A treasury of divine raptures consisting of serious observations, pious ejaculations, select epigrams, alphabetically rank'd and fil'd by a private chaplain to the illustrious and renowned lady, Urania, the divine and heavenly muse : the first part.

A

1. On Abba.

OH! I have sinn'd before the Judges face, And justice storms; so vile am I, so base, I dare not plead, and yet I cannot fly From Gods all-viewing, bright-refulgent eye. I have offended Heav'n, infring'd his Laws; And now methinks incensed Justice draws His keen Steletto, at one fatal blow, T'effect mine everlasting overthrow. And must thou then for ever be undone, Poor trembling Soul? make in to th' Judges Son, Remembrest not how his dear bloud was spilt Upon the Cross, to answer for thy guilt? How he was dead, entomb'd, rose, intercedes For thee, and how afresh for sin he bleeds. Get Christ thy friend, and thou wilt quickly see The breach made up, betwixt thy God and thee.

Go in thy Saviors name, go make thy moan, And pour thy pray'rs before Gods gracious throne Beg his assisting Spirit so much the rather Because thou maist through it call Abba Father. God out of Christ is a consuming fire, In him our Father, granting our desire, In things that are consonant to his Will, And for our real good, how doth he fill Our lives with blessings, he hath Love for all Who can in truth him Abba Father call. He owns as sons, those that his Son do own, Believing on his Name; to them alone The golden Scepter of his pleased grace, He reacheth forth, them his sweet arms imbrace▪ He bears with them, accepts with what they do▪ And gives them his Paternal Blessing too. Sinners made Sons! free Grace to this must move O here is the Meridian of Love! Mirror of Mercies! Rebels to be crown'd, And swine made sons, O this is Love profound

2. On an Abetter.

SAtans commands (oppos'd to Gods) are ten Which are observed by the most of men, This lying Prince heartens us on to ill, Tells us his Laws are easie to fulfil. But God's are hard, besides his pay is greater, And thus the Dev'l becomes the Souls Abetter.

3. On Ability.

MAn can do nothing of himself, unless God give him leave, 'tis wisdom to express If God so please, to morrow we'l pursue Such and such things. Once a presumptuous Jew Said thus t'his friends, to morrow Ile be blest And crownd with mirth, the Bridal-chamber drest Resolv'd I am, to frolick out the day With my fair Bride, and who dare say me nay? And when 'tis night, I do intend to meet, My Souls delight, within the Genial Sheet; I will, I will, whether God will or no: Blasphemous wretch! to morrow gone, both go To bed, but lo! before the Game was vy'd, Death struck the jovial Bridegroom and his Bride.

4. On Abjuration.

IN Baptism, we to Christ our souls betroth, The World, Flesh, Satan, do renounce by oath. But ah! our words prove wind, our minds do vary And we t'our Abjuration walk contrary.

5. On an Abcedary.

THe Worlds a School, and we to School are set To learn Love, in Afflictions Alphabet, That Christ-cross row, but ah! how dul! how slow Are we to learn? till God do make us know. O Heaven, I crave that thou wilt be my Tutor, And make thy Spirit of Grace my co-adjutor.

6. On Abridgment.

THe World's a Book in Folio, fairly writ With Gods own hand, the creatures found in it Are Letters, spelling out the Authors Glory, And man's th' Abridgment of that ample story.

7. On Absence.

ALas! alas! we know not how to prize A real good, while 'tis before our eyes: No sooner gone, oh then we can set forth Its praise, and prize it for it's real worth; But yet we soon forget our absent friends, And laud the present out of base self ends. * 1.1

8. On Absolution.

GOd's Absolution is a full discharge Of sins, past, present and to come, at large: This to Gods People only doth belong, And serve to make their Faith when weak, more strong. Popish Indulgences, for future fins, Are meer Decoys, and Soul-beguiling Gins: Make men licentious impudent in evil, To go (if possible) beyond the Devil. Teach simple Souls to say, God gives us pardon Ev'n while they sin, was the like ever hard on? Good Lord forgive us, we have broke thy Law, The Pope▪s forgiveness, is not worth a Straw.

Absolve potentially God only can, And therefore not the Pope, the Pope's a Man.

9 On Abstinence.

TH' abstemious person's diet, is not large, He's one that feeds at frugal Natures charge, Forbears unlawful, yea and lawful things, Sometimes for the great benefit it brings; This fits for duty, is the bodies friend▪ How sweet when other graces it attend! Such as abstain from meat, but practise evils Are like meat-wanting, but sin-having Devils.

10. On Absurdity.

TO make a Garment for the Moon, To drein the Ocean with a Spoon, To build up Castles in the Ayr; Before foul Swine to cast Pearls fair, To paint the Dolphin in the Woods; Or Savage Boare in liquid Floods; To light a Candle at noon day; To seek for Water in the Sea: To set the Fox to keep the Geese; To wrest the Club from Hercules. To put the Cart before the Horse, To seek a Blessing in a Curse, Is held absurd, to think to win, A glorious Crown, yet live in Sin; Prepost'rous is, none can Heav'n gain, Without the price of labours pain.

