The females legacy containing, divine poems, on several choice subjects : commended to all godly women / written by Mrs. Amey Hayward ...

THE FEMALES Legacy ,

I. A Meditation on Adam in Paradice , and Fallen . 1 THE Scripture doth declare to us , the Mercy , Love , and Grace , That God from all Eternity upon mankind did place . 2 Adam he made a little lower than Angels in degree , And also gave to him a power , with great Felicity . 3 All Creatures in the spacious World , of him did stand in fear , And Adam had witn them no trouble , for he was void of care . 4 All living Substance in the world , this Princely Man did see , And whatsoever that he would , their Names must called be . 5 And when the Lord did Adam place in Paradice upright , Oh then the Devil he did rage , with all his wrath and spight . 6 And then he did purpose to have him Captive at his Will , And for to make of him his Slave , did try his Hellish Skill . 7 At length into his wicked Claws he got this famous Creature , And made him for to break the Laws of his own Precious maker . 8 And when that he had broke the Law of his most blessed Guide , Oh then he soon did run away , and from the Lord did hide : 9 Unto the Fig-leaves he did go , to shroud himself withall , Though he did hear the Voice of God , within the Garden call . 10 And when the mighty God did see , that man was quite undone , Immediately he did reveal the Covenant with his Son . 11 My Son , he shall my Justice ' swa●● , which burneth doth so hot Against poor , wretched , fallen man , his Sin shall be forgot . 12 Most willingly did Christ comply , in room of man to stand , And so would fully satisfy what Justice should demand . 13 Give Glory to this gracious God , praise ye his Name on high , Which did not leave poor , fallen Man , in Hell and Misery .

II . A Dialogue between Moses , an Awakened Sinner , and JESUS CHRIST . Sinner . 1 OH that I could by Faith m●●●t up on high , And on that splendid City fix mine Eye , Where my Creator sits in Glory bright , In presence of his Saints with great delight ! 2 But while I wander in this Wilderness , Surrounded here with Trouble , more or less , And sinful Natu●● doth me so surprize , I cannot ●●ep saith up in Exercise . 3 Sometimes whe●● 〈◇〉 ●o the Throne of Grace , The Lord doth seem from me to hide his Face , Then I am dead , and dead returns again , Which fills my Soul with Horror , Grief and Pain . 4 Likewise , my Heart it hath a Door , I find , That lets in evil Thoughts into my mind ; Which makes my tim'rous Soul for to lament , And fills me here with Wo and Discontent . 5 In-born Corruptions are in me most rife , With me those Enemies they are at strife , Moreover in this Wilderness doth go , My furious Enemy , and potent Foe . 6 He runs , and goes and hurries , night and day , To hunt , and take my Soul , to make 't his prey , And , Lyon-like , he after me doth follow , And frights me with the Eccho of his Hollow . 7 O which way shall I go ? where shall I run , That so I may this fiery Dragon shun ? For if he doth but catch me in his Paws , He then will me devour with his Jaws . 8 If that I could a Counsellor but find , For to impart to him my troub●●● mind , And if he in good Counsel have but Skill , I will it take , let it be what it will . 9 Perhaps he may a way for me find out , To ease me of my Trouble , Fear , and Doubt . I know that Moses is both grave and wise , I 'll go to him , and hear what he 'll advise : 10 But if I should my grief to him impart , And he do no way ease me of my Smart , I fear I shall go with a troubled Heart , Until I do this mortal life depart . 11 Moses I come , with weeping Tears to thee , Hoping some Comfort thou wilt give to me ; And that thou wilt unto me now declare , Which way I shall escape this Hunter's Snare . Moses . 12 Come cease thy sad complaint , and mournful Tears , And do not so possess thy Soul with fears , I 'll tell thee where thou may'st some comfort find , If thou unto good Counsel art inclin'd . 13 Here is a Mountain in this Wilderness , Where thou might'st go thy self for to refresh , And there may hide from thy great Enemies , That over thee they may not Tyranize . 14 't is call'd mount Sinai , where the Law was given , If wholly kept , 't will carry Souls to Heaven Keep thou this Law , 't will save thee from all evil , 't will keep thee from the World , the Flesh and Divel . Sinner . 15 I pray tell me what is Contain'd therein , That I with speed to keep it may begin , For here I have but little time to stay , Therefore I would make progress in my way ; 16 For I unto this Law a Stranger am , Therefore to me do thou relate the same ; I may it keep before my Life doth end , And I will count thee for my dearest Friend . 17. For I am weary of this Wilderness , And fain would blessed Canaan's Land possess , This Wilderness is full of Pits and Bryers , And often here my weary Soul it tires . Moses . I. Command . 18 There is but One True , living GOD you know , And that the Scripture plainly doth it show , And thou must have no other gods but He , Therefore beware of his Omnisciency . II . Command . 19 Unto thy self no graven Image make , Lest that the Lord he do thee quite forsake ; For if this way thou dost him once provoke , His Jealousie against thee hot will smoke . 20 If unto any thing he likened be , 't will be beneath his glorious Effency , Therefore do thou beware of such a thing , For it will thee into Perdition bring . III . Command . 21 God's sacred Name thou must not take in vain , Beware of that , lest guilty thou remain , Nor speak of it without due Reverence , But thou must strive God's Name for to advance . IV . Command . 22 The Sabbath-day thou must keep Holy too , And thou in it no manner of work must do ; No evil Thought must enter in thy Heart , For then thou doss the Sabbath-day pervert : 23 Nor in thy House no Fire thou must make , For then thou dost the holy Sabbath break ; And in breaking one thou art guilty of the whole , Which will bring Reprobation on thy Soul . V. Command . 24 Thy Parents thou must Honour and Obey , The Lord's Command expresly doth it say , Lest he doth cut thee down from off the Earth , And make thee like to an untimely Birth . VI . Command . 25 Thou must not Kill , that is a Crying Sin , And on thy Soul God's Vengeance it wil bring ; For Vengeance will pursue the bloody Man , And find him out , do all that e'er he can . VII . Command . 26 Adultery also , thou must not commit , Lest God another day Judge thee for it , Nor in thy Heart must not conceive a Lust , For after Death thou then to Judgment must . VIII . Command . 27 Thou must not Steal , nor from thy Neighbor take , Lest that thou dost thy guilty Conscience make , When on thy Death-bed then aloud to cry , For Stealing to relieve thy Poverty . IX . Command . 28 Against thy Neighbour no false Witness bear , For then the Devil has thee in his Snare . And if thou dost long time continue there , Thy Soul will filled be with dismal fear . X. Command 29 None of thy Neighbors Goods thou must not covet Nor in thy Heart desire nothing of it ; Because 't is counted for Idolatry , And God doth see with his Omniscient Eye . 30 Thy Covetous Heart , and thy Desires too , And at the last will fill thy Soul with Woe , 'Cause thou hast made an Idol unto thee , Which is forbid , as plainly thou may'st see . 31 Another thing I do declare to thee , In Genesis the third , as thou may'st see : Thy first Parents did Eat Forbidden-fruit ; And that 's the cause thy bonds are put in Suit . 32 When Adam broke God's possitive command ; A perfect Man no longer could he stand ; For the Ten Precepts he did break withall , Which makes thee guilty of the breach of all . 33 That possitive Command which Adam broke Has laid upon thee this most heavy Stroke : This is a Debt the Law will on thee lay , And thou this Debt must to a Farthing pay . 34 And if thou hast not wherewith to defend , The Law will quickly thee to Prison send Unless that thou a surety does get , To rescue thee , and pay thy dang'rous Debt . Sinner . 35 Thou for this honour'd counsel I do thank ; But it hath brought me to the very brink Of deep Dispair , 'cause it I cannot take , Though I did such a solemn Promise make . 36 If I do break but one of God's commands , Then of the rest thou say'st I guilty stands ; And I became a Debter to them all When as I did in my first Parents fall . 37 I thought but for the Ten I was a Debter , But now I see and understand it better : Upon my Score I owe full for Eleven , And this great debt will keep me out of Heaven . 38 't was Eve and Adam brought Sin-Original , When they that great command did break and Fall That makes me stand a naked criminal , Nothing but Fig-leagues me to cloath withal . 39 It was for Fruit of the Forbidden-Tree , And that great debt imputed is to me ; But I am Poor , this debt I cannot pay , Therefore I must Sequest without delay . Moses . 40 Hold , do not think this way thy self to flatter , Sequestring will not serve in this great matter , Thou must a Surety get out of Hand , To pay this debt and cancil thy black bond . 41 A bare Confession , Soul ! will never do , It will but bring upon thee greater woe ; For thou dost owe a very grievous debt , Therefore thy self do not befool nor cheat . Sinner . 42 Ah where 's the Surety will undertake For me a Bond-Slave , Free again to make ; The Fame of such a thing so Loud will Thunder , That it will be the Universe's wonder . 43 Alas , and woe is me , I do lament : Oh , whether shall I go my grief to vent : I for my debt was troubled long before ; But now I am afflicted ten times more . 44 Canst thou no other way for me find out , To ease me of my trouble , fear , and doubt : If there 's no other way my debts to pay , I fear that I must in a Prison lye . Moses . 45 There is no other way that I can see Whereby thou must from Prison be set free , Unless thou hast a worthy Surety To Stop the Law and Justice satisfy . Sinner . 46 Dear Counsellor , I humbly of thee crave , Tell me where I this Surety may have , That I may hasten to him speedily , And in a loathsome Prison may not lye . Moses . 47 There is a Prince of Fame and Royal blood Which takes delight always in doing good : He is the highest that was ever Born , And yet thy Poverty he will not scorn , Sinner . 48 If I unto this Royal Prince should go , I have no Present on him to bestow : The very truth unto thee I do show , It is with me so very poor and low . Had I a noble Present in my Hand , I could the bolder then before him stand . Moses . 49 Mention this thing no more but take good heed , For of a Present he has got no need ; And they that bring it he will not come near ; They do but cast themselves into a Snare . 50 The Heavens and the Earth are all his own , And he beholden can be unto none : He will except no Present thou canst bring , Unless it be a broken Heart for Sin . 51 Then get a contrite Heart I thee advise ; For such a Present he will not despise : He matters not whether they be high or low ; The Jew , the Greek , the Barbarian also . 52 He kindly doth receive it of all Men And Women too , which brings it unto him ; The Rich , the Poor , the Halt , the Blind , and Lame , That ever to him with this Present came . 53 The Learned and the Unlearned beside ; He never did this Present yet deride ; The Noble , and Ignoble , Bond , and Free ; The King , and Begger is alike to He . 54 He is a mighty Prince of high Renown , And worthy is to wear the greatest Crown ; He is a glorious One , of noble Birth ; And thou a broken Potsherd of the Earth . 55 Go now with speed , and lay thy self down low , And unto him thy sad condition show ; For he a Surety will be compleat , To all that come and lye low at his Feet . Sinner . 56 He 's all divine , I nothing of it doubt ; But where shall I go for to find him out : If I did know where he doth keep his Court , I unto him am willing to resort . Moses . 57 He keeps his Court in new Jerusalem ; If thou art willing to resort to him , Go often to the Foot-stool of his Grace , And there , by Faith , thou may'st behold his Face 58 Upon his Mercy-seat thou may'st him see ; For there he always doth delight to be ; And both his hands are full of Pardons free ; Run now with speed , he holds one forth to thee .

