 | Divine Songs and Meditacions |  |
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Meditacions
The first Meditacion.
The Morning is at hand, my Soule awake,
Rise from the sleep of dull security;
Now is the time, anon 'twill be to late,
Now hast thou golden opportunity
For to behold thy naturall estate
And to repent and be regenerate.
Rise from the sleep of dull security;
Now is the time, anon 'twill be to late,
Now hast thou golden opportunity
For to behold thy naturall estate
And to repent and be regenerate.
Delay no longer though the Flesh thee tell,
Tis time enough hereafter to repent,
Strive earnestly such mocions to expell,
Remember this thy courage to augment
The first fruits God requir'd for sacrifice,
The later he esteemed of no price.
Tis time enough hereafter to repent,
Strive earnestly such mocions to expell,
Remember this thy courage to augment
The first fruits God requir'd for sacrifice,
The later he esteemed of no price.
First let's behold our natural estate
How dangerous and damnable it is,
And thereupon grow to exceeding hate
With that which is the onely cause of this;
The which is Sin, yea Disobedience
Even that which was our first parents offence.
How dangerous and damnable it is,
And thereupon grow to exceeding hate
With that which is the onely cause of this;
The which is Sin, yea Disobedience
Even that which was our first parents offence.
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The reasonable Soule undoubtedly
Created was at first free from offence,
In Wisdom, Holinesse, and Purity,
It did resemble the Divine Essence,
Which being lost, the Soule of man became
Like to the Serpent, causer of the same.
Created was at first free from offence,
In Wisdom, Holinesse, and Purity,
It did resemble the Divine Essence,
Which being lost, the Soule of man became
Like to the Serpent, causer of the same.
The Understanding, Will, Affections cleare,
Each part of Soule and Body instantly
Losing their purity, corrupted were
Throughout as by a loathsom Leprocy
The rayes of Vertu were extinguisht quite
And Vice usurpeth rule with force and might.
Each part of Soule and Body instantly
Losing their purity, corrupted were
Throughout as by a loathsom Leprocy
The rayes of Vertu were extinguisht quite
And Vice usurpeth rule with force and might.
This sudden change from sanctitude to sin
Could but prognosticat a fearfull end,
Immediatly the dollout did begin,
The Curse that was pronounc'd none might defend,
Which Curse is in this life a part of some,
The fulnesse thereof in the life to come.
Could but prognosticat a fearfull end,
Immediatly the dollout did begin,
The Curse that was pronounc'd none might defend,
Which Curse is in this life a part of some,
The fulnesse thereof in the life to come.
The Curse that to the Body common is
The sence of Hunger, Thirst, of Sicknes, Pain:
The Soules Callamities exceedeth this,
A Tast of Hell, shee often doth sustain,
Rebukes of Conscience, threatning plagues for sin,
A world of Torments oft shee hath within.
The sence of Hunger, Thirst, of Sicknes, Pain:
The Soules Callamities exceedeth this,
A Tast of Hell, shee often doth sustain,
Rebukes of Conscience, threatning plagues for sin,
A world of Torments oft shee hath within.
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Unlesse the Conscience dead and feared be,
Then runs the soule in errors manifold,
Her danger deep shee can in no wise see,
And therefore unto every sin is bold,
The Conscience sleeps, the Soule is dead in sin,
Nere thinks of Hell untill shee comes therein.
Then runs the soule in errors manifold,
Her danger deep shee can in no wise see,
And therefore unto every sin is bold,
The Conscience sleeps, the Soule is dead in sin,
Nere thinks of Hell untill shee comes therein.
Thus is the Conscience of the Reprobate,
Either accusing unto desperacion,
Or elce benummed, cannot instigate
Nor put the Soule in mind of reformacion;
Both work for ill unto the castaway,
Though here they spent their time in mirth and play.
Either accusing unto desperacion,
Or elce benummed, cannot instigate
Nor put the Soule in mind of reformacion;
Both work for ill unto the castaway,
Though here they spent their time in mirth and play.
Yet can they have no sound contentment here,
In midst of laughter oft the heart is sad:
This world is full of woe & hellish feare
And yeelds forth nothing long to make us glad
As they that in the state of nature dy
Passe but from misery to misery.
