A diuine poeme diuided into two partes: the rauisht soule, and the blessed vveeper. Compiled by Nicholas Breton, Gentle-man.

A Diuine Poeme diuided into two Partes : The Rauisht Soule , and the Blessed Weeper .

Compiled by Nicholas Breton ▪ Gentle-man ▪

Imprínted at London , for Iohn Browne , and Iohn D●●ne . 1601.

❧ TO THE RI●HT Honourable , discreete , and vertuous Lady , the Nourisher of the Learned , and fauourer of the Godly : my singuler good Lady , the Lady Mary , Countesse of Penbrooke : Nich : Breton wisheth all the good , that the heauens will & the world can giue , to the pleasure of the Highest , and her worthy heartes desire .

RIght Honorable , matter of most worth , to most worthy mindes , is most worthily presented . What matter , in worth may compare with diuine meditation ? What minde more worthy honour , then the heauenly enclined ? and whose minde more truly worthy of that blessed Title , then your Ladiships , I would there were many ; but I know too fewe . Being th●n , in that excellent sense , truly your selfe , whom ( for more worth , then I will speake of ) the wise admire , the learned followe , the vertuous loue , and the honest serue ; vouchsafe me leaue among those poore people , that being throwen from the world , looke only towards heauen & heauenly graces , to lay before your eyes a diuine humour of a rauisht soule : which ( being aboue it selfe caried into the heauenly meditations of the mercies of the Almightie ) by the blessing of his Holy Spirit , hath brought forth such fruits of his praise , as I hope wil be pleasing to your good fauour . To the honour of whose commaundement auowing the duty of my hearts seruice , in al humble thāk●●lnesse for your bountifull vndeserued goodnesse , praying for your eternall happinesse , I take my leaue .

Your Ladiships , in all humblenesse , Nicholas Breton .

To the Reader .

YOV , that with a zealous loue of Religion , with an indifferent regard of Learning , and without disdaine of Poetry , will vouchsafe to bestow a little time , in the perusing of this little volume of verses ; it may be , you wil not repent you of your Labour , nor thinke much of your cost , but when you haue once read it ouer , perhaps beginne it againe , and ende it without wearinesse . If you note it well , you may finde matter of comforte , and nothing to the contrarie : God truely glorified , in his manifould blessinges : and man greatly blessed , that being endued with his Graces , by faithe taketh hould of his mercies : the Athists confounded in their follies : and the vertuous blessed in their election . This if you finde not , blame either your selfe , or me : but if you note what I write , much good doe you in the Reading , and God encrease you in his blessing . And so in the best nature of loue , leauing you to the ioy of the best life , I end ▪

Your frend , Nicholas Breton .

In Auctorem . TWo hopefull Twinnes , ●oynt issues of one braine , A ●auisht Soule , and longing Spirit sends , Into your bosomes high and heauenly traine , That are wits k●nsemen , and the Muses friends . Embrace them , loue them , and with iudgements view Eye them . Beleeue me , Re●der , thou shalt finde Their limmes well measur'd , and proportions t●u● . No part dissenting from their perfect kinde . Onely the fashion sits not on their clothes , To make them sightly to fantasticke eyes . Pallas , not Venus , did the worke dispose , Cutting their garments from Angellickè skies . Plaine is their habite , yet Diuine and sweete . Fit for the wise , but for the wisest meete . H. T. Gent.

The rauisht Soule .

