Some buds and blossoms of piety also, some fruit of the spirit of love. Which directs to the Divine wisdom, being a collection of several papers, found in manuscript, / written by a young man, many of them in the time of his apprenticeship, some of them since. Who, as appears by his writings, had a true travail after the knowledge of God, and heaven, and heavenly things. And did attain to know him and his son, Christ, whom he hath sent, which is life eternal. ; To which subjoyned is a tripple plea, touching law, physick and divinitie, formerly printed and subscribed T.C. B. A. (Benjamin Antrobus), d. 1715. This text is an enriched version of the TCP digital transcription B08383 of text R176216 in the English Short Title Catalog (Wing A3523A). Textual changes and metadata enrichments aim at making the text more computationally tractable, easier to read, and suitable for network-based collaborative curation by amateur and professional end users from many walks of life. The text has been tokenized and linguistically annotated with MorphAdorner. The annotation includes standard spellings that support the display of a text in a standardized format that preserves archaic forms ('loveth', 'seekest'). Textual changes aim at restoring the text the author or stationer meant to publish. This text has not been fully proofread Approx. 111 KB of XML-encoded text transcribed from 45 1-bit group-IV TIFF page images. EarlyPrint Project Evanston,IL, Notre Dame, IN, St. Louis, MO 2018 B08383 124064088 Wing A3523A ESTC R176216 124064088 ocn 124064088 192198 2240968495

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 Early English books online. (EEBO-TCP ; phase 2, no. B08383) Transcribed from: (Early English Books Online ; image set 192198) Images scanned from microfilm: (Early English books; 1641-1700 ; 2902:14) Some buds and blossoms of piety also, some fruit of the spirit of love. Which directs to the Divine wisdom, being a collection of several papers, found in manuscript, / written by a young man, many of them in the time of his apprenticeship, some of them since. Who, as appears by his writings, had a true travail after the knowledge of God, and heaven, and heavenly things. And did attain to know him and his son, Christ, whom he hath sent, which is life eternal. ; To which subjoyned is a tripple plea, touching law, physick and divinitie, formerly printed and subscribed T.C. B. A. (Benjamin Antrobus), d. 1715. T. C. Tripple plea. [8], 76 p. Printed by Andrew Sowle, [London] : in the year 1684. Author's initials on p. 69. Place of publication from added t.p. Numerous errors in pagination. Reproduction of original in the Haverford College Library. eng English poetry -- 17th century -- Early works to 1800. Piety -- Poetry -- Early works to 1800. eebo Some buds and blossoms of piety also some fruit of the spirit of love. Which directs to the divine vvisdom, being a collection of several papers, foun B. A. 1684 89 17022 10 0 0 0 0 0 5.87 B The rate of 5.87 defects per 10,000 words puts this text in the B category of texts with fewer than 10 defects per 10,000 words. 2011-09 Assigned for keying and markup 2011-09 Keyed and coded from ProQuest page images 2011-12 Sampled and proofread 2011-12 Text and markup reviewed and edited 2012-05 Batch review (QC) and XML conversion

SOME Buds and Blossoms OF PIETY Also , Some FRUIT Of the Spirit of LOVE , Which Directs to the Divine Wisdom .

BEING A Collection of several Papers , Found in Manuscript , Written by a Young Man , many of them in the time of his Apprenticeship , some of them at several times since .

Who , as appears by his Writings , had a true Travail after the Knowledge of God , and Heaven , and Heavenly Things . And did attain to know him , and his Son , Christ , whom he hath sent , which is Life Eternal .

To which subjoyned is a Tripple Plea , Touching Law , Physick , and Divinitie , Formerly Printed and Subscribed T. C.

Printed by Andrew Sowle , in the Year 1684.

SOME Buds and Blossoms OF PIETY Also , Some FRUIT Of the Spirit of LOVE , Which Directs to the Divine Wisdom .

BEING A Collection of several Papers , written by a Young Man , some of them in the time of his Apprenticeship , some of them at several times since , and the latter part of them in his late Consinement , by a Writ De Excommunicato Capiendo .

Who , as appears by his Writings , had a true Travail after the Knowledge of God , and Heaven , and Heavenly Things ; and did attain to know him , and his Son Christ , whom he hath sent , which is Life Eternal .

To which subjoyned is a Tripple Plea , Touching Law , Physick and Divinitie , Formerly Printed and Subscribed T. C.

Also , some Lines written by J. C.

London , Printed and Sold by Andrew Sowle , 1684.

Friendly Reader ; IF in these following Lines thou ought espy , Seemeth not right , not pleasing in thine Eye , Pray be so kind , so courteous and so fare , Excuse the Author , don't hard on him bare ; For what he wrote , I judge , well did intend , I pray , his Faults , the Reader to amend . One while 't was with him , neither day nor night , But in the Ev'ning-Tide appeared Light ; And as unto this Light he did take heed , The Morning Day-Star did arise indeed , And Sun of Righteousness did shine more clear , And Truth more plain & obvious did appear . If some things dark , obscure , seem not so sound , Pray pass them by ; some things herein are found Both sure & certain Truths , & plain & clear , As who reads to the end , may find . And here As I in several Papers did them find , Present them to thee with an honest Mind , Believing this , they will no harm produce , So make them publick to thee for thy use : And in that Love , wherewith I them present , Do but receive them , and I am content . N. B. I Thought it well , these Lines came to thy Hand , Thou wouldst then publish , I did understand , Because thou knew'st the Lad , as from a Child , Was sober Bred , Religious bent , not wild . For unto some , acceptable they 'l be , Though many pass their days in Vanitie , Not fearing God , not thinking of their end , Not mattering how their precious time they spend , Sporting themselves in Pleasures and Delight , In deeds of Darkness , Evil Works o' th' Night , Forgetting still to Judgment they must come , For their bad Deeds receive a heavy doome , Of Go ye Curst , depart from me , I say , You workers of Iniquity , away : This is the sentence , Christ the Judge will give To those in Pleasures liv'd , dead while they live . J. C.
The CONTENTS . AN Introduction . Concerning the Works of God . The Serpents Subtilty . The Serpents Punishment . The Womans Punishment . The Mans Punishment . Cain the first Murderer about Religion . Cain's Punishment . To remember thy Creator in the dayes of thy Youth . That Self , more than Adam is to be blamed for sinning . Several Petitions and Prayers to God , to be taught of him . Some Directions where to find Wisdom , with a Psalm on her Praise . And concerning the manner of her appearing . Also , Reproof to those that talk of Righteousness , and live in Sin . And to those that profess the Truth , and don 't live in the Power of it . With a word to the Haters and Despisers of the Grace of God . A Prayer . An Alphabet of Two Lines . An Alphabet of One Line . Concerning Out-side Professors . A Call to Old and Young , to behold the Day of God , now dawned and broken forth . Concerning God and Christ bearing the Name of Light . And concerning the Glorious Day of Light . Concerning divine Love . An Exhortation to dwell in Love . Christ the true Light , Christ the Son of Gods Love . A Salutation of Love to J. C. &c. Concerning bearing the heavenly Image . Concerning a Righteous Mans Work , and a Wicked Mans Work ; to what each tendeth . A Complaint against New-England Professors . Concerning Persecution . Another Prayer . Concerning the Philosophers Stone . Concerning Covetousness . Concerning Pride , Avarice and Luxury . Concerning Temperance , Health and Happiness . Concerning the Cross of Christ . Concerning the Souls Travail . Concerning the breaking forth of the Word and Power of God . Concerning Gods powerful and glorious Presence . Concerning Maintenance for the Poor . Concerning the Vncertainty of Worldly Riches . A Lamentation and Warning for England . By the Author , B. A. To which is added , A Tripple-Plea , by T. C. And some Lines written by J. C.
The Introduction . BEfore that Light or Darkness did Appear , When th' Earth lay void , and all things now in 't were As nothing , then Iehovah , fashioned all ; By th' Word Created hee both great and small ; The Sun , Moon , Stars , and all i' th' Heavens be , The Day , the Night , the Dry Land , and the Sea ; The Lord Iehovah , hath all these things made , Yea , they were formed by the Word , He said . But when made God , the Heavens , Earth , and Light , 'T was i' th' beginning , as doth Moses write . By th' Word Beginning , we must understand , Not from Eternity , God made the Land , Or ought therein , but first of all , before Fishes did swim or Fowls i' th' Air soare , That is , before God did create the Whale , Which is the first of all things Animale , 'T wan't from Eternity the World was made , But then when time , its first beginning had . And why did Moses write , and thus declare To us , that these things i' th' beginning were ? First , to confute , or that we might not be Deceiv'd by those maintain its Eternitie ; For if that People seriously do mind To know the Truth , i' th' Scriptures they may find , That from Eternity , Eternal none Is , but Iehovah , who 's the Holy Oue , Although 't is so , that World to come , we say , Is without End ; yet this World goes away , And as some say , that what e're had beginning , As had this World , must also have an ending . Some do not stick , to say , A Generation Of men there were , before Adam's Creation , And that there was a World , before was he , If we them credit , and no further see , Or rather unto Moses Writings may Incline our Ears to hear what he doth say Concerning the Creation of Mankind : The first man , God created , ( as we find ) Was Adam , unto whom Dominion he Had given him , o're Birds , Beasts , and Fish i' th' Sea ; 'T was he to whom God brought the Fowls that fly , And Creeping things that on their Bellies lie ; The Cattel all , and Beasts both wild and tame Were brought to Adam that he might them name , By which , mayn't I there Sayings here disprove ; For was a World , then what did in it move ? Did Fowls o' th' Air , Fishes , and Beasts o' th' Field , Who gave them Names , and to whom did Trees yield Their Fruit ; God gave to Adam for to feed On every Tree and Herb that beareth Seed . Though Atheists dream , and Heathenish People fain Fabulous like , their Fancies would maintain ; Yet those themselves deem Christians , they ought not Open their Ears to hear , but rather shut And close their Ears , than hear the Tales of such Those things do broach , invalid Scripture much .
