The Muses Sacrifice [by John Davies] |
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A sicke Mindes Potion for all in Tribulation
in Body: or for the sauing of their Soule.
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 | The Muses Sacrifice |  |
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A sicke Mindes Potion for all in Tribulation in Body: or for the sauing of their Soule.
Thou that dost ioy or grieue beneath the waight
of his deare Crosse, who dide on't for thy sake,
View and reuiew these Lines with more delight
then Patients doe the Potions which they take:
How ere they sense displease, they wholesome be;
So wholesome, as they often whole doe make:
So may this Potion worke the like in thee:
My Muse desires to make it griefe expell;
And, all shee seekes, is but to take it well.
of his deare Crosse, who dide on't for thy sake,
View and reuiew these Lines with more delight
then Patients doe the Potions which they take:
How ere they sense displease, they wholesome be;
So wholesome, as they often whole doe make:
So may this Potion worke the like in thee:
My Muse desires to make it griefe expell;
And, all shee seekes, is but to take it well.
Yet this I doe as oft the sicke doe talke
of Health; not for they haue, but would haue it;
So, I exhort to Patience, though I balke
her Way; and onely wish the same to hit:
Yet, as a sicke Physitian soone may finde
a Potion for anothers Passion fit:
So may a sicke Minde cure a sicker Minde:
No Mind more sicke then mine; yet well I know
What's good for Mindes so ill; and, that I show.
of Health; not for they haue, but would haue it;
So, I exhort to Patience, though I balke
her Way; and onely wish the same to hit:
Yet, as a sicke Physitian soone may finde
a Potion for anothers Passion fit:
So may a sicke Minde cure a sicker Minde:
No Mind more sicke then mine; yet well I know
What's good for Mindes so ill; and, that I show.
The Soule that sins, vnplagu'd, wilde quickly growes,
as Trees vnprun'd; and, but sowre fruit produce;
The heau'nly Planter then, no cost bestowes,
but it abandons as vnfit for vse.
Why weep'st thou then, sad soule? what thou endur'st
a blessing is, no beating for abuse:
Or, if it be, sith it thy selfe procur'st,
Thy patient bearing this thy Sourge (or Crosse)
Doth make it score lesse; nay, thy Score doth crosse
as Trees vnprun'd; and, but sowre fruit produce;
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but it abandons as vnfit for vse.
Why weep'st thou then, sad soule? what thou endur'st
a blessing is, no beating for abuse:
Or, if it be, sith it thy selfe procur'st,
Thy patient bearing this thy Sourge (or Crosse)
Doth make it score lesse; nay, thy Score doth crosse
Regard not then thine anguish, in the Rod;
but, in thy Fathers Will what place thou hast:
If thou wilt share the pleasures of thy God,
then, of his Cup thou must, with pleasure, taste.
The Oxe assign'd for slaughter well is fed,
and lies at ease; while others labour fast,
And still are yokt, tyr'd, prickt, and punished.
“Not all that stroke are friends, nor foes that strike;
“but strokes that maime from eyther, we mislike.
but, in thy Fathers Will what place thou hast:
If thou wilt share the pleasures of thy God,
then, of his Cup thou must, with pleasure, taste.
The Oxe assign'd for slaughter well is fed,
and lies at ease; while others labour fast,
And still are yokt, tyr'd, prickt, and punished.
“Not all that stroke are friends, nor foes that strike;
“but strokes that maime from eyther, we mislike.
The Wounds, a friend doth giue, are sweeter farre
than suger'dst Kisses of a fraudfull foe:
The first, oft make; the last, more often marre;
for, Surgions Bands doe pinch, to solder so:
Who bindes the Mad, or wakes the Lethargicke,
how ere he seemes, thereby, t'awake their woe;
Yet, he to both's a friendly Empericke.
“Seueritie is Mercy oftentimes,
“And Mildnesse cruell, that increaseth Crimes.
than suger'dst Kisses of a fraudfull foe:
The first, oft make; the last, more often marre;
for, Surgions Bands doe pinch, to solder so:
Who bindes the Mad, or wakes the Lethargicke,
how ere he seemes, thereby, t'awake their woe;
Yet, he to both's a friendly Empericke.
“Seueritie is Mercy oftentimes,
“And Mildnesse cruell, that increaseth Crimes.
To weane vs from this World, an vnkinde Nurse,
God (onely good and wise) annoints her Teates
With Gall of troubles, spights, and what is worse;
and as a Mother well her Childe entreates;
But makes her Seruants vse it ill; that so
finding of all, saue her, but blowes and threates,
It may to her, the much more willing, goe:
So, God permits that All should vs molest,
That we may flye to Him, and loue him best.
God (onely good and wise) annoints her Teates
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and as a Mother well her Childe entreates;
But makes her Seruants vse it ill; that so
finding of all, saue her, but blowes and threates,
It may to her, the much more willing, goe:
So, God permits that All should vs molest,
That we may flye to Him, and loue him best.
The flatt'rings of the World, the Flesh, the Fiend,
are but the kisses of worst Enemies;
And though the Fiend to Heau'n seemes to ascend,
like Ioues owne Bird that nestles in the Skies;
Yet is he but a greedy Bird that towres
to Heau'n, while on the Earth he nearely pryes,
To watch his Prey, whereon forthwith he poures:
For, he but seemes in Vertue to excell;
And flyes to Heau'n, to beare his Prey to Hell.
are but the kisses of worst Enemies;
And though the Fiend to Heau'n seemes to ascend,
like Ioues owne Bird that nestles in the Skies;
Yet is he but a greedy Bird that towres
to Heau'n, while on the Earth he nearely pryes,
To watch his Prey, whereon forthwith he poures:
For, he but seemes in Vertue to excell;
And flyes to Heau'n, to beare his Prey to Hell.
Out of close-Prison, and much closer Chaines
many doe trauell; but, their Iourneyes end
An endlesse Kingdome is; whose greatest Paines
are endlesse Ioyes; these sincke, but to ascend,
Vnlike the Fiend that mounts, to fall more low;
and, ruine that, on which he doth descend;
But, low these stoupe, to shunne an Ouer-throw:
“To beare high Sailes in Tempests, is to haue
“Our Keele turn'd vp with eu'ry Gust and Waue.
many doe trauell; but, their Iourneyes end
An endlesse Kingdome is; whose greatest Paines
are endlesse Ioyes; these sincke, but to ascend,
Vnlike the Fiend that mounts, to fall more low;
and, ruine that, on which he doth descend;
But, low these stoupe, to shunne an Ouer-throw:
“To beare high Sailes in Tempests, is to haue
“Our Keele turn'd vp with eu'ry Gust and Waue.
If Crosses heauie be; ô yet (at least)
they make the Soule as sober as discreet:
If we be fellowes of our Lords vnrest,
we shall be of his rest and comforts sweete:
He wounds; but his are wounds but of a Friend,
that in no fortune once from vs will fleete;
And lanceth but to cure, and make vs mend:
“It is a Payne, that's free from all annoy,
“To die with torment still to liue in ioy.
they make the Soule as sober as discreet:
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we shall be of his rest and comforts sweete:
He wounds; but his are wounds but of a Friend,
that in no fortune once from vs will fleete;
And lanceth but to cure, and make vs mend:
“It is a Payne, that's free from all annoy,
“To die with torment still to liue in ioy.
He that had seene iust Ioseph in his Chaynes;
in Sackcloth Mordocheus (his Iybet nie)
Susanna going to her mortall Paines,
would haue bewail'd their infortunitie:
But, had he knowne that Ioseph should be rid
from Giues to Rule; and Mardochs ieopardy
Conclude in Honor, as Sasannaes did,
He would haue though them blest in great mishap,
sith so great Comfort was the after-clap.
in Sackcloth Mordocheus (his Iybet nie)
Susanna going to her mortall Paines,
would haue bewail'd their infortunitie:
But, had he knowne that Ioseph should be rid
from Giues to Rule; and Mardochs ieopardy
Conclude in Honor, as Sasannaes did,
He would haue though them blest in great mishap,
sith so great Comfort was the after-clap.
So much the Fiend shall tempt, when thou dost doat.
as shall enforce thy minde to minde her misse:
If Christ we serue, Affliction is our Coate;
his Crosse, our Badge, to make vs knowne for his:
His nakednesse, how we should cloath vs, shewes;
his Gall, how we should feed on Agonies:
B'his hanging on the Crosse, how to repose:
And by his Death (wherein all paines were rife)
How to esteeme the pleasures of this life.
as shall enforce thy minde to minde her misse:
If Christ we serue, Affliction is our Coate;
his Crosse, our Badge, to make vs knowne for his:
His nakednesse, how we should cloath vs, shewes;
his Gall, how we should feed on Agonies:
B'his hanging on the Crosse, how to repose:
And by his Death (wherein all paines were rife)
How to esteeme the pleasures of this life.
Worlds-weale's our woe; and yet we will not see't:
young Toby walkt securely in the Mire:
But at the Riuer when he washt his Feete,
a Fish was like to swallow him entire.
He that, on paine of life, must watch the Foe,
wakes best when he is neer'st Afflictions fire;
But, on the Bed of ease he doth not so:
In this Worlds hell, if ease be good for ought,
It's Poësie; yet too much makes it nought.
young Toby walkt securely in the Mire:
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a Fish was like to swallow him entire.
He that, on paine of life, must watch the Foe,
wakes best when he is neer'st Afflictions fire;
But, on the Bed of ease he doth not so:
In this Worlds hell, if ease be good for ought,
It's Poësie; yet too much makes it nought.
Besides, the better minde, the worse is tempted:
Pirats to charge the emptie Ship, forbeare,
But richly laden, and from feare exempted,
they charge it home, and giue it cause of feare:
Euen so the Fiend, while we are void of Grace,
lets not our Voyage, but our Helme doth steare:
But when we take in truest Goods apace,
With Stormes of troubles then he seekes to reaue
Vs of our fraight; and, o'er Bourd vs to heaue.
Pirats to charge the emptie Ship, forbeare,
But richly laden, and from feare exempted,
they charge it home, and giue it cause of feare:
Euen so the Fiend, while we are void of Grace,
lets not our Voyage, but our Helme doth steare:
But when we take in truest Goods apace,
With Stormes of troubles then he seekes to reaue
Vs of our fraight; and, o'er Bourd vs to heaue.
Of Ioseph, Beniamin was loued best;
in his Sacke, therefore, Iosephs Cup was found:
So doth the Cup Christ dranke of, euer rest
with those to whom his loue doth still abound:
On Beds of Roses lyes Lasciuiousnesse,
which Vertue hates, sith she corrupts the sound;
But Vertue liues, too oft; in all distresse:
For, she respects not Fortune; nor disdaines
To lie with those, that often lye in Chaines.
in his Sacke, therefore, Iosephs Cup was found:
So doth the Cup Christ dranke of, euer rest
with those to whom his loue doth still abound:
On Beds of Roses lyes Lasciuiousnesse,
which Vertue hates, sith she corrupts the sound;
But Vertue liues, too oft; in all distresse:
For, she respects not Fortune; nor disdaines
To lie with those, that often lye in Chaines.
When God had praised Iob, the Fiend straight praid
that he might proue him with Affliction:
And when the heau'nly Voyce, of Christ, had said;
This is my deare, and wel-beloued Sonne,
He, in the Desert, was, soone after, tride.
“They finde most Lets that most aright doe runne;
“And they lest Rubs that most doe runne aside:
“But, straight to runne, dispight each spightfull Let,
“Doth Glory gaine, while Shame the rest doe get.
that he might proue him with Affliction:
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This is my deare, and wel-beloued Sonne,
He, in the Desert, was, soone after, tride.
“They finde most Lets that most aright doe runne;
“And they lest Rubs that most doe runne aside:
“But, straight to runne, dispight each spightfull Let,
“Doth Glory gaine, while Shame the rest doe get.
When holy Dauid did his People count,
a great Mortalitie his Coasts did scowre:
But when Augustus did this Sinne surmount,
taxing the World (by his vsurped Pow'r)
He ne'er was with least Punishment annoid:
So, Ionas, fly'ing, a Whale did him deuoure,
While Pagan-Passengers a Calme enioy'd:
But, though the Whale did Ionas (so) enioy,
He swallow'd, but to saue, and not destroy.
a great Mortalitie his Coasts did scowre:
But when Augustus did this Sinne surmount,
taxing the World (by his vsurped Pow'r)
He ne'er was with least Punishment annoid:
So, Ionas, fly'ing, a Whale did him deuoure,
While Pagan-Passengers a Calme enioy'd:
But, though the Whale did Ionas (so) enioy,
He swallow'd, but to saue, and not destroy.
