The Historie of the Perfect-Cursed-Blessed Man Setting-forth Mans Excellencie/Miserie/Felicitie by his Generation/Degeneration/Regeneration. By I. F. [i.e. Joseph Fletcher] |
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MANS FELICITIE PROCVRED. |
 | The Historie of the Perfect-Cursed-Blessed Man |  |
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MANS FELICITIE PROCVRED.
Verbera, sputa, crucem Verbum patitur Caro factum,
Vt vivat Cœlis, morte solutus Homo.
Vt vivat Cœlis, morte solutus Homo.
The Argument.
To cursed Death then CHRIST Himselfe doth give;That blest in Heav'n, Man freed from Death may live.
This
Christ was He, that was that promis'd Seed
That long was long'd-for: who (though God in deed,
Yet that He might be also very Man,
And so an equall Mediator) ran
Sun-like through all the Signes of humane race,
Appearing first in blessed Virgo's face.
VVho all the World contains, was now contain'd
VVithin Her happy wombe: who still remain'd
A spotless Virgin; and anon the Mother
Of her first Father, Saviour, and Brother.
“A Virgin-Mother of a Son a Father,
“The World nere had, shall nere again have either.
When He was born, such joy was at his birth,
That Heav'n and Earth did eccho with the mirth
Yong Iohn un-born, old Simeon halfe in's grave,
Poore Swains, rich Sophies in Him comfort have.
Sing then for joy, sing still, sing, doe not cease:
For now is born the Saviour King of peace.
He was the richest (He was poorest) born:
Right Heir of all: (of all the most forlorn.)
The great Creatour He: (poore little Creature.)
Not made as God: (made Man of fleshly feature.)
Maker of all lawes: (all lawes fulfilling.)
Th' Author of all life: (to die most willing.)
The fair'st of Men: (of Men the most defil'd.)
Aye-King of Bliss: (of woe the cursed Childe.)
Inf'nite each way: (each way He greater grew.)
All good, no ill, (all humane frailties) knew.
Admired of the wise: (contemn'd of fooles.)
Confuted greatest Doctors in their Schooles.
None ever spake like Him, He spake so well;
Nor wrought: yet was He counted Prince of Hell.
Whose words, whose works, who Mary-like do ponder,
Have all their hearts ev'n fill'd with joy and wonder.
He rais'd the Dead; gave health; gave sight to blinde;
Conquer'd the Devils; calm'd both Seas and Winde:
Was alwaies doing good; or suff'ring ill;
That so all right'ousness He might fulfill.
All vertues flow'd from Him, all graces shin'd
Clearly in Him: in Him all Pow'r's combin'd.
He was the fountain of all harmless mirth;
With smiling cheeks, yet nere sent laughter forth:
But tears, alas! and heavy sighes, and grones,
And stripes, and blows, and scoffs from wicked ones
Were oft his fare: and stead of dainty diet,
Hunger and thirst, and weariness for quiet.
Such though He was, yet was his usage such:
Some lov'd Him dear, some hated Him as much.
Concerning Him the World stood all divided:
Few thought him God, the most such thoghts derided.
“Blinde Soules that could not see when true Light shone
“From God's own face on earth to ev'ry one;
“Which gratiously did offer unto all
“Soule-saving beams of Light celestiall.
“This soule of mine, I'me sure found light of Grace
“By th' eye of faith fixt on his glorious face:
“Which wholly was till then averse to Good;
“Prone to all Ill; and in corruption stood.
“Yet was't reclaim'd, and quickly better reason'd,
“B'ing once by faith in my Redeemer season'd.
That long was long'd-for: who (though God in deed,
Yet that He might be also very Man,
And so an equall Mediator) ran
Sun-like through all the Signes of humane race,
Appearing first in blessed Virgo's face.
VVho all the World contains, was now contain'd
VVithin Her happy wombe: who still remain'd
A spotless Virgin; and anon the Mother
Of her first Father, Saviour, and Brother.
“A Virgin-Mother of a Son a Father,
“The World nere had, shall nere again have either.
When He was born, such joy was at his birth,
That Heav'n and Earth did eccho with the mirth
Yong Iohn un-born, old Simeon halfe in's grave,
Poore Swains, rich Sophies in Him comfort have.
Sing then for joy, sing still, sing, doe not cease:
For now is born the Saviour King of peace.
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Right Heir of all: (of all the most forlorn.)
The great Creatour He: (poore little Creature.)
Not made as God: (made Man of fleshly feature.)
Maker of all lawes: (all lawes fulfilling.)
Th' Author of all life: (to die most willing.)
The fair'st of Men: (of Men the most defil'd.)
Aye-King of Bliss: (of woe the cursed Childe.)
Inf'nite each way: (each way He greater grew.)
All good, no ill, (all humane frailties) knew.
Admired of the wise: (contemn'd of fooles.)
Confuted greatest Doctors in their Schooles.
None ever spake like Him, He spake so well;
Nor wrought: yet was He counted Prince of Hell.
