Mount-Orgueil: or Divine and profitable meditations raised from the contemplation of these three leaves of natures volume, 1. Rockes, 2. Seas, 3. Gardens, digested into three distinct poems. To which is prefixed, a poeticall description, of Mount-Orgueil Castle in the Isle of Jersy. By VVilliam Prynne, late exile, and close prisoner in the sayd Castle. A poem of The soules complaint against the body; and Comfortable cordialls against the discomforts of imprisonment, &c. are hereto annexed.

About this Item

Title
Mount-Orgueil: or Divine and profitable meditations raised from the contemplation of these three leaves of natures volume, 1. Rockes, 2. Seas, 3. Gardens, digested into three distinct poems. To which is prefixed, a poeticall description, of Mount-Orgueil Castle in the Isle of Jersy. By VVilliam Prynne, late exile, and close prisoner in the sayd Castle. A poem of The soules complaint against the body; and Comfortable cordialls against the discomforts of imprisonment, &c. are hereto annexed.
Author
Prynne, William, 1600-1669.
Publication
London :: printed by Tho. Cotes, for Michael Sparke Senior, and are to be sold by Peter Inch of Chester,
1641.
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Subject terms
Jesus Christ -- Poetry -- Early works to 1800.
Christian literature -- Early works to 1800.
Link to this Item
http://name.umdl.umich.edu/A91224.0001.001
Cite this Item
"Mount-Orgueil: or Divine and profitable meditations raised from the contemplation of these three leaves of natures volume, 1. Rockes, 2. Seas, 3. Gardens, digested into three distinct poems. To which is prefixed, a poeticall description, of Mount-Orgueil Castle in the Isle of Jersy. By VVilliam Prynne, late exile, and close prisoner in the sayd Castle. A poem of The soules complaint against the body; and Comfortable cordialls against the discomforts of imprisonment, &c. are hereto annexed." In the digital collection Early English Books Online. https://name.umdl.umich.edu/A91224.0001.001. University of Michigan Library Digital Collections. Accessed June 18, 2024.

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Meditations of the first Ranke, Pa∣rallelling Christ and Rockes to∣gether.
ANd first, the Rockes doe lively represent A complete Image, full of sweete content, Of Christ our Rocke; sith that both They and He In Name and Nature fitly doe agree. Are they cal'd Rockes? So he in sacred Writ Ab 1.1 Rocke is stil'd, in these regards most fit.
1.
The Stony Rockes no other Father know But God who made them, from whosec 1.2 word they flow So Christ (both God and Man) no Father knowes Butd 1.3 God eternall; from whose Loines he flowes By such ae 1.4 Generation as exceedes Mens shallow Thoughts, and in them wonder breeds.
2.
Rockes are thef 1.5 firmest ground whereon to lay, And found such buildings as shall not decay. But last and stand in spite of Floods, Stormes, wind, Which may beate on them, yet no entrance finde, Sog 1.6 Christ's the onely Rocke, the tryed stone On which the Church is built: On Him alone Our Soules so safe, fast, firmely, founded lye, That they shall stand for all eternity Unshaken, undemolisht, maugre all Theh 1.7 Stormes, Flouds, Winds, that on them beat & fall

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Through Men or Devils Malice: Happie they Who on this firme Rocke, all their buildings lay.
3.
Rockes yeeld the sweetesti 1.8 Honey, Men to feede: Thek 1.9 sweetest honey comforts, Joyes proceede From Christ our Rock, Mens drooping souls to cheare And sweeten all sowre Crosses which they beare.
4.
All precious Stones, and Jewels Rocks doe breed: All Gemmes and Pearles of Grace froml 1.10 Christ proceed The first, our Bodies decke, but for a space; The last, ourm 1.11 Souls, with an eternall Grace. The first, in Mans eyes are a lovely sight; The last in Gods eyes makes us shine most bright. O let us then, these Jewels onely prise, Which make usn 1.12 comely in Gods sacred eyes.
5.
The richest Mines of Silver, Gold, Tin, Lead, Brasse, Copper, in the wombes ofo 1.13 Rockes are bred: Whence not digg'd out with pains, they uselesse lie And none are better'd, or enricht thereby. Thus all the Mines, and Treasures of Gods Grace Arep 1.14 hid in Christ, as in their proper place. Yet none doe happie, rich, or wealthy grow By these hidde Treasures, though they overflow; But those who take muchq 1.15 paines to dig them thence With Prayers, Teares, Faith, Hope, and Patience. O let us then be ever drawing Oare Out of our Rock Christ, in whom there's such store