The Heavy-laden Sinner making its address from the Law , to Jesus . Gal. 3.24 . Wherefore the Law was our School-master to bring us unto Christ . 59 My Lord and King , on me some pitty take , And do this thing for thy great Mercy's sake : Forgive the Punishment due unto me , And save me from eternal Misery . 60 I do confess I am a Sinner vile , And I do not deserve of thee one smile : Therefore I humbly lye down at thy Feet , And there to Perish , if thou think'st it meet . CHRIST . 61 Whence cometh this most sad and grievous cry ? Sinner . From one which now Lord , at thy Feet doth lye . A Heavy-laden Sinner , full of grief , Which now is come to thee for some relief . CHRIST . 62 Poor wretched Soul , who sent thee unto me That thou dost thus implore my Majesty . Sinner . 63 Moses , a faithful Servant , Lord , of thine , And first he sent me to the Law divine ; But when he did my sad condition know , He said the Law would me no favour show . CHRIST . 64 What , would the Law no comfort yield to thee ; Nor give a clear discharge and set thee free ? Sinner . 65 No Lord , it is a holy righteous Law , Which makes all such as I am stand in awe : Therefore to go to it I do not dare , It wounds and drowns and drives me to dispair And I alas , can have no comfort there . CHRIST . 66 Come grieved Soul , which in dispair art droun'd , Oh , turn again , that is a Sin profund : Come unto me , and I will thee advise ; For I am nigh to hear poor Sinners cryes . 67 Look in God's word , and thou mayst clearly see I did a ransome dearly pay for thee : Thou art the purchase of my precious Blood , As thou may'st find in God's most holy Word . 68 My Father's Justice I did satisfy , When I upon the bloody Cross did die ; And all thy debt the Law doth now demand , When on the Cross I paid it out of hand . 69 Therefore , by Faith , do thou cleave fast to me For I am now , a Surety for thee ; And while thou art in this dark Wilderness , I will be unto thee a strong defence . 70 And when thy Enemies do strive to foil thee , I will be nigh , with Armour for to Shield the . Sinner . 71 Ah , happy News , I have a Surety ; But woe alas , here lyes my Misery , If I should wander out of the right way ; A guide I stand in need of every day . CHRIST . 72 God's Holy-Spirit , he will be thy guide ; Therefore do thou walk close up to his side : He Pen'd the Scripture to be thy director , And I my self will be thy great Protector . 73 The Holy-Spirit , and God's Holy Word ( For thy defence ) is like a two-edg'd Sword , Which will put thy great Enemies to flight , If thou hast but the Skill to use it right . 74 God doth afford his Armour great and strong , For unto Warr'ers it doth still belong ; Such Warr'ers that will fight against Hell's crew And keep the Battle always in pursue . 75 Such Warr'ers as doth often Face about To give their inborn Sin a total rout . Come put on God's strong Armour all compleat And then the Tyrant thou wilt quickly beat . 76 Thou must begirt about thy Loins with Truth A Girdle glorious to be worn in Youth : Thy Brest-plate must be of my Righteousness , Or else my Kingdom thou canst not Possess . 77 Thy Feet be'ng shod with Gosp●l preparation : Thou 'lt seek for Peace and tidings of Salvation Be sure to take the Shield of Faith also ; For through this howling Desert thou must go , 78 And if thou meet thy Enemy by and by , His fiery Darts at thee he will let fly ; But thrô the Shield of Faith they cannot enter ; They will return again unto the center . 79 The Helmet of Salvation thou must hold ; And with the Spirit's Sword thou must be bold ; Then fight and skirmish often with thy Sin , And never leave till thou the field dost win . 80 And do not vex me with thy cursed Sin , Since I for thee a Surety have been : Remember I from Prison thee reliev'd , And do not thou my Holy-Spirit grieve . 81 See in presumptious Sins thou dost not dwell , And think that all things now with thee is well , Because for thee I did the Law revoke , And kept thee from the heavy dreadful stroke 82 Of God's offended Justice which did rage Against thy Sin , and would with thee ingage . Sinner . 83 My Lord before thee here I trembling stand , I willing am to be at thy command : Oh Lord , if thou but Strength wilt give to me , Under thy Fanner I will fight for thee . 85 Against Presumption I will sto●t●y fight , And strive my inborn Sin to put to flight ; This I trust do by thy Almighty hand ; For I am weak , I can't the Battle stand . 85 Thou know'st , O Lord , I am but dust and clay , Therefore set thou the Battle in array , And weild thy Sword , and win the Field for me , And all the Glory I will give to thee . CHRIST : 86 Poor Sinner now thou art come unto me , I 'll tell in part what I have done for thee ; I and my Father made both Heav'n and Earth ; We gave all Living , Substance , Life , and Breath . 87 But some of the created Angels fell , And then my Father threw them down to Hell ; Then all Mankind fell in Rebellion too , And made themselves Heirs of eternal Woe . 88 Then I stept in , Mankind for to Reprieve , Even all such which in me shall believe ; The fallen Angels I did them pass by , And left them in Eternal misery . 89 But after this it was my Pleasure then That I would come and Live with sinful Men ; I came unto my own , my own refus'd me , And more then that they greatly did abuse me . 90 When I was Born , and of a Virgin pure , I did some hardship quickly then endure ; As soon as I was taken from the Womb , Was in a Manger laid , for want of Room . 91 This was the manner of my noble Birth , Although I was then Lord of all the Earth ; Then bloody Herod try'd his hellish Skill , In order to fulfil his bloody Will . 92 He sent forth Tyrants poor young Babes to slay , In hopes to shed my innocent blood that way ; But God their Tragedy did soon prevent , Me and my Mother into Egypt sent . 93 When I was grown in stature of a Man , I then did go up to Jerusalem To Preach my holy Gospel to the Jews , But they my holy Gospel did refuse . 94 I laboured among them Night and Day . And all to turn their Faces Sion way : I healed all the Sick , and all the Lame , And pitty'd all that ever to me came , 95 The meanest of them I did not deride ; But yet for all they could me not abide : I made the Dumb to speak , the Deaf to hear , The Blind to see , as plainly did appear : 96 Yet still they did revile me at their Will , And so took Counsel how they might me kill ; They hired Judas me for to betray , In hast to send me from the Earth away ; 97 And Thirty Silver Pieces they did give , Because that I no longer here should live ; Then Judas he betray'd me with a Kiss ; No treachery was ever like to this ! 98 But when the hour was come , as I had said , And not till then , I could not be betray'd , I bound was led unto the Judgment-hall , And then on me those Rebels they did fall . 99 Then unto Pontius Pilate I was brought , And there accused , but it was for nought ; Though I always was doing of them good , Yet still they long'd and thirsted for my blood , 100 When Pontius Pilate sought to set me free , Mine Enemies then they did all agree : Of Barrabas they would not be deny'd ; But as for me , I must be Crucify'd . 101 Though I no evil ever did to them ; But yet they cry'd away , away with him , It was their custom always at the Feast , A Prisoner should be to them releast . 102 They did desire Barrabas for them ; But as for me they said , away with him ; Then very fast they bound me with their bands And then they smote me with their cruel hands They spit upon my Face , and did not spare ; And from my Cheeks they palled off the hair . 103 My Body also sore they buffetted ; And with a Reed they smote me on the head ; Above all Men , my Visage it was mar'd , They did me crucify so cruel hard . 104 I was derided with their mocks and scorns ; And I was crowned with a Crown of Thorns ; Also they gave me Vinegar and Gall ; And made me wear a Purple Robe withal . 105 My Hands and Feet was nailed to a Tree ; A death which they appointed had for me : My tender Side they pierced with a Spear ; And then came forth both blood and water clear . 106 God's dreadful Cup of Justice I did drink ; 't was very bitter , yet I did not shrink ; I drank the dregs fill'd up unto the brim , Because thou should'st in endless pleasure swim . 107 The Cup of Justice was so very hot , It caused me to sweat a bloody Sweat ; Like drops of Blood falling down to the ground On no Man yet the like was ever found : 108 And when that I had overcome my smart , My Raiment then amongst them they did part ; The Soldiers they did likewise all agree , That they would cast Lots on my Vestery . 109 My Body from the Cross was taken dead And in a new Sepulchre buried , Where never Man was ever laid before ; Also a Seal was set upon the Door . 110 But when I had lain in the Grave three days , By my Almighty Power I did raise The self same Body which hung on the Tree ; Here be the Wounds the Jews then gave to me : I suffer'd all this grief and pain for thee , And yet thou art now welcome unto me . Sinner . 111 Oh boundless Love ! oh Love beyond degree My Lord and Saviour's Reconcil'd to me ! Ye blessed Angels , Heavens glorious Quire , Here is a Love for you all to admire . 112 Here is a Love , a matchless Love indeed ; Ye Saints on Earth , be all astonished ; For ther● is now no other Love but this Can bring your Souls to endless Happiness .