Whose words, whose works, who Mary-like do ponder,
Have all their hearts ev'n fill'd with joy and wonder.
He rais'd the Dead; gave health; gave sight to blinde;
Conquer'd the Devils; calm'd both Seas and Winde:
Was alwaies doing good; or suff'ring ill;
That so all right'ousness He might fulfill.
All vertues flow'd from Him, all graces shin'd
Clearly in Him: in Him all Pow'r's combin'd.
He was the fountain of all harmless mirth;
With smiling cheeks, yet nere sent laughter forth:
But tears, alas! and heavy sighes, and grones,
And stripes, and blows, and scoffs from wicked ones
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Hunger and thirst, and weariness for quiet.
Such though He was, yet was his usage such:
Some lov'd Him dear, some hated Him as much.
Concerning Him the World stood all divided:
Few thought him God, the most such thoghts derided.
“Blinde Soules that could not see when true Light shone
“From God's own face on earth to ev'ry one;
“Which gratiously did offer unto all
“Soule-saving beams of Light celestiall.
“This soule of mine, I'me sure found light of Grace
“By th' eye of faith fixt on his glorious face:
“Which wholly was till then averse to Good;
“Prone to all Ill; and in corruption stood.
“Yet was't reclaim'd, and quickly better reason'd,
“B'ing once by faith in my Redeemer season'd.
Some few there were left all to follow Him:
Esteeming all too base to fellow Him:
And joyfully receiv'd Him as their Lord,
Deriving their salvation from his Word,
For when they heard his words were Oracles,
And saw his deeds no less than Miracles;
They did conclude He was the very same,
That had for all Salvation in his Name.
Esteeming all too base to fellow Him:
And joyfully receiv'd Him as their Lord,
Deriving their salvation from his Word,
For when they heard his words were Oracles,
And saw his deeds no less than Miracles;
They did conclude He was the very same,
That had for all Salvation in his Name.
But for the most part Kings and Potentates,
Their Officers and chiefest Magistrates;
Though 'mongst themselv's they were at hot defiance,
Yet against Him they joyn'd in leagues alliance:
Seeking by secret fraud, and open strife,
The dire destruction of this Lord of Life.
Their Officers and chiefest Magistrates;
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Yet against Him they joyn'd in leagues alliance:
Seeking by secret fraud, and open strife,
The dire destruction of this Lord of Life.
The giddy-headed brainless Multitude,
(Whom great Ones hold in slavish servitude)
Adoring Him with shouts of joy did sing
At first, Hosanna! save us Lord our King!
At last their throats, blaspheming Him, they stretch,
Hosanneca! now save thy selfe thou wretch!
“O blessed Lord! how balefull was thy state!
“When so great love was turn'd to so great hate!
“How vain is it to feed on popular breath!
“Which causlesly is cause of Life, of Death.
As here a Man-destroyer these refus'd;
And to destroy this Man-preserver chus'd.
Thus basely humour'd they their Soveraigns
These Kingly Rebels, in their base designes:
Assaulting often at their fittest seasons
This King of Kings by stratagems and treasons.
But yet He liv'd, for all their vile intent,
No Lambe so meek, no Dove so innocent.
Who if H'ad pleas'd had pow'r his life t'enjoy:
To destroy Death, yet it let Death destroy.
(Whom great Ones hold in slavish servitude)
Adoring Him with shouts of joy did sing
At first, Hosanna! save us Lord our King!
At last their throats, blaspheming Him, they stretch,
Hosanneca! now save thy selfe thou wretch!
“O blessed Lord! how balefull was thy state!
“When so great love was turn'd to so great hate!
“How vain is it to feed on popular breath!
“Which causlesly is cause of Life, of Death.
As here a Man-destroyer these refus'd;
And to destroy this Man-preserver chus'd.
Thus basely humour'd they their Soveraigns
These Kingly Rebels, in their base designes:
Assaulting often at their fittest seasons
This King of Kings by stratagems and treasons.
But yet He liv'd, for all their vile intent,
No Lambe so meek, no Dove so innocent.
Who if H'ad pleas'd had pow'r his life t'enjoy:
To destroy Death, yet it let Death destroy.
This graceless Crew enrag'd with hellish spight,
Sought daily thus to quench this Light of Light:
And trait'rously attach't Him as a Thiefe,
Then led Him bound to be judg'd by their Chiefe:
Who worthily judg'd Him unworthy dye,
And yet to Death gave Him unworthily.
That heady-headless Rout then headlong ran
'Gainst this clear innocent condemned Man:
Pursuing Him to Death with living hate,
Who being dead became Deaths deadly bate.
For with their lingring torments though He dies,
Within three dayes his God-head makes Him rise.
“But tell me here, dear Saints! ô God come tell me!
“(The various thought of these doth overwhelm me)
“Whether their hate, his death, I shall deplore?
“Or else his Love, and Life in Death adore?
“Their deed, no doubt, all good men doe detest;
“But that of his! who counts it not the best?
“To murther Him that gives Life unto all!
