , But feel those frosts , that thy poor plants have done . O clense thy Garden , that the world may know Wee are the seeds , that thy right hand did sow .

Threnodia II.

ELEG. 1. ALas ! my torments , my distracted feares Have no commerce , with reasonable teares : How hath Heavens absence darkned the renowne Of Sions glory ! with one angry frowne . How hath th' Almighty clouded those bright beams And chang'd her beauties streamers , into streames ! Sion , the glory of whose refulgent Fame Gave earnest of an everlasting name , Is now become an indigested Masse , And ruine is , where that brave glory was : How hath heaven strucke her earth-admired name From th' height of honour , to the depth of shame ;

ELEG. 2. BEautie , nor strength of building could entice , Or force revenge from her just enterprise ; Mercy hath stopt her eares , and Iustice hath Powr'd out full vialls of her kindled wrath ; Impatient of delay , she hath strucke downe The pride of Sion , kickt off Iuda's Crowne ; Her streets unpeopled , and disperst her powres , And with the ground hath levell'd her high towres ; Her priests are slaine , her captiv'd Princes are Vnransom'd pris'ners ; Slaves her men of warre ; Nothing remaines of all her wonted glory , But sad memorialls of her tragicke story .

ELEG. 3. COnfused horror , and confounding shame , Have blur'd the beauty , and renowned name Of righteous Israel ; Israels fruitfull land , Entail'd by Heaven , with the usurping hand Of uncontroled Gentiles , is laid waste , And with the spoile so ruine is defac't ; The angry mouth of Iustice blowes the fires Of hasty vengeance , whose quicke flame aspires , With fury to that place , which heaven did sever , For Iacob and his holy seed for ever ; No part , no secret angle of the Land , Which beares no marke of heavens enraged hand .

ELEG. 4. ●Arts , thrild from heaven , transfix my bleeding heart And fill my soule with everlasting smart , Whose festring wound , no fortune can recure ; Th' Almighty strikes but seldome , but strikes sure ; His finowy arme hath drawne his steely bow , And sent his forked shafts to overthrow My pined Princes , and to ruinate The weakened Pillars , of my wounded State ; His hand hath scourg'd my deare delights , acquired My soule , of all , wherein my soule delighted ; I am the mirrour of unmasked sin , To see her ( dearely purchas'd ) pleasures in .

ELEG. 5. EVen as the Pilot , whose sharpe Keele divides Th' encountring waves of the Cicilian Tides , Tost on the list● of death , striving to scape The danger of deepe mouth'd Cha●ybdis rape , Re●uts on Scy●●a , with a forc'd careere , And wrecks upon a lesse suspected feare ; Even so poore I , contriving to withstand My Foemans , fall into th' Almighties hand ; So I , the childe of ruine , to avoid Lesse dangers , by a greater am destroy'd : How necessary , Ah! How sharp's his end , That neither hath his God , nor man , to friend !

ELEG. 6. FOrgotten Sion hangs her drooping head , Vpon her fainting brest ; Her soule is fed With endlesse griefe , whose torments had depriv'd her Long since , of life , had not new paines reviv'd her : Sion is like a Garden , whose defence Being broke , is left to the rude violence Of wastefull Swine , full of neglected waste ; Nor having flowre for smell , nor herbe for taste ; Heaven takes no pleasure in her holy Feasts , Her idle Sabbaths , or burnt fat of beasts ; Both State and Temple are despoil'd , and fleec't Of all their beauty ; without Prince , or Priest .

ELEG. 7. GLory , that once did Heavens bright Temple fill , Is now departed from that sacred Hill ; See , how the emptie Altar stands disguis'd , Abus'd by Gentiles , and by heaven despis'd ; That place , wherein the holy One hath taken So sweet delight , lies loathed , and forsaken ; That sacred place , wherein the precious Name Of great Iebovah was preserv'd , the same Is turn'd a Den for Theeves ; an open stage For vice to act on ; a defiled Cage Of uncleane birds ; a house of priviledge For sin , and uncontrolled sacriledge .

ELEG. 8. HEaven hath decreed ; his angry brest doth boile , His time 's expired , and he 's arm'd to spoile ; His secret Will adjourn'd the righteous doome Of threatned Sion , and her time is come ; His hand is arm'd with thunder , from his eyes A flame more quicke than sulphrous Etna , flyes ; Sion must fall : That hand which hath begun , Can never rest , till the full worke be done . Her walls are sunke , her Towres are overthrowne , Heaven will not leave a stone upon a stone : Hence , hence the flouds of roaring Iudah rise , Hence Sion fills the Cisternes of her eyes .

ELEG. 9. IOy is departed from the holy Gates Of deare Ierusalem , and peace retraits From wasted Sion ; her high walls , that were An armed proofe against the brunt of feare , Are shrunke for shame , if not withdrawne , for pity , To see the ruine of so brave a City ; Her Kings , and out-law'd Princes live constraind Hourely to heare the name of Heaven profan'd ; Manners and Lawes , the life of government Are sent into eternall banishment ; Her Prophets cease to preach ; they vow , unheard : They howle to heaven , but heaven gives no regard .

ELEG. 10. KIng , Priest , and People , all alike are clad In weeds of Sack-cloth , taken from the sad Wardrobe of sorrow , prostrate on the earth , They close their lips , their lips estrang'd to mirth : Silent they sit , for dearth of speech affords A sharper Accent , for true griefe , than words : The Father wants a Son , the Son a Mother ; The Bride , her Groom : th the brother wants a brother ; Some , Famine : Exile some : and some the sword Hath slaine : All want , when Sion wants her Lord : How art thou all in all ! There 's nothing scant ( Great God ) with thee , without thee , all things want .

ELEG. 11. ●Aunch forth my soule , into a sea of teares , Whose ballanc'd bulke , no other Pilot steares , Then raging sorrow , whose uncertaine hand , Wanting her Compasse , strikes on every sand ; Driven with a storme of sighes , she seekes the Haven Of rest , but like to Noahs wandring Raven , She scowres the Maine : and , as a Sea-lost Rover , She roames , but can no land of peace discover : Mine eyes are faint with teares , teares have no end , The more are spent , the more remaine to spend : What Marble ( ah ) what Adamantine eye , Can looke on Sions ruine , and not cry ?

ELEG. 12. MY tongue ? the tongues of Angels , are too faint T' expresse the causes of my just complaint ; See , how the pale-fac'd sucklings roare for food , And from their milkles mothers brests , draw blood : Children surcease their serious toyes , and plead With trickling teares , Ah mothers , give us bread : Such goodly Barnes , and not one graine of corne ? Why did the sword escape's ? Why were we borne To be devour'd and pin'd with famine ? save us : With quicke reliefe , or take the lives , you gave us : They cryde for bread , that scarce had breath to cry , And wanting meanes to live , found meanes to dye .

