Devovt Rhapsodies In Which, Is Treated, of the Excellencie of Divine Scriptvres ... By J: A: Rivers [i.e. John Abbot] |
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Sermo Octavus.
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55
Sermo Octavus.
To the right Honourable, Thomas Lord Brudenol, Master Robert Brudenol his Son, and my learned Friend, Master Iames Yate.
The Argument.
All good here scanted, if a Man have wealth,He wants or wit to use it, or wants health.
This witty as Achitophel; but his case,
As poore as lobs, or worse: for he wants grace.
Onely in Heaven these Three are friendly joyn'd,
Health, Wealth, and choise endowments of the Mind:
Then the fourth Good on these Three former waites,
Angels, Archangels, Patriarcks are your mates:
With Prophets, Martyrs, Doctors to their King,
Melodious Allelujas you shall sing.
The end of Common weales is to procure,
A temporall happinesse, and put in ure,
All means conducent to that purpose, this
Obtain'd they rest contented with such blisse.
Was ever Rome, Sparta, or Athens blest,
With such a happinesse? Lets view the rest,
Of Common-wealths; they often chang'd their formes
Of government, to be secur'd from stormes.
Now Kings, now Peers, now Commons, now commixt,
All three; no policy long standing fixt.
Which shews that all your Common-wealths are lame,
Gaine not their ends, but onely at them aime.
A temporall happinesse, and put in ure,
All means conducent to that purpose, this
Obtain'd they rest contented with such blisse.
Was ever Rome, Sparta, or Athens blest,
With such a happinesse? Lets view the rest,
Of Common-wealths; they often chang'd their formes
Of government, to be secur'd from stormes.
Now Kings, now Peers, now Commons, now commixt,
All three; no policy long standing fixt.
56
Gaine not their ends, but onely at them aime.
Are private men more happy? Let us see
What's requisite to our felicity.
A plenteous fortune, Dowries of the minde,
To which the bodys health must be adjoyn'd.
(Does not such blisse stand on a ticklish point,
The Gout, or head-ach can put out of joynt?)
Then choyse associates must accumulate,
The full fruition of a blessed state:
And 'tis extension of a private good,
When friends pertake in our Beaittude.
Such have blind Fortunes various changes been,
That never yet a Common-wealth was seene,
Or single man, in whom these blessings joyn'd,
Friends, health, the goods of fortune, and the Minde.
In wrongs was Alexander fortunate,
His friends unfaithfull, minde intemperate.
What was his fury? what his drunkennesse?
When he slue Clitus, and Callisthenes.
Virtues in others can this Prince offend,
Which were they his, heed'in himselfe commend.
What can content this brainsick'young mans minde?
When what his foes cannot, himselfe will finde
A want in his owne greatnesse: Philips son,
Though Asia he subdu'd has nothing done,
Because Perdiccas hath a warlike brest,
Lysimachus amongst his Chieftaines best,
Can lead an Army. Attalus brave gate,
A shadow casts on Alexanders state.
Se'eucus is magnanimous, and where,
Dangers and death are most apparent, there
He will be formost, Ptolomy does rest
In Fortunes lap, all his attempts are blest.
Thus envy has, as Argus many eyes,
Above, beneath, on every side shee spies.
We hate Superiours, because they are so,
We feare least our Inferiours equall grow.
We look a squint on such we fellows see,
And have a jealousie theyle better be.
What's requisite to our felicity.
A plenteous fortune, Dowries of the minde,
To which the bodys health must be adjoyn'd.
(Does not such blisse stand on a ticklish point,
The Gout, or head-ach can put out of joynt?)
Then choyse associates must accumulate,
The full fruition of a blessed state:
And 'tis extension of a private good,
When friends pertake in our Beaittude.
Such have blind Fortunes various changes been,
That never yet a Common-wealth was seene,
Or single man, in whom these blessings joyn'd,
Friends, health, the goods of fortune, and the Minde.
In wrongs was Alexander fortunate,
His friends unfaithfull, minde intemperate.
What was his fury? what his drunkennesse?
When he slue Clitus, and Callisthenes.
Virtues in others can this Prince offend,
Which were they his, heed'in himselfe commend.
What can content this brainsick'young mans minde?
When what his foes cannot, himselfe will finde
A want in his owne greatnesse: Philips son,
Though Asia he subdu'd has nothing done,
Because Perdiccas hath a warlike brest,
Lysimachus amongst his Chieftaines best,
Can lead an Army. Attalus brave gate,
A shadow casts on Alexanders state.
Se'eucus is magnanimous, and where,
Dangers and death are most apparent, there
He will be formost, Ptolomy does rest
In Fortunes lap, all his attempts are blest.
Thus envy has, as Argus many eyes,
Above, beneath, on every side shee spies.
We hate Superiours, because they are so,
We feare least our Inferiours equall grow.
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And have a jealousie theyle better be.
The best of Romans, and most worthy man,
Was Scipio Major, surnam'd African.
Was he accomplish'd? no, though wherein weake,
His noble Wife can, but disdains to speake.
