The soules immortall crowne consisting of seauen glorious graces I. Vertue. 2. Wisedome. 3. Loue. 4. Constancie. 5. Patience. 6. Humilitie. 7. Infinitenes. : devided into seaven dayes workes, and dedicated to the Kings most excellent Maiestie.

THE Soules immortall crowne consisting of seauen glorious graces .

1. Vertue . 2. Wisedome . 3. Loue . 4. Constancie . 5. Patience . 6. Humilitie . 7. Infinitenes .

DEVIDED INTO SEAVEN dayes Workes .

AND Dedicated to the Kings most excellent Maiestie .

AT LONDON Printed by H. Lownes , and are to be sold by I. C. and F. B. 1605.

TO THE HIGH and mightie Prince , IAMES by the grace of God , King of great Brittaine , France and Ireland , defendour of the faith , &c.

TO whom shall I dedicate the praise of Vertue , but to him whom Vertue praiseth , which in your Maiestie being made good , to the eies of those vnderstanding spirits , that can iudge of the heauenly notes of heroicall natures ( I hope ) hauing Truth for my warrant , to escape the scandall of fawning Eloquence : vouchsafe therefore my gratious Soueraigne , in this plaine Poem , to peruse the labour of my hearts loue , which with the seruice of true loyaltie , I humbly lay at the feet of your Royall Maiestie , beseeching the vertue of all grace , & grace of all vertue , so to blesse you with his infinite blessings , that as vertue vnder heauen putteth her praise vnder your Patronage , so the Patrone of all vertue will so Royallize your praise in the Heauens , that to your gratious Crowne on earth , you may receiue a Crowne of Eternall glory .

Your Maiesties most humble and loyall in all seruice , BER N. Gent.

To the Reader .

YOu that haue a heart to lift your eies aboue your head , and haue not buried your soule in the sinke of sinne , take a little time to reade ouer this little Tract , where if vertue may inuite you , wisedome may woe you , loue may draw you , constancie may content you , patience may perswade you , or humility may entreate you , you shall not passe without your paiment , and make a profit of your expence : the villaine cannot taste it , the foole vnderstand it , the hatefull not loue it , nor the inconstant commend it , the impatient endure it , nor the proud regard it : but I hope the best will alow it , and to them I only leaue it , who can best iudge of it , will iudiciously peruse it , and accordingly esteeme it ; there is no state taxed in it , no person abused by it , none that reade it , but may haue good of it , and for the good of all men I haue done it . The youthfull may learne , and the aged consider what is most necessarie for the soules comfort , the rich may finde treasure aboue their wealth , and the poore , reliefe in their miserie : in sume , to auoid tediousnes , I hope you shall see Vertue truly honoured , Wisedome truly praised , Loue truly described , Constancie truly commended , Patience truly proued , and God in all , truly glorified : to the tuition of whose grace , in hearty praier for your happines , that you may seeke it only in his goodnes : I leaue you for this time , and for euer till I better know you .

Your friend as I finde cause , BER. N. Gent.

The Argument . VErtue is Wisedomes light , Wisedome her loue , And Constancie her only lifes delight : Which Patience in Humility doth proue , Humility the eye of Vertues sight : I hat sees the Graces branches of the Tree , Which figures God , in whom their Glories be .