ELEG. 13. NEver , ah ! never yet , did vengeance brand A State , with deeper ruine , than thy Land ; Deare Sion how could mischiefe beene more keene , Or strucke thy glory with a sharper spleene ? Whereto ( Ierusalem ) to what shall I Compare this thy unequall'd misery ? Turne backe to ages past ; Search deepe Records : Theirs are , thine cannot be exprest in words : Would , would to God , my lives cheape price might be Esteem'd of value , but to ransome thee ; Would I could cure thy griefe ; but who is able To heale that wound , that is immedicable ?

ELEG. 14. O Sion , had thy prosperous soule endur'd Thy Prophets scourge , thy joyes had bin secur'd But thou ( ah thou ) hast lent thine itching eare To such as claw'd , and onely such , wouldst heare ; Thy Prophets , 'nointed with unhallow'd oyle , Rubd where they should have launcht , and did beguile Thy abused faith , their fawning lips did cry Peace , peace , alas , when there was no peace nigh ; They quilted silken curtaines for thy crimes , Belyde thy God , and onely pleas'd the times : Deare Sion , oh ! hadst thou but had the skill To stop thine eares , thou hadst beene Sion still .

ELEG. 15. ●Eople , that travell through thy wasted Land , Gaze on thy ruines , and amazed stand , They shake their spleenfull heads , disdaine , deride The sudden downefall of so faire a pride ; They clap their joyfull hands , & fill their tongues With hisses , ballads , and with Lyrick songs ; Her torments give their empty lips new matter , And with their scornfull fingers , point they at her ; Is this ( say they ) that place , whose wonted fame Made troubled earth to tremble at her name ? Is this that State ? are these those goodly Stations ? Is this that Mistris , and that Queene of Nations ?

ELEG. 16. QVencht are the dying Embers of compassion , For empty sorrow findes no lamentation : When as thy Harvest flourisht with full eares , Thy sleightest griefe brought in a tide of teares ; But now , alas ! thy Crop consum'd , and gon , Thou art but food , for beasts to trample on ; Thy servants glory in thy ruine , those That were thy private friends , are publike foes ; Thus , thus ( say they ) we spit our rankrous spleene , And g●ash our teeth upon the worlds faire Queene ; Thrice welcome this ( this long expected ) day , That crownes our conquest , with so sweet a prey .

ELEG. 17. REbellious Iudah ! Could thy flattring crimes Secure thee from the dangers of the times ? Or did thy summer Prophets ere foresay These evills , or warn'd thee of a winters day ? Did not those sweet-lipt Oracles beguile Thy wanton eares , with newes of Wine , and Oile ? But heaven is just : what his deepe counsell wild , His prophets told , and Iustice hath fulfill'd : He hath destroy'd ; no secret place so voyd , No Fort so sure , that Heaven hath not destroy'd : Thou land of Iudah ! How 's thy sacred throne Become a stage , for Heathen to trample on !

ELEG 18. SEe , see , th' accursed Gentiles doe inherit The Land of promise ; where heavens Sacred Spirit Built Temples for his everlasting Name , There , there , th' usurping Pagans doe proclaime Their idle Idols , unto whom they gave That stolen honor which heavnes Lord should have Winke Sion ; O let not those eyes be stain'd With heavens dishonour , see not heaven profan'd ; Close , close thine eyes , or if they needs must be Open , like flood-gates , to let water flee , Yet let the violence of their flowing streames Obscure thine open eyes , and mask their beames .

ELEG. 19. TRust not thy eye-lids , lest a flattering sleepe Bribe them to rest , and they forget to weepe : Powre out thy heart , thy heart dissolv'd in teares , Weepe forth thy plaints , in the Almighties eares ; Oh , let thy cries , thy cries to heaven addrest , Disturbe the silence of thy midnight rest ; Prefer the sad petitions of thy soule To heaven , ne're close thy lips till heaven condole Confounded Sion , and her wounded weale ; That God that smit , oh , move that God to heale ; Oh , let thy tongue ne're cease to call , thine eye To weepe , thy pensive heart ne're cease to cry .

ELEG. 20. VOuchsafe , oh thou eternall Lord of pitty , To looke on Sion , and thy dearest City , Confus'd Ierusalem , for thy DAVI●S sake , And for that promise , which thy selfe did make To halting Isr'el ; loe , thy hand hath forc'd Mothers ( whom law lesse Famine hath divorc'd From deare affection ) to devoure the bloomes , And buds , that burgeond from their painful wombs ; Thy sacred Priests and Prophets , that while-ere Did hourely whisper in thy neighbouring eare , Are falne before the sacrilegious sword , Even where , even whilst they did unfold thy word ▪

ELEG. 21. WOunded , and wasted , by th' eternall hand Of heaven , I grovell on the ground ; my land Is turn'd a Golgotha ; before mine eye , Vnsepulchred my murthred people lye ; My dead lye rudely scattred on the stones , My Cawsies all are pav'd with dead mens bones ; The fierce Destroyer doth alike forbeare The maidens trembling , and the Matrons teare , Th' imperiall sword spares neither Foole , nor Wise , The old mans pleading , nor the Infants cries : Vengeance is deafe , and blinde , and she respects Nor Young , nor Old , nor Wise , nor Foole , nor Sex .

ELEG. 22. YEares heavie laden with their months , retire ; Months , gone their date of numbred daies , expire ; The daies , full houred , to their period tend ; And howers , chac'd with light-foot Minutes , end ; Yet my undated evills , no time will minish , Though yeares & months , though daies and howers finish : Feares flocke about me , as invited guests Before the Portalls , at proclamed feasts ; Where heaven hath breathd , that man , that state must fall ▪ Heaven wants no thunder-bolts to strike withall : I am the subject , of that angry Breath , My sonnes are slaine , and I am mark'd for death .

Threnodia III.

ELEG. 1. ALL you , whose unprepared lips did tast The tedious Cup of sharp affliction , cast Your wondring eyes on me , that have drunke up Those dregs , whereof you onely kist the Cup : I am the man , 'gainst whom th' Eternall hath Discharg'd the lowder volley of his wrath ; I am the man , on whom the brow of night Hath scowl'd , unworthy to behold the light ; I am the man , in whom th' Almighty showe● The dire example of unpattern'd woes ; I am that Pris'ner , ransome cannot free ; I am that man , and I am onely he .

ELEG. 2. BOndage hath forc'd my servile necke to faile Beneath her load ; Afflictions nimble flayle Hath thrasht my soule upon a floore of stones , And quasht the marrow of my broken bones , Th' assembled powres of Heaven enrag'd , are eager To root me out : Heavens souldiers doe beleager My worried soule , my soule unapt for fleeing , That yeelds o'reburthen'd with her tedious being Th' Almighties hand hath clouded all my night , And clad my soule with a perpetuall light , A night of torments , and eternall sorrow , Like that of Death , that never findes a morrow .

