Seuen poems diuine, morall, and satyricall : the [brace] viz. Celestiall publican, Spirituall sea-fight, World, Flesh, Vicious courtier, Iesuite, Deuill : together with sundry epitaphs and epigrams / by N.R. Gent. Richards, Nathanael, ca. 1600-1652. This text is an enriched version of the TCP digital transcription A10731 of text S4444 in the English Short Title Catalog (STC 21010.3). Textual changes and metadata enrichments aim at making the text more computationally tractable, easier to read, and suitable for network-based collaborative curation by amateur and professional end users from many walks of life. The text has been tokenized and linguistically annotated with MorphAdorner. The annotation includes standard spellings that support the display of a text in a standardized format that preserves archaic forms ('loveth', 'seekest'). Textual changes aim at restoring the text the author or stationer meant to publish. This text has not been fully proofread Approx. 106 KB of XML-encoded text transcribed from 69 1-bit group-IV TIFF page images. EarlyPrint Project Evanston,IL, Notre Dame, IN, St. Louis, MO 2018 A10731 STC 21010.3 ESTC S4444 24419006 ocm 24419006 27648 2240946746

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 Early English books online. (EEBO-TCP ; phase 2, no. A10731) Transcribed from: (Early English Books Online ; image set 27648) Images scanned from microfilm: (Early English books, 1475-1640 ; 1824:15) Seuen poems diuine, morall, and satyricall : the [brace] viz. Celestiall publican, Spirituall sea-fight, World, Flesh, Vicious courtier, Iesuite, Deuill : together with sundry epitaphs and epigrams / by N.R. Gent. Richards, Nathanael, ca. 1600-1652. [134] p. For Roger Michell, dwelling in Charterhouse-lane, Printed at London : 1631. Signatures: A² B-I⁸ K¹. Contains engraved portrait of Richards inserted as frontispiece; portrait actually taken from Richards' "The tragedy of Messalina", 1640.--Cf. NUC pre-1956 imprints. Imperfect: tightly bound with slight loss of print. Reproduction of original in the Harvard University Library. eng eebo Seuen poems diuine, morall, and satyricall : the [brace] viz. Celestiall publican, Spirituall sea-fight, World, Flesh, Vicious courtier, Iesuite, Deui Richards, Nathanael, 1631 138 17520 61 0 0 0 0 0 34.82 C The rate of 34.82 defects per 10,000 words puts this text in the C category of texts with between 10 and 35 defects per 10,000 words. 2011-02 Assigned for keying and markup 2011-02 Keyed and coded from ProQuest page images 2011-04 Sampled and proofread 2011-04 Text and markup reviewed and edited 2011-06 Batch review (QC) and XML conversion

portrait of Nathanael Richards

SVSPICE . CAELVM . DESPICE . MVNDVM . RESPICE . FINEM . SENTIT E. SVPERA . NON . TERRESTR

Vera , ac viva Effigies .

NATHANAELIS RICHARDS Gen:

TR sculp :

Seuen Poems . Diuine , Morall , and Satyricall . viz. The Celestiall Publican . Spirituall Sea-fight . World . Flesh . Vicious Courtier . Iesuite . Deuill . Together with sundry Epitaphs and Epigrams .

By N.R. Gent.

Coelum Cupio .

Printed at London for Roger Michell , dwelling in Charterhouse-lane . 1631.

