University of Virginia Library

The Authors Induction.

Man of polluted lips, dar'st thou aspire
So great a Worke? call for Cælestiall Fire,
Invoke some Holy hand to guide thy Pen,
Some Circumcized heart to teach thee: when
Thou but conceiu'st a Verse, set'st down a line,
Sigh for thy state: weepe for those sins of thine,
(Those Actuall-ones) that Iustice haue call'd down
And caus'd th' Almighty with an angry frowne
Fright Blessednesse from thee: making thy life
A Vale of Miserie, a Den of Strife,
Scarce suffering thee in almost seuentie yeares
See ought but dangers, mischiefes, debts, & feares.
Laying on thy soule such heauynesse, such woe,
As but his Mercy helpe thee, thou must goe
(And speedily) vnto a Graue forlorne,
With Iob complayning thou wert euer borne.
Oh my deiected spirit, rowse thy selfe,
Be not with Care (as worldlings are with pelfe)
Wholy benum'd: thy God (benigne & good)
Knows, eu'n for Thee, thy Sauiour shed his blood;
Be thou but penitent, and he will smile;
Wash thee with Teares, & he with sacred Oyle
Will cheere thy looks, & thou shalt cleerly see
The louing kindnesse he intends to thee.
The Scales are falne already: I behold
Diuine Infusion: (happy man) am told
That his great Prouidence (neuer-forsaking)
Did first excite thee to this vnder-taking:
He bids thee write: rely on him, and send
Thy prayers vp, and he will fairely end
This thy designe, and thou shalt comfort finde
Both for thy trauail'd life, and troubled minde.
Led by this Fierie-Conduct, this darke night,
Lo thus I wander (hopefull Israelite.)
Beginning with mine owne liues-storied-truth,
Which (now & in my graue) may purchase ruth
To see the dāgerous spurns the world hath giuē me
And strange aduētures wherto Time hath driuē me,
In which, this Comfort to my selfe I'll make
I neuer yet dishonest course did take;
No Sirens voyce could euer me betray
To th' hands of Iustice by a shamefull way:
Oh no, let Enuy speake her worst (in hate)
Shee can but say, I was vnfortunate.
But to my story (whence I haue declin'd)
Thus put I forth to Sea, heauen send faire winde.
The Citie had my birth: My Father free

Marchan-taylors

Of a much fam'd and Royall Company,
With good esteeme bore Offices of worth.
My Education past; I then went forth,
And tride the Ayre of diuers noble Counties,
There tasted some free fauors, gen'rous Bounties,
Yet could not find there (as th' euent exprest)
Sufficient grounding for my foote to rest,
With Noah's first Doue (after much flight, much paine)
Vnto my Arke, (my Natiue home againe)
I backe return'd; but could not bring with me
The Oliue-leafe of faire Tranquilitie.
Much variation I haue had since then,
With one blest gift (a ready writers pen)
The vse whereof (without vaine glory told)
Is not extinguish't yet (though I am old)
'Tis not extinct indeed: But yet (alas)
It's a cas'd Instrument, no sound it has:
Time hath worne out (with Teares I strike this straine)
Beliefe of what I can: now young ones raigne,
Whil'st I (too old to cry about the street
Worke for a Writer) no Imployment meet,
But all dismayed, and dis-ioyfull sit
As one had neither Pen, nor Hand, nor Wit:
Or as Ierusalems sad famish'd Mother,
Feed on mine owne begotten flesh; (no other)
Quite lost; vnlesse (in this) Speed meet Desire,
And hap doe answere hope. But I retire
To shew the Protean-changes, and the Chances,
My life hath touch'd at: as an Arrow glances,
And slides from ground to ground, yet neuer hits
The aymed Marke; so my vncertaine fits
Obserue with patience, 'twill not hurt at all:
(Experience is a doctrine medinall.
First was I seuen yeares-seruant, painfull Clarke,
Vnto a

Sr. Auth. Ashley.