And as a Searre a Sonne takes in the Face
in his Sires quarrell, though the Face it marres;
Yet it procures the Fathers loue and grace,
and so gets glory by such gracelesse scarres:
So, God desirous more to haue vs kinde
than comely Children, thrusts vs in his Warres,
As we were but to fire and sword assign'd:
He takes more pleasure in the great'st annoyes
We haue for him, then in our ghostly ioyes.
in his Sires quarrell, though the Face it marres;
Yet it procures the Fathers loue and grace,
and so gets glory by such gracelesse scarres:
So, God desirous more to haue vs kinde
than comely Children, thrusts vs in his Warres,
As we were but to fire and sword assign'd:
He takes more pleasure in the great'st annoyes
We haue for him, then in our ghostly ioyes.
Each Danger, for our Mistresse, vnder-tane,
seemes most secure; and pleasant, deadli'st paine:
The Wounds both for & from her (though but bane)
seeme honied-sweet; and losse, for her, is gaine:
The colours that she likes; we most doe loue:
her words, meere Oracles; her spot, no staine;
Her actions, Patternes, ours to shape and proue:
All her perfections past Superlatiues;
And imperfections, least Diminutiues.
seemes most secure; and pleasant, deadli'st paine:
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seeme honied-sweet; and losse, for her, is gaine:
The colours that she likes; we most doe loue:
her words, meere Oracles; her spot, no staine;
Her actions, Patternes, ours to shape and proue:
All her perfections past Superlatiues;
And imperfections, least Diminutiues.
And shall we doe and thinke all this, and more,
but for a shade of Beautie; and endure
Nothing for Beauties Substance? nor adore
the CREATOR but in the Creäture?
O! tis a shame that Reas'n should be so mad
in men of minde: for loue (if it be true)
Will most affect what's rarest to be had.
“The Obiect of true Loue is greatest GOOD;
“If lesse she loues, it ill is vnderstood.
but for a shade of Beautie; and endure
Nothing for Beauties Substance? nor adore
the CREATOR but in the Creäture?
O! tis a shame that Reas'n should be so mad
in men of minde: for loue (if it be true)
Will most affect what's rarest to be had.
“The Obiect of true Loue is greatest GOOD;
“If lesse she loues, it ill is vnderstood.
With our Soules Eye, if Christ, our peace be view'd,
true loue shall see a Soule-afflicting sight;
His head with bloud (that thornes do broach) imbrude;
his Eares, with Blasphemies; his Eyes, with Spight:
His Mouth, with gall; his Members all, with wounds;
his Heart, with griefe; and all in all vnright:
Yea, so vnright, as Iustice quite confounds:
Yet, mans Ingratitude doth griue him more
Then all these Plagues, as manifold as sore.
true loue shall see a Soule-afflicting sight;
His head with bloud (that thornes do broach) imbrude;
his Eares, with Blasphemies; his Eyes, with Spight:
His Mouth, with gall; his Members all, with wounds;
his Heart, with griefe; and all in all vnright:
Yea, so vnright, as Iustice quite confounds:
Yet, mans Ingratitude doth griue him more
Then all these Plagues, as manifold as sore.
And, ô, for whom doth he the same endure?
for Man, begot in filth; in darkenesse, form'd;
With throwes, brought forth; & brought forth most vnpure,
whose child-hood's but a dreame, with pains enorm'd,
His youth, but rage; his man-hood, ceaselesse fight;
his Age, meere sicknesse, all his life vnsure:
And, worst of all, his death is full of fright.
This, this is he, for whom Heau'ns God endures
All shame and paine, that paine and shame procures.
for Man, begot in filth; in darkenesse, form'd;
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whose child-hood's but a dreame, with pains enorm'd,
His youth, but rage; his man-hood, ceaselesse fight;
his Age, meere sicknesse, all his life vnsure:
And, worst of all, his death is full of fright.
This, this is he, for whom Heau'ns God endures
All shame and paine, that paine and shame procures.
W'are no where safe, where we may fall to sinne;
in Heau'n, nor Paradise; with men much lesse:
In Heau'n fell Angels; Paradise within,
the first man fell, throgh whom, all men transgresse:
In the World Iudas, from his Lord did fall:
so no place can defend from Wretchednesse,
But he that place confines, and holds vp All:
For who from worse to better fals, he may
From better fall to worse, without his stay.
in Heau'n, nor Paradise; with men much lesse:
In Heau'n fell Angels; Paradise within,
the first man fell, throgh whom, all men transgresse:
In the World Iudas, from his Lord did fall:
so no place can defend from Wretchednesse,
But he that place confines, and holds vp All:
For who from worse to better fals, he may
From better fall to worse, without his stay.
If Crosses trauerse not our Comforts, then
we ought to crosse our selues as many did
That were Men Angel-like; or, Gods with men;
who hardly liu'd, in Dens and Deserts hid:
Fed little, and slept lesse; in Sacke-cloth clad;
to minde them that to mourne they here were bid;
So, chose food, place, and suite as suites the sad:
To sing in Babilon, being Abrahams Seede,
Is to forget our Bondage and our Creede.
we ought to crosse our selues as many did
That were Men Angel-like; or, Gods with men;
who hardly liu'd, in Dens and Deserts hid:
Fed little, and slept lesse; in Sacke-cloth clad;
to minde them that to mourne they here were bid;
So, chose food, place, and suite as suites the sad:
To sing in Babilon, being Abrahams Seede,
Is to forget our Bondage and our Creede.
Heau'n is our natiue Home, our Canaan;
Earth's but the shade of Death, or vale of Teares:
Then mirth in place of moane, but kils a man:
at point of Death hee's mad that Musicke heares:
Therefore those Saints, (discreete, sad, sober Soules)
reiected all that Sense to Life endeeres;
And liue (as buried quicke in Caues) like Moles.
“If Weapons lefte doe wound then sharpest praise,
“Lesse hurts lamenting, then the Syrens layes.
Earth's but the shade of Death, or vale of Teares:
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at point of Death hee's mad that Musicke heares:
Therefore those Saints, (discreete, sad, sober Soules)
reiected all that Sense to Life endeeres;
And liue (as buried quicke in Caues) like Moles.
“If Weapons lefte doe wound then sharpest praise,
“Lesse hurts lamenting, then the Syrens layes.
And as Men longing, at Noone-day to see
the Lamps of Heau'n, descend into a Well
As deepe as darke that so their sight may be
the more contracted, smallest Stars to tell:
So, pious men, that faine would fixe their Eyes,
still on the Stars (the Saints in Heauen that dwell)
Descend (in Earth) to low'st Obscurities:
“For, to a louing Soule all labour's sweet
“That tends (although in Hell) her Loue to meet.
the Lamps of Heau'n, descend into a Well
As deepe as darke that so their sight may be
the more contracted, smallest Stars to tell:
So, pious men, that faine would fixe their Eyes,
still on the Stars (the Saints in Heauen that dwell)
Descend (in Earth) to low'st Obscurities:
“For, to a louing Soule all labour's sweet
“That tends (although in Hell) her Loue to meet.
Low is our Way; but, our Home most sublime:
if home we would, then this low Way is best,
Which yet, growes steepe somewhere, and hard to climbe;
yet, Loue o'ercomes it, & eternall Rest:
Vaine pleasures are like Gold throwne in our Way;
and, while to gather it, we stoupe, at least,
It let's vs, and our Iudgements doth betray:
But if on Heau'n our mindes be altogether,
Nothing shall let our Bodyes going thither.
if home we would, then this low Way is best,
Which yet, growes steepe somewhere, and hard to climbe;
yet, Loue o'ercomes it, & eternall Rest:
Vaine pleasures are like Gold throwne in our Way;
and, while to gather it, we stoupe, at least,
It let's vs, and our Iudgements doth betray:
But if on Heau'n our mindes be altogether,
Nothing shall let our Bodyes going thither.
Which way goe you saith Christ to those that stray?
I am the WAY: and whither will you wend?
I am the TRVTH: or else where will you stay?
I am the LIFE: that is, your Iournyes end.
Now if this Way doe lead o'er steepes and plaines,
If this Truth teach vs, rising, to descend,
If this Life be not got but with our paines,
Then, wo to them that laugh, sith weepe should al;
And blessed they that weepe; for, laugh they shall.
I am the WAY: and whither will you wend?
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I am the LIFE: that is, your Iournyes end.
Now if this Way doe lead o'er steepes and plaines,
If this Truth teach vs, rising, to descend,
If this Life be not got but with our paines,
Then, wo to them that laugh, sith weepe should al;
And blessed they that weepe; for, laugh they shall.
We should be, therefore, like th'Egytian Dogs,
that drinke of Nilus running, lest they should
By staying much, to drinke like greedy Hogs,
the Crocodile might haue them, so, in hold:
Nature doth teach them, reas'nlesse, what to doe:
then, shall not grace worke much more manifold
With humane Creatures, that diuine are too?
It should: then, we are mad, or reason lacke,
to quench our thirst of hauing with our wracke.
that drinke of Nilus running, lest they should
By staying much, to drinke like greedy Hogs,
the Crocodile might haue them, so, in hold:
Nature doth teach them, reas'nlesse, what to doe:
then, shall not grace worke much more manifold
With humane Creatures, that diuine are too?
It should: then, we are mad, or reason lacke,
to quench our thirst of hauing with our wracke.
What is't to haue much more than Nature needes;
but, to haue more then Nature well can beare:
Like one that's deadly drunke, or ouer-feedes,
whose excesse makes his Death excessiue cheare!
Enough, then, should be better then a feast,
sith more is mortall, howsoeuer deare;
For, Nature cannot well so much digest.
“Much lesse then little (onely) makes her grutch;
“Enough maintaines her better than too much.
but, to haue more then Nature well can beare:
Like one that's deadly drunke, or ouer-feedes,
whose excesse makes his Death excessiue cheare!
Enough, then, should be better then a feast,
sith more is mortall, howsoeuer deare;
For, Nature cannot well so much digest.
“Much lesse then little (onely) makes her grutch;
“Enough maintaines her better than too much.
Besides; in vs, Sinne is more odious growne,
then in the Diuell: for, his was but one sinne:
Ours, numberlesse: his, yer Reuenge was knowne;
ours, when we knew it; and might fauor winne:
In Innocence created, sinned he;
but we, when to't we had restored bin:
In malice he, of God forsooke; but we
when God recall'd vs to his sauing-Grace:
He damn'd, we sau'd: yet were in worser Case.
then in the Diuell: for, his was but one sinne:
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ours, when we knew it; and might fauor winne:
In Innocence created, sinned he;
but we, when to't we had restored bin:
In malice he, of God forsooke; but we
when God recall'd vs to his sauing-Grace:
He damn'd, we sau'd: yet were in worser Case.
For we were sau'd in possibilitie;
but he condemn'd; so, could not saued be:
He sinn'd gainst one that him did straitly tye;
but we (worse fiends) gainst one that made vs free:
Against one he, that doom'd him second-death;
but, we gainst one that dide for vs so, he
Sinn'd lesse than we; which Hope quite banisheth,
Did not the time we liue in, stirre vs (thrals)
To call for Grace, that comes, if griefe but cals.
but he condemn'd; so, could not saued be:
He sinn'd gainst one that him did straitly tye;
but we (worse fiends) gainst one that made vs free:
Against one he, that doom'd him second-death;
but, we gainst one that dide for vs so, he
Sinn'd lesse than we; which Hope quite banisheth,
Did not the time we liue in, stirre vs (thrals)
To call for Grace, that comes, if griefe but cals.
He that of Sinne, doth know the large extent
and Hell of Hels the Soule incurres thereby,
Shall little feele his Bodyes punishment,
though he, in life, a thousand deathes should dye:
Which borne with Patience, for his Sauiours loue,
quite abrogate his pass'd impietie:
And future sinnes and paines from him, doth shoue:
“Immortall paines, extreame in qualitie,
“Annihilate all mortals quantitie!
and Hell of Hels the Soule incurres thereby,
Shall little feele his Bodyes punishment,
though he, in life, a thousand deathes should dye:
Which borne with Patience, for his Sauiours loue,
quite abrogate his pass'd impietie:
And future sinnes and paines from him, doth shoue:
“Immortall paines, extreame in qualitie,
“Annihilate all mortals quantitie!
Our Faith, in the beginning, thinne was sowne
in the afflicti'on, shame, and death of Christ:
And then with Martyrs Bloud t'was ouer-flowne;
nor, can it grow (or prosper) to the high'st
Without showres, ceaslesse, gushing from their wounds:
then, what art thou, that soone thy Faith deni'st
For feare of death, that but thy Iudge confounds?