A Meditation composed into Verse , on the Song of Solomon , where Christ is setting forth the beauty of his Church , and the Church setting forth Christ's Excellency . Christ . 1 O Who is She that looketh forth so soon , Clear as the morning fairer than the moon ? It is my Spouse , my Sister and my Dove , And it is She on whom I set my Love . 2 My Dove , my Undefiled is alone ; She is her Mother 's choice , and only one ; For there is none that can with her compare , And I will take of her a tender care . 3 My Love come unto me now I invite ; For I in thee do take a great delight ; Thou art most White , and like the Chrystal fair , Thy Beauty I upon my heart do bear . 4 Thine Eyes compared is unto the dove , And for to look on them I dearly love , And ' specially when thou dost cast them up To look on me in a well-grounded hope . 5 Thy Cheeks are very comely for to see , L●ke rows of Jewels they appear to be : Thou art most comely too in each degree When thou by Faith dost look up unto me , 6 Thy Temple-locks are lovely to be seen : Thy comely Speech doth render thee a Queen ; When thou approchest humbly unto me , And by Repentance crave a pardon free . 7 Thy Lips are like a thred of Scarlet-silk ; Thy Neck like to a stately Tower built ; One Chain of thy white Neck has ravish't me ; For thou art fair , and hast no spot in thee . 8 Thy comely Eye doth overcome me so , It makes my Majesty to stoop so low As to place on thee my endeared Love , And I again will never it remove .

The Church setting forth Christ's Excellency . 9 My Well-beloved is the Prince of Peace , And I do long to see his comely Face ; He 's white and ruddy like the Diamond fair ; There is no beauty can with him compare . 10 His eyes are as the eyes of doves compleat ; His Cheeks are as a Bed of Spices sweet ; His Lips like Lillies dropping down sweet myrrh , No fragrant Flower can with it compare . 11 His Countenance it is as Lebanon , And excellent above the Sons of men : Oh all ye Daughters of Jerusalem , This is my Well beloved honour him . This is my Well-beloved , and my Friend , Ye Daughters see you do on him attend ; And he is cloathed in a glorious dress ; On him he has a Robe of Righteousness : 13 His Robe is white , and reacheth to the ground , And in his Robe his glory doth abound : See here 's a Jasper , and a Saphire clear , Most lovely it upon him doth appear . 14 A Chalcedony and an Emarald , It is a pleasant fight for to behold : See here 's a Sardius and a Chrysolite ; Enough to dazle all beholders sight . 15 Here is a Sardonix , and now look there , A Beril , and a Tophaz doth appear : Look here 's a Crysophrasus with the rest , Also the Jacinct , and the Amethist ; 16 Which makes me sick of love for my sweet Prince , And pained till I am removed hence ; For love I find it is as strong as Death , And Jealousie it burneth up my breath . 17 Oh set me as a Seal upon thy heart , And never let my love from thee depart : Ye Daughters of Jerusalem be kind , And if you do my well beloved find , I pray do you declare that it is I Am sick of Love for him , and like to die . 18 He is the sweetest Rose of Sharon's field ; Oh come and taste the sweetness he doth yield ! He is the Lilly of the Valley fair , Also he is the bright and morning Star .

A Meditation on the impotent Mans waiting at the Pool of Bethesda . John 5. 1 THere was a Pool once at Jerusalem Called ●ethesda by its proper name ; Also five P●r●●●es there was standing by Wherein the With'red , Blind , and Halt did lye ; 2 For the diseased People thither came , Because the Waters had so great a Fame ; But that which made the Waters for to heal , It was an Angel sent for to reveal 3 The Power of the great Physician high , When as the People at the Pool did lye ; For at a certain time an Angel did Come down , and so the Water troubled 4 Then whosoever slept into the Pool , Was cured and perfectly made whole : A certain man with an Infirmity Thirty eight years , did at Bethesda lye , 5 Waiting the moving of the Waters then , And he long 〈◇〉 had there a waiting been : Our blessed Sa●iour thither did draw nigh , And on the poor Impotent cast his Eye . 6 But the impotent man did not espy It was the great Physician standing by : When Jesus saw him lye , and knew that he Long time had been in great extremity ; 7 He said to him wilt thou be now made whole , Because he did his misery condole : The poor Impotent answered him , Sir ! I have no Friend ( when as the Waters stir ) 8 Will lend a hand and help to put me in , Though I long time have here a waiting been ; But while I coming am down to the Pool , Another steppeth in , and is made whole . 9 Our blessed Lord said to the man , arise , Take up thy Bed before beholders eyes ; The man he was immediately made whole ; None could the great Physician then controul .

The Author's Reflection . 10 This is an Emblem of my Misery , Here I a poor impotent one doth lye , Waiting the moving of the Waters clear , I mean the Spirit of my Saviour dear . 11 My Soul , which is the chiefest part of me , Both withered and dry appea●● to be The Faculties thereof are Halt and Blind , Which daily I unto my grief do find . 12 Oh that the great Physician would draw nigh , And on a poor Impotent cast an Eye ! Oh that he would my misery condole , And speak the Word and I shall be made Whole . 13 Lord , there 's no Pool on Earth can do me good , But the pure Ocean of thy precious Blood . There 's nothing else can purifie and cleanse My Wounded Soul from putrifying Sins . 14 Therefore , O Lord , thy precious blood apply Unto my Soul , that healing Remedy Is a sweet Cordial which will me revive , And keep my wither'd fainting Soul alive . Lord now with speed this Cordial to me bring , And fill me up a Cup unto the brim .

A Dialogue between Christ and a Young-man . Young-man . 1 I Walked have long time about to find Some new-found pleasure to delight my mind ; But in my pleasure this doth me prevent , I in my pleasure have no true content . 2 When I am merry with my Jolly Boys , I then am checkt within , which damps my Joys ; Likewise I take delight in sports and plays , In it I spend away my Nights and Days ; 3 But afterwards my heart 's fill'd with Reflection , Which almost has brought me into subjection . Oh that I could the reason of it know , What is the cause it should be with me so , 4 I would some cure soon for it then look out , Although I ranged all the World about . Conscience . 5 It is thy Conscience which doth trouble thee , And makes thee so dissatisfy'd to be ; Because in merriment thou dost offend Thy Sov'reign Lord , on whom thou should'st depend . Young-man . 6 Conscience if it be so , I 'll make thee Sleep , And then my mind I shall in quiet keep ; For if thou dost thus trouble me alway , Then I shall never see a happy day . Conscience . 7 If I do Sleep , I shall awake again , And then I will put thee to greater pain ; I ll pinch and cut and lash thee bitterly , Until I maketh thee aloud to cry . Young-man . 8 Conscience thou threat'nest me so very sore , I hope I never shall offend thee more ; And seeing thou profess to be my Friend , I 'll take my leave , and so we both will end . 9 This will not do with me , I am afraid , I must look out yet for some other aid . Oh that my ways were but so now directed , That for the future I might be protected ; 10 And that I may some other object find , To give content to my unsettled mind . Christ . 11 Young-man if of thy ways thou hast a fight , And it doth seem to thee not to be right , God's word doth show thee what thou ought to do , To cleanse thy ways by taking heed thereto . 12 And if thou dost desire more to know , I ready am and willing thee to show ; I 'll show thee objects shall give thee content , And give thee pleasure when thy life is spent . 13 Nay , more then so I 'll give a promise higher , I 'll give thee all thy heart can e'er desire , If thou with speed wilt now close in with me . Everlasting Treasure I will give to thee . Young-man . 14 't is endless pleasure which my heart doth crave And lasting pleasure , which I fain would have ; If thou this promise wilt make good to me , I am resolv'd to close in now with thee . 15 I willing am to part with all my Sin , Which as I hitherto have lived in , My sports and pleasures and my Jolly Boys , I count them all even but empty Toys . Christ . 16 If thou wilt close with me , then take good heed Thou must into my Vineyard go with speed , And Labour there till I do for the send , Thy Labour then I 'll put unto an end . 17 I in the Garden laboured for thee , Then in my Vineyard labour thou for me : I trod the Winepress , I my self alone , Which made me in my Spirit so to moan . 18 And of the People , there was none with me , To work out thy Redemption-work for thee ; It was not for my self I took this care , I had no need of any thing to fear . 19 No , 't was to keep thee from the Serpent's sting , I had been happy had'st thou never been . Young-man . 20 Dear Lord , I smitten am to hear thee speak , My heart within me now is like to break To think that thou hast done so much for me , And I a wretch have nothing done for thee . 21 Into thy Vineyard now I 'll go away , And I will labour there both Night and Day ; But Vineyard work is hard , and I am Weak , Lord strengthen me this work to undertake . Appoint the work Lord , thou wilt have me do , For I am yet Stranger thereunto . Christ . 23 Some of thy Work must be to plant and sow , And other some must be to reap and mow ; All superfluous Branches thou must lop , Or else I shall not have a thriving crop . 24 Do thou take care my tender plants to nourish For I love dear to see them thrive and flourish Thou also must plant in the choicest Soil , Then of thy Fruit there 's none shall thee beguile 25 Likewise thou must root out the stinking weed That they may not over top my pure Seeds ; But first thou must with thy own self begin , And root out all thy own in dwelling Sin . 26 If thou art willing they should in thee lurk Thou art not fit for this my Vineyard-work ; In Snow or Hail my work must still go on ; Thou must not take a spell , and then be gone . 27 In wet and heat and thunder thou must bide , And not to run away whate'er betide ; When lofty winds does blow and rain descend , My work thou must keep to until the end . Young-man . 28 If I must labour in the Snow and Hail , The pinching cold will over me prevail ; If in the wet and heat , then I shall faint ; Likewise the thunder sorely will me daunt . 29 When rain descend , and stormy winds do blow Alas , how shall I to my labour go ; This task it is too hard for me , I fear . My earthen Vessel never will it bear . 30 Therefore do thou Lord undertake for me , That I thy Vineyard-work may do for thee ; For thou dost know that I am but a worm , And have no strength this work for to perfor● ; I crave the strength of thy Almighty hand , That I before thee in this work may stand . Christ . 31 Thou art a Worm I know , and also weak , And I the work myself must undertake ; When thou dost work for me in Snow or Hail , I will cover thee with my secure vail : 32 Which vail shall cover me so very warm , The pinching cold shall never do thee harm ; I 'll shelter thee too from the parching heat , So that upon thy head it shall not beat . 33 I 'll cause a gourd to spring up like a Rose , Where thou shalt lye and take a sweet repose ; But if I please to take this gourd from thee ( Like unto Jonah ) do not angry be . 34 The lofty winds I holdeth in my First , And I can make them blow which way I list ; Thee I will into my pavilion bring , And over thee will spread my saving wing . 35 When flouds descend I will for thee provide , And in the hollow of my hand thee hide , Where evermore in safety thou shalt be , If thou art willing still to work for me ; 36 For I will do my part as thou shalt see , Because my work easy be to thee : My Vineyard I will hedge in round about , To keep the wild Boar of the Forrest out , 37 That so he may not break my tender Vine , Which does begin about me for to twine ; For he about the hedge doth lye and lurk , To enter in and spoil my Vineyard-work . 38 He and all other such like rav'nous Beast , Upon my choicest Grapes delights to Feast ; But he and they with all their strength and malice , My Vineyard shall not hurt nor yet demolish . 39 The Valleys I will fill with mod'rate showers , For to refresh my tender plants and Flowers , On them I will my warming dews distill , And cause them to send forth their fragrant smell . 40 Upon my Flowers gentle Gales shall blow , To take off all the dust , that they may show Most pleasant and delightful to mine Eye , When I about my Vineyard do pass by . 41 I often walk my Vineyard , for to see If any of my Servants idle be , And if my Labourers do work and toil , I often give to them a pleasant smile : 42 But if my Servants loitering are found , Then I on them doth give an angry frown ; It 's for their good that I do serve them so , That they no more a loitering may go . 43 Remember thou much of thy time hast spent , Thy time now to redeem be diligent Labour therefore with all thy force and might , And I will give to thee what is thy right , A Penny thou shalt have as well as they Which bore the heat and burden of the day .