Clarke o'th Counsell; & did marke
Within the cōpasse of those hopeful yeers
The Goodnesse, and Nobility o'th Peeres;
Those Reuerend Lords, those Councellors of State
Vpon whose Vertues I must meditate
While I haue breath: and in my soule adore
These great Succeeders of those gone before:
Heauen fix thē in their Seates: long stand they thus
Like sheltring Cedars on Mount Lebanus:
Their Counsels blesse: al their decrees reuown thē;
Their Soueraigns honor here: There Glory crown them.
Goe on my Zeale, & praise, while thou art able
Each gracious Second of that honour'd Table:

Clerkes of the Counsel

And as a thankfull Riuer that doth send
His Tribute to the Ocean, I commend
One speciall sacrifice (with heart sincere)
Vnto his worth, whom I call'd Master here:
May his In-vrned Bones in quiet rest
Till the last sounding Trumpe, and then rise blest:
That (haplesse) thence I slipt (wanting firme hold)
I sadly sigh the fate; but leau't vntold:
Onely thus much (that no aspersion bide
Vpon my front) I did no talent hide.
The Signet and the Priuy Seale was next
Those deare Collegues, that giue me for my text
A field of honour, and shall be my Song
While Fame a Trumpet hath, or I a tongue:
The Gentlenesse which there I did possesse
Did make their goodnesse more, my sorrowes lesse:
But those sweet after-drops of comfort I
Sometimes receiu'd from thence, are now growne dry:
Those Conduit-pipes, that did my thirst allay
Are frozen vp: and now in the highway,
(Poore Trauellor) wounded, and rob'd I lye,
Vntill some good Samaritan come by,
And with the Wine, and Oyle of Ioy agin
Set me on Horsback, helpe me to some Inne.
To th' Tribe of Leuy, (heau'ns chiefe Miracles)
I haue done seruice; writ their Oracles,
Which so Diuine Instinction doth infuse,
For their bles'd sakes Ile make my soule their Muse
And pray with the best power, my Zeale affords
All happy Gifts to crowne their sacred words;
The Holy Ghost, (in Clouen tongues, and Fire)
Descend on them, when they good things desire.
But most of all doth my laborious hand
'Mongst the renown'd and learned Lawyers stand
A Monument; each Office and each Court
Vouchsafeing me such matter of report,
That if my voice to th' vtmost world could stretch
Euen thither should their Fames, & honors reach.
And some imployment hath my vsefull Pen,
Had 'mongst those ciuill well-deseruing Men,
That grace the Stage with honour and delight,
Of whose true honesties I much could write
But will compris't (as in a Caske of Gold)
Vnder the Kingly-seruice they doe hold.
Lo this hath beene the Sceane
that my poore life hath plaid,
Happy in nothing but the Meane,
whereby I ne're betray'd
To Fortunes fickle Chance
my Liberty and Name,
For whom she neuer did aduance
can neuer loose a Fame.
Had I (like others) sought
the top of any hill
When she a Mischiefe would haue wrought,
s'had had me at her will:
But lying on the ground,
and could now lower fall,
I safely view'd the world a-round,
and made some vse of all.
And this I finde to be
a ready way to Rest:
What others doe, to heare, and see
but still to say the best:
Nor can I think't a sinne
to haue this Tenet got,
To vse the world and all therein
as though I vs'd it not.
But should there be a harsh obiection cast,
Who hauing tride so many wayes, and past
So many places: all or none of these
Could me establish; oh let them but please
To note what I haue heard some Merchants say,
That what they'haue got on land, they'ue lost at sea,
'Twill stop the current of that crook't cōceit
And light vnto Constructions far more streight;
For so (God knowes) haue I by Stormes and Floods
Of Time, and sicknesse lost my Land got Goods.
And for a Confirmation of the rest;
One Argument how Time hath me opprest,
And how th' Almighty (in his fixt decree)
Hath pleas'd to lay his Tryalls vpon me,
Lend patient Eare: a sad Relation 'tis
A most disconsolate Parenthesis.
Yet of those Soules from Pittie not exempt
Excuse may purchase, for this bold attempt,
And good Appliance too: Thinke of that yeare,
(In Marble hearts too soone forgot, I feare;
In those that haue Compassion, and Remorse
It needs must sticke an euerlasting force:)