“Let all that Fact most execrable call.
Abash't ther-at was th'Earth, the Sun, and Moon:
For Midnight-light was then Day-light at Noon.
But when He rose, the Sun came dauncing-out,
And graves did ope, and Saints for joy 'gan shout.
Sought daily thus to quench this Light of Light:
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Then led Him bound to be judg'd by their Chiefe:
Who worthily judg'd Him unworthy dye,
And yet to Death gave Him unworthily.
That heady-headless Rout then headlong ran
'Gainst this clear innocent condemned Man:
Pursuing Him to Death with living hate,
Who being dead became Deaths deadly bate.
For with their lingring torments though He dies,
Within three dayes his God-head makes Him rise.
“But tell me here, dear Saints! ô God come tell me!
“(The various thought of these doth overwhelm me)
“Whether their hate, his death, I shall deplore?
“Or else his Love, and Life in Death adore?
“Their deed, no doubt, all good men doe detest;
“But that of his! who counts it not the best?
“To murther Him that gives Life unto all!
“Let all that Fact most execrable call.
Abash't ther-at was th'Earth, the Sun, and Moon:
For Midnight-light was then Day-light at Noon.
But when He rose, the Sun came dauncing-out,
And graves did ope, and Saints for joy 'gan shout.
Thus whiles He liv'd, He lived but to dy,
That by his Death He endless Life might buy
For Man: for his pure blood in sacrifice
Once spent, was held of meritorious price.
That by his Death He endless Life might buy
For Man: for his pure blood in sacrifice
Once spent, was held of meritorious price.
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But long, alas! long was my Lord a-suff'ring,
Ere He could fully finish-up his off'ring.
Their dev'lish malice was so odious
They sought to make his torments tedious;
By slow degrees inflicting on Him pain
To make it long ere they would have Him slain.
Nor was his pain from them so tedious,
As to Him-selfe incomparably grievous.
His constitution pure, his unstain'd sense,
Most apt to feel the smart of each offence.
His blessed Body though to cursed Death
He gave, to pacifie th' Almighties Wrath.
For by his suff'ring He did under-take
To pay Mans debt of Sin for Iustice sake.
Setting Himselfe a mark, wher-at ev'n all
Might fling their darts of envy, spit their gall.
The Devils then stird-up those dev'lish men,
Who spent their venom all upon Him then.
Each rascall-Iew, whose fury yeelded might,
How to torment Him made it his delight.
They stript Him nak'd, then cloathed Him in scorn,
And scorning crowned Him with plats of thorn.
His Head, his Face, his Side, his Hands, his Feet,
They beat, they wound, they pearc'd. And yet as meet
To honour Him, they bow'd as to their King:
Which to Him glory, to them shame did bring.
For they like wretches glori'ed in their shame:
Not shaming once to make his Death their game.
To see the Lord of Life to Death thus bound,
Those few that were his friends it did confound.
One had forsworn Him: one had Him betraid.
Not one, but all forsooke Him, all afraid.
Nor thus alone, but which encreast his pain,
The Deity now seemed to refrain
To look-on Him with shows of chearfull Grace,
And in fierce wrath to turn-away the face.
“Which doubtless was to Him more dolourous,
“Than all that all could doe, notorious.
And strictest Iustice all this spight maintain'd:
That, was He less than infinitely pain'd?
All these thus heapt-on Him, oh did not they
Make't known to all He was a publick prey?
When carnall men, Him trait'rously convented?
Vnjustly judg'd? mockt? whipt? to death tormented?
When friends forsook Him? when by foes cast-down
To all contempt? when God did seem to frown?
T'endure all these? oh! t'was a very Hell,
Which tongue (which thought) cannot conceive to tel.
All these He felt, all these He over-past;
Into all these it was Mans Sin Him cast.
They punisht Him for sin, who no sin knew:
And that to Death, from whom their Life they drew.
Ere He could fully finish-up his off'ring.
Their dev'lish malice was so odious
They sought to make his torments tedious;
By slow degrees inflicting on Him pain
To make it long ere they would have Him slain.
Nor was his pain from them so tedious,
As to Him-selfe incomparably grievous.
His constitution pure, his unstain'd sense,
Most apt to feel the smart of each offence.
His blessed Body though to cursed Death
He gave, to pacifie th' Almighties Wrath.
For by his suff'ring He did under-take
To pay Mans debt of Sin for Iustice sake.
Setting Himselfe a mark, wher-at ev'n all
Might fling their darts of envy, spit their gall.
The Devils then stird-up those dev'lish men,
Who spent their venom all upon Him then.
Each rascall-Iew, whose fury yeelded might,
How to torment Him made it his delight.
They stript Him nak'd, then cloathed Him in scorn,
And scorning crowned Him with plats of thorn.
His Head, his Face, his Side, his Hands, his Feet,
They beat, they wound, they pearc'd. And yet as meet
To honour Him, they bow'd as to their King:
Which to Him glory, to them shame did bring.
