Divine glimpses of a maiden muse being various meditations and epigrams on several subjects : with a probable cure of our present epidemical malady if the means be not too long neglected / by Chr. Clobery ...

I must acknowledge the ensuing-valedictions to be unto more relations then I ever had at one and the same time in being: But (ayming to express (according to my low power) the nothingness in worth of our temporal to our eternal en∣joyments) at sight of the blessed society above: I have briefly and abruptly bid farwel to all below. Amen.

Sequuntur Quatuordecem Valedictionis Quatuordecimales.

1. To the World, and its Inhabitants.

FArewel my fellow-citizens of Earth, Frail self-like Mortals, made of flesh and blood, Whose greatest fear's death, sickness, war, and dearth! Though you I love, I'll leave your Neighbourhood: For I am bent for new discoveries: My faith another world hath in her eye, Far situate beyond the azure skies, Whose subjects all are Saints; thither go I: There shall this drossy flesh and blood (refin'd) Immortal grow, and free from all your fears: Where (whilst my Saviour's presence cheers my mind) My heart shall vent no sighs, my eyes no tears:

But fill'd with joy, from age to age I'll sing Sweet Allelu-iahs to my God and King.

2. To Europe, and Europaeans.

FArewel my worldly fellow-quarterers, Plac'd in the Earths Right eye, by grace divine, Who gives more knowledge to thy sojourners, Then to all quarters else, where Sol doth shine; Ye are most civiliz'd of all the rest Of this worlds pilgrims: though proud China boast Of her two eyes, compar'd with thee, at best She must confess at least one of them lost. I must remove my quarters, (though so good) For I have took up new beyond the poles, Dear-purchas'd by my General's heart-blood; To those that quarter there, you're blind as moles.

There I shall know, as I am known, and be Perfect in Knowledge to Eternity.

3. To Britain, and Britain's.

FArewel dear Country-men, Heav'ns Paramours! For God hath choycest blessings heap'd on you Beyond all other lands: That Isle of yours Earth's Cornucopiae may be lik'ned to, Wherein are all things needful for man's life: Plenty of most. But oh! the means of grace By Gospel-Ministers (though now at strife) So plentiful in no Land ever was. But I must take my leave, lest your dissention About the way to life, should error breed In my frail heart: i'll therefore (for prevention) To everlasting unity with speed.

To Grace's Crown of glory I ascend: What needs the means, when l've attain'd the end?

4. To Shire-mates.

FArewel my Shire-mates, whom this Isle's division Hath neighbouriz'd to me, and me to you: Whose rights have in one Counties Courts decision, Peace to maintain, and to give each his due! Native vicinity commands my love: Yet I must traverse all my actions hence; I'll get out an injunction from above, To try at God's tribunal each offence: There I a righteous Chancery shall finde, Yet have my Judge, my advocate to be, And have no costs unto my foe assign'd, The Playntiff Satan, who impleadeth me

On trespasses oft' done against the Judge, Who will release me: pray then who can grudge?

5. To Parishioners.

FArewel Parochial Neighbours, whom this Nation By custome in one Register inrols, And hath held of one Church, one Congregation, And chosen one for Curate of our souls! These civil ties, and neighbour-hood, endear You much to me: But I must from you part; Amongst you I of Schism and faction fear, Another Congregation hath my heart, Where one-ness indivisible appears, Whose Curate is the Bishop of our souls, Melchi-zedeck, whose flock is free from fears Of Wolf, or Fox, of ravenous beasts, and fouls,

Yet guarded by a Lamb, whose song we'll sing With Saints and Angels, till the heavens ring.

6. To Servants.

FArewel my Servants! for my Covenant Requires me to depart: mourn not for me; For your attendance I no more shall want: Your Master and mine own I go to see: I must confess, a truant I have been, And in his service faith-less, dull and dead: Yet he hath sworn he'll pay my wages in, If I but with his only Son will wed. Serve I him but the twinckling of an eye, I shall have wages payd eternally: His Debtor deep and desperate was I, Who sent his Son to die to ransome me.

Oh love! stronger then death! my soul, away, Make speed, lest thy dear Master for thee stay.

7. To familiar acquaintance.

FArewel acquaintance! I'll acquaint you where Are better to be got then you and I: I'll challenge you to dare to meet me there, And promise you rich fare and melody: Ambrosia, Nectar, and the Poet's cates Are husks, and gall, to that celestial fare: The Spheres harmonious musick jars and grates, To their Diviner Quavers warbled there: Where no associates we so base shall find As Earth's most potent King or Emperour; True joy shall fill the body, soul, and mind With contentation lasting evermore.