O! I am he, the frail'st of flesh and bloud,
That liues for ill, and feares to die for good!
in the afflicti'on, shame, and death of Christ:
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nor, can it grow (or prosper) to the high'st
Without showres, ceaslesse, gushing from their wounds:
then, what art thou, that soone thy Faith deni'st
For feare of death, that but thy Iudge confounds?
O! I am he, the frail'st of flesh and bloud,
That liues for ill, and feares to die for good!
Yet for Christ t'is more glory to be crost,
then of him to be crown'd an earthly King:
The last may be, by chance or Treason, lost:
but, from the Crosse, immortall Crownes doe spring:
To be in glory may proceede of Grace
without the glorifide his meriting:
But well-borne Crosses alter (quite) the case.
“Vertue consists in doing hardest things;
“And, vicious Fooles haue too too oft beene Kings.
then of him to be crown'd an earthly King:
The last may be, by chance or Treason, lost:
but, from the Crosse, immortall Crownes doe spring:
To be in glory may proceede of Grace
without the glorifide his meriting:
But well-borne Crosses alter (quite) the case.
“Vertue consists in doing hardest things;
“And, vicious Fooles haue too too oft beene Kings.
Who suffers straight, hath but one victorie;
but, he that alwayes doth encounter paine,
And yet o'er-throwes the strong'st Extremitie,
is crowned eu'ry day, and still shall raigne:
And what is Death but our best earthly friend,
which kils our Flesh, our deadliest enemy?
So, friendly is both to and in the end.
Then Crauen, why doe I so flye his force,
That saues me when he makes my corps a corse!
but, he that alwayes doth encounter paine,
And yet o'er-throwes the strong'st Extremitie,
is crowned eu'ry day, and still shall raigne:
And what is Death but our best earthly friend,
which kils our Flesh, our deadliest enemy?
So, friendly is both to and in the end.
Then Crauen, why doe I so flye his force,
That saues me when he makes my corps a corse!
For, if the pining of the body be
the pampring of the Soule; than, must this friend,
That, with his paines makes vertuous Soules to flye
where they are pamper'd without meane or end)
Be still embrac'd, not fled: but, ô fraile flesh
this dying-doctrine doth but thee offend,
That hold'st it most erronious, fond, and fresh:
Thou canst not poise these treasures of the Sp'rit;
for, they are waighty: and, thou art too light!
the pampring of the Soule; than, must this friend,
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where they are pamper'd without meane or end)
Be still embrac'd, not fled: but, ô fraile flesh
this dying-doctrine doth but thee offend,
That hold'st it most erronious, fond, and fresh:
Thou canst not poise these treasures of the Sp'rit;
for, they are waighty: and, thou art too light!
Thou must haue all that may thy Senses charme
with sweete, as most effeminate, delights;
And fly'st from Death to honied pleasures swarme;
yea, follow'st them in their vnconstant flights:
Austeritie, nor canst, nor wilt thou brooke,
sith it quite mortifies thy liuely sp'rits;
And, for thy life, still put'st thee to thy Booke:
But, thou dost long for all that makes thee light,
As well within, as (gawdy still) in sight.
with sweete, as most effeminate, delights;
And fly'st from Death to honied pleasures swarme;
yea, follow'st them in their vnconstant flights:
Austeritie, nor canst, nor wilt thou brooke,
sith it quite mortifies thy liuely sp'rits;
And, for thy life, still put'st thee to thy Booke:
But, thou dost long for all that makes thee light,
As well within, as (gawdy still) in sight.
Mean while thou burn'st to nought with flames of sin:
for, as the Lightnings flash, although it spares
The painted sheath, it melts the Blade within;
(which is the thing more worthy) so it fares
With sinnes pernitious fire-flash: for, it leaues
the goods and body sound: but, vnawares,
The Soule, more pretious, it of life bereaues:
“But, who to spare a Thing of nought, will spend
“Gods Coape (his Soule) hee's mad, & cannot mend
for, as the Lightnings flash, although it spares
The painted sheath, it melts the Blade within;
(which is the thing more worthy) so it fares
With sinnes pernitious fire-flash: for, it leaues
the goods and body sound: but, vnawares,
The Soule, more pretious, it of life bereaues:
“But, who to spare a Thing of nought, will spend
“Gods Coape (his Soule) hee's mad, & cannot mend
Many (though Princes) poore, are in their store;
in Honors, abiect; malecontent, in mirth:
Their flesh, selfe-frailtie; their spirits, basely poore;
their Soule's the sincke of all the sinnes on Earth;
The Moths of Man-kinde sores of Sou'raigntie;
vnhappily-happie in their base-high Birth;
Who liue like Monsters, and like Diuels dye:
“The rich, possesse; the meeke, the Earth enioy:
“For they haue most, that haue the lest annoy.
in Honors, abiect; malecontent, in mirth:
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their Soule's the sincke of all the sinnes on Earth;
The Moths of Man-kinde sores of Sou'raigntie;
vnhappily-happie in their base-high Birth;
Who liue like Monsters, and like Diuels dye:
“The rich, possesse; the meeke, the Earth enioy:
“For they haue most, that haue the lest annoy.
Looke in the Graues, suruey the Emperours,
Kings, Dukes, and Worthies of the Ages past;
Then looke on those whom life and death obscures;
(poore Beggers) tell me then, who's first, who last;
Who rich, who poore, who faire, foule, high, or low:
but, if thou canst when burnt be diuers Woods,
Their Ashes well distinguish; then, maist thou
distinguish of their bodyes, states, and blouds.
Then wherefore waigh we so our Flesh (missed)
That's light as vanitie aliue, and dead?
Kings, Dukes, and Worthies of the Ages past;
Then looke on those whom life and death obscures;
(poore Beggers) tell me then, who's first, who last;
Who rich, who poore, who faire, foule, high, or low:
but, if thou canst when burnt be diuers Woods,
Their Ashes well distinguish; then, maist thou
distinguish of their bodyes, states, and blouds.
Then wherefore waigh we so our Flesh (missed)
That's light as vanitie aliue, and dead?
And life, at best, is but a golden sleepe,
lin'd but with siluer, or more earthly dreames;
Or else a Tragedie (that moues to weepe)
of ceaselesse troubles, and most dire Extreames;
A passing but from life is life; for, still
in stay'ing, it goes; yet vnlike Water-streames,
That, running, stay alike, by Natures skill:
Streames, running, rest the same, and not the same;
But, still vnlike, doth burne our vitall-flame.
lin'd but with siluer, or more earthly dreames;
Or else a Tragedie (that moues to weepe)
of ceaselesse troubles, and most dire Extreames;
A passing but from life is life; for, still
in stay'ing, it goes; yet vnlike Water-streames,
That, running, stay alike, by Natures skill:
Streames, running, rest the same, and not the same;
But, still vnlike, doth burne our vitall-flame.
Things future, are beginning endlesly;
Things present, euer ending; and Things past
Quite dead or done: for, while we liue, we dye;
and, dead, we liue: so life is first and last.
Then, better dye to life, than liue to death;
for, mortall-life (in Death) but time doth waste:
And Death doth gaine of time he shorteneth:
Who, for our good, our bodyes still assailes;
And frees our Soules by ruining their Iayles.
Things present, euer ending; and Things past
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and, dead, we liue: so life is first and last.
Then, better dye to life, than liue to death;
for, mortall-life (in Death) but time doth waste:
And Death doth gaine of time he shorteneth:
Who, for our good, our bodyes still assailes;
And frees our Soules by ruining their Iayles.
It is but Natures necessary wracke:
then let vs make it voluntarie, that
Is necessary; and still bowe our Backe
vnder the burden of our common state
With all alacritie; and giue to God
his owne; which were most damn'd to alienate,
Sith he, or Dolors, paid for it, his lode.
Then, it were Sacriledge not to restore
That which he made & lent, and bought, and more!
then let vs make it voluntarie, that
Is necessary; and still bowe our Backe
vnder the burden of our common state
With all alacritie; and giue to God
his owne; which were most damn'd to alienate,
Sith he, or Dolors, paid for it, his lode.
Then, it were Sacriledge not to restore
That which he made & lent, and bought, and more!
Death's dreadfull but to those that know him not;
to those that know him well, hee is not so:
The Old, before their faces him haue got;
the young, behinde; while he doth all o'erthrow:
Acquaintance with the Warres, estrangeth feare;
they dread not waues at Sea, though high they goe,
that vs'd are to them, (though they all orebeare)
And with them fight in front, or in the reare:
Then, not to feare Death, is with him to be
Familiar made; and, bring Sense vnder lee.
to those that know him well, hee is not so:
The Old, before their faces him haue got;
the young, behinde; while he doth all o'erthrow:
Acquaintance with the Warres, estrangeth feare;
they dread not waues at Sea, though high they goe,
that vs'd are to them, (though they all orebeare)
And with them fight in front, or in the reare:
Then, not to feare Death, is with him to be
Familiar made; and, bring Sense vnder lee.
The Pilot, while he is his Ship to guide,
sits at the Stearne; for, there he most preuailes:
And, so the vertuous (maugre winde and Tyde)
when through this stormy Sea of life he sailes,
Sits at the Stearne; that is, lifes hinder-piece;
where he, in Tempests (bearing lowest Sailes)
Conducts it safely to the Port of Peace:
“To beare high sailes, and still forbeare the helme,
“Is Ship, and Fraight (so) quite to ouer-whelme.
sits at the Stearne; for, there he most preuailes:
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when through this stormy Sea of life he sailes,
Sits at the Stearne; that is, lifes hinder-piece;
where he, in Tempests (bearing lowest Sailes)
Conducts it safely to the Port of Peace:
“To beare high sailes, and still forbeare the helme,
“Is Ship, and Fraight (so) quite to ouer-whelme.
Death is the doore, whereby we must goe out
of straitest Bonds to freest Libertie;
Then as the Pris'ner that of Death doth doubt,
yet waites the while for his deliuery,
Most ioyes in sitting at the Prison dore,
that, when it's op'ned, he may instantly
Get out, t'enioy his freedome, as before:
So should our Thoughts be fixt on lifes last steppe,
To which we soone may iump, but not o'er-leape.
of straitest Bonds to freest Libertie;
Then as the Pris'ner that of Death doth doubt,
yet waites the while for his deliuery,
Most ioyes in sitting at the Prison dore,
that, when it's op'ned, he may instantly
Get out, t'enioy his freedome, as before:
So should our Thoughts be fixt on lifes last steppe,
To which we soone may iump, but not o'er-leape.
Thoughts mortifide the ashes are, wherein
the fire of Vertue, being rak'd vp close,
The longer lasts, and greater heate doth winne,
to kindle courage in our cold dispose,
That when Death comes, and those shall be vnrak't
we may reioyce our flame so freely goes
Vnto her Spheare; then should it not be slack't
In Chimney of our flesh, where it doth lye,
Like to be quencht with our iniquitie.
the fire of Vertue, being rak'd vp close,
The longer lasts, and greater heate doth winne,
to kindle courage in our cold dispose,
That when Death comes, and those shall be vnrak't
we may reioyce our flame so freely goes
Vnto her Spheare; then should it not be slack't
In Chimney of our flesh, where it doth lye,
Like to be quencht with our iniquitie.
And, as a floud that from a mountaines top,
doth (rowling) run, with strange, as ceaslesse, noise;
And ouer many craggy Lets doth hop,
till in the Vale beneath, it rest enioyes:
So, fares it with our life; which we beginne
with ceaslesse out-cryes, for our felt annoyes;
Then downe Times houres we run, through lets & sin,
Till in the end we rest in vale of Death,
To which we blow our selues by spending breath.
doth (rowling) run, with strange, as ceaslesse, noise;
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till in the Vale beneath, it rest enioyes:
So, fares it with our life; which we beginne
with ceaslesse out-cryes, for our felt annoyes;
Then downe Times houres we run, through lets & sin,
Till in the end we rest in vale of Death,
To which we blow our selues by spending breath.
Then Death's our rest, for, since the same hath past
through lifes pure Veynes, or rather Lords of life,
Of the least bitternesse it hath no taste;
but, freshest sweetnesse therein still is rife:
It is the vertuous peacefull Paradise;
but, to the vicious, tis a World of strife:
For, nought is plagu'd in Death, but mortall Vice:
Then he may well be stil'd a Martyrs Peere,
That vertuous Death doth rather seeke than feare.
through lifes pure Veynes, or rather Lords of life,
Of the least bitternesse it hath no taste;
but, freshest sweetnesse therein still is rife:
It is the vertuous peacefull Paradise;
but, to the vicious, tis a World of strife:
For, nought is plagu'd in Death, but mortall Vice:
Then he may well be stil'd a Martyrs Peere,
That vertuous Death doth rather seeke than feare.
