DIVINE BLOSSOMES.
The Introduction.
[1.]
IF sickly Men fittest Physicians are,
And troubled Consciences the best Divines,
To contradict my fitness, then who dare,
To speak to Youth in my unpolish'd Lines:
My years being tender, I experience do
What ere may be delightful Youth unto.
[2.]
Who better knows, or who's a fitter Man
To tell the Road, than Carriers that do travel
It every day? Perhaps another can
Say what it was of late, and where some gravel
Was laid on such a place, on such a day;
But what at present 'tis, he cannot say.
[3.]
But he that is a travelling each hour,
And seldome off the Road, can best discover
Each miry Bog: The like hath he the power
To do in any Art, that is a Lover
Thereof, and a sound Student therein;
To which, and to his Nature, there's some kin.
[4.]
My years being tender, and well neer their Bloom;
My blood being hot, and swelling in my veins;
Cares being strangers, vigour taking room;
Who better may greet youth with pleasant strains?
Who better may describe and speak to 's Nature,
Than I that am a young and youthful Creature?
[5.]
Youth may say, Age layes too much burthen on them,
Having forgot what they in youth did do;
May think their solid precepts much may wrong them,
Or be too hard for Youth to attain unto:
There being disparity in Age,
They may object, their counsel is too sage.
[6.]
But these and many other such like cavils
Are ta'n away while youth to youth doth speak;
Young ones best know what young ones soonest gravels
Their folly, their vain courses, where they'r weak:
There's a propensity in youthful nature,
Congruity in almost every feature.
[7.]
What shall I say to youthful years Abuses?
Them to describe, should I now make my task,
Taking away their vain and fond Excuses,
Too much time, pains, and labour would it ask:
Again, then must I old Age blame and check,
'Cause they neglected (carelesly) to deck.
[8.]
Their Childrens tender years with virtues veil,
Which is the cause their Lives are now so bad,
For Virtue might as well in Youth prevail,
If that her solid precepts they had had:
Train up a Childe with precepts good and sage,
And he will not forget the same in Age.
[9.]
But how can Youth, Alas! how can he chuse
But vile and vain disordered Courses take?
When as his Parent never did him use
To contradict, nor good to him to speak:
Ground sown with Nettles cannot bring forth Wheat,
He's like to thrive that eateth dirt for meat.
[10.]
Oh Parents! what account d'ye think to make
To great
Jehov' at the great Judgement-day?
Oh! how will ye appear? what can ye speak?
The want of precepts made your Children stray:
Their language then'll be this, when they shall see ye,
Oh cursed Parents! Cursed, cursed be ye.
[11.]
H
[...]d it not been for you, we had not come
Into this place of Soul-tormenting pain,
You made us guilty of this heavy doom,
In that you cherish'd us in courses vain:
You might have been the means of our Salvation,
But you have been the means of our Damnation.
[12.]
Cursed be you with an eternal curse,
Curs'd be the time wherein you us begat,
Curs'd be the wombe that bore's, she that did's nurse,
Curs'd be all they that much rejoyc'd at
Our Birth and Being: miserable we
That are confin'd in Torments e'r to be.
[13.]
Oh cursed Parents! you the woful cause
Of this our woful case most truly were,
In that you let us violate Gods laws,
Neglected to instruct us in his fear:
Cursed we say, for ever curs'd be you,
Because the means of this our curse are you.
[14.]
You cocker'd, when you should have us instructed;
You brought us up in vanity and sin,
You laught with us, when you should's corrected,
And that encourag'd us our courses in:
You lookt not to us with an eye severe,
We never from you did sound precepts hear.
[15.]
Parents, what think ye of this woful greeting?
Is't nothing for to bed in flames of fire?
And be saluted at your heavy meeting
With stripes & strokes, with whips of knotted wire?
Look for no less, your children will do so,
What will not black Revenge fierce iury do?
[15.]
Bowels of love are turned there to hate,
Your Children are transformed into Devils;
I can't conceive, my Pen cannot relate
How they'l torment ye' for those forbid Evils
That they did learn from your vain conversation,
Which greatly did conduce to their damnation.
[16.]
Indeed, Can they do less then torture you
That were the cause that they are thus tormented?
Parents, Remember this, Consider now
In time, lest your damnation be augmented
By their company in those fierce flames
That ever burn, and nought their fury tames.
[17.]
Your greatest Duty lie not in providing
Them here a portion, and in laying up
Such things for them, as if they'd here abiding
For evermore, and should not taste the Cup
That's in Gods hand, containing Wine that's red
(For them that know him not) by's fury bred.
[18.]
But I do not intend to task my Muse
At present, for to speak unto old Age;
No, at the present I the same refuse,
Yet shall my matter be both grave and sage:
'Tis Youth to whom I do intend my speech,
'Tis Youth I do as Auditor beseech.
[19.]
I shall not read Lectures of good Behaviour
Now unto Age, how they should wisely live;
How act themselves, that all their acts might savour
Of Good; a good Example for to give
To imitative Youth, that notes each thing
They do, and does the like in many a thing.
[20.]
And though I have hinted, yet I have no more
Than given an hint of that same weighty charge
Of Childrens Education, on the score
Of those that keep them, those of riper age:
Those acts of yours, that you think time doth smother,
Are kept alive, being acted by another.
[21.]
'Tis Gospel-Exhortation, BE DISCREET,
(As well to Youth as Age directly given)
'Tis not to one, but doth both Sexes greet,
Speaks to all persons that look after Heaven:
Be circumspect and wise, Redeem the time,
You that would live in that all-glorious Clime.
[22.]
Old Age, remember, God doth notice take
Of al your words, your gestures, thoughts and deeds,
Of each of which you must a reckoning make;
From
Thoughts come
Word, and from thence
Action breeds:
God views your Generation, Children, see
The Devils mind, then see you wary bee.
Excitations. [1.]
But tender Youth, Come hearken, lend an Ear;
My thoughts on you at present I do spend;
It is to you, to you I do declare
That which unto Soul-safety much doth tend:
Now thou art young, and sound, and strong in stature,
Remember, Oh Remember thy Creator.
[2.]
Begin betimes to seek the King of glory,
At whose right hand pleasures for evermore
Do bide and dwell, whose worth the Angels story,
And they with Saints and Seraphims adore:
Up, up Youth, and pursue this glorious prize;
Shake, shake off sloth, come quickly, quickly rise.
[3.]
Thy blood is hot (Youth) let that heat excite thee,
And stir thy spirits, move them to a flame;
Collect thy spirits strength, here's that will fight thee;
Arise, arise, thy sloth I greatly blame:
'Tis Glory, 'tis a Kingdome, 'tis laid down,
The brows of the victorious for to crown.
[4.]
Come, here are brave attempts, noble atchievements,
Here, here's the way, the way to purchase honor;
Here's truly noble, truely brave employments,
To be a Souldier under Christs owne Banner:
The God of Heaven and Earth the Captain is,
The cause is good, 'tis for eternal bliss.
[5.]
O put on courage! Let that boyling blood
That heats your veins, turn into holy rage;
Bid Sin avaunt, let Sathan be withstood,
And in that holy War your selves engage:
Redeem your time, your freedomes, and your selves,
For all are Captives unto hellish Elves.
[6.]
Your enemy is strong, a potent foe,
He's full of might, of policy and skill;
The World, the Flesh do joyn their strength un
[...],
Most earthly Powers do obey his will:
Things that do look with seeming glorious faces,
Principalities and Foes in heavenly places
[7.]
You have to fight against: Engines of War
Your Foe-man hath, sleights, stratagems and wildes,
Whereby he often conquers from afar,
And often many Creatures he beguiles:
We are his Slaves, and in fell bondage all,
Stand at his beck, and run when he doth call.
Encouragements [8.] and Exhortations.
Oh let us rouze us, quitting sinful floth,
And put on courage, and go forth with might;
For to engage in fight, let's not be loth,
Because we lose our Souls else, and their right:
What though our Foe be strong, our Captain's stronger:
What though his arm be long? our Captain's longer.
[9.]