Omitting these, weele come to Solomon,
A type of the Messias, Davids son:
This Monarck by his subjects even ador'd
For wisdome, with all rich endowments stor'd:
Well kend all plants, and could describe the tall
Cædar as well, as th' Hysop of the wall:
He knew all secrets, and could make his texts,
The causes influences on their effects:
He well was verst in what few mortals know,
Whence it proceeds, why these, and those winds blow,
And what learn'd Aristotle put beside,
His wits, he knew the ebbing of the Tyde,
And the refluxe: whether the Moone be cause
Th' Ocean in both observes such constant lawes.
Taught by omniscious God, he knew the motions
Of all the Orbs, and how their revolutions
Sway sublunary things, and whether those
Have a predominance in joyes and woes.
Whether our Lilie or his Booker erre,
Or we must Wharton 'fore them both prefer:
Had he writ Almanacks, (and sure he had
Such knowledge, halfe whereof would have made mad
All our Astrologers) by this we had seene,
What th' end of all our troubles would have been.
Sith these by Prophets onely are foretold,
For we are masters of our arts and hold
Our Fortunes in our hands: stars may incline,
But not necessitate thy will or mine.
Had he turn'd Alchymist (as many say
He did) he would have taken the right way,
To make projection come, and not with brags
Of Peru's mines, have gone himselfe in rags,
As our impostures doe, who rich men cheat,
Onely to sneak in tatters and to eate.
The Rabbins tell, so powerfull was his skill,
That th' aerie potentates obeyd his will;
And that in pity knowing how much hurt,
Is done to mankind by this glistering durt,
Cal'd Gold, the sinews of unnaturall war,
Lust, and ambition; and how Lawyers are
Furnish'd by this to feed eternall strife,
'Twixt friend and dearest friend, man and his wife;
And if men get the Philosophick stone,
All would be rich, proud, and luxurious, none
Go the right way; he therefore th' Angels bound,
By a strong oath, that whensoe'r they found,
Projection, neare to come, they should like thunder,
Fall on th' Alembiks, and break all a sunder,
And ever since projection has been spun,
Even to the latest day: then al's undone.
Though Empyricks whine and sweare some grievous fault
Has crush their stils, and made their science halt.
Was Scipio Major, surnam'd African.
Was he accomplish'd? no, though wherein weake,
His noble Wife can, but disdains to speake.
Omitting these, weele come to Solomon,
A type of the Messias, Davids son:
This Monarck by his subjects even ador'd
For wisdome, with all rich endowments stor'd:
Well kend all plants, and could describe the tall
Cædar as well, as th' Hysop of the wall:
He knew all secrets, and could make his texts,
The causes influences on their effects:
He well was verst in what few mortals know,
Whence it proceeds, why these, and those winds blow,
And what learn'd Aristotle put beside,
His wits, he knew the ebbing of the Tyde,
And the refluxe: whether the Moone be cause
Th' Ocean in both observes such constant lawes.
Taught by omniscious God, he knew the motions
Of all the Orbs, and how their revolutions
Sway sublunary things, and whether those
Have a predominance in joyes and woes.
Whether our Lilie or his Booker erre,
Or we must Wharton 'fore them both prefer:
Had he writ Almanacks, (and sure he had
Such knowledge, halfe whereof would have made mad
All our Astrologers) by this we had seene,
What th' end of all our troubles would have been.
Sith these by Prophets onely are foretold,
For we are masters of our arts and hold
Our Fortunes in our hands: stars may incline,
But not necessitate thy will or mine.
Had he turn'd Alchymist (as many say
He did) he would have taken the right way,
To make projection come, and not with brags
Of Peru's mines, have gone himselfe in rags,
58
Onely to sneak in tatters and to eate.
The Rabbins tell, so powerfull was his skill,
That th' aerie potentates obeyd his will;
And that in pity knowing how much hurt,
Is done to mankind by this glistering durt,
Cal'd Gold, the sinews of unnaturall war,
Lust, and ambition; and how Lawyers are
Furnish'd by this to feed eternall strife,
'Twixt friend and dearest friend, man and his wife;
And if men get the Philosophick stone,
All would be rich, proud, and luxurious, none
Go the right way; he therefore th' Angels bound,
By a strong oath, that whensoe'r they found,
Projection, neare to come, they should like thunder,
Fall on th' Alembiks, and break all a sunder,
And ever since projection has been spun,
Even to the latest day: then al's undone.
Though Empyricks whine and sweare some grievous fault
Has crush their stils, and made their science halt.
Our Solomon had a full theorie
Of all the morall arts: Oeconomie,
How we should rule our house, how rule a state,
How our unruly passions subjugate.
How we should children rule, and if we can,
Make every wife obeisant to her man.
What all surmounts by gift of prophecy,
He could the mysteries of our Church foresee;
And to one God a sumptuous Temple reare,
Prefigurating that which Jesus here
Founded: although to this inferiour far,
As to prototypons all shadows are.
Then wrapt with heavenly fires chast hymns enroule,
Wherewith the Spouse shall court the Church, the soule,
(His compheres) and as this musitian sings,
The amorous embraces of his Kings,
In strong allusions, and harmonious ayres,
What are his owne perfections he declares.
Of all the morall arts: Oeconomie,
How we should rule our house, how rule a state,
How our unruly passions subjugate.
How we should children rule, and if we can,
Make every wife obeisant to her man.
What all surmounts by gift of prophecy,
He could the mysteries of our Church foresee;
And to one God a sumptuous Temple reare,
Prefigurating that which Jesus here
Founded: although to this inferiour far,
As to prototypons all shadows are.