A POEM VPON the praise of vertue . The first dayes worke . OH my deere Muse , that neuer could'st endure The wicked courses of a wretched minde : Nor , euer learn'st by cunning to procure The hatefull comforts of a hellish kinde : But , euer hast the loue of vertue neere thee , Speak in her praise , that all the world may heare thee . Goe , tell the greatest Monarch ( where thou goest ) She is a Queene to fit his Maiestie : And , tell the wisest Counsellour thou knowest , By her , his wit hath greatest dignitie : And , tell the fairest , in her fairest grace , Foule is her faire , except she blush her face . Tell the Diuine , she giues a glorious light , Vnto the truth of the eternall word : Tell Valour , she makes but a bloody fight ; Except she guide the hand , that holds the sword : Tell all the Artes , their studies are but idle , Except she hold the sences in a bridle . Tell Honour that her Title 's but a tittle , Except she build the steps of her estate ▪ Tell Riches , all her Greatnes is but little , Except she hold her Reckonings at a rate : Tell Loue , alas , his treasure 's but a toy , Except she be the substance of the Ioy . Goe , tell the world more then the world can tell , All is as nought , where she 's not all in all : Tell Excellence , she neuer doth excell , But , when her Grace doth to her Glory fall : Tell Truth her selfe , that in her trumpe of Fame , Her highest Note is only in her name . Oh , were she seene within the sacred sence Of her high fauour alwaies with the highest ; Where Angels Grace , and Graces excellence , Keepe her deere Loue vnto themselues the nighest ; Then would the world all humbly fall before her , And , next to God , in harts and soules adore her . Oh , could a King but note her Queene-like Nature , What Maiestie is in an humble minde ; How , on the earth she makes a heauenly Creature , In being louing , patient , true , and kinde : And , in her sweetnes , sweetly so perceiue her , No King on earth would for his Kingdome leaue her . And , could a Queene behold her Glorious Grace , How her true Loue doth truly louely make her : And what a Sunne she sets vpon her face , That makes the Godly for a Godnesse take her : She would so truly and so deerely loue her , That , no conceite should from her Court remoue her . And did the grauest wisest Counsellour , But sound the depth of her diuine conceite , Where perfect Truth is Reasons Paramour : When Wisedomes care doth cut off all deceite : While sacred Iudgement in true Iustice sits , Her will should be the Rule of all their Wits . And , could the neatest Courtier once behold How comly she is with a little cost : How farre she is from euery pleating fold , Where , fond expences are in folly lost : They all would leaue their Antike Loues desire , And , take their patternes from her plaine attire . And , did the fairest Nimph , or Noblest Maide Behold her Beauty in her glorious Brightnes , Pure in it selfe , vnspotted , not beraide : Nor , idely caried with a looke of Lightnes ; They would so farre her excellence preferre , As , all would leaue themselues to follow her . And , did the most experienc't Officer , But note her cariage , in her seruice care : Where Conscience is the true examiner Of all the thoughts , where Honours courses are : While gracious spirits dwell in earthly Natures : The Court would be a place of heauenly Creatures . Did the Diuine see her Diuinitie ; And , what a spouse vnto the soule she is , Who , with the world hath no affinitie : But , in the heauens hath her eternall blisse . He would his life , vnto her loue referre ; And , leaue the world , for only Loue of her . And , did the Lawyer looke into her lawes : Where Truth and Loue doe trie the case of life ; And wicked Craft can neuer make a clause , To feed Ambition with the fruite of strife : But , euery plea , in pitties conscience proue : All Law should onely liue , but in her loue . And , did the Souldiour , in the points of Warre , See how she sets the honour of the fight : How from offences , she doth keepe a farre , Yet , in the quarrell , doth maintaine the right : And , saues the lyues , hat doe to Mercy yeeld ; She should be high Commaunder of the field . She is not lock't vp in the Misers Chest , Nor , lapt vp in the lines of lewd conceite : Her life is more in liberty faire blest , Then , on the wills of wicked wit to waite : No , no , it is too much against her nature : To haue to doe with any wicked creature . When she alone doth in her Closet sit , Heauens open her the windowes of their light : And Wisedomes spirit doth inspire her wit , While holy Grace , doth guide her spirit right : Saints teares , her Inke ; her pennes of Angels wings , While , to the Glory of her God she sings . Her Paper is a pure , vnspotted hart , Where thoughts are words , writ in the lines of loue : Where Patience points at sorrowes inward smart , While ruthfull passions doe Repentance proue : And , Truth records , that Graces eyes may reade , How soules are heal'd while sinfull harts doe bleede . There , all the Angels , in their turnes attend ; To doe their seruice , in their purest sence ; While , Wit and Reason , doe their Natures bend ; Vnto the life of Loues obedience : And gathering so all gracious thoughts together ; She weares the Garland , that can neuer wither . There , doth she put the Poets to their pensions , Whose Wits are worne with too much worldly study , And cannot reach the height of heauens Inuentions : But , plod in pooles where plashes are too muddy , And takes a Muse for Gracious Pleasures play , To set her Musique in a heauenly Key . There , doth she sing , how sweet a thing it is , To see the heauens all blessed thoughts embrace : How Beauty sees the highest of her Blisse , But in the feature of an Angels face : While , Time and Truth doe in their triall proue , There is no life but in the eternall Loue . The fading pleasures of Affections play , The partiall working of imperfect will : The feeble state of fickle fancies stay , The carelesse compasse of vnkindly skill : The cursed humour of Inconstancie , These hatefull humours she doth all defie . No , where she loues , it tends but with her life , And when she speakes , her Iudgements shewes her wit : And , when she writes , her Concords know no strife , What choise conceite shall chiefe in honour sit : But speake , and write , and looke , and like , and loue , All haue their blessings in the heauens aboue . She giues the King a high Supremacie , And , to his Queene a Gracious Maiestie : And , to his Court she giues a Decencie , And to his State she giues an Vnitie : And , to the Rich a superfluity , And , to the poore a bounteous charity . She giues the Scholler , Vnderstanding sence , And , to the Souldiour , Resolution : And , to the Iudge an vpright Conscience , And the Repentant , Absolution : The Trades-man , care , to keepe his family , The Labourer , patience , and Humility . She leades a King into his Cabinet , And , shewes him there the burthen of his Crowne , Before his eyes she doth his Kingdome set , And to his God his duty doth set downe : She shewes him there the fall of idle pride , And , how his person doth in safety bide . She shewes him there the honour of her loue , The ground of Grace in the eternall good : She shewes the blessing of the soules behoue , Vpon the breeding of a Royall brood : And , that Religion is the Rule of Grace , That keepes the kingdome in a happy case . She shewes him there , the benefit of peace , The hurt of Warre , the hate of Tyrannie : The Ioy of Loue , the happinesse encrease : Where Wisedomes cares are Honours companie : And , sound aduise in sacred veritie , Maintaines a Monarch in his Maiestie . She shewes him there , how flattery folly feedes , While Reason sees the ruine of selfe-will ; She shewes the difference , twixt the herbs & weedes , Wicked illusion , and discretions skill ; She shewes him all , that she thinks fit to show him , To strength his State , that nothing ouerthrow him . She shewes him there the sweet contentiue life Is not still caried in varieties ; Nor faithfull Care doth feare the fatall knife , That , is not subiect to Impieties : But he alone , is all , and onely Blest , Who , all in Mercy , hath his spirits Rest. She makes him see , that he could neuer see , But , through her sight , the brightnes of all Seeing ; She makes him be , that he could neuer be , But , in the blessing of her blessed Being : Thus , all in summe , she makes him see , and be : That without her , he could nor be , nor see . She gaines him all his Greatnes in her Grace , His Countries loue , the honour of his Court : She keepes him safely in his kingly place , And , to the world she doth his fame report ; And , when from earth Death must his Crowne disseuer , She makes him raigne a King in heauen for euer . She takes a Queene vnto her selfe a-side , And , shewes her all the Glory of her Grace : How , she alone doth make the blessed Bride , And , how she keepes her in her highest place : She makes the King in glorious Robes attire her , And , all the Court , loue , honour , and admire her . Then doth she bring her humbly on her knees , And , sets before her the faire booke of Blisse , Bids her there finde that she can neuer leese , The care of life , where euery comfort is : When lifting vp her heart with humble eie , She sees a Beautie brighter then the skie . There she beholds in Mercies Maiestie , Her Sauiour sitting in a Glorious Throne : Where , in the Essence of Eternitie , He rules all powers in himselfe , alone : When , seeing her thus humbly fall before him , He blesseth her that doth so much adore him . Then , doth she see the Angels exercise , Who , with the Saints and Virgins fit and sing : While humble spirits make their Sacrifice , Vnto the Glory of their Gracious King : While , all the Hoast of all the heauen reioyces , To heare the Musique of the heauenly voyces . Then , doth she set the Consort of the Quier , Where euery Note doth keepe his Time and Tune : The ditty only speaking of Desire , Where , loue doth only vnto Mercy clime : Where euery Close doth in such comfort meete , That all the Heauens are rauisht with the sweete . She takes the Virgine to her Morning taske , And sets her downe a forme of faithfull praier : But , couers not her Beauty with a Maske , When she hath made her truly heauenly faire : But , brings her forth with such a Blessed Grace , As , makes him happy that may see her face . She shewes her in a Glasse of Beauties Truth , How , Art doth Nature too much iniurie ; That feebled Aye in forced tricks of Youth , In true Conceite is Reasons Mockerie ; The idle thoughts that spoile the inward eies , Where Loue should liue , but in dishonour dies , She shewes her there the Maiden-blush complection , Betwixt the cherrie Red , and snowie White : And , reades her then the precepts of perfection , Within the circle of Dianas fight ▪ She shewes her all the Titles of desart , And , that true honour liues but in the hart . She neuer taught the Eye to leere nor lowre , Tongue , idle talke ; nor minde , vngratious thought ▪ She neuer set a countenance sharpe and sowre , Nor , fetch 't a sigh vpon a thing of nought : But , shewes her Indgement of so iust a Measure , As , proues her Wisedome worth a world of Treasure . She shewes her then , how Fancie like a Flea , Can skip about a skittish humour'd hart : And , how that sorrow like the Ocean Sea , Can drowne the spirit in a deadly smart : While , Melancholy doth oppresse the Minde , Where better humours haue no place to finde . Then , doth she take the Counsailour alone , And , shewes him all the secrets of his hart , Bids him behold the Mournfull Widowes moane , The Orphanes teares , the grieued Sutors smart : Loue , feare , and serue , first God , and then his King , And , doe no worke that may his Conscience wring . She tells him then , the heau'nly Consistorie Doth only sit vpon the spirits good : Where , in the fight of sacred Wisedomes eie , Cannot a clawse amisse be vnderstood : While , Truth it selfe , that pleads the poore mans case , From Mercies Iustice hath impartiall Grace . Then ▪ doth she take aside the Courtier , And , shewes him all the fruites of idlenes ; That , fancie is but follies Treasurer , While Wit is thrall vnto vnthriftines : While Pride presuming on deceiuing Hope , Griefe doth the Gate , but to Repentance ope . She tells him there she neuer taught the eye To feede the spirit with an idle Gaze : She neuer taught the tongue to walke awrie , Nor , brought the minde into a wilfull Maze : She neuer taught the fashion , nor the cost , Where , Wisedome sees time , and expence but lost . She neuer teacheth to play fast and loose , Nor , iuggle with a false conceiued Ioy : Nor , let the Foxe be taken by a Goose , Nor , euer sold a treasure for a toy : She neuer taught him to misspend his time , Nor higher state then his desert to clime . She neuer taught him how to crouch , nor creepe , Nor scorne , nor scoffe , nor hang the head a-side : Nor sigh , nor sob , nor wipe the eye , and weepe , Nor hatefull thoughts in louing lookes to hide ▪ No , no , she is or a more heauenly Nature , Then , with such by-wit to abuse a Creature . Then , doth she call for euery Officer , And bids him strictly looke into his Oath , That , Conscience may be true deliuerer Of an vnspotted , simple faith , and troth : That seruice loue by duties care discharged , In Honours eye make due Reward enlarged . Then , doth she take account of his accounts , How , all the summes doe with the parcels gree : And , how much cunning Conscience surmounts , And , what in fine , the finall summe will be : And , tells him that a counting day will come , When he shall make account for all and some . Thus , when she hath the Courtiers all reade ouer , She calls the Lawyer to a conscience case , And , tells him , Truth is Learnings only Louer , Who , neuer puts the poore Man out of place : But , holds the hand of Iustice weight so euen , As if the Ballance had the Beame in Heauen . She neuer takes a Bribe to make a Motion , Nor , soothes a Client in a false Conceite ; She neuer seekes an vndeseru'd promotion , Nor sells her Beauty vnto the poore by weight ; No , she is true , and iust , and wise , and kinde , And , as she thinks , will euer speake her minde . Then doth she take the Souldiour in his Tent , And shewes him there the hideous fight of blood : That , Mercy euer with true valour went , To spoile the wicked , but to spare the good : That , Conquest neuer is in true perfection , But , when a Man can Maister his Affection . She teacheth not a wicked Stratagem , Nor , how for Coine to buy and sell a Towne : Nor to vsurpe a princely Diadem , Nor raise the vile , nor put the vertuous downe : No , when she once begins to leuie Armes , The good haue Grace , the only wicked harmes . She neuer prai'd vpon the poore Mans purse , Nor tyraniz'd vpon the Prisoner : She neuer reap't the Mournfull Widowes Curse , Nor of an Infant was a Murtherer : She neuer was by Sea nor Land a Thiefe , But had Compassion on the poore Mans griefe . Thus hauing shew'd the Souldiour what she knowes , Becomes the cariage of a Noble Minde : She calls the Merchant , and to him she showes , That , Conscience care is of a heauenly kinde : While no corruption can the soule infect , That to the spirit hath a due respect . She shewes him there , there is no ware , nor weight , But the all-Seeing-Eye in secret sees , And , that no cunning can excuse deceite , Which gaining drosse ; doth better siluer leese : She tells him plaine it is all gotten gaine , For fading pleasure gets eternall paine . She tells him , that the aduenture on the Sea , Is not all blest to enrich the couetous : Nor to maintaine the Epicure his Ease . The proud , the bad , nor the vitious : But , to prouide for neede , and to relieue The needy hart , whom griping want doth grieue . In some she shewes him that the spirits wealth , Is free from all vnconscionable ill ▪ And , howsoeuer , Wit doth worke by stealth , There is no Wisedome but the Gratious will : Where carefull Loue , where Comfort neuer wasteth , Laies vp the Treasure that for euer lasteth . Then , doth she call on euery Trade and Art , And , still cries out , haue care of Conscience , Bids euery eye , looke well into the hart , And , not be caried with a wicked sence : For , in the day of the eternall Doome , Plainenes in heauen will haue a princely Roome . What , though sometime her habite be but poore , Her lodging hard , her diet spare and thinne : She stand disgraced at the rich mans doore , And fast without , while other feast within : Yet , is she better with her Crosse contented , Then , sport with sinnes , to haue her soule tormented . And , though sometime she sit and hold her peace , While , idle heads doe vse their tongues at large : And , grieue to see true Learnings worth decrease , When that a Dunce doth take a Doctors charge ; Yet , may the world in all her courses know , 'T is not her will , God knowes it shall be so . And , though sometime she be in fetters tied , While wicked spirits walke at liberty , And , be enforc'd her fairest thoughts to hide , While hatefull thoughts are had in Dignitie : Yet hath she patience to endure her crosses , While heau'nly gaine doth counteruaile her losses . Oh , could the world discerne her worthines , In all true honour , in all honours truth : How she doth only giue a happines Vnto the grauest Age , and greenest Youth : Euen from the King , vnto the poorest Creature , She would be honour'd in a heau'nly Nature . But , let the world esteeme her as it will , She shall be worth more then the world is worth : And , when the world shall blush to see her ill , Then shall she bring her heauenly Beauty forth : And make them all confesse vnto their faces , Her Glory puts them all vnto disgraces . She neuer speakes but Truth , nor doth but well , Her thoughts all pure , and grounded on perfection : She doth among the holy Muses dwell , And guides the Graces , all by her direction : She is the Bodies Grace , the spirits Queene , In whom all Graces haue their Glory seene . Oh , that I could describe her in her height , As God and her good Grace might giue me leaue : How all the Saints , and all the Angels waite , But on her will , and from the same receiue The highest substance of their heau'nly Blisse , In whom alone all heau'nly Blessing is . Then should the world be all asham'd to see , How basely they her glorious Grace regarded : And grieue in soules to thinke that euer she Should for her seruice be so ill rewarded : That few or none , wise , fond , nor rich , nor poore , But ready are to thrust her out of doore . Then should the Courts of Princes flock vnto her , And Lords and Ladies sue to her for Grace : And happy soules that best can seruice doe her , And seeke their life but in her louely face : And then her Grace , such should a Glory beare , That there should be no world but where she were . But since her worth is to the world vnknowne , And only Heauen doth her deere Loue embrace : Her worth is more then can in words be showne , While Grace it selfe can only shew her Grace : Let me but leaue her in all Admiration , To Virgins , Saints , and Angels Adoration . And let me say but what in soule I finde , She is the Essence of all Excellence : The Eie , the Heart , the Body , and the Minde , Where holy Rules haue all their Residence : Of all good Motions the first only Mouer , The proofe of loue , and of Loues proofe the Louer . The strength of Truth , th' assurance of all Trust , The Concordance of all contentiue cares : The Iudgement of the Wisedome of the Iust , The sacred shop of the Celestiall warre : The lemme for which no price can be too great , Th' Eternall Manna for the spirits Meate . The Eie of light , where Loue hath all his life , The tong of Truth , where Wisedom hath her words : The heart of peace , where patience knowes no strife , The hand of Bounty that all Grace affords : The face of Beauty where all Brightnes shineth , The soule of wonder that all worth defineth . The soile wherein all sweetnes euer groweth , The Fountaine whence all Wisedome euer springeth ; The winde that neuer but all blessing bloweth , The Aire that all comfort euer bringeth : The fire that euer life with loue enflameth , The figure that all true perfection frameth ▪ The study of the soules Intelligence , The Art of Wisedomes high Inuention : The Rule of Reasons best Experience , The worke of Mercies Glorious Mention : The ground of Honour , and discretions Grace , Place's perfection , and perfections place . All this , and more then I can speake or write , In Vertue liues , and to her loue belongs : And , though the world doe barre her of her right , Yet heauen will one day right her of her wrong ▪ And make the world to know her gratious Nature , And , how she only makes the Glorious Creature . And , since that day will one day come vnwares , When she will call a Court of all her Teanures , And , see the fruite of all her seruants wares , And , take an order for all Misdemeanures : Let all the world be fearefull to offend her , And thinke them happy that can best attend her . Let euery Creature seeke and sue to serue her , And euery King , and Lord , and Lady loue her : And euery heart endeuour to deserue her , And euery Minde for some good Motion moue her : And euery tongue in true perfection praise her , And euery soule to endlesse Glory raise her . And let me aske a pardon of heau'ns Grace , For my poore spirits mounting vp so high : Who , for my sinnes doth bid me hide my face , And not to heau'n to dare to lift mine eie : And say no more , but end as I begun , She is a Queene of Queenes , and I haue done . And since that Vertue neuer can be seene , But by the Eie of Wisedomes sacred sence : Where she beholds her as the Blessed Queene , That weares the Crowne of Reasons excellence : Let me beseech the Heauens my soule to Raise , To speake of Wisedome in her worthy praise . And , though I know , and cannot but confesse My thoughts vnable to aspire so high , And euery way , but all vnworthinesse In me , to write of such a Misterie : Yet let my heart a little tell my Minde , What wonder worth , in Wisedomes works I finde . Gloria in excelsis Deo .

