The Pilgrimes New-yeares-Gift or, Fourteene Steps to the Throne of Glory. By the 7. Corporeall and 7. Spirituall Acts of Charitie, and those made Parallels. By Ralph Crane |
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| Mercies seuen Acts Corporeall. |
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 | The Pilgrimes New-yeares-Gift |  |
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Mercies seuen Acts Corporeall.
Canto 1.
The Pilgrime first heares this,
by MERCY sweetly read
(And's will'd to write) how fit it is
to giue the hungry Bread.
by MERCY sweetly read
(And's will'd to write) how fit it is
to giue the hungry Bread.
Well may this Work ('mongst all true Christians blest)
Bee plac't as a fore-runner to the rest;
By night the Piller, and the Cloud by day,
By which all Mercies workes may finde their way:
For the sharpe sting of hunger to asswage,
Being an Affliction that feeles greatest rage,
Of-spring of Famine, that of plagues the third,
Cursed for sinne in the most sacred word,
By how much it appeares the bitterer griefe,
The fayrer Mercy shines in the reliefe.
Bee plac't as a fore-runner to the rest;
By night the Piller, and the Cloud by day,
By which all Mercies workes may finde their way:
For the sharpe sting of hunger to asswage,
Being an Affliction that feeles greatest rage,
Of-spring of Famine, that of plagues the third,
Cursed for sinne in the most sacred word,
By how much it appeares the bitterer griefe,
The fayrer Mercy shines in the reliefe.
Vnder this title Bread, comprized lies
All lawfull things Man needes or can deuise;
It is so great a Worke, a way so euen,
To draw on vs all plentious gifts from heauen,
That Christ himselfe in that in-ioyned prayer
He left (to keepe our Soules in good repaire)
Makes it a maine petition: thus 'tis read
Giue vs this day (ô Lord) our daily bread.
Daily, (marke that) which thus much doth imply
That we should daily vse this Charitie,
Not think't enough (and so no farther seeke)
If wee performe this duty once a weeke:
We looke from God that he should daily feed vs,
We then should daily helpe, those daily need vs.
It's call'd the Staffe of Bread; 'tis of such strengh
That it supports our liues to th' vtmost length.
Oh wretches then, that kill those wch might liue,
'Cause you refuse a little Bread to giue:
To deny Bread much neare th' example comes
Of the rich Glutton, that denide his Crums
To Lazarus: the Dogs that lick'd him then
(In Abrah'ms bosome now) against such men
At the last generall Doome) shall barke their sin,
That thus shuts Mercy out, let's Rigor in.
All lawfull things Man needes or can deuise;
It is so great a Worke, a way so euen,
To draw on vs all plentious gifts from heauen,
That Christ himselfe in that in-ioyned prayer
He left (to keepe our Soules in good repaire)
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Giue vs this day (ô Lord) our daily bread.
Daily, (marke that) which thus much doth imply
That we should daily vse this Charitie,
Not think't enough (and so no farther seeke)
If wee performe this duty once a weeke:
We looke from God that he should daily feed vs,
We then should daily helpe, those daily need vs.
It's call'd the Staffe of Bread; 'tis of such strengh
That it supports our liues to th' vtmost length.
Oh wretches then, that kill those wch might liue,
'Cause you refuse a little Bread to giue:
To deny Bread much neare th' example comes
Of the rich Glutton, that denide his Crums
To Lazarus: the Dogs that lick'd him then
(In Abrah'ms bosome now) against such men
At the last generall Doome) shall barke their sin,
That thus shuts Mercy out, let's Rigor in.
Then to giue Bread implyes Gods work in heauen
Since Christ (the Bread of life) was to vs giuen
When we had staru'd soules: Duty bindes vs then showne
To comfort the necessities of men:
And while w'haue time, this Charitie must be
Not leaue it to bee done (after w'are gone)
By the slow bounty of anothers aid
Who perhaps too (by thy example swaid)
Will part from nothing till his dying day,
So may thy Goodnesse be lost euery way,
And tost from ones trust to anothers care,
Till there be nothing to trust to, but Aire.
Christ is the Bread of life: Dole then at death
Is but dead Charitie: whil'st God giues breath
Be thou a Giuer to those that stand in need,
And with thine owne eye see the hungry feed;
Then on the next, thou canst not chuse but think
Feeding the staru'd, thou'lt giue the thirsty drinke.
So by one step of Mercy thou'lt ascend
To the full height of Goodnesse in the end
Climbing the Corporeall-workes there will appeare
Then, Iacobs Ladder (the Spirituall) cleere.
Since Christ (the Bread of life) was to vs giuen
When we had staru'd soules: Duty bindes vs then showne
To comfort the necessities of men:
And while w'haue time, this Charitie must be
Not leaue it to bee done (after w'are gone)
By the slow bounty of anothers aid
Who perhaps too (by thy example swaid)
Will part from nothing till his dying day,
So may thy Goodnesse be lost euery way,
And tost from ones trust to anothers care,
Till there be nothing to trust to, but Aire.