Gloria in excelsis Deo . SIng , my soule , to God thy Lord , All in glories highest keye : Laie the Aungells quier aboorde : In their highest holy daie : Craue their helps , to tune thy heart , Vnto praises highest parte . Tell the world , no wo●ld can tell What the hand of heauen deserueth : In whose onely Mercies dwell , All that heauen and earth preserueth ; Deaths confounding , Sinnes forgiuing ; Faiths relieuing , Comforts liuing . Grace , and glory , life , and loue Be the su●me of all thy dittie ; Where a sinners teare● may proue Comforts ●oy in merci●s pitty : Euery note in lou● alluding , Endlesse glory in concluding ▪ Prayse of prayses where thou dwelles● , Tell me ( if the world may know thee ) In what sense thou most ●xcellest , When thy wonder worth doeth shew thee ▪ In that state of honours story , Where thou gain'st thy highest glorie ▪ ●●s not earth , nor earthly wonder , Can discerne thy dearest honour : All her praises are put vnder , When thy glory lookes vpon her . No● in heauen , thy glorie dwelleth ; Where thy wonder most excelleth . Yet in heauen was neuer liuing Virgin , Saint , nor Angels spirit ; Where thy Grace may haue the giuing Of thine honours highest Merite . T is their glories admiration , That deserues thy commendation . Since then by all consequences , In the notes of Glories nature , And the Graces influences , T is no earth , nor heauenly creature ; In my God alone on high , Is this onely mysterie . And since in his Maiestie , All , and onely euer dwelleth That most glorious Deity , That all prayses praise excelleth ; Say , although thy soule attend him , It can neuer comprehend him . If thou speak'st of power , all powers To his power , are in subiection : If thou speak'st of time , all houres Run their course by his direction : If of wisedome , all is vanitie ; But in his Diuine humanitie . If of trueth , it is his triall : If of loue , it is his treasure : If of life , it is his diall : If of grace , it is his pleasure : If of goodnesse , t is his storie : If of mercy , t is his glorie . If of iustice , Iudgement sheweth His proceeding is impartiall : If of valour , all hell knoweth Who is heauens high Marshall : If of bountie , t is his blessing : If of place , t is his possessing . If of pat●ence , his perfection : If of comfort , t is his fauour : If of vertue , his affection : If of sweete , it is his ●auour : If of triumph , t is his merite : If perfection , t is his spirit . If aboue all these thou singest , Rauisht in thy reasons glory : Tell the world , what ere thou bringest , Admirations wonders story , To such height my Sauiour raiseth , As aboue all praises prayseth . Let all kings , and princes then ▪ In submission fall before him ; Virgins , Angels , holy men , Both in heauen and earth adore him ▪ In his onely mercie seeing ▪ All , and onely all your being . Babes and children , shew his Glory , In your silly soules preseruing . Men and Women note this storie Of the life of loues deseruing : Heauen and earth be euer reading Of this essence of exceeding . Sunne , and Moone , and euery creature , In that shining starrie skie , All confesse your brightnesse feature , In the hand of mercies eye : And for all your blessed powers , Shew it Gods , and none of yours . And when all the world together Ioyne , with Angels harmonie : Let my soule come singing thither , With that blessed company ; God , in mercies power victorious , Be aboue all Glory glorious . Amen . Sacred Muse , that onely sittest , In the Spirits of the Blessed : And the faithfull onely fittest , With their thoughts to heauen addressed ; Helpe my humble soule to sing ▪ To my Glorious heau'nly King . All abandon earths coniecture , Thinke not on so meane an instance : Make thine honours Architecture , But on Graces glorious substance : There , in comforts confirmation , Build thy heauenly habitation . Study not Astronomy , Least to darkenesse turne thy light : But tha● high Diuinitie , Where the day hath neuer night : There finde out that worke of worth , That may bring thy wonder forth . In the teares of true contrition , Think on Mercies blessednes : And in care of loues condition , Of perfections holinesse : Then , in notes of Graces glory , Make the state of all thy story .