Vpon the praise of Wisedome . The second daies worke . FRom the vaine humours of vnseason'd Wit , Whose heedlesse wil breeds nothing els but woe : Among the seates where sacred spirits sit , The holy pleasures of the heauens to know : My humble Muse learne what perfection saies , In Glorious Wisedomes neuer ending praise . She is the spirit of the highest power , The Essence of all purenes Excellence : The compasse of the euerlasting hower , The Vertue of all purenes Quintessence : The knowledge that all knowledge only giueth , And only life , in which , life only liueth . She sits in counsaile with the Trinitie , And is th' Almighties secret Secretarie : She keepes the Graces in an Vnitie , And doth the charge of all their seruice carie : Before Creation she did make Election , And for the Action she did giue direction . She calls the Angels each one by their names , And sets the Saints and Martirs in their places : Their Himnes and Songs vnto their Lord she frames , And to their Musique giues especiall Graces : The Seraphins she makes to clap their wings , While all the Heauens their Haleluiah sings . Amid the skie she set the Sunne and Moone , And made diuision twixt the day and night : She made the morning and the after noone , And set each planet in his place aright : She prickt the Starres vpon the Firmament , And gaue a life to euery Element . She made the times the seasons of the yeare , The change of Natures , and the notes of choise : She made perfection euery way appeare , And in her labours made her Loue reioyce : So by desert the highest did her call High Officer , and worke Mistris of all . She made the Earth in compasse like a Ball , Betwixt the water and the skie depending : Yet hangs so fast , that it can neuer fall , Vntill all earthly things must haue an ending : And hauing fram'd it as she thought it meete , Made it a footstoole for her Masters feete . She made the Seas , the Brooks , the Fountaine springs : The Trees , the Fruites , the Herbs , and euery Flower : The Fish , the Beast , and euery Bird that sings : The Yeere , the Month , the Week , the day , the hower : The outward shape , and euery inward sence , And euery Starre a sundry influence . She framed Man the last of euery Creature , But yet the best , and to her loue the neerest : She gaue his heart a kinde of heau'nly nature , And held his life vnto her loue the deerest : She made him all things by their names to call , And vnder God , Lord Gouernour of all . She taught him only how to know the good , But neuer taught him how to know the euill : She fed his spirit with a wholesome food , Till Pride did bring him poyson from the Deuill : She made him then his folly to confesse , And then his faith in Mercy finde redresse . She gaue his soule a Minde aboue his Hart , His Hart , a feeling of his spirits Nature : His Nature , Reason ▪ and his Reason , Art ; His Art , a knowledge of each earthly Creature : His Knowledge , Honour ; and his Honour , Grace , His Grace a fauour , in a Glorious place . She read him all the Rules of Learnings Loue , The Naturall , the Morall , and Diuine : She shew'd the Blessing of the soules behoue , That doth not wholy to the earth decline : She shewes the way vnto eternall Blisse , And , for the world , how base a thing it is . Yet , when she made the world for her best Grace , She sets a Course , and Rule for euery thing : For Nature , Reason , Action , Time , and Place , How best proportion might perfection bring ; And , how in all might all things so agree , That in their Concords , might no discord be . In scale , and feather , haire , and skinne , and hue , In substance , sence , in colour , shape , and feature : How they were first begot , and how they grew , And how each one should differ in their Nature : Yet , differing so , they might together liue , That none might other hurt , or hinderance giue . But vnto Man , she only gaue a minde , To looke into the life of euery Nature : And giue them names , and vse them in their kinde , And take commandement of each kind of Creature : And by her will to walke among them so , That euery one should him their seruice owe . She made each haire , each Artir , and each vaine , The flesh the bones , the finnowes , and the skinne : The heart , the lytes , the liuer , and the braine , The outward Beauty , and the strength within : And to his soule did giue that heau'nly Nature , That made in all the admirable Creature . She gaue him wings to mount aboue the winde , And inward Eies to see aboue the Sunne : And by her Rules did make his Reason finde , How Sun , and Moone , & Starres their courses runne : How Sea-Men by the pole their courses guide , And by the Moone the turne of euery Tide . She makes him finde the Heauens operations , Vpon the Bodies of the earth below : She makes him by his spirits contemplations Vpon the earth , things aboue Earth to know : And to his knowledge doth that Vertue giue , As learnes him only to his God to liue . She makes a difference in the Mindes of Men , She crownes the Princes , and entituleth Honor ; She writes their Stories with a perfect Pen , And doth aduaunce them that doe tend vpon her : She makes them Blest that doe in patience proue her , And liue for euer that doe truly loue her . She doth instruct the King in all his care , Where Mercies Iustice beares a blessed sword : She shewes the Peeres when they in counsaile are , What fauour heau'ns the faithfull hearts afoord : She shewes the people the due loyaltie , That Subiects owe vnto their Soueraigntie . She makes the Courtier not misspend his time , She bids the Souldiour spare the Innocent ; And the Diuine beware the Conscience crime , And makes the Lawyer a good Studient : She makes the Merchant honest with his wealth , And , labour keepe the labouring Man in health . She teacheth euery Science , and each Art , And shewes the Truth of euery Argument : And makes distinctions vpon euery part , And is of all the only Ornament : She shewes the Studient in Diuinitie , Heauen with the world hath no Affinitie . She feedes no fancie with an idle fashion , Yet fashions all things in a comly frame : She neuer knew Repentance wofull passion , Nor euer fear'd the blot of wicked blame : But euen and true what euer she intended , Wrought all so well , that none could be amended . She neuer whirles about an idle Wit , Nor taketh pleasure in a wanton Eie : Nor in the seate of pride did euer sit , Nor from the poore did turne her hand awrie : Nor maintain'd wealth with wretched Miserie , Nor sought for honour by Indignitie . No , no , that Man that would his Mistris make her , That Woman that doth choose her for her Louer : That Man , or Woman that doth only take her For their best Loue , and in their hearts doe loue her : In rauisht sweetnes of her Beauties Blisses , Will dwell vpon her lips in louely Kisses . She neuer yet did harme to any liuing , Nor is there any good but that she doeth : To euery soule she is her Comfort giuing ; And with her sweetnes so Affection woeth , That they who could in Loues perfection proue her , Would hate themselues , and if they did not loue her . She laies the lines of life in Vertues loue , Imploies the Minde in holy Meditations : The hart , in study of the soules behoue , The spirit , in Loues Contemplations The tongue , in speaking truth on euery part , The soule , in prayer , for a faithfull hart . She neuer was acquainted with Corruption , Not came within the Aire of all Infection : Her purpose neuer had an Interruption , Nor euer was she crost in her direction : But sound and sure she caries so her skill , That in all good , there can be found no ill . She is the fairest of all Beauties Fame , She is the sweetest of all Reasons sence : She is the Noblest of all Honours name , She is the strongest of all Loues defence : She is the richest of all earthly Treasure , And purest substance of the Spirits pleasure . Oh , what can there be more ? that she should be ? Or , how should she be more then that she is ? That all may see , and more then all may see , The blessed Being of all Being Blisse ; All Infinite , in all perfections waies , And Infinite , in all perfections praise . And , being then in goodnes all so Good , As , being best , a better cannot be : Which , in her selfe is only vnderstood , And in her selfe , her selfe can only see : What life of Grace ? but would in loue admire her , Or Gratious loue could liue , and not desire her ? But since that loue is the true life indeede , Of which she is , by which she only liueth : From which she hath her only happy spide , To which she oweth all the good she giueth ; Let me the purest of my passion proue , To see her Glory in the Grace of loue .

