A Treasury of Divine Raptures, Epigrams · Epigrams B – Epigrams C
B
1. On Babel.
WHile the preſumpt'ous world, ſwoln big with pride
Strove to enhance their names, and fondly try'd
To build a Tower, whoſe ambitious ſpire
Might kiſs the Skies; Jehova in his ire
Diſmounts his awful Throne, doth quickly quell
Their raſh attempts to teach them to rebell
Againſt his Sov'raign power, confounds their tongues;
(Before but one) and they'r aſſembled throngs
He cleerly routs; enforcing them to run
Abroad the world, ſo leave their work undon:
Thus did the means they uſe, as ſafe and ſure
T'avoid diſperſion, the ſame procure:
Thus God will bring to naught their counſels ſtill,
Who act contrary to his mind and will:
Great God! when my unlimited deſires
Prompt me to ill, quench quench thoſe raging fires,
O let the ill ſucceſs of Babels Tower,
Tame my proud heart, & bring it one peg lower,
And if I muſt needs lofty Structures raiſe,
Grant I may ſeek thy glory, not mens praiſe.
2. On a Baby.
NAtures Epitome, lifes dawn; a thrumb
Of man, forſakes the chamber of the womb,
To hang upon the breſt, and loves to be
Sung to, and dandled on the mothers knee:
Nothing will ſooner ſtill its tear-throat cries
Then crackling rattles, and fond lullabies.
Man at the beſt is eaſily beguil'd
With flattering pleaſures like the whimpering child,
Alas! how flux! how fading are the joys
Which are engendred, by vain trifling toys.
The world preſents us with; Soul to thy reſt
Return, * King David's lullaby is beſt.
*Pſ. 116. 17.3. On Back-biting.
A Good name upon earth is no ſmall bliſs,
No chain of Pearl doth ſo adorn as this;
To whom and what you ſpeak of men be wary;
Sland'rers are Devils * ; O be exceeding chary
And very tender of a mans good name,
He acts the Devils part, that doth defame:
The wounds inflicted by a ſland'rous tongue
Can no Phyſitian heal; yet will the wrong
That's done t'another, many times rebound
Upon the ſhooters ſoul, he that doth wound
The reputation of his neighbour ſhall
Find in the end himſelf, hurt worſt of all:
Such bury men alive (oh cruelty!)
Tis an irrepariable injurie;
Let us from calumny, as from the Devil flee.
*The Greek word for Devil, ſignifies ſlanderer, 1 Tim. 3. 11. foreign, not ſlanderers, in the Greek it is not Devils.4. On Back-ſliding.
IOaſh was good, while his good Unckle reign'd,
But when he dy'd, O how was Joaſh ſtaind
With foul Idolatry; he did interr
Religion in his Unckle's Sepulcher.
We live in the Leaſs fall; how many taſt
Of Heav'nly gifts, yet ſlink away at laſt,
A double Lamp, the word and ſpirit may
Enlighten men, who after fall away
Wholy and finally; Lord! work in me
A thorough-work of grace, let me not be
An Alch'mis Chriſt'an, make me ſound in heart,
And let not me from thy Statutes depart:
That which doth in Hypocriſie begin,
Ends in Apoſtacy, that helliſh ſin:
Lord! make me perſevere, the race to run,
And perfect in me what thou haſt begun;
That ſo, I may not, when I am almoſt
At hav'n be Ship-wrack'd, and for ever loſt.
Domine quod cepiſti perfice, ne in portum nanfragum accidat.
Beza.
5. On a Bag of Money.
IƲdas hath got the bag, the bag hath got
Judas * ; 'tis hard to bear the bag and not
Be covetous, the heart's not fill'd with pelf;
Judas is Burſer, and he ſhuts himſelf
Into his Pouch; * the more he hath, the more
He covets: the Apoſtles that were poor,
Are not ſo having; Judas has the Coyn,
Yet if he have not more, he will purloyn,
And filch it: ah! what ſatisfaction can
Theſe outward things afford the heart of man?
The Bag is given to the worſt of men
Moſt commonly; Judas had better been
Without the Bag, than have the Bag, and have
The Dev'l with it; Chriſt our Redeemer gave
The Bag to Judas, and he gave the reſt
Of his Apoſtles Grace, now which ſped beſt?
Judas he bore the Bag, and yet behold
He is accurſt, Heav'n with a key of gold
Cannot be opend, ſooner Hell gate may;
Deſpairing Judas makes himſelf away.
And now farewel his Bag with Bulloin cramd,
The wretch muſt go to hell, and there be damnd.
¶ Better Gods bleſſing with an empty purſe,
Than one well-lin'd, attended with a curſe.
*Qui tenet marſupium tenetur a marſupio. Amb.6. On a Ball.
THe worlds a Ball, made up of quarters four, *
And with the ſpangled Heavn bequilted ore;
Pleaſure, Honor, and Riches are its all,
Which though the earth ſtands ſtill, ſtill riſe and fall;
Square dealings can ſcarce any where be found,
The reaſon is, becauſe the world is round.
*Aſia, Africa, Europe, America.7. On a Ballance.
THeudas would to himſelf ſome-body ſeem,
So we do of our ſelves too well eſteem;
Laid in the ballance of the Sanctuary,
Alas! we are too light, no weight we carry.
8. On Balm.
BAlm is an Emblem of our Saviors blood,
As that cures wounds, ſo this our ſov'raign good
To heal ſins ulcer, Juſtice doth it calm.
How ſweet! how precious is Gileads balm!
This cures the Serpents biting; this doth ſave,
By this, we into heav'n an entrance have.
O ſinner, thou haſt got a gangren▪d ſoul,
This Balm apply▪d by faith, wil make thee whole.
But few there are to whom Chriſt is reveal'd,
And that's the reaſon why ſo few are heal'd
Of their ſoul-wounds; but in our Hemiſphere
The Sun of Right'ouſneſs is riſen here
For ſin-diſtemp'red ſouls, with him he brings
A healing Vertue, in his balmy wings.
Sweet Jeſu, to my ſmarting wounds apply
The Balſom of thy Blood, or elſe I dye.
Sanguis Chriſti ſalus Chriſtiani. Ber.
9. On Bands.
TRy, ſinners try to burſt in twain Chriſt's bands,
And caſt his cords from your co-arcted hands;
But know his bands will not be ſnapt in ſunder,
He can, I and he will, ſtill keep you under:
This mighty Prince, beyond the reach of man
In Sion reigns, dethrone him if you can:
¶ Such as againſt the Lord their forces bend,
Shall meet with dire confuſion in the end.
10. On Baniſhment.
MAn for his fin from Paradiſe was ſent
Into the world, his life's a baniſhment;
When the juſt ſoul is from the body freed,
O that's a bleſſed baniſhment indeed!
11. On a Banner.
CHriſt brings t'his Wine-cellar his Spouſe, his Dove,
The Banner he ſpreads over her, is Love.
12. On a Banckrupt.
A Sparing father, and a ſpending ſon,
How they agree! what's by the father don,
The Heir undoes; lightly come, lightly go,
He muſt have horſes, dogs, attendants too:
No mar'le, for thrift and he are at a fray,
And who can hold the thing that will away?
He's in the field, when thrift is in the town,
At laſt this gallant's whole eſtate's up blown:
¶ Better for having much t'have hate befall,
Then to be pitied for ſpending all.
Mali parta male dilabuntur, ill got ill ſpent:
Quae ſubito veniunt ſubito quandoque, recedunt,
Quot cervos tot fures habemus.
Plaut.
Actaeon-praeda fuit canibus.
Ovid,
13. On a Banquet.
THe King of Heav'n, his ſon, and ſpirit too,
Invite t'a banquet, but how few do go:
…et Nabal or Belſhazar turn feaſt-maker,
…ord! what a multitude will be partaker,
…ut let ſuch know, whoſe ſouls do feaſt on evils,
…hey are in the mean while a feaſt for Devils.
14. On Baptiſm.
WE to the heav'nly Can'an cannot paſs,
Unleſs we firſt wade through the ſea of glaſs;
Regeneration's Lavour, is that ſea,
Wherein we all muſt waſh, and cleanſed be:
… man God's Kingdom never can inherit,
…hat is not born of Water and the Spirit:
…here's no approaching to Gods gracious throne
Unwaſh'd; the glaſſie ſea muſt be ſail'd on.
God's word's our compaſs, but the ſpirit driven
…he Pinnace of our ſouls, arrives at Heaven:
…n Baptiſm, we our ſelves engaged have
To Chriſt, took our preſs-money; there, we gave
Our names up to the Captain General
Of our Salvation, to obey his call:
There did we vow, and ſolemnly proteſt,
Still to be true to his ſweet intereſt;
To fight it out under his Royal banner,
Till death, and that in a couragious manner.
Now if when call'd to ſuffer for his name,
We ſhould flinch back, O were it not a ſhame?
Nay, Chriſt againſt us may our Baptiſm bring
As an Indictment for this very thing:
How ſhall we look on Chriſt another day,
Who from our colours falſly fall away?
O where alights, the curſes flying roul,
But in the dwelling of the perjur'd ſoul, Zac. 5. 4.
15. On a Barber.
THe Barber ſhaves the hair, and clips the face;
Nature deforms us, we are trimm'd by grace.
16. On Barrenneſs.
AH me! how naked are we! O how bare?
Till with Chriſts right'ous robes we clothed are.
17. On a Bargain.
WHo contracts with the Devil, & ſells himſel…
To him for worldly pleaſures, honors, pelf,
That bargain yields bare gain, nay him undoes,
For light chaff, he his precious ſoul forgoes.
18. On a Barge, or Bark.
THe world's a ſea, we Barks by ſpirit-gale… drive…
We ſail, O whither are we bound? to Heaven▪
19. On Barking.
BA'ls Prieſts are blind, they wander in the dark▪
Dumb dogs they are, & cannot therefore bark▪
But if they ſhould; Saints live above their ſpite,
Dogs bark againſt the Moon, they cannot bite.
