An excellent poeme, vpon the longing of a blessed heart which loathing the world, doth long to be with Christ. With an addition, vpon the definition of loue. Compiled by Nicholas Breton, Gentleman.

AN Excellent Poeme , vpon the longing of a blessed heart : which loathing the world , doth long to be with Christ . With an Addition , vpon the definition of loue .

Compiled by Nicholas Breton , Gentleman .

Cupio dissolui , & esse cum Christo.

Imprinted at London , for Iohn Browne , and Iohn Deane , 1601.

To the Right Honourable , my singular good Lord , the Fauourer of all good Studies , and Louer of all vertues , the Lord North , Nicholas Breton wisheth encrease of honour , continuance of health , and eternall happinesse .

RIght Honourable , knowing the nature of men so different , that it is hard for one to speak of all ; & the delightes of the most part of the world so farre from longing after heauen , that if the mercie of God were not the greater , the Diuell woulde make too great a Haruest on the Earth : sorrie to see the dispositions of the wicked , and wishing the number of the vertuous were encreased ( among the which , if I might without flatterie speake a truth , I should note your Honor , for a kinde of Phoenix among men ) I haue , vpon my knowledge of your worthynesse , in the good regard of all well disposed Spirits , presumed , out of the humble Meditations of no worldly minde , to present your Honour , with a little volume of the vaine delightes of the worldly , and the better longinges of the godly . In which , I am perswaded , when your Honour , hath noted , what is loue , and what is worth the louing , you wil loue me nothing the worse , for my loues longing . But leauing to your honourable discretion , the liking of my soules labour , and commaundement of my hearts loue : in the humilitie of affectionate seruice , I rest

Your Honours , in all humble and bounden duetie , Nicholas Breton .

To the Reader .

IF you loue your selfe , or like to bee loued , it were good , you did first know what loue is ; where it is to be sought ; and how to be had : which in this little lesson following , you may happe to hit on . For if you mistake the matter , as many haue done , that set their wittes a woll-gathering , vpon the backe of a Woodcocke , in thinking loue to be either nothing , or at least as little worth ; or such a kinde of Riddle as is scarcely worth the reading : you may happe either neuer finde what it is , repent the seeking , or not care for the hauing of it ; or standing in your owne light , be but little beloued for your lost labour . But , if with the eye of a carefull heart , you will looke into the loue of the soule , there I would be glad to see you longing , and wish you ( hauing not to trouble you with more words then matter ) the loue of God , you to loue me as I doe you , and God to loue vs all : and so I end .

Yours , in the loue of charitie , Nicholas Breton .

TWo hopefull Twinnes , ioynt issues of one braine , A Rauisht Soule , and longing Spirit sends Into your bosomes high and heauenly traine , That are wits kinsemen , and the Muses friends . Embrace them , loue them , and with iudgements view Eye them . Beleeue me , Reader , thou shalt finde Their limmes well measur'd , and proportions true ; 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 Angellicke skies . Plaine is their habite , yet Diuine and sweete : Fit for the wise , but for the wisest meete . H. T. Gent.

Ad Librum . GOe Booke , and balke those eyes , That loue but shadowes sightes : And let them gape for flyes , That make but Buzzards flights . And tell the humble heart , That longes in better loue , To him thou wilt impart Thy spirits Turtle doue . Whose flesh , the soule doth feed , With that eternall sweet , Wherein hearts eies may reed , How life and loue doe meet , To make the blessed see The loue , that longeth best : And what those longinges bee , Whose loue is neuer blest . That loue not misconceiu'd in thought , May neuer longe for that is nought .