Concerning the Works of God . HOw doth the Sun and Moon , God's work declare ? The glittering Stars , which in the Heavens are ; The Hills , the Mountains , and the Valleys low , The Works of God , and his great Power do show : The Woods , the Trees , the Bushes , and the Bowers , The Herbs , the Grass , and all the Garden Flowers ; The Tender Plants , which from the Earth do spring , Praises to God from time to time do sing ; The rowling foaming Waves his Might do show , The Hard congealed Ice , and Milk-white Snow ; The Fountains , and the Meadows every one , The running Brooks , and clear Springs make him known : The Fowls o' th Air , the Birds in time of Spring Most sweet melodious Harmonies do sing . The roaring Lyon , and the Vnicorn , The firey Dragon , all God's Power adorn .
Disobedience the first Sin of the World . BEhold the subtil Serpent's Subtilness , Who to the Woman , thus made his Address , Saying unto Her , Hath God said unto thee , Thou shalt not eat o' th' Fruit on every Tree ? Then said the Woman , thus to him indeed , The Lord hath given unto us to feed On every Tree , save that i' th' midst doth stand , To which We may in no wise lift our Hand , Lest that We dye . The Serpent he said , No , Ye shall not dye at all ; But God doth know That when Ye eat Thereof , then Ye shall see , And like to Gods , ( knowing Good and Evil ) be . The Tree being good , and pleasant to the Eyes , A Tree to be desir'd to make one wise , She took the Fruit thereof , did eat , saying , Lo , Take this , O Husband . He did eat also , Their Eyes being open'd , knew they naked were , And to make Breeches , Fig-Leaves did prepare . Soon after this , the Voice of God They hear , Walking i' th' Garden , which made Them to fear .
The Serpent's Punishment . THe Serpent's punish'd three wayes , First , He of all Creatures most is curst ; Next , on His Belly goes , not feet ; And Last , the Dust o' th' Earth must eat .
The Woman's Punishment . IN Sorrow thy Conceptions are , In Sorrow Thou shalt Children bare ; To Man shall Thy desires be , Thy Husband shall rule over Thee .
The Man's Punishment . ADam , that did his Eve obey , And do the thing which God said Nay . The Ground was cursed for His Sin , Then Thorns and Thistles grow therein ; In Sorrow all his days must eat , With sweat o' th' Brows , his Bread , his Meat , Till to the Earth , thou go , thou Dust , For thereunto return , thou must .
Cain was the first Murderer about Religion . CAin was the first , we read of Till'd the Land , And Abel us'd oft by the Flock to stand ; And in process of time , Cain hap't to take O' th' Fruit o' th' Ground , an Offering for to make Unto the Lord ; and Abel brought also The Firstlings of the Flock , and Fat , to go To offer up to God , who did respect HIS Sacrifiee : But Cain's he did reject . Then Cain was Wrath , his Countenance soon chang'd , Thus said the Lord to Him , Why art thou strange ? If well thou dost , thou shalt accepted be ; If ill thou dost , Sin at thy Door doth lie . Soon after that , Cain talk'd with Abel , when They were i' th' Field , he slew his Brother , then Thus said the Lord to Cain , What hast done ? I , The voice o' th' Brothers Blood from th' Earth hear cry . But how hap't this ? or what 's the cause I pray , That Cain his Brother Abel , thus did slay ? 'T was Envy , for in that he did proceed To execute this Bloody treacherous deed , Because the Lord , the Sacrifice of Cain Rejected , and accepted his , was slain .
Cain's Punishment . WHat Punishment , to Cain was sent , And what Plague , fell upon Him , Curst was he , of God , to be For e're a Vagabon .
REmember thy Creator in the prime O' th' Youth , before the Evil dayes or time Come , when thou 'lt say , I take no Pleasure in The Years and Days that lately I have seen . Whilst Light o' th' Sun , o' th' Moon , o' th' Stars remain , Before the Clouds return , after the Rain ; That 's whilst thy Eyes lend to thy Body light , As doth the Sun by day , the Moon by night ; Or Cloud return after the Rain , ( that is ) Before stark Blindness , as a dark Cloud seize , Upon thine Eyes , when many a woful Tear , With Humors , have them washt from Year to Year , When the House-keepers , and the strong men all Shall bow themselves , and tremble like to fall . The Grinders cease , because they are but few , And those look out o' th' Windows , dark shall shew . The strong men are the Legs , as Pillars stands The keepers of the House , the Arms and Hands Which with the Paulsie waggel , shake and shiver The Legs , though Props , shall tremble , bow and quiver . And in the Street , the Door then shut shall be , When noise ( or sound ) o' th' Grindings low , and he At Voice o' th' little Bird shall rise , and all His singing Daughters , their attention fall ; That 's when thy Ears have past Musical season , And can't attend to hear , Deafness the reason . The Door without , that is the Mouth , so faint As can't be open'd , but by some constraint . The rising up at voice o' th' Bird , doth show Old Age is wakened , even with Cock-crow . When Men shall be afraid of that is high , And likewise in the Way , they fear espy ; That 's when they climb , Fear doth possess them , and They stumble likewise on the Plain they stand . When th' Almond Tree shall flourish , that ( I 'le show ) Is when thy Head , shall with white Fleeces grow . When the Grashoppers shall a burden be , That 's when thy Legs , gouty are , and crasie . When all Concupiscience from thee 's gone quite , That to thy Meat , thou hast small Appetite . Or e're the Silver Cord be loos'd , or slack't , Or Golden Bowle be broke , or Pitcher crack't ; Or Wheel at Cestern broke , that is , saith one , The nervous Pinacles to th' Vrine gone . The Silver Cord , the Back-Bone stretched out , And golden Bowle , the Heart , whence Life doth sprout . The Pitcher broke , at Fountain doth narrate , The heat o' th' Liver lost , the Stomachs fate .
THough Sin at first , on all , through Adam came ; Yet let not him , ( but Self ) bare all the blame . For as I heard , perhaps the thing was true ; A Rich Man , to a Poor Man , this did shew , Set him to work , who dig'd i' th' Ditch apace , Till sweat o' th' Brows did trickle down his Face ; Then tossing up the Earth with Shou'l or Spade , This Cry did utter , and these Words he said , O Adam ! Adam ! Adam ! And hard-by His Master walking , thus did hear him cry , And to him call'd ; Friend , why dost Adam blame ? O Sir ! ( said he ) I need not tell the same , 'T is full well known how I by Adam's fall , Not only I , but We his Off-spring all ; As he himself , with sweat o' th' Face i' th' Dust Must work , since he from Paradise was thrust . Had He not sin'd , we 'd not subjected bin , Think I to work i' th' Earth : But for his Sin God sent him forth to Till the Earth : He came From it , and to 't he must return again . Thou Adam blames ; but how if in his stead Thou wert , then thou wouldst do just as he did . For this observe , these Words I speak to thee , Cast down thy Spade , leave Work , and follow me . If my Command and Precept thou●lt obey , Two strokes of Work thou shalt not do all day ; But live at ease , and from thy Labour cease , Taking thy Rest in Safety and in Peace . If this my one Command thou keep , 't is small , Thou shalt not want for any thing , but all Thou canst desire , to thee I 'le freely give , And thou as 't were in Paradise shalt live . Thou at my Table shalt set down to Meat , And eke Diurnal of my Banquets eat Of Dishes rare , of every Mess but one , Which shall be cover'd , look not thereon ; I mean not that thou may not see th' out-side , But don't uncover't ; in thy place abide ; Lust not to know what 't is , but do refrain From touching it , if I thee entertain : Then if thou dost this one Command obey , And keep my Precept , thou shalt with me stay , Living at Ease , with Comfort , Joy and Pleasure , Rise when thou wilt , and lie down at thy pleasure . Touch not the Mess , the Dish uncover not , But let it stand alway clos'd up and shut . So whilst thou dost this my Command obey , Within my House thou may'st be sure to stay : But if my Precept thou do not observe , But disobey , and from my Counsel swerve , Then of my Dainties rare , thou mayst not feed , But from my House shalt be expel'd indeed . So , for some time , this Poor Man he remain'd Within the House , being bravely entertain'd ; For he had all his Heart could well desire , Food in due season ; when cold , a good Fire ; If weary , then a Bed , his Bones to rest : Surely ( thinks he ) now I am greatly blest ! But on a time , when he to Dinner went , Sate down at Table , none being there present . Then in his mind it secretly did spring , This is the time to see what 's in this thing : So up he starts , the Dish uncovers , then Out leaps a Mouse , away it runs ; and when He sees this Mess , no other Rarity had Forbidden Fruit , to take , doth make him sad . In comes his Master , who brought him to his House ; What now ! ( saith he ) Why sad ? Hast seen the Mouse ? Yea , ( quoth the Man ) I in the Dish did peep , And suddainly a Mouse there out did leap . So says his Lord , Now see , leave off for shame , No more blame Adam , Self's only to blame : When Adam sin'd , from Paradise he went : So hast thou now broke my Commandment , And from my House and Table thou must go , Because what in the Dish was , thou wouldst know . Couldst thou have been contented in thy place , Thou happy wert ; but now art in disgrace , And to thy Work i●th' Ground , with sweat o' th' Brow , Return again , thy Mind to digging bow ; And learn for time to come , content to be , When placed where thou mayst live so happily ; And learn for time to come , not Adam blame , But Self , Self do , Self have , 't is still the same . If this be so , although the case was sad , Yet 't was no more than his Desert he had .