20. On Barley.
CHriſt above four thouſand fed,
(Not with various diſhes)
With ſeven loaves of barley-bread,
And a few ſmall fiſhes:
Strange! ſeven baskets were repleat,
With the Offall, broken meat.
21. On a Barn.
THe Sts. are wheat, the beſt, the nobleſt grain,
Heav'n is the barn wherein this wheat is lain.
22 On a Bar.
CHriſt is a Judge, before him at the Bar,
The trembling ſinner one day muſt appear.
23. On a Barrel.
THe woman of Sarepta could not fare ill,
Whoſe meals was ſtill encreaſed in her Barrel:
Lord! when my ſtock of grace is well nigh ſpent,
Give more, and I therewith will be content.
24. On Barrenneſs.
TO bear no fruit, was ever held a ſhame,
Nay a curſe too, O how are we to blame?
On whom the largeſt ſhowres of Gods word fall,
That yet are barren, bear no fruit at all.
25. On a Barretter.
THe Barretter, who ſtudies brawling Laws,
Will ſet his tongue to ſale in any Cauſe;
Raw wounds he loves, and references hates,
In tricks and querks, and quarrelſom debates
He onelyonly trades; his anſwers are evaſions,
His arguments are ſnarling cavillations:
The work he brews in the Vacation long,
He in the Term-time broacheth with his tongue;
This greedy Horſe-leech loves to ſuck and draw
The putrid bloud of the corrupted Law;
But of this wrangler ſoft, I muſt be mute,
For fear againſt me he commence a ſuit.
No more but this, ſuch as delight in jarrs
Should God deſtroy, wo be to Barreters.
26. On a Baſis.
THe King's the Baſis, people to ſuſtain,
The Kings prop is the Lord, by whom Kings reign;
Nay, if the Lord, who ruleth over all,
Did not uphold the world, the world would fall.
27. On Baſhfulneſs.
BLuſhing is vertues tincture, comely grace
Is oft pourtrayed by the baſhful face:
T'have cheeks diſtain'd with a vermiliion dy
For ſin, oh this is pious modeſtie.
28. On a Baſilisk.
SIn is a Baſilisk, its poiſnous breath,
Is mortal, 'tis the Harbinger of death:
Let's firſt diſcover it, and make it flie.
Left it ſhould us purſue, and ſo we die.
29. On a Basket.
BLeſſed ſhall be thy Basket and thy ſtore,
If Gods Law thou obey, and him adore;
But curſt thy basket, and thy ſtore ſhall be,
Who wilt not do as God commandeth thee.
30. On a Baſon.
WHen his diſciples feet our Saviour ſcour'd,
Water into a Baſon firſt he pour'd:
We are by nature Baſe ones, Lord pour in
Thy grace, & from our ſouls feet * waſh off ſin.
*The Affections are the feet of our ſouls.31. On a Baſtard.
THis luckleſs iſſue, Heavens image coin'd
With a forbidden ſtamp, but few do mind;
And yet who is there, that delights not in
That ugly monſter, Satans baſtard ſin?
Conſidred in his natural eſtate,
Ev'ry man is an illegitimate:
The unbelieving wretch, is one baſe-born,
God looks upon him with contempt and ſcorn:
He is a perſon vile, one of earths breed,
A Brat engendred of the Serpents ſeed:
Be ſure, God will not father him therefore,
But lay ſuch Baſtards at the Devils door.
By faith it is, that God takes cognizance
Of us for ſons: 'tis faith doth us advance.
By faith we are Gods children through Chriſt's merit,
Faith gives us right and title to inherit.
Til faith be wrought, we have no right to heav'n,
OnelyOnly to lawful heirs that Land is given.
Tis faith that doth legitimate, until
Thou do believe, thou art a Baſtard ſtill.
Boaſt not thy Pedigree, the devil can ſhow
As full as good a Coat of Arms as thou.
32. On a Bath.
TEars are a Bath, My ſou… bathe thee therein,
When Peter had defil'd himſelf with ſin,
He waſhd his ſoul with penetential tears,
The water of Con…tion heals and clears:
The tears which impure Mary did impart,
Not onelyonly waſhd Chriſts feet, but cleans'd he… heart.
O ſinners, make vour eyes a flowing fount
Of tears, wee… for thoſe ſins you cannot count.
Chriſts blood's a Bath, a fount ſet ope for ſin
And for uncleanneſs: Go, my ſoul, ſtep in
And bathe thee there, his Blood will ſcour ſo,
That crimſon ſins ſhall ſeem as white as ſnow.
O tis this Blood of Chriſt that lays the ſoul
A whitening, theſe two bathes do make ſoul… whole.
33. On a Battel.
AWay, fond fool, wilt thou prepare t'embat…
With the great God, whoſe thundring judgments rattle
About thine ears, when all the world records
With one conſent, the Battel is the Lords.
Alas! alas! it is in vain to ſtrive
Againſt that God, whoſe wiſdom can contrive,
And power effect, thy certain overthrow,
And hurl thee head-long into helliſh woe.
34. On a Bay-tree.
THe wicked, ſpreading like a Bay-tree green,
Dies in a trice, and can no more be ſeen:
But mark the upright man, for that man's end
Is peace, flouriſhing bleſſings him attend.
35. On a Beacon.
WE fire our Beacons when an en'mie's near,
When ſin invades us, how ſecure we are!
The Beacon of mine heart, O Lord! enflame
With grace, and Satan ſhall retreat with ſhame.
36. On a Beagle.
THe quick-nos'd Beagle, follows hard the chaſe,
How ſlow are we in the purſuit of grace!
37. On a Beam.
A Beam is in our eye, we mind it not,
But in our brother's can diſcern a mote;
To find out others failings, we are prone,
But O'twere well, did we amend our own.
38. On Beans.
TO him that brings his mind unto his means,
O how delicious is a meſs of Beans!
He that hath in the bread of life a ſhare,
Can be contented with the meaneſt fare.
39. On a Beard.
MEthinks that hairy argument of Age,
To ſober actions ſhould men engage;
Its man prerogative: O what a grace
Where vertue ruleth, is a well-thatch▪d face!
40. On a Bear.
I See an ill-ſhap'd Bear, and I begin
To think, am I not more deform'd by ſin?
Lord, I by nature am auſtere and rough,
But ah! thy grace can make me ſmooth enough.
41. On Be…ſts.
THe Forreſt Burgeſſes by nature wild,
Rav'nous & fierce, Gods power makes mo… mil…
Gentle, and merciful to man, than men;
Dan'el was ſafe when in the L…ons Den.
In Diocleſians Reign, the Chriſtians thrown
To Leopards, Wolves, and Bears, were let alon…
42. On Beauty.
BEauty! what is it but a Vernal Flow'r,
Now freſh, alas! and wither'd in an hour.
Grace is the beſt complexion of the Soul,
Compar'd to that, all other beauty's foul;
It is ev'n at the firſt Plantation,
Like Rachel, very fair to look upon.
But ſtill the more it lives, the more it ſends
Its ra…s of beauty forth; that which commends
Chriſts lovely Spouſe, is Soul-adorning grace,
Not the external features of the Face.
All glorious the Kings Daughter is within,
She is fair, though ſhe have a Black-Moors skin.
Chriſts ſparkling Robes of Right'ouſneſs adorn
The ſoul, theſe never can be thred-bare worn.
Grace is the Holy Ghoſts Embroidery;
This roſeate Beauty onelyonly in Gods eye
Sets off a Soul; ſuch as in heart are pure
He loves, but ſpir't'ual Lepers cann't endure.
Unto his leſſer Heav'n God doth repair,
The Dove delighteth in the pureſt air.
The Spir't, who in the likeneſs of a Dove
Deſcended, fair-complexion'd ſouls do…h love.
This is Gods reſt, here he for ever dwells,
This beauty never fades, O this excells!
It is the faireſt heart, not faireſt face
Chriſt loves; the glory of a man is grace.
Chriſt… Bride ſhe wears no Necklace on her neck
The Graces are a Chain of Pearl that deck
Her Lilly Soul; Grace is a precious thing
To th' Soul, as is the Di…mond to the Ring,
The Sun to th' world; an heav'n enamel'd mind
Is ſuch a Beauty as is hard to find.
Grace is a Flower of Delight, which Chriſt
Loves to ſmel to; Grace makes us like the Highſt:
O what is there that may with Grace compare!
There's nothing here below ſo rich, ſo rare.
But O the Jewels which on Chriſt were hung,
Cannot be blazon'd by a mortal tongue.
Deformities immediately flow
From ſin, but bleſſed he, no ſin did know.
By th' Spirit conceiv'd, that is the reaſon then
Why he was fairer than the ſons of men.
Mirror of Beauty in his looks divine,
O what a graceful Majeſty doth ſhine!
Chriſt is deſcribed with an head of Gold,
Ey-dazling gold, & his Doves eyes behold Cant. … 1…
His Spouſe; his cheecks are as a bed of ſpices,
His lovelineſs the Virgin-heart entices.
What may be ſaid, falls infinitely ſhort
Of his reſplendent worth; who can report
His rare unparagon'd perfections? man
Can never do it, for no Angel can.
In's perſon, diſpoſition, ſ…ff'rings, graces,
And converſation all men he ſurpaſſes.
To God, to Saints, and to the Angel-quire,
He's very lovely; what ſhould we admire
But his perfections? there is not a ſpot
In him, his Beauty's ſeamleſs as his Coat.
Beauty draws love; his beauty Chriſt imparts,
O wear this Roſe of Sharon in your hearts.
Sinners, get Chriſt, in gaining him you get
The richeſt Jewel in Heav'ns Cabinet.
foreign Theodoret.
foreign Chryſost.