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Of richest golden Mines, that allr 1.16 who will May there their Soules, and Bagges for ever fill.
6.
The purest, best, and pleasanist waters spring Out ofs 1.17 Rockes sides; which sweete refreshment bring To Man and Beast, whose Thirst they quench and stay, Their bodies bathe, and wash their filth away. Thus from our Rocke Christ, and his pierced side, Such pearelesse Streames oft 1.18 Blood and Water glide, (To save, bathe, clense, refresh all broken Hearts, And quench hell flames, with Sathans, fiery Darts:) As farre surpasse the purest Streames that flow, From all the Rockes, or Fountaines here below. And now (me thinks)v 1.19 the Rock in wildernesse Whence streames of waters gushed to redresse, And quench the Peoples Thirst, when Moses Rod It smote, and pierced by command from God. (Yea every Rock whence Cristall waters spring) A livelyx 1.20 Picture was, and is to bring Our Rocke Christ to our Mindes, and to present Him to our eyes, and Hearts with great content: From whose pierc'd Hands and side with Nayles and Speare, Wholey 1.21 Streames of precious Blood, and waters cleare Did sweetely flow, Gods wrath to quench, allay, His peoples Thirst, and wash their sinnes away. We neede not then a Crucifixe, to bring Christ to our Mindes, sith every Rocke and Spring That flowes from thence, doth in morez 1.22 lively wise Present Christ and his Passion to our Eyes; Let Papists then behold their painted stickes; Each Rocke to me shall be a Crucifixe, Asa 1.23 God hath made it: and shall teach me more, Than all the Pictures of the Roman Whore;

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Which are meereb 1.24 Idoll, heathenish vanities, Andc 1.25 teach nought else, but Errors, Sinnes, and Lies.
7.
Rockes yeeld a pleasantd 1.26 shade against the Heate, The scorching Sun and Storms that on Men beate; Which sweete Refreshment to the weary brings, And cooles them more than any limpid Springs. Christ our Rocke is a sweete refreshinge 1.27 shade Against all Heates that scorch, all sinnes that lade His Saints; whose weary Sinne-burnt Soules can gaine Nof 1.28 rest but in his shade, which ends their paine; Yea fills them with suchg 1.29 Peace, Ioy, Chearefulnesse, That they an Heaven here on Earth possesse. O let us still abide in this blest shade, Where-with our soules are eas'd, and happy made.
8.
The Holes and Clifts in Rockes to which Menh 1.30 flye In times of Danger, for Security; Paint out the Holes, Clifts, wounds in Christs pierc'd i 1.31 side Feete, Hands, wherein our Soules may safely hide Themselves against all stormes that Devils, Hell, World, flesh, or Sinne can raise up, them to quell. O let us to these blessed Holes, Clifts flye For Shelter, and in them both live and dye. Yea let each Hole and Clift which we espie In Rocks, present Christs wounds, Holes, to our Eye, And so imprint them in our Hearts and Minde, That they may still sweete Solace in them finde.

