Origens repentance: after he had sacrificed to the idols of the heathen Gathered from Suidas, Nicephorus, Osiander, and the Greeke and Latine coppies in Origens workes; illustrated and applied to the case of euery poore penitent ... Diuided into three sections: containing 1 Origens fearefull fall. 2 His behauiour in it. 3 His worthy and sound conuersion. Together with Origens life and death, and other materiall obseruations. Written by Stephen Ierom, Master of Arts, and preacher of the towne of Newcastle; first for his owne exercise, and now published for the good of others.

The third Section.

The Argument.

He shewes the powerfull strength of mouing prair, And with what melting pitty tis receiu'd; How fleshes frailtie's subiect to despaire, If by Faiths Conquest, Hell were not deceiu'd.

I Am no Mountbanke, painting glosing fables, I speake my feelings and my deare bought wit; Thousand of yeeres haue writ this truth in tables; Confirm'd by witnesses in sacred writ: That as the plague-sicke doe infect the wholea 1.1, So vicious fooles infect the vertuous souleb 1.2.

2

That Phenix for his faith, the faithfuls Father, Best blest of very Men, great Abraham, When did he faine, or foule dissemble ratherc 1.3, But when to Heath'nish wicked Courts he came? When did that holy Dauid faine a madnesse, But in King Achis Court* 1.4 the finke of badnesse?

3

When did chaste Ioseph sweare by Pharaohs life, But train'd in Aegypt farre from Israels Tentsd 1.5? How grudg'd meeke Moses at the floods of strife, Amid'st the route of rebell rablementse 1.6: Where was Church pillar* 1.7 Peter, Cephas shaken, But in the High Priests Hall* 1.8 by feare ore taken?

4

Nay more, how was sins Cockatrice egge first hatched; But when the Woman with the Serpent talkingf 1.9, Had Gods plaine truth (oh vild vntruth▪) attached? Iehosaphat smarts vith Ahabs warring, walkingg 1.10: That yong sent Prophet going home againe, Through ill league sinningh 1.11, was by a Lyon slaine.

5

Too great an instance of the grosse pollutions, Come by conuersing with the wicked traine, Were filthy sinnes, more fearefull executions On Israeli 1.12, three and twenty thousand slaine: Besides, the Princes hang'd for lustfull whoring With Moabs wantons, and their gods adoring.

6

This was a constant custome of that Nation, To Idolize with cursed Cananitesk 1.13; And mixt with Heathens for to learne their fashion, In following Moabs, Ammons, Edoms rites: In following times they tooke Chaldean wiues, For whose diuorcement zealous Ezra striues.

7

This folly was the fall of Salomonl 1.14, Which Heath'nish Wiues and Concubines did find; Like fierce Maxentius, long since writ vpon; That liuing to the dead did linke and bind, Till with the stinke the one corrupts the other, Not able to endure the poys'ned smoother.

8

But holla Muse, retraite thy forward pen, In Chronickling the fals of any other; Thy selfe falne foulest mongst the sonnes of men, Gainst God thy Father, and the Church thy Mother: The Diuels Factors haue the worst deceiu'd thee, And of the greatest graces so berean'd thee.

9

Oh wicked tempters! poysoners of my blood, My bitter potion, death within my pot; Vnwholsome vnction, spoylers of my good; What sacke of grace, what trophies haue you got? Once Shiloahs Swan, my feathers you haue plumed, When Peter-like amongst you I presumed.

10

Lord, what is Man, if to himselfe thou leaue him? A Vine vnpropt, a Hop-yard wanting stayes; The fables Crow, when wily Foxe deceiues him;* 1.15 A silly sheepe which from the shepheard strayes, Fals in the fangs of dogges, or woluish iawes, Till him the Pastorn 1.16 finds and homeward drawes.

11

What ships are we when as our Pilot's lost? Vnrig'd, vntrimm'd, vntackled, water washt, Floating on Neptunes surge, with fierce winds tost; At length her vnmann'd bulke on rockes is dasht: All split, her wares all lost, her inmates drown'd, So (God forsaking) sinnes our soules confound.

12

Our Soules are Cities sackt, which want their wals; Without thy helpe, the enemy inuades vs; Our Armies lacke their Armes, their Generals; Vnlesse thy grace as Lord Protector leade vs: We cannot stand, or make our battell stout, But like to Harts, or Hares, flie, or fall out.

13

Nay, nay, if thou once faile vs, fall we must; Like to the staffe that wants the propping hand, As criples, (crutches broke) lie in the dust; Or new wean'd childe, that slips his holding band: Thou our liues life; in thee each breatheso 1.17, moues, liues; As soule to flesh, to soule thou grace-life, giues.

14

Hadst thou been here Lordq 1.18 (weeping Martha cries) My brother had not died, nor I beene sorry; Hadst thou beene with me Lord (my Soule replies) I had not falne, nor told this dolefull story: But (as thine owne two Kingsr 1.19) thou thought'st to trie me, What was in this false heart that did denie thee.

15

* 1.20Oh Diuell! what hast thou done? my Soule's vndone; (I thinke my sinne and Muse renew my woes) I Spider-like haue now a faire threed spunne, Which blacke confusion onely vp doth close; Nor euer will it clew, or web, or yarne, Or profit bring; but cause my bowels earne.

16

Alas, my Church (my wife) still liues, yet I a widow; Many my Children, yet an Eunuch I; My flockes haue flourisht like the flowry medow; But I a hardned Heath, scorcht, dusty, drie: As Dauid Lambes from Lyonss 1.21 I saued many; Vnsauoury salt, cast out, now worst of any.

17

Alas fond Rubent 1.22, I haue lost my Crowne; Fouling my Fathers bed, my Priest-hoods glory; From Heauens high hopes, to lowest Hell falne downe, Onely to saue this life that's transitory: To keepe this breath, base bubble, glow-wormes shine, I lost all ioies both mortall and diuine.