ELEG. 3. CHain'd to the brazen pillars of my woes , I strive in vaine . No mortall hand can loose What heaven hath bound ; my soule is walld about , That hope can nor get in , nor feare get out ; When ere my wav'ring hopes to heaven addresse The feeble voice of my extreame distresse , He stops his tyred eares ; without regard Of Suit , or Suitor , leaves my prayers unheard . Before my faint and stumbling feet he layes Blockes , to disturbe my best advised wayes ; I seeke my peace , but seeke my peace in vaine ; For every way 's a Trap ; each path's a Traine .

ELEG. 4. DIsturbed Lyons are appeas'd with blood , And ravenous Beares are milde , not wanting food , But heaven ( ah heaven ! ) will not implored be : Lyons , and Beares are not so fierce as Hee : His direfull vengeance ( which no meane confines ) Hath crost the thriving of my best designes ; His hand hath spoild me , that erewhile advanc't me Brought in my foes , possest my friends against me ; His Bow is bent , his forked Rovers flie Like darted haile-stones from the darkned skie , Shot from a hand that cannot erre , they be Transfixed in no other marke , but me .

ELEG. 5. EXil'd from Heaven , I wander to and fro , And seeke for streames , as Stags new stricken doe , And like a wandring Hart I flee the Hounds , With Arrowes deeply fixed in my wounds ; My deadly Hunters with a winged pace , Pricke forwards , and pursue their weary chace , They whoope , they hollow me , deride , & flout me , That flee from death , yet carrie death about me : Excesse of torments hath my soule deceiv'd Of all her joyes , of all her powres bereiv'd . O curious griefe , that hast my soule brim-fill'd With thousand deaths , and yet my soule not kill'd !

ELEG. 6. FOllow'd with troopes of feares , I flie in vaine , For change of places breeds new change of paine ; The base condition of my low estate , My exalted Foes disdaine , and wonder at : Turne where I list ( these ) these my wretched eyes , They finde no objects , but new miseries ; My soule , accustom'd to so long encrease Of paines , forgets that she had ever peace ; Thus , thus perplext , thus with my griefes distracted What shall I do ? Heavens powers are compacted To worke my ' eternall ruine ; To what friend Shal I make mone , when heaven conspires my end ?

ELEG. 7. GReat GOD ! what helpe ( ah me ) what hope is left To him , that of thy prescence is bereft ? Absented from thy favour , what remaines , But sense , and sad remembrance of my paines ? Yet hath affliction op'ned my dull eare , And taught me , what in weale I ne're could heare ; Her scourge hath tutor'd me with sharpe corrections And swag'd the swelling of my proud affections ; Till now I slumbred in a prosp'rous dreame , From whence awak'd , my griefes are more extreame ; Hopes newly quickned , have my soule assur'd , That griefes discover'd , are one halfe recur'd .

ELEG. 8. HAd not the milder hand of mercy broke The furious violence of that fatall stroke Offended Iustice strucke , we had beene quite Lost in the shadowes of eternall night ; Thy mercy Lord , is like the morning Sunne , Whose beames undoe , what sable night hath done ; Or like a streame , the current of whose course , Restrain'd a while , runs with a swifter force ; Oh , let me swelter in those sacred beames , And after bathe me in these silver streames ; To thee alone , my sorrowes shall appeale ; Hath earth a wound , too hard for heaven to heale ?

ELEG. 9. IN thee ( deare Lord ) my pensive soule respires , Thou art the fulnesse of my choice desires ; Thou art that sacred Spring , whose waters burst In streames to him , that seekes with holy thirst ; Thrice happy man , thrice happy thirst to bring The fainting soule to so , so sweet a spring ; Thrice happy he , whose well resolved brest Expects no other aide , no other rest ; Thrice happie he , whose downie age had bin Reclaim'd by scourges , from the prime of sin , And early season'd with the taste of Truth , Remembers his Creator in his youth .

ELEG. 10. KNowledge concomitates Heavens painefull rod , ● eaches the soule to know her selfe , her GOD , Vnseiles the eye of Faith , presents a morrow Of joy , within the ●ablest night of sorrow , Th' afflicted soule abounds in barest need , Sucks purest honie from the foulest weed , Detests that good , which pamp'red reason likes , Welcomes the stroke , kisses the hand that strikes ; In roughest Tides his well-prepared brest , Vntoucht with danger , findes a● haven of rest ; Hath all in all , when most of all bereaven ; In earth , a hell , in hell he findes a Heaven .

ELEG 11. LAbour perfected , with the evening ends , The lampe of heaven ( his course fulfill'd ) descends Can workes of nature seeke , and finde a rest ; And shall the torments of a troubled brest , Impos'd by Natures all-commanding GOD , Ne're know an end , ne're finde a period ? Deare soule despaire not , whet thy dull beliefe With hope ; heavens mercy will o'recome thy griefe From thee , not him , proceeds thy punishment , Hee 's slow to wrath , and speedy to relent ; Thou burnst like gold , consumest not like fuell ; O , wrong not Heaven , to thinke that Heaven is cruell .

ELEG. 12. MOuntaines shall move , the Sun his circling course Shall stop ; Tridented Neptuae shall divorce Th' embracing floods from their beloved Iles , Ere heaven forgets his servant , and recoyles From his eternall vow : Those , those that bruise His broken reeds , or secretly abuse The doubtfull Title of a rightfull Cause , Or with false bribes adulterat the Lawes , That should be chaste , these , these , th' Almightie hath Branded for subjects of a future wrath ; Oh , may the just man know , th' Eternall hastens His plagues for trialls ; loves the child he chastens .

ELEG. 13. NO mortall power , nor supernall might , Not Lucifer , nor no infernall spright , Nor all together joyn'd in one commission , Can thinke or act , without divine permission ; Man wils , Heaven breathes successe , or not , upon it ; What good , what evill befals , but heaven hath done it ? Vpon his right hand , Health and Honors stand , And flaming Scourges on the other hand : Since then the States of good or evill depend Vpon his will , ( fond mortall ) thou attend Vpon his Wisdome ; Why should living Dust Complaine on Heaven , because that Heaven is just ?

ELEG. 14. O Let the ballance of our even pois'd hearts Weigh our afflictions with our just deserts , And ease our heavie scale ; Double the graines We take from sinne , Heaven taketh from our pains ; Oh , let thy lowly-bended eyes not feare Th' Almighties frownes , nor husband one poore teare ; Be prodigall in sighes , and let thy ●ongue , Thy tongue estrang'd to heaven , cry all night long ; My soule thou leav'st , what thy Creator did Will thee to doe , hast done what he forbid ; This , this hath made so great a strangenesse bee ( If not divorce ) betwixt thy GOD , and thee .

ELEG. 15. PRepar'd to vengeance , and resolv'd to spoile , Thy hand ( just GOD ) hath taken in thy toile Our wounded soules ; That arme which hath forgot His wonted mercy , kills and spareth not ; Our crimes have set a barre betwixt thy Grace And us : thou hast eclipst thy glorious face , Hast stopt thy gracious eare , lest prayers enforce done ; Thy tender Heart to pity and remorse : See , see great GOD , what thy deare hand hath We lie like drosse , when all the gold is gone , Contemn'd , despis'd , and like to Atomes , flye Before the Sunne , the scorne of every eye .

