The French academie Fully discoursed and finished in foure bookes. 1. Institution of manners and callings of all estates. 2. Concerning the soule and body of man. 3. A notable description of the whole world, &c. 4. Christian philosophie, instructing the true and onely meanes to eternall life. This fourth part neuer before published in English. All written by the first author, Peter de la Primaudaye, Esquire, Lord of Barre, Chauncellour, and Steward of the French Kings house.

VERSES BRIEFLIE SHEVV∣ING THE SVMME OF Christian Philosophie.

Of God and his Workes.

1

SEeing that the true and onely meanes for man (To liue on earth t'attaine eternall blisse,) Who to serue God doth whatsoere he can, Within our Academie shewed is: To further him in all true pietie, I will adde this to my Philosophy.

2

My sole intent in verse is to endite, Of Christian Philosophers estate: And of th' Eternall Deitie to write, Which truely knowne, procureth happy state. Then grant, oh God, (which man of nought didst frame) Me grace herein, t' extoll thy holy name.

3

A Christian Philosopher is he, That doth behold the Maiestie, the Art, The beauty, splendor, and the dignity Of God, and all his workes in euery part. And which in heart and minde doth him adore, And in his Temple grace of him implore.

4

He knoweth that the heauenly Deitie, Is Essence infinite, a gulfe profound, Innumerable, all eternity, Chaos, and of all creatures the ground. And all in euery thing whats 'ere wee see. In heauen, Sea, or Earth, and ere shall bee.

5

He doth confesse Iehoua, God alone To be, without beginning, middle, ende, Fore whom all things are manifest and done, And all vpon his prouidence depend. Most Holy, Pure, Good, Iust, Omnipotent, To wrath and anger slow, to mercy bent.

6

Instructed thus of God, he doth confesse Three persons in a holy Trinitie, The Father, Sonne, and holy Ghost, no lesse In power diuine and heauenly Deity: One of them then the other, yet all three Of them together, but one God to bee.

7

So hath he learn'd, that God by's power begat His Sonne the Word, before the world begon T' apeare, or any Essence had, and that Both from the holy Father and the Sonne, The holy Ghost doth equally proceed, As both of them by heauenly will decreed.

8

He thinkes vpon the great inuisible Eternity, the authour of all blisse, In mans conceite incomprehensible, Yet in him comprehends whatsoeuer is Created. And can all things turne to naught: As of nothing, all things to light he brought.

9

He doth alwaies the Trinity adore, Wherein are that the earthly globe was made, The eternity resided, and before By's mighty and most powerfull hand he had Created man, or heauen and earth did frame In manner as we now behold the same.

10

He knoweth that the Idea and the frame Of th' earthly globe was in th' eternity For euer, and to glorifie his name, By's power diuine, and great benignitie When't pleased him, did fashion and deuise, This world to be mans earthly Paradise.

11

He doth in word and thought still praise his name That did by number, waight, and measure make All things to maintaine nature and the same T' encrease and multiply: and care did take That they should not their sex, nor order change, But vnder his direction alwaies range.

12

Contemplating the beauty of the sphere Celestiall, transparant, vaulted faire, And full of starres and heauenly lights which there With certaine course, still compasse bout the aire. He is perswaded with the Deity, In body and sould to liue eternally.

31

He seeth Ehe-ie by his works emost great And what he is, his word doth well vnfold. The thunders which are heard from heauens seate And lightning (which mens eies cannot behold) And all the admirable things we know That he hath done, his liuely image show.

14

He's taught that God by's powerfull word did frame, Of nothing, in th' infinite the great And spacious world, and round about the same, The heauens, water, fire, and aire, did seate. All which, and all that heauen and earth containe, By's prouidence diuine, he doth maintaine.

15

He doth to God the honor truely giue, Thaue made the world with euery other thing And fishes, foules, beasts, wormes, therein that liue. Subiected hath vnto mans gouerning. And for him th' earth, fire, water, aire ordain'd, Within the center of the world contained.

16

He knowes how out of matter without forme, And rude confused Chaos, without light, God his great worke so admirable t' adorne, Did make and frame that most resplendant light, Which now doth serue to light the world throughout, And by' s diuine decree doth neere goe out.

17

He praiseth God that with admired art, From that great light, the purest sparkes did take, And thereof (fixing them in euery part Of th' orient skies) the glistring starres did make. Whose vertues rare, diuine, and admirable, Are vnto humane kinde innumerable.

18

He doth admire and blesse that puissant Lord, That alwaies without end to man doth speake By's heauenly workes, which still with one accord, By constant order (which they neuer breake) Assistant are in their celestiall robe, Vnto this admirable earthly globe.