Death to a Thiefs's compar'd; who, if he findes
the Man, he meanes to rob, vpon his guard,
He speakes him faire; else him he bindes and blindes:
so, Death is kinde to those for him prepar'd:
But, curst to them, that, carelesse, spend their breath:
for, all that watch for him, he doth reward
With endlesse Life; the rest, with double death:
But, they that dye for Vertue or good note,
Though he o'er-throw them, yet they cut his throate!
the Man, he meanes to rob, vpon his guard,
He speakes him faire; else him he bindes and blindes:
so, Death is kinde to those for him prepar'd:
But, curst to them, that, carelesse, spend their breath:
for, all that watch for him, he doth reward
With endlesse Life; the rest, with double death:
But, they that dye for Vertue or good note,
Though he o'er-throw them, yet they cut his throate!
And why should his worst looke more irke, or feare
a Man resolu'd that he can dye but once:
Goliah bought a little Stone as deare
as Sampson did the House that chrusht his bones:
And, from a Chaire to fall, the Necke can breake
as well as falling high, as Thunder-stones:
And, all is but one Death, (bee't strong or weake)
Deaths sharpest sting, the Heart but enters in,
Which dyes with that, and so t'will with a pinne.
a Man resolu'd that he can dye but once:
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as Sampson did the House that chrusht his bones:
And, from a Chaire to fall, the Necke can breake
as well as falling high, as Thunder-stones:
And, all is but one Death, (bee't strong or weake)
Deaths sharpest sting, the Heart but enters in,
Which dyes with that, and so t'will with a pinne.
Why grudge we then, t'endure for endlesse life
that, for vaine-glory, freely we endure?
Repine we not to dye in damned strife,
and, grudge to dye to make our life secure?
Is Death so sweete, when it the Diu'll commands;
and when God wils it, is the same so sow'r?
What manhood's this, whereon; now, manhood stands?
O ougly valor (if it valor be)
To flee to death; yet, fearing, life to flee.
that, for vaine-glory, freely we endure?
Repine we not to dye in damned strife,
and, grudge to dye to make our life secure?
Is Death so sweete, when it the Diu'll commands;
and when God wils it, is the same so sow'r?
What manhood's this, whereon; now, manhood stands?
O ougly valor (if it valor be)
To flee to death; yet, fearing, life to flee.
Liue well, and, so, dye well, perhaps, we may;
but liue still, and not dye, we neuer can:
Life is not short, that, soone, goes well away;
and, longest life Truth calleth but a spanne:
He dyeth old (though young) that well doth die;
and Life well lost is better then ill wanne;
For, so to winne we lose eternally:
Then, what can counteruaile eternall losse?
Nothing that is; no Patience beares that crosse.
but liue still, and not dye, we neuer can:
Life is not short, that, soone, goes well away;
and, longest life Truth calleth but a spanne:
He dyeth old (though young) that well doth die;
and Life well lost is better then ill wanne;
For, so to winne we lose eternally:
Then, what can counteruaile eternall losse?
Nothing that is; no Patience beares that crosse.
If we for vertue doe our life forgoe
our Pitcher's broken o'er the fountaine-head,
From whence, what fill'd it, came; and, where doth flow
the Aqua vitæ, that reuiues the dead:
Our liquor is not lost, but runne into
the proper Fount, by Nature thither lead,
And heau'nly Grace assisting Nature too:
Our life's a war, where patience guards from losse:
Our Captaine, Christ; our Standard is his Crosse!
our Pitcher's broken o'er the fountaine-head,
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the Aqua vitæ, that reuiues the dead:
Our liquor is not lost, but runne into
the proper Fount, by Nature thither lead,
And heau'nly Grace assisting Nature too:
Our life's a war, where patience guards from losse:
Our Captaine, Christ; our Standard is his Crosse!
But, seemes God long, thy labours to content;
the more forborne, the more will be thy meede:
He takes on Intrest what before he lent:
and, takes delight t'o'er-guerdon each good-deed:
If in our Vs'ry, then, we wish delay;
feare we the Lord of All should fall to neede,
That, on his Bond, we dare not giue him Day?
And, shall we trust a Merchant, that may breake;
More than that King, of whom all Kings do seeke?
the more forborne, the more will be thy meede:
He takes on Intrest what before he lent:
and, takes delight t'o'er-guerdon each good-deed:
If in our Vs'ry, then, we wish delay;
feare we the Lord of All should fall to neede,
That, on his Bond, we dare not giue him Day?
And, shall we trust a Merchant, that may breake;
More than that King, of whom all Kings do seeke?
Admit thou should'st be rackt to straine the Truth,
(though Racks are made the truth to gaine not strain)
Yet, if thou her beleeue, let ne'er thy mouth
deny it for the cracking of a veyne:
We owe so much to Truth as should we pay
the reall debt, to vs should nought remaine;
No, not our liues, which must, for her, away:
For, God and Truth are Relatiues. Not so:
For, God is Truth; then, for him All must goe.
(though Racks are made the truth to gaine not strain)
Yet, if thou her beleeue, let ne'er thy mouth
deny it for the cracking of a veyne:
We owe so much to Truth as should we pay
the reall debt, to vs should nought remaine;
No, not our liues, which must, for her, away:
For, God and Truth are Relatiues. Not so:
For, God is Truth; then, for him All must goe.
If Truth-pretending Turkes or Infidels
should on our Plagues, which we for her endure,
Triumph; and make our Paines so many Hels,
alas! (poore Soules!) they (so) doe but procure
Their owne perdition: for, that God we serue
is God of vengeance; and the same will poure
On Good-pretenders that so ill deserue:
“To be for truth reprocht; yea, plagu'd, or slaine,
“Is to be glorious, free from Death and paine.
should on our Plagues, which we for her endure,
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alas! (poore Soules!) they (so) doe but procure
Their owne perdition: for, that God we serue
is God of vengeance; and the same will poure
On Good-pretenders that so ill deserue:
“To be for truth reprocht; yea, plagu'd, or slaine,
“Is to be glorious, free from Death and paine.
The red-hot It'n into the Water throwne,
thunders therein, as if it did it harme,
Yet, so, the force of burning's ouer-throwne;
the while the Water, cold before, is warme:
Like Thundrings Tyrants vse, in eu'ry Age,
who, though against the Truth themselues they arme;
And with the bloud of Martyrs quench their Rage,
Yet all their triumph's nothing but the noise
Of their owne quenching, and the Martyrs Ioyes,
thunders therein, as if it did it harme,
Yet, so, the force of burning's ouer-throwne;
the while the Water, cold before, is warme:
Like Thundrings Tyrants vse, in eu'ry Age,
who, though against the Truth themselues they arme;
And with the bloud of Martyrs quench their Rage,
Yet all their triumph's nothing but the noise
Of their owne quenching, and the Martyrs Ioyes,
Then, if they shew vs Honors, Gold, or Iemmes,
t'intice vs to their Faith; they shall but shew
The Lion Chaffe, which (chasing) he contemnes:
and if with Torments then, they vs pursue;
The Salamander they but threat with fire;
which makes her rather to reioyce then rue:
So, that the worst they can doe, we desire:
Then, through the Red-sea of our bloud, thus shed,
Vnto Heau'ns Holy-Land we soon'st are led.
t'intice vs to their Faith; they shall but shew
The Lion Chaffe, which (chasing) he contemnes:
and if with Torments then, they vs pursue;
The Salamander they but threat with fire;
which makes her rather to reioyce then rue:
So, that the worst they can doe, we desire:
Then, through the Red-sea of our bloud, thus shed,
Vnto Heau'ns Holy-Land we soon'st are led.
Saints on the Earth resemble Babes dead borne;
that are no sooner borne, but borne they be
Vnto their graues; so, straight to Ashes turne:
but Tyrants (Viper-like) doe liue to see
Their owne Confusion; and the death of those
which they haue martyr'd: so, from death, made free;
And, manumiz'd from this Worlds mortall woes.
The first, are borne to dye, to liue in ioy;
The last, to liue, to dye in all annoy.
that are no sooner borne, but borne they be
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but Tyrants (Viper-like) doe liue to see
Their owne Confusion; and the death of those
which they haue martyr'd: so, from death, made free;
And, manumiz'd from this Worlds mortall woes.
The first, are borne to dye, to liue in ioy;
The last, to liue, to dye in all annoy.
When Theeues an house doe breake, to rob by night;
(sith tis a Worke of darknesse) first, they will
(That they may not be knowne) put out the light;
and so the good are handled by the ill
Lights of the World the Good are said to be;
but bad-men (Sonnes of darknesse) put out still
Those lights, lest men their darkest deedes should see;
For, all that euill doe, the Light doe lothe:
So, loue they darknesse; and, doe darkly both.
(sith tis a Worke of darknesse) first, they will
(That they may not be knowne) put out the light;
and so the good are handled by the ill
Lights of the World the Good are said to be;
but bad-men (Sonnes of darknesse) put out still
Those lights, lest men their darkest deedes should see;
For, all that euill doe, the Light doe lothe:
So, loue they darknesse; and, doe darkly both.
Vnto the light it's no reproch at all
though Bats and Owles abhorre it; nor, is it
Disgrace to Wisedome, if but Ideots shall
condemne the same for Polly: they want Wit
To iudge of Wisedome, which is too too bright
for men to looke on that in darknesse sit;
To iudge of coulors, blinde-men haue no light:
The fault's not in the coulors they are so;
But in their Eyes that can no colours know.
though Bats and Owles abhorre it; nor, is it
Disgrace to Wisedome, if but Ideots shall
condemne the same for Polly: they want Wit
To iudge of Wisedome, which is too too bright
for men to looke on that in darknesse sit;
To iudge of coulors, blinde-men haue no light:
The fault's not in the coulors they are so;
But in their Eyes that can no colours know.
Farre sweeter are the Teares of them that mourne,
then is their laughter that in mirth are lost:
All crosses by the vertuous so are borne,
that most they ioy in that which grieueth most:
Like Roses mong the Thornes, their pleasures are
most sweete, when as they are most sharply crost;
And, being at the worst, they best doe-fare!
But, put the least crosse on a sensuall Soule,
And twil (blaspheming) grudge, nay, cry, & houle.
then is their laughter that in mirth are lost:
[134]
that most they ioy in that which grieueth most:
Like Roses mong the Thornes, their pleasures are
most sweete, when as they are most sharply crost;
And, being at the worst, they best doe-fare!
But, put the least crosse on a sensuall Soule,
And twil (blaspheming) grudge, nay, cry, & houle.
The greater Oxe the yokes worst part doth beare,
(that is, the heauiest) Christ (that is, thy God)
Thy yokes most heauy part with thee doth weare,
that so thou maist, with him, the lighter plod
Through thicke and thinne: for him thou canst not do
that he did for thee; hee feeles the Rod,
Yet he doth all in vs, and for vs too:
“Mates in afflictions, make Affliction lesse:
Then, if Christ beare, with vs, nought can oppresse!
(that is, the heauiest) Christ (that is, thy God)
Thy yokes most heauy part with thee doth weare,
that so thou maist, with him, the lighter plod
Through thicke and thinne: for him thou canst not do
that he did for thee; hee feeles the Rod,
Yet he doth all in vs, and for vs too:
“Mates in afflictions, make Affliction lesse:
Then, if Christ beare, with vs, nought can oppresse!
This life is but a lye; true life's not here;
it seemes, but is not: so, it is not true:
Than, for a lie, or what doth false appeare,
let vs not lie to God, or breake our vow
We made in Baptisme; but to cleaue to him,
although for it, it might (perhaps) ensue
That we to him, in our owne Bloud should swimme:
That water's strong; it will not let vs sincke,
And, to engrosse sure Deedes, the onely Incke!
it seemes, but is not: so, it is not true:
Than, for a lie, or what doth false appeare,
let vs not lie to God, or breake our vow
We made in Baptisme; but to cleaue to him,
although for it, it might (perhaps) ensue
That we to him, in our owne Bloud should swimme:
That water's strong; it will not let vs sincke,
And, to engrosse sure Deedes, the onely Incke!
The life of Dauid was but Teares and moane;
but Salomons was ioy and Mirth through-out:
Yet Dauid (sure) is sau'd: but, Salomon
whether he be, or no, Beleeuers doubt.
Poore Lazarus liu'd here in dying-plight:
Diues in all that reueld with the Rowt
Of honied Pleasures, and extreame delight:
But he that liu'd in death, in ioy now liues;
And he that ioy'd in life, in death now grieues.
but Salomons was ioy and Mirth through-out:
135
whether he be, or no, Beleeuers doubt.