Bretons Longing . WHat life hath he that neuer thinkes of Loue ? And what such loue , but hath a special liking ? And , what such liking , but wil seeke to proue ? The best to find , the comfort of his seeking ? But , while fond thoughts in follies packe are peeking , Better conceited wittes may easely finde The truest wealth that may enrich the minde . But , since the difference twixt the good , and bad , Is easely seene in notes of their delightes : And that those notes are needefull to be had , To see whose eyes are of the clearest sights : Whose are the dayes , and whose may be the nightes : From the poore Crowch , vnto the Princely Crowne , I will the difference , as I finde , set downe . The worldly Prince longes to encrease his State , To conquer Kingdomes , and to weare their Crownes , A foraine power , by forces to abate , To make but foot-stooles , of their fairest Townes , And , hates the spirits of those home-made Clownes , That will not venter life for Victorie , But yet , forgets that God should haue the glorie . The worldly Councellour doth beat his braines , How to aduise his Soueraigne for the best , And in his place , doth take continuall paines , To keepe his Prince in such a pleasing rest , That he may still be leaning on his breast , Thinking his happe vnto a heauen so wrought : But yet perhaps , God is not in his thought . The Souldier , he delighteth all in Armes , To see his colours in the field display'd , And longes to see the yssue of those harmes , That may reueale an enemie dismay'd , A Fort defeated , or a Towne betray'd , And still to be in action , day and night : But little thinkes on God in all the fight . The worldly Scholler loues a world of Bookes , And spends his life in many an idle line : Meane while his heart , to heauen but little lookes , Nor loues to thinke vpon a thought diuine : These thoughtes of ours ( alas ) so lowe encline , We seeke to know , what nature can effect : But vnto God , haue small , or no respect . The Poet , with his fictions , and his fancies , Pleaseth himselfe with humorous inuentions : Which well considered , are a kinde of franzies , That carie little truth in their intentions : While wit and reason , falling at contentions , Make wisedome finde , that follies strong illusion Bringes wit and senses wholly to confusion . The worldly Lawyer studyeth right and wronge : But how he iudgeth , there the question lyes . For , if you looke for what his loue doth long , It is the profite of his plea doth rise , There is the worldly Lawyers Paradise : He neither longes , the right , nor wrong , to see : But to be fingring of the golden fee . The Cosmographer doth the world suruey , The hils , and dales , the nookes and little crookes , The woods , the plaines , the high , and the by-way , The Seas , the Riuers , and the little brookes : All these he findes within his compast bookes ; And with his needle , makes his measure euen : But , all this whlie he doth not thinke of heauen . Th' Astronomer standes staring on the Skie , And will not haue a thought beneath a starre : But , by his speculation doth espie A world of woonder , comming from afarre ; And tels of times , and natures , peace and warre : Of Mars his sword , and Mercury his Rod : But all this while , he little thinkes on God . The worldly Marchant ventreth farre and neere ? And shunnes nor Land , nor Sea to make a gaine , Thinkes neither trauaile , care , nor cost too deere , If that his profite counteruaile his paine , While so his minde is on the getting vaine , That if his Shippe , doe safely come on shore , Gold is his God , and he desires no more . The worldly Courtier learnes to crouch and creepe , Speake faire , waite close , obserue his time and place , And wake , and watch and scarcely catch a sleepe , Till he haue got into some fauours grace , And will all cunning in his course embrace , That may vnto Authoritie aduance : But if he thinke of God , it is a chaunce . The worldly Farmer fils his Barnes with Corne , And ploughes , and sowes , and digges , and delues , & hedges , Lookes to his Cattell , will not lose a horne , Fels downe his woods , and fals vnto his wedges , And grindes his Axes , and doth mend their edges , And deerely sels , that he good cheape hath bought : But , all the while God is not in his thought . The Sayler , he doth by his compasse stand , And weies his anchors , and doth hoyse his sayles , And longes for nothing , but to get on land , While many a storme his starting spirite quailes , And feare of Pirats , his poore heart assayles : But once on shore , carowse and casts off feare , Yet scarcely thinkes on God that set him there . The worldly Preacher talkes of Sacrifice , Of Sacraments , and holy Mysteries : Meane while , hee longes but for the Benefice , That should preserue his purse from beggeries , Because hee loues no worldly miseries . For many a Preacher , that Gods word hath taught , Shewes by his life , God liues not in his thought . The worlds Phisitian , that in sicknesse tries The nature of the hearbes and Minerals : And , in his simples , and his compounds spies , Which way to make the Patients funerals , Or profite by his Cures in generals , Longes but to see how long they may endure : But scarcely thinkes on God in all the Cure . The worlds Musitian , that doth tune his voice , Vnto such notes as Musiques skill hath set : Whose heart doth in the harmonie reioyce , Where pleasing Consorts are most kindely met : But still perhaps his spirit doth forget , In all his himnes , and songes , and sweetest layes , To thinke of God , or of his worthy prayse . The Polititian hath a world of plots , In which his spirit hath his speciall spyes , Ties , and vnties a Thousand sundrie knots , In which the substance of his studie lyes : And many trickes his close experience