TEach me , O Lord , thy Fear , which will begin Wisdom in me , and lead me from my Sin . Teach me , O Lord , thy Truth , and I thy Fame Will spread abroad , trusting in th' holy Name . Teach me , O Lord , of One Accord to be And of One mind , with Those that Trust in Thee . Teach me , O Lord , that I acquainted may Be with the Children of the Light and Day . Teach me , O Lord , by thine Admonishment , In all estates , fully to be Content . Teach me , O Lord , for to rehearse thy Acts , And let my Hands commit no Bloody Facts . Teach me , O Lord , according to thy Will , To ask in Faith , that thou my Heart may fill . Teach me , O Lord , my Wayes for to amend , And grant I may to Idols never bend . Teach me , O Lord , when Vain Thoughts do arise , I Christlan-like by Prayer them surprise . Teach me , O Lord , by thy Eternal Might Against thy Foes , couragiously to fight . Teach me , O Lord , that I may never Mock At Sin as Fools , nor be a Laughing-stock . Teach me , O Lord , Offences for to take ; Yea , ten times told , rather than once one make . Teach me , O Lord , as I desire of Thee To be forgiven , to Forgive Injurie . Teach me , O Lord , to slight all Earthly Toyes , And let my Heart be fixt on Heavenly Ioyes . Teach me , O Lord , a true account to give , Even of my Stewardship whilst that I live . Teach me , O Lord , that I my Sins to thee May all confess , and by Christ be set free . Teach me , O Lord , by Divine Inspiration , To sound thy Praise , amidst a Crooked Nation . Teach me , O Lord , that what in Hand I take , With Wisdom I accomplishment may make . Teach me , O Lord , Ambitious Pride to shun , That nought may be Mis-thought , Mis-said , Mis-done .
Some Breathings of Love , which truly do move Vnto such , that do Wisdom desire , Declaring the Way , in which Wisdom may Be found of those , for her enquire . WHo seeks for Wisdom , and would Virtue find ? A secret Treasure , and a quiet Mind , A fruitful City , and a pleasant Hill , Whose glorious Prospect Sharon's Rose doth fill , Dropping down Virtues Distillations sweet , Cooling the Sons of Zions ardent heat , Whose strong Desires , as lively Sparks aspire Still upwards , as doth naturally the Fire . It s Scituation towards the East doth stand , ( Or rising of the Sun its Soil or Land ; It s F●rtile Pleasant , Amiable and Faire , Which B●shans Oaks , and Lebanon's Cedars bare , With all the stately Trees o th Forrest , and The choicest Garden - Spices , in this Land Do grow , as Myrrh , Spikn●rd and Cinamon ; With Trees of Mence , Calamus and Saffron . A goodly Place 't is , pleasant to the Eyes , A Place to be desir'd , where dwell the Mise , And Prudent Minds , who value Vertue more Than precious Stones , or Gold within the Ore ; Because compar'd unto Her , all things are But Dross and Dung . A Spotless Virgin faire , In whose Right-hand is Time , with length of Dayes , Her Left-hand Honour , Riches ; all her Wayes Are Paths of perfect Peace , and Pleasantness With her's great Treasure ; Joy She doth possess : A Crown Immortal on her Head , she wears , Deckt with bright Diamonds , like to glittering Stars . Her Tyer is rich , her Necklace of pure Gold ; Her Bracelets fill'd , with precious Pearls ne'er told , For number , numberless , innumerable , Unto all Vertuous Minds most delectable . This is that Queen of Wisdom , who her finds , A greater Treasure hath , than all Earth's Mines Of Gold and Silver : For shee 'l guide thy Way From Darkness gross , unto Light 's perfect Day . Who doth her seek , assuredly may find Her in the Closet of an Humble Mind , In which she dwells , darting her Beams of Light Into the Heart , that she discover might , The crooked Paths , and sinful Wayes , wherein The simple Soul , a Captive long hath bin , To free the Soul , that if it will , it may Refuse Night Darkness , and embrace Light 's Day . O! then come all , who Wisdom doth desire , And thus , as once I did , for her enquire , Who sought not long for her ; but she reveal'd Her dwelling in my Heart had been conceal'd . To Wisdom I my Mind will bend , And Understanding she will send To me ; for on her I 'le depend , And she alone shall be my Joy . I 'le seek for her , and she will be A Guide , delightful unto me , Walking i' th Paths of Equitie ; With her alone will I rejoyce . Where e're I do her Works espye , They are delightful to mine Eye , For she 's of Assiduity . With those that on her do depend . She 's better than the Silver fine , And Richer than the Golden Mine ; As bright as Sol himself doth shine : With her dwells Immortality . I 'le prize her more , than Gold most pure , And on her , would be fixed sure ; For she 's a Rock that will endure , And conversant with Elohim . She 's Comly , Beautiful and Faire ; All precious Pearls , cannot compare , To her a Tree of Life so rare , And she alone will I exalt . THus seeking Wisdom , Wisdom as a Light Within my Heart , appear'd most glorious bright . Like to the splendor of the glorious Sun , Expelling Clouds , and causing Mists to run Like scorched Scrowls , and vanish quite away , That Truth and Righteousness might now display Its self , and put forth Fruits o' th' heavenly Vine , Against the which the Esaubites combine : But let them know , their Combinations are To Samson's strength , no better than a Hair . The Stone cut out of the Mountain without Hands , Must now increase , and greatly fill our Lands , Assuredly , on whom this Stone doth fall , It s ponderous weight , to Powder grind them shall . But they are happy : Fall upon this Stone Whose Hearts are broke , with true Contrition , They shall be mollified with holy Oyle , And by the Lamb's Blood , cleans'd from Filth and Soyle , That they as Virgins pure , array'd in White , Prepar'd may be , to walk in Wisdom's Light , Which shineth in their Hearts , who It obey , Even more and more , unto the perfect Day . Yea , Wisdom cryes without , her Voice i' th' Street She utters loud , the Simple for to meet . And turn them from that Way , to Death doth lead , Wherein , like to Post , they haste with speed , Calling amongst the press of all desiring , And thronged croud of Thoughts , that We retiring May seek for Wisdom : O! ye Fools , saith she , Why will ye dye ? Return , return to me , That I my Mind may pour out to yon , and May give you Knowledge , for to understand Dark Words , and prudent Sayings of the Wise With Parables , in Wisdom to surmise . And recreate your selves , with Solace sweet , That to embrace her in your Hearts you meet ; Then keep her , and to you she 'l be a Guide , Receive her in your Hearts , and she 'l abide , And to your Souls , with Knowledge bring delight , And cause you through her Counsel walk upright . O! seek her early , while she may be found ; She oft Instruction , with Reproof doth sound , To those her seeks , that they may understand The Fear of God , is the Beginning , and First Gate of Entrance , to that City where None but the Sons of Vertue do appear , Who sought for Wisdom , more then Gold refin'd , And till they found her , could not rest in mind , But rove from Hills , to barren Mountains , where Like scattered Sheep , amongst the Wolves they were Grievously bitten , pritcht and torn with Thorns , Yea , often push● with Bashan's Bulls Brass-Horns , Till almost tyr'd , yet at last did appear ; Where think you ? even in their Hearts , most near The proper Habitation of her Rest , That those who seek , may of her be possest . Who so doth find her , hold her fast , be sure , For she 's a Rock , that will for e're endure ; A hiding Place , a Covert , and strong Tower , Whereto the Righteous run , God's Arm of Power , His Word , by which all things created were , That in the Heavens , Earth , Sea and Land are . A Queen ; before the Depths , with Honour crown'd , And Virgin fair , for Beauty most renown'd . He that approach into her presence will , Must Self-deny , Self-mortifie and kill , And enter with the patient Crown of Job , And she will cloath thee with a princely Robe . Wouldst thou her blessed Company enjoy , Then bid adue , to all Lusts base annoy . If thou desirest to have her for thy Friend , With Peace towards all , what may be , thy Mind bend : For where is Peace , there Wisdom may be found ; But where is Strife , can any thing be sound ? She is a Virgin of more purer Eyes , Than to behold Sin 's base Deformities . She is a precious Pearl , and valued high : Come , who can part with all , thou may her buy . Stay , I 'm not bought with Money ; nay ( saith she ) Come , buy ; come buy without Price ; I am free ; Come , buy ye Milk and Honey , is My Call ; Come , buy without Price , 't is free for you all : Why spend you Labour , for that is not Food , And Strength for that which will not do you good ? Awake , awake , 't is high time , ope' your Eyes , Obey Christ's Voice , let Wisdom's Light arise Within your Hearts , that checks for Evil ; and Be sure Obedience yield to Its Command , That as a Sword and Hammer , by great Power It may smite down , and as a Fire devour The Stubble ; for I know the Lord demands The Fruits of Righteousness at all your hands , You great Professors , that long time have been Talking of Righteousness , but found in Sin . And you who to God's Light and Truth confess , Have felt its Virtue , yet do not posses It in you : I a word of Exhortation Unto you give , make you the Application . Consider , First , why God discovers Sin . ( The strait Gate ) and broad Way the World walks in , Vain