11. On Abundance.

THe radiant Splendor of those things on earth, Dazles our Eyes to things of Nobler birth; Care-cumbred Martha, cannot act like Mary, Forgets to seek that one thing necessary; How many are impov'rishd by their Riches, Made Spirit'aly poor, the World bewitches. But ah! how rare to see a man inherit A wealthy Purse, with an impov'rish••d Spirit. Let Abraham much respect to Hagar show, She will ere long over her Mistriss crow; Plenty of places maketh oftentimes, Men fouly guilty of nefandous crimes. Rich Sodom, was a Nurserie of sins, And Jeshurun when fat, to kick begins; Nay, full-fed Israel committeth now Abomination, and hath broke her vow. Laodicea flow'd in wealthy store, And yet (alas!) was miserable poor. Paul in the midst of want knew how t'abound, And counted all things loss till Christ was found Had nothing, yet with all things was possest, ¶ None but the gracious Soul is truly blest. How full soever this my Cistern be, God's the grand-Fountain, nay, the Ocean-sea Of all enjoyments: All my Springs and Streams Are in, and from him; at his Golden beams

My Candle's tin'd; thus faith on God doth pitch, It is his blessing onely can make rich: Fish the Disciples may, tug and take pain, But till Christ come, their labour is in vain; The gaping chinks and chasmes of my Soul, He can fill up, who is my All, my Whole. Esau had much, he, that God his can call With Jacob, more enjoys, for he hath all; These are rich Cab nets, but God's countenance, His Light, O that's the Jewel we enhance! A single God is infinitely sweeter, Then all deriv'd good things, and always better. O may I with my Substance honor thee, Great God! Marias ointment could not be Brought to a better Mart, then when 'twas shed Abroad, so frankly on her Saviours head; Dote not (my Soul) in God is all thy springs, On these poor earthly, drossy, dirty things.

12. On Abuse.

GIve, give, the Horse-leech cries, we more do crave, And yet do still abuse the things we have: This man abuses Honor, that his Riches, Him drink besots, this dainty fare bewitches; And is't not just with God to take from us His Blessings, seeing we abuse them thus?

Nullum bonum est quo quis non male utatur impii Divina beneficia corrumpunt.

13. On an Academy.

SOme graceless ones that haunt those publick Schools, (Ho••s-like) evade meer Atheists, Scripture-fools, Such as for holy ends improve their parts, May bless God for such Nurseries of Arts.

14. On Acceptation.

CHrist bears the names of Saints upon his Brest, Presents them to his Father, in request So brings he them, God through Christ will treat, And parley with us from his Mercy-seat: He accepts what we do, therein delights, And makes us to become his Favourites. We to Gods eye in Christs bloud by reflexion, Seem of a sanguine, beautiful Complexion. So have I seen each object to the view, Through the red Glass seem of a ruddy hiew.

15. On Acceptation of persons.

NOr God, nor nature, death, nor devil do Respect mens persons, onely Man doth so; Persons should be regarded for their faith, Not faith for persons (as a wise man saith.) Accept of me in Christ, O God, my King, So wilt thou be well-pleas'd with what I bring.

16. On Accounts.

GReat God! when I would cast up the accounts Of all my sins, their number far surmounts,

Th'hairs on my head, the Heavens Starry bands, Earths blades of grass, the Sea beleag'ring sands. Lord, onely thou the great Arithmetitian, Canstsum them up; let Christ be my Physician, His mer'ts are infinite, with which he stops The mouth of Justice, those sanguineous drops That trickled down his wounds is balm to heal My soul; for pardon I through him appeal To thee, dear Lord, 'tis Mercy that I crave, Thy saving Mercy let thy servant have.

17. On an Accuser.

THe Devil, that grand accuser of our Souls, Hath not his name for nought, what bloudy scrouls Hath he against mans self, and now and than Accuseth man to God, vea God to man: Angels accuse us, and the Law likewise, The Judge himself accuses, Conscience flies In our guilt-blushing faces, smners be Against us; none but Christ can set us free, From all our accusations, run my soul To Christ by faith, and Christ will make thee whole.

18. On Acquaintance.

WOrldly acquaintance mischief oft attends, 'Tis said, many acquaintance, but few friends My soul, acquaint thy self with God, and rest In peace, of all acquaintance his is best;

This true friend neither can, nor will deceive thee Nor in an Orphan-state will never leave thee, But give thee visits; promises they are His Bonds; go put those Bonds in suit by pray'r.