tryes , How to deceiue the world with many a wile : But neuer thinkes on God in all the while . The Trauailer delighteth in the view Of change and choise of sundrie kinde of creatures : To marke the habites , and to note the hew Of farre borne people , and their sundrie natures , Their shapes , their speech , their gates , their lookes , their features , And longes abroade to make his lifes abode : Yet happ'ly neuer longes to be with God . The Painter in his colours takes delight , And neere the life , to make the liuelyhood : While onely shadowes doe deceiue the sight , That take such pleasure in a peece of wood : But doth not long for that same liuing food , Which neither eye hath seene , nor heart conceiu'd , The God of truth , that neuer soule deceiu'd . The Louer , he , but on his Ladie thinketh , And how to catch her in a kinde content , And lookes , and leeres , and trowles the eie , and winketh , And seekes how thoughtes in silence may bee sent , And longes to see the end of his intent , And thinkes himselfe a King , to get a kisse : But where is God , in all these thoughtes of his ? Th' Artificer that hath a worke to doe , And bringes his hand vnto his heads deuise , Longes till he see , what it will come vnto , And how his paines haue profite in the price , And hauing cast it ouer twise or thrice , Ioyes in his heart : but scarcely hath a thought , To thanke his God , that him the cunning taught . The Churle , that sits and champes vpon his chaffe , And will not stirre a foote from his Barne floure , Except it be , among his bagges to laugh , He can the poore so with his purse deuoure , Longes but to vse the poyson of his power , T' enrich himselfe , to bringe a world to naught , Shewes , that God neuer dwels within his thought . As for those beggerly conditions Of basest trades , that like to miry hogges , Doe shewe their spirites dispositions , In digging with their noses vnder logges , For slime and wormes : or like to rauening dogges , Longe but for that , which doth the belly fill , Most of them thinke on God against their will . These are the worldlinges , and their worlds delightes , Whose longing , God knowes , is not worth the louing : These are the obiects of those euill sights , That vertue hath from her faire eyes remoouing . These are the passions of corruptions proouing : But , they that loue , and long for God his sight , In worldly trifles neuer take delight . The Prince annointed with the oyle of grace , Who sits with mercie , in the seate of peace , Will long to see his Sauiour in the face , And , all his right into his handes release , ( Whose onely sight would make all sorrow cease ) And lay both Crowne , and Kingdome at his feete , But of his presence to enioy the sweete . The Councellour with heauenly grace inspir'd , Where wisdome guides the lineaments of wit , Although he hath to honours place aspir'd , His heart doth shew , it longes not after it : His loue desires , a higher marke to hitte : For while he leaneth on his Princes breast , His longing is , but with his God to rest . The Courtier , that is once in God his grace , What euer countenance in the Court he beares , His heart aspireth to a better place : Which humble loue doth long for with those teares , Which all too naught , the pride of pleasure weares , And neuer rests vntill his God he see , With whome his soule in loue doth long to be . The Souldier , that hath fought the spirits fight , Will put off warre , and long to liue in peace , And not in discord , but concord delight , Where gracious kindenesse , makes all quarrels cease , While patience , doth all passions so appease , That , he shall finde that Souldiour onely blest , Whose faith , in God , doth set his soule at rest . The Lawyer , that hath read the Lawes of God , And in his heart is touched with his loue : And knowes the smart of the supernall Rod , Will one day worke , for silly soules behoue . Who haue their comfort in the heauens aboue , Will leaue all golden fees , to see the grace , That mercies iustice shewes in Iesus face . The Scholler , that beginnes with Christ his crosse , And seekes good speede , but in the holy Ghost , Findes by his booke , that siluer is but drosse , And all his labour , in his studie lost , Where faith , of mercie , cannot sweetly boast , And loue doth long for any other blisse , Then , what in God , and in his grace is . And such a Poet as the Psalmist was , Who had no minde , but on his Maisters loue : Whose Muses did the world in Musique passe , That onely soong but of the soules behoue , In giuing glorie to the God aboue , Would all worldes fictions wholly laye aside , And onely long , but with the Lord to bide . The Cosmographer , that by rules of grace , Surueys the Citie of the heauenly Saintes , Will neuer long for any earthly place , That either penne prescribes , or Painter paints : But in the faith , that neuer failes , nor faints , Will long to see in heauens Ierusalem , The gratious God of glories Diadem . The true Astronomer , that sees the Sunne , And knowes that God , from whome it takes his light , And in the course , the Moone and starres doe runne , Findes the true guider of the day and night , Longes but to see his onely blessed sight , Who Sunne , and Moone , and stars their brightnes giues , And , in whose face , all brightnesse glorie liues . The Mariner , that oft hath past the Seas , And in his perils , seene the power of God , Whose onely mercie doth the stormes appease , And bringes the Shippe vnto his wished Road , Will neuer longe , on earth to make abode : But in the heauens , to see that blessed hande , That , at his becke , so rules both Sea and Land . The Marchant , that hath cast within his minde , How much the spirits gaine the flesh surmounts , And by his faith , in mercies loue doth finde The