University of Virginia Library

DIVINE MEDITATIONS Upon severall subjects.

I.

[Groans, midnight groans, usurp the Commonwealth]

Groans, midnight groans, usurp the Commonwealth,
Oh my infringed Soule! I know no health,
Nor feel no pleasure, all my joyes are fled
I know not where, and I am worse than dead.
Heav'n-shouldring Atlas, if compar'd to me
Beares nothing, mines a weighty misery.

II.

[Ah me, can nothing cure me, is my grief]

Ah me, can nothing cure me, is my grief
So much insanable, that no relief
Can flow from Gilead? doe my sins obstruct
Those tydes of grace which usually conduct
Refreshments to me? Oh most dismall fate!
He feels a plague too soon, that grieves too late.

III.

[Cimmerian mists, alas! and what are they?]

Cimmerian mists, alas! and what are they?
(Compar'd to me) lesse than a glorious day.
The sense of my own blindnesse makes me know
The blindnesse of my senses. Can a woe
Be more exub'rous? Here's a griefe refin'd,
A seeing Body, and a Soule that's blind.

IV.

[The sight-deprived wretch, whose darkned fate]

The sight-deprived wretch, whose darkned fate
Makes day and night (as 'twere) incorporate,
And knows no diff'rence, but still gropes about,
And finds his Day within, his Night without:
But I, sad I, being muffled up in sin,
Find Day without, alas! but Night within.

V.

[Saddest of thoughts! Oh that I could espie]

Saddest of thoughts! Oh that I could espie
One gracious Sun-beame, that my willing eye,
Might, like the dawning of the Infant-day,
Grow by degrees, and at the last display
Some glorious rayes to my undarkned heart,
I'de hug that light, and never let it part.

VI.

[But I, unhappy I, whose former dayes]

But I, unhappy I, whose former dayes
Consum'd in ill, have quite expell'd the rayes
Of future happinesse; and now I see
All evill is epitomiz'd in me.
Too late I grieve, for what I feele too soone;
The Sun lets fall his fiercest rayes at noone.

VII.

[Though foggy vapours oftentimes ascend]

Though foggy vapours oftentimes ascend,
Being exhaled by a Solar friend,
From Earths chill breast, and for a season shroud
Themselves within an entertaining cloud:
Yet at the last, (unwilling to remaine)
Discloud themselves, and fall to Earth againe.

VIII.

[But ah! my sin-exhaling soule is fill'd]

But ah! my sin-exhaling soule is fill'd
With noysome fogs that cannot be distill'd;
They keep a forc'd possession, and encrease
Within me, nay, and riot out my peace.
Needs must the Empire of a troubled brain
Feel store of torments where such Neroes raign.

IX.

[Corporeall griefs, comparatively, merit]

Corporeall griefs, comparatively, merit
The name of Pleasures to a troubled spirit:
Martyrs have taught, that temporary pains
(If well improv'd) swell into future gaines.
Griefe's banisht quite from him that dyes forgiven;
A Storme on earth portends a Calme in heaven.

X.

[As woe and trouble commonly await]

As woe and trouble commonly await
Upon the frailty of a humane state;
So Grace and Mercy evermore are found
Attending, where Divinity sits crown'd.
Ah! would it not be undiscreetly done,
To sit in darknesse to avoid the Sun?

XI.

[If Heaven should please to banish from our sight]

If Heaven should please to banish from our sight
His glorious lamp, whose most diffusive light
Gives life to nature, all things would retire
Into a Chaos, and the world expire.
The Soul's a World-Divine, and Christ's the Sun,
Who shining not, the world is chang'd, not done.

XII.

[We may observe, when happinesse concludes]

We may observe, when happinesse concludes,
How soone the sad and fatall interludes
Of Misery appeare: For Griefe and Joy
Are initiators. When our sins destroy
The happinesse we had, Ah then appeares
Mischief attended with an hoast of fears.

XIII.

[Adam (unhappy man!) with what a grace]

Adam (unhappy man!) with what a grace
Could he present himselfe before the face
Of his well-pleas'd Creator, till the heat
Of his owne lust compell'd him to retreat
From Gods commands. Ah then, his new-bred fear
Made him afraid to see, as well as heare.

XIV.

[Let but the apples of the tender eye]

Let but the apples of the tender eye
Receive a sudden touch, and by and by
The sympathizing part will quickly be
Frighted (as 'twere) into a mutiny.
So when the Sin-toucht soule begins to smart,
The sentiate faculties must beare a part.

XV.

[Courage in Sin, is but a Sin enlarg'd]

Courage in Sin, is but a Sin enlarg'd;
Which like a deep-mouth'd Cannon over charg'd
Recoyles or breaks. Had Peter found no vent
For his denying-sins, his soule had rent
It selfe in pieces. Blest is he and wise,
That can discharge his sorrow at his eyes.

XVI.

