The lavvyers philosophy: or, Lavv brought to light Poetized in a diuine rhapsodie or contemplatiue poem. By Roger Tisdale, gent.

THE LAWYERS PHILOSOPHY : AWake my Muse ! & from this slumbring trance , Praeludium . Lightly arise , and on thy wings aduance , Thy nimble-soaring Spirit , to the Sunne , Aboue the Clouds , that yet doe ouerrunne Thy bright-ey'd beauty ! Rowze away this dream , That eddies in thy braine , like to a streame , Whose giddy windings with Plebeian stormes , Turne , and returne , begetting sundry formes . What though my sighs like clouds do fill the aire ? Thinke it not night . Nor let vs so duspaire , As fainting to lye downe in sorrowes deepe , And there take vp our last eternall sleepe . No , no , shake off the dewfals of the Night , That dampe thy plumes , and soare into the Light , With cheerefull notes : whilst I retir'd sit still , Sighing a sad Faburthen from my quill , To thy more nimble warblings . Let not feare Distract our hopes ! there 's One aboue will heare , If all the world neglect vs . And for rumours , Breath'd from the Vulgar , which are only tumours , And swelling water-bubbles , that together Doe rise , and fall , according to the weather , Why should we feare them ? Let the inward Man Looke vpward , then doe Enuy what she can . Set therefore now thy voice in tune to mine , In descant manner ! and againe to thine I le tune a ground : and both together we Two parts in one , so sweetly will agree , As whilst the rabble , and rude multitude , With their vnciuill clamours doe intrude , Breaking all Law , and Right , true Musicks lore , We will in tune , them out of tune deplore . Law , the subiect of this worke . The Law must be our Song : not Pedlers French , Nor old Prescriptions laid vp in the Trench Of rusty Time : Nor moth-eaten Decrees Worne out of date : Nor that , whose golden fees Makes the tongue flow with Arguments of wit , And troll apace in Angell-Rethorick . These are but wrangling Ecchoes . But the Law We are to sing of , hath the power to draw The worthinesse of this subiect . All Powers to Obedience , in Loue , And not constraint , as being set aboue In the Seraphick Spheres of holy Angels , Penning the songs of Peace , & sweet Euangels . I meane that Law , that was beyond all Time , And yet euen now rings forth , so sweet a chyme Into our cares and vnderstanding parts , As tunes the World , and glads all vpright hearts , What this Law is . It is the Law of Wisedome : whose right hand , Is that eternall Power , that did command Of nothing , All-things , in their seuerall numbers , And all in One brought forth a world of wonders . His left hand Goodnes , or eternall Loue , That on the Chaos like the siluer Doue On Noahs watry Deluge sweetly gliding , Of new Discoueries brought the happy tiding , And form'd all formes , one for anothers sake , And for himselfe them all as one did make . Whilst in the mid'st Wisedome did fit inthron'd , Spangled with Starres , and with a crowne adornd Of awfull Maiestie writing a Lecture , To all his creatures , with that sacred Scepter , Of his iust will , whereby he sets a border To euery forme , and giues all formes their order . This Law is threefold : Power , Wisedome , Loue Of this Law must I sing : the Law of Power , Wisedome and Loue , that from the heau'ny Tower , On the wide-spredding sixe-wing'd Cherubins , Descended downe into this frame of things : And in six dayes shed his trine-working Spirit Through All of this Round-All , to dis-inherit Confusion from his worke , and make faire Light , The true succeeding issue of blacke Night . A Poeticall Inuocation . O therefore thou most sacred Archy-Muse , With dulced , and harmonious Tones transfuse All my best Powers ! Beare my frailety vp The great Olympian height ! and reach the cup Of heau'nly Nectar , to my fainting hand ! That I may taste , and with that taste command Darke Chaos to descend , and spritely fire , From out dead Embers lightly to aspire . That as the Snake by casting off her Slough , The Eagle of his Bill aged and tough , Renue their youthfull temper : or more fit , As did Elias let his garment slip , Casting off humane fraileties , when his Spirit Kindling with zeale , mounted the burning Charrie To Ioues bright-shining Temple : So my powers , Forsaking earths darke Elementall Bowers , May nimbly soare into th' Angellick Tribe , And be with them diuinely stellifide . Luciferous Beauties , faire , Of Angels . and first of creatures Light of the prime Light , intellectuall features Of the first Forme , Heau'ns glorious Architype , The sonnes of Elohim , and the dayes delight . With you I first begin to shew Lawes power And calculate the Birth and natiue hower Of your great greatnesse , in whom first the Law ( As in the first of Subiects vnder awe , Of heau'ns eternall Scepter ) had his Being In golden Thrones , but knew no golden feeing . T is you bright Mirrors of Maiesticke beauty , Collecting in your Orbes with sacred duty Th' Ideall Rayes of Him , whose all-discerning Doth make you shine with intellectuall Learning . T is you in whom I see as in a glasse , What is to come , what 's now , and long since was Before there was Beginning . So the Bell Tolles to the Graue : So the cleere Fountaine Well , Is by the eddying streames at last found out : And the celestiall eye that wheeles about This elementall Square , by his bright Rayes , That on the Christall-streaming Riuer playes , Is stedfastly therein discern'd and seene , That else by none but Ioues own Birds hath beene . Homers golden Chaine : God , Angels , Starres , Elements . And so by your tralucent beames