University of Virginia Library

INVOCATION To the Diuine Father of sacred Muses.

Sonnet. I.

[No more lewde laies of Lighter loues I sing]

No more lewde laies of Lighter loues I sing,
Nor teach my lustfull Muse abus'de to flie,
With Sparrowes plumes and for compassion crie,
To mortall beauties which no succour bring.
But my Muse fethered with an Angels wing,
Diuinely mounts aloft vnto the skie.
Where her loues subiects with my hopes doe lie:
For Cupids darts prefigurate hell's sting.
His quenchlesse Torch foreshowes hell's quenchles fire,
Kindling mens wits with lustfull laies of sinne:
Thy wounds my Cure deare Sauiour I desire
To pearce my thoughts thy fierie Cherubinne,
(By kindling my desires) true zeale t'infuse,
Thy loue my theame and holy Ghost my Muse.

Sonnet. II.

[Sweete Sauiour from whose fiuefold bleeding wound]

Sweete Sauiour from whose fiuefold bleeding wound,
That comfortable Antidote distilde:
Which that rancke poyson hath expeld and kild,
In our old wretched father Adam found.
In Paradise when he desertlesse crown'd,
Receau'd it as th' enuenomde Serpent willde,
In steede of lustfull eyes with arrowes fillde:
Of sinfull loues which from their beames abound.
Let those sweete blessed wounds with streames of grace,
Aboundantly sollicite my poore spirite:
Rauish'de with loue of thee that didst debase
Thy selfe on earth that I might heauen inherite,
O blessed sweete wounds fountaines of electre,
My wounded soules balme, and saluations nectre.

Sonnet. III.

[Sacred redeemer, let my praiers pearce]

Sacred redeemer, let my praiers pearce
Thine eares to contrite sinners open still
At my harts altar made, where (to fulfill
My vowes) I sacrifice in humble verse.
Which doe with troubled penitence rehearse
My ceaselesse sinnes repugnant to thy will:
Let mercie mittigate the large blacke bill
Of my dead sinnes: Deare iudge the doome reuerse
Which with foule guilt agrieu'de my conscience gaue,
By iustice iustly damn'd to quenchlesse fire:
Oh my deare Sauiour crucifi'd, mee saue!
Let my contricions incense vp aspire
(With true zeale kindled on my Altar hart)
And of thy sweete saluation purchase part.

Sonnet. IIII.

[Deare comforter (with whose deare precious blood]

Deare comforter (with whose deare precious blood,
The costly ransome of my sinnes was paide,
For my redemption murthered and betraide,
Sole spotlesse Lambe before the throane which stoode
Opening the seuen sealde Booke: who for pure foode
Thy precious selfe in sacrifice had'st laide
To my soules sustenance: which had decaide
If thou hadst not beene lifted on the roode)
O let my soule (thy Temple) be perfum'de
With sacred incense of thy vertuous grace:
Which hauing with repentant sighes presum'de
(Though charg'de with sinne) to kneele before thy face,
Yet for like Almes (in mercy) doth implore,
Though last in worke, with those which wrought before.

Sonnet. V.

[Blessed creatour let thine onley sonne]

Blessed creatour let thine onley sonne
(Sweete blossome stocke and roote of Dauids line
The cleare bright morning starre) giue light and shine
On my poore spirit, which hath new begunne
With his loues praise and with vaine loues hath donne:
to my poore Muse let him his eares incline,
Thirsting to tast of that celestiall wine
Whose purple streame hath our saluation wonne.
O gracious bridegroome, and thricelouely bride
Which come and fill who will for euer crie,
Water of life to no man is deny'de:
Fill still who will if any man be drye.
O heauenly voice! I thirst, I thirst and come
For life, with other sinners to get some.

Sonnet. VI.

[Pvre sacrifice, once offred for vs all]

Pvre sacrifice, once offred for vs all,
Euen all which were defilde with deadly sinne:
Let me poore deadly sinner, who beginne
With voice and hart repentant thee to call,
And cry that finde my selfe about to fall
Into that quenchlesse lake, repleate within
With howling fiends which euer gnash and grin,
Haue Audience from thy throane celestiall.
Deere spotlesse sacrifice (which didst discend
And as a man for mankindes safetie dy'de,
And ransackt Hels foule dungeon without end:
Enlarging sinners which therein were ty'de)
Since thou didst die that sinners sau'de might bee,
I am a wicked sinner (Lord) saue mee.

Sonnet. VII.

[White spotlesse Lambe (whose precious sweete bloudshed]

White spotlesse Lambe (whose precious sweete bloudshed
The whole worlds sinnefull Debt hath satisfied:
For sinners scorn'd, whipp'de, wounded, crucified,
Beholde my sinfull soule by Sathan led
Euen to the gates of Hell: where will be red
My consciences blacke booke: vnlesse suppli'de
Be (to those leaues past number) thy wounds wide:
Whose purple issue which for sinners bled,
Shall wash the Register of my foule sin,
And thence blot out the vile memoriall:
Then let thy blessed Angell enter in
My temple purg'd, and that historiall
(Of my sinnes numberlesse) in deepe Seas cast:
So shall I be new borne, and sau'd at last.

Sonnet. VIII.

[Lyon of Iudah (which dost iudge and fight]

Lyon of Iudah (which dost iudge and fight
With endlesse iustice, whose annointed head
Was once with wounding thornes inuironed,
But now with sacred Crownes by glorious right:
Whose glorious hoast succeedes in armour white,
Before whose face so many millions fled,
And whose Imperiall name, no man could read)
Illuminate my thoughts, with the beames bright
Of that white powrefull and celestiall Doue:
Kindle my spirit with that sacred heate,
Which me may rauish with an heauenly Loue:
Whil'st I thy ceaselesse graces doe repeate,
Downe powrde in full aboundance to mankind,
Which comfort in my soule (poore wretch) I find.

Sonnet. IX.

[O gracious shephearde (for thy simple flocke]

O gracious shephearde (for thy simple flocke
By guilefull Goates to rauening Wolues misled,)
Who thine owne deare harts precious bloud didst shed,
And Lambelike offered to the butchers blocke;
O gracious shepheard (vnremouing rocke
Of succour to such all as thither fled)
Respect one of thy flocke which followed
These cursed Goates, and doth repentant knocke.
To be with mercy taken to thy folde,
I know thy grace doth still for wanderers looke,
I was a lost sheepe once (deare Lord) beholde,
And in compassion take me with thy hooke:
In one lost sheepe new found thou dost reioyce,
Then know thy sheepe, which knowes his shepheards voice.

Sonnet. X.

[Heauenly Messias (sweete annointed King]

Heauenly Messias (sweete annointed King,
Whose glorie round about the world doth reach,
Which euerie beast, plant, rocke, and riuer teach,
And aerie birds like Angels euer sing,
And euery gale of winde in gustes doth bring,
And euery man with reason euer preach)
Behold, behold that lamentable breach:
Which (my distressed conscience to sting)
False spitefull Sathan in my soule doth make:
Oh (sweete Messias) lend some gracious oyle
To cure that wound, euen for thy mercies sake:
Least (by that breach) thy temple he dispoyle.
Helpe, helpe, my conscience thether him doth leade,
And hee will come, if thou bruse not his head.

Sonnet. XI.

[Mercifull Iesus thine eyeliddes of grace]

Mercifull Iesus thine eyeliddes of grace
Decline vnto a wicked sory sinner
Humbly prostrate, who (but a new beginner)
Begges that thine holy Ghost might Sathan chase
From his foule soule, ordaind for thy pallace:
as it did Mary Mag'daline saue, and winne her
From seuen foule spirits which did raigne within her:
But now behold a more contagious place,
A place where the seuen mortall sinnes roote take,
From whence beside all ougly crimes braunch out,
With each of these seuen legions doe pertake
Of vncleane spirits raging round about:
Oh now deare Iesus, Iesus shew thy power,
And driue them forth, least they my soule deuoure.

Sonnet. XII.

[Bountifull Lord Christ (whose hand liberall]

Bountifull Lord Christ (whose hand liberall
Is still out stretched for mans sustenance
Which wee much thankelesse with small souenance
recount, when in such larges it doth fall:
But that which all men in especiall
Ought to maintaine in high rememberance,
(Naylde feete and hands, and hart pearc'de with a Launce
For our redemption from the sinfull thrall)
With feruent zeale, true Loue, feare reuerent,
Is quite forgot of most: and yet these bee
The chiefe deare signes for our saluation sent:
Oh blessed Chist, bestow thy grace on mee
Bestow this blessed grace (deare Christ) that I
May hope new life by thy death, when I die.

Sonnet. XIII.