That Pestilentiall yeare; that heauy Time,
(A Parallel to that, which (for his Crime)
Dauid selected, when he chose to lie
Vnder Gods hand, and not Mans Tyrannie)
Wherein depopulating sicknesse, want,
And famine, (Ram-like) did their Forces plant
To batter and lay leuell with the ground
This City (glorious famous and renown'd)
(For whom my selfe had cause ('fore many other)
Much to lament, (because she was my Mother)
And for whose sake (with Ionathans swift Boy)
To serue her I would run with eager Ioy:
She was my Nurse; but (which was worst of all)
Shee (in my cradle) gaue me such a fall,
That howsoeuer yeares might heale the same,
Yet (with Mephibosheth) I still goe lame.
This holy Place, for which the Iewes would mourne
As for Ierusalem, (besieg'd, forlorne)
This beauteous Temple, for which Dauid must
Needes weepe, to see her honour in the dust:
From whence no Child of hers (if they had power)
But fled (vnkindly) lest she should deuoure
(As Myriam did) the Fruit of her owne wombe,
And so be both their chamber, and their Tombe,
Onely some Pillars stood to keepe it vp,
(The City Pretors:) Of this bitter Cup
They ventur'd drinking: honour'd be their worth,
That then so good examples did bring forth:
But for those silly Soules, that staid behind
(Either for loue, or need) they could not find
(Like Noah's Doue) a place to rest their feet,
But crept from lane to lane, from street to street;
where naught was seen, felt, tasted, toucht or heard
But Coffins, pits, Bels-knowling, things prepar'd,
To drag Poore wretches, (dog-like) to the earth,
And that sometimes, ere consummating death
Had fully taken on them his possession,
Such was the fearefull hast, such the expression
Of Horrors shape: such griefe, such Tragick sights,
The Sufferer feeles, and the Spectator frights;
For one man to another was a Caine,
No sooner met, but fearing to be slaine
By him they met: take East, West, North, or South,
No wind that blew, but blew death in their mouth;
Vntill the bitter raging of that Stound
Had laid most vnder; left but few 'boue ground:
Thus, thus she was, ô thus (like Iob) she sate
A patient-bearer of a ruin'd state:
In Sorrow, Fasting, Sack-cloth, Ashes she,
Shewes as her elder sister Niniue:
Nor shop nor house, naught open, but her Eyes,
And those but ope to see her Miseries:
Nothing was gratious in her at this time,
But that she had the Grace to know her Crime,
And with repentant Marie, wash in Teares
Her Sauiours feet, and wipe them with her haires:
Eu'n thus she was: Thus (like Iosephus) I
Partooke of her distresses heauily:
And though a heauenly Titus kept mee free,
And (with Tobias Angell) guarded me,
So that I neither had the sores, nor dyde,
(For which my sacrifice of Thankes shall bide
A Monument eternall:) yet (alas)
I from her Markes not so exempted was,
(Her Markes of Penury, Expence, and Woes)
Of Debts, engagements, all heart-breaking throes;
But that I still about me beare the signe,
And still shall doe, till by some Power Diuine,
(As this of yours) I from the same be cleer'd,
My heart reuiued, and my soule re-cheer'd.
So deepe: so deepe did then that Iron enter
Into my Soule and so with sorrow rent her,
That had I then expir'd, I scarce had found
A friendly hand to lay me in the ground
With decency: no (which I much desir'd)
there was not one that could (for loue) be hir'd
T'haue but en-sculp't vpon a peece of stone
This simple Epitaph which I alone
Before-hand for my selfe, had thus compos'd,
And yet affect to haue it so dispos'd,
That some remembrance may remaine of me
By this my Swan-like, dying Elegie.
Behold a wonder (Friend) oh stay and read,
and make this spectacle thy President,
Here buried lies a Man, that is not dead,
Deaths dart was tipt with life: death then repent
And cease to vaunt: Thou hast not made him bow,
For (he thankes God) he neuer liu'd till now.
Though City, Countrie, Court, Church, law & stage
I haue pass'd thorough in my Pilgrimage,
Yet here I stand Fortunes Anatomie,
A spectacle of Times Inconstancy:
And what's to come (to keepe me from despaire)
Must rise from you (great Obiects of my prayer)