of Light , Shot from the great Maiestick Throne of Right , Into your dutyous Orbes , and then againe From you into the great celestiall Maine , And Sea of many Beauties , which descending Into these lower parts , that haue depending , Onely from things aboue , we reade , and see , In Charecters of State , and Maiestie , The Law of Power , Wisedome , and of Loue , That doth in all inferiour Subiects moue , Creating , Ruling , and withall preseruing Things in their Being , Order , and true seruing . Essence & Power Essence and Being in this Round of things , Shewes the great Power of the King of Kings : That could of Nothing such a Something make , As doth amaze and cause all Powers to shake , In comprehending but the least Creation His Power hath fram'd in this Conglomoration . Order and Wisedome . Order shewes Wisedome , setting eu'ry part With such a sweet facilitie and Art , Each in subordinate Order to another , As that to this , and this to that is Brother , In sympathy , and correspondent frame , And all together dutyously proclaime The God of Order to be onely Wise , Deseruing Hecatomben sacrifice . But when we looke how eu'ry thing created , Beauty & Loue . Is from aboue vs inwardly innated With fruitfull Vertues , thriuing qualities , That out of their pure Natures doe arise , All beautious in themselues , and fit for th' vse One of another : who can other choose , But see , and fairely reade , Goodnes and Loue , In this great Volume , written from aboue , With Gods owne finger , in such sweet inditing , As if Eternall Loue for his delighting , Had pen'd a Poem all of Loue and sweetnesse , To shew himselfe , and teach vs Loue & meekenesse ? All these ( and these are all , no more but three Vnited in one sacred Vnitie : ) As Essence , Order , Beauty in this Frame , And Power , Wisedome , Loue aboue the same : These three , I say , are the true Rules of Law , Before all time , and in all time doe awe The creature in his bounds . For what 's command That wanteth Power ? Or who can vnderstand What Power is , without a Being Subiect , O're which it hath Dominion to iudge it . ●ower without ●…sedome is Ty●…nny . ●isdome without ●oue , is subtilty . ●oue , without Wisedome and ●ower , is folly . Yet Power without foreseeing Wisedome erreth , Not knowing : but with cruelty deterreth , Where it commands : when Sapience ioynd with Power , Ordreth extremes , and maketh mildnesse lower . It truely Gouernes , Wisedome is the Law , Knowes to instruct , and how to keepe in awe . But what is all th' essentiall frame of things ? And what is Order ? Neither of them brings Perfection to the worke , without true vse , Which Loue and Goodnes sweetly doth infuse . So in a Clocke we see the solid forme , On many nimble-mouing wheeles is borne , All order'd , with such Order , and such Art , As one to All , and All to euery part , Is symmetrall , shewing the Makers skill , And Power to make . But should the Makers will Haue gone no further , and not motion lent , To shew the vse , and his owne faire intent : Who could haue call'd that well-fram'd forme a Clocke , Or knowne it other wise then as a mocke Of pow'rfull Art , that wants his proper end , Feeding the eye , but doth to nothing tend ? Will in the maker , tending to direction , Of Power , and Wisedome , is the full perfection , Which is true Loue. The Court Ha●… of Law . And so in this round Sphere Finding sweet Beauty , Order , and Essence there , We therewithall from the Floriferous Centre , 1. Floriferous . 2. Stelliferous . 3. Luciferous . Through you Stelliferous . Stations soone do enter , Into your bright Luciferous Orbes of Beauty ( Faire sonnes of Elohim ) and there reade the duty Of true-borne Subiects , euer held in awe , Vnder the Trine-Vne soueraigntie of Law . Whereof that I may sing , first giue me leaue , The triple Region of this World to cleaue , Iust in three parts , as three Court Hals , wherein Of Errors they the vpper hand doe winne , And in disposing right to euery one , Forbid withall , that wrong be done to none . The first and lowest is this earthly Stage , The great Ha●… hath 3. Co●… Whereon we tread in wandring equipage : All richly hung about her flowry Stronds , With precious Gemmes like Sparkes of Diamonds Dropt downe from heauen : and is the common Hall Where diuers Courts are kept , Kings Bench. Chancery . Common Plac●… that vnto All Giue common Right , in Earth , in Ayre , in Seas , With Royall , Peacefull , and with Common Pleas , Whereof hereafter . But aboue all these , Ascending vpward by a few degrees , ●tar-Chamber . One Court in glorious State aboue the rest , Opens her Gates equally East and West : Wherein the Sunne of Maiestie doth guild , Like Aprill Flowers in a Meddowy Field , Her starry Thrones of Iudgement . Heere doth sit The Power of Warre , and true Promethean Wit : The Iouialist , and grauer Saturnine : Milde Venus Doue , and quick-eyd Serpentine . In briefe , this Court holds Planetary Station , And is the great Star-Chamber Constellation . ●arliament . Next this , vp higher , throgh heau'ns Painted Chamber And Galaxia of the great Commander Of this round Vniuerse , a third Court-Hall , Sacred for State , and made Imperiall , Aboue all others , entertaines the King , Crown'd , and inthron'd , vpon whose right-hand wing , His Sonne the Prince of Peace , in Robes of State Sits richly cloth'd . Where that they may debate The Kingdomes great affaires ( as from them sent ) The Breath of Maiestie cals a Parliament Of Angell-Senatours wise Intelligences , Full of Diuine , and sacred influences . Poeticall ●…estie . But stay , my Muse ! dar'st thou aspire so high , On waxen wings ? Or dar'st thou mount so nigh That pow'rfull Wisdome ? that All-sapient Power , That made yeeres , months , weekes , dayes , & eu'ry houre , Yea , eu'ry minute , & times smallest moment , To be the Register , and stately Comment Of his admired workes , and working Spirit ? Forbeare I say ! and and either climbe the Charrit , Of true Seraphick Loue that doth vnite Wisedome and Power ( like a Fauourite Of that great King of Kings ) or be still mute , And humbly kneeling offer vp thy sute Of true Obedience , till that Arme descend , To lift thee vp , that Vertue doth defend . A Poeticall incouragement . And with the thought me thinkes already now , I am all Fire , and I know not how The darke confused Chaos of my braine , And all those earthly Powers , that restraine Mans climing Faculties , in an instant are Like an inflamed Meteor in the Ayre ; And what was massie , intricate , and thicke , Is now become light , deleuer , and quicke , To mount through Heau'ns bright starry Regiment , Into the highest Court of Parliament . Where Power , Wisdome , Lone , doe sit in acting Lawes truely good , that suffer no detracting . Law is all Order and Harmony . Sing then of these : and then thou sing'st of all , That can within the Scale of Musicke fall : For these are Musicke , and that rauishing Tone , That from the Chaos wrought all things to One , And order'd all disorders with one Fiat Of heauenly sweetnesse , the true Key of Quiet : Whereto all Vnisons with one consent , As strings are fitted on an Instrument , Doe seu'rally in tune and order rise , And altogether sweetly harmonize . Moses Beginning . In the Beginning — O where am I now ? Eu'n at an ending . For my Muse doth bow In Circle-wise , whose first and last is One And All in All , that neuer is alone , And yet all One. In this Beginning was it , When ( but Eternitie ) none did surpasse it , Trine Elohim created Heau'n and Earth , And to this Round-All gaue a timely Birth , Chaos confusedly described . Vntimely though it seem'd . For darknesse then Surrounded All this Round-All , eu'n as when A Point confus'dly multiplide , doth cloud The Virgin paper , whilst the Artsman proud Of his inacting Power , doth blot it ouer All blacke , intending after to discouer , Lines , Bodies , Shapes , & sundry beauteons formes , Drawne out of darknes , as faire Peace from stormes , And Day from Night . For in this darke Abysse , Heau'n , Earth , and all therein contained is Confusedly in one Conglomoration Were symboliz'd as seeds of this Creation . But in such strife , and orderlesse disorder , As therein nothing had his proper border , But each did Warre , to haue anothers place , And fight to giue , or get vnknowne disgrace . That in the smooldring heate , cold Earth & Water , In dogged wrangle , did bring forth a Daughter , Call'd the tempestuous Ayre . And Aire and Fire , Piercing the Chaos , did themselues retire , Into the Centrelesse bosome of the Deepe , And through by-crannies heere and there did creepe , Till at the last , ioyning their lawlesse forces , To stirre vp Warre , like two vntamed Horses , They shook with trampling all the formelesse Masse , And with that Ague-fit did boldly passe Through euery humour , eu'ry qualitie Of heate and cold , drought and humiditie , That altogether in an vprore were , Yet to be sought out , no man could tell where : For yet there was no place : but high and low , Was all inforcement , none his place did know . Which was the cause , turmoyle and hurly-burly Rose like a tempest , and each thing was surly Vnto another , without giuing way , But proudly iustling , and inforcing stay That as at Sea , when Aeolus vnbindes The mustring clouds , & sends contrarious winds , To rouze the fretful waues : a sulpherous thunder With smoaky Lightning breakes the Aire asunder , To meete those raging Tidelings , and together All ioyne in conflict , forcing stormy weather , That doth not cloud , but darke this Hemisphere , And in a graue transparent Light interre : Saue that vpon the liquid Ocean glasse The nimble Lightning now & then doth passe , And giues a a glim'ring light , which who had seene it , He could no more but as a twinkling deeme it . So in this vndigested formelesse Matter , Strife and Contention forcing vp the Water , A smoaky breath , from out their sulph'rous bowels , In dusky clouds , and stormy vapour rowles , Heere , there , and all about , that with the fogge So forced from that deepe and myery Bogge , Cymerian Darknes was that nothing-All And All-beginning Nothing : saue withall , That by odde starts , and suddainties , sometime In this hot tumult , from the muddy slime , A liquid sweate vpon the vpper face Of the vast Deepe ( like Pearle or Isinglasse ) Did issue forth , casting a gleaming spangle , Which by and by , thicke darknes did intangle . But now behold ! God moued vpon the face of the Waters . ( for now 't is worth an Ecce ) When all was formelesse , void , and in perplexie , Darke , and obscure , the Spirit of Elohim , On the moist Superficies did swim , Nay ( as the Text saith ) incubat , and nessle , To brood the vnborn , who as then did wrestle Together in the teeming wombe of Nature , Who should be first , and who of highest stature . And all this in the darke : for Darknesse still The spacious Vault of Emptinesse did fill . And he that was chiefe Lord of this Creation , Had Darknesse made his secret habitation . Darknes is Gods Habitation . Psal. 18. ●ecret I call it ; for what quick-ey'd sence Of the best Sophist , euer found from whence Or how darke Chaos came ? or could