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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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40. On the swimming Axe.

The borrow'd Axe fell in: 'Twas lost; lamented;
The Prophet moov'd; the Workman discontented;
A Stick hewne downe; and by the Prophets hand,
Throwne in; The Axe did float, and came aland:
And why a Stick? Had that the pow'r to call
The massy Iron up? Sure, none at all:
Moses must use his Rod; Moses, I doubt it,
Had beene but lame, but impotent without it;
80

Nor could that Rod have scourged Pharoes Land,
Had it beene waved by an other hand:
God often works by meanes, and yet not so,
But that he can, as well without them, too.
God can save Man without the help of Man,
But will not; Wils not alwayes what he can:
Something is left for us: we must not lye
Ith' ditch, and cry, And if we dye we dye:
We must not lye like Blocks, relying on
The workmans Axe; There's something must be done:
The workmans Axe perchance had never bin
Recald againe, if not the sticke throwne in:
We must be doing, yet those Deeds, as our,
Have no more native vertue, nay, lesse power
To save us, then that sticke had, to recall
The Axe from the deepe bottome of his Fall:
I will be doing; but repose in Him;
Throw I in sticks, hee'l make my Iron swim.
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