19. On an Acquittance.

O God, our sins are debts, and more and more, We in thy Justice Books, still run on score, Can never pay, and we must therefore lie In Hells black prison to Eternity. But O we have a Surety (Christ) whose death Alone, can make offended Justice sheath His keen-edg'd sword; Love that transcends de∣gree, Our King he dies to set us Rebels free: He suffred for our sins; we by his stripes Are heal'd, and from our eyes all tears he wipes. The Debt's discharg'd, to Justice nothing's due, As our acquittance, writ in bloud, doth shew.

20. On Actions.

DO not the Silver-breasted Rivers go Back to the wealthy Seas from whence they flow? So to Gods glory must our Actions tend, As in him they begin, so must they end. As from the Sacred Fountain of his Grace They first took rise, so to their proper place They must retire, the Ocean of his Glory Must swallow up our Actions transitory; May I, what ever I assay to do, Make God my Alpha, and Omega too.

21. On an Adamant.

OUr hearts are like this unrelenting stone, Nothing can melt them, save the bloud alone Of the Messias: O sweet Jesus grant Thy bloud may mollifie my Adamant: Lord at thine hands a tender heart I crave, A heart of flesh, let me thy servant have; So shall I love thee, and adore thee still, And yield obedience to thy Heavenly will.

22. On Addition.

GOd multiplies his Mercies more and more, Ungrateful we, who to our sins vast score Add new offences daily; but be't known, God hath large showres of vengeance to pour down Upon our guilty souls, unless we rent Our rocky hearts, and speedily repent.

23. On an Adjective.

THe World's an Adjective, it cannot stand, Without a Substantive, th'Almighties Hand: And I can nothing signifie at all Without Gods Grace, unpropt by it I fall.

24. On an Adieu.

THe Old man bids the World adieu, When he can stay no longer in it, He whom Gods Spirit did once renew, Had rather lose the World that win it. That he in Heaven with Christ may dwell, He longs to bid the World farewell.

25. On an Adjourn.

DEar Lord! how apt are we t'adjourn The day and hour of our Return From sin to thee! from morn to noon We put it off, say 'tis too soon; And when lifes Sun is almost set, O then we dying thee forget.

26 On Admonition.

WOrds seasonably spoke, are like unto Apples of Gold, in Silver Pictures set; And if well taken, O what good they do, They stir us up to duties we forget. We should not Admonition detest, The wise man saith 'tis needful for the best. * 1.2

27. On Adoption.

WE were not born Gods children, but so made; The Dev'le, we for our natural father had; Through Grace snatch'd from th'old Family of Hell, In Heavens noble Family Saints dwell; Are disoblig'd from sin, new names receive, And an Estate which they shall never leave, Pleasant and safe; to an inheritance In light, kept for them; them doth he advance, The heirs shall never die, for be it known Eternitie's a Jewel of their Crown. Man, he Adopts a defect to supply; God, out of pity, not nece••sity.

He had an only Son, nor lov'd he any Like him, Man but one heir adopts, he many; Hath Land for all; Man soon adopts a Son, A Deed is sealed, and the thing is don, But when God was about to constitute Us Sons and Heirs, his wisdom could find out No easie way, he could not seal a Deed But by his own Sons bloud, his Son must bleed. Men on adopted persons entail do Their Land, but God his Land himself too. O what great Portions to Gods Heirs do fall, Heaven's theirs, Glory is theirs, yea, God and All! How precious are their Names, their Prayrs Tears, blood ••n Gods esteem, and O that Satans brood, Nay Traytors should be made Heirs to the Crown, Such Love was never to the Angels shown. And O what Sweets from out the Gospel flower May a Believer suck! when in our gore We tumbling lay, and were with sin bemir'd, And neither deserv'd love, nor love desir'd; He lov'd us then, when we had soild, defac'd His Image, broke his Law, us he embrac▪d, When we by Sin our Pedigree had lost, He did restore it to us to his cost.

28. On Adoration.

ANgels and Saints, my fellow-creatures be, And therefore shall not be ador'd by me; God who hath made me, and did me restore, Him only, and none else I must adore.

29. On Advancement.

1.

OUr Blest Redeemer fanci'd, Humility even so, Our way to be Advanced, Must be by being low.

2.

He had all in Fruition, Yet for our sakes did pitch, Upon a mean condition, That us he might enrich.

3.

This Prince inestimable By whom the World is swaid, Was in a homely Stable, Born of a Mother-Maid.

4.

The Heav'ns could not contain him, Yet him a cratch did hold; Fools did indeed disdain him, But wise men brought him Gold.

5.

He fasted, and was tempted, To feast us with his Grace, That we might be exempted, Opprest with griefs he was.

6.

W'are by his shame renowned, And eased by his pain; We by his Cross are Crowned, And by his loss we gain.

7.

On Earth, he was a stranger, That we might be Gods Sons; He past through Death and danger, To m••••e us sit on Thrones.