discouer What formlesse Matter was , though much they houer , As I doe now about it ? Then much lesse , Can the dull eye of Art , see or expresse Light inaccessible The Light that dims all Lights . Gaze on the Sun , And thou shalt finde thine eye-sight quite vndone , Strucken with endlesse Darknes . So much rather , Who in his Essence seekes to know the Father Of all created Lights , glorious beyond What either Men , or Angels vnderstand , May in that search say to the Day , good Night , And liue for euer a blinded Sodomite , Dwelling in darknesse . For when all is done , That nimble wit , and quicke conception Can pry into , we doe but grope , and feele , Like cupshot Bacchinals , that wandring reele About the roome , to finde a burning Candle , Which in the darke themselues doe hold & handle , And cannot see it . Feare , and admiration Best fits a wise and sober generation , In this inquirie . Whoso seekes , doth well , For that great Light that doth in darknesse dwell . God is Light and Life . The Diuine Eaglet that did towre so high Into this Light , aboue the Starry skie , Found him to be the very Life of all , Within this new-created generall . And that this Life was Light , which by diuine , Iohn 1.5 . And sacred influence , did pierce and shine , Eu'n through the Chaos , in the secret darke , And yet withall , he leaues it for a marke Of eminence , and much to be commended , That Light of darknes was not comprehended . Againe , the sixe-wing'd sacred Cherubim , Esay 6. The knowing sonnes of this great Elohim , Prime schollers of the prime Light , and endowed With learned graces , haue their eyes yet shrowded , With their two fore-wings , shewing bashfull feare , And humble reu'rence to that Light so cleere : Which should it in full Maiestie forth shine , And they gaze on it with wide open eyne , Those bright-ey'd Lampes would soone in darknes Whom now he doth with oyly graces cherish . Therefore , O Man ! and thou my forward Muse ! Dare not too high ! lest we our selues abuse . An humble knowledge makes vs to ascend : Pride casts vs downe , vnfit to comprehend . So that to know the Light , with true discerning , Is to confesse it comes not in our learning . For if that we could comprehend that Light , Not it , but darknes should be infinite . Yet that we might not altogether liue In lawlesse darknesse , and our Spirits giue Vp to dull ignorance , as nothing knowing , Of this prime Light , behold , new light comes flowing A Parliament of Power , Wisdome , Loue . From the bright Fountaine . Power , Wisdome , Loue , In consultation being set aboue , How to reduce darke Chaos into forme , And giue a Law vnto the lawlesse storme Of the first then vnformed Elements , Shot nimble Lightning forth , and so preuents The rage of rude disorder . Darknes fell , Affrighted downe into the depth of Hell : And with the Word of Wisedome , Fiat Lux , The Law of Light . Light flowing came , in a most glorious flux . Let there be Light ! O , was there euer Law So short , so sweet ? or had more power to awe Confused strife ? when all was out of frame , This was the Law , did reconcile the same : Proclaim'd a Peace : gaue eye-sight to the blinde : Light threefold . And drossie Oare in Minerals refinde . Peace is the song of Angels . Light of Eye , The faire transparent beauty of the Skie . In Elements , the Fire hath supreme power , The scumme and Tartar of the rest to skowre , To purge , and quicken . So in a three-fold Light , The Day-spring riseth , banishing the Night : The Night of lawlesse Error , and of blindnesse ; Of warlike strife , and turbulent vnkindnesse : That sees not what is what : but in confusion , All Law-rights breakes , with violent intrusion , One on anothers necke , confounding Peace , And wanting Loue , and so without increase . This Night , I say , was banisht . And the Day , The Light , and Law of things , as fresh as May , Came like a Bridegroome forth in bright attire , As the Meridian Sunne , that doth aspire The Vertick Point . No shadow then was seene ; Nor the celestiall Curtaine drawne betweene This Elementall and the supreme Light , Whose round Expansion closeth in the Night : But All was all alike , and eu'ry where , About the earth , transparent , bright , and cleere : For All was Light . Only in site and place , There was some diff'rence . That had highest grace , That neerest to the Prime Light was aduanced , And that of lesse , that towards this Centre chanced . The middle Region did of both partake : Yet but One Light th' Eternall Power did make , To light vs into darknesse , there to see The sacred Light of all Eternitie . Law-rights obseru'd , doe shew vs what is right : And Light it is that doth discouer Light . Truth seekes no corners , there doth darknes lurke : And mighty Elohim , when he fell to worke , Lighted a Candle vp that all might view him : For In lumine suo videbimus Lumen . The Light creating , by created Light , Is out of darknesse brought into our sight . For had not Light strooke Darknes vnder-ground , How in the darke could any thing bee found , That now we finde , and see ? How could the Law Haue come to light ? who could Essentialls draw Number . Order . Vnity . Into their seu'rall Numbers ? who could order Those numbers right ? and giue a proper border To eu'ry such Essentiall ? Who ( I say ) Could of these two finde out the ready way , And Number make with Order so agree , As both should hold one vsefull sympathy ? This Light and Law can do . The Law of Light , And Light of Law , that giues to all things Right , Can Number , Order , and Vnite in One , With Fiat Lux : for