19

His thoughts ascend, to the course circulare Of th' asure globes, the which doe alwaies goe, And swiftly wheele about the world, and are Appointed by the eternall so to doe. But in such sort that though they turne alwaies, Yet they doe it not, equally in daies.

20

Hee glorifieth God omnipotent, The which the place most infinite ordaines, Which heauen, th' aire, the firie element, And waters high and low, in it containes, And which hang altogether and apart, As in a vault, by admirable Art.

21

Hee magnifieth God continually, When hee beholds the heauens high and cleare, Transparant, light, and bright perpetually, Which maketh day light orderly appeare, And in a fiue fold circularie round, Inclose and compasse all the world so round.

22

Hee blesseth God our heauenly Father deare, Which placed hath the firmament about Great numbers of small Starres that shine most cleare, And light, and beautefie the same throughout: And in each of the Spheares celestiall One greater light among so many small.

23

Hee knoweth that the same Maiesticke hand Hath made by Art, surpassing Art whats'ere, Saturnus, Mars, and Iupiter, to stand, Each one of them within a seuerall Spheare. Aboue the splendant circle of the Sonne, And vnder't Venus, Mer'crie, and the Moone.

24

He sees how by diuine power vncontrol'd, The Sunne continually doth make the day, And c••mpassing the world, his course doth hold, (Perpetually to doe it without stay.) Within three hundred threescore daies and fiue: And yearely doth his course againe reuiue.

25

He praiseth him that did create the Moone, And Sunne, each one by turnes to make the day, And night, so that as soone as day is done, The night ensues, and when night's gone awayi The day by course doth follow on amaine, Which orderly, all mortall things maintaine.

26

Hee doth admire Gods great industerie, Which limited the elements, and gaue To them a place, fit for their qualitie, And quantitie, the same for ere to haue And hold, distributing to euery one A part, the which it should possesse alone.

27

He knoweth that the Lord hath set the fire, Next to the skies, and th' water, aire, and earth, In distance lower, as nature doth require, That all things which, doe breath life here on earth, From them b'instinct of nature might ingender Their seuerall kindes, and God his glory render.

28

He seeth the three diuisions of the skies, And knowes the reason of their seuerall state Whereof the highest, next to th' asure skie Exceeds in heate, the lowest temperate: That in the middle seated twixst them twaine Is alwaies full of tempests stormes and raine.

29

He praiseth God that by his power sustaines The christ' line watry dew within the sky, (Which all the glistring starres in it containes,) And by the same power also there on high, By admirable meanes vpholds and shrouds, Great seas of waters in the volant clouds.

30

He wonders at Gods might, and powerfull hand. Who with a finger doth vphold, and stayes The great foundation both of sea and land, And by's imperious word in like sort swaies The elements, and easily without Paine, helpe, or aide, doth make them turne about.

31

His soule and sences all the Lord commend, That giues force to the windes in euery place, And diuersly to blow, and doth them send Throughout the world, and in a minute space In seuerall places turnes them as he list, For in his power their power doth consist.

32

He sees Gods mighty force by fearefull sound Of thunder, which out of the skies we heare Vpon the earth, as if he would confound And cleane consume the world, in such a feare He puts mankinde, with admirable wonder, When s'ere it pleaseth him on them to thunder.

33

He knowes that God within his hand holds fast The thunder and commands the lightning cleare, And both of them together in the wast And spacious aire containeth, so that there They cannot passe their bounds without his leaue, Least that they should mankinde of life bereaue.

34

He rendreth thanks to God for many great Effects gainst nature wrought by's puistant might In th' earth below, and heauen aboue to let Vs know his will (by some prodigious sight) That he our sinnes doth punish certainely By famine, plague, or other misery.

35

He lauds the Lord, that hath far ere decreed, The daies, moneths, yeeres, and seasons of the yeere In their due times in order to proceed And follow each the other, euery yeere. According to his will and first intent, When he made man, the earth, and firmament.

36

In all things he giues thanks to God alone That changeth times, and ages at his will, And altreth daies, moneths, yeeres, and euery one Of them, doth vse vnto our good or ill. And yet though at his will he doth them change, In him ther's no inconstancy nor change.

37

He seeth that God doth hold the waters fast That they cannot ore whelme nor drowne the land And holdeth captiue (in like sort) as fast The blustring windes, in his most powerfull hand And in each creature he doth life maintaine, And at his will takes it from them againe.

38

He knowes that God by his power hath ordain'd, The waters to keepe in a certaine place, And then within their limit so contain'd, That to exceede their bounds in any case They cannot, sith all things subiected are To his most mightie prouidence and care.

39

He vnderstands that God by's powerfull hand To make the earth yeeld fruit in seuerall kinds, That all his creatures might finde foode on land: Hath plac'd the Ocean Seas apart, and binds Them so within their bounds, that they no more, Shall drowne the land, as they had done before.