The Body's broke, Up, up, and take the spoyl,
The Body of our foes puissant strength,
Our noble Captain 'th given Death the foyl,
And we shall be victorious to him at length:
Fall on, Fall on, our foes are in a Rout,
The Victory is ours, out of doubt.
[10.]
Right noble Spirits, true heroick Minds,
Delight t' engage where Courage may appear,
I have oft heard how glad He is that finds
A desperate attempt, that may him dare;
And this they do, that the shrill Trump of Fame
Unto the Age may blazon forth their Name.
[11.] Argument 1.
But young Men, Heark ye, If that airy honour
May move hot Spirits to adventure far,
Then what may this under
Jehovah's Banner
(For your owne Interests) t' attempt a War?
Y' are Slaves to Sin, and to each Humour; then
Arise, arise, and quit your selves like Men.
[12.]
The Spoyl is good, the Triumph and the Joy
Is great and glorious, Ever doth endure;
Time sha'nt wear out, Oblivion sha'nt destroy
Your Trophees of Renown, you shall be sure
Ever to have, and therewithall a Crown
Of lasting Glory, when this life's laid down.
[13.]
Each valiant Act, and each Heroick Deed
You do, or ever shall attempt to do
With real Heart, taking respective heed,
Shall much the glory of your Crown ad to:
For every Lust you conquer and subdue
Joy, Peace, and Comfort will to you ensue.
[14.] Argument 2.
Nay, 'Tis high Honour for you then to joyn
With Gods own Son, the Heir of Earth and Heaven,
Your spirits then with his Spirit combine,
For to destroy all Sin his Life was given:
He came to overthrow the works of th' Devil,
The same do you, when you oppose an Evil.
[15.]
Youth, would'st have Honour? Prethee tell me then,
What is't to be Favourite to a King?
The King of Kings, that rules and reigneth when
The world shall cease, and every earthly thing:
This thou shalt be, if thou dost to him live:
A Crown and Kingdome likewise he'l thee give.
[16.]
Tell me then, Can thy strength be laid out better?
Can thy hot vigorous Youth it self imploy
For more advantage, then to make him Debter
Unto thee, that doth Heaven and Earth enjoy:
His Love thou gain'st by living in his will
Shalt Him and his possesse on
Zions Hill.
[12.]
Oh lay not out the strength of youthful years
To feed foul humours, and a fond desire,
Vain pleasures will procure eternal tears,
And make thee lodge in everlasting fire:
Resist, oppose thy youthful inclination
That leads thee captive to each sordid passion.
[13.]
Wilt serve him whom thou art asham'd to own,
As Master of the work that thou dost do?
Be not deceiv'd, but look what thou hast sown
Thou canst not but expect to reap also:
Bur-seed doth Burs, Dill-seed doth Dill bring forth,
The fruit and seed are ever of like worth.
[14.]
Thou sow'st in Flesh, of Flesh thou shalt reap shame;
But if in Spirit, glory thou shalt find;
Permit not puny pleasure for to maim
Thy Souls best strength, nor to enerve thy Mind:
Thou canst not say but 'tis an absurd evil
To give the worst to God, the best to th' Devil.
[15.]
Tax me not Young-man, that I do enjoyn
Thee to a thing impossible to do;
No, I'l assure thee, here is not a line
But 'tis thy safety to comply unto:
'Tis not by Hear-say that the thing I tell,
But by Experience I know it well.
[...]
[21.]
My heart esteems't the noblest design,
That ere my youth can make adventure on,
Unto
Jehove to make a full resign,
And in my Soul for to set up his Throne:
I would that he should reign o're me as King,
And every thought to his Subjection bring.
[22.]
His service I esteem at such a rate,
I would not leave it for to be a King,
An Emperour the mightyest Potentate
The Earth ere bore: I do esteem that thing
Of far less worth in Splendor, far more dim,
Then for to be a Servant unto him.
[23.]
I scorne a Crown, an Earthly Diadem,
The Scepter of this universe to sway;
Compared with that matchlesse glorious Gem
Of grace: for why that Honour's but a day.
But grace doth bring to glory evermore,
Makes a possessour of all glorious Store.
[24.]
If that a Crown was layed at my feet,
As sure as I do live, there should it lie;
If with Emperial honour men should greet
Me, as the greatest Earthly majesty;
I would refuse that honour and that grace,
For those same troubles that attend the place.
[25.]
Much more would I contemn it, if it should
Be proffer'd to me, if I would forsake
The Service of my God, or if I would
My self subservient to my humours make;
No, such petty honour I disown,
I eye no less then an alglorious Crown.
[26.]
An Earthly Crown's too mean for my desire,
Too base an object for my heart to fix on:
My Spirit's fill'd, with more Heroick fire,
I beauty love, not such a dull complexion;
My Noble Soul doth crave a bigger boone,
I must injoy that sacred Three in one.
[27.]
Your fading honour I esteem as dung,
Earth's weltering glory as the dirt in street;
I will not lodg one thought thereof among
Those noble thoughts, my Soul do dayly greet;
Base servile earth, avaunt, I'l not enslave
My thoughts with thee, if I the world might have.
[28.]
Alas poor earth, what's all that thou canst give,
Or dost afford, when sorrow greets the mind?
Wherein can an awakened conscience live?
What cordial in thy Store-house can it find?
Thou canst not give thereto one dram of peace;
'Tis not in thee to make distraction cease.
[29.]
Alas, Alas! thy glories are too mean.
Too mean an object, for the Souls desire:
The Souls desire's vast and too extreme,
'Tis too extreme, and heat with better fire,
Then to be quencht, then for to be contented,
What those poor shadows that by thee's presented.
[30.]
Thy wealth, what's that a truss of meer deceit,
A bladder full of wind, an empty joy,
A real nothing, yet a glorious baite,
That doth beguil man of eternal joy;
And shall my noble Spirit then lay out
Her precious thoughts, such vanities about.
[31]
No, No, my Soul's immortal, and must have,
Such wealth as is of an immortal being;
Such treasures as indure for aye I crave,
What do'nt I lightly prize and value, seeing
It cannot answer my Souls vast desire,
Allay nor coole the heat thereof the fire.
[32.]
Thy pleasures (world) thy Sense-besotting pleasures,
That so bewitch's men of tender years:
Conduce as much to joy as do thy treasures,
Unto contentment, and to free from fears;
But this is that, that most of 'th world do follow,
'Tis after pleasure that they hoop and hollow.
[33.]
'Tis pleasure that doth take the heart of youth,
'Tis pleasure his desires lead him to;
His hot veins swel, and pleasure strait doth sooth,
His lively humours makes them act and go:
Pleasures doth lull most younglings fast asleep,
Makes them laugh, now, eternally to weep.
[34.]
O Young ones know Pleasure's the Devils bait,
Wherewith he fishes for immortal souls;
In Pleasure he doth lodge a grand deceit,
And so (most) youthfull Nature he befools;
Your boiling blood do soonest close with pleasures,
Which of Gods wrath doth oft unlock the Treasures.
[35.]
Alas! and what are pleasures to Gods Ire?
Pleasures are fading that doth Age endure:
Think ye, can pleasures coole those flames of fire,
Or th' bitings of those hellish Scorpions Cure.
No your delightful pleasures then will sting ye,
As sure as now they unto Hell will bring ye.
[36.]
Pleasure's a Ship that doth imbark for Hell
All Passengers that are contain'd therein;
In endless flames they must be sure to dwell,
That do indulge and live and dye in sin;
They sweet and swiftly Sail, and that doth tend,
Quickly to bring 'em to their Iourneys end.
[37.]
O stay thy course young man, lower thy Sails,
Winde up thy Canvas Ty 't close to the Mast:
(Being open spread the wind then most prevailes,)
Oh therefore wind it up and ty 't up fast.
The affections are the Sailes, the which the Gusts;
Of vain desires do fill full with wanton Lusts.
[38.]
The Mast I'd have thee tie these Sailes about,
Is Solid reason, and a judgment true:
Reason should guide th'affections thoroughou
[...],
And judgment should inordinacy subdue;
Reason is Mistris Governess, will, desire, affection,
As hand-maids should attend her in subjection.
[39.]