[Deare Dauids sonne (whom thy forefathers haue]

Deare Dauids sonne (whom thy forefathers haue
In Psalmes and prophecies vnborne foretolde,
That hell in Adamantine chaines should holde,
And thence poore sinners both inlarge and saue
Whom former blindnes to damnation gaue)
Mee swallowed in the gulfe of sinne behold:
A Lambe amongst wilde wolues (once of thy fold)
Whom Sathan now doth for his porcion craue:
Deare sonne of Dauid helpe, yet helpe with speede.
Thy wounds bleede fresh in my remembrance yet,
Which blessed wounds did for offenders bleede:
These wounds I will not in distresse forget,
For all cheefe hope of my saluation, grounds
In Nectre of those comfortable wounds.

Sonnet. XIIII.

[O benigne Father let my sutes ascend]

O benigne Father let my sutes ascend,
And please thy gracious eares from my soule sent;
Euen as those sweete perfumes of incense went
From our forefathers altars: who didst lend
Thy nosthrils to that mirrh which they did send,
Euen as I now craue thine eares to be lent.
My soule, my soule, is wholy, wholy bent
To doe thee condigne seruice, and amend,
To flie for refuge to thy wounded brest;
To sucke the balme of my saluation thence,
In sweete repose to take eternall rest,
As thy childe folded in thine armes defence:
But then my flesh me thought (by Sathan fir'de)
Said my proud sinfull soule in vaine aspirde.

Sonnet. XV.

[Pittifull Lord (whose endles mercy reacheth]

Pittifull Lord (whose endles mercy reacheth
From East to West and the worlds compasse filleth,
Whose charge imperious (as thy spirit willeth)
Things sencelesse as in life obedience teacheth:
Whose bright omnipotence the Dumbe borne preacheth:
Whose grace in full aboundance downe distilleth
To contrite sinners, which olde Sathan killeth,
And wounded spirits heales, whome sinne appeacheth)
With those bright eyes of mercy me respect,
From my soule (made thy temple) Sathan driue,
That my pure spirit may thy praise detect,
And from death by thy liuely grace reuiue:
That (sinne and Hell suppress'd) I might appeare
After deaths conquest, by thy mercies cleare.

Sonnet. XVI.

[Svre corner stone of that rocke firme and hie]

Svre corner stone of that rocke firme and hie,
(Where of eternall life the fountaine springs,
Whose vertue to the soule such comfort brings
That he which tasteth neuer shall be drie,
Nor euer slaue of death againe shall die)
Oh let thy blessed Angell carrie wings
And arme my soule: which loathing earthly things
For liuely water to that rocke would flie:
There neuer dare approch my Ghostly foe,
Which would from number of thy Saints exempt
My silly soule: sweete Christ let him forgoe
That deare soules purchase: which he doth attempt.
Remember (my deare Lord) thou dy'd to saue it
Then neuer shall the roaring Lyon haue it.

Sonnet. XVII.

[Mylde King of Salem Lord of louely peace]

Mylde King of Salem Lord of louely peace,
(Who do'st in brother like agreement ioy,
In mercy mourning when thou do'st destroy,
Where iustice condigne anger doth encrease)
Behold a wretch, whose sinnes doe neuer cease
With haynous guilt his conscience to annoy:
Who by that meanes cannot calme rest enioy
Behold deare Christ, and for my free release
(Vpon contrition) those offences blot
Out of those large inditements, which be giu'n
By my iust conscience: let them be forgot.
Forget, forgiue (deare Lord) for I am driu'n
(By their remembrance) almost to dispaire:
Which my soules ruine ready would prepare.

Sonnet. XVIII.

[Hye priest of Syon (whose eternall throne]

Hye priest of Syon (whose eternall throne
With endlesse right, and mercy seated is:
Which all knees (when his name repeated is)
Adore: whose rule hath times swift wings outgone,
Whose Scepter is an euerlasting one,
Whose Monarchie neuer compleated is)
This humble Alter see, which heated is
With feruent zeale I beare to thee alone:
Which from the Syon of my soule aspireth,
Euen from this zealous hart vnto the chayre
Of euerlasting power, where it desireth
(Through pleasing incense) for me to prepayre
A glorious Crowne, which neuer will take rust:
Which graunt (Deare Sauiour) in whose helpe I trust.

Sonnet. XIX.

[Louely Samaritane, draw neere, and view]

Louely Samaritane, draw neere, and view
The mangled obiect of a wretched soule,
Afflicted deadly with a conscience foule:
The iust sting of such sinnes as my soule slew,
Whose faults be numberlesse though yeeres bee few.
Oh note them not sweete Lord in thy blacke scroule
Which may my deare saluations hope controle,
When breath and body shall be changed new:
But these foule desperate wounds (deare Christ) vp bind,
Cherishd with oyle of mercies and sweete grace:
And let thy Gospell minister each kind
Of heau'nly foode, and bee thy Church the place
Where I may mee repose to purchase cure,
That (when thou com'st) I may be sound and pure.

Sonnet. XX.

[Great God of Abraham (whose eternall power]

Great God of Abraham (whose eternall power
Shaketh the worlds vnsure foundations,
Whose frowne affrights all Kings and nations,
whose anger doth like flames of fire deuour,
Whose triumph comming is in vnknowne hower,
Whose praise exceedes all mortall mens Orations,
Whose time of grace (for sinners preparations)
Thou do'st inlarge, to yeeld vs more succour)
Like Father chastice mee with tender twigges,
Not like an angrie Iudge with yren Rodde,
Least Sathan purchase conquest by dispaire.
That (when heauen shall shake downe her Starres like Figges)
Thou (both as equall iudge, and gentle God)
For mee the Crowne of glorie may prepare.

Sonnet. XXI.

[Sole hope and blessing of olde Israels line]

Sole hope and blessing of olde Israels line
(Which gaue by promise to his blessed seede
A land that should all blessings plentie breede,
Riuers of pleasant Honnie, Milke, and wine,
Whose ofspring numberlesse thou calledst thine,
Whome with thine Angels Manna thou didst feede
Being before from Pharoes bondage freede,
When Moyses first thy statutes did resigne)
Behold deare God, one in these daies of grace:
Since by thy precious bloud thou freede mankinde,
By promise which a portion and a place
Amongst thy children hopeth for to finde
In Gospels comfort, through thy bloudes deare prise,
Oh let him purchase such a Paradise!

Sonnet. XXII.

[Fountaine of life, and endlesse happinesse]

Fountaine of life, and endlesse happinesse,
O quench these worldly sparkes of Sathans fier,
Enkindled in my fancies and desier:
Rocke of saluation and all blessednesse
Defend mee charg'de with sinful wickednesse;
Spirite of comfort let thy breath inspire
My soule infected, ready to retire,
And carnall mocions striuing to represse.
I thirst (cleare fountaine) for the streame of life,
I fall farre set from my saluations rocke,
And Sathan with my Spirite is at strife,
Vrging that I am seuer'd from thy flocke:
Yet my deare Sauiour, strong rocke, and sweete spirite,
Through mercy, my poore soule shall heauen inherite.

Sonnet. XXIII.

[Father of Pietie by this wee know]

Father of Pietie by this wee know
The glories greater of thy gracious loue
Then of desires which carnal fancies moue:
For if wee praise a mortall shape below
By flattery their Diuinities wee show,
Comparing them their perfectnesse aboue:
Their cheekes to Roses, their neckes white to Doue,
Their eyes to starres from whence all fortunes flow:
Their eyes effects to the Meridian Sunne,
Their modest thoughts to the colde Virgine moone.
Oh fooles, fooles ignorant, when this is donne,
Wee know wee flatter them, then Muses soone
Why turne you not your numbers musicall
To God aboue mans praise which ruleth all?

Sonnet. XXIIII.

[Pvre spotlesse ofspring of vngratefull Iurie]

Pvre spotlesse ofspring of vngratefull Iurie
(At morning, mid-day, and at quiet night)
I neither will forget thy praise, nor might:
When men vngratefull shall prouoke thy furie
I shall bee safe, if that deare grace procure I
And finde sweete comfort of eternall light,
Mongst Cherubes, Seraphins, and Angels bright.
But if thy precepts I forget, then sure I
With sinners must expect my portion dew,
Because thy grace celestiall I abus'd.
And in thy face (with vile contorcion) threw
Those sacred blessings stubbornely refus'd:
At length I like an Angell shall appeare
In spotlesse white, an Angels Crowne to weare.

Sonnet. XXV.

[Glorious Iehouah Oh howfull of power]

Glorious Iehouah Oh howfull of power,
How full of sacred maruailes bee thy deedes!
Thou that with plenties euery creature feedes,
And blessed bounties which bestowes each hower.
With hand of mercie sending forth a shower
In large aboundance to produce good seedes,
My wounded hart with pearsed conscience bleedes,
When I remember thee my soules succour:
Who was so many times by mee forgot,
Who by mee wicked, vilest, hainous wretch,
Prophaned oft hast beene, but praised not:
At length though late) mine armes, mine hart I stretch,
My soule, my sinfull soule I lift to thee,
Who (with thy praises triumph cleare) would bee.

