A buckler against the fear of death; or, Pious and profitable observations, meditations, and consolations: by E.B.

Profitable and pious thoughts of Death .

Part I. Of Deaths certainty . IN heav'ns high Parliament an act is pass'd , Subscrib'd by that eternall Three in One , That each created wight must one day tast Of Deaths grim terrours : They exempted none That sprang from Adam . All that red-earth-strain Must to their earth again . An ancient Register of burialls lies In Gentsis , to let us understand That whosoever is begotten dies , And every sort is under Deaths command . His Empire 's large : Rich , poore , old , young , and all Must go when he doth call . Mans life 's a book : and some of them are bound Handsome and richly ; some but meanly clad : And for their matter , some of them are found Learned and pious : others are too bad For vilest fires : Both have their end . There 's a conclusion penn'd As well as title-page ; that 's infancy . The matter ; that 's the whole course of our lives . One 's Satans servant walking wickedly ; Another's pious , and in goodnesse thrives ; One 's beggerly , another's rich and brave : Both drop into the grave . One man ( a book in solio ) lives till age Hath made him crooked and put out his eyes : His beard doth penance . And death in a rage Mows down another whilst the infant cries In 's midwives lap : ( that 's an Epitome ) Both wear deaths liverie . God made not death : Whence are we mortall then ? Sure Sinne 's the parent of this pale-fac'd foe ; Nought else did hatch it : and the first of men He was Deaths grandfather : And all the wo That in this or the next life we are in Is caused by our sinne .

Meditation 1. IF I must dye , I 'll catch at every thing That may but mind me of my latest breath . Deaths-heads , graves , knells , blacks , tombs , all these shall bring Into my soul such usefull thoughts of death , That this sable King of fears , Though in chiefest of my health He behind me come by stealth , Shall not catch me unawares . When-e're I visit any dying friend , Each sigh and 〈◊〉 , and every death-bed-grone Shall reade me such a lecture of mine end , That I 'll suppose his case will be mine own . As this poore man here doth lie Rack'd all o're with deadly pain , Never like to rise again , Time will come when so must I. Thus ghastly shall I look , thus every part Of me shall suffer , thus my lips shall ●hrivel , My teeth shall grin , and thus my drooping heart Shall smoke out sighs and grones ; and all the evil Which I see this man lye under , What sinne earns and death doth pay , I shall feel another day . Sinne from torment who can sunder ? Thus will my mournfull friends about me come : My livelesse carca●e shall be stretched out . I must be packing to my longest home : Thus will the mourners walk the streets about . Thus for me the bells will toll : Thus must I bid all adieu , World , and wife , and children too : Thus must I breathe out my soul . At others fun'ralls when I see a grave , That grave shall mind me of mortalitie . I 'll think that such a lodging I must have : Thus in the pit my bones must scattered he ; Here one bone and there another , Here my ribs , and there my scull , And my mouth of earth be full . I must call the worms my mother . When I do look abroad , methinks I see A fun'rall Sermon penn'd in every thing . Each creature s●●aks me mortall : Yonder tree , Which , not a quarter since , the glorious spring Had most proudly cloth'd in green , And was tall , and young , and strong , Now the ax hath laid along : Nothing but his stump is seen . And yonder fruitfull valleys yesternight Did laugh and sing , they stood so thick with corn : In was the sickle , and 't was cut down quite , And not a sheaf will stand tomorrow morn . Yonder beauteous imp● of May , Pretty eye-delighting flowers , Whose face heav'n doth wash with showers To put on their best aray : I saw the fair'st , the Lily , and Carnation , And coy Adonis particoloured sonne , Subject to such a sudden alteration That in a day their fading beauty 's gone . This tree , this corn , and this flower , Or what things else vainest are , To my self I do compare , Who may die within this houre .

Meditation 2. I 'LL ne'r be proud of beauty if I must Be blemish'd when I die : And if the grave Will mix my beauty with the vilest dust , What profits pride ? Reader , I 'll pardon crave Here to set you down a story Of as rare and fair a She As the Sunne did ever see , Whom Death robb'd of all her glory . I once saw Phoebus in his mid-day sline Triumphing like the Sovereigne of the skies , Untill two brighter rayes , both more divine , Outblazed his : and they were this Nymphs eyes . Forthwith Sol curtain'd his light , Looking very red for shame To be vanquish'd by this Dame , And did slink out of her sight . I once saw silver Cynthia , nights fair Queen , In her full orb dimming each lesser flame , Till this Nymphs beauty-vying front was seen Outshining hers : then she look'd wan for shame . The man in her , knew he how But to quit that giddy place , She had so divine a face , Would have dwelt upon her brow . Once was this woman pleas'd to walk the fields Then proudly fragrant with Dame Flora's store : The damask rose unto her beauty yields , And was contented to be fair no more . Sure I cannot say how truly , Yet 'mongst many 't was a fame , That the rose did blush for shame , And the violet look'd most bluly . Once did this woman to the temple go , Where doth fair Venus marble-statue lie Cut to the life , that one can hardly know But that it lives indeed : When she came nigh , He who then the temple kept After would be often telling She was so super-excelling That for mad the marble wept . Melodious musick 's warbled by the spheres ; Swans sing their Epitaphs in curious layes , Once with a singing Swan a part she bears : As soon 's those corall doores dismiss'd her voice , The poore Swan held his peace and di'd : And the spheres ( as men do say ) Dumbly move unto this day . This was by a rivers side . What think you now of such a glorious woman ? This Phoenix sure was she , if any might , That might be proud : And yet the tongue of no man Can well expresse , nor any pen can write What grim death hath done unto her ; Now she 's of another feature , Hardly can you know the creature : Stay a while , and we will view her . Th' almighty King that dwells above in heaven Directs to 's high Shrieve Death a certain writ , Wherein a strait imperiall charge was given , At 's utmost peril forthwith on sight of it To arrest that piece of beauty And to wrap her up in clay 'Gainst the last great judgement-day . Death address'd him to his duty ; And with great care gives warrant by and by Unto his baillifs , Fever , Pox , and Gout , Phrensie , Strangury , Colick , Squinancy , Consumption , Dropsie , and an ugly rout Beside these , for to assail her : Deaths command was , that they must Tie her fast in chains of dust : He gave charge that none should bail her . You would not think with what a furious pace These catchpoles flie to pull this creature down : But Pox was nimblest ; she got to her face And plow'd it up . This hag goes in a gown Rugged and of colour tawny , Button'd o're from top to toe ; ( Skin-deep beauties deadly foe ) Uglier hag was never any . Fain would the rest have fastned on her too , But that this hag had frighted out her soul . Now looks her carcase of another hue , Grim , ugly , lothsome , ghastly , and as foul As did ever eye look on . What 's become of that complexion Which held all hearts in subjection ? In a moment all is gone . If we might be so bold to dig the grave Some few years hence where this good woman lies , Sure we should find this beauty but a slave To pallid putrefaction , and a prize For those silly vermine worms : As they crawl in stinking swarms She doth hug them in her arms , And doth give them suck by turns . Here 's a deformed lump indeed : and this Must be the fortune of the fairest face . None then are proud but fools : They love amisse Whose hearts are chain'd to any thing but grace . From the beauty of the skin In the loveliest outward part , Lord , vouchsafe to turn my heart To love that which is within .

Meditation 3. IF Death will come , sure there will come an end Of all this worlds deep-biting misery . Nothing adverse that 's here on earth doth tend Beyond the grave : that 's a delivery From the pow'r of men and devils , And what-ever other wo May befall us here below Death's a ●helter from all evils . Here I am poore : my daily drops of sweat Will not maint●in my full-stock'd family : A dozen hungry children crie for meat , And I have none ; nor will words satisfie . Could I give their belly ears , 'T were a comfort , or could fill Hungry stomacks with good will , Or make daily bread of tears . Here the oppressour with his griping claws Sits on my skirts : my racking land-lord rears Both rent and fine ; with potent looks he aws Me from mine own . Scarce any man but bears In his bosome Ahabs heart . Horse-leach-like that 's ever craving Other mens , and sick of having , Right or wrong , will catch a part . Here in these clay-built houses sicknesse reigns : I have more maladies then I can name : Each member of my body hath its pains . Moreover , weeping , groning , sadnesse , shame , Slanders , m●lancholy , fear , Discontents , disgraces , losses , And a thousand other crosses Must be born if I live here . But these are finite all . When I am dead My poverty is ended and my care : I heare my samish'd children crie for bread No longer . Then I drink , I lodge , I fare Just as well as Caesar doth : There ends cold and nakednesse , All my former wretchednesse . Death is meat , and drink , and cloth . There 's no face grinding : There the mighty cease From troubling ; there the weary be at rest : The servant 's freed ; the pris'ner is at ease : All 's still and quiet ; no man is oppress'd : For incroachers there are none . Not a poore man's wronged , nor Is his vineyard longed for : Every man may keep his own . Sicknesse there 's none : when-ever Death shall take My body hence and lodge it in the clay , I shall not feel a tooth or finger ake , Nor any other misery that may In the least degree displease me . For all sores the grave hath plasters , And it cureth all disasters : Of all burdens Death will ease me . Malicious tongues fired below in hell There will not hurt me ; nor the poisonous breath Of whispering detractours : I shall dwell Securely in the dust . One stroke of Death Sets me out of gun-shot quite ; Not the deepest piercing tongue Can there do me any wrong : Bark they may , but cannot bite . Lord , I am thine : and if it be thy will , While I do live a stranger here below , Brim-high with bitternesse my cup to fill , And make me drink 't ; yet , Lord , withall bestow But thy grace , and thou shalt see me Patient : and my comfort 's this , That a short affliction 't is : In a moment Death may free me .

Meditation 4. IF I must die , it must be my endeavour So to provide that every thought of Death May be a thought of comfort : that when-ever That aged sire shall take away my breath , I may willingly lay down This old house that 's made of clay , Gladly welcoming the day That brings an eternall crown . But of all things a holy life 's the way Must lead me to a comfortable end , To crucifie my lusts , and to obey Gods sacred will in all things : This doth tend Unto comfort , joy and ease . Mark the man that is upright , And sets God alwayes in a sight , That mans end is ever peace . What makes me fear a serpent ? 't is 〈◊〉 sting ; The mischief 's there : When that is taken out , I can look on him as a harmlesse thing , And in my bosome carry him about . What makes Death look 〈◊〉 ? No● Deaths self : it is his sting That doth fear and horrour bring , And makes men so loth to die . The sting of death is sinne : but there 's a Jesus Hath pluck'd it out . The guilt 's done quite away ; The stain is wash'd . He sent his Spirit to ease us In some good measure of that kingly sway Which o're us sinne held before . Blessed work of grace ! now I Strongest lusts can 〈◊〉 : In my soul sinne reigns no more . Now in me holinesse is wrought : which is A pious disposition of the heart , Inclining me to hate what 's done amisse In me and others , never to depart From God to left hand or right , Nor one of his laws to break ; But to think and do and speak What 's well-pleasing in ●us sight . Each act from faith and love ariseth , and The end I aim at is my Makers praise ; His word 's my rule : my warrant 's his command . Thus am I fitted : Death , cut off my dayes , If thou wilt , within this houre , I will thank thee for thy pain : For to me to die is gain . I 'll not fear a jote thy power . What canst thou do that justly may affright me ? Though with thee in the dark I dwell a space , Yet canst thou not eternally benight me : Thou art my passage to a glorious place , Where shall not be any night . My rais'd ashes shall enjoy There an everlasting day , And an uneclipsed light . I fear not death because of putrefaction , Nor ( if I might ) would willingly decline it : My body gains by 't ; 't is the graves best action : God , as a founder , melts it to refine it . Death cannot annihilate , And in despite of the grave , Yet I shall a body have , Fairer and in better state . Gods second work excells his first by ods : Our second birth , life , Adam , to repair Our bodies , is a second work of Gods , To make them better then at first they were , Glorious , immortall , sound , Nimble , beautifull , and so Splendid that from top to toe Not a blemish may be sound . What begger weeps when 's rags are thrown away To put on better clothes ? Who is 't will grieve To pull a rotten house down , that it may Be fairer built ? Why should we not receive Death with both hands when he comes To pull off those rags that hide us , To unhouse us , and provide us Richer clothes and better homes ? The griping pangs of Death do not affright My heart at all : I have deserved mo . And if upon no other terms I might Enjoy my God , I to my God would go Through hells self , although a throng Of an hundred thousand juries Of the black'st infernall Furies Claw'd me as I went along . Nor can those inward terrours make me quake Which Death-beds often on the soul do bring . I have no Death-bed-reck'nings for to make ; 'T was made while I was well , and every thing Was dispatch'd before , that I Nothing in the world now , save Home-desiring longings , have Then to do but just to die . Nor doth it trouble me that Death will take me From those delights that are enjoy'd below . Alas , I know that none of them can make me One jote the happier man , nor can bestow Any comfort . Carnall gladnesse , Mirth , delight and jolli●y , This worlds best felicitie , All is vanity and madnesse ; Mere empty husks . Had I as many treasures In my possession as the muddiest wretch Did ever cover , and as many pleasures As from the creature fleshly men can fetch ; Had I this : or if I were Supreme Monarch , onely Lord Of what earth and sea afford : Yet I would not settle here . To be dissolv'd is better : Death doth bring A fairer fortune then it takes away . It sets us in a world where every thing Is a happinesse , a full and solid joy , Not to be conceiv'd before We come thither : but the blisse Which exceedeth all is this , That there we shall sinne no more . Lord , grant a copious portion of thy Spirit . The more I have of that the lesse I fear What Death can do ; for sure I shall inherit All joy in heaven if I am holy here : Nought suits with heaven but sanctitie . Let , my God , thy Spirit and grace Fit me for that holy place And that holy companie .