But for to speak more properly unto thee,
Respecting what delights most tender years;
Preventing pleasures that they mayn't undo thee,
And so expose thee unto endlesse tears;
I say Religion yields as much delight,
As sinne can do, persisted in aright.
[40.]
All pleasure rises from congruity,
And fitness 't
[...]een the faculty and object;
When there's a natural propensity,
Needs must it be a
[...]ost delightful subject.
Guide then thy Soul by
[...]udgments solid Art,
What makes delight's the
[...]mper of the Heart?
[41.]
An earthly heart doth earthly things persue,
An heaven-born Spirit takes delight in heaven:
From a luxurious heart there doth ensue
Luxuriousness, (of vertue quite bereaven;)
An empty wanton heart filled with aire,
E'ry vaine object's ready for to dare.
[42.]
And such a heart like an un-ballast'd Ship,
Is turned o'r with e'ry breath of wind;
As empty vessels under sail do skip,
That they within 'm, nought but danger find,
So 's the immortal Spirit tost to and fro;
Hurried up and down, where fancy wills to go.
[43.]
This matchlesse Gem, this noble worthy Pee
[...]e,
Continually of shipwrack is in danger;
Tost to and fro, now there, and sometime here,
Unto all safety a perpetual stranger;
So long as mov'd by the light wind of passion,
Subject to nothing but to alteration.
[44.]
Inestimable worth, value unknown.
And past conceiving is the Soul of man,
A treasure, Jewel, that
Jehove do
[...]h own,
Term so; and take delight in; tell me then,
Should this same peereless Spirit serve an humour,
A besteal, sordid lust, it
[...]
[...]ngth consumer.
[45.]
The Soul's a heaven-born virgin prostitute her
Wilt thou, to loathsome sin and so to Hell?
Ah! canst thou suffer Divells to deprive her,
Of state, of glory, with them for to dwell?
Must Shee her countrey, and her kindred leave,
A cursed doome with Divels to receive?
[46.]
My heart doth ake to think of the abasement
The Soul doth suffer, while it traide with sin:
My Spirit sobs to view that foul defacement,
Of
J'hoves bright glorious beauty's seated in
The Soul of man; there ever to endure,
Consisting in an holy heart and pure.
[47.]
Ah wanton youth, are earths vain worthless pleasures
So dear unto thee, that thou't not them leave;
For feare of great
Jehovahs direful treasures,
Nor yet a Crown of glory to receive?
Wilt thou sell life and glory for a toy,
For sordid pleasure barter heavenly joy?
[65.]
Ah canst thou be content to bed in flames,
In utter darkness to make thine abode?
Canst thou dwel there where nothing fury tames,
Eternally deprived of thy God?
Ah canst thou bear the burthen of Gods Ire,
When as that task shall never out expire.
[49.]
O youth remember thine immortal Soul,
And beare in mind what price was for it given!
Remember what can purge it being foule,
Consider what may bring it unto Heaven;
Gods onely Son had of it such esteem,
That with his death its life he did redeem.
[50.]
For Christs sake thou thy Souls Salvation prize,
Because his death did life unto it give,
Permit not pleasures to put out thy eyes,
But ronze thy sloth, and up unto him live;
Live unto him whose death bought thy Salvation,
Die for his sake whose Life's thy preservation.
[51.]
Oh die thou must, or thou canst never live,
Die to thy self, to thy hearts lusts and pleasures;
Die to all sinne, or thou canst not receive,
Those glorious sweets that God to his out-measures
Thy Souls redemption cost Christs utmost breath,
And its Salvation must be by sinns death.
[52.]
Thou must be buried with him into death▪
Or thou canst not in life with him partake:
That sharp (two edged) cutting sword unsheath,
To cut down lusts that separation make
'Tween thee and him, 'tween his Spirit and Thine,
That do thee 'gainst him unto ill incline.
[53.]
Know, fleshly lusts do war against the Soul,
And seek its utter ruin and undoing:
'Tis thy souls safety, Youth, them to controul,
But thou art ever courting and a wooing
Them with delight unto thee, thy desires
Do beak themselves at lusts base smoaky fires.
[54.]
My Soul doth groan for to behold the Courses
That young ones take; how they with full carere
Seek their own ruin, and as tender Nurses,
Do nourish, cherish, and redeem as dear,
That which deprives them of a dwelling place,
In Heaven to behold Gods glorious face.
[55.]
Luxurious youth, a little lend an Eare
To me, and I'l thee some few precepts give;
Be sober minded then attend and heare:
Some rules I'l set thee down whereby to live;
First guard thy heart with double diligence,
And let thine eye therein have residence.
[56.]
And being sober, then strait look about,
For matter wherewithall t'employ thy mind;
Rouze up thy self, give slavish thoughts the rout,
Let sor did lusts within thee no place find;
Read sacred writ, and meditate thereon,
Be ruminating ever thereupon.
[57]
That loose licentious Lusts may finde no room,
No place for entertainment in thy Soul,
That when (according to their wont) they come,
Thy minds imployment may their course controul
Oppose an Evil, and it sha'n't orecome thee,
Resist the Devil, and he will fly from thee.
[58]
When saucy mirth, or any wanton lust
Doth proffer thee a greeting any more,
Tell'em, you know 'em not, and that you must
Have no acquaintance with them as before
You had unto your cost, when they did fool
Your noble spirit, bearing in it rule.
[59]
Tell 'em that now you 'ave found a better Master,
And nobler service for to pitch upon;
You'l seek to spare where you have been a waster,
And will not do as you before have done;
When they do knock, tell 'm you a'n't at leisure
To let 'em in, but bid 'em wait your pleasure.
[60]
And sure I am that such like entertaiment
As this, will cause bold Sin to hang its ears:
These words or others of the like concernment
(Maintain'd with heart sincere & ardent Prayers)
Will make the Devil in thee hide his face,
Will overcome him, make him quit the place.
[61]
And then
Christ Jesus and his glorious Train
(By his Soul-sanctifying Spirit) will
Enter thy heart, set up his Throne, and reign,
And all his blessed Pleasure there fulfill;
He'll enter then, who is the Prince of Peace,
Triumphing gloriously will make Sin cease.
[62]
And as before thy Soul was a foul Cage
Of unclean Birds, a Stie of nasty Devils,
Hells Council-Chamber, and thy Acts Hells Stage,
Whereon thou didst display all inbred Evils;
Now 'tis become the Palace of a King,
The King of Glory, blest in every thing.
[63]
Where Devils did in consultation sit,
(As they do always about acts unclean)
Malicious hellish mischiefs, which to beget
Not yet brought in action to be seen)
There Gods bless'd Spirit (Now) doth counsel give,
Unto the Soul disport it self and live.
[64]
Note this, young Man, peruse well the expression,
Me thinks 'tshould thy hot bloud convert to slames,
JEHOVAH will not onely take possession,
And dwell in thee, but also Son thee names;
He'll be thy Father, thou shalt be his Son,
Learn at all times to say, Thy will be done.
[65.]
But that's not all, though that's a glorious favour,
To be a child to the eternal God:
I'le walk in thee: Oh here's a speech doth favour
Of more then making with thee an abode;
My self I'le joy refresh, disport, delight
In thee, sayes the allglorious God of might.
[66.]
For what doth walk, speak less then recreation,
Delight, refreshment, (not excluding) joy,
As also (oft 'tis) Soul accommodation,
Which senses (here) don't Scripture truth destroy;
For Scripture doth the same to us commence,
What not in the same words, yet in the sense.
[67.]
But one thing more, youth, let me hint unto thee,
From this same text now I have touch'd upon:
God sayes he'l dwel in thee, then let it woo thee
To say to Hell, Avaunt; to sinne, Begone;
For he and sin in one heart cannot dwel,
No more then thou can'st live at ease in Hell.
[68.]
I'l walk in thee, the which expression speaks,
(As well as joy) that he'l take notice too
Of all thy acts, and all those private tricks
That thou in secret undescry'd dost do:
He that is alwayes walking round about
A house, can't chuse but see what's done throughout.
[69.]
But to come closer to the thing in hand,
I'le put it to thee, youngling for to judge;
Whether herein or sinne most joy doth stand,
Peace this attending (too) but sinne a scourge;
Sinne leads the Soul a dance, I sigh to tell,
It here begins, but ends i'th' lowest Hell.