TO THE HEAVENLY LOVER OF DIVINE POEMS . GOod Bookes , Good Minds best please , where bad Mindes be , Desert shall still be raild at , Vice passe free , Enuie , Debate , Pride , Flatterie , and a whore ; The Vicious minded Foole mindes nothing more . Harlots , for hot sinne-offerings shall finde Fauour , and Friends , to them the World is kinde , But when the wealth of Soules , in Vertues Line Leuells Man's crooked Thoughts , to thoughts Diuine . 'T is sleighted then ; Most Worldlings , like false Friends Loue not for Vertue , but their owne base Ends. Times Lordly Churle , deepe read , in Errors Schoole , Esteemes Plaine-Dealing , but a Vertuous Foole : Therefore to thee , whose Sacred Soule desires Celestiall Solace , Heauenly Holy fires . To thy Religious thoughts , apt to preuent , And fly from Sinne ; to thee I this present . Here 's no Luxurious Verse to please the Eares Of Whorish Mindes ( stranger to blessed Teares . ) No Court-Confounding Complement , nor stile Of feigned Poesie , nor base Flatries Guile : Soule-suffering Griefe for sinne , I here expresse ; Wishing to All , Immortall happinesse . True Penitence gaines Heau'n ; throwes Sinners downe To raise them vp to an Immortall Crowne . Deuoted to Your Vertues , NATHANAEL RICHARDS .
THE CELESTIALL PVBLICAN . I That haue imperfections on my head , Past Starres in number , or those sands that spread The vast Seas bottome ; shall not I confesse , How oft 'gainst God , I desp'rately transgresse , Put off Repentance still from day to day , Abuse his Mighty Patience , still delay His dread Command ; And like a senselesse Sot , Vnmindefull of his Mercies , minde them not : No sooner doe I finde a good thought take me , But from that Vertue , Flesh and Blood doe shake me ; The longer life , the more I sinne , and fall From bad to worse , from worse to worst of all . Let others boast their goodnesse , for my part , Wretch that I am , I haue a sinnefull Heart . So tyde and bound , fetter'd and chain'd within So strong a Prison ; such a Maze of sinne , That 't is as farre vnlikely for me worme E're to winde out , as for to raise a Storme , Or slacke a Tempest ; Workes of Wonder stand , Farre from the Reach of Mortals weake command , None but the Hand of God , his speciall Grace , Can pull me forth the Dungeon of disgrace . 'T is God that frees poore Man from all the Vices Of this Worlds wicked villanous Entices . And shall I then , in impious wayes vneuen Offend so good a God ; Defend me Heauen . My trembling Conscience tels me , I haue beene A very fearefull Sinner , Slaue to sinne ; Of all Men , most vnworthy of Saluation ; My sinnes deserue Heauens wrath , Hell & damnation , Yet Mercy , Mercy Lord , Mercy I craue , Shield my sad soule from th' infernall Graue . * Strangle my growing sinnes in their beginning , * Demollish Lord in me Custome in sinning . * For that is such a kinde of desp'rate thing * Men dreame not on ; O 't is a damned sting ! * And thus it creepes on vs ; thoughts that are bent * To Euill , get Delight , Delight Consent , * Consent drawes Action , Action Custome breedes , Simile . * And as the Sick-Man , ( whom his owne death feedes ) * Custome at large , takes sense of sinne away , * Sends soules to Hell , when 't is too late to pray , The Doome supernall neuer findes returne , To call thee backe to Grace ; thinke on 't , or burne . Thinke Heau'ns sweete , siluer , Saints-Bell , toles all in , To fright thee eu'ry Morne from vggly sinne . Let Mercy , eu'ry Euening ( which do's keepe Thee from Day-dangers , Death resembling sleepe ) Be to thy soule a Prayer Booke , t'imprint Teares in thine Eyes ; Griefe in thy Heart of flint . Be it so , heauenly Father , vnto me , To me , and eu'ry one ; Make vs to see And shunne Sinnes Custome ; with thy sacred wings Guard vs from Danger , Blessed King of Kings , Thou that at Home , abroad , at Sea , on land , Here , there , and eu'ry where , didst euer stand , My sure Protector , 'gainst griefes infinite , Danger , the Iawes of Famine , Worlds despight , Sicknesse , sad discontent , when I and Care , Shooke hands with sorrowes Minion deepe despaire , At that most wretched Time ( my thoughts lockt vp Beyond all hope of helpe ; ) then Mercies Cup I freely tasted ; blessed be thy Name To me ( my Gratious God , ) proue still the same . In my Extreames of griefe , I call'd on thee , Mercifull God , and thou didst set me free , Thou wert my onely Comfort in distresse , Food , Rayment , all my Cure in heauinesse , My true Physitian in vnruly madnesse , Celestiall Musicke , in my sadest sadnesse , Though all the World forsake me , God is kinde , He solace giues to my disconsolate minde , O be the same for euer , may no ill Seduce my soule to disobay thy will . While others carelesse of their Soules true health Greedie ( like Hell ) hunger for worldly wealth , Preferment , Pride , th' insatiate Diuell , Lust , Luxurious Fare , and vainely put their trust In glassie Glory , couzening State behauiour , In valour Conquest , and Monarchall fauour . While Soules thus erre , O thou the Lord of light , Make me Heauen 's Champion , Vertues Fauourite . * Field Honor 's but a Vapour , the sound brest * Puts on Church Armour ; Faith , and sleights the rest . * In loue to Vertue , and true godly feare , * Dwells Honour , not in Darts , Bow , Sling or Speare , * Not in vaine Beautie , Strength , the Pride of Wit , * Presuming Riches , Learning , Valour , Credit , * High Birth , Nobilitie , nor Grauitie , * Humanitie , nor yet Virginitie ; * But in the Humble Soule , whom holy Storie * Speakes , to maintaine God , and the Gospels Glorie , * The King , and Kingdomes safety , Churches Peace , * The Virgins Right , Widdowes , and Fatherlesse : * These are the Noble steps which euer waite * On Vertues Court , 't is the true way of State * That neuer failes ( as sacred Scripture saith ) * The humble , meeke , Religious Knights of Faith . O Heau'nly Father , giue me Grace to fly Delight in sinne , or suffer me to dye : * Pleasures are poysons to this Soule of mine , * There 's no true Ioy on earth ; but what 's diuine . Lord , teach me for to prize this world at naught , Vpon thy Blessednesse be all my thought . * Make me ( my God ) in hate to impure liues , * Kicke at that Life , which Life of Heau'n depriues . Make me to feele , those wonted holy fires , Which rapt my soule in sanctifid● desires , ( Rauisht all sense ) and with admir'd amaze , Expos'd me , to that blessed burning blaze Of glorious contemplation ; thoughts diuine Simile . Then like Heauens Tapers in my Soule did shine ; But now that Glory failes ; my soule hath seru'd Folly so long ; 't is readie to be steru'd . Darke sinnes desire hath dimm'd the Christall sight , Of Meditation , turn'd my Day to Night , To dismall Night ; where onely I may see My selfe alone , stand like a desolate Tree Forsaken of all her Leaues ; the Fruite dead , And eu'ry Branch of comfort withered . Naked performance , of Heauens sacred Word , Pulls Hell on me ; Me thinkes the flaming sword , Of Gods iust vengeance , houer's o're my head , Simile . Th' Element burnes , the starres like molten Lead Threaten destruction ; while distressed I , Like a condemned wretch sentenc'd to die , Stand quaking at the Horrour , dreadfull woe Shiuers my sinfull soule . What shall I doe ? Pitty me King of Thunder , Heau'n , and Earth , Mercifull Maker ; thou that didst giue me Birth , Thou that canst muster Angels in the skie , To safegard soules from blacke impietie , Thou that dost feede , and clothe , and still perseuer To giue me Health , be mercifull for euer . I that am poore , weake , feeble , and too apt By the worlds whorish wayes to be entrapt : I that am slothfull , dull , and negligent , Vnmindfull of thy dread Commandement , Beseech thy pardon , forgiue my coldnesse In seruing thee ; pardon that sinfull boldnesse . Pardon all idle prate ; sinnes rotten talke , Let not my steppes tread that accursed walke Which leades to lewdnesse , base delight in Pleasure , Desire of Pompe , Vaine-glory , Tott'ring Treasure . Deale not , O deale not with me as my merit Truely deserues ; driue out the vggly spirit Of all vncleannesse from my filthy flesh , ( My drooping soule with sanctitie refresh . ) Shrowd me beneath thy sacred Countenance , Giue me thy Seruant Dauids Repentance , The Patiency of Job , Paul's Puritie , And soule-afflicted Peters weeping eye : With holy Teares , Lord , make me to reiect The sinne I ( sinne-sicke sinner ) most affect . Heare me ( Miraculous Maiestie ) and giue A Period to my cares , let me not liue Frustrate of heau'nly thoughts ; O send redresse ( Thou bidst me write ) keepe me from Idlenesse , From all ill Company , All waies vniust , Sinne , Satan , and the Laborynth of Lust , Simile . * Like Joseph ( Mighty Maker ) make me fly * The tempting Baites of Beauties burning Eye . * Diuert my sad distressed soule from vice , * And Rauish me with loue of Paradice . * Let not my wand'ring Eyes swimme in the fire * Of Lust-stung lookes ; nor let the loose desire * Of womans naked Paps , burne out mine Eyes * With sencelesse gazing ; make me to despise * All base desires , sinnes of ill-gouern'd youth , * All wicked Customes , gainst thy sacred Truth . Suffer me , Worme vnworthy , not in vaine To call on thee , let me some comfort gaine Or kneele for euer ; happie man were I To kneele , and pray , and praying thus to die . My Armes are spread , come sempeternall Essence , Rauish my soule ; come blessed penitence , Giue me a thousand stabs ; my soule has need Of many thousand Teares ; then let it bleed Pierce , pierce my stubborne Heart ; make that the Inne Of Grace , which yet is but the house of sinne . At my dull follies I 'le no longer wincke , Sorrow shall be my Pen , sad Teares my Incke , Misery my Paper , whereon I 'le write The sorrowes of my soule , my Youth's delight , My Paths of Pleasure , prodigall expences , My scarlet Crimes , and all my blacke offences . This Booke I 'le Dedicate vnto my Heart , My Heart , chiefe Actor , in sinnes Tragicke part , My Heart vnprincely , Reuelling within My Body , that Banquetting House of sinne . There chain'd to th' Magicke Musicke of free-will , Riots in poyson'd pleasures , lewdly ill . All that belongs to th' Body eu'ry part , ( My soule alone excepted ) serues my Heart , Best pleas'd , and best at ease with pleasures Bane , Most glad , to be most bad , and in that vaine Traitor to Truth , Each Limme a Mortall Foe , To worke my vniuersall ouerthrow , And to that end , with rude insatiate eyes , Runne all a whoring after vanities , Soule-damning Banquets , Pompe , bewitching ioy , Forsake eternall Glory for a Toy ; Debarring hope of Heau'n , and sweete Saluation , For moment pleasure , licorish damnation . O false , false Heart , false to thy dearest friend , Wound me no more , for pittie make an End . ● pittie thy blacke life , nor can forbeare For thee , to shed , many a bleeding Teare . Thou art my foe , and yet to see thee feed Fat for Hells shambles my poore soule do's bleed . Bleeds inward , vndiscern'd of any Eye , Except my God , and my owne misery . What shall I doe ? faine would I shunne the sinne My frailty most delights to wander in : And yet I cannot ; when I striue gainst vice To stand most firme , I 'me tript vp in a trice . * Oh what a misery 't is to haue a minde * For to be truly honest , well inclinde * And not to be suffer'd ; such is the state , * Of my sad bleeding soule vnfortunate . Poore soule , that liues like Fortunes foot-ball tost , In hazard eu'ry minute to be lost , Simile . As is the ship 'mong Rocks , steerd by the skill Of an imperfect Pilats desp'rate will . Simile . Which , like a fruitlesse naught respected fly , Carelesse of danger , paine or misery , Cutting the Ayre , flies at selfe-will so fast , Till in the Spiders web 't is caught at last . So pleasure , soothing pleasure , doth beguile , The sinfull Body with her couert guile , Being the onely cause , when life for breath During her short space , vainly striues gainst death , Simile . Then like a mast-lesse Barke in stormy weather , The soule driues vp & downe , it knowes not whether , At last , for life misse-led , ( sinnes that excell ) Body and soule at once , Iumpe into Hell . * O thou the King , of those eternall fires * Which spangle Heauen ; good God grant my desires * Infuse in me thy Grace , or I shall stray * And so become a fearefull Cast-away . * Helpe , or I sinke , belowe the lowe degree , * Of sinnes extreamest infelicitie . * Come , come Lord Iesus , O come thou and giue * Helpe to my helplesse soule ; I that doe liue ●imile . Like the distressed Bird , trapt in a Snare , Caught by a lime-twig flying from the Ayre ; In which distresse , for comforts sweete reliefe , Poore Innocent , with wings adds woe , to griefe , So fares my soule , striuing sinnes snare to fly Forc'd by deceit , liues snar'd in penury . Accompaned with comfortlesse despaire , With sobs , and grones , and selfe-consuming care Simile . In Sable sorrow sits , there sighs , and mournes , Wastes , and consumes , like a spent Taper burnes Onely for a slash , ready to goe out , With multitude of sinnes circl'd about . The very thought do's shake me , and the feare Simile . Rowze my flint Heart , that like a frighted Deere Amazed stands ; attaints mine eyes of treason , Those eyes exclaime , against the eyes of reason , The eye of reason , blames their wanton sight As ouer rul'd by foolish appetite , Each guilty of their fault , to sinne stand thrall , No Limme but helps , th' oppressed soule to fall , * Man at the best , his vertu's very little , * His state a Bubble , at the strong'st most brittle , Simile . * Mans life is like a Game at Tables , where * A good chance happ'ning ; if you doe not there * Mend it with some good play ; the sad Games losse * Will vexe thy grieued soule , proue the sole crosse * To all thy comforts ; All quietnesse than Simile . * Leaues thee ; and like a drunken seruing-man , * Which at his masters most need goes astray , * Is euer sure , still to be out o' th way . What shall I doe ? Where , whether shall I fly ? Here , there , I know not where , lie downe and dye , Vp soule to Heau'n , there get a glorious Crowne , I am too weake , too vile , sinne puls me downe O my vnworthinesse , my shame , my sinne When shall I shake thee of , when , when beginne , No ; wilt not bee , can I not doe the good I would ? Must I be rul'd by flesh , and blood ? Weepe on , weepe on , dissolue hard heart of flint , Melt , melt thou stony rocke , Teares neuer stint Drop Marble Mount , drop to a crimson flood , Sinke my sinnes in Seas of penitent blood . Come folded Armes , and you sad Eyes , sad Heart , Come Soule opprest with sorrow , play thy Part , Haste to some gloomy-groue , there all alone On the greene mantled Earth , sigh , sob , and grone , Spend pretious time , with sacred thoghts that beares Heau'n in their Eyes , true Vertue in their teares , Complaine I will to fortune , not that whore Which makes leane art , & pale-fac'd wisdome poore , I le not complaine to her ; but to that En● Almighty Fortune ; in diuinest sense , Groueling on Earth for sinne ; I le cast forth groanes , Sighes shall conuert to Teares ; Teares into moanes , Then will I start , from ground my Body raise Shoote mine Eyes vpward ; against Heau'n I 'le gaze Thinke on my God ; my God , whose sacred Will I haue abus'd ; my God most iust to kill Damne Soule , and Body , my rememb'rance blot Out of the Booke of Life , I that forgot ( In midst of all vaine ioyes , Intemp'rate healths Loose wanton chambering lasciuious stealths . ) All-seeing Heauen ; a God so good , so great , He that to feed vs with Spirituall meate , The Natiuitie of Christ . Tooke humane shape ; came downe from Heau'n , to Earth Enter'd the World ; at whose soule-sauing Birth The euerlasting gates of Mercy stood Open to all ; His houre of flesh and blood , Turn'd night to day , Heau'ns glittering Angell came And to poore men , poore sheepheards did proclaime ▪ A Sauiour borne , sinnes fury to controule , Neuer was such sweet musicke to the soule , Before his comming ; the Natiuitie Of Christ brings mortals firme felicitie . * Milde was his Birth ; his Life creations wonder , * His death , deaths terror ; O thou God of thunder , * Master of mans saluation , all the Earth * Reapt plenitude of Ioy , when thou tookst Birth , * Mortalls were bigge with sinne , villany ripe , * Hells dreadfull Dragon , ready for to gripe * Soules in his vggly pawes ; But then stept in * Our Sauiour ; he redeemd lost soules , whose sinne * Gaue them to death eternall ; blessed houre , * Blessed Natiuitie , thrice blessed powre , * Me thinkes at thought of thy Natiuitie , * I lie perfum'd in Immortalitie . When Christ was borne , all were new borne agen , Nere came like Musicke to the hearts of Men : Angels for ioy , clap their Celestiall Wings , And eu'ry Saint , eu'ry Crownd Martyr Sings ( Magnifico Deum ) to mortalls peace The calme of Conscience , and shall mortals cease Their glad expressions ? No , let hate to vice Dissolue sinnes cloud ; Eccho to Paradice Our Sauiours welcome , let vs neuer more Simile . Lie downe to our dishonours like a whore Dead to good councell ; neuer let darke deedes Defile the Soule ; Le ts roote vp all the seedes Of Pride , Lust Enuie , Hatred , and in place Plant wisedome , meeke humility and grace . * Christs Glory came cloathd in humility , * To teach our Hell-bred Pride , Ciuility . * Borne of a Virgin , came to the world a stranger * His Palace an Oxe-stall , his Bed a Manger : O're whose obscure aboad , Heau'ns Taper shinde ; And to the soules of wisest Men diuinde Great Natures wonder ; pointed them the way To finde the worlds Redeemer ; they obay Made towards that fixed starre which in the skie Was the blest Virgin Maries Canopie . To Beth-lehem they came ; there with hearts glad Ador'd the King of Glory , poorely clad . Nor could blood thirstie Herods strict command , Nor bloody butchering of Babes withstand His blessed Birth ; whose admiration brings Ioy to the world ; blest be that King of Kings , He that to cure sinnes Leaporous disease A Heauenly Progresse fetcht , the Geste these :

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The Adamant of Glory . CHRIST'S Setting forth from 's Celestiall PALACE , Lodg'd in the Virgins Wombe ; from that blest PLACE , To th' Manger went ; from Manger to the Crosse ; From Crosse departed ( with his deare Blouds losse ) Vnto the SEPVLCHER ; there made all euen , And so Return'd , Gloriously Home to HEAVEN . To HEAV'N , from whence LORD let thy SACRED FIRE , GLISTER vpon my SOVLE , whose sole Desire , Begges MERCY for my Sinnes , makes knowne to THEE , THOV that hast RAVIHST ALL , hast Rauisht Me.