Meditation 5. IF Death will come , what do men mean to sinne With so much greedinesse ? me thinks I see What a sad case the godlesse world is in , How fast asleep in her securitie . Fearlessely in sinne men live , As if Death would never come , Or there were no day of doom When they must a reck'ning give . Observe a little yonder black-mouth'd swearer , How 's tongue with oathes and 〈◊〉 pelts the skies : 'T would grieve the heart of any pious hearer But to bear witnesse of his blasphem●es . He darts wounds at God on high , Puts on cursing as his clothes , And doth wrap his tongue in oathes To abuse Eternity . In law lesse lust the fornicatour fries , And longs to slake it 'twixt forbidden 〈◊〉 : Ne'r sets the sunne but his adulterous eyes Observes the twilight , and his harlot meets . That which follows , when the night Draws its curtain o'r the air To conceal this goatish pair , Modesty forbids to write . And I could shew you ( were it worth the viewing ) In that room three or foure drunkards reeling : In this , as many more that sweat with spewing ; Some that have drunk away their sense and feeling ; Men of all sorts in their wine And their ale sit domineering , Cursing , railing , roring , swearing , Under every baser signe . 'T is said ( so vile is this big-belly'd sinne ) That in a day and lesse some foure or five Of lustie drunken throats will swallow in More then hath kept two families alive A whole forthnight ( yet made they Merrie with 't . ) Had I my wishes , Such gulls should not drink like fishes ; But their throats should change their trade The covetous man with his usurious clutches Doth cat●h and hold fast all the wealth he may : He leans on 't as a creeple on his crutches . The miser studies nothing night and day But his gain : he 's like a swine Looking downward , like a mole Blind , and of an earthen soul , Minding nothing that 's divine . These , and beside these other sorts of sinners , In every parish you may dayly see As greedy at their sinnes as at their dinners , And wallowing in all impiety . Sure these miscreants do never Entertein a thought of dying ; Nor yet are afraid of frying In hell flames for altogether . Thou God of spirits , be pleas'd to aw my heart With death and judgement : that , when I would sinne , I may remember that I must depart , And whatsoe're condition I am in When I sink under Deaths hand , ( There 's no penance in the grave , Nor then can I mercy have ) So must I in judgement stand .

Meditation 6. Lord , what a thief is Death ! it robs us quite Of all the world ; great men , of all their honours ; Luxurious men , of all their fond delight ; Rich men , of all their money , farms and mannours . Naked did the world find us , And the world will leave us so : We shall carrie when we go Nothing , but leave all behind us . Let Death do's worst , ambitious men do climb By any sinne though it be ne're so soul : Gold-thirsty misers swallow any crime That brings gain with it , though it kill the soul . Here for gain is over-reaching , Cosening , cheating , lying , stealing , Knavish and sinister dealing ; All arts of the devils teaching . Whilst I am well advis'd I 'll never strive T' increase my wealth , if 't will increase my sinne : I will be rather poore then seek to thrive By means unlawfull : all 's not worth a pinne . When mine eye-lid● Death doth close , What I sinned for must be Shak'd hands with eternally , But the sinne that with me goes . I 'll not wast love upon these lower things , Nor on the choicest of them do●ing sit : For when sad Death a habeas corpus brings , To take the world from me and me from it , 'Gainst which I have no protection ; To spend love in what I may No where but on earth enjoy , Were to loose all my affection . The longest lease of temporalls God doth make Is but for life . I 'll patiently behave My self , though from me God be pleas'd to take In middle age that which his bounty gave : Neither discontent nor passion Shall make me repine or grumble ; 'T is a way to make me humble , And takes from me a temptation . Thou mad'st my heart , Lord : keep it for thy self , Lest love of dust eternally undo me : Vouchsafe that this vain worthlesse empty pelf May never win me , though it daily woo me . If 't were lovely , yet 't is gone When I dy . Lord , make me see That there is enough in thee To place all my love upon .

Meditation 7. I Am a stranger and a pilgrime here : The world 's mine inne , 't is not my dwelling-place ; ( In this condition all my fathers were ) The life I live below is but a race . Here I sojourn some few yeares : This world is a countrey strange ; Death my pilgrimage will change For a home above the spheares . In elder time the goddesse Quiet had Her temple , but 't was plac'd without the gates Of Ethnick Rome ; to ●hew that good and bad Have here their vexing and disturbing fates , And do bear their crosse about Whilst within the walls they stay Of this world , and shall enjoy No rest till Death let them out . Here I am look'd upon with divers eyes , Sometimes of envy , sometimes of disdain : Here I endure a thousand miseries : Some vex my person , some my credit stain ; My estate 's impair'd by some : But yet this doth comfort me , That hereafter I shall be Better us'd when I come home . In all estates my patience shall sustein me : I am resolved never to repine Though ne'r so coursely this world entertein me : Such is a strangers lot ; such must be mine . Were I of the world , to dwell Here as in my proper home , Without thoughts of life to come , Then the world would use me well . I am not of their minds in whom appears No care for any world but this below : Who lay up goods in store for many years , As if they were at home ; but will bestow Neither care nor industry Upon heaven , as if there They were strangers , but had here A lease of eternitie . The banish'd Naso weeps in sable strain The woes of banishment : nor could I tell , If Death and it were offer'd , of the twain Which to make choice of . O! to take farewell Of our native soil , to part With our friends and children dear , And a wife that is so near , Must needs kill the stoutest heart . What i●'t then to be absent from that house , Eternall in the heav'ns , not made with hands ! From Angels , Saints , God , Christ himself , whose Spouse Our soul is ! from a haven where nothing lands That defileth ; where's no danger , No fear , no pain , no distresse : All' ● eternall happinesse ! What is 't to be here a stranger ! I have been oft abroad , yet ne'r could find Half that contentment which I found at home ; Me thought that nothing suited with my mind Into what place soever I did come : Though I nothing needed there , Neither clothes , nor drink , nor meat , Nor fit recreations , yet Me thought home exceeded farre . Thither did my affections alwayes bend ; And I have wish'd , before I came half-way , A thousand times , my journey at an end , And have been angry with a minutes stay : Sunne-set I did ever fear ; And a hill or dirty mile , That delay'd me but a while , Seem'd to set me back a yeare . I built not tabernacles in mine inne , Nor ever cry'd out , 'T is good being here . No company would I be ever in That drown'd but half an ● our in wine or bier . I have wish'd my horse would runne With a farre more winged speed Then those skittish jades that did Draw the chariot of the Sunne . From carnall self-love , Lord , my heart unsetter , And then shall I desire my heavenly home More then this here , because that home is better , And pray with fervency , Thy kingdome come . Lord , had thy poore servant done What thou hast set him about , I would never be without Holy longings to be gone .

Meditation 8. THere was a State , as I have heard it spoken , ( The tale doth almost all belief surpasse ) That had a custome never to be broken , ( But a bad custome I am sure it was ) 'Mongst themselves their King to choose : The elected man must be King as long 's they would , and he When they pleas'd his crown must loose . This State elected and deposed when And whom they would : but the deposed Prince They suffered not to live 'mongst other men , But drove him to a countrey farre from thence Into wofull banishment , Where he chang'd his royalty For want and all misery ; Scarce a Kingly punishment . One King there was that whilst his crown was on , Knowing his subjects fickle disposition , Beat his crown-worthy head to think upon Some course of providence , to make provision At the place of 's banishment : Full-stuff'd bags of money , and What things else might purchase land , He into that Kingdome sent . It came to passe after some certain years , His yoke seem'd heavy , and his people frown'd : King sick they were ; their purpose soon appeare : A new King's chosen and the old 's uncrow'nd . And for exile , this foul beast , Giddy , variable , rude , The unconstant multitude , Dealt with him as with the rest . But that his wiser providence was such , When 's banish'd predecessours lived poore , What he had sent before was full as much As did exclude want or desire of more . There he lacks not any thing ; He doth purchase towns and fields , And what else the countrey yields : In estate he 's still a King . So shall we fare hereafter in the next As we provide in this life . Sure I see A providence in all : Who is not vex'd , And plung'd , and lean with too much industry ? Men of all sorts runne and ride , Sweat and toil , and cark and care , Get and keep , and pinch and spare ; And all 's done for to provide . For to provide ? what ? goods , and lands , and money , Honours , preferments , pleasures , wealth and friends : ( As bees in summer-time provide their hony ) To sublunaries their provision tends , And no farther ; 't is for dust That they labour and thick clay , For these goods that will away , And for treasures that will rust . For to provide ? for what ? Their present life , That 's naturall ; their bodies have their care : Their spirituall state 's neglected : there 's no strife For grace and goodnesse . Souls immortall are , Living everlastingly In eternall wo or blisse , As here our provision is , Yet are not a jote set by . Men do provide amisse : Full well I know it , I shall be banish'd from this sinne-smote place : All here is fading , and I must forgo it . What shall I lay up for hereafter ? grace , An unspotted conscience , Faith in Christ , sobriety , Holinesse , and honesty : These will help when I go hence . Strengthen those graces , Lord , which thou hast given , And I shall quickly change both care and love ; My care for earth into a care for heaven , Take off my heart from hence , and fix 't above , And will lay up all provision For that life which is to come Whilst a stranger , that at home I may find a blest condition .

PART II. Of Deaths impartiality :

from whose stroke neither Riches , Honours , Pleasures , Friends , Youth , nor any thing can protect us .

Sect. I. Riches cannot protect us from the stroke of Death . OF richest men in holy writ I read , Whose basket & whose store the Lord had blest , And in the land exceedingly increas'd Their wealthy substance ; yet they all are dead . Riches do not immortalize our nature : The richest dyes as well's the poorest creature . 'Bove all , the wealth of Solomon did passe ; Ne'r was man master of a greater store : He went beyond all Kings that went before . Silver as stones , and purest gold as brasse , Adorn'd Jerusalem : a glorious thing ! Yet death strikes into dust this wealthy King .

Meditation 1. IF 'gainst Death's stroke my riches cannot arm me , Nor comfort me a jote when I am dying : I 'll take a care these witches do not harm me Whilst I do live . I know they will be trying To do me any mischief ; as before And now they mischief all the whole world o're . Some riches hurt with that old sinne of pride : Rich men extremely swell ; most commonly This sinne and wealth both in one house abide : Poore men are loo'kd on with a scornfull eye . Strangely is his heart puft up with pride's bellow● That hath a fatter fortune then his fellow● . His words are big , looks lofty , mind is high ; He with his purse will needs drive all before him : He ever looks for the precedency ; And vext he is if men do not adore him : He bears the sway : another man must b● , If not so rich , not half so good as he . Some men wealth doth infect with churlishnesse : They answer roughly : they are crabbed mise●s . ( Course bread yields hardest crust ) This is a dresse Wherewith wealth decks our accidentall risers . Since Nabals death a thousand ri●h men be In every point as very hogs as he . Some wealth makes prodigalls : there 's no excesse But they runne into . Back and belly strive Which shall spend most : belly , with drunkennesse And gormandizing : back , for to contrive New stuffs and fashions . This excessive crue Have wayes to spend that Dives never knew . Observe these Caterpillers : One man puts Into his throat a cellar full of drink : Another makes a shambles of his guts . The back is not behind ; you would not think , How for themselves , and for their curious dames , One suit of clothes a good fat manour lames . Some wealth makes idle : like so many drone● They suck what others sweat for , and do hate All good imployments . Many wealthy ones Have neither callings in the Church nor State ; And during life do nothing day by day But sit to eat and drink , and rise to play . These mischiefs are in wealth and many more : It throws men into many a foolish lust . But if Gods bounty multiply my store , I 'll drain these 〈◊〉 from 't : For when I must Grone on my death-bed , these sinnes will displease me And fright my soul , but riches cannot case me . Lord , either keep me poore , or make me rich In grace as well as goods : my wealth undresse ( If I have any ) of those vices which Are wont to clothe it ; so shall I possesse Riches without those sinn●s that riches bring , That when death comes they sharpen not hi● sting .