Sonnet. XXVI.

[Great God of larges, bountifull good giuer]

Great God of larges, bountifull good giuer
Of endlesse blessings (as thou didst bestow
On me poore wretch, that reason how to know
Thee without all beginning endlesse liuer)
Powre likewise downe thy graces louely Riuer,
And let it (Lord) my poore hart ouerflow:
These like sweete fire (which Diuine spirits blow)
May clearely burne in zeale of thy Loues euer:
That all my thoughts thy Testament embrace,
That all my wits thy tearmelesse grace set out,
That by thee praising I may shew thy grace
Which in large Talent thou to mee let out:
That after good accompt (past terme of ages)
I may receiue a trustie stewards wages.

Sonnet. XXVII.

[High King of Kings (who with thine awfull cheeke]

High King of Kings (who with thine awfull cheeke
Controles the sternewindes, sinfull land, rough Seas:
Who chides in thunder when wee doe displease,
Whome all things feare and tremble at his becke,
Yoking in one the Kings and beggers necke
Without respect (in wrath) yet will appease
His wrath, when sinners penitent shall prease
His throne (in zeale sincere) without contecke.
Oh God iust, mercifull, and gracious,
Full of all plentie, blessing, and kindnesse,
Whose endlesse rule past limit, spacious,
Illuminate my soule, and banish blindnesse:
Consider how this sinfull soule (opprest
With nature) by thy grace would bee redrest.

Sonnet. XXVIII.

[Fortresse of hope, Anchour of faithfull zeale]

Fortresse of hope, Anchour of faithfull zeale,
Rocke of affiance, Bulwarke of sure trust,
(In whome all nations for saluation must
Put certaine confidence of their soules weale)
Those sacred misteries deare Lord reueale
Of that large volume, righteous and iust:
From mee (though blinded with this earthly dust)
Doe not those gracious misteries conceale.
That I by them as from some beamesome Lampe,
May finde the bright and right direction
To my soule blinded, marching to that Campe.
Of sacred soldiours: whose protection
Hee (that victorious on a white horse rideth)
Taketh, and euermore triumphant guideth.

Sonnet. XXIX.

[Rayons of glorie beames of endlesse ioy]

Rayons of glorie beames of endlesse ioy,
Cheerish my soule, illuminate my wits:
Rauish my sences with celestial fits,
That mistes infernall doe not them anoy:
All carnall motions weaken and acoy,
Eu'n from that beamesome throne (where glorious sits
The Lord of light whose eye no shade admits)
That filthy Dragon my soules foe destroy,
Which in foule pit of dreadfull darkenes liues,
Repleat with horrour, and contagious smell:
Whose shadow, noysome mist and blindnes giues,
Raysde from th' infectious damps of vgly Hell.
Rayons of comfort through my Temples pearse,
And consecrate my Muse to sacred verse.

Sonnet. XXX.

[High mightie God of Gods, and King of Kings]

High mightie God of Gods, and King of Kings
(Whose awful charge through the round world doth runne,
Eu'n from the rising of the glorious Sunne
Vnto the Seas, where hee his Chariot brings)
What instruments, or what harmonious strings
Shall to thy graces, which bee new begunne,
And haue so many soules with comfort wonne,
Giue praises due to such celestiall things
Praise and thankesgiuing to the Lord surrender,
And pay thy duties to thy God most highest,
Least thou before his throane a vile offender
Appeare, when sinne and Hell (to conscience nighest)
Accuse thee wicked sinner, for that grace
Which God bestowde, and thou cast in his face.

Sonnet. XXXI.

[O glorious Patrone of eternall blisse]

O glorious Patrone of eternall blisse,
Victorious conquerour of Hell and death,
Oh that I had whole westerne windes of breath,
My voice and tongue should not bee so remisse:
My notes should not bee so rare and demisse:
But euery riuer, forrest, hill, and heath
Should eccho forth his praise, and vnderneath
The worlds foundations sound that it is his:
Hee which did place the worlds foundations,
Hee which did make the Sunne, the Moone and starres,
Who with his blood redeem'd all nations,
And willing none from Paradise debarres,
Shall not all instruments and voyces sounde
His glories, which in all these things abounde?

Sonnet. XXXII.

[The well of-life, the forte of happinesse]

The well of-life, the forte of happinesse,
Rocke of affiance, Piller of sure trust,
Anchor of hope, Treasure repining rust,
Starre of direction, Ease of wretchednesse,
Great Lord of largesse, Iudge of wickednesse,
Balme of saluation, Ayder of the iust,
Fountaine of grace, Quickner of Clay and dust,
Cure of disease, Releeuer of distresse;
Bright Sunne of comfort, Iustice of true peace,
The branch of glory, and the Fruite of blisse,
Kingdomes disposer, Husband of increase,
For penitence who pardons things amisse,
And in contrition dayly who delightes:
What man can giue due glorious Epithites?

Sonnet. XXXIII.

[Thrice puissant generall of true Christian hoast]

Thrice puissant generall of true Christian hoast
(Whose voyce it selfe is dreadfull thundercracke,
Whose wrath doth nether fire nor lightning lacke,
Whose stormie frowne makes tremble euerie coast:
Chasing thy fearefull foes from post to post,
Whose hands force can all the worlds forces sacke,
Who turnes his foemens colours into blacke,
Whose murthering thunderboults for arrowes bee,
Whose sworde victorious, Trenchant, double edg'd,
His holy Scripture is, whose foes conuert,
The pointe to their owne brest, and haue alledg'd
Vaine arguments thy deare Saints to subuert)
As thou deare God art iudge, so giue thy doome
(In iustice) to subuert ambitious Rome.

Sonnet. XXXIIII.

[Behold deare Father (with those gracious eyes]

Behold deare Father (with those gracious eyes
Which all the world with their beames glorie brighten)
My plaints, and then my cause in iustice righten.
My soule repentant still for mercy cries
Prick'd with vaine sinnes, which in my thoughts arise:
Hope of thy mercy doth my sorrow lighten,
Feares (least more sinnes ensue) with my soule fighten,
And true zeales of thy loue my thoughts surprise.
But angrie iustice seemes (with irefull threate)
To giue blacke sentence of damnation
vnto my soule distress'd, and doth repeate
Olde sinnes, prouoking desperation:
Oh saue mee, saue mee (Lord) least that I fall
Into damnation, saue Lord when I call.

Sonnet. XXXV.

[Arise thou mightie God of heau'n, rise vp]

Arise thou mightie God of heau'n, rise vp,
Against thy sinfull foes of Babell rise:
And scatter thou like dust thine enemies:
Let them dregges of thine indignation suppe:
That haue beene drunken with the strumpets cuppe:
Like smoke which vanisheth into the skies
Disseuer them, and like the waxe (which fries
Before the fire) so melt, and burne them vp.
O magnifie the Lord, and praises sing
Vnto the mightie God of heau'n, who makes
The clouds to thunder, and his boults doth wing
With fire and furie: who the round world shakes:
Before whose face Kings with their Armies flie,
And at whose feete proud Emperours dead lie:

Sonnet. XXXVI.

[Lord (with the light of thy cleare countenance)]

Lord (with the light of thy cleare countenance)
My sinfull troubled soule illuminate:
And with thy mightie shoulders eleuate
My feeble spirit, and his state aduaunce:
From thy sweete brest (pearc'd sometimes with a Launce
For my redeemption from accursed state)
Lend one deare droppe, whose force shall animate
My soule infect with sinnes misgouernaunce:
Then purge my spirit by thine holy Ghost,
And as an Angell let it mildly rest,
In thy thrice blessed bosome wished most
By my poore soule, with grieuous sinnes opprest:
And let thy blessed feete suppresse all those,
Which to thee, and my soule be vowed foes.

Sonnet. XXXVII.

[O my deare God how shall my voice preuaile?]

O my deare God how shall my voice preuaile?
How shall my tongue giue vtterance to my mind?
Where shall my thankefull hart free passage find?
My slender voice, tongue feeble, and hart fraile
(Before they can giue condigne praise) will fayle:
I cannot celebrate (in their due kinde)
Thy glories numberlesse, which Angels finde
Eu'n to surmount all Angels best trauayle.
Oh my deare God, my comfort, my sollace,
My swift soule flies (with my Diuine thoughts wings)
Eu'n to thy bosome. Oh let it embrace,
And triumph in my sweete saluations springs:
For I beleeue thou wilt not me forsake,
Who for mee didst thy Sonne a Martyr make.

Sonnet. XXXVIII.