THE PRAISE OF Loue . The third daies worke . O Loue that liuest in that only light , Which giues all seeing to all gratious Eies : But keepest thy sence from that vngodly sight , That in the darknes of Illusion dies : Lighten my soule that it may cleerely see , How thou in Wisedome , Wisedome liues in thee . The Angels can in their Attonements tell , How kindly thou do'st make them liue together : And where the Saints and holy Martirs dwell , The holy Muses bring their Musique thither , And while the Hoast of all the Heauens reioyce , Thou tun'st the heart-strings of the highest voice . Loue is the Essence of Eternitie , That workes the course of Wisedomes cariage : Where the high counsaile of the Deitie , Twixt Heauen and Earth doe make a Mariage : While in the life of Holines alone , The Lord of Heauen , and his true Church are one . It layes the plot , and drawes the lines of pleasure , Within the ground of Graces Paradise : It works the Truth , that is the spirits Treasure , And builds the height of Honours Dignities : It bends the Eies of Graces Royaltie , And knits the hearts of Vertues Loyaltie . It is no Obiect for an earthly Eie , Nor any Muse for any worldly minde : Although the world in true effects may trie ; It is a spirit of a powerfull kinde ; And such a power , as all powers doe submit ; To the Inuincible power of it . It maketh Will doe only what it list , While Wisedome guides the Axill Tree of wit : And neuer feares the hurt of had I wist , That sees a Crosse , and is content with it : While patience findes the only faire perfection , Of Fancies faith , in fauours true Affection . It is a substance that admits no figure , For in it selfe it breedes but of exceedings : While in the Notes of pleasures truest Nature , The fruites of Faith are Fancies only feedings : While in conceite those high Contentments meete , That happy soules are rauisht with the sweete . To comprehend , it passeth Comprehension , And to define , 't is vndefinable : And to describe , it doth exceede Inuention , And to conceiue , 't is vnconceiuable : Yet by the Vertue that our sence it giues , Our Reason findes that in our soules it liues . It is a fire that kindleth in the Eie , It is an Aire that cooleth Furies heate : It is a water that is neuer drie , A Paradise , where growes the spirits meate ; Thus it partakes of euery Element , Yet liues aboue the highest Firmament . It is a thought begotten by a sight , And 't is a sight that liueth in the thought ; It is a life that breedeth in delight , And a delight that life hath only wrought ; It is a word that by true spirits spoken , Doth knit a knot that neuer can be broken . Oh , how it doth a blessed Nature nourish , And how it doth an humble spirit cherish : And how it makes a faithfull heart to flourish , And suffers not a Gratious soule to perish : Witnes those hearts whose perfect spirits proue , How loue in Wisedome , Wisedome liues in loue . Fortune can neuer haue a force to foile it , Nor feare to fright , nor enuie to anoy it ; Nor passion to hurt , impatience to spoile it , Nor Death to kill , nor Deuill to destroy it : But where all pleasures spring , and perish neuer , Heere , or in Heau'n it hath a life for euer . From the faire Brightnes of a Beautious Eie , It caries honour to an humble hart : And from the heart of Truthes Humilitie , It gaines the comfort of a kinde desart : And in true kindnes , that content alone , That of two Bodies makes the Minde but one . It brought downe Heau'n to Earth , brings Earth to Heau'n , It walks about the circle of the Sunne : It makes the Planets keepe their orders eu'n , And Nature kindly all her courses runne : It sits vpon the holy seate of Grace , And with the highest , hath the highest place . It keepes all Order , Measure , Rule , and Right , In Nature , Reason , Wisedome , Wit , and Sence ▪ In word , and deede , and thought , by day and night , In time and place , in Case , and Moode , and Tense : Where all proportions are in such perfection , As shewes the depth of the diuine direction . It makes the husband kinde vnto his wife , The spouse obedient to her faithfull pheere : And in that kindnes that contentiue life , That only doth but in that life appeare : The Children gratious , and the Parents kinde , And each in other what they wish to finde . Brethren and sisters liue in Vnitie , And Neighbours liue in friendly Neighbourhood : And friends continue in true Amitie , And strangers vnto strangers to doe good : Princes in Peace , and Subiects liue in Grace , And so the earth to proue a heau'nly place . Oh , how it fights against infamous thought , And kills the Nature of an ill coniecture : How true it hath the life of Vertue taught , And builds the height of Honours Architecture : How little it regards all earthly toyes , And surely leades the soule to endlesse ioyes . How sweetly on the Nurses lips it lies , While she is bussing of her little Baby : And how it twinckles in the Infants eies , In learning of his Christes Crosse , and his A. B : How cherry-red it dies a snowie white , Where Maiden-blushes make a blessed sight . Loue makes the Triumphes of the truest ioyes , And sounds the Trumpet of the sweetest sound : Loue speakes in hearts , and makes no idle noise , But is in some of euery Grace the ground : It is a Riddle aboue Reasons sence , And of exceedings all the excellence . It makes the thought , the word and deede all one , It bindes the eye , the hand , and heart together : It is in truth the only Tree alone , Which keeps his greene where not a leafe can wither : It is the Bird that only sings in May , And makes the holy spirits holy day . It takes away the tediousnes from time , The paine from patience , in desire delaies : The feare from care , the hearts content to clime , The sloath from labour in his hardest waies : The frailty from the Nature of Affection , And folly from the passion of perfection . It is a Vertue of that sacred sence , In working wonders in the spirits power : As in the height of Reasons Excellence , Vpon the top of Truths eternall Tower : Doth stand with such a Grace of heau'nly Glory , As may be call'd the state of Wisedomes story , And since it is so infinite in worth , As doth exceede his penne of Reasons praise : Who from the soule of Wisedome issues forth , As from the Sunne his brightest shining Raies : Let me heere cease , and all in Admiration , Leaue it to Wisedomes only declaration . And since it doth in nothing more appeare , Then in the Nature of true Constancie : Which is a Vertue to the soule to deere , As keepes the soule from Errors Extasie ; Let me a little speake of that sweet Nature , Of Constancie that makes the Blessed Creature .