A Meditation composed into Verse , on the 25th . Chapter of Matthew . 1 TEN Virgins took their Lamps and went their Bridegroom for to meet ; But five of them their Oyl had spent ; their Lamps they could not fit ; 2 For five of them were wise ye know , the other foolish were , Yet they for company would go , their pains they would not spare : 3 And they like fools did nothing doubt , but took their Lamps with them , And did not for no Oyl look out , until the Bridegroom came : 4 But while the Bridegrom tarried a little by the way , All those Ten Virgins slumbered , and so they sleeping lay , 5 Until a midnight-cry there was , to call them from their sleep : Behold ! the Bridegroom coming is , go forth ye him to meet . 6 Then all those Virgins did arise their Lamps to fit and trim , And the five Virgins that were wise their Lamps fill'd to the brim . 7 The foolish Virgins did not so ; no Oyl they had in store , Therefore their Lamps they out did go , never was lighted more . 8 The Fools then to the Wise did say , give us now of your Oyl ; For we must hasten soon away , now we have heard our call . 9 The Wise then said unto them no , we dare not be so bold ; Rather unto the place now go where it is to be sold ; 10 For if we give our Oyl to you , our Vessels be so small ; Then we shall want it to renew , and trim our Lamps withal . 11 The foolish Virgins they had been lingring so long before , Until the Bridegroom entred in and shut them out of Door . 12 But them that ready was before unto the Marriage went , Their Bridegroom ever to adore , unto their hearts content . 13 The other Virgins with vain hope , said , Lord ! open to us , And if thou wilt the Door but ope , then we will be thy Guess . 14 These Virgins unto the Door came , as though they Oyl had got : But then the Lord did say to them , verily I know you not . 15 But when the Son of Man shall come with all his glorious train , To sit upon his Father's Throne , for ever to remain . 16 All Nations gathered shall be , before him they shall stand , And they shall Separated be , by his Almighty hand . 17 And as a Shepherd doth divide clear from the Goats the Sheep ; Christ for his Sheep will then provide ; he will them safely keep . 18 His Sheep shall sit at his Right-hand , none shall them hunt away ; The Goats shall stand at his Left-hand , but little time to stay : 19 And then the King will say to all that sits at his Right-hand , Enter the Kingdom great and small ; possess my holy Land . 20 When I was Hungry you did Feed my pinched Body poor , And did administer to my need when I stood at your Door . 21 When I was Sick , and very Weak , a Stranger poor and thin , Then on me you did pity take , and you did let me in . 22 When Naked was you did me Cloath : when Thirsty gave me Drink ; When others did my Person loath , and scarce on me did think : 23 And when I did in Prison lye , oppressed there with grief , Ye came to see my misery , and gave me some relief .

And then shall the Righteous say . 24 Lord when saw we thy Body so oppressed thus with grief , And when did we unto thee go , and gave to thee relief .

Then shall the King answer . 25 Do not inquire how or when , now you this thing shall see , If done unto my Bretheren , you'ave done it unto me . 26 Enter into my Kingdom now , and you shall plainly see , All Nations do before me bow , and eke rejoyce in me ; 27 For it prepared was for you , before the World begun , And with my Blood purchas'd anew , which from my Side did run . 28 The King will say unto them all , which are at his left hand , Depart , ye Cursed great and small , no longer here shall stand . 29 Into Perdition you shall go , which is prepar'd for you , To weep and wail in endless wo , depart ye cursed Crew . 30 When I was Hungry , you did slight my pinched Body poor , And with your Tongues you did me smite , and drove me from your Door . 31 When I was Sick and very weak , a Stranger poor and thin , Then you of me a Scoff did make , and would not take me in . 32 When I did bare and naked go , you did not on me think , When I was faint with Thirst also , you gave to me no Drink . 33 And when I did in Prison lye oppressed there with Grief , The Prison you would not come nigh , to give to me relief .

Then shall the Wicked say 34 Lord when did we thy Body see , oppressed thus with Grief , And did not minister unto thee , to give to thee Relief ?

CHRIST's Answer . 35 To you this Parable shall be shown , and now you shall it see , You done it not to these my own , you done it not to me . 36 And these shall go to endless wo , for ever to remain , The Righteous into Bliss also , like Princes for to reign .

YE Virgins now no longer sit drowsing as you have been , For when the Bridegroom's Door is shut there is no entring in . Ye Sleepy Virgins of this Land , trim up your Lamps with speed , The Midnight Cry is near at hand therefore beware , take heed , And do no longer Sleeping lay but on your Watch be found , Then in that blessed marriage day your Joys they will abound .

The Author's Request . 1 LORD give me Oyl of thy Free Grace my Vessel for to fill , And help me to run out my Race , in doing of thy will . 2 Help me to cleanse my Lamp about from all the stinking Snuffs , So that it may not Wiffer out with any windy Puffs . 3 But that my Lamp it may burn clear , to light me on the way , That I may meet my Bridegroom Dear , him to Adore for Aye . 4 Lord give me Talents , Two or Five , which seemeth good to thee , Them to Improve , then I will strive , Lord give them unto me . 5 But if it be thy Pleasure , Lord , to give to me but One , And I should in the Earth it hoard , then I shall be Undone . 6 Therefore my God , for Jesus sake , give me a bigger Portion , And grant I may it double make , unto my great Promotion . 7 Oh grant I may not be like him , which in his Heart shall say , My Lord delayeth for to come , he will yet longer stay . 8 But that I may both Watch and Pray , and waiting be also , That when my Lord shall come , I may be ready for to go .

A Meditation on Luke the 19th . 1 OUR blessed Lord and King is gone a Kingdom to receive , And for to purchase them a Crown that doth on him believe : 2 But when he will return again , no mortal Man can show ; And to inquire 't is in vain , the Angels do not know . 3 The King called his Servants then , which was in number Ten ; The meaning of the Parable , it is all sorts of Men . 4 He gave a Pound to ev'ry one , as you may plainly see , In order for to trade upon , that none may idle be : 5 And when the King does come again those Servants he will call , To see where it be spent in vain , what they should trade withal . 6 The first unto the King shall say , thy Pound hath gained Ten ; I willing was to trade each day , till thou didst come agen . 7 The second also he shall say , thy Pound hath gained Five ; I willing was to trade alway , that I with it may thrive . 8 You good and faithful Servants are , the King will then reply ; You of my Treasure takes a care , and did not idle lye . 9 Enter therefore , into my rest , my glorious Throne to see , And you shall evermore be blest , to all Eternity . 10 Another came and he did say , Lord , here 's thy Pound again , I did up in a Napkin lay , lo ! here it doth remain . 11 I know thou art an austere Man ; of thee I was afraid : Therefore I kept it in my hand , and would not with it trade . 12 Thou gatherest , but wilt not strew , and reap , but wilt not sow ; And thou dost keep all in thy view , nothing thou wilt let go .

Then shall the King say ; 13 If thou hast known me such an one , for to exact on thee , Thou shouldst my Money then have thrown into the Usury . 14 Thou wicked art , and sloathful too ; thy Mouth hath Judged thee ; Thou shalt to outward darkness go ; appointed 't is by me . 15 When this is done , the King will rise , and to his Angels say ; Bring forth all those mine Enemies , before me now and slay . 16 The Drunkards , and False Swearers all before me come and slay ; They would not hearken to my call , nor yet my Voice obey . 17 Both Lyers , Whore-mongers , and Proud , which live in high renown ; They for my Vengeance cry aloud , on them to pour it down . 18 Come bring the Thief , and Covetous , with all the wicked Race , And all that hate my holy Laws , slay them before my Face . 19 Come bring forth the Lascivious crew , the Hypocrite also ; For they together now must rew , and in the Lake must go . 20 The Glutten , and the Revellours , and Sabbath-breakers too , They all must share like Levellours ; their Mirth will end in woe . 21 Come forth those wicked Sinners all , living and dying so ; For ●ou under my Wrath shall fall , and into Hell must go .

The Author's Request . 22 Lord , lend me thy Almighty hand , and I will trade for thee , And grant I in the Lot may stand with them that Saved be .