ioyfull summe of such a soules accounts , As to saluation of the whole amounts , Will leaue the world , but on Christes face to looke , Which all the faithfull make their liuing Booke . The Farmer , that hath felt his neighbours neede , And found , how God , and charitie are one : And knowes there is a better kinde of feede , Then grasse , or Corne , or flesh , or bloud , or bone , Will wish himselfe from his worlds treasure gone , Vpon those ioyes to feede in mercies blisse , Where Christ his presence is heauens Paradise . The true Phisitian that doth knowe the natures , And dispositions of each Element , And knowes that God created hath all Creatures Beneath , and eke aboue the Firmament , And ouer all , hath onely Gouernment , Will onely long that glorious God to know , That giues the sicknesse and doth cure it so . The soules Musitian , that doth finde the ground , Of truest Musique , but in God his grace , Will thinke all singing , but an idle sound , Where God his praise hath not the highest place , And onely longes to see that blessed face , Which makes the Virgins , Saints , and Angels sing , An Halleluiah , to their heauenly King . The Preacher , that doth in his soule beleeue The word of God , which to the world he teacheth , And in his spirit inwardly doth greeue , He cannot liue so heauenly as he preacheth , While faith no further then to mercie reacheth , Would wish in soule , to leaue his Benefice , To make himselfe to Christ a Sacrifice . The Politician , that hath plotted much , In worldly matters greatly to his gaine , Will finde , if God doe once his spirit tuch , Zacheus heart will haue another vaine , To clime aloft , and to come downe againe , And leaue all plots , to come but to that place , Where he might see sweete Iesus in the face . Th' Artificer , that hath a worke in hand , And feeles the grace of God within his heart : And by the same , doth surely vnderstand , How God alone perfecteth euerie part , And onely is the giuer of all Art , Will gladly leaue his worke , and longe to be , Where he might Christ his soules worke-maister see . The Painter , that doth paint a daintie Image , So neere the life as may be to the same , And makes an Asse vnto an Owle doe homage , While shadowes bringe the senses out of frame , If God his heart , once with his loue enflame , His Pictures all will vnder foote be trod , And he will longe , but for the liuing God . The Trauailer , that walkes the world about , And sees the glorious workes of God on high , If God his grace once kindly finde him out , And vnto heauen doe lift his humble eye , His soule in faith , will such perfections spie , That leauing all , that he on earth can see , His loue will long , but with the Lord to be . The Churle , that neuer chaunc't vpon a thought Of charitie , nor what belonges thereto , If God his grace , haue once his spirit brought , To feele what good the faithfull almers doe , The loue of Christ will so his spirit wooe , That he will leaue Barnes corne , and bagges of Coine , And land and life , with Iesus loue to ioyne . Thus , from the Prince , vnto the poorest state , Who seemes to liue , as voide of reasons sense , If God once come , who neuer comes too late , And touch the soule , with his sweet Quintessence Of mercies gratious glorious patience : His soule will leaue what euer it doth loue , And long to liue , but with the Lord aboue . Now , to the tenure of that longing time , That louing spirits thinke too long will last , The maide new maried , in her pregnant prime , Longes till the time of fortie weekes be past , And blameth time , he makes no greater hast , Till in her armes , she sweetly haue receiu'd , Her Comfortes fruite within her wombe conceiu'd . Thus fortie weekes , she labours all in loue , And at the last doth trauaile all in paine : But , shortly after doth such comfort prooue , As glads her heart , and makes all whole againe : So , in her Infants pretty smiling vaine , Pleasing her selfe , that all her greefe is gone , When she may haue her babe to looke vpon . Penelope , at her deere loues departing , In sober kindnesse did conceale her care : Though in her heart she had that inward smarting , That times continuance after did declare : Where constant loue did shew , without compare , A perfect passion of true vertues vaine , Longing but for Vlisses home againe . How many yeeres , the Storie doth set downe , In which she felt , the gall of absence greefe : When constant faith , on foule effects did frowne , Which sought to be to charitie a theefe , Of natures beautie , the true honour cheefe : Long languishing in absence cruell hell : But , when she saw his presence all is well . But , if I may in holy lines beginne , To speake of Ioseph ▪ and his longing loue Vnto his brethren , but to Beniamin To note the passion , nature did approoue , Which did such teares in his affection mooue , That well from thence , the Prouetbe sweet might spring , The loue of Brethren is a blessed thing . Well may I see the notes of natures griefe , In absence of the obiect of affection : And longing for the substance of reliefe , In presence finde the life of loues perfection , While eie , and heart , are led by one direction . Yet all this while , I doe not truely prooue The blessed longing of the spirits loue . When Mary Magdalene , so full of sinne , As made her heart a harbour of ill thought , Felt once the grace of God to enter in , And driue them out that her destruction sought : Her soule was then to Iesus loue so wrought , As that with teares in true affect did proue The pleasing longing of the Spirits loue . In griefe she went all weeping to his graue , Longing to see him , or aliue or dead : And would not cease vntill her loue might haue Her longed fruite on which her spirit fed : One blessed crumme of that sweet