Meditation 2. THough God doth 〈◊〉 me all my time along With best of bl●ssings , make my 〈◊〉〈◊〉 , Fill ●ull my 〈◊〉 , 〈◊〉 my 〈◊〉〈◊〉 To labour ; and although his 〈◊〉 give As much to me as to a thousand more ; Though I am rich and all my neighbours poore ; Though Fortune f●nne me with a courteous wing ; Though gold be at my back ; though I have sail'd With prosp●rous ●ales ; though not an adverse thing Did 〈◊〉 be●de me ; though I never fail'd Of good succ●ss in any undertaking : Yet am I still one of the common making ; A piec● of ●ust an● clay : and I may go . Ou● 〈◊〉〈◊〉 ; God at first made us so : He 〈◊〉〈◊〉 rich mans life but like a span ; : And both 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 Death doth strike . When they are fallen both alike they lie ; Both breathlesse , noisome , livelesse , senselesse , cold : Both like the grasse are withered , dead and d●ie ; And both of them are ghastly to behold . The ods is this , The poore man 'mongst the croud Of buried mortalls hath the coursest shroud . Why sinne the foolish sonnes of men for gain ? Why doth the Land-lord ra●k ? the Us'●er bite ? Why doth the Judge with bribes his conscience stain ? Why doth the bauling Lawyer take delight In spinning causes to a needlesse length , Untill his clients purse hath lost its strength ? Why are Gods Ministers become men-pleasers ? And why are ●atrones simonia●all ? Why are our Advoca●es such nippy teasers Of honest causes ? why the devil and all Do Misers scrape ? and why do Tradesmen rear Their price , yet sell time ●earer then their ware ? Sure these bad courses cannot choose but hurt us ; They mak● D●aths looks more ghastly , and his sting Mor● piercing : but our wealth cannot support us 'Gainst small 〈◊〉〈◊〉 fears that Death will bring . Riches do promise much but do deceive us : When we have need of succour then they leave us . Anoint me , Lord , with eye-salve , to discern What poore contents the world affords at best . Instruct me , Lord , and I shall quickly learn That without thee there 's no condition blest . Bad wayes of gaining into hell will drive me : But all my wealth will not from Death reprive me .

Meditation 3. SOme therefore sinne because they do abound In store of wealth : this is the onely ground Of many sinnes . Gods laws they do tran●gresse ; They w●ong their equals , a●d the poore oppresse ; They 〈◊〉 religion and civilitie Both under foot ; all kind of tyrannic They exercise on all within their reach . Nothing can keep them in ; they make a breach Through all those senses which at the beginning God set to keep rebellious man from sinning : They will be reveilers , whoremongers , swearers , Drunkards , oppreslours , liers , and forbearers Of no impiety : this is the reason , Great men they are , and rich . 'T is petty treason , Though in a modest way , for to reprove Those sinfull courses which our betters love . If we dare do it , though we have a calling To do it boldly , we are tax'd for bawling And sauc●e fellows ; and another day Sure we shall smart for 't . Lord , I 'll never say , I 'll sinne because I 'm rich ; unlesse that I Could say , I 'm rich , and therefore will not die .

Meditation 4. IF from Deaths stroke my riches cannot shield me , Nor on my death-bed any comfort give ; Then I will take a care that they shall yield me Some joy and comfort whilst I am alive , And never shall a jote my sinnes increase , Nor hinder me from going hence in peace . I 'll get them well : my calling shall be lawfull ; My brows or brains shall sweat for what I have : And I will use my calling with an awfull Regard of God and conscience ; nor will crave What I have not a right to . They do eat Scarce their own bread whose faces never sweat Unlesse they sweat with eating . Nor can I Find any warrant for those wayes of gain Which many men do get their livings by : To keep a needlesse Al●house to maintein An idle familie : to be a Pander , A Fortune-teller , or an Apes commander : A purblind Crowder , or a Rogue that canteth ; A Cuckold by consent for ready pay : A sturdy Begger that not one limb wanteth : Or one that borrows money on the way : A Us'rer , who whether 't shine or rain , If the Sunne stand not still , is sure of gain . For these I find no warrant : nor for dealing Deceitfully in selling or in buying . To take more then what 's sold is worth , is stealing ; Or to give lesse : the art of multiplying Our lands , or gold , or silver , by subtracting From other mens , or by unjust exacting What is not ours . Better ( in my opinion ) It were to seed on barley-bread and pottage Made of salt , water , and an onion : To wear a thred-bare coat , and in a cottage Smoke-bound and rusty pennylesse to dwell , Then to get wealth unlesse I get it well . And when 't is justly gotten , every thought That I 'll bestow upon it shall be such As it deserves : If heav'ns full hand hath brought Plenty into my bosome , if as much I have as I could wish , my care shall be To think of 't all as of a vanity . A vanity that , for ought I do know , May take its flight and in an houre leave me . As God had many wayes for to bestow His bounty on me , he hath to bereave me As many more : as moveables I 'll deem it From me , or with me ; and I will esteem it A strong temptation unto many a sinne , That never will perform what it doth promise : That wealths fair books when we are deepest in The greater reck'ning God exacteth from us . I 'll not afford my wealth a better thought : And I do think I think on 't as I ought . And as I ought I 'll use 't : Not to be fewel For any lust , nor to maintein my riot ; Not to be prodigall , vainglorious , cruel ; Nor yet to make my potent purse disquiet My poorer brother : but from thence I 'll raise My neighbours profit and my Makers praise . Where there is need , I 'll ready be to give , Glad to distribute : naked ones I 'll cover : Hungry and thirsty souls I will relieve : Widows distress'd in me shall find another Husband : to orphanes I will be in stead Of parents to provide their daily bread . I 'll never empty send the poore away● : The Church shall ever find my purse unty'd : The King shall have his due without delay : The Common-wealth shall never be deny'd . Thus shall my wealth be common unto many , If ever God be pleas'd to send me any . Riches so justly gotten , and imploy'd So pi●usly , although they cannot make A man immortall , that he should avoid The grave and rottennesse ; yet do not shake The soul with terrours and such desperate fears , As what 's ill gotten doth , when Death appears . Make me a faithfull Steward , holy Father , Of what thou hast intrusted me withall . Where I straw'd not grant I may never gather ; Nor sinne in spending : Then send Death to call Me to account , Lord , when thou wilt , and I Shall entertein the message joyfully .

Sect. 2. Honours cannot protect us from the stroke of Death . OF honours all that can be said doth meet In Kings and Princes ; glory , majesty , Command , and titles : yet their sacred feet Trudge to the grave-ward . Power , Royaltie , A Kingdome , Crown , and Sceptre cannot be Protections against mortalitie . Princes are Gods on earth ; yet sure they must , As well as meaner men , be sick and die : Their Royall bodies shall be chang'd to dust : No crown below is worn eternally . Of all those Kings which in Gods book we reade One died , and another reign'd in 's stead . If good and loyall subjects had their wish , A gracious Prince should never see the grave ; Nor should his Royall corps be made a dish For worms : but pious wishes will not save A King from dust . As other mens , his breath Is in his nostrils : Crowns must bow to Death . Sure , were it not a kind of petty treason To wish his Majesty so long without A crown of glory , I should think it reason To pray his lamp of life might ne'r go out . Though not in 's self , yet , Lord , grant he may be Immortall in a blessed progenie .

Meditation 1. MOngst us an humble great one is a wonder Rarer by ods then is a winters thunder . Great men and good each other seldome kisse : Pride to preferment married . O! there is Not a thought within their brain Of a grave , nor yet of seeing Death ; nor do they dream of being Changed into dust again . Consider , Sir , though you have been a taster Of Princes favours , mounted all degrees Of honour ; have been called , Lord , and Master ; Though your approch hath bow'd as many knees As once mighty Hamans : yet Is it not Eternity That you hold your greatnesse by . Death and you must one day meet . As I remember , I have read a story , That one in Embassy sent from the King Of Persia to Rome , was shew'd the glory Of that proud citie : every famous thing That was by the Romanes thought To expresse the great and mighty Prowesse of their glorious city , Thither was the Persian brought . There he beheld such glorious structures , rais'd To dare the skies , that outwent all examples ; Where art and cost workman and founder prais'd : Baths , Theatres , Tombs , Monuments , and Temples , Statues that would wonder-strike Any mortall man that should Once behold them ; neither could All the world shew the like . After this view Romes mighty Emperour , Longing for praises , in the Persian tongue Demanded of this strange Embassadour What he now thought of Rome . I should do wrong To your sacred Majesty , Thus th' Ambassadour reply'd , And this glorious place beside , If I should not magnifie Both you and it . But one thing I dislike In Rome it self : I see that Death doth reigne As well here as in Persia , and doth strike The greatest down , and when he please doth chain People , Senatours and Kings In cold fetters made of dust : Even noble Romanes must Feel what putrefaction brings . Your Emperours th●mselves 〈◊〉 had their turn● In fun'rall piles . These ●ombs can testify The Caesars mo●tall . In these sacred urns What lies but royall dust ? Mortality Happens here : and I know no man B●t ●ath p●wer to hold his breath As 〈◊〉 , and is free from Death As much as the noblest Romane . Look we a little on this land of ours : Here 's plenty , peace and every oth●r blessing . Into her bosome God in plenteous 〈◊〉 ; Rains kindnesses that are beyond expressing . Sure we of this kingdome may Justly our Creatour praise For a share in happier dayes Then Rome did at best enjoy . Ours is a land of barly and of wh●at ▪ Our stones are iron , and our ●ills yield brasse . A land wherein th' inhabitants do eat Bread without 〈◊〉 ; here our blessings passe All enumeration : What God severally bestows Upon others joyntly flows From his bounty to this nation . Yet here men die too : not the russet Clowns , And Peasants onely that do hold the ●low , And Shepherds that sit piping on the downs , And milk-maids that do court'sie to a co● ; But those noble men that have Titles , lordships , farms and mannours , And a great book full of honours : These go down into the grave . See you not yonder super-stately palace ? Three generations since that house was builded . A great man did it for his Lordships solace In summer-time ; but dying up he yielded To his heir this stately pile : This heir left it to his brother ; He dy'd too : and then another Swagger'd there a little while . And he that had it last is now remov'd A story lower down into the dust . Those swelling titles which were so belov'd ; That great estate in which the man did trust ; Troups of gallants that did give Their attendance ; all that treasure Waiting on his Lordships pleasure Could not keep the man alive . Mark yonder marble-tomb : beneath it hath This man a lodging . All those lines you see On this side are a praising Epitaph , And on the other side his titles be . Of this fabrick if we might One piece from another sunder , And behold what lyeth under , 'T would be scarce so fair a sight . Great ones , remember that there is a place Which poore men call a death-bed , and a time Of parting hence ; you walk a nimble pace To earth-ward every houre . Here though you climb Up to Honour's highest round , Drink a cup full to the brim Of the world , in pleasures swim , Death will lay you under ground .