Then wrapt with heavenly fires chast hymns enroule,
Wherewith the Spouse shall court the Church, the soule,
(His compheres) and as this musitian sings,
The amorous embraces of his Kings,
In strong allusions, and harmonious ayres,
What are his owne perfections he declares.
59
His comely body was a curious house,
For a composed soule. His Memphian spouse
Ith' following song thus shall her consort greet.
For a composed soule. His Memphian spouse
Ith' following song thus shall her consort greet.
‘The fragrant roses and white lyllies meet,
‘In my loves face, his forme surpasseth far,
‘The sons of men: th' attractive graces are,
‘Dancing about his lips, when heele decide
‘Some doubtfull case, or else his wit is tryde
‘In parables, what Combs of hony flow,
‘What heavenly elocution does he show?
‘Kings and Domesticks, all astonish'd gaze
‘Upon him, and the happy fortunes praise,
‘Of the worst Meniall of his house, who stands,
‘And hears as well his wisedome, as commands.
‘If these enjoy such blisse, how great is hers,
‘Whom to his bed, and bosome he prefers,
‘His loyall consort, Empresse, turtle Dove,
‘His friend, compleatly faire, his onely Love?
‘In my loves face, his forme surpasseth far,
‘The sons of men: th' attractive graces are,
‘Dancing about his lips, when heele decide
‘Some doubtfull case, or else his wit is tryde
‘In parables, what Combs of hony flow,
‘What heavenly elocution does he show?
‘Kings and Domesticks, all astonish'd gaze
‘Upon him, and the happy fortunes praise,
‘Of the worst Meniall of his house, who stands,
‘And hears as well his wisedome, as commands.
‘If these enjoy such blisse, how great is hers,
‘Whom to his bed, and bosome he prefers,
‘His loyall consort, Empresse, turtle Dove,
‘His friend, compleatly faire, his onely Love?
Will you behold the royall majesty,
Of Spanish Kings? travell to Sicily,
Or else at Naples, view the Viceroyes port,
And all the glorious circumstance of Court.
But if youle see Magnificence indeed,
To Salems new adorned city speed.
There youle behold a mighty Prince command,
From the Sea shore to swift Euphrates strand,
Potent in horse and foot: innumerous sums,
Of coyne, of Serean silks, Arabian Gums,
Odours of Saba; every neighbour King,
Courts him with presents, or does Tribute bring.
His Fleet (in a firme league of friendship joyn'd,
With Tyrian Hyram) shall mount Ophir finde,
And marking when the Lyons goe to pray,
Seaze on the precious Ore, and bring 't away:
(For Ophir Lyons dig, and watch those Mines,
Of purer dust which covetous man refines,
And spreads about the world to maintaine what,
Ambition, lust, wrath, envy, levell at.)
Of Spanish Kings? travell to Sicily,
Or else at Naples, view the Viceroyes port,
And all the glorious circumstance of Court.
But if youle see Magnificence indeed,
To Salems new adorned city speed.
There youle behold a mighty Prince command,
From the Sea shore to swift Euphrates strand,
Potent in horse and foot: innumerous sums,
Of coyne, of Serean silks, Arabian Gums,
Odours of Saba; every neighbour King,
Courts him with presents, or does Tribute bring.
His Fleet (in a firme league of friendship joyn'd,
With Tyrian Hyram) shall mount Ophir finde,
And marking when the Lyons goe to pray,
Seaze on the precious Ore, and bring 't away:
(For Ophir Lyons dig, and watch those Mines,
Of purer dust which covetous man refines,
And spreads about the world to maintaine what,
Ambition, lust, wrath, envy, levell at.)
60
Now view this glorious Monarck sit alone,
(Like some terrestriall God on's Ivory throne)
Or the resplendent Sun at noon dayes pride,
His Memphian Empresse sitting by his side,
In a rich pearl-imbroidered Cyclad dight,
(Resembling the faire mistresse of the night.)
Two massie Lyons made of beaten gold,
On either side the high-set-throne uphold:
Six steps th' ascent: a dozen Lyons are,
Of the same metall guarding every staire.
A world of Grandees wait upon their Prince,
Admiring his full answers, and deep sence:
Either as he Embassadors shall grace,
Or else enucleate some ambiguous case:
For pleasures now what were his house and court?
A City this, that Eden full of sport.
Ordered so well that every meniall knowes
His proper duties, and discharges those
Without disturbance to the rest, all move
In their owne centrike lines as do's behove,
Vassailes of Solomon: the plaines, the woods,
Yield profit and delight; the springs, the floods,
To fish-ponds turn'd, and made inhabitants,
About his house to water trees, flowers, plants.
When he feeds every element combines
To grace his board: the earth her richest wines.
Sea, earth, and ayre, present fish, fowle, and beasts,
And every day he makes Apician feasts.
At all his banquets, massie plate behold,
Cups, Tankards, Flagons, all of purest gold,
Embost with Jems: For gold, pearles, diamonds,
Abounded there, as rife as pibble stones.
What stately Masques, where wit with bravery strives,
Presented are before him, and his wives,
And concubines? (a thousand) every one,
So gracious, might be a Prototypon,
And single give ingenious Zeuxis lawes,
When for rich Croton he a Goddesse drawes,
At every straine such musique charmes their eares,
May paralell with the Harmonious spheres.