43. On a Bed.
MY body's earthly clothes which now I have,
I ſhortly ſhall put off, and in the grave,
My laſt bed, reſt; but raiſed I ſhall be,
And with theſe very eyes my Savior ſee.
44. On Bees.
…He Hony-merchants in the prime of May,
By ſun ſhine thro' the fragrant meadows ſtray
With Cypras wings, and by their Chymick skill,
…xtract the quinteſſence of Flow'rs, to fill
Their hollow-vaulted cells: what heavy loads
Their laden thighs tranſport to their aboads?
When others pine with want, in winters cold,
They live upon their ſelf-made liquid Gold.
So in proſper'ties ſummer, ſhould we lay
Up ſtore of grace, againſt a winters day.
45. On a Beggar.
OH! in my bones ſuch a diſeaſe doth lurk,
A knaviſh beggar cry'd, I cannot work:
And afterwards confeſt it was the Lazies;
We work not for our ſouls, ſuch our diſeaſe is.
Lord, we deſerve thy whip, need no curb bridles,
Who are by nature troubled with the idles.
Beggars we are, whoſe hourly wants implore
Each Meals relief; we beg at Heavens door,
Give us this day our daily bread; we crave,
God gives it us, we can but ask and have.
Who live upon Gods alms, muſt not refuſe▪
His reffuſe; beggars muſt not pick and chuſe.
That news of Beadles, and their tort'ring whips
Is not the language of Gods angry lips,
Is a rich mercy: Beggars ſhould be humble,
Thou art a Beggar, ah! why doſt thou grumble
And murmure at thy God! wilt thou repine
That art ſuſtain'd by Providence Divine?
If the Alms-basket of Gods Providence
We ſlight, how juſtly may he ſay, go hence;
Go hence, proud beggars, with your curſed ſtat…
And come no more for Alms at Heaven-gate.
I am a Beggar, Lord, let me partake
Of grace and glor…, for Chriſt Jeſus ſake.
46. On Beginnings.
SIn its firſt riſe, as ev'l muſt be withſtood,
Grace its firſt riſe, embrac'd as being good.
¶ Where is no grace to cruſh ſin in the ſhell,
Sin grows, and it will hurry men to hell.
Perpetuated woes are Vices dregs,
Lets cruſh betimes theſe Cockatrices Eggs.
47. On Being with Chriſt.
TO be with Chriſt in Glory, doth include
A Priviledge of the firſt Magnitude;
Saint Paul long'd to depart, that he might reſ…
On that ſoft pillow, his dear Saviors breſt,
As the belov'd Diſciple John, once did.
While in the fleſh, our life of grace is hid
Under Corruptions veil, until we be
…ith Chriſt, our grace is in its infancie.
O when we ſit with Chriſt, and wear our crown,
Our graces ſhall be fully ripe, and blown,
Which here are in the buds; here we inherit
The firſt-fruits, there the full crop of the Spirit.
Death is ſweet to the Saints, to heav'n they come
By croſſing of this Marc-Martuum:
Here we behold Chriſt darkly, through a glaſs;
There ſhall his veil be taken off his face,
And he in his Embroidery appear;
Heav'n were nor Heav'n, if Chriſt were not there.
Chriſt with his graces, here his Spouſe doth honor
…n heav'n, his glory he will put upon her.
She ſhall ſhine by his means, ſit next his throne,
By vertue of her Marri'ge Union.
Here ſhe's in ſable for her abſent Love;
But Chriſt in heav'n her mourning will remove,
And clothe her in white robes; Chriſt he prepares
An Handkerchief to dry up all her Tears.
O there the heart, and all the ſenſes ſhall
Be fill'd with joy at once, none thence can fall.
In heav'n we ever with the Lord ſhall reſt,
The Saint, when there, hath his Quietus eſt.
48. On Believing in Chriſt.
ANd ſhall the Saints for ever be poſſeſt
Of heav'nly thrones? with Chriſt in glory reſt!
Oh then, lets try our ſelves whether or no
We are ſuch perſons, as to Chriſt ſhall go
At deaths arreſt? from hence we muſt be gone
But ſhall we go to Chriſt? this may be known
As thus; if here the life of grace we live
In Chriſt, Chriſt us will when we die, receive:
How bleſt is union! union is the ground
Of priviledge; in Chriſt we muſt be found
Clad in his robes of Holineſs, before we
Can be with Chriſt dreſs'd in his robes of glory
O labour to get faith; faith is the grace
Unites to Chriſt; faith moves Chriſt to embrac…
Us in his loving arms; by faith alone
Chriſt as an husband, as a Lord we own.
Faith gives the intereſt, tis faith doth bring
Chriſt home unto the ſoul; Chriſt is the ring,
Faith's finger puts it on; faith opens wide
The orifice, in her ſweet Saviors ſide,
And drinks his blood; faith juſtifies, make clean
O get faith, of all graces Faith is Queen:
Faith paves a Cawſie to a heav'nly throne,
Believers die Heirs to the glorious crown:
O Lord enrich me with that ſaving grace,
That I amongſt thy Saints may have a place.
49. On a Bell.
THe Goſpel is a Silver-warning Bell,
To ring men in to Chriſt, and yet to Hell
How many go? its ſound we cannot hear,
Unleſs Gods Spirit ring it in our ear.
50. On Bellows.
MY zeal is but a ſpark; Lord! I deſire
Thy Spirits Bellows to blow up my fire,
That I may to the glory of thy Name
Aſcend ſtill to thee, in an holy flame.
51. On the Belly.
THe Belly's Natures Kirchin, is't not odd
A Houſe of Office, ſhould become a God?
Many do ſerve their Bellies, oh how few
Yield God that honor which to him is due!
52. On Beloved.
GOd hath made us, whom ſin had once undon,
Beloved, in his Well-beloved Son.
53. On a Belt.
FAlſhood ſurcingles moſt; how few are there
About their loins, Truths golden girdle wear!
That man muſt needs be ſtrenuous and ſtout,
That with the Belt of Truth is girt about.
54. On a Bench.
THe worlds a Bench, whereon a while we ſtay,
Till we to Heav'nly thrones are call'd away.
55. On a Bene…ice.
MEn now adays fat Benefices get,
And ſtraightway lay aſide the Preachers net.
So I win ſouls to God, I do not care
How ſmall my Profits, and my In-comes are.
56. On Benefits.
AS benefit's beſtow'd, bind the receiver;
So hearty thanks return'd, oblige the giver,
Chriſt cleans'd the Leper, and we read but one
Often, that gave God thanks for what was done.
57. On the Beſt.
GOd, that on us doſt the beſt things beſtow,
To thee the beſt of what we have, we owe;
Thou ſhowr'ſt on us the riches of thy grace,
We fling ſins filthy ordure in thy face,
For Gold give dirt, and is not this a ſhame?
How blind our ſacrifice are, how lame!
He that delights in God, beſtowes on him
The ſtrength of his affections; the cream
Of his performances; to God he brings
The very beſt he hath, for offerings;
The firſtlings of the flock, and of the ſat
Thereof, nor grumbles in the leaſt thereat.
God who is beſt, will with the beſt be ſerv'd;
Domitian would have his Statute carv'd
In burniſh'd Gold, and not in Braſs, or Wood,
God who is good himſelf, craves what is good;
The beſt of our beſt things, he beſt approves,
Our golden ſervicies he dearly loves.
Hypocrites duties do procure Gods loathing,
They offer to him that which coſt them nothing:
They care not what before the Lord they bring,
A lazy pray'r, or ſuch like ſorry thing:
A cheap Religion always likes them beſt;
A coſtly one they very much deteſt:
A broken heart is my beſt ſacrifice,
O Lord, I truſt thou wilt not it deſpiſe:
O grant that I may labour to do firſt
My beſt, and then let Satan do his worſt.
58. On a Beetle.
HOw beetle-blind are we! how void of ſight,
Ev'n in the midſt of glorious-Goſpel light.
Omentum Cimmeriis tenebris atrociorem. Lactan.
59. On Beiraying.
JƲdas his Maſter with a Kiſs betrays,
How many Judaſſes are now adays!
60. On Betrothing.
O Let's admire Chriſt's love in us betrothing,
Ev'n while we were the objects of his lothing.
61. On a Bever-beaſt.
MEn for the skin purſue the Beaver-beaſt,
Satan from hunting ſouls, doth never reſt.
62. On Bewitching.
THe world's a witch, with honour, pleaſures, riches,
The ſpells ſhe caſts, ſhe multitudes bewitches.
63. On the Bible.
THe ſacred Teſtament both new and old,
Are the two Lips, by which God doth unfold
For our ſouls health, the counſels of his breſt;
And therefore of all books, the Bible's beſt.
64. On Bigamy.
CHriſt conſtant to his Spouſe, the Church our Mother,
Nor will he ever marry any other.
65. On a Bile.
SIn is an angery bile, which few do feel,
And nothing but the bloud of Chriſt can heal.
66. On a Bill.
THe bill chops wood, cuts off excreſences,
So muſt repentance our iniquities.
67. On a Bill.
SAtan againſt the Saints, prefers his bill,
But Chriſt the right'ous Judge acquit them will.
68. On Birds.
THe feather'd people and the air agree
To carol forth Gods praiſe, and ſhall not we?
69. On the New-Birth.
TWice born! how can this be? by fleſh & blood
This myſtery cannot be underſtood:
By faith it may, without Regeneration,
Of water and the Spir't, there's no Salvation.
70. On a Biſhop.
THe Scripture ſayes, a Biſhop muſt be blamleſs,
Chaſte, ſober, holy, (not profane, & ſhameleſs)
Not cloſe, but free; to godly men propitious,
Apt for to teach, (not piteful and malicious.
Such men were Titus, Timothy, and Paul,
And our late Jewels, Davenant, Ʋſher, Hall.
