Grapes from Canaan, Poem
GRAPES FROM CANAAN. OR, The Believers preſent taſte OF Future Glory.
THe lives of Saints are Tragae-comaedies;
Their future joy, their preſent grief out-vies:
Their death is ſweet, although their life be ſowr,
Tears in the bud, but Glory in the flower.
The bleſſed Angels at the port of bliſs,
Or portal of the Heavenly edifice,
As Maſters of the Ceremonies ſtand,
To welcome Saints into the Holy Land:
From whence into their Fathers Court ſtrait-way
Theſe Miniſtring Spirits their new-Gueſts convey.
The glory that the Bleſſed there behold
All language is too narrow to unfold:
The glittering ſtars, which in that Orbe do ſhine,
No Logick can ſufficiently define.
Had I as many tongues as hairs, yet I
Could never ſet out the reſplendency
Of that celeſtial Paradiſe above,
For ſaints ordained by the God of Love;
The ſhadow of it in the picture I
Can only give, and that imperfectly.
Heavens Glory not to be fully diſplai'd in this life.
NO eye hath ſeen, ear heard, or heart of man
At any time conceived hath, or can
The comprehenſible ſublimity
And glorious myſteries of that moſt high
And heavenly Wiſdom, and unparallel'd
Sweetneſs, which in the Goſpel is reveai'd:
How altogether then unutterable
Is the perfection, how inexplicable
The full, the real, and the actual
Fruition of thoſe Evangelical
Myſterious Revelations, which are even
Accompliſh'd to the height in th' higheſt Heaven.
The eye of man hath ſeen Earths rareſt ſights,
Its braveſt Ornaments, and chief delights;
Mountains of Chryſtal, and rich Mines of Gold,
With Rocks of Diamonds, wondrous to behold,
Ilands of Spices, and the Pearly coaſt,
(Of which ſome Travellers ſo much do boaſt)
The ſtately and ſublime Pyramides,
Diana's Temple, and ſuch like as theſe,
Mauſolus tombe in all its pompe and pride,
With all the wonders of the world beſide.
The Ear hath with the ſweeteſt melody
Oft charmed been, even with ſuch harmony,
As once tranſported the amazed ear
Of Alexander with a pang (as 't were)
Of pleaſing rage, and ſweerly did inhance
His ſpirit with a moſt delightful dance.
The Heart of man imagine and ſurmiſe
Rare pieces can, and ſtrange felicities;
The pebbles on the ground it in conceit
Into rich Pearls can tranſubſtantiate;
Duſt into ſilver, into liquid Oare
The Land encircling Ocean, nay more
With greater beauty it and ſweetneſs can
The boſome of Dame Nature garniſh, than
The eye e're ſaw, each ſtar into a ſun
It can convert, and when it ſo hath done,
Can make thoſe ſuns far bigger and more bright,
Than that which gilds the heaven with its light.
And yet the height of Evangelical
Wiſdome out-ſhines, and far ſurpaſſeth all
That eye, ear, or the heart of men could ever
See, hear, or know, though heightned with endeavor:
And this ſo rare, and admirable light
On Earth, diſcovering unto our ſight
The treaſures of Caeleſtial and Divine
Wiſdome in Chriſt, is to the richeſt Mine
Of Gold, but as a grain; yea, leſſer than
A drop of water to the Ocean.
When with theſe ſempiternal joyes above
It is compar'd which by the God of Love
For thoſe ordain'd are, that have ſtricken ſayl,
And ſafely landed are within the vayl.
Oh then how far! How far bayond all meaſure
Doth the ſublimity of heavens pleaſure
Tranſcend the moſt enlarg'd capacity
Of men? For humane knowledge 'tis too high.
It is a Fruit of our unhappy Fall
With Adam, and the ſad Eſtate of all
That ſo journe in this vale of miſery
To know heavens glory but imperfectly:
From which our clearer and compleater knowledge,
When we 're admitted into Zion Colledge
Shall differ, as a little Infants doth
From his who is arriv'd at perfect growth.
As knowledge by a glaſs from apprehenſion
Of real objects, till the great convention,
That fulneſſe we of light can't pierce, nor pry
Into the bottomleſſe profundity
Of endleſſe joyes, nor in that brightneſſe dwell,
Which is to mortals unapproachable:
This is reſerved to the day of Doom,
When Jeſus Chriſt the Spouſes lovely Groom
Shall her conduct into his Fathers tent,
And without ſpot, her there to him preſent.
Our Intellects upon neceſſity
Irradiated ſupernaturally,
Muſt be with extraordinary light,
Ere they can have a clear and perfect ſight
Of future bliſs, or fully comprehend
The brightneſs of thoſe joyes, which know no end.
