Anniversaries upon his Panarete continued: With her contemplations, penned in the languishing time of her sicknesse. The second yeeres annivers.

ANNIVERSARIES UPON HIS PANARETE ; CONTINVED :

With her CONTEMPLATIONS , penned in the languishing time of her Sicknesse .

The second Yeeres ANNIVERS .

Et novus iste novo dolor astuat ortus ab anno .

LONDON , Imprinted by Felix Kyngston , and are to be sold by Robert Bostock , at the Kings head in Pauls Church-yard . 1635.

Anniversaries The second Yeeres ANNIVERS . upon his PANARETE , continued . LAst yeare I wrote of my deare PANARET , To pay my dearest Deare her duest debt ; But who is Hee knew her and knoweth not How many things I in my Threnes forgot , Which should have been exprest ? but such as wee Who share in griefes , fall short in memorie . This to supply with teare-distilling eye , Still to one Taske I must my selfe apply ; For wee an Anniversall meane to reare In honour of her vertues ev'ry yeare : Where though our Pencyle cannot well set forth The riches of her goodnesse and true worth , It shall appeare wee have desire to doe it , By th' ceremonious zeale wee beare unto it . FIRST , — lachrymisque revisimus umbras . in my weekely visit to her shrine , I bathe those corps with teares which once were mine ; Once mine , now Earths : Nor doe I , trust me , stay In any superstitious sort to pray For her reposed Soule , which being at rest , My Prayer would seeme superfluous at best : Ye● , I s●ould injure her , whose boundlesse blisse Is such , none can be happier then shee is . Yet give me leave to eye her scatt'red dust , Which in the resurrection of the just Shall bee united to her better part , And re-united never to depart One from another , but must joyntly share ●n those choise comforts which eternall are . O Earth , Earth , Earth ! O triple style of man ! Earth , for from Earth his first beginning came ; Earth by affection too , because , heav'ns know , What we should hate , wee 're most affected to ; ●arth by his dissolution , since hee must ●eturne from whence he came , his mother dust . Deare Dust ! whose small●st atoms shall not be train'd through the Crevet of my memorie ●ithout religious reverence ! I will give ●hese pretious graines for reliques while I live To such as honour her , whose vertuous fame Before all Monuments , preserves her name . In my diurnall sorrowes , I doe muse Discoursing , as I many times doe use , Of this unequall'd Subject , Et lach●ymasse juvat ▪ — those that heare My Scenes of griefe , should not afford a teare To ev'ry acc●nt : ev'ry trifling toy Sprung from the ashes of consumed Troy Can force distreaming passion , though this woe , This feined woe , were many yeares agoe : Yet in that great destruction shew me one , Whose losse might really exact our mone By her exemplar vertues , as this did , Or ever strove to have her worth more hid . Some were held faire , but they were vicious ; Others deform'd , though they were vertuous : Scarce one of that pure temper should we finde , Where beauty vy'de with graces of the minde : But Mine was faire and good , chaste , choice and free In all , save what she had ingag'd to mee ; A sacred-secret gage , which I still keepe ▪ In lieu of Her , who now is falne asleepe . A Modell of her feature yet I have , Et meminisse juvat . Which I will carry with me to my Grave ▪ And this in private am I wont to eye , And view 't from top to toe , then set it by , Then take it up againe to feed my sight , Which cheeres , but cannot cloy mine appetite . Sometimes opinion does delude conceite , And makes me thinke Shee h'as dispenc'd with fate , While sweet stolne blushes from her Cheekes appeares Mixt with th' ●lixer of pure Amber teares , Which with a carefull hand I wipe the while , And she requires me with a winning smile . But what are these , but fancies that are bred From the distempers of a troubled head ? Heav'ns blesse me ! now , how melancholly seeme Those shady walkes , and that Olympick Greene Where nimble youths their exercises did , And yeerely for her sake solemnized ? With what enwreathings would my Love and I T' encourage young endevours there stand by , While with a modest smile Shee 'd deigne to grace The blest Spectators of that happy place ? Blest by her presence ! for I freely vow , Nought but was gracefull what shee deign'd to doe . Oft have I seene her from her Dayry come Attended by her Maids , and hasting home To entertaine some Guests of quality , Shee would assume a State so modestly Sance affectation , as she struck the eye ▪ With admiration of the Stander by : That Hee who saw her from the Dayry passe ☜ Would scarce beleeve her for the same Shee was . So well Shee could upon the selfe-same day Both