Il Christiano al honore di Christo. BEfore there was a light , there was a light , Which saw the world , the world could neuer see ▪ From which the world receiues his brightest sight ; Yet cannot see , what brightnesse there may be . From this faire light , there came a liuing loue ; A loue , which giues the liuing all their seeing : And in the life of all th●ir seeing prooue The onely essence of their onely being . From this bright loue , there came a liuing word : A word that doeth in wisedome signifie , What heauen and earth in wonder can afford , Is , but in life this loue to dignifie . For in this Word was that Almightie power , Which was before that power was euer named : Begun before the first beginning houre , Framing each substance that was euer framed . And in that word , that onely wisedome dwelleth , That onely knowes , what onely may be knowne : And in that knowle●ge , knowledge all excelleth ; Because it knowes , all knowledge is his owne . This worthy word of wisedomes wonderment ( To giue some notice of his powerfull nature ) In wisedome , made his will an instrument , To shew himselfe , vnto his silly creature . This holy essence of the Deitie , In Virgins wombe did take the vaile of flesh : Bringing the dewe of blessed charitie , Our withring spirits sweetly to refresh ▪ This highest height of heauenly Maiestie , This word of wisedomes , gracious , glorious loue , Inuested in all vertues vnitie , That perfect God , and perfect man approue , From the sweet bosome of his Fathers brest , Eternall Babe , of all eternall blisse ; All blessed babe , that made the mother ble●t , By that sweet blessed holy loue of his ▪ From the high Throne of heau'nly glories seate , Vnto this world , this worthlesse world descended , With their crosse spirits kindely to intreat For their owne good , that highly him offended . This blessed Infant of Eternitie , And onely glorious Essence of the same , By the cleare light of his all-seeing eye , Beholding all things , all , so out of frame , Vnto his seruants , to make knowne his loue , And to redeeme what lacke of loue had lost , In tender age , and elder yeeres did prooue How patience care might be in passions crost . When first sweet Infant in the mothers armes , Fed with the milke of pure Virginitie , How did he scape the Tyrant Herods harmes ? That little knew of his Diuinitie . But , Oh , when first his presence sweet appear'd , Vnto the silly shepheards in the field : With how much ioy , were all their spirits chear'd , Whose humble eyes his heauenly face beheld . While in the heauens the Angels sung for ioy , That peace by him vnto the world was come : By him , who should both death and hell destroy , And be the Sauiour of his Chosen summe . The Virgin mother ioyed in her childe ; And in her ioy did call her sonne her Sauiour : Whose gracious spirit in her countenance milde , Did shew the blessing of her meeke behauiou● . Oh blessed Sonne , the Fathers best belou'd , In whom , he all and onely did delight : How many wayes his workes in wonder proou'd : He held the scepter of his Fathers right . In simplenesse , all harmelesse as the Doue : In learning , putting all the Doctours downe : In power , the hand of highest heau'ns behoue : In state , the king of kings in glories crowne . In patience , the true proofe of su●●erance : In truth , the touch-stone of all vertues trialll : In loue , director of lifes ordinance : In life , the hande of the eternall Diall . In charitie , the giuer of all good : In bountie , the bestower of all blisse : In mercie , faithes eternall blessed food : In grace , the guide , that cannot leade amisse . In wisedome , founder of all wit and sense : In will , the worker of all wonders worth : In essence , all the Summe of excellence : In all , that good , that bringes all glorie forth . This essence all incomprehensible , Yet , willing in his mer●ies to be knowne ; That glorie might not be offensible , That in a shadowe onely should be showne , First , in the time of feeble Infancie , When natures weaknesse fled a feared force : Then , in the yeeres of Reasons constancie ; When gratious mercie gloried in Remorse , Came to the worlde , to call the worlde to come , Vnto his Call , that had the heauens at Call : Healing the sicke , the blinde , lame , deafe , and dumme , And rais'd them vp , that readie were to fall . Contented with the badge of pouertie ; Who might commaund both heauen and earth at wil : Lodg'd in a manger in humilitie : Who in himselfe , both heauen and earth did fill . Threatned with death , who was the life of life : Sought to be slaine , who was the death of death : The ground of peace , yet with the world at strife : And suffred death , yet gaue the liuing breath . Seeke heauen and earth , and finde out such another . So might command , and so would be commanded : Who was our King , yet would become our brother : Might strike all dumbe , and yet wold be demanded . Would leaue such pleasure , and endure such paine , And , for their liues , that crucified his loue : With losse of life , to make their liuing gaine , That prooued Turkies to their Turtle-doue . Who euer crau'd his help ? and was denied : Who loued him so ? but left him at his death : Who euer fail'd , whose faith on him relied ? Yet , who for him would spare one fauours breath ? Oh Lord , what madnesse could be more in men ? Then when they knew the trueth , to make a doubt ; And long in darkenesse , hauing light euen then , To blinde themselues , to put the candle out . And blessed women that his death bewailed , While hearts deepe griefe , found comforts high perfection : When passions teares so much with loue preuailed , As first to them reueal'd his resurrection . The mother wept , to see her sonne so vsed : The sinner wept , to see her Sauiour dying : The cousin wept , to see her kin abused : All for his death fell to a deadly crying . The Sunne eclipst , the day did loose his light ; And stones did rise against their makers foes : The Temple rent , the people were affright , And from the graues the troubled spirits rose . All these were tokens of his holy trueth ; To make men know , how they were woe begon them : But gracelesse spirits , voyd of gracious ruth , Ventred to take the guiltlesse blood vpo● them ▪ Here then behold th● m●iestie of blisse , That pray'd for them , that pre●'d vpon him so : Content with all might come to him amisse , So his with him might to their comfort goe . His life , the Lantherne of eternall light : His death , the p●●●age ●o eternall rest : His grace , ●h●●●rke of the most blessed sight : His loue , the life of the eternall bl●st . His miracles , the witnesse of his power : His Sacraments , remembrance of his loue : His resurrection , his triumphant houre : And his Ascension , Angels ioyes aboue . His trauaile , all , to bring our soules to rest : His prayer , for our preseruation : His worke , to ioy the spirits of the blest : His word the assured trueth of our s●●uation . His warre a fight , but onely for our peace : His peace , th● ioy , wherin our soules doe liue ▪ His woundes , the salue , that doth our woes release : His triumph , freely of his grace to giue . Oh , should I runne into that world of worth , Wherin his glory duely doth increas● : I should more wonder of most worth bring forth , Then thought can reach , vntill all thinking cease . But , since true loue requi●ed with vnkindnesse , Grace with disgrace , Comfort with miserie : Wisedome with folly , Truth with falshoods blin●nes ▪ Honour with shame , and right with iniury : Since all the contraries of true content , That wit and reason , rightly maie receiue , His heauenly mercy , truely patient , All for our good , full meekely did receiue . And being gon from our vngratious handes , Vnto the right hand of his fathers rest : There in his hourely intercession standes , For our remission making lo●es request . And by his worde , the Message of his will , Sent by the Preachers of his prooued truthe , Doth call our soules , from all accursed ill , Vnto the good of gracious mercies ruth . And bids our faith , to feare no hurt of sinne , And leaues vs lessons in the ●●les of grace : Where true repentance doth remission winne , And humble faith doth finde in heauen a place . And lets vs see each day , and euerie night , A kinde of figure , both of heauen and hell : And how that sinnes doe alwaies fly the light , While blessed graces doe in brightnes dwell : And howe the vertuous in the heauens are blessed , And how the vicious in their horrors hated : And howe the Iust shall haue their wrongs redressed , And how the proude shall haue their pride abated . How Charitie shall be in heauen rewarded : How patience care shall richly be contented : How Bribrie shall be vtterly discarded , And Tyrannie shall be in hell tormented . How humble faith shall be in heau'n beloued , And gracious spirits blessedly embraced : And faithlesse spirits from all grace remooued , And gracelesse spirits vtterly disgraced . When life shall be pronounc'● to the elected ; And loue shall take the charge of the beloued : And hell receiue the soules of the reiected , To endlesse paines of gracelesse will reproued : When this ( I say ) and all that can be sayd , That may reuiue the vertuous in their death : And iustly make the reprobate afraide , With looking downe into their hell beneath . Our Lo●d hath left vs in those lines of loue , That heau'nly wisedom wrote for our instruction : Yet we , all carelesse of our soules be●oue , Will headlong runne vpon our owne destruction . What shall I say ? but , let the Atheist frie Within ●he coles of his owne conscience fire : Torments too true , too late will make him trie , He cannot scape the furie of Gods ire . And let the faithfull in their fearelesse hope , Assure their spirits of especiall Grace : The breadth of heauen doeth bea●e so large a scope , That none so poore but there shall haue a place . And let the prince not glory in his crowne , But lay it at the feet of mercies loue : And let the haughtie pull those humours downe , That onely worke for wicked hels behoue . Oh , let the faire leaue painting of their faces , And onely seeke the beautie of the minde : For God alon● doeth loue the inward graces , And not the shadowes , that the eye doe blinde . And let the rich not let his riches rust , But seeke the wealth , but of the spirits worth . Fo● God doth know , your treasu●e is but dust , And ye but stewards for to let it forth . And let the wise , so well employ their wits ▪ They may attaine the knowle●●e to doe well : And shun the follies of those madding fits , That leauing heauen