Such are, (and O may they be long enjoy'd)
Laborious Reynolds, chari…able Floyd:
To mild Nicholſon, ſome wiſh the turn'd-out tribe
That can (they ſay) to Gods command ſubſcribe:
Might be unchain'd, have freedom to diſpenſe
The Goſpel, though they miſs'd preheminence▪
Love beſt perſwades, the learned have expreſt,
And wiſe men find, the Golden mean is beſt.
71. On a Bit, or Morſel.
TIs by free grace, we are ſuſtain'd and fed,
Alas! we ne're deſerv▪d one bit of bread.
72. On Bitterneſs.
SIn makes fair promiſes, but nothing leſs
Performs, it always ends in bitterneſs.
73. On a Bit, or Sn…ffle.
LOrd! when my tongue would gallop into ſin,
Thy Preſence is the bit muſt keep it in.
74. On a Blab, or Long-tengue.
'TWas Davids pray'r; Lord, ſet a watch before
My mouth, & of my lips keep thou the door,
¶ He that gives too much freedom to his tongue,
Offends his God, and doth his neighbour wrong▪
75. On Blackneſs.
THere's none, but is originally ſoil'd
With inbre'd filth, and actually ſpoil'd,
We are born Moors, and by continual fin,
This ſwarthineſs hath much increaſed been:
We have no virtual nitre of our own
To whiten us, the bloud of Gods dear ſon
Can only cleanſe, and purifie the ſoul
And make us fair, who are by nature ſoul.
76. On a Bladder.
PRide puffeth up the heart, but death's deſign'd
To prick this bladder, and let out the wind.
77. On Blame.
FOr crucifying Chriſt their Lord, we blame
The Jewes, yet daily do the very ſame;
Our ſins are ranckling thorns, the nails, the ſpea…
That tear our Lord, and we ſhed not a tear.
78. On Blaſphemy.
BLaſphemy is a bullet, that rebounds
From God at whom 'ti… ſhot, & the blaſpheme… wound….
79. On Bleſſedneſs.
THat in reverſion, there's a bleſſedneſs
The Saints believe; and Scripture doth expreſs▪
Bleſſedneſs is the ſouls perfection,
Of Chriſt'an induſtry tis the whet-ſtone,
The Saints higheſt ambition, tis the flower
Of his delight, the end which evermore
All men deſire; this is the white all aim
To hit, this is the center; this is the flame
That nouriſheth our zeal; this precious Gem,
Hangs not upon an earthly Diadem:
It lies not in the acquiſition,
Of things beneath the circle of the Sun:
It cannot be by any chymick skill
Extracted here, emptineſs cannot fill:
For birth, for wealth, for worldly joys, for wit,
None might compare with Solomon, and yet
He tells us in the hight of contemplation,
That all is vanity and ſoul-vexation.
Alas! the ſacred Tree of bleſſedneſs,
Doth not grow in an earthly Paradiſe:
For ſin hath not, God curſt the loathed ground,
How then therein, can bleſſedneſs be found?
And yet there▪s many digging for it here,
As if a curſe could any bleſſing bear.
Fire may as eaſily from water-ſprings
Be drawn, as bleſſedneſs from earthly things:
The world's below the ſoul, it's foot-ſtool tis,
And therefore …annot crown it with true bliſs.
Worldly accommodations cannot ſtill
The troubled heart, nor with true comfort fill:
Riches can never ſatisfie the ſoul,
Becauſe not real, and away they roul,
Like a ſwift ſtream; therefore they never can,
With endleſs happineſs, enrich a man;
Riches are thorns, they vex the head with care
Of getting, ſo they wound the heart with fear
Of looſing them, a man may be poſſeſt
Of golden Mountains, and be never bleſt:
The ſole enoyment of theſe things below,
Will bring a curſe; cannot therefore beſtow
Happineſs on us, Gold (tis ſad to tell)
Hath ſunk the ſouls of many men to Hell:
Judas for money his ſalvation ſold,
The Phariſes bought with refined mould
Their own damnation: creatures comforts can
Derive no true felicity to man:
'Tis in an higher Region, they that do
Seek for it here, do to the wrong box go:
Bleſſedneſs is too delicate a Plant
To dwell in natures ſoil, he knows no want
That hath it; O how bleſt is his condition,
That hath a full and ſenſible fruition
Of God the ſupream good; there's nothing ca…
But God enjoy'd, beatifie a man.
God is the chiefeſt good, he makes them ble…
Who in him only, acquieſce and reſt:
Bleſſedneſs is the alone Diamond,
In God the Rock of ages to be found.
He is the top of all felicity,
The center in whom all the lines agree:
The ſoul is not compleatly happy, till
It meet in God, who only can it fill
In bleſſedneſs, or elſe it is not right,
Are theſe Ingred'ents, ſpirits of delight;
So meliority, and ſweet variety,
Compleat perfection, and a full ſatiety:
Eternities the higheſt link of bliſs,
Its ſun-ſhine never ſets, nor clouded is▪
God only can true bleſſedneſs afford,
Bleſt are the people whoſe God is the Lord.
Sinner lament thy ſins, falſe ways decline,
And ſweat hard till thou finde this golden mine;
▪Tis feizable, the flaming Sword of fin,
Can only keep thee back from entring in
Th'heavenly Paradiſe: Get an intereſt
In Chriſt, walk uprightly, and thou art bleſt:
That thou art bound for heav'n, do thou not ſay
Who ſteer'ſt thy courſe the quite contrary way,
But thou that art a Saint free grace adore
That, that muſt ſet thee on the bliſsful ſhore;
I muſt paſs through the gate of grace, before I
Can enter into the White-Hall of Glory.
80. On Bleſsings.
ALL bleſſings are from God, his golden bouls
Of mercies ſtill refreſh our bodies, ſouls;
His bleſſings ever over-flow the banks
Of our deſires, and ſhall we ebb in thanks?
God will, if we be thankful for the ſtore
Of bleſſings he allows, allow us more.
81. On Blindneſs.
TIs day, and yet we grope the way to finde,
Strange▪ that the Goſpels light ſhould make us blinde.
…he world's God blindes mens eyes, they neither can
…ee their Diſeaſe, nor their Phyſician.
Laodicea in her own conceit
Was rich, and yet how poor was her eſtate!
The blind man in the Goſpel till Chriſt came,
Recov'red not his ſight, and in Chriſt's name
Implore we muſt, the ſpirit to inlight
Our ſpir't'al eyes, for we have loſt our ſight.
82. On Blockiſhneſs.
BEfore the fall our underſtandings light
Was clear, but ſince how darkned is our ſight
How blockiſh are we! how unapt to learn
The things; that do immediately concern
Our everlaſting peace! O Lord reſtore
To us thine Image, by us loſt before:
Be pleas'd to open our ſin-ſealed eyes
That we may know thee, and thy goodneſs priz…
83. On a Bloſſom.
GRace is the bud that ſports on Par'diſe tree,
The bloſſome is glorious Eternitie:
Unleſs we bud in grace, we ſhall not bloom
In glory, none but Saints in Heaven find room.
84. On Bloud.
THe bloud that guiſh'd from murd'red Ab…
Empierc'd the heav'ns, with its reveng… ſoun…
But ah! the bloud of my dear, Lord was ſpilt,
To cleanſe my bloud-debabled ſoul from guil…
It cries for pardon, ſcours out all my ſtains,
Procures my freedom from eternal pains.
How precious is the Balm of Gilead!
By it ſalvation can be only had.
Chriſt, he will have the honour of the cure,
Or he will never heal us to be ſure:
The oyl in Rhemes (tis ſtori'd) never waſts,
Though always us'd, Chriſt's bloud for ever laſts,
Bubbling from his pierc'd ſide: O make recourſe
My ſoul ſtill to this Fountain; O divorce
Thy ſelf from ſin, (ſin is the thing confounds,)
Take Sanctuary in his ſanguine wounds:
This is the ſacred Bath open'd for ſin,
And for uncleanneſs, go my ſoul ſtep in
And bathe thee there, this is that ſpir'tal ſpring
That makes clean hearts; Chriſt's bloud's a precious thing;
If to the heart applied, it makes it flouriſh
In holineſs, nothing like this doth nouriſh
The fainting ſoul, no deſperate condition
There is with Chriſt, who is the beſt Phyſitian:
His bloud hath ſov'raign vertue to reſtore,
All wounds, he hath a Salve for ev'ry ſore.
Sanguis Chriſti ſalus Chriſtiani. Bern.
Oceultes viribus egregius ſons. Juven.
85. On Blowes.
WE did commit the fault, but juſtice dealt
The blows to Chriſt; the dol'rous ſtripes he felt,
That ſo we might be heal'd, to him was carv'd
The puniſhment, that ſinful we deſerv'd.
86. On Boaſting.
TEll me fond man, whereof haſt thou to boaſt,
Whoſe days are ev'l at beſt, but few at moſt;
… …eſt …e…ig…s▪ are check… w…rk'… wi…h ſorrow,
And doſt thou brag of what ſhall be to morrow!
But if th…u muſt be proud, make this thy Pride,
To know Chriſt Jeſus, and him Crucifi'd.
87. On the B…dy.
HOw brittle is this fleſhy Cabbinet,
Wherein the richeſt Diamond is ſet!
But time will come, when this vile mortal caſe,
Shall glorious Immortality imbrace.
The body is, while here infirm and weak
Our earthen ware, a little thing will break
Trajan's aſhes after his death, to Rome
Were brought, and honor'd: at the day of doo…
So ſhall the precious aſhes of the Juſt,
Be much eſteem'd, and ſhine as Silver duſt.
Chriſt riſen is, and he's the bodies head,
Therefore the body ſhall not ſtill lie dead:
Saints bodies rais'd from out their ſlumbri… grave▪
Neither diſeaſes, nor defects ſhall have;
The body here's a clog, a lumpiſh thing,
In heaven it ſhall have a nimble wing.