so the Law begunne . Let there be Light ! Heere is a word of Power , Beyond all Powers : an inriching Dower , Beyond all Riches : and they both together , Law Commanding and forbidding Are a Commandement , well I know not whether Commanding , or forbidding . In the meane , Wisedome took place , and being apt to gleane Wealth from the One , and Power from another Commanded this , and did forbid the tother . So Light was cherisht , and dull darknesse chidden : Truth brought to Light , & Error was forbidden . In briefe this Law in Power being strong , And rich in Loue , because it doth no wrong , Grew vpright Wise : for Wisdome is the Light To Power and Loue , and thereby makes all right . So that a new-borne Issue from aboue Descended out from Power , Wisedome , Loue : Law descended from Heau'n . And was no sooner borne , but by and by Was entertain'd with gladsome melody . And eu'ry one sung out this cheerefull Salto , I am noua Progenies Coelo demittitur alto . Virg. Eclog. 4. And this was Law : the Law that lighteth All Into the Light , and Darknes doth inthrall In chaines below the Deepe : strikes Error blind : And the light way to Truth & Right doth finde . The Law of Light inacted . Nor onely so : for with the promulgation Of this great Law , issued a Proclamation , Commanding as it went to each degree , This lowd proclaiming Summons , Let there be ! Let , is a word of Power : There shewes the place : Be , is all Being , Order , and due Grace . And altogether with one Let there be ! Giues vs faire Light , for eu'ry one to see . And with that Light , doth summon , & conuent , In Heau'n , Aire , Earth , a Royall Parliament , Of pow'rfull , wise , and gracefull Senators , True Lamps of Light , and Christall-shining Mirrors , Who with that Word of Power no sooner had Their due creating summons , but all glad , Of such a Birth-right , to that word of might , Light threefold : Intellectuall , Celestiall , Elementall . Humbly did Eccho forth , Let there be Light ! Light Intellectuall in th' Angellick Mansion , Celestiall Light within the faire Expansion : And in these Elementall Orbes downe lower , A Light of Fire , to cherish , not deuoure . And so as Light , by Light created was , From those true Lights , an Act of Light did passe , Approu'd in all three Courts , and by the King ▪ Establisht as an euerlasting thing , Not to be darkned : for this Light was ment vs , To be a Law , to which Le Roy assentus : And therefore is enacted vnto All , Not to be broke , but held perpetuall . Thus was there Light : which in the first Creation Commanded was with Royall approbation . Light had not onely Being , but Command Was laid vpon that Light , that it should stand Still in the wayes of Light . Light must be Light , Not stooping downe to the Errors of the Night , But hold dependance on the Word of Truth , That made this Light , and still this Light renu'th . This Light thus made , & this commandment giuen Behold vpon the glorious Thrones of Heau'n , Great Elohim , the Ancient of Dayes , Dan. 7. And Father of Lights , did himselfe vp-raise , To sit and view the bright resplendent beauty Of this first worke , and with what awfull dutie , Each seu'rall Lampe shone in his proper Sphere , About his Palace , either dimme , or cleere , And what their Station was . Gen. 1. Then Elohim saw The Lights he made , and this commanding Law Were good . And so from out the euening Chaos , ( That he no longer might in darknesse stay vs ) He brought the Spring-light of a cheereful morne , With Light were Angels created . And with that Spring-light , was the first day born . Then in the Vpper House incontinent , Of this so great and Royall Parliament , Assembled was before the dreadfull Throne Of Heau'ns Maiestick State , a beautious Zone Of many Lampes , round-shining in a Ring Taking their Light from their creating King : And shooting forth that Light in cheerfull beames , To glad this lower world , like dewy streames , That from the dropping clouds sweetly abound , Seraphim . Cherubim . Thrones . And fruitfull make the dry and barren ground . There shone Seraphick Loue : and there againe , Cherubick Wisedome : and that ne'r doth wayne , Stayd Iudgement sat on Thrones of heau'nly Light , With Loue & Wisdome iudging what was Right . And these in Number , numberlesse did shine , In seu'rall Orders : but with such Diuine And sacred Beauty farre aboue the rest , As that in place , both highest , and the best , These did before the sacred Trinitie , Stand forth the prime-elected Hierarchy . Dominations . Next in the middle Order , Rule , and Power , Without all seruile Feare : and then the Flower Of all faire Vertues , euer preualent , Vertues . Potestates . Vndaunted Fortitude : with whom forth went True Potent Magistracie , ord'ring both , That neither Tyran Cruelty nor Sloth Had any place : this middle distribution , Receiu'd all power , and gouern'd by infusion . The last and lowest ( if in Heau'n there be Place , high and low , as there is of degree ) Are three Diuine executory Graces Principalities . Archangels . Angels . Of warlike power in their seu'rall places , Leading forth Armies , Legions , Regiments , To guard faire Truth , and front all darke Euents . Whereof some held prime Principalitie , As Generall Leaders in Authoritie , Some intermediat Officers aduising , And through the royall campe Archangelizing , By Order from aboue : Whilst all the rest Of this so glorious Armie stand addrest , Ready to doe , and fairely execute Great Elohims will , not making slowe dispute . Thus was Heau'ns Palace hung with shining Lamps : And thus about great Elohim incampes This Royall Hoast of Lights : whom could wee see , And well distinguish each in their degree , What glory were it ? But what glory more Were it to see the euerlasting dore Of Heau'n set open , and behold within Vpon his Thrones the mighty Elohim , Shining in Maiestie , like a flame of Fire , Brighter then is the Sunne ? His whole attire Collucent like himselfe ? And from his voice Issuing a floud of Fire ? And then the choice Nine precious Stones , alluding to the nine orders of Angels . Ezech. 