All Glory be to him therefore, Ascrib'd, both now and evermore.

30. On Advantage.

THe World in one Scale, blessed Jesus lays, The Soul in t'other, and the Soul out-weighs To gain the World, and lose the precious Soul, Is such a vantage, as the damn'd condole.

31. On an Adventure.

O How sad were my Adventures! Thus to forfeit mine Indentures, But to pay my just Debentures, Into Bond my Saviour enters. O my Soul, sin no more, Lest worse fall then did before.

Magnum est memorabile facinus non sit absque periculo. Tertul.

32. On an Adverb.

LIve, thats and Act, but much Divinity Lies couch'd in this one Adverb holily.

33. On Adversity.

THe Sts. like Glo-worms, in the darkest night Of sad afflictions, do reflect most bright, Rue is the Herb of Grace, oft times our woe Becomes our weal, our Saviour found it so; For first he Vinegar and Gall drank down O'th' Cross, e're he receiv▪d his glorious Crown: Mourning lasts but till morning, nightly sorrow Is Herald to a joyful shining morrow.

Now Storms arise, anon a prosperous Gale, Fans curteous blasts, upon the swelling Sail.

34. On Adultery.

ALL other sins may be subdu'd by might, Adult'rate mixtures only are by flight; Flee Fornication, holy Paul doth say, Yet O how many like fed Horses neigh After their neighbours Mates: the Brownist strives For all things to be common, Ergo Wives.

35. On an Advocate.

O Happy Mary for whom Jesus pleads, Judas condemns, but he commends thy deed•• Judas accuse, and slander while thou wilt, Jusus acquits, and clears us of our guilt. Earth judges evil, what Heav'n pronounceth good The moving Rhet'rick of our Advocates blood, Pleads strongly for us, and we need not fear, Though all the Devil's in Hell against us were. Our Sav'ours bloud which on the Cross was spilt, Quenches Gods wrath, and satisfies for guilt. Such as for help unto the Mother run, Shall have but little succor from the Son.

36. On Affection.

KInd Mary pours an Alabster Box, Of precious Spikenard on her Saviours feet, And with her chiefest Ornament, her Locks, She wipes them, humbleness and zeal her meet.

O how doth love in Maries heart abound, She serves God, not by th'ounce, but by the pound!

37. On Afflictions.

HOw light afflictions are! how transitory, Compared to the weight of endless glory! Or if compar▪d to sin, or if to Hell, And yet when our proud hearts do rise and swell, We think them heavy, for they press us down, Many dislike the Cross, but not the Crown: Tis true affliction hath a vexing sting, But know withal, it hath a flying wing; The shadows of the night shall flee away, And we shall see an everlasting day; Afflict'ons water like a Land-flood shall Be soon dry'd up, the Saints rise by their fall, Their night-cloaths flung a••ide, they shall be drest In rich array, and be for ever blest.

38. On Agents.

SAtannick Agents, are rubbish to scour The Vessels of Gods house, Ashur had pow'r To vex Gods Israel, this being done The smarting rod into the fire is thrown. 'Tis said, the rod of wicked ones shall not Alway remain upon the righteous lot.

39. On Air.

THe Throne of night and day, the airy main, The mint of winds, the treasures house of rain,

Becomes the common dish, (so Heaven decreed) Whereon all creatures every moment feed.

40. On an Alarm.

SOund an Alarm, thy Messengers fulfil, Thy pleasure Lord, ••et men are drowzy still. O when thy second Trumpet shall be sounded, The unbelieving World shall be confounded.

41. On an Albe.

THis vestment in it self is pure from sin, But yet not holy, nor are all within That wear't, Lord make me inwardly sincere, No matter then what outwardly I wear.

42. On an Alehouse.

THose common Quagmires of all naughtiness, And rendezvouz for such a love excess: All sober men decline, the lowzie Alehouse Fits men first for the Gaol, and next the Gallows.

43. On an Alembi••k.

MAns heart's a Chymick, Limbeck that distils▪ The tears of grief ••arm'd with the sense of ills; O when for sin, m•• Spirit'al Stillatory, Drop•• holy tears, thine be, O Lord the Glory.

44. On Almes.

WE to receive Gods Blessings in, have stor•• Of hands (like Bri'••••us,) to r••lieve the poo•• We have but one to use, and that alas! Is withered too, as Jeroboams was.

Its not enough to say, God help, and give Good words, unless the hungry we relieve; The Poor like the Camelion cannot feed Upon light Air: Give unto such as need; Let Artaxerxes like our open Palms, Be liberal in distributing Alms.

45. On Allowance.

OUr daily Bread, is from Gods daily care, Who feeds the wing'd Citizens of the Air: Doth he not also cloath us day by day, Who decks the Lillies in such rich aray? Thus having food, the commons God hath sent, And raiment too, let's be therewith content.