Meditation 2. WHose heart so adamantine but would weep Sad crimson drops to think upon some risers ? Lord , what a wicked shuffling they do keep To lift themselves ! Some-have been sacrificers Of their fathers , brothers , friends , Kinsfolk , children , and have stood Wetshod every step in bloud , To attein their lofty ends . Of martyrs what a lamentable heap Did Herod make for fear to loose his crown ! A mother would have sold a cradle cheap To buy a coffin or a mourning gown . This fell Tyrants rage appears Running down each Parents face : His wrath left in every place Childlesse mothers dro●n'd in tears . And Absolom , that miracle of beauty , So eagerly did long to be a King , That he could soon unlearn his filiall duty , And by a strange rebellion fain would bring The thrice-venerable head Of his aged father down To the grave without a crown , And he triumph in his stead . Abimelech , so strong was his ambition , A bloudie bargain made with certain men Of Belial , and to hinder competition Did sacrifice at once threescore and ten Of his brothers on a stone : With so soul and deep a guilt So much harmlesse bloud is spilt , That himself may reigne alone . Of that inhumane hell-bred tragedie By Athaliah on the royall seed , The motive was desire of majestie , And that her own arms might the better speed . Our third Richard goes for one Of those butchers who think good To cement their crowns with bloud , And by murders reach a throne . The great Tu●ks absolute prerogative , Which in securitie his crown mainteins , Is not to suffer one of them to live That hath a drop of royall bloud in 's veins : When he 's crown'd there 's nothing lacking That may to the safetie tend Of this Monarch , but to send The ghosts of his kinsmen packing . If I at leisure were to write a storie Of such black deeds as these at large , I could Tell you of numbers who to purchase glorie , Honours and high rooms in the world , have sold ( And this policie they call ) A good conscience , dearer farre Then a thousand kingdomes are , And to boot their God and all . And yet when all is done , there dwells a God above , A God that 's greater then the greatest are , Who can and will send Death for to remove The greatest hence , and bring them to the barre : Where must stand both small and great , To have sentence e'r they go Of eternall blisse or wo At Gods dreadfull judgement-seat . When you are seated highest let your carriage Be full of pietie : you do an act Worthy your greatnesse if you make a marriage 'Twixt it and goodnesse , if you do contract Honours unto holynesse . Ever give the Lord his due Honour who hath honoured you : Then will Death affright the lesse . Affright the lesse ? 't will not affright at all . The errand 's welcome when a charge is giv'n To that grim pursuivant that he must call Your honours hence unto a court in heav'n . To be great is not the thing That can dying-comforts yield : Goodnesse onely is the field Whence all soul-refreshings spring .

Meditation 3. IF ever it should please God and the King ( Which I do not desire ) to give me honours ; Yet never should my best preferments bring Vices to boot : they should not change my manners . Many a man hath been good Unpreferr'd , and not a slave To his lusts ; yet honours have Put him in another mood . Of Saul we heare no evil whilst he stood Endow'd with nothing but a private fortune : And afterward we heare as little good Of Saul a King : His honours did importune His bad nature to produce Such fruits as were too unfit For a King , and to commit Sinnes that were beyond excuse . As long as man is limited within The bounds of humble , base and mean estate , He seems to make some conscience of a sinne , And one that would be good at any rate : But no wickednesse he spares When ( by chance ) the man is mounted And 'mongst great ones is accounted ; Then the man himself declares . Then his depraved nature with loose rains Runnes uncontrolledly into the mire Of all impietie ; no sinne remains Unacted by him : doth he but desire To be wicked , vain or idle , Any lust to satisfie , That lust he will gratifie : His affections wear no bridle . I 'll never be deboist although my seat Of glory in the world be ne'r so high : I will not therefore sinne because I 'm great ; For if I greater were , yet I must die , And must at Gods bench appear , Where my sentence shall be given To receive a hell or heaven , As my doings have been here .

Sect. 3. Pleasures cannot protect us from the stroke of Death . Under the sunne there was not any joy Which Solomon that wise and famous King Had not a tast of : whatsoever may Gladnesse , content , delight and solace bring , That he from the creature gathers ; Not one pleasure doth he keep His heart from : yet he 's asleep In the dust among his fathers . His senses had those objects which delight , Content , and please and ravish most his touch ; His tast , his hearing , smelling , and his sight , His mind and humour too , all had as much Of delicious satisfaction As from all beneath the skie Ever could be fetched by Any possible extraction . Three hundred concubines he had to please His touch : by turns each of them was his guest At night . Seven hundred wives beside all these ; The worst of them a Princesse at the least . Such a female armie meets , To make his delight run o'r . Sure they are enough to store Twice five hundred pair of sheets . To please his tast this great Kings daily chear Exceeded for varietie and plentie : He had his Ro●-buck and his Fallow-deer , His fatted fowl , and everie other daintie . He had pala●e-pleasing wine : Gormandizers , whose best wishes Terminate in toothsome dishes , No where else would sup or dine . And everie day both men and women-singers Imprisoned his care with charming voices : The Viol touch'd with artificiall fingers , An Organs breathing most melodious noises : Sackbut , Psalterie , Recorder , The sh●ill Cornet , and the sharp Trump●t , Dulcimet and Harp ; These all sounded in their order . And in his gardens he had lovely ranks Of flowers for odour all sweets else excelling , Whose beauteous lustre stellifi'd the banks ; All these were to delight his sense of smelling , And perfumes of sweetest savour , Which all other nations bring As a present from their King Who did woo his Princely favour . For objects which were wont to please the eye , He wanted non● . Did he desire a sight Of what might most affect ? variety Of lovely'st objects spangled with delight Everiewhere themselves present : Scarce did anywhere appear Other objects then did wear Outsides clothed with content . Behold his thousand wives ! If he would know The height of beautie , it is seen in those . A battel in a field of sanguine snow Betwixt the spotlesse lilie and the rose : Part they would on no condition , Nor would either of them yield ; Yet at length are reconcil'd , And there made a composition . His gorgeous clothes , his silver and his gold , His jewels , his incomparable treasure Were all of them delightsome to behold , And gave the eye a glorious glut of pleasure . His friends , his magnificent Buildings , fish-ponds , gardens , bowers Interlac'd with gallant flowers Gave both eye and mind content . Yet he 's dead . Delights cannot protect us From Deaths assaults ; pleasures eternize not Our nature : yea , when sicknesse shall deject us They will not ease nor comfort us a jo●e . What doth most exactly please us Here appears not where a grave is ; And what most of all doth ravish On a death-bed will not ease us .

Meditation 1. MEthinks the trade of brainlesse Epicures Is not so good as it doth seem to be . The sweetest cup of luxury procures No man below an immortalitie . Yea , when sicknesses do lay Him upon his bed , and strain Everie part with deadly pain , All his pleasures flie away . Let 's put the ease there was a belly-god , Whose studie 't was to give his throat content ; To sacrifice to 's panch both rost and sod Was his religion . Every element Its imployment had : The Waters , Fruitfull Earth and nimble Air , Ransack'd with a costly ●are , For fish , flesh and sowl , were caters : The other cook'd it . This luxurious race Did breath his stomach twice a day at least ; And each dish flo●ed in provoking sawce , Which still afresh his appetite increas'd . From Dives that 's now in hell , For a table full of rare , Toothsome and delicious fare , This man bears away the bell . Well ; this fat hog of Epicurus stie Falls sick of surfe●ing , or else the gout Or dropsie gripes him most tormentingly , That you would think his soul were going out . Pains do hinder him from sleeping , He lies restlesse , and is so Full of tossings to and fro That his house is fill'd with weeping . His servants , seeing him so out of quiet , Sadly bespoke him thus , Sir , here 's a Phesant , A dish of Partridge , Larks , or Quails , ( a diet Your Worship loves ) a cup of rich and pleasant Wine that comforts where it goes , Muscadine , Canarie , Sherrie , That hath often made you merrie : This may ease you of your throes . The man repli'd , If I had wine by ods Better then nectar , which the poets feigne Was drunk in goblets by the heathen Gods , It would not ease me of my smallest pain . Should God rain me from the skies Manna , glorious Angels food , 'T would not do me any good : 'Gainst it would my stomachrise There was another that plac'd no delight In any thing but wealth ; his chiefest good Was purest gold : whether 't were wrong or right He would be gaining : for he never stood Upon conscience at all . And to cry down avarice , As he thought , was a device Merely puritanicall . To lie , to cheat , to swear , and , which is worse , To forswear , to dissemble in his dealing , Went ever down with him as things of course : Nor would he slack a jote at down-right stealing . Blind he was not ; yet he saw Not that statute-usury Was at all forbidden by Any part of morall law . 'T was fish whatever came within his net : Sweet smell'd the dunghill that affoorded gain . On such a thriving pinne his heart was set , No thoughts but golden lodged in his brain . Scraping thus early and late , And increasing by these bad Wayes and means , at length he had Heaped up a vast estate . They say a Turkish Musulman , that dies A faithfull servant unto Mahomet , Shall presently enjoy a paradise Of brave delights indeed : The place is set All about with glorious matters ; There are rivers , pleasant benches Straw'd with flowres , & gallant wenches That have eyes as broad as platters , And many other joyes as good as these . But all are bables to that strong content Wherewith the man we told you of doth please Himself in his estate : More merriment In the images of Kings Doth he find then six or seven Martyr'd Turks do in their heaven . Hearken how the miser sings ; I 'll eat , drink , and play , And I 'll freely enjoy My pleasures before I am old ; I 'll be sorie no more , For my soul hath in store Abundance of silver and gold . In this day and night Will I place my delight ; It shall fatten my heart with laughter . No man shall excell me ; For who is 't can tell me What pleasures there will be hereafter ? His irreligious song was hardly ended , When at his gate was heard one softly knocking : It was that Tyrant Death , who came attended With troups of griping throes ; all these came flocking Round about this golden fool . As the issue did assure us , God had sent these ghastly Furies For to take away his soul . Alas , Sir , said his servants what may be The cause you send us out such wofull grones ? How fell you into such an agonie ? What ails your throat , your head , your heart , your bones Or your stomach , or your brains , That you howl so ? here before you Is that which must needs restore you , And ease your extremest pains . Here 's gold and silver and as stately stuff As England , Scotland , France , or Ireland yields : Of jewels and of plate you have enough : Of any man you have the fruitfull'st fields . Fattest oxen throng your stall ; Tenants tumble in your rent : Those to whom you mony lent Bring both use and principall . This cannot chuse but comfort . But the man , That lay upon his easelesse death-bed sprawling , Made this replie , If any of you can By marks infallible make sure my calling To my soul , and my election ; If from any text divine You could prove that Christ is mine , This would be a good resection . Or if you could assure my parting ghost Of seeing God to all Eternitie , Of being one amongst that heavenly host Whose blisse it is to praise him endlessely ; This were comfort that accordeth With his case that is distrest As now I am , but the rest On a death-bed none affoordeth . There was another man whose occupation Was to passe time away : he made a trade Of that which men do call a recreation : He was indeed a very merry blade . Taverns , bowling-alleys , playes , Dauncing , fishing , fowling , racing , Hawking , hunting , coursing , tracing , Took up all his healthfull dayes . But on a time a sudden sicknesse came , And seised him in each extremer part , ( This grudging did begin to spoil his game ) But at the length it fast'ned on his heart ; There it plung'd him wofully , And forthwith the man is led Home and laid upon his bed : Think him now at point to die . A little after came into the room A gallant troup of necessarie stuff , His coachman , falconer , huntsman , page , and groom , His mistresse with her hands both in a muff , Sorle all to see him so . But see how these fools invent To give a sick man content , And to ease him ere they go . One breaks a jest , another tells a tale ; One strikes the lute , another sings a dittie ; ( But neither of them pray to God at all ) Another tells what news is in the citie : Everie man is in his vein , And all jointly do contrive Pleasant passages to drive Out of doore their masters pain . They ask'd him if he pleas'd to take the air , Or call for 's coach and ride to see a play . And whether he would hunt the buck or hare , Or to a tavern go to drive away Or to drown times tediousnesse , Or else to a tennis-court Whither gallants do resort , Or else play a game at chesse . The man reply'd , Ye know I must be gone The way of all , I cannot tell how soon ; And I have other things to think upon : Already it is with me afternoon ; Erelong my declining sunne Needs must set . Oh! my life hangs On a thred : these mortall pangs Crack it . Out my glasse is runne . Time was I doted on these idle toyes : Now can they not a dram of comfort yield . Too late I see they are not death-bed joyes , No refuge from soul-vexing storms , no shield When a mortall blow is given . Prate no more : let not a man Open's mouth unlesse he can Tell me how to get to heaven . There was another that for nothing car'd ( It was a woman ) but for vain excesse In bravery of clothes ; no cost was spar'd , Nor art , nor care , that served to expresse To the full a female pride : But at length it came to passe That this spruce and gallant lasse Fell extremely sick and di'd . But I must tell you , that , whilst like a lion Pains tore her bones in pieces , ●re she sent Her last breath out , ( imagine her of Sion A matchlesse daughter ) to her chamber went , Weeping ripe , her good handmaiden , Purposing as much as may be To chear up her dying Ladie : For with comforts was she laden . Thus she began , and spake it with a grace , Be comforted , good Madame , never let A little sicknesse spoil so good a face ; Your Ladyship cannot so soon forget Your contents . If ever any Gentlewoman liv'd that might Find materialls of delight , You , good Madame , have as many . Here for your feeet are tinkling ornaments ; Here are your bonnets , and your net-work-cauls , Fine linen too that every eye contents , Your head-bands , tablets , eare-rings , chains , and falls , Your nose-jewels , and your rings , Your hoods , crisping-pinnes , & wimples , Glasses that bewray your pimples , Vails , and other pretty things : Here are your dainty mantles , and your sutes Of changeable apparel , and your tires Round like the moon , your bracelets , ( finger-fruits ) Of busie houres ) mufflers , and golden wires ; And so many more that no man Can repeat not yet remember From October to September : This would comfort any woman . Suppose her , if you will , an English Lady ; And think you heare her waiting gentlewoman Bespeak her thus , Madame , here is a gawdy And glorious shew , ( these fashions are not common . ) Here 's your beaver and your feather , Here are silver-ribband knots , Trunks full of rich riding-coats , Galiant shelters 'gainst the weather . Here are your holland and your cambrick-smocks , Your gowns of velvet , satten , taffatie , Irons to curvifie your flaxen locks , And spangled roses that outshine the skie : For your head here 's precious geere , Bonelace-cros-cloths , squares & shadows , Dressings , which your Worship made us Work upon above a yeare . Rich chains of pearl to tie your hair together , And others to adorn your snowi● breast ; Silk stockings , starre-like shoes of Spanish leather : And that which farre excelleth all the rest And begets most admiration , Of your clothes is not their matter , Though the world affords not better , But it is their Frenchest fashion . Madame , believe 't , the fairest of the Graces Subscribes to you . Whenever you appear Adorned with your gold and silver-laces , Your presence makes the greedi'st eye good chear . This consideration In time past was wont to please you : Now then , Madame , let it ease you And afford you consolation . The dy●ng woman , when this speech was done , After a grone or two made this replie , Doth such a curtain-lecture suit with one That everie houre doth look when she should die ? 'T is not congruous . Wer'st thou able My poore naked soul to dresse With a Saviours righteousnesse , This indeed were comfortable : But all the rest is not . Oh! how I grieve To think upon my former vanitie : Alas , I feel these toyes cannot relieve , Nor ease , nor comfort . Thus let luxurie Pitch on what it will , its joyes Are but painted , nor can bring us Ease when pangs of Death do wring us , Much lesse can they make our dayes Eternall here . Thy servant , Lord , beseecheth The presence of thy spirit that discovers How vain that carnall joy is which bewitcheth With pleasant poison all her sottish lovers . Let not earth-delights forestall me : Help thy servant to provide Pleasures that will then abide When thou sendest Death to call me .