Ci●ile Courtier and the House-wife play . But to survey the passage of her life , With Offices belonging to a wife , A modest Ma●ron , and a Courtly Bride , Dispencer of a Family beside , Heare but a little wha●● I shall relate ; And you may finde one fit to imitate In th' posture of all goodnesse ! which may give Example unto others how to live . Draw hither then , ye Formalists of th' age , Who make your life a Progresse to a Stage , Your Chambers Tyring-houses , where to pray Were such a tedious taske , as you delay To take acquaintance of it ; or decline Your thoughts from heav'n , because you have no time For such reserved vowes : no more you have , Nor can you dainty-Ducks a moment saye . For all your pretious Morning-houres are given For you to paint and decke you till eleven ; And then an houre or two must be the least To jeere your foolish Lover , or to feast , Or court your amorous ●●inging Favorite With a bare-bathed breast to feed delight , And purchase more Spectators : — but time 's lost Till a Play-bill be sever'd from the Post T' informe you what 's to play ; then comes your Coach , Where numerous light-ones , like your selfe approach . But where 's Devotion all this while ? asleepe , And for her selfe sole-Centinall may keepe . But now you 'r seated , and the Musick sound For th' Actors entry ; pleasures doe abound In ev'ry Boxe ; sometimes your eye 's on th' Stage , Streight on a lighter Object , your loose Page , Or some phantastike Gallant , or your Groome , But when this Embleme of your life is done , This piece of witty art , what doe you then ? To your sinne-shrouding Coaches streight againe You make repaire , where you relate●● bee Of what your Eare did heare , or Eye could see ▪ Then to a luscious Supper , after this To a reere banket , or to some quaint dish To move a sensuall slumber , and delight But never sate your boundlesse appetite . Thus you in painted joyes mis-spend your dayes More to your Suiters than your Makers praise . But thinke not , Faire Ones , that I am too bitter , For I doe hold no Recreation fitter Than Morall Enterludes ; but have a care You doe not make them too familiar ; For that were to invert a Recreation , And by day-practice make it a Vocation : Though Some have writ that I doe hate a Scene , Their judgements erre , nor know they what I meane ; I 'm no Stage-Stinger , nor will ever be , But doe preferre a pleasant Comedie Before a Taverne , where so many sit To drench downe care without a drop of wit . But see th' effect of griefe ! how glad would I To any forc'd Digression rather fly Than to our teare-swolne Subject , where reliefe Hath made it selfe a Stranger to our griefe ? But now I haste to thee , my Dearest Deare , To shew what precious treasures stored were In thy religious bosome : nor shall love Cause me speake more than I can duely prove . FIRST , Education of her Children . for her nursing care ; Shee held no stat● Fitter for Mothers than to educate Those they brought forth , and make their life a line To teach their children how to spend their time ▪ And this shee did ; for ev'n her Nurserie Appear'd a private Schoole of industrie , Where th' Elder taught and taskt the younger sort , As th' Mother taught the Elder ; none fell short In their Endevours : but if so they did , They were by Her so sweetly chastized , ( And rare is such discretion to be knowne ) Both Love and awe were foulded in her frowne , Yea , such a lovely reverence did attend her , They 'd rather be corrected than offend her . But no delitious fare could she endure Her Children to be us'd to , but inure Their youth to timely Moderation now T' enable them when they should riper grow . For she was wont to say , " When God shall call " On us , Heav'n knows in whose hands they may fall ▪ " Let 's then so breed them as may best become them , " And to endure whats'ere may fall upon them . With wholesome temperate dyet shee 'd supply The luscious fruits of Mothers vanity . Observe this , Mothers , for'tis unto you I speake , who so much delicacy shew To your too tender off-spring , and like th' Ape , Annoy them most of whom you most doe make . Where be these native Arguments of love Which you expresse ? Or , wherein doe you prove Your selves true Mothers ? none can gather this From pleasing of your Younglings with a kisse , Or indiscreetest dandling on your knee , Or cockring them with your indulgencie , That you are naturall Mothers , unlesse wee By naturall meane foolish ; so 't may bee You may be tender Ones , I 'l not deny , Who , when they put their finger in the eye For such a forraine Fashion , or a Feather , Rather than grieve them you 'l deny them neithe● , But cloath them in their folly : but are these Expressions of