In midst of laughter oft the heart is sad:
This world is full of woe & hellish feare
And yeelds forth nothing long to make us glad
As they that in the state of nature dy
Passe but from misery to misery.
Consider this my soule, yet not despaire,
To comfort thee again let this suffice,
There is a Well of grace, whereto repaire,
First wash away thy foul enormities
With teares proceeding from a contrite heart,
With thy beloved sins thou must depart.
To comfort thee again let this suffice,
There is a Well of grace, whereto repaire,
First wash away thy foul enormities
With teares proceeding from a contrite heart,
With thy beloved sins thou must depart.
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Inordinate affections, and thy Will,
And carnall wisdom, must thou mortify,
For why, they are corrupt, prophane and ill,
And prone to nothing but impiety,
Yet shalt thou not their nature quite deface,
Their ruines must renewed be by grace.
And carnall wisdom, must thou mortify,
For why, they are corrupt, prophane and ill,
And prone to nothing but impiety,
Yet shalt thou not their nature quite deface,
Their ruines must renewed be by grace.
If that thou canst unfainedly repent,
With hatred therunto thy sins confesse,
And not because thou fearest punishment
But that therby thou didst Gods Laws transgress
Resolving henceforth to be circumspect,
Desiring God to frame thy wayes direct.
With hatred therunto thy sins confesse,
And not because thou fearest punishment
But that therby thou didst Gods Laws transgress
Resolving henceforth to be circumspect,
Desiring God to frame thy wayes direct.
Each member of thy body thou dost guide,
Then exercise them in Gods service most
Let every part be throughly sanctifide
As a meer Temple for the Holy Ghost;
Sin must not in our mortall bodies raign
It must expelled be although with pain
Then exercise them in Gods service most
Let every part be throughly sanctifide
As a meer Temple for the Holy Ghost;
Sin must not in our mortall bodies raign
It must expelled be although with pain
Thou must not willingly one fin detain,
For so thou mayst debarred be of blis,
Grace with inniquity will not remain,
Twixt Christ and Belial no communion is,
Therefore be carefull every sin to fly,
And see thou persevere in piety.
For so thou mayst debarred be of blis,
Grace with inniquity will not remain,
Twixt Christ and Belial no communion is,
Therefore be carefull every sin to fly,
And see thou persevere in piety.
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So mayst thou be perswaded certainly,
The Curse shall in no wise endanger thee,
Although the body suffer misery
Yet from the second death thou shalt be free;
They that are called here to Holinesse
Are sure elected to eternall blisse.
The Curse shall in no wise endanger thee,
Although the body suffer misery
Yet from the second death thou shalt be free;
They that are called here to Holinesse
Are sure elected to eternall blisse.
A Taste of blessednesse here shalt thou say,
Thy Conscience shall be at Tranquility,
And in the Life to com thou shalt enjoy
The sweet fruicion of the Trinity,
Society with Saints then shalt thou have,
Which in this life thou didst so often crave.
Thy Conscience shall be at Tranquility,
And in the Life to com thou shalt enjoy
The sweet fruicion of the Trinity,
Society with Saints then shalt thou have,
Which in this life thou didst so often crave.
Let this then stir thee up to purity,
Newnesse of life, and speedy Conversion,
To Holinesse and to integrity,
Make conscience of impure thoughts unknown
Pray in the Spirit with sweet Contemplacion
Be vigilant for to avoid Temptacion.
Newnesse of life, and speedy Conversion,
To Holinesse and to integrity,
Make conscience of impure thoughts unknown
Pray in the Spirit with sweet Contemplacion
Be vigilant for to avoid Temptacion.
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The second Meditacion.
The Preamble.
Amid the Ocean of Adversity,
Neare whelmed in the Waves of sore Vexacion,
Tormented with the Floods of Misery,
And almost in the Gulfe of Despairacion,
Neare destitute of Comfort, full of Woes,
This was her Case that did the same compose:
Neare whelmed in the Waves of sore Vexacion,
Tormented with the Floods of Misery,
And almost in the Gulfe of Despairacion,
Neare destitute of Comfort, full of Woes,
This was her Case that did the same compose:
At length Jehovah by his power divine,
This great tempestious Storm did mittigate.