Meditation 2. FArewell those pleasures which the creatures bree● : These carnall comforts shall be none of mine ; They slink away in time of greatest need : I 'll get me comforts that are more divine , Such as God provideth for us By his Spirit and in his word : They are such as will afford Joy unspeakable and glorious . Unsanctified palates cannot find A relish in Gods service : 't is their follie That nothing in it suiteth with their mind , That they account religion melancholie . And the cause of their misprision Is because they cannot see Things divine ; for yet they be In their naturall condition . But sanctified souls have better eyes . Each Person in the sacred Trinitie Sends comfort down , and such as farre outvies The best delight that is below the skie . Father , Sonne , and holy Ghost , Be it spoke with reverence , Seem to strive which shall dispense Blessings that do comfort most . The Father , as his title often writes Himself a God of peace and consolation , He sends me comforts by those sacred lights Which bring me errands from his habitation : And so firm and full and free Is each promise in his book , That on whichsoe'r I look Blessed comforts I do see : So firm , that first the hugest hills and mountains Shall dance out of their places , st●rres shall fall , Streams shall run backward to their mother-fountains , The earth shall tumble , ere he will recall One of 's promises : For why , ( And this gives strong consolation In the middest of temptation ) He 's a God , and cannot lie . So full , that there 's not any thing left out That I could wish . What I would have him be God is . Would I be compassed about With mercie ? find relief in miserie ? Would I by his Spirit be led ? And have all my sinnes for given ? And hereafter go to heaven ? All this God hath promised . So free , that to deserve that promis'd glory I nothing have but what his mercie gave me : 'T is gratis rather then compensatorie Whatever God doth to convert or save me . And if any good I do , 'T is done by supplies Divine ; So Gods work and none of mine : Grace begins and ends it too . What if by nature I was made a sheep , And by corruption I am gone astray , Whether I think , or speak , or do , or sleep , Or wake , do ever wander from the way I was set in , and am ●oss'd So by lust that my soul wanders Into many by-meanders , Like a sillie sheep that 's lost ? Yet God's my shepherd : When his mercy spi'd me Wandring it brought me home ; and ever since It doth watch over , feed , defend , and guide me , And ever will do so till I go hence : And hereafter in the even , When my latest sand is runne , And my pasture here is done , It will fold my soul in heaven . The Sonne doth comfort . 'T was his errand down To preach glad tidings to the meek , and turn Their wo to case ; to earn a glorious crown For sinners , and to comfort those that mourn ; Broken-hearted ones to bind , And to set at libertie Pris'ners in captivitie , And give eye-sight to the blind . There 's comfort in his wounds : His sacred stripe : Do heal our leprous souls of all their sores : 'T is nothing but his pretious bloud that wipes Our guilt away and cancelleth our scores . Six times did he shed his bloud , ( And sure our estate did need it That so many times he did it ) And each drop was for our good . Those circumcision-drops of 's infancie , Those drops that 's anguish in the garden vented , Those drops when he was scourged Jewishly , Those drops when 's head with sharpest thorns was tented , Those drops when his limbs were nailed To the crosse , those when the fierce Souldiers spear his side did pierce ; Each drop for our good prevailed . There 's comfort in his crosse : That vile old man That hangs about us to our dying day Is crucified with him that it can Not exercise half of its wonted sway : Lessened is its kingly power . Surely sinne , it struggles so , Hath receiv'd a mortall blow , And is dying everie houre . There 's comfort in his death : For us he dy'd , For us he felt his Fathers heavie wrath , And his impartiall justice satisfi'd , And us his alsufficient passion hath Pluck'd from Satan vi & armi● , And his meritorious pain Freed us from sinnes guilt and stain , And whatever else might harm us . There 's comfort in his resurrection too . He rose again that we might be accounted Righteous and just , ( This no man else could do ) And that our sinnes , whose number farre surmounted All the starres that shine in heaven , All our hairs , and all the sand That lies scattered on the strand , For his sake might be forgiven . And God the holy Ghost doth comfort bring : By speciall office it is his imployment To settle in the soul a lively spring , From whence doth issue such a sweet enjoyment Of divine , heart-pleasing blisse , As the world will not believe , Nor can any heart conceive But the heart wherein it is . It is this blessed Spirit that doth seal Assurance to my conscience of a share In what God , in and through his Sonne , doth deal To needy sinners that converted are . It assures me of Gods love In the free and full remission Of my sinnes , and exhibition Of those joyes that are above . Let now the world , that 's wont to tell a storie Of strange delights , shew me but such a pleasure , As to be sure of God , and Christ , and glory , And then I 'll hug it as my choicest treasure . Thus each Person of the three Is imploy'd ( if I do live Holy as I ought ) to give Joy and comfort unto me . Grant a man once to be in Christ , and he On sublunarie pleasures soon will trample ; And yet for pleasures , who shews best , will vie With all the world : give him but one example , What gets pleasure , and what feeds it ; Whatsoe'r 'mongst earthly things To the mind most pleasure brings ; He can shew what farre exceeds it . Can learning please ? he is a man of parts . Me thinks sure at his very fingers end He hath exactly all the liberall arts ; At least he hath such arts as will commend Any man a great deal more , And will sooner bring to heaven , Then will any of those seven On which learned men do po●e . His Logick is so scientificall , His Syllogismes are in so blest a mood , A thousand arguments his heart lets fall That rightly from good premises conclude Him a child of God on high , And a member of his Sonne , And an heir , when 's race is runne , Of a blest Eternitie . His Rhetorick excells . He can perswade More then those well-penn'd sweet orations which Demosthenes or Tullie ever made . Doth he that prayer-hearing God beseech ? Presently his eare he gains . For fine words it is no matter : Let him like a swallow chatter Or a crane , yet he obtains . And for Arithmetick ; his numeration Is of his dayes : this makes the man applie His heart to wisdome , that in any station He may perform his dutie prudently . And those sinnes , to make them hatefull , Which his conscience most do cumber Everie day the man doth number ; And Gods blessings , to be gratefull . And for Addition ; 't is his diligence Vertue to adde to faith ; to vertue , knowledge ; Love , godlinesse , peace , kindnesse , patience , One to another : that his soul 's a Colledge Filled with divinest graces : And not one grace idle lies , But all do their exercise In their severall turns and places . When he subtracteth , 't is not from the poore , As most men do , not from the King nor Church ; But from sinnes monstrous bodie . More and more He weakens the old man that lies at lurch In each of his faculties , And his master-sinne , the strongest Lust that hath been harboured longest In his soul he mortifies . He multiplies not , as in many places Men do , his riches ; but he multiplies And doth augment his saving gifts and graces , If not in habit yet in exercise . He divides his goods , he feedeth Hungrie bellies , and relieveth Such as are distress'd , and giveth Unto everie one that needeth . When he reduceth , 't is his conversation In ev'rie point from what it was by nature : He moulds his life into another fashion , And shews himself to be a new-made creature . And for such a mans Progression ; He 's not fixed in his place Like a statue , but in grace Grows to credit his profession . He ever worketh by the Rule of Three That do above in heaven bear record . The Golden Rule , whereby his actions be Squar'd and directed , is their written word . Though sometimes he work by Fractions , Gives God broken services , 'Cause he 's flesh in part ; yet is He sincere in all 〈◊〉 actions . And for a pious mans Astronomie ; What if he cannot tell the sev'rall motions Those orbs have which do roll about the skie ? Starres names , site , bignesse , and such other notions ? What if he know not how soon The sunne will eclipsed be ? Nor hath wit enough to see The new world that 's in the moon ? Yet he doth know the milkie way that leads Unto the palace of the highest King : Whose presence the whole host of heaven dreads , Who made the starres , the spheres , and everie thing ; Steers the course that each orb runnes , Binds starres influence , looseth the bands Of Orion , and his hands Guide Arcturus with his sonnes . For Geometrie ; what if he cannot tell How many miles the vast earth is about ? Yet doth his pious art by farre excell In finding many greater matters out : Matters that exceed the strength Of best wits , the full extension Of Christ's love in each dimension , Height , and depth , & breadth , & length . For Grammar ; he can wickednesse decline . His supernaturall Philosophie Is wisdome to salvation . Most divine His musick is : That God that dwells on high Is pleas'd with no other tone . There is nothing he can heare Makes such musick in his eare As a sanctified grone . For Physick ; his most admirable knowledge Hath found out a Catholicon . ( This ranks His skill deservedly above the Colledge , Above French or Italian mountebanks . ) There 's no sicknesse , he is sure , Be it ne'r so strong or foul , That affecteth any soul , But the bloud of Christ can cure . The greatest Clerk is but a learned fool , If 's learning be not mixt with godlinesse . The greatest Scholar's he that goes to school To learn of Christ the wayes of holinesse . Thus if learning be a treasure That doth please , or skill in arts , Or to be a man of parts ; He that 's holy finds this pleasure . Doth toothsome and delicious chear delight ? The godly have it once a week at least . Our bounty-handed Saviour doth invite His servants to a rich and sumptuous feast , Where his own self is our server ; Such a feast of fattest things As if all the guests were Kings : Where faith may be her own carver . Do riches please ? A godly mans estate Surpasseth that of Croesus : he hath more Then out of Christ is had at any rate . God hath endow'd him with a blessed store Better then a heap of gold , Which nor thief , nor moth , nor rust , Can steal , eat , or turn to dust : His are bags that ne'r wax old . Gods rich and precious promises are his , Which by a precious faith he makes his own : Gods richest mercy : there 's no wealth like this : Christs precious bloud , whereof a drop alone Was of higher valuation Then all men ●nd Angels be , Or what e'r the 〈◊〉 did see Ever since the first creation . Doth rich apparel please ? Christs righteousnesse Clothes all his members to conceal their shame . Ne'r was Kings daughter in so pure a dresse , Unlesse she were adorned with the same . 'T is a robe that God doth please : Angels that on God do wait , And ne'r lost their first estate , Are not cloth'd like one of these . For all delights , the cheating world hath none So good by half 'mongst all her painted store As those the soul finds in religion : With purest joy the pious heart runnes o'r . Let the world diversifie Her delights a thousand wayes , Yet they come short of those joyes That are found in pietie . When I must die , my joy that 's naturall Forsaketh me ; that which is secular Takes leave assoon as ever Death doth call ; Joyes that were criminall converted are Into most tormenting fears : Onely that which is divine On a Death-bed will be mine . And what if when Death appears It cannot shield me from that fatall blow ? ( I would not it should do me so much wrong : For if I were immortall here below I were not happie ) yet 't will go along With me when I do depart . Carnall joyes , Lord , from me banish . Let divine delights replenish Ev'rie corner of my heart .