THE PRAISE OF Constancie . The fourth daies worke . O Constancie , thou only kingly thought , That keepes the spirit in her purest kinde : And hast against all idle frailty fought , And like a Mountaine set lest fast the Minde : Let me conceiue some part of thy content , Where pleasures spirit is most sweetly spent . And though I cannot reach that Royall height , Wherein thy sacred Maiestie doth sit : Yet as a Seruant let me humbly waite , To see thine honour , and to speake of it : And so to speake , that all the world may see Wisedomes Loues , Honor only liues in thee . The constant Eie hath neuer wandring fight , The constant Eare hath no vnkindly hearing : The constant Tongue doth euer speake aright , The constant Heart hath euer happy chearing : The constant Minde the fairest thoughts vnfold thee , The constant Soule on earth & heauen behold thee . It neuer hath a thought of iealousie , Nor stands vpon Opinions Parador : Nor runnes a fury into frenzie , Nor feares the Wolfe , nor ioyneth with the Fox : But like the Phoenix in a sunnie fire , Findes lifes delight in ashes of desire . It loues no change , and breedes the ioy of choise , It feares no fortune , nor it serues no folly : It keepes the Rule where Reason doth reioice , And is the substance of contentment wholy : It is a stay that strengtheneth the Minde , And knit the sences in a sacred Kinde . It is the true foundation of all strength , Which while it holds , the frame can neuer fall : It is the line that drawes the longest length , And euer is , that sees the end of all : It keeps the Rules of the Heau'ns reuolution , And doth confirme all Reasons resolution . It is the locke vpon the heart of loue , A Chest that keepes the treasure of the Minde : Within the soule a Rocke that cannot moue A Band ▪ that doth the thoughts together binde . A light where Wisedome Vertues honour seeth , And life where only Grace with loue agreeth . It keepes the Sunne in his continuall brightnes , The ayre in coolenes , and the earth in drynesse : Water in moisture , and the winde in lightnesse , The fire in hotnes , and the flame in highnesse : The good in goodnes , and the kinde in kindnes , The minde from madnes , and the eye from blindnes . It was the mouer first of mariage , And made the first continuance of content : It set the course of Wisedomes cariage , And neuer further then affection went : It is the state of all perfections stay , And Times all euer lasting holy day . It is the Crowne of Patience kingly care , The seate where Mercy sits in Maiestie : The Law wherein all blessed precepts are , The fame of Loue , and league of Amitie ; The learning of the wisest wits instruction , And sence of the most sweetest thoughts construction . Aboue the Heauens it liueth with the highest , And in the Heauens it dwelleth with the purest : And to the Nature of the best the nighest , And in the sence of all conceites the surest : And in the Action of all Art the strongest , And in the length of Time , and Truth the longest . It keepes the center of the earth from mouing , The swelling Sea from passing of his Bounds : The Rules of true perfection from Reprouing , The health of Wisedome from all follies Wounds ; The circle of the world in such a frame , That Admiration may commend the same . Oh , how it writes the worthinesse of those , That stroue for honour to the stroke of death : And how without comparison it showes , The mouth of Wisedome blessed in her breath : And how it makes the fame of them to flourish , That with their Bounty vertuous spirits nourish . It made the Mirror of all Martirdome , And in the faithfull makes a Glorious fight : And in the day of the Eternall doome , It will be Gratious in all Glorious sight : Where hopes continuance in all kindnes care , Brings humble faith to endlesse happy fare . And since it is so infinite a Grace , As may deserue as infinite a praise : And is the fulnesse of the fairest place , In all the walke of Wit , and Reasons waies : Where patience proues the best experience , Let me a little sing of Patience .