In you it rests to fit me (now so poore)
To giue you Offrings oft, (but thus no more)
Nor shall I more Egyptian bondage see,
But by your Grace and Loue enfranchiz'd be:
For in each Place (whereof I made report)
I some haue seene, of each degree, each sort,
Of each sexe too, (for eu'n my willing duties
Reflected haue vpon some Female beauties)
To whom my soule hath vow'd such deare affection,
I shall not giue it ample satisfaction,
If deaths darke night, my sight-depriued Eyes,
A shaking hand, or ought else should arise
Ere I had consecrated with my Name
Some liuing Glory to their lasting Fame.
And 'mongst all those, whō I haue thus obseru'd
You stand in a chiefe place, and are thus seru'd:
True worth will ne're esteem't a wandring shift
For a poore man in a poore New-yeares gift
To tender his hearts zeale, but tak't aright
As Christ accepted the poore widowes Mite:
Nor from true wisedome doth it disagree
To light the smallest Lampe heauen giues to mee
With this induement more: the time is free,
Now Custome speakes for Liberalitie:
Now Trumpets, and Musitians (sounds of Ayre)
Are welcom'd nobly: (Mine mounts heauens high Chaire)
True Noblenesse is now so publike shown
'Twill entertaine those vtterly vnknowne.
Nor will't (I hope) abortiue proue, or brittle
Though it should come posthumately a little:
Twas not my wills, but hasty times preuention,
And some disasters hindred my intention:
Once in a yeare sanctum sanctorum stood
Open to th' Priest: Oh be you then so good
Now once for all your holy holiest heart
Set open wide, whil'st I (in Priest-like part)
Attend your Offrings: Of the Lepers ten
Ile proue the tenth, and humbly come agen
And pay my vow; yea, in a way more knowne
Giue double honour, to your Vertues showne:
The world shall (publique) see Ile not omit
The meanest Benefactor fauors it:
Which done, with joy Ile sing, and sweet alacritie,
Inueni portum, spes & fortuna valete.
Then my Herculean Pillers I will fixe,
And (with Non vltra) all your honours mixe:
But till my strength reach that intendiment
I here addresse me to my first intent,
Perplexed Muse, this thy Oblation done,
All vn-abasht, (as I doe thee command)
With this one farther Errand, goe thou on:
Say to his worth now holds thee in his hand,
This is my Vltimum Refugium, and
My Vale vltimum: For (Lo:) I stand
Like one that at our English Lotteries
Hath ventur'd all he hath: (Goods, hope and land)
And drawing blank, he straight sinks down & dies
But happing on a Lot, he loudly sounds a Prize.
Say to them all, and to each seuerall man
(Be he or Peere, Noble or Gentle Spirit
Thou hast not yet (in This) done all thou can,
(Nor all thou wilt:) for to the glorious Merit
Of such, whose Entertainment shall prefer it,
Thou (in a free-borne Taske) thy Pen will strip
To recordate their worth: oh none deter it;
Lest Fame should plucke her Trūpet from her lip,
When his Memoriall comes, & his fair name 'oreslip.
Should any one (as some vnkindly did,
When that well meaning woman (to aduance
Her pious heart) did on her Master rid
Her rich, and bounteons Box of Oyntment, chance
T'vpbraid your good Intent: I'le thus aduance
Your Glory in't: You here your hands did ope
To Bury me: and (in your Remembrance)
I'll call't no more my Project, or my Scope,
But heau'ns fulfilled will, and my accomplish't hope.
Our Sauiour, nor of Persons, nor of Place
Was e're Respector knowne (so is it writ)
To learne of him, you'll hold it no disgrace.
Then to your free considerings I commit
(And heauens disposure (the successe of it:
Beseeching pardon for my Errors blames
Not Marshalling, or missing Titles fit:
I onely ayme to memorize your Fames.
But want experiēce how to heraldize your names.
Once more in your conceiuings (gracious) frame
A Pilgrimes habit, lookes, and Pilgrimes pace,
Bound to Iehouah's Court: Ere there he came
Tobias Angell (to refresh his case)
Conducts him to a bounteous Ladies place,
Seated vpon a Rocke: she (Mercy height)
With pardons, Almes-deeds, and like workes of Grace
Had al her Rooms hung round: he praies this wight
That she wil him instruct; she bids him thus to write.