doe run the way to hell . Oh , let that Queene be truely Angel-like , With graces Scepter , holdes the Sword of peace : And , by her faith , in mercies hande doth seeke A ioyfull Kingdome , that shall neuer cease . And , let that Ladie thinke her selfe a Queene , That hath possession of her spirite so ; That she could leaue all comfo●ts she hath seene , And her owne selfe vnto her God to goe . And let that Souldier most that valour loue , Where God assistes the faithfull in their fight : While lacke of faith in Coward feare doth prooue , Each shadowe doth the faithlesse soule affright . And , let the Lawyer looke on iustice lines , And knowe that God will right the poore mans wrong ; And that such Lawyers , as are true Diuines , Doe loue the Muses sing of mercies songe . And , let the Marchant loue that traffique best , Where trauaile findes the treasure of Gods grace : While greedie mindes , that fill the golden chest , Shall neuer see their Sauiour in the face . And , let the Scholler that doth studie most , Finde out the truth of lifes eternall treasure : And , thinke all labour in his studie lost , Where God his grace giues not the spirit pleasure . And , let the louer leaue his wanton looke , With such illusions as enchaunt the minde : And , onely loue the beautie of that Booke , Where God alone is in his loue to finde . Abhorre the Diuell , and he will depart . Grace is as neere as sinne , if you will craue it ; So faith doe begge it with repentant heart : For feare , nor pride are euer like to haue it . Crie vnto Christ , whome you haue crucified : In teares of loue , reueale your hate of sinne : So , in your greefe , when grace is glo●ified , Be sure , in mercie doth your blisse beginne . Beleeue his worde , seeke to obey his will , And know the worke is his , and none of yours : Striue to doe well , and flye the way to ill : And be submissiue to supernall powe●s . Be patient in the crosse of any care ; Repentant in remembrance of amisse : Const●nt in faith ; loue God without compare ; And giue all glory to that name of his . Hate him that speakes against his Maiestie , Loue him in soule , that will forsake him neuer : And know , the scorners of the Deity Shall all be damn'd , and frie in hell for euer . Goe to your closet , louely there alone , Bleede forth in teares , the trueth of your beliefe : And you shall see , your smallest spirits groane Will finde a grace to ease you of your griefe . For he that knowes the secrets of your thought , And knowes the natures of your sinnes disease , Will neuer see your spirit ouer-wrought ; But in the instant giue you present ease . You shal be the deare daughter of his loue , And like a father he will looke vpon you : And in his mercy so much comfort proue , That you shall neuer more be woe-begon you . Your soule in heauen shall halfe already be , The Angels ginne to set your part to sing : Your spirits eye shall , in som● grace● , se● Some shadowing glory of your heauenly king . And you all rauisht with your heauenly ioy , Will so his gracious , glorious Name ●dore ▪ That being healed of your soules annoy , This hatefull world shall be your loue no more . And you , of men , that haue bene long admir'd , For many worthes , well worthy admiration , Shall then of Angels be as much desir'd ▪ For heauenly grounds of graces confirmation . And God himselfe , so neere himselfe will set you , In graces seate , where mercy so will loue you , That faiths regard will neuer more forget you ; Nor ●inne , nor death , nor deuill shall remoue yo● . But where the Saints and Angels are reciting The heau'nly trueth of high I●houahs story : Your rauisht soule , in such diuine ●●diting , Shall euermore be singing of his ●lory . To the assured hope of which high grace , In humble prayer , let my poore humble penne , In your good fauour , begge that blessed place , Where my poore heart , may happ'ly say , Amen . Gloria in excelsis Deo .

The blessed Weeper . MY thoughts amaz'd , I knowe not how , of late , Halfe in a slumber , and more halfe a sleepe , My troubled senses , at a strange debate , What kind of care should most my spirit keepe , Me thought , I sawe a silly woman weepe , And with her weeping , as it seem'd , so pleas'd , As if her heart had with her teares beene eas'd . The place , neere which she sate , was like a graue , But all vncouer'd , and the bodie gone : Where , in her care , she nothinge seem'd to craue , But , that stolne bodie how to looke vpon . When , weeping so , appear'd to her anon Two blessed Angels , and one Lord of blisse , Who came to comfort this poore wretch of his . But ere they came , how she in bitter teares Bewail'd the losse , or lacke of her de●re loue : As to her words my vision witnesse beares , And my remembrance , may for truth approoue , The whole discourse , her passions seem'd to moue , In hearts deepe griefe , & soules high ●oy conceiued , Was as I write ▪ were not my thoughts deceiued . If euer sorrow in a