The Passion of Christ . Thirty three yeeres , Christs sanctity did were The Cloth of our Redemption , and did beare Times heauy yoake of crosses , that we might , With ease sustaine all wrongs ; in him delight Simile . * Like Martyr'd Stephen , whose lowd crying grones * Gain'd Heau'n i th' middle of a storme of stones . * Loue lead him on ; in Death this Saint was Taster , * And first , that follow'd his Immortall Master * Christ Crucifide ; whom none that truly heares , * But sure 't will thawe their frozen hearts to teares . * Christs whole Life was a Martyrdome , and Crosse , * Actiue , and Passiue , and his deare bloods losse * The Tragicke Part , the bloody Sceane which none * But he himselfe must Act , and Act alone . Alone for vs , ( Heau'ns Glorious Lampe of Grace Grou'ling on Earth ) fell on his sacred Face , He that is euer Lord of Mercies seate , Water'd the Garden Cedron with the sweate Of bloody Browes , and Body ; heauinesse , And deadly sorrow , seiz'd his blessednesse : A kisse betray'd him , and a periur'd lie , Was the Reward for all his puritie , ●n scorne , this Prince of Heau'n was buffetted , Spighted , spitted at , Extreamly scourged , Yet Torture ne'r mou'd him ; he was silent , In all his bitter suffrings patient . Neuer did Earthly King , ( free from annoy ) Receiue his Crowne , nor with a greater ioy Went to his Coronation Dignifide As Glories King ; went to be Crucifide . In him the Iewes derided Maiestie , Condemned Innocence , scourg'd Pietie , * Head , Hands , Side , Feet , they to the Crosse did Fi● * Made him all o're a bloody Crucifixe . Simile . * Satan and Death like sawcie serieants went * To seize on him ; to sheere that Innocent * Blest Lambe of God ; But he who was to saue * All that belieu'd ; they had no power to shaue , * His Patience , Death , and Diuels force did quell * He tooke the Great Leuiathan of Hell * With the hooke of his Crosse ; made him his slaue * Captiu'd the Diuell , and subdued the Graue , Simile . * Like a long lookt for Booke , Christ in the Presse Was kept , to come in Print forth , for to blesse * Our soules with that Saluation which do's giue * New Life , whereby Eternally wee liue .

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INRI .

The Key of Heauen . ●are Sauiour sweet , sweet was thy deare Compassion , ●arely exprest in that most bitter PASSION ; ●hen whipt and scourg'd , thou mildly suffer'dst all , ●owes , Buffets , Blasphemies , VIN'GER and GALL , ●ulting Foes Reproach , Mockes , Scoffings , Scorne , ●y SINEWES to be Rackt , thy BODY Torne . Suffer'dst the Crowne of Thornes t' empale thy Braine , Which downe thy Checkes forc'd showres of Bloud to raine : Suffer'dst the piercing LAVNCE , that like a FLOVD Sluc'd , from thy wounded Side , thy pretious BLOVD Nayl'd to the Crosse ; there CHRIST lost Soules to winne , Suffer'd , the World 's huge pond'rous weight of Sinne. Heau'ns Wrath , Hel's Rage , On CHRIST , all Torments fell To saue our Soules from those blew flames in Hell . 〈◊〉 which th' amazed EARTH with horrour shooke , ●arkenesse possest the WORLD , Day Light forsooke .

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INRI .

The Key of Heauen . Her wonted course ; the Sunne obscur'd his Lig●● At Death of IESVS CHRIST ; that bloudy sig●● Made HELL to quake ; Diuels with Admiratio● Tremble to see the Cause of MANS Saluatio● Oh the rich thought , strike , strike amazing Thund●● Shake Natures Frame ; this impious Age with wond●● CAN muddie Mortals minde their Actuall EVILLS , And not Christs SVFF'RINGS ? ( Such resemble Deuils : ) HAPPY the MAN , whose sacred SOVLE is bent , FOR Christ's ENDVRINGS , firmely to REPENT , What Tongue ? What Pen ? Not all Man's Wit can tell : CHRIST'S Torments ; they exceeded paines in Hell : And all for MAN , Ingratefull , wretched MAN , Are we not bound , to loue and feare Him than ? O , yes , to spend whole houres , dayes , months , & yea●● In true Repentant Showres , and Flouds of Tea●●

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The PYRAMID OF Paradice . Blest , Blest , O Blest , Be that Diuinity , Three Sacred Persons GOD in Vnitie , WHOSE glorious Rauishing Resurrection , Restor'd Vs ( lost ) to Grace , Oh PERFECTION ! Purifie thou my Soule , my Heart , my Minde : Snatch mee from Earth , to Heau'n make mee inclin'd , Wholy to Thee , ( All worldly Pompe despising ) Fixe my THOVGHTS , euer , On thy Blessed RISING : Giue MEE A Sempeternall Reuerence , To Thy ALL-glorious high Omnipotence . I that am clog'd with sin , & wretchednesse , Desp'rate thoughts hunting after Worldlinesse ; ) Thy Blest Protection craue , cleare the great score , Of all my fowle misdeeds , that I no more So great a Sinner prooue ; Lord let my strife , Against my sinnes , Raise me from Death to Life . And from the Foote of vggly sinnes disgrace , ●ount , mount , my SOVLE , to th' Pyramid of Grace .

