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Divine Fancies

Digested into Epigrammes, Meditations, and Observations. By Fra: Quarles
Quarles, Francis (1592-1644)
  
[dedication]
  
[dedication]
  
[epigraph]

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[section]
  
To GOD.
collapse sectionI. 
[The first Booke.]
 1. 
1. On the Musique of Organs.
 2. 
2. On the contingencie of Actions.
 3. 
3. On the Sacraments.
 4. 
4. On the Infancie of our Saviour.
 5. 
5. On Iudas Iscariot .
 6. 
6. On the life and death of Man.
 7. 
7. On the Seaven liberall Sciences of a Christian.
 8. 
8. Christs foure houses.
 9. 
9. Of Light and Heate.
 10. 
10. On Iudas Iscariot .
 11. 
11. On the possession of the Swine.
 12. 
12. On a Sun-Dyall.
 13. 
13. On the three Christian Graces.
 14. 
14. On a Feast.
 15. 
15. On Dives.
 16. 
16. On outward shew.
 17. 
17. On the reading of the Scriptures.
 18. 
18. On the life of Man.
 19. 
19. On the Crowing of a Cocke.
 20. 
20. On Mammon.
 21. 
21. On Church-contemners.
 22. 
22. On Morus.
 23. 
23. On the Hypocrite.
 24. 
24. On a Pilgrime.
 25. 
25. On the Needle of a Sun-diall.
 26. 
26. On Affliction.
 27. 
27. On a Sun-dyall.
 28. 
28. On Peter .
 29. 
29. On Merits.
 30. 
30. On Servio .
 31. 
31. A Soliloquie.
 32. 
32. On Daniel in the Den.
 23. 
23. On those that deserve it.
 34. 
34. Doe this and live.
 35. 
35. On Ioseph and his Mistris.
 36. 
36. On Scriptum est.
 37. 
37. On the flourishing of the Gospell.
 38. 
38. On Ioseph's Speech to his Brethren.
 39. 
39. Of common Devotion.
 40. 
40. On the Day of Iudgement.
 41. 
41. On Death.
 42. 
42. On the Body of Man.
 43. 
43. On the Young man in the Gospell.
 44. 
44. On Mans goodnesse and Gods love.
 45. 
45. On Mans Plea.
 46. 
46. On Furio .
 47. 
47. On Martha and Mary .
 48. 
48. On our Blessed Saviour.
 49. 
49. On Sinnes.
 50. 
50. On Mans behaviour to God.
 51. 
51. On Mans Cruelty.
 52. 
52. Mans Progresse.
 53. 
53. On the two great Flouds.
 54. 
54. On Fuca .
 55. 
55. On Abrahams servant.
 56. 
56. On Alexander.
 57. 
57. On rash Iudgement.
 58. 
58. On Iacobs purchase.
 59. 
59. On Esau.
 60. 
60. On the absence of a blessing.
 61. 
61. On the yonger Brother.
 62. 
62. On Kain.
 63. 
63. On the righteous man.
 63. 
63. On Faith, Love, and Charity.
 64. 
64. On Iacobs Pillow.
 65. 
65. On Faith.
 66. 
66. On Zacheus .
 67. 
67. On the Thiefe and Slanderer.
 68. 
68. On Abrams pleading for Sodome.
 69. 
69. On Mans goodnes.
 70. 
70. On Zacheus.
 71. 
71. On the Roman, Turke, and Atheist.
 72. 
72. On Babels Building.
 73. 
73. On the Theife and the Lyer.
 74. 
74. On the Egyptians Famine.
 75. 
75. On Zacheus.
 76. 
76. On the Plough-man.
 77. 
77. On a happy Kingdome.
 78. 
78. On Gods appearance to Moses .
 79. 
79. On Gods Law.
 80. 
80. On Pharoe's Bricke.
 81. 
81. On the insatiablenesse of Mans heart.
 82. 
82. On Pharoe's hard-heartednes.
 83. 
83. On the change of Pharoe's fortunes.
 84. 
84. On the First borne.
 85. 
85. On baptized Infants.
 86. 
86. On the grumbling Israelites.
 87. 