Parentall Offices ? Oh no ; while you are thus indulgent to them , Through too much love you utterly undoe them . For when they are attyred gorgeously , Their formall habits crave more liberty ; Their eyes must have new Objects , which impart Secrets of love unto a wanton heart . Dinah must roame abroad , but ten to one She looseth honour ere she visit home . Prevent this , modest Matrons , let no staine Impeach their youth ; vessels , you know , retaine A taste of their first liquor ; season them With that at first which may accomplish them . All this my Deare One did , and so must yee That hope to live in your posteritie . NEXT , Governement of her Family . Fame reares to her Name a monument For house-affaires and private Government , While her well-guided Family might seeme A Patterne unto others to demeane Their actions by ; since all desires were bent To close in one harmonious consent . No spleenefull Waspe might lodge within her roofe , All discontented Spirits stood aloofe . With willing care her pleasure all attend , Fearing n●ught more than that they should offend ▪ For she with mildnesse did her Servants win ▪ 〈◊〉 to her Sweetning th' endevours they were busied in ▪ Yea , so much had her candid nature wonne , They Ev'ning joy'd ith'Day-works they had done . ▪ How far swerve ye from th' Patterne instanc'd here , Who o're your Servants use to domineere , As if they were your Slaves ? which is no way To make your people cheerefully obey . ●his but begets Eye-service at the best , ●nd makes an Holy-Day when you 'r at rest . Others there be , who have occasion ●ought ●o beate their Servants , though it were for nought , Like Vedio , who for breaking of a glasse Would drowne his Page : let such Examples passe Unworthy your Observance : better farre , And to discretion farre more regular , To imitate Architas , who in 's field Finding his Servant loyt'ring , would not yeeld Forthwith to Passion , but intreats him thus , Which may be presidentall unto us : " Sure I would beat thee , were I not in anger , " But that secures thee for this time from danger . But other vertues now I hasten to , Which did my late endeared Spouse endow . NEXT , to the Love she to her Neighbours Love to her Neighbors . bar●● Than which no Creature ever had more share ; Were they infirme , she would not nicely stand , But to their griefes apply her helping hand , And dresse their wounds her selfe , for she was rare Both for her happy cure and holy care . Herbals Shee 'd read , but timorous to erre , With men of choice Experience Shee 'd conferre , Which so enabled her , as she was still By doing good , improving of her skill . Not like blind Herbists , whereof there be store , Who have but one bare cure for every sore : These , if they kill , they kill , and if they cure , Th' effect is farre above their reason sure ▪ Now , to the last not least , for it is this Which gives us speedy Convoy unto blisse ; And that was , Hospitality to Strangers . Strangers Hospitality : Where her Provision ever would supply Their necessary wants ; nor all her tim● ( Wherein her thoughts did ever close with mine ) Would she avert her eare from any one Who sor●eliefe did to her Portell come . Her Cruse was ever open to the poore , Calling them Schollers of our Saviour : If they were old , or feebly impotent , An Almes with more bounty might be sent . No Stranger ere did to her gate repaire Confin'd to anguish , or surpriz'd with care , Shee would not comfort , and with dropping eye Afford compassion to their miserie . None hungry but Shee 'd feed ; no thirsty wretch But Shee 'd refresh ; Nor naked but shee 'd fetch Garments to cover them . How farre be yee From these expressive Acts of Charitie , Who fed with Amber broaths , delitious fare , Have of your starved Sisters little care ? Their rags are your contempt ; their shre●kes & crye● Are boulted from your Eares , fann'd from your eyes . But how should you take pitty of these Elves , Who have no greater pitty on your selves ? How should you couer them whom Colds molest , Who will not cover your loose-bared Brest In sharpest ayres , but rather starve your skin , Than shroud th' coccasion of alluring sin ? O doe not so ; let gracious thoughts appeare To mould you to that Patterne you have heere . But I must leave ; He clozeth this second Anniversary , as a votive Sacrifice to her memory . but never leave to love My glorious Saint , which now is sphear'd above ; Who , if shee daigne t' accept this Sacrifice Dipt in a throbbing heart , and streaming eyes , I 've got my Gole , and shee a treble rest , In Heav'n , in Earth , and in my naked brest . When Just ones die , then they to live begin , " They live to Si●n , when they die to Sin . FINIS .

