Schola cordis, or, The heart of it selfe, gone away from God brought back againe to him & instructed by him in 47 emblems.

The ladder of the Heart.

PSAL. 84. 5.

In whose heart are the wayes of them.

Epigr. 37.

WOuld'st thou, my love, a ladder have, whereby Thou mai'st climbe heaven to sit downe on high? In thine owne heart then frame thee steps, and bend Thy mind to muse how thou mai'st there ascend.

ODE. 37.

The Soule.

1.

What? Shall I Alwayes lie Grov'ling on earth, Where there is no mirth? Why should I not ascend, And climbe up, where I may mend. My meane estate of misery? Happinesse I know's exceeding high: Yet sure there is some remedy for that

Christ.

2.

True, There is. Perfect blisse, The fruit of love, May be had above: But he, that will obtaine Such a gold-exceeding gaine, Must never think to reach the same, And scale heav'ns walls, untill he frame A ladder in his heart •…•… •…•… •…•…

The Soule.

3.

Lord, I will: But the skill Is not mine owne: Such an art's not knowne, Unlesse thou wilt it teach: It is farre above the reach Of mortall minds to understand. But if thou wilt lend thine helping hand, I will endeavour to obey thy Word.

Christ.

4.

Well Then, see That thou be As ready prest To performe the rest, As now to promise faire, And I'll teach thee how to reare A scaling-ladder in thine heart To mount heaven with: no rules of art, But I alone, can the composure tell.

5.

First, Thou must Take on trust All that I say, Reason must not sway Thy judgement crosse to mine, But her Scepter quite resigne. Faith must be both thy ladder sides, Which will stay thy steps what e'er betides, And satisfie thine hunger, and thy thirst.

6.

Then, The round Next the ground, Which I must see; Is Humilitie: From which thou must ascend, And with perseverance end. Vertue to vertue, grace to grace, Must each orderly succeed in'ts place. And when thou hast done all beginne againe.