Customs , Pride , Hypocrisie , Deceit . ( Truth , Righteousness and sound Words , these more meet Are your Profession to accompany , Yea , perfect Fruits of true Christianity ) As those , who in the Life of Christ do dwell , Experimentally to you can tell . Are not these things thus laid before your Eyes , That you the best may chuse , the worst despise ? And now , a word to you that hate the Light , And to Gods gracious Spirit do despite , ‛ Counting that an Unholy thing , and Low , A Natural Light , which doth to all men show Their secret Sins ; a Common Grace , whereby There 's no Salvation : thus you villifie Christs precious Blood , that on the Cross was shed For your Redemption , who through sins are dead , Counting Gods only Son , our Prince and King , The Lamb , Christ Jesus , an Unholy thing ; Despising Gods Free Grace and tender Love , That in your Hearts from time to time hath strove , Calling that Natural Light and Common Grace , Which gives true Knowledge of God in the Face Of Jesus Christ , Gods Covenant of Light Unto the Gentiles , and his Arm of Might , By which , Salvation he doth work for all , To th' ends o' th' Earth , that on his Name do call . But Lord ! who hath this our Report receiv'd ? And who hath in thy Christ , the Light believ'd ? And to whom is thy powerful Arm made bare , And Out-stretched Hand , by which all Nations are Invited and allured by thy Love , To taste o' th' Bread of Life , comes from above , And drink abundantly ; for now Christ says , He that believes in Me , though dead , I 'le raise : I am the Resurrection , Life and Light , Believe in me to Day , before the Night Of Darkness nigh , o're spread your Land , wherein That Light once shin'd , which manifested Sin , And secretly reprov'd , when none was nigh , The Evil to discover or discry . This was Gods Love , and is his Grace to all , Which ne'er consents to Evil , but doth call From Sin to God , from Darkness to Light clear , Breaks down Partition Walls , and so draws near To God and Christ , by Love's strong tying Band , Against the which , the Gates of Hell can't stand . Its Strength 's so great , it Armies over-powers ; Its Scent more sweet than Garden spiced Bowers ; Its Nature such , makes stoney Hearts to bleed , Forgives its Foes , its Enemies doth feed ; Seeks not Revenge , but puts up Injuries , Forgives and covers Faults , and so discryes Its heavenly pure divine immortal Birth , From that below , born and brought forth i' th' Earth ,
ARise , O Lord , in this the mighty Day Of thy great Power , and richly do display Thy glorious Light and Truth abroad this Land , That all , both Old and Young , may understand The Riches of thy matchless conquering Love , Thou God of Glory ! who dost dwell above , To whom , on well tun'd Instruments let 's sing Praises and Honour : Glory to our King , Who Rules in Power on Earth , and Reigns o're Hell , And in the highest glorious Heaven doth dwell . A Princely Tribe all Wisdom's Children are , Deckt with a Crown Immortal which they wear .
A Precious Light in all Hearts doth arise , Take heed thereto , be sure , all who be wise . BElieve in Christ the Light , who checks for Evil , God's mighty Power in all to slay the Devil . CAnst thou , O man ! complain for want of Power ? When God's Love , Light and Free Grace , every hour DOth in thy Heart for Truth and Justice call , That thou mayst be redeemed from the Fall . EXamin well thy Heart , and thou mayst see God's Love , Light and Free Grace is great to thee . FOr oftentimes a Light , thou can't deny , Within thine Heart doth Wickedness discry . GReat is Its Power , for this I right-well know , Could Satan with Hell-Gates It overthrow , HE would by no means suffer That to be , Makes known his dark Deceit so perfectlie . INnto that Light then , let thy Mind return , Which as consuming Fire all Dross will burn . KEep low in It , and It will purge thee so , Thou shalt appear more White than driven Snow . LIke one of Sion's Sons in Righteousness , Whose Robes are Grace and Truth , a comly Dress . MInd , mind that Light , all who desire to be Freed from the Bondage of Iniquitie . NO other Power but Christ , Gods Sons of Love , Can from the Bondage of Corruption move . O! That mens Eyes were open'd to behold Gods Light and Love , more worth than finest Gold . PRepare your Hearts , this Tydings to receive , Great Joy and Gladness to all those believe . QUake , Quake , ye Stout , before this Light to stand , Which is the Thunders of Gods great Command . RAise up your Forts , and let your Trench be cast , Call all your strong , prepare to War , make haste ; SEt up your Standard , and your Ensign show , Sound Babel's Alarm , and her Trumpet blow . THis is the Day the Lord of Host will be A King in Zion , and set Israel free . UNto the Lord , ye Lambs of Light , sing Praise , Now and forever , bless his Name always . WO to the stout and lofty Cedars tall , Who hate the Light , and slight Gods Mercies all . YOu stubborn hearted Ones , who still persist To smite the Harmless with a bloody Fist , ZEalously will the Lord in flames of Fire Render you Vengeance in his dreadful Ire .
ADAM by Sin brought Death o're all Mankind , B ut Christ is come , to quicken Soul or Mind CAIN did his Righteous Brother Abel slay ; D estruction comes on all , walk in his Way . E VE , she the subtll Serpent s Voice obey'd , F orbidden Fruit did eat , so was betray'd . G OD curst the Serpent , Dust must be his Meat , H e on the same all dayes on 's Life must eat . J OSEPH was by his Brethren sold away , K indred unkind , their Brother thus betray : L ittle they dream'd , when it they did effect , M ight come the time , to Io. they must subject . N o other Project would these Men content , O nly poor Ioseph from them must be sent , P osted away into dark Aegypt's Land , Q uite from his Country , yet in this , God's Hand R ight well is seen . Poor Joseph he became S o great in Aegypt as to rule the same T his was his Portion , he the Lord did fear , U nto Temptation would not yield , nor hear : W hat did his Mistris unto him propose , Y ou see deny'd the same , and would not close , Z ealously bent 'gainst Sin , did her oppose .
To Out-side Professors . YOu great Professors , who possessors are Of earthly Riches , but of heavenly bare ; Why do Ye thus for Husks and Shels contend , Figures and Shadows , which must have an end ?
To Rich , to Poor , to Old , to Young , to all I sound Alarm , and with loud Voice call , Awake , awake , rouse up , ye Slugs arise , Shake off the Dust , with Eye-salve 'noint your Eyes , That you this great and glorious Day so nigh Approaching , yea , now Dawned may espy , In which Gods Promises fulfilled are , Of which the holy Prophets did declare How that i' th' latter Dayes the Lord would be A God to Iacob , his Captivitie . Return , and eke Jerusal'ms Walls rebuild ( I' th' Cituation of a pleasant Field ) And that Mount Zion's holy Hill should be Above all Hills exalted in Glorie , To which the Nations round about should flow , And many People say , Come let us go Unto the Mountain of the house o' th' Lord , That he may teach us , and with one accord We in his Wayes may walk . From Zion shall The Law proceed , and Gods Word unto all Within the New - Jerusalem plain be heard , That he may Reverenc'd be , obey'd and fear'd , Who shall judge Nations : many he rebukes , And makes them beat Spears into Pruning-Hooks , And Swords to Plow-Shares ; Nations shall not learn To War , nor lift up Hand to fight again . The time draws near , these things fulfilled must be , And happy are they that these things shall see . For Christ is come , mens Lives not to destroy , But them to Save ; and this is cause of Joy : He is not come to Kill men , but give Life , And free from that which is the cause of Strife , That men may live in Vnity and Peace , And Amity ; and Wars and Blood-shed cease .
A Time of Darkness o're this Land has bin , So thick , so dark , so gross because of Sin , That many People Truth will not receive , That God is Light , nor in his Son believe ; Although the Scriptures amply do declare , That God and Christ the Name of Light do bare . And first concerning God , who all things made By his eternal powerful Word , He said , Let it be so , and so it came to pass , That all in Heaven , and Earth created was . This God is Light , and in the Light doth dwell , As doth the holy Scriptures plainly tell : In many places you may plainly find , Who read the Scriptures with an humble Mind , And that his Son our Christ , who is the Lamb , Is call'd the Light , who from God's Bosom came To lead Man up to God out of the Fall , In which through Sin we are concluded all ; And so through Sin , in Death and Darkness be , Till by the Light of Christ we are set free , Who came to lead , all those that him obey , Out of the Night , into the perfect Day . O blessed Day ! O glorious Day of Light , Which conquers Darkness , and expels the Night . Blest be time in which thy Day-Star bright , And Morning redness of Eternal Light , Our Hearts did visit , and by splendant Rayes Reveal the Glory of these latter Dayes , In which the Lord of Host , our God most-high , According to his Promise , doth draw nigh Unto his People , and their King will be , And by his powerful out-stretch'd Arm set free . His Sons and Daughters , who long Captives were Under oppressing Pharoah , and did beare The heavy Yokes , oppressing Burdens , and Increasing Talks of black dark Egypt's Land .