[Gracious, Diuine, and most omnipotent]

Gracious , Diuine, and most omnipotent,
Receiue thy seruants Tallent in good part,
Which hidde it not, but willing did conuert
It to best vse hee could when it was lent:
The summe (though slender, yet not all mispent)
Receiue deare God of grace, from cheerefull hart,
Of him, that knowes, how mercifull thou art,
And with what grace to contrite sinners bent:
I know my fault, I did not as I should,
My sinfull flesh against my soule rebeld,
But since I did endeuour what I could,
Let not my little nothing bee withheld
From thy rich treasuries of endlesse grace;
But (for thy sake) let it procure a place.

Sonnet. XXXIX.

[Inuironed with dangers manifolde]

Inuironed with dangers manifolde,
At home and forren both by land and waue,
(Where change of Nations diuers daungers gaue,
And nouels earst which I did not beholde:
Much like a doubtfull Pilgrim, whome infould
Millions of woes, that knowes no helpe to haue,
Nor how from dangers prest himselfe to saue)
Was I: but when mee thought I perish should,
My God of mercy did my life redeeme,
My God of mercy did my soule sustaine,
Oh then how well shall it my Muse beseeme
To praise the Lord, and him collaude againe?
Nay try (vain Poets) try, that King, that place,
If God, and heauen, giue not your Muse most grace.

Sonnet. XL.

[My daies bee few, my sinnes past number bee]

My daies bee few, my sinnes past number bee,
Adde to my daies (Oh God) more time of grace,
And mercy to my sinnes: behold my case,
With eyes of gracious pittie looke on mee:
My wounded and afflicted conscience see,
My soule afraide to stand before thy face:
In pittie Lord, (deare Lord) a longer space,
Or else in mercy (Father) set mee free,
I finde high iustice doth my soule condemne,
Which Sathan vrgeth still to my dispaire:
Sathan auoide, thy malice I contemne,
Al thy suggestions vaine illusions are.
Of thy temptations this is my construction,
Then perish in vaine hope of my destruction.

Sonnet. XLI.

[Tempted in forren nation by that foe]

Tempted in forren nation by that foe,
Which both my soule and bodies health enuies,
And vex'd with seuerall strange perplexities,
Whose cause or reason I could neuer know,
Or why my mind should mourne afflicted so
To thee my God, I turne my sinfull eyes,
(Whom I prouoke with my remorse full cries)
Some succour for my vexed thoughts to show.
That (as I haue my natiue Countrie changed)
So likewise from the world I may bee weaned:
And as my weede with nation is estranged,
I so may shine in Christian armes vnfeyned:
And as I leaue my nations true language,
My Muse may change for a diuiner rage.

Sonnet. XLII.

[Oh you light Poets (whose Ardure diuine]

Oh you light Poets (whose Ardure diuine
Inkindl'd with immortall furie was
Ordaind therefore, all other wits to passe;
Because those faculties you should incline
To make with praise the most praise-worthie shine:
From sacred numbers, roll'de in iust compasse,
Sphoerelike in Musicke) turne your tunes alas
To rauish eares with notes of your engine.
By these you shal the God of Gods collaude,
The King of Kings, and Lord of Lords exalt.
Make not Diuine wit foule affections baude,
It is against that holy Ghost a fault.
Who therefore with his beames your wits did brighten,
That your wits likewise should his glorie lighten.

Sonnet. XLIII.

[Sathan abroad (when I was left alone]

Sathan abroad (when I was left alone
A stranger and distress'de) did mee assaile:
Finding my nature hoped to preuaile,
And make sure entrance where hee could finde none.
A gentle nature soonest ouerthrowne
Hee thought, supposing (for his more auaile)
The sting of sinne should helpe if others faile:
But now behold Gods mercie to mee showne.
Hee gracious, louing, mercifull, and wise
Declar'd expressely that I was ordaind
Vnto saluation, for that enterprise
Of Sathans mou'de my soule (before profaind)
To purge it selfe, with that repentant grace,
Which mee shall saue from hell, and him displace.

Sonnet. XLIIII.

[O Lord increase in mee true faith, and loue]

O Lord increase in mee true faith, and loue:
Faith of saluation in thine onely sonne,
And his loue that hath my soules health begunne,
Who from my soule (his incense) will remoue
That deadly sting which sinne did vnder shoue.
O Lord increase my zeale, and let it runne
Through my soules Organes: that thereby bee donne
A pleasing incense to thy throane aboue:
O Lord increase in mee that earnest care
To make a mends for those high sinnes by past,
And equall charitie to worke welfare,
Vnto my neighbours bound in fetters fast:
That by faith, Loue, true zeale, and charitie,
(Through thee) my soule may find felicitie.

Sonnet. XLV.

[O what great comfort is it to giue praise]

O what great comfort is it to giue praise
To God the Lord of heauen, Oh what comfort
Is it abroad his praises to report,
And of his wondrous workes our notes to raise?
To lift our Muses from base earthly laies
To that Diuine angelicall consort,
Bearing Palme, Oliue, and immortall Baies
With chaunge of harmonies in one consort:
To glorifie the mightie God of glorie,
To magnifie the mightie God of might,
To triumph in the guide of victorie,
To celebrate the Iustice of all right,
To make our refuge where all helpe is found,
To cure our wounded soules with his sole wound.

Sonnet. XLVI.

[Oh Sunne and Moone the daies and Euenings lights]

Oh Sunne and Moone the daies and Euenings lights,
With powerfull Starres bright subiects of the same,
Archangels, Angels praise his holy name:
The glorious Cherubin which fierie fights
With his proud foes: the Seraphes, holy sprights,
Who with sweete himnes record his endlesse fame,
The dreadfull thunder with his angrie flame,
Which (when hee list) all men, and beastes affrights:
Raine, Hayle, Snow, tempest, clouds, and bitter winde,
Darknesse, and light, Earthquakes, and foggie mist,
With Flies and fethered foules of seuerall kinde,
My soule and spirite in his praise assist:
Who (past all humaine wonder) did create
Vs all, that all his praise might propagate.

Sonnet. XLVII.

[Oh what celestiall Angell will downe send]

Oh what celestiall Angell will downe send
Into these eyes some dewy cloudes of grace
To wash the furrowes of my withered face
Defilde with sinne? what spirite will mee lend
Sufficient winde, that my sighes might ascend
And (with contrition) pearce to that pallace,
From whence proceedes all succour and solace?
What Champion Michaell my soule to defend,
Will lend his puissant and victorious crosse,
To conquere that olde Serpent, which assayles
My feeble soule entombde in earthly drosse?
Thy precious crosse, that launce, those pearsing nayles,
If hee shall them, or their deare wounds espie,
Will bruise his head, and yeelde mee victorie.

Sonnet. XLVIII.

[O glorious conquest, and thrice glorious speare]

O glorious conquest, and thrice glorious speare,
But seu'n times thrice more glorious the name,
By which thrice powerfull wee coniure the same:
Which but repeated doth that Dragon feare,
That olde Leuyathan whose iawes Lord teare.
Roote out his tongue which doth thy Saints defame,
And thy sweete Gospell seeke to vaile with shame:
This the chiefe conquest of all conquests weare,
For which Archangels, and all Angels might,
With Cherubins, and Seraphins out bring
Victorious Palmes, arraide in sincere white:
For which al Saints might Alleluya sing,
Then glorious Captaine, our chiefe God and man,
Breake thou the Iawes of olde Leuiathan.

Sonnet. XLIX.

[I feele my soule in combat with the dust]

I feele my soule in combat with the dust
Of sinfull flesh, and ready to breake out
From loathsome bondage, dreadlesse of all doubt:
I feele my soule (by shaddowes) seuer must
From that base prison of terrestriall rust,
Where it shall triumph in celestiall route
Of my forefathers Angels round about
That glorious throne of the faithfull and iust.
But yet my feebleflesh (sur charg'de with guilt)
Trembleth at thought of death, but why should it
Feare coward death, since for my soule was spilt
His bloud, that shall for mee in triumph sit?
Death doe thy worst, but yet (Lord) thine eare giue,
Why I with Dauid would not die but liue.

Sonnet. L.

[I would not die but liue (deare liuing Lord)]

I would not die but liue (deare liuing Lord)
And to thy glory shew that facultie,
With which thou didst mee worthlesse beautifie:
Turning my Muse to that Diuine concord,
Which I perceiue doth with my soule accord
In endlesse praise of thy Diuinitie.
But (if vnworthy them to magnifie,
Because my sinfull mouth hath not abhorr'de
To bee before with vanities abus'de)
Thou loath my wicked tongue should them declare:
Thy will bee donne, which cannot bee refus'de:
For death of sinne the guerdon doth prepare,
Yet when I die (deare God of Loue and truth)
Remember not the follies of my youth.

Sonnet. LI.