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Not shaming once to make his Death their game.
To see the Lord of Life to Death thus bound,
Those few that were his friends it did confound.
One had forsworn Him: one had Him betraid.
Not one, but all forsooke Him, all afraid.
Nor thus alone, but which encreast his pain,
The Deity now seemed to refrain
To look-on Him with shows of chearfull Grace,
And in fierce wrath to turn-away the face.
“Which doubtless was to Him more dolourous,
“Than all that all could doe, notorious.
And strictest Iustice all this spight maintain'd:
That, was He less than infinitely pain'd?
All these thus heapt-on Him, oh did not they
Make't known to all He was a publick prey?
When carnall men, Him trait'rously convented?
Vnjustly judg'd? mockt? whipt? to death tormented?
When friends forsook Him? when by foes cast-down
To all contempt? when God did seem to frown?
T'endure all these? oh! t'was a very Hell,
Which tongue (which thought) cannot conceive to tel.
All these He felt, all these He over-past;
Into all these it was Mans Sin Him cast.
They punisht Him for sin, who no sin knew:
And that to Death, from whom their Life they drew.
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But though as Man to Death they led Him bound
As God, He did them all in Death confound,
Making Sin lose his strength; Death lose his sting;
Hell lose his triumph through Christs suffering.
First let He them prevail 'gainst Him at pleasure,
Till that by an immeasurable measure
Of pain assign'd, He had discharg'd the debt,
That rigid Iustice for Mans Sin had set.
As God, He did them all in Death confound,
Making Sin lose his strength; Death lose his sting;
Hell lose his triumph through Christs suffering.
First let He them prevail 'gainst Him at pleasure,
Till that by an immeasurable measure
Of pain assign'd, He had discharg'd the debt,
That rigid Iustice for Mans Sin had set.
Then did his God-head gloriously appear,
And his tormenters inly shake for fear.
For maugre them, He rid Himselfe from pain,
Himselfe enliving his dead body slain:
Enabl'ing it to live, not as afore
To dye; but so live as to dye no more.
For Champion-like after the victory,
He did ascend to his own feat of Glory.
Where He enthroned sits, wearing the crown
Of all his Fathers Glory, all his own.
“Whose heav'nly Scepter swayes all earthly Kings.
“Whose Spirit to his Church all comfort brings,
“Whose Goodness makes mans life a Life of Grace,
“All Evill to eschew, all Good t'embrace.
(For He had sent before, with large Commission
Faithfull Ambassadors to give remission
Of all Mans past offences; and to call
Him by new Grace to keep Gods Precepts all.
Which acceptable time of Grace once ended,
This conqu'ring glorious King completely tended
VVith thousand-thousand Angels arm'd with pow'r,
VVill terribly descend, as in a show'r
Of flaming fire, to render vengeance due
To that rebellious unbeleeving Crew,
That his milde Precepts stubbornly refus'd;
And their own carnall mindes to follow chus'd.
Nor will his comming be to these selfe-foes
More terrible; than joyfull unto those
His friends, that in chearfull obedience
In Faith, and Hope, and humble Patience,
At that his glorious return expect
To reap of all their labours the effect.
“For though they Sinners were, their sins yet laid
“On Christ his Passion, the debt is paid.
For sith Christ dy'd for Sin, and Sin had none,
Sins debt was paid by that his Death alone.
And his tormenters inly shake for fear.
For maugre them, He rid Himselfe from pain,
Himselfe enliving his dead body slain:
Enabl'ing it to live, not as afore
To dye; but so live as to dye no more.
For Champion-like after the victory,
He did ascend to his own feat of Glory.
Where He enthroned sits, wearing the crown
Of all his Fathers Glory, all his own.
“Whose heav'nly Scepter swayes all earthly Kings.
“Whose Spirit to his Church all comfort brings,
“Whose Goodness makes mans life a Life of Grace,
“All Evill to eschew, all Good t'embrace.
(For He had sent before, with large Commission
Faithfull Ambassadors to give remission
Of all Mans past offences; and to call
Him by new Grace to keep Gods Precepts all.
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This conqu'ring glorious King completely tended
VVith thousand-thousand Angels arm'd with pow'r,
VVill terribly descend, as in a show'r
Of flaming fire, to render vengeance due
To that rebellious unbeleeving Crew,
That his milde Precepts stubbornly refus'd;
And their own carnall mindes to follow chus'd.
Nor will his comming be to these selfe-foes
More terrible; than joyfull unto those
His friends, that in chearfull obedience
In Faith, and Hope, and humble Patience,
At that his glorious return expect
To reap of all their labours the effect.
“For though they Sinners were, their sins yet laid
“On Christ his Passion, the debt is paid.
For sith Christ dy'd for Sin, and Sin had none,
Sins debt was paid by that his Death alone.
Thus Christ b'ing free, for Mans Sin became bound.
Thus Sin bound Man through Christ was guiltles foūd.
Thus was the Lord enthrall'd, at last enthron'd.
Thus was the Slave enlarg'd, and God atton'd.