heauenly bread Of Angels food , but of her Lord a sight ; Whose heauenly presence prou'd her soules delight . Midas did long for nothing els bur Gold , And he was kindely choaked for his choyce : Such longing loue doeth with too many hold , Which onely doe in worldly drosse reioyce . But did they hearken to the heauenly voyce , Their Diamondes should not so for drosse be sold , And they would long for God , and not for gold . Zacheus , too long , longed for such drosse , Till Iesus came , his spirits further ioye ; And then he found his gaine did yeeld but losse , While sinne in conscience bred the soules annoye , And vnto heauen the world was but a toye : He left it all and climed vp a tree , To shew his longing , how but Christ to see . And well he longd that so his loue receiued ; Who sweetly saw , and kindly call'd him downe : His stature low ; but his loue high conceiued : Who so was grac't by mercies glories crowne , As , hauing cause vpon his sinnes to frowne , Forgaue the workes that did deserue damnation , And fill'd his house with glory of saluation . A blessed longing of a blessed Loue . Would so all soules did loue , and so did long : And in their longing might so sweetly prooue The gratious ground of such a glorious songe , As kils all sinne , that doth the spirit wrong : And sing with Simeon at his Sauiours sight , Oh now my soule depart in peace delight . Oh blessed Simeon , blessed was thy loue , And thy Loues longing for thy Sauiour so : Who wrought so sweetly for thy soules behoue , As , from thy prayers would not let thee goe , Till to thy loue , he did his presence showe : Which made thee sing , when sorrowes all did cease ; Lord , let thy Seruant now depart , in peace . For I , according to thy word , haue seene The glorious substance of my soules saluation : Thy word , in whome my trust hath euer beene , And now hath found my comforts confirmation , Thus did he make a ioyfull declaration Of that sweete sight of his sweet Sauiours face , That was the glorie of his spirits grace . How many yeeres , he all in prayer spent , For the beholding of his blessed loue : What was the yssue of his hopes euent , And how his prayers did preuaile aboue , That so his God did vnto mercie moue , As to his armes , to send his onely Sonne , The Storie doth all th' Apostles runne . He was well call'd , good Simeon , for that grace , That God had giuen the spirite of his loue : That loue that long'd , but in his Sauiours face , To see the blessing of his soules behoue : And blessed prayer , that did truely proue , A blessed soule , that could not prayer cease , Till Christ his presence came to giue it peace . So should all soules , their Loues chiefe longing haue , All soules I meane , of euerie Christian hart , That seeke or hope , both heart and soule to saue , From Hell , damnation , and supernall smart : This is the loue , that in the liuing part , Of mercies power , shall finde that blessednesse , That is the spirits onely happinesse . Nor can loue looke to limit out a time , But now , and then , and euermore attende : For he shall neuer to that comfort clime , That will not all his life in prayer spend , Vntill he see his Sauiour in the end : In whose sweet face , doeth all and onely rest The heauenly ioy , that makes the spirit blest . Blest be the spirit , that so longs and loues As did Zacheus and good Simeon : And , from his faithfull prayer neuer mooues , Vntill he find his life to looke vpon : And , in such loue is all so ouer gon , That , in such ioy his heart and spirit dwels , As , hauing Christ , it cares for nothing els . Oh blessed Christ , the essence of all blisse , All blessed soules loues longings chiefe delight : What heart can thinke , how that soule blessed is , That euer hath his Sauiou●r in his sight ? The sunny day that neuer hath a night . Oh that my spirit might so euer pray , That I might liue to see that blessed day . The day that onely springeth from on high , That high day light , wherein the heauens doe liue : The life that loues , but to behold that eye , Which doeth the glory of all brightnesse giue , And from th' enlightned , doth all darkenesse driue : Where Saints doe see , and Angels know to be A brighter light , then Saints or Angels see . In this lights loue , Oh , let me euer liue , And let my soule haue neuer other loue , But , all the pleasures of the world to giue , The smallest sparke of such a ioy to proue , And euer pray vnto my God aboue , To grant my humble soule good Simeons grace , In loue to see my Sauiour in the face . O face more faire , then fairenesse can containe : O eye more bright then brightnesse can declare : O light more pure , then passion can explaine : O life more blest , then may with blisse compare : O heauen of heauens , where such perfections are , Let my soule liue to loue , to long , to bee Euer in prayer , but to looke on thee . But , oh vnworthy eye of such a sight : And all vnworthy heart of such a loue : Vnworthy loue , to long for such a light : Vnworthy longing such a life to prooue : Vnworthy life , so high a suit to mooue . Thus , all vnworthy of so high a grace , How shall I see my Sauiour in the face . All by the prayer of true penitence , Where faith in teares attendeth graces time , My Soule doth hope in mercies patience , My heart all cleansed from my sinfull crime , To see the springing of Auroras prime , In those bright beames of that sweete blessed Sunne Of my deere God , in whome all blisse begunne . And that my soule may such a blessing see , Let my heart pray , and praying neuer cease , Till heart and soule may both together be : Blest in thy sight all sorrowes doth release : And with good Simeon then depart in peace . Oh then ; but then , and onely euer then , Blest be my soule , sweete Iesus say Amen . Gloria in excelsis Deo .