18

Oh Esaus change, to sell my birthu 1.23 for broth! For Counters, Coyne; my Gold for Earths base drosse; For sauing brittle glasse, lifesx 1.24 vaporous froth, (As swinishy 1.25 Gaderen) Christ I held no losse: Oh base exchange! as death this very thought, My spirit duls, my moisture turnes to drought.

19

And, which of all my griefes is not the least, My roome is void, each Saulz 1.26 may misse my place: Ouer my Pulpit Swallowes build their neast; Spiders and cobwebs doe my seate deface: My teaching Chaire is rust for want of sitting, False fugitiue, so fickle is my flitting.

20

Yea, when I come t'expound the mysteries Of sacred truth, to any Christian flocke, My Soule records her owne late Histories, And on my hearts hard anuill hell doth knocke: And cals to mind this Prouerbe euermore, Physician heale thy selfea 1.27, cure none before.

21

Witnesse (what too too many can relate) When earst I left the Alexandrian Schooles, And to Iudea came; the Clerkes entreate That I would take some Text from sacred rowles:* 1.28 And mongst that numerous Auditory sit, And presse such points as I should hold most fit.

22

By much intreate I yeeld to them at length, Ascend the seate, and ope the best of Bookes; Yet not one word to speake, had I the strength (Except the Text:) each eye vpon me lookes, Expects my speech: but I was planet strooke,* 1.29 My ioints did shake, betwixt my teeth words stucke.

23

The reason was not fondb 1.30 Virgilian lots, But prouidence diuine directs my Texts To'th fiftith Psalme, in which the Prophet notes The hypocrite for his base-by respects; Which speakes Gods truth, his Lawes takes in his lips, Yet vnreform'd, his life to lewdnesse slips.c 1.31

24

* 1.32Soone as I read this Text, downe sit I sobbing; I am the Man (deare God) my conscience cries; I fellon-like thee of thine honour robbing, Thy Lawes I preacha 1.33, thy Lawes I did despise: Tis I thy Couenants in my mouth that tooke, Yet reformation hate, and truth forsooke.

25

Griefe stopt my speech, and I no more could say; Eyes trickling teares, in silence pleades my case: Each man doth weepe, and acts in my sad play; Another Bochimb 1.34 might we call this place: Each Israelite there present drawes his watersc 1.35, And for my sinne before the Lord them scatters.

26

Oh Lord respect them, let them vp ascend, Like morning Incense to thy Graces Throne; As wrestling Iacobd 1.36, let them mercy bend; To shew some tokens that thou hear'st my mone: Thou promiseste 1.37 the righteous suites to heare, And penitentsf 1.38 submissiue to forbeare.

27

How haue the prayers of thy Saints beene granted, Past expectation, or the thoughts of any? None e're by faith, with thee was well acquainted, But thou reueal'dst to him thy mercies many: Both Patriarkes, Prophets, Kings, Disciples, Saints, Haue had thine open eares to their complaints.

28

In euery exigent thou wast their friend; In warre their shield, in doubts their oracle; In sicknesse, paines, and griefe, thou helpe didst lend; Sometimes by meanes, sometimes by miracleg 1.39: And though like vs, they subiect were to sinne, To heare, heale, helpe them, thou didst still beginne.

29

Lord giue me leaue to strength my weakned faith, With the memorials of thy mercies old; Onely recounting what thine owne truth saith; Viewing those patternes in thy Booke inroll'd: For what is writ, was writh 1.40 for my soules sauing, That faith might free me from foule sinnes deprauing.

30

Ist not thy truth, that though our sinnes be red As is the skarleti 1.41, thou wilt wash them white, In that red gore our Sauiours side did shed, By Romish Souldiersk 1.42, and the Iewish spight? Which blood exceeds goates, buls, sheepe, heyfers all; Which types were once in vse to purge sinnes falll 1.43.

31

Ist not thy truth that sinnersm 1.44 haue their part In grace and mercy, more then haue the iust? The Publicans that lay there sinnes to heart, No Pharisesn 1.45 which in themselues doe trust? Thou didst not come to heale the whole, but sickeo 1.46; Which to thy mercies, not their merits sticke.

32

Thy comming cals not righteousp 1.47 to repentance; But sinners broken, bruised, heauy hearted; Iust hypocrites with thee haue no acquaintance; Nor are thy graces to the proudq 1.48 imparted: The lofty Cedars fall, the hils thou shakest, But lowly vales, full of sweete fruites thou makest.

33

The selfe-conceited iust one thou reiectest; As full, he loathes thy Manna and thy hony: Thou hungryr 1.49, lanke, leane, thirsty soules respectest; And bids them eate, drinkea 1.50, free without their mony: Such gaping earthes, such dropsie heartsb 1.51 thou fillest, As nought can quench, till thou their suites fulfillest.

34

Such Doues as will not rest, but in each hole Of thy pierc'st wounds, or in thy mercies Arke; Such Pellicans asc 1.52 day and night condole, (Not pratling Parrots, or loude singing Larkes) Are thy delights; such Birds as sad parts beares, And sing their Lachrymae, thy Spirit cheares.

35

Thy Feasts are made, as thou commandest ours, For halt, lame, blind, that cannot like requite thee: On thirsty ground thy watry dewes thou show'rs; That heart which sorrow drinks, doth much delight thee: Vnto the poore thou dost thy Gospell preach, The humbled heartd 1.53 thou carefully dost teach.

36

To th'heauy laden thou dost promise easee 1.54, And call'st for such as feele sinnes pondrous weight; The sacrifice of contrite heart doth pleasef 1.55, The broken spirit is thy hearts delight: With such thou promisest to lodgeg 1.56 and dwell, But lofty proud ones, thou dost hate as hell.

37

The bending reede that trembleth at thy winde, Shall stand vntoucht, when stubborne Oakes shall fall; The couching Cananite doggei 1.57 shall mercy finde, When Basan Buls vnder the Axe shall fall: The towring Pines thou'lt leuell with the ground, When petty shrubs shall stand, and flourish sound.