87. On Mans rebellion.
 88. 
88. On Israel.
 89. 
89. On the Sinners Refuge.
 90. 
90. On the deposing of Princes.
 91. 
91. On Peters Keyes.
 92. 
92. On Offrings.
 93. 
93. On Vsurers.
 94. 
94. On Repentance.
 95. 
95. On Wine and Water.
 96. 
96. On Balams Asse.
 97. 
97. On some raw Divines.
 98. 
98. On Buying of the Bible.
 99. 
99. On the buying of the new Testament.
 100. 
100. To my Booke.
collapse sectionII. 
The second Booke.
 1. 
1. To Almighty God .
 2. 
2. On Gods Dyet..
 3. 
3. On Moses Birth and Death.
 4. 
4. On Ieptha's Vow.
 5. 
5. On Iesus and Sampson .
 6. 
6. On Elyes double censure.
 7. 
7. On the refining of Gold.
 8. 
8. On Dagon and the Arke.
 9. 
9. On Saule and David .
 10. 
10. On David and Goliah .
 11. 
11. On Sauls Witch.
 12. 
12. On the necessity of Gods presence.
 13. 
13. Davids Epitaph on Ionathan .
 14. 
14. On Gods Word.
 15. 
15. On Man.
 16. 
16. On Ahaz Diall.
 17. 
17. On Lust.
 18. 
18. On Thamar and Ammon .
 19. 
19. On Loue and Lust.
 20. 
20. On a Tinder-Boxe.
 21. 
21. On Achitophel .
 22. 
22. On Sinne.
 23. 
23. On the Sun and starres.
 24. 
24. On Absolon and Sampson .
 25. 
25. On Gods favour.
 26. 
26. On a spirituall Fever.
 27. 
27. On Davids choise.
 28. 
28. On Mans unequall division.
 29. 
29. On Beggers.
 30. 
30. On the two Children.
 31. 
31. On two Mysteries.
 32. 
32. A forme of Prayer.
 23. 
23. On Solomon and the Queene of Sheba .
 33. 
33. On Rehoboam .
 34. 
34. On the Prophet slaine by a Lyon.
 35. 
35. On Ahab.
 36. 
36. On Rehoboam .
 37. 
37. On leprous Naaman .
 38. 
38. On Chamber-Christians.
 39. 
39. On the Widowes Cruse.
 40. 
40. On the swimming Axe.
 41. 
41. On Baals Preists.
 42. 
42. On the Tempter.
 43. 
43. On a Cypher.
 44. 
44. On Haman and Mordecay .
 45. 
45. On Iobs Temptations.
 46. 
46. On bauling Curres.
 47. 
47. On David .
 48. 
48. On Abraham .
 49. 
49. On Censorio .
 50. 
50. On Mordecay and Haman .
 41. 
41. On three Fooles.
 52. 
52. On miserable man.
 53. 
53. On Mans two enemies.
 54. 
54. On Queene Ester .
 55. 
55. On Slanders.
 56. 
56. On Nabvchadnezzer .
 57. 
57. On Partio .
 58. 
58. On Ignorance.
 59. 
59. On a great Battaile.
 60. 
60. On the World.
 61. 
61. On the Sabbath.
 62. 
62. On Prayer.
 63. 
63. On Fido .
 64. 
64. On Charissa .
 65. 
65. On Raymond Sebvnd .
 66. 
66. On Sinnes.
 67. 
67. On the Gospell.
 68. 
68. On the dayes of Man.
 69. 
69. On Sinnes.
 70. 
70. On Kain and David .
 71. 
71. On Plavsvs .
 72. 
72. On Sinnes.
 73. 
73. On change of Weathers.
 74. 
74. On Prosper .
 75. 
75. On the Sight of a Plague bill.
 76. 
76. On Theaters.
 77. 
77. On Players and Ballad-mongers.
 78. 
78. On God and the King.
 79. 
79. On the life and death of Man.
 80. 
80. On Fox .
 81. 
81. On the Booke of Common Prayer.
 82. 
82. To Mvndano .
 83. 
83. On Romes Sacrifices.
 84. 
84. On a dead Man.
 85. 
85. On corner Sinners.
 86. 
86. On the Kite.
 87. 
87. On Formio .
 88. 
88. On bosome sinnes.
 89. 
89. On the Eccho.
 90. 
90. On a Water-Mill.
 91. 
91. On Pavl and Apollos .
 92. 
92. On Morvs .
 93. 