Sect. 4. Friends cannot protect us from the stroke of Death . IF I were great , rich , prosperous , secure , Successefull in the world , I should be sure That more time-servers would my friendship woo , Then I could reckon in a yeare or two . As greedie Eagles to a carcase hasten , And with sharp tallons on their prey do fasten ; So would they flock about me . Or if I Could learn the art of popularity , I might be rich in friends , yet all my store Would not know how to keep Death out of doore .

Meditation 1. OF Proteus 't is fained that he could Transform himself to any kind of shape : Into a Dove , or Lamb , and when he would , Into a Tiger , Lion , Bear , or Ape , Or a Mountain , Rock , or Spring , Or Earth , Water , Fire , Air , Into any forms that are Stampt in any kind of thing . And Aristippus could exactly flatter : He had the art of winning gainfull friends , And , that his fortune might be made the fatter , Had all behaviours at his fingers ends . He could grene when 's friend was sickly , And could weep when he was sad : Any humour , good or bad , Did become him very quickly . Did I believe that metempsychosis Pythagoras did dream of , I should swear That Proteus ghost to this day neither is In hell nor yet in heaven , but doth wear Now a body , and the base Ghost of Aristippus dwells In a thousand bodies : else How could thousands have the face To personate so many humours ? act So many parts at once , and balk no sinne ? Yea , perpetrate with ease the bas●st fact That hell e'r punished , to wind them in - to great friendsh●ps , though they misse Heavens favour , all the while Dreaming that a great mans smile Is on earth the onely blisse ? And yet when that last enemie shall come And grind their aching bones with griping throes , To bring their bodies to their longest home , There 's not a man 'mongst all their friends that know : How to take away their pain . In comes ghastly Death among The midst of that friendly throng , And turns them to dust again .

Meditation 2. THere 's none among the sacred troup of Saints Yet militant below but doth desire Gods favour most , and most of all lamen●s When it is lost , and alway sets a higher Estimate upon the rayes That are darted from above By the God of peace and love , Then on all he here enjoyes . Ne'r doth the chased hart in hottest weather , When horse and hound pursue him o'r the plains , And hunt him sweating twentie miles together , That all his bloud is boil'd within his veins , When he 's to the hardest driven , Pant so much for water-brooks , As a soul deserted looks For a kind aspect from heav'n . Once did Elias zealous prayers climb To heav'n , and made the windows there so fast ( This came to passe in wicked Ahabs time ) That one and twentie months twice told were past E'r there fell a showre of rain Or a drop of morning dew : In the meadows nothing grew , Nor was any kind of grain Fed by the parched mold . How do ye think That thirstie , drie , and barren land did yawn And gape to heav'n-ward for a draught of drink ? Just so , whene'r Gods favour is withdrawn From a soul , it doth distresse her . Ne'r earth thirsted more for rain , Then doth she for God again To relieve her and refresh her . Have you not seen a mothers wofull tears Embalm the carcase of her onely sonne ? How to all comfort she stops both her eares , Wrings both her hands , and makes a bitter moan ? Fain in sorrow would she swim , Or be drown'd , it is so deep : She hath heart enough to weep Heaven full up to the brim . But this is nothing to that matchlesse anguish That breaks in pieces ev'rie pious heart , And makes the soul with darkest sadnesse languish , If from 't a sense of Gods good will depart . O how strangely David's troubled When God hid away his face ! ( Though but for a little space ) See how his complaints are doubled . How long ? for ever , Lord , wilt thou forget me ? How long wilt thou thy gratious visage hide ? How long be angrie ? wilt thou never let me Enjoy thy face again ? shall I abide Thus for evermore bereft Of all comfort , joy , and peace ? Shall my soul ne'r dwell at ease ? Hast thou , Lord , no mercy left ? O once again be pleas'd to turn , and give My soul a relish of thy wonted grace : There 's nothing can my sadded heart relieve , If thou dost hide thy comfortable face . Thou in tears thy servant drown'st , Thou dost fill my che●ks with furrows And my soul with ghastly sorrows , Whensoever , Lord , thou frown'st . The world doth value at a precious rate Things here below . Some highly prize their sport ; Some , jewels ; some , a plentifull estate ; And some , preferments in a Princes court : But for life , we so esteem it Above whatsoe'r is best , That with losse of all the rest We are ready to redeem it . But none of these Gods children do regard So much as Gods love by a thousand parts : Feel they but this , to 〈◊〉 't is spar'd The best and highest room in all their hearts . They 〈◊〉 no wordly pelf In comparison of this Kindnesse ; yea , to them it is Better fa●re then life it self . Have they no reason for this eager thirst After Gods love and friendship ? sure they see Gods favour and his kindnesse is the first And chiefest good : all other friendships be Most deceitfull , trustlesse , rain . When the pangs of Death do scise us Mortall favours cannot ease us : God can rid us of our pain . But grant he do not , yet these pains shall send Our souls to him that loves us , to enjoy A painlesse life that ne'r shall see an end . He whom God loves can on a death-bed say , I know my Redeeme● liveth ; For me there 's laid up a crown : When this clay-built house is down God a better mansion giveth . I 'll never woo the smile of man , whose breath Is in his nostrils , by sinister wayes ; 'T will not advantage at the houre of Death : All my supportment on these carnall stayes At the length will but deceive me . 'T is to have a friend above , 'T is Gods favour and his love , Or else nothing , must relieve me . Lord , make thy graces in my soul appear ; My heart from ev'rie lothsome blemish cleanse , That I may clearly see thine image there ; For that 's an undeceived evidence Of thy favour : which when I Once am certain to obtein , I 'll not faint for any pain , Nor will care how soon I die .

Sect. 5. Youth cannot protect us from the stroke of Death . A Young man may die , but an old man must ; This may die quickly , that cannot live long : Often are graves fill'd full with youthfull dust . Though youth be jocund , lustie , merrie , strong , Yet is it subject unto Death-bed-pains ; 'T is mortall bloud that runnes along their veins . In all appearance old mens halting feet are Mov'd to the grave-ward with the greatest speed , ( Like that disciples which did outrunne Peter ) But sometimes younger men step in indeed : And peradventure twentie years or more Sooner then those that looked in before . Graves gape for ev'rie sort : The butcher's seen Often to kill the youngest of the flock . Some long to pluck those apples that are green : Death crops the branches and forbears the stock . Children are wrapp'd up in their winding-sheets , And aged parents mourn about the streets . Jobs children di'd before himself : for after The death of ten he liv'd to get ten other . We sigh out , Ah my sonne ! or , Ah my daughter ! As oft as , Ah my father , or my mother ! The first that ever di'd resign'd his breath Nine hundred yeares before his fathers death . Yea , many times , Deaths gripings are so cruel , Before the groning mothers child-birth-pain Is past , the infant's buri'd , like a jewel But shewn and presently shut up again , Perhaps within a minute after birth Is forthwith sent to cradle in the earth . Perhaps he is not born at all , yet dies , And dies a verie thriftie Death : to save Fun'rall expenses he in 's mother lies Entombed , both lodg'd in a single grave : And with him lies in one poore narrow room His swadling-clouts , nurse , mother , cradle , tomb .

Meditation 1. SOme sinnes there be ( as holy writ doth teach ) That interrupt the current of our dayes : He that 's found gultie of them cannot reach That length of life which he that 's free enjoyes . Sinne ( you know ) and Death are twins , Or Death is Sinnes progeny . Many of us if we die In our youth may thank our sinnes . One sinne is disobedience to that pair Which did beget us . If I shall despise My parents lawfull precepts , if my care Be not to do what 's pleasing in their eyes , If I willingly neglect Any thing which I do know Is a duty that I ow , I may Death betimes expect . Another sinne is unprepar'd receiving That blessed Supper which doth feed and heal , And in and to a soul that is believing A full release of sinnes doth freely seal : Where that body and that bloud Is presented on the table , Which are infinitely able To do hungri'st sinners good . If I come hither an unworthie guest ; Or if before my heart I do not prove ; Or if I come as to a common feast ; Or come without Thanks , Knowledge , Faith , and Love : If I carrie any crime Thither with me unlamented , Or go ●re I have repented , Deat● may 〈◊〉 me hence betime . Another is Bloud-thirstinesse : when we To do a mischief are so strongly bent That we sleep not unlesse our projects be Contrived to insnar● the innocent : When w● are so like the Devil , Everie way satanicall , That tongue , brains , heart , hands , and all Are imploy'd in what is evil . These sinnes and others like them do procure Untimely Deaths . Lord , purifie my heart From everie sinne ; but chiefly , Lord , secure My soul from these , that I may not depart Hence too soon . Lord , my desire Is not to live long ; but I Onely pray that I may die In thy favour not thine ire .

Meditation 2. THere is a sinne that seldome doth escape A rich mans heir , ( yet 't is a foul transgression ) For parents Death with open mouth to gape , That their estates may come to his possession . He gapes that his friends may sleep : Parentalia are rites Verie welcome : he delights At a fathers grave to weep . Poore hare-brain'd fool ! Perhaps thou may'st go first : This night thy younger soul may be requir'd ; Thy Death may frustrate that ungodly thirst : Whose then is that estate thou hast desir'd ? If these gallants were not blind , Sure they could not choose but see That a thousand children be Dead , their parents left behind . Of any kind of sinne ( to speak the truth ) That Satan can beget upon the soul , Most commonly man 's guilti'st in his youth : Our youthfull nature is beyond controll . Some examples are afforded , In whose historie appears Loosenesse in our yonger years : These the Scriptures have recorded . The verie first that e'r suck'd mothers tear , Because his works were naught , his brothers good , Did boil his choler to so strong a heat That he must slake it in his brothers bloud . How much rancour did he show So much harmlesse bloud to spill , And a quarter-part to kill Of all mankind at a blow ? Unnaturall , accursed , gracelesse Cham Never did grieve , nor sigh , nor blush , but he Laugh'd at and mock'd his drunken fathers shame . ( A sober fathers curse his portion be . ) Prophane Esau did make sale Of 's birthright for 's bellie-full ; As 'mongst us there 's many a gull That sells heaven for pots of ale . And Absalom was most deform'd within ; His head-piece had more hair then wit by ods : His beautie went no deeper then his skinne ; He fear'd not mans law nor regarded Gods . In him David had a sonne Beastly and ambitious too : He did wrong his bed , and do What he could to steal his throne . Incestuous Amnon dotes upon his sister , And in his own bloud cools his law lesse fires . That brother should have sinn'd that had but kiss'd her , If mov'd unto it by unchast desires : But he makes a rape upon her , And so furious is his lust That it cannot hold but must Rob a virgin of her honour . And I could tell you of a number more Most sinfull , vitious , vile , exorbitant , Whose courses are upon the Scriptures score , As if their youth had sealed them a grant To be neither wise nor holy , But to runne into excesse Of all kind of wickednesse , And do homage unto follie . The sage Gymnosophists , who first did give The wilder Indians good and wholesome laws : The Magi , by whom Persia learn'd to live In order : the Chaldei , whose wise laws The Assyrians justly rul'd And did guide in everie thing : Numa , Romes devoutest King , Who the elder Romanes school'd : That famous Solon , whom th' Athenlans ow For all their statutes : and Lycurgus , he Whose wisdome taught the Spartanes how to know What to omit and do : and more there be That have publish'd wholesome laws To curb all indeed ; but yet Chiefly 't was to put a bit In mens wild and youthfull jaws . It is a signe that colt is wild that needs So strong a bridle . Ground that doth require So much manuring sure is full of weeds . It is because she wallows in the mire That we need to wash a sow . Men in youth must needs be bad , To curb whom those laws were made Which we told you of but now . 'T was a commanded custome that the Jews Should once in ev'rie two and fiftie weeks Visit their temple ; no man might refuse To worship there . Each fourth year the Greeks Their Olympian sacrifice Orderly performed : and Th' Egyptians us'd to stand Lifting up devoutest eyes Unto their Idole ev'ry seventh yeare Within th' appointed temple . And 't is said Once in ten years the Romanes did appear To sacrifice : then was Apollo paid His great Hecatomb , and then Unto Delphos many went With their gifts , for thither sent Presents ev'rie sort of men . And of the Samnites authours do relate , That th' ancient'st of them did most solemnly Once in five years their Lustra celebrate : But 't is delivered by Antiquitie That the youth of all these nations Strictly all commanded were To these places to repair Oftner to make their oblations . What doth this intimate , but that the crimes Of youth are great and frequent , and their vices Exorbitant , that they so many times Have need to purge them by such sacrifices ? By experience we do find What bad courses men do follow In their youth , and how they wallow In base lusts of ev'rie kind . And if you ask these brainlesse hot-spurres why They dedicate themselves to such lewd courses ; They yet are young , these gallants still replie , And youth must have its swing : but no remorse is Wrought at all in any heart For this lewdnesse ; there remains Not a thought within their brains , That the youngest may depart . Lord , take possession of my heart betimes : My youth is fittest for thy service ; take it Unto thy self : make white those crimson crimes That fain would soil it : let me never make it A pretense ( as many do ) To be lewd , but think that I In the height of youth may die , May die and be damned too .