Did each one truely know the true delight , Wherein the wise contemplate Heau'ns rich sight , 'T would fright th' excessiue sinners God-lesse face , Make him , as in a Glasse see his disgrace , Teare op'e his eyes , that all amaz'd with horrour , Trembling he may behold with dreadfull terrour , A guard of Furies , sucking at his soule , That he may see his sinnes , horrid and foule , ( Liue as in sulphurous flames ; ) discerne his Euill , See the fierce Deuill , and cease to be a Deuill . Cease from damnations Heire , licentious life , Cease from extreames in sinne , soule-murdring stri●● Abhorre to studie state with greater Zeale Then Zeale to Heau'n , or the soules Common-we●● Abhorre with solemne Oathes periur'd to teare , And racke the Name of Christ dreadlesse of feare Wounding afresh ( with trembling feare I write ) Wonder of Angels , that great God of Light . His wounds , with Othes of wounds , flesh , bloud & hart , ( Honour of darkenesse ) O blaspheming part ! Too too much vs'd 'mong God-lesse soules , who still Infinite good pay with infinite ill . As if no thought remain'd of future good , No teares for him , that shed his pretious bloud , Simile . But as the comely Actor , whose faire part Vpon the stage presents an honest heart For two houres space , a Vertuous Noble Minde , His Sceane expir'd , basely to vice inclinde , Drinke , Drabs , and Oathes , making no other vse With his faire Part but with excesse abuse : * O you that stand on Pynacles of state * Let not the World deceiue you , least too late * From off your slipp'ry height you come in thrall , * o pash your selues in peeces past recall . * Sell not fare Lord-ships , to keepe Lady-ships , * Nor sucke damnation from a strumpets lips . * Touch not those Spells of Sparta , let e'm Rot * When Vertue rules in Man , Lust liues forgot . One onely Iemme , that 's all the store I haue , Great of that little nothing , which shall craue Of Heauens Greate En's , not for my selfe alone , But for thee Reader , thee , and euery one , Rarenesse of Rare example , and withall An euerlasting skie of Grace to fall Vpon our warre on Earth , desiring Heauen , For wayes on Earth are crooked , all vneuen . * Saue me , O saue me , thou Eternall Terror * To damned soules , I doe confesse each Error , * The many thousand sinnes , vnseene , vnfelt Which long , too long in my hard heart haue dwelt , * To thee , to thee , thou Euer-liuing being * Of an Eternall Maiestie All-seeing , * With penitent Heart I come , I call , I cry , * Pardon my sinnes , helpe thou All-viewing Eye . * Looke downe Soule-sauing sacred God of Truth * Forgiue , th' infinite follies of my youth . * Shield me Diuinitie from Satans Ginnes * Lord lay not to my Charge my Parents sinnes : * Glory of Goodnesse in thy Mercy heare mee ; * Let Hate , Reuenge , nor Enuie ne'r come neare mee , * Let neither Pride , nor hope of gaine deceiue mee , * Nor pleasure , nor the want of Meanes bereaue mee * Of sense ; least senselesse wholy I despaire , * And so become the wretched Childe of care . * O sacred Sauiour make me euer trie * To liue by honest Meanes , or let me die ; * Though griefe , and I , haue well acquainted beene . * Lord let me neuer grieue , but for my sinne . * So shall thy Mercy , ne'r forgetfull stand * While I haue Tongue , a Pen , a Head , a Hand .
THE SPIRITVALL SEA-FIGHT . EM'prour of Angells , O thou King of Starres , Mans perfect solace 'gainst sins bloody Wars When I behold , with contemplation Eye The siluer Spangles of thy Glorious skie ; Me thinkes in that Blew-paper-Booke of Heau'n , I see waies of Mortalls all vneu'n The wretched soule of Man in euery Place Liues as in Hell on Earth , without thy Grace , Temptation on Temptation , past controule Alures the Body , to betray the Soule . Hell's Blacke Prince , Troopes of spirits eu'ry day Inuade my sinne-seidg'd-soule ; Furies display Infernall Banners ; while the Drumme of Death Beates a dead March ; and e're I can take Breath Sounds shrill Alarums ; hot Assaults beginne The soules fierce Fight ; muffl'd in cloudy sinne , I liue beset , Millions of spirits round Shoote at my soule ; I stand on no firme ground But tread on earth , as on a Ball of Ice I cannot stand , nor stirre for slip'ry Vice . My Soul 's a Ship , tost on the Mountaine Seas Of this vast World , she neuer liues ar ease ; * Her sayles are sighes , her Anchor deepe despaire , * Her Compasse Error , her sad Pilot , Care ; Farre of from safeties shore , floates on the waues Of fearefull billowes , Soule deuouring Graues . Rough , blust'ring , stubborne stormes , yeeld no reliefe On euery Shrowd , Each Tackling , hangs a griefe : Death like a darke cloud , besets euery Place , Here Rocks of Ruine , their Pyrates lie in Chase In euery corner , Mischiefes hourely lurke , Simile . * Pride fights against vs like a furious Turke ; * Lust like a trech'rous Spaniard ; murd'ring French , * Like an infected poyson's loathsome stench , * Gluttonie like a Germaine , drunkennesse * Like a Dutch Dun-kercker ; whose impiousnesse * Stiles him the Master Gunner , to giue fire * To all sinnes blacke Artillery , Hells Ire * Infernall chaine-shot , All soule-murd'ring strife , To sinke Man's weather-beaten ship of Life , Which to gaine Grace , no sooner weighs Anchor , Sets sayle for safety , but straight sinnes Canker , The deuouring Diuell , Pyrate for Hell , Chasing flyes after , and with blacke Arts spell Commands to stay ; sometimes with beauteous formes With songs of Syrens sometimes ; sometimes stormes Such pitchie Tempests , to be night the way , As if the horror of the lattet day Frighted the World ; so stops the soule from blisse , Shoots through , and through her , so she steers amisse Simile . Then as in bloudy Sea-fights Men may see Times sacrifice to valour , no man free from desp'rate danger ; euery one maintaines The terrour of the Fight ( though with their braines ●asht in each others Faces . ) Vitall breath , ●ost in a fighting flame ; blood , and death : ●ullets , and Batteries , couers the ship all o're Her dismall deckes with horror , purple gore , And scatterd limmes ; so the soules Pinnace ●n her spirituall fight sinnes do's deface , Murders our best of thoughts , like raging Seas , Winds , stormes & tempest driue vs where they please . The poore afflicted soule , Satan so blinds , ●t knowes not where shee is ; by whyzing winds . Now tost to th' top of all the Azure Skie , Now tumbling as to Hell , with frighted Eye , Her Flag of sinnes defiance Tempest-rent . Her Sayles torne all to Rags , her Maine-mast spent ; All out of Order : tossing to , and fro , The soule distrest , knowes not which way to goe . With gentle calme , check Satan's black storme , Lor● Wee shipwracke else , Diuels will come a Board Burne with Hells wildfire , Flame , Ruine , Race , Blot our soules hope , helpe Minister of Grace . Safeties in Heau'n , in this vncertaine Life Nothing but Hell-bred quick-sands , Warre , and strife Soule-killing vapours , worldly vanities , Thicke clouds of vice Perpetuall miseries , There is a Voyage , to the Holy Land 〈◊〉 which the Truth , our blessed Card must stand ●he Holy Ghost our Pilot to direct ●he steerage of our course from sinnes neglect , ●oth ' Hauen , of Heau'n ; that happy Port of Rest , ●aluations Guard , true Cape of Comfort blest . There , Heauens bright Maiestie , our Sauiour sweet , ●its with the Hand of Mercy , for to Greet And waft vs to him ; O may all that stray ! ●ayling along the Coast of sorrow , Pray , Pray vnto him , hee 'l guide their wandring Barke , Tempest tost hourely in the dreadfull Darke . ●f thou be Sea-sicke call vpon him , and he Shall soone with Health's sweet solace comfort thee ; Rebuke the raging windes , Times blackest storme , And to a calme , Skie-swelling Seas reforme : No Rocks , Gulfs , Sands , nor Seas cloud-kissing waue Sinnes dreadfull Sea-fiight , nor the desp'rate brau● Of Pyrates , none shall hurt ; let then thy care See thy weake vessell Rigg'd , well Man'd with praye● And then launch forth , hoist sayles , and when you sp● The Cape of good hope , keepe it in thine eye . Let holy thoughts , death threatning storms o're com● That whatsoeuer chance there shall become , The vessell of thy Body being foule , Make sure to saue the passenger , thy soule . * He valiant , onely Vertuous is that can * Subdue his Sinnes ; Hee s the true Noble Man , * Ther 's perfect valour , he true glory winnes , * He 's the true Souldier , that subdues his sinnes : * Breakes through the pikes of sinne , all fiends that are * In Hell , or Diuels ruling in the Aire , ( * Forcing his way to Heau'n despight all charmes ) * Enchantments , dead-sleeps , all soule-slayling harmes ) Simile . * Wrestling like Jacab , constant in his fight * Mindfull of his maiestick-Makers sight . To such belongs the Euerlasting Crowne Of sempeternall Glory , true Ronowne ; Which to prepare thee for ; cease to neglect Th' Allmighties sacred seruice , let respect Feare and true Reuerence to his pretious Word , Be to thy soule that Helmet , Shield and Sword Too strong for Sathan , all the fiery Darts Of Fiends and furies , Arme thy noble Parts Thy Soule , thy Heart , thy Minde , striue to fulfill ( The Maiestie of Heauen ) his Diuine Will. ●imile . And like the cunning curious Architect Earnest some goodly Building to Erect : ( Breaking his sleepe ) wholly imployes his minde On the drawne Modell ; which when he do's finde Exact , his Eye dwels euer then vpon it , And his affection neuer driuen from it . So when to thought we call our Sauiours blood , ( That sempeternall platforme of all good ) Shed for our sinnes , Let it for euer dwell In the Idaea of our Mindes , so Hell , Sinne , death , nor deadly desp'rate discontent , Can barre the Heau'nly heart from true content . * What vggly wormes are wee that dare presume * To pawne our soules for pleasure , dare consume * Our Time on toyes , when as we firmely know * Time shall decay ; we cannot feed , nor goe , * Nor promise life a Minuite ; we passe to bed * But Ignorant to rise aliue , or dead . * Admit day-light approaches , and the morne * Inuites thee forth ? thou neuer maist returne : * Death by a thousand accidents do's meete * Health , Wealth , and Beauty ; stabs them in the street , * He that least thinkes of death , some falling Tyle * Timber , or Stone , do's suddenly beguile Him of his life , yea oft' when he refraines And seekes to shun it , dasheth out his braines . These Tragicke Truths ( true causes of dislike , ) Me-thinkes should moue vs to repent , and strike A terror to our soules ; force vs to see Man's outward danger ; inward misery Which like an vnresisted roaring Tide Runnes through our veins , and apts the blood to pri●● To all the sinnes that are , or euer were , O horrid ill ! haue wee not cause to feare , To quake and tremble , when our dull dead Eyes ( Drunke with the poyson'd dreggs of sinne ) ne'r spi●● The mischieuous perills , and the blacke affright That hourely waite , on the Spirituall fight . Fiends liue at Sea , and Furies on the Land , * Gluttonie for a Corporall do's Stand , * Au'rice a Pioner , Sloth you may spie * An idle Gentleman of a Company . * Wrath 's the Serieant , Enuie the Colours gaine , * Lust the Lieftennant is ; Pride the Captaine : These in the Heart of euery one take Place Where cowardly soul 's shun the blest meanes of grace , Let vs for euer then resist all Euill Wisedome commands vs to defie the Diuell ; To combate with our sinnes ; oppose temptation , Fight against Hell the Diuell , and Damnation . This for a Caueat take , striue to doe well : ( Ingratitude to Heau'n , picks open hell . ) While Grace is offer'd then , Watch , Fast , and Pray ▪ Ther 's no preuention in the latter day . * None liues secure , that to his Vice liues friend , * A Vitious life , oft makes a vitious end . * Strengthen me , my Creator , make me fight * Thy HOLY BATTLE , let not the Worlds deligh● * Disswade my soule ; sweet Iesus , for thy merits * Enable mee , Rowze my deiected Spirits , * Vncharme Hells charme , O Sacred God vntie * My fetter'd Soule , let mee not euer lie * Lull'd in the Strumpet lap of deadly sinne , * This Minute Sacred Sauiour now beginne * To giue Release , and as thou didst prouide * An Army of Angels , for Eliahs guide , * Who ( to secure him guirt with Enemies ) * Mounted his soule from worldly vanities . * So Heauenly Day-Star , blessed Iesus end * This my Designe thy holy Angell send * To be my Guide , my Guard , my Sacred spell * Gainst all Enchantments , witchcrafts , death , & hell * So shall my Anthem euery morning be * Glory of Heauen , shew mercy vnto me , * To me Times wretch , most wretched ; vilely base * Wanting thy sacred aide , spirituall grace . * Remember not my frailties ; make me to grow * Great in thy loue , thou that dost truly know , * Of all the Blessings vnto Mortals giuen * My chiefe desire on Earth , is Grace from Heau'n , * The Blessing of th' Almighty Lord of Hoast , * The Father , the Sonne , and the holy Ghost , * Preserue , be with me , now , and for euer when * My Soule is most distrest , Amen , Amen . Spes mea Christo .