[Breake thou the iawes of olde Leuiathan]

Breake thou the iawes of olde Leuiathan,
Victorious conquerour, breake thou the iawes,
Which full of blasphemie maligne thy lawes:
Ready to curse, to lie, slaunder and banne,
Which nothing but abhomination can:
Who like a ramping Lyon with his pawes
Thy little flocke with daily dread adawes,
Antichrists Harrould who with pride beganne,
Euen into thy triumphant throane to prease,
And therefore his first comfort had forgonne:
The bodies ruinor, and soules disease,
Bawde to that harlot of proude Babilon,
Which mortall men to mortall sinnes inuiteth,
Teare out those Fangues with which hee thy flocke biteth.

Sonnet. LII.

[Fvll of celestiall syrropes, full of sweete]

Fvll of celestiall syrropes, full of sweete
are all thy preceptes, full of happines,
full of all comforte, full of blessednes
those salutations which our Sauiour greete:
O let vs then contende (since it is meete)
to keepe those lawes with vpright holinesse,
oh let vs vse, and haue in readinesse
those sweete orations, prostrate at his feete:
Begging, imploring, weeping, smiling, kneeling
for succour, grace, and for our sinnes humbly
repentance mercies signes in our heart feeling:
Repent, and praise our God, for it is comely,
O nothing doth a Christian more beseeme,
Then him to prayse that did his soule redeeme.

Sonnet. LIII.

[Didst thou redeeme my soule, my sole saluation?]

Didst thou redeeme my soule, my sole saluation?
Oh with what raunsome (Lorde) didst thou redeeme it?
Eu'n of so precious worth did he esteeme it,
Because at our forefathers first creation,
Hee in his breast by sacred inspiration,
From his owne mouth (which did so well beseeme it)
Breathed a soule diuine, then let vs deeme it
A gracious, precious and deare immolation,
For him to saue our soules with his bloudshed,
For him to take mans nature, man to saue,
For him to be whip'd, nayl'd, torne, crucify'd,
For him to sweate in bloud, to lye in graue,
For him (most mighty) to lye downe beneath,
Where (for our life) he vanquish't hell and death.

Sonnet. LIIII.

[Then awfull sting of Paile deathes leaden darte]

Then awfull sting of Paile deathes leaden darte,
Where is thy killing poyson and thy pile?
Then fearefull horrid Serpent full of guile
(Whose vgly kingdome hoped for his parte,
The most of all poore soules in endlesse smart)
Where is thy dreadfull conquest all this while?
Behold how Christian soules triumph and smile
To see thee bound, where thou fast burning art,
To see that sacred and victorious troupe
(Whose Captaine Lord of Lords, and King of Kings
Adorn'd with many Crownes, makes all Crownes stoupe)
Which in high triumph Alleluya sings,
Makes Gog and Magog his fell furie finde,
Which scattred flie like dust before the winde.

Sonnet. LV.

[From depth of fearefull Hels eternall shade]

From depth of fearefull Hels eternall shade,
And bottomelesse discent into that lake,
In heate, and cold where sinners burne and quake:
Where all things vnconsum'de for euer fade,
At whose remembrance sinners are dismaide
For horrour of those dreadfull pangues which shake,
And for sweete succour intercession make,
Of their sinnes burthen, and hell fire affraide:
Eu'n from the fearefull bottomelesse blacke pit,
(At whose remembrance my poore soule doth tremble)
Saue and deliuer mee, whereas I sit
Inuiron'd with dispaire, which doth resemble
An Iland (with rough seas inclosed round)
At euery gust, in danger to bee dround.

Sonnet. LVI.

[O that I might with the wise Prophet sing]

O that I might with the wise Prophet sing,
Mine heart is ready, ready to giue praise!
But mine is not, though willing most alwaies
To celebrate the glorious heau'nly King
Poore hart, not worthie to that Angels wing
(Which with his glorie through the world doth paise
In heau'nly numbers temp'red with sweete phrase)
The least soft downe of Plumage for to bring.
Then milde, then spotlesse, comfortable Doue,
Whose winges were sinne of sinnes to violate,
Pure Bird of heau'nly sollace, peace and Loue,
With Rayons bright my soule illuminate,
From that false lustfull Pygeon late returnde,
Which almost had both soule and body burnde.

Sonnet. LVII.

[Through Sathans malice and my nature weake]

Through Sathans malice and my nature weake,
When in my soule I finde my faith is deade,
Those sacred schoedes of comfort, then I reade
Whose powrefull words the gates of hell can breake:
Then faith in kindleth fresh, and then I wreake
My wrath on Sathan, and vpon his head
Mee thinkes (like Michaell or Saint George) I treade:
Whilst hee that earst against the Sunne did beake
His foreswolne poysnous bulke, doth vanquishd lie
In his owne filth: and I (which lately was
Like to bee swallowd by mine enemie)
Now safely like a conquerour may passe.
Behold my Captaines puissance, who did this
To ridde my soule from hell, and ransome his.

Sonnet. LVIII.

[Comfort thy selfe (poore soule) whom griefe of sinne]

Comfort thy selfe (poore soule) whom griefe of sinne
Downe presseth to the mouth of the lowest hell,
With contrite penitence thou knowest well
Him that will rayse and it from danger bring:
Pray then, and praise the Lord, who will beginne
To purge thy soule, and Sathans filth expell
Who thee defileth and in thee doth dwell.
Oh Lord my voice shall praise and neuer linne
So long as thou shalt lend breath to my voice,
My voice vnto my soule shall spirit lend,
And in the comfort of my soule reioyce,
And (with my mouth) consent world without end
To speake, to praise, to glorifie to singe,
That God, which to my soule doth succour bringe.

Sonnet. LIX.

[My soule, my soule I feele, I feele is vexed]

My soule, my soule I feele, I feele is vexed,
My mind and thoughts in vncouth forte distressed,
My braynes with fearefull dreames by night oppressed,
My hart with strange discouragement perplexed,
My soles vnneathes vnto my feete annexed,
My spirit with faint languor still distressed,
And helpe (Lord) helpe my soule, my soule addressed,
(By Melancholics poyson) is connexed
In fetters serpentine of foule dispaire:
Death almost my lifes ceasure hath begunne,
And (after) Sathan will his bookes prepare
Blotted with vgly sinnes, past number donne.
Oh my God, my deare God, helpe and assist:
Sinne, death, and hell, my safetie doe resist.

Sonnet. LX.

[Tvrne not away the sunne-shine of thy face]

Tvrne not away the sunne-shine of thy face
(Sweete God of comfort) from my troubled hart
Congeald with sinne: doe not (sweete Lord) depart
From him that penitently sues for grace.
Whose soule through countlesse sinnes (my whole liues space)
Benumbd, can scarcely feele contritions smart:
What Phisicke then shall serue, what helpe of art
My dead soule to reuiue, and sinne forth chase?
Eu'n those pure Rayons of thy holy Ghost,
Those gracious beames of thy pure holy word
Shall mollifie, giue ease, and comfort most
To my cold frozen soule, and helpe afford:
Least with the frost of sinne my soule astounded,
After deaths griefe, should with hels sting bee wounded.

Sonnet. LXI.

[Where is that copious furie, whilom which]

Where is that copious furie, whilom which
My braines inkindled with an vncouth fire?
Whose sacred spirit did of yore aspire
Aboue the glorious Sunne with passions rich
Which thoughts in choyce words to the starres would stich,
With sacred Musicke tempering my desire:
Contending holily to mount vp higher
Whilst heau'nly chaunture did my soule bewitch.
Oh precious Ardoure, by whose chearefull heate
The braine especiall recreation findes,
The soule chiefe comfort, I thy beames intreate
Which cheere all plants, and beasts of seuerall kindes
From my poore spirite, doe not take away
Those rayes wich must with light my wittes aray.

Sonnet. LXII.

[For comfort (my deare God) I did attend]

For comfort (my deare God) I did attend,
And gracious eares to mee thou didst encline:
At my petitions thou didst not repine,
But present succour to my suits didst send.
Thou didst direct my feete, which did depend
On thee my stedfast Rocke, where brightly shine
Thy lawes those Lampes to which my thoughts incline,
Which Lord graunt that my soule doe not offend.
In my mouth (Lord) thou didst put a new song,
A due thankesgiuing vnto thee my God,
Which men shall feare to violate and wrong
Least they should bee corrected with thy rod.
Oh God great wonders thou for mee hast wrought
(For thy Sonnes sake) who my saluation bought.

Sonnet. LXIII.

[O dreadfull horrour and tormented minde]

O dreadfull horrour and tormented minde,
Foule restlesse conscience charg'd with hainous sinnes,
Lothsom and numberlesse (when God beginnes
His fruitfull haruest in faire sheafe to binde)
Hath thee for tares to quenchlesse fire assign'd,
Where teares, nor hope of vaine repentance winnes
Thy soule from Torture: where griefe neuer linnes
More pangues (by worme of conscience) to find.
Oh dreadfull hower, when (to thy soule condemn'd)
The iudge of truth and King of glorie saith
Hedlong with Lucifer fall, who contemn'd
My lawes: fall downe thou Fiend of little faith:
And with Deuils damned thy due portion take,
Immortally to burne in fierie lake.