Mercies seuen Acts Corporeall.

Canto 1.

Canto 2.

Another raging Enemy, (like the first)
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
His Christian-Brothers want, his thirst t'appease,
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)

Esay 5. 8.11

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.

Connexio.

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.

Canto 3.

He that vncouer'd the first Nakednesse

Gen. 9, 21, 22, 23, 24, &c.

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.

Gen. 3. 21.

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,
Will couer him o're with leaffes, before it rest,
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

Gen. 3. 10.

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.

Canto 4.

The more the Charitable man proceeds,
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;
As who should say we'll inuent Plagues a new,
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,

Luk. 20. 47

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.

Canto 5.

This hospitable Mercy stands in need
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:

Heb. 13. 2. Gen. 18. 2, 3, &c. Gen. 19. 2, 3.

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;
Protectiuely ouer them all it houers
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.

Canto 6.

The motiues that should most perswade dull mindes
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?
To be a Uisitant there where God is chiefe,
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.

Mercies seuen Acts Spirituall.

Canto 1.

Canto 2.

To giue the Thirstie Drinke the second Act
Of Mercie corporeall is this Mercies Tract:
For what is Ignorance, but the fearefull Thurst
And drought of knowledg: In Gods wrath oft curst,
Swearing, the Erring, and Idolatrous Brest

Psal. 95. 10. 11.

Should neuer enter into his faire Rest.
In warrs of Ignorance, they are said to liue,

Wisd. 14. 21

And fire & thirst are the fair'st fruites warrs giue
I giue you Milke to Drink (saith Paul) not Meat

1 Cor. 3. 2.

Which shewes the faintnes of an Ignorant heat:
God calls the Glory of the Ignorant, Drought:

Isa. 5. 13.

And like Men famish'd, their Lifes Ioyes goe-out
Instruction (like a Riuer) then let in
Waters the Soule, that lay eu'n parch'd with Sin:
And marke their glorious Reward that do't
They that to right waies turne the Wanderers foot

Dan. 12. 3.

Themselues (like fixed Starres who erring neuer)
Shall in th' Eternall Kingdome shine for euer.
'Twas the Command Christ his Disciples gaue

Mat. 28. 19.

Goe teach all Nations (willing all to saue)
And (what makes perfect his Cōmand) Baptize,
That in their Soules a heau'nly Spring might rise;
Then to Instruct the Ignorant, is to giue
Spirituall Drinke, by which the Soule may Liue:
when Food & Drink's giuen: diuine Charitie saith
Counsell the doubtfull: Cloath the bare in faith

Canto 3.

To cloath the Naked: (the third Step to grace)
With this Spirituall worke, may ranke in place
There's Nakednes in Soule (which is in Man
The greatest want) when Christ is not put-on:
His sufferings his Righteousnesse, his Merits
Which are the vestments that adorne meeke spirits
Those Soules are deck't with Graces, & shine most
Set with the Counsells of the holy Ghost:
Then to be Doubtfull, and of hard beliefe
Is miserable Nakednes: a griefe
Which most needs Counsel, & best powre of man,
Since it first prou'd the Iewes Reiection;

Rom. 11. 20 Mat. 22. 11

Faith is that wedding Robe, In which not drest
We are disgrac'd, and turn'd out from the Feast;
Which still confirmes the vnseemelines of doubt.
Faith's call'd a Brest-plate: if we walke without,
We are not onely Bare, but want Defence,

1 Thes. 5. 8.

And euery Euill, knowes our Indigence:
Euery Temptation woundes with the least touch;
The Force though weak, the doubter helps it much
And sticks in his owne Arrow: his flesh cleaues
VVide ope to Ils, whose heart no Faith receiues:
He that to this Soules-Succour lends a hand,
Helpes to remoue this house built vpon Sand,
And sets it on a Rock (his Sauiours Trust)
To the next Worke of comfort he'll be iust.

Canto 4.