THE WORLD . VAine is this World , this Strumpet World that can Yeeld nothing constant , Loue 'twixt man & man , Which next his Maker , should be most respected , Is soonest broake ; and most of all neglected , Ingratefull , vile , the World 's a very Whore , Proud , rich in Vice , in Vertue most , most poore , Misse-led by eu'ry vaine Phantasticke Toy , To forget God , bewitch't with carnall ioy ; Bundles of Baubles , imbecilitie , Biles of Apparell ; Botch Nobilitie : Lordships , Ladyships , Foolries and Fashions , Lust-panting Humours ; ten thousand Passions . Rich Men , the more to blame , as this Age goes , Debarre house-keeping to maintaine gay Cloathes ; A Rich Caroach , three hunder'd pounds a Gowne , Thirty pounds a Smocke , or their Wiues will frowne , There is no liuing with them , they must ride Where , when , and how they list in glit'ring Pride , High flashing burning Brauerie , blinde Eyes , Flint Hearts , dull Eares , deafe to all poore Mens cries Such is the dullnesse of Mortalitie , And such the World 's cold Hospitalitie , * Each dustie Magist'rate with Brib'rie fed , * One robs the liuing , another robs the dead , * A third the Arch-Theefe playes by cunning stealth , * Knaue Knights by Patent rob the Common-wealth , * Ioyne with much , too much , ill iniustice , he * Zodomiticall Lecher for a greedie Fee * Dares license lust , glad if he may preuaile , * ( Sucke wealth from prostitute Harlots ; ) neuer faile Man's minde which most his Maker should affect ( With feare , and trembling , and that true respect , Belongs to his high Maiestie ) the Net Of sinne so snares , we worthlesse wormes forget God's Thunder-darting Vengeance , glorious state Still forget God , forget to contemplate With Rauishing Loue , true loue , pure heart , pure eies , That 's the defect makes hourely mischiefes rise , * Ambitious Lords Attir'd in Anicke shape , * Ioy in the wayes of Lust , Murder , and Rape , * Ladies with charmes , tricks , humours , that they haue , * Abuse their Lords , dispatch them to the Graue . * The Iealious Husband ( mischieuous in ill ) * Through vaine suspect , his constant wife to kill . * The carelesse Cleargy man in his degree * Satan corrupts ; makes for a golded fee The greedy Lawyer fed by Clients strife , Brib'd angels take , for the true Angell life . Iust Iudge , the vniust dustie Magistrate , Father the Sonne , the Sonne the Father hate , Brother , the Brother , prosecute to death , Quarrell for Toyes ; stop one anothers breath . The world do's hourly tempt fooles worldly wise , The deceitfull Tradesman , that seemes precise , And is an arrant knaue ; to thinke the honie And onely blessed life , still to get mony . Mockes at the poore mans vertue , and in pride Stiles him a vertuous foole ; thus knaues deride The pouertie of Men , which do's as farre ( In Heauenly wealth ) transcend them , as a starre The richest Iemme on Earth ; But t is not so With the worlds wealthy worldling ; they say no , Rich enough , Honest enough ; all they can Aimes at the outward , not the inward man . * Pouertie made a scoffe , a scorne , a winde : * Gold smothers Vertue , blackest Actions blinde . * Gold got in God's name , with an honest face , * Comes slow ; but in the Diuels name apace . Such is the world's condition , Good Men's thrall , On Earth ther 's no true comfort , none at all . * The honest minded Scholler , shall ne'r lacke , * Sorrow nor want of meanes to breake his backe . * The pittifull Souldier , in his greatest need * ha 's his throate cut , he shall be sure to bleed , * The faire Gamester , for his milde square play * Is soonest coozen'd , sure to lose eu'ry day . * The faithfull Louer , still is paid with hate * The more in loue , the more vnfortunate . Be rich or poore , in high or low Estate I' th mod'rate Meane , or fully fortunate , Insatiate Mankinde , euer discontent , Desires to liue , but neuer liues content . In scarcity of Corne , for plentie crie , In plenty , straight forget God instantly . Such is Man's Erring soule , which ought to know Simile . * Life 's , but a long sad Pilgrimage of woe , * An Arke of trauell , shop of vanity , * Storehouse of trifles , Inhumanitie : * A Field of Stones ; a Path of thornie Prickes , * Meadow of Scorpions , Groue of Basilisckes . The Worlds vnquiet rest , is all Man's foe , * Dangers attend vs , where so ere wee goe . * Mischieuous Deceits , Brawles , Quarrels , Fightings , * False-hearted Neighbour-hood , base back-bitings . * Friendship 's so faithlesse Ripe , full blowne with euill * A friend to day , the next for gaine proues Deuill , The World's condition right ; 't is slaue to sinne , Beware of it ; the worlds a cunning ginne 'T will entrap soules ; call then to God for Grace , * Let griefe for worldly Crosses , ne'r take place , * Neuer let sorrow runne into extreames * Vnlesse for sinne ; so shall Celestiall Beames * Glorifie thy Soule , make it Immortall , * Free it from ills ; what euer can befall In this false promising World ; this Maze of woe , Where wretched Worldlings know not where to goe To winde them out ; such are the various wayes Of life oppressing Yeeres , Months , Weeks and Daies As Prose ill read , abide too much misusing , Or Vertuous verse , when rogues haue the perusing , * So fares it with the faire , and flourishing Line , * Of that sweet Heauenly straine , Poesie Diuine , * Basely neglected by the Monster Crew , * Of Puff-Paste muddie Mindes ; that pish , and mew , * Make a wry , Close-stoole-face ; a squint ey'd glance * At Vertuous verse ; ( whose sad mischance , * Is to goe vnregarded , ) when the crime * Of a lasciuious , Bastard , Ballet rime , ( * If baudy enough ) though ne'r so vnfit * Winnes fauour , profit , and the praise of wit . * Read with delight , and much , too much requir'd , * Coppies sought after , greedily desir'd : * When perfect Poetrie , Musicke to the soule Truth 's firme Opposer 'gainst crimes filthy foule * ( If Read ) most read for fashion , small delight , * No comfort , no respect , but scornefull flight . * And such is Vertues Foe ; the Worlds proud Mini●● * In whom ther 's no true Loue , no perfect Vnion . O Diuine Poesie I lament thy state , To see thy Beautie disproportionate , So poorely in esteeme , their 's few I see Or none at all take true delight in thee . * This wanton World farre sooner will approue * Ioy in Pot-Poets , lousie Rimeing loue , * Or wanton Ouids straine , to itch the care , * And stirre the blood to lust , rather then heare * The Glorious Godly Aime of Noble Verse , * Which points at Heau'n ; and tels vs of that fierce All-threatning Thunderer ; he that descries Our secret deeds ; those blackest Actions spies At which , amaz'd . my Muse stands wrapt in wonder , Beggs Mercy , Mercy , O thou God of Thunder , Or we shall shipwracke all ; All too too blame Farre too vnmindfull of God's Sacred Name , His Blessings day , by day , his , great Mercy Long suffering , and Excelling Safety . Why should we worm's stand pretious in Heau'ns sight And not be damn'd to Euerlasting Night , For our Foule erring sinnes , sinnes that Excell The least whereof , merits the Paines of Hell . Hell that this instant Gapes , to seize this world , Deseruing euery moment to be hurl'd To endlesse Flames ; but for the Excellence Of OVR FATHER'S , wonderfull patience . O for the Pen of pure perfection , To character Man's imperfection , Open the blinde , excessiue sinner's eyes , ( Force Teares for sinne ) make him , himselfe despise 'T were Musicke to the Soule ; Diuine delight Th' vndoubted Path to pleasures infinite . Holla Commanding Empresse of my Braine , Whether thus flings my Muse ; diuert thy Straine : Man is so farre from making God amends , That all his waies to wicked Actions bends . The World 's a Racke , Times Tenter-hooke to ketch At mindes most honest ; makes a man a wretch : Thousands in 〈◊〉 , finding no way to cure it Hazard the Gallowes , rather then endure it , Mis'ry of Miseries , when Coyne growes scant Man's Fortun 's Foot ball , ther 's no woe to want : It dulls braue witts , when nothing else can doe it ; Tames , and makes desp'rate when Time brings vs to it Want makes a man turne Slaue , vnto a Slaue Scoft , scorn'd , and flouted at by eu'ry knaue , By eu'ry silken sodden-headed Foole , That neuer felt Heau'ns scourge , nor Mis'ries Schoole Want , broacheth Mischiefes neuer thought vpon , Makes many an honest woman wanton . Simile . Want ( like a Madman ) makes Men sweare and Dice Forget their God , turne Vertue into vice . Husband , and wife , the Sister , and the Brother , Compel'd through want , deuoure one another . Merchants , Lawyers , yea some Diuines will fall When want do's soundly Gripe , tw'ill trie them all . And therefore ( As an Antidote ) be sure First that thou pray to God , that 's the maine Cure Gainst Woluish-want ; and then bethinke thee sure Vpon some honest meanes ; 't will new Create Thy vnderstanding , put thee on a way With Reu'rent Soule , on bended knees , each day To serue thy God aright ; so he from falling Proues thy Protector , giues thee a Vertuous Calling Heau'n grant the Honest Minde may neuer know The fierce Assaults of want , that Hell of woe , Torture of Minde , Murderer of Modestie , High-way to Theft , Cut-throate of Chastitie . The Key of Whoredome , Bane of that true Loue Which many boast , but few did euer proue . Many vow Loue , for euer to be true Yet , when want comes , Whores are not more vntrue . How sweetly did that Sacred Psalmist sing And runne Times true Diuision on the string Of Misery , when he of God did craue , Nor Want , nor too much Wealth , least in the Graue Of damn'd Despaire , much want might haile him in And Riches Mount him to the highest sinne : Lackey his way to lewdnesse , to mistrust God's Mercies , and to practise wayes vniust A Holy feare seiz'd on that blessed King To dread want's Dangerous Dart , Proud Riches sting . May the Good Man , still thirst for Mercies Cup ; Climbe Jacobs sacred Ladder and mount vp Into a fiery Chariot , Burning Zeale , Liue a bright Angell in Heau'ns Common weale . Free from this World ; whose Pompe , and Brauery , Is but a Land of Durt , meere slauery ,