And cause the Son of Righteousnesse to shine
Upon his Child that seemed desolate,
Who was refreshed, and that immediatly,
And Sings as follows with alacrity.
This great tempestious Storm did mittigate.
And cause the Son of Righteousnesse to shine
Upon his Child that seemed desolate,
Who was refreshed, and that immediatly,
And Sings as follows with alacrity.
The storm of Anguish being over-blown,
To praise Gods mercies now I may have space,
For that I was not finally orethrown,
But was supported by his speciall grace;
The Firmament his glory doth declare,
Yet over all his works, his mercies are.
To praise Gods mercies now I may have space,
For that I was not finally orethrown,
But was supported by his speciall grace;
The Firmament his glory doth declare,
Yet over all his works, his mercies are.
The Contemplacion of his mercies sweet,
Hath ravished my Soule with such delight
Who to lament erst while was onely meet,
Doth now determine to put griefe to flight,
Being perswaded, hereupon doth rest,
Shee shall not be forsaken though distrest.
Hath ravished my Soule with such delight
Who to lament erst while was onely meet,
Doth now determine to put griefe to flight,
Being perswaded, hereupon doth rest,
Shee shall not be forsaken though distrest.
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Gods Favour toward me is hereby proved,
For that he hath not quite dejected me;
VVhy then, though [illeg.]les be not yet removed
Yet so seasoned with pacience they be,
As they excite me unto godlinesse,
The onely way to endlesse happinesse.
For that he hath not quite dejected me;
VVhy then, though [illeg.]les be not yet removed
Yet so seasoned with pacience they be,
As they excite me unto godlinesse,
The onely way to endlesse happinesse.
Wch earthly muckworms can in no wise know
Being of the Holy Spirit destitute,
They savour onely earthly things below;
Who shall with them of saving Grace dispute,
Shall find them capable of nothing lesse
Though Christianity they do professe.
Being of the Holy Spirit destitute,
They savour onely earthly things below;
Who shall with them of saving Grace dispute,
Shall find them capable of nothing lesse
Though Christianity they do professe.
Let Esaus porcion fall unto these men,
The Fatnesse of the Earth let them possesse
No other thing they can desire then,
Having no taste of Heavens happinesse,
They care not for Gods Countenance so bright,
Their Corn and Wine and Oyle is their delight.
The Fatnesse of the Earth let them possesse
No other thing they can desire then,
Having no taste of Heavens happinesse,
They care not for Gods Countenance so bright,
Their Corn and Wine and Oyle is their delight.
To compasse this and such like is their care,
But having past the period of their dayes,
Bereft of all but miseries they are,
Their sweet delight with mortall life decayes,
But godlinesse is certainly great gain,
Immortall blisse they have, who it retain.
But having past the period of their dayes,
Bereft of all but miseries they are,
Their sweet delight with mortall life decayes,
But godlinesse is certainly great gain,
Immortall blisse they have, who it retain.
They that are godly and regenerate,
Endu'd with saving Knowledg, Faith, and Love,
When they a future blisse premeditate,
It doth all bitter passion quite remove;
Though oft they feel the wine of outward things
Their heavenly meditacions, comfort brings.
Endu'd with saving Knowledg, Faith, and Love,
When they a future blisse premeditate,
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Though oft they feel the wine of outward things
Their heavenly meditacions, comfort brings.
They never can be quite disconsolate,
Because they have the onely Comforter
Which doth their minds alway illuminate,
And make them fleshly pleasures much abhorr,
For by their inward light they plainly see
How vain all transitory pleasures bee.
Because they have the onely Comforter
Which doth their minds alway illuminate,
And make them fleshly pleasures much abhorr,
For by their inward light they plainly see
How vain all transitory pleasures bee.
Moreover, if they be not only voyd
Of earthly pleasures and commodities,
But oftentimes be greivously an oyd
With sundry kinds of great Calammities,
Whether it be in Body, Goods, or Name,
With pacience they undergo the same.
Of earthly pleasures and commodities,
But oftentimes be greivously an oyd
With sundry kinds of great Calammities,
Whether it be in Body, Goods, or Name,
With pacience they undergo the same.
And why? because they know and be aware
That all things work together for the best,
To them that love the Lord and called are,
According to his purpose, therefore blest
Doubtlesse they be, his knowledg that obtain,
No Losse may countervail their blessed Gain.