38

Nay, thou'lt not quench the flaxk 1.58 that faintly smokes, Nor hurt the Reede that is already bruised, Nor call his counts, whose teares haue washt thy bookes; Nor him accusel 1.59, that hath himselfe accused: Nor him condemne, that hath himselfe adiudged, Nor booke the sinnes at which his soule hath grudged.

39

Nay more, my faith, thy promisesm 1.60 assure me, That sinne repented, shall be cleane out raced; And more with mercies baites for to allure me, Behind thy backe, thou saistn 1.61, mourn'd sinnes are placed: Or like th' Aegyptians* 1.62 drowned in the deepes, They shall be bound vp in eternall sleepes.

40

What though my sinnes be like the pitchy clouds, Thy mercies are the hot reflecting Sunneo 1.63; The sauing shelter, which the humbled shrouds; When griefe vnties the web* 1.64 which sinne hath spunne: I know thou canst blot out what I did write, Since that thy mercies are indefinite.

41

Infinite in their number, measure, length, Wide as the World, and deepe as is the Ocean; High as the Heauens, great as is thy strength;* 1.65 Thy power, thy might, inlarg'd in euery motion, As farre exceeding all my deeds, desires, As Seas doe drops, as sparkes surpast by fires.

42

Each leafe, line, sillable, in sacred writ, Speakes peace vnto the humbled penitent: Each letter as a plaster, faith can fit, To supple wounded soules that can relent: Each inkie tittle doth intitle gladnesse, Each word a fan, to blow away my sadnesse.

43

Thou bidst vs aske, and hauea 1.66; to seeke, and find; Knocke, call, and cry; thou'lt ope the gates of Grace; And wilt incline, and answere to our mind: Yea, ere we cryb 1.67 or speake, our sighesc 1.68 haue place: Thy grace preuentsd 1.69, thou kindlest first zeales fires, Which moue to praye 1.70; then hear'st our wisht desires.

44

These are thine owne blest words, sure, stedfast euer, Like Lawes of Medes and Persians, euer during; Heauen, Earth, Sun, Moone, shal failef 1.71: but they perseuer, Seal'd, stampt, confirm'd, sinnes griefe of grace assuring: Nay, blessed God, thou canst as well cease being, As be to prostrate souleg 1.72 thy grace denying.

45

* 1.73For as to burne, is naturall to the fire, The Ayre to moisten, and the Seas to flow, The Fish to spawne, the Son to come from's Sire; The Heauenly Lamps on Earth their lights to show: Each thing in nature else, his forme to follow, Grace graft in God, so flowes in hearts vnhollow.

46

Thou bid'st vs come, and meet'st vs in the way, As that kind Fatherk 1.74 did his thriftlesse Sonne; Yea, if we purpose to confesse and pray; As Dauidsi 1.75 were, our sinnes away are done: Whil'st we to pray, thou dost prepare to grant, This course thou hold'st with euery Sonne and Saint.

47

Oh hold it Lord with me, with me thy child; Though disobedient once, now feare-felt burning* 1.76; I am thy Seruantk 1.77, though by sinne defil'd; Thy Son, thy Saint, from Kedars Tents returning: Sinnes bolts shooke off, now broke from Sathans Iayle, Flie to my Father for his mercies bayle.

48

Oh bayle me, haile me, helpe me silly Doue, From Hels fierce gripe, whose sharpned tallens seaze me: Thou art my Godg 1.78, guide, rock, strength, health, life, loue; Best Soules Physician, when sinnes sores disease me: In griefe my ioy, in crosses my comforter, In paine my balme, in sorrowes my supporter.

49

Thou my Supporter, how then did I fall? If thou my Champion, how then came I wounded?* 1.79 At thought of this my spirits doe quite appall; My sence is lost, heart plung'd, and soule confounded: If grace were graft, how did my tree decline? If Christ were at my feasth 1.80, how fail'd my wine?

50

How can this be* 1.81, the most blest Mary saide? If God be with vs, (th'Angell Gideoni 1.82 told) Whence is this ill? Thus must the sence be laide; From God we life, and soule, and motion hold: In him we liue, how then comes sinne to dead vs? How conquers hell, when Heau'ns Cōmander led vs?

51

If God giue grace, why takes he grace away? Since his free gifts arek 1.83 firme without repenting; We are ruinous houses, he our prop and stay ^l; We faile, or fall, he Graces hand absenting: To stand, or fall then, is not in mans power* 1.84, One day, one date, one moment, minute, houre.

52

Thus pleads fraile flesh, thus cauels fondly reason; Thus wretched wits can wickedly dispute; Thus mortal wormes, gainst Heau'n commit high treason; Whom thou by lightning thunders might'st confute, Answ'ring by whirle-winds: but to shew thy loue, Thy word in peace doth parley from aboue.

53

And shewes that thou art free, oblig'd to none; Existing, yea, subsisting in thy nature; GOD, blest for euer, ruling all alone; Not bound to Angels, Man, or humane Creature: But free giu'st grace, where, when, to whom thou pleasest, Some bound in chaines thou leau'st, some chain'd, thou easest.

54

To none indebted, grace or good thou owest; But as a free Prince, giuest free thy fauours: On Iacob thou, not Esaum 1.85 loue bestowest; Respectlesse of their age, birth, blood, behauiours: East, West, North, South, thy gracious winds do blown 1.86, The Oceans of thy mercies freely flow.

55

As is the Iron in the Smithes owne hand, Wood in the Carpenterso 1.87, i'th Potters clay, To make their workes and wares to fall or stand, In forme, frame, manner, measure euery way, As please themselues; so thine owne will and pleasurep 1.88, Of all thine acts, is square, and rule, and measure.

56

Abel thou hast acceptedq 1.89, Caine reiected, With both their hearts, aimes, offrings, well acquainted; The Publicans poore plaints thou hast acceptedr 1.90; Refus'd the Pharises, with his vertues painted: Th'vlcerous Lazarus soule thou fetcht to glory; But send'st the Churle to Hell (as saith thy Storys 1.91.)