Meditation 3. PArents methinks betime should strive to make Their children good , that heaven may receive them . If God should send an early Death to take Them from the earth , it cannot choose but grieve them , And fill full with bitter woe Any parents heart to see That their children wicked be , And Death come and find them so . Those fruitfull couples whom the Lord hath blest With children , should take greatest care to breed them Religiously : In this more love 's express'd , Then in their care to cloth them or to feed them , Or what else they can bestow For their life or livelyhood , And to do their children good In the things that are below . You must instruct your children in their way : That 's double , Civil and Religious too : They must be taught Gods precepes to obey , And to their neighbours give what is their due . If you do not strive to set them , By that rule which God hath given , In the way that leads to heaven , You did wrong them to beget them . There 's such a powre and force in education , That justly we may call 't a second nature : Nature finds matter , nurture gives the fashion , And turns a man into another creature . If a youth in 's manners halt , On his parents we do lay All the blame , and use to say , That his breeding is in fault . The heathen , who did see but by that light Which purblind nature lent them , ever caught At all occasions they conceived might Be helps to have their youth in goodnesse taught . In their bodies would they find ( For no where but in the book Of the creatures did they look ) Lessons to instruct the mind . It is observ'd that Socrates let passe No wayes nor means at all that might conduce To their amendment : often to a glasse He brought th●m , and that shadow had its use . By his means their f●ces bred them : For however their complexion Did appear , by that 〈◊〉 From 't a lecture would he reade them . That fair ones must take heed they did not soil That comely outside with deformititie Within : to have an inside foul would spoil The choicest beautie : that their symmetry , Just proportion of parts , And their comlinesse of face Was not worth a jo●e , if grace Did not beautifie their hearts . And that deformed ones should have a care , That vertuous endowments , of the soul Might recompense those blemishes that were By nature plac'd to make the bodie foul : That the mind and nothing else Makes us either foul or fair . Out-side beauties nothing are To a mind where vertue dwells . Of any age their youth is fitt'st to take The print of vice or vertue : 't is a clean Unwritten table , where a man may make What characters he will . If e'r you mean To make straight a crooked tree , You must do 't while 't is a twig : When your children are grown big They will not reformed be . Sometimes ( if need require ) you shall do well To use the rod : if duly you correct them , 'T may be a means to whip their souls from hell : From many sinnes may prudent stripes protect them . No such physick as the rod : There 's health in a loving scourge , It will childrens manners purge , And will make them fit for God . But whensoe'r you fasten any blows , Let sinnes against the holy name of God Be first corrected : for a child that knows To give his due to heav'n , on him the rod Will prevail with little labour To correct him how to live Civilly , and how to give What he ow● unto his neighbour . And yet you must be moderate in strokes : You may not make a trade of chastisements . A parent that corrects too much provokes His child to wrath ; so pious documents Will be cast away in vain . Too much mercie is not fit , Neither too much rigour ; yet Mercie 's better of the twain . That high and great Jehovah , whom we find Adorn'd with mercie , goodnesse , justice , wrath , Is evermore to mercie most inclin'd : Of all the rest that most employment hath . He that suffered near mount Sion , ( And whatever he did hallow By his practice we should follow ) Was a Lamb as well's a Lion . And e'r you strike observe their dispositions : Those foure complexions in mans grosser part Are but a few ; the finer part's conditions Are many more . Some at a look will start ; Others will but make a mock At the lash it self , and never Will expresse the least endevour To amend with many a knock . The Nat'ralists can tell you of a stone Extremely hard , which bloud or milk will soften : But with the strongest hammer there is none Can do it , though he beat it ne'r so often . The sea yields a certain weed , Which , if gently grip'd , will flie ; Roughly , will yield presently : Rigour such stout natures need . Some childrens dispositions are like nettles : The gentl'er you do handle them they sting The more ; fair means in them no vertue settles : Some are like thorns ; the harder you do wring The more deeply will they pierce . Mark their natures , and you shall By due chastisements recall Both the gentle and the fierce . But it must be 'bove all your chiefest care To shine before your children by the light Of good example : for examples are Of most prevailing natures . What the sight Can be master of appears To be more convincing farre Then all other truths that are Onely objects of the ears . A high perfection did the heathen deem it To imitate their Jove : were it but in His close adulteries , they did esteem is A commendable passage not a sinne . In a wrong way , or a right , Samplers lead , I know not how : If King Alexander bow Not a courtier stands upright . If Cyrus nose be bad , or if a scaire Chance to disfigure his imperiall face ; If Plato's learned shoulders be too square ; One's subjects , th' others scholars , are so base As to draw 't into a fashion : And if Aristotle stammer , All his boyes will lisp and hammer Out their words in imitation . If cruel Dionysius tyrannize , Each man grows fierce : and if Antiochus Be lustfull , he is not accounted wise That will not be effeminate : and thus Ptolemeus Philadelph Loving letters , by example Egypt underfoot did trample Ignorance as did himself . With scholars ( like himself ) Augustus fill'd The Romane Empire : and Tiberius he Stor'd it with such as were exactly skill'd In fair dissimulation , and could be Leaders in the hatefull train Of those monsters who by heart Had learn'd perfectly the art To dissemble , lie , and ●eigne . Good Constantine's example fill'd the land With Christians like himself , and Julian's did Beget a troup of Atheists : such command Examples have . In holy writ we reade That examples either way , For God or against him , for Great Jehovah's worship or Baalim's , did the people sway . If Israel's or Judah's King were good , The people presently destroy'd their groves : Scarce in the land a graven image stood : High places owls did rest in : each man loves ( At the least in shew ) that Jealous God that in the desert fed them , And from Egypt's bondage led them ; For him onely are they zealous . If Israel's or Judah's King were bad , So were the people : Altars straight were rear'd To senselesse Idoles ; not a house but had Their graven Images ; and no man fear'd Unto Baal to bend his knee . Men live by similitude More then law ; and most conclude Upon what their Princes be . If Nebuchadnezzar the mightie King Be pleas'd to fall down to a golden image , Thither with speed do their devotions bring People of ev'rie kingdome , tongue , and linage . Three excepted , all adore him : There 's not one enough precise To refuse ; it doth suffice That the King did so before him . Thou art a King if thou a parent art , Each family 's a pettig kingdome , and The parents Monarch : 't were a kingly part To make thy little subjects understand How in vertue to excell By thy practice ; that 's a skill 'Bove all other : children will No way else be taught so well . Look how the primum mobile doth move , Accordingly do move the other spheres : As in a Jack the wheel that is above With its first mover just proportion bears . In a familie 't is so : Look what way the parents take , That the rest their rule will make , Chiefly there the children go . Not any godly precept so exact is , Which you shall teach your children to obey ; But that , if you shall thwart it by your practice , Thus will your junior houshold-members say , At least they will whisper thus , If vertue be good , then why Do not you live vertuously ? If not , why d' ye presse 't on us ? If by these wayes you strive to educate , Whom God hath blest with fruitfull progenies , Your children well , their early Death or late Shall not a jote augment your miseries . A childs death is not a rod To afflict a parents heart . He that dies well doth depart Hence that he may live with God . Lord , if thou make my wife a fruitfull vine , Make it withall my chiefest care to dresse The branches well ; the glorie shall be thine , And if they die my grief shall be the lesse . A childs death 's a precious savour In thy nostrils that was here Taught to live , Lord , in thy fear ; For he dieth in thy favour .

Meditation 4. IF youth it self may drop into the grave , When children die methinks they should bequeath Surviving parents comforts . Sure they have No cause ( were not affection strong ) to grieve Overmuch , as many do : For Death is impartiall , By his stroke all ages fall , Both the old'st and youngest too . Think duly on 't . Why should your eyes runne o' t For what you have no way to remedie ? If you should heav'n eternally implore , It would not send them back . But you 'll replie , 'Cause there 's no way to be found That may help us to recover Them again , our eyes runne over , And our tears do so abound . Nor ever will your highest floud of sorrow Transport them back into the world again : Your selves may follow them before to morrow . Those deep-fetch'd sighs are smok'd out all in ●ain , So are all those drops you mourn Shed in vain ; hap'ly you may Soon go after them , but they Are too happie to return . Is it your love that doth produce such grones ? How easily alas is love mistaken ! Methinks you cannot love and grieve at once ; To love were to rejoyce that they have shaken Hands with miserie to dwell In a world of blisse above ; Grief at this is farre from love , It seems not to wish them well . Or is 't because that they are dead you weep ? I do not think that when they were begotten , You dream'd them death-free , or had hopes to keep Them here for ever ; that they would be rotten In their graves you could not choose But consider : for a span To be quickly ended , can Never go for any news . Nor with good reason can you lay the blame On Death at all , but on your selves that did Beget them mortall : for the very same Matter wherewith they were begot and fed , Fits them for an alteration By the hand of Death . If you Grudge that Death hath ta'n his due , You may blame their generation . Or do you grieve because they di'd so soon ? If wayes be foul , and journeys perillous , Who taketh up his lodging e'r t be noon Is best at case . 'T is like God loveth those Whom he takes betime away : Sad experience let● us know That the happi'st here below Have a miserable stay . Or is your onely child deceas'd , that passion Doth domineer so ? here I could allow Methinks your tears a free immoderation , But that ( on better ground then Jephtha's vow ) I remember what was done By that parent , who is penn'd Down for great Jehovah's friend , In case of his onely sonne . Ev'n when 't was dead a miracle did fill His Sarahs womb , but it was fill'd but once . Isaac was all : Yet Abraham must kill This all himself . God did it for the nonce That he might his graces prove , Yet the man made no denyall , But did by so strange a triall Manifest his faith and love . This case must needs strike nearer to the heart Then yours ; yet he doth presently submit . Love ( I confesse ) is very loth to part With what it loves , but grace doth put a bit Into natures mouth that she May not grumble nor repine At what 's a decree Divine , But subscribe it chearfully . Just like the Autumn . sap of fruitfull trees So love descend● ; and it is a●dent when Dispersed , b●t by infinite degrees More arde●t when it is contracted : men That have but an onely sonne , If Death take him hence , their losse Is a great one ; but this crosse Must be born . Thy will be done , Is what your selves do pray for every day : And when this will of God's declared , you Greatly offend if you do murmure . May Not God , and Sinne , and Nature claim their due ? Very ill you do behave you If you give not heav'n leave Thankfully for to bereave You again of what it gave you . Lord , if thou please to stock my table round About with children , yet I will be glad : Nor shall my sorrow over much abound , Though I do see them in their grave-clothes clad ; For the sooner are they blest : And within the shortest space Whom thou help'st to winne a race , They the sooner are at rest .