(Like some terrestriall God on's Ivory throne)
Or the resplendent Sun at noon dayes pride,
His Memphian Empresse sitting by his side,
In a rich pearl-imbroidered Cyclad dight,
(Resembling the faire mistresse of the night.)
Two massie Lyons made of beaten gold,
On either side the high-set-throne uphold:
Six steps th' ascent: a dozen Lyons are,
Of the same metall guarding every staire.
A world of Grandees wait upon their Prince,
Admiring his full answers, and deep sence:
Either as he Embassadors shall grace,
Or else enucleate some ambiguous case:
For pleasures now what were his house and court?
A City this, that Eden full of sport.
Ordered so well that every meniall knowes
His proper duties, and discharges those
Without disturbance to the rest, all move
In their owne centrike lines as do's behove,
Vassailes of Solomon: the plaines, the woods,
Yield profit and delight; the springs, the floods,
To fish-ponds turn'd, and made inhabitants,
About his house to water trees, flowers, plants.
When he feeds every element combines
To grace his board: the earth her richest wines.
Sea, earth, and ayre, present fish, fowle, and beasts,
And every day he makes Apician feasts.
At all his banquets, massie plate behold,
Cups, Tankards, Flagons, all of purest gold,
Embost with Jems: For gold, pearles, diamonds,
Abounded there, as rife as pibble stones.
What stately Masques, where wit with bravery strives,
Presented are before him, and his wives,
And concubines? (a thousand) every one,
So gracious, might be a Prototypon,
And single give ingenious Zeuxis lawes,
When for rich Croton he a Goddesse drawes,
61
May paralell with the Harmonious spheres.
Such was the life of Solomon, and sure,
If you will character an Epicure,
Envelop'd in all pleasures, doe but look,
And seriously, upon this Monarcks book,
And you must grant an happinesse, if this
Low Orbe, and all things in't can yeeld a blisse.
But Moores, and Plato's Common-weals have been
Fancied ingeniously, though never seen.
And Xenophon with a neat pen could draw
A curious Cyrus, whom the world nere saw.
So Aristotle form'd a happy man,
In his owne braine, which no age could or can,
Or shall behold: Riches, and outward things,
Are temporary. Pleasure brings
No constant blisse: are wives, and women ware,
More precious? let our Ancestors declare
The worth of these. What is for silver sold,
Lesse valued is then Silver, lesse then gold:
A Wife by Gods command the Prophet buyes,
And with her having paid his Sicles lyes:
A Kings first daughter chaffer'd for the skins,
And flippits of preputiate Philistins.
We goe beyond their wisedome; now 'tis common,
Without a Dowry few will take a woman.
Five thousand, twenty, forty thousand crownes,
Laid downe upon the naile; wardrobes of gownes.
And rich attire, jewels prepar'd before
Shee enters her dread Lord, and husbands dore.
Yet notwithstanding all this stir and cost,
The haplesse husbands have by th' bargaine lost.
For some such shrews, or rather Furies are,
Their husband's better be without 'em far.
If you will character an Epicure,
Envelop'd in all pleasures, doe but look,
And seriously, upon this Monarcks book,
And you must grant an happinesse, if this
Low Orbe, and all things in't can yeeld a blisse.
But Moores, and Plato's Common-weals have been
Fancied ingeniously, though never seen.
And Xenophon with a neat pen could draw
A curious Cyrus, whom the world nere saw.
So Aristotle form'd a happy man,
In his owne braine, which no age could or can,
Or shall behold: Riches, and outward things,
Are temporary. Pleasure brings
No constant blisse: are wives, and women ware,
More precious? let our Ancestors declare
The worth of these. What is for silver sold,
Lesse valued is then Silver, lesse then gold:
A Wife by Gods command the Prophet buyes,
And with her having paid his Sicles lyes:
A Kings first daughter chaffer'd for the skins,
And flippits of preputiate Philistins.
We goe beyond their wisedome; now 'tis common,
Without a Dowry few will take a woman.
Five thousand, twenty, forty thousand crownes,
Laid downe upon the naile; wardrobes of gownes.
And rich attire, jewels prepar'd before
Shee enters her dread Lord, and husbands dore.
Yet notwithstanding all this stir and cost,
The haplesse husbands have by th' bargaine lost.
For some such shrews, or rather Furies are,
Their husband's better be without 'em far.
What are your Empires? what your large commands?
So many severall cares, as severall lands.
What are your stately masques? ingenious playes?
Wit uttered, showes perform'd by Popinjaies.
Besides this transitory life's so short,
That passing we can onely look at sport,
Not sit by it; that thread, the life of man
Spins out, fitly resembled to a span.
So many severall cares, as severall lands.
What are your stately masques? ingenious playes?
Wit uttered, showes perform'd by Popinjaies.
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That passing we can onely look at sport,
Not sit by it; that thread, the life of man
Spins out, fitly resembled to a span.
What's Solomon on his Imperiall Throne,
His Grandees all attending, every one
Praising his wisedome? Despicable clay,
Accoutred well, set forth in rich array:
Yet thus set forth a Lilly withering streight,
Shall quite eclipse this gaudy Monarcks state.