THE PRAISE OF Patience . The fifth daies worke . SWeete Patience thou soueraigne of perfection , Of Gratious thoughts the only Gouernesse : Who by the Rules of thy diuine direction , Do'st bring the heart to highest Happinesse : My humble soule with thy sweete loue enflame , That I may sing in honour of thy name . The purest thought that euer heart possessed , The clearest Obiect of the carefull'st Eie : The present Medicine for the Minde distressed , The only ease in euery Miserie : In all the proofe of Wits Experience , In heart , and minde , and soule , is patience . It puts off feare of Fortunes frowardnes , And only rests on Resolution : It wrestles with the worlds vntowardnes . And holds the state of Reasons Constitution : It conquers Will , and so doth carie Wit , That both are happy only but in it . It breedes no wroth , nor moueth Enuies ill , It breakes no concord , nor discention sturres : It learnes the spirit an especiall skill , Where Reasons care Repentance not incurres : And if Repentance , folly doe enforce , It is a meane vnto a sweet remorce . It beareth want as if it were no woe , And suffers wrong as if it had no sence : It swallowes sorrow as it were not so , And taketh Death for lifes Ingredience : It neither feedes of fortune , feare nor fate , But alwaies is all one in euery state . In time it keepes the compasse of the hower , In action , order , measure , point , and place : In thought , the temper of the spirits power , In Wit and Reason all the Rules of Grace : In Grace the ground of that perfections story , That goeth neere the height of Vertues Glory . It makes the entrance into euery Action , Continues the proceedings , makes the end : It kils the Nature of vnquiet Faction , And of a foe sometime doth make a friend : It doth conceale the hearts calamitie , And makes a Vertue of Necessitie . By Patience we doe our soules possesse , And tread the path to our soules Paradice : While the impatient in their soules distresse , Headlong fall into their soules Miseries ; It is a salue that healeth the soules griefe , Sorrowes rankt poison , and the soules reliefe . Patience doth try the Truth of euery thing , Distills the spirits of the purest Natures : Teacheth the Muse her Musique notes to sing , And findes the difference of all kindes of Creatures : Giues bodies health , and makes the spirits diet , And brings the soule vnto Eternall quiet . It keepes the Husband chaste vntill he marrie , The Wife obedient to her Band of loue : It makes the Mother for her Childe to tarie , And Seruants waite for their Rewards behoue : It makes the Sea-man tarie for a winde , And poore men waite till richer men haue dinde . It makes the wounded Man endure his dressing , The sicke Man see the loosing of his blood : The poore Man beare the paine of his oppressing , The good Man against euill to doe good : The wise Man study for the state of Blisse , The holy Man finde where all blessing is . It keepes the King from thought of Crueltie , The Noble Peere from Prides Ambition : The Counsailour from all Impietie , The Courtier from all ill condition : The Church-man from the error of selfe-will , The Lay-man from the exercise of ill . By patience Dauid had a Princely fame , And , Iob his patience hath a worthy praise : But Christ his patience hath the Glorious name , That euer liues to neuer ending daies : Since then in God and Man it is so glorious , Let it be held a Vertue all victorious . In God it doth a worke of Mercy show , In Mercy Comfort , and in Comfort Grace : In Grace that loue from which that life doth flow , That shewes where Patience hath a happy place : Oh blessed Patience that in Man doth proue , Gods Mercies comfort in his Gratious loue . It brings the heart to Loues Humilitie , Humility to Truthes simplicitie : And simple Truth to Cares Tranquilitie , And quiet Care to faith's felicitie : And happy faith vnto that fairest Blisse , In which the fairest of all Blessing is . And since that in Humility I finde True Patience hath her purest Residence : And brings the heart , the spirit , and the minde Vnto the height of Reasons Excellence : Let me a little shew what Vertue saies , In setting downe Humilities due praise .