THE DISTINT TITLES OF THESE CONTEMPLATIONS .

1. The Soules Sole-Love . 2. The Wounded Heart . 3. The New Dresse .

WITH LOVES LEGACIE , OR , PANARETES Blessing to her Children .

Contemplations of PANARETE , penned in the languishing time of her Sicknesse .

The Soules Sole-Love . CONTEMPLATION I.

THou hast , my deare Soule , engaged thy faith : Thou hast betaken thy selfe to thine heavenly Spouse . A devided Heart cannot live ; how shouldst thou live without thy Sole-love ? Adulterine Colours cannot hold ; nor adulterate affections reteine their colour . ●ezabels feature was more beholden to Art than Nature . Such is the complexion of that love , which makes lust her lure : vaine is such a tincture , that makes a servi●e desire her applyer . Maiden honour consists not in formality : There is ever something more reall in it . Flourishes are but printed blossomes : they may worke upon the outward sense , they cannot captivate the Reason . The inward beauty is of more extent than any outward varnish . Thou hast reason , O my Soule , to preserve that , which solely makes thee gracefull to thy Spouse . Conceipt nothing seemely , but what may beseeme him that made thee . Thou art not made for a slavish fancy ; thou hast one sole-love , to cleave to another , were a frency . Affection is no Tennis-Ball , for strucke into anothers hazard , it is lost . One Sunne cannot shine in two spheares ; nor one spheare conteine two Sunnes . The Sunne of Righteousnesse is the Spheare of my Soule : she is a Planet , when shee shines elsewhere . Graces are divine beamelins , the inward house is darke without them : and these shine most , when least interposed with any earthly clouds . What is it ( O my Soule ) to sparkle like a Glo-worme by night , or like rotten wood to send forth a deceiving splendor ? What is it , with a glosse of dissembled purity to take the eies or eares of erring judgements ? Thou hast within thee to witnesse for thee , or condemne thee . Then , even then , my soule , when the great Booke shal be opened , the secret Cabbinet of thy retiredst thoughts unlocked , and no subterfuge for guilt admitted : thou shalt finde , that good workes must passe for ill , being not done well . The intention then must crowne the action . Almes with a trumpet , Fasting with a dejected countenance , Praying and Tithing with a Pharisaicall affiance , must have no acceptance . Bee thy discipline never so severe , if it be not sincere , it receives no reward . Honour must not be thine harbour , if devout intentions Crowne not thy labor . Reflect on thy sweet Spouse , and meditate of his Pilgrimage on earth . Hee offered his childhood to a Cratch , his youth to Care , his Manhood to the Crosse. Hee entred the world naked , He lived in it despised , & went from it with sorrowes burdned . There was nothing so grievous which was not with patience suffred by him , to make thee gracious in His sight who sent him . Shall a little Cloud then change thy count'nance ? Shall a minutes distaste amate thee , or make t●ee forgetfull of his sufferings , who subjected himselfe to death for thee ? Who ever enjoyed a sweeter Spouse ? Hee confirm'd his love with the losse of his life : and shall every small crosse in this life devide thee from his love ? Behold and see ( saith thy dis-passionate Spouse ) if there were ever Sorrow like to my Sorrow ! No , my Sole-Love , needs must thy Sorrow be great , when with the offering up of thine owne precious life , thou could'st hardly gaine any love . The Rocks were dissolved , the Temple divided , the Graves opened , the Heavens darkned , all the Elements suffered , yet Man , for whom thou became Man , and dyed , became most hardned . Lost wert thou , O my Soule , and eternally lost ; and to re-gaine thee , He lost his owne life : Such were those Adamantine tyes of his immutable love . Many sheepe he had , and those he left , to seek thee lost : so plenteously did those roseat Torrents of his sacred compassion flow , to wash away those crimson-dyed sinnes , which had left that dying tincture in thy wounded Soule . How often hath he sought to gather thee , and thou wouldst not ? to espouse thee to himselfe , and thou assented not ? to bring thee to his Marriage-feast , & thou attended not ? Meane time , when thou sawest a Thiefe , thou runne with him , and with the Inordinate devided thy portion ; both which with the cords of iniquity drew thee headlong to perdition . Conceivest thou yet no compassion of thine unhappy condition ? shall not one poore teare witnesse thy contrition ? Wilt thou become of thy wounds so altogether unsensible , as by thy want of sense to make them uncurable ? Runne to the Rocke , and quenc● thy thirst with those living streame● which flow from it . Apply thy mout● to the hole of the pipe , that thou mais● be refreshed . Begge of Him water , who shed for thee water and bloud . Dry eyes will not bring thee to heaven Sinne is of such a deepe staine , as true penitentiall teares are of onely forc● to take away that dye . Thou seest th● Turtle how she mourneth for the loss● of her Mate . The desert becomes he● Recluse , consorrshe will not with any fearing to forget the occasion of he● misery . Brouze she will not , nor res● nor roust on any greene Branch Grieves are her inseparable Companions ; other Consorts she admits not because they suite not with her condition . Contemplate these , O my soule ▪ and reflect upon thy selfe . Let thine eies be estrang'd from sleepe . Let sighs and groanes be thy food . Water thy Couch with incessant rivers of teares . Great sinnes require great sighs ; perillous soares precious salves . Consider poore Soule , where thou art placed ; with what innumerable dangers inclosed ; againe , how those which were given thee for defence , are most ready to betray thee to thine enemy . Againe , reflect upon the benignity of thy good God ; who , if he had beene as ready to punish thee for thy ●inne , as thou hast been to commit sinne , had long since drenched thee downe into that bottomlesse pit of eternall bitternesse . Death had beene thy due ; and Hell thy Portion . And canst thou now look upon thy selfe without loathing ; or consider thy wofull estate without trembling ? Was ever any one more bound to his Maker ; and lesse thankfull ? More watered with the sweet influence of his grace ; and lesse fruitfull ? In no place couldst thou promise to thy selfe p●ace ; within feares , without fights . Yet have the wings of the Almighty been so graciously spred over thee ; as neither feare could oppresse thee at home , nor fury surprize thee abroad . And this was His worke , who hath so constantly lov'd thee , as Hee would never leave thee . For whensoever thou wandred , he recalled thee : when ignorant , he taught thee : when thougsinned , hee corrected thee : when sad , hee