If wisedome, learning, erudition bring
Felicity; we must confesse this King
A happy man: but he himselfe shall grant,
Where's much affliction, likewise thet's much want
Of happinesse: though sciences delight,
Yet what a toyle is studying day and night,
To purchase arts; and when all's done none know,
What animates a dog, a cat, a crow.
We see when any such poore creature dyes,
The senslesse carkasse without motion lyes.
Death some thing must destroy, some thing divide,
That soule and body hath together tyde.
The union's lost, where is, and what is that?
Did constitute a crow, a dog, a cat.
We cannot tell, more then in generall,
How we these actuating soules should call.
His Grandees all attending, every one
Praising his wisedome? Despicable clay,
Accoutred well, set forth in rich array:
Yet thus set forth a Lilly withering streight,
Shall quite eclipse this gaudy Monarcks state.
If wisedome, learning, erudition bring
Felicity; we must confesse this King
A happy man: but he himselfe shall grant,
Where's much affliction, likewise thet's much want
Of happinesse: though sciences delight,
Yet what a toyle is studying day and night,
To purchase arts; and when all's done none know,
What animates a dog, a cat, a crow.
We see when any such poore creature dyes,
The senslesse carkasse without motion lyes.
Death some thing must destroy, some thing divide,
That soule and body hath together tyde.
The union's lost, where is, and what is that?
Did constitute a crow, a dog, a cat.
We cannot tell, more then in generall,
How we these actuating soules should call.
We have surveigh'd the world and nothing finde,
Which can beatifie mans restlesse mind:
Created to be happy: must this end,
Be frustrate? must we toyle, and labour spend
In vaine? No! we will fly with wings of love
To heaven; and finde beatitude above.
Which can beatifie mans restlesse mind:
Created to be happy: must this end,
Be frustrate? must we toyle, and labour spend
In vaine? No! we will fly with wings of love
To heaven; and finde beatitude above.
The state of joy and pleasure, is the will,
The object either reall good or ill,
Yet such as clothes it selfe in the antique tire
Of good: the senses when what they desire,
They have, transmit to th' soule (their Queene) delight,
Which issues from the hearing, tast, smel, sight.
That pleasure is the soules, we are easily taught,
Because the will, or else some pensive thought
Can curbe all pleasure in exteriours tane.
Yea more, convert all pleasure into paine.
The object either reall good or ill,
Yet such as clothes it selfe in the antique tire
Of good: the senses when what they desire,
They have, transmit to th' soule (their Queene) delight,
Which issues from the hearing, tast, smel, sight.
63
Because the will, or else some pensive thought
Can curbe all pleasure in exteriours tane.
Yea more, convert all pleasure into paine.
Faire Aletheia the search, and object is
Oth' understanding, and its proper blisse
Is formall verity: How are we glad,
When certaine demonstrations can be had,
In any science? through what labours run,
To finde how, where, by whom, such deeds were done?
Pleasures belong to th' will, and to know much
Gives the understanding great contentment: such
Knowledge have Sions Citizens; they know
All things; as torrents, so their pleasures flow.
A torrent, blessing the overwhelmed meads,
Derives his Origen from severall heads:
Heaven-threatning mountaines in abundance send,
Their fleecy snowes; the neighbouring rivers lend
Friendly their streames, heavens cataracts fly ope,
The earth to all her flood-gates gives full scope:
So shall there be a confluence of all good,
To make compleat the Saints beatitude.
Will understanding, memory, every Sence,
Shall freely give a large benevolence.
Oth' understanding, and its proper blisse
Is formall verity: How are we glad,
When certaine demonstrations can be had,
In any science? through what labours run,
To finde how, where, by whom, such deeds were done?
Pleasures belong to th' will, and to know much
Gives the understanding great contentment: such
Knowledge have Sions Citizens; they know
All things; as torrents, so their pleasures flow.
A torrent, blessing the overwhelmed meads,
Derives his Origen from severall heads:
Heaven-threatning mountaines in abundance send,
Their fleecy snowes; the neighbouring rivers lend
Friendly their streames, heavens cataracts fly ope,
The earth to all her flood-gates gives full scope:
So shall there be a confluence of all good,
To make compleat the Saints beatitude.
Will understanding, memory, every Sence,
Shall freely give a large benevolence.
A body so exact in every part,
That skilfull nature cannot mend, nor art
Make better, after the age of Christ; for he,
As author, so th' exemplar cause must be
Of the Saints blisse; full of agility,
Can when it will through the aerie Kingdomes flie.
Drakes Ship as a rare monument was kept,
At Debtfort, 'cause she had the Ocean swept,
Encompassing the world, and ere the Sun
Had thrice his course through th' oblique Zodiack run,
Circled the coasts of parched Africa,
Of Asia, Europe, and America.
What is this world compar'd to heaven? a span,
To fifty leagues. Yet the Saints bodyes can,
As soone as the swift sun all regions see,
And at the journyes end not wearied be.
Then how pellucid bodyes made divine
By glory are? how radiantly they shine.
Here they were Tabernacles (though of clay,)
In which soules deare to God, a while made stay,
Organs oth' divine glory; so Pauls tongue,
Through th' Universe, Gods praise, and Gospell sung,
Orethrew Idolatry, orethrew false Gods,
His body for the true God scourg'd with rods.
Orewhelm'd with stones; in perils on the Maine,
His head by th' sword from off his shoulders tane.