That all things work together for the best,
To them that love the Lord and called are,
According to his purpose, therefore blest
Doubtlesse they be, his knowledg that obtain,
No Losse may countervail their blessed Gain.
Which makes them neither murmor nor repine
When God is pleasd with Crosses them to try,
who out of darknesse caused light to shine
Can raise them Comfort out of Misery
They know right well and therefore are content
To beare with pacience any Chastisment.
When God is pleasd with Crosses them to try,
who out of darknesse caused light to shine
Can raise them Comfort out of Misery
They know right well and therefore are content
To beare with pacience any Chastisment.
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This difference is betwixt the good and bad;
When as for sin the godly scourged are,
And godly Sorrow moves them to be sad,
These speeches or the like they will declare:
O will the Lord absent himselfe for ever?
Will he vouchsafe his mercy to me never?
When as for sin the godly scourged are,
And godly Sorrow moves them to be sad,
These speeches or the like they will declare:
O will the Lord absent himselfe for ever?
Will he vouchsafe his mercy to me never?
VVhat is the cause I am afflicted so?
The cause is evident I do perceive.
My Sins have drawn upon me all this woe,
The which I must confesse and also leave,
Then shall I mercy find undoubtedly,
And otherwise no true prosperity.
The cause is evident I do perceive.
My Sins have drawn upon me all this woe,
The which I must confesse and also leave,
Then shall I mercy find undoubtedly,
And otherwise no true prosperity.
Whilst sin hath rule in me, in vain I pray,
Or if my Soule inniquity affects,
If this be true, as tis, I boldly say,
The prayer of the wicked, God rejects;
If in my heart I wickednesse regard
How can I hope my prayer shall be heard.
Or if my Soule inniquity affects,
If this be true, as tis, I boldly say,
The prayer of the wicked, God rejects;
If in my heart I wickednesse regard
How can I hope my prayer shall be heard.
If I repent, here may I Comfort gather,
Though in my prayers there be weaknesse much
Christ siteth at the right hand of his Father
To intercede and make request for such,
Who have attained to sincerity,
Though somthing hindered by infirmity.
Though in my prayers there be weaknesse much
Christ siteth at the right hand of his Father
To intercede and make request for such,
Who have attained to sincerity,
Though somthing hindered by infirmity.
I will forthwith abandon and repent,
Not onely palpable inniquities,
But also all alowance or consent
To sinfull mocions or infirmities;
And when my heart and wayes reformed be,
God will with-hold nothing that's good from me
Not onely palpable inniquities,
But also all alowance or consent
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And when my heart and wayes reformed be,
God will with-hold nothing that's good from me
So may I with the Psalmist truly say,
Tis good for me that I have been afflicted,
Before I troubled was, I went astray,
But now to godlinesse I am adicted;
If in Gods Lawes I had not took delight,
I in my troubles should have perisht quite.
Tis good for me that I have been afflicted,
Before I troubled was, I went astray,
But now to godlinesse I am adicted;
If in Gods Lawes I had not took delight,
I in my troubles should have perisht quite.
Such gracious speeches usually proceed
From such a Spirit that is Sanctifide,
Who strives to know his own defects and need
And also seekes to have his wants supplide;
But certainly the wicked do not so
As do their speeches and distempers show.
From such a Spirit that is Sanctifide,
Who strives to know his own defects and need
And also seekes to have his wants supplide;
But certainly the wicked do not so
As do their speeches and distempers show.
At every crosse they murmor, vex and fret,
And in their passion often will they say,
How am I with Calamities beset!
I think they will mee utterly destray,
The cause hereof I can in no wise know
But that the Destinies will have it so
And in their passion often will they say,
How am I with Calamities beset!
I think they will mee utterly destray,
The cause hereof I can in no wise know
But that the Destinies will have it so
Unfortunate am I and quite forlorn,
Oh what disastrous Chance befalleth me!
Vnder some hurtfull Plannet I was born
That will (I think) my Confusion be,
And there are many wickeder then I
Who never knew the like adversity.
Oh what disastrous Chance befalleth me!
Vnder some hurtfull Plannet I was born
That will (I think) my Confusion be,
And there are many wickeder then I
Who never knew the like adversity.