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Is but dead Charitie: whil'st God giues breath
Be thou a Giuer to those that stand in need,
And with thine owne eye see the hungry feed;
Then on the next, thou canst not chuse but think
Feeding the staru'd, thou'lt giue the thirsty drinke.
So by one step of Mercy thou'lt ascend
To the full height of Goodnesse in the end
Climbing the Corporeall-workes there will appeare
Then, Iacobs Ladder (the Spirituall) cleere.
Canto 2.
Here MERCY (heau'nly wight)
plac't by a Riuers brinke,
Relates what 'tis (so bids him write)
to giue the thirsty drinke.
Another raging Enemy, (like the first)
plac't by a Riuers brinke,
Relates what 'tis (so bids him write)
to giue the thirsty drinke.
Sets vpon man (afflicted) and that's Thirst,
Terror of Surfeits, and that Plague hath fell
Vpon full Bowles: witnesse that wretch in hell,
(Who shewes the torment best) when al his song
Was but for one poore drop to coole his tongue;
But Christ that fets reward to him that giues
But a poore Cup of water, and relieues
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Held it too deare for that rich Gluttons ease.
What Charity can be lesse, then to afford
A Cup of water yet with Christ thy Lord
It hath a rich acceptance: which shewes plaine
Mans poorest Almes are not bestow'd in vaine:
Marke but the blessings which are showr'd from heauē
On this (the feeblest bounty can be giuē)
The Lord shall satisfie thy soule, in drought,
Make fat thy bones, thy courage bold and stout,
And like a watred Garden thou shalt grow,
Nay like a spring, whose waters euer flow.
Thy Barne shall cracke with plenty (for the first)
For this, thy presses with new wine shall burst.
Here are two steps, if thou canst get so farre,
I know thou'lt cloath Need, when thou see'st it bare.
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Canto 3.
That 'tis a blessed thing
to Cloath the naked man,
MERCIE doth here diuinely sing,
(and wills him write it than.
He that vncouer'd the first Nakednesse
to Cloath the naked man,
MERCIE doth here diuinely sing,
(and wills him write it than.
Had the first Curse from Man: wch tongue did blesse
At the same instār, his two other sons
In whose Acts the first modest story runnes:
W'are taught by Gods Law we should not withhold
Our brothers Garment (his defence from cold,
And call'd his Couering) which instructs vs still
How well this worke is pleasing to Gods will,
To Cloath the Naked: To intice vs more
To this most seemely Mercy, to the poore;
The Lord himselfe the first example show'd
On our first Parents, whom he (naked) cloath'd.
Humanitie instructs vs to this care,
And Creatures that no name of reason beare:
That gentle Bird tender and kind to man
Seeing the barenesse of a Christian,
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Then sing a dirge vpon his Mossy brest
Who can so dull a Charity professe,
But will of all wants pitty Nakednesse;
If nothing stir him vp, this onely can
He see's his first-shame in an vn-cloath'd man.
That thought (I hope) wil raise him to this deed,
To which being mounted, he will still proceed,
And hauing got three Steps vp, he will see
In what distresse, and want poore Prisoners be.
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Canto 4.
The Pilgrime now writes downe
what MERCIE farther showes,
That mē may striue to gain a Crowne
by easing Prisoners woes.
The more the Charitable man proceeds,
what MERCIE farther showes,
That mē may striue to gain a Crowne
by easing Prisoners woes.
Flow greater Miseries, to meet his deedes;
If he looke now with Mercies melting eye
Into the Gaoles, where wretched Prisoners lye,
Foure Miseries ioyn'd in one, he there shall see,
Hunger, thirst, barenesse, and Captiuity:
He then that truely cleeres this combin'd-Griefe,
Fairely sets off, foure workes in one Reliefe,
This (amōgst all Afflictions) most extends
When man lyes lock't both from his Meanes and Friends
Sure from th' Infernall Lake 'twas first deriu'd,
For so lost soules lye of all Ioyes depriu'd,
Twas the most cruell Punishment indeed
That euer was deuis'd, to vex true Need:
To make Necessity more haplesse: want
More miserable: Scarcitie more scant;
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We'll bar all Means, & see what heauen will doe:
Such are the Mercilesse Creditors, that ioyne
Misery to want: as they doe blood to Coyne,
And deuowre widowes houses vnder colour
Of long lip-praying: (making the Plague fuller)
Let Prisons swallow needy soules no more,
But all rich Trust-breakers that make them Poore,
On this Iustice it self may boldly venture,
Cleere 'hem of True-men, that great theeues may enter
For now there is no roome: nor would it hold
To shut vp Sheepe and Goates both in one Fold.
If thou desir'st this wrong but to redresse,
I'll trust thy Pitty for the Harbourlesse.
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Canto 5.
MERCIE doth here explaine;
the Pilgrime here expresse
On them what Grace may raigne
that Harbour Harbourlesse.
This hospitable Mercy stands in need
the Pilgrime here expresse
On them what Grace may raigne
that Harbour Harbourlesse.