These severall members for the severall wounds,
Shall be adorn'd with severall Diamonds.
Anadems of glory circle that blest front,
Gyrlands of richest Jewels set upon't.
The Proto-Martyrs body black and blew,
With stones shall shine in a most fulgent hue.
Such glorious dowries, the Saints bodyes grace,
That rocks and hardest marble must give place.
To make them way, nor can they suffer harme,
By any sword manag'd by th' strongest arme.
Subject to woes, to blowes, to torments here,
Senslesse of woes, of blowes, of torments there.
That skilfull nature cannot mend, nor art
Make better, after the age of Christ; for he,
As author, so th' exemplar cause must be
Of the Saints blisse; full of agility,
Can when it will through the aerie Kingdomes flie.
Drakes Ship as a rare monument was kept,
At Debtfort, 'cause she had the Ocean swept,
Encompassing the world, and ere the Sun
Had thrice his course through th' oblique Zodiack run,
Circled the coasts of parched Africa,
Of Asia, Europe, and America.
What is this world compar'd to heaven? a span,
To fifty leagues. Yet the Saints bodyes can,
64
And at the journyes end not wearied be.
Then how pellucid bodyes made divine
By glory are? how radiantly they shine.
Here they were Tabernacles (though of clay,)
In which soules deare to God, a while made stay,
Organs oth' divine glory; so Pauls tongue,
Through th' Universe, Gods praise, and Gospell sung,
Orethrew Idolatry, orethrew false Gods,
His body for the true God scourg'd with rods.
Orewhelm'd with stones; in perils on the Maine,
His head by th' sword from off his shoulders tane.
These severall members for the severall wounds,
Shall be adorn'd with severall Diamonds.
Anadems of glory circle that blest front,
Gyrlands of richest Jewels set upon't.
The Proto-Martyrs body black and blew,
With stones shall shine in a most fulgent hue.
Such glorious dowries, the Saints bodyes grace,
That rocks and hardest marble must give place.
To make them way, nor can they suffer harme,
By any sword manag'd by th' strongest arme.
Subject to woes, to blowes, to torments here,
Senslesse of woes, of blowes, of torments there.
Parch'd Afriks glory (borne in's mothers eyes)
(An happyer issue of her holy cries,
Then of her wombe) would magnifie three sights
Above all other temporall delights.
To see our Saviour in that flesh araid,
In which he was to the false Jewes betraid,
By Gentiles crucified, rose from the grave,
And by his death did Jewes and Gentiles save.
To heare the Doctor of the Gentiles Paul,
Either in the Athenian-judgement Hall,
From th' unknowne statue fit occasion take,
And to his auditors a Sermon make:
Or in the Synagogues, instruct the Jewes,
How he whom they so barbarously did use,
Naild to the Crosse should with much glory come,
To give all Mortals an impartiall doome.
Or else before the Roman Presidents,
Thundring Gods judgements, and what punishments
Attend transgressors, with his Rhetorick make
Affrighted Fælix and Drusilla quake.
Then what a glorious sight wil't be to see,
Great Rome in all her former Majesty?
Or in Augustus, or Vespasians time,
Proud with the Trophees of the Easter clime?
The spoiles of Nations Cæsars bringing forth
In Ovant pompe, what in the South and North
Was rich, and glorious: Souldiers crown'd with Bayes,
Ecchoing in Pæans their Commanders praise.
(An happyer issue of her holy cries,
Then of her wombe) would magnifie three sights
Above all other temporall delights.
To see our Saviour in that flesh araid,
In which he was to the false Jewes betraid,
By Gentiles crucified, rose from the grave,
And by his death did Jewes and Gentiles save.
To heare the Doctor of the Gentiles Paul,
Either in the Athenian-judgement Hall,
From th' unknowne statue fit occasion take,
And to his auditors a Sermon make:
Or in the Synagogues, instruct the Jewes,
How he whom they so barbarously did use,
65
To give all Mortals an impartiall doome.
Or else before the Roman Presidents,
Thundring Gods judgements, and what punishments
Attend transgressors, with his Rhetorick make
Affrighted Fælix and Drusilla quake.
Then what a glorious sight wil't be to see,
Great Rome in all her former Majesty?
Or in Augustus, or Vespasians time,
Proud with the Trophees of the Easter clime?
The spoiles of Nations Cæsars bringing forth
In Ovant pompe, what in the South and North
Was rich, and glorious: Souldiers crown'd with Bayes,
Ecchoing in Pæans their Commanders praise.
Rome at the greatest was but thirty miles
About; had for its houshold-stuffe the spoiles
Of the whole World: the riches of all Realmes,
Arabian Gums, and gold, Egyptian Gems.
What's thirty miles to Sions amplitude?
What's the worlds treasure to Beatitude?
We speake a Citie, where large Kingdomes are
The gracefull streets: Rome, Babylon, Grand Caire,
But simple Cottages compar'd with ours,
Their Pallaces, their high-Heaven-threatning Towers,
But sties for swine: though we fond mortals cry
'Em up, not knowing true Felicity.
About; had for its houshold-stuffe the spoiles
Of the whole World: the riches of all Realmes,
Arabian Gums, and gold, Egyptian Gems.
What's thirty miles to Sions amplitude?
What's the worlds treasure to Beatitude?