THE PRAISE OF Humilitie . The sixth daies worke . OH the sweet sence of loues Humilitie , Which feares displeasure in a dearest friend : The only note of true Nobilitie , Whose worthy Grace is graced without end : While faithfull loue in humble Truth approued , Doth euer liue of God and Man beloued . Her Grace is Gratious in the sight of God , Makes men as Saints , and women Angels seeme , Makes sinne forgotten , Mercy vse no Rod , And constant Faith to grow in great esteeme : And is in some a Blessing of the Highest , And to the Nature of himselfe the Nighest . It maketh Beauty like the Sunne to shine , As if on earth there were a heau'nly light : It maketh Wit in Wisedome so diuine , As if the Eie had Celestiall sight : It is a Guide vnto that Hauen of Rest , Where Blessed soules doe liue for euer blest . In Christ it is a Grace of worthy Glory . In Man from God , a gift of speciall Grace : While in the state of Vertues honours story , Wisedome doth finde it in perfections place : And plac't so high in the Almighties loue , As nothing more can Mercies comfort proue . It makes the eye look downe into the heart , The heart obedient vnto wit and sence : And euery limbe to play a Seruants part , Vnto the will of Wits preheminence : It brings the Minde vnto the Body so , That one the other cannot ouergoe . It is the death of pride , and patience loue , Passions Phisitian , Reasons Counsailour : Religions Darling , labours Turtle Doue , Learnings Instructer , Graces Register : Times best Attendant , & Truthes best Explainer , Vertues best Louer , and Loues truest Gainer . It is the Princes Grace , the Subiects duty , The Schollers lesson , and the Souldiours line : The Courtiers credite , and the Ladies Beauty , The Lawyers vertue , and the loue diuine : That makes all sences Gratious in his sight , Where all true Graces haue their Glorious light . It makes the heart fit for all good Impression , It doth prepare the spirit for perfection : It brings the soule vnto her sinnes confession , It helpes to cleare the body from infection : It is the meane to bring the minde to rest , Where heart , soule , body , minde , and all are blest . It made the Mother of the Sonne of God , Gratious in him who made her full of Grace : And on her Sonne it blessedly abode , In bearing all the filthy worlds deface : And in his Seruants for their Maisters loue , Did Faiths affections in their passions proue . It saued Abrahami Sonne from Sacrifice , When Isaaks death was quitted by the Ramme ; It saued Noah and his Progenies , Where on the earth destructions Deluge came ; It saued Lot from hurt of Sodomes fire , And Israel from cruell Pharaohs ire . It wrought in Dauid Gratious penitence , In Niniuie a sweet submission : In Iob a famous Blessed patience , In Paule assurance of his sinnes Remission : In Iohn the habite of a holy loue , In Christ the Grace that did all Glory proue . It euer holds the hand of faithfulnes , And euer keepes the Minde of Goldlines : And euer brings the heart to quietnes , And euer leades the soule to happines : And is a Vertue of that Blessednes , That merits praise in highest worthines . Oh how it gaines the Childe the Parents loue , The wife her husband , and the seruants Maisters : Where humble faith in happy hopes behoue , Findes patience care , discomforts healing plaisters : And truest course of cares Tranquillity , Only to rest but in Humility . And since that in the life of humble loue , I see the way vnto the well of Blisse : Where Patience doth in all perfection proue , Where the high Blessing of all Blessings is : Let my soule pray that I may humbly sing , The heau'nly praises of my holy King .