[70.]
Moreover youngling I can tell thee this,
That that which makes sin lively to appear,
And doth bewitch thy Soul thereon, nought is,
But those same borrowed garments she doth wear
That she hath stolen from vertue; whose they are,
As't will hereafter plainly appear.
[71.]
There's but a painted strumpet that doth lure
All persons void of understanding to her;
Saw ye her in her night cloaths, I am sure
She would affright ye, and you'd cease to woo her;
She's deckt in vertues robes, and so she's fine,
Yet at the best, she's but a painted shrine.
[62.]
But if vaine pleasures must thy Mistris be,
And have the service of thy best affection,
Then thou to bed with her must sure be,
Nor canst thou that deny, since in subjection
To her thy Soul doth live, and acts her will,
And all her heads dost faithfully fulfill.
[73.]
Should I describe the Bed, and the place where
The Bed is made, 'twould task my Muse too hard,
But look where Devils dwell, the place is there,
The Bed it self cann't be by me declar'd;
'Tis sulphurous flames, 'tis torments sharp and fell,
'Tis gnawing Conscience, (in a word) 'tis Hell.
[74.]
One word more youngling, wilt thou sell thy sight?
Or wilt thou for a price part with the light?
What wilt thou ask for this thy breathing right?
Or take, the world to be bought out of quite?
I know thy answer to these very well,
For ten worlds worth, thou none of these canst sell.
[75.]
And I beleeve thou dost abhor the thought
Of valuing of those with any thing:
Nay, I beleeve thy Soul with sorrows fraught,
When any doth these into question bring:
I know young man, that here thou art so nice,
Thou loath'st to hear these valued at a price.
[76.]
But forasmuch as none these things may mention
Unto thee: Heark, I'le tell thee in thine ear,
And tell thee truth, for that's my hearts intention,
Thou overlov'st these, yet not count'st them dear,
For why, thou spend'st them on thy mistris Pleasure,
And lavishly dost waste them out of measure.
[77]
Nay, thou dost sell a Pearl worth all of these,
More precious Gems thou part'st with for her sake
Than I can utter, that whoever sees
That dangerous course that thou dost for her take,
Cann't chuse but say, Thou wastes thy strength, and sight
Most wickedly, and so deserv'st no light.
[78.]
More plainly, is the light a pleasant thing,
That thou'dst not be depriv'd of for a world?
Then part with Sin, for else it will thee bring
Into perpetual darkness, to be hurl'd.
Thou shalt for evermore part with the light,
And be included in perpetual night.
[79.]
Thy sight is precious to thee, 'cause the light
Doth pleasant objects unto it unfold,
But know in Hell the use is alter'd quite,
There's darkness, nought but terrours to behold;
So that for Sin both Light and Sight thou sell'st,
Both Life and Joy, and for its sake thou dwell'st
[80.]
Amidst fierce fiery flames, and dost debar
Thy Soul that blessed Privilege, to see
Gods glorious face, the which exceedeth far
What ere thy worldly interest to thee
Can give, and what's thy breathing right to this?
Breath well improv'd may make a gale to bliss.
[81.]
O youngling therefore if thou prizest ought
That's dear or good, why then shake hands with sinne,
And be not by't into subjection brought,
Nor in its slavery continue in:
Pleasures of sin but for a moment are,
The purchase of them therefore's too too dear.
[82.]
Besides its motions, force them from thy Soul,
And hold no private consultation with him:
Its rising power betimes suppress, controule,
For growing great thou canst not lightly will'm.
If any sordid evill you'd entombe,
The readyest way's to kill it in the wombe.
[83.]
Give sin no footing, for it will intrude,
'T will make its passage like a mighty stream;
Give 't but an entrance, and you straight include
Ten times more inconvenience then you deem;
If entertained for a moneths space,
It straight becometh Master of the place.
[84.]
'Tis a bold guest, and though a sordid groome,
Too base to come within the Souls confines:
Yet takes it up the best and bravest roome,
And further, all its forces strength combines;
To keep the same, and there as Lord to reign,
Permitting it none else to entertain.
[85.]
Sin's a most cruel Task-master to evil,
It giveth work, but gives no time to play,
Doth tyrannize as a most cruel Devil,
'Fording no intermission Night nor Day:
Heart, hand, eys, ears, nor tongue, nor lips m'n't stound,
But eagerly persist to run Sins round;
[86.]
The Eys must gaze the Heart to set on fire,
The Ear attends for to blow up the flame,
Which to express the Tongue doth never tire,
And yet this Tyrant sharply doth them blame,
Says they are idle, that they nothing do,
(When as their spirits faint, their work is so.)
[87.]
Here's Slavery exceeding
Egypts Task,
They Brick must make, yet store themselves with Straw,
No ease, no respite, nor no help must ask,
But ev
[...]r in yoke, like Slaves, like Horses, draw:
From this to th' other ill the poor Soul trudges
From that for t' other Lust the poor Soul drudges.
[88.]
Yet so the Creature's fool'd, that it contents
It self in this hard bondage; don't compl
[...]in
Of Servitude, nor in the least repents,
But layeth out its strength for to maintain
These sordid humours, and their lives to cherish,
Though for the same both Soul and Body perish.
[89.]
What doth the Drunkard prize above his Pots?
Who is more free than he? He doth not think
That he's a Slave, nor that ought him besots,
Although he place his happiness in Drink:
O how his heart doth long, and thirst, and pine,
E'r to be drinking, quaffing Beer or Wine!
[90.]
He loves good Fellows, Pot-companions dear,
His Life and Joy lies in that Fellowship,
Th'are farre more priz'd by him than all Heavens Queer.
Than Living Waters he had rather sip
His lunish Cups of Soul-confounding Drink,
Though thereby Health, Estate, Soul, Body sinck.
[91.]
Tush, tell not him of the Tribunal Day,
Nor of
Jehovah's dreadfull flaming ire;
Come give him Drink to wash dry cares away;
He fears no Hell, he fears no flames of fire;
Thus doth his throat already him foretell
His Souls Disease for evermore in Hell.
[92.]
And are proud Wantons any whit less Fools?
Their task's as hard, and yet that task is sweet
Unto them, the heat of their desire what cools?
Thoughts of Eternity must not them greet:
Bid them be humble, holy, chaste, and pure,
Such clownish Precepts they cannot endure.
[93.]
But why stand I thus for to instance any
One single Vice, when all the Ills of Nature
Do prove the same most clearly? though not many
Take notice of it, active in each feature
The most of men hotly persist to do,
What ere their wieldy Passions lead them to.
[94.]
Well to conclude young man; Remember this,
Thy Soul's immortal, and must aye endure,
'Twas made by God a Subject fit for Bliss,
And of eternal Doom it must be sure.
If thou liv'st well, a Crown he'l to thee give;
If ill, thy Doom's with Devils for to live.
[95.]
But having been too tedious in my verse
Upon this subject Pleasure, (and yet I
Have been but brief and short, seeing commerce
By youth is held with Pleasure constantly)
Shall now for Recreation sake express
In varied Verse what my experience is.
[96.]
And what in mine own practice I do act
Of youthfull pleasure, how I it esteem,
I shall lay down my thoughts of many a Fact
Tending thereto, and what I of it deem.
Example is a living Argument,
My self to thee, as so I here present.
Pleasure I finde to be a sly,
A deadly, subtil Enemy,
'Twill sleer i' th' face, 'twill kiss the lip,
Yet then look to 't, 'twill up thee trip;
'Twill speak thee fair, 'twill kindly greet,
And straight 'twill lay thee at its feet;
'Twill promise thee large liberty,
(When nothing's a more real Lie;)
'Twill build thee Castles in th' air,
'Twill fawn, and lie, and speak thee fair,
'Twill mention Peace, that it will give thee,
But trust it not, it will deceive thee;
'Twill 'ford content and satisfaction,
But then 't must be in Soul-distraction;
'Twill promise Ells, perform no Inch;
Thou needst not question at a pinch
But it will help thee unto sorrow,
Deep-dy'd in grain, and Scarlet-horrour;
'Twill proffer thee its company,
And promise true fidelity;
Faithfull 'twill be (indeed) 't w'on't leave thee
Herein, I say, it w'on't deceive thee,
'Twill stick close to thee to bereave thee
Of what ere Heaven, or God can give thee;
'Twill lodg thee with it self in Hell,
Together live and die (all's well;)
'Tis sweet in shew, but proves most sowre,
Shews lovely fair, but yet will lowre;
It says, in it thou shalt enjoy
Such matter as shall ne're thee cloy:
'Tis partly truth, for parting never
Is living and enjoying ever,
Which thou, and it, and Hell sha'n't do,
When once conjoyned thereunto:
O therefore now betimes resolve
That knot of Friendship to dissolve,
When ere she doth herself present
(I need not question her intent,
I know her well, though she doth bring
Honey in mouth, her tail doth sting)
To me, I ask what she doth crave?