Of Divine Love . WHat shall I say of Love , the chiefest Good ? 'T is Bread of Life , the Soul 's Coelestial Food ; The blessed Mansion of Eternity , The Residence , and Dwelling of the high And lofty One , the New-Ierus'lem bright , Fill'd with that glorious Splendor and great Light , Which doth the seven-fold Light o' th' Sun transcend , Which Light transparent , never shall have end . O depth of Love , and boundless Ocean wide ! Under the shadow of thy Wings us hide , And keep us , Lord , in perfect Rest and Peace , Shower down thy Mercies , make all Discords cease ; Reveal thy Light , thy glorious Truth make known , And by thy conquering Love bind all in one , That in a Oneness all may sing amain , Iehovah-King , on Earth , in us doth Reign .
An Exhortation to dwell in Love . DWell Friends in Love , and then no Strife will be ; Nay , nor Contention , but a Unitie : For Love in all things doth for Oneness call , Thinking no Evil , but pure good to all ; Yea , Love is God , and God is Love and Light , Fulness of Pleasure , Joy and great Delight ; Dwell ye therein , and ye shall witness , Friends , Such sweet Enjoyments can't be writ by Pens : For since the Lord in mercy hath made known This Dispensation of his Love , and shown To me its Vertue , and choice Nature pure , To ye with boldness , this I dare assure , That Love 's the highest Dispensation , yea , That ever hath , or will dispensed be .
Christ the true Light . Christ the Son of God's Love . DWell in the Light , and there true Love will be ; Dwell in true Love , and great Light ye shall see ; For in the Light , there true Love doth abound , And in the Love , there true Light may be found : For Light and Love , though they seem two by Name , Yet one , in Substance , and in truth the same .
DEar Friend J. C. with true unfeigned Love I thee salute , which in my Heart doth move Towards thee , and all our tender Friends most dear , Whose Minds are staid on God , in his pure fear . Feel me , dear Friend , a Member joyntly knit To all , in Christ , in heavenly Places sit ; And here to Friends no Stranger would I be , Though they my Face , as outward , ne're did see . For truly Friend , I dearly love and own All travelling Souls , who truly sigh and groan For the Adoption , which sets free from Sin . And works Redemption , from that state wherein The Prince o' th' Power of Darkness long did reign : But blest be God the time 's at hand , a Chain In utter Darkness must his Portion be , There to be bound , and never more set free .
O! all the Riches that are here below , Pomp , State and Glory , man esteemeth so : What is It all ? if I It once compare Unto a Child , that doth Gods Image bare , But Dross and Dung , yea , filthy Dirt and Mire , To purest Gold refined in the Fire . How can I then but dearly love and own Those precious Members , which are Bone of Bone , And prize their presence , and enjoyment more Than Butts of Wine , and Oyl , and Barns of Store .
THe man that lives in Sin , walks in the Night , And spends his dayes in Darkness , not in Light . A righteous man his Works to Life do tend , But wicked men their Minds to Strife do bend . Avoid the Ways of Satan , they 're not right , But traoe the Steps o' th' Just , which Shine as Light . Comfort the Comfortless in time of need ; Distribute to the Poor , and Hungry feed .
A Complaint against New-England Professors . O Sad ! New-England , I have heard strange News concerning Thee ; Why didst Thou thus abuse Gods Children dear , Male and Female ? Surely Their Blood Thou Slew , and Hang'd , aloud doth cry Unto the Lord , who will avenge the same Upon Thy Head , ( A Record to thy shame ) A shameful thing indeed ! what shall I say ? You are the stock of Cain ; this was his way . Your cruel Works , Your hardned Hearts make known Your Babel great , must to the Earth be thrown ; Your boastings high , like Caparnaum tall ▪ Must all come down ; your Pride shall have a fall . You that so cruel and merciless were ; The Vengeance of Almighty God must bear .
Concerning Persecution . SInce Abel's time unto this present day There is an Evil that hath born great sway , An Evil Great , A Horrid and Black Sin , Call'd Persecution : All that walk therein , What e're they say , profess or do pretend , By Persecution People to amend ; Yet none of them could ever make appear Co-ercive Means was a good Course to stere ; It ne're did Mend , but rather always Mar ; Who e're harpt on that ftring still made a Iar ; IT is a hateful , foul , destructive thing : To King nor People , It ne're good can bring : The Work and Fruit thereof , as many write , Nought else produceth , but a Hypocrite . I think it strange , why some should pleasure take , And Toil themselves , but Hypocrites to make . It is work that Marks all in it are , With Mark and Badge of Satan , which they weare , The Mark o' th' Flesh , and Birth that 's from below , A Badge with which all Persecutors go . For as it was , so still it is , I say , The Fleshly Birth the Spirits Birth would slay . Nothing more certain is , the Mark and Seat O' th' wicked Whore , than Persecution great : Nothing the mark of the false Church more plain , Than Reformation per force to maintain . Nothing more plain is writ in Letters Red Than Antichrist , where they mens Blood do shed About Religion , and Religions things ; This is a truth ; Conviction with it brings , To all that sober , serious , moderate are , It is an Argument great weight will beare ; For Christ commanded , that the Wheat and Care Should grow together till the Harvest were . The Tares to be pluckt up he gave no leave , Lest that thereby the Wheat should hurt receive . He also told to his Disciples all , When that from Heaven they would Fire call , They did not know nor understand aright What spirit they were of ; for his delight Was , Mens Lives for to save , and not to kill ; For this end did he come , to do Gods will . He also said , when that you Cursed are , Then you should Bless ; when Persecuted , bear It patiently , and Pray for Enemies , Do Good to those that hate you ; none despise , Because they are not now just as you are : The time may come , they may Gods Image bear , Though now Adverse , Idolatrous and Vain , The time may come , they Mercy may obtain . If now their Way be False , Erroneous , and Not Right , in time , they Truth may understand . The best way then , is still to let them live , And let your Light so shine , as it may give A better Understanding , that they may Receive the Truth , and walk in the Right Way : After this manner Christ his Scholars taught ; And those ' teach otherwise , their Doctrine's naught , They ne'er did learn it of the Light , the Lamb. For Persecution from the Devil came ; 'T is he that sets men to this Work , and they Shall of him have their Wages and their Pay . Therefore let none , that this bad Work attend Expect Good Wages in their latter end . Their Work is bad , and their Reward will be Gnashing of Teeth to all Eternitie . Thus much concerning Persecution here , A thing from which all Christians should keep clear .
LOrd God Eternal ! by thy mighty Power Preserve , I pray thee , in the approaching hour , Thy Lambs , thy Babes , thy little Ones , yea , all Who in Thee trust , and on thy Name do call . Support them ( Lord ) by thine Out-stretched Hand , And give them boldness valinntly to stand True Witnesses for thee , thy Truth and Light , And bear their Testimony ( in despite Of Wicked Men , who wilfully oppose That saving Light , their deeds of Darkness shows ) 'Gainst their false Worships and Idolatry , Which holds the Seed in sore Captivity , That so the Righteous Seed o're all may rise To praise thy holy Name , thou only Wise , To whom be Glory , Honour and Renown , Who only worthy art to wear the Crown .
Concerning the Philosophers Stone . BLest is that man can want and can abound , And rest Content in all states , he hath found That precious Pearl , much hidden and unknown , Which may be term'd the Philosophers Stone ; For it turns all to Good , the chiefest Gold . What-e'er it haps on , either Heat or Cold , Sun-shine or Rain , Riches or Poverty , Stripes or Reproaches , all things well comply ; And with this Stone so joyntly mix and change , Its course most swift , throughout the World doth range , And by its sublime Vertue still convert All things to Riches and great Joy of Heart . Press forwards , Chymists , and this Stone attain ; For 't is the Sumnum Bonum , and the main Point of Religion and Divinity . Thus in Gods hand in true Content to lie , And at the ordering of his mighty Power , With true submissiveness , even every hour , In still and quiet Resignation stand To his disposing Providential hand .
Concerning Covetousness . THere is a Sin too much liv'd in , It many Cloakes doth wear . These Cloakes much us'd and much abus'd , Are almost grown Threed bare . The Rich Men yet these Cloakes will get , And wear them frequently , As if so be no one could see What under them doth lie . Alas ! Alas ! these Cloakes may pass Avarice to cover , Yet all won't do , to tell them true , Though wrapt over and over . This Sin which hath so many Cloakes , Is named Covetousness ; Here ye may see Idolatry In some great things profess , Although this sin so much liv'd in Be meer Idolatry ; Say what one will , they 'l live in 't still , 'T is Truth , none can deny .