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These words do breifly show a carnall mind
Polluted and corrupt with Ignorance,
Where godly Wisdom never yet hath shin'd
For that they talk of Destiny or Chance;
For if Gods Power never can abate,
He can dispose of that he did create
Polluted and corrupt with Ignorance,
Where godly Wisdom never yet hath shin'd
For that they talk of Destiny or Chance;
For if Gods Power never can abate,
He can dispose of that he did create
If God alone the True Almighty be
As we beleive, acknowledg, and confesse,
Then supream Governor likewise is he
Disposing all things, be they more or lesse;
The eyes of God in every place do see
The good and bad, and what their actions bee.
As we beleive, acknowledg, and confesse,
Then supream Governor likewise is he
Disposing all things, be they more or lesse;
The eyes of God in every place do see
The good and bad, and what their actions bee.
The thought hereof sufficeth to abate
My heavinesse in great'st extremity,
When Grace unto my Soul did intimate
That nothing comes by Chance or Destiny,
But that my God and Saviour knowes of all
That either hath or shall to me befall
My heavinesse in great'st extremity,
When Grace unto my Soul did intimate
That nothing comes by Chance or Destiny,
But that my God and Saviour knowes of all
That either hath or shall to me befall
VVho can his servants from all troubles free
And would I know my Crosses all prevent,
But that he knowes them to be good for me
Therefore I am resolv'd to be content,
For though I meet with many Contradictions
Yet Grace doth alwayes sweeten my Afflictions.
And would I know my Crosses all prevent,
But that he knowes them to be good for me
Therefore I am resolv'd to be content,
For though I meet with many Contradictions
Yet Grace doth alwayes sweeten my Afflictions.
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The third Meditacion.
Faint not my Soule, but wait thou on the Lord
Though he a while his answer may suspend,
Yet know (according to his blessed word)
He will vouchsafe refreshing in the end,
Yea though he seem for to withdraw his grace,
And doth not alwaies show his pleasing face.
Though he a while his answer may suspend,
Yet know (according to his blessed word)
He will vouchsafe refreshing in the end,
Yea though he seem for to withdraw his grace,
And doth not alwaies show his pleasing face.
As by the Sun though not still shining bright,
We do enjoy no small Commodity,
Whilst that the day is govern'd by his Light,
And other works of Nature testify
His wonderfull and rare Effects alwayes,
Though often vayled be his shining rayes.
We do enjoy no small Commodity,
Whilst that the day is govern'd by his Light,
And other works of Nature testify
His wonderfull and rare Effects alwayes,
Though often vayled be his shining rayes.
So it is no small mercy, though we see
Gods Countenance not alwaies shining bright,
That by the same our minds enlightned be,
And our affections guided by that Light,
And whilst the winter-fruits as it were we find
In Pacience, Sufferings, and Peace of mind.
Gods Countenance not alwaies shining bright,
That by the same our minds enlightned be,
And our affections guided by that Light,
And whilst the winter-fruits as it were we find
In Pacience, Sufferings, and Peace of mind.
Then let it not be told in Ashzelon,
Neither in Gath let it be published,
That those that seek the Lord and him alone
In my case should be discouraged,
Lest it rejoyce the wicked this to see,
Who think the wayes of grace unpleasant be.
Neither in Gath let it be published,
That those that seek the Lord and him alone
In my case should be discouraged,
Lest it rejoyce the wicked this to see,
Who think the wayes of grace unpleasant be.
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Where-as they are most pleasant, sweet, and fair
Yeilding delights which onely satisfy
Our minds, which else transported are with care
And restlesse wandrings continually,
But those that do no taste hereof attain
Seek rather for content in pleasures vain.
Yeilding delights which onely satisfy
Our minds, which else transported are with care
And restlesse wandrings continually,
But those that do no taste hereof attain
Seek rather for content in pleasures vain.
When Kain had lost the happy harmony,
He by a peace full Conscience might enjoy
His nephew [illeg.]uball then most skillfully
Invented Musick, thereby to convey
Unto the outward eare some melody,
But no true joy comes to the heart thereby.
He by a peace full Conscience might enjoy
His nephew [illeg.]uball then most skillfully
Invented Musick, thereby to convey
Unto the outward eare some melody,
But no true joy comes to the heart thereby.