28. Of those Eternall Lights like beautyous Stones Set in fine gold , shining about those Thrones ? The fiery Carbuncle , and Topas greene ? The Diamond , the Berill , and Sardine ? The many-colour'd Iasper ? and the Saphin That casteth forth a bright resplendent Azur ? And amongst others , not to ouerpasse Smaragdus and the golden Chrysopras ? These to behold with an inabled sight , And how each Lampe giues to another Light , And all doe from that heauenly Fiat take , That first did light them , and their beauties make , Light set in Iudgement . Were glory beyond greatnesse . But to see , The King of Lights sit in his Maiestie , Commanding Light & Truth : and with what awe Those Lights receiue that first commanding Law Of Light and Truth : and what melodious order , In casting forth their beames , they keep to further Each one anothers Light ; as in a Quire Of many Tones , some low , some meane , some higher , Each Voice doth grace another , and all sing A rauishing Antheme to the heauenly King , Of Wisedome , Power , Loue , Iod , Iah , Iohoue , The Law of Light and Truth that raignes aboue . This were a sweet melodious Rhapsodie , T'inchant the Soule in Diuine Extasie . But yet againe , what meanes you rising Cloud , The fall of Lucifer from Light . And smoakie Vapour ? what 's that noise so lowd ? As if some mayne Battallion were to ioyne , And Souldiers striue to rapine and purloyne ? What horror doe I see ? Is darknesse yet Brought once againe out of the vasty Deepe , And Light in mourning clad ? Or topsey-Turuy Is all reduc'd to the first Hurly-burly Of Chaos , and Confusion ? O my Muse ! Recline that soaring compasse thou didst vse , And stoope thy flight ! New stormes begin to rise And humble wings best then do fit the wise . O see Ben-schachar that Luciferous Beauty ! Esay 14. Sonne of the Morning ! and bright Lampe of duty ! No sooner plac'd in Glory , but anon , Elated in himselfe , he stands vpon His owne proud worth , and with indignitie Shootes at the face of Heau'ns great Maiestie , His swift-aspiring Beames : Nor onely so : But straight he doth a daring Trumpet blowe To all the Hoast of Heau'n , proclaiming Warres , And that he meanes to mount aboue the Starres Of mighty Elohim , and there alone Exalt and raise himselfe vpon his Throne , Vpon the holy Mount , and place his worth , Within the skirts and confines of the North. Nay more then so : he venters vp so nigh , As he will rise eu'n vp to the most High , And there be like to him . Then at the sound There was a murmure heard , which passed round , Through thousand Legions of Light-bearing Powers , Who should first ioyn with him so proudly towers . And many of those Lucifers tooke part , To leaue dependance , and to climbe by Art . O how on earth can euer things be eu'n , When there 's so soone Rebellion rais'd in Heau'n ? But that All-seeing Law-giuer that made him So great a Light , found darknesse to inuade him , And compasse in those Centaures of the Night , That were before the beautious dayes delight . And he that would not stand within the wayes Of Light and Truth , nor spend eternall dayes , Iob 24. Ezech. 28. Amidst those precious shining Stones of Fire That Gods delightfull Eden doth attire , Like Lightning downe from his aspiring fell , Reu. 12. And with his Angels was shut vp in Hell : In Hell , that but till then was not created , Hell created in Darknesse . But was a place of Darknesse situated , Farre off from Light : in which a Moorish water Like slimy Pitch , & a blacke sulph'rous matter Left in the Chaos ( when Heau'ns Spagirist Extracted Light , and form'd it as him list ) Were moulded vp together . And till then Was nothing else within that darksome Fen. But then , eu'n with the fall of daring pride , The breath of Maiestie did swiftly glide Into the Deepe , and in his anger kindle Combustious matter , which himselfe did mingle , Of purpose to bring forth eternall Fire , To punish sinne that proudly durst aspire To breake the Law of Light . Then smoky fume Choakt vp Snuf-lights , because they durst presume , With a few flashes and vnsauoury vapors To take the place of euer-shining Tapers . Law executed . Pride that would mount , and had not to aspire , Was tumbled down , and punisht in this Fire . So he that was Ben-schachar , sonne of Light , Was now Ben-schechor , sonne of eternall Night . Thus was Sinne punisht : and sinnes great accuser Esay 36. Did Tophet then prepare for the Seducer , Smoking with Aetna breath . Law kept his power , And strooke him downe that ment aloft to tower , And chain'd him in ( for falling from the Light ) In chaines of darknesse , deepely out of sight . An allusion . So haue we seene Ambition in great Peeres , Corruption in false Scribes , and Chantocleers , That sing before the Daylight songs of peace , Not for the Truthes sake , but for rich increase , Haue often climb'd to high and great estate , And in a twinkling been precipitate . They left the wayes of Light not being wise , And tooke their pathes vpon the slippery Ice : So let them fall . For 't is not mine intent Starre-Chamber . To summon