Poore Lazarus liu'd here in dying-plight:
Diues in all that reueld with the Rowt
Of honied Pleasures, and extreame delight:
But he that liu'd in death, in ioy now liues;
And he that ioy'd in life, in death now grieues.
As sweetest Wine doth soonest boile our bloud:
so, this Worlds fauour workes vs most annoy:
The Water of Detraction then, is good
to mingle with it, lest we should be coy:
For, being gratious in the great Ones sight:
when Cunning clawing makes vs doate, with ioy,
W'are best remembred by the tongue of Spight:
“So, foes do oft make those, that friends doe marre;
“As many liue most warily in Warre.
so, this Worlds fauour workes vs most annoy:
The Water of Detraction then, is good
to mingle with it, lest we should be coy:
For, being gratious in the great Ones sight:
when Cunning clawing makes vs doate, with ioy,
W'are best remembred by the tongue of Spight:
“So, foes do oft make those, that friends doe marre;
“As many liue most warily in Warre.
He that should passe a Foord, that swift doth glide,
(so to preuent his giddinesse of Braine)
Should fixe his sight vpon the further side;
not on the Water, and himselfe sustaine
By one more strong, that, as his guide, should goe,
lest that the Current, running so amaine,
Should ouer-whelme him by an Ouer-throw:
Then, rest on Christ, and fixe thine Eyes on blesse,
while thou go'st through all Torrents of distresse.
(so to preuent his giddinesse of Braine)
Should fixe his sight vpon the further side;
not on the Water, and himselfe sustaine
By one more strong, that, as his guide, should goe,
lest that the Current, running so amaine,
Should ouer-whelme him by an Ouer-throw:
Then, rest on Christ, and fixe thine Eyes on blesse,
while thou go'st through all Torrents of distresse.
Through fire and water we must passe, before
we can arriue where nothing can distresse:
Our flesh in both should purg'd be more and more;
for, in the pur'st it's full of filthinesse
In double kinde: and, makes cleane Soules the while
to lothe their Lodge, so full of slutishnesse,
Consorted with all vices that defile:
“Pride, Enuy, Wrath, Lust, Hate, with all amisse,
“The Species are, and Flesh the Genus is.
we can arriue where nothing can distresse:
[135]
for, in the pur'st it's full of filthinesse
In double kinde: and, makes cleane Soules the while
to lothe their Lodge, so full of slutishnesse,
Consorted with all vices that defile:
“Pride, Enuy, Wrath, Lust, Hate, with all amisse,
“The Species are, and Flesh the Genus is.
For, flesh is earth; so, in our soules it sets
foule thoughts: (as earthly, as voluptuous)
The World as vaine as curious thoughts begets;
the Fiend, maditious thoughts and enuious:
Who on the flesh for help doth much rely,
sith houshold enemies may soonest hurt,
She being here freedeniz'd specially;
and we in bondage toiling here in durt:
Then, doth the World relye vpon the Diuell
To make flesh loue the World: and, so, all euill.
foule thoughts: (as earthly, as voluptuous)
The World as vaine as curious thoughts begets;
the Fiend, maditious thoughts and enuious:
Who on the flesh for help doth much rely,
sith houshold enemies may soonest hurt,
She being here freedeniz'd specially;
and we in bondage toiling here in durt:
Then, doth the World relye vpon the Diuell
To make flesh loue the World: and, so, all euill.
So these procure vs Worlds of Enemies:
if Auarice be quail'd; Lust, seconds her:
If Lust be foil'd; Ambition straight doth rise:
If she be downe; then Anger wageth Warre:
If it be cool'd, Pride, Enuy and the like
giue fresh encounters in this mortall Iarre;
And all, with all their might, our ruine seeke:
Then, where the fight's so fell and ceaslesse too,
Wert not for grace, most would themselues misdo.
if Auarice be quail'd; Lust, seconds her:
If Lust be foil'd; Ambition straight doth rise:
If she be downe; then Anger wageth Warre:
If it be cool'd, Pride, Enuy and the like
giue fresh encounters in this mortall Iarre;
And all, with all their might, our ruine seeke:
Then, where the fight's so fell and ceaslesse too,
Wert not for grace, most would themselues misdo.
136
Then, if we waigh our flesh how fraile it is,
how full of all disease, in life, how dead!
In Death, how foule! (as nought so foule as this)
how then can we be light with so much Lead?
Or how can we be pleas'd such filth to feede
as in our Nature naturally is bred;
And, whence so many Prodigies proceede?
Then if we may be ridde from such annoy,
But with one death, it is the life of Ioy!
how full of all disease, in life, how dead!
In Death, how foule! (as nought so foule as this)
how then can we be light with so much Lead?
Or how can we be pleas'd such filth to feede
as in our Nature naturally is bred;
And, whence so many Prodigies proceede?
Then if we may be ridde from such annoy,
But with one death, it is the life of Ioy!
And what is Honor but a lie, like life?
for, as a Ship at Sea, with swelling Sailes,
By windes, that for her peace are still at strife,
dauncing vpon the Waues with merry Gales
Allureth eu'ry Eye her pride to praise:
but when to th'Hauen she comes with her auailes,
Shee's by the Searcher sackt, or Custome paies:
So they, in life, that are most honored,
Are often most dishonour'd being dead.
for, as a Ship at Sea, with swelling Sailes,
By windes, that for her peace are still at strife,
dauncing vpon the Waues with merry Gales
Allureth eu'ry Eye her pride to praise:
but when to th'Hauen she comes with her auailes,
Shee's by the Searcher sackt, or Custome paies:
So they, in life, that are most honored,
Are often most dishonour'd being dead.
And likewise, while some saile on Surges high
of puft-vp vanities; and still ensue
The Tyde of Times, arm'd with Authoritie,
are prais'd, and follow'd of the worldly Crue:
But if, by grace, they doe themselues withdraw
into a vertuous life: then, straight their due
Is search'd or sackt, by Custome, or by Law:
O then how blest are they that most are curst
(For their so blest retiring) of the worst.
of puft-vp vanities; and still ensue
The Tyde of Times, arm'd with Authoritie,
are prais'd, and follow'd of the worldly Crue:
But if, by grace, they doe themselues withdraw
into a vertuous life: then, straight their due
Is search'd or sackt, by Custome, or by Law:
O then how blest are they that most are curst
(For their so blest retiring) of the worst.
[136]
The Libard beares to man such mortall hate,
that in his face he flyes when him he sees:
Therefore they vse a man to figurate,
and shew it him, at which forthwith he flees,
And piece-meale teares it; so, his wrath t'asswage.
shewing thereby how ill with man he agrees:
So Sathan and his Members being too weake
To teare our God, to spoile his Pictures seeke.
that in his face he flyes when him he sees:
Therefore they vse a man to figurate,
and shew it him, at which forthwith he flees,
And piece-meale teares it; so, his wrath t'asswage.
shewing thereby how ill with man he agrees:
So Sathan and his Members being too weake
To teare our God, to spoile his Pictures seeke.
As Grapes vnto the Wine-presse all doe come,
that come to Vertue in Faiths outward House:
They shall be crusht with many an heauy doome
of Iustice nam'd, but most iniurious:
But, though their Pressures squize out all their bloud,
yet in Gods Seller shall it finde a Roome,
And there made Rose of Sollace, sweete and good:
Then, let vs still be prest so prest to be;
For, running loose, we soone runne to our lee.
that come to Vertue in Faiths outward House:
They shall be crusht with many an heauy doome
of Iustice nam'd, but most iniurious:
But, though their Pressures squize out all their bloud,
yet in Gods Seller shall it finde a Roome,
And there made Rose of Sollace, sweete and good:
Then, let vs still be prest so prest to be;
For, running loose, we soone runne to our lee.
The more huge Billowes beate vpon a Rocke,
the more they breake; and so, to froth are turn'd;
The while the breaker seemes their spight to mocke,
that hurt themselues, not him, that so they spurn'd:
So, let the spightfull spurne vs while they will,
our Rocke stands sure, while they are ouerturn'd,
Whose blowes, for vs, Christ beares, or breaketh still!
So, hurt themselues they may, but neuer vs;
Sith still, in him, we are victorious.
the more they breake; and so, to froth are turn'd;
The while the breaker seemes their spight to mocke,
that hurt themselues, not him, that so they spurn'd:
So, let the spightfull spurne vs while they will,
our Rocke stands sure, while they are ouerturn'd,
Whose blowes, for vs, Christ beares, or breaketh still!
So, hurt themselues they may, but neuer vs;
Sith still, in him, we are victorious.
137
Yet tis too true, some wise and wicked too
(if possible the wicked may be wise)
May if a King will doe what they bid doe,
vndoe a Realme with Legall Tyrannies;
And all the guilt thereof shall still be gilt
with guilefull glosse of Conscience, most precise;
Till all be as they would, though all be spilt:
“For, that's but spilt that stands but on the fall
“Of sacred Vertue, that vpholdeth all.
(if possible the wicked may be wise)
May if a King will doe what they bid doe,
vndoe a Realme with Legall Tyrannies;
And all the guilt thereof shall still be gilt
with guilefull glosse of Conscience, most precise;
Till all be as they would, though all be spilt:
“For, that's but spilt that stands but on the fall
“Of sacred Vertue, that vpholdeth all.
To carry Pagan hearts in Christian breasts,
is no new thing, though many (new) doe vse it:
“On fair'st pretence the foulest purpose rests:
yet Beautie's good; but foulely some abuse it:
The heart of man so many windings hath,
that for a Maze of skill none can refuse it;
Sith hard it is to turne to eu'ry path.
O Christ! wert thou on Earth as once thou wert,
How would'st thou, now, behypocrit mans hart?
is no new thing, though many (new) doe vse it:
“On fair'st pretence the foulest purpose rests:
yet Beautie's good; but foulely some abuse it:
The heart of man so many windings hath,
that for a Maze of skill none can refuse it;
Sith hard it is to turne to eu'ry path.
O Christ! wert thou on Earth as once thou wert,
How would'st thou, now, behypocrit mans hart?
Such faire pretences we may well compare
t'Egyptian Temples; faire, but most prophane:
Garnisht with Gold, and Columnes, rich as rare,
in th'outward Roomes: but, if a view be tane
Of th'inward, where their God is still confinde,
some lothed Viper, full of deadly Bane,
Or Snake or Cockatrice, we there shall finde:
So, in such faire Pretence we (often) see
The Diuell himselfe, as God, ador'd to be.
t'Egyptian Temples; faire, but most prophane:
Garnisht with Gold, and Columnes, rich as rare,
in th'outward Roomes: but, if a view be tane
Of th'inward, where their God is still confinde,
some lothed Viper, full of deadly Bane,
Or Snake or Cockatrice, we there shall finde:
So, in such faire Pretence we (often) see
The Diuell himselfe, as God, ador'd to be.
[137]
With Christs plain Coate to hide vice (which enormes)
is to disgrace the Owner: or it is
The Diuels vertue, that himselfe transformes
t'an Angell bright, to doe the more amisse:
But, eu'ry Age hath groan'd with this Disease;
yet neuer Age, for that, was eas'd of this,
Groane while we will, it will vs still displease:
Then make w'a vertue of necessitie;
And, what we needs must beare, beare willingly.
is to disgrace the Owner: or it is
The Diuels vertue, that himselfe transformes
t'an Angell bright, to doe the more amisse:
But, eu'ry Age hath groan'd with this Disease;
yet neuer Age, for that, was eas'd of this,
Groane while we will, it will vs still displease:
Then make w'a vertue of necessitie;
And, what we needs must beare, beare willingly.
For, these, and like afflictions, still must proue,
and purge our manners from the drosse of blame;
From Earth to weane, to God t'increase our Loue;
like Smithes Forge-water that augments the flame:
And, pleasure is most pleasant vnto those,
that haue beene least acquainted with the same;
As heauenly Ioyes are after earthly woes:
And, Griefes grow senselesse in a vertuous Will,
Or rather sensuall; for, they rauish still!
and purge our manners from the drosse of blame;
From Earth to weane, to God t'increase our Loue;
like Smithes Forge-water that augments the flame:
And, pleasure is most pleasant vnto those,
that haue beene least acquainted with the same;
As heauenly Ioyes are after earthly woes:
And, Griefes grow senselesse in a vertuous Will,
Or rather sensuall; for, they rauish still!
If in our foote, much more if in our Head,
a thorne be thrust, our Heart, nay, Soule will grieue:
Then flye we pleasures, as they vs haue fled;
and rather wish for paines that ease might giue:
Then sith our HEAD is thorned ouer all,
if we his Members be, shall we be fed
With honied pleasures while he tastes but Gall?