For it is onely a Certificate
Brought by Gods Spirit from the Throne of Grace
That may delight the Soule Regenerate,
Which certifies her of her happy case,
That shee's already in a gracious state,
Which will in endlesse glory consummate.
Brought by Gods Spirit from the Throne of Grace
That may delight the Soule Regenerate,
Which certifies her of her happy case,
That shee's already in a gracious state,
Which will in endlesse glory consummate.
Again, the blessed Soule may take delight,
To think on Sions great prosperity,
In that the Gospell long hath shined bright,
Sustaining no Eclips by Heresy,
So that the meanes of knowledg is so free,
Gods Worship rightly may performed be.
To think on Sions great prosperity,
In that the Gospell long hath shined bright,
Sustaining no Eclips by Heresy,
So that the meanes of knowledg is so free,
Gods Worship rightly may performed be.
If then my Soule, the Lord thy Porcion be
Delight'st his Word and sacred Covenants
Wherby his Graces are conveyed to thee,
As Earnests of divine inheritance,
And which may cause tru comfort to abound
Thy Lot is fallen in a pleasant ground.
Delight'st his Word and sacred Covenants
Wherby his Graces are conveyed to thee,
As Earnests of divine inheritance,
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Thy Lot is fallen in a pleasant ground.
Then let not any trouble thee dismay
Seeing the Light of Grace to thee hath shone
The sable Weed of sadnesse lay away,
And put the Garment of salvacion on,
With chearfullnesse, Gods blessings entertain
Let not the object of my mirth be vain,
Seeing the Light of Grace to thee hath shone
The sable Weed of sadnesse lay away,
And put the Garment of salvacion on,
With chearfullnesse, Gods blessings entertain
Let not the object of my mirth be vain,
Which as a Cloud would stop the influence
Of that true Light that doth the Soule refine
And predisposeth it through lively sence
To that eternall brightnesse most divine;
Then cheifly to admit that joy, accord,
Which commeth by the Favour of the Lord.
Of that true Light that doth the Soule refine
And predisposeth it through lively sence
To that eternall brightnesse most divine;
Then cheifly to admit that joy, accord,
Which commeth by the Favour of the Lord.
God's Favour ever highly estimate,
As the prime motive of tru happinesse,
VVhereof, since that thou didst participate,
In Life or Death, feare no kind of distresse;
VVhen humane help shall sayl thee utterly
Then is Gods saving opportunity.
As the prime motive of tru happinesse,
VVhereof, since that thou didst participate,
In Life or Death, feare no kind of distresse;
VVhen humane help shall sayl thee utterly
Then is Gods saving opportunity.
Deadnesse of spirit that thou mayst avoyd,
The lively means of godlynesse embrace,
And cease not seeking though thou be delayd,
But wait till God do manifest his grace,
For thy deliverance, prefix no day,
But paciently the Lords due leisure stay.
The lively means of godlynesse embrace,
And cease not seeking though thou be delayd,
But wait till God do manifest his grace,
For thy deliverance, prefix no day,
But paciently the Lords due leisure stay.
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The fourth Meditacion.