40

He giues to him the honour to haue form'd, All creatures that vpon the earth doe dwell, Wherewith aboundantly it is adorn'd, And vnto man, which doth them all excell, Subiected hath Fish, Fowle, and euery beast, Which hee commands, and they obey his hest.

41

He honours him in's prouidence and care, For all the Fishes in the Ocean, And for th' aboundant sorts of birds that are Aboue in th' aire, and also that for man: So many beasts of euery sort and kinde, He hath created, as on th' earth wee finde.

42

He wonders at the sorts innumerable, Of Fishes great and small which God hath made, And much more at his power admirable, For that no thing on earth is to be had. But that the like for forme and shape wee see, And daily finde, within the Sea to bee.

43

He knowes that God in's hand waighes mountains hie, And doth the earth replenish with all kinde Of flowers faire, which he doth beautifie, With many seuerall colours as we finde, B'eperience in the Spring and Summer time, When they come foorth, and are in chiefest prime.

44

He praiseth God which makes nature produce, And forme Pearles fine, and Christall shining bright, Of liquid matter, (and good for the vse Of man, wherein he takes so great delight.) Which in the bowels of the earth is found, And in the Mines like vaines lies in the ground.

45

He doth extoll the glory of his name, That doth in essence mainetaine euery thing, By him created, sustring not the same To perish, but renewing euery thing, When th'old decaies, and turnes into the earth, The new reuiue, and from them take their birth.

46

He knowes the world was made by God on hie, Wherein so many creatures doe liue, And vnderneath the starrie Canapie, All exequisite and dainty things doth giue Vnto mankinde, to serue him for his vse, While he liues here on earth, without abuse.

47

He doth admire and blesse Gods prouidence, That did create the Angels good and free, Light, beautifull, and his will and pretence To know, and to performe the same, and t'be His m••ssengers, and guides to man in th'way Of heauen, that they should not goe astray.

48

He magnifieth Gods most holy name, That did make man, in whom we may behold A modell of the world, and which did frame The heauens, earth, aire, water, fire and cold. Which things are altogether certainely, A proofe most perfect of the Deitie.

Of a happy life.

49

A True Christian Philosopher doth see God in his Word, by his most sacred breath, Infusing into man (though fraile hee bee) The sparkes of grace diuine, whereby his death, Is vnto him a certaine enterie, Into the state of immortality.

50

Of life eternall he is full assur'd, Because like to Gods Image he is made, And by Christ Iesus (which for him endur'd Death on the Crosse, though no sinne in him had) Redeem'd from sinne, and so predestinate For euer to enioy celestiall state.

51

Regenerate, and happy sure is hee That doth receiue the holy Sacraments, According to Gods most deuine decree, And puts his trust in holy documents: Submitting his will to the sacred writ Of Christ, with all his heart obeying it.

52

He knoweth how at all times to remember Gods blessings, which to him he doth impart, That for the same thankes to him he may render, (As wee commanded are) with mouth and heart, With spirit, soule, and body God to serue, That from all dangers doth vs still preserue.

53

He thinkes him happy that a member is Of holy Church, and doth obserue Gods will, Which vnto vs a full assurance is, Of his eternall blisse, for which he will That we should loue him truely and confesse His holy name, without all fainednesse.

54

He doth beleeue that God by's wisedome knowes All things, and sees into th'interior parts Of mortall men, and also that he knowes, The secrets, thoughts, and wishes of their hearts, And so is moued to liue holily, And to adore Gods heauenly Maiesty.

55

He onely thinkes him happy and most blest, That doth with all his strength, his soule, and heart Loue God in Iesus Christ, and doth protest, From his most holy law nere to depart: But to doe good as neere as ere he can In all his actions vnto euery man.

56

He doth confesse that God most liberally, Hath giuen him reason, sences, will and wit To know his law and's great benignity, And for accesse to him the benefit Of prayer, which in Iesus Christ preferd, He is assured of him to be heard.

57

He knowes how prone, and ready God's to heare Our humble suites, when in our miserie We doe submit our selues, and to forbeare His wrath, when with repentant harts we cry To him for grace, and pardon doe implore In Iesus name, our onely Sauiour.

58

He knowes that God is iust and mercifull, And loueth those men that are good and pure, To whom he is benigne and bountifull. And how in iustice he cannot endure The wicked man, whose punishment though he Defers a while, shall surely plagued be.

59

Hee neuer sleepes, bur still stands sentinell To watch his spirits, to euill wholy bent: As also for because hy knoweth well, That's soule while it's in's fleshly prison's pent, Is easily drawne to all infirmity, And thereby brought in t'vtter misery.