Of the infinite praise to the infinite glory of the infinite goodnes of the infinite God . The seuenth daies worke . O Glorious God , and God of only Glory , Essence and substance of all excellence : The ground the grace , the state , & al the story , Of Vertues , Wisedoms , Graces Residence : Inspire my soule with those pure thoughts perfection , That shew some sparkle of thy loues affection . And let me not presume a looke too high , Least thou abridge the Blessing of thy loue : Nor yet so low , let me embrace mine eyes . As thy faire praises may vnfitly proue : But so thy goodnes euery where to know , That euery where I may thy Glory show . And though my soule polluted all with sinne , Vnworthy be of the least thought of Grace : Yet let thy Grace a Glorious worke begin , Thy holy spirit in my heart to place : That to the date of neuer ending daies , My soule may sing thine euerlasting praise . Before there was a light , there was a light , Which saw the world , the world could neuer see : From which , the world receiues her brightest sight , And brightnes more then in the world may be : Oh heauenly light aboue all earthly seeing , Where only Vertue hath her only being . From the faire Brightnes of this Beauteous light , Hath Wisedomes eye an only power to see : The line of life that leades her spirit right , Vnto the place where all perfections be : Which in the worke of wonder doe approue , The Gratious labour of a Glorious loue . There Vertue doth in all her brightnes liue , Spreading abroad the braunches of her Blisse : As doth the Sonne his beames of brightnes giue , While in himselfe the only brightnes is : Oh blessed light where such a life remaineth , As giues all light , and yet all light containeth . There doth she sit , and sweetly looke about her , Beholding in the eye of Vertues light : Purenes within , perfection all without her , While in a brightnes farre aboue her sight : There liues a power her spirits loue inspiring ▪ To frame a worke for wit and sence admiring . There from a Chaos or Confusions Map , She takes the matter of her curious frame : While in the limits of faire Vertues lap , She drawes the course and compasse of the same : Where hauing laide the ground-worke of her Grace , She made the world vp in a little space . Sixe only dayes was for her worke ordained , The seuenth to rest , the labour of her loue : Her time she kept , and in her care retained , Such forme and measure as did truly proue : Her Maister taught her euery rule so right , That all was good and pleasing in his sight . Her first daies worke was in the Heauens on high , When she deuided darknes from the light : Wherein all pleasing the all seeing Eie , The light she called day , the darknes night ▪ When hauing heauen and earth of nothing framed , The Morne and Euening she the first day named . The second day vpon the waters , she Did fall to worke , and made a Firmament : By which , the waters should deuided be , That were in this confused continent : Where euery one within their bounds should stay , So , Euen and Morne she made her second day . Then from the earth the waters she deuided , And gath'red all together , call'd them Seas : And by her skill so carefully prouided , That in her worke she did her Maister please : Then made the earth , and called it dry land , Thus did the labour of her third daies hand . In which she made the earth to fructifie , In leafe , and fruit , Tree , bud and hearbe , and seede : In which she did her Maister glorifie , Who , seeing all , said all was good in deede ▪ So in her worke thus worthily commended , In morne and euening was her third day ended . Then in the heau'ns the shining lights she framed , That should diuide betwixt the day and night : The greater lights , the Sunne and Moone she named , Which should giue Rules to times and seasons right ▪ The lesser starres to whom she gaue a light , To twinkle like the Candels of the Night . And in this worke she kept her course so well , And still the state of Grace so vnderstood : As he in whom all Graces only dwell , In sight of goodnes saw that all was good : So where no praise her worth diminished , The Euen and Morne her fourth day finished . Then to the waters she her worke applies , And made each mouing and each creeping thing : And in the Heauen each feathered fowle that flies , And euery Creature that doth carie wing : When all seem'd good in her great Maisters eie , Who bad them all encrease and multiplie . Thus hauing wrought with infinite conceite , The sundry forme and shape of euery Creature : With such inuention as exceedes the height , Of Wit and Reasons praises highest Nature ▪ While high perfection each proportion framed , The Euen and Morning was her fift day named . Thus when that her weekes worke was almost done ▪ She hath her choisest worke to take in hand : For which before the Modell be begun , She must vpon her Maisters counsaile stand : How she may shape his loue , his liuely picture , To haue his patience pleased in his Creature . When hauing fauour in his high perfection , With humble care a lump of clay she takes : Of which , by Rules of his Diuine direction , Vnto his Image perfect man she makes : Who so in loue did to his liking fall , That vnder Heau'n he made him Lord of all . Thus hauing made vp all her workmanship , Within the limits of her fairest loue : Where constant Truth could neuer take a trip , While carefull Patience did perfection proue : When all was good , in goodnes all enstalled , The Euen and Morning she the sixt day called . And seeking now her sacred thoughts to rest , Vpon the Grace of the Eternall good : She findes the Sabaoth by her Maister blest , Who giues her spirits that especiall food : That after all the labour of her daies , Doth make her sing his euerlasting praise . Which , as I finde , in her faire Musique sounding , Although it be a Note aboue my reach : Yet on the Grace of Vertue only grounding , As her sweet spirits doth my spirit teach : My humble soule shall straine my heart to sing , The Gratious praises of my Glorious King . O holy Essence of all holines , Grace of all Glory , Glory of all Grace : Perfections Vertue , Vertues perfectnes , Place of all Beauty , Beauty of all place : Truths only Triall , Times Eternitie , Incomprehensible in thy Deitie . Wisedomes deuiser , Father of her loue , Constancies proofe , and life of patience : Humilities Essence , Faiths true Turtle Doue , Mercies Almighty Glorious Residence : Sweet Iesus Christ , mine humble soule enflame , To sing the Glory of thy holy Name . Before what was , but that which euer is , The Godhead all Incomprehensible : Sweet Iesus Christ , the Essence of all Blisse , But in his Manhood only sensible : My Sauiours was , and in himselfe alone , Containing all things , but contain'd in none . The Nature of all Vertues in his Nature , Had all their Essence of their only Being : When in Creation of each kinde of Creature , Wisedome in him had only all her seeing : Whose loue in him that constant patience found , That of her Grace and Glory was the ground . His spotlesse Vertue all his life did proue , In doing good to all , and ill to none : His Wisedome did the Doctors wonder moue , His loue the Touchstone of all Truth alone : His Constancie euen to his dying hower , Did shew his patience , had a heau'nly power . And for the Note of his Humility , His crosse bare witnes in his life and death : Who bare all basenes Inciuility , Yet neuer breath'd the smallest angry breath : O glorious King that came from Heauen on high , Vpon this earth for Beggers so to die . His vertue in his will , his word doth show His Wisedome in Election and Creation ; His loue , his Louers by his death doe know , His Constancie , his patience confirmation : His patience his humility did proue , And all in some his Glory from aboue . Whose Vertue such , as his that could not sinne ? Whose Wisedome such , as worketh Vertues will ? Whose loue is such , as Wisedome liueth in ? Whose Constancie doth shew such kindnes still ? Whose patience such , as did his passion show , Or who so high , and euer brought so low . What Vertue doth , his Wisedome doth expresse , What Wisedome doth , his loue doth manifest : What loue doth , doth his constancie confesse , What Constancie doth , in his patience blest : What Patience doth , Humility doth tell , In him alone they all and only dwell . Then let the vertuous for all vertue loue him , And let the wise in Wisedomes loue admire him ▪ And let the constant in all kindnes proue him , And let the patient patiently desire him : And let the humble humbly fall before him , And all together all in all adore him . Oh that the world could see his vertues Beauty , Or wit of man his Wisedomes Maiestie : Or Loue could looke into his Constancie , Or patience into his humility : Then vice , nor folly , frailty , rage , nor pride , Should in the mindes of men so much abide . His Vertue made the first perfections Nature , His Wisedome made the forme of all perfection : His loue did giue the life to euery Creature , His Constancie the care of Loues direction : His patience Medicine for all Miseries , His humblenes the way to Paradice . Would'st thou be perfect ? in his vertue know it , Would'st thou be vertuous ? in his wisedome learne it : Would'st thou be wise ? in his loue only shew it , Would'st thou be louing ? in his life discerne it : Would'st thou he constant ? in his care conceiue it , Would'st thou be patient ? in his death perceiue it . Would'st thou be humble in his lowlines ? Learne to submit thy selfe to higher powers : Would'st thou be blessed in his Blessednes ? Learne to bestow the labour of thine howers : Would'st thou be holy , and liue happy euer ? Liue in his loue , and thou shalt liue for euer . The infinite good thoughts his vertue giueth , The infinite good works his will perfecteth : The infinite good life in his loue liueth , The infinite loue his constancie effecteth : Th' infinite constancie his patience proueth , Doe humbly shew what infinitenes loueth . Since Vertues ( then ) good thoughts are infinite , And infinite is Vertue in good thought ; And infinite is Wisedome in good wit , And infinite is loue by Wisedome wrought ; And infinite is constancie in loue , Which infinitely patience doth proue . In infinite Humility of hart , Vnto the height of all Infinitie : In infinite perfection of each part , That makes the infinite Diuinitie : The Father , Sonne and holy Ghost all three , In one , one God , all infinite Glory bee . And since no heart is able to attaine , Vnto his holy and eternall praise : To whom alone doth duly appertaine , The date of Glories neuer ending dayes : When Angels in their Haleluiah dwell , Let me but sing A men , and I am well . Gloria in excelsis Deo .

TO ALL LEARned and vertuous Schollers , and gratious Studients , honour and happines .

GEntlemen , I feare , this my mistermed piece of Poetry , in your true iudgements , will be subiect to the reproofe of errour ; what is amisse , I humbly leaue to your correction , and what is otherwise , to your fauourable acceptation : and so , loath to be tedious in ceremonies , I rest affectionately to all good learning .

A friend auowed . BER. N. Gent.