Youth's comedy, or, The souls tryals and trivmph a dramatic poem, with divers meditations intermixt upon several subjects, set forth to help and encourage those that are seeking a heavenly countrey / by the author of Youth's tragedy.

The Souls Trials arising from Desertion.

The Soul and her Friend.

So.

HOw pleasant as an Angel is thy Face, Like dawning day that sable Night doth chase? I know your Learned Tongue can time a word, Which may to weary Souls true rest afford.

Friend.

To meet you thus far on your way I'm glad, But troubled at your Looks, to see you sad. Dear Friend, unbosome to me now your heart, What help I can, I freely shall impart.

So.

I know you will, and therefore shall declare With open heart, my Troubles what they are.

Once in smooth Seas I spread my well-fill'd Sail, Running my Course before a pleasant gale. The Skie was azur'd with the glist'ring Rays Of Heav'ns bright Lamp, gilding my peaceful days. The Stars from Orient Heads did beam forth Light, Yielding delightful Steerage in the Night. Then with calm mind could I directions give, With words in season, weary Souls relieve. With meekness lapsed ones restore through Grace, And dislocated Bones set in their place. The feeble Knees with strength I fortifi'd, And wand'ring steps in Paths of Light did guid.

And from my Lips the sad perplexed mind, By their resolved doubts did comfort find. Like the ascending Sun I joyful rose, And with the strong to run my Race I chose. At Night lay down in Peace with silent Breast, My closed Eye-lids gave refreshing rest. Then full Assurance yielded this support, I should with gladness make a happy Port. But whil'st my chearful Vessel thus did ride Before the Wind, upon the streaming Tide, Black Clouds and racking Seas my Joys invade, Wrapping my weary Soul in Deaths dark shade, By mighty Tempests drove with leaking knocks, Threat'ning to split me on the surly Rocks: By raging Billows in black Darkness tost, My fears begin to give up all for lost. In short (dear Friend) this is my woful case, Those quick'ning Rays which beam'd from that bright Face: That Glory gives to Heav'n, and Heav'n here, Are all with-drawn and wholly disappear.

That Lamp of God that shin'd upon my Head, And round about my Path bright Glory shed; Now ceaseth to afford its chearing Light, Leaving my mournful Soul in dismal Night. Vnready in her Tryals to believe Those Truths by which she others did relieve.

Fri.

Dear Friend, let not desponding thoughts thus move, Though God may change his Way, yet not his Love. Nay, out of Mercy he may think it best, Thy Soul should not on such choice Viands feast. He sees how aptwe are to grow secure, To think our Mount unmoved shall endure; And hence it is he brings in changes here, To keep our Souls in reverential fear. He sees how ready now we are to set, A higher value on our selves than's fit. How apt we are under bright Beams to slight Those tempted Souls which want that blessed Sight.

And therefore hides his Face, and thereby shows That we should friendly sympathize with those

It may be those sweet Joys by Vision brought, Thou dost not truly rate them as they ought. And now the Price hereof he will inhance, And teach thee how to value ev'ry glance.

It may be God is pleas'd to try thy Grace, And therefore for a time with-draws his Face; To see if Faith and hope will follow on In Paths of Life, when Sense and Feeling's gon. And whether thou, when Comforts are away, Wilt out of Love unto himself obey.

But were it only from his Soveraign Will, What cause is there in Silence to sit still? Those Joys in Heav'n he'll give thee at the last, Will make amends for all thy Sorrow past. But yet (dear Soul) remember ev'ry Word That may support unto thy Faith afford. Consider Light is for the Righteous sown, Joy for the upright is in furrows thrown.

And though it buried lies there for a Night, Yet will it spring up by the Morning Light. Keep then thy Feet and Faith in Wisdom's ways, And give not up thy Hopes in cloudy days. But wait on him that sometimes hides his Face From the beloved Seed of Jacob's Race.

So.

Dear Friend, I will consider what you say, Your solid Words in serious Ballance weigh.

Nuncius.

Nun.

THe wakeful Tempter always on his watch. Thinks this a likely time his Prey to catch. And as assaulting Forces, where they spy The weakest place, there plant their Battery. So Satan swell'd with hope, and fill'd with rage, Against the Soul, where weakest, doth engage. But still supporting Grace defeats his pow'r, And yields assistance in a needful hour.