Here muddy, vile, paſſive, and tranſitory,
In heav'n tranſparent, beautifi'd with glory,
Impaſſible, grown to a perfect ſtature,
Free from the wants, and woes, & wrongs of n… tur…
…mmortal Heaven is an healthful Air,
There is no ſadneſs, nor no dying there.
When the Saints ſoul ſhall with the body meet,
How bleſt will be their greeting! O how ſweet!
88. On a Body of Death.
SIn is a body, for it weighs us down,
In prayer it hinders our Aſcenſion;
We with corruption over-power'd ſhall be,
Till deathpull off theſe weights and ſet us free.
…in is deaths body, it is Carrion ſ…ell
Annoys the gracious ſoul, which loaths t'dwell
…n Meſeck, and to ſojourn in the Tents
Of Kedar, whence ariſe unſav'ry ſeents.
O wo is me, that I am forc'd to ſtay
With ſin! how long the pious ſoul doth ſay,
…hall I be vex'd with inmates, O my God,
With thee I long to ſettle mine abode.
89. On Boldneſs.
GOd holds his ſcepter forth, & ev'ry one
May come with boldneſs to his gracious throne
The child with confidence makes known his wants
To his dear father, and his father grants
What he deſires, and ſhall not God much rather,
Who has the diſpoſition of a father
As well as the relation, ſupply
His Childrens wants, when they unto him cry.
How ſhould we to this tender father run
…n all conditions, when by ſin undone;
O ſay to God, Father, my heart, my heart,
O quicken, ſoften it; does Satan dart
Temptations at us? God relieves his Saints,
Who in his boſom pour forth their complaints.
90. On a Bolt.
A Fools bolt is ſoon ſhot, the Proverb ſays.
Scripture Fools, wicked men: ah now adays
Do make a Bolt of their licentious tongue,
To blaſpheme God, & do their neighbor wrong.
91. On a Bond.
CHriſt dy'd, the Saints may well be over-joy'd,
For now Wraths bond and obligation's void.
92. On Bondage.
EMbondaged for ever we had been,
But that our bleſſed Savior ſtood between
God and our ſouls, redeem'd us with his blood,
Which ſtreamed from him like a crimſon flood.
Sin, death, & hell, Chriſt by his death trod under,
And ſnapt thoſe bonds (that held us faſt) in ſunder
93. On a B…nfire.
THe flick'ring flames of ſprightly fire,
Unto the higheſt Arch aſpire.
Mount up my ſoul, to God above,
On winged flames of holy love.
94. On Books.
EXperience tells, vain Books, and idle Plays,
And ſuch as Ovids Amatorious Lays,
How well they ſell! whilſt better Tractates lye
Untouch'd, Religious Books but few will buy.
Sad times! for one that in Gods Bible looks,
There's ten that pore on Cards, the devils books.
All want on books, could ſome have their deſire,
Would be condemn'd to an Epheſian ſire;
And though it would the Devil much diſpleaſe,
Yet might one ſay, as Alcibiades,
Of the Athenian heaps of burning ſcrowls,
I ne're ſaw clearer fire, nor purer coals. *
*Nunquam vide ignem clariorem.95. On Borrowing.
OUr lives, and what we have, of God we borrow,
Who may recal them in before to morrow:
Let me not grumble, Lord, but be content
To pay what thou demand'ſt what thou haſt lent
96. On Boſoms.
MEek Moſes boſom is the Law Divine;
The golden goſpel wherein grace doth ſhine
Chriſts boſom is, and as in ſacred Story
It is recorded, Abraham is his glory.
97. On a Bottle.
WHen all the liquor in our bottle's ſpent,
So long as there's a Well, lets be content.
98. On a Bowl.
WEalth, honor, pleaſures, to and fro do roul;
Nor is't a wonder, for the Worlds a Bowl.
99. On Bounds.
GOod who is boundleſs in himſelf ſurrounds,
The raging waters with appointed bounds,
Alſo the days of man, that then he can
Not paſs, alas! our life is but a ſpan.
100. On B…unty.
ALL's loſt that is laid out, but what is giv'n
to Chriſt & his poor members (heirs of heaven
Though pilgrims here) is loſt like ſcattred grain,
And at joys harveſt, ſhall be found again:
The end of life is ſervice; to extend
Good things to ſuch, as want is the great end
Of our creation; let us not be found
Unprofitable burthens to the ground.
Almes is a ſacrifice gratulatory,
Pleaſing to God, and its reward is Glory.
Eſtates are Talents lent to trade withal,
We are but ſtewards; God may quickly call
For our accounts, of what we have disburſt,
The tree that bare no fruit our Savior curſt.
101. On a Bow.
GOd like our enemy hath bent his Bow.,
And threats a univerſal overthrow:
To the ungodly world, withal our hearts,
Lets turn to him before he thrills his darts.
101. On a Bower.
THe whole world is an heavenly earthly bow'r,
Hev'n is its ſieling, and the Earth its floor,
But ah! our Bower, this heav'n, this earth, muſt paſs
Away, as well as we, who are as graſs.
103. On a B…x.
MAns body is a box till death it ſplit
The Soul, that precious Gem is kept in it.
104. On Boyes.
THe world is in our eye like ſportive boyes,
We trade for trifles, and are all for toyes.
105. On Bracelets.
ABrahams ſervant put loves Golden Bands,
A brace of Bracelets on Rehekah▪s hands;
But O how gloriouſl… will Chriſt adorn
His ſpouſe▪ what bracelets ſhall by her be worn!
106. On a Brand.
GOd plucked us as brands from out hel fire,
Who neither could deſerve, nor yet deſire
This at his hands My ſoul, free-grace admire!
107. On Bran.
HOw ſieve-like is the Memory of man,
'Tis too retentive of the groſſer bran;
All ſinful traſh, and rubbiſh, but alas!
It lets Gods word, the purer flour, through paſs.
108. On Braſs.
A Man for Eloquent may paſs,
But wanting Charity, alas!
He is as tinkling ſounding Braſs.
109. On Brawling.
FOr Bawling Curs and ſalvage Bears,
To fall together by the ears
Is common; 'tis a horrid ſhame,
For ſuch to brawl that bear Chriſt's Name.
If we have wrangled heretofore,
Now let's be Friends, and ſin no more.
110. On Bread.
BRead is life's ſtaff, and yet we cannot ſtand
By it, unleſs God hold it with his hand.
God's bleſſing is the only ſtay and prop
Of that ſtaff Bread, without it down we drop.
Our feeder is our food, not on his grounds,
This Shepherd feeds his ſheep, but with his wounds
Chriſt is the living, & life-giving bread,
That ſoul that feeds on him, ſhall never need.
111. On the Breaſt.
WIth the humble Publican
May I ſmite upon my breaſt,
And ſigh out this fair requeſt,
Pardon Lord me ſinful man.
112. On Breath.
THe breath that in our Noſtrils is,
Is the Anointed of the Lord;
And what he freely doth afford,
He may recal when ere he pleaſe.
Lord when I breath my laſt, grant I
May reign with thee Eternally.
113. On Breeches.
BReeches which in the room of fig-leaves came
Are but the badges of our guilt and ſhame,
And this (methinks) ſhould ſerve to humble all
That wear them, ſince they minde us of our fall.
114. On Brethren.
ALL they that Chriſtianity embrace,
Are Brethren by Creation or Race;
Are Brethren by Profeſſion or Place,
And by Regeneration no Grace.
Behold how good, how pleaſing 'tis to ſee,
Brethren by Race, Place, Grace, in one t' agree
115. On Brevity.
I Came, I ſaw, and then I overcame
Victorious Caeſar, ſaid King Philp wrote
Threats to th' Laconian Lords, but to the ſame
They only anſwer dif—(as ſtories Note)
Lord come and ſee, and conquer us: Let man,
If thou be for us, hurt us if—(he can)
116. On Briars.
SIns are entangling briars, which are found
Within mans heart, that barren piece of ground.
Theſe wound the ſoul the gracious ſoul deſires
Nothing more, then to get out of theſe Briars.
117. On Bribes.
BRibes are attractive, 'tis a bribe that draws
On Friendſhip ſooner then a right'ous cauſe;
Witneſs Gehazi, Judas, Samuel's ſons,
But ah! the bribed into ruine runs:
Though the bag be drawn with a double cord
Of ſilk and ſilver, favour and reward.
He that receives againſt the innocent,
Injurious bribes, unleſs he do repent
Of that foul crime, ſhall find another day,
That vengeance is the Lords, and he'l repay.
118. On a Bridegroom.
CHriſt is the Bridegroom, and the Church his Bride,
Whoſe hearts with loves eternal bands are ti'd,
He found her foul, but he hath waſh'd her ſo,
That now ſhe's whiter than the driven ſnow.
119. On a Bridge.
DEath draws the bridge of life, ſends in a trice
Sinners to Hell, but Saints to Paradiſe.
120. On Bride-well.
TO work in Bride-well is an eaſie toil
To their's who muſt in broad hel always broil.
121. On a Bridle.
THink often on the all-diſcerning eye
Of the great God, who always doth deſcry
Thy ſecret thoughts from perpetraing ſin,
No better bridle for to keep thee in.
122. On Brightneſs.
THe bleſſed Saints though here obſcure they be
To the World's eye, yet ſhall hereafter ſee
God face to face, and gloriouſly bright;
Out-ſhine the ſparkling Jewls of the night.
123. On Brimſtone.
HEre blue flam'd brimſtone much offends the ſmell,
Oh how doth it torment the damn'd in Hell.
124. On B…ine.
PRay'rs that are pickel'd with the brine of tears,
God barrels up in his attentive ears.
125. On a Brink.
ALas! we dance upon deſtructions brink,
And each ſin is a weight to make us ſink.
126. On a Broad-way.
NO wonder many love ſo well the road
That leads to ruin, tis becauſe its broad.