Sonnet. LXIIII.

[Then if derne Loue of thy deare louing Lord]

Then if derne Loue of thy deare louing Lord,
His gentle graces Oyle, his mercies balme,
His bounties numberlesse, his spirite calme,
His loue of peace, and comfort in concord
Of the thrice sinfull soule remaine abhorrde:
If to thy soule sinne wounded, no sweete Psalme,
Nor heau'nly Harpe, nor Organe, Trump, nor Shalme
Can comfort bring with their Diuine recorde,
To make thee ioyne in praise of his good grace,
Or to thy sinfull soule correction giue:
Yet let that quenchlesse lake and dreadfull place,
(Where soules in deadly torment euer liue,
Creatour and creation which reproue)
Make thee repent for feare, if not for Loue.

Sonnet. LXV.

[O mercy, mercy, which much greater is]

O mercy, mercy, which much greater is
Then heauens themselues! Oh truth, Oh sincere truth,
Which to the cloudes extendeth and insueth!
Of iustice which doth neuer iudge amisse!
Oh age of ages, euermore in youth!
Oh Iudge whose righteous punishment is ruth!
Which sinners worthlesse dost with bountie blisse?
Oh where shall I finde to my spirite voice?
Where to my voice sufficient choyce of words?
To shew how much my spirite doth reioyce
In those large blessings, which thy grace affords?
My spirite first will faile with feeble voice:
Oh my Lord God lende spirit, life and breath,
That I may praise thy name to conquer death.

Sonnet. LXVI.

[If death may by thy prayses vanquish't be]

If death may by thy prayses vanquish't be,
Then voyce, then spirit, let your organes breake
And of his glory sing, crie foorth, and speake
Of him that succours, helps and comforts me,
Moue toungue, sounde voyce, and from your slouthfull gree
A voyde, and in this vtteraunce be not weake:
If hell the venome of his furie wreake,
It shall not be of force to vanquish thee.
Oh laude, laudes, glory, gloryes, prayse of prayse,
Fame, honour, trueth, eternitye, renoume,
And iustice mercifull ascribe alwayes
To thee great Keyser of the thorny crowne:
Which coronation infamous, did gayne
That millions shoulde rich glorious Crownes obtayne.

Sonnet. LXVII.

[VVhat thing in spacious heauen, round earth, deepe seas]

VVhat thing in spacious heauen, round earth, deepe seas,
Which thy praise worthy glories doth not tell?
Whose golden Sunneshine euer doth excell
In many millions farre aboue all these:
So much exceeding (that if any prease
To giue due praise) hee shall perceyue it well
His faculties against his will rebell,
And that his toungue cannot his spirit please.
Oh who shall giue due glories to his name,
That glorifies all thinges, with decent pride?
Or what is he can signifie the same,
Or in an equall share his praise deuide
With those great bounties which he hath bestow'd,
And those great mercies (on vs sinners) show'd?

Sonnet. LXVIII.

[That bounteous largesse of sweete mercies oyle]

That bounteous largesse of sweete mercies oyle,
That peace of soule, that siluer streame of grace,
That comforte of saluation, that pallace
Of heauenly succour which death cannot spoyle,
That fortitude, whose force no force can foyle,
Of IESSES precious braunch that royall race,
Who with his glory filleth euery place,
And with sweete dewes doth cherish euery soyle:
Can with no florish of eternall phrase
Be glorifi'de, according to desart:
Who with meete colours shall his glory blaze?
Who to the world shall condigne praise impart?
What instrument, what voyce, what toungue, what spirite
Shall giue due commendations to demerite?

Sonnet. LXIX.

[Who to the golden Sunnes long restlesse race]

Who to the golden Sunnes long restlesse race,
Can limits set? what vessell can comprise
The swelling windes? what cunning can deuise
(With queint Arithmetique) in steadfast place
To number all the starres in heauens pallace?
What cunning Artist euer was so wise
Who (by the starres and planets coulde aduise
Of all aduentures the iust course and case?
Who measur'd hath the waters of the seas?
Who euer (in iust ballaunce) poys'd the ayre?
As no man euer could the least of these
Perfourme with humaine labour, strength and care:
So who shall striue in volumes to contayne
Gods prayse ineffable, contends in vayne.

Sonnet. LXX.

[Vnto my spirite lend an Angels wing]

Vnto my spirite lend an Angels wing,
By which it might mount to that place of rest,
Where Paradice may mee releeue opprest.
Lend to my tongue an Angels voice to sing
Thy praise my comfort, and for euer bring,
My notes thereof from the bright East to West.
Thy mercy lend vnto my soule distrest:
Thy grace vnto my wits; then shall the sling
Of righteousnesse, that monster Sathan kill:
Who with dispaire my deare saluation dared,
And like the Philistine, stoode breathing still
Proud threats against my soule, for heauen prepared:
At length I like an Angell shall appeare
In spotlesse white, an Angels Crowne to weare.

Sonnet. LXXI.

[O glorious Crowne more precious many waies]

O glorious Crowne more precious many waies,
Then simple humaine Temples can deserue,
Thrice glorious God who doth that Crowne reserue
For men vnworthie to set out his praise.
Oh mortall Temples what Muse can you raise,
Which vnhard precious spirits doth reserue
His praise most meritorious to serue?
Admit that past all number were your daies,
Admit your spirit more then the fower windes,
Admit your learning bee (by more degrees)
Aboue the Seraphins, admit all kindes
Of Musickes instruments inferiour were
(In heau'nly tunes and sacred harmonies)
To thy sweete voice, all cannot his praise beare.

Sonnet. LXXII.

[The sunne of our soules light thee would I call]

The sunne of our soules light thee would I call,
But for our light thou didst the bright Sunne make,
Nor reason that thy Maiestie should take
Thy chiefest subiects Epithites at all.
Our chiefe directions starre celestiall
(But that the starres for our directions sake,
Thou fixed, and canst at thy pleasure shake)
I would thee name: The Rocke substantiall
Of our assurance I would tearme thy name,
But that all Rockes by thy commaund were made:
If King of Kings thy Maiestie became,
Monarch of Monarches I thee would haue saide,
But thou giues kingdomes, and makes Crownes vnstable:
By these I know thy name ineffable.

Sonnet. LXXIII.

[Triumphant conquerour of death and hell]

Triumphant conquerour of death and hell,
Behold what legions (though in vaine) conspire,
Thy Temple militant to set on fire,
And Saints which in thy sanctuarie dwell
To burne, whilst they against thy power rebell:
See how like bloudy tyrants they desire
Ambitiously to rise and mount vp higher,
Like Lucifer which to perdition fell.
Their forces are addrest against thy Saints,
Breake thou their bowes, knap thou their speares in sunder:
I know their spirit at thy presence faints,
Against their Cannon plante thy dreadfull thunder,
Thy thunderbolts against their bullets dash,
And on their beauers bright let lightning flash.

Sonnet. LXXIIII.

[Armies of Angelles, Myriades of Saintes]

Armies of Angelles, Myriades of Saintes,
Millions of Emperours, and holy Kings,
Legions of sacred Patriarkes he brings,
Which his rebellious foes with feare attaintes.
Whose spirit at thy puisant spirit faintes,
(Great Lord of Lordes) whose sacred armis singes
Triumphant Peans, and new musicke bringes
In glorious phrase, which thy sweete glorie payntes:
Whilst vnder thy tryumphant chariot wheeles,
Rowling vpon the starres, thy captiues lye
In quenchlesse fiery lake, whose spirit feeles
An endlesse torment in captiuitye:
When thy fowre sweete Euangelistes ride by
(Like corporalles) proclayming victorye.

Sonnet. LXXV.

[Elders of grace, in number sixe times foure]

Elders of grace, in number sixe times foure,
Fall downe, fall downe vpon your aged faces;
Sende from graue ceerefull voyce (throughout all places)
Such ioyfulliy dinges in aboundant store
Of praise (then sandes of seas in number more)
To the great bounteous giuer of all graces
Harmonious Kinges cast downe your Crownes and Maces,
Sounding your cheerefull harpes his throne before:
Let Alleluiah round about resounde,
Power, honour, glory, praises and renowne
Ascribe vnto the Lorde, who doth confounde
Euen with his nostshils, breath, and casteth downe
His worthlesse enemies of Magogs campe,
And (vnto dust and ashes) them doth stampe.

Sonnet. LXXVI.