Alas my Soule, oft have I sought thy Peace,But still I find the contrary encrease,
Thou being of a froward disposicion,
Perceivest not thy mercyfull Physician
Doth give thee forthy health these strong purgacions
So may we call out daily molestacions,
VVhich how to beare, that thou mayst understand
Take heed of two extreams under Gods hand,
The one is, too light takeing thy Distresse,
The other's, hopelesse Greife or Pensivenesse;
Between these two, observe with heedfull eye
A middle course or mediocrity;
Consider for the first, if one correct
His Child, who seemeth it to disrespect,
VVarding the blow or setting light therby,
How is he beat again deservedly;
So if that thou should'st seem to disregard,
The Chastisments of God, or seek to ward
The same by wayes or meanes impenitent,
How just shall God renew thy punishment:
If Physick for our Bodies health be tane,
VVe hinder not the working of the same,
Strong Physick if it purge not, putrifies,
And more augments then heales our malladies,
And as is sayd, our manifold Temptacions,
Are nothing but thy scouring Purgacions,
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Consected by so Skilfull a Physician
VVho will not have their bitternesse abated,
Till thy ill humors be evacuated;
Then loose it down for thy Humilliacion,
And hinder not its kindly Opperacion,
As thou mayst by untimely voyding it
By vain contentments, which thou mayst admit,
VVhich makes us drive repentant thoughts away,
And so put far from us the Evill day;
But that content which is by such meanes got
Is like cold water, tane in severs hot,
VVhich for the present, though it seem to ease,
Yet after it encreaseth the disease;
But thou dost rather unto Grief incline,
At Crosses therfore, subject to repine,
Supposing oft, thy present troubles are
Intolerable, and thy bane declare;
VVhilst thou for this, thy selfe dost maserate
Dispair unto thee doth intimate,
That none hath been afflicted like to thee,
Unparaleld thy visitacions bee;
The by-waies being thu, discovered,
Endeavour in the right way to be led,
With tru Repentance, hope of pardon joine,
Deny thy selfe, and trust for help divine,
Seek first with God in Christ to be at peace,
Who onely can thy Tribulacion cease,
For he that laid the Rod (affliction) on,
The power hath to pull it off alone;
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To see the Officers a discharg to get,
Till with his Creditor he doth agree
He cannot walk out of his danger free;
So vain are they, which think their course is sure,
When in the use of meanes they rest secure,
Whereas if God his blessing doth restrain
VVe by the creature can no help attain:
Though it hath pleased God out of his grace,
Naturall causes over things to place.
Yet keeps he to himselfe, (blest be his name)
The staffe and operacion of the same;
Then do not think my Soule to find redresse
By meanes of Freinds, or by self Skilfulnesse,
But rather all created helps deny,
Save as they serve for God to work thereby:
Now for as much as God is just alone,
Know, without cause he hath afflicted none,
Sith without doubt, his wayes so equall be,
For som great fault he thus correcteth thee,
Therfore to lowest thoughts thy self retire,
To seek the cause that moved God to ire.
Which when thou findest, whatsoere it be
As thy right hand or eye so dear to thee,
Resolve for ever to abandon it,
Be watchfull lest the same thou recommit,
Renew thy Covenant with God, and vow
In the remainder of thy dayes, that thou
Wilt walk before him with an upright heart
If for that end his grace be on thy part,
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In them thou find a disability,
Then look to Christ, who doth thy weaknesse veiw
And of compassion will thy strength renew,
From him alone thou mayst that grace derive
Which like a Cordial or Restorative,
Will strengthen and repair thy faculties,
Which else are dead to holy exercise,
Twill make thy Understanding apprehend
God as a Father, who in Love doth send
Correction to his Children when they stray,
When without check the wicked take their sway;
This grace once tasted, so affects the will,
As it forsaketh that which cannot fill;
The well of living waters, to frequent,
Can onely fill the Soule with tru content;
The memory it doth corroberate,
To keep a store, the Soule to animate,
Gods precious promises the treasures be,
Which memory reserves to comfort thee;
The over-flowings of this grace divine
To goodnesse the affections will encline,
Turning the hasty current of thy love
From things below, unto those things above,
Seeing it is the grace of Christ alone,
Which makes the Soule to be with God at one,
Endeavour for it, give thy selfe no rest,
Till feelingly thereof thou be possest.
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The fifth Meditacion.
Such is the force of each created thing,That it no solid happinesse can bring,
Which to out minds may give contentments sound
For like as Noahs Dove no succour found,
Till shee return'd to him that sent her out,
Just so the Soule in vain may seek about,
For rest or satisfaction any where,
Save in his presence, who hath sent her here.
Gods omnipresence I do not deny,
Yet to the Faithfull he doth spec'ally,
Alone his gracious presence evidence,
VVho seeing all true blessings flow from thence,
Are troubled onely when he hides his Face,
Desiring still to apprehend his Grace,
This Grace of God is taken diversly
And first it doth his Favour signify,
That independent Love of his so free,
Which mov'd him to his mercyfull Decree,
His Merum beneplacitum it is
That's motive of all good conferd on his:
The fruits of this his Love or Favour deare,
Are likewise called Graces every where,
Election and Redempcion, graces are,
And these his Favour cheifly do declare.
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Which do the new Creac'on manifest,
Now these are counted Grace habituall.