57

Thou softnest whom thou wilt, and hardnest some; Withdrawing gracet 1.92, and drawing others home; Some melt like snow, as clay some hard become, By thy words, burning fireu 1.93, thy Graces Sunne: A Pharaohs heart growes hardx 1.94 as steele or flint; Iosiahs melts like waxey 1.95, takes vertues print.

58

As one selfe showre sets wholsomz 1.96 flow'rs a growing, And causes weeds to sproute and spring apace; And as rich Nile makes Aegypt fat by flowing, When other torrents broke, the meads deface: So selfe-same word, by Hermons dew (Gods blessing) In some works grace, makes som more vild trāsgressing.

59

Euen as the Winter Brookes that swiftly runne, More breake, and swell, and rage, and roare by stopping; As shrewd Colts waxe more wild, the curbe vndone; As Corne growes ranke, and faster sprouts by lopping: As Cammomile more spreads, the more 'tis trodden. So vaine men grow more vicious, more forbodden* 1.97.

60

Yet stopping's not the cause why Riuers swell; Nor cropping, cause the Corne growes thicke a while; Nor ist the loose bit makes the Colt rebell; Nor treading cause, why spreads the Cammomile: But in their natures and their properties, Is the true cause of these varieties.

61

No more is God, nor offer'd grace by preaching, Cause of offences, but corrupted nature, And Sathans sleights; when we doe heare his teaching, We breake Gods Lawes, and leaue the blest Creatour, The onely God, and blessed hope of Creatures; As some his Spouse, that lusts on loathed features.

62

Doth God cause sin* 1.98? no more then heats cause cold, Or the bright Sunny beame, the cloudy darke; Or shepheards seeke the ruines of their fold; Or frozen numbnesse comes from firie sparke: Or thirst by drinking, or by meate pincht hunger, Or waking eyes, the cause of others slumber.

63

No, no; sinnes proper cause is Sathans wiles, And our sicke hearts, which heede his damn'd illusions, When with his sleights the S••rpent so beguiles, That we consent to act our owne confusions: He as sinnes Fa••hera 1.99, and our hearts the Mother, Begets, brings forth sinnes bastard brat; none other.

64

His darts are fire; our natures are the tinder, Or as the powder soone inflam'd by touching: And as the fire growes great by coales or cinder, So sinne we more by Sathans neere approaching. As coldest Regions furthest from the Sunne, So most we sinne, when fast from God we runne.

65

Gods absence then, not Godb 1.100, is sinnes maine cause, As the Sunnes absence is the cause of cold. To cleere this truth, I further adde this clause, As the true Tenet which the Schooles doe hold* 1.101: That God he workes in sinnec 1.102, but no sinne worketh, And in each sinne his secret suffring lurketh.

66

In euery sinne there is Gods handd 1.103, Gods act, Both generally, and in his wise disposinge 1.104; The power by which we moue to euery fact, That is from God; but not the factsf 1.105 composing: In God we moue indeede; but ill to moue, This comes from Hell, it comes not from aboue.

67

I instance thus: God giues vs power to speake; But ill to speake, that commeth from the Diuell; To lie, to sweare, to raile, or vengeance wreake, In gracelesse, godlesse termes, vnsound, vnciuill: In Ashdods language, as Saint Iames doth tell, The tongue is meerely set on fire by hellg 1.106.

68

To moue is Gods; but motion of the body, To Iezabels dormant Couch, the Harlots bed; As th'Oxe to slaughterh 1.107, as to'th stockes the noddyi 1.108; As neighing resty Iadesk 1.109, fat, full, and fed: Here Sathan moues the soule, the flesh he fires To these vnlawfull, lustfull, loose desires.

69

In all the rest of sinnes I instance might, How in their forme, Hell beares the force and sway, To moue the wrong Irregular from right; (Oh bloody motion which the soule doth slay!) Yet washt are Gods pure hands, free from our blood, Since he disswades the wrong, perswades the good.

70

Which good's from him, the ill is meerly ours; As in the Horses halt I instance maya 1.110: The Horse doth moue; this comes from Natures powers, The halt comes from disease, or strengthes decay: Feete frettish, splint, or spauen, shoulder strayning; Hoofe cloid, the Farcy, or some humour raigning.

71

I further adde, that God, in sinne committed, Disposeth sinne vnto his further glory; Either in mercy when the fault's remitted, As to Paul, Peter, or who else are sorry: Or else in iustice, when that hardned hearts, As earst in sinne, in vengeance act their parts.

72

And now blest God, I thanke thee for resoluing This case of conscience, which my heart did trouble; I see my doubts, my feares, my faint reuoluing, To turne, to burne, my chaffe, my sinne, my stubble: My sacrificing, and what ere was ill, Came from the Serpent, and my wretched will.

73

I see thou canst dispose my sinne to good,* 1.111 And to thy glory, if it please thy Grace; Light from my darke, and water from my mud; Feare from my fall, thou canst extract and place: It's in thy power, there wanteth but thy will, To clense my filth, my soule with faith to fill.

74

Its in thy power to purge out all my drosse, My lead, my tinne, my leauen, my corruption; T'appease my conscience, to recall my losse, To build my wals broke downe by sinnes irruption: To wash my crimson sinnes, make white and pure; To clense my staines and blots, my wounds to cure.

75

I know each sinne's a sicknesse, a disease; A death, a plague, a pestilent pollution; A scab, a skurfe, which on the soule doth seaze; A guilty thiefe deseruing execution: A wound, a wracke, a rotting, ranckling sore, Which plagues the parts infected more and more.

76

I know that lust's a fire, a burning pad; Enuie consuming, as the canker eating; Vnbridled passions, rauing, raging mad; Ioy, feare, hate, sorrow, neede a mad mans beating: Anger's a fury* 1.112, griefe's a tormenting gall, Wrath's a short frenzy, which makes reason thrall.