ELEG. 16. QVotidian fevers of reproach , and shame , Have chill'd our Honor , and renowned Name , We are become the by-word , and the scorne Of Heaven and Earth ; of heaven & earth forlorne ; Our captiv'd soules are compast round about , Within , with troopes of feares ; of foes , without ; Without , within , distrest ; and , in conclusion , We are the haplesse children of confusion ; Oh , how mine eyes , the rivers of mine eyes O'reflow these barren lips , that can devise No Dialect , that can expresse or borrow Sufficient Metaphors , to shew my sorrow !

ELEG. 17. RIvers of marish teares have over-flowne My blubber'd cheeks my tongue can find no Tone So sharpe as silence , to bewaile that woe , Whose flowing Tides , an Ebbe could never know : Weepe on ( mine eyes ) mine eyes shall never cease ; Speake on ( my Tongue ) forget to hold thy peace ; Cease not thy teares ; close not thy lips so long , Til heaven shal wipe thine eles , & heare thy tongue : What heart of brasse , what Adamantine brest Can know the torments of my soule , and rest ? What stupid braine , ( ah me ! ) what marble eye Can see these , these my ruines , and not cry ?

ELEG 18. SO hath the Fowler , with his slye deceits , Beguil'd the harmelesse bird ; so with false baits , The treach'rous Angler , strikes his nibbling prey ; Even so my Foes , my guiltlesse soule betray ; So have my fierce pursuers , with close wiles Inthralled me , and gloried in my spoiles ; Where undermining plots could not prevaile , There mischiefe did with strength of arme assaile ; Thus in afflictions troubled billowes tost , I live ; but t is a life worse had , than lost : Thus , thus o'rewhelm'd , my secret soule doth cry , I am destroy'd , and there 's no helper nigh .

ELEG. 19. THou great Creator , whose diviner breath Preserves thy Creature , joyst not in his death , Looke downe from thy eternall Throne , that art The onely Rocke of a despairing heart ; Looke downe from Heaven ( O thou ) whose tender eare Once heard the trickling of one single teare ; How art thou now estranged from his cry , That sends forth Rivers from his fruitfull eye ? How often hast thou , with a gentle arme , Rais'd me from death , and bid me feare no harme : What strange disaster caus'd this sudden change , How wert thou once so neare , and now so strange !

ELEG. 20. VAnquisht by such , as thirsted for my life , And brought my soule into a legall strife , How oft hast thou ( just GOD ) maintain'd my cause And crost the sentence of their bloudie lawes ? Be still my God , be still that GOD thou wert , Looke on thy mercy , not on my desert ▪ Be thou my Iudge betwixt my foes and me ; The Advocate , betwixt my soule & Thee ; 'Gainst thee ( great Lord ) their arme they have advanc'd , And dealt that blow to thee , that thus hath glanc'd Vpon my soule ; smite those that have smit thee , And for thy sake , discharge their spleene at me .

ELEG. 21. WHat squint-ey'd scorne , what flout , what wry-mouth'd scoffe That sullen pride e're tooke acquaintance of , Hath scap'd the furie of my Foemans tongue , To doe my simple Innocencie wrong ? What day , what houre ; nay , what shorter season ; Hath kept my soule secure , from the treason Of their corrupted counsels , which dispensed Dayes , nights and houres , to conspire my end ? My sorrowes are their songs , and as slight fables , Fill up the silence of their wanton tables ; Looke downe ( just God ) & with thy powre divine Behold my Foes ; They be thy Foes , and mine .

ELEG. 22. YEt sleeps thy vengeance ? Can thy lustice be So slow to them , and yet so sharpe to me ? Dismount ( just Iudge ) from thy Tribunall Throne , And pay thy Foemen , the deserved lone Of their unjust designes ; Make fierce thy hand , And scourge thou then , as they have scourg'd my land Breake thou their Adamantine hearts , & pound them To dust , and with thy finall curse confound them ; Let horror seize their soules ; O may they bee The scorne of Nations , that have scorned thee ; O , may they live distrest , and die bereaven Of earth delights , and of the joyes of Heaven .

Threnodia . IIII.

ELEG. 1. ALas ! what alterations ! Ah , how strange Amazement flowes from such an uncouth change Ambitious Ruine ! could thy razing hand Finde ne're a subject , but the Holy Land ? Thou sacrilegious Ruine , to attempt The house of God! was not heavens house exempt From thy accursed Rape ? Ah me ! Behold , Sion , whose pavement of refulgent gold , So lately did reflect , so bright , so pure , How dimme , how drossie now , ( ah ! ) how obscure ! Her sacred stones lie scatter'd in the street , For stumbling blocks before the Levites feet .

ELEG. 2. BEhold her Princes , whose victorious browes Fame oft had crowned , with her Laurell bowes , See how they hide their shame-confounded crests , And hang their heads upon their fainting brests , Behold her Captaines , and brave men at armes , Whose spirits fired at warres loud alarmes , Like worried sheepe , how flee they from the noise Of Drummes , and startle at the Trumpets voice ! They faint , and like amazed Lyons , show Their fearefull heeles , if Chaunticleere but crow ; How are the pillars ( Sion ) of thy state Transform'd to●lay , and burnisht gold , so late !

ELEG. 3. CAn furious Dragons heare their helplesse broode Cry out , and fill their hungry lips with food ? Hath Nature taught fierce Tygers to apply The brest unto their younglings empty cry ? Have savage beasts time , place , and natures helps , To feed and foster up their idle whelpes ? And shall the tender Babes of Sion cry , And pine for food , and yet their mothers by ? Dragons , and Tygers , and all savage beasts Can feed their young , but Sion hath no breasts : Distressed Sion , more unhappie farre , Than Dragons , savage Beasts , or Tygers are !

ELEG. 4. DEath thou pursuest , if from death thou flee , Or if thou turnst thy flight , Death followes thee : Thy staffe of life is broke ; for want of bread , Thy City pines , and halfe thy Land is dead ; The son t' his father weepes , makes fruitlesse moane The father weepes upon his weeping sonne : The brother cals upon his pined brother , And both come crying to their hungry mother : The empty Babe , in stead of milke , drawes downe His Nurses teares , well mingled with his owne ; Nor change of place , nor time with help supplys thee Abroad the Sword , famine at home destroyes thee .

ELEG. 5. EXcesse , and Surfet now have left thy coast , The lavish Guest , now wants his greedie Host , No wanton Cooke prepares his poynant meate , To teach a saciate palate how to eate ; Now ●acchus pines and shakes his feeble knees , And pamp'red Envie lookes as plumpe , as Hee 's ; Discolour'd Ceres , that was once so faire , Hath lost her beauty , ●indg'd her golden haire ; Thy Princes mourne in rags , asham'd t' infold Their leaden spirits in a case of gold ; From place to place thy Statesmen wandring are ; On every dung-hill lies a man of warre .