comforted thee : when desperate , he supported thee : when falne , he raised thee : when standing , hee held thee : when walking , he guided thee : when returning , hee received thee : when sleeping , hee kept thee : when crying , hee heard thee . What wilt thou render then , O my Soule , to Him , who hath done such wonderfull things for thee ? Wilt thou stay in the Market-place idling ? Wilt thou addresse thy selfe to no employment in thy calling ? Is it enough for thee to reteine the style of a Christian , & presuming upon that style , to corrupt the state of a Christian ? Wilt thou make thy whole life an Holy-day ; and by thy prophane conversation cloze it up with a fearefull day ? Wilt thou not yet after so many sweet invitations , to allure thee ? So many sharpe comminations , to deterre thee ? Such gentle touches on thy right hand and on thy left , breake these bonds of thy Transgressions , and returne to that overflowing fountaine of divine compassions ? It is fearefull , thou knowst , to fall into the hands of the Lord . For who is hee in all the world , so just , that hee may with confidence presume to be saved , if Gods mercy ( the sole Salve of humane misery ) be from him removed ? Yea , know , O my Soule , that thy justice consists in Gods indulgence , who hath an Eare open for thee , if thou cry unto him ; an arme to embrace thee , if thou fly unto him ; an heart to receive thee , if thou returne unto him ; an hand to succour thee , if thou come to him ; a wing to cover thee , if thou cleave to him . And wilt thou still feed on the husks of vanity , and despise those delicious cates of eternity ? Shall one poore moment of vading pleasure deprive thee of those joyes which last for ever ? By enjoying thy Spouse , thou enjoyest all things : his presence will be meat to thee hungring ; drinke to thee thirsting ; health to thee languishing ; way to thee wandring ; light to thee erring ; life to thee dying . Bee hee then to thee all things , seeing without him all things are nothing . All things are vanity , save onely to please God and serve him : And s●ch a Service is a Christian Solace ; without which , as all things are vanity , so man of all others , the lightest vanity : How canst thou then bee at peace without him , since hee onely in the bond of peace unites all that are espous'd unto him ? If man love man with such affection , as the one scarce suffers the other to bee absent : if a Spouse to her Spouse be joyned with such ardour of minde , as through the excesse of her love she can take no rest , brooking the absence of her beloved not without great sorrow : then with what af●ection , with what desire , with what fervorous devotion oughtst thou , O my Soule , whom thy best Spouse hath espoused to himselfe in faith and mercy , to love Him thy true God , and most beautifull Spouse , who hath so loved and saved thee ; who hath done so many , so great & exceeding things for thee ? Why stayest thou ( O my Soule ? ) findest thou ought here worthy of thy Love ? Wilt thou ever to thy baine , bee ●ibbling at the baite of vanity ? Hast thou not found much bitternesse in these deceiving shaddowes of humane happinesse ? Have not thy delights beene most crossed , wherin they lookt to be most cheered ? Yea , when thou enjoyed thy delights to the full , had they not ever bitternesse in their farewell . Take a short Survey of the d●ies of thy vanity , and see what day in all thy Pilgrimage hath beene so propitious , as it was not encounter'd with some discontents ! Hath not a merry Evening made an heavy Morning ? Nor a glad going out , a sad returning ? Didst heare no report of a private foe ; nor no death of a constant friend ? Were thy affaires so well carried , as nothing miscarried ? And admit all this ; how long did this Calme continue ? Had this forward Spring no nip ? If not , then so much more unhappy , in being ever so seeming happy . The Saints and Servants of God doe in this world more feare prosperity than adversity : for that , the height of prosperity is in danger more to presse them , than the weight of adversity to depresse them . These through many tribulations passed ; and passing profited ; and profiting prevailed ; and prevailing were victoriously crowned . If the Divell be dead , then are persecutions dead : but so long as our Adversary lives , canst thou thinke that he will not suggest to thee tentations ? The enemy ceaseth not , dyeth not , but in the Resurrection of the dead . Short is the fight , but great is the victory . Learne then from that vessell of Election , to rejoyce in hope of the glory of God . Rom. 5. And not onely so , but to glory in tribulations also , knowing that tribulation worketh patience : and Patience experience : and experience hope : and hope maketh not ashamed , because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts , by the holy Ghost , which is given unto us . O divine gradation ! O gracious consolation ! If thine heart then be right , O my Soule , whatsoever shall befall thee , thou wilt rejoyce in it for his sake who sent it thee ; and conclude with that Patterne of Patience : Job 1. The Lord gave , and the Lord hath taken away , blessed bee the Name of the Lord . Pitch upon this resolve , O my Soule , and thy sweet Spouse will stay thee with flagons , Cant. 2. comfort thee with apples . Nothing shall separate thee from the love of Christ . Neither tribulation , Rom. 8. nor distresse , nor persecution , nor famine , nor nakednesse , nor perill , nor sword . For , 1 Pet. 3. who is he that will harme thee , if thou be follower of that which is good ? Betake thy selfe then to thy Bel●ved Spouse , and he will give thee thine hearts desire . None can take thee forth of his hand , nor devide thee from his heart . The delights and riches of an heaven-ravish'd Spirit , are divine Songs , where teares are not without joy , nor sighs without comfort . Now , my good Iesu , if it be so sweet to weepe for thee , how sweet will it bee to rejoyce with thee ? Whatsoever then I shall feele , by the presence & assistance of thy grace , I will not faile to give thee thankes in my suffering , equally as in my rejoycing : For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time , Rom. 8. are not worthy to ●e compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us . To confirme this resolve , and inflame thy desires , reteine the memory of his presence ever with thee , who gave himselfe for thee . Let thy Conversation bee in heaven , during this thy Pilgrim-reside on Earth . So delight thee in him , as no delight may take thee from him . Then maist thou freely say , Cant. 2. My beloved is mine , and I am his : He feedeth among the Lillies : among the Lillies of Chastity , borders of Sanct●ty : Follow thy Love with chaste thoughts , and thou shalt live with him in glory .