[Sins that doe float in teares, are often drown'd]

Sins that doe float in teares, are often drown'd
In their own floods; When reall sighs abound,
They raise a tempest, and our sins are tost
Against the rocks of Mercy, till they'r lost.
When sins beleaguer us with hostile feares,
There's no Artillery like Davids teares.

XVII.

[Curst (like the Fig-tree) is that barren eye]

Curst (like the Fig-tree) is that barren eye
That in a flood of sins is alwayes dry.
Teares are the choicest Jewels which are set
Like Orient Pearls in Heavens's rich Cabinet.
When Faith implores, th'Almighty One that lent
A vent for Tears, will send us teares to vent.

XVIII.

[Faith is the Souls best Orator; 'tis knowne]

Faith is the Souls best Orator; 'tis knowne,
There is no musick like a faithfull groane.
A Whisp'ring faith will find a ready eare,
When a loud-thundring faithlesse voice must steere
From whence it came, no audience will be given,
A soft tongue Faith on Earth, speaks loud in Heaven.

XIX.

[Faith feeds the hungry, and it safe-guards those]

Faith feeds the hungry, and it safe-guards those,
That feare the danger of incensed Foes.
Tis Heavens proof-Armor, he that wears this shield,
May safely meet Goliah in the Field.
'Tis heavenly mirth to heare a David sing;
'Twas Faith that kill'd Goliah, not a sling.

XX.

[The pretious balsome of a sound beliefe]

The pretious balsome of a sound beliefe,
Expels the poyson of a raging griefe.
The Womans bloody issue could not be
Cur'd, but by Faiths Divine Chirurgery.
When grief assailes, the Patient must be sure.
T'apply warm prayers, and Faith will end the cure.

XXI.

[Reason and Faith are combatants, the One]

Reason and Faith are combatants, the One
Demands a (why) the Other will be known
Without a reason, for the powerfull hand
Of Faith can fight, where reason cannot stand.
He that believes whats possible, can straine
His Faith no higher than a humane braine.

XXII.

[Faith is the mindes establisher, should we]

Faith is the mindes establisher, should we
Believe but what we understand, and see,
We should prove Infidels: had Abraham try'd
His Faith by humane sence, his Faith had dy'd.
But barren Sarah, when her time was run,
Blest aged Abraham with a smiling Son.

XXIII.

[When our estranged ashes, shall lye hid]

When our estranged ashes, shall lye hid
In their corruptions, reason will forbid
Their re-uniting, but a faithfull eye
Sees them inclining to their unity.
If we observe, we shall be sure to finde
That Faith sees best, when humane reason's blinde.

XXIV.

[A well-deserving eye, shall alwayes finde]

A well-deserving eye, shall alwayes finde
Faith and Theology, as close combin'd
As Marth' and Mary were; who strive to smother
The one, must needs extirpate the other.
Accurst be they that separate such friends:
Destroy the consort, and the musick ends.

XXV.

[Th'inflamed Lamp shines in a darksome night]

Th'inflamed Lamp shines in a darksome night,
And fills each corner with a trembling light;
But when extinguisht our benighted eye,
Leaves every object in obscurity.
So shining Faith (snuft out by sinne) expires
And leaves us mufl'd in our darke desires.

XXVI.

[Faith's a Monoculist, and can descry]

Faith's a Monoculist, and can descry
The Sun of glory with a single eye.
It comprehendeth all things, every place
Where she aboads, is beautifi'd with grace,
Hee's like a pregnant Land, that knows no dearth,
But brings forth many off-springs at one birth.

XXVII.

[Faith can unnaturalize a Lion, and]

Faith can unnaturalize a Lion, and
Make him lye subject to a strict command,
Or Daniel had not liv'd, his Lamb had power,
To make the Lions tremble, not devoure:
Be pleas'd Oh Lord, to look upon our Sion,
And send this Lamb to chase away our Lion.

XXVIII.

[When once despised Faith is laid aside]

When once despised Faith is laid aside,
Needs must the Fabrick of Religion slide.
An unpropt-house, with danger is enjoy'd,
And Pallaces prove rubbish when destroy'd.
Oh how unblest is that declining Nation,
Where Faith's quite lost, Religion's out of fashion.

XXIX.

[Faith and Religion like the Turtle-dove]

Faith and Religion like the Turtle-dove,
Having lost her first, admits no second love,
The troubled Ocean is not eas'ly still'd,
'Tis far more easie to destroy than build.
When Faction thrives, Religion starves at nurse,
Who sins with Ægypt, must have Ægypts curse.

XXX.

[Sure sad Religion, cannot chuse but groane]

Sure sad Religion, cannot chuse but groane
Under deformity, when every one
Shall dresse her at his pleasure: is it good
To cancel that, which Martyrs seal'd with blood?
Sure no it is not, blessings are despis'd,
When pure Religion's so much Proteuniz'd.

XXXI.