Thus Sin bound Man through Christ was guiltles foūd.
Thus was the Lord enthrall'd, at last enthron'd.
Thus was the Slave enlarg'd, and God atton'd.
VVhich being done, Mans enemies b'ing foil'd,
The Tort'rers torments 'gainst themselves recoil'd,
Disabling them his welfare to impeach,
VVhen He for help, his faith to Christ doth reach:
For ev'n for Man, as for Him-selfe Christ had
Pow'r to resist, and overcome the bad,
And base assaults of th' enemies of Grace,
That would from endless Bliss Mans soule erace.
Yea this puissant matchless Conquerour
Not only did expell Sins venom, rancour;
Or satisfie for Mans Iniquitie;
Or re-invest Him-selfe in Majestie:
But also did Mans Nat'rall Pow'rs controule,
By breathing life of Grace into his Soule.
The Tort'rers torments 'gainst themselves recoil'd,
Disabling them his welfare to impeach,
VVhen He for help, his faith to Christ doth reach:
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Pow'r to resist, and overcome the bad,
And base assaults of th' enemies of Grace,
That would from endless Bliss Mans soule erace.
Yea this puissant matchless Conquerour
Not only did expell Sins venom, rancour;
Or satisfie for Mans Iniquitie;
Or re-invest Him-selfe in Majestie:
But also did Mans Nat'rall Pow'rs controule,
By breathing life of Grace into his Soule.
His Intellect He did illuminate
With beams of Truth: all error dissipate.
He his Affections all did sanctifie:
And his crookt-perverse Will did rectifie.
With beams of Truth: all error dissipate.
He his Affections all did sanctifie:
And his crookt-perverse Will did rectifie.
For howsoe're Mans will was first made free,
As well to Good, as to Iniquitie:
But choosing Ill, in Ill confirm'd it stood,
Yet Grace in Christ reclaimes it all to Good.
Yea Grace converts his Bodies Faculties
To the right use of their Abilities.
His Head, his Feet, his Tongue, his Heart, his Hand,
Moved by Grace, to Good inclined stand.
And all Mans other parts, b'ing all declin'd,
Grace doth reduce into their proper kinde.
As well to Good, as to Iniquitie:
But choosing Ill, in Ill confirm'd it stood,
Yet Grace in Christ reclaimes it all to Good.
Yea Grace converts his Bodies Faculties
To the right use of their Abilities.
His Head, his Feet, his Tongue, his Heart, his Hand,
Moved by Grace, to Good inclined stand.
And all Mans other parts, b'ing all declin'd,
Grace doth reduce into their proper kinde.
And though Gods Image in which Man was made,
By Sins approach was totally decaid;
That He could then, nor doe, nor think aright,
All was so faulty in his Makers sight.
Yet is't by Grace in Christ so well refin'd,
That God with Man-renu'd no fault will finde.
For Man therby is all so purifi'd,
As that He can Gods fiery triall bide.
By Sins approach was totally decaid;
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All was so faulty in his Makers sight.
Yet is't by Grace in Christ so well refin'd,
That God with Man-renu'd no fault will finde.
For Man therby is all so purifi'd,
As that He can Gods fiery triall bide.
Nathles though Christ redeem'd Him perfectly,
Yet what He doth, He doth imperfectly.
For old corruption still sticks close unto Him,
And all's imperfect that is known come fro Him.
Which imperfections, Christ the perfect heals,
Affording perfect help under his Seals
Of those two saving Sacraments: for, by
The first of them Christ biddeth Him relie,
That all the leven of Soule-slaying Sin
Wherewith He poison'd was, is purged clean.
And He thence-forth by Grace renued stands,
Though weakly, yet to doe what God commands.
In which, when He through humane frailty falls,
By new-enspired Grace his Saviour calls,
Reclaiming Him; and bids Him first abhor it,
And bring forth fruits of due Repentance for it:
Laying his hand, his constant hand of Faith
On that Obedience his Saviour hath
To all Gods Lawes in full perfection wrought
In's Life, in's Death: beleeving He hath bought
The full remission of each sev'rall Sin,
That he through want of Grace offended-in;
And so in humble confidence appeal
Vnto the cov'nant of that other Seal,
Trusting that guilt of Sins both old and new,
With whatsoever can from thence acrue,
Are all abolisht: if He strive to rise
By Grace, from Sin, to holy exercise.
Yet what He doth, He doth imperfectly.
For old corruption still sticks close unto Him,
And all's imperfect that is known come fro Him.
Which imperfections, Christ the perfect heals,
Affording perfect help under his Seals
Of those two saving Sacraments: for, by
The first of them Christ biddeth Him relie,
That all the leven of Soule-slaying Sin
Wherewith He poison'd was, is purged clean.
And He thence-forth by Grace renued stands,
Though weakly, yet to doe what God commands.