ELEG. 6. FOule Sodome , and incestuous Gomorrow , Had my destruction , but ne're my sorrow ; Vengeance had mercy there ; Her hand did send A sharpe beginning , but a sudden end ; Iustice was milde , and with her hastie flashes They fell , and sweetly slept in peacefull Ashes ; They felt no rage of an insulting Foe , Nor Famins piching furie , as I doe ; They had no sacred Temple to defile ; Or if they had , they would have helpt to spoile ; They dy'd but once , but I , poore wretched I , Die many deaths , and yet have more to die .

ELEG. 7. GOld from the Mint ; Milke , from the uberous Cow ; Was ne're so pure in substance , nor in show , As were my Nazarites , whose inward graces Adorn'd the outward lustre of their faces ; Their faces robb'd the Lilly , and the Rose , Of red and white ; more faire , more sweet then those , Their bodies were the magazines of perfection , Their skins vnblemisht , were of pure complexion ▪ Through which , their Saphire-colour'd veines descride The Azure beauty of their naked pride ; The flaming Carbuncle was not so bright , Nor yet the rare discolour'd Chrysolite .

ELEG. 8. HOw are my sacred Nazarites ( that were The blazing Planets of my glorious Sphaere ) Obscur'd and darkned in Afflictions cloud ? Astonisht at their owne disguize , they shrowd Their foule transformed shapes , in the dull shade Of sullen darknesse ; of themselves afraid ; See , how the brother gazes on the brother , And both affrighted , start , and flie each other ; Blacke as their Fates , they cross the streets unkend , The Sire , his Son ; The friend disclaimes his frend ; They , they that were the flowers of my Land , Like withered Weeds , and blasted Hemlocke stand .

ELEG 9. IMpetuous Famine , Sister to the Sword , Left hand of Death , Childe of th' infernall Lord , Thou Tort'rer of Mankind , that with one stroake , Subject'st the world to thy imperious yoake : What pleasure tak'st thou in the tedious breath Of pined Mortals ? or their lingring death ? The Sword , thy generous brother 's not so cruell , He kills but once , fights in a noble Duell : But thou ( malicious Furie ) dost extend Thy spleene to all , whose death can find no end ; Alas ! my haplesse weale can want no woe , That feeles the rage of Sword , and famine too .

ELEG. 10. KInde is that death , whose weapons do but kill , But we are often slaine , yet dying still ; Our torments are too gentle , yet too rough , They gripe too hard , because not hard enough ; My people teare their trembling flesh , for food , And from their ragged wounds , they suck forth blood The father dies , and leaves his pined Coarse , T' inrich his Heire , with meat ; The hungry Nurse Broyles her starv'd suckling on the hastie coales , Devoures one halfe , and hides the rest in holes : O Tyrant Famine ! that compell'st the Mother , To kill one hungry Childe , to feed another ▪

ELEG. 11. LAment , O sad Ierusalem , lament ; O weepe , if all thy teares be yet unspent , Weepe ( wasted Iud●h ) let no drop be kept Vnshed , let not one teare be left , unwept ; For angry heaven hath nothing left undone , To bring thy ruines to perfection : No curse , no plague the fierce Almighty hath Kept backe , to summe the totall of his wrath ; Thy Citie burnes ; thy Sion is dispoyld ; Thy Wives are ravisht , and thy Maides defil'd ; Famine at home ; the Sword abroad destroyes thee ; Thou cry'st to heav'n , & heav'n his ●are denies thee .

ELEG. 12. MAy thy dull senses ( O unhappy Nation , Possest with nothing now , but desolation ) Collect their scatter'd forces , and behold Thy novell fortunes , ballanc'd with the old ; Couldst thou , ô could thy prosp'rous heart conceive ▪ That mortall powre , or art of State could reive Thy ' illustrious Empire of her sacred glory , And make her ruines , the Thren●dian story Of these sad times , and ages yet to be ? Envie could pine , but never hope to see Thy buildings crusht , and all that glory ended , Which Man so fortifyde , and Heav'n defended .

ELEG. 13. NE're had the splendor of thy bright renowne Beene thus extinguisht ( ludah ; ) Thy fast Crowne Had ne're beene spurn'd from thy Imperiall brow , Plenty had nurs'd thy soule , thy peacefull plough Had fill'd thy fruitfull Quarters with encrease , Hadst thou but knowne thy selfe , and loved peace ; But thou hast broke that sacred truce , concluded Betwixt thy God , and thee ; vainly deluded Thy selfe with thine own strength , with deadly feud Thy furious Priests and Prophets have pursude The mourning Saints of Sion , and did s●ay All such , as were more just , more pure , then they ,

ELEG. 14. O How the Priests of Sion , whose pure light Should shine to such , as grope in Errors night , And blaze like Lamp● ▪ before the darkned eye Of Ignorance , to raise up those that lie In dull despaire , and guide those feet that strey , Ay me ! How blinde , how darke , how dull are they ▪ Fierce rage , & fury drives them through the street , And , like to mad men , stabbe at all they meet ; They weare the purple Livery of Death , And live themselves , by drawing others breath ; Say ( wasted Sion ) could Revenge behold So foule an acted Scene as this , and hold ?

ELEG. 15. PRophets , and sacred Priests , whose tongues whilere Did often whisper in th' Eternalls eare , Disclos'd his Oracles , found ready passage Twixt God , and Man , to carry heavens Embassage , Are now the subjects of deserved scorne , Of God forsaken , and of man forlorne ; Accursed Gentiles are asham'd to know , What Sions Priests are not asham'd to doe ; They see and blush , and blushing flee away , Fearing to touch things , so defil'd as they ; They hate the filth of their abomination , And chace them forth , from their new conquer'd nation .

ELEG. 16. QVite banisht from the joyes of earth , and smiles Of heaven , and deeply buried in her spoiles , Poore Iudah lies ; unpitied , disrespected ; Exil'd the World ; of God , of Man rejected ; Like blasted eares among the fruitfull wheat , She roames disperst , and hath no certaine seat ; Her servile neck 's subjected to the yoake Of bondage , open to th' impartiall stroake Of conquering Gentiles , whose afflicting hand Smites every nooke of her disguised Land ; Of Youth respectlesse , nor regarding Yeeres , Nor Sex , nor Tribe ; like scourging Prince , & Peers ▪

ELEG. 17. REnt , and deposed from Imperiall state , ●y heavens high hand , on heaven we must await ; To him that struck , our sorrowes must appeale ; Where heaven hath smit● no hand of man can heale ; In vaine , our wounds expected mans reliefe , For disappointed hopes renew a griefe ; Aegypt opprest us in our fathers loynes , What hope 's in Aegypt ? Nay , if Aegypt joynes Her force with Iudah , our united powres Could nere prevaile 'gainst such a foe as our's ; Aegypt , that once did feele heavens scourge , for grieving , His flock , would now refinde it , for reliving .