46. On an Altar.

GReat God! upon the Altar of my heart, I offer up the Sacrifice of praise To thee; be pleas'd to take it in good part, And make me glorifie thy Name always: Let who will prize Altars of Wood or Stone, There's no such Altar as a Fleshly one.

47. On Ambition.

DEsires that but the Poles no limits know, How they transport that man in whom they grow Such as aspire at Honors highest pitch, Like gazing Thales tumble down the Ditch. Great God! when my ambitious thoughts would climb To get a name by works compos'd of slime,

Check thou my sinful pride, let me not reach At such a union as may cause a breach; Nor close with sin, but still to minde recall Great Babels building, was great Babels fall.

Sen. Trag. 6. Quo fortunatius crexit ac levatit humanas opes, hoc se supprimere magis felicem decet. Sequitur superbos ultor a vergo Deus. 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 magna moles magna ruina.

48. On Almost.

ALas! how many have salvation lost, For want of thorough Reformation? The almost Christ'an shall be sav'd almost, But quite to all eternity undone. The Crown belongs to such as persevere, As good never a whit, as ne're the neer.

49. On Alpha and Omega.

OF all thy labors, and intentions, see That God thy Alpha and Omega be. He that's the Alpha of all Mercies, shall Be the Omega of my service all.

50. On Amen.

IT gives assent to what before was spoken, Tis an assuring, assevering Token. Let's pray in faith, that when conclude we do With our Amen, Heav'n may say Amen too.

51. On Amendment.

AƲgustus said of Galba's crooked back, Warn thee I can, better I cannot make: God in his goodness Ministers doth send us, To warn us, but it is his grace must mend us. If we remend our lives, and by Gods grace Reform what is a miss, he will imbrace Us in his loving armes, lay by his Rod, And be to us a reconciled God.

52. On Anarchy.

THe members have their head; the Stars the Sun, Nature abhors kingless confusion.

53. On Anathema.

OH to b'Anathematiz'd And deliver'd up to Satan, Is, if rightly exercis'd, Worse than what befell to Dathan. Serious censures were but sports, Heretofore in some mens Courts.

54. On Anotamy.

•• Ubstract Christ and his Members, holy ones, The world is nothing but a Trunk of bones.

55. On an Anchor.

¶ WHo upwards on his God hopes Anchor casts, Can triumph in the midst of stormy blasts.

56. On Angels.

ANgels heav'ns nobles; those bright flaming powr's, Untainted Spirits, are the Saints Servitors,

While here they live, and when of life bereaven, Those blessed Convoys carry them to heaven. Thus they attended Abram, Daniel, Mary, And Laz'••us when dead, did to glory carry. Saints by creation are than Angels lower, But Saints above them by adoption soar.

57. On Anger.

MOrosus is like Flax, or Gun-powder, No sooner touch'd but he is all on fire; And raging, not unlike the furious wi••d. Vents out the wilde distempers of his mind. Anger is a short madness, it suspends The use of Reason, it estrangeth Friends. Be angry, there's the reins; angry at sin, But sin not, there's the bridle curbs us in. Hearken to Socrates, if thou wouldst fly Rash Anger, think on Gods all-viewing eye. As the Divine Philosopher doth say, The best way to lay Anger, is delay. * * 1.3

58. On an Angler.

GOd is an Angler, so is Satan too, He takes to save, but Satan to undo.

59. On Antichrist.

PEter lays by his sword, and takes the Keyes, The Pope lays by his Keyes, and now adayes Falls to his sword; yet many to him flock, As if he had the Key t▪undo Heav▪ns lock.

60. On an Antidote.

GOds sacred Word is, and hath ever bin A sov'raign Antidote against all sin. Lord, if thy med'c••nable Wo••d dispell Sins venom from m•• heart, I shall be well.

61. On Antipathy.

THe strong-rib▪d Oak bears an antipathie Gainst the pale Olive; and the thrifty Bee Against the pilfring Wasp; discord doth breed Betwixt the Serpents, and the Womans seed; But most of all in man, mans flesh and blood Is enmity against God, and what is good.

62. On Antiquity.

WHat is most ancient, is the truest Text, We read first God says, and the devil says next. What God affirms, the Tempter he denies; Gods truths are elder than the Devils lies.

63. On Ants.

SEest thou these little Patterns of great pain, Lugg in their mouths their mighty loads of grain And fill the••r hollow-vaulted Cells, that so (While others pine) they may with plenty flow. ¶ Who in the winter would not suffer want, Must labor in the summer with the Ant.

64. On an Ape.

SAtan Gods Ape, that Prince of darkness can Shine like an Angel, to delude poor man.

65. On an Apparitor.

SUmmond by death, th'Apparitor of Heaven, Appear we must, and an account be given.