Or what 'tis of me she would have?
I ask, how long I shall be sure
What she can give me will endure?
(Before I leap I love to look,
But all such counsel cannot brook)
Shall this thy joy continue ever?
And shall its life expire never?
Say I to her, Will this thy Pleasure
Not dammage my eternal Treasure?
If 't be n't eternal, then be gone,
Entice me not, let me alone;
'Tis no fit object for my view,
An unfit subject to pursue,
To gain those things I will persever,
That (like my Soul) endure for ever,
I dare not give thee any room,
Because to judgment I must come;
I know the Judg and thou art Foes,
If thee I follow, him I lose.
Avaunt, Be gone, Stand off; therefore
Don't dare (bold Sin) to tempt me more:
My heart thy dainties doth disrellish,
Because deceit doth them embellish:
Such Evils (too) they tend to cherish,
As will make Soul and Body perish;
Thy pleasant Path doth lead to Hell,
With damned spirits for to dwell;
Mine eys therefore thereon sha'n't look,
To hear thereof mine ears sha'n't brook,
Unto thy Paths my feet sha'n't walk
Nor of thee shall not my tongue talk:
All thoughts of thee, O may I smother,
Who am the interest of another:
Disloyall am I him unto,
If I strike friendship with his Foe,
I dare not, O, I dare not I,
Think such a thought, for he stands by,
He hath a Cabbin in my Breast,
He knows what's not by me exprest,
His eye doth every secret see,
Kept ignorant he cannot be,
He's omni-present, filleth all
And every place both great and small;
His arm is long, he will me reach,
From East to West the same doth stretch,
How then dare I consent to sin,
Or any one thought harbour in
My tender breast, that may conduce
His sacred Name to prejudice;
He's just and jealous, I don't dare
Him to offend, my Soul doth fear
His righteous judgments, and my flesh
Doth tremble, and can do no less:
His Majesty, in flames of fire
Cloath'd with wrath and furious ire,
Shall make appearance when the world
By fiery flames shall be dissolv'd,
Shall mount upon his glorious Throne,
And then examine every one;
All acts must into judgment come,
And every one receive their Doom,
According to their several Deeds,
The Judg to them their Sentence reades,
He says to them that have done well,
Ye blessed of my Father dwell
In his bright glories, mount the Throne
Prepared for ye every one;
Ye did your hearts for me maintain,
Come therefore now and with me reign;
Ye on the earth did to me live,
Now I to you a Kingdom give;
You hated Sin, now I you own,
And give you an all-glorious Crown;
You of your ways did conscience make,
Your wills and lusts too (for my sake)
Did crucifie, with strength oppose
All the suggestions of my foes;
Your strength up to me you did give,
Come therefore your Reward receive.
But as for you, you hellish Elves,
That to your Lusts did give your selves,
That ever burn'd with strong desire,
Bred and maintain'd by wanton fire;
Be gone from me into those flames,
That burn and nought their fury tames,
As in your life-time you have been
A neer Associate to Sin,
So now therewith go bide and dwell
For ever in the lowest Hell,
In utter darkness make abode,
Under my flaming furious Rod,
There live out your eternal breath,
With howling cries, with gnashing teeth,
I know right well this is Sins Doom,
Therefore I dare not giue it room,
I dare not entertain it in me,
For sure I am it soon will win me,
Its joy doth but a moment last,
But ah! its pain is never past,
Eternity my Soul doth eye,
Vain Pleasure therefore dare not I
Once look upon▪ nor will I greet
It, wheresoever I it meet:
I know it is an hellish Fi
[...]nd,
And all its courses thither tend.
Be gone, be gone, thou dost beguile me,
And of most pleasant sweets dost spoil me,
Thou giv'st me Peebles for my Treasures,
Sharp sorrows for delightfull Pleasures:
Mine own I am not, but am bought
At a dear rate, and therefore ought
To give both Soul and Body too
Unto his blessed service, who
Did me redeem from bondage fell,
Reprieve my Soul from Death and Hell;
He gave his Life, his Love was such,
To men, and shall I then think much
To answer love with love entire,
And for his sake to quench the fire
Of lower loves, and with affection
Most pure and true, yeeld him subjection;
Long may I to him loyal prove,
Strong may I with him be in love;
The pleasures of religion I,
Do finde more sweet and do espye
More beauty in, than want on pleasure
Can give to them, that have most leisure
To wait thereon▪ in it I finde
That sweet repose unto my minde,
That peace, that sweet delight, that joy,
That worldly powers cann't destroy:
Faith feeds me with the Bread of Heaven;
Thereby to me its joys are given
In such a measure that oft I
Being overcharg'd with joy do cry,
(As of my senses quite bereaven)
Whether am I now in Earth or Heaven?
What's this I both feel, taste and see?
Sure I am in Heaven, or Heaven's in me.
Time slackes his course, his glass do'n't run,
Or is eternity begun?
Both weeks and months their motions stay,
They are to me as one short day;
But they that would of Soul delight
(Then this) have a more fuller sight
From me, then let them please to look
Upon another former book;
I penn'd (in part) long since, and there
Expressions make 't at large appeare.
[97.]
But still for to pursue my present task,
As youthfull blood doth make the wind aspire
To fading honour, after pleasure ask,
Setting the Senses thereon all on fire;
So too that heated blood the Soul doth move,
To be a thralled Captive unto Love.
[98.]
Youth's swelling veines made hot with blood and Spirits,
Doth like to fire never cease to stur:
Will be in motion, though thereby 't inherits,
Shame for the same a constant blur,
The Soul of man is made of living fire,
That never moves yet motion don't expire.
[99.]
The Devill therefore tends with diligence,
To give it matter whereupon to act:
Presents an object to the greedy Sense,
The which from thence the Soul doth soon infect,
Unto the Eye of youth he proffers beauty,
And streight fond youth presents it shrine with duty.
[100.]
Beauty to youth is as the oyle 't a fire,
And as dry fewel unto raging flames
It doth convert him all into desire,
And what is 't then that furious passion tames;
Th' eye to the heart presents this foul infection,
Poysons the Soul thoroughout, by the affection.
[101.]
Youth now doth love, and must possesse in love
What he desires, on whom his heart is fixt;
All arguments are far too weak to move,
There is no incongruity betwixt
Her whom he loves and him; no he can tell
She suits his disposition very well.
[102.]
What will he stick to venture for her sake,
Whom he so fondly loves, as that his life
I' n't deare unto him, so he may partake
Her fellowship, and she be made his wife;
Heaven and earth and God and life and blisse,
Compar'd with her unto him norhing is.
Youths antick tricks herein I sha'n't discover,
I do'n't intend to toile my muse so much:
Again my Soul thereof was ne'r a lover,
And therefore once to speak of them I grutch;
My Soul takes no delight such things to mention,
Further than is concern'd in my intention.
[104.]
Is thy blood hot? (youth) do thy Spirits move,
And work thee to a flame of strong desire?
Make God the onely object of thy love,
Present him with an heart sound and entire;
He's the alone-original of beauty,
His lovelinesse (from thee) may win a duty.
[105.]
If thou could'st see him with a single eye
His lovely beauty, but by glance behold:
I'm sure in him thy Soul would soon espye,
That which would make thy burning love grow cold
To all things else, and all things disappeare,
In lovelinesse to what before me were.
[106.]