Of small incitement: It hath beene a deed
So gloriously requited, that none can
Deny that Succour to a Christian;
If he remember how the times of old
Haue beene rewarded, he will ne're grow cold:
For Truth proclaimes it (then to be belieu'd)
In Strangers shapes Angels haue beene receiu'd:
So Abrahams hospitality was blest:
And the like Charity in Lot expest,
Which past not vnrewarded, for next Morne,
From burning Sodom he was safely borne:
Not he alone, but all whom he call'd his
Which shewes of this great worke th' extentiue Blisse.
It ends not with the Father, but runnes on,
And spreads though many a Generation;
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Like Cherubs wings that the whole Altar couers:
Excluding none, but such whose willing fault
(In looking backe) are turn'd to Piller-salt.
This were enough (from all) this Worke t'extract
Seeing such Blessings purchas'd by the Act;
Say we receiue not Angels, we are sure
To entertaine Christ; (which is far more pure)
In his afflicted Members: this too we win,
Letting in Charity, we shut out Sin,
And this good more: if cheerfully thou impart
Thy House to Christ, hee'll come into thy heart,
Then putt'st thou on all workes of blessed kindes,
Thou'lt run to visite Those whom Sicknes bindes.
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Canto 6.
On Persons sick to 'stow
a Visitation kind,
What Good may come, MERCIE doth show,
and He to write's assigned.
The motiues that should most perswade dull mindes
a Visitation kind,
What Good may come, MERCIE doth show,
and He to write's assigned.
To offices of Mercy of all kindes,
Are to consider well, how like they looke
To all Gods workes (the Glasse, the sacred Booke;
Which shewes 'hem plainely to mans mortall eie,
That he might follow 'hem more effectually:
Here is a Mercie, (though it seeme a paine)
Which God begins to draw vs on againe;
The Sick to him, the Healthfull to the Sicke,
Both for his Glory, to keepe Mercy quicke:
We say of them which haue a Sicknesse on 'hem,
These words, Gods Visitation is vpon 'hem:
Shall not we visit whom he visits then?
What worke can be a Glory more to men
Then reuerently to second (yet most-free)
Gods Uisitation, with our Company?
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And the first Visitor, can this be griefe?
Or Shame or Danger? say the last it be,
Thy comfort is, the same God visites thee,
And when thy health's restor'd, more care thou'lt haue
Both of the Sick, and those that want a Graue.
Canto 7.
How God approues those giue
the Dead a timely Graue,
This Pilgrime both, & MERCIE striue
that you may knowledge haue.
the Dead a timely Graue,
This Pilgrime both, & MERCIE striue
that you may knowledge haue.
With this fit Care did Abraham first begin,
And bought a Field to bury his dead in:
And Ioseph was the first that honour gaue
To the Dead Corps: Embalm'd it for the Graue:
Nay God himselfe (which should moue most of al)
Gaue Moses, in a Ualley, Buriall:
More; mark the glorious promise of this truth,
No blessing beares a fairer Spring, or youth
In the most beautifull word: marke it agen
Let it be grauen on the hearts of men
Where ere thou findst the dead (haue this regard)
Take 'hem, and bury 'hem; And for Reward
Ile giue thee (in this gift comes all in one)
The first place in my resurrection.
Tobit amidst his Precepts to his Sonne
Gently warnes this (as needfull to be done)
VVhen I am dead, bury me: And next of all
(As if he scarce had spoke of buriall)
Bids the same Care he of his mother haue,
Whom when she dies, Seale vp in the same graue.
And bought a Field to bury his dead in:
And Ioseph was the first that honour gaue
To the Dead Corps: Embalm'd it for the Graue:
Nay God himselfe (which should moue most of al)
Gaue Moses, in a Ualley, Buriall:
More; mark the glorious promise of this truth,
No blessing beares a fairer Spring, or youth
In the most beautifull word: marke it agen
Let it be grauen on the hearts of men
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Take 'hem, and bury 'hem; And for Reward
Ile giue thee (in this gift comes all in one)
The first place in my resurrection.
Tobit amidst his Precepts to his Sonne
Gently warnes this (as needfull to be done)
VVhen I am dead, bury me: And next of all
(As if he scarce had spoke of buriall)
Bids the same Care he of his mother haue,
Whom when she dies, Seale vp in the same graue.
Thus when thou hast perform'd the last request
To the Corporeall workes, and Interr'd in rest:
VVith a cleare Conscience, and vntroubl'd heart,
Thou maist lay claime to the Spirituall part.
To the Corporeall workes, and Interr'd in rest:
VVith a cleare Conscience, and vntroubl'd heart,
Thou maist lay claime to the Spirituall part.
FINIS.
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[_]
The 7. Corporeall and 7. Spirituall made Parallels.
- To giue Bread to the hungry
- To giue Drinke to the thirsty
- To cloath the naked
- To Ransom Prisoners
- To Harbour the harbourlesse
- To Visit the Sick
- To Bury the Dead
Corporeall
- To Correct the Sinner.
- To Instruct the Ignorant.
- To Counsel the doubtful
- To Cōfort the sorrowful
- To beare wrongs patiētly
- To forgiue all men.
- To pray for others, euen our Enemies.
Spirituall.
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