God shield we should: then let vs onely ioy
In his sowre-sweetest Crosse, and his annoy.
a thorne be thrust, our Heart, nay, Soule will grieue:
Then flye we pleasures, as they vs haue fled;
and rather wish for paines that ease might giue:
Then sith our HEAD is thorned ouer all,
if we his Members be, shall we be fed
With honied pleasures while he tastes but Gall?
God shield we should: then let vs onely ioy
In his sowre-sweetest Crosse, and his annoy.
138
Moses did see him in the midst of fire,
and fiery Thornes: and in the mount among
Lightnings and Thundrings: Daniel did aspire,
to see his Throne, which fiery wheeles did throng:
Then shall we looke for more Prerogatiue,
than had these friends of God? then him we wrong
T'expect what he, in Iustice, cannot giue:
For, we must see him as the others did;
Else may we seeke him, but he will be hid.
and fiery Thornes: and in the mount among
Lightnings and Thundrings: Daniel did aspire,
to see his Throne, which fiery wheeles did throng:
Then shall we looke for more Prerogatiue,
than had these friends of God? then him we wrong
T'expect what he, in Iustice, cannot giue:
For, we must see him as the others did;
Else may we seeke him, but he will be hid.
For, as the Sires delight to haue their Sonnes
resemble them in fauour: so it ioyes
Our heauenly Sire, to see vs (wayward Ones)
like him, in patient bearing all Annoyes,
Which, for our good, his grace on vs inflicts:
for, when we beare what beautie quite destroyes,
(The wemmes and wounds of all his sore conflicts)
In his faire Eyes we are most louely, then;
And foul'st, when fair'st but in the Eyes of men.
resemble them in fauour: so it ioyes
Our heauenly Sire, to see vs (wayward Ones)
like him, in patient bearing all Annoyes,
Which, for our good, his grace on vs inflicts:
for, when we beare what beautie quite destroyes,
(The wemmes and wounds of all his sore conflicts)
In his faire Eyes we are most louely, then;
And foul'st, when fair'st but in the Eyes of men.
We see a Dogge, that but with crusts we feede,
will in our quarrell fight while he can moue:
And Seruants which we hire for little Meede,
will ne'erthelesse die often for our loue:
Then shall we Christians be lesse kinde then Beasts,
or thankfull lesse, than those we hire for neede
To him that giues vs all that Faith requests?
O no: no, no, it were too great a blame
The dignitie of Manhood so to shame!
will in our quarrell fight while he can moue:
And Seruants which we hire for little Meede,
will ne'erthelesse die often for our loue:
Then shall we Christians be lesse kinde then Beasts,
or thankfull lesse, than those we hire for neede
To him that giues vs all that Faith requests?
O no: no, no, it were too great a blame
The dignitie of Manhood so to shame!
[138]
The Flow'r of Iesse did most sweetly smell,
and came to perfect growth vpon the Crosse:
The fruit of life could not be gather'd well
without sharpe Thornes that stooke vnto it close:
And Gall was tasted, in a deadly fit,
by the best Taster; who, by his lifes losse,
Wanne Life to all that dye in him, and it;
And, till he rose from Death, he did not eate
The Hony-combe; but, fed on sower meate.
and came to perfect growth vpon the Crosse:
The fruit of life could not be gather'd well
without sharpe Thornes that stooke vnto it close:
And Gall was tasted, in a deadly fit,
by the best Taster; who, by his lifes losse,
Wanne Life to all that dye in him, and it;
And, till he rose from Death, he did not eate
The Hony-combe; but, fed on sower meate.
The Waters of Affliction are the streames
whereat our heau'nly Gedeon still doth try
Who are fit Souldiers for his Warres Extreames;
and seuers such as on their Bellies lie,
To drinke as thirsting that they, full, may rise;
from those that, for their meere necessitie,
Reach out their Hands to take what doth suffice:
“Great Wealth and Vertue no agreement haue,
“Sith Vertue makes it serue her as a Slaue.
whereat our heau'nly Gedeon still doth try
Who are fit Souldiers for his Warres Extreames;
and seuers such as on their Bellies lie,
To drinke as thirsting that they, full, may rise;
from those that, for their meere necessitie,
Reach out their Hands to take what doth suffice:
“Great Wealth and Vertue no agreement haue,
“Sith Vertue makes it serue her as a Slaue.
Though Prisons, of themselues, be Sathans folds,
wherein, for slaughter, his best Sheepe he keepes:
Yet may the Cause make them the safest Holds,
(yea, Heau'ns of Saints) for, tho the Linnet peepes
(When shee's encag'd) at eu'ry loope and Chincke,
as longing to be gone, and often weepes
That shee's restrain'd; yea, leaues her meat & drinke;
Yet in the Cage she is from danger sure
Of Fowlers Snares, and Kites that would deuoure.
wherein, for slaughter, his best Sheepe he keepes:
Yet may the Cause make them the safest Holds,
(yea, Heau'ns of Saints) for, tho the Linnet peepes
(When shee's encag'd) at eu'ry loope and Chincke,
as longing to be gone, and often weepes
That shee's restrain'd; yea, leaues her meat & drinke;
Yet in the Cage she is from danger sure
Of Fowlers Snares, and Kites that would deuoure.
139
But those in Patience that their Soules possesse,
(while they, in bonds, doe Tyrants wrath asswage)
The sweeter sing, the sowrer their distresse,
Irke well-taught Lynnets vsed to the Cage,
There learne they sweeter Notes than Nature gaue,
when they abroad were in their Pilgrimage;
New exercise of Vertue, there they haue:
Where may we sing with Quires of Angels then,
More free, then when most fast from mortal men?
(while they, in bonds, doe Tyrants wrath asswage)
The sweeter sing, the sowrer their distresse,
Irke well-taught Lynnets vsed to the Cage,
There learne they sweeter Notes than Nature gaue,
when they abroad were in their Pilgrimage;
New exercise of Vertue, there they haue:
Where may we sing with Quires of Angels then,
More free, then when most fast from mortal men?
Then out of Prison goe we, when we be
put into Prison, so the cause be good:
For, Libertie is but Captiuitie;
that (lightly) makes more loose fraile flesh & bloud;
Kings Courts; yea, Heau'n it self must yeeld, with awe,
t'a Prisons glory (though defil'd with Mud)
That keepes Gods Seruants safely for his Law.
“A Princes Presence makes a Cote a Court;
“And, that Pris'n's Heau'n, where Saints & Angels sport.
put into Prison, so the cause be good:
For, Libertie is but Captiuitie;
that (lightly) makes more loose fraile flesh & bloud;
Kings Courts; yea, Heau'n it self must yeeld, with awe,
t'a Prisons glory (though defil'd with Mud)
That keepes Gods Seruants safely for his Law.
“A Princes Presence makes a Cote a Court;
“And, that Pris'n's Heau'n, where Saints & Angels sport.
The Coriander-seede, in pieces cut,
each piece brings forth as much as all would doe:
And so a Martyr into Prison put,
and there first bruiz'd, then, cut in pieces too,
No drop of bloud, no piece (though turn'd to mould)
but it hath force the Diuell to vndoe;
And workes more (often) then the Owner could:
For, if in priuate Iarres effused Gore
For vengeance cries; his can doe that, and more!
each piece brings forth as much as all would doe:
And so a Martyr into Prison put,
and there first bruiz'd, then, cut in pieces too,
No drop of bloud, no piece (though turn'd to mould)
but it hath force the Diuell to vndoe;
And workes more (often) then the Owner could:
For, if in priuate Iarres effused Gore
For vengeance cries; his can doe that, and more!
[139]
Of all parts of a Tree the Roote seemes worst:
for, it's deform'd, and most offends the sight:
Yet, all trees vertue thence proceedeth first,
stemme, branch, & leaues, flow'rs, fruit; yea, life, & might
The Roote alone may challenge as her owne:
for, by the same they are both borne and nurst,
Which in the Roote (as in the wombe) was sowne:
So some like Rootes, be'ing ragged in the Eye,
Dying for Christ, makes Christians multiplie.
for, it's deform'd, and most offends the sight:
Yet, all trees vertue thence proceedeth first,
stemme, branch, & leaues, flow'rs, fruit; yea, life, & might
The Roote alone may challenge as her owne:
for, by the same they are both borne and nurst,
Which in the Roote (as in the wombe) was sowne:
So some like Rootes, be'ing ragged in the Eye,
Dying for Christ, makes Christians multiplie.
Some Trees there are, that, if their Rinde be rent,
cut, prickt, or bruiz'd, a precious Balme it bleeds,
In sight and sauour faire and redolent:
but neither yeelds, till outward it proceedes:
So, Martyrs when their Flesh is gasht or torne,
out flowes the Balme that cures their own misdeeds,
And others heales, that (so) to Vertue turne:
This balme's so sweet that it the World perfumes,
Whereby the Pagan Christs sweet Name assumes.
cut, prickt, or bruiz'd, a precious Balme it bleeds,
In sight and sauour faire and redolent:
but neither yeelds, till outward it proceedes:
So, Martyrs when their Flesh is gasht or torne,
out flowes the Balme that cures their own misdeeds,
And others heales, that (so) to Vertue turne:
This balme's so sweet that it the World perfumes,
Whereby the Pagan Christs sweet Name assumes.
The Roses sweetnesse, if vntoucht it be,
soone with the leaues doth wither quite away;
But by the Fire when it is still'd, we see
it yeeld sweet Iuyce that hardly will decay:
Nay, more; the Leaues so bak'd into a Cake,
doe long make sweet both where they lye, or lay;
And all that neighbors them, most sweet doe make:
The leaues, so parcht, delighting still the Nose,
Immortall makes the Sweetnesse of the Rose.
soone with the leaues doth wither quite away;
But by the Fire when it is still'd, we see
it yeeld sweet Iuyce that hardly will decay:
Nay, more; the Leaues so bak'd into a Cake,
doe long make sweet both where they lye, or lay;
And all that neighbors them, most sweet doe make:
The leaues, so parcht, delighting still the Nose,
Immortall makes the Sweetnesse of the Rose.
140
So, Martyrs sweetly liue, with Brambles keene,
sith in their conuersation they are pure;
Yet few can see it, sith they liue vnseene:
but still from worldly Comforts make them sure,
Bolt them, nay, bray or burne them if you will
then will their vertue sweetly all allure:
And Heau'n and Earth with diuine sauour fill:
Had they, by Nature, dide, their leafe nor iuce
Had not beene halfe so sweete, nor meet for vse.
sith in their conuersation they are pure;
Yet few can see it, sith they liue vnseene:
but still from worldly Comforts make them sure,
Bolt them, nay, bray or burne them if you will
then will their vertue sweetly all allure:
And Heau'n and Earth with diuine sauour fill:
Had they, by Nature, dide, their leafe nor iuce
Had not beene halfe so sweete, nor meet for vse.
Darke is the Water in the Airy Clouds,
yet that, the Rose and Lilly brings to light,
Mantling the Earth with all that Nature shrowds
within her bowels yer the Waters light:
What are these Clouds (of which the Psalmist sings)
but Clouds of Witnesses (as blacke as bright?)
Graue Martyrs that giue Truth true witnessings:
Their Bloud the Water: and when out it poures
The Time lookes blacke, but Saints spring with the showres.
yet that, the Rose and Lilly brings to light,
Mantling the Earth with all that Nature shrowds
within her bowels yer the Waters light:
What are these Clouds (of which the Psalmist sings)
but Clouds of Witnesses (as blacke as bright?)
Graue Martyrs that giue Truth true witnessings:
Their Bloud the Water: and when out it poures
The Time lookes blacke, but Saints spring with the showres.
With bloud the Churches Bud came forth at first,
as earnest of the fruits she was to beare;
Who was no sooner 'spoused vnto Christ,
but in their bloud her Infants drowned were,
To shew her future throwes in bearing young:
your yeers (sweet Lambs) could not beleeue nor feare;
But yet your flesh could dye to right Faiths wrong:
Thus did the Church as soone as shee was wed,
With chastest bloud forgoe her Virgin-hed.
as earnest of the fruits she was to beare;
Who was no sooner 'spoused vnto Christ,
but in their bloud her Infants drowned were,
To shew her future throwes in bearing young:
your yeers (sweet Lambs) could not beleeue nor feare;
But yet your flesh could dye to right Faiths wrong:
Thus did the Church as soone as shee was wed,
With chastest bloud forgoe her Virgin-hed.