A Meditation on the 9th . 10th . and 11th . Chapters of Exodus . 1 THE Childeren of Israel must unto Egypt go , And there as Strangers they must dwell ; the Lord had spoken so : 2 And for full four hundered Year , as you may plainly see ; In Bondage they afflicted were , under Pharoah's cruelty : 3 For Pharoah , and his Servants they , on them such Burdens laid , Which made them to cry out and say we greatly are dismay'd . 4 Their Task-masters they were so cruel , and did them so afflict ; They would allow them no more Fuel wherewith to burn their Brick : 5 Yet you shall the full Tale return from each particular Man ; But you shall have no Straw to burn ; get Straw where e'er you can : 6 And when their Masters threatned so , It smote their Hearts with trouble , Then they unto the Fields did go , and plucked up the Stubble . 7 In order to fulfil their Tale , full hard to work they went , In hopes that they should then prevail their Masters to content . 8 But they could not their work compleat , as they had done before , Then Pharoah's Servants did them beat , 'cause they had done no more . 9 They were with Burdens bowed down , and they had no relief ; And Pharoah that did wear the Crown , he added to their grief : 10 Then to the Lord they made their moan , and unto him did cry ; So that the Lord did hear them groan under their misery ; 11 And for his own great mercy's sake , his People he will save ; And for the Cov'nant he did make , and unto Abra'am gave . 12 Moses and Aaron , they must show this message to the King , Now you must let all Israel go , these tidings they did bring . 13 The Lord sent us thee to advise , to let this People rest ; For they to him must Sacrifice , in the great Wilderness . 14 The King then in a rage did say , it never shall be so ; Who is the Lord , I should Obey , in letting Israel go ? 15 The Lord , Jehovah is his Name , and soon thou shalt him know , By Signs and Wonders of great Fame , to morrow he will show . 16 The Lord then smote them all with Blood , throughout their Land so wide ; They had no Water that was good , so that for Thirst they cry'd . 17 He sent amongst them Frogs and Flys , and Murrain on their Beast , And all to ope their darkned Eyes , that they from Sin might cease . 18 God sent them Lice , with Hail , and Fire , and Pestilence also ; But Pharoah yet had no desire to let poor Israel go . 19 The Locusts they did vex them sore , yet all was but in vain ; For Pharoah's heart was hardned more , and so he did remain . 20 Then God did send them one Plague more , with great contempt and scorn , Which made th' Egyptians for to roar ; he slew all their First born : 21 Then Pharoah rose up in the Night , and thrust them from his Land ; For he did see the Lord did fight with his Almighty hand . 22 The wise Magicians of the Land , they all were sore affrighted ; Before the Lord they could not stand ; for they were all benighted . 23 But when the King did understand , that Israel was gone , And that no more into his Land they never would return : 24 Then Pharoah after Israel went , with all his mighty host ; For in his heart was no content , he after them did Post ; 25 And found them Campt by the Red-Sea , then thought they were his own ; But Pharoah and his mighty host , they soon was over-thrown . 26 Then to the Lord did Israel cry , for they were sore afraid , When they beheld their Enemy coming with mighty aid : 27 And then they did with Moses chide , and vexed him full sore ; Would God we had in Egypt dy'd , and had been seen no more . 28 Because their were not Graves enough in Egypt for to lye ; Therefore you now have brought us forth i' th' Wilderness to die . 29 Then God did make the Sea to stand on each side on a heap ; And God led Israel by the hand , through that great mighty deep . 30 Then after them Pharoah did Post , even at their very Heels ; Then God to trouble Pharoah's host took off their Chariot Wheels ; 31 So that their Chariots could not run , nor after Israel go , Until the Waters did return , and them did over-throw . 32 Six hundred thousand great and small , with flocks and herds also ; Nothing of Israel's did fail , but through the Sea did go ; 33 Because the Sea it was a Wall for them on every side ; Also the Lord the chief of all was unto them a guide . 34 It was not so with Pharaoh's host , for God on them did frown ; Therefore they all in Sea was lost , and all their Army drown'd : And on the Morrow they lay dead , in heaps upon the Shore ; Their Bodies lay unburied , and they return'd no more . 36 To show the Power of the Lord , in doing of this thing , And that in all the World abroad , the Fame thereof may ring . 37 But Israel out of that distress , they tempted then the Lord , And griev'd him in the Wilderness ; thus they did him reward . 38 His holy Laws , and Statutes pure , then they did not regard , And they could scarcely them indure , their hearts were grown so hard . 39 They murmured along the way ; to Moses they reply'd , Oh that we had not seen this day , but had in Egypt dy'd ; 40 For when we were in Egypt fed , and by the Flesh-pot were ; Then we had all our fill of Bread , of Onions had no spare : 41 But now we and our little ones , our flocks and herds also , For Thirst and Hunger often grones , as we along doth go ; 42 For this light Bread our Souls do loath , our Stomachs it doth cloy ; This Manna that comes from above , and feeds us every day . 43 When Israel did murmur thus , the Lord strait-way did hear ; Therefore in the great Wilderness he led them forty year . 44 Because they had provok'd him so , the Lord did then prophess They should not into Canaan go , that good Land to possess : 45 But all your little ones shall go , your flocks and herds beside , Caleb , and Joshua also , the Land for to divide . 46 When into Canaan they were got , and in that Land did dwell , Then they in Wickedness were hot , they soon to Whoredom fell : 47 Then Jesuran waxt fat and thick , and at the Lord did kick ; They had forgot when 't was their Lot , in Egypt to make brick .

A Meditation on Solomon's Temple . 1 THere was a Temple in Jerusalem Wherein the Lord Jehovah set his Name , King Solomon the Temple he did build , A finer Temple never was beheld . 2 It was a City of so great a Fame ; To Trafick thither many Nations came ; The Tribes of Israel was dwelling there , Which was the Jews as plainly doth appear . 3 God with his gracious Presence blest them so , Which made them into multitudes to grow ; Riches and Honour he to them did give , And made them in that pleasant Land to Live . 4 Also his counsel he did give to them , That they should Love , Obey , and Honour him , And more than this , likewise he did provide ; He sent his Priests and Prophets them to guide , 5 And when they did of all that good pertake , They quickly did their gracious God forsake : His Priests and Prophets they could not abide ; Them they did mock and likewise sore deride . 6 And soon was turned out of the right way , The Lord they would not honour nor obey , The Lord Jehovah they did then contemn ; They would not yield he should reign over them : 7 But made them Idol-gods , and them did serve , And from the true and living God did swerve : The Lord their City then did over-throw , Into Captivity he made them go : 8 And for their Infidelity and Pride , Full Seventy Years he made them there abide . When they were bound , and in Captivity , Afflicted there with grief and misery ; 9 They thought upon the goodness of their Lord , Which formerly he did to them afford : But then said they , his goodness we did slight ; Therefore we now are cast out of his sight . 10 Our dance is turned into great vexation , Also our Joy into a Lamentation ; Likewise the Crown is fallen from our head ; And Wo to us , that ever we Sinned : 11 For this our hearts are faint , our eyes are dim , Because we have so high provoked him Which should have sway'd the Scepter over us , Then we should not have been afflicted thus . 12 Lord , show to us thy mercy speedily ; Be not for ever with us angery : Draw not thine anger out against us , Lord ! But unto us some pitty now afford . 13 Return , O Lord , and make thy City strong , For unto thee the City doth belong ; It is thy own , and it was proved so , When we into Captivity did go . 14 The Lord did hearken then unto their cry , And brought them out from their Captivity ; He from their Enemies did them remove Because he is a God of pure Love . 15 He brought them back unto their Scituation , And them he visited with his Salvation . Oh that the People they would praise the Lord , For all his wondrous works he doth afford ; 16 And for his goodness he extends to them , In shewing mercy to the Sons of men ; The Longing Soul he filled hath with good , The Hungry Soul refresheth with his food . 17 All of his People which did suffer wrong , And were in Iron Fetters bound full strong ; When they did seriously upon him call , He heard their cry , and brought them out of thrall . 18 Oh that the People they would praise the Lord , For all his wondrous works he doth afford ; And for his goodness he extends to them , In giving Pardon to the Sons of men .

A Meditation on Christ's Ancient Vine-yard . 1 THE Lord of Glory had a Vine-yard fair , Whereof he took a very tender care , And he did hedge it in all round about , Also the Stones he gathered them out . 2 He Planted it with the most choicest Vine , Because it should yield him the sweetest Wine ; I' th' midst of it he built a Tower high , For to be seen by all that passed by . 3 A Wine-press he did make therein also , That the delicious Wine might overflow ; And when the Lord at this expense had been , He Let it out unto some Husband-men : 4 And when the time of Fruit was almost come , Then of the Fruit the Lord desired some ; He sent his Servants forthwith out of hand , Unto his Husband-men for to demand 5 Some of the Fruit which did belong to him But the vile Husband-men abused them ; Some of his Servants they did sorely beat , The other they did evilly intreat , 6 These wicked Husband-men they killed one , The other they most cruelly did Stone ; So then the Lord he sent forth Servants more Than he had sent out at the time before : 7 But they did beat and kill them too likewise , And did the Servants of their Lord despise : But last of all he sent his Son to them , Saying , they now will surely rev'rance him , 8 Whom when they saw amongst themselves did say , This is the Heir let 's make him clear away , And let us sieze on his Inheritance ; For we thereby our selves shall high advance . 9 Out of their Vine-yard then they did him cast , And their design they had on him at last ; They caught and bound , and then they did him kill , And on him they fulfill'd their bloody Will . 10 The great Lord of the Vine-yard then was wrath When they had slew his Son of Noble worth ; Their wicked doings did him so provoke , It made his Anger hot against them smoke : 11 And then his Vine yard-wall he down did break Which wall before for safety he did make , And left it for the rav'nous Beasts of Prey , Which wall is not made up unto this day . 12 The Vine-yard's eaten up the walls trod down , Which was a Vine-yard once of high Renown ; And it is desolate unto this day , Because the Lord did take the hedge away . 13 And then the Lord did scourge the Husbandmen In order for to purge away their Sin ; Their Cities he most desolate did make , And eke their Houses utterly forsake . 14 With Famine he did vex them very sore ; They never such a Famine felt before ; Their little ones they swooned in the Street , Because they had no Bread for them to Eat . 15 Their Skin which was so ruddy fair and fat , Like to an Oven it was turned black ; The Virgins hung their Heads down to the ground , Because the Famine did so sore abound . 15 The sucking Infant at the Mother's breast , Their Tongues cleav'd to their Mouths for very thirst ; While they for sustenance did seek about , Their Souls did in their Bosoms pour out . 17 The delicate Women did her Children Eat For want of Food the Famine was so great . Young men and Virgins in the Streets did swoon'd , Like to the Slain they lay upon the gro●nd . 18 The Lord did fill their Cities so with anguish , Which made the rampart of the wall to languish , Because upon the Lord's Inheritance They siezed had , themselves for to advance . 19 The Elders mourning sat upon the ground , Their Loyns with Sackcloth they had girded round The pittiful Women sod their Children dear , And did them Eat as plainly doth appear . 20 They were more cruel than the Osterige , When they were cut with hunger in the siege ; The Lord to them no pitty did afford ; He slew the Priests and Prophets with the Sword . 21 Into Captivity then they did go , And there the Lord did make them for to know Their Wickedness which they to him had done , In slaying of his dear and only Son . 22 Their famous City burned was with Fire , According as their Sin did then require : But yet the Lord has promised to call Them back again , and bring them out of thrall ; 23 Because the Lord a Covenant did make , The Seed of Abra'am he will not forsake ; Then they shall it confess , and not deny 't was they his only Son did Crucify .