sin●ers hart Liud ' , to distill those droppes of bitter teares , That to the world in passions can impart Part of that paine , the troubled spirit beares ; Smoothring the woes , wherein all pleasure weares , Oh let her shewe the deepest of her skill , In drawing out the essence of mine ill . The losse of health the heart may somewhat craze , The losse of wealth distemper may the minde ; The losse of honou● is a fearefull Maze ; The losse of freends , a care of greeuous kinde : But , all these woes , vpon one heart to winde , Were much to thinke : but much more to beleeue , How it could liue , whom farre more Crosses greeue . But , from the bagge of naked pouertie , To haue more wealth , then all the world can giue : And from the care of all calamitie , In all the comfort of content to liue , Where settled ioy all greefe away doth driue , And sodenly , growe sicke , and poore againe , Who c●n conceiue the plague of such a paine ? I wretched , I , the out-cast of all grace , And banisht for my sinne , from heauenly blisse ▪ I , that to Hell , did headlong runne my race , Not caring how my soule was led amisse , While I was cosoned , by the Serpents hisse ; I Caitiffe wretch , of all the world the worst , By sinnes iust doome ●o endlesse sorrow curst . I , wretched soule , whome sinne had bared so , As left me naked of all Natures grace : I sinke of sinne , and also full of woe , As knew not how in heauen to haue a place ; And in the depth of all this desperate case , To be relieu'd , and cloth'd , grac't , and belou'd , And on the sodaine , from all these remou'd . To lose the Vesture of that vertues grace , That cloth'd my naked soule , asham'd of sinne ; To lose the beautie , of that blessed face , Where mercies loue did comforts life beginne : To lose the ioyes , that heauens were glad to winne ; To lose the life of such a louely Freend , Oh let me weepe , and neuer make an end . The child , that hath his Father deerely louing , Who sees his faults , and greatly doth abhorre them , Yet so from wrath , will haue his thoughts remoouing , As he will neither checke , nor chide him for them ; But puts them backe , while pitie standes before them : And doth not onely all his faults forgiue , But makes him kindely in his grace to liue ▪ That happie Child , that in his heart hath felt The blessed life of such a Fathers loue , Thinke how his heart must needes in sorrow melt , That must the losse of such a Father prooue , And curse the death doth such a life remooue : And , as a Creature , in all comforts freendlesse , Bleede out his time , in teares of sor●ow endlesse . That wicked Child of too much ill am I , That had a Father held me all too deere : Who from my sinnes , did turne his angrie eye , And on my sorrow shew'd a smyling cheere , And to his grace did take my soule so neere , As when asham'd to come his face before , He sayd but this , Take heede thou sinne no more . My sinnes forgiuen , what ioy my soule receiu'd , None can expresse but the repentant heart : Nor can that sorrow euer be conceiu'd , To see that Father from that Child depart ; But in that soule , that in the bitter smart Of the true feeling of that Fathers loue , Had rather death , then his departure prooue . The carelesse Seruant , that the goods misspends , Which his kinde Maister to his trust committ●●● ▪ And his neat house to Theeues and Varlets lends , And cares for nought , but what his humour fitteth , That gracious Lord , that all such faults remittteth , And in his goodnesse doth so deerely loue him , That from his fauour nothing shall remooue him . So ●ll a Seruant , that doth finde the loue Of such a Lord , as neuer like was found ▪ And in the midst of all his ioy must prooue The death , to see his comfort all a ground , His blessed Lord , by Theeues and Varlets bound , Scoft , scourg'd , & beaten , sorrowing , sighing , dying ; How can that Seruant cease continuall crying ? That wicked Seruant , w●etched wretch am I : That louing Maister , was my liuing Lord : Whose gratious giftes , abus'd vngratiously , Whose house , my soule , fowle spirits laide aboard , Fild full of sinnes , of graces all abhord : Yet for all this , and all that I ●ould doe , My Lord forgaue me , and did loue me too . He cleans'd my soule , from all my filthy sinne : And with my teares , did wash it cleane againe , Draue out the Feends , and kindly entred in , With grace to heale , that sorrow would haue slaine : And in his loue , did so my teares retaine , That euerie droppe that fell vpon his feete , Vnto my soule did giue a heauenly ●weet . Now , such a Maister , as was neuer such ; So good , vnto a Seruant , none so ill : So much abus'd , abuses , oh too much ; A cursed crue , to worke their hellish will , Like rauening Woolues , a silly Lambe to kill , Foule darkenesse so , to gouerne ouer light , Who would not weepe to death at such a sight ? A sorrie Sister that hath such a brother , As for her loue would venter losse of life , And her vnkindnesse so in kindnesse smother , As twixt their lo●es , should kill all cause of strife ; Though her ill course were his hearts cutting knife : To see that brother lose his liuing breath , How can that Sister choose but weepe to death ? That Sister I , that brother was my Lord , Who in his loue laide downe his life for me . Whose death , oh C●osse of crosses to record , Ah wretch that euer I was borne to see : Though by his death , my life must onely be . To lose a Father , Maister , Brother such , Child , Seruant , Sister , how ca● I weepe too much ? Shame bad me weepe ynough , to see how sinne Besmeered had my soule with ougly spottes , And weepe to feele how I was feltred in The wretched snarles of wicked natures knots , And weepe to looke vpon those loathsome blots , That fild me so with greefe of all disgrace , I durst not see my Sauiour in the face . At whose sweete feete I kneeling wept with feare , I had offended to presume so neere , But , sinne so fled away at euerie teare , That grace beganne my heauie heart to cheere : When my deere Lord sayd not , What dost thou here ? Or get thee hence : or like a dogge out spurne mee : But from my sinne vnto his mercie turne me . He felt my tea●es , though no man heard my weeping , And gaue me grace , though no man for me mou'd him . Which made me know , he had my soule in keeping ▪ Though sinne too long , too far from me remou'd him . For sinne once fled , how deare in soule I lou'd him , His words can witnesse , that my soule did tuch , Much is forgiuen her , for she loued much . He loued much that me so much forgaue . Such my forgiuer how much should I loue ? Forgaue my sinnes , and from the Feend did saue My wounded soule that could no comfort prooue , Till grace and mercie did my greefe remooue . But , when I felt my paine of sinne once past , In mercies grace , I wept with ioy as fast . But , oh my soule , vnworthy of this sweete , Could not enioy these ioyfull teares too long : For sinne and sorrow did so soundly meete , As made my heart to sing another songe , When I beheld , the too apparant wronge , My Lord , my Loue , my life , my King and God , For my poore soule , and for my sinnes abode . To see the Lambe , that bleated but our blisse , Brought all by Woolues , vnto a bleeding end : To see that cruell shamefull death of his , Who did his course but for our comfort bend , And held our foe , that was our deerest Freend : Who did such good , and to receiue such ill , Weepe heart to death , and die in weeping still . Vngratefull wretches , worthlesse of al grace , Rebellious Subiects , Traytours to your King , Could yee behold his workes before your face , What choise of good his charitie did bring ? And from your hearts could so much venom springe , As with the Lord of peace , to stirre such strife , To seeke his death , who onely gaue you life ? Slaues , Dogg●s , and Diuels , worse if I could call yee , That so haue showne the malice of your mindes , I cannot wish more ill then shall befall yee , That are the impes of such accursed kindes , As ougly Sathan with illusions blindes : I weepe not for your sorrow ; but to see , That all yee did not die , to set him free . And better had it beene for yee to die , Then haue beene borne to bringe him to his death , And by your deeds to die eternally , Or liue in death within the Hell beneath , Where neuer ayer shal breath you wholesome breath : But by your choise of torments make you know , What yee haue done to breede my weeping so . Alas , what sinne but did my soule possesse ? But that accursed crucifying sinne , That would not let your wicked soules confesse His glorious grace , whose grace did first beginne , By true desert , all glorie due to winne : And by such grace did winne my soule so to him , My death were sweete if it might seruice doe him . Oh that my teares , kept number with my sinnes : Or that my sinnes were drowned in my teares : Then should my weeping shew how ioy beginnes , In faithfull heart , where fearefull sorrow weares , And comforts blisse , so much contentment beares , That hope shold shew , that halfe a heauen do●h win ; Better to weepe in grace , then laugh in sinne . But , what speake I of either sinne or grace ? My sinnes too greeuous , and my grace is gone : My life ●s dead , the earth is all too base , For my loues Lord , to deigne to looke vpon , Where liues not one good creature , no not one ▪ And what should I but weepe to liue to see , I cannot see where my sweete Lord may be . But since mine eyes haue liued to behold The heauenly substance of my life and loue , Wherein my faith doth gratiously vnfould The onely blessing of my soules behoue , All in the glorie of the heauens aboue , Why should I liue and looke vpon the light ? Now I haue lost the ioy of such a sight . No , I doe hope my darkenesse will not hold , The night will passe and Sunne againe will shine . Although my heart in comfort be a cold , My soule doth tell me , that