[140]
Then to our bloud the Gates of Heau'n flye ope;
and, with our bloud Hell-fire's extinguished:
Our Bodies bloud doth scowre our Soules like Sope;
and with our bloud our Bodie's honored:
The Diuell shamed, and God glorifide:
for when, in Truths defence, the same is shed,
It makes our deedes most glorious in it dide:
The seed of Vertue, and the bane of Vice
Is bloud so shed: “No price to' a bloudy PRICE!
and, with our bloud Hell-fire's extinguished:
Our Bodies bloud doth scowre our Soules like Sope;
and with our bloud our Bodie's honored:
The Diuell shamed, and God glorifide:
for when, in Truths defence, the same is shed,
It makes our deedes most glorious in it dide:
The seed of Vertue, and the bane of Vice
Is bloud so shed: “No price to' a bloudy PRICE!
The resurrection of Truth, Faith and Fame,
did slowrish most when soakt in Martyrs Bloud:
Whose Palms with waight grow higher, & their flame
doth waxe more strong, the more it is with-stood:
Their Spice, by pounding, yeeldeth sweeter sent,
and Lets to Truth are borne downe with this floud:
Which let abroad, doth grow more violent;
And, while it runnes, it rores, and after cryes
For vengeance on their Foes, Truths Enemies.
did slowrish most when soakt in Martyrs Bloud:
Whose Palms with waight grow higher, & their flame
doth waxe more strong, the more it is with-stood:
Their Spice, by pounding, yeeldeth sweeter sent,
and Lets to Truth are borne downe with this floud:
Which let abroad, doth grow more violent;
And, while it runnes, it rores, and after cryes
For vengeance on their Foes, Truths Enemies.
With Tyrants Thundrings, Errours Cloud is crackt,
th'inclosed light of Truth's disclosed so;
And showres of bloud (that then for Truth are wrackt)
makes Martyrs more and more on Earth to grow:
For, still their Side by God, himselfe, is backt;
they (Sampsons) with their Death, do quell the foe,
And most torment him, when they most are rackt:
then, good Crosse (blessed sheep-crooke) Saints stil keep
to Christ, whose Hooke thou art, to catch his Sheepe.
th'inclosed light of Truth's disclosed so;
And showres of bloud (that then for Truth are wrackt)
makes Martyrs more and more on Earth to grow:
For, still their Side by God, himselfe, is backt;
they (Sampsons) with their Death, do quell the foe,
And most torment him, when they most are rackt:
then, good Crosse (blessed sheep-crooke) Saints stil keep
to Christ, whose Hooke thou art, to catch his Sheepe.
141
For, as a feate Embroderer, that hath
a piece of Veluet brackt, t'embroder on,
So drawes his Worke, that he, to hide the scath,
embroders richliest in that place alone:
So; God vpon the Veluet of our flesh,
all torne in time of Persecution,
Couers the Bracks with Beautie faire, as fresh:
So, that the other Parts are beautifide
By those rent parts, by God so glorifide!
a piece of Veluet brackt, t'embroder on,
So drawes his Worke, that he, to hide the scath,
embroders richliest in that place alone:
So; God vpon the Veluet of our flesh,
all torne in time of Persecution,
Couers the Bracks with Beautie faire, as fresh:
So, that the other Parts are beautifide
By those rent parts, by God so glorifide!
And as the Paper-mill, of rotten Raggs
tane from the Dung-hill, by still mauling it,
Makes so white Paper, as the filthy Iagges
may now infold the purest part of Wit,
Or purest things that come from Heart, or Hand:
so, we by Martyrdome, are made most fit
(How euer base) in glory still to stand:
And made more apt (diuinely) to comprise
Gods glorious Graces, and his Rarities.
tane from the Dung-hill, by still mauling it,
Makes so white Paper, as the filthy Iagges
may now infold the purest part of Wit,
Or purest things that come from Heart, or Hand:
so, we by Martyrdome, are made most fit
(How euer base) in glory still to stand:
And made more apt (diuinely) to comprise
Gods glorious Graces, and his Rarities.
Thogh th'vpper heau'n doth turne (by violent sway)
the lower, out of course, from East to West;
Yet, of themselues, they wheele the other way:
(for, they, by Nature, turne from West to East)
So, thogh from th'East, where Truth begins to shine,
her Foes would force our Faith, or course, at least,
To Errors West, where Truth doth still decline;
Yet must we stirre, as Grace and Nature moues
Vnto the East, where God our course approues.
the lower, out of course, from East to West;
Yet, of themselues, they wheele the other way:
(for, they, by Nature, turne from West to East)
So, thogh from th'East, where Truth begins to shine,
her Foes would force our Faith, or course, at least,
To Errors West, where Truth doth still decline;
Yet must we stirre, as Grace and Nature moues
Vnto the East, where God our course approues.
[141]
A Martyr's like a Dye, which though it fall
this or that way, it fals no way amisse;
It flat will lye, or cannot lye at all;
so, Martyrs lye with Truth, where ere she is:
They will lye leuell with the Earth; nay, more,
In, or aboue it lye, or stand for this;
Hange, burne, or starue, all's one; they feele no sore:
Then when God throwes at all, with them, to win,
At eu'ry throw, he drawes some others in.
this or that way, it fals no way amisse;
It flat will lye, or cannot lye at all;
so, Martyrs lye with Truth, where ere she is:
They will lye leuell with the Earth; nay, more,
In, or aboue it lye, or stand for this;
Hange, burne, or starue, all's one; they feele no sore:
Then when God throwes at all, with them, to win,
At eu'ry throw, he drawes some others in.
Abel he cannot be that is not taught
true patience by the malice of a Caine:
And happy he that like a Cole is caught
out of Afflictions fire with God to raigne
While he is bright, and glowes with Charitie:
for, whether to be white or red, in graine,
The Church were best, is vncouth to discry:
The Churches flowres the Rose nor Lilly want,
But both adorne, and make her triumphant.
true patience by the malice of a Caine:
And happy he that like a Cole is caught
out of Afflictions fire with God to raigne
While he is bright, and glowes with Charitie:
for, whether to be white or red, in graine,
The Church were best, is vncouth to discry:
The Churches flowres the Rose nor Lilly want,
But both adorne, and make her triumphant.
The martyr'd Body of our Lord and God
is the main Rock from whence his Saints are hewne:
For, from his flesh they rent are with the Rod;
and by the rentings of the Rod are knowne
To be true flesh of his torne Flesh, and so
to be his Types, by which him selfe is shewne
To Heathen-folke, that him desire to know:
“O! tis a glory past the height of FAME,
“To be like Christ in suffrings as in name.
is the main Rock from whence his Saints are hewne:
For, from his flesh they rent are with the Rod;
and by the rentings of the Rod are knowne
To be true flesh of his torne Flesh, and so
to be his Types, by which him selfe is shewne
To Heathen-folke, that him desire to know:
“O! tis a glory past the height of FAME,
“To be like Christ in suffrings as in name.
142
The antient Romaines vs'd, their force to trye,
t'incounter Beares and Lyons; and the Scarres
That came by sauage Tuskes, they valued hye;
and piercings of their Pawes so many Starres:
If in vaine-glory they such Dents endur'd;
what should we doe in Christ, our Captaines, Warres,
Be'ing of true glory, for our fight, assur'd?
We should (with Patience arm'd) encounter death;
And, for that gaine, with torment, lose our breath.
t'incounter Beares and Lyons; and the Scarres
That came by sauage Tuskes, they valued hye;
and piercings of their Pawes so many Starres:
If in vaine-glory they such Dents endur'd;
what should we doe in Christ, our Captaines, Warres,
Be'ing of true glory, for our fight, assur'd?
We should (with Patience arm'd) encounter death;
And, for that gaine, with torment, lose our breath.
Shall Saints feare Men, whom Angels ought to feare;
for, Saints shall iudge the Angels; and, the Fiend
Hath cause to feare them; for, they rule doe beare,
ouer his Legions; yea, his Forces rend:
The World should likewise feare them sith the Saints
shall, with heau'ns Vmpier, iudge it in the end;
Than hee that at his threates, or torments, faints
Can be no Saint; but must be Iudg'd of them
(A Coward) to foule shame, and paines extreame.
for, Saints shall iudge the Angels; and, the Fiend
Hath cause to feare them; for, they rule doe beare,
ouer his Legions; yea, his Forces rend:
The World should likewise feare them sith the Saints
shall, with heau'ns Vmpier, iudge it in the end;
Than hee that at his threates, or torments, faints
Can be no Saint; but must be Iudg'd of them
(A Coward) to foule shame, and paines extreame.
Elias must not feare, nor feare disguize,
to let the Mantle of his flesh to fall,
To flye in Coach, flame-wing'd, to Paradise:
Gedeon must breake his earthly Pots, sith all
Their Light's so seene to put his foes to flight:
Ioseph must leaue his Cloake, or else he shall
Be mou'd to wrong his Maister in his right:
“Life leads to Care; but, Death to Comfort leads:
“Then Death, in Syons cause, in Sion treads.
to let the Mantle of his flesh to fall,
To flye in Coach, flame-wing'd, to Paradise:
Gedeon must breake his earthly Pots, sith all
Their Light's so seene to put his foes to flight:
Ioseph must leaue his Cloake, or else he shall
Be mou'd to wrong his Maister in his right:
“Life leads to Care; but, Death to Comfort leads:
“Then Death, in Syons cause, in Sion treads.
[142]
At Sea, decayes the Sailer; in his Tent,
the ventrous Souldier; in the Court decayes
The vertuous Courtier; Iustice, in Iudgement;
true Faith, in Friendship; Skill, in Arts Assaies;
In Manners, Discipline: so, we, alone,
(that, dying, liue in these too nightly dayes)
Vnder the ruines of the World doe grone:
All is quite orderlesse; which doth portend
The World, with vs, is euen at an end.
the ventrous Souldier; in the Court decayes
The vertuous Courtier; Iustice, in Iudgement;
true Faith, in Friendship; Skill, in Arts Assaies;
In Manners, Discipline: so, we, alone,
(that, dying, liue in these too nightly dayes)
Vnder the ruines of the World doe grone:
All is quite orderlesse; which doth portend
The World, with vs, is euen at an end.
And ô what should I say, when Courage makes
the Cause nor good nor bad; for, Falshoods Friends
Haue dide in Errors cause, at flaming Stakes,
as stout as Martyrs in their constant ends?
Witnesse that Legate, sent from Pow'rs beneath,
who late in Smith-field, Error so defends,
That he out-fac'd Truth, men, flames, dread & death:
And Anabaptists there for Error stood,
As stout as those that, for truth, lost their bloud.
the Cause nor good nor bad; for, Falshoods Friends
Haue dide in Errors cause, at flaming Stakes,
as stout as Martyrs in their constant ends?
Witnesse that Legate, sent from Pow'rs beneath,
who late in Smith-field, Error so defends,
That he out-fac'd Truth, men, flames, dread & death:
And Anabaptists there for Error stood,
As stout as those that, for truth, lost their bloud.
But, Legate, though thou canst no answere yeeld,
yet let me question thee as many doe
Question the dead for Error which they held;
tell me, who gaue thy false Faith Courage too,
That thou for Error should'st so stoutly burne,
for Error that must needs thy Soule vndoe,
If, on the Coales from it, shee did not turne?
Can Sathan counterfet our God so nye
In's Gifts, that men, for him, should stoutly dye?
yet let me question thee as many doe
Question the dead for Error which they held;
tell me, who gaue thy false Faith Courage too,
That thou for Error should'st so stoutly burne,
for Error that must needs thy Soule vndoe,
If, on the Coales from it, shee did not turne?
Can Sathan counterfet our God so nye
In's Gifts, that men, for him, should stoutly dye?
143
But thou might'st answere; Faith, though false it be,
yet, if the Soule perswaded be it's true,
Vpon the Heart it worketh morrally,
as Faith doth, which to Heau'nly Truth is due:
This made the Priests of Baal their flesh to wound;
and many Indians sense of paine subdue;
Yea, burne with those, whose Faith, they hope, was sound:
Then not to suffer much; nor Constancy
Proues Error, Truth, which fire's too cold to trye.
yet, if the Soule perswaded be it's true,
Vpon the Heart it worketh morrally,
as Faith doth, which to Heau'nly Truth is due:
This made the Priests of Baal their flesh to wound;
and many Indians sense of paine subdue;
Yea, burne with those, whose Faith, they hope, was sound:
Then not to suffer much; nor Constancy
Proues Error, Truth, which fire's too cold to trye.