The Wounded Heart . CONTEMPLATION II.

SHall the Har● long after the water brookes , when hee is with thirst ann●yed ? or fly to the Herbe to cure him , when hee is wounded ? And shall my thirsty Heart ( the princely sea● of my minde ) never fly to those living streames of ever-flowing waters ? Sick shee is , and heart-sicke , and will shee never repaire to her best Physician : in whose heart is a fatherly care , and in whose hand a speedy cure ? Will shee never taste of that Herbe of grace , to eas● her griefes , cure her wounds , and restore her decayed Spirits ? Whence is it , O my benummed heart , that thou are become so insensible of thine owne misery , as thus to make thy wounds incurable through thy security ? Why doest thou not cry out in the bitternesse of thy Soule , with that afflicted Patient , and m●morable Mirror of patience : Wherefore is light given to him that is in misery , Job 3. and life to the bitter in Soule ? For thus by meditating of thy gri●fes , thou wouldst sooner labour for reliefe , and seasonably partake of comfort after thy long affliction : For who can search into the Source of thy Sorrowes , or know the depth of thy griefes or joyes , unlesse thy self● discover them ? The Heart knoweth his owne bitternesse : Prov. 14. and a Strang●r doth not intermeddle with his joy . The way to cure thy wounds , is to open them ; The way to ease thy Heart , is to discover the sorrowes of it . Shouldst thou with that Sacred and Elect vess●ll , be pressed ( and happy thou if so afflicted ) out of measure , ● Co● . ● . above strength , insomuch as thou shouldst despaire of life , call but upon the Lord , and hee will deliver thee . For hee , and onely hee , can heale the broken spirit ; comfort the contrite Soule , and make the bones which hee hath broken to rejoyce . For hee it is , who is the hope of the desperate , the comfort of the desolate . Weepe he cannot , who is so solaced ; faile hee shall not , who is so succoured . Apply thy selfe then to him ( O my wounded heart ) and repose thee in his wounds , for they are full of compassion ; rely on his promises , for they sound nothing but consolation . Shouldst thou ( ô my languishing heart ) be driven to that extremity , as thou couldst finde no comfort within thee ; no hope of reliefe without thee ; nothing but clouds of heavinesse to encompasse thee ; none but Iobs Messengers to encounter thee : shouldst thou rore forth in the bitternesse of thy soule : How long wilt thou not depart from me ? ( how long wilt thou thus afflict me ? nor let me alone till I swallow downe my spittle ? Yea , Jo● 7. should thy belly tremble : thy lips quiver at his voice : should rottennesse enter into thy bones , Habac. 3. and thy strength faile : yet would the hand of the Almighty , by disclaiming thine owne power , and flying to his mercy , so support thee as thou shouldst not fall . But thou art wounded , ô mine heart , and ô I wish that thou wert sensibly wounded ! Meane time , let the desires of thy roring intrals beate at the gate of his Compassions . Let the cryes of the teares of thine eyes , poured forth with fervour of affection , pierce the clouds , and seale to thy numerous sinnes a gracious remission . O that thou wert so pure , that thy deare and loving Spouse would say unto thee : Thou hast ravished my heart , Cant. 4. my Sister , my Spouse : Thou hast ravished my heart , with one of thine eyes , with one chaine of thy necke . O fly unto him , and thou shalt finde this Love in him ! Let the world have no part nor portion in thee . Hee is jealous of thy love ; thou must love him onely , if thou love him truly . A devided Love , because distracted in her Object , cannot live . Fixt must thy resolves bee , and those for eternity , if thou meane ever to raigne with him in glory . Shee deserves not a loving Spouse , that is not faithfull in her love to her Spouse . To keepe thy Nuptiall bed undefiled , is an honour ; to violate that Faith thou hast plighted , were piacular . Two hearts cannot rest in one brest , but two Soules may repose in one heart . Thou hast often vowed to keepe thy selfe to one , and He thine only one : and how soone were those sweet vowes made bitter , when thine eyes , taken with outward Objects , begunne to wander ? Tell me ( my wounded heart ) who was ever sicke , and knew himselfe so , and desir'd not health ? who ever wounded , and sought not for a cure ? Now , if outward discontents occasion such Care , what should our inward griefes doe , which minister hourely occasions of greater feare ? Thou hast long suffered , and desir'd to be solaced ; but thou sought not where Comfort was to be found : and therefore thou found not that which thou sought . The place or repose of an humane or naturall heart consists in the delight of this present ●ife . But no sooner is thy heart touch●d with divine aspiration , than the seat of our heart becomes the love of eter●ity , and receipt of heavenly consola●ion . That heart is truly styled the friend of truth , which is a lover and approver of every right action ; and makes Heaven the sole object of her contempla●ion . The truest proofe of love is the fruit of a good life . Divine love consists not ●n voyce and ayre . Should thy voyce ●ound like a Trumpet , and thy life si●ent : all this airy Musicke would give ●ut a dead accent . Thy tongue praiseth ●or an houre , let thy life praise for ever . For as Divine praise in the mouth of a ●rophane sinner , can send forth no sweet-smelling savour : and Prayer ▪ the onely pretious pearle of a pure soule , returnes without fruit , when hypocri●ie seazeth on the heart : and al● humane wisedome becomes folly , being not directed to Gods Glory : so unlesse thou ( O my Wounded Heart ) only love God for himselfe , thy mixt an● devided love can returne no comfor● nor profit to thy selfe . It is this divin● and purely-refined love which onel● maketh a rich and wise Soule . For , without this , what hath the wise more than th● fool ? Eccles. 6. what hath the poore , that knoweth 〈◊〉 walke before the living ? Whatsoever 〈◊〉 by thee ( O my languishing heart ) abov● all others affected , is by thee adored Preferre nothing , in the true value o● love , before Him that made thee ; le●● thou make an Idoll of the Creature , an● so dishonour Him , who made all inf●riour things to serve thee . Doe tho● his will by serving Him , and all hi● Creatures will serve thee accordin● to his will . Yea , even Hee , who hath commanded the Morning : Job 38. and caused the day-spring to know his place ; shall shew the light of his Countenance upon thee : and thy longing E●res shall heare that voyce of comfort uttered by thine heavenly Spouse , the fountaine of all comfort : Cant. 4. Thou art all faire , my Love , there is no spot in thee . And in the affiance of his love to whom thou art espoused , shall thy wounded Heart , then cured , returne turne this answer to thy Beloved ; Cant. 2 ▪ My beloved is mine , and I am his . Cant. ● . His left hand shall be under my head ▪ and his right hand shall embrace me .

The New Dresse : OR , Motives to a New life . CONTEMPLATION . III.