What is Loue . MEn talke of loue , that know not what it is . For could we know what loue may be indeede , We would not haue our mindes so led amisse , With idle toyes , that wanton humours feede : But , in the rules of higher reason read What loue may be , so from the world conceal'd : Yet , all too plainely , to the world reueal'd . Some one doth faine , Loue is a blinded God , His blindnesse , him more halfe a Diuell showes . For Loue , with blindnesse , neuer made abode : Which all the power of wit and reason knowes : And from whose grace , the ground of knowledge growes : But such blinde eyes , that can no better see , Shall neuer liue to come , where loue may be . Some onely thinke it onely is a thought , Bred in the eye , and buzzeth in the braine , And breakes the heart , vntill the minde be brought , To feede the senses , with a sortie vaine , Till wits once gone , come neuer home againe : And then too late , in mad conceit doe prooue , Fantasticke wits are euer voide of loue . Some thinke it is a babe of beauties getting , Nurst vp by Nature , and times onely breeding : A pretty worke , to set the wits a whetting , Vpon a fancy of an humours feeding ; Where reason findes but little sense in reeding . No , no : I see , children must goe to Schoole ; Philosophie is not for euery foole . And , some againe thinke there is no such thing ▪ But in conceit , a kinde of coyned Iest : Which onely doth of idle humors spring , Like to a Bird within a Phoenix nest ; Where neuer yet did any yong one rest . But let such fooles take heed of blasphemie : For loue is high in his Diuinitie . But to be short , to learne to finde him out , T is not in beauties eyes , nor babyes harts : He must goe beat another world about , And seeke for loue , but in those liuing parts Of reasons light , that is the life of Arts ; That will perceiue , though he can neuer see The perfect essence whereof loue may be . It is too cleare a brightnesse for mans eye : Too high a wisedom for his wits to finde : Too deepe a secret for his sense to trie : And , all too heauenly , for his earthly minde ▪ It is a grace of such a glorious kinde , As giues the soule , a secret power to know it . But giues no heart , nor spirit power to show it . It is of heauen and earth the highest beautie , The powerfull hand of heauens and earths creation ▪ The due commander of all spirits duety , The Deitie of Angels Adoration : The glorious substance of the soules saluation : The light of Truthe , that all perfection trieth , And life that giues the life that neuer dieth . It is the height of God , and hate of ill , Tryumph of Trueth , and falshoods ouerthrow : The onely worker of the highest will ; And onely knowledge , that doeth knowledge know : And onely ground where it doeth onely growe : It is in summe the substance of all blisse , Without whose blessing all thing nothing is . But in it selfe , it selfe , it all containeth : And from it selfe , but of it selfe it giueth : It nothing loseth , and it nothing gaineth , But in the glorie of it selfe , it liueth : A ioy , which soone away all sorrow driueth : The prooued truth , of all perfections storie , Our God incomprehensible in glorie . Thus , is it not a Riddle to be read : And yet , a secret to be found in reading : But , when the heart ioynes yssue with the head , In settled faith to seeke the spirits feeding , While in the woundes that euer fresh are bleeding , In Christ his side , the faithfull soule may see , In perfect life , what perfect loue may be . No further seeke , then for to finde out loue , Then in the liues of euerliuing blisse , Where carefull conscience may in comfort prooue , In sacred loue , that heauenly substance is , That neuer guides the gracious minde amisse : But makes the soule , to finde in lifes behoue , What thing indeed , end nothing else is loue ? Then make no doubt of either good or bad , If this or that , in substance , or in thought : And by what meanes , it may be sought or had : Whereof it is , and how it may be wrought : Let it suffice the word of truth hath taught , It is the grace , but of the liuing God , Before beginning , that with him abode . It brought forth power to worke , wisedome to will , Iustice to iudge , Mercie to execute , Vertue to plant , Charitie to fill , Time to direct , Truth falshood to confute , Pitie to pleade , in pemtences suite , Patience to bide , and peace to giue the rest , To prooue how loue doth make the spirit blest . And this is God , and this same God is loue . For God , and loue in charitie are one : And charitie is that same God aboue , In whome doth liue that onely loue alone , Without whose grace , true loue is neuer none . Then seeke no further , what is loue to finde ? But onely carie God within thy minde . Leaue in the world to looke for any loue : For on the earth is little faith to finde ; And faithlesse hearts , in too much trueth doe proue Loue doth not liue , where care is so vnkinde : Men in their natures differ from their kinde . Sinne fils the world so full of secret euils : Men should be Gods to men , but they are deuils . Christ lou'd to death , yet loue did neuer die . For , loue , by death , did worke the death of death . Oh liuing loue , oh heauenly Mystery , To great a glory , for this world beneath ; The blessed breathing , of the highest breathe , Blest are they borne , that onely finde in thee , Oh blessed God , what blessed loue : nay be . Let then the Poets leaue their idle humours , That write of loue where there is no such thing : And let the world not hearken to those rumours , That speake of loue , or whence that life doeth spring : Except it be in this our blessed king , And Lord of life , in whom our foules may proue The onely life of euerliuing loue . Let wantons weepe , that laughing sought for loue , Within the Gems of their mistaken ioyes : And turne with teares , that perfect path to proue , That leades the spirit , from the worlds annoyes , Vnto that treasure , that admits no toyes : But in the riches of the soule doeth proue The heauenly life of blessed spirits loue . And , let the wise ( if any such there be , As God forbid , but there were many such , That in their soules by secret wisedome see , In the true triall of true vertues touch , The worth that faith can not affect too much ) Confesse , they finde , in trueths effects alone , That God is loue , without whom there is none . Amidde the skie , there is one onely sunne , Amidde the ayre , one onely Phoenix flies : One only Time , by which all houres doe runne : One onely life , that liues and neuer dies : One onely eye , that euerie thought descries : One onely light , that shewes one onely loue : One onely loue , and that is God aboue . To say yet further , what this loue may be , It is a holy heauenly excellence , Aboue the power of any eye to see , Or wit to finde by worlds experience : It is the spirit of lifes Quintessence : Whose rare effects , may partly be perceiued : But to the full , can neuer be conceiued . It is repentance sweete restoratiue , The Rosa solis , the sicke soule reuiueth , It is the faithfull hearts preseruatiue : It is the hauen , where happie grace arriueth ; It is the life , that death of power depriueth : It is in summe , the euerlasting blisse , Where , God alone in all his glorie is . It is a ioy that neuer comes in iest : A comfort , that doth cut off euerie care ; A rule , wherein the life of life doth rest , Where all the faithfull finde their happie fare , A good , that doth but onely God declare . A line , that his right hand doth drawe so euen , As leads the soule , the high waye vnto heauen . If then henceforth you aske what thing is loue : In light , in life , in grace , in God , goe looke it : And if in these you doe not truely prooue , How , in your hearts , you may for euer booke it ; Vnhappy thinke yourselues , you haue mistooke it . For why the life that death hath ouer-trod , Is but the loue of Grace : and that is God . All kinde of loue but this , is but mistaken : And all conceit but this , is misconceiued : All kinde of loue but this must be forsaken : All trust , but in this trueth may be deceiued : All in this loue , all trueth may be perceiued : All hearts beliefe , and all soules seale vnto it , All what is good , this loue doeth onely doe it . What shall I say ? but t is beyond my saying , To tell you all may of this loue be sayd : And yet , that trueth be free from all betraying , That hath no more , then what she knowes , bewray'd , Let me but stay , but where as shee hath staid , And say but this as I haue said before , That loue is God , and I can say no more . Solus Amor Deus .