ELEG. 18. SO , the quick-sented Beagles , in a view , O're hill , and dale , the fleeing Chase pursue , As swift-foot Death , and Ruine follow me , That flees , afraid , yet knowes not where to flee : Flee to the fields ? There , with the sword I meet ; And , like a Watch , Death stands in every street ; No covert hides from death ; no Shade , no Cells So darke , wherein not Death and Horror dwells : Our dayes are numbred , and our number 's done , The empty Houre-glasse of our glorie 's run : Our sins are summ'd , and so extreame 's the score , That heauen could not doe lesse , nor hell do more .

ELEG. 19. TO what a downfall are our fortunes come , Subjected to the suffrance of a doome , Whose lingring torments Hell could not conspire More sharp ! than which , hell needs no other fire : How nimble are our Foemen to betray Our soules ? Eagles are not so swift as they : Where shall we flee ? Or where shall sorrow finde A place for harbour ? Ah , what prosp'rous winde Will lend a gale , whose bounty ne're shall cease , Till we be landed on the I le of peace ? My foes more fierce than empty Lions are ; For hungry Lions , woo'd with teares , will spare .

ELEG. 20. VSurping Gentiles rudely have engrost Into their hands those fortunes we have lost , Devoure the fruits that purer hands did plant , Are plump and pampred with that bread we want , And ( what is worse than death ) a Tyrant treads Vpon our Throne ; Pagans adorne their heads With our lost crowns ; their powers have dis-jointed The Members of our State , and Heavens Anointed Their hands have crusht , & ravisht from his throne , And made a Slave , for Slaves to tread upon ; Needs must that flock be scattred and accurst , where wolves have dar'd to seize the Shepherd first .

ELEG. 21. WAxe fat with laughing ( Edom ; ) with glad eies Behold the fulnesse of our miseries ; Triumph ( thou Type of Antichrist ) and feed Thy soule with joy , to see thy brothers ●eed Ruin'd , and rent , and rooted from the earth , Make haste , and solace thee with early mirth ; But there 's a time shall teach●thee how to weepe As many teares as I ; thy lips , as deepe Shall drinke in sorrowes Cup , as mine have done , Till then , cheere up thy spirits , and laugh on : Offended Iustice often strikes by turnes ; Edom , ●eware , for thy next neighbour burnes .

ELEG. 22. YE drooping sonnes of Sion , O , arise , And shut the flood-gates of your flowing eyes , Surcease your sorrowes , and your joyes attend , For heaven hath spoke it , and your griefes ●●al end ; Beleeve it Sion ; seeke no curious signe , And wait heav'ns pleasure , as heav'n waited thine ; And thou triumphing Ed●m , that dost lye In beds of Roses , thou , whose prosp'rous eye Did smile , to see the Gates of Sion fall , Shalt be subjected to the selfe-fame thrall ; Sion , that weepes , shall smile ; and Edoms eye , That smiles so fast , as fast shall shortly cry .

The Prophet Ieremie his Prayer for the distressed people of Ierusalem , and Sion . GReat God , before whose all-discerning eye , The secret corners of mans heart doe lye As open as his actions , which no Clowd Of secresie can shade ; no shade can shrowd ; Behold the Teares , O , hearken to the Cryes Of thy poore Sion ; Wipe her weeping eyes , Binde up her bleeding wounds , ô thou that art The best Chirurgeon for a broken heart : See how the barb'rous Gentiles have intruded Into the Land of promise , and excluded Those rightfull Owners , from their just possessions , That wander now full laden with oppressions ; Our Fathers ( ah ) their savage hands have slaine , Whose deaths our Widdow-mothers weepe in vaine ; Our Springs , whose Christall plenty once disburst Their bounteous favours , to quench every thirst ; Our liberall Woods , whose palsie-shaken tops , To every stranger , bow'd their yeelding lops , Are sold to us , that have no price to pay , But sweat and toyle , the sorrowes of the day : Oppressors trample on our servile necks , We never cease to groane , nor they to vexe ; Famine and Dearth , haue taught our hands t' extend To Ashur , and our feeble knees to bend To churlish Pharoe : Want of bread compells Thy servants to begge Almes of Infidels ; Our wretched Fathers sinn'd , and yet they sleepe In peace , and have left us their sonnes to weepe ; We , we extracted from their sinfull loynes , Are guilty of their sinnes ; Their Ossa joynes To our high Pelion ; Ah! their crimes doe stand More firmly ' entailed to us , than our Land : We are the slaves of servants , and the scorne Of slaves , of all forsaken , and forlorne ; Hunger hath forc'd us to acquire our food , With deepest danger of our dearest blood ; Our skins are wrinckled , and the fruitlesse ploughs Of want have fallow'd up our barren browes : Within that Sion which thy hands did build , Our Wives were ravisht , and our Maids defil'd : Our savage Foe extends his barb'rous rage To all , not sparing Sexe , nor Youth , nor Age : They hang our Princes on the shamefull trees Of death ; respect no Persons , no Degrees : Our Elders are despised , whose gray hayres Are but the Index of their doting yeares ; Our flowring youth are forced to fulfill Their painfull taskes in the laborious Mill ; Our children faint beneath their loads , and cry , Opprest with burdens , under which they lie : Sages are banisht fo●● Iudiciall Courts , And youth takes no delight in youthfull sports : Our joyes are gone , and promise no returning , Our pleasure 's turnd to paine , our mirth to mourning ; Our hand hath lost her sword ; Our Head his Crowne ; Our Church her glory ; our Weale her high renowne . Lord , we have sinn'd , and these our sins have brought This world of griefe ; ( O purchase dearely bought ! ) From hence our sorrowes , and from hence our feares Proceed ; for this , our eyes are blinde with teares ; But that ( aye that ) which my poore heart doth count Her sharpest torture , is thy sacred Mount , Sacred Mount Sion ; Sion , that divine Seat of thy glory 's raz'd ; her tender Vine , Laden with swelling Clusters , is destroy'd , And Foxes now , what once thy Lambs enjoy'd . But thou ( O thou eternall God ) whose Throne Is permanent , whose glory 's ever one , Vnapt for Change , abiding still the same , Though Earth consume , & Heaven dissolve her frame , Why dost thou ( ah ! ) why dost thou thus absent Thy glorious face ? Oh , wherefore hast thou rent Thy Mercy from us ? O! when wilt thou be Atton'd to them , that have no trust but Thee . Restore us ( Lord ) and let our soules possesse Our wonted peace ; O , let thy Hand redresse Our wasted fortunes ; Let thine Eye behold Thy scattered Flock , and drive them to their Fold ; Canst thou reject that people , which thy Hand Hath chose , and planted in the promis'd Land ? O thou ( the Spring of mercy ) wilt thou send No ease to our Afflictions , no end ? The end .