Those sparkling glories, whose unmatchless lustre
Do make a heaven where e'r they are unfolded,
Displayed to thy view thy thoughts would muster,
And set them free from what they are inthralled;
'Twould flame thy Spirits, and thou then should'st prove,
The power of that noble heaven-bred love.
[107.]
Love of this beauty don't the Soul abase,
Nor make it act below it self as t' other:
Which doth ignoble it, and much deface
Its beauties, tending also for to smother
All sparks of good, that are contain'd therein,
By the base smoaky vapours of foul Sin.
[108.]
No this doth raise and elevate the mind,
And doth ennoble, and sublime the Soul:
It makes it unto real good enclin'd,
Refines and purges it from courses foul;
It doth transmute, transform and make the Spirit
From real ill true goodness to enherit.
[109.]
This love to God doth spread it self throughout
The inner man, and strange effects it worketh:
It doth employ its utmost strength about
Ejecting Sin from whence it closely lurketh;
Oh, here's delight indeed! the Soul doth move,
Employed in the service of its love.
[110.]
Lovers oft beg this on their bended knee,
(O great abasement of a noble Soul!)
That by their mistris they employ'd may bee,
The service ne'r so base, low, mean or foul;
O for her sake what wo'n't they deign to do,
They'll bended bow even for to kisse her Shooe.
[111.]
Loves Nature 'tis to act with joy and cheere,
In any act whereto their Love enjoynes'm:
Love's life therein consists, and doth appear
'Tis love, and love't self thereof doth mind'm;
Then Christians who are happyer men than you,
That ever have advantages enow
[112.]
To prove and to expresse your love to him,
The fountaine of all love, the King of glory:
Unto whose shine Sol's splendent rayes are dim,
Whose beauty Seraphims't would pose to story;
By mortifying Sin, by crucifying
All earthly members, to self-wisdome dying.
[113.]
Oh! 'tis advantage Christians to be tempted,
By sordid humours, by a base desire;
For why; thereby occasion is presented,
To purge your Soules and prove your love entire;
Sin tempts, the Soul opposes, God looks on
As the Spectator, to behold what's done.
[114.]
O how thou'dst fight young man, if that a foe
Of thy beloveds did encounter with thee;
Especially if she commanded so,
And did looke on herself; but then I prethee
Tell me, dost think service to the creator
Affords lesse joy than service to the creature?
[115.]
How happy do your lovers think themselves,
If they may bee but graced for to talk
With their deare love: Oh! how the minde now delves
For matter, there's no faculty doth balk,
Its utmost strength for to give up in this,
In this same act wherein consists its Blis,
[116.]
Words from her mouth you prize as hony dewes,
Yea Nectar, & Ambrosia a'n't so sweet
As her discourse is to you; while her brows
Displayed in lovely smiles deigns you to greet;
Her words drop down like Manna from the Skies,
While with delights ye bathe ye in her eys.
[117.]
O happy ye, your hearts now melt in love,
And like to Wax before the Sun dissolveth,
Ye now lie captivated, cannot move
Untill she from this bondage you absolveth;
You bath your souls in this her sunny-shine,
And think her favours more than half divine.
[118.]
But what's all this to those unmatchless favours,
That they who seek the face of God do meet?
The very way and path they tread in, savours
Of joys illustrious, most delightfull sweet,
Where ere he moves the sweets he leaves behinde him
Is a sufficient tract whereby to finde him.
[119.]
They that love him he turns them love again,
And who with diligence his face do seek
His glorious face shall see (to quit their pain)
(Under a veil) yet lovely, sweet and meek;
O could I tell what his imperial brow
Affords to them that see't, 'twould ravish you.
[120.]
So lively glorious, so sweet, so cleare,
So Sp'ritly vigorous, and Soul-reviving,
So milde, so gentle, yet so lovely faire,
The Soul that sees it, ceases e'r from dying;
I cannot half conceive, much lesse expresse
The joy, the blessednesse that therein is.
[121.]
Converse with him; yea freely that you may,
He'l find you matter fit for to converse on;
Nay, further He'l you send a glorious ray,
To fit your hearts for what they do commerce on;
Here's love indeed your Love, this thing can't do,
If you'r infirm, she throws a scorne on you.
[122.]
He sends his Spirit to renue dead flames,
To quicken, to revive th' affection dying:
A God of grace and love, himself he names,
His Nature's so; his Soul is ever eying
His creatures wants, the languishing desire
He cherishes with Grace, doth re-enspire.
[123.]
How sweet so-e're your thoughts are when you muse,
Upon your Mistresses most lovely face,
Her person and proportion, when refuse
You do that any thoughts them should displace;
Yet know ev'n then the thoughts of God are sweeter,
His love more lovelyer, his Spirit fleeter.
[124.]
Being wounded by the beauty of her face,
Her words have power to kill or give you life:
Your Soules do sue for to obtain her grace,
To gain her love, that shee'd be made your wife;
When she is pleas'd to greet you with disdain,
Your Spirit sinkes, no life in't doth remain.
[125.]
But this to great
Jehovahs powerfull voyce,
Which is Soul quickning, or Soul confounding:
Wilt thou joyn paralell to make a choyce,
('Tween real want and what is most abounding?)
His voice such rare magnetique power doth give;
'T preserves the dying, makes the dead to live.
[126.]
Touch'd with his beames, touch'd with his flames of love,
An extasy that Soul must needs remain in,
'Tis bounden to him, and it cannot move,
That bed' maines ever green that it hath lyen in;
Oh, stop my lavish pen, I cann't tell how,
Those rare unmatchlesse sweets
[...]'describe to you.
[127.]
Youth, canst thou dote on any female beauty,
What dost thou think thou shalt therein enjoy?
That thou dost vow thereto such solemn duty,
Demean thy self so like a witlesse boy;
By any antick gestures her to gain,
Whom being got thou dost possesse with pain,
[128.]
Alas, thou over-prize
[...] things a far,
And buy'st th' enjoyments at a rate too dear,
'Tis granted in their place they something are
But what; ('tis not my task to
[...]ell you here;)
Yet minde yee what
Elchanah say'd to
Hanny,
Am not I more to thee than children many?
[129.]
So in
Jehove is far more to be found,
Than in all Creatures if conjoyn'd together:
All creature-sweet is in a moment drown'd
In those delights that he affordeth, whither
The Soul at all times freely may resort,
And with those pleasures may it self disport.
[130.]
Pleasures, sweet pleasures, precious delights,
To these expressions youngling sure I see thee
Attend and bend thine ear, (come nought affrights)
Be sober and let those expressions chear thee;
God is the rist of beauty, peace and love,
Joy and delight, and therefore to him move.
[131.]
As from a mighty fountain that disperses
Its great aboundance thorough many springs,
And in those narrow channels quickly passes,
And spreads its self and waters divers things;
So doth
Jehove from his own fullness give
What ever good the creature can receive.
[132.]
Now 'tis absurd to think, much more to say,
That there resides that fullness in one Spring
That in the fountain head it self doth stay,
No more can any creature comfort bring
That peace, joy, Satisfaction to the mind,
That in
Jehove himself thy Soul may find.
[133.]
Extract what ere thou canst from ev'ry creature,
And pack that lovelynesse all up in one;
Beauty from one and from another feature,
(Perfection resteth not in one alone,)
From a third virtue, a well composed Spirit,
That sweetnesse, patience, mildnesse doth enherit,
[134.]
Nay take the Quintessence of ev'ry thing
That thou in any creature good canst call,
And then know this that all that good doth spring,
From God its fount and its original;
And if one single good so lovely is,
What's he in whom thou maist them all possesse.
[135.]
Note this young man, and deep impression give it
Upon thine heart, endorse it on thy mind:
Upon thy judgment do it fast on rivet,
And let it equal entertainment find
To things of far lesse worth, inferiour beauty,
Remove from that, and give to this that duty.
[136.]
Thou canst not say that this is a demand,
Unreasonable of thee to be ask'd?
The worth of th'object rightly understand,
And then thou'lt not complain that thou art task'd,
In any service that thou undertak'st
For it to do, nor that deer thou forsak'st
[137.]