We speake a Citie, where large Kingdomes are
The gracefull streets: Rome, Babylon, Grand Caire,
But simple Cottages compar'd with ours,
Their Pallaces, their high-Heaven-threatning Towers,
But sties for swine: though we fond mortals cry
'Em up, not knowing true Felicity.
Heavenly Jerusalem with jems is built,
The Wals, the Battlements, the Turrets guilt,
The streets are pav'd with Saphire, Ophir stones,
Berill, rich Carbuncles, and Uniones,
In such a Citie, (when the blest soules must,
Be reunited to their wonted dust,
Compleated by that Union) the Saints shall
Have lordly domination over all
The World, and seated in Majestick chaires,
Judge Nations, heires of God, with Christ coheires.
Be conversant with him, humbly adore,
And kisse those wounds by which he triumph'd ore
The grave, and Hell; acknowledge his sole blood,
The onely price of their Beatitude.
Therefore with the Elders every Saint casts downe
Prostrate at Jesus feet his royall Crowne.
The Wals, the Battlements, the Turrets guilt,
The streets are pav'd with Saphire, Ophir stones,
Berill, rich Carbuncles, and Uniones,
In such a Citie, (when the blest soules must,
Be reunited to their wonted dust,
Compleated by that Union) the Saints shall
Have lordly domination over all
The World, and seated in Majestick chaires,
Judge Nations, heires of God, with Christ coheires.
Be conversant with him, humbly adore,
66
The grave, and Hell; acknowledge his sole blood,
The onely price of their Beatitude.
Therefore with the Elders every Saint casts downe
Prostrate at Jesus feet his royall Crowne.
Not onely in the mirrour of Gods minde,
You shall the Apostles, Paul, John, Peter finde,
But all the Patriarcks, Martyrs, Doctors see,
Converse, and with 'em most familiar be.
Heare every passage of their lives and deathes,
How the stout Martyrs purchased their wreathes.
Heare Paul relate through what Seas he did wade,
What dangers scap't, where, what Orations made,
And before whom; what good his Sermons wrought,
And who by them into the Church were brought.
And as he speakes, so act at every straine,
That you would think you heard him preach againe.
You shall the Apostles, Paul, John, Peter finde,
But all the Patriarcks, Martyrs, Doctors see,
Converse, and with 'em most familiar be.
Heare every passage of their lives and deathes,
How the stout Martyrs purchased their wreathes.
Heare Paul relate through what Seas he did wade,
What dangers scap't, where, what Orations made,
And before whom; what good his Sermons wrought,
And who by them into the Church were brought.
And as he speakes, so act at every straine,
That you would think you heard him preach againe.
Your understanding shall be lightened so,
That you the severall Hierarchies shall know,
See perfectly what now, wee but in trust,
Take up; if every Individuum must
Bee' a severall Species by it selfe, and God
Must needs of the same Forme create and od;
Suppose, if two of the same forme heele make,
He must our Mother, the first Hyle take.
But these are Nicities: Your principall
Happinesse is God, whose Vision includes all
May satisfie. What's done in Heaven, the Son,
By his Father got: active Spiration.
How these embracing mutually conspire,
From both their heats, to give eternall fire
Its Origen: which sent by them shall move,
In such a circle, that with ardent love
The World shall burne, acknowledging a Law,
That shall both Jewes and Gentiles keep in awe.
A Law not of sterne threats and fetters made,
To compell man; but gently shall perswade,
Attracte with tyes of love, no more command,
Then what may easily with practice stand.
That you the severall Hierarchies shall know,
See perfectly what now, wee but in trust,
Take up; if every Individuum must
Bee' a severall Species by it selfe, and God
Must needs of the same Forme create and od;
Suppose, if two of the same forme heele make,
He must our Mother, the first Hyle take.
But these are Nicities: Your principall
Happinesse is God, whose Vision includes all
May satisfie. What's done in Heaven, the Son,
By his Father got: active Spiration.
How these embracing mutually conspire,
From both their heats, to give eternall fire
Its Origen: which sent by them shall move,
In such a circle, that with ardent love
The World shall burne, acknowledging a Law,
That shall both Jewes and Gentiles keep in awe.
A Law not of sterne threats and fetters made,
To compell man; but gently shall perswade,
67
Then what may easily with practice stand.
Let's well observe what things are requisite
To draw from Scientifique arts delight,
So shall we know what they, and how much pleasure
Enjoy, who purchast have this hidden treasure.
A power, a faculty, apt to conceive,
And from proportion'd objects formes receive;
And knowledge, and delight, compleater be,
According to the objects dignitie.
This power cognoscitive must be combinde,
With th' object, and the closer it is joynde,
The more it knowes, receives the more content,
And both increase when th' object's excellent.
Can any object be like God? of good,
The fountaine, in himselfe Beatitude.
Of bounty, mercy, justice, a vast Ocean,
Whose every vertue, every single notion
Speaks an abysse of worth; where sily sheepe
May wade, Elephants may swim, not reach the deep.
With this sea of perfections, sea of good,
The soul's so joyn'd, tis swallowed in the stood.
Immerg'd so deeply in that vast abysse,
That with it one, and the same spirit 'tis.
Knowes all his immanent acts, sees all respects,
Which his All-potent hand has to effects.