Concerning Pride , Avarice and Luxury . PRide , Avarice and Luxury , these three Are Evils great , avoided for to be , By all who Christ profess , and bare his Name ; His Life and Doctrine did condemn the same : Pride was the Evil , which did first prevail Mis'ry ( on all , through Adam ) to entail . Pride and Self-love desires to grow so great , Persues , and craves to know what is not meet ; And when obtain'd , it works a strange exchange , Drives out from Paradise , on Earth to range . So Pride before Destruction goes , and all That are of Haughty minds must have a fall . Proud man God did resist , and doth so still , But doth the Humble teach to do his Will. His Will then done , Man does enjoy Gods Peace , Rests in his Sabbath , and from Sin doth cease . Avarice is an Evil great indeed , Because from it all Evils do proceed . A Root of Mischief , 't is Idolatry , A Sin from which we all should swiftly fly . But having touch'd on this great Sin before , The less need say , and so now pass it o're . Luxury next is that of which I write , An Evil great to indulge th' Appetite . 'T is an Excess of Pleafure and Self-ease , With Christian moderation ne're agrees . To say , What shall we eat , or drink , or weare , It was the Gentiles for those things took care . But Christ to his Disciples thus did say , Take ye not thought ; he shew'd another way . First seek Gods Kingdom , and his Righteousness , All other things the Lord will add and bless , By which those that Luxuriously did feed , And drink excessive , are reprov'd indeed . Indeed the same severe Reproof doth merit ; For those it use , strange Mischiefs shall inherit , Not only to their Bodies and Estates , But on their Souls brings burdens and great weights , Impareth Health , it shortens Life , and still Unfits the mind to do Gods holy Will. And those in Luxury and Self-ease dwell , Forget God , so must be turn'd into Hell . There 's One thing more , to you I now may name , Apparels , first ordained to hide mans shame . And why of these should man be proud , I pray ? And for what reason should they be so gay ? Since the first Coat , which Adam wore , was spun By Sin , a Threed and Work hath all undone . Why then should Man use so much Cost and Care , His Lapse to show , thus trim the Badge to wear , As if to all he meets , he would impart His Innocency lost , and Pride of 's Heart . Well , this I say , Pride , Avarice and all Luxurious ways , sprung up through Adam's Fall ; And as Man comes to be Restor'd again By Christ , these Sins are mortifi'd and slain . But those live in such Evils and Excess , Be no good Christians , what e're they profess .
TEMPERANCE is a Vertue choice and rare , ( This Age ) these Trees are scarce , such Fruit doth bear . This is an Age , Intemperance and Sin Too much in Fashion is , too much liv'd in ; An Age so strange , in which some strangely deem , None can be Loyal , Temperance esteem . Temperance seems as banish'd from our Land , While Healths and Huzza's in repute do stand . Temperance yet good Men will highly prize , It always was much valu'd by the Wise , Because it leads in Ways , preserveth Health , Ought more to be prefer'd than earthly Pelf : The Contrary , great Ill Convenience brings ; Most of Diseases from Intemperance springs . Extreams . Excess in Meat and Drink , anoy , They hurt the Mind , and Body do destroy . Therefore the best Advice that I can give , Is Abstinence , not too much to receive . More are destroy'd by Superfluity , And dye , than those through Want and Penury . Besides , the Sin is great , men can't enjoy Gods Mercies and his Blessings , but destroy And spend the Creatures on their sinful Lust , Offending God , provoking of the Just , To bring their Heads down low unto the Dust . IF Health and Happiness thou wilt obtain , From Costly Food , Rich Dainties then refrain . If Health and Happiness thou highly prise , Not many Dishes use , Two may suffise ; For many sorts of Food not well agrees , Hinders Digestion and breeds Crudities . The first Concoction then , if not made well . The next can't mend it , as Physitians tell . The meaner Food and simple Diet plain , The Bodies health most bravely doth maintain . An Healthful Body and a Quiet Mind Amongst the Epicures , who can them find ! What Health , or Strength , or Peace , or Quietness Can those enjoy , live daily in Excess ? If happiness in Health a man may find , Surely much happiness in clean Mind . A Man whose Mind is Holy , Humble , Pure , A Treasure hath that alwayes will endure . God gives his Creatures unto Man to use , But Gods good Creatures many do abuse . And on their sinful Lusts do spend the same , Him they dishonour and blaspheme his Name .
Concerning the Cross of Christ . THe Cross of Christ , the Power of God , The Enmity doth slay , And bring the Soul from Death to Life , From Darkness to Lights Day . The Cross of Christ , the Power of God , O're Hell Gates doth prevail ; Whoever in the same doth trust , To help , it ne're doth fail . The Cross of Christ , the Power of God , To Iews a Stumbling-Block , Unto Believers precious is Elect , their only Rock . The Cross of Christ , the Power of God , To Greecians Foolishness : They after earthly Wisdom seek , But Folly do posses . He that doth not take up Christs Cross , And bear it willingly , Cannot be Christs Disciple , till Hunself he doth deny . The Cross of Christ preserves from Sin , And all who with it dwell Are ransomed from Death and the Grave , And all the Powers of Hell . True Christians love the Cross of Christ , And highly prize the same ; They greatly do rejoyce therein To suffer for Christs Name .
Concerning the Soul's Travait after the Knowledge of the Right Way . THere was a time in days by past , When in my tender Years I greatly cry'd unto the Lord , To free me from my Fears . My Fears , and Doubts , and Questionings , Which greatly did attend , Lest that I should miss of that Way Leads to an happy End . That Way in which the Lord alone , To serve , I might be sure , That Way in which he 's worshipped , By such whose hearts are pure , Who do the Face of God behold , And see his Glory great ; This was the thing I more long'd for , Then for my natural Meat . Then as I cry'd , and sought the Lord The Right Way for to know , The Lord was pleas'd in his due time The same to me to show . But whilst among the Watch-men of The Night I did enquire The Way , and my Beloved seek , Whom my Soul did desire , I could not find the Way , nor yet See my Belovod dear , Till past blind Guides and Watch-men of The Night I was got clear . One cry'd lo here , and one lo there ; One that 's the Way , one this ; So I still here was in great fear , Lest Right Way I should miss . For all their Sounds Vncertain were , Their Trumpets did not blow , So as to give a certain Sound , And Right Way for to show . For all their Sounds , and Cryes and Calls Were unto things without , Wherein no Certainty was found For to resolve my doubt : Then I remembr'd Christ foretold , When some lo here shall say , And some lo there , then go not forth After them in their Way . For Heavens Kingdom is within , And who the Way will find , Which unto Rest and Peace doth lead , Turn Inward must his mind . For what is to be known of God Within is manifest ; And till the Mind be Inward turn'd , None finds the way to Rest . For till unto the Light within , And gift of Gods Grace free , The Mind and Heart of man be turn'd The Right Way , he cannot see Therefore the great concern of all , Who after God doth seek , And long to know his Way and Truth , Is to be low and meek . For those who Meek and Humble are , The Lord will teach his Ways , And raise them up by his great Power , For to shew forth his Praise , And as the Lord in mercy did To me his Truth reveal , So I will publish loud the same , And not the Truth conceal . Because I know the living God Would all the Truth should know , And none perish for want thereof , Nor to Destruction go . For God that did all Nations make Of one Blood , for to dwell Upon the face of the whole Earth , Wills None should go to Hell . He made not man to be destroy'd , But for a better end , Namely , to serve and worship him , And on him to depend . The purpose of Almighty God , Was man might glorifie , And honour his Creator great , To all Eternity . And not live unto himself , Nor Satan serve in Sin , With Lust o' th' flesh or Lust o' th' eye , Nor Pride of Life live in . For Such things they are not of God , But of the wicked World ; And all that from them ben't Redeem'd Must into th' Pit be hurl'd . Now to the end that all Mankind Might answer Gods designe , He his good Spirit freely gives , And those to it incline Their Ears , and hearken what it saith , And do the same obey , Be sure therein they cannot Err , Nor miss Gods Perfect Way . The Way of Light the Way wherein The just men all did go , The Way of Life , the Way of Truth , The right Way all do know , Who walk therein , it is the Way That leads to Peace and Rest , The Just Mans Path , a shining Light , All walk therein are blest . This is the Path Avel trod in , And Abraham also ; Our Fathers Isaat and Iacob In this same way did go . It is a way the Vulters Eye Can't see ; no Ravenous Beast Can tread or set a foot therein ; Nay , nor no Hireling Priest . It is a way for Ransom'd Ones From the Earth are Redeem'd ; Those walk therein are lov'd of God , Though by men dis-esteem'd . Blest be the time in which this way And day Light did appear , Which leads to God out of all Sin , And frees from slavish Fear . And frees from Wrath and Vengeance sore , For Evil Deeds is due ; Which is the Portion o' th' Vnjust , The Scriptures plainly shew . Blest be the time in which this way And Truth and Light did shine To th' satisfaction of my Soul , That for the same did pine . I hungred after Bread of Life , And ●●●●ited for Drink sore , That Bread and Drink , which who receive , Ne're hunger nor thirst more . That is to say , for other Food , Or other Drink , but still They daily pray unto the Lord , Thereof to have their fill , For they that hunger , and do thirst For Righteousness most pure , Are blest of God , and shall receive Mercies that will endure . And now the goodness of the Lord , In making known his Way , And gathering out of the by-paths , Where many go astray . And feeding of my hungry Soul With Bread , and Peace , and Rest , Doth me constrain still to declare , His Name forever blest , Who has done more for my poor Soul , Then I could ask or think . 'T is said in times of Ignorance , ( By past ) the Lord did wink ; But now the Lord to all men calls , Repentance for to make , And from their sinful ways return , Or else go into th' Lake . 'T is not he that Lord , Lord , shall say , But he that doth Gods Will , And through great Tribulations goes , Shall stand on Zions Hill , With Harps in hands , singing aloud , Praises to God most High . Such they love not their Lives to Death , But for the Truth can dye . And those that can dye for the Truth , And sor Truth lose their All , They are the Sons of the most High , And have obey'd his Call . They are a chosen People , and A Generation pure , A Royal Priesthood unto God , That shall for aye endure .