Solus in toto laudandus Deus . OH blessed loue , the life of blessednesse , If euer thou diddest ●elpe a sinners heart , Behold my teares , and in thy holynesse , Assist my spirit with thy sacred Art , That al the world may ioy to heare me sing The holy praises of my heauenly King . Inspire me with that vnderstanding power , Which may conceiue , and by desert commend The toppe of truth on that triumphant Tower , Where graces dwell , and glories neuer end : Let some such Angell helpe me in deuising , As speakes of praise in glories euer rising . Oh loue , how gratious is that beautie held , That giues the world but shadowes to behold ! But , oh what glorie maist thou iustly yeeld , Vnto that life , which doth thy life vnfold ! And while all shadowes fade , and fall away , Is euer bright , and neuer can decay . In natures beautie , all the best can be Are shadowing colours to deceiue the eye : But in this beautie , may our spirits see A light wherein we liue , and cannot die ; A light whereby we see that most auailes vs , The comfort of our faith , that neuer failes vs . How bountifull is that faire hand accounted , That of his store , a little stinte bestoweth ! But , how in bountie hath that hand surmounted , That euer giuing , asking ouer-goeth : And for no gift , shall in true grace be scanting , Doth giue it selfe , to see no comfort wanting . How wise is he , that teacheth how to wielde The world at will , by wicked wits deuise ! But wiser much that findes that wit beguil'd , That neuer seekes the way to Paradise : Oh blessed loue , none but thy Lord of light Doth giue the soule that perfect heauenly light . How kinde is he , that doth his friend relieue , In time of need , of worldly mindes reputed ? But he that helpes the heart , that him doth grieue , To such a minde , what praise may bee imputed ! How kinde is then our Christ , let his death trie , Who hated sinne , yet did for sinners die . How valiant is hee held , that can subdue , By force of hand , the furie of his foe ! But , in whose hand such valour euer grewe , As gaue both death and hell their ouerthrow ? None but thy Lord my loue , that God of light , Who makes all powers to tremble at his sight . How patient is that poore conceit esteem'd , That can put vp a wrong , or crosse , or two ? But , how more patient may our Christ be deem'd , That bare all wrongs that all the world could doe ! Oh , peerelesse paterne of true patience power , That conquerd death , in passions dying houre ! How iust is he , who as the Law doth beare , The likeliest trueth his iudgement doth pronounce ! But , how more iuste , whom neither hope nor feare Could euer mooue to challenge or denounce ! Sweet Iesus Christ , who neuer Caesar wrongeth , And giues to God , that vnto God belongeth . How gracious is that creature to be thought , That doeth repent him of his wickednesse ! But , how more gracious , in whom God hath wrought The perfect height of Graces holinesse ! It is thy life , my loue , our Lord and God , Who by his Grace , all sinne hath ouer-trod . How comfortable is esteemd that hand , That heales the sicke , although not neere to death ! But , what more comfort in that power doeth stand , Then to the dead can giue a liuing breath ! My loue thou knowest that Lazarus can tell , When Maries teares did please our master well . What should I in particulars proceed ? When all and summe , that heauen and earth can show ▪ Are short to finde how farre he doeth exceede The praise of prayse , where highest prayses goe . But , worship him in whom all Graces liue , Worthy more glory then the world can giue . And since my God and euerliuing Lord , All in himselfe , all height of glory holdeth : And to the faithfull onely doeth affoord No more to know , them mercies care vnfoldeth : Let my soules loue but humbly fall before him , In admiration , wholly to adore him . For beauty , bounty , wisedome , valour , kindnesse , Grace , patience , comfort , iustice , trueth , perfection : In whom all these doe liue , what reasons blindnesse Can thinke to reach in prayses due perfection ? Where in the height , to haue all glory sounded , Both heau'ns and earth , and Angels are confounded . And since farre more then most that can be thought , Liues in the light of his incomprehension : Which neuer sense , that euer proudly sought , But perisht in the instant of intention : Ler my soule sing , when all hearts strings are broken , His prayse is more , then can in praise be spoken . Gloria in excelsis Deo .