A Dialogue between Christ the Physician of Value , and a Soul sensible of the worth of his Cure . Christ . 1 HO ! every one that thirsteth come to me , And Living-waters I will give you free ; Here 's Milk and Wine , also it is my Will That you shall drink thereof and take your fill . Soul . 2 Lord here am I a dry and thirsty one , For draught my Flesh it cleaveth to the Bone ; My Heart is chapt , my Mouth is dried up , Lord of thy Wine and Milk give me one sup 3 For to refresh my parched Heart so dry , Now I am in this great Extremity : Thou bid'st me come , but when I strive to go , I am so weak I stagger to and fro . 4 I feeble am by reason of the Sting Of strong Corruption and in dwelling Sin ; It has so wounded me in every part , Also it has infected my whole Heart . 5 It has so filled me with grief and wo , I know not what to say , nor what to do : I am all over Leperous with Sin , And I a long time lived have therein . 6 This Leprosie has over-run me so ; I am so faint I know not how to go ; And here upon my Couch of Earth I lye A loathsome Spectacle in my own Eye . 7 My putrified Wounds corrupt and stink , And yet from Death I ready am to shrink ; Because I know not whither I shall go , Either to Bliss , or to eternal Wo . 8 I weary am to live , and loath to die , Because this Body in the Earth must lye A little while , and raised be again , If not to Joy , to everlasting Pain . 9 The thoughts of this when I it think upon , It makes me send up many a sigh and groan Unto my ever blessed great Physician , To pitty me in this my sad condition . Physician . 10 I even I can cure all thy pain ; For I can kill , and make alive again : I bringeth down unto the Grave , and then Again I say , return ye Sons of Men . 11 I have Rich Balsom which can cure thy smart , And Pills to purge thy putrified Heart . I have Rich Oyl to mollifie thy Bones When thou dost send up to me sighs and grones . 12 I living water have to quench thy thirst , If thou wilt live , this water drink thou must ; This water to thee I will freely give , That thy poor thirsty Soul may drink and live . 13 What thô thy Flesh do wast away with pain , I power have to raise it up again ; No weakness then shall compass thee about , When I again shall make thee new throughout . 14 I am the great Physician , which can do All cures unto thy Soul and Body too . Soul . Thou great , and Soul-Physician , speedily Give me these cures before , I faint and die . Physician . 15 These cures they are partly of my treasure , And I will give them to thee at my pleasure . 16 First I will give to thee a Cordial pure , Which of it self will make a perfect cure ; Drink up this Golden-cordial , rich and good ; 't is a compound made of my precious Blood . 17 This Cordial it will make thee for to sweat , And out of every Vein Corruption set ; Thy hand of Faith unto me hold it up , For I will give it strength to take this Cup . 18 Come take a draught , and nothing of it doubt , Drink heartily the Cordial will hold out : But in thy drinking take a special care , Waste not a drop , it cost me very dear ; 19 And yet I freely give it unto thee , So that thy Soul may live again to me : What , though thou art corrupt in every part , Here is glad Tidings which will cheer thy heart . 20 I am a Fountain open set , for all Which in me trust , and on my name do call : And in the Fountain of my Blood , thy Soul I 'll wash and bathe , until made perfect whole : 21 But when thou art relieved from thy grief , And hast by me obtained such relief ; See that thou willing art , and ready then To strengthen thy poor feeble Bretheren . Soul . 22 Yet one more heavy burden I do bear , Which to my great Physician I 'll declare ; An Enemy I meet with every day , And dreadful strokes upon me he does lay . 23 He with his darts of evil thoughts doth wound My Soul , which makes my misery abound ; His grand design , and purpose every way Is , how he may my Soul and Body slay ; 24 Therefore my Soul-Physician try thy skill , That on me he may never have his Will . Physician . 25 Come , do not fear , I 'll take this cause away , By purging Potions I 'll give thee each day ; For when I do but once take thee in hand , Thine Enemy before me cannot stand ; 26 And when my Skill I do begin to try , This Enemy will quickly from thee fly . Soul . 27 But I have nothing for to satisfy My Lord , for all his precious Remedy ; For since those miseries on me did fall , In seeking of a cure , I have spent all . Physician . 28 Yes , thou hast got a never dying Soul , Whose misery I cannot but condole ; Resign thy Soul to me I thee advise , I 'll take that as a living Sacrifice ; 29 And give thy self to me and my Protection , And that shall be to me full Satisfaction . Soul . 30 Thy offer , Lord , I will take at thy hand , My Soul and Body is at thy command ; And seeing thou desirest no more gain , I 'll give it freely , take it for thy Pain . 31 If I had Souls a thousand millions more , With all the Treasure of this floating Shore , They were too little for to give to thee , For all thy loving kindness unto me : 32 But I , alas , can never gratify My blest Physician ; therefore , till I dye , I will be speaking of his glorious Name , And spread abroad a little of his Fame . 33 Ye Sin sick Souls which are in misery , See that you hast to this Physician high , And he will quickly ease you of your smarts , And give a Cordial to revive your hearts . 34 He heals the Dumb , the Blind , the Palsy Folk , He makes the Deaf to hear , the Lame to walk ; He heals the Fever , and the Withered , He raiseth up to Life those which are Dead , 35 He heals the Lepers be they ne'er so bad , Also he heals the Lunatick , and Mad : To them that comes unto him most in pain ; He handeth forth his Medicines amain . 36 The poorest Creature that is on the Earth , Shall have of him as good a Penny worth As any King that ever reigned here , Although his Remedies they cost so dear . 37 And all he does require at our hands , Is for to close in with his Gospel-bands ; Which is to Love , Serve , Honour , and Obey , And magnifie him in your Souls alway .

The Author's Request to God that the Graces of his holy Spirit may be in a lively Exercise in her Soul . 1 THE Graces of thy Spirit , Lord , they are of mighty aid , Them to thy poor weak Worm afford , whereon I may be stay'd . 2 The Evidence of Faith I crave ; with true Repentance too ; I true Obedience fain would have ; with Charity also . 3 The Evidence of Patience , Lord , and true Humility ; To me these Graces all afford , and do not them deny . 4 Mortification I desire , and Sanctification ; Justification to admire , and him that hath it done : 5 And let not Self-denyal fail ; nor Hope , I humbly pray ; But let these Graces all prevail , and live in me alway . 6 These Talents free , Lord give to me , I earnestly beseech , That with them I may trading be ; for they will me enrich . 7 And guide me with thy mighty hand , that I may trade for thee ; And grant I in the Lot may stand with them that Saved be .

A Meditation on the Day of Judgment . WHen as the final Judgment-day is come , Then Sinners look out for your fatal doom ; And when the Lord descendeth with a shout , Ye Saints , do you triumphantly look out To meet your gracious Lord , and glorious King , That you to him may Hallelujahs Sing ; Also lift up your heads , and do not fear ; For your Redemption is a drawing near : The Trumpet then shall sound , the Dead shall rise , The Saints with Joys , the Sinners with sad cryes , Weeping and wailing , loudly crying thus ; Ye Rocks and Mountains fall and cover us : Those things they will be dreadful for to see ; Also the glorious Sun shall darkned be . The Powers of the Heavens they shall shake , And all the Earth most grievously shall quake . The Heavens shall be rolled as a scroul : Likewise , the Stars unto the Earth shall fall ; And then the World with Fire shall be burned , And all things therein will be overturned . And when the Judge shall sit upon his Seat , To Execute his Judgments all compleat , Then all the Nations gathered shall be , And every Eye this righteous Judge shall see : But he will them again all separate , And then to cry , Lord , Lord , 't will be too late . He will set all the Saints on his Right-hand , And at his Left the Reprobate shall stand : Immediately the Sentence will be given , That all the Saints shall enter into Heaven , And with Salvation they shall Crowned be , And Live with Christ to all Eternity . The Reprobates then they will trembling stand , Ready to be thrust from the Lord's Left-hand ; For they shall all be Sentenced to Hell , With damned Spirits ever for to dwell , Where they shall evermore both weep and wail ; But yet , alas , nothing will then prevail : They shall be sent away too with a Curse ; There is no Sorrow ever can be worse .

A Meditation on the 5th . of Luke . 1 OUR Lord and Saviour did fore tell the happiness of those , That his Commandments do love well , and with his Gospel close . 2 The Poor in Spirit God will bless ; their Ransom Christ has paid , And they his Kingdom shall possess when they in Grave are laid : 3 Then all ye mourning Israel , ye comforted shall be , When you in Paradice shall dwell , each one in his degree . 4 The Meek and Lowly shall Inherit the Earth , and shall be fed ; When proud and wicked lofty Spirits shall want their daily Bread . 5 Those that both Thirst and Hunger do after God's Righteousness , They shall be Fill'd and Cloathed too , with Heaven's Happiness . 6 Ye Pure in Heart , which God shall see his Glory all divine ; A glimpse of his pure Righteousness . will make thee for to shine . 7 The Peace-makers are Stil'd you see , the Children of their God : No greater Title there c●n be in all the World abroad . 8 All ye that Persecuted are for Christ's Righteousness sake ; Ye need not fear , of Heaven's share e'er long you shall partake . 9 Blessed be ye Reviled ones whom Men do Vilifie ; Although they make your very Bones within the Fire to fry , 10 If that it be for Jesus sake , be glad and eke rejoyce ; For he of you will surely make his treasure and his choice . 11 The Merciful that Mercy show , they Mercy shall obtain , And Mercy they shall find also when Christ does come again . 12 And now ye Blessed ones , I say , rejoyce all in the Lord ; Sing Praises to his Name alway , for He 's your great Reward .