O My Soule , how long wilt thou ●ttire thy selfe in these ragges of Sinne ? how long in these 〈◊〉 of Shame ? when thine heavenly Bride groome comes , H●e will not endure to looke on thee ; hee can by no meanes like thee , nor love thee , nor espouse himselfe unto thee , so long as these sullied garments of sinne cover thee . To a cleane Lord must bee a cleane habitation . A pure Heart must bee his Mansion ; purged by Faith , adorned with good workes , inflamed with heavenly thoughts . No Edging of vanity , no purle of vaine-glory , no tinsell-lustre of hypocrisy must set forth thy Nuptiall garment ; for these would detract from thy Virgin-beauty . Those Egyptian laces and Babylonian borders might attract a wandring eye : but purely fixt be the eyes of thy Spouse . Whatsoever is without thee cannot take him : it is thine inward beauty that doth delight him . Let thy affections then bee renewed , thy Virgin-beauty restored , thy de●aies repaired . Come not in his sight , till thou hast put off those ragges of sinne , and having put them off , say with the Spouse in the Canticles : I have put off my co●te , Cant. 5. 3. how shall I put it on ? Let thy New Dresse be a New heart : so shall thy Spouse take delight in thee , with his sweete armes embrace thee , and bee enamour'd of thee , when hee lookes on thee ; and in the knowledge of thy beauty say thus unto thee : Thou art all faire , Cant. 4. my love , there is no spot in the● . Cast thine eye all about thee , O my Soule , but let it not wander , least thou loose thine honour . Take a full view of the renuall of all Creatures ; and ref●ect upon thy selfe , who , though Soveraignesse over all , becomes least renued of all . Thou seest the Heart , the Eagle , the Swallow , how hey are re●●ed ; nay , even the Snake , how by casting his Slough , hee is renued . Againe , thou observest , how yeeres , dayes , houres and minutes are renued ; how the Earth it selfe is renued : Shee is with fresh flowers adorned , with a native tapistry embrodered , with a new beauty refreshed . Meane time , how art thou renued ? Where be those fresh fragrant flowers of divine graces and permanent beauties , wherwith thou shouldst be adorned ? Must all things change for better , and thou become ever worse in the sight of thy Maker ? None more inconstant than thou in humouring the fashions of our time ; none more constant than thou in reteining the fashion of sinne . What canst thou see in thee , that may please thee , or appeare pleasing to Him that made thee ? Sinne is a Soile , which blemisheth the beauty of thy Soule . In this then to glory , were the highest pitch of infelicity . Thou art onely to approve that with a discreet Choice , which may make thee most amiable in the sight of thy Spouse . When thou eyest the vanity of Earth , fix the eie of thine Heart on the eternity of heaven . Mixe not thy delights in such Objects , where surfet or excesse begets a loathing ; Luk. 21. but in those lasting pleasures , where fruition begets in thee an affectionate longing . Fashion not thy selfe after this world ; where there is nothing that tempts but taints . Desire rather to be numerous in houres than yeeres : so dispose of thy time , that time may bring thee to eternity . Ever consider ( O my Soule ) how thou art heere in a Wildernesse , and farre removed from the 〈◊〉 of true happinesse . A Captives proper Melody is Lachrymae : he cannot raise his voice to any other Note , unlesse hee madde himselfe in his mis●ry , and forget his owne State . Vye then in sighes with sinnes . Take compassion of thy woefull condition : Bee not commanded by thine Handmaid . Restraine her ▪ lest shee grow imperious ; shew thy selfe a Mistresse ▪ that shee may become more obsequious . Shee is worthy to obey , that knowes not how to command . Doe not loose thy Prerogative ; Preserve thy Style , reteine thy State , and make Her know how dangerous it is to incurre thine hate . The more thou bringest her to contempt , the more shalt thou partake of content : Shouldst thou delicately feed her , or in her desires supply her , or loose thy reines and give liberty unto her , shee would not sticke to deprive thee of thine honour , and by thy unworthy ●ubjection become an usurping Co ●mmander . To free thee from this danger , let Devotion bee thy Succour , so shall the Shadow of the Almighty bee thy Shelter . Though the Servant earnestly desire the Shadow , Job 7. 2. and the hireling looke for the reward of his worke , or rather the end of the day , to conclude his work : tarry thou the Lords leasure ; with patience endure the heat of the day , the weight of thy labour . Though a Pilgrim be wearied , he must not faile nor faint , till his journey be ended : Wherin , Hee accompts himselfe so much the happier ; as hee is to his owne native Countrey neerer . If thou fit and furnish thy selfe in all points for this journey , thou shalt be joyfully received in thine arrivall to thy Countrey . Runne then to the Goale , which is set up for thee ; Strive to come to the marke , which is before thee . Let no impediments foreslow thee ; no delights on E●rth divert thee . Seale up thine eye , if it wander ; but open it , if it promise to fixe on thy Saviour . Hourely thy dissolution is expected ; the Marriage-feast prepared , & thou invited ; Let thy garment be holinesse , so shall thine end bee happinesse .

LOVES LEGACIE , OR , PANARETES Blessing to her Children .

DRaw neare mee , and heare those last words which I must ever on Earth speake to you . Sure I am , that the dying words of a tender Mother , cannot but fasten deeper , and reteine a memory longer ; than the Speech of the movingst Oratour .

Feare God above all things ; it is the beginning of wisedome : and will enrich you above your Portion . You are now in your Childehood , let that season you : so shall His blessing , who hath blessed mee , crowne you .

Bee honest in your wayes ; spare in your words ; plenteous in good works .

Proportions God hath given you ; Portions by Gods providence , I have left you ; enrich these with the best portion , the ornament of vertue .

Specious Features are not to be valued to the precious embellishment of vertue .

Bee what you seeme to bee ; & seeme what you ought to bee : I never lov'd that Countenance , which could promise much , and performe nothing .

Ever reflect on Him that made you : and make devotion , your constant Diarie to conduct you .

Bee tender of those you ranke with ; either to better them , or bee better'd by them .

Bee humble to all ; Humility is the way to Glory : This it is will make you amiable to the Creature ; glorious in the sight of your Creator .

Learne how to obey , that you may know better how to command .

In the consideration of humane infelicity , ☜ there is nothing becomes more incurable , than what is habituate : when Custome of sinne takes away all sense of sinne .

In holy Places is the Devill ever busiest .