127. On a Brood.
THe brood is ſafe hous'd underneath the wings
Of the indulgent damm, our ſafety ſprings
From God whoſe wings ſhall ever over-ſpread
His Saints, and never any feathers ſhed.
128. On a Brook.
THe bubling brook that wantons up and down
The flowry enameld Meads, and trips upon
The murmering pebbels, ſlips into the main,
And ſtill payes tribute to the watry Plain:
Ev'n ſo to God who firſt to us conveys,
His love, ſhould we return the ſtreams of praiſe.
129. On a Broom.
HOw neceſſary is the Houſwifes broom,
To ſweep out duſt that genders in the room!
But oh! the beſome of Jehovahs ire
Sweeps duſty ſouls, into infernal fire.
130. On Broth.
ESau for a meſs of broth
Sold his Birth-right; we are loth
To exchange things tranſitory,
For immortal boundleſs glory.
131. On the Brow.
LOrd! I have ſinn'd, that is the reaſon thou
Lookeſt on me with ſo ſevere a brow;
Behold me in the face of thy dear Son,
O then I know thou wilt no longer frown.
132. On a Bruſh.
WE bruſh our duſty cloaths, ſin ſoils the ſoul,
Yet how content are we to keep that foul▪
133. On a Brute.
THe Oxe will know his owner, and the Aſs
Her maſter's crib, but Iſrael (alas!)
Will not know me, ſays God, they have deſtroy'd
Themſelves, and made their underſtanding vo…d.
Till God open our lips, our mouths are dumb,
And we more brutiſh then a Brute become.
134. On a Bubble.
HOw vain a thing is man; his life's a bubble,
Repleniſh'd with winds of care & trouble.
135. On a Buck.
WE run from God, and are by nature wild
A Bucks, grace cicurates, & makes us mild,
O God, to me be pleaſed to impart
Thy grace, O that can tame my wanton heart.
136. On a Bucket.
WE have a well, let's let our bucket down,
To fetch up waters of Salvation.
137. On a Buckler.
GOd is a guarding buckler to the juſt,
Who in his ſure defence repoſe their truſt.
138. On a Bud.
LOrd nip the bud, before the bloom begins,
For ah! I would not flouriſh in my ſins.
139. On a Bug, or Hob-gobling.
OUr wayward children, we with bugbears fear,
T'were well if terrifi'd from ſin we were.
140. On a Building.
THe Royal Palace where the Saints ſhall dwell,
A building is, not made with mortal hands,
How doth it in Maginificence excell!
Above the ſtarry Firmament it ſtands;
'Tis ſpacious, precious, ſpecious, and pure,
And ſhall to all eternity endure.
141. On a Bullet.
GOds thund'ring judgments like the bullet run,
Shot from the bowels of the murd'ring Gun.
142. On a Bul-ruſh.
HAng down our head? we like a bul-ruſh may,
Yet not be truly humbled when we pray.
143. On a Bul-wark.
GOd to his people is a bulwark ſtrong,
So that Hell-gates ſhal never do them wrong.
144. On Bundles.
THe Tares that growing with the Wheat is found,
Shal for hell fire be in b…ndles bound.
145. On a Burgeſs.
EAch Saint (choſen by God himſelf) is ſent
To ſet as Burgeſs, in Heav'ns Parli'ment:
And with thoſe noble Peers the Angels ſing
Immortal praiſe, to their triumphant King.
146. On Burials.
NAture, kind to her own, did firſt deviſe
T' entomb a Corps with ſolemn obſequies;
And ſurely grace allows a Burial,
To th' Holy Ghoſt his Temples, when they fall.
147. On Burning.
COme ſee my zeal for God, Jehu pretends;
An holy zeal, but he had baſe-by-ends:
Lord kindle in my heart, a burning flame
Of real zeal to glorifie thy name.
148. On Burrs.
SInners to one another ſtick like burrs;
O why ſhould Saints fall out, like wrangling currs!
149. On Burthens.
COme unto me, I hear my Savior ſay
To ev'ry ſin-preſs'd ſoul, O come away
All ye that grone under ſins maſſie weight,
And I will eaſe you, and refreſh you ſtreight:
My yoke is eaſie, and may well be worn,
My burden's not too heavy to be borne:
Yield, yield my ſoul, his are no Tyrant Laws,
His ſpir't will help thee; If the Loadſtone draws
The Ir'n, the Iron eaſily may move,
So thou—Out of a principle of love
Obey thy Savior, ſerve him with delight;
Love makes ſin heavy, and Chriſts burden light.
God never burdens us, but that he may
Un-burthen us of ſin, there's in the way
Of duty, joy, and Heaven at the end,
O think of the reward, that doth attend
Your ſervice, and bleſs God you are not under
The curſes of the Law, the Law rores thunder.
150. On a Buſh.
THe burning buſh was unconſum'd with fire,
For God was in't, O let's his pow'r admire;
The fire of perſecution, cannot tame
Chriſts Church, for he is with her in the flame.
151. On a Buſhel.
THoſe graces which the Saints as lights conceal,
Under a buſhel, tryals oft reveal.
152. On a Buſie-body.
ARdelio, ſo much abroad doth roam,
Its hard for him to finde himſelf at home.
153. On Buſineſs.
THe buſineſs that we are ſet about
While we are in this world, is to work out
Our own ſalvation with trembling fear.
But O how few make this their chiefeſt care!
O Lord, enable me to work, that I,
May have grace wages glory when I dy.
154. On a Butter-fly.
WE ſmile to ſee our little Children try
Their skill, to eatch the painted butterflie.
And yet alas, we do the very ſame,
Nay worſe our ſelves, O is not this a ſhame!
155. On But.
BAd is the But mars all, ſome but for ſome
Pleaſures or Profit, unto Chriſt would come;
But for his wife, with whom he muſt go dwell,
But for the bidding of his friends farewel;
But for th' interring of his father dear,
But for his viewing of his field bought there.
But for the trial of his Oxon, he
Would follow Chriſt, ah Lord! ſuch Buts have we,
'Tis bleſſed when our Buts are for the beſt,
Ye were as bad as any of the reſt;
But ye are waſh'd, but ve are cleanſed now,
How ſweet's the wine, from ſuch good butts does flow!
156. On a But.
GOds glory is the but, but Chriſtians hark,
Grace is the only Arrow hits that mark.
157. On a Butcher.
THe Butcher lives by killing, we by dying
To ſin, and our corruptions mortifying.
158. On a Butler.
THe Butler keeps proviſion, O hoord
Up in thy heart the food of life, Gods word▪
159. On Buttery.
THe Butt'ry is a neceſſary place,
O bleſſed heart that is well ſtor'd with grace.
160. On Buying.
HE buys, and ſels, and liveth by the loſs,
The Proverb ſays, when worldly things go crofs
With any; but if they that buy and ſell go well.
Would ſpeak the truth, doubtleſs things would
161. On a B…-way.
SIn is a by-way, eaſie to be found,
By all that are for hells dark Kingdom bound;
For want of light, and a good guide to lead
Them right, ſo many in ſins by-path tread.
The words a light, Lord let thy ſpirit be
My guide, that I thy glorious face may ſee.
I muſt walk in the narrow way, before that I
Can finde true reſt, grace leads us into glory.
C
1. On a Cabinet.
THe heart is Gods peculiar Cabinet,
And Satan knows not what is in it ſet,
Heav'ns a rich Cabinet, where God reconds
Glorifi'd Sts. thoſe ſparkling Diamonds.
2. On a Cable.
GReat God! to come to thee we are unable,
O draw us with thy love; thy love's a Cable.
3. On a Cage.
THe gracious ſoul deſires to be diſmiſt
From out the bodies cage, to be with Chriſt.
4. On a Caitiffe.
O Lord, I have contrair'd thy juſt command,
Lo! I as a convicted Caitiffe ſtand,
Trembling before thee; guilty Lord I cry,
Yet plead for mercy, ſince thy Son did dye.
5. On a Cake.
GReat God! well may a cake upon the coals,
Suffice our bodies, ſo thou feaſt our ſouls.
6. On Calamity.
MEn grieve when they calamity are in,
But oh who is there lays to heart his ſin!
7. On a Calender.
VErtue alas! is look'd upon of late,
But as a Calender grown out of date.
8. On Calends.
O May I yield at the Greek Calends (never)
To Satan's laws, but ſerve the Lord for ever.
9. On Calls.
THe Dev'l ſays come to me, but I'le undoe thee;
The world ſays follow me, but I'le ſlight thee;
The fleſh ſays follow me, but I'le forgo thee,
But Chriſt ſays follow me, and I'le delight thee:
Run, run my ſoul, thy Savi'ors call is beſt,
He * is the Way, Truth, Life, ſhun, ſhun the reſt.
10. On the Calves of the lips.
IF of our lips, we offer up the calves,
And not our hearts, we ſerve the Lord the halves.
11. On a Calme.
GOd that allays high winds, & ſtills rough ſeas,
Can calm the conſc'ence, gi…e the troubled eaſe their ſtay,
12. On a Caltraps.
CHriſtians march towards heaven, to cauſe
The ſpiteful world hurls caltraps in their way
13. On a Camel.
THe crowching camel, ſhall as ſoon go through
An Eagles eye, as Miſers to Heav'n goe.
14. On a Camp.
MOſt darkneſs love, & …ate the Goſpel's Lamp
No mar'le, for they belong to Satan's camp.
15. On a Candle.
MEn place a candle having tin'd the wick,
Not und'r a bed, but in a candle-ſtick,
For common benefit, ſo God prefers
His Miniſters, to be his Houſhold Stars.
16. On a Cane, or Reed.
MAn like a Reed, ſtill ſhaken with the wind,
Till fixed on his God, no reſt can find.
17. On a Canker.
SIn is a canker, it infeſts the ſoul,
Chriſt kills it by his death, and makes us whole.