[As those three Kings (touch'd with a sacred zeale)]

As those three Kings (touch'd with a sacred zeale)
By presents rich made Royal offerture,
Our new borne Sauiours blessing to procure,
Borne in an Oxe stall for our publique weale:
When in adoring him they did reueale,
his Godhead, by those gifts they did assure.
So let faith, hope and loue make ouerture
Of new saluation (which themselues conceale
In this base mortall stable sinnes foule place)
Whereof eternall ioyes, they may present
To my saluation (borne of thy deare grace)
Such rich Propines: As from thy Gospell sent
By precious incense may my spirit bring
The tearmelesse praises of my God to sing.

Sonnet. LXXVII.

[Pvrge thou my guiltie soule sweete gracious Lord]

Pvrge thou my guiltie soule sweete gracious Lord
Defil'd and vgly made with sinfull spots:
Heale my wounds desperate whose festure rots:
My vexed members loathsome and abhorrd:
Doe not in register my sinne recorde,
My wicked practises, and vaine complots,
But lift my soule from the defiled pots;
And let thy mercy with my suite accorde.
Make thou my soule cleere like white Salmons snow,
Or like a siluer winged Doue appeare,
Where diuers glorious golden fethers show:
Conuert thy foemens forces into feare,
Like Iaben make them, and like Cysara,
Like Seba, Zeb, Horeb and Salmana.

Sonnet. LXXVIII.

[Ride on in glorie on the mornings wings]

Ride on in glorie on the mornings wings
(Thrice puisant conquerour) in glorie ride:
That heauen as Horse, courragious doth'st bestride,
Who whether thou disposest succour brings.
Ride on the glorious cloudes high King of Kings:
Thy conquering sworde guirde to thy puisant side,
Bright soldiours muster vp, whose armies guide
Raungde into Quadraines, and triumphant Rings,
That shamelesse strumpet of proud Babilon
(Which thine Apostles killes, and Prophets stoneth,
With Cuppe full of abhomination,
Which poysons millions, and no man bemoneth)
With her false, proud and Antichristian route,
Suppresse, and put to slaughter rounde about.

Sonnet. LXXIX.

[The tearmelesse date of my sweete second life]

The tearmelesse date of my sweete second life,
(When this corruption mortall in sinne bred,
Shall resting in obliuion vanish dead,
Ending the period of all earthly strife)
Freshly recals those Loues, and graces rife
Which from my sweete saluations conduict bled:
These haue true zeale to my faithes refuge led,
So that no torture fagot, crosse or knife
Can seuer mee sequestred from thy flocke,
I feare no Pagan, Schismaticke, nor Iewe,
No worldly menaces can teare that Rocke
Of my faithes Adamant, assur'de and true:
But for that truth, I thousand deathes would dy
To liue ten thousand liues immortally.

Sonnet. LXXX.

[A blast of winde, a momentarie breath]

A blast of winde, a momentarie breath,
A watrie bubble simbolizde with ayre,
A sonne blowne Rose, but for a season fayre,
A ghostly glaunce, a skeleton of death,
A morning dew perling the grasse beneath,
Whose moysture Sunnes appearance doth impaire:
A lightning glimse: a Muse of thought and care:
A Planets shot: a shade which followeth:
A voice which vanisheth so soone as heard:
The thriftlesse heire of time: a rowling waue:
A shew no more in action then regard:
A Masse of dust: worlds momentarie slaue
Is man in state of our olde Adam made,
Soone borne to die, soone flourishing to fade.

Sonnet. LXXXI.

[Behold (by misaduenture) how the winde]

Behold (by misaduenture) how the winde
From earth blowes dust and it in ayer scatter,
And if therefore the very smallest matter
Thine eye (the bodies Iewell in some kinde)
Doe but by chance appeach, will grieue and blind,
Vnlesse from thence it by good meanes you shatter:
So that smooth foe who cunningly can flatter,
And as a tempest rageth in his kind,
Moues dust our flesh, from earth vpraysde to bleare
Of our redemption the much better part,
Our soules (with charge of sinnes) to vexe and feare,
Blinded and grieu'd with earthly dust and smart.
To thine eyes (Lord) let our eyes open bee,
And shut from sinne, who sight blinds, blind makes see.

Sonnet. LXXXII.

[After acoale-blacke comfortlesse foule night]

After acoale-blacke comfortlesse foule night
(With tempests horrour and thicke showers opprest,
Disease of Pilgrims, Trauayllers vnrest)
When as the glorious Sunnes vprising right
With chearefull beames, and vertuous motion bright
Hath from his Easterne mansion redressde,
The chearelesse Medowes, and Cornefields supprest
With liuely meanes of animating might.
In equall semblance my poore soule enlargde
From this carthes blindnesse and blacke dangers free
With deadly sinnes sharpe tempest late surchargde
Shall (when my glorious Iudge, I comming see)
After rough stormes of sighes, and showers of teares,
Through deare contrition franchised from feares.

Sonnet. LXXXIII.

[That Bird imperiall which the gentile Poets worthy thought]

That Bird imperiall which the gentile Poets worthy thought
For vertues rare preheminence to stand ascribed fit
To Iupiter, & since in chiefe whē Romanes honor'd it
As richest ensigne which could bee for their great Monarch sought.
That puissant and imperiall beast great into Iudah brought,
Which of all other beasts beside doth as commaunder sit:
That other firme and permanent which doth so well befit
(For courage strength humility & seruice which he wrought)
The figure of that glorious, and legate most Diuine:
Together with that Angell childe chast innocent and faire
Which to the spirite of thy deare Embassadour did shine.
As Eagle first whose precious eyes more bright thē Sunbeames are,
The next as Lyon mightie made, as Bull the third more strong
And of thy deare Euangelists, the fourth as Angell yong.

Sonnet. LXXXIIII.

[The paradice of ioyes, true mercies seate]

The paradice of ioyes, true mercies seate
The throne of iudgement, refuge and distresse,
Sweete bosome of loue, health, and happinesse:
The glorious Theater where Saintes repeate
The most prayse worthies prayse: where froste nor heate
With violent assaylance soules suppresse.
The quyre of Angelles, Church of holynesse:
Sweete pardons place where pennaunce doth intreate:
The Pallace of eternall peace and ease:
The spacious Courte where Kinges and Angelles serue:
The scaffolde where true pompes of honour please:
The golden pathes where Pilgrimes neuer swerue:
The Stage of sacred tryumphes: and that place
Where tearmelesse victorie giues endelesse grace.

Sonnet. LXXXV.

[Contrariwise, that horrible blacke pitte]

Contrariwise , that horrible blacke pitte,
That ougly gaole of sorrowes without ende:
That filthie sincke to which foule sinners tende:
That dreadfull fiery lake where furies sitte:
That warde of madnesse and outrageous fitte:
where hiddeous diuilles condemned spirits rende:
Blacke desolations denne, where liues no frende
But tortur'd souls depriued of their witte:
That filthie dungeon whose chiefe musicke is
The grones, outcries, sobbes, and forlorne laments
of Parracydes, and men which liu'de amisse:
The bootlesse teares of too late penitents:
That loue of haeu'n, this loathsomnesse of hell,
The wayes of life and death directly tell.

Sonnet. LXXXVI.

[That loathsome spirite of vayne stinking pride]

That loathsome spirite of vayne stinking pride,
Which (with contempt and detestable scorne)
Begets all sinnes to condemnation borne:
That selfe consuming Enuie, that foule bride
Of filthie lust that gulfe still gaping wide
For treasures numberlesse: that poignant thorne
Of wraths fel passion, furious and forlorne:
That sincke of gluttony: that slothfull guide
Which to destruction and all sickenesse brings:
None of these mortall vices which abounde
In sinfull creatures, but in sorrowe stings
The troubled carkase with a curelesse wounde:
And none of these but doth the soule dismay
With restlesse guilt, and it to death betray.

Sonnet. LXXXVII.

[Bvt that sweete spirite, modest, meeke and milde]

Bvt that sweete spirite, modest, meeke and milde,
Which with true zeale and solace doth imbrace
The loue of vertues, and eternall grace:
That charitie whose deedes of mercy builde
With fayths assistaunce for his soule defilde
An hospitall of ease in heauens pallace:
That spotlesse contenance with rosie face.
That sober temperance which hath exilde
Detested ryot, and foule surfets vice:
That hande of bountie which still giues and lendes:
That blessed patience soules caulme sacrifice:
That honest labour which lifes state defendes.
Through peace of conscience and souls comfort these
Our heartes for heauen prepare and high God please.

Sonnet. LXXXVIII.

[The worldes bright comforter (whose beamesome light]

The worldes bright comforter (whose beamesome light
Poore creatures cheereth, mounting from the deepe)
His course doth in prefixed compasse keepe,
And as courageous Gyant takes delight
To runne his race, and exercise his might:
Till him downe galloping the mountaynes steepe
Cleere Hesperus smooth messenger of sleepe
Viewes: and the siluer ornament of night
Foorth bringes with starres past number in her trayne:
All which with Sunnes long borrowed splendour shine:
The Seas (with full tyde swelling) ebbe agayne:
All yeeres to their olde quarters newe resigne,
The windes forsake their mountayne-chambers wilde,
And all in all thinges with Gods vertue filde.