77

I know the tympany of swelling pride, Th'insatiate gulfe of Auarice, Hell-gaping: Two sinnes that God nor Man could ere abide; Th'one soares aloft, on th'earth the other's scraping: With all these sinnes, these sores I haue beene festred, With other plagues yet now my heart is pestred.

78

I now recount my rot hypocrisie, When I a putride post* 1.113, a glow-worme shining, By Epilepsiea 1.114 and Apostasie, Into a falling sicknesse soone declining: My fall so great, so greeuous, that one push, My head, my heart, did into cinders rush.

79

Ere since my timerousa 1.115 heart (like lurking Larke, Ore whom the Hobby daires) doth trembling quake; As needles toucht with loadestone in nights darke, Till to the North they rest, doe moue, and shake: By dart of deadly sinne my spirit is wounded, My soule is sadded, and each sense confounded.

80

But thou hast Gileads balme, and Mercies oyle, Which can heale more then Sathans sting can hurt. Ile vp with Moab to this blessed spoyle; Vp, vp my Soule, why lagg'st thou still in dirt? There's Corne in Aegyptc 1.116, and my Ioseph's there; There's grace with God, to giue it hee'••e not spare.

81

Why doe we heare the leprous Lazars cryd 1.117? Sore prest and pincht with hunger, thirst, and cold? Toth' Tents of foes, rather let's goe, then die; On which resoluing, they were happy bold. Then why doe I stand here? since I more needing Thy mercies, then thy meat, my wounds fresh bleeding.

82

Lord here I hunger, and I neede thy feeding; Oh giue me crummes, I aske not childrens breade 1.118. Oh had I faith, I know I should be speeding; But faith is lost, and feare is come in stead: Lord giue me faith, that once I may beleeue, And then I know, more then I aske, thou'st giue.

83

Oh faith, the soules bright eyea 1.119, thou lampe of light; Thou Sunne of Starres, thou Queene, thou Lady blest* 1.120; Princesse of graces, all with Iemmes bedight; Concomitate with ioyb 1.121, hope, peace, and rest: Heauens eldest Daughter, comming from aboue, Mother of feare, repentancec 1.122, prayerd 1.123, and louee 1.124.

84

Thou dost refine, reuiued 1.125, and purge the heart; Freest from the Lawe 1.126, the Iudge, the Iayle, the curse; From guilt of sinne, from death, and deadly smart; From all contriued iudgements, Hell makes worse: From wrath, from woe, from feared condemnation, The soule assuring of sinnes* 1.127 condonation.

85

The helmef 1.128, the hammer, to keepe off, beate downe Hels fiery dartsg 1.129, strong Achillean shield; Which all Gods Worthiesh 1.130, Warriours of renowne, Against the Worldi 1.131, Flesh, Diuell, did euer weild: The victorie and trophies of the iust, In euery crosse and stormek 1.132 their Anchors trust.

86

The hand that knits the matrimoniall band, Spirituall contractl 1.133 twixt the soule and God; The Charter which we hauem 1.134 to Canaans Land; Our claime to blisse, seal'd euidence: Aarons rod, Still budding, blooming, working miraclesn 1.135, Grounded on truth of sacred Oracles.

87

The wayn 1.136 to life, as saith the Life the Way; The Iust Mans lifeo 1.137, by which in Christp 1.138 he liues, As naturall branchesq 1.139 in the Vine doe stay: And as the Vine to's branches life still giues, So Christ to vs, on whom by faith w'are grounded, As is the house on corner stoner 1.140 sure founded.

88

Oh holy Faith which iustifiess 1.141 the sinner! And mak'st of stones, hell brands, blest Abrahams sonnest 1.142; Faith, ground of things vnseene* 1.143, the soules refiner, That fill'st with Sunnes faire light our Earthly Moones: Thou golden cord which drawes the Lord from hie, To dwell in heartsu 1.144 which faith doth purifiex 1.145.

89

Oh Faith, which to each promise titleth all! And freest each captiue souley 1.146 from Sathans chaines; To Christ vnitesz 1.147 rich, poore, bond, free, great, small: Oh that no dram of thee in me remaines! Oh Lord thou canst doe in mea 1.148 no great workes, Whilst in my heart great vnbeliefe close lurkes.

90

I know, nor Prayers, nor Orizons, nor teares, Nor cries, nor sighes preuaileb 1.149, where faith is wanting; Impurec 1.150, vnsure the heart, stopt are Gods eares; Dead, dull'd the soule, grace vnbeliefe supplanting: As croak of toads, wolues howle, lambs bleat, snakes hissing, Are sacrifices alld 1.151, if faith be missing.

91

Let harlots vow, let Esaus salt teares flowe 1.152; Let Iudasf 1.153, Ahabg 1.154, counterfets repenting: Let Papists, Pagans, Pharises, almesh 1.155 bestow, Let Herod hearei 1.156, Iewesk 1.157, Saull 1.158, pretend relenting: All these are legall, seruile, as dead trunke, Wanting Faiths soule, haue in Gods nostrels stunke.

92

Oh Lord inkindle and increasem 1.159 my faith; In part Lord I beleeuen 1.160, helpe vnbeliefe: Oh ope mine eare, to heare what the Spirito 1.161 saith; To claspe grace preacht to me, of sinners* 1.162 chiefe: For since thou callest allp 1.163 I am included, From thy checke rolle, let me not be secluded.

93

Lord stay thy wrath, and cease thy frowning anger; Correct me as my Father, not my Iudgeq 1.164 Thy frowne's a flaming furnace, full of danger; Iustice to hellr 1.165, might make me headlong trudge: Oh giue mee heere my quittance, make me cleare, Else how shall I at last dayes doome appeare?

94

When Sunne shall be eclipsts 1.166 Moone lose her light; Heauens melt as waxet 1.167, the Earth dried vp and burn'd; Thy troopes attendantu 1.168, thousand Angels bright; The World dissolu'd, and vnto nothing turn'd: The great Archangels Trumpex 1.169 the dead reuiuing, Sheep, Goats, before Christ standingy 1.170; Iudgment giuen.