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9.
Rockes seldomek 1.32 weare or waste, but last and know No changes, while Things, Seas still ebbe, and flow About them. So our Rocke Christ lasts for aye Without all Change, bothl 1.33 yesterday, to day, And still the same for all eternitie, When all things else decay, waxe, old and dye. Friends, Parents, Kindred, Goods, Lands, Cities, States, Kings, Kingdomes, yea the world, havem 1.34 all their Fates, Falls, Changes, Periods; and doe passe away; Whiles Christ our Rocke stands firme at the n 1.35 same stay. No change, ageo 1.36 death can on him seaze, or lite, He still continues in the selfe-same plight, O let us then make Him our onelyp 1.37 stay, Friend, Treasure, Portion, who thus lasts for aye, Then when all Friends, Helpes, Stayes, Hopes else faile, He Aloneq 1.38 more than all these to us will be. Oh prize Him most who doth all else excell, And still remaines when they bid us farewell.
10.
Rockes are to Men ther 1.39 strongest, safest Fence, Fort, Refuge in all Dangers: and from hence Most Castles, Townes, Forts on them setled ar, Which guard whole Kingdomes, both in Peace and war; To these men in all places use to flye For ayde and shelter in extremitie, And is not Christ our Rocke, the strongest Mound, The safests 1.40 refuge of his Saints? who found

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Their Forts, strength, fafty upon Him, and flye To him alone in all their Miserie? Where they in safty live, and dare defie Both Men and Devils with securitie. O let us then on Him alone repose Our Soules, who willt 1.41 protect them from all foes.
11.
Doves, Eagles, Conies, Fish inv 1.42 Rockes doe breed, Build, dwell and hide themselves: Christs chosen seede Inx 1.43 Him alone breed, build, dwell, live, and hide From all such Perills as shall them betide. Let this their wisedome teach all others grace In this Rock Christ, their Strength, Nests, Homes to place.
12.
Rockes have no outwardy 1.44 forme nor comelinesse To make them lovely.z 1.45 Scripture is expresse That Christ our Rocke had none, whence mosta 1.46 despise Him whiles they view Him but with carnall Eyes. And yet as Rockes, though ragged, vile and bare In outward forme, containe within them rare And precious Jewels, Stones, Mines, of all Kinds; So though our Rocke, Christ, unto carnall Minds In outward shew seemes base; yet in Him lye Theb 1.47 richest Treasures, Mines, Gems, hid from eye: O judge not then byc 1.48 out side, since corse skinne And rags oft times have Treasures, Pearlesd 1.49 within, Whiles guilded Outsides (like ae 1.50 painted Grave) Nought else but Dust, Drosse, Dung, within them have.

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13.
Rockes fence the Land against the raging Seas, Which else would swallow it with speed, and ease. Sof 1.51 Christ defends his Church and feeble Sheepe, Gainst Devills, Tyrants, Wolves; who else would sweepe Them cleane away, and speedily devoure, If not protected by his Mighty Power. O give Him then the praise of this sweete Grace Who thus preserves us safe in every place.
14.
Rockes oft times Harbours make for Ships to ride In safty both from Pirats, Stormes, winds, Tide. So Christ our Rocke, ang 1.52 Harbour is to all, Who flye to Him, and for helpe on him call In all their Troubles; where they may repose Themselves in safty, maugre Stormes, or Foes.
15.
Rockes through the world neare hand dispersed lie For Men toh 1.53 flye too, in extremitie. Christ ini 1.54 all places is still neare at hand, A Rocke to shield, and guard his chosen Band, In all their Dangers, and perplexities, Thrice happy he who in him fenced lies.
16.
God well accepted in most gratefull wise, And by some wonder grac'd the Sacrifice

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Which holy Men upon barek 1.55 Rockes did lay, And offer to him; not on Altars gay. Thus God those Praises, Almes, Teares, Prayers, Cryes, (A Christians best and onelyl 1.56 Sacrifice) Doth most regard, and them alone approve Which laid onm 1.57 Christ our Rocke, doe from Him move, And mount to Heavenn 1.58 sweetned with the fume Of his rich Odors, which their stincke consume.
17.
Altars of old were built ono 1.59 Rockes; to shew That we nop 1.60 Altar else but Christ should know; And that all Altars, Offerings must proceede From Him, or else theyle stand us in no steede. Those Altars then are built but on theq 1.61 Sand, And sure to fall, which on Christ doe not stand; As none doe now, sithr 1.62 Christs death overthrew All Altars but Himselfe, both old and new.
18.
No lasie, fearefull Persons can ascend Steepe Craggies 1.63 Rockes, but onely those who bend Their Mindes, Force, Might thereto, who hardly get Vpon them but with earnest paine and sweat, Nay falls, oft-times, and Bruises: so all those Whot 1.64 sloathfull are, with Christ can never close: A Rock so Narrow, craggie, steep, Sublime That, none, with Ease, with Paines,v 1.65 few can Him (Climbe, Meeting withx 1.66 many Rubbes, Falls, Bruises, ere They climbe upon Him, and a building reare. O then let all who thinke this Rocke to mount Of Paines, Sweat, Fals, Rubs, crosses, makey 1.67 account.