66. On Apparel.

ADam he sins, as soon as he preceives his shame, he makes him breeches of fig-leavs And afterwards he clothes with coats of skins His nakedness, but could not hide his sins. Thus man at first for need did clothes invent, Which since are us'd for pomp and ornament; Gorgious attire, and silken braverie, Is but the badge of our desert to die; What thief was ever of his Halter proud, Although a silken one were him allow'd? If so, methinks our proud fantastick Jacks, Should blush to carry all upon their backs, As of his learning Bias said, I bear All mine with me, so they of what they wear, Yet oft they stand, for all their lofty looks Deeply recorded in their Mercers books: Fair feathers now adavs do make fair Fowls, Bodies are better cloath'd alas! then Souls, O if Christs righteous Robes my soul adorn, No matter though my clothes were thred-bare worn.

Stultissimus est, qui hominem ex vestibus estimat. Externa non commendant hominem. Cic.

Quanto ornatior tanto nequitior. Heu nunc splendidus vestitus discolor animus.Marcel.

67. On the Appetite.

HOw dull to good is our souls appetite? But ah! what's bad we relish with delight.

68. On an Apple.

ONe Apple did undoe our Grandam Eve, And the whole world, yet daily we receive Forbidden fruits; alas! unwholsom food We love, and loath what is intirely good.

69. On the Apple of the eye.

GOds people are the Apple of his eye, O do not make this tender Apple cry; God his eye's Apple charily doth keep, O how it grieves him when 'tis made to weep!

70. On Application.

THe skilful Preacher having cleard his Text, Derives fit Doctrines thence, applies it next, The bow the explication onely bends, Fits for the mark, but application sends The arrows home: how Davids heart began To sink, when Nathan said, Thou art the man.

71. On Apostacy.

WE are the Lord of hosts his armed bands, And the Church is the field; us Christ com∣mands The Word & Sacraments our colours be; The Colonie of Saints our Companie;

Who fly this Field, revolt from this Commande•• Forsake this Colour, from this comp'nv wande•• By damnd Apostacie, to serve the Devil, Hells Prince, and first o••••ginal of evil, Christ'an'ties, foes, Religions grand disgrace, These are, besides, O how do the•• debase, And of a glorious Crown bereave themselves, Incur Gods heavy wrath, nefandous Elves? ¶ Such as from Christ to hels black Monarch r•••• Shall find him cruel, and themselves undo••e.

72. On the Apostles.

CHrists Vicars, the Apostles equal were For Rule, Power, Honor, Peter did not bear Supremacy; all did in gifts excell, Yet one (and he the richest) went to Hell.

73. On an Arbitrator.

CHrist Jesus is the onely Arbiter, By whom to God we reconciled are.

74. On an Arch-Bishop.

CHrist is the true Arch-Bishop of our souls, He oversees, and our Estate condoles.

75. On an Archer.

THe devils an Archer, & mans heart the whi•• On whi••h his fi'ry Darts of Trials light.

76. On an Argument.

TO seek and save lost sinners Christ is come, The argument that mov'd him was draw•• from

The Topicks of his Love, there was alas! No mer't in us to bring such things to pass.

77. On Arithmetick.

OUr sins to such a reck'ning are amounted, As cannotby the numb'ring Art be counted.

78. On an Ark.

When the rebellious world for sin was drownd Just Noah was preserved safe and sound. O wonderful! the wave-supported Ark, ••im, hi••, and some of all kinds did imbark. •• Christ is the Ark, and such as are in him, They shall (when others sink) be sure to swim: The Ark is Gods Church, who out of it are found ••hall not be saved, but ingulfd and drown'd •• his wraths deluge; the Pitch represents ••ove, which the Members of the Church cements ••nd knits together; as without, within ••he Ark was pitch'd; so open and unseen •• every Christians love, to let us know ••heir love is true, as well as love in show. ••lest Pitch! which not defileth, but the more ••is touch'd, it makes more Holy than before: ••he Ark had divers rooms, the Churches borders ••ath men of divers gifts, degrees, and orders. ••he Ark held Beasts unclean, as well as clean, ••ome that are in the true Church live in sin: ••he Gospel is the window in the Ark, ••reaching the light, enlightening the dark

And shady understanding, that imparts So bright a lustre as revives mens hearts. Christ is the door that appertains thereto, See thou do not in at a wrong door go. The Church (as was the Ark) is very large, Whereof Christ (as the head) takes special charg•• The Flood doth the Baptismal water shew, Which kills the old man, and preserves the new: In fine, the Ark was tossed to and fro, By the cariering Flouds, now sinks as low As Hells profunditude, but by and by It seems to kiss the Star-embroidered skie; Ev'n so th'militant Church which Christ doth ow•• With justling waves is tumbled up & down Yea ev'ry Saint is this, and that way hurld, Toss'd like a foot-ball by the mad-cap World Toss'd by the pamper'd flesh, toss'd by the De•• That grand Tartarian Counselor to evil, Toss'd by enchanting sin which soon would re•• In pieces, if our God did not defend us; But guided and preserv'd through Gods go•• gra•• We spit defiance in our enemies face. Ark-like the Church, rising by falls, out-braves The churlish threats of the insulting Waves. The more the Flouds of persecution rise, They drive the Ark the nearer to the Skies, And when the raging Tide shall cease to roar, And waters ebb, this Ark shall land on shore:

This Ark which storms could never ruinate, Shall rest on the Caelestial Ararat. This Ark by the Almighties guidance driven, Shall land ev'n in that peaceful haven, Heaven. The Ark toss'd Saints shall one day be possest Of lasting glory, and eternal rest, Eternal rest; a rest that doth remain For them, by them expe••ted not in vain. O blessed rest! by which we shall be freed From woes and foes, O there's a rest indeed! To which Heav'n bring us, who by Faith partake Of Christ his merits, for his own names sake.

79. On Armour.

GOds Armour is of proof, against all evill Shot at us from the world, the Flesh, the Devil, His Helmet, Brest-plate, Shield, Sword, Girdle, Shoes, Will both defend us, and offend our foes.

80. On an Arrest.

O Eath is a Serjeant, and he Warrants brings For our Arrest, from the great King of Kings. The greatest and the least, the worst the best, Have sinned, and must submit to deaths Arrest.

81. On an Arrow.

O When God sends his Arrows from his Bow, It must needs work a speedy overthrow; When from his twanging Bow the Dev'l lets fly Tentation's Arrow, God can put it by.

82. On Arts.

Life's short, but Art is long; * Natural parts Are by the study of the Liberal Arts Very much heightned: but Arts golden Ring Set with Grace Di'mond is a glorious thing. * 1.4

83. On Articles.

CHrist by his death hath cancel▪d Justice scroul•• Of Articles, drawn up against our souls.

84. On Ar••••llery.

MY soul groan thunder, let thy pray'rs & tea•••• Be thine Artillery, to storm Gods ears.

85. On Ascensi••n.

CHrist by Angels was attended, When he into Heav'n ascended; At the Resurrections morn, Thither shall the Saints be born.

86. On Ashes.

AShes hides fire, what God for us hath done▪ We hide in th'ashes of Oblivion.

87. On Asking.

WHo asks shall have, if Lord, it be thy task To grant, well may I make it mine to ask▪

88. On an Ass.

MEn blame the Ass for creeping on the Road▪ Yet go more sluggish in the ways of God.

89. On an Assault.

FAiths shield is good against the dev'ls assault, Yet oft we want it through our own default.

90. On an Assize.

THe grand Assize draws on, the Judge is just, And by his Verdict stand or fall we must.

91. On Assistance.

O God, if thou withdraw thy gracious hand From us, we fall; if thou assist, we stand.

92. On Assurance.

A Ssurance that Christ is ours may be gain'd, The Saints have it desir'd, to it attain'd; ••ome more, some less, there are degrees we know ••ometimes it ebbs, always it doth not flow. ••ssurance (which few have) is a rare Gem. God from his people, for to humble them, ••ometimes withdraws it, through our carelesness ••ometimes we want it, and our Christian peace. •• how the dev'l disturbs! when once we meet ••ith this Assurance, oh tis very sweet! ••'oft hang our harps upon the limber willows, ••nd weep (as Isr'el) by the water-billows ••or want of this; this Wine of Paradise, ••evives the heart, how comfortable is Gods smile! Assurance makes the low sublime, ••nd puts a man in heav'n before his time. ••ssurance is exceeding profitable; •• makes a Christian strenuous and able ••or service, free to do what must be done. ••aith makes a Christian walk, Assurance run.

Assurance is a Flow'r that only grows In a pure heart, a spring whence comfort flows: A Whetstone to the Graces, Hope, Love, Zeal; A weight that of obedienre moves each Wheel, Be much in duty; keep thy consc'ence pure, Act faith, and thou hast made thy calling sure.

93.

• On Astrologie.
• On Astronomy.

AStrol'gy shows the Stars effects and force, Astronomy, their Measure, Motions, Course, And though this hath its being from the other, I like the Daughter, love who will the Mother.

94. On Atheists.

AUdacious Atheists to the world proclaim, They love such deeds, as might the De•• sha•• Atheists are worse then Devils; Devils do Believe there is a God, and tremble too; Those say, there is no God, who doth take care Of things below, have neither faith nor fear. The Devil quakes at the Day of Judgment; they Deride it, which will shortly them dismay. Strange! ev'n the Sons their sire in sins excell; What! Atheists here on Earth, when none in Hel••

95. On Attonement.

WE had offended Heav'n; deserved Hell, Christ an attonement makes, & all is well.

96. On Augmentation.

Who worketh out with fear his own salvation, This spirit'al living, gets an augmentation.