A Meditation upon New-Years-Day , 1699. 1 LOrd , if I may Live one Year more , then let me Live to thee : Let me not Live as heretofore , in mine Iniquity : 2 For I have Lived hitherto , always provoking thee , Which hath fille● my Soul with wo , and often troubled me . 3 After the Flesh I would not Live here for to see Corruption : Neither my self I would not give to Live in high Voluption . 4 I fain would Live after the Spirit , and give to God due Praise , Eternal Life for to Inherit , and Live with him always . 5 The wicked Live in pleasure here , and wantonness also ; The Lord of Hosts they do not fear , nor him desire to know . 6 But I would Live more Righteously , here in this present World , And when my end is come , that I may not in it be hurl'd : 7 Also from sinful evil Thoughts I fain would cleansed be ; For it upon my Soul has brought . guilt in a high degree : 8 Therefore , good Lord , some pitty take , or else I am undone , And cleanse me for the Merits sake of thy beloved Son . 2 Oh wash me in the Fountain clear , which open stands for all : In whom thy Spirit worketh here , those thou art pleas'd to call . 10 Lord hear my sad complaint and moan I often make to thee : My Sin doth often make me groan , a burden 't is to me . 11 Oh let not Sin in me prevail , for I am heavy-lade , Lest that the Spirit it should fail , and Soul which thou hast made .

More Meditations Composed into a Dialogue between the Holy-Spirit , and a dejected Soul . Holy-Spirit . 1 POor drooping Soul , why dost thou lye oppressed thus with grief ? There was a Saviour once did die , to give to thee Relief . Soul . 2 But my Corruptions often do my tim'rous Soul affright ; My ghostly Enemies also , say on with force and might : 3 To wound my tired Soul , so weak , they do their best endeavour , And fain would me a Prisoner make in their black gulph for ever . 4 Is there any relief for me , that so surrounded am ? Oh , that I but a place could see , to hide my self from them ! Holy-Spirit . 5 There is a Rock of Age and Might , a great and lofty King , With thy great Enemies can fight , and kill thy in-born Sin . Soul . 6 May such a worthless Soul as I find Favour with this King , That so doth grieve continually , and load me with my Sin . Holy-Spirit . 7 Come , rouse thy dull and sluggish Soul , filled with fear and doubt ; Make haste I say , do not delay , Christ holds his Scepter out . Soul . 8 Ah! blessed Spirit , is it so ? then I to him will go , And beg the Pardon of my Sin , and at his Feet lye low : 9 And then I will hold out my hand , if Christ will take me up , And make me on my Feet to stand , and fill my Soul with Hope . 10 Now , with a holy boldness , I thy Scepter , Lord , do crave : O give it to me speedily , for I it fain would have .

A Dialogue between Death , and a stout carnal Secure Sinner . Death . 1 COme thou stout Sinner , prepare to go with me For I am come in hast to Summons thee Before the great Tribunal to appear , And there thy final Judgement thou shalt hear . Sinner . 2 Hold ! stay , I know not what thou art , nor who ; Therefore in plain I will not with thee go ; For I have other business in the way ; Therefore to talk with thee I cannot stay . 3 But yet I do demand of thee thy name , And what thou art , also from whence thou came ? Death . 4 If thou desirest for to know my name ; And what I am also , from whence I came ; I do declare to thee , my name is Death , And now am come for to demand thy breath . 5 I am a messenger , God sent me forth To warn all Sinners to escape his wrath ; And I am come to do his will and pleasure ; Therefore I will no long wait thy leisure . Sinner . 6 Death thou mistakes , I now am stout and strong , Get thee to Age thou must not nature wrong ; For I am Young , and Brisk , and in my Prime , And have not lived yet out half my time , Death . 7 Do not thou boast of thy great strength and Youth , For I do now tell thee the very truth , I 'll give thee such a stroak shall make thee reel , And thou this day shalt my strong lashes feel , I Strength and Power have to conquer all Which on the Earth have lived since the fall . Sinner . 8 Oh Death ! do not so cruel be to Day ; To take from me my precious life away ! Oh Spare me yet a little time , for why I am not yet prepared now to die , Death . 9 Then blame thy self , but lay no blame to me , Have I not warning often gave to thee ? Even the Head-ach , Heart-ach , and the Gout , Because thou shouldst in time for me look out : 10 And make thy Calling and Election sure , While oftentimes I passed by thy door , But now it is too late , here is my Dart , This very night shall pierce thee to the heart . 11 Delay no time , for go with me thou must , Now I am come to turn thee into dust , Thy date is out , thy Glass is near out run , Unto thy Center therefore , now return . Sinner . 12 What is my date quite out , my Glass near run ? Then wo is me that ever it begun ! Indeed I find my Breath is almost spent , And t is to late for me now to Repent 13 Of any of my Sins I have commited , For I of them shall never be acquited : I feel in Head , and Heart , and every Vein Horrour , and Grief , and sore tormenting Pain ; My trembling Soul is taking of her flight : Alas , my Day is turned into Night ! Spectator The Soul is Fled , the Body 's turn'd to Clay , And Death has done his Work and Gone his way .

A Dialogue between Death , and a Soul which fears not Death ; but desires to be dissolved , and to be with Christ . Soul . 1 HArk ! who is this that knocketh at my door ? If it be Death , whom I have waited for : Then why dost thou not unto me draw near ? For I of thee do not much stand in fear . 2 I fear thee not , thou canst do me no wrong , Thou wilt but send me from the Earth , along Unto my Home , where I desire to be : Come Death , and do thy Office unto me ? 3 For I have longed for my Dissolution : Therefore draw near , and do the Execution : Compleat thy Work I pray thee , speedily , And do not keep me long in misery ! Death . 4 Come , weary Soul , which say'st thou dost not fear me , Is not my ghastly looks enough to scare thee , Which makes all Flesh on Earth to shake and quiver When as I strike my dart into their Liver . 5 Hast thou got Faith enough to bear thee up ? To taste of Death , it is a bitter Cup ; Or hast thou some Vain hope to comfort thee ? If so , then I the same shall quickly see . 6 My Sting , which is thy Sin original , Shall cut thee off when that on thee doth fall : Therefore be careful now , and stand thy ground , Or else my Sting may give a deadly wound . Soul . 7 This cannot be , since Christ my glorious King Has said to thee , Oh Death ! where is thy Sting ? And to the Grave , where is thy Victory ? Thy Sting , nor Grave , shall have no power on me . 8 I tell thee Death , when thou hast done thy worst , Thou canst but lay my Body in the Dust Until the glorious Resurrection-day , When Imperfection shall be done away . 9 My God and King this Body then will raise , And I shall Sing his Everlasting Praise : His Grace and Love will then extended be : But not for any good there is in me : 10 But for the Merit of his only Son , The mighty God this good for me hath done . Death . 11 What , shall I strike the stroke , and go my way ? Soul . Strike now with speed , and do not thou delay ? Spectator . The Soul is Fled , the Body 's turn'd to Dust , Until the Resurrection of the Just .

A Dialogue between Christ the mighty King , and a Believer . Believer . 1 MY Lord thou art a lofty King 't is known , Thou rul'st in Heav'n & Earth , and thereis none Which can the Scepter take out of thy hand , Thou mak'st all People bow at thy command . 2 Thou art the King of Kings , a King Peculiar ; Thou art the Lord of Lords , and Princes Ruler ; Thou settest up , again thou pullest down Great Monarchies , which are of high Renown , 3 My Sov'reign Lord some things I fain would know , If that it be thy pleasure me to show . King . 4 Speak forth thy mind , poor dust and clay , to me ; For liberty I freely give to thee : With Men that are but dust , I do delight To talk with them , if humble in my sight . Believer , 5 Thou art a King , most plain it doth appear By thy great Works , and providential care : But oh , how little does stout Sinners fear , When of thy mighty Wonders they do hear ? 6 But that which makes me to admire more , Thou being such a King , becam'st so Poor ; For in the Holy-Scripture we do read , Thou had'st not whereon for to lay thy head . King . 7 Althô I am a Prince of high Renown , I did not come to Lodge on Beds of down ; Nor yet with Dainties up my self to fill ; But I did come to do my Father's Will . 8 It was my Father's Will to lay on me Those miseries which did belong to thee ; I at his hand imbrac'd it willingly , That thy poor Soul may live Eternally . Believer . 9 Lord shall thy Worm again once more presume To speak unto thy Majesty supream : Another thing I also call to mind , Thy two Disciples thou didst send , to find 10 An Ass and Colt which was together ty'd , Whereon thy glorious Majesty must Ride Into the City of Jerusalem , Thy kingly Office there for to proclaim . 11 Was that a Beast for such a glorious King To set upon ? I marvel at this thing . King . 12 The Beast I sat upon pleased me well ; I then that place of Scripture did fulfil Isaiah's Prophecy must come to pass , Great Sion's King must sit upon an Ass. 13 Lowly and Meek this Scripture I fulfils , Althô the Cattel on a thousand Hills Were all My Father's , yet I would have none But my poor Asses Colt to ride upon . Believer . 14 Lord , may I speak again , and not offend , And shall thy blessed Ear to me attend ? King . 15 Speak on thy mind to me , and nothing fear ; For I am ready still to lend an Ear . Believer . 16 When that great Caesar , which was called King , Did give command his Tribute to bring in ; Lord , why did'st thou abase thy self so low As to bid one of thy Disciples , go 17 Unto a Fish to take a piece of Coin , When all the Treasure of the Earth was thine ? King . 18 't was for my Elect's sake I stoop't so low , When my Disciple I did bid to go Unto the Fish to take a piece of Coin , Also to show a Miracle divine . 19 And that my Peter should confirmed be , When such a Miracle was wrought by me : I gave to Caesar that which was his Right ; Do thou do so 't is pleasing in my sight . Believer . 20 Lord , suffer me thy dust and ashes poor To ask of thee but this one question more : What was the cause , Lord , that thou thought'st it meet To wash & cleanse thy own Disciple's Feet , 21 When they should have attended all on thee , As other Princes they attended be ? King . 22 Such washings thou must daily of me crave ; For them I wash I purpose for to Save ; But if thou wilt not washt and cleansed be , Assure thy self thou hast no part in me . Believer . 23 Such washings Lord , do not to me deny ; Such washings Lord , let me have speedily . King . 24 If thou by Faith such washings of me crave , Such washings of me thou shalt surely have ; And what thou dost desire more to know , My Holy Scripture will unto thee show ; Go search them daily , there thou may'st it see , That they are they which testify of me . 25 There thou may'st hear of my Humiliation , Also again of my great Exaltation ; Which shows my kingly Office unto all , Likewise my Priestly , and Prophetical . 26 A good Example I have been to thee ; Therefore take heed , and do thou learn by me : I was a Pattern of Humility . 27 As for stout Sinners which of my wonders hear , And do not of me greatly stand in fear ; The time will come when all such fearless ones Shall filled be with fearf●l Sighs and Grones . 28 Come , do not thou so curiously inquire ; But have a care , do not too high aspire Into the Myst'ries of my sacred Will , Least thou thy Palsy-brain dost over-fill : 29 But see thou Justice do , and Mercy love , And walk thou humbly with thy God above ; Then thou shalt have the benefit of all My Sufferings which on me hear did fall . Believer . 30 My Sov'reign Lord , I am a Sinner vild , And my presumptious Heart has me beguil'd : I spoken have , but I will not proceed ; Lord Pardon me this my presumptious deed . My Hand upon my Mouth , I now will lay ; My Mouth into the Dust , no more to say ; Yet still an Int'rest Lord , I crave in thee , And into Judgment enter not with me .