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And then addresse themselves withz 1.68 all their might Ʋnto this worke, which will their paines requite.
19.
Rockes are too Hard, on which to sleepe secure: And they musta 1.69 watch, not sleepe whom Christ keepes sure. Those who intend on this Rocke safe to lye, Mustb 1.70 Shake off sleepe, with all security: Watching andc 1.71 praying alwayes night and day, Lest world, flesh, Devill them surprize and slay.
20.
Rockes in, or neere the Seas, and waters are; And doe their heads, most partd 1.72 above them beare: So Christ, our Rocke, on earth did oft reside Neare to the Sea; yea, on it, walke and ride: Lifting his Head above the proudest Seas, And calming all their raging waves with ease: To shew that He wase 1.73 Supreme Lord of all The world,f 1.74 when Seas and floods before Him fall; Yea, prove a footestoole for his feete to tread, Andg 1.75 walke upon in safty, without dread. All other Rockes in waters sincke, Christ Sailes, Swimmes, walkes upon, and over them prevailes.
21.
Most, ragged Rockes contemne, neglect, forsake, Ʋntill someh 1.76 Dangers force them to betake Themselves unto them for securitie, And then they prayse, and highly magnifie

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Those Rockes they held before in such disgrace, As the most strong, sweete, best, and safest place. So, most this Rocke Christ quitei 1.77 neglect, despise, Desert, abandon tillk 1.78 extremities Enforce them to Him, to protect and free. Them from the Evills which they feare and flee. And then no place so sweete, safe, delicate As this our Rocke before left desolate. But yet as those who unto Rockes doe flye, Not out of love, but meere necessity, l 1.79 Forsake them quite, when as their Dangers end; So, such whom Feares, or Perills force, and send (Not sincere love) to Christ our Rocke,l 1.80 away Depart from Him, and will no longer stay, When as their Dangers, Troubles, Feares are gone, And most unkindly leave Him all alone. Hence may all Popelings Learne, that Multitude, Christs, or his Churches truth dothm 1.81 ill conclude.
22.
Rockes humble are, and never upwards tend, Mount, swell, butn 1.82 downe their Heads and Motions bend. So Christ our Rocke, dido 1.83 humble and abase Himselfe, but never sought high state or Place; Moving from Heaven downe to Earth below, To quench all Pride, and make men humble grow. Who then dares swell with Pride, or Haughtinesse When Christ, Himselfe did thus so low depresse; Thoughp 1.84 King of Kings, and Lord of Lords, most High, Nay second Person in the Deity?

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23.
High Rocks a pleasantq 1.85 Prospect yeeld, whence Men Sea, Land, nay Heaven may the better Ken. And with delight see farther, and farre more Than they on lower ground beheld before. Thus men high mounted on our Rock, Christ, view From thence, with most delight, suchr 1.86 pleasant, new And glorious Sights of God, and things above As rap their soules, and make them sicke of Love. Thence they behold all Earthly things below With other Eyes, and both discerne and know Them to be vile, bases 1.87 Drosse, meere vanity; And very small when view'd thus from on high.
24.
Whent 1.88 Serpents upon Rockes doe creepe or glide They leave no tract, way, steps, that can be spide. When that old Serpent Satan crept upon Our Rocke Christ, with his strong Temptation, Hev 1.89 nought prevailed, and no print, step, trace, Of him or his Assaults on Him tooke place.
25.
When Christ our Rocke for forty dayes and nights Had fasted, then the Devill Him incites Tox 1.90 turne stones into Bread, Himselfe to feede; Which He denide, though then he bread did neede: Yet of his tender Mercy to Mankinde, And their poore soules, which are with hunger pinde,