When the Angels all are singing , All of glorie euer springing , In the ground of high heauens graces , Where all vertues haue their places : Oh that my poore soule were neere them , With an humble heart to heare them . Then should faith in loues submission , Ioying but in mercies blessing , Where that sinnes are in remission , Sing the ioyfull soules confessing , Of her comforts high commending , All in glorie , neuer ending . But , ah wretched sinfull creature , How should the corrupted nature Of this wicked heart of mine , Thinke vpon that loue diuine , That doth tune the Angels voices , While the hoast of heauen reioyces ! No , the songe of deadly sorrowe , In the night , that hath no morrow , And their paines are neuer ended , That haue heauenly powers offended , Is more fitting to the merite , Of my foule infected spirite . Yet while mercie is remoouing All the sorrowes of the louing , How can faith be full of blindnesse ? To despaire of mercies kindnesse , While the hand of heauen is giuing , Comfort from the euerliuing . No , my soule be no more sorie : Looke vnto that life of glorie , Which the grace of faith regardeth , And the teares of loue rewardeth : Where the soule the comfort getteth , That the Aungels musique setteth . There when thou art well conducted , And by heauenly grace instructed , How the faithfull thoughtes to fashion Of a rauisht louers passion : Sing with sainctes , to Aungels nighest , Halleluiah , in the highest . Gloria in excelsis Deo .