To ransom Captiues the fourth Mercie plac'd
In the first ranck, may with this worke bee grac'd
There are Spirituall Captiues: when within
The Soule lies geyu'd with Fetters made of Sinne,
Chain'd to Despaire and Guilt of euill-Merit,
To Comfort, is to Ransome such a Spirit:
Or at the least to let the minde in frame
With the sweet thought of their Redeemers name;
(That Sacred Ransome for all penitent Men
Loaden with Sorrow, for their load of Sinne)
To this most beauteous Mercy, (saith Saint Paul)
Gods speciall Attribute may moue vs all:
The God of Comfort being Gods glorious name,

2 Cor. 1. 3. 4

Whence, we receiuing Ours must giue the same
To the afflicted Conscience: Ease her load
With what our selues are Comforted of God.
Christ in sweet words, makes knowne himselfe to be
The Lord of Comfort; saying Come to me
You heauie laden: what can more be nam'd,

Mat. 11. 28.

The Holy Ghost, hee's generally proclaim'd
A Comforter: his onely worke on Earth

Ioh. 14. 6.

Is to raise Ioy, to meete our Second Birth:
Well with a Christian may this worke agree
So Star-like fix'd in the whole Trinitie.
To light and guide Compassion in Mankind
That the next worke it may the easier finde:
He that lends pitty to Greifes mournefull Song,
Patience will blesse his Soule, to beare a Wrong.

Canto 5.

To giue to Those a harbour that haue none
Was a worke Corporeall in the fifth place showne,
As Patience now in this Spirituall forme
Which hath a welcome for wrongs sharpest storm
And to giue Iniuries house-roome is no more
Then to Lodge Enemies, distress'd, and poore;
which makes our Acts, the nobler in their course:
And puts our Euills to the weaker force:
“As Wrath consumes it-selfe, oppos'd by none
“So Iniuries indur'd, their Stings are gone:
That God, which last of Comfort held the name

Rom. 15. 5.

Is here the God of Patience; both the same;

Rom. 2. 4.

By his Long-suffering, Penitence works our Peace;

Luk. 21. 19

And by our Patience we our Soules possesse:
Our Patience hauing a Possession then,
Who should lodge there, but Iniuries of men?
That place to Euills properly belongs
“The house of Patience is the Inn of Wrongs:

Iam. 5. 10.

The holy Prophets are before vs plac'd
As precedents of Patience: but most grac'd

Math. 27: 28, 29, 30, 31, &c.

By Christ, and his Endurings: witnesse Scornes,
Reproaches, Spight, Blasphemy, Buffets, Thornes,
Last, his most Pretious Suffering, that excells,
And hath raisd Patience, boue all Vertues else:
And for the Thorny-crowne, prickt it with Starrs,
Shining through Corporeall, or Spirituall Warrs:
Who would not beare wrongs since i'th end they proue
All Iewells, set about their Crowne aboue?
Without the next, impossible he should liue,
He that beares Wrongs, will graciously forgiue.

Canto 6.

The Uisitation of the sick, the sixt
Corporeall worke, is to this Mercy fixt:
For on the Bed of sicknesse harshest men
Will both Forgiue, and aske Forgiuenes then,
That time, the most reuengeful spleene will melt,
In teares, and not in blood, his Reuenge felt:
The motiue then, to drawe this good worke on vs,
Is to thinke still, that sicknesse were vpon vs:
And as the worldling, when hee's sure to die,
Will then giue all, no man more liberally;
(For reason of his bounty, this we giue him,
Because he can nor keepe, nor carry with him)
So hee that's most reuengefull, most malicious,
Will shew himself, in that kind, then least vitious,
When Visitation like a frosty night
Bindes vp the Riuers of his Blood, and Spight:
If hee be good, and a right Christian,
He will forgiue (as Charitie tyes man)
If hee be ne'er so vild, he'l forgiue then,
In that he hath no power to Iniure men.
Howeuer by this blest Example liue
And because Christ forgaue, let vs forgiue,
For his sake honour it; and in this respect,

Col. 3. 12. 13.

It being the speciall marke of Gods Elect,
The next will sweetly fall into thy way
For hee that Pardons will be apt to pray.

Canto 7.