[I'd rather want a blessing, than abuse]

I'd rather want a blessing, than abuse
The blessing that I have, th'apostate Jewes
Can evidence this truth, for whilst they stood
To save the evill, they destroy'd the good.
Did it not adde to Pilates sin, who cry'd,
I finde no fault, and yet our Saviour dy'd?

XXXII.

[Had Judas knowne the blessings he possest]

Had Judas knowne the blessings he possest,
In being private to our Saviours breast,
[illeg.]e then his most inordinate desires,
Had found no fuell to maintaine his fires.
Best things in their corruption prove the worst,
Truth speaks aloud, for Judas was accurst.

XXXIII.

[Alas how fondly did our thoughts despise]

Alas how fondly did our thoughts despise
These sacred joyes, which now we chiefly prize
Because we want them, and we sadly prove
The want of blessings tutors us to love
The blessings that we had, if I transgresse,
Let David witnesse what my thoughts expresse.

XXXIV.

[Th'unfathom'd gulfe of mans unsatiate minde]

Th'unfathom'd gulfe of mans unsatiate minde
Proves most outragious, when 'tis most confin'd.
I could perswade my selfe, If 'twere a sinne
Not to be sinfull, Man would soon begin
To practice goodnesse, for the flesh would be
Oppugnant to the spirits faculty.

XXXV.

[The raging fire, the more it is deprest]

The raging fire, the more it is deprest
The more it burnes, our Parent Eve transgrest
Because she was forbid, although she knew
What unavoided danger would accrew.
Yet her unsatisfi'd desires were such,
She could not chuse but taste as well as touch.

XXXVI.

[Factions the worst of Evills, 'tis a sinne]

Factions the worst of Evills, 'tis a sinne
Beyond addition; when we once begin
To fall to Heresie, we know not how
Nor what to act, alas we can allow
A firme respect to nothing, for to day,
We hug, what we to morrow cast away.

XXXVII.

[If we observe, it may be quickly seen]

If we observe, it may be quickly seen
How great a disproportion is between
The Schools of God, and Nature, we conceive
In Natures Schooles, before we can believe;
But in the Schools of God we must aspire,
First to believe, conceive, and then admire,

XXXVIII.

[Affliction is the Christians badge, who knowes]

Affliction is the Christians badge, who knowes
Earths greatest pleasure, finde her greatest woes,
Alas what are th'injoyments of this life,
But fleeting shadowes which denote a strife?
If Davids troubles sojourne in my breast,
Lord give me Davids heart, and I am blest.

XXXIX.

[He that indures Affliction, must abide]

He that indures Affliction, must abide
The harsh directions of his knowing guide:
For they that travell in this world must take
Affliction by the hand, or else they'l make
A fruitlesse journey. He's a senslesse slave,
That dances with Earth's musick te his grave.

XL.

[Affliction is sins Nursery, and they]

Affliction is sins Nursery, and they
That kill the Brat, must take the Nurse away;
If not, they must expect what's much more worse,
For sin is known to be the Devills nurse.
Then may they cry with lamentable breath,
No wages will content the Nurse, but death.

XLI.

[Wouldst thou prevent affliction? then draw near]

Wouldst thou prevent affliction? then draw near,
I'le tell thee how, when sin begins t'appeare:
Drown it in teares, teares of a heavenly race,
He that includes a sin, excludes a Grace.
Sin often growes too aged for reliefe:
There is no danger like a non-ag'd griefe.

XLII.

[The wise man grieves not, that he undergoes]

The wise man grieves not, that he undergoes
Affliction, but because he fully knowes
So many sins deserv'd as many more,
Ten times doubl'd, than he did before.
Patience in things adverse, like Stars, shine bright,
And most transparent in the darkest night.

XLIII.

[[illeg.]s good to be afflicted, or else he]

[illeg.]s good to be afflicted, or else he
That spoke it, took delight in Misery.
[illeg.]Davids sins infect thee, let thy heart
[illeg.]bath'd in Davids tears, and then thou art
Endeared unto Heaven: for he that lent
Much time to sinne, must borrow to repent.

XLIIII.

[Repentance leads to Heav'n, if we expect]

Repentance leads to Heav'n, if we expect
Future blessing, we must not neglect
His present businesse, which if we delay,
He'l want to morrow, what we lost to day:
But let's consider e're our time be spent,
How soon we sin, and yet how late repent.

XLV.

[He that delayes repentance, makes great haste]

He that delayes repentance, makes great haste
To his owne ruine, and commits a waste
Upon his Soul, for every houre we spend
And not repent, we wilfully befriend
Our adversary, Hell, whose Ginnes being set,
He lyes and watches, when to draw the net.

XLVI.

[The net being drawn, well may we run about]

The net being drawn, well may we run about,
And make our selves more fast, attempting out.
Then our betrayed Soule may sadly say
Had we repented, when 'twas said, to day,
This net had not insnar'd us, nor we cry,
We that did ever sinne, must ever dye.