Concerning the breaking forth of the Word and Power of God . WHen God appeared in his Power , In his great Love and Light , And to the Sons of men made bare His glorious Arm of Might : When by his Word he brake their Hearts , Which hardned were by Sin , And clear'd their Understandings dark , By Light shining within . Then did they feel and see and know , And understand aright , That all the works which they had wrought Were but toiling i' th' Night , Though they did read , and pray , and preach , And frequently attend Duties and Exercise ( so call'd ) From Weeks end to Weeks end . Yet being err'd in mind from that Which is the ground , wherein All Sacrifice accepted is , Which from the same doth spring ; To wit , the Spirit of the Lord , And gift of his free Grace , Without the which none can approach To God , nor see his Face . What e're such said , or thought , or did , It sinful was and vain , Their Offerings did no more please God , Than if a Dog were slain . And when by Light , and Truth , and Grace , These things were understood , Then from Self-acting they did cease , For that could do no good . And into Silence they were brought On God alone to wait , That in that Way they now might go , Which Narrow is , and Straight . And in those pleasant Rivers swim , Where no Galley with Oars , Nor gallent Ship can pass thereby I' th' Channel , nor near Shores . Where Self no Reputation hath , But Man's Will must be slain , And all the Clory of proud flesh Into the Dust be lain , Where all Flesh must be silenced , And Death not dare to speak ; No Woman in Transgression here , Nor Man i' th' Fall so weak , But only they whose Hearts the Lord Prepares , whose Tongues also The Lord hath touch't with a live Coal , None else his Praise can show . And till the Lord doth touch their Hearts , And open their Mouthes wide , In pure Retiredness they wait , In silence they abide . And when in silence they do wait , And on the Lord attend , To do what he commandeth them , And go where he doth send . They do not Speak until they feel His Word which is a Fire , Within their Breast to burn , as they To him their Minds retire . Some then offended are hereat , When they thus on God wait , And say , no Profit can be known In such a Silent state . What benefit can be ( say some ) When none do Preach nor Pray , But Dumb and Silent do remain , It may be all the Day ? Thus they , who call their Tongues their own , Too much can Prate and Talk , And gird themselves , do as they list , And where they please will walk . But such as know the Lord to gird , And lead them in that Way , In which they would not go , when they Formerly went astray . They dare not Speak their own words then , Their Tongues are not their own ; That Member so unruly was , A Taming time has known . Then as the work of God is wrought Upon the Heart within , And Tongue is tam'd , by that great Power Which frees the Soul from Sin : Such they can open wide their Mouthes Gods Works for to declare , And what they meet with for the same Inabled are to bear . For they are past the Fear of man , The Lord alone they fear , And preach the Gospel 〈◊〉 , that all The 〈◊〉 thereof may hear . Inst ant in Season they are found , And out of Season too , Alway in readiness the Will And Work of God to do . And if by some they are for bid Thus to Preach in Christs Name , More bold , and more couragiously They do declare the Same . The more the Truth opposed is , The more the Truth doth thrive , Like Camemile , the more opprest , The more it doth revive . Truth may be blam'd , cannot be shamed ; Truth stronger is than all , And all that dwell therein shall stand , When Babylon shall fall . Mistery Babylon the great , Mother of Harlots , she , Like to a Mill-stone shall be thrown , And cast into the Sea .
Concerning Gods Powerful and Glorious Presence . THe Presence of the Living God , And working of his Power , Doth rend the Rocks , and scatter Clouds , His Name is a strong Tower , To which the Righteous fly apace , And there in safety dwell ; It also precious Oyntment is , The Virgins wise can tell . The Presence of the Living God Is comfortable , and Great Pleasures are forever more , Enjoy'd at his Right-hand : In his pure Presence there is Life , And Peace , and Joy , and Rest , And those that do not know the Same , What they enjoy , e'nt blest . The Hills flow down , the Mountains move , The Earth doth reell and shake At the great Presence of the Lord , Who all the World did make , Therefore the Presence of the Lord , From it where can man fly ? If he descend into the Deep , Or mount up to the Sky ; Or do the Wings o' th' Morning take , And to the Earth's end go , The Presence of the Lord is there , Man's Thoughts to him to show . The Lord , the mighty God of Hosts , For so is call'd his Name , Who did the Mountains form , the Winds Create , and all things frame . The Upright in his Presence dwell , And thanks to him do give , For Mercies that from time to time , From him they do receive . But those that walk in sinful ways , And in Uncleanness dwell , Shall from the Presence of the Lord Be driven into Hell .
Concerning Maintenance for the Poor . IN antient days , as we may read In Deutronomy plain , The Lord ordained ways and means , The Poor for to maintain . Yea , he took care , and gave strict charge , The Poor Reliev'd might be . As also in Leviticus , We may both read and see ; And in the Book of Samuell , God made both Rich and Poor ; He lifteth up and bringeth low , Let all his Power adore . The Persons of the Princes great Accepteth not the Lord , Nor more regards the Rich than Poor , He made both by his Word . The Rich , who do the Poor despise , And Needy Ones disdain , The time will come , that all their Wealth Can't free them from their Pain , The expectation of the Poor Shall perish not , nor fail , Though Wicked men them persecute , And in Pride , them assail . The Proud lay wait to catch the Poor , Their Eyes are priv'ly set ; The Needy they seek to ensnare , And take them in their Net . But they are blest who do the Poor In their Distress consider , And help the Needy in their straits , Their Leaf shall not soon wither . The Lord will certainly maintain The just Right of the Poor , The Cause of the afflicted Ones , For-a ye and evermore . Although his Neighbours hate the Poor , And Brethren him despise , Much Food is in his tillage , and A Blessing on it lies . Whoever do the Poor Oppress , And to them are unkind , They do dishonour God , them made , I' th' Scripture we so find . We also read , that man is blest Hath a Bountiful Eye , Because his Bread unto the Poor He gives , when they do cry . The Churle doth ill devices make For to destroy the Poor ; And them to slay with Lying words , That they may rise no more . The Person Vile no more shall be A Liveral man esteem'd , Nor yet the Churle thought Bountiful , It must not so be deem'd . The Poor who walk in Uprightness , And in Gods fear do dwell , Are better than the Rich , Perverse , Whose ways lead down to Hell . He that unto the Poor doth give , Sha'nt lack in time of need ; But he that hides his Eyes shall have Many a Curse indeed . Doth not the God of Heaven and Earth The Poor of this world chuse ? Doth not the Lord reject the Rich , No kindness to them shews ? The Rich and Poor together meet , The Lord them both did make , And though the Rich regard them not , God for them care will take .
Concerning the Vncertainty of Worldly Riches . AS doth the Eagle soar aloft , And towards the Heavens fly , So Riches to themselves make Wings , Gone from us by and by . No Certainty nor Confidence A man can in them have : His precious Soul they can't Redeem , Nor Ransom from the Grave . Those that them eagerly persue , And to grow Rich make haste , Do oft into great Michiefs fall , And Heritage lay waste . Therefore 't is good , content to be With what the Lord doth give , And whether thou be Rich or Poor , Still in Gods Fear to live . Mans Happiness and Life don't stand In his Abundance great ; Therefore let all contented be , Not wanting Clothes and Meat . For who so to Content is come , A Creasure hath before That man whose Barnes are fill'd and throng'd , So full they 'l hold no more . The Cares and Riches of this World , The good Seed oft doth choak ; When some grow Rich , then they grow High And so casts off Christ's Yoak . Therefore said Christ , How hard it is For those have Riches store Into Gods Kingdom for to go ; More easie for the Poor . How sorrowful it made th' Young Man , Christ said , lack'd One thing more , Which was , to Sell all that he had , And give 't unto the Poor , And thou in Heaven Rich shalt be , And come and follow me : But having great Possessions here , How sorrowful was he ! More easie for a Camel 't is A Needles Eye go through , Than for a rich man , as saith Christ , Gods Kingdom get into . The Widdows Mites , which she cast in , The Creasury was more , Than all the rest , what they cast in Of their abundant store .