93. On some faiths.
 94. 
94. On the Temporizer.
 95. 
95. On our sins.
 96. 
96. On the Hypocrite.
 97. 
97. On Secret-mungers.
 98. 
98. On a Flye.
 99. 
99. On Scripture and Apocrypha.
 100. 
100. To my Booke .
collapse sectionIII. 
The third Booke.
 1. 
1. On old Wine and new.
 2. 
2. On Zacharias and the blessed Virgin.
 3. 
3. On a Picture.
 4. 
4. On Servio .
 5. 
5. On Peters Cocke.
 6. 
6. On Ambidexter .
 [7]. 
[7.] On Lazarus, the Damosell, and a sinner.
 8. 
8. On Sin.
 9. 
9. On Repentance.
 10. 
10. On Man.
 11. 
11. On the pouring out of our hearts.
 12. 
1[2]. On Friends.
 13. 
13. On the Hypocrite.
 14. 
14. On Servio .
 15. 
15. On the Devils Master-Piece.
 16. 
16. On our Saviours Fishing.
 17. 
17. On Mans greatest Enemy.
 18. 
18. On the Hypocrite.
 19. 
19. On the holy Scriptures.
 20. 
20. On Mans heart.
 21. 
21. On Drunkennesse.
 22. 
22. On a Kisse.
 23. 
23. On the Alchymist.
 24. 
24. On the ten Lepers.
 25. 
25. On the last Epigram.
 26. 
26. On the Boxe of Oyntment.
 27. 
27. On Mary and Ivdas .
 28. 
28. On our Saviour and his Vicar.
 29. 
29. On the great Prelate.
 30. 
30. On Idolatry.
 31. 
31. On the Tables of Stone.
 32. 
32. On Mans three Enemies.
 33. 
33. On Dinah .
 34. 
34. On Fido .
 35. 
35. On Iacob .
 36. 
36. On Drunkennesse.
 37. 
37. On a Tenis-court.
 38. 
38. On Abels Blood.
 39. 
39. On the Memory.
 40. 
40. On the Babel-Builders.
 41. 
41. On Esav and Iacob .
 42. 
42. On severall Sinnes
 43. 
43. On these Showers.
 44. 
44. On Dives and Lazarvs .
 45. 
45. On two Suitors.
 46. 
46. On the old and new Garment.
 47. 
47. On Mans co-operation.
 48. 
48. On the old and new Tables.
 49. 
49. On a Crucifixe.
 50. 
50. On praying to Saints.
 51. 
51. On Confession.
 52. 
52. On Solomons Rejoyce.
 53. 
53. On Bread.
 54. 
54. On Faith and Reason.
 55. 
55. On Carnall Mirth.
 56. 
56. On Prayer.
 57. 
57. On Anna .
 58. 
58. On a Gift.
 59. 
59. On my selfe.
 60. 
60. On Iustification and Sanctification.
 61. 
61. On Mans Love.
 62. 
62. On filiall love and servile.
 63. 
63. On Grapes.
 64. 
64. On Ioy and Griefe.
 65. 
65. On Doves and Serpents.
 66. 
66. On Christ and our selves.
 67. 
67. On Man.
 68. 
68. On Death.
 69. 
69. On the life of Man.
 70. 
70. On Gods Image.
 71. 
71. On the Penny.
 72. 
72. On a Christian.
 73. 
73. On Gods Bountie.
 74. 
74. On Sinnes.
 75. 
75. On the life of Man.
 76. 
76. On the Childrens Bread.
 77. 
77. On Trust and Care.
 78. 
78. On Rvscvs .
 79. 
79. On the receiving of the Lords Supper.
 80. 
80. On Faith.
 81. 
81. On the Story of Man.
 82. 
82. On Ananias .
 83. 
83. On pious Vses.
 84. 
84. On Sophronia .
 58. 
58. On the knowning Man.
 86. 
86. On Romes pardon.
 87. 
87. On the world.
 88. 
88. On formall Devotion.
 89. 
89. On heavenly Manna.
 90. 
90. On naturall Sins.
 91. 
91. On the Arke.
 92. 
92. On Sophronia .
 93. 
93. On a faire Prospect.
 94. 
94. A Resolution.
 95. 
95. On the worlds welcome.
 96. 
96. On our Meditation upon God.
 97. 
97. On Faith.
 98. 
98. On Mans folly.
 99. 
99. On Glorie.
 100. 
100. On Reward.