95

Lord, what shall I then doe before thy Barre, Vnable for to answere mine accusing? The least of sinnes from Heauen may me debarre; Chiefly mine vnbeliefe* 1.171, thy grace refusing: Oh plant betimes thy graces in my heart, That with thy Saints in ioyz 1.172 I may haue part.

96

My weakenesse caus'd my fall, my fall my sinne; My sinne my shamea 1.173, which now my face doth couer; Thy mercies garment for my guilts foule skinne, Lord please to giue, to grant; my faults passe ouer: Cloath me with weddingb 1.174 robes out of thy merit, That from the same I blessings may inherit.

97

Lord let me find thy goodnesse in thy power, As Sampson found in Lyonc 1.175 hony sweete; On my hearts heath, some drops of grace downe shower; Looke on thy plaintife, prostrate at thy feete: Condemne no further, stay thine execution, To punish twice, tis not thy resolution.

98

I once am iudg'd within my Conscience Court; Accus'd, conuictd 1.176, in sorrowes prison pent: Lord iudge no more; release, relieue, support My burd'ned heart: let comforts now be sent. Blest be thy namee 1.177, I comforts now am feeling, Thy Sunne now shines, thy Spirit is ioy reuealing.

99

Then vp my Soule, thy Sentinell now calleth; The voice* 1.178, the word, the Bridegroome bids me come: Awake, arise, to sleepe* 1.179 it small auaileth; Since day drawes nigh of dire and deadly doome. The night of sinne is past, the Serpent Death Creepes close to sting, and stop my vitall breath.

100

Oh happy stop, that stayes the course of sinne! Oh gaining losse! oh liuing, dying life! Oh stinglesse Serpent! doe thy worst, Ile winne; Thy darts are deadly, yet they stint my strife: And when through Deaths deepe Sea thou row'st me ouer, My Heau'ns faire Hauen shall I soone discouer.

Death opes Heauens doore; In goes my Soule to rest, In Abrahams bosome, blest: for euer blest.

Notes

• a 1.1

  Aliquid mali pro•…•…¦ter vicium malum.•…•…¦rasm. adag.
• b 1.2

  Dum spectant laes•• oculi, laeduntur & i•…•… Ouid. de remed.
• c 1.3

  Gen. 12. v. 13. & Chap. 20. v. 2. in th•…•… Court of Pharaoh Abimilech.
• * 1.4

  1 Sam. 21.11.12.1
• d 1.5

  Gen. 42. v. 15.
• e 1.6

  Num. 20.12.13, 〈…〉〈…〉 27.14. Deut. 32.51.
• * 1.7

  Gal. 2.9.
• * 1.8

  Luk. 22. & 55.56. &c.
• f 1.9

  Gen. 2.17. with ch. v. 1, 2, 3, , 5.
• g 1.10

  1 King. 22.29.32.
• h 1.11

  1 King. 13. v. 15.16. 〈…〉〈…〉. & 24.
• i 1.12

  Numb. 25.1.2.3.4. 〈…〉〈…〉 v. 9. see 1 Cor. 10.
• k 1.13

  Psal. 106.3.5, 36.
• l 1.14

  1 Kin. 21. v. 1.2.3.4. 〈…〉〈…〉 &c. Nehem. 13.26.
• * 1.15

  •• Mans weaken•…•… to stand in grace withstand sin, w•…•… the Lord leaue•…•… him to himselfe.
• n 1.16

  Luk. 15.4.5.
• o 1.17

  Acts 17.25.
• q 1.18

  •…•…ohn 11.21.
• r 1.19

  Dauid, 1 Chr. 21. 〈…〉〈…〉. Ezekias, 2 Chr. 〈…〉〈…〉. v. 31.
• * 1.20

  •…•…he penitents •…•…mplaint against than & himselfe.
• s 1.21

  Sam. 17.34.
• t 1.22

  •…•…en. 49.34.
• u 1.23

  •…•…en. 25.32.
• x 1.24

  •…•…am. 4.14.
• y 1.25

  •…•…lar. 5.27.
• z 1.26

  As Saul mist D•…•…¦uid out of his pla•…•… at Table. 1 Sam. 27.
• a 1.27

  Medice cura te•…•…¦sum. Luk. 4.23.
• * 1.28

  A memorable storie.
• * 1.29

  Vox faucibus h•…•…
• b 1.30

  Sortes Virgili•…•… so called from o•…•…¦ning Virgil, and•…•…¦plying his vers•…•… fortunate, or v•…•…¦tunate. Cel. Rod Antiq. Lect. A p•…•…¦tise much like H•…•…¦mans casting o•…•… Purr. Ester 3.7.
• c 1.31