97. On Attributes.

GOd single is, as being uncompounded, He's infinite, and therefore is unbounded; Immutable, th'Eternal, Three in one, Who by his back-parts onely can be known; Most wise, most strong, most true, most good, most just, Most merciful, believe in him we must; Perfect, and bless'd, and glorious is he, O if this God be ours, how blest are we!

98 On Auricular confession.

THe Scripture bids, and what it bids is best, Confess to God, not to the Popish Priest; Auricular confession taught in schools, How it ensnares the consciences of fools! What is it but a superstitious Gin To nourish, yea, and harden men in sin. My soul confess thy sins to God alone, And he will pardon what thou hast misdone.

99. On Authority.

THe Law's Authority, depends On God, the mighty King of Kings, And this exceedingly commends, Its worth above all humane things: How precious is the Law of God? My soul upon it always plod.

100. Of the Authors of things, according to Scripture.

GOd by his pow'r (which may not be with∣stood) Created all things admirably good: He fram'd the first of men out of the ground, Gave him a reas'ning soul, by which he found Out many Arts and Sciences; none doubt But Moses found the use of Letters out, First Poesie compos'd, penn'd Histories: Tubal the crooked Harp did first devise. Musical Instruments David invented, Philosophy in Jewry first was minted. Egypt found Astrology, Arithmetick, As also Medicine to heal the sick. First were the Pers'ans fam'd for Magick Skill, Moses first Law-giver divulg'd Gods will? Egypt first own'd the Government by Kings; The Hebrew Commonwealths; Servitude spring•• From Canaan; the Jews the Year out found, And its 12 months, before the world was drown•• Meek Moses found out Instruments of War, As Cain of Husbandry; first Vine-dresser Old Noah was; Adam first names devis'd For living things; Abel first sacrific'd. Adam first cloath'd himself with Skins of beasts▪ Cain the first City built; of Ships and Chests Noah was Author. Gods Church was at first In Adams family, both bred and nurst.

The faithfuls Father first did circumcise; Christs Herald John, did first of all baptize With Baptism of repentance; Christ went higher, Baptizing with the Holy Ghost and Fire. By Moses, Aaron (so God appointed) Was to the High-priests Office first anointed. Noah first built an Altar to the Lord, And thereon offred of his own accord, An Holo-caust. The Prince of Hell the Devil, He is the principle, and root of evil.

Of the first Authors of things, according to profane Authors.

THe Aeginetans first of all stamp'd Money; First Aristeus taught the use of Honey. The first Tooth-drawer Aesculapius was; Anaximander found the Hour-glass. Angaeas (though a King) first dungd the ground; The use of Bellows Anacharsis found. Anchus of Ovens to bake Bread withal: First Anagallis playd with Tennis-ball. Architas, Rattles; Belgians Wains first made, Boetius taught the Coblers subtile Trade. Corses first shav'd his Beard; Daedalus Shops Invented; Danaus Wells; Grecians Tops: Icarus Sayls; Perillus Bulls of Brass; Thon Drugs, Pan Pipes, Sinon the Looking-glass. Phaenicians Slings, Scythians Arrows, Bowes; Cyneras Pinsers, Hammers, Anvils, Crowes

Devised first; no more I will make known, Who would know more, may search * as I have done. * 1.5

101. On Autumn.

TH•• S••lvan quire cease their harmonious notes, And sullen forrests d'on their yellow coats; Ceres bright locks are shorn; the mellow fruits Are torn from laden boughs; their summer sutes The sapless branches d'off, the gaudy ground Is now disrob'd, the year with plenty crown'd. Great God! thou sowst th•• words immortal seed On the ground of our hearts, but ah! they breed The weeds of sin, in us these weeds destroy, That we a joyful Harvest may enjoy.

102. On Awe.

SHould God from Sinai thunder forth his Law, (As once) 'twould strike us with a dreadful aw, Since he in Gospel-mildness doth appear, O let us serve him with an holy fear.

103. On an Axe.

THe Axe is heav•• sharp, to cut and hew In pieces for the fire; or else to square, The Axe without the ha••d can nothing do; Gods Judgments, and his Comminations are His Axe in ••hose respects, and ev'y Tree That brings not forth good fruit, hew down and burn'd shal be.

104. On an Axel-tree.

THe Nations Axel-tree doth ev'n begin To sink under the pressing weight of sin,

O Christ the Saviour of the World be pleas'd To bear our burden, and we shall be ea••'d.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Carendo potius quam fruendo nos bona nostra in∣telligimus Cic.

  Poma fugientia sunt gratissima. Vanescit absens & novus intrat amor.
• * 1.2

  Prov. 9. 9, 15, 12.
• * 1.3

  Maximum irae remedium est mora.

  See Sen.
• * 1.4

  〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉.

  Hyp.
• * 1.5

  See Pliny, Polydore, Virgil, Paneyrol, &c.