60

Being chast, he doth th'exteriour matter scorne, Which altreth the sences by the eye, And withall vertues doth himselfe adorne, Which makes him like vnto the Deity. And so transformes his mortall quality By power diuine to immortality.

61

He's wise and doth not listen to the words And writings of those men that vnder show Of good, no goodnes vnto him affords. But carefully doth reade Gods word to know, His will therein assuredly to finde, The truth reueald by God vnto mankinde.

62

He constantly detests carnality, And worldly pleasures all as enemies To vertue, goodnes, and true piety, Opposing gainst those crafty dangerous spies The word of God written in his Testament, Both old and new, their malice to preuent.

63

He neuer is surprised by the snares, And wily baites of foule concupiscence, As knowing well that God most iust nere spares, To plague those men that with a bad pretence, Commit such vile abhominable things, And them at last to vtter ruine brings.

64

He alwaies puts his trust in God alone That makes the weake against the strong preuaile, Turnes ill to good, and bitter teares and mone To ioy, and makes our en'mies purpose faile, Conuerting the deuises of his mind, Like smoke in th'aire, or to a blast of wind.

65

As he's Gods child, he doth to's law submit His whole desire, his will, and his intent, And vnto his good pleasure doth commit

Himselfe and al his actions fully bent To serue one God in holy Trinitie, Abandoning all earthly vanitie.

66

Taught by the holy Ghost he doth pretend To serue the Lord, and him t'extoll and praise, Assurd, on day, when's mortall life doth ende, To be ingraft in Christ, with him alwaies To dwell in heauenly blisse, and to possesse, A life compleate with ioy and happinesse.

67

His minde and thought is freed from worldly care, And fleshly lusts, gainst which he makes defence, And wholly doth his senses all prepare, To serue th'eternall Lord, with full pretence, His lawes t'obey opposing gainst his will, The feare of God, which sinne in him doth kill.

68

Happy thereby, and blessed from aboue, He wholy trusteth in Gods prouidence, No plague, no warre, nor famine, can him mooue Nor feare of death, for God is his defence. So constant is his resolution, T'indure all kinde of tribulation.

69

Louing and fearing God with patient minde, Hee's comforted with such sweet fruits, as hee Within the holy Word of God doth finde, And in the Church are taught, so as while he Is heere one earth, he liueth happely In Christ with God in all eternitie.

70

Taught by the Lord, he is not negligent Nor careles oft to call vpon his name, By praier vpon his knees most humbly bent, Assured in his heart, that by the same, He shall when Gods will is receiue and haue, That which he of the Lord by praier doth craue.

71

His soule's inricht with great industry, Because God in his loue doth still encrease, His blessings on him, and continually, To prosper all his labors doth not cease. For that without his benediction, Comfort in earthly riches there is none.

72

He thinkes it honor great and high renowne, To beare the crosse of Christ, with ioyfull heart, And for his sake with patience t'weare the crowne, Of martyrdome thereby t'indure a part, Of Christs most deare and precious passion Suffered on earth for our saluation.

73

He doth cnotemne all earthly vanities, Which with deceitfull baite, and great desire, Of honour, riches, superfluities, And worldly ioyes, which flesh and blood require, Brings men vnto their graues with heauines, Bereft of Gods eternall blessednes.

74

Within the glasse of true faith he doth see, (Abhorring vice) into the heauens aboue, And there beholds his Sauiour by whome he Hopes once to sit, through his great grace and loue: Where both in soule and body really He shall behold God in the Trinity.

75

In this hope he in God hath his delight. But he that loues the world and earthly ioyes, Doth shunne the day, and walketh in the night. And those that follow after humane toyes, Ere lasting death shall bee their portion: To bring them headlong to destruction.

76

Hee knowes that Christ doeth liue eternally, And therefore doubteth not that after death, His body shall againe liue ioyfully, And with his soule repossesse vitall breath, To liue perpetually in heauen to see God face to face in glorious maiestie.

77

Hee shunnes and doth contemne te••restriall blisse, Ambition, pride, concupiscence, and all Things else, that make, and moue him t' doe amisse, And drawes the vaine hearts of men naturall: As with a baite to follow and desire, That which at last will bring them to hell fire.

78

Hee calles to minde, that one day die he must, And goe into the graue therein to rot, And cleane consume, and turne againe to dust, From whence hee came, and yet hee feareth not: The stroke of death, as knowing that thereby Hee shall bee freed from all miserie.

79

He knowes his dayes here vpon earth are short, And therefore doeth good ere hee descends Downe to the place wherein there's no comfort, Assured that true heauenly blisse depends Vpon faith, loue, and charitie, which wee In Christ doe shew, while here on earth wee bee.

80

He knowes that Christ by death doth make vs liue, And that his eies doe comfort send to all Mankind on earth, and to their soules doth giue A Paradice of ioyes celestiall: As also that he doth his Saints preserue, From death and hell which men by sinne deserue.