The Autho'rs Belief concerning the dealings of God towards the Sons and Daughters of Men , in order to the Compleating their Salvation . A Soul cannot Eternal Life Inherit , Unless the Father , Son , and Holy-Spirit , Do work together in a near Relation , In order to compleat poor Man's Salvation : The 〈…〉 the So●l ▪ 〈…〉 The Son 〈◇〉 ●e'll im●●●● 〈…〉 again Would give his Body f●●ely ●o be Sl●in ▪ The Holy-Spirit worketh too also , Teaching each Soul God's blessed W●●● k●●w ▪ Thus God for our good doth freely do , Yet for the same he will be sought unto . God's chiefest end in making of Mankind , Was to fulfil the pleasure of his mind ; And he by all will Glorified be , Whether Sav'd , or Lost , to all Eternity : And seeing God his Pleasure will fulfil , Then what is now become of Man's Free-will ? Surely , Free-will was lost in Adam's Fall ; And now to good , Man's Will is very small : But God out of his matchless Love , and Treasure , Makes Man to will and do of his good Pleasure .

A Spiritual Meditation upon a Bee . 1 MY Soul like to a little painful Bee To build her Combs in Jesus Chyrist doth flee , And if she willing is to live and thrive , Then she must haste , and get into her Hive : 2 Because her Hive is in a Garden fair , Wherein she gather may , and never spare , Of Blossoms sweet , and Flowers fragrant ; There is enough to give her full content . 3 My Bee with Honey there may fill her Combs , To keep her in the windy Winter-storms : Because in Winter forth she cannot go , By reason of the pinching Frost and Snow : 4 But when the Sumner-season is come in , My little painful Bee is on the Wing ; Abroad she Flys then with a ●oyful mind , To work on each sweet Blossom she can find . 5 Over the sweetest Flower she will hover , And there she will her painfulness discover ; And when she 's Load , she to her Hive will hye , To Treasure up her Lading Joyfully , 6 To fill her Combs against the time of need , That she upon her Honey then may feed ; But if my Bee a Shower should espy , Into her Hive away then she must hye ; 7 For if that she doth long the time delay , The Rain may drive my Bee out of her way ; But while my painful Bee , she is at work , The Hornet and the Whasp for her doth lurk , 8 To catch my Bee , her Honey for to take , And then of my poor Bee a prey to make : But if my Bee she should become a drone , My Bee will quickly then be left alone . 9 Out of the Hive forthwith they will her beat , Because their Honey she no more shall Eat ; And of her Life they soon will her bereave , Because with them she shall no more receive ; 10 For while they laboured to fill each Comb , She lost her Sting , and so became a drone : Therefore , my Soul , do not to sloath incline ; But Labour now , the precious time is thine ; 11 For if thou should'st be sluggish , and delay , Then wo will be to thee another day : Labour therefore , to get in Christ , thy Hive ; There 's Honey store , which will keep thee alive : 12 And be not thou like to the idle drones , Which lye and languish in their empty Combs ; Take care in building , 't is a curious Art , In building Combs , each Bee to have his part ; 13 And do not build thy Combs confusedly , So at the las● there is no room for thee ; If thou dost build with Hay , Wood , or with Stubble , It will bring thee into confused trouble : But unto higher things thou must aspire ; For that is Fuel sit but for the Fire .

The Author's Request . THE Stock of Honey now for which I trade , Oh that it may unto me so be made , Like to the increase of the Widdow's Oyl , Which in the Widdow's Vessel ne'er did fail Until that she in full her debts had paid , As it is in the Holy-Scripture said .

A Meditation Composed into an Hymn of Mortality . 1 MAn's Life it like a Shaddow is that soon away doth fly ; That we may know assuredly , all Flesh is born to die . 2 We are compared to the Grass , our Substance is so brittle ; Or like the running of a Race ; or like a Weaver's Shuttle : 3 And as a Taper that is lighted , full soon doth waste away ; Or like a Traveller benighted , who can no longer stay . 4 Our mould'ring Bodies well they may be termed to a Flower , Which in the Morning's fresh and gay , and cropt within an Hour 5 Oh , thou poor weak and feeble Man , why dost thou lofty look ? Thy Life is like a measur'd span , or bubble in the Brook . 6 Therefore let all , both great and small , prepare for Death , I say ; Before into the silent Pit it Summons you away . 7 When Death shall strike the Fatal blow , who can him then with-stand ? No pitty he did ever show , either by Sea or Land . 8 You must comply , as well as I , when Death his S the does whet , To mow you down unto the ground , wherein you must be shut .

Word by way of Caution to the Female-Sex . YE Female-Sex , Do you believe , when first the World began , That God immortal Souls did give to you , as well as Man ? 2 Do you believe that God did make both Sex upright to stand ? Do you believe that both did break God's great and strict command ? 3 If so , then how can we expect favour with God to find , If that we do his Word reject , and cast it out of mind ? 4 Do you imagine to escape , or that you shall go clear , And that before God's Judgment seat you never shall appear ? 5 If so , then after Godliness you need not make such hast ; And as for seeking Holiness , let that alone till last : 6 But oh , do not your selves decieve , Satan to gratify , Least that you do your Souls bereave of blest Felicity . 7 Virgins and Wives , I write these Lines to you In Christian-love , and so Farewell , Adieu . Your Soul's Well-wisher , Amey Hayward .

A Dialogue between the Word of God , and Careless-Women , Isa . 32.9 . Word . 1 RIse up 〈◇〉 ●●●●less-women which doth sit at ease , Befo●● th● Wo●●● 〈◇〉 much ●pon you sieze : Ye carele●s Daughters , it is now high time To Labour after thi●●s which are divine ; 2 Because Death follows you even at the heel , And will e'er long make you his lashes feel : Careless-women . 3 But we are Young , and Brisk , and in our Prime , And we perhaps may live a longer time , Some of the World's Happiness for to have , Before we do go down into the Grave : 4 Besides we have great Families withal , Whi●h on us for our dilligence doth call : Our Hu●bands , and our Children we must tend , Or else we shall not be to them a Friend . 5 We have also , Houses to wash and cleanse , In order to accommodate our Friends ; And we have but a little time to spare , We of o●r business take so great a care . Word . 6 Alas , such things will be to you no stay ; Nor do you good in the great Judgment day . Ye Careless-women , think it not enough , In cleansing of your House , and Houshold-stuff ; 7 And keep your Soul both stinking , and unclean ; Defil'd with Spirituall-sloath , 't is that I mean : You see that some doth out work you apace , In labouring for God's true saving Grace ; 8 While you trim up yourselves , and Houses gay , And think that you are going Sion's way : I find gross Ignorance has you beset , Which makes you thus the best things to forget . Careless women . 9 But we are them which a●e the weaker Sex , And if our duty we sometimes neglect , We hope the Lord will pardon us for it , And at the last our Sin also acquit : 10 Likewise we Breed , and many Children bear , Which makes us nothing doubt of Heaven's share ; We hope of it we shall not be bereaved ; St. Paul doth say , thereby we shall be Saved . Word . 11 This will you not excuse another Day ; Does not the Scripture to you plainly say , A Woman she was in the first Transgression , And so brought guilt upon the whole Creation ? 12 The W●men which St. Paul doth mention there , They be the Women which does persevere In F●ith , and Charity , with Holiness , These be the Women Heaven shall possess : 13 And not all Women which doth Children bear ; For then a wicked number would go there . Careless-women . 14 St. Paul doth say , Young-women they must Marry , And to this Rule we must not walk contrary ; And we mu●● 〈…〉 Therefore our ca●e 〈…〉 W●●● 15 Peruse that Scripture , 〈…〉 , m St. Paul doth set you forth in 〈…〉 And that you may no longer 〈…〉 He therefore gives to you tha●●●berty . 16 Ye Careless-women , now be Labouring , That you may Honour to the Gospel bring ; And if you will but bow , and bend your mind , The Myst'ries of the Gospel you shall find : 17 And that will make you more to shun all Vice , And long to be made Heirs of Paradice . The great Jehovah doth a Talent give To every Man and Woman that doth Live : But if this Talent any does abuse , Then at the last , God will them not excuse .

A Meditation on the World's Deceitfulness , and the Vanity of Man's craving Heart .

1 THE Heart of Man it is Triangle : the World is round you see : Therefore the 〈◇〉 with all the World will not contented be : 2 For take the World , then if you can , and put in the Triangle , I mean , into the Heart of Man , and yet he still will wrangle . 3 See here 's a Globe , the World's a Ball , in this Triangle p t , And still the Heart for more will call , it wants a filling up . 4 Then since the World unto thy Heart can give no true content , Why dost thou grieve when she does part , and after her Lament ? 5 Tush , let her go , she is a cheat unto the Heart of Man ; Although she seemeth to be sweet , dis-prove it if you can . 6 She 'll sing to thee sweet Lulla-by , whilst that thou dost her keep : But when she takes her wings to fly , will trouble on thee heap : 7 Then put no Confidence in her ; for she is but a Thief : She 'll rob thee of true comforts here , and leave thee full of grief . 8 To day she charms thee with her Smiles , and Frowns on thee to morrow : She with her wiles , thy Heart beguiles , and pierces it with sorrow . 9 Trust not in Smiles , nor fear her Frowns ; but trust in God alone : Fear him in whom true Joys abounds , for the World yieldeth none . 10 My Brethren dear , do you take care , when you look in this Book , And pray the World may not insnare you with her Bait and Hook .

THere is a little Book sent forth , which is not all my own : Some others added unto it , which Book I do not own . Although 't is Publisht in my Name , and sent unto your View : But the Addition to the same , I little of it knew .

FINIS .