In which, when He through humane frailty falls,
By new-enspired Grace his Saviour calls,
Reclaiming Him; and bids Him first abhor it,
And bring forth fruits of due Repentance for it:
Laying his hand, his constant hand of Faith
On that Obedience his Saviour hath
To all Gods Lawes in full perfection wrought
In's Life, in's Death: beleeving He hath bought
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That he through want of Grace offended-in;
And so in humble confidence appeal
Vnto the cov'nant of that other Seal,
Trusting that guilt of Sins both old and new,
With whatsoever can from thence acrue,
Are all abolisht: if He strive to rise
By Grace, from Sin, to holy exercise.
And though in this his military strife
To please his God by holiness of life,
Some bitter storms of Miseries befall Him;
Yet Grace so calmeth them that none appall Him.
For He is taught to trust on his Protectour,
Who, sorrows how to bear, was his Directour.
To please his God by holiness of life,
Some bitter storms of Miseries befall Him;
Yet Grace so calmeth them that none appall Him.
For He is taught to trust on his Protectour,
Who, sorrows how to bear, was his Directour.
Is He from Regall Dignity depos'd?
Is He to basest Povertie expos'd?
Is He to joyless banishment cast-out?
Is He with deadly foes beset-about?
Is He with foulest slanders vilifi'd?
Is He for fairest qualities envi'd?
Is He with Bodies pain distempered?
Is He with griefe of Minde entortured?
Is He by faithless friends to danger set?
Is He in stead of joy with sorrow met:
Is He with shame to live, or die, made thrall?
Is He with one of these? Is He with all?
It matters not: His Saviour hath afore Him
Endur'd them all; and in all doth restore Him
To this true light of Grace: to know his state
Is from Gods certain love, though seeming hate.
To give God hearty thanks when things work well,
Or take with silent patience what comes ill.
And then cross Accidents Him none can move,
B'ing all substantiall tokens of Gods love.
“For though't be true, great troubles on Him chance,
“'Tis also true, God sends deliverance.
And greater ones, nay none so great betide Him,
As did to Christ, when God it seem'd deny'd Him.
(It seemed so to seem:) so though to Man
Sometimes they seeme hopeless of help: yet can
Th' Almightie God, the Father of all aid,
No more forbear to help Man so dismaid,
Than dearest Mother can her dearling-Son;
Who newly born, unholpen is undone.
From's infant-cradle to his dying-bed,
The Man is still by God's Grace succoured.
Is He to basest Povertie expos'd?
Is He to joyless banishment cast-out?
Is He with deadly foes beset-about?
Is He with foulest slanders vilifi'd?
Is He for fairest qualities envi'd?
Is He with Bodies pain distempered?
Is He with griefe of Minde entortured?
Is He by faithless friends to danger set?
Is He in stead of joy with sorrow met:
Is He with shame to live, or die, made thrall?
Is He with one of these? Is He with all?
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Endur'd them all; and in all doth restore Him
To this true light of Grace: to know his state
Is from Gods certain love, though seeming hate.
To give God hearty thanks when things work well,
Or take with silent patience what comes ill.
And then cross Accidents Him none can move,
B'ing all substantiall tokens of Gods love.
“For though't be true, great troubles on Him chance,
“'Tis also true, God sends deliverance.
And greater ones, nay none so great betide Him,
As did to Christ, when God it seem'd deny'd Him.
(It seemed so to seem:) so though to Man
Sometimes they seeme hopeless of help: yet can
Th' Almightie God, the Father of all aid,
No more forbear to help Man so dismaid,
Than dearest Mother can her dearling-Son;
Who newly born, unholpen is undone.
From's infant-cradle to his dying-bed,
The Man is still by God's Grace succoured.
And in his Death, what waves soever toss him,
Be't sense of pain, or pangs of fear that crosse him,
Christ bids him fix his hopes in h's wounded side,
For He Deaths killing instruments hath tri'd,
And spoil'd them all. None then hath pow'r to sting
His Soule to death: they'r Porters it to bring
From-out Deaths gastly dungeon to the Hill
Of Heav'nly Life; where Heav'nly joyes it fill.
Be't sense of pain, or pangs of fear that crosse him,
Christ bids him fix his hopes in h's wounded side,
For He Deaths killing instruments hath tri'd,
And spoil'd them all. None then hath pow'r to sting
His Soule to death: they'r Porters it to bring
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Of Heav'nly Life; where Heav'nly joyes it fill.
Where Christ, th' Al glorious King with glory crown'd,
Crowns all his subjects that are loyall found,
With his own glory: making them all Kings,
Enjoying Him, in Him t'enjoy all things.
Thus Grace conducts Man through the miseries
Of Life and Death, to Heav'ns felicities.
Crowns all his subjects that are loyall found,
With his own glory: making them all Kings,
Enjoying Him, in Him t'enjoy all things.
Thus Grace conducts Man through the miseries
Of Life and Death, to Heav'ns felicities.