Sonnet. LXXXIX.

[I feele by motions in my sinnefull breast]

I feele by motions in my sinnefull breast,
My sillie soule, through weakenesse is depraued,
And Sathan (fearing least it should be saued)
My memory doth with vile sinnes infest:
And to procure my spirites more vnrest,
When of my soule in anguish helpe is craued,
(where her chiefe refuge is) with horrour raued
My conscience in despayre cryes out opprest,
O mercie, mercie, grace and succour sende
Father of mercie for thy Sonne sweete Iesus,
my sore hart and sinwounded soule defende,
With thy sweete helpe and holy Spirite ease vs:
Thy quickening vertue lende to my soule dead,
Then shall my foote on Sathans bellie tread.

Sonnet. LXXXX.

[If that sweet spirit of omnipotence]

If that sweet spirit of omnipotence
(All vertues and all comfort which contayneth:
Which in soules penitent and heauenly raygneth,
Whose gloryous power and vertues excellence
Did rayse vp Iesus our sweete soules defence)
In vs and our refourmed hearts remayneth.
Then hee (whose puissance heuenly force retayneth,
and Christ vpraysde our soules preheminence)
Shall our base mortall bodies liuely make
Through sinne and nature corruptible first,
And by that holy Ghost which place doth take
In our reuiued spirites (mortall earst)
Our soules and bodies both regenerate,
Chaung'de for a ioyfull and immortall state.

Sonnet. LXXXXI.

[Oh whither doth my lamentable soule]

Oh whither doth my lamentable soule
(Wing'd with a spirite of a sighing breath)
Prepare this langued carkase if to death
Then farewell bondage of this prison foule,
The sinne of vile transgression where I rowle
In earthly dust and tumble vnderneath.
I feele that sacred freelidge followeth,
(Maugre the rage of Sathan) which doth howle,
And cries out for lawes vengeance, heare him not,
Respect not him (deare Lorde) but on me looke:
Looke on me (my deare Lorde) I feare him not:
My God, my louing God, turne not thy booke
Which may my conscience with sinnes burthen grieue,
But let thy mercies baulme my soule relieue.

Sonnet. LXXXXII.

[Releeue my soule with thy deare mercies balmes]

Releeue my soule with thy deare mercies balmes,
Monarch of precious mercie succour send:
I will indeuour my vile sinnes to mend
And to thee my soules sacrifice in Psalmes.
High God (whose holy spirit outrage calmes,
Calme thou my sinfull spirits which intend
To thy great praise their faculties to lend.
On my soules knees I lift my spirits Palmes,
With humble penitence to purchase grace,
These eyes this mortall bodies skies downe power
Teares of contrition on my blushing face,
Fruites of repentance flourish with this shower.
My soule, I feele is comforted and eas'de,
Then Lord with my poore offring bee well pleas'de.

Sonnet. LXXXXIII.

[With my poore offring bee well pleasde sweete Lord]

With my poore offring bee well pleasde sweete Lord,
And then with ghostly peace and hart vpraised
(Thy Temple celestiue where thou liu'st praised
With ceaselesse Canticles, and Hymnes record,
And meekenes which mine humble thoughts afforde)
I will approch: not any wise amazed,
To see those sacred misteries rich blazed
To my sinne blinded eyes before abhorr'de,
In thy deare presence their due tribute paying
For their misgouernance and riotise,
My soule afflicted with harts incense praying
It selfe deuoutly Lord doth sacrifice
To that Lambe blemishlesse, which offring made
Himselfe for my sinnes, and deathes forfeite paide.

Sonnet. LXXXXIIII.

[O what a gracious burthen huge and heauie]

O what a gracious burthen huge and heauie,
What charge importable, and painefull weight
Those deadly sinnes which with our soules doe fight,
And fresh supplies of vile offences leuie?
Yeelding more puisance to their powrefull might,
In hope with shade of euerlasting night
To blind the beamesome rayes of my poore soule
(Which doth a restlesse stone of labour roule)
Till thy deare gracious mercies from thy sight
Do banish them, and with the glorie bright
Of thy sweete pardon lighten them againe?
And then (albeit no volumes can containe
Thy praise and mercies) yet will I contend
From East to West their memorie to send.

Sonnet. LXXXXV.

[That golden Planet, Lampe of this worlds light]

That golden Planet, Lampe of this worlds light
Whose glorious Easterne insurrection showes
His ceaselesse course, whose tearme no creatures knowes:
That siluer Planet torch of silent night,
Which (when the Sunne reposeth her beames bright
In Westerne Seas) her Planet-darts forth throwes,
Whose influence doth strange euents compose:
That boystrous turbulence of North winds might
Which swels and ruffles in outragious sort:
Those chearefull Southerne showers whose fruitefull dew
Brings forth all sustenance for mans comfort:
East West, North, South, (if none thy puissance knew)
Relate thy wondrous vertues, and with praise
From West to East, from North to South them raise.

Sonnet. LXXXXVI.

[Firme Rocke of during stone, sure Bulwarke of defence]

Firme Rocke of during stone, sure Bulwarke of defence,
Strong arme of fortitude, Shielde of protection,
Courage of puisance, and vertues of perfection,
Borne of saluation, and diuinest essence.
Thou shalt sustaine my spirite least it backeward fall,
Thou shalt my soule relieue from Sathans fierce giuen charge,
Thou shalt my cause maintaine and combate him at large,
Thou shalt huige blowes of sin, ward from my soule in thrall,
Thou shalt with ghostly valour my soules strength inspire,
Thou shalt annointe my head with oyle of peace and ioye,
Thou mee shalt purifie with pure zeales holy fire,
By these I shall my spirites enemie destroye.
By these I shall effect my soules chiefe happinesse,
By these I shall my soule vnhalowed redresse.

Sonnet. LXXXXVII.

[My soule through manifold assaults of sinne]

My soule through manifold assaults of sinne
(In grieuous combate with my flesh retain'de)
Declining faintes, vnlesse it bee sustain'de:
Then send thy mercies which might enter in,
To seuer them least further broyles beginne:
And if my soule (with wounds affliction payn'de)
Haue penitently to thy grace complayn'de,
Let it by gracious mnee as some mercie winne.
Pure grace, sweete mercie, comfortable peace
Zeale, truth, and righteousnesse are dearely met,
Whose fame from East to West can neuer cease,
Nor those which in these their affiance set
Can euer bee (for glories want) obscure:
But with Saluation eternizde endure.

Sonnet. LXXXXVIII.

[Where shall I vex'de my sinfull head repose?]

Where shall I vex'de my sinfull head repose?
If that in errour and conceiued vice,
Which with deceitefull Blandishments intice
My feeble nature mortified with sinne.
Then hope shall gates of my saluation close,
Against my soule: and my dispaire beginne,
If that in open sight, then open shame
The Scarlet of my conscience will disclose;
And sound the shamefull Trumpet of my fame.
Where then shall I my vexed soule dispose?
(If not in blind obscuritie nor light)
Then there euen there impenitence with those
Which weepe downe teares of comfort to delight
Their soule enlarged from eternall night.

Sonnet. LXXXXIX.

[Oh whether shall my troubled Muse encline?]

Oh whether shall my troubled Muse encline?
When not the glorious Scaffolde of the skies
Nor highest heauens resplendent hierarchies,
(Where heau'nly Soldiours in pure armor shine)
Nor ayer which thy sweete spirite doth refine,
Nor earth thy precious bloud vnworthy prise,
Nor Seas which when thou list ebbe and arise,
Nor any creature profane or Diuine,
Can blaze the flourish of thy tearmelesse praise:
Surreaching farre by manifold large space
All Diuine fabricke of thy sacred hands?
Euen thether shall my Muse her Musicke raise;
Where my soules euerlasting pallace stands,
Sweete refuge of saluation, Court of grace.

Sonnet. 100.

[Sacred directour of diuine Syon]

Sacred directour of diuine Syon
With gracious handes and mercy-mouing eyes,
With eares attentiue) take my sacrifice:
Beholde my teares, heare my playntes which crie on,
Lighten my pensiue soule which woulde flye on
To thy sweete mercies seate, heauens Paradise:
Thy pure Dooues white Winges (that my soule may rise,
And mount from this base earth) deare Lorde tye on:
So shall my Spirite flye from starre to starre:
And in consent of musickes sweete reporte
Beare thy rich Glories forth from farre to farre,
When Cherubines with Seraphines resorte,
And Angelles with Archangelles still to sing
The glorious wonders of their heauenly King.