these teares of mine Shall all be dri'd vp by his hand diuine : Who so will cure me of my sinfull sore , That I shall ioy in grace , and weepe no more . But he is gone , my spirits onely sweete ▪ And I am left , a wretched sinner heere : Oh that my teares could with my comfort meete , And I might see my sauing health so neere , As with his sight my heauie heart might cheere : Then should I loue mine eyes for such a seeing : Without which sight , they ioy not in their being . Let me then seeke , where I may hope to see The onely substance of my ioying sight : And neuer rest nor euer wearie be , Vntill I come vnto that starre of light , Which may direct my heart and spirit right , Vnto that place , where gracious loue will show My soule his presence , that it loueth so . To clime to heauen it is too high a place : Sinne weighes me downe to loue , to seeke him there : For hell , it is vnworthy of such grace : And for the world , my sorrow witnesse beare , It is not worthy of his name to heare . Then since , nor heere , nor there ▪ without all doubt , Within the graue I must goe seeke him ou● . Oh ground , more gracious then the world besides , Which do'st enclose that all the world commaundes : And blessed earth , that in thy Center hides His Corpse , for whom my weeping soule demaunds : Tell me , oh heauens , into what holy handes , He is conuey'd , and where he now may be , Whome thus my heart with teares desires to see ? Thus weeping still , two Angels did appeare , Who , as it seem'd , desirous for to know The monefull cause of this her mourning cheere , Wherefore she wept , and what she sought for so ; Briefely she thus her greefe beganne to shewe ( Wringing her hands , with many a bitter teare ) Her Lord was stolne , and laid she knew not where . O blessed Angels ▪ blessed as yee be , Tell me where is my highest blisse become ? Your Lord and mine , oh tell me where is he , May cheere the heart that sorrow doth benumme : Starue not my teares , vouchsafe my soule one crumme Of comforts care , to let me truely know , Where is my Lo●d , that I lament for so . But doe yee aske me whome I seeke for so ? Or why I weepe ? Because I cannot finde him . O heauenly creature helpe my soule to knowe But where he is , that I may come behinde him , That he may know , but how my loue doth mind him : If dead , I may vnto his tombe restore him , And if aliue , I may on knees adore him . Oh happie Gardiner of this holy ground , Blest art thou borne , if thou hast liu'd to see That blessed bodie where it may be found , That here lay buried : tell me ( if thou be , Sent from my Lord to come and comfort me ) Who hence hath stolne the substance of my blisse ▪ And where bestowed that holy Corps of his . But doe you aske me why I weepe so much ? And what I ●eeke ? I seeke my soules delight : And weepe , because I finde not any such , As can direct me to so sweete a sight : This is the cause of my hearts heauie plight . Oh tell me then , and put me out of doubt , Dead , or aliue , where I may finde him out . Thus while her ey●s continuall weeping kept , Came Christ himselfe , although a while vnknowne : Who askt her what she sought , and why she wept : She , as before vnto the Angels showne , Began in teares to make her pitious mone ; Her Lord wa● stoln , & born● she knew not whither , But if he knew , he would di●ect her thither . But , while the Lord of all her life and loue , Beheld her teares , the witnes of her truth , To make her faith in heauenly fauour prooue The sweete reward of mercies sacred ruth , And know what life of such a loue ensueth , Spake but one word , but that word was so sweete , As would haue made her soule to kisse his feete . Marie , quoth he , Oh Maister , blessed voice , From which my heart recei●es so sweet a sound , As makes my soule in rauisht ioy reioyce , To thinke to liue , that I my Lord haue found : Oh let my sinnes be in my te●●es so drown'd , That in my ioyes , my ●oule be eue● weeping , To haue thy presence in my Comforts keeping . I will not presse one foote beyond the line Of thy loues leaue , vouchsafe me but a looke Of that sweete heauenly holy eye of thine , Of my deere Loue the euer-●iuing Booke : Wherein my teares haue such t●●● comfort tooke , That , let the world torment 〈◊〉 nere so sore , Let me see thee , and I desire no more . Oh , sight more pretious then tongue can expresse , Wherein the eye doth comfort so the heart , The heart , the soule , and all in their distresse , Doe find an ease , and end of euerie smart , When ●ie and heart , and soule and euerie part Conclude in ioy , that comfort did beginne ; Better to weepe in grace , then laugh in sinne . And with that word , she vanisht so away , As if that no such woman there had beene . But yet me thought , her weeping seem'd to say , The Spirit was of Marie Magdalen ; Whose bodie now , although not to be seene , Yet by her speech , it seemed it was she , That wisht all women might such Weepers be . FINIS .