AN ALPHABET OF ELEGIES , VPON The much and truly lamented death of that famous for Learning , Pietie , and true Friendship , Doctor AILMER , A great favourer , and fast friend to the Muses , and late Arch-deacon of LONDON : Imprinted in his Heart , that ever loves his Memorie .

Written by FRA : QVARLES .

Cum privilegio Amoris . Doloris .

Dignum laude virum Musa vetat mor● .

READERS ▪

GIve me leave to performe a necessary duty , which my affection owes to the bles●ed memory of that reverend Prelate , my much ●onoured Friend , Doctor Ailmer ▪ Hee was one , whose life and death made as full and perfect a Story of worth and goodnesse , as earth would suffer , and whose pregnant vertues deserve as faithfull a Register as earth can keepe : In whose happy remembrance , I have here ●●usted these Elegies to Time and your favours : Had he bin a Lampe to light me alone , my pri●ate griefes had beene sufficient ; but being a Sunne , whose beames reflected on all ; all have 〈◊〉 interest in his memory : To which end I recommend these memorialls to the publike , in testimony of my undissembled affection , and true pietie that I owe to so great an example of Vertue and Learning .

F. Q.

FVNERALL ELEGIES .

ELEG. 1. All you whose eies would learn to weepe , draw neere , And heare , what none , without full teares , and hear ▪ Come marble eyes , as marble as your hearts , I 'le teach you how to weepe a teare in parts ; And you false eyes , that never yet , let fall A teare in earnest , come , and now ye shall Send forth salt fountaines of the truest griefe , That ever sought to Language , for reliefe : But you , you tender eyes , that cannot beare An Elegie , wept forth , without a teare . I warne you hence ; or , at the most , passe by , Lest while you stay , you soone dissolve , and dye .

ELEG. 2. BVt stay : ( sad Genius ) How doe griefes transport Thy exil'd senses ? Is there no resort To forkt Parnassus sacred Mount ? No word , No thought of Helicon ? No Muse implor'd ? I did invoke , but there was none reply'd ; The nine were silent , since M●●aenas dy'd : They have forsaken their old Spring : 't is said , They haunt a new one , which their tears have made : Should I molest them with my losse ? 'T is knowne , They finde enough to re-lament their owne : I crave no ayde , no Deity to infuse New matter : Ah : True sorrow needs no Muse.

ELEG. 3. CAll back ( bright Phoebus ) your sky-wandring steeds Your day is tedious , and our sorrow needs No Sun : When our sad soules have lost their light , Why should our eyes not finde perpetuall night ? Goe to the nether world , and let your rayes Shine there : Bestow on them our share of dayes ; But say not , Why : lest when report shall show Such cause of griefe , they fall a grieving too , And pray the absence of your restlesse wayne , Which then must be return'd on us againe , Deare Phoebus graunt my suit ; if thou denie 't , My teares shall blinde me , and so make a night .

ELEG. 4. DEath , art thou growne so nice ? can nothing please Thy curious palate , but such Cates as these ? Or hath thy ravenous stomach beene o'represt With common diet at thy last great feast ? 1625 Or hast thou fed so neere that there is none Now left but delicates to feed upon ? Or was this dish so tempting , that no power Was left in thee , to stay another hower ? Or didst thou feed by chance , and not observ'd What food it was , but tooke as Fortune carv'd ? 'T is done . Be it or Fortunes act or thine , It fed the one , whose want made Millions pine .

ELEG. 5. ENvie now burst with joy , and let thine eyes Strut forth with fatnesse : let thy collops rise Pampred and plump : Feed full for many yeares Vpon our losse : Be drunken with our teares : For he is dead , whose soule did never cease To crosse and violate your malitious peace : He 's dead ; but in his death hath overthrowne More vices , than his happy life had done : In life he taught to dye ; and he did give In death , a great example how to live : Though he be gone , his fame is left behinde : Now leave thy laughing Envie , and be pin'd .

ELEG. 6. FArewell those eyes , whose gentle smiles forsooke No misery , taught Charity how to looke : Farewell those cheerefull eyes , that did e'rewhile ▪ Teach succour'd misery how to blesse a smile : Farewell those eyes whose mixt aspect , of late , Did reconcile humility and state : Farewell those eyes , that to their joyfull guest , Proclaim'd their ordinary fare , a feast ; Farewell those eyes , the load-stars , late , whereby The graces ●ail'd secure , from eye to eye : Farewell deare eyes , bright Lamps ; ô who can tell Your glorious welcome , or our sad farewell !

ELEG. 7. GOe glorious Saint ! I knew 't was not a shrine Of flesh , could lodge so pure a soule as thine ▪ I saw it labour ( in a holy scorne Of living dust and ashes ) to be sworne A heavenly Quirifter : It sigh'd and groan'd To be dissolv'd from mortall , and enthron'd Among his fellow Angells , there to sing Perpetuall Anthems to his heavenly King : He was a stranger to his house of Clay ; Scarce own'd it , but that necessary stay Miscall'd it his : And onely zeale did make Him love the building for the builders sake .

ELEG. 8. HAd vertue , learning , the Diviner Arts , Wit , judgement , wisdome , ( or what other parts That make perfection , and returne the minde As great as Earth can suffer ) beene confin'd To earth , had they the Patent to abide Secure from change , our Ailmer ne're had dy'de : Fond earth , forbeare and let thy childish eyes Ne're weep for him ▪ thou ne're knew'st how to prize Shed not a teare , blinde earth ; for it appeares Thou never lov'dst our Ailmer by thy teares : Or if thy flouds must needs oreflow their brim , Lament , lament thy blindenesse , and not him .

ELEG. 9. I Wondred not to heare so brave an end , Because I knew , who made it , could contend With death , and conquer , and in open chace Would spit defiance in his conquered face ; And did : Dauntlesse he trod him underneath , To shew the weaknesse of unarmed death : Nay , had report , or niggard Fame denyde His name , it had beene knowne 't was Ailmer dyde ▪ It was no wonder , to heare rumor tell , That he which dyde so oft , once dyde so well : Great Lord of life , how hath thy dying breath Made man , whom death had conquerd , conquer death ▪

ELEG. 10. KNowledge ( the depth of whose unbounded maine Hath bin the wreck of many a curious braine , And from her ( yet unreconciled ) schooles Hath fill'd us with so many learned fooles ) Hath tutor'd thee with rules that cannot erre , And taught thee how to know thy selfe , and her ; Furnisht thy nimble soule , in height of measure , With humane riches and divinest treasure , From whence , as from a sacred spring , did flow Fresh Oracles , to let the hearer know A way to glory ; and to let him see , The way to glory , is to studie thee .

ELEG. 11. LOoke how the body of heavens greater light In●iches each beholder with his bright And glorious rayes , untill the envious West Too greedy to enjoy so faire a guest , Calls him to bed , where ravisht from our sight , He leaves us to the solemne frownes of night ; Even so our Sun in his harmonious spheare Enlightned every eye , rapt every eare , Till in the earely sunset of his yeares He dyde , and left us that survive , in teares ; And ( like the Sun ) in spight of death and fate , He seemed greatest in his lowest state .