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He dayly turnes a Rocke (Himselfe) toy 1.91 Bread Of life, wherewith their hungry Soules are fed. Yea, rather than his chosen, Bread shall neede, The Rockes and Stones their Soules shall fat and feede, Nay feast with those sweete wafers, which their Minde, Byz 1.92 Meditations doth within them finde. Let then our Hearts be right we neede not feare Aa 1.93 want of Bread, Food, them to feede, feast, cheare, Since every Rocke and Ston's a Magazine To feede, store, feast them still with Bread Divine.
26.
When God himselfe of his abundant Grace Shew'd forth his glorious Presence, and blest Face To Moses and Elias; he them plac'd Inb 1.94 Clifts or Caves of Rockes, and there them grac'd With this grand Honour, Him to view. When we Gods sweetestc 1.95 Face and Presence long to see, Our Soules to ravish; we must stand, and hide Within the Clifts of our Rock, Christs peirc'd side (Which these Rockes doe butd 1.96 figure,) the sole place Wherein we may with Comfort view Gods face. O let our Soules in these Clifts dwell and stay, Where God hise 1.97 Face and presence doth display, In such sweete manner, and such lively sort, As will our Soules with Love and Joy transport.
27.
Rough ragged Rockes and Stones, cause Men tof 1.98 fall And stumble on them; yea, oft times withall, Themselves to bruise, maime, breake, and hurt so sore, That they expire therewith, and rise no more;

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Thus Christ becomes to many a wicked one Ag 1.99 Rocke offensive, and a stumbling stone Who on Him stumble, slip, and headlong fall, And dash themselves in pieces therewithall. O then beware how we against Him hit Spurne, stumble, who to() 1.100 shivers will us split.
28.
Someh 1.101 Rockes of flint yeeld softest oyle, to swage, And supple hardest swellings, when they rage. Heale wounds, and Ulcers; supplest Oyles of Grace, Whichi 1.102 soften hard Hearts in a little space; k 1.103 Asswage our Paine, our Aches, wounds, sores cure, Proceede from Christ, a Rocke most firme and sure. Lord give us store of this soft Oyle, that we Our Hearts made soft, our wounds quite heal'd may see.
29.
The Mines and Treasures which in Rockes hid lye, l 1.104 Exceede Mans search and full discovery. The Sacred hidden Treasures which doe dwell In Christ our Rocke, are som 1.105 unsearchable; Vast, boundlesse, endlesse, that they farre exceede Saints largest thoughts and in them wonder breede. O let us still contemplate more and more Then 1.106 height, depth, length, breadth, of this searchlesse store. To fill our Soules with sweetest joyes, and make Them for the Love of these, all else forsake.
30.
Rockes are most Patient and doe noto 1.107 complaine Cry, stir, though Tempests, Seas, Winds, Axes, Rain, Nay Sledges be at upon them, and them bruise, Break, hew, cleave, pierce, cut, lance, & much misuse.

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So Christ our Rocke, enduredp 1.108 patiently, His Crosse, wrongs, suffrings, Death without all cry, Complainte, resistance; like a Sheepe before Her shearer, which doth never bleate, stir, roare. O let all Christians now at last fromq 1.109 hence Learne to beare crosses with like Patience.
31.
Ther 1.110 Floods, windes, stormes against the Rockes oft beate; They still exposed are to Cold, or Heate: Sometimes the Seas surround & drown them quite And oft the yce and snow them hide from sight: So Christ on earths 1.111 assaulted was with windes; Floodes, Tempests, Heate, Cold, Crosses of all Kindes, Which for a time did hide, immerge, at last, Quite over-whelme Him, till the Storme was past. What Christian then can thinke himselfet 1.112 secure From Stormes, Winds, Floods, sith Christ did them endure?
32.
When Christ gave up the Ghost, thev 1.113 Rockes did rent, The Death of this cheefe Rocke for to lament: Yea, to beare witnesse of his Deity, Who though he dy'd, madex 1.114 Rockes in pieces flye. That Heart is harder, worse than Rock or Stone, Which Christs Death cannot rent, nor cause to moane. Yea everyy 1.115 Rockie Heart must melt, rent, fall In pieces, when Christ shall it shake, smite, call By his Almighty Hand, or voyce; which make The hardestz 1.116 Rockes and Hearts to melt, split, shake.