  Psal. 50. v. 16, 1•…•…
• * 1.32

  •…•…ohn
• a 1.33

  Rom. 2.20.21.22.
• b 1.34

  •…•…udg. 2. v. 4.5.
• c 1.35

  Sam. 7.6.
• d 1.36

  •…•…os. 12.4.
• e 1.37

  •…•…al. 34.17.18.
• f 1.38

  •…•…sai 40.2. & 49. 〈…〉〈…〉. 4.7.8. •…•…et. 5 6. •…•…hn 1.9.
• g 1.39

  •…•…in. 19.35. •…•…d. 14.15.16.17.
• h 1.40

  Rom. 15. v. 4.
• i 1.41

  Esa. 1. v. 17, 18.
• k 1.42

  Math. 27. Luk. 2
• l 1.43

  Heb. 9.12, 13, 14.
• m 1.44

  Math. 11. v. 13. 1 Tim. 1.14, 15.
• n 1.45

  Luk. 18.13, 14.
• o 1.46

  Mar. 2.17.
• p 1.47

  Luke 5.32. Luke 19.10. Luke 4.11. Esay 61.1
• q 1.48

  Prou. 16.5. Iam. 4.6. Esay 40.4. 1 Pet. 5.5.
• r 1.49

  Math. 5. v. 3, 4, 5.
• a 1.50

  Esay 55. v. 1.
• b 1.51

  Psal. 42.1, 2.
• c 1.52

  Psal. 6.6.
• d 1.53

  Psal. 25.9.
• e 1.54

  Math. 11.28.
• f 1.55

  Psal. 51.17.
• g 1.56

  Esay 57.15.
• i 1.57

  Math. 15.27.28.
• k 1.58

  Esay 42.3. Math. 12.20.
• l 1.59

  1 Cor. 11.31.
• m 1.60

  Mich. 7.18, 19.
• n 1.61

  Esai 38.17.
• * 1.62

  Exod. 14.
• o 1.63

  Mal. 4.2.
• * 1.64

  Repentance lik•…•… Penelope in the po•…•…
• * 1.65

  Psal. 103.11, 12, 1•• Ex••d 34.6. Ionas 4.2
• a 1.66

  Math. 7.7. Psal. 50.15.
• b 1.67

  Psal. 32.5.
• c 1.68

  Psal. 38.9.
• d 1.69

  Esai. 30.18.
• e 1.70

  Psal. 10.17.
• f 1.71

  Math. 24.5
• g 1.72

  2 Tim. 2.13:
• * 1.73

  God cannot denie •…•…imselfe, nor his •…•…ercy to the peni∣•…•…ent: for his mercie •…•…e himselfe. Quic∣•…•…uid est in Deo est De∣•…•… Zanchy de Attrib. •…•…ei.
• k 1.74

  Luke 15.20
• i 1.75

  Psal. 32.5.
• * 1.76

  As the burnt child dreads the fire, so Gods se••uants once ouertaken in sinne, (as Dauid in lust) euer after feare sin, with al occasions, meanes & motiues leading to sin. See 〈…〉〈…〉 Cor 7.11.
• k 1.77

  Psal. 116.16,
• g 1.78

  Psal. 18.1, 2.
• * 1.79

  The fleshes con∣flict with the spiri•…•… cōcerning the gif•…•… of grace, and th•…•… cause of sinne.
• h 1.80

  Iohn 2, 3.
• * 1.81

  Luke 1, 34.
• i 1.82

  Iudg. 6.13.
• k 1.83

  Rom. 11.29.
• * 1.84

  Euery grace is f•…•… God, both the pre¦uenting, renuing working, coworkin•…•… conforming, an•…•… confirming grace, see Rom. 9.16. He•…•… 12.2, Phil. 1.6, Ph•…•… 2.13. & velle & p•…•…¦se a Deo. Ʋide At•…•… Enchi. cap. 31. Nole•…•…¦tem praeuenit, volen•…•…¦tem subsequitur.
• m 1.85

  Mal. 1.2. •…•…om 9.13.
• n 1.86

  Iohn 3.8.
• o 1.87

  Rom. 9.20, 21.
• p 1.88

  Rom. 9.15.
• q 1.89

  Gen. 4.4, 5. •…•…om. 9.11, 12.
• r 1.90

  Luk. 18.12.13.14.
• s 1.91

  Luke 16, 22, 23.
• t 1.92

  Rom. 9.17, 18, 22. 〈…〉〈…〉. Exod. 33.19.
• u 1.93

  Ier. 23.29.
• x 1.94

  Exod. 9.16. •…•…om 9.15.
• y 1.95

  2 Chro. 34.27
• z 1.96

  Heb. 6, 7, 8
• * 1.97

  Ruimus in vetitu•…•… cupimusque negata.
• * 1.98

  Bellarmine ve••y vnequall (after h•…•… manner) charget•• our Diuines with the Ma••iche••s and Libertines, to mak•…•… God the Author o•…•… sinne. Lib. 2. de Ami•…•…¦sione gratiae, c. 3. vs〈…〉〈…〉 ad c. 8. When indee•…•… who euer reads M Calu. Inst lib 1. c 1•…•… c. 18. sect 4 lib. 2 c.〈…〉〈…〉 sect 1, 2. His Com¦ments in Gen. c.〈…〉〈…〉 v. 21. in Act•• 2.23〈…〉〈…〉 Iac. 1.13. in Exod〈…〉〈…〉 21. & alibi, as al•…•… Peter Martyr in c.〈…〉〈…〉 ad Roma. & in loc•…•… Bez. resp. ad H••sch〈…〉〈…〉 ad Castell. Aphor.〈…〉〈…〉 Zwingl us Serm. d•…•… prouidentia, hee sh•…•… see (as they are e•…•…¦cellently cleered b•…•… Pareus Contra. Be•…•… lib 2.) That we ar•…•… as farre from thi•…•… blasphemy, as an•…•…¦quiuocating Iesui•…•… is from truth; a ca•…•…¦nall Cardinal fro•…•… true Christianity.
• a 1.99

  In Eues first sinn•…•… in Dauids adultery and numbering t•…•… people, in Iudas h•…•… treason, in Peter•…•… deniall, there wa•…•… Sathan first temp¦ting. ••en 3. fi •••• st•…•…¦ring vp and exci¦ting. 1 Chro. 21. 1. first filling and entring the hart. Io••. 13 2. first winowing Peter. Luk. 12 31•…•…
• b 1.100

  Si peccani, ego pec∣•…•…aui, nō fatu, non for∣•…•…una, non Diabolus, nō Dominus. Aug in Psa. •…•…2. Ber. in Cant. Ser. 〈…〉〈…〉 6.
• * 1.101

  Ens agit in malo, •…•…on agit malè, non a∣•…•…it malum.
• c 1.102

  Mala tantum praes∣•…•…t, non praedestinat, •…•…on facit; bona verò 〈…〉〈…〉 praestat, & praede∣•…•…inat. Aug. lib. 6. Hy∣•…•…og.
• d 1.103

  Sciente sinente, per∣•…•…ittente, As he per∣•…•…itting Sathan to •…•…o into swine. Mat. 〈…〉〈…〉.31. So wicked men •…•…o fulfill their lusts.
• e 1.104