ELEG. 12. MOlest me not , full sighes and flowing teares , You stormes & showres of nature : stop your eares , Fond flesh and bloud , against the strong temptation Of fullen griefe , and sense-bereaving passion : Cease to lament ; Let not thy slow pac'd numbers Disturbe his rest , that so , so sweetly slumbers ; The child of virtue is asleepe , not dead ; He dies , alone , whom death hath conquered : Why should we shed a teare for him ? or why Lament we , whom we rather should envie ? He lives ; he lives a life , shall never tast A change , so long as Crownes of glory last .

ELEG. 13. NO , no , he is not dead ; The mouth of fame , Honors shrill Herald , would preserve his name , And make it live in spight of death and dust , Were there no other heaven , no other trust . He is not dead : The sacred Nine deny , The soule that merits fame , should ever dye : He lives ; and when the latest breath of fame Shall want her Trumpe , to glorifie a name , He shall survive and these selfe closed eyes , That now lie slumbring in the dust , shall rise , And fill'd with endlesse glory , shall enjoy The perfect vision of eternall joy .

ELEG 14. O But the dregs of flesh and bloud ! How close They grapple with my soule , and interpose Her higher thoughts ; which , yet but young of wing , They cause to stoope and strike at every thing ; Passion present● before their weakned eye , Iudgement and better reason standing by : I must lament , Nature commands it so : The more I strive with teares , the more they flow ; These eyes have just , nay double cause of mone , They weepe the common losse ; they weep their own : He sleepes Indeed ; then give me leave to weepe Teares fully answerable to his sleepe .

ELEG. 15. PArdon my teares , if they be too too free , And if thou canst not weepe , I 'le pardon thee , Dull Stoick ; If thou laugh to heare his death , I 'le weep , that thou wert borne to spend that breath Thou dry-brain'd Portick , whose Ahenian brest , ( Transcending passion ) never was opprest With griefe ; O had your flinty Sect but lost So rare a prize , as we lament and boast , Your hearts had crost your Tenet , and disburst As many drops as we have done , or burst ; No marvell , that your marble braines could crosse Her lawes , that never gave you such a losse .

ELEG. 16. QVicke-sould Pythagoras , O thou that wert So many men , and didst so oft revert From shades of death , ( if we may trust to Fame ) With losse of nothing but thy buried name ; Hadst thou but liv'd in this our Ailmers time , Thou wouldst have dyde once more , to live in him ; Or had our Ailmer in those daies of thine , But dyde , and left so glorious , so divine A soule as his , how would thy hasty br●st Have gasp'd to entertaine so faire a guest ! Which if obtained , had ( no doubt ) supplyde thee With that immortall state thy Sire denyde thee .

ELEG. 17. RAre soule , that now sits crowned in that Quire Of endlesse joy , fill'd with coelestiall fire ; Pardon my teares that in their passion would Recall thee from thy Kingdome , if they could ; Pardon , O pardon my distracted zeale ; Which , if condemn'd by reason , must appeale To thee , whose now lamented death , whose end Confirm'd the deare affection of a friend ; Permit me then to offer at thy herse These fruitles teares , which if they prove to fierce O pardon , you , that know the price of friends ; For teares are just , that nature recommends .

ELEG. 18. SO may the faire aspect of pleased heaven Conforme my noone of daies , & crowne their even ; So may the gladder smiles of earth present My fortunes with the height of jo●s , content ; As I lament , with unaffected breath , Our losse ( deare Ailmer ) in thy happy death : May the false teare , that 's forc'd , or slides by Art , That hath no warrant from the soule , the heart , Or that exceeds not natures faint commission , Or dares ( unvented ) come to composition ; O , may that teare in stricter judgement rise Against those false , those faint , those flattring eyes .

ELEG. 19. THus to the world ▪ and to the spacious eares Of fame , I b●azon my unboasted teares ; Thus to thy sacred dust , thy Vrne , thy Herse I consecrate my sighes , my teares , my verse ; Thus to thy soule , thy name , thy just desert I offer up my joy , my love , my heart ; That earth may know , and every eare that heares , True worth and griefe were parents to my teares : That earth may know thy dust , thy Vrne , thy herse Brought forth & bred my sighes , my teares , my verse ; And that thy soule , thy name , thy just desert , Invites , incites my joy , my love , my heart .

ELEG. 20. VNconstant earth ! why doe not mortalls cease To build their hopes upon so short a lease ? Vncertaine lease , whose terme , but once begun , Tells never when it ends , till it be done : We dote upon thy smiles , not knowing why : And whiles we but prepare to live , we dye : We spring like flowers , for a daies delight , At noone , we flourish , and we ●ade at night : We toile for kingdomes , conquer Crownes , & then We that were Gods but now , now lesse than men : If wisdome , learning , knowlege cannot dwell Secure from change , vaine bubble earth , farewell .

ELEG. 21. WOuldst thou , when death had done deserve a story Should staine the memory of great Pompeyes glory ? Conquer thy selfe ; example be thy guide ; Dye just as our selfe-conquering Ailmer dyde , Woldst thou subdue more kingdomes , gain mo crowns Than that brave Hero Caesar conquer'd townes ? Then conquer death ; Example be thy guide : Die just as our death-conquering Ailmer dyde : But woldst thou win more worlds , than he had done Kingdomes , that all the earth hath over-runne ? Then conquer heaven ; example be thy guide ; Die just as our heaven-conquering Ailmer dyde .

ELEG. 22. YEares , fully laden with their months , attend Th' expired times acquitance , and so end : Months gone their dates of numbered daies require Bright Cyn●●ia's full discharge , and so expire ; Dayes deepely ag'd with houres , lose their light , And having runne their stage , conclude with night : And howers chac'd with light-foot minutes , flye , Tending their labour to a new supply ; Yet Ailmers glory never shall diminish , Though yeares and months , though daies & howers finish ▪ Yet Ailmers joyes for ever shall extend , Though yeares , & months , though daies and howers end . FINIS D●loris nullus ▪

His Epitaph . ASke you , why so many a teare Bursts forth ; I 'le tell you in your eare : Compell me not to speake aloud , Death would then be too too proud ; Eyes that cannot vye a teare , Forbeare to aske , you may not heare : Gentle hearts , that overflow Have onely priviledge to know : In these sacred ashes , then , Know ( Reader ) that a man of men Lyes covered : Fame and lasting glory Make deare mention of his story : Nature when she gave him birth , Op'd her treasure to the earth , Put forth the modell of true merit , Quickned with a higher spirit : Rare was his life ; His latest breath Saw , and scorn'd , and conquer'd death : Thanklesse Reader , never more Vrge a why , when teares runne ore : When you saw so high a Tyde , You might haue knowne , 't was Ailmer dyde , Obijt , Ian. vj. MDCXXV . Vivet post funera Virtus .

Notes, typically marginal, from the original text

Notes for div A10252-e136560