VVhere no misfortune, cold, nor hunger dwels:
VVhere no proud hope Him with ambition swels:
VVhere stormes of clowding cares none hang o're's head:
VVhere pale-lookt sickness nere sends Him to bed:
VVhere fearfull dreams affright Him not asleep:
VVhere crasie Old-age on Him cannot creep:
VVhere fatall vespers, Ill-portending stars:
VVhere bloodless fear, where noyse of bloody wars:
VVhere none of these to vex Him once are found:
VVhere no false showes, but true delights abound:
VVhere alwaies is the absence of all evill:
VVhere never comes nor Sin, nor Death, nor Devill.
VVhere no proud hope Him with ambition swels:
VVhere stormes of clowding cares none hang o're's head:
VVhere pale-lookt sickness nere sends Him to bed:
VVhere fearfull dreams affright Him not asleep:
VVhere crasie Old-age on Him cannot creep:
VVhere fatall vespers, Ill-portending stars:
VVhere bloodless fear, where noyse of bloody wars:
VVhere none of these to vex Him once are found:
VVhere no false showes, but true delights abound:
VVhere alwaies is the absence of all evill:
VVhere never comes nor Sin, nor Death, nor Devill.
VVhat e're is to be wisht, b'ing wisht is there:
All Knowledge, Goodness, Truth, Content. And where-
Soe're He turns his eye, or eare, they light
Vpon some welcome objects of delight:
So what He hears, or sees; He sees it raise
Ioy to Himselfe, and to his Maker praise.
“Pray there He needs not: Pray'r complains of need.
“Need breedeth Pain: and Pain Complaint doth breed.
“But no Complaint, no Pain, no Need, no Pray'r,
“Hosannas none: all Alleluiahs there.
All Knowledge, Goodness, Truth, Content. And where-
Soe're He turns his eye, or eare, they light
Vpon some welcome objects of delight:
So what He hears, or sees; He sees it raise
Ioy to Himselfe, and to his Maker praise.
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“Need breedeth Pain: and Pain Complaint doth breed.
“But no Complaint, no Pain, no Need, no Pray'r,
“Hosannas none: all Alleluiahs there.
His Body there's not subject to corruption:
His Soule new cloath'd with flesh shines in perfection:
His Soule and Body both in one rejoyn'd,
Finde fulness of all joyes in One conjoin'd.
“Which fulness join'd to Him, Him nere accloies:
“And yet such fulness alwaies He enjoyes.
His Soule new cloath'd with flesh shines in perfection:
His Soule and Body both in one rejoyn'd,
Finde fulness of all joyes in One conjoin'd.
“Which fulness join'd to Him, Him nere accloies:
“And yet such fulness alwaies He enjoyes.
His Senses all on perfect objects feed:
His Faculties aright their actions speed.
His Appetities are all acquieted:
His Parts, his Pow'rs, are all engloried.
His Bliss is this, He's endlesly emploi'd,
In blessing Him Destruction hath destroy'd:
And op'ned-wide Heav'ns narrow gate to those,
That in Christs Death their hope of life repose.
No other Heav'n, no other Help He hath
To scape the Hell of Gods eternall wrath,
But to beleeve: and by his life disclose,
That for Him Christ did dye, and for Him rose.
In which Beleefe He lives; and living, dies;
And dying, lives; his life t'immortalize.
His Faculties aright their actions speed.
His Appetities are all acquieted:
His Parts, his Pow'rs, are all engloried.
His Bliss is this, He's endlesly emploi'd,
In blessing Him Destruction hath destroy'd:
And op'ned-wide Heav'ns narrow gate to those,
That in Christs Death their hope of life repose.
No other Heav'n, no other Help He hath
To scape the Hell of Gods eternall wrath,
But to beleeve: and by his life disclose,
That for Him Christ did dye, and for Him rose.
In which Beleefe He lives; and living, dies;
And dying, lives; his life t'immortalize.
And in this Faith He's confident to plead,
When He at Gods Tribunall shall hear read
The Bill of his Indictment for h's offence;
Not guiltie Lord: thy dear Sons Innocence,
And his most perfect-perfect observation
Of all thy Lawes; his upright conversation,
His bitter-bitter Passion on the tree:
O these! ô these have paid Sins debt for me!
When He at Gods Tribunall shall hear read
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Not guiltie Lord: thy dear Sons Innocence,
And his most perfect-perfect observation
Of all thy Lawes; his upright conversation,
His bitter-bitter Passion on the tree:
O these! ô these have paid Sins debt for me!
Tis true indeed, my Sins thy Wrath provoked,
Most dreadfull Iudge; and I with guilt stood yoked,
To feel the smart of horrid Death and Hell:
But such sweet gladsome newes thy Truth doth tell,
That in thy Son, sith Wrath and Mercy kist,
Wrath hitting Him, in Iustice I am mist.
Which double Iustice may be equall rang'd,
'Cause Sin for Grace, and Grace for Sin we chang'd.
Most dreadfull Iudge; and I with guilt stood yoked,
To feel the smart of horrid Death and Hell:
But such sweet gladsome newes thy Truth doth tell,
That in thy Son, sith Wrath and Mercy kist,
Wrath hitting Him, in Iustice I am mist.