  ••ledgects 14 16. Some∣•…•…mes also not per∣•…•…itting, as in Abi∣•…•…ilecks case, Gen. 〈…〉〈…〉.6. Senacheribs: Kings 19.28. See •…•…al. 205.14.
• f 1.105

  God is Ergō syner∣•…•…s, A worker in all •…•…rts of works, Com∣•…•…unis Auther, nō nisi •…•…ni fautor. Lipsius li. 〈…〉〈…〉 c. 20. Videm Mar. 〈…〉〈…〉.
• g 1.106

  Sicut naturarum narum optimus cre∣•…•…or, ita malarum vo∣•…•…ntatum iustissimus •…•…dinator. Aug. de cor∣•…•…t. & gratia c. 14.
• h 1.107

  •…•…am. 3 6.
• i 1.108

  •…•…rou. 7.22, 23.
• k 1.109

  •…•…er. 5.8.
• a 1.110

  Corpus Deus fecit, morbum non fecit:〈…〉〈…〉 nimū similiter fecit, n•• peccatum, nimis indo•…•…¦tus est, qui vitium n•…•…¦turae non decernit ab•…•… Authore naturae. F•…•…¦sil Art. 3. ad Artic. fa•…•… sò imput.
• * 1.111

  Faiths victory.
• * 1.112

  Ira breuis Flaccus▪ I∣ra quasi vra ab vren∣do. Aristotle cals it 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, because of the heate of it. Lib. 1. c. 1 de animalibus; alij af∣fectus apparent, hic imm••net. Seneca. de Ira lib. 1. c. 1.1.
• * 1.113

  Ma h. 13.27.
• a 1.114

  1 Tim. 4.1. Heb. 6 6.
• a 1.115

  A trembling ••e•••• a punishment of sin•• Deut. 28.65. Psal. 55.4.
• c 1.116

  Gen. 43.2.
• d 1.117

  2 Kings 7 3.4.
• e 1.118

  Math. 15.26.27.2•…•…
• a 1.119

  Iohn 12.46.
• * 1.120

  The praise and power of faith.
• b 1.121

  1 Pet. 1.8. Rom. 5.1.
• c 1.122

  Marke 1.15.
• d 1.123

  Ro. 10.14.
• e 1.124

  Gal. 5.6.
• d 1.125

  •…•…ohn 5.24. c. 11.26.
• e 1.126

  •…•…om. 8.2. 1 Tim. 1.9
• * 1.127

  •…•…sal. 32.1, 2
• f 1.128

  •…•…phe. 6.16
• g 1.129

  1 Pet. 5.8
• h 1.130

  Heb. 11.33, 34
• i 1.131

  〈…〉〈…〉 Iohn 5.4.
• k 1.132

  Esai. 28.16
• l 1.133

  〈…〉〈…〉 Cor. 12, 12
• m 1.134

  Iohn 3.16. •…•…eb 10.39
• n 1.135

  Math. 17.20.
• n 1.136

  •…•…ohn 3.16
• o 1.137

  Hab. 2.4.
• p 1.138

  Gal. 2.19.
• q 1.139

  •…•…ohn 15.5, 6
• r 1.140

  〈…〉〈…〉 Pet. 2.6, 7
• s 1.141

  Gal. 2:16
• t 1.142

  Gal. 3.7.9
• * 1.143

  •…•…hn 1.12
• u 1.144

  Heb. 11.1
• x 1.145

  Ephe. 3.16 Acts 15.9
• y 1.146

  Math. 9.29 Gal. 3.23.
• z 1.147

  Gal. 5, 6
• a 1.148

  Math. 13.58.
• b 1.149

  Tit. 1.15.
• c 1.150

  Esai. 7.9.
• d 1.151

  Esay 1.11.12.13. Ose. 12.11. Ier. 7.8.9.
• e 1.152

  Heb. 12.17.
• f 1.153

  Math. 27.3, 4.
• g 1.154

  1 Kings 21.27.
• h 1.155

  Ma••h. 6.2.
• i 1.156

  Marke 6.20.
• k 1.157

  Psal. 78 34.35,
• l 1.158

  1 Sam. 15.24.
• m 1.159

  Luk. 17.5.
• n 1.160

  Marke 9.24.
• o 1.161

  Reuel. 2.11.
• * 1.162

  1 Tim. 1.15.
• p 1.163

  Math. 11.28. Reuel. 3.20.
• q 1.164

  Psal. 6.1.2.3.
• r 1.165

  Reuel. 21.8.
• s 1.166

  •…•…th. 24.29.
• t 1.167

  •…•…et. 2.10, & 12
• u 1.168

  •…•…th. 24.31
• x 1.169

  Cor. 15.52
• y 1.170

  •…•…h. 24.32, 33,
• * 1.171

  〈…〉〈…〉 beliefe & im∣•…•…ency, being •…•…s against grace the Gospell, of∣•…•… God far more 〈…〉〈…〉 all the brea∣•…•… of the Law.
• z 1.172

  •…•…der wel Heb. 2. 〈…〉〈…〉 c. 10 28. •…•…e 21 28. 〈…〉〈…〉. 26
• a 1.173

  Iacob obtained blessing, cloa∣•…•… with the g••r∣•…•…ts of his elder •…•…ther. Gen. 27.15.
• b 1.174

  •…•…e f••ithful cloa∣•…•… in the robes of •…•…sts righteous∣•…•…e, obtaine mer∣•…•… ••rom God the •…•…r.
• c 1.175

  •…•…dges 14.8
• d 1.176

  〈…〉〈…〉 Cor. 11.21. •…•…hrist at last re∣•…•…es himselfe to mourning soule, •…•…ee did to wee.
• e 1.177

  Mary Magda∣•…•… and to afflicted 〈…〉〈…〉 in Pathmos.
• * 1.178

  Cantic Cha. 2
• * 1.179

  1 Thes. 5.2.3