Then Truth must trye her selfe by Reas'n and Faith;
but, where Faith bids beleeue, Reas'n still must be
Obedient to beleeue what ere she saith;
though she say, Three are One, and One is Three:
A Maid's a Mother, that a Man had wiu'd:
true God, vnmade, made true Man, really:
And that the Dead shall rise, as here they liu'd:
All this, and more, of Faith, must Reas'n beleeue;
But God (the Fount of Reas'n) this Faith must giue.
but, where Faith bids beleeue, Reas'n still must be
Obedient to beleeue what ere she saith;
though she say, Three are One, and One is Three:
A Maid's a Mother, that a Man had wiu'd:
true God, vnmade, made true Man, really:
And that the Dead shall rise, as here they liu'd:
All this, and more, of Faith, must Reas'n beleeue;
But God (the Fount of Reas'n) this Faith must giue.
Death is the worst of Ils, yet best to those
that dye for Faith well tryde: and who they be
The Conscience of the Dyers neuer knowes,
if with the Rules of Faith they disagree:
Then God knowes who are his: and Men may know
that all are his, his freest Spirit doth free
From life, by death bee't violent quicke or slow:
A Saint as Man, may feare and faint in death,
As Christ did (dying) yer he yeelded Breath.
that dye for Faith well tryde: and who they be
The Conscience of the Dyers neuer knowes,
if with the Rules of Faith they disagree:
Then God knowes who are his: and Men may know
that all are his, his freest Spirit doth free
From life, by death bee't violent quicke or slow:
A Saint as Man, may feare and faint in death,
As Christ did (dying) yer he yeelded Breath.
[143]
Let this Cup passe, was Terrours proper voyce,
yet vtter'd by our Sauiours sacred Tongue:
Our flesh (he tooke) annoi'd, did make that noise,
fore-feeling it should be with Torments stunge.
My God, my God, why hast forsaken me?
vnto our Flesh intirely did belong;
Then may true Martyrs in Death drouping be
With sense of pain; but God, that gaue them strength
To stand to him, through him, preuailes at length.
yet vtter'd by our Sauiours sacred Tongue:
Our flesh (he tooke) annoi'd, did make that noise,
fore-feeling it should be with Torments stunge.
My God, my God, why hast forsaken me?
vnto our Flesh intirely did belong;
Then may true Martyrs in Death drouping be
With sense of pain; but God, that gaue them strength
To stand to him, through him, preuailes at length.
For, tis not hard when Gods soft comforts cheere
our Soule to suffer, torments to endure;
But when such fauours are turn'd all to feare,
and in distresse of Minde to hold vs sure
To God, and for him all annoyes to beare;
that is a Miracle perform'd by Grace,
Past Natures best performance; and is deere
Vnto the Doner; then, who doth the same
Goes straight to glory through Afflictions flame:
our Soule to suffer, torments to endure;
But when such fauours are turn'd all to feare,
and in distresse of Minde to hold vs sure
To God, and for him all annoyes to beare;
that is a Miracle perform'd by Grace,
Past Natures best performance; and is deere
Vnto the Doner; then, who doth the same
Goes straight to glory through Afflictions flame:
For, Works of Iustice we should rather doe
than those of Grace: now Iustice wils that we
In Truths defence should dye, with torment too,
though Grace, to vs, a stranger seeme to be:
“Obedience farre excelleth Sacrifice;
the first, is duty, in the high'st degree;
The other, in our Wils Deuotion lies;
Then courage in our Death is no true Signe
Of life else-where, without the Cause diuine.
than those of Grace: now Iustice wils that we
In Truths defence should dye, with torment too,
though Grace, to vs, a stranger seeme to be:
“Obedience farre excelleth Sacrifice;
the first, is duty, in the high'st degree;
The other, in our Wils Deuotion lies;
Then courage in our Death is no true Signe
Of life else-where, without the Cause diuine.
144
For, through Vaine-glory some in Death haue seem'd
as brauely resolute, as Saints haue bin:
Nay, oft the first haue beene the better deem'd
by outward-sight, that seeth nought within:
Leæna being but a Curtezan:
tyring her Tortures, though she dide for sinne,
Spat out her Tongue, that to accuse beganne:
And many more, of like sute, so haue dide:
Then, by braue dy'ing, plain Truth's not iustifide.
as brauely resolute, as Saints haue bin:
Nay, oft the first haue beene the better deem'd
by outward-sight, that seeth nought within:
Leæna being but a Curtezan:
tyring her Tortures, though she dide for sinne,
Spat out her Tongue, that to accuse beganne:
And many more, of like sute, so haue dide:
Then, by braue dy'ing, plain Truth's not iustifide.
But dye they how they can that dye for Truth,
they stoutly dye, sith they dye willingly;
But much more they that dye in sportfull youth;
& though Deaths ougliest face may daunt their eye
When they behold him; yet, if they endure
that feare, and paine, which after they must try,
They stoutly dye, though faint be all their pow'r;
Nay, more they doe, sith they so little can;
“Flesh is but mire, the Minde doth make the Man.
they stoutly dye, sith they dye willingly;
But much more they that dye in sportfull youth;
& though Deaths ougliest face may daunt their eye
When they behold him; yet, if they endure
that feare, and paine, which after they must try,
They stoutly dye, though faint be all their pow'r;
Nay, more they doe, sith they so little can;
“Flesh is but mire, the Minde doth make the Man.
But see what ends the Tyrants erst haue made,
that of Gods Saints made ceaselesse Butchery:
Nero, the chiefe, that first did them inuade,
in his owne bloud his murdring hands did dye,
And while he bled his last, he (crying) said;
Foulely I liu'd, and dye more filthily:
Thus, for his paines, in paining, he was paide:
Domitian, by his Seruants being slaine,
For doing like, the like reward did gaine.
that of Gods Saints made ceaselesse Butchery:
Nero, the chiefe, that first did them inuade,
in his owne bloud his murdring hands did dye,
And while he bled his last, he (crying) said;
Foulely I liu'd, and dye more filthily:
Thus, for his paines, in paining, he was paide:
Domitian, by his Seruants being slaine,
For doing like, the like reward did gaine.
[144]
Fell Maximinus, with his Sonnes, was brought
to selfe same issue: Decius, with his Frye,
Incurr'd the like: Valerianus, caught
by him that swaid the Persian Monarchy,
Was cag'd in Iron more fast then Lyons are,
who, in the end, being flaid, dide wretchedly;
But Dioclesian worst of all did fare:
For, he fell mad; so, made himselfe away,
While fire from Heau'n his House did leuell lay.
to selfe same issue: Decius, with his Frye,
Incurr'd the like: Valerianus, caught
by him that swaid the Persian Monarchy,
Was cag'd in Iron more fast then Lyons are,
who, in the end, being flaid, dide wretchedly;
But Dioclesian worst of all did fare:
For, he fell mad; so, made himselfe away,
While fire from Heau'n his House did leuell lay.
So of the like, in life, and their Degrees,
I' might count many dire and awfull deaths;
All dranke Gods vengeance Vials to the lees:
&, in their bloud o'erwhelm'd, they lost their breaths
For, God vnstings such angry Waspes and Bees,
sith each their Stings in Saints too often sheathes:
“God burnes his Rods when he hath paid his fees:
Yet Stings of spight, in th' Head of Pow'r, with wit,
Can sting the World to death, if Heau'n permit.
I' might count many dire and awfull deaths;
All dranke Gods vengeance Vials to the lees:
&, in their bloud o'erwhelm'd, they lost their breaths
For, God vnstings such angry Waspes and Bees,
sith each their Stings in Saints too often sheathes:
“God burnes his Rods when he hath paid his fees:
Yet Stings of spight, in th' Head of Pow'r, with wit,
Can sting the World to death, if Heau'n permit.
But howsoe'r th' Almighty throwes his Rods
into the fire, when he his Ire doth cease;
Yet, oft the scurged fall to greater ods
with Goodnesse, than before: The Churches peace
Makes her more loose then when shee's bound to fight
(vncessantly) with foes that her disease;
“For, they liue wrong that rest to much in Right,
“Mettall (though Siluer) resting long vnscowr'd,
“Will canker; or, with filth, be quite obscur'd.
into the fire, when he his Ire doth cease;
Yet, oft the scurged fall to greater ods
with Goodnesse, than before: The Churches peace
Makes her more loose then when shee's bound to fight
(vncessantly) with foes that her disease;
“For, they liue wrong that rest to much in Right,
“Mettall (though Siluer) resting long vnscowr'd,
“Will canker; or, with filth, be quite obscur'd.
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For (ah) this Witch (the World) with pleasing charmes
so lullabies our Sense in soft delights,
That though we be, vpon our guard, in armes,
yet we are taken in our Appetites;
And made to serue the Diuell, and our Flesh
in strictest Bondage; while their Parasits,
Sinne-soothing Pleasures, doe our Sense refresh,
To serue them with the more alacritie;
So, Glee lets Grace our Sense to mortifie.
so lullabies our Sense in soft delights,
That though we be, vpon our guard, in armes,
yet we are taken in our Appetites;
And made to serue the Diuell, and our Flesh
in strictest Bondage; while their Parasits,
Sinne-soothing Pleasures, doe our Sense refresh,
To serue them with the more alacritie;
So, Glee lets Grace our Sense to mortifie.
A Parable.
Wee' are like a Man chast by a raged Bull,
who in his flight into a Well doth fall;
And, in the fall (by chance) he lighteth full
vpon a Tree, that there growes in the Wall:
And, resting there, there sets his Soules delight:
but looking better on the place, withall,
He spies two Mice, one blacke, the other White,
Who still the Roote of this his rest doe gnaw,
And more and more asunder it doe saw.
who in his flight into a Well doth fall;
And, in the fall (by chance) he lighteth full
vpon a Tree, that there growes in the Wall:
And, resting there, there sets his Soules delight:
but looking better on the place, withall,
He spies two Mice, one blacke, the other White,
Who still the Roote of this his rest doe gnaw,
And more and more asunder it doe saw.
Then, vnderneath he lookes, and there espies
a gaping Dragon threatning to deuoure him:
And at his feete foure striuing Serpents rise;
yet, looking vp, he spies (what doth allure him;
And makes him deeme, he is from dangers free)
a little Honie (which he euer tryes)
Cleaues to a branch of that vntrusty Tree:
For which, these dangers he neglects; and still
That Hony sicks, yet ne'er can licke his fill.
a gaping Dragon threatning to deuoure him:
And at his feete foure striuing Serpents rise;
yet, looking vp, he spies (what doth allure him;
And makes him deeme, he is from dangers free)
a little Honie (which he euer tryes)
Cleaues to a branch of that vntrusty Tree:
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That Hony sicks, yet ne'er can licke his fill.
The Morall.
The Bull, is Death; the World, the Well; the Tree,
our time of life; the white Mowse and the blacke,
The Day and night: the striuing Adders be
the Elements, that striue vs still to wracke:
The Diuell, the Dragon: and, the Honie is
our whitest Pleasures, that are lin'd with blacke;
And, blacke within, for losse of Glories Blisse:
Who, therefore, would not deeme that man were mad
That in such dreadfull dangers can be glad?
our time of life; the white Mowse and the blacke,
The Day and night: the striuing Adders be
the Elements, that striue vs still to wracke:
The Diuell, the Dragon: and, the Honie is
our whitest Pleasures, that are lin'd with blacke;
And, blacke within, for losse of Glories Blisse:
Who, therefore, would not deeme that man were mad
That in such dreadfull dangers can be glad?
What comfort can we haue then, in a place
that's by the Prince of darknesse gouerned?
Where eu'ry thing is in a cursed case;
and, by Gods foes and good-mens, peoplëd:
Where Paines be rife, extreame, and infinite;
but Pleasures few, and false, fraile, dull, and dead,
Which, at the best, at least, doe vexe the sp'rit:
Where Plentie's full of perill; Want, of woes;
And (in a word) where all, that ill is, flowes.
that's by the Prince of darknesse gouerned?
Where eu'ry thing is in a cursed case;
and, by Gods foes and good-mens, peoplëd:
Where Paines be rife, extreame, and infinite;
but Pleasures few, and false, fraile, dull, and dead,
Which, at the best, at least, doe vexe the sp'rit:
Where Plentie's full of perill; Want, of woes;
And (in a word) where all, that ill is, flowes.
Then, cast we off these pleasures, that but cast
a mist before our Eyes, and mocke our Sense:
But let vs hugge those paines, and hold them fast,
that bring eternall ioyes for recompence:
Now, if this Potion worke not in sicke-mindes,
at point of death is their Intelligence;
Nay, Death the pow'r of all their forces bindes:
In few: Great things by greatest mindes are sought:
The small but seeke for shades, the shels of Nought.
a mist before our Eyes, and mocke our Sense:
But let vs hugge those paines, and hold them fast,
that bring eternall ioyes for recompence:
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at point of death is their Intelligence;
Nay, Death the pow'r of all their forces bindes:
In few: Great things by greatest mindes are sought:
The small but seeke for shades, the shels of Nought.
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