Is entred to all Gods joyes, and injoyes
Made one with God, all treasures, pleasures, joyes.
Gods all in all things, and whom he unites
So neerly to him, with him all delights
Pertakes; nor need the blessed journeys take,
To seek Beatitude; God alone will make
Them happy, having in himselfe all store
Of bounty, mercy, justice, wisedome, power.
And such an object how must it distill,
Torrents of pleasures on the ravish'd will?
How shall our memorie, that rich Magazin,
Of all Idæas showing what has been,
Is extant, shall exist before us lay
All acts from the Worlds cradle to this day?
Present all passages through our life run,
The manie favours God for us hath done:
The many dangers we have scapt, the fights,
We had against the world, the flesh, the slights
Of Satan, how God aided with his grace,
And brought us Conquerours to this happy place,
Where (our browes circled with triumphant bayes)
Eternally we shall his mercies praise.
Then we surveigh the worlds Chronologie,
And entring in Gods Cabinet councell see,
Why he so oft hath suffered just men here
To be opprest, the wicked domineere.
Plainely perceive these miserable times,
To issue from the deluge of our crimes.
Our bloody sins have made so loud a cry,
Nothing can cure us but Phlebotomie.
We did abhor the very name of Peace,
The clamour of the Drum shall never cease.
We chase Religion out the Land, not any
One can content us, now we have too many.
Did too much plenty cause a surquedrie?
Famine shall cure it, and much penurie.
The stock of cattle spent, a barren yeare
Shall Victuals make, and Corne excessive deare.
Excises shall, set up on every score,
Adde to the famine, and undoe the poore.
Necessity caus'd taxes, the same Law,
Must keep 'em up to keep the rout in awe.
Why did th' ambitious Horse endure the bit,
To chase the hart, then would be free from it?
But cann't; who thrust themselves into a yoake,
Deserve to beare untill their backs be broake.
The Saints shall see why God permits all this,
And not a jot be troubled in their blisse,
For those blest Citizens of Sion be,
As well from trouble, as from sicknesse free.
Nor can their Kin, or dearest friends annoy,
Though knowne, diminish their eternall joy.
For mercies towards themselves, to God they owe,
And praise his justice in Delinquents woe.
To draw from Scientifique arts delight,
So shall we know what they, and how much pleasure
Enjoy, who purchast have this hidden treasure.
A power, a faculty, apt to conceive,
And from proportion'd objects formes receive;
And knowledge, and delight, compleater be,
According to the objects dignitie.
This power cognoscitive must be combinde,
With th' object, and the closer it is joynde,
The more it knowes, receives the more content,
And both increase when th' object's excellent.
Can any object be like God? of good,
The fountaine, in himselfe Beatitude.
Of bounty, mercy, justice, a vast Ocean,
Whose every vertue, every single notion
Speaks an abysse of worth; where sily sheepe
May wade, Elephants may swim, not reach the deep.
With this sea of perfections, sea of good,
The soul's so joyn'd, tis swallowed in the stood.
Immerg'd so deeply in that vast abysse,
That with it one, and the same spirit 'tis.
Knowes all his immanent acts, sees all respects,
Which his All-potent hand has to effects.
Is entred to all Gods joyes, and injoyes
Made one with God, all treasures, pleasures, joyes.
Gods all in all things, and whom he unites
So neerly to him, with him all delights
Pertakes; nor need the blessed journeys take,
To seek Beatitude; God alone will make
Them happy, having in himselfe all store
Of bounty, mercy, justice, wisedome, power.
And such an object how must it distill,
Torrents of pleasures on the ravish'd will?
How shall our memorie, that rich Magazin,
68
Is extant, shall exist before us lay
All acts from the Worlds cradle to this day?
Present all passages through our life run,
The manie favours God for us hath done:
The many dangers we have scapt, the fights,
We had against the world, the flesh, the slights
Of Satan, how God aided with his grace,
And brought us Conquerours to this happy place,
Where (our browes circled with triumphant bayes)
Eternally we shall his mercies praise.
Then we surveigh the worlds Chronologie,
And entring in Gods Cabinet councell see,
Why he so oft hath suffered just men here
To be opprest, the wicked domineere.
Plainely perceive these miserable times,
To issue from the deluge of our crimes.
Our bloody sins have made so loud a cry,
Nothing can cure us but Phlebotomie.
We did abhor the very name of Peace,
The clamour of the Drum shall never cease.
We chase Religion out the Land, not any
One can content us, now we have too many.
Did too much plenty cause a surquedrie?
Famine shall cure it, and much penurie.
The stock of cattle spent, a barren yeare
Shall Victuals make, and Corne excessive deare.
Excises shall, set up on every score,
Adde to the famine, and undoe the poore.
Necessity caus'd taxes, the same Law,
Must keep 'em up to keep the rout in awe.
Why did th' ambitious Horse endure the bit,
To chase the hart, then would be free from it?
But cann't; who thrust themselves into a yoake,
Deserve to beare untill their backs be broake.
The Saints shall see why God permits all this,
And not a jot be troubled in their blisse,
69
As well from trouble, as from sicknesse free.
Nor can their Kin, or dearest friends annoy,
Though knowne, diminish their eternall joy.
For mercies towards themselves, to God they owe,
And praise his justice in Delinquents woe.
| Devovt Rhapsodies | |