any to the Parliament : Nor to discouer in the great Starre-Chamber What are Eclipses , and what signes of danger : The dogged humour of dull Saturnes motion , Ioues banquetting , and feminine Deuotion : The swearing Art of Warre , nor Venus lust , Mercurian fraud , that findes but little trust : Nor Moone-shine Flattery neuer constant prouing , But as the wind and weather cock still mouing : 'Gainst none of these will I preferre a Bill , Lest they demurre vpon 't , for want of skill , In drawing vp the Booke , and so get cost , With an Attachment , for my labour lost . But thou great Prince of Stars , the faire delight ! The King is the Life of the Law . Of Heau'n and Earth , in whom the Lord of might Hath plac'd his Tent , & built his Tabernacle , That Euiternally shall stand a miracle , To all the gazers eyes , and glad the eares Of Musicall inquirie ! front my feares With thy most cheerefull Beames , and make me bold , With Eaglet eyes thy beauty to behold ! In thee the Fountaine is of worth and Power , To giue true beauty both to high and lower : Of Wisedome for to guide in all thy Station Th' aspects of Starres in eu'ry Constellation : And of true Loue and Goodnes ( Musicks Lore ) Wherewith thou dost great Elohim adore , And cherish others . Strike the golden wire Of thy most sweet , and learned-sounding Lire , Iob 38. And all the Morning Starres shall daunce and sing , At their vprising vnto thee their King . Magistrates . Saturne shall cast his melancholly off , And daunce iudiciall Reuels . Ioue shall doff His proud attire , and leaue light heel'd Lauoltos , To cloath himselfe in bounty , and tread Saltos Worthy his Noble worth . Mars shall no more Weakenesse depopulate , nor oppresse the poore : But hand in hand shall willingly aduance The Fatherlesse and Widdow in this daunce . Venus shall change her Lust for fruitfull Loue , And tread a constant measure : Mercury proue No serpentine Deceiuer , but abound In wise and witty footings at this Round . Trencher Flies . As for Lunarian Changelings that depend Onely vpon the Light thy Lampe doth lend , And wax and waine , as to and fro thy Light , Doth come or goe , not shining but by Night , In darknesse for their owne aduantage sake , And not in publike : what else can we make Of them but Antikes , or strange Mimick Apes , That in our daunce can put on any shapes , And yet be nothing ? These doe liue , by Giue giue These I feare me much Will take , but what is giuen to others , grutch : And neuer shall the Musicke of thy Harpe Make them keepe Scene , but they'll or beg or carp . Beware of these ! For were these set in tune , The Flowers of May , each one might crop in Iune , And eu'ry one haue some . When one hath all , How can our daunce in perfect measure fall ? The Country Swaine leaues gleanings on his land , A Country content . To helpe the needy . And with foote and hand It is a daunce worth looking on to see , How busily each one doth keepe degree To gather what is left . Heere one doth borrow A little from the Sheafe : this in the furrow Takes what is scatter'd : that the Cart attends : Another binds vp at the headlands ends : And all at Night goe cheerefully away , And daunce together a Haruest Roundelay . Trust not dissembling Fire-drakes that caper , Some things seem and are not . As if they knew to daunce , yet are but vapor , Seeming of fiery temper , but are cold , And a poore Nut-shell will their substance hold . Play not to them ! Pans Musicke is most fit , When Midas hath more auarice then wit . The Sunne of Maiestie in his Starre-Chamber . But leaue we these ! And from the Suns diurnall , That wheeles a foure & twenty houres iournall , Let vs obserue how on th' Eclipticke Line , He progresse makes , along from Signe to Signe , Casting his Beames of Maiestie so farre As from the lowest to the highest Starre , Guiding their wandring Eccentricities , And crowning them with faire felicities He is the Monarch there . His Law is Light : And where he goes , he banisheth the Night . Darknesse must not controll stelliferous Powers , Nor come within the high celestiall Bowers , To All he giues himselfe . Light is his name , And through his Court faire Light hee doth proclaime ; The only Law that neuer breedeth warres Twixt Peeres & People , wandring & fix'd Starres : But all is Loue & Peace . Where darknesse dwels Is Feare begot , then Hare , then nothing else But blacke Eclipses wrastling to preuaile , And darken Light within the Dragons tayle . And when we hide the Light , keep truth vnknown , And tread the pathes of Error of our owne : What hope is there of Peace ? Light is the Law , Keepes the cheekes bashfull , & the Heart in awe . Descend we now the high Star-Chamber Court , And let vs to the lower Hall resort ; Where throngs of Creatures , like to clyents presse , With shouldring forwardnesse to seeke redresse Of some darke errours that eclipse their Light , And cloud the Truth to take away their Right . Earth , is the Common-place , The Court of Common Pleas in which are fixt All Actions , Reall , Personall , and Mixt. As where things made are of a Simple Nature Such as the Elements ; there the Creature Claimes Reall Interest , Reall actions . and enters Plea To hold his Birthright , by the rule and sway Of the Predominant . And where we finde , Personall actions . Those Elements are altred in their kinde , And for our vse with Powers so innated , As th' Elements become Elementated , Each in his proper place : if any faction Doe rise amongst them , Mixt actions . there lyes a personall action . But of all bodies decomposited , Out of those Elements , and by Nature bred ; What quarrels doe arise , receiue their Tryall , By Action , part Personall , part Reall , As mixt of both . And thus is euery Case Begunne and ended in the Common-Place . The Court of Kings Bench. The Kings high Bench is the transparent Aire , Where Light inthroned in a golden Chaire , Shoots forth his Eye-beames brighter than our fire , And yet vnseene makes all the World admire . This strikes the Centre with his piercing power , Cheareth vp queachy coldnesse , giues a Dower To Natures Treasurie , is the Life of things , And vertue addes to Plants , and Christall Springs . In briefe , this is chiefe Iustice of the Court , Vnder the Prince of Lights , who sendeth forth , And giues him his Commission , to sit downe , Pleas of the Crowne . And try before him matters of the Crowne : Such as Eclipse the Maiestie of Light , And vaile faire Truth with Vapours of the Night . Worthlesse aspirers . So in the Aire , we see oft-times ascend Darke foggy mists , which mounting in the end Neare to the Seate of Iustice , angry breath Flyes from the Iudge , and strikes them to the earth . Politick aspirers . Sometimes againe , a farre more subtle Vapor , Proudly aspiring to be made a Taper , At the celestiall Altar : by and by , Is fir'd , and shot , like Lightning from the Sky . Traitrous aspirers Another , but of some more viscous matter , Raising himselfe , from Fens , and Moorish water ; Is hang'd vp in the ayre , and set on fire , A wonderment for all men to admire . Thus is their Treason iudg'd , and punisht right , That striue against the Maiestie of Light . The Court of Chancery . But see , the Halcyon smoothnesse of the Sea , Smiling vpon me , whilst the Sunne doth play , And cast a cheerefull blandish on the waues , To welcome All , that of their bounty craues , Equity . Goodnesse . And stand in need . The barren thirsty ground Doth with their Spring-tides fruitfully abound , And brings forth large increase . The lympid ayre Is vapourized with a moisture rare , And subtle in the rising , to refresh The breathing nostrils of all liuing flesh . This Court ( in briefe ) is milde , and bountifull , To supply wants : Contempts , punishable . though somtimes Ships do Hull At randome on her waues , for want of skill , Or for defection in the Stearemans will , Not knowing when it is for safety good , To beare vp Sayle , or Anchor in the Floud If this doe happen , then contemptuous Windes Make the Court angry , and the Clyent findes But little fauour . This Ship at a stay , Sticks in the Sands . That making swifter way , For common Law-rights , is attached backe , And Fleetes the Surges to his vtter wracke . Another Sailes , with full gale on the Tide , Yet in the Deepe , his last decree doth hide . More I might say ! Some Ships at Anchor lye Doing iust nothing : and then by and by The Court commands the Halser to be cut , And to the Land they are dismist , and put , To seeke their Fortunes to their grieuous cost , Since idly they their Anchor-hold had lost . Some others neere the Shore doe lye at Roade Waiting the Winde : and spend in that aboade , More then an Indian Voyage , All they haue ; And then In forma pauperis doe craue , To passe the Port , and cannot be admitted , To Launch the Deepe , being so Shallow-witted : The Chancellour . Till at the last , great Neptune , Chancellour Of these extreames , begins to shew his power , With a Quos Ego , brandishing his Mace , Wherewith he calmes the Courts tempestuous face . And so when stormes had well-nigh ouer-duckt vs , Thus made he silence : Praestat componere fluctus ? And all was husht , Then rounded in a Ring , The peacefull waues did daunce , and sweetly sing About this earthly Stage , Equity tempers , but not controls the Law . the Centre-Court Whereto all Sub-celestiall formes resort For common Law-rights , which are strict and graue , But temper'd , and made milde , with eu'ry waue , That daunceth on the shore . The gentle Springs , And chrystall Riuolets ; all freely brings , From the great Ocean , fruitfulnesse , and Plenty , To eu'ry Creature . Want doth ne'r goe empty , Without a sweet , and soueraigne supply Of that great Ocean-Court of Chancerie . But whither am I led ? O tell me whither ? The Perclose . ( Great Archy-Muse , and pow'rfull Law-giuer , In all these Courts ) vnto what settled Port Shall I now steere , and make my last resort ? Shall I ? O shall I steere into the Mayne ? And launch the Deepe of Law , that doth ordaine In eu'ry Court a settled Rule and Order ? Shall I teach men what is the proper border Circumferenceth eu'ry Court ? and how Obedience to Sou'raigntie doth bow ? This were a taske , fitting some youthfull Merit , Whose vigour shewes a braue Mercurian Spirit . Saturne in me is too predominant , And retrograde withall . My bloud doth want Castalian moisture , and Phebean fire , To Iuuenize my Muse , that should aspire So great a height . My breath goes thicke and short , As weary of this iourney . Little Sport Were it to climbe Pernassus in mine Age , Or with the Muses daunce in equipage . The sonnes of Learning well might thinke mee iolly : But sure they would deride my doting folly . Therefore I now descend , and flagge my plumes Low to the ground , whereon my Muse assumes Her settled rest . Some other time perchance Promethean fire may stirre me to aduance A second , and a more aspiring flight That shall descry the Maiestie of Light , And Law of eu'ry Court. Till when I cease , And with a tongue-tide silence hold my peace : As one that longs to heare what he hath done , In lighting vp this Candle in the Sunne . FINIS . R. T.