81

And so he liues content, as knowing well, That God is mercifull, and that he can Make him triumph ore sinne, ore death and hell, By Christs death and his passion, which for man, He suffered here on earth, and vanquish't all Our deadly enemies terrestriall.

82

He doth beleeue nothing on earth that is, Exceeds, or can be fairer nor more rare, Then heauenly and celestiall ioyes and blisse, Which God of his great mercy doth prepare, For them that loue and feare his holy name, And faithfully in Christ call on the same.

83

His heart alwaies desires to see Gods face, In heauen aboue, for euer there to fill And feed his soule with his most heauenly grace, Refusing all terrestriall ioies, and still Doth meditate on that eternall blisse. Which God in heauen, prepared hath for his.

84

With constant resolution he doth shun And flies from carnall lust, which for a while Procures ioy to the flesh, but after soone When short delight is past, doth him beguile: And with shame worketh his confusion: And finally his sole destruction.

85

His minde is bent with charitable desire, To wish, and doe that's good to euery one, To pitty those that want, and helpe require, And not to hurt, nor doe wrong t'any one. As knowing that the Lord well pleased is, With that which in Christ: is so done by his.

86

Content with whatsoeuer God doth send, He'steemes all things in this world transitory, Wau••ring, vaine, inconstant, whereof th'end, Is sorrow, woe and extreame miserie. And onely doth in mind and heart aspire, To heauenly ioy, which is his whole desire.

87

With patient minde and wisedome from aboue, He doth resist and withstand worldly lust, Desiring, foule concupiscence t'remoue Out of his heart, and wholy puts his trust, In Gods most holy law the which he makes His study, and his pleasure thee in takes.

88

As he is wise, he doth still meditate On death, whereof he knowes he cannot misse, That so he may the better intimate His spirits to thinke on Christ and heauenly blisse, Assur'd that nothing's certainer then death, Nor more vncertaine then the hower of death

89

With constant resolution hee contemnes All worldly ioyes, and pleasures, knowing well, That hee which loueth them, himselfe condemnes,

Not to deserue with Christ in heauen to dwell, And shewes that's hart's possest with vanitie, And his delight is in iniquitie.

90

And so hath peace in conscience, taking care Not to disturbe the same in any sort, Reioycing at that benefit most rare, On him by Christ bestow'd for his comfort. A Iewell which more precious is then all The treasures of this world terrestriall.

91

He meditateth day and night vpon The holy law of God, which is his guide, Here vpon earth, with resolution, And full entent nere from the same to slide, For vnto him it breedeth more delight, Then worldly ioies, wherein man takes delight.

92

Reioying in the same he humbly praies The Lord to giue him wisdome from aboue, And to direct and guide him in his waies, Which hee with all his heart and soule doth loue. As knowing that God neuer doth denie To aide those that to him for helpe doe crie.

93

He is content with whatsoere God giues, And praiseth him for's benefits most good, Reposing trust in Christ, and while he liues, Desires nothing but necessary food, To maintaine life, and raiment to put on, Vntill his time of dissolution.

94

As knowing that what care soere man takes To gather and to hoord vp worldly wealth, T' is not that, which him truely happy make, Nor any waies to's soule procureth health. Gods blessings onely which on him he sends, Doth make him rich, and thereon he depends.

95

He trusts not in the great and high estate Of men, nor yet in riches that are fraile, Th' ill vse whereof makes man vnfortunate, And in his greatest need of helpe to faile. He onely doth in God repose his trust, That can and will without doubt helpe the iust,

96

He doth respect reliefe from Christ aboue, As knowing that most certainely his name, Is in the booke of life, and that the loue Of God is such, that he doth neuer blame Him, that in Christ to serue him's alwaies prest, But will reward him with eternall rest.

97

He knowes the man that is vpright and iust Is happy, and assurde of heauenly blisse, For he that feareth God, and puts his trust In him alone, of aide shall neuer misse. And he will blesse the man that in his sight, With feruent zeale doth striue to liue vpright.

98

For he doth ground and build his faith vpon The rocke of Christs, most holy Testament: Which giues eternall life to euery one, That with a constant minde and true intent, Doth serue God in the holy Trinitie And to his power shuns iniquitie.

99

He knowes his life is short, and euery day Declineth, and's so full of miserie, That he may well affirme and truely say, That he's accurst, and no felicitie, Is to be hoped for, by him at all, If on the Lord in Christ he doth not call.

100

He doth beleeue that God is alwaies proone, And ready to heare those that on him call, And that in Christ he pardneth euery one That with meeke heart vpon their knees doe fall, And mercy craue, for his sake that's blood spilt, Guiltlesse vpon the Crosse, for our guilt.