Meditation 5. WE do not die by chance nor yet by fortune , But how and when the Lord will have us die : He numbers all our dayes ; we cannot shorten Nor lengthen them a minute : Destiny Neither spinnes nor cuts the thread . God a certain period sets : No man shorter falls , or gets Further , then the bounds decreed . If God vouchsafe to number out the hairs That do adorn and cloth our sinfull heads ; Who doubteth that his providence forbears To count our dayes ? If not a sparrow treads On the earth's face thus or thus , But his providence awaketh For to note it , sure he taketh Greater care by farre of us . If any godlesse wits so curious be To talk of Hezekiah's fifteen years , His sentence God did change , not his decree , The answer is : yet Esay's tongue appears To speak not a jote the lesse Truth ; 't was with a supposition : God doth th●eaten with condition Either 〈◊〉 expresse . When Pestilence , that lothsome , dreadfull hag , Bepatch'd with botches , wanders up and down , And into ev'ry houshold drops the plague , Scarce any Turk in an infected town But will wise and friend afford Daily visits and imbraces : They flie no contagious places , Nor fear either bed or bord . Their reason is , Gods providence doth write Their fortunes on their foreheads ; neither can Their day of life be longer , nor their night Of Death come sooner then God wills it : Man Must yield 's ghost when God will have it . For health and life , if God will Save it , 't is not plague can kill : If not , 't is not they can save it . Such block-heads have not brains enough to think That as the time , so God withall decrees The means of life ; as physick , meat and drink , Clothes , recreations , and what else he sees Needfull . They themselves destroy , And are to their safety strangers , That runne into mortall dangers , And not shun them when they may . Howe'r imploy'd , Lord , grant I may have leisure Religiously to meditate that thou My dayes dost number , and my life dost measure , And make me think , Lord , that this very now , That this twinkling of an eye Is the period thou hast set : Lord , grant I may ne'r forget That this moment I may die .

PART III. Of Deaths suddennesse . THough sometimes Death doth stay till it be late At night , untill our most decrepit years , And when he comes , doth ( like a King ) in state Send harbingers before ; yet Death appears Sometimes unlook'd for early in the morning , And takes us up before he gives us warning . When at full tide our youthfull bloud doth flow In every vein , and when our pulses dance A healthfull measure , when our stomachs know No qualms at all , as we would say by chance Snatch'd are our bodies to their longest homes , And Death is past before a sicknesse comes . How many sleepie mortals go to bed With healthful bodies , and do rise no more ! How many hungry mortals have been sed Contentedly at dinner ? yet before Against a second meal they wh●t their knives Death steals away their stomachs and their lives . How many in the morning walk abroad For to be breath'd on by the keener air ? Perhaps to clarifie their grosser bloud , Or else to make their rougher checks look falt . But e'r they tread a furlong in the frost , Death nips them : so their former labour 's lost . Nature is parsimonious : Man may live With little : but alas with how much lesse A man may die ! There 's nothing but may give A mortall blow : small matters may undresse Our souls of clay . A thousand wayes we have To send our crazie bodies to the grave . The elements con●eder how they may Procure our Death : the Air we suck to live It self hath poi'sned thousands in a day , And made such havock that the slain did strive For elbow-room in Church-yards : houses were Good cheap , and onely shrowds and coffins dear . If we could come to speak with Pharaoh's ghost , 'T would tell how many met with sudden graves Beneath the water ; that a mighty host Was slain and buried by the surly waves , Except a few which surfeted with store The crop-sick sea did vomit on the shore . Sometimes our mother Earth , as if she were So hunger-bitten that she needs must eat Her children , gapes as for some toothsome cheer , And multitudes one swallow down doth let ; Which either in her womb she doth bestow , Or else doth send them to the world below . That usefull creature Fire , whose light and heat Doth comfort , and , when Earth doth penance , warm us , Whose cookerie provides us wholesome meat ; Yet mortally this element doth harm us . One morning sent from heav'n such dreadfull flashes As did intomb five cities in their ashes . We may remember some that have been kill'd By falls of buildings ; some , by drunken swords . By beasts both wild and tame our bloud is spill'd . There 's not a creature but a death affords . 'Bove fourti● childrens limbs God's anger tears In pieces with the teeth of savage bears . But there 's some likelyhood that sudden Death By mean like these may easily befall us : But many times we mortalls lose our breath By wayes lesse probable . The Lord doth call us Upon a sudden hence by petty things : Sometimes the meanest means Death's ●rrand brings . Our staff of life may kill : a little crumb Of bread may choke us going down aw●y . A small hair in their drink hath caused some To breath their last . By any thing we die . Sometimes a sudden grief ●r sudden joy Have might enough to take our souls away .

Meditation 1. HOw weak's the thread of life , that any thing How weak so e'r can break it by and by ! How short 's the thread of life , that Death can bring Both ends of it together suddenly ! Well may the scriptures write the life of man As weak as water and as short 's a span . How soon is water spilt upon the ground ! Once spilt , what hand can gather 't up again ? Fome that doth rise to day is seldome found Floting tomorrow . When the wanton rain Gets bubbles to make sport with on the water , A minute breaks them into their first matter . Such is our life . How soon doth Death uncase Our souls ? and when they once are fled away , Who can return them ? As upon the face Of thirstie ground when water 's shed to day , The morrow sees it not : so when we die None can revive us ; as we fall , we lie . Our life 's a vapour . Vapours do arise Sometimes indeed with such a seeming power , As if they would eclipse the glorious skies , And muffle up the world , but in an houre Or two at most these vapours are blown o'r , And leave the air as clear as 't was before . We look big here a little while and bristle , And shoulder in the smiling world , as though There were no dancing but as we would whistle , So strangely domineer we here below . But as a vapour in a sun-shine day We vanish on a sudden quite away . Our life is like the smoke of new-made fires As we in age and stature upward tend , Our dissolution is so much the nigher . Smoke builds but castles in the air : ascend Indeed it doth aloft , but yet it must At high'st dissolve , we vanish into dust . What is a shadow ? Nothing Grant it w●re A thing that had a name and being too , Yet let a cloud 'twixt us and heav'n appear , It s turn'd into its former nothing . ● o Our shadows vanish ? surely so do we : At noon a man , at night a corps we see . Our life 's a cloud , and from varietie Of vapours are created diverse 〈◊〉 : The stronger last a time , the weaker flie With lesse ado ; yet half a day transports Both strong'st and weakest hence , and in their ●light Their nimble speed outrunnes the quickest sight . Some men are healthfull , merrie , lustie , strong ; Some crazy , weak , sad , sickly , d●ooping : both Post hence with winged speed : we may not wrong Life's footmanship ; for sure with greater sloth Clouds through the air the strongest wind doth send , Then frail mans life doth gallop to its end . With greater sloth ? A man that now is here , Perhaps an houre , yea half a minute hence , That man may in another world appear . Our life moves faster then those things which sense Acquaint us with , faster then ships by farre , Or birds , or bullet● that do plow the air . All flesh is grasse : how suddenly that fades ! Grasse in the morning standeth proudly green , E'r night the husbandmen prepare their blades To cut it down , and not a leaf is seen But e'r the morrow 's wither'd into hay , That in its summer-suit was cloth'd to day . We grow and flourish in the world a space , Our dayes with ease , mi●th , health , strength , heav'n doth crown : But 't is not long we run this happy race , Death cometh with his sithe and mows us down , When we are apt to say , for ought we know As yet we have an age of dayes to grow . Our life 's a flower that groweth in the field . A garden-flower is but a fading thing , Though it hath hedges , banks , and walls to shield It self from cropping : long 't is e'r the spring Doth bring it forth ; three quarters of a yeare Are gone before its beauty doth appear . And when it shineth in its fairest pride , One hand or other will be sure to pluck it . But let 's suppose all snatching fingers ty'd , And grant withall that never Bee doth suck it To blemish it a jote , yet will the breath Of winter blow the fairest flower to death . 'T is long before we get us very farre Into the world : for after generation There is a time when lifelesse lumps we are , And have not bodies of a humane fashion : Such as we have both life and motion want , And when we live we live but like a plant . A while we do but grow : then like a beast We have our senses : next indeed we live The life of him that lives to be a feast For despicable worms . The womb doth give No passage to us yet ; we are ( like corn Sown lately ) fit to be but are not born . When born , 't is long before we can procure Our legs or understandings to assist us : And then 't is long before we grow mature : And all this while if sudden Death hath mist us , Yet in the hoary winter of our age Our part is ended and we quit the stage . Lord , what is man ? Lord , rather what am I ? I cannot tell my self unlesse thou teach me : From thee came Know thy self down through the ●kie To mortalls here . Thy servant doth beseech the● To make me know , though it be to my shame , How vanishing , how weak , and frail I am .

Meditation 2. WHat would I do if I were sure to die Within this houre ? sure heartily repent , My sinfull couch should never more be dri● But drown'd in tears , sad grones my heart should rent , And my sorrow still increase With repenting till I die , That once reconciled I Might be found of God in peace . Then presently I 'll set about it , for My time 's uncertain , and for ought I know God may not leave my soul a minute more To animate my body here below . Deep fetch'd sighs and godly sorrow Shall possesse my heart to day : 'T is a foolish sinne to say That I will repent to morrow . What if I die before ? just as the tree Doth fall it lies . When I am in the grave I cannot grieve for sinne , nor can I be Converted unto God , nor pardon crave . Had I breath and grace to crave it , Yet God's time of mercie 's gone : 'T is giv'n in this life alone , In the next I cannot have it . What would I leave undone if gh●stly Death Stood at my elbow ? sure I would not wallow In those pollutions that reigne here beneath ; No lewd and wicked courses would I follow . I should tremble at a thought Of uncleannesse , if I were Sure that dreadfull time were near When I must to earth be brought . Why should I sinne at all ? for in the act Of my next sinne a sudden Death may catch me . ( A town secure is much the sooner sack'd ) What know I but God setteth Death to watch me , That when any lust hath press'd me For his service , that I may Down to hell without delay , Death may presently arrest me ? If we did well , still should we fear to mee● Death in those places where we use to sinne , And as we enter think we heare the feet Of Death behind us coming softly in ? We should fear when sinnes delight us , When we swallow any crime , Lest that very point of time Justice should send Death to smite us . I know whatever is on this side hell , Is mercie all : that we were not sent thither When we sinn'd last , is mercie . What befell Zimri and Cozbi as they lay together ? Phinchas zealous spear did thrust Both to death , and bored holes To let out those guilty souls , Which were melted into lust . Help me , O Lord , to do and leave undone What thou command'st , for sudden Death prepare me , That at what time soe'r my glasse is run Thy holy Angels may to heav'n bear me . Give thy servant grace , that I May so fear the face of sinne As a serpents , lest that in Th' unrepented act I die .

Meditation 3. DOth Death come suddenly ? so much the better : If I am readie and do daily die , So much the sooner 't will my soul unfetter T' enjoy the best degree of libertie . And if Death will send me where I shall evermore remain , I will never care how vain , Or how frail my life is here . My life is like the wind : but when this 〈◊〉 I● pass'd I shall eternally enjoy A place in heav'n , where all is calm enough , Where never blast is felt that brings annoy , Where is everlasting case , Not a storm nor tempest there , Nor a jote of trouble , where All is quietnesse and peace . My life is like a vapour : but assoon As this thin mist , this vapour , is dispersed , My day shall be an undeclining noon , Whose glorious brightnesse cannot be rehearsed , Which will shew me ( for so clear And so shining is that place ) God immortall face to face , Whom I saw but darkly her● . My life is water spilt and cast away Upon the ground : but after it is shod , In stead thereof I shall a stream injoy , As Crystall clear , which from the throne of God And the Lamb of God proceedeth . Water 't is of life , and lasteth Ever , which a soul that tasteth Once no more refreshing needeth . My life is like a shadow that doth vanish : But whensoe'r this shadow 's vanish'd quite , Substantiall glories will my soul replenish , And solid joyes will crown it with deligh● . The worlds are but fading joyes ; Shadows we all purchase here : Never untill Death appear Have we true and reall joyes . My life 's a flower : but when it withers here It is transplanted into paradise , Where all things planted flourish all the year , Where Boreas never breaths a cake of ice . With sweet air the place is blest ; There i● an eternall spring : Thither , Lord , thy servant bring . Here my homely Muse doth rest , Nor another flight will make Till she see how this will take .

FINIS .