And lastly, this the Grace of God we call,
His actuall Assistance on our side,
VVherby we overcome when we are tride;
How ever then the word is understood
Grace is the cheif desirable good.
Tis Summum bonum; is it so? for why?
Because without it no Prosperity,
Or earthly Honours, in the high'st degree,
Can make one truly happy sayd to be,
For as we might their miseries condole
Who should inhabit neare the Northern-Pole,
Though Moon & Stars may there apear most bright
Yet while the Sun is absent, still tis night,
And therfore barren, cold, and comfortlesse,
Vnfit for humane creatures to possesse:
More fruitlesse, empty comfort is the Mind,
Who finds the Sun of Righteousnesse declind.
Yea, though all earthly glories should unite
Their pomp and splendor, to give such delight,
Yet could they no more sound contentment bring
Then Star-light can make grasse or flowers spring;
But in that happy Soule that apprehends
His Loving kindnesse, (which the Life transcends)
There is no lack of any thing that may
Felicity or tru delight convey;
As whilst the Sun is in our Hemisphere,
We find no want of Moon nor Star-light cleare,
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Happines, there is no need of borrow'd joyes,
For where he is who made all things of nought,
There by his presence still fresh joyes are wrought
Nor need he help to make a happy one,
Sith all perfection is in him alone,
Grant then his Grace is most to be desir'd
And nothing else to be so much requir'd;
But here a carnall crew are to be blam'd,
By whom the Grace of God so much is nam'd
Who are experienc'd in nothing lesse
As do their course and practises expresse,
For though they say the Grace of God's worth all
Yet will they hazzard is for Trifles small,
Hereof they'll put you out of all suspicion
VVhen Gods Grace coms with mens in competicion
For holy duties lightly such neglects,
Whereby Gods Love is felt with its effects,
The favour of a mortall man to gain
Though but a shew thereof he do attain,
And that perhaps for some employment base
VVhich one cannot perform and keep tru Grace,
Therefore tis probable, how ere they prate,
Gods Grace they value at too low a rate
For to be purchast by them, sith they leave
Their hold of it, a shaddow to receave;
But they that do in truth of heart professe
That they have found this Pearle of Blessednesse
Will not adventure it for any thing,
Whatever good it promiseth to bring,
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Of earthly pleasures greatest confluence,
Cannot procure that sweet blissefull peace
Which from Gods Favour ever takes encrease;
Yet many times it comes to passe we see,
That those who have tru grace so senslesse be
Of it, that they in seasons of distresse,
Abundance of impacience do expresse,
But tis their sin, and brings an ill report
Upon their cheifest Comfort, Strength, and Fort;
Such therefore should endeavour paciently,
To beare whatever crosse upon them ly,
And that by strength of this consideracion
That they have need of this theyr tribulacion
It may be to mind them of some offence
Which they committed have (perhaps) long since
Yet they remaine unhumbled for it,
Or elce (may be) some Duty they omit,
In which remissive course they will remain,
Till with a Rod they be brought home again;
Or if they would consider how they prove
The Lords great Pacience towards them and Love
In wayting for theyr turning to his wayes,
They would not think so greivous of delayes,
Of restitucion to that solace sound,
VVhich in the sence of Grace is ever found,
VVhich whoso will in Heart and Life preserve,
These following directions must observe;
The first is, to purge out inniquities
VVith all that might offend Gods puer eyes,
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Of God, and that which he doth best approve;
Humility must likewise have a place
In them that will be sure of tru Grace,
Then there must be sincear Obedience
To all Jehovah's just Commandements,
For God will manifest himself to those,
Who by Obedience, Love to him disclose.
Now lastly, that which fits one to embrace
The sence of God's exceeding Love and Grace
Is skilfulnesse in that most blessed Art
Of walking with the Lord with upright heart,
That is to manage all things heedfully,
As in the veiw of Gods omniscient eye,
And so, by consequence, by Faith to joyne
In union with the Trinity divine;
This is the very life of happynesse,
Which one may feel far better then expresse:
But lest whilst being wrapt above my sphere,
With sweetnesse of the Theame, I should appeare
Quite to forget the nature of a Song,
And to some this might seem over-long,
My thoughts theyr workings, speedily suspends,
And at this time my Meditacion ends.
Finis.
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