101

Being holy he doth not his soule subiect Vnder the yoke of soule concupiscence; But vtterly withstands, and doth reiect Such kinde of follie, and meere negligence Of that which to mankinde is pestilent, And shorten's dayes that thereunto is bent.

102

Hee's taught that on earth to liue happily, The loue of God should euermore remaine Within his heart, thereby continually To mooue him his true honour to maintaine, That all the world hath made and gouerneth, And to each liuing thing giues vitall breath.

103

Hee knoweth that th' eternall gouerneth By his erelasting power and prouidence All things in heauen and earth, and fauoureth Him that with heart, soule, mind, and full pretence Doth meditate on his most holy Writ, Obserues, and is obedient vnto it.

104

Hee followeth his vocation honestly, In feare of God, and vprightnesse of heart, Doth good to all, and nere doth falsifie His promise, nor from his word will not start, Although vnto his detriment it were, So much hee doth God honour, loue, and feare.

105

Hee praiseth God that giues him life on earth, (Which should bee done likewise by euery one) But much more doeth hee thanke him for's new birth, And spirituall regeneration In Iesus Christ, which by his holy spirit, Made him Gods childe, eternall life t' inherit.

106

Therefore to Gods commandments he obayes, And with heart, mouth, and soule continually Doth his most holy name extoll and praise, Which hee doth not neglect, but carefully Doth follow his precepts in euery thing. One God in Trinitie still worshipping.

107

Hee liueth soberly, and is content With any thing that nature doth suffice: For hee whose minde vnto excesse is bent, Is prone to sinne, and shewes himselfe vnwise, And doth fulfill the prouerbe true and old, That without wine and good cheere loue is cold.

108

He knowes well that the wicked man gets nought By pleasure which he takes in wicked deeds: And that the ill which hee thereby hath wrought, Attends him still, and from the same proceeds The gilt of sinne, the which with terrour great, Doth summon him before Gods iudgement seate.

109

He's taught by Gods word that his body is The Temple of the holy Ghost, and that Being dead, to rise againe it certaine is, And therefore vowes in Christ that him begat In spirit, to serue the Lord spiritually, The which by God's respected specially.

110

He vowes to Christ his heart, mouth, eyes, and eares, To loue, confesse, to see, and heare his voice; For with's eyes he sees Christ, with's eares he heares, With's heart he loues, with's mouth hee doth reioyce In God, and sings praise to his holy Name, That hath him sences giuen to doe the same.

111

Hee doubteth not that God by's prouidence, Most iust, most wise, and most omnipotent, Doth gouerne, rule, and is the sole defence Of all things both in th' earthly regiment, And in the heauens aboue, where he doth raigne, And in their essence doth them still maintaine.

112

Hee blesseth God, that most abundantly, Out of the ocean of his treasurie, Distills on vs poore soules incessantly, Whole seas of gifts and graces heauenly, Wherewith hee blesseth those that doe him serue, And both in life and death doth them preserue.

113

Hee often calls Gods heauenly loue to minde. That doth the great assaults, attempts and wiles, Which Sathan daily vseth 'gainst mankinde,

And him thereby continually beguiles,) Diuert and turne, contrary this pretence, For of his Saints, he is the sure defence.

114

He doth direct his vowes, and with heart praies, To God the Lord, and to the Trinity, The Father, Son, and holy Ghost alwaies, Extolling the most heauenly Deity: For all the mercies which from thence doe flow, Th' effects whereof in's creatures plainely show.

Of afflictions.

115

Being truely wise he beareth patiently, Such crosses as most commonly are layd, On Christians, whom the most iust God to try Them, visiteth, and trusting in Gods ayde, Doth ioyfully receiue correction, At th' and of God for his instruction.

116

He feares no hurt, nor stroake of death at all, For being reform'd in heart, in tongue, in deed, His spirit, voice, and cogitations all Depend on God, on whom he hath decreed, To waite and to serue him while life doth last, T' enioy eternall blisse when life is past.

117

No sickenes, no disease, nor pouerty, Can once disturbe, or discontent his minde, What ill soeuer, or aduersity His body feeles, his soule doth comfort finde In Christ, and he doth liue content in all Distresse and griefe, whats'ere on him doth fall.

118

If in his daies, and time of mortall life He hath no mond••ine blisle, nor earthly ioy, (Which doth procure such warre and deadly strife, In th' arts of men) he neuer feeles annoy, But patiently endureth euery thing, Without all worldly care or sorrowing.

119

If in griefe and distresse, he is contemn'd, He knowes that God is ready to releeue, His troubled soule, yea though he were condemn'd. To die yet doth he constantly beleeue, And trust that God in Christ will giue him life, And keepe him safe in midst of mortall strife.