No disease more dangerous than the Lethargy of Sinne. This Sleepe brings ever an heavy awake : for though like a tender Nurse , She sing a sweet Lullabee to her deluded Childe , it is ever in worser case the more it sleepes ; for it dyes in sinnes-slumber , and perisheth untimely by the inchantment of her Mother .

Consider this , my dearest ones , Resist the Devill , and bee will fly from you : Suffer not the first motions of sinne to seaze on you . Pray continually , because you have an Enemy assayling you incessantly . The Combat is short , your Crowne eternall .

In the heat of the day , thinke of the Evening : The earnest-penny will recompence your paines : Continue to the end , and your reward shall be endlesse .

Bee not too curious in inquiring what you are to receive after this life ; but so labour , that you may receive your reward of glory after this life . Many by too curious an itching after wh●t they were to receive , have deceived themselves , by loving their reward more than God .

Let nothing on Earth take your hearts ; Let the divine Love only possesse them , so shall you finde quietnesse in them .

That heart cannot want , that possesseth God . Hee will be a Light to direct it , that it stray not : A Comfort to refresh it , that it faile not . For all earthly helpes , they must either leave us , or wee them . Wherein it falleth oft-times forth , that wee are most afflicted even in those , wherein wee expected most comfort .

It is one thing to live on Earth , another thing to love Earth . To bee in the world , and of the world , are different conditions . Tabernacles are not to be accompted Habitations . While wee are sojourning , wee must bee journeying towards Canaan : Nor may wee rest , till wee get home .

O my tender Ones ( for never were Children more deare to a Mother ) make every day of your life a promising passage to your native Countrey .

As every day brings you nearer to your grave ; may every day increase in you the riches of his grace .

Let the joyes of heaven and torments of hell be familiar with you ; by meditating of the felicity of the one , and infelicity of the other : these to de●erre , those to allure .

Bee not too much taken with Fashion ; it is the disease of this age : Comelinesse is the most taking Dresse to a discreet eye ; whatsoever is else , borders on sinne , and becomes reputations staine .

I am not now very old , when I leave you , yet did never that spreading vanity of the Time much surprize me .

For my part , I did ever rather affect not to be knowne at all , than to bee knowne for singular . It is a poore accomplishment that takes her essence from what we weare . The rinde makes not the Tree precious , but the fruit .

My desire is , that you would bee circumspect in your discourse . Though no Society can subsist without Speech , yet were it very necessary to bee cautious of the Society to whom wee direct our Speech . Few or none have ever beene hurt by Silence ; but many , too many , by too prodigall Speech , have engag'd their freedome to the power of their foes .

Let your whole life be a Line of direction to your selves ; and of instruction to others .

Bee more ready to heare than to ●each : and above all things , let your Fame be a living Doctrine to your Family .

Bee diligent in the Vocation you are call'd unto : And bee ever doing some good worke : that the Devill may never find you unemployed : For our Security is his Opportunity ; to prevent then his Sleights , give no way to Sloth .

When you come into any Holy place , call Him to minde , to whom it is dedicated . Hold your selves then , as retyred from the world : and lift up your hearts to Him , who is your Hope and Helpe , both heere and in a better world .

Esteeme of all men well ; and of your selves the worst .

Suffer with others , when you shall heare them defam'd : and preserve their report as well as you may . For it is not sufficient to bee tender of our owne , and impeach others : but to tender others as our owne .

Stand alwayes in an humble and religious feare .

Bee not ashamed to confesse , what you were not ashamed to commit .

If at any time , through frailey , you faile ; with teares of unfeigned Contrition redeeme your fall .

Walke with an undefiled Conscience , knowing that you are in his presence , whose eyes are so pure , as they cannot abide iniquity ; and whose judgement so cleare , as it will search out hypocrisy .

Keepe your Bodies undefiled ; Temples should bee pure and unpolluted .

If your desire be to honour your Maker ; you must make your heart his harbour .

Every Countrey hath one chiefe City , and that situate in the Heart of the Land ; and becomes the Kings Seat . Your Heart shall bee the City of the King of kings , so you guard the Gates of your Litle City , that no sinfull Intruder enter nor surprize them ; no corrupt affection winne in upon them .

Now the better to secure your State ; let your Eyes , your City-Centinals , be so directed , that they become not distracted : by wandring abroad , they beget disorder at home .

All neighbourly Offices I commend unto you ; they gaine love , which is the oile of our life . But too much familiarity I doe not admit ; Charity is expedient to all , Familiarity to few .

Let not the Sunne shine upon you , before you have commended your selves to that Sunne of Righteousnesse , to direct you in all your wayes , and enrich you with all good workes .

To conclude , ( for I feele my failing Faculties drawing neere their conclusion ) Let your youth bee so seasoned with all goodnesse , that in your riper age , you may reteine an habite of that which your youth practised .

Well-spent Minutes are precious treasures ; whose reviving memory will refresh your fainting Soules in their sharpest gusts of misery .

To speake of Marriage to you , I will not ; for your Childhood cannot yet conceive it : May your Choice be with discretion , and without Change● so shall succeeding comfort second your Choice .

Preferre your Fame before all Fortunes : it is that sweet odour which will perfume you living , and embalme you dying .

☞ I finde my selfe now breathing homeward : the eye of my body is fixt on you ; the eye of my Soule on heaven : Think on me as your naturall Mother ; and of earth as your common Mother . Thither am I going , where you must follow . Value Earth as it is ; that when you shall passe from Earth , you may enjoy what E●rth cannot afford you ; to which happinesse your dying Mother commends you .

FINIS .

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