Which double Iustice may be equall rang'd,
'Cause Sin for Grace, and Grace for Sin we chang'd.
Thy Son my Lord was perfectly so pure,
As, had not I on Him my Sins fixt sure,
And clad my selfe with his bright-shining Grace,
Not Him, but Me, Death had had pow'r t'embrace.
Then stead of me, sith Wrath seaz'd on thy Son,
He ther-by Death, I ther-by Life have won.
This is my rest: I rest upon my Lord:
Lord let me live according to thy Word.
As, had not I on Him my Sins fixt sure,
And clad my selfe with his bright-shining Grace,
Not Him, but Me, Death had had pow'r t'embrace.
Then stead of me, sith Wrath seaz'd on thy Son,
He ther-by Death, I ther-by Life have won.
This is my rest: I rest upon my Lord:
Lord let me live according to thy Word.
The Man in this strong confidence of his
In Life, in Death no whit deceived is:
For God on Him in Mercy doth bestow
What he to him for his Christs sake doth owe.
In Life, in Death no whit deceived is:
For God on Him in Mercy doth bestow
What he to him for his Christs sake doth owe.
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First Life of Grace, with some false woes opprest:
Next Life of Glorie, with all true joyes blest.
Which woes are truly called false: for why?
They vanish straight like mists or cloudy Sky:
And then come-in (to make od reck'nings eav'n)
Th' eternall, true, substantiall joyes of Heav'n.
Next Life of Glorie, with all true joyes blest.
Which woes are truly called false: for why?
They vanish straight like mists or cloudy Sky:
And then come-in (to make od reck'nings eav'n)
Th' eternall, true, substantiall joyes of Heav'n.
In th' Interim whiles He is militant,
In honest labours He is conversant:
Vsing the things with sober moderation,
That God affords Him for his Preservation.
Abusing nothing; ord'ring all aright,
As alwayes being in his Makers sight.
If God give much, He thanks the Giver much;
Or if but little, yet His Heart is such
As He's content: for that his little serves
To let Him know 'tis more than He deserves.
'Mongst whom He lives, He lives with warie eyes,
That He nor envie Rich, nor Poore despise.
And with his Equals He just equall waighes;
Nor up, nor down, for fear or favour swaies.
To all He's friendly, humble, charitable,
Iust, constant, chearfull, patient, peaceable.
And waits all turns when with heart, hands, & voice,
He may or work, or rest, sigh, or rejoice.
As turns and returns turn Him many waies,
So still He turns his heart to pray or praise
The great All-turning God: who for Mans good
Turn'd Death to Life; hard Rocks into a flood.
“Whose Greatness is so good! Goodness so great!
“As Mans most worthy praise, when most complete
“Is all-unworthy, the all-worthy fame
“To blazon-out, of Gods most worthy Name.
In honest labours He is conversant:
Vsing the things with sober moderation,
That God affords Him for his Preservation.
Abusing nothing; ord'ring all aright,
As alwayes being in his Makers sight.
If God give much, He thanks the Giver much;
Or if but little, yet His Heart is such
As He's content: for that his little serves
To let Him know 'tis more than He deserves.
'Mongst whom He lives, He lives with warie eyes,
That He nor envie Rich, nor Poore despise.
And with his Equals He just equall waighes;
Nor up, nor down, for fear or favour swaies.
To all He's friendly, humble, charitable,
Iust, constant, chearfull, patient, peaceable.
And waits all turns when with heart, hands, & voice,
He may or work, or rest, sigh, or rejoice.
As turns and returns turn Him many waies,
So still He turns his heart to pray or praise
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Turn'd Death to Life; hard Rocks into a flood.
“Whose Greatness is so good! Goodness so great!
“As Mans most worthy praise, when most complete
“Is all-unworthy, the all-worthy fame
“To blazon-out, of Gods most worthy Name.
Nathles to doe his best Man stands resolv'd:
But wishes daily that He were dissolv'd;
That so He might send-forth some perfect strains
Of perfect glory 'mongst the glorious Trains,
That spend their nere-spent time in holy layes,
Chanting-aloud their Alleluiahs.
But wishes daily that He were dissolv'd;
That so He might send-forth some perfect strains
Of perfect glory 'mongst the glorious Trains,
That spend their nere-spent time in holy layes,
Chanting-aloud their Alleluiahs.
Till when 'mongst Saints on earth assembled thickly,
He cryes to Heav'n: ô come Lord Iesus quickly!
Lord Iesus, come! the end of all I crave.
I crave the end of all, my Soule to save.
To save my Soule, Lord Iesus no time spend.
Spend though to 'gin that time, time cannot end.
He cryes to Heav'n: ô come Lord Iesus quickly!
Lord Iesus, come! the end of all I crave.
I crave the end of all, my Soule to save.
To save my Soule, Lord Iesus no time spend.
Spend though to 'gin that time, time cannot end.
| The Historie of the Perfect-Cursed-Blessed Man | |