120

If ill for good be done to him, that ill Turnes into good, for changing property, It is good vnto him, because such ill Supports and strengthens his infirmity, And makes him strong and patient in that ill, Which doth conuert and turne his mind from ill.

121

If he on this short life doth meditate, He thinkes the day which by death is ordaind To end his life and change his mortall state Most happie, for that by God preordaind, He is assured, in he auen to possesse, A life repleate with ioy and happinesse.

122

If men by false report doe scandalise His name, he knowes that God (the iudge of all Mankinde) will surely plague his enemies, And them therefore vnto accompt will call, And will conuert such infancy and blame, To's honour, but to their disgrace and shame.

123

If th' iniury of the enuious man doth seeme A burthen vnto him, and great disgrace, He doth such wrong, and false report esteeme, A sweet correction by Gods heauenly grace Vpon him layde, for he that's wrongfully Accus'd, beares his wrongs contentedly.

124

If without cause of enemies great store He findes himselfe to haue, he's not afraid, But puts his trust in God, who euermore, Is vnto his a sure defence and aide, And doth th' vniust and wicked man correct, With many plagues, and finally reiect.

125

If he be mou'd to see th' uniust man liue Vnpunisht for a time (and that thereby He waxeth proud, and for that cause doth giue Himselfe to sinne) he knoweth certainely, That though God for a while his wrath doth stay, He will sure plague him at the latter day.

126

If he by persecution chance to be In danger of imprisonment, sword, or fire, Or if in any other perill he Doth fall, he prayes to God, and doth desire His ayde and helpe, for in extremity Prayer is the meanes to ease his misery.

127

If he should be constrained to lose or leaue His country, goods or lands, he is content, For he knowes well, such vanities bereaue Mankinde of blisse, and that he whose minde's bent For transitory ioyes, to leaue Gods lawes, Vpon himselfe eternall vengeance drawes.

128

If he by trauell feeles his body weake, He doth not feed, nor keepe it daintily, As knowing that whosoeuer doth not checke And bridle fleshly motions thereby Doth cause and moue vice in him to increase, And contrary true vertue to decrease.

129

If marriage be a burthen to his minde, He knowes that crosse, turnes vnto good to those That patiently can beare what s'ere they finde To breed dislike, and that God blesseth those Which in the state of marriage liue together Contentedly, and truely loue each other.

130

If want of issue giues him cause to grieue, (Sith marriage is for procreation Of children) he knowes that God doth giue Them t'whom he will, and that a wicked sonne, Ill nurtured procures the fathers griefe, A vertuous child his ioy, and his releefe.

131

If children, friends, or parents chance to die, (As all men are ordained to die in th' end) He is content, and beareth patiently, What losse or crosse soeuer God doth send In hope that they possesse that heauenly blisse, Which for th' elect by Christ prepared is.

132

If God to prooue and try his patience, Doth visithim with sickenes or distresse, He trusts in him, which is his sole defence, And neuer in his furie doth oppresse, Nor laies more on's elect then they can beare. Such is his loue to them, that him doe feare.

133

If for professing Christs most holy name. He's persecuted by Gods enemies, He doth esteem't a blessing t'endure blame For him that did his body sacrifice Vpon the crosse for the redemption, Of all Gods children by election.

134

If for his faith he suffereth martyrdome, Nothing to him is more acceptable, Esteeming it an honourable dome, (Though to the world it seemes contemptible) To be condemn'd for him to lose his life, That by death purchast him eternall life.

135

If's body being ready to receiue, The finall stroake of death by fire or sword, Doth shake and him of courage cleane bereaue, His soule by faith in Gods most holy word. Doth comfort and assurance to him giue, That he thereby with Christ for e're shall liue.

136

If doing well he's threatned to be kild, Yet doth he not feare death, because he knowes, That Gods most holy will must be fulfild, And that it is a meanes (as Scripture shewes) For him to dwell with Christ, that ouercame Death, for all those that do consesse his name.

137

If the assaults of Diuel, world, and sinne, By their exceeding tyrannie assaile His body, by faith which his soule hath in Christ Iesus, he against them doth preuaile, And with firme hope and certaine confidence, Assures himselfe of Gods most sure defence.

138

If any tribulation vexe his minde, Or that at th'oure of death he is afraid: He knowes by th'one great comfort he shalt finde, And that the other is to him an aide, And meanes t'eternall life, for without it, He neuer can, nor shall attaine to it.

139

If famine, warre, or plague (things vsde by God To scourge vs for our sinnes) doe him oppresse, He doth submit himselfe vnto his rod, And humbly on his knees with teares confesse His sinnes, thereby Gods anger to appease: For Christs sake praying him his griefe to ease.