18. On a Cann.
IN Bacchus Courts, he is the only man
That ſmoaks Tobacco, & can ſmoak the Cann.
19. On a Cannon.
OHow uneven are our lives, O Lord;
Reduced to the Canon of thy word!
20. On a Cannon.
THe thunder-mocking Cannon vomits fire,
But ah! how dreadful is th'Eternal ire.
21. On a Cap.
THe cap relieves the head, and keeps it warm;
The heart preſerv'd by grace; can catch no harm.
22. On a Captain.
CHriſt is our Captain, if we ſtand our ground
He will all our ſouls-enemies confound,
His death's, our life; his power alone can quell
Sin and the world, nay all the Devils in hell.
23. On Captivity.
BY Satan, we for evermore had been
Led captive, and embondaged to ſin;
Had not our Savior cancelled the ſcrouls▪
Of angry Juſtice, and redeem'd our ſouls.
24. On a Ca…bonado.
THe Reprobates their bodies, and their ſouls,
Muſt broil in hell, on everlaſting coals.
25. On a Carbuncle.
SIn is a carbuncle, it evermore
Shines bright, yet is a dangerous Plague-ſore.
26. On a Carkaſs.
THe ſoul-leſs carkaſs, none take pleaſure in,
And can God think we love ſouls dead in ſin?
27. On Cards.
THe pleaſures of the world, are Satan's cards,
Who in them moſt delights, he moſt regards.
28. On a Cardinal.
THe chiefeſt Card in al the Roman pack,
Cannot preſerve a Cardinal from wrack.
29. On Care.
APrudent and religious care is good,
A ſoul-dividing care muſt be withſtood:
We are charg'd to commit our way unto
The Lord, not undertake his work to do,
Which is to take care, as it▪s ours to caſt;
Care is a ſpir't'al canker that doth waſte
The ſpir'ts, when 'tis excentrick; we in brief
May ſooner add a furlong to our grief
By our diſtruſtful care, than to our joy
A cubit. Care exceſſive will deſtroy,
As it diſhonours much the King of Kings,
So it takes off the heart from better things:
And while we thinking are how we ſhall do
To live; to die we not remember how.
Lord! what tumult'ous ſwarms of buzzing Cares
Hive in man's Head! how ſilver'd are his Hairs
Before the time! how Care diſtracts the Mind!
It breaks the ſleep, by it the Body's pin'd,
The Soul is wrack'd. 'Twas Adams want of care
Made us become ſo careful as we are.
The Curſe bred Care, Lord may I always caſt
My care on thee, who cared for me haſt,
And wilt do ſtill; 'tis wiſdom to unload
And caſt the burthen of our care on God.
To a Believers care Death puts an end;
Death comes to a Believer as a friend,
And ſays, do not diſtract, nor thus diſquiet
Thy Mind about thy clothing and thy diet.
In gath ring wealth, let not thy Head and Heart
Be prick'd with care, I will but thrill my Dart
Once at thee, and thou ſhalt be diſpoſſeſt
Of all thoſe cares that thus torment thy Breſt.
My Soul care to pleaſe God, but oh! beware
Of Heart-dividing, God-diſtruſting care.
30. On Careleſneſs.
WHen Adam grew careleſs of Gods command
And left off Innocencies robes, he caught
The Falling-ſickneſs, could no longer ſtand
Upright, his careleſneſ… (alas!) hath brought
The Univerſe which wa… (before his fall)
A Paradiſe, into an Ho…ital.
31. On Carnal Security.
OF all Diſeaſes in a Common-weal,
Carnal Security is worſt to heal;
None are ſo dangerouſly ſick as they
Who feel not their Diſeaſe (Phyſitians ſay)
Laodicea's ſick, but thinks ſhe's well;
Thouſands that hope for Heav▪n, drop down to Hell
¶ When blinded with ſecurity men cry,
Peace, peace, ſudden deſtruction is nigh.
Quid miſerius miſero non miſerante ſeipſum. Aug.
32. On Carriage.
AS children of the High'ſt, we ſhould behave
Our ſelves, and be obedient, humble, grave,
Induſtrious, heroical, and holy,
Cheerful, not given to penſive Melancholy;
Longing to be at home: the Saints do ſtill
Readily out of love obey Gods Will:
Lowly they are, it never was allow'd
To any of Gods children to be proud.
Left for a while, fall into Sin they do,
That learn they may on lower ground to go,
And that their Plumes may fall. Saints ſober are
In their Opinions, Speeches, and Attire.
Diligence in their Calling they expreſs,
God never ſeals Warrants to Idleneſs.
The Sts. are high-born of the true blood Royal,
And ſcorn to act the th…ng that is diſloyal,
To ſtain their noble Birth, they are upright,
And in Gods holv ways take great delight;
For though in a ſtrange country now they be,
Yet they the New Jeruſalem ſhall ſee;
Death will convey them thither, that ſhall come
Safe to their fathers houſe, their long'd for home.
33. On Carking.
WE may not cark, and care exceſſively;
For worldly things, theſe periſh, we muſt die.
34. On Carrying.
IN this life a Believer, by the Saints
Is carri'd, him their prayers wings advance,
And when he is of this frail life bereaven,
The bleſſed Angels carry him to Heaven.
35. On Carols.
THe carols which the Heralds of the ſpring
Chant forth, are dull to what the Saints ſhall ſing
Eternally to their melliſt'uous King.
36. On a Carpenter.
AFflictions as a Carpenter oft ſquares,
And for Gods ſpir't'al building us prepares.
37. On a Carper.
MOmus doth always carp at other crimes,
He might do wel to view his own ſomtimes.
38. On a Cart.
CHriſt as a Cart with ſheavs of full-ear'd corn,
Was preſs'd, by him were our offences born.
39. On a Carver.
THe curious Carver may in braſs, or ſtone,
Carve Images, ſo he let God alone.
40. On Caſſia.
HOw fragrantly the Caſſia ſmells,
But Grace the ſweeteſt ſweets excels.
41. On a Cask.
MY ſoul is empty, Lord, make it thy task,
To pour thy wine of grace into my cask.
42. On a Casket.
WHo ever wanteth wiſdom, let him ask it
Of God, to hold it in the heart's a Casket.
43. On a Caſſock.
CAſſocks are in requeſt with Levi's Race,
No garment ſo becomes the ſoul, as Grace.
44. On a Caſt-…way.
TIs hard to know, until the Judgement-day,
Who is a Reprobrate, or Caſt-away.
45. On Caſting down.
GOd humbles thoſe whom he intends to crown
His way of raiſing, is by caſting down.
46. On Caſting off.
WE muſt caſt off the Works of Darkneſs e're
We can put on, and Light's bright armour wear.
47. On a Caſtle.
SIn, and the World, and our Corruptions wraſtle
Againſt us, but the Lord is our ſtrong Caſtle.
48. On a Catch-pole.
SAran that Catch-pole lurks in ſecret holes,
To take advantage to undo our ſouls.
49. On a Cater.
THe Raven was a Cater to refreſh
Elijah twice a day, with Bread and Fleſh.
50. On Catechiſing.
WEre more time ſpent in Catechiſing Youth,
More would be conſtant lovers of the truth.
51. On Cates.
GOds Ordinances thoſe delicious Cates
Are free for all men, He keeps open Gates.
52. On Caterpillars.
HOw ſoon can God thoſe Caterpillars kill,
That to the Sons of Sion bear ill will.
53. On a Catarrbe.
WHen we can mourn for ſin, O then we are
Bound to bleſs God, this is a good Catarrhe.
54. On a Cathedral.
A Den of Thieves is that Cathedral Church
Become, whoſe Prelates live upon the lurch.
55. On a Cathalick.
HE a true Catholick is not become,
Who yields obedience to the Church of Rome.
56. On a Cat.
THe melancholy Cat for Mice doth watch,
Satan to ſlay our ſouls lies at a Catch.
57. On Cattle.
SInce God hath given the Cattle for our uſe,
To his diſhonour let's not them abuſe.
58 On a Caudle.
A Pleaſing Caudle many love to ſup,
What ſweetneſs is there in Salvations cup!
59. On a Cave.
CHriſt is a Rock, and ev'ry wound a Cave,
And whoſo hides therein ſhall ſafety have.
60. On a Caveat.
WE may be angry, very zealous in
A good cauſe, but beware we do not ſin.
61. On a Cavalier of the worſer ſort.
CAnary, Sherry, Cider, Ale, or Beer,
Will make him merry, that's a Cavalier:
His King he honours, God he ought to fear,
Since both by Solomon joyn'd, enjoyned are.
62. On a Caviller.
ZOilus the Caviller finds fault with many,
When 'tis well known he is as bad as any.
63. On a Cauldron.
John in a Cauldron of hot burning oyl
Was forc'd to ſtand, and him alive they boyl.
64. On a Cauſe.
GOd is the cauſer of all good things ſtill,
As Satan is, and ever was, of ill.
65. On a Cauſey.
HEav'ns Cauſey is ſtrewd with rough flinty ſtones,
But hels low-way is pavd with ſmoother ones
66. On Ceaſing.
THere muſt be a ceaſing from ill, before
We can do well. Repent, and ſin …o more.
67. On a Cell.
HOw ſad is it for evermore to dwell
With dev'ls, tormented in hells diſmal Cell!
68. On Cement.
LOve is a Cement, joyning holy ones
Together, it uniteth living ſtones.
69. On a Cenſer.
MY heart's a Cenſer, Lord, let the incenſe
Of Prayr and Praiſes, weakly riſing thence,
Be to thy ſacred Noſtrils acceptable,
Since I would offer better, were I able.
70. On Cenſuring.
MEn are by nature miſerably prone
To cenſure others, let themſelves alone.
Other mens motes we can with eaſe deſcry,
But in the mean while our own beams paſs by.