It for to gain, cause worth far less doth move
Thee, cost, labour and strength for to lay out,
To be an humble servant in her love,
And think't a bliss to be employ'd about
(At any time) the service of her pleasure,
Which to fullfill, thou sparest for no treasure.
[138.]
And all's to gain what may be lost to morrow,
But if not so, yet's but a petty good,
A sweet that doth contain a deal of sorrow,
A peace that many discontentments hood.
Leave not the kernel for the empty shell,
When as thou mayst enjoy'm both aswell.
[139.]
But to look ore those petty petty sweets,
That thou endearest to thee as thy life:
And for to mention some of many feates,
That in thy nature's acted very rife;
Thou ne'r dost leave till thou hast found an object,
Whereto thou makest thine affections subject.
[140.]
Oh! might thy active thoughts employ themselves
No lesse in seeking out to find abode,
'Cquaintance and friendship and him that e'r dwels,
Between the Cherubims, thy heaven, thy God;
Thy self cast down before him, prostrate ly
With resolution, if I dy, I dy.
[141.]
This thou wilt do to gain her worthlesse favour,
On whom thou dost thy fond affection pitch:
There is no good like that, that thou canst favour,
Nor any thing that thou esteem'st so much;
Therefore thou layst out all thy Art and strength,
With strong desire, her to enjoy at length.
[142.]
The Suns bright rayes do far less comfort yeild,
Then doth the sunny beauty of her face;
To which thou thinkest that the fragrant field
Is lesse delightfull, nor of so much grace.
There is no happiness thou canst espy,
Out of the sun-shine of thy Mistris's eye:
[143.]
Thy life and happinesse lies in her smiles,
Thy death and misery in her frown consisteth,
Thy fond affection thus thy judgment spoiles,
Will and desire do in thee what them listeth;
Affection, will, and vain desire together
Do lead th'enthraled judgment any whither.
[144.]
But oh fond youth that thou could'st turn about,
And see that worth from which thou turn'st thy face,
Ah! did'st thou but behold it, out of doubt
Thou would'st endeavour for to give it place;
Tis worth where from th'algorious Queere of Heaven
Have all their happinesse unto them given.
[145.]
Tis worth affording each Soul faculty,
A full contentment of all needful things:
A real worth where's no deceit, no ly,
Perfect delight and joy that's free from stings;
'Tis more then th' Quintessence of every good,
It is a worth that can't be understood.
[146.]
It is a worth from whenceall worth's derived,
'Tis real substance, thine a vain conceit:
'Tis death eternal for to be deprived
Sight of the face of that al-glorious wight;
'Tis life e'rlasting it for to enjoy,
Where's all delight and peace without annoy.
[147.]
A dark and loathsome Dungeon is that place,
(Of no delight, but sorrow now to thee?)
That thy dear Loves sweet presence us'd to grace,
Where thou her lovely-face did'st use to see;
Her sunny beauty was that place's light
To thee, her absence mak'st a darksome night.
[148.]
This thou experiencest and knowst it truth,
But in the Suuny beauty of Gods eye
(Regardlesse, negligent, vain, witlesse youth,)
Thou knowst not what an happinesse doth ly;
For 'tis his face, his presence that makes Heaven,
Who sees it not of all joys are bereaven.
[149.]
Ah! couldst but half consider what it is,
To live without him, be depriv'd the place
Of his abode, the misery to miss
The sight of his best smiles, his lovely grace;
'T would break thy heart to think upon that sorrow,
(That thou must feele thereby) with deadly horrour.
[150.]
The losse of any creature Love i'n't so,
That losse may in an other be repaired:
Beare but the grief, no punishment may go
Along therewith beside, that may be spared;
Considering (for ought thou know'st) that losse,
It had by thee might 'ave prov'd a cruel crosse.
[151.]
For why on earth no sweet's without some sowre,
There is no peace without some discontentment,
Withoutsome weakness there's no strength, no power
No earth without some grief can't make presentment
Of any joy unto thee in the least,
At its vain Loves let not thy soul (then) feast.
[152.]
But least some persons should exceptions take,
(By misinterpreting my aime, my drift)
And say Gods ordinance I uselesse make,
And chastity is a peculiar gift;
I wish such persons rightly to conceive me;
I aime at no such thing, if they'll beleeve me.
[153.]
I don't condemn such Love as lawfull is,
But fain would lead the creature a pitch higher,
Above all first to seek eternal blisse,
To God himself would have the Soul aspire;
Would have it first to mind the things of heaven,
Then all things else shall be (as vantage) given.
[154.]
I'd have youth give the prime of their affection,
As their first fruit unto
Jehovah due,
Their will and their desire too in subjection,
And after him with their whole strength pursue.
For to his beauty all things else are dim,
He is our Lord, and we must worship him.
[155.]
For feare I say if any misconstruction,
I'l here turn off, and in few words expresse
My selfe herein, and so will by deduction,
Declare how short all creature-comfort is;
Touching upon in a compendious story:
My Love's bright beauty excellence and glory.
1.
My tender youth hath found
An object for its Love,
Whereat I do not stound,
But all my powers move,
It for to gain,
Though with much pain,
And for to make it sure,
I will not spare,
Nor do I care,
What ere I do endure.
2.
It is no lower wight
That I do pitch upon,
My subject of delight
Is great
Jehovah's Son,
In him my minde
That sweet doth finde,
That none with may compare,
By him I have
What ere I crave,
Though ne'r so good and rare.
3.
My youth hath made a choice,
That I will not forgo,
Wherein I much rejoyce
And am affianc'd to,
Whom my desire
Is set on fire
With ever to behold,
And whom I love
All things above,
Therefore in suit am bold.
4.
Between my love and I
Is such congruity,
That nought unto mine eye
Of like respect can be;
I do not prize
Nor hands, nor eys,
Nor ought else whatsoere,
My very life
Is but a strife,
Not lov'd in his compare.
5.
Ah, could my tongue but tell
The beauty of my love,
Wherein he doth excell,
Whate're doth breath or move,
There's none I'm sure
That could endure
Him for to rest short of,
They would him love,
All things above,
Though now they at him scoffe.
6.
Could I but pensil out
That bright perfection rare,
That spreads it self about,
His limbs and face so fair,
Each Readers heart
With Loves strong dart,
Would suffer such a wound,
So as that then
With lock and key
Were closely Prisoners bound.
7.
My Love's so fair, so clear,
That neither Moon nor Sun
Do light or bright appear
In the Meridian,
No they are dim,
Compar'd with him,
Their beauty's 'clipsed quite
They hide their face,
As in disgrace,
To such a glorious light.
8.
With glory he's array'd
As with a garment gay,
His beauty may be said
To be the Angels day;
Heaven can nought
Afford that's ought,
If dispossest of him,
For 't is his light
That makes it bright,
His presence makes it trim.
9.
O did you know the pow'r
Of his imperial brow,
And what delights do towre
Themselves therein, and how,
Within your breast
You could not rest,
Till you had seen that face,
Nor without doubt
Could live without
The presence of his grace.
10.
For why the Angels joy,
And Seraphims delight
Consisteth constantly
By being in his sight,
Their happiness
Is onely this
Him ever to behold,
Whereby desire
Is set on fire,
And never waxes cold.
11.
His smiles do make an Heaven,
His frowns produce an Hell,
For where his favour's given
No tongue their bliss can tell;
His flaming ire
Begets a fire
That ever doth endure;
His blessed love
The Soul doth move
To joy and Peace most sure.
12.
No Angels tongue can tell,
Nor mortal ear ere heard,
Nor heart conceive or spell,
Those joys that are prepar'd,
Prepar'd for them
That as a Gem
Do prize the Lord of Life,
Whom he will grace
With his blest face,
And marry as his Wife.
13.
His nature's sweet and milde,
Lovely, and full of grace,
Himself he so hath stil'd,
And 'tis read in his face,
His countenance
Doth much advance
His glories every where,
It is so humble
That none can stumble,
Say no acceptance's there.
14.
For though he doth possess,
All things in Earth and Heaven,
Yet will he ne'rtheless
His grace to such be given
As do him seek
With spirit meek
Though ne'r so vile and poor,
With real heart,
If they do part
In will and intention.
With sin for evermore.15.