140

He knoweth that afflictions suffered, With patience, to the elect is profitable, And that which Christ for them hath merited, Is vnto them so much auailable, That thereby all their sorrow changed is, Into eternall ioy and heauenly blis.

141

In miserie he calles to God on high For mercy, and doth craue deliuerance, With promise euermore to magnifie His holy name, and's honour to aduance. Assured that without doubt hee will soone Releeue and ease him in's affliction.

142

He knowes he is Gods childe b'adoption, And so perswaded that by Christ being made Heire of Gods kingdome by election, By diuine grace he neuer shall want aide, Nor comfort in aduersitie whatsoere, As long as hee the Lord doth serue and feare.

143

He feeles himselfe full of fragilitie, And weake of spirit, affliction much to beare, If Christ which aides the imbecilitie Of poore afflicted soules, did him not reare, And sustaine him in his deiection, For of the elect h'is sole protection.

144

Patient, and well content, his faith is strong, As knowing that the time is soone orepast, That hee shall liue, and though the peruerse wrong Him neere so much, it will not alwaies last: And confidently in God putting's trust, Doth shun the wicked counsell of th'uniust.

145

He knoweth that those which are Gods elect, By faith vpon his promises lay hold, And when soeuer he doth them correct, They are thereby so constant and so bold, That humbly praising God therefore th'assure Themselues, that crosses good to them procure.

146

Afflicted by the Lord, he doth consider That hee in mercy punisheth his sinne: And that with true repentance whensoeuer, To call vpon his name hee doth begin: He doth not onely pardon his misdeed, But easeth and releeueth him with speed.

147

He knoweth that the world by God was made, And that life, death, time, and all other things, Both good and bad, their Essence from him had, And that he rules and gouerneth all things By his most mighty power and prouidence, Wherein he wholly puts his confidence.

148

In what estate soeuer, there's no thing, More wished for by him, then that hee may, With heart and voice (all sinne abandoning) Giue honour due to God, both night and day: And all his griefe his martyrdome, and feare, With patient minde contentedly doth beare.

149

Being th'image of th'eternall, his desire And sole delight, is to liue holily, As Gods precepts and Christian faith require, In all'safflictions calling humbly Vpon the Lord, as it becomes the Saints, When t'him they make their praiers and complaints.

150

If. God on him for sinne doth crosses bring With contrite heart and soule confessing it He thanketh him therefore acknowledginge, His mercy, and his most great benefit. In Christ, that sau'd him by his passion From euerlasting condemnation.

151

When death from him doth take his vitall breath, He knowes Christs power (which all power doth excell) And's precious death and passion, or••came death And vanquished the Diuell, sinne, and hell, That he, and all that doe in him beleeue, In God with him eternally might liue.

152

Fooles in their fond imaginations vaine, Perswade themselues that God lookes not on vs, And stops his eares when we to him complaine, And that his fauor's drawne away from vs: When roughly (with paternall loue, and zeale, To try and to correct vs) he doth deale

153

But they know not, what ioy and comfort wee Receiue, by his corrections fauourable, Nor how sweet such reproofes vnto vs be, Wherby our soules are made conformable, Vnto his will, and cause vs to esteem't A happy state: though they contrary deemie't.

154

Each burthen's light, all tribulation's sweet, To him that with a glad and ioyfull heart: (When as it his chance therewith to meet,) Receiueth it, and as it is his part In humble wise submits himselfe vnto Whats'ere it pleaseth God to him to doe.

155

It's euery true, and faithfull Christians part, To suffer persecution for Gods name, To honour Iesus Christ with all his heart, And for his sake t'endure all wrong and blame With patience, for by aduersity, We shall at last possesse th'eternity.

156

The liquor of thy mount celestiall, (Wherewith thou didst annoint the children three, And sau'dst them when vpon thee they did call In midst of flaming fire to let men see Thy power) is thy grace Oh heauenly Lord, Which thou to thine at all times dost aford.

157

The reprobate and worldly man that nere, Make any true vse of correction Doe mocke at vs, and without any feare, Of thee, flies from and shuns affliction. Not knowing, neither seeing that by it, Th'elect of God receiue great benefit.

158

By faith in our afflictions we behold The Saints triumph in immortality, (Their heads adorn'd with glistring crownes of gold) About the throane of th'heauenly Deity. With full assurance, once with them t'adore Thy holy name in heauen, for euermore.

159

And so in thy great power and clemency (Our ground of hope) by intire charity, (The spring of life) and thy benignity, In all our trouble and aduersity, Our soules are fortified with confidence, In thee oh Lord, that art our sole defence.

160

Wherefore dispising world and earthly ioy, We doe expect the latter day of dome, Wherein our soules to their eternall ioy With God shall be conioynd. This is the somm•• And true effect of our Philosophy: The fruits whereof is to liue happily.

FINIS.