71. On a Center.
THe ſoul of man is not compleatly bleſt,
Till it in God (its proper Center) reſt.
Still towards God a pious heart will roul,
Becauſe he is the Center of the ſoul,
Immutable, and whoſe Peri, herie,
Drawn round about him, is Eternitie.
72. On a Centurion.
HE commands men, but he that can command
Himſelf, is ſtronger than an armed band.
73 On Ceremonies.
SInce Chriſt became a real Sacrifice,
The Law of Jewiſh Ceremonies is
Aboliſh'd; there's a Conſummatum eſt
Giv'n to them all: all legal rites are ceaſt.
Ere ſince the Temples veil was rent in ſunder,
No ritual Obligation keeps us under.
Rome readmits them, the Saints are far from it,
They loath to lick up the Galatians vomit.
74 On Certainty.
HE muſt be much in duty, muſt keep pure
His heart, and ſtill act faith, that would procure
The Jewel of Aſſurance, which hath bin
By Saints obtain'd, and may be ſo agen.
75. On a Certificate.
GRant that Certificate, Lord, to my ſoul,
The Leper had, Thy ſaith hath made thee whole.
76. On Ceruſe.
NOne but a Jezabel devoid of grace,
With painting Ceruſe will beſmeat her face.
77. On Ceſſing.
WHat ceſſing of eſtates is here below?
The Saints above no ſuch taxations know,
Praiſe is the tribute which to God they owe.
78. On a Chaffer.
MY heart's a chaffer, Lord let thy ſpirit blow
Zeals dying coals in me, & make them glow.
79. On Chaffe.
LIght, dry, and empty chaffe, God in his ire
Will burn, with inextinguiſhable fire.
80. On a Chaine.
CHriſt as a token of his love beſtowes
A chain of vertue, to adorn his Spouſe.
81. On a Chair.
A Chair affords us eaſe, when tir'd we are;
Tis dangerous ſitting in the Scorners chaire.
82. On a Challenge.
¶ AN angry word, calls on a challenge oft,
But ſtrife's diverted by an anſwer ſoft.
83. On a Chalice.
CAſt up we muſt the old leaven of malice;
Ere we drink off the Sacramental Chalice.
84. On Chalk.
THe Spir't of God hath as it were with chalk,
Mark'd out the way, wherein the Sts. do walk
85. On a Chamber.
THe Sts. by faith (that Jacobs Ladder) clamber
Up to Heaven's glorious gliſtering Star-Chamber.
86. On a Champion.
OUr Champion Chriſt for us hath won the field,
And made the pow'rs of hells dark Kingdom yield.
87. On Chance.
All things to paſs, Gods providence doth bring,
Not the blind goddeſs chance, there's no ſuch thing
88. On a Chancellour.
THis honour to each St. Gods Spirit doth deal,
To be the keeper of the Kings Broad-Seal.
89. On Chanel.
LOrd let the chanel of free grace run in
My ſoul, and that will purge out all my ſin.
90. On Change.
THe whole world is a ſhop of change, for welth
We exchange poverty; for ſickneſs health;
Pleaſure for ſorrow; and honour for ſcorn;
Of…-times before, the evening and the morn.
The day changes to night, the night to day,
Summer to winter, youth to age gives way.
91. On a Chappel.
GOd hath his Church, and tis obſerved where
God's Church is, Satan hath his chappel neer
92. On a Chaplain.
HE is a chaplain for the Prince of Hell,
That in debauchry bears away the Bell.
93. On a Chap-man.
SAtan's a chap-man, and his ſhop is fraught
With wares, but all the ware he ſells is naught.
94. On Charges.
CHriſt will not put the Soul to any charges,
Love only he deſires for his free Largeſs.
95 On a Charge.
GOd hath a Book to Regiſter mens ſins,
And when the day of Judgment once begins,
It ſhall be op'd, O then what a black charge
Againſt a Sinner ſhall be read at large.
I will reprove thee, and in order place
Thine open-ſecret-ſins before thy face;
This done the Judge ſhall ſentence in his ire
The curſed into everlaſting fire.
96. On a Charger.
MY heart's a Charger, Lord ſcour off all ſin,
And put the ſweet-meats of thy grace therein
97. On a Chariot.
PRay'r is a Charret, it to heaven brings,
And draws down bleſſings from the King of Kings.
98. On Charity.
CHar'ty increaſeth Faith, begetteth Hope,
Makes us at one with God, it is the ſcope
Of the whole Dec'logue; it do all things can,
It is man's way to God, God's way to man.
It's now grown old and cold, there's many do
Talk on't, 'tis underſtood but of a few.
The Heart muſt be the Spring, the Hand the Pipe,
The Poor the Ciſtern, what we cannot keep,
Let's freely give, that we may in the cloſe
Receive thoſe things which we can never loſe.
Si deſit charitas fruſtra habentur caetera.
Da quod non potes retinere, ut recipias quod non potes amittere.
Aug.
99. On Charms.
THe World's a Circe, O what various harms,
Trip on the heels of her enchanting charms!
100. On a Charter.
ALL things are a Believers future glory
And preſent bleſſings, a large Inventory.
Becauſe God unto him his Heir doth grant
The Covenant of Grace; the Covenant
Is our great Charter, free Grace doth reſtore
To us what Sin had robb'd us of before.
I am God, ev'n thy God, ſurely all things
Are ours, if God (who is the King of Kings)
B'ours, and we have in God an intereſt,
By vertue of our being link'd to Chriſt.
By faith in Chriſt we have a title to
All things in Heav'n above, and Earth below.
101. On Chaſtity.
CHaſtity is the mark denotes the Juſt,
It curbs with Reaſon's reins the rage of Luſt.
'Tis beauty to our ſouls, (whom it attires)
Grace to our body, peace to our deſires.
It is the glory of our lives, and there
It doth grow cheap, where gold is not though dear.
Chaſtity, without …arity to feed
And nouriſh't, is a Lamp that oyl doth need:
Chaſtity wrong'd, abides, it but once ends,
It with the beauty very much contends.
—nulla roparabilis arte.
Laeſa pudicitia eſt deperitilla ſemel,
Lis eſt cum forma magna pudicitiae.
102. On Chaſtiſements.
WHo knows not that he hath offended,
Will not be ſcourg'd nor ſoon amended;
But I have ſinn'd, and here I ſtand
To bear the blows, thy chaſting hand,
Shall lay upon me; O my God
Reform me, by thy tut'ring Rod.
Qui peccare ſe neſcit corrigi non vult; deprehendas te oportet, antequam emendes. Sen.
103. On Chattering.
GOod Hezekiah, chattering like a Crane
Was heard by Heaven, and healed of his pain.
104. On the Chancery.
THere is no Chancery court in Heaven above,
Where all the Sts. are linck'd in endleſs love
105. On Cheapneſs.
THe Prince of darkneſs, is content that thou
Shouldſt have pleaſures & riches cheap enow;
Only give him thy ſoul; indulge to vice,
Ad he is ſatisfy'd, the greateſt price
That can be given, he asks; and yet he tells
His cuſtomers cheap are …he wares he ſells,
Nor are his wares, if rightly underſtood,
But the meer forms, and counterfeits of good:
God gives abundantly to all that lack
Real good things, and taketh nothing back.
Come you that have no money; come and buy
Bleſſings and graces, without price; deny
He will not any, ſince the beſt things are
Beſt cheap, to ſpare to ask them, folly 'twere.
106. On Cheer.
BLeſſed are they, which called are unto
The marri'ge Supper of the Lamb, who go
To feaſt with Chriſt in Heaven; unto the houſe
Of Banqueting, Chriſt will conduct his Spouſe
To eat of his rare Vvands there, is there
No diſh we do not love; delightful cheer.
Chriſt will prepare for his beloved gheſt,
Such ſav'ry meat as ſhe (he's ſure) likes beſt;
The various fulneſs in Chriſt will prevent
A ſcarcity, this cheer is never ſpent:
At this feaſt there's no want, both rich and poor,
Who eat thereof, ſhall never hunger more.
107. On Chearfulneſs.
HOw are the Angels raviſh'd with delight,
While they are prayſing God! a graeious ſprite
Serves God with cheerfulneſs, he only can
Be truly chearful; that's an upright man.
108. On a Cheat.
SAtan's a Sophiſter, he hath Decoys
To draw us in, and cheat us of our Joys.
109. On a Check.
THe Fleſh let's looſe the Reins,
We gallop into Sin,
The Spirits Check reſtreins
And pulls us back agin.
110. On Cheeks.
CHriſt's cheeks are as a Bed of fragrant Spices
High Aromatick vertues love entices.
111. On Cheeſe.
JOh compaſſed about with miſeries.
Tells God that he had curdled him like cheeſeJob 10. 10.
112. On the chief Good.
IT is not every good that makes us bleſt,
But it muſt be the ſov'raign good, the beſt:
¶ Bleſſedneſs lies in the fruition
Of the chief good, and that is God alone.
¶ God as the firſt beginning, and the laſt
End of all good, muſt be by us embrac'd.
God only is of all felicity
The cauſe, and frees us from all miſery.
¶ God only can in life and death appeaſe
The troubled conſcience, give the afflicted eaſe.
¶ In God alone when evils us ſurround
Perfect and ſolid comfort can be found.
No reſt is here below, (my Soul) adventure
To Heav'n, and fix on God thine only center.
113. On a Cherry.
HOw pleaſing is a Cherry to the ſight
And taſte; Grace to the Soul yields more delight.
114. On a Cheſt.
THe Miſer locks up treaſure in his cheſt,
And we ſhould ſtore up Graces in our breſt.
115. On a Chick.
THe Chick is ſafe hous'd under the Hens wings,
So we protected by the King of Kings.
116. On a Chider.
SOft anſwers leſſen wrath, he that's a Chider
Launces the Bile, and makes the breach the wider.