THE FLESH . SInne Acts foule Lust vpon the Soule while it Stands Puritan Punck-like , willing to commit . The Flesh vnto the Soul 's a bitter Pill , ( Sweet guilded Poyson , Candide o're to kill . ) Hurrid , Carocht in Pride , which glit'ring showe Of swelling Pompe , whose sweet Effect is woe . Fleshly delights beget much Misery Makes Couples marrie vnaduisedly , Thinking Loue tittle tattles , can feed their wishes , Loue soone growes cold , where there is empty dishes . Of all the sinnes that are , when nothing can Ruine the Soule ; the Flesh preuailes with Man , His Eyes no sooner on Deuotion waite , But in steps Carnall Concupiscence straight She 's at his Elbow still , to itch him on , Th' vnhappy path to his Confusion . * Chaste wiues are Saints , women that wantonize * Witches , all poyson , Hell is in their Eyes , In which , as in a Wildernesse of woe , In striuing to get out , on mad men goe Starke mad , past sense , spight of all Books and Schools Ruine their Fortunes , proue the Slaues to Fooles For an alluring Minutes trifling Ioy A lewd Insatiate Longing , a meere Toy . * O woman , woman , thy bewitching motion , * Fooles wisedome , mads reason , and blinds al deuotion The Flesh ( false Traitor like ) striues to betray The Soule to Hell , for an Infernall Prey . Fleshly delight in Man , feares want of Breath More then his God ; sinne , or Eternall Death . * When iust plagues come , them sin-sick sots can tremble * Make knowne to all the World , how they dissemble , * Pray with the lip , ( not heart , ) wrest sacred Text * To serue their owne Ends first , and then God next . * Prouide to liue , in pestilent Times beginne , * Take greater Care to flie from death , then sinne . * Ther 's nothing in our Flesh , but wickednesse * Desire to liue , and obscene wantonnesse . We forget now that dreadfull dismall chance The Terrible Arrow of Gods vengeance , When Death buried farre more , then th' Earth could swallow , And no man to the Graue his Friend durst follow , O why should Mortals wish , long life to liue , What Comfort ? what true Ioy do's this life giue ? * Ther 's nothing , not one thought that do's vs good , * But it is strangled straight , by Flesh and blood , * Holy Saint Paul , finding the Flesh Rebell , * desir'd to be dissolu'd , proud Flesh to quell , * And Sacred Symeon sung 'gainst sinnes encrease * Lord let thy seruant now , depart in peace , Shall such soule-sweetning preparations be Forgotten quite ; O blinde securitie , * Life louing Fortunes , how yea puffe Men vp , * To hugge their Follies , drinke damnation's Cup. What is it we behold , in this vaine life , But dayly griefes and dangers ; sinne , and strife . * When my soule-erring Eyes , staring behold * A dang'rous Strumpet , flame in glit'ring gold , * ( And murd'ring Beauty ; sparkling from her Eye * Burning Temptation ) then me thinkes I spie * My most apparent mischiefe , plainely see * How I ne'r striue to please my God , as shee * Striues to please Men ; such is the flaring Pride * Of the vaine Flesh , it hurts on euery side . There 's nothing constant in vs , if to day Vertue we loue , to morrow Vice obay . Man at the best , is now become so fraile As what cannot a spruce Queane , with a smooth Tail Make him beleeue ; such witchcraft euer fly , Lust reuells , in the Magicke of her eye . That star-shooting , twinckling eye , do's ne'r shine , But to the Ruine , of all thoughts diuine . Twixt her aluring Lips , there liues a Spell To sucke , and sincke , and kisse a man to Hell . Touch but her Palmes , there sinnes moist hand inuit●● To a soule-damning Banquet ; such delights , As often makes the wisest Man an Asse , Coward , and Foole , Times vitious Looking-Glasse . Licorish entice pants on her Naked Brest , Snaring the tim'rous soule , to all vnrest . And like a feauers Puse , t' encrease desire , Beates thicke vpon the Heart , sets all on fire . What a notorious Coxcombe vnto sinne , Lust makes of Man , slaue to a whores soft skinne ? What 's a delicious Harlot but a Cheater , A poyson'd Marmalad Boxe , which rots the Eater , A Harlot in her best of Brau'rie can Be but a kinde of greasie dripping-Pan , So often put to th' fire , it proues a flame , So burnes the Basting-Sticke , so Lust growes tame . Loue is a chaste Queene , noble Wisedomes Bride , Lust a Hot Whore ; for eu'ry Knaue to ride ; * Loue is a Virgin sprung from Vertues Race , * Lust an alluring Strumpet past all Grace : * Loue is a vertuous wife , Times constant Woman * Lust a proud Harlot , the true Scourge of Man . The chiefe praise of a good wife do's not lie In outward shew , but inward Pietie , If Vertue Rules her blood , she merits Loue , If not , I will assure thee she will proue Like a deceitfull Glasse , where Man may see Hee 's meerely Cheated in her ; O Miserie * Man makes a woman proud with 〈◊〉 , * A wonderous wanton toy , beleeue that , * Marke but the cunning Beautie seeing men gaze , * And yet not seemes to see , note but her waies See how shee tempts , with what a charming smile , Puts poison in her Eyes , eyes to beguile , Seducing eyes , aim'd at Eternall Light , From Heau'n , to looke on Hell , prurient delight , Deckt , trimm'd , adorn'd , trickt vp to pull men on With Pride of Eyes , to their confusion . Note the varietie of all her charmes , The Lazie , idle , stretching of the Armes ; The Yawne , and then the Hey-ho , rolling eie , Sicke stomacke for the Act ; O Luxurie : Thy flames , in wanton women , strangely moue , * She that delights in Lust , can neuer Loue . Obserue each gesture , how she takes a pride To itch the Bu●●●e ; to friske from side to side , Mop , mew , bite Lip , and wriggle with the Taile , There 's not a ioynt about her that shall faile To catch at Man ; be Icie cold as stone , Shee 'l finde a Tricke to melt affection . In each behauiour liues a Venome snare , There 's language in the curling of her haire , Eyes , Cheeks , Lips , Hands , no motiue Limme so weake But serues to tempt ; her very foot shall speake . Shee 'l part each other in such dall'ing sort As if shee 'd doe with th' Ayre for want of sport . Crosse legges , and then with itching thighes & knee Open and shut the passage by degrees . Takes pleasure to be seene to wantonize , And is best pleased , to please Letchers Eyes . * Like those Nice Dames that will in outward show * Not wrong their husbands , no forsooth , O no , * Not for a World ; stand on their honestie , * Quote Scripture , symper , looke most modestly , * Sweare and forsweare , should the first husband die , * Ne're to wed more ; Yet marrie presently , * And then protest the single life temptation , * Phy out vpon 't , foe to Procreation , * Thus seeme in publique pure ; but in priuate More secretly open , more insatiate Then the hot Monkie ' th veneriall Marke Skip , friske , and fling , doe wonders in the darke . And like the Jesuite , thinke Lust done by stealth Dainty , secure , suddaine , and done for health * The onely Cure , Lusts raging flames to quench , * Is Aqua lachrimarum ; that will stench * The wounds , proud Harlots so delight to make * On the poore soule of Man ; make him to quake , * A fear'd to stand on that false Rocke of Ice * Idlenesse , feeder of foule Carnall vice , * Blacke errors cloud , South fog , which rots the mind * Leapours the Soules , and is the Northern winde * The cause of all sins Stormes , that dang'rous Flo●● * Lusts surging Ocean swelling in Mans blood . O Diuell desire of Lust , mee , mee , forsake ; I charge thee hence , by him that made Hell quake By that Almighty One , in sacred Trine All Holy Spels , and Charmes , Magicke Diuine . By that sweet excellent Sacred Puritie ( Sister of Angells ) Virgin chastitie . Fly from me all base thoughts ; be iust mine Eyes ; And be your selues , hate wantons witcheries .
THE VICIOVS COVRTIER . GOe , harmelesse Satyr , if thou smell a Rat , The Dogge of Enuie , of the blacke ey'd Bat , For op'ning the faire Truth , misconster sence , Knit the base Brow , of daring impudence , And wisely like a Wolfe-like Aduocate , Make thee dangerous , vile , a thing of hate , If honest Satyr such thou meete , defie , Spare not to giue the Fooles and Knaues the lie . There was a Time , when hadst thou play'd the knaue , Thou might'st haue flourisht and haue flourisht braue . Fortune that whore , the Worlds aluring Ginne She had beene true , hadst thou beene true to Sinne God knowes I enuie no Man for his Greatnesse , For his Prosperity , true Worthinesse , I ne'r reioyc'd at any Mans sad fall But wish a Vertuous happy life to all . This then my Comfort be , my minde appease , He that writes best , can neuer all Men please . None e're could shunne , the Censure of a Knaue , Nor enuie , of a currish Natur'd Slaue . * 'T is common now , without the cause discerning , * Fooles wil find fault , with that , they haue no learning I write not rash with Enuie , to defame For some particular wronge , any man's name , Shall I at Fortunes Fauourite grieued be , Because Ioue made me not , as great as he : O no ; 't were basely bad , blacke is the soule , Clogg'd with the horror of a sinne so foule . ●airely my Muse appeares , onely to shew What 's lewdly ill ; that Noble Mindes may know The Vicious Courtier , he whose Mushrome sight Time stiles ignoble , a meere Carpet Knight . A Lazie Lust stung Lord , periur'd , vniust , Slaue to the Itching of his Mistris Lust . One that admires her brauery with Oathes Much wicked-wit consumes in gawdy Cloathes : Which speakes him to the World a March-paine Man A very mighty Muske-Cat ; one that can , ( To please State-strumpets ) turne Capitall Calfe , Reu'rence her shooe-shadow , in her behalfe Sweare by Olympicke Ioue , she 's the Fairest That e're breath'd , most Excellent , the Rarest , Spending the Time in Commendations , In Sighes , Tales obscene , Visitations , Set Faces , and set speeches , pickt from Playes , Quaint apish Gestures ; O the many wayes ( To please Madam Much-adoe ) the rare Jewels , Musicke , Masques , Baudie Banquets , Midnight-Reuels Cocke-Sparrow Humours , absurd Complement , Which makes the Vicious Courtier confident , So ridiculous blinde ; that his braue Trull , ( Times prurient Puppet ) can perswade the Gull , After her Forme to paint , powder the haire Which ( catching Councell ) seeming passing rare , Duely the Asse obserues , curiously Nice , Best pleas'd to immitate his Cockatrice . To smell all Amber , chiefely to preuent Lues Veneria , that infectious sent , Bred in his rotten Entrals , through th' Excesse Of stirring Meates , insatiate wantonnesse , That too too common Delectation , Poyson of wholesome Recreation , ( Sinnes slauish seruitude , Excessiue ill , ) And Bane of Vertue ; is much made of still , By such ; who ( rather then the Enterprize Of Noble true Knights louely exercise , ) Delight in painted out-side , Costly fare , To studie the fashion , looke bigge and stare , Aduance the head like a Malt-Horse , be proud And speake no matter what , so it be loud . Bountifull to Bawdes , Mis'erable to th' poore , Sell all , whole Lordships to maintaine a Whore ; To stirre vp th' intellectuals of loose Ladies , To melt their Chastitie , get Bastard Babies , Times were not so , when Worthies shin'd in Armes , Reioyc'd in Vertue , not in the wanton Charmes ( Of braue Madam Vanitie the Puppet ) Loose Embrace of a consuming Strumpet , But brauely fought for Virgins in distresse , Relieu'd poore Widdowes , and the Fatherlesse , Striuing with faire , renowned , valiant Acts To chase Jniustice , punish euill Facts . O blest performance Noble race of men , Worthy the praise of an Immortall Pen , Your Famous Deeds , past starres , recorded stand , For euer and euer , written by the hand Of sacred Truth , to the Eternall shame Of the sinne-branded Vicious Courtiers Name , Let him that notice takes , take this of me , If Man of Money , or of low degree , Let not the hope of gaine bring that to passe , Which makes a Dunce , obserue a golden Asse , Nor let thy Minde , at any time accord , To be the Slaue to an infamous Lord . His Loue to Vice , all vertuous Acts repell As if no Plagues remain'd in spacious Hell . Engag'd to mischiefe , and to villanie , To pleasure Vice , embrace iniquitie , The Honour due for Vertue ; that Reward Is naught ( but base contempt ) meere sleight Regard He that will get by such , must well dissemble And tell the Fooles , they God's on Earth resemble Obsequiously the Parasite must play And hazard blacke Damnation eu'ry Day . Insinuate , and so waxe knauish wise , Be a stampt Villen , learne to temporize , Sweare , and forsweare , depraue , informe , and lie , Change each houre Religion , periur'd die . Plot , plot , and set friends hourly at debate , Cling to the surer side , the weaker hate , Turne Baud at midnight , ( Pander to the Itch Of an Adulterate Cloth of siluer Witch . ) Practise to know to mixe with perilous Art The deadly Poyson with the amorous Dart , Neatly obtaining , by times cunning skill , With Stibium , and Cantharides to kill . Such sudden Fellowes , nimble in Damnation , Are Vicious Courtiers greatest Estimation : When disrespected Honest men forlorne Liue miserably wretched , Ragg'd and torne . As for the true bred villaine , he shall lacke Nor Gold , nor Cloth of Gold dawb'd on his backe Yet when the Slaues too many secrets know , Oft with a Spanish Figge , they headlong goe Hurrid to Hell , the damned soules to tell What glorious villaines , here on Earth doe dwell . * That with a Politicque straine , can make all sure * Murder , with murder ; murder , to secure . * Drunke with Conceit , that greatnesse beares the sway * Safely to Act , what Villany it may . * There is a Tricke , such neuer faile to vse * In which their dearest Friends , they 'l most abuse * With faire pretext of Honorable Loue , * In secure cunning , onely to remoue * And shift him forth into another Ayre , * To purge , and lessen , least his Vertues rare * Should merit Kingly Fauour , make him hie , * Aduanc'd in state to greatest Dignitie . * The Iealious thought whereof , to mischiefe bent , * Doth sund'ry secret practizes inuent * How to decline that growth , if none take roote * Swift Mercurie , a suddaine dramme must doo 't . Others there are , that smiling Flatter all , Proue for to each , but Friend to none at all And such ( beleeu 't ) make vse of Time , and Place , By seruile slauery , most creeping base ( Kissing the Clawe ) appeares with Coxcombe bare , Praising the Vitious Gloworme past compare , With O-Right vertuous Lord ; such sleeke Regard , Replenish Flat'ries Cups , with full reward . Like Spiders , webs of Flattery they weaue , The pleasing Eares of Great-Ones to deceiue : Which once Entangl'd by some Quainte Deuise Chops off their heads , 't is practiz'd in a trice . They 'l giue occasion that may moue discourse And by a Tricke , some dang'rous Theame enforce , To draw a doubtfull question to the worst They 'l make men guilty , then betray e'm first , These are the onely spies , that gape for prey , Cut-throates in silence , smile , and then betray . Intrap th' vnskilfull , beg their forfeit Liues To graspe their States ; thus the vile Villen thriues Whose whisp'ring poysons , speakes him sins supporter , Machiuillian Darknesse , the Vicious Courtier . Him , the true Noble Minde must euer shunne , Or liue ( in hazard still to be vndone , ) Slaue to the Vanitie of Pompe , high Place , Ambitious thoughts , Sinne , and a double Face ; Cringes , and Creepings , all the base desires Of sinfull Life , plagu'd with infernall fires . What e're thou arr that carelesse shalt resort To th' Court of Vice , onely to see the Court ; Take heed , beware of that Enchanted Glasse , Where Pride in Mortals , Fiends in Hell surpasse . There shalt thou Masques , such midnight Reuel finde Such Musicke , Banquets , to alure thy minde , As will affright the blood of Chastitie , Turne Virgin Loue , to hot Lust's Plurifie . There shalt thou those , of Venus Traine behold , Burning Temptation flame in glit'ring Gold And though adorn'd with Pearle , the Richest stuffe Their inflate Pride , ne'r thinke them braue enough . Were Gownes Embost with Golden , Starres so fine , That in each Starre , a Diamond should shine , Still , their high Towring lofty daring Pride ( Like Lust restrain'd ) Liues neuer satisfide . If checkt for it ; straight swiftest Mercury Strikes dead th' opgosing Foe to Venerie : Like ( sometimes ) that sad most Lamented Knight Who did by a Tricke ; in such a wofull plight ( By Sugar Candid Poysons ) workt in Paste ( From Sinne and Murder sent , ) whose delicate Taste , Vnder the fein'd pretence , of seeming good , Consum'd and burnt , his vitall Crimson blood , Such is the Mighty-Madams-Murdring spight , * Court Concubines ne'r kill , but with delight . Curb'd for their Pride , like God's ill Angels swell , As if Earth's Diuells , and the World their Hell . * Pride is their Zeale , their Prayers forgetfulnesse . * Charity , Contempt , their Vertue wantonnesse * Plumpe , high-fed pamper'd flesh , on whom must wait * Page , Pander , Parasite , preparation State , * Gold : Glistring Glory , Cost , Curious dyet , * Insatiate Pleasure , and luxurious Riot . And why all this high feeding , Rich Attire , But like bright Beacons , flaming all on fire , Threat Ruine , Death , and Hell ; which wise men see , And know what fooles they make , know them to be Soule-flaming fire-brands , Expert in Euill Witches , Hell-Cats , Factors for the Deuill , Sucke-blouds , Hyena , Syrens Crocodiles , All Scylla and Charybdis , whose proud smiles , Take pleasure to entice , make Men deface Their Soules faire Temple , for a poore Embrace , A lushious Pleasure , lewd lasciuious greeting , A pleasing sweete , but a most bitter sweeting . Neuer was any great Arch-mischiefe done , But by a Whore , or a Priest , first begun , A Cloth of siluer Slut , Times Tissue Trull , Can with close Cleopatra's Kisses Gull . The greatest Kings and Dukes , loue for an houre , Nor is it them shee loues , but their high powre . Groomes , of the meanest qualitie in Court , Can make her fleshly fulnesse , sweeter sport , A glorious shee Smocke-statist can amaze , Fire famous Troy , and set the world at gaze . A Drab of State , is a consuming Flame , Oft , fiers the Hearts of Princes , past reclaime . Turnes Ioy , to deepe and Melancholy sadnesse , Poysons the bloud , and fils the braine with madnesse , * Why should she else , with painting seeme more faire ? * Suffer her naked Breasts lie open bare ? * Why vse false coulour'd haire , Embost with Gold ? * Pownc'd with Perfumes , Lockes curled to behold ? * Why Oyles ? Waters for Teeth ? Why void of Grace ? * With spots ( like Rats-Dung ) to blacke patch the face ? * Or why ( in Baths of Milke ) wash her proud skin ? * Why wrong Heau'ns work-manship , with such hie sin ? * If not like CIRCE , by enchantment strange , * Men into Beasts and Beast-like natures change . * Confounding sense , all reason sits a side , * Such is the force of her affected Pride . * A painted Face sleckt o're by cunning Art , * Is but the Pride of a luxurious Heart . * A discontentment of God's worke vpon her , * To wooe mens Eyes to Lust , and her dishonor . * Painting's the Nurse of black thoghts , damn'd deuises , * It makes the soule imitate greatest vices . What is it else ? but daring Impudence , Gainst the bright Glory of Omnipotence , Lusts Looking-Glasse , Torch of Iniquitie , Th' imperious Mistris of all Witcherie , A slimie sinne , dawb'd o're the painted wall Of foulest Folly , to catch fooles with all , A painted Face , harbours a Heart of Flint , There is no rellish of Deuotion in 't . Lust , Pride , and Enuie , all the sinnes that are , Waites on the painted Beautie falsely faire . Still busie in her Eare , her Minde , her Eye , To whore away Man's soule with foolerie , The painted outside of a tempting Face , Spotted with Hell , stands sequestred from Grace . * Such Prodigall sinfull sweetes , Men ought not haue , * Nor see th' aluring Face , vnfit to craue . * Soules that will mount , high Heau'ns , Celestiall state , * Climbes Vertues Ladder ; vicious Actions hate . * Man , that will ne'r be tempted , past his might , * Runnes from the Glit'ring Strumpet , flies her sight . * O happy is the man , blessed for euer , * Whose Life , in flying Sinne , Ioyes to perseuer . Vita nihil peius iniqua .
THE IESVITE . NOt like the Masse-Priest , he whose mouth is cram'd With words that speak all Protestants are damn'd . Him nor his Flocke , I dare not censure so , Nor meane to write more then I iustly know To be most true ; In which knowne Path I finde , Counterfeit Catholiques , so grossely blinde , They dare outface Heau'ns Truth , forg'd lies maintain● To Cloake the cunning Iesuites subtile Braine , He that do's Theefe-like waite for Vertues fall , Liues in perpetuall watch , to blow vp all . The President , recorded stands for euer . In this Realmes safety ; which hel's Plot can neuer Wipe from Rememb'rance ; neuer shall the Euill Of that close Secretary , to the Deuill , That Jesuite GARNET , liue forgot while I , Haue Pen , or Hand , to write his Tragedy , ( That Myne of Murther , Mischiefes Master-vice , Lodg'd in the Politicque skull of Auarice ) His desp'rate Soule was such , hee durst to swimme , A Sea of Vice , be rackt in eu'ry Limme . All Tortures suffer , rather then Reueale The Treason , his Religion bids conceale . Witnesse thou Ghost of Garnet , this is true . He that han'gd , drawne , and quarter'd , had his due . To him was knowne , the powder pitchie Treason , Neuer to be forgot , he knew the season When , where , and how , that suddaine bloudie blow , ( Blacke , Hell-bred , Thunder , flaming , ouerthrow , ) Should haue bin giuen ; knew the Times short space , When no soule should haue time to pray for Grace , Or cry , God helpe ; The Treason was so foule , The Traitors would haue damn'd both body and Soule If in their power ; and eu'ry soule i' th Ayre Tost vp , sent vnprepar'd of heau'nly prayer , With all their sinnes ; O horrid , horrid Act , All this the Jesuite knew ; conceal'd the Fact , And rather then disclose , least warning giue , King , Prince , and Nobles , not a soule should liue , Here was a Villaine ; yet I 'ue knowne in Spaine , The Traitors death so moan'd , such Credit gaine , ( Though here he dyde , for Treasons iust Complaint , ) There Monster Iesuites , make a Martyr'd Saint . Mischieuous Masse-Priests to his meriting Fame , At the high Altar in a spatious frame , Aduance to him , as to a Saint most blest , His Body-mangled Picture , thus exprest : Garnets Picture . Bare Head , white Beard , Lookes sober , in his Gowne , * Him ouer head , Angels with Laurell Crowne . * About his Necke , a long large Halter tide , * Hangs , ( as befitting such ) downe the Left side . * His Belly ript , bloud seeming open raw , * Holding in his right hand , his pictur'd straw . * Beneath his right side , flames a Heart in fire , * 'Boue his left side , Limmes quarter'd , Treasons hire , * Presented on a Towre ; which Pictur'd storie Straw-sainted set vp to 'th Arch-Traitors Glory . Inuites each eye , yea all the World to see Jesuites , Protectors , of all Villany . * Poys'ning of Princes , held as trifling things , * With them , 't is meritorious to kill Kings . Can this Religion be , they thinke it pure , But Man ne'r knew Religion more impure , Their Church , is but their Baud , bad deedes to further , Th' onely sanctuary for bloud and murther . Plots , Practizes , hellish abomination , Pardons for Treason , holy approbation Of that ill-Sainted wretch ( his cursed fault ) That Father to Faux , the Diuell i' th vault . Such Judas-Iesuites euer Traitors proue To King , and Prince ; disloyall in their loue . * Yet outward fawning seeme on bended knee * Low as the earth ; O true hypocrisie , * Vnder the milde aspect of Reuerence , * In duty , and submisse obedience , * With Oylie Eloquence , best pleasing Phrase , * Catching Orations , full of flat'ring praise , * When in the Heart , abides no spot of good , * All treach'rous thoughts ; all thirsting after bloud , * The fall of Princes , change , alteration , * The Protestants Religion 's desolation , * Such is the Iesuites diue'lish disposition , * The nature of the Beast , his true condition . * He that can temporize , by Booke maintaine * To serue his ends ; and glut his God-lesse gaine . * Be what he least seemes , cold in deuotion , Enuious , at one anothers Promotion , * Not lowly minded , but proud Ambitious , * In tongue a Saint , in heart a Slaue vicious . * Preach diuine patience , when himselfe shall be , * The waspish Image of all Tyrannie . * Spleenatiue , choll'ricke , And who so offends , * Is so farre off from euer being friends , All-bee't he seeme a Calme , yet if he liue , Hee 'l be reueng'd , be sure ne'r to forgiue . Such is the Iesuite , such his double Face , And such his charitable signe of Grace . He that dares awe his Countrey , King and State , Smile , and yet be a villaine , all men hate , Set Princes at debate , befoole the Tymes , Poyson the world , with irreligious Crymes , Swell Battles , Murthers , make whole Kingdoms shake , Shed Innocent bloud , all for Religions sake , To defend Religion , what Religion 's this , To seeme deuoute , and doe so much amisse ? * Colour Religion , with meere gullerie , * Wrest sacred Text , to maintaine Roguerie , ( * As if Religion were a formall Law , * Religion onely to keepe fooles in awe , ) Defend Controuersies ; woe to those dayes Woe to such Serpent-snarling Church-Mens wayes , * Sinne ne'r triumphs , strikes a more Fatall stroake , * Then when 't is couer'd with Religions Cloake . That Iesuite , he , who speakes diuinely faire Yet hath a wicked life ; I may compare To fire , stand off , doe not come too neare it , You then may safely warme ; need not feare it . But if thou