It is as eaſie for a mortal man,
the Globe of Earth to compaſs with a ſpan,
Or in a Nut-ſhell the Ocean to contain,
As to deſcribe exactly every vein
Of Heavens Golden Mine—
Philoſophers of old could ſay that even
As Owles eyes are to th' ſhining Lamp of Heaven;
So are the ſharpeſt and moſt piercing eyes
Of pregnant wits to Natures myſteries:
Oh then! How ſtrangely would they dazled be,
And even ſtruck ſtark blind, ſhould they but ſee
The ſparkling luſtre, and exceſſive height
Of Heavens ſecrets, and immortal light?
But though the whole we cannot fully know,
Yet part we may conſider here below;
Although of that o're-flowing Fountain we
Can't have a full draught, yet a taſte may be
Attain'd on Earth, though the whole Harveſt can't
Be here enjoy'd by th' moſt ſublimed Saint;
Yet of the firſt-Fruits we a brief ſurvey
May take; the Scriptures to this end diſplay
And ſhadow out a glympſe, by things that are
Eſteemed here moſt excellent and rare.
HEAVENS GLORY Set out by its PROPERTIES.
THe Glory of the Saints eternal reſt,
May by its Properties be well expreſt.
Heavens Altitude.
THat bleſſed place which Saints by Faith deſcry,
Is ſet out by a mountain great and high:
It hath its ſcituation far above
The Sun and ſtars, which in their Orbs do move,
Above thoſe glorious Luminaries, which
With beams of light this lower-world enrich:
In power and pride are worldlings oft-times high,
And though they could their Neſts build in the sky,
So firmly, that they thought none could remove them,
Yet ſhal the ſaints be ſhortly far above them:
Their Eagle on his ſacred wings ſhall bear
Them far above the Element of fear.
Their proper houſe and place of reſt is even
Where Chriſt is in the Empyrean Heaven;
A City whoſe aſpiring walls deſie
The ſcaling Ladders of the Enemy.
A Fort erected far above the skies,
That's too too ſtrong for humane batteries;
A Caſtle reared on a towring Rock,
No ſilver Key can ever it unlock:
It fears no underminings, and the ſhot
Of malice, it is far above (I wor.)
The arrows which are up againſt it ſent,
Do with redoubled force rebound, and rent
The hairy ſcalps of thoſe who let them fly
From off the ſtring ſo inconſid'rately.
Heavens Magnificence.
IF all the Architects on Earth ſhould ſtrive,
And lay their heads together to contrive
A ſtately Palace, and had all the gems,
And precious ſtones in Princes Diadems;
Yea, all the Diamonds in the world to ſet
Into it, and to beautifie it, yet
It would be doubtleſs in compariſon,
To Heaven but a darkſome dungeon.
The Porch of that celeſtial Habitation
Doth fill the minds of men with admiration.
Our dazelled eyes unable are to pry
Into the beauty of th' enamel'd sky.
All precious ſtones when laid together, are
Not ſo refulgent as one ſingle ſtar.
What glory in the Preſence Chamber then
Shall Saints amaze, when they are from the den,
And cave of Earth advanc'd above the sky,
To reign in Heaven to eternity!
Fulgentius eying well the Senate Houſe
Of Rome, which was exceeding glorious,
Did both its bulk and bravery contemne,
As nothing to the New Jeruſalem.
That Cities pavement is of Gold moſt pure,
What are the Hangings then and Furniture?
How Orient are thoſe Jewels which are ſet
Into the frame of that rare Cabinet?
Thoſe rarities on Earth which oft invite
Our eyes, and raviſh them with much delight,
Appear but vile and fordid in their eyes,
Who with a ſight of heavens embroideries
Made happy are: a glorious place no doubt
It is, where God doth all his coſt lay out:
It needs muſt be a ſtately Fabrick, where
Wiſdom contrives, and Bounty doth not ſpare.
In heaven (as we read in ſacred ſtory)
There is a kingdom, crowns, thrones, weight of glory,
Now wonder 'tis to me the violent
Take heaven by force, 'tis ſo magnificent.
I marvel more that many Chriſtians are
No more contentious in this Holy War.
Heavens Purity.
IN Purity this bleſſed ſoyle doth paſſe
Refined Gold, and moſt tranſparent Glaſſe.
Its Emblem'd by the ſaphire ſtone, which hath
A precious vertue in't (as Pliny ſaith)
Purity to preſerve, none thither come
Stain'd with the births of ſins too pregnant womb.
Sometimes again 'tis repreſented by
The ſparkling Em'rald whoſe rare quality
Is poyſon to expel, heaven is ſo pure
That ſin and ſinners it will not endure.
That air is from malignant vapours freed,
No Viper of corruption there doth breed.
The Serpent which to ſin did man intice,
Was long ſince caſt out of that Paradiſe.
There no aſſaults of ſinful on-ſets are,
When once a ſpotleſs ſoul, a virgin ſtar
Hath in that Orbe caeleſtial its ſtation,
It need not fear the rape of a temptation,
Upon that ſacred ſtage ſin acts no part,
The Eyes are there no Panders to the Heart.