His countenance doth carry
In 't such majestick grace,
That where 'tis Sin w'on't tarry,
But straight acquits the place;
It's Pleasures black
Their Beauty lack,
And melt away like Snow;
They shew then plain
But grief and pain,
But misery and wo.
16.
All worldly Pleasures are
Compared with this delight
But as a Candle's blear
Unto the Suns clear light,
Or Glo-worms shine
In the day-time,
Yea and far viler too;
They then are sorrows,
And deadly horrours,
Loathsom the Soul unto
A mass of real wo.
17.
I'll prove this straight a truth
Unto your open view,
Come wanton lustfull youth,
And give me answer now,
Your minde aspires,
Being fill'd with fires,
And at great things doth aim,
But whose intent
Noblest descent,
(Of you or I) can claim?
18.
Again in Pleasures Pool
Your youth doth bathe it self,
But I my youth do school,
In shunning of that elf;
I deal with joys,
Not such vain toys,
A far they are below me,
I trade for Treasures,
Not carnal Pleasures,
The which vain youth do cow thee.
19.
Thou serv'st a sordid Lust,
But I the God of Heaven;
And if obey thou must,
But to me freedom's given;
My joys do lie
With God on high,
My youths delights are there,
I in his Court
My self disport,
Where 'quaintance claime I dare.
20.
Thou woo'st and su'st for love
To some inferiour Beauty,
I God himself do move
To him I tender duty,
Nor w'on't give o're
My Suit before
Himself I do obtain,
My heart in triall
Cann't take deniall,
My Soul must with him reign.
21.
O tell me wanton youth,
What's thy delight to mine?
Wilt dare to say in truth,
My love exceeds not thine?
I know th' art sham'd
It should be nam'd
Upon that present day,
You blush to see
What fools you be,
And therefore nought can say.
(22.)
But to proceed to speak
Still further in his praise,
Whereto my heart's too weak
My eyes to view his Rayes,
His beauty bright
Allows no night
where ever it doth shine,
He doth impart
Unto that heart
A light and life divine.
(23.)
He doth the soul revive
Where ever he doth come,
And gives it so to live
That it may keep a roome
For Majesty,
Therein to lie,
And alwaies find a place,
He'll there keep Court
The soul disport
With his most lovely face.
(24.)
He doth the soul transform
Into his own likeness,
Doth it throughout adorn
With his bright glorious grace,
What found in him
Although but sin
Shall in it (too) appear.
Transmutes & changes
The soul estranges
From whats to Nature deare.
(25.)
But not to soar above
The reach of tender youth
That slaves himself in love
Whom vain fond humours sooth▪
Whom up to lift
It is my drift
From off the dreggs of nature,
To fix on high
And him to eye
That is his blest Creator.
(26.)
Most glorious is my Love
As you may plainly see
And doth't not me behove
Loyal to him to be?
Yes that I will
With all the skill
That I can make or gain
Whose work about
I will lay out
My self with might and main.
(27.)
Come Lovers I'll you tell
What privilege I have,
The which I will not sell
For all Earths glory brave,
Although that glory
Shews none can story
Whereof my love possest
Yet still dare I
To him draw nigh
In love to be refresht.
(28.)
My love he is not coy
Though beautiful and fair
But fills my soul with joy,
It glads me to appear
Before his sight,
For why? with might
Afresh he doth me fill;
He ne'r me scorns,
But me adorns
According to his will.
(29.)
While that low worthless beauty
That thou dost so adore,
(Presenting with such duty)
Gives thee no thanks therefore
But makes thee serve
While like to starve
Regarding not thy love
Whom thou draw'st nigh
(Oft she is shie,
And doth far off remove.
(30.)
With scorn she oft thee flouts,
(The fruit of loath'd rejection)
Disdains with churlish pouts
Thy tenders of affection;
Though thoudost crouch
Her for to touch
With lowly bended knee,
Yet she flies off
Doth at thee scoff,
She will not, no not she:
(31)
O youth, what pains thou tak'st
Her love for to obtain,
Thy self most servile mak'st,
Yet merits but disdain;
But were I you,
I ne'r would sue
For love so frivolous,
I would forsake,
No suit more make
To be rejected thus.
(32.)
Unto my Love I never did
Tender my hearts desire,
But he forth with me answered,
And sent me fire for fire,
What I him give
He doth receive,
And so in mutual love,
We each enjoy
Nor do we cloy,
Oh may I never move.
(33.)
They that do give a heart
Unto the great Jehove,
May sure themselves that start
He will not from his Love,
I'm sure there's none
Can make their moane,
That they did to him tender,
Not onely part,
But their whole heart,
And he no love would render.
(34.)
Think'st thou that Jesus Christ
The Heir of Earth and Heaven,
By whom thy soul was prick't
And for't his life was given;
Thinks thou (say I)
That he'll deny
Thee love when thou dost sue,
Ah no he won't
His practice don't
Confirm that thing as true.
(25.)
He'll bind his listning ear
When thou prefer'st a suit
Thy voyce he soon will hear
Nor will he then be mute,
He'll condescend
Unto that end
For which thy suit was made,
He will delight,
And glad thy spright,
Come therefore ben't afraid.
(36.)
None ever made a proffer
Of any thing to him
That he refus'd their offer
Or flung their scorn on them
Ah no his grace
Doth soon give place
To entertain that love,
He'll answer them
With love again
That truth of heart doth move.
(37.)
And youth when thou hast gain'd
The person thou dost sue for,
Her love I mean obtain'd
(Which oft thy heart did rue for)
Thou art not sure
It will endure
For Lovers minds are changing,
For all that love
Don't constant prove
(The mind is prone to ranging.)
(38.)
But sure I am that love
That God doth give to his
Is constant, can't remove,
It everlasting is,
The highest mountains
And lowest fountains
Shall all first cease to be,
The mighty hills
The desert fields
Shall move into the Sea.
(39)
Could my tongue tell the sweets
The pleasures of the mind
That with my soul oft meets
And I in love do find,
There is no ear
That could them hear,
But would be ravish'd by 'em,
And then would spy
The vanity
In earthly things, and fly 'em.
(40)
No place can me debar
The presence of my love,
That bideth every where,
On earth beneath, above:
No company
Can me deny
My sweet converse with him;
Nor darkest night,
Hide from my sight
His beauties clear and trim.
(41)
This beauty can't decay,
(Though age your lov's defaces)
My joyes shall 'bide for aye,
In mutual loves embraces;
I shall enjoy,
Without annoy,
My love for evermore,
In that bright glory,
That none can story,
Where Seraphims him adore.
(42)
The care that now I take,
Is only so to live
A life, that love may speak
To whom my love I give;
I care not I,
Who doth defie,
The service of my love;
'I shall be my care,
No cost to spare,
Sincere to him to prove.
(43)
Commend, or dis-commend
My lov's most strict commands,
It nought to me doth tend,
My act not therein stands;
I will endeavour,
Now, and for ever,
His pleasure for to do,
With heart and might,
Both day and night,
Who 'er's averse thereto.
(44)
I prize no love to his;
For what's all else to me?
In him's contain'd my bliss;
Nought care I else to see:
'Tis he alone,
That onely one
On whom my hear doth fix,
Him would I serve,
Not from him swerve,
Nor other service mix.
(45.)
Oh may my heart be true,
My will and my desire,
Constantly him pursue,
And be to him entire,
Who is worthy
Of more than I
Am able for to give him,
But to his praise
Even all my dayes
I crave that I may live him
(46.)
A thousand hearts had I
And every heart the might
The strength and valiancy
Of thousands, as his right
Them unto him
(My hearts dear gem)
Would I present and give,
And think this all
Yet far too small
For him for to receive.
(47.)
My tender youthful years
Hath long agoe forsaken
Earth's fading foolish toyes,
Of them farewel hath taken,
My tender youth
They may not sooth,
For dead is my desire
Unto its joyes
Such worthless toyes
That do so soon expire.
(48.)
My tender years present
Their youthful strength to him
With whole and joint consent
To whom bright Sol is dim,
Whom I adore
For evermore
As Soveraign, Lord, and King,
Whom I'd reraise
In strains of praise
And of his Glories sing.