A Lamentation and Warning for England . OH , England ! England ! surely now Thy case is very sad , When many in thy Borders are So wicked grown , and bad . That at good men they make a Scoff , At Purity deride , Disdain the name of Holiness , Exalted in their Pride . Contemn the Worship of the Lord In Spirit and in Truth ; This is a state to be lament , In old men and in Youth . Because of Oathes the Land doth Mourn , Swearing is grown so great , Daming and Sinking may be heard Too frequent in the Street . Cursings , Plague-rot and God-confound So commonly are used , With Gluttony and Drunkenness , Gods Mercies are abused . Moreover and besides all this , Wicked Informers are By some too much encouraged , Christs flock to rend and tear . Their Goods to Spoil , Houses Rifle , And them in Prison cast , And go on still to work that ill , Will Ruin bring at last . But if these things encourag'd be , And no stop put thereto , The End will but Destruction bring , And Nation quite undo . For certainly the God of Truth , That doth in Heaven dwell , His great Displeasure will make known , For such things , I fore-tell . But though to thee , I tell the same , Yet some will not regard , But still will Mock at Warnings fair , Their Hearts are grown so hard . E're long the time will come , in which A Reckoning God will make , With them that do his People wrong , And from them their Goods take . 'T is not for Evil they have done , But only and alone For worshipping and serving him , Who is the Holy One . Yea , certainly the thing is strange , Did you the like e're hear , If one do either Preach or Pray , He Fined is severe ? And if one neither Preach nor Pray , But with Gods People meet , Although in Silence they remain , In Meeting-House or Street . Then this is deem'd a Crime so great , Some say , they won't it bear ; And threaten , if they stand i' th' Street , A Riot they will swear . They chuse not in the Street to stand , But forced by Constraint Out of their hired Houses , then To meet i' th' Streets are faint . In Peace and Quietness they stand , Upon the Lord to wait , That so their Strength renew'd may be , And bettered in their state . For this they know , their Duty is , Assembled for to be , And wait upon and Worship God In true Sinceritie . And God , the Searcher of all Hearts , He their Intent doth know , That for no other end they Meet , And to Assemblies go . They are a People principl'd , Their Practice has made known , No wrong to do , nor seek revenge , Good Will towards all they 've shown . Their Principle and Practice is , Superiors to Obey , And do those things which they require , Wherein God don't say Nay . But if it happen to fall out , Some things they have enjoyn'd , The Lord contrary-wise requires , I' th' Scriptures ye do find . It better is , God to Obey , Than subiect be to Man ; To This all good Men do agree , Let rest say what they can . Their Meetings are Religious , and Most Peaceable and Quiet , And yet some Vile Ungodly Men , Swears thus meeting , a Riot . Where nothing Riotous appears In Words , Deeds , nor Intent , And yet they 'l boldly swear the same , So wickedly they 're bent . But certainly the time 's at hand , God will his Children dear , That serve him uprightly in Truth , From all false Charges clear . And they that wrongfully accuse , And hate them without cause , Shall bear his Righteous Judgment fierce , And Rigour of his Laws . Who Rigorous to his Lambs have been , Severe beyond all Reason , Conspirators against the Lamb , And guilty of High-Treason . They at his Bar of Justice then Arraigned all shall be , And sentence from the Judge receive For their Iniquitie . Depart from me , ye Workers of Iniquity and Sin Unto the place prepar'd of old , Tophet 't is call'd , wherein The Worm ne're dyes , and Fire burns Exceeding hot and fierce ; A flame of Brimstone kindleth it , Where Piles of Wood's not scarce . In Everlasting Torments , they Their Teeth shall gnash with Pain : In Chains of Darkness they 'l be bound , Not to be free'd again . Therefore to those that persecute The Righteous and the Just , I say , Repent , before God say , Depart from me , ye Curst ; For if Repentauce ye don t know , And from these Evils cease , Then into Thraldom must you go , Ne're more to have release . And what you have to good Men done , And that without just cause , The same to you , shall measur●d be , By those contemn your Laws . Oh! that my Native Country-men , And Subjects of this Realm , To Moderation might incline , And those set at the Helm , The Cry of the Oppressed , and The Case of all the Poor Would hear , and those in Goals now lie , To Freedom would restore : And grant to all the Israelites Free leave to serve the Lord , And go to New-Ierusal'm , to Praise him with one accord . Then Blessings from above will come Upon this Nation great : The Nations round about shall all Not only hear , but see 't . When Truth and Righteousness prevails , Iustice and Iudgment to , The want of which , where-e're it be , That Nation will undo . Where Iudges for Rewards do judge , More then the Case o' th' Poor , The Righteous Judge of Heav'n and Earth Will judge with Vengeance sore . Where Priests that preach are Hirelings found , And tear the Wool from Sheep , They Shepherds are , void of Gods fear , Not fit his his flock to keep . And God , whose Eye goes to and fro , And all things doth behold , His Controversie with them 's great , As Prophets said of old . That Light is come , and now doth shine , False Teachers doth discover , And It must break forth more and more , And spread all Nations over , For to discover Babylon , And all her Merchants great , That so the Whore may reign no more , But come down from her Seat . She long has sate and reign'd as Queen , No Sorrow she would see , But now the time 's at hand , in which Will come her Destinie . She long the Blood of Saints hath drunk , 'Cause from Truth they 'd not turn . But now the Kings shall hate the Whore , Her flesh with Fire burn . B. A.
A Tripple Plea . Law , Physick and Divinitie , Were at a jarr , could not agree , To prove their Right , which of all three Should have Superioritie . The Law pleads , It preserves Mens Lands , And keeps their Goods from Ravenous Hands , Therefore of Right challengeth he To have Superioritie . Physick prescribes Receipts for Health ; Which men prefer before their Wealth , Therefore of Right challengeth he To have Superioritie . Then steps up the Priest demure , That of mens Souls takes Care and Cure , Therefore of Right challengeth he To have Superioritie . LEt Judges judge this Tripple-Plea , Then Lawyers shall bear all the Sway. Let Empiricks their Verdict give , Physitians most of all shall thrive . Let Bishops be Judge in this case , Then Priests shall have the highest place . Let Honest , Sober , Wise Men judge , Then all these three away may trudge . For let men live in Peace and Love , The Lawyers Tricks they need not prove . Let men forbear Excess and Riot , They need not live by Physicks Diet. Let men attend what God doth Teach , They need not care what Priest doth Preach . But if men Fools and Knaves will be , They shall be Ass-rid of all Three . T. C.
THe Day of God doth now draw nigh , From which the Wicked fain would fly , Which Day discovers all their Deeds , And plainly shews they are but Weeds , And fit for nothing but the Fire , And to be burned in Gods Ire , Who now will throughly purge his Floore , And save the Wheat for evermore . Christ is the Door , he is the Way , Where all should walk , where none can stray ; Turn in thy mind without delay , That thou mayst joy in Gods pure Day . To God Most-high , Antient of Dayes , My Soul aloud doth sound forth Praise ; This is the thirsting of my Heart , That God his Love would more impart . My Soul doth magnifie the God of Light , For my Redemption great out of the Night ; Blessing and Praise to him for evermore , Who hath inricht me with his heavenly store , And gave me Entrance in by Christ the Door , To dwell with him now , and for evermore . Glory and Praise be unto God , I say , Who brought me from the Night into the Day . HOw fresh and green Things are in time of Spring ? How sweetly then the Turtle Dove doth Sing ? A heavenly Song of Praises pure I hear , The time of my Redemption now draws near , Praises pure , Praises unto God forever , Who by his Word my Soul from Sin doth sever , And fit the same , to enjoy endless Life , By perfect Freedom from all Iars and Strife , To live in Peace , and in a joyful state , With Christ , my Head , my Portion , and my Mate . Now I no longer in the World may dwell , To me to live therein , seems like to Hell . The Course of the whole World , which lies in Sin , Too much therein I heretofore have bin , But now my Life it stands in God most pure , And here , O Lord , let me for a'ye indure . And when that Satan did draw out my Mind , I oft did in me hear a Voice behind , Which said to me , keep to the Good within , For by It thou mayst be preserv'd from Sin : Keep to its Teachings , and mark the effect , For by Its Power , All Sin thou mayst reject ; Of this thou need in no wise for to doubt , For by Its Power the Devils are cast out , And that State known , that 's always pure and clean , Wherein no Spot nor Wrinkle can be seen ; And here the Soul may now for a'ye Rejoyce , And Praise the Lord with a pure holy Voice . The Lord hath often knocked in my Breast , That my Immortal Soul might have its Rest , And be Redeem'd from all that hath opprest , To have my Life in Freedom , which is best . And so know Death through Life destroyed quite , And Mortal cloathed with Immortal Light . THe Day of God most holy is and pure , Which Day and Light the Sinner can't endure ; He hates the Light appearing in his Heart , Because the coming of it is his smart ; For as an Oven , it will fiercely burn All that is bad , and to Truth will not turn ; Yea , all that is in Man , it now will try , And all that is Impure must surely dye , And be consum'd , as with a burning Fire , And be destroyed in Gods dreadful Ire ; So only that which can the Fire endure Shall stand , and so come forth holy and pure And shall be crowned with a Crown of Life , Prepared as a Bride , and the Lamb's Wife . Therefore ye Sinners hear , lest that ye dye , The Voice of Christ , Gods Son , with him comply , Who is the Saviour great , and kiss him straite , And to him bow , before it be too late , And take his Counsel ; for I plainly tell , Those that reject the same , go down to Hell . Therefore with speed , come turn your Minds within , Obey that Voice which doth reprove for Sin , And say , This is the Way , come walk in it , That you with me upon my Throne may sit : Go not therefore in Ways and Works of Evil , No longer live in Sin , and serve the Devil ; But follow me in those Ways that are Pure , For dark and sinfnl Ways I can't endure ; My Soul in all respects doth loathe the same , Those walk therein , dishonour Gods pure Name : My Counsel heed , and do not run before , Incline not to the Spirit of the Whore , Her Cup of Wine , is Fornication great , Vials of Wrath shall come upon her Seat . THe Lord doth feed his Flock and give them Rest In pleasant Pastures , where they richly feast , And drink of Shiloes Brooks that run so clear , For they only , the living God do fear ; They hear his Voice , and do his Will aright , In Holy things their Souls have great delight . But this unto the Sinner seemeth strange , Whose great delight in Darkness is to range And rove about , and from the good to raven , Walking in sinful Ways , yet hope for Heaven . 'T is a false Hope , the Hope o' th' Hypocrite , It leads not out of Darkness into Light ; Therefore that Hope , I say , trust to no more , But come to Christ within , the Hope , the Door ; Come from that place where Satan has his station , Enter the Kingdom through great Tribulation ; For all that will live godly in Christ , they Shall meet with Persecution in their Way ; But God preserves the Humble and the Meek , The Proud and Persecutors Head he 'l break . Therefore thy Neck subject unto Christ's Yoke , Fear not , thy Bands , though strong , shall all be broke . His Yoke is easie , Burden light , and shall Give to thee Rest , and bring out of the Fall , Into that Way , which narrow is and straite ; Bow to his Yoke before it be too late . J. C.
THE END .

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