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Lord let the Thoughts of thy Death quite relent Our Rockie Hearts, and move them to repent.
33.
Rockesa 1.117 seldome rot, corrupt, or putrifie: b 1.118 Christ rotted not, whilst he in Grave did lye; That so he might our rotten Corps thencec 1.119 raise Free from corruption, Him for aye to prayse. O feare not then, though we returne to dust, Christ at the lastd 1.120 will scoure off all our Rust; Drosse, and Corruption; and our Corps restore To such a State, that it shall dye no more; But live in endlesse Glory, and excell Thee 1.121 shining Rayes, which in Starres, Moone, Sunne, dwell.
34.
Rockes though they drowned be, appeare againe, And fixed in their Places still remaine: So Christ, though Dead, and layd in Grave, arose Againe thef 1.122 third day, yea to Heav'n up goes, Above the reach of Floodes; where he on high Hath fixt his Throne for allg 1.123 Eternity. Here shall this ever-living raised Rocke For everh 1.124 reigne amidst his chosen Flocke.
35.
Our Rocke Christ being dead entombed lay Within ai 1.125 Rocke; where He grim death did slay. We, Dust and Earth, when dead, tok 1.126 them returne: But our dead Rocke, a Rocke had for his Ʋrne: Which Him receiv'd, and habor'd even when, He Slaine, and quitel 1.127 rejected was by Men.

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O Rockes of Flesh, and Bowels, which firstm 1.128 rent Themselves, His bloody Passion to Lament! And then Him in their Bosomes lodge, and plac'd, When men Him slew, forsook, and most disgrac'd! O men (moren 1.129 hard than any Rocke, Flint, Stone, Who never, pitty, feele, regard, bemoane Christs cruell Death and Passion; nor receive Him, when the Rocks rent, and Him House-roome give! O let us learne from hence, how hard, unkinde, Ingrate we are to Him, who still shallo 1.130 finde More pitty, harbor, love, from Rockes than we, Ʋntill our Hearts by Grace relented be. And let this Thought our Hearts of Rocke now thaw, And Floods of bitter Teares out from them draw.
36.
In fine; when we consider thatp 1.131 Christ lay Intombed in a Rocke; yet the third day Rose up from thence: it makes each Hole and Cave We see in Rockes, no other but a Grave: And points us out theq 1.132 Place where we must lye Inter'd, ere long, and fits us still tor 1.133 dye: Which done, it then revives our soules againe With this sweet Thought, that wes 1.134 shal not remaine In Grave for ever; since our Saviour rose From thence againe, to rayse us, and all those Who are his Members, from the Dust, tot 1.135 raigne In endlesse Blisse, where he doth now remaine. Let these sweete Speculations ever cheare Our drooping Soules, and banish all their Feare.

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Thus Barren Rockes unto a pious Minde May fruitfull prove, if itv 1.136 Christ in them finde; When they in Name and Nature thus expresse Unto the life, with Fruite and Pleasantnesse; Farre better than all Pictures which the Blinde, Dull Papists make, to bring them to their Minde, As if Hisx 1.137 Word, Workes, Sacraments, yea,y 1.138 Man The truest, best Idaea that we can Have of Him) with each Rocke, Stone they espie Were not enough to shew him to their eye, Without those Idols, which have thrust aside These better Pictures, and Christ from them hide.
38.
Blessed Lord Jesus who thez 1.139 only Rocke, And Refuge art of thine Elected Flocke, Teach us thus sweetely to behold, and view Thee in each Rocke we see; for to renue, Melt, change, delight, rejoyce our Hearts, & make Them out of love to Thee, all elsea 1.140 forsake: Stillb 1.141 living, cleaving, dying unto Thee The onely Rocke, where they full safe shall be.

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