No ſinful tinctures there of inquination
Be ſpeckle ſhall the choſen generation.
No Feaver there of Luſt is to be found,
All Vice is baniſh'd from that holy ground.
Indeed on Earth of ſin few ſtand in awe,
Men ſet up Wickedneſſe oft by a Law.
And wicked men devour (O cruel Elves!)
Their neighbors, far more righteous than themſelves.
Here Juſt ones are maligned, 'cauſe they 're juſt
And won't be Bandogs to ſome great ones luſt.
More Juſtice there in the infernal Den
Is to be found, than 'mong the ſons of men.
Hell doth oppreſs none that are innocent,
But here 'gainſt righteouſneſs the world is bent.
Holineſs is the White, at which the Divol
His fiery Darts doth principally level.
But Heaven is a place of Equity,
No wronged perſons there for Juſtice cry;
There are (as ſacred Scriptures do expreſs)
The Sun, the Robe, the Crown of Righteouſneſs.
Heavens Amplitude.
SPacious enough that Heavenly ſtructure is,
To entertain the ſouls ordain'd to bliſs.
It is a Garner wide enough to hold,
Thoſe bleſſed Grains whoſe number can't be told.
How ample is the New Jeruſalem?
Where every Saint's deck'd with a Diadem.
Though myriads of Saints inhabit there,
Yet every Saint doth move in his own ſphere.
'Tis not a place ſo narrow or ſo ſtrait,
But ſublime ſpirits may there expatiate.
Heavens Brightneſs.
THat Royal Palace which excels in height,
Is called an inheritance in light;
The ſplendor of it doth the Sun's out vie,
It far ſurpaſſes its reſplendency.
Were every ſtar a ſun, without all doubt,
Heavens luſtre they could never ſhadow out.
Light is a glorious creature, what were all
The world, if Darkneſs ſhould the ſame enthral?
Alas! What beauty is there in the ſun,
When it is vayl'd, and hath a muffler on?
Light actuates the colours, and doth ſhew,
Each Herb and Flower in its moſt verdant hew.
'Tis Natures ſmile, the Univerſes gloſs,
Who wants the light, doth need no greater croſs,
Light beautifies the creatures with its rayes,
It is on bodies a bright paraphraſe.
Whether i'th modeſty of a morning bluſh
It ſelf it doth diſcover, or doth ruſh
In with more ſpriteful beams, whither in a ſtar
It twinckles, or doth in a Comet glare;
Whither in a Gem it frisketh in the night,
Or in a Glow-worm playes the hypocrite.
Whither in a Lamp it doth epitomize
It ſelf, or in a ſpark it ſelf comprize.
How e're 'tis pleaſed it ſelf to manifeſt,
Or in what form ſoever it is dreſt,
Such a commanding luſtre in its face
It alwayes carries, as it ſelf doth grace:
Yet O how dark doth Light it ſelf appear,
When to the fountain it of Light drawes near?
The place of reſt that in the world to come,
Remains for ſaints, is a diaphanum.
It is not like the Element o're head
That's here and there with ſtars enammelled,
No, 'tis a Body wonderfully bright,
Being all o're embroidered with light.
The glory of the Sun is needleſs there,
Chriſt is the Sun that ſhineth in that ſphere.
A Sun that no Eclipſe can over-ſhrowd,
A Sun that can't be masked with a cloud.
A Sun which riſing on the ſaints that reign,
With God in glory, never ſets again:
Whenas the ſacred ſcriptures would expreſs,
The glorious majeſty, and bleſſedneſs
Of God himſelf, unto the very height,
They make 't conſiſt in this, He dwells in light.
Heavens Permanency.
HEaven is a place ſubject to no decay,
An Heritage that fadeth not away;
No wonder ſaints are with it ſo much taken,
It is a Kingdom that cannot be ſhaken.
The great and mighty Monarchies on earth,
Have had their dying times as well as birth;
Their ruins were as certain as their riſe,
But as for the Celeſtial paradiſe,
Venices *Nec fluctu, nec flatu movetur.Motto you may on it write,
No winds nor waves can ſtir't with al their might.
The tabernacle, wch was tranſient,
Did tranſitory comforts repreſent.
But Heavens joy and happineſs (no doubt)
Were by the fixed temple ſhadow'd out:
The ſaints ſhall bath themſelves in bliſs for ever,
Nothing ſhall them and their Redeemer ſever.
Their Leaſe of Heaven perpetual ſhall be,
Stamp'd with the broad ſeal of Eternitie.
Eternity's a Day that hath no Night;
A Spring that hath no Autumne, joy at height:
O happy man, who being freed from thrall,
Enjoy the viſion beatifical!
HEAVENS GLORY FURTHER SHADOWED OUT BY ITS NAMES, TITLES, AND EPITHITES.
THe Titles, Names, and Epithites, that are
Aſcrib'd to Heavenly joyes, do yet declare,
And