vnaduisedly presume , Approach to nigh , thee it will burne , consume , So the deceitfull Priest , come not neare him , Shun his Acquaintance , you need not feare him . Fly his dissembling sight , his blacke life spurne , If lodg'd within your bosome , he will burne With show of holinesse burne and scortch . Waste thee , in thy Estate , like a spent Tortch . There 's not a Gentleman of meanes do's die , But with his Heire , the Iesuite presently Shares in his Land ; with shew of Reuerence , ( Winning of Soules ) couers concupiscence . Commits with all he likes , any Man's wife , Makes her beleeue , 't is to preserue his life . Perswading Letch'rie , with their Ghostly Father . No Sinne , but a Deede of charitie rather . Sad-sickenesse to preuent , to scowre the Veines , To mundifie , and for to purge the Reines , Ergo plena Charitatis ; An Act Of meere Commiseration , such a Fact , As to denie it , ( were a damned sinne ) Puls curse on curse , which hath for euer bin Iustly inflicted ; punishing all those Repugnant Natures , with the worst of woes , Despaire , assur'd confusion , dismall horrour , Suddaine destruction , Death , Infernall Terrour , Hell , and the Diuell ; for that high offence Of Stubborne refusall , disobedience , A sinne , impossible to be forgiuen , Such is the Iesuites charge ; of purpose giuen , To please his Lust ; makes that , a gainefull Trade , Lies with this Lady , and that Chamber-Maide . Here giues a Pardon , there denounceth Curses , So betwixt both , sure to picke all their Purses . The Nimble Slaues Church-knauerie can strip , And fetch your greatest Lady o're the hip . With a religious show , put tricks vpon her , Rob the beleeuing Foole , first of her honour , Then pardon Sinne ; and then he may enthrall , Rob her 〈◊〉 Coyne , Plate , Iewels , Smocke and all , Doe , and vndoe , Her Charity 's soone drawne For baudie Iesuites , her best Smocke to pawne , Their thread of Doctrine 'mong women spun , Is to whore all , be she the chastest Nun , If she denie to yeeld , Murther and Rape , Shall Wolfe-like seize that prey , there 's no escape , Such is the Murd'ring Minde of him we call , Natures Monster , Priest Iesuiticall .
THE DIVELL . SEarch all the Earth , you eu'ry where shall see , Satan most busie , from the Church not free , The very Pulpit haunts , and being vext , Seekes how to put the Preacher from his Text : Such as teach others , yet themselues neglect , And with sinnes Callocke hide their owne defect ; From Pew to Pew , vnseene ; Hel's Feind do's creepe , To dull the Hearers Eares , Ioggs some a sleepe , Some to vaine prattle , others still to prie , With wanton lookes , for a bewitching Eye . Some greedily imployes , to spie out Fashions , To glut the humours of proud womens passions . Makes muddie Mortals , at each other looke , More then on Heau'n , or Gods all blessed Booke . And such is Satan's craft , continuall Motion , To draw mankinde from Heau'n , and all Deuotion . Tempts some to Hate , Ambition , some to slide The slip'rie sleights of Pompe , vn-paid for Pride , Others to swimme the Sea , Lust pleasing vice , Some wet damnation , most men Auarice Seruant to Satan ; Satan which do's striue , Man of all heau'nly solace to depriue . God ( for our sinnes ) no sooner Angry growes , But straight the Roaring , suddaine Diuell throwes His Pawes on vs ; And like himselfe beginnes ( For Numbers numberlesse of desp'rate sinnes , ) To seize the Soule , made an Eternall prey To burne in Hell , as Heau'ns iust Cast-away . Such is the Fate of Soules , ensnar'd within Satans command ; beware the Twigge of sinne , Least touch will take thee Pris'ner ; Hellish Guiles Proue like the perilous paths of Crocodiles , Who with their slimie Tongues ( lickt o're ) prepare To murther Mortals , by a slip'rie Snare . Man is a Tree , whose Roote what i' st ? thoughts euill , Bad Deeds the Body , yeelding to the Deuill . The Armes , ten proud aspiring discontents , Breakers of all the Ten Commandements . The Branches are , our proanesse vnto ill , The Leases Pleasure , the faire Fruit sinne , which still With sweetest show of sweetnesse , tempts vs on , To feede and follow our destruction . * There 's feare aboue vs , feare beneath vs , * Feare round about , and yet no feare within vs . Satan like Dalilah , suffers not men , For to see danger ; is 't not fitting then , By holy violence , we seize the Sword Of th' Omnipotents , Omnipotent Word , To slaughter sinne in vs ; O shall not we ( That professe sacred Christianitie , ) Conquer our Crimes ; thinke on the life to come , The rising of the Dead ; that Day of Doome , When this vast Othe of Earth shall blazing burne , An all the World in Funerall Flames shall mourne , Then Heau'n and Hell amazing shall appeare , In two extreames ; Ioy , and excessiue Feare ; Heau'n in bright shining All Eternall Light , Hell in the Horrour of perpetuall Night . Heau'n shall triumph , Hell tremble , Angels sing , Gloria in Excelsis , to Heau'ns high King ; The King of Heau'n ; Heau'n Ioyes perfect solace , All-Rauishing , glit'ring , glist'ring Palace , Pleasures Paradice , Immortall Dwelling , All pure , excellent , past thought excelling , Heau'ns Pauement are the starres , in what excesse Shines Heau'n , when star-pau'd with stars numberlesse . No thought of want , which mads the thoughts of men , But plenties fulnesse , full abound in Heau'n . There , Virgin Chastitie in Life opprest , Glitters in Saint-like Glory , liues most blest , The poore man tost , from wrong , to iniurie , In Heau'n findes comfort , firme felicitie . The wronged widdow , iniur'd fatherlesse , Bright Heau'n releiues , giues all their woes redresse . * He that for ill , do's good ; Heau'n will requite , * Crowne his faire soule , with Comforts infinite . Is it not fit then , we our sinnes bewaile , Thinke still on Heau'n ; on Heau'n that ne'r did faile The penitent heart , when ( alas distrest , Naked , forlorne , when most of all opprest . Then sends reliefe , miraculous reliefes , Such is the Loue of Heau'n , Heau'n cures all griefes , As for Times Wolfe-turn'd ill-affected great Ones , Close-fisted to the poore , deafe to their Groanes , The villaines of this Age , that make profession , Of a pure Life ; yet liue by base oppression , Hell shall confound their soules , that Den of Horror , ( Circl'd with blacke affright , blew-burning Terror ) Shall boyle their soules , and bodies , to th' blacke sweat Of an infernall poyson ; and that eate Still to renew new paines ; plagues that excell Such are the neuer-dying paines of Hell . There , painted Pride liues crown'd in flaming fire . The Glorious Strumpet , whipt with burning wyer Fed , is the Lust-prouoking Letcher there With scortching Coles ; such as delight to sweare , Swallow the Drunkards euer scalding Oyle , There , Vsurers in Pooles of Sulphure boyle . Murther , Rape , Incest , endlesse torments feele , The Racke of vengeance , and the burning wheele Whirl'd round in blew flames , soule-amazing feare , * More Plagues then Tongue can tell , the damned beare . In burning Beds of steele , soules blazing fry , Tortur'd with torments , such as neuer dye , Cursing the Time of their abus'd Creation , Parents , Fate , Sinne , and their owne damnation . Better , O better neuer to be borne , Then with such Terror-striking Torments torne , Which to eschew , weepe wormes of earth , repent , Weepe , weepe for sinne , soule-killing sinnes preuent , * Seeke Heau'n , shun Hell , fly from the worlds entice , * Heau'ns the Reward of Vertue , Hell of Vice . * Perfect Repentance , makes men brauely die , * That ne'r liu'd so ; fly then Hels Miserie , * Deferre not thy Repentance till to Morrow , * Shed Teares for sinne , O 't is a sacred Sorrow . * Repent or damne ; for sinne weepe , and weepe well , * Soules that doe floure at Teares , shall fry in Hell . God in his infinite Mercy ne'r forsakes The soule which fights with sinne , and vndertakes To doe it's best endeauour ; striuest ' expell The subtile shares of sinne , and striues to dwell On Vertues mount ( free from the tempting vice Of the World , Flesh ; and Diuell , all th' entice Of all ill Company ; whose venome bloud Each diuine thought in Man , each deed that 's good , Seekes to corrupt , to poyson , betray soules , And drie their vertues , like parcht parchment scroles . From which dire Mischiefe , the Religious still Protected stand , by the Almighties will . Simile . As the young Bird for food do's neuer cease , Op'ning the Mouth , vntill the Damme release And cure the want it suffers ; so should we * With vnlockt lips still pray , that God would free * Our soules from sinne , O 't is a blessed taske ! * God ne'r leaues giuing , till we leaue to aske . What a large , Extreame folly 't is to spie Man ( like the Wolfe for prey ) how earnestly He hunts for meanes ; as if the onely honie Of Soule , and Body , did consist in monie ; Meat drinke & clothes ; men sicke , still pray for health , Ready to be vndone , for paltry wealth , Freedome , and safety ; And with shamelesse Faces Forget to beg of God , Spirituall Graces . * Many Men pray ; But he the Glory winnes , * Who prayes , to be disburthen'd from his sinnes ; * And viewes the poore Mans Labour , with the Eye * Of sweete reliefe ; ther 's Noble Charitie : * The heart of such a Man , may sometimes shrinke * Vnder Temptations weight , but neuer sinke : * God makes him here , Lord Steward of that store , * He deales so chearefully among the poore ; * Giues him the Grace to thinke , when to his sight * A poore wretch comes , to begge of him a Mite ; * He might haue beene that begger , his Estate * Transfer'd on him ; and begging at his Gate , Or in the streete in Raggs , opprest with griefe , Glad to beseech him , for some poore reliefe ; To such faire soules ; Iehoua in his loue , Giues Gifts of Grace ; he their defence will proue , God's promise is , ( if feruently , we pray And vse our best endeauour eu'ry day To fly from sinne , resoluing to betake vs To holy Meanes , he neuer will forsake vs . God , is so ki●●e , he cannot , will not see His Serua●● 〈◊〉 , to damn'd impietie . Neuer did any , doe their faire endeauour To pray to him , that euer lost their labour . Nay more ; if God but see thy inclination To pray ; He will preuent thy supplication , Answer thy full desire e're thou canst craue , Grant that , thy heart did neuer hope to haue . He made the Eare , to heare the happinesse We haue from him ; the Tongue still to confesse The Glory of his Name ; our Eyes to see The workes of his Almighty Maiestie . Hand , Heart , Knee , Foot , God the whole man did frame All to reioyce , in his All-Sacred Name . And dare we Dust and Ashes cease to pray To Him ? O no ; Heauen grant I neuer 〈◊〉 . Ride thou my Soule vpon some winged Cloud To th' Heau'nly Haruest ; Fly to the sacred Shroud Of Sempeternall Safety ; Fly the sight Of blazing Beautie , flaring Earths delight , Malicious Mindes ; mischieuous Man's inuention , Faire Lookes , false Hearts , stampt in a foule intention , Take flight my Soule , flie from the dismall Den Of this Darke Age ; the impiuousnesse of Men Fly from the pond'rous Plummets of blacke Vice Which puls to Hell ; helpe Prince of Paradice , I faint , I die , sinne loades my soule with Horror , The World , the Flesh , and Diuell , all with Terror Hangs , on my fetter'd Limmes Pris'ner to eare I liue steru'd , Tortur'd , Tempted to despaire . Heare me Eternall Essence , which hath made My soule to pray , send me thy sacred aide On the bright Sunne Beames of thy sweet Saluation , Draw ( Lord ) draw vp the Dew of my Deuotion . Mount Soule , vpon the wings of Charitie , Helpe Heau'n , vp Heart , Fly at Eternitie Rowz'd like a Towring Faulcon in despight Of Hell , and Furies , Fly to thy Makers sight . * Happy the Man , whose Actions , striue to swimme . * Through Seas of Tribulation vnto him , * The way to Heau'n , is full of Rubbs , and Thornes , * We cannot passe , but by the Lane of Scornes . * The Diuell sets his Baites , in euery angle , * No Corner's free from him , soules to entangle . Therefore , in Vertues Path , striue to excell , Let feruent Faith , repulse the Fiend of hell . Diuines may Preach else till their Heart strings burst , The Height of Sinne will Mount ; liue still accurst FINIS .