What poor society doth earth afford! Draw up my heart of steel, dear loadstone Lord.

8. To intimate friends.

FArewel my mind's embosom'd darlings dear, 'Mongst whom one heart may many bodies serve, And act unitely in them all! It's clear, I highly prize your love: Yet needs must swerve From hugging your enjoyment: for I'm call'd By the great friend of friends, the god of love, VVith his triumphant friends to be install'd In Love's great Principality above. The King of Kings commands me: I must hence, To more, and greater friends, then Earth affords: Detain me not: Nor count this an offence, If I cease to be yours, to be the Lords.

I'll be both his and yours, if you'll his be; And you in him again shall meet with me.

9. To Brothers, Sisters and Kindred.

FArewel my flesh and blood, my kindred here! Our homogeneal parts at first were one, 'Till rib-made Eve made two, (who still one were) Millions of millions now in number grown: Adieu t'ye all, but most to those most near: I have attain'd new consanguinity All of my elder Brothers blood (d'ye hear?) Yet not of mine, but of divine affinity: A breed of quondam men, now glorifi'd, Who sing sweet Requiems eternally To their inthroned souls: not to be ey'd By Mortals opticks; where the starry Skie

Their foot-stool is: their seat the glorious flore Of his great Throne, that raigns for evermore.

10. To Father.

FArewel my being's instrumental Cause, Assign'd by him from whom all beings flow, Who my new Father is, and old one was, Ere you were so! methinks my heart doth grow With grief to part: But yet part needs I must From all relations that Heav'ns Canopy Surrounds, to find the merciful and just, Who's Father to us all: whose Progeny Are all man-kind: whose wonderful affection By his Son's blood redeem'd me: who before, Made love sole ground of my poor souls election: For which I'll sing his praise for evermore.

Father! if you are loath I gone should be; Come but to him, you'll surely come to me.

11. To Mother.

FArewel dear mold, where in my mortal clay First by th'eternal potter formed was! In pain that ba••'st me nine months night and day, And after grievous travel, gav'st me pass Into this vale of tears! thy torments bind Me to a boundless love: yet wonder not If I now leave thee, for a new I find, Who hath me born again since 'twas thy lot; A mother militant, who hath prepar'd A third triumphant for me, who doth dwell Where never to approach a foe yet dar'd, Above the fear and spite of Earth and Hell.

Oh let me fly: and haste thee after me; For she to both of us will mother be.

12. To Children.

FArewel sweet implings, quick Epitomes Of me and my dear second! I must leave Your lov'd society: death's Writ of Ease Doth me remove, yet not of life bereave: That's length'ned by my change: you I commit Unto a faithful guardian, yea a father To me and you, with whom I go to sit In everlasting glory: who will gather You all to me again, when his time comes: Only be faithful to the death, and he Will give you crowns of life, when your bless'd homes Shall be th'imperial Heaven, where with me,

With Angels, Saints and Martyr's crowned throng, You'll sing for ever Sion's Lamb's sweet song.

13. To Wife.

FArewel my better half, life of my life, And sub-celestial comforts; we must cleave One heart in two at parting (dearest wife) As we made one of two at meeting: leave: Spare those heart-melting cries, those thriftless tears, Thy frailties to bewail: in those streams swim Home to thy harbour where my faith me bears: There my Bridegroom and thine doth mansions trim For us with everlasting ornaments; With whom we both shall newly marri'd be, And raign eternally fill'd with contents, Passing what heart can think, ear hear, eye see.

I do but go before, and thee expect, Among the number of the Lord's Elect.

14. To all Joyntly.

FArewel World, Europe, Britain, native Shire, And Parish too, servants, acquaintance, fri•…•…ds, Kindred, with Father, Mother, children dear, And dearest Wise! have all contented mindes: Fot I am to so high preferment call'd, That (if you lov'd me) you would urge me on, To haste away, that I may be install'd A death-less prince, crown'd King by him whose throne Is over all: whose Scepter sways at once, Heav'n, Earth and Hell, with their inhabitants. That Triple Crown that girts the pride-puft sconce Of Antichrist (who there of falsly vaunts)

Is this Kings right alone, stil'd in truth's words The only King of Kings, and Lord of Lords.