collapse sectionIIII. 
The fourth Booke.
 1. 
1. A good Morrow.
 2. 
2. A Good-night.
 3. 
3. On a Printing-house.
 4. 
4. A Dialogue, betweene Gabriel and Mary .
 5. 
5. On Rhemvs .
 6. 
6. On the life of Man.
 7. 
7. On Mary .
 8. 
8. On the Church.
 9. 
9. On the two Essences.
 10. 
10. On our Saviours Passion.
 11. 
11. On Peter .
 12. 
12. On Herodias .
 13. 
13. On Faith and Hope.
 14. 
14. On Water and Wine.
 15. 
15. On Age.
 16. 
16. On a Figg-tree.
 17. 
17. On Rhemvs .
 18. 
18. On Iacob .
 19. 
19. On Simon Magvs .
 20. 
20. On the Bishop of Rome.
 21. 
21. On Milo .
 22. 
22. On Rome.
 23. 
23. On three dayes and nights.
 24. 
24. On Tobits Dogge.
 25. 
25. On the Gospell.
 26. 
26. On Servio .
 27. 
27. On Formio .
 27. 
27. On Iohn and Iesvs .
 29. 
29. On dis-possessing.
 30. 
30. On Herodias .
 31. 
31. On Malfido .
 32. 
32. On Slanders.
 33. 
33. On Law and Gospell.
 34. 
34. On a bosome Sin.
 35. 
35. On the World.
 36. 
36. On my Soule.
 37. 
37. On the Cuckoe.
 38. 
38. On Tobit .
 39. 
39. On David .
 40. 
40. On a Monument.
 41. 
41. On Plavsvs .
 42. 
42. On Censorio .
 43. 
43. On fooles of both kinds.
 44. 
44. On the name of Iesvs .
 45. 
45. On the Woman with the Issue.
 46. 
46. On our Redemption.
 47. 
47. On Gods Arme.
 48. 
48. On our blessed Saviour.
 49. 
49. On Cordvplo .
 50. 
50. On Dreames.
 51. 
51. On Adam .
 52. 
52. On Sins and Blessings.
 53. 
53. On Celia .
 54. 
54. On Pvsillvs .
 55. 
55. On Beliefe.
 57. 
57. On Crastinio .
 58. 
58. On an Hower-glasse.
 59. 
59. On Kain .
 59. 
59. On Ticio .
 60. 
60. On Sortio .
 61. 
61. On Raymond Sebvnd .
 62. 
62. To Henry Earle of Holland .
 63. 
63. On Drunkards and Idolaters.
 64. 
64. On dying.
 65. 
65. On Ravens and Lillies.
 66. 
66. On degrees of Sin.
 67. 
67. A last Will.
 68. 
68. On our Iesvs .
 69. 
69. To King Charles .
 70. 
70. A Riddle.
 71. 
71. On Glorioso .
 72. 
72. On Ivdas .
 73. 
73. On Impropriator .
 74. 
74. On the same.
 75. 
75. On Lvcro .
 76. 
76. To God .
 77. 
77. On Sleepe and Death.
 78. 
78. To Rhemvs .
 79. 
79. On Glorioso .
 80. 
80. To God .
 81. 
81. On Partio .
 82. 
82. On an evill Conscience.
 83. 
83. To Mvndano .
 84. 
84. To my Friend.
 85. 
85. To Malfido .
 86. 
86. On Crvcio .
 87. 
87. To Rhemvs .
 88. 
88. To Macio .
 89. 
89. On Reproofe.
 90. 
90. On Cvrio .
 91. 
91. On Zelvstvs .
 92. 
92. On Philavtos .
 93. 
93. On Dvbivs .
 94. 
94. To Sir Ivlivs Cesar, Master of the Rolles.
 95. 
95. On Lvcro .
 96. 
96. On Mendax.
 97. 
97. On Blandvs .
 98. 
98. On Rebellio.
 99. 
99. On God and Gold.
 100. 
100. To Iames Archbishop of Armagh.
 101. 
101. On a waking Conscience.
 102. 
102. On our Affections.
 103. 
103. On Zelvstvs .
 104. 
104. On Rebellio .
 105. 
105. On Zelvstvs .
 106. 
106. On Conscio .
 107. 
107. To God .
 108. 
108. On Devotion.
 109. 
109. On the Christian.
 110. 
110. On Mercy and Iustice.
 111. 
111. On Avlicvs .
 112. 
112. To Rhemvs .
 113. 
113. On Tortvs .
 114. 
114. On Gracchvs .
 115. 
115. On Phares .
 116. 
116. On the same.
 117. 
117. To my Booke .

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27. On Davids choise.

Famine ? the Sword? the Pest'lence? which is least,
When all are great? which worst, when bad's the best?
It is a point of Mercy, yet, to give
A choice of death to such, as must not live:
But was the choise so hard? It seemes to me,
There was a worse, and better of the three,
Though all extreame: Me thinks, the help of hands
Might swage the first; The bread of forraine lands
Might patch their lives, & make some slender shift
To save a while, with necessary thrift:
Me thinks, the second should be lesse extreame
Then that; Alas! poore Israel could not dreame
68

Of too much peace, that had so oft division
Among themselves, and forrain opposition:
Besides, their King was martiall; his acts glorious;
His heart was valiant, and his hand victorious;
Me thinks a Conquerour, a Man oth' sword
Should nere be puzzeld at so poore a word:
In both, however, David, at the worst,
Might well presume he should not die the first.
But ô, the Plague's impartiall; It respects
No quality of Person, Age, nor Sex:
The Royall brest's as open to her hand
As is the loosest Pesant in the land:
Famin? the Sword? the Pest'lence? David free,
To take his choice? and pick the worst of three?
He that gave David power to refuse,
Instructed David, in the Art to chuse;
He knew, no forrain Kingdōe could afford
Supply, where God makes Dearth: He knew the Sword
Would want an arm; the arm would want her skill;
And skill, successe, where heav'n prepares to kill:
He knew, there was no trust, no safe recourse
To Martiall man, or to his warlike horse;
But it is Thou, Great God, the only close
Of his best thoughts, and the secure repose
Of all his trust; He yields to kisse thy Rod;
Israel was thine, and thou art Israels God:
He knew thy gratious wont, thy wonted Grace;
He knew, thy Mercy tooke the upper place
Of all thy Attributes; T'was no adventure
To cast himselfe on Thee, the only Center
Of all his hopes; Thy David knew the danger
To fall toth'hands of man; or frend, or stranger:
69

Thus Davids filiall hopes, being anchor'd fast
On Gods knowne Mercy, wisely chose the last:
If thou wilt give me Davids heart, Ile voyce,
Great God, with David; and make Davids choyce:
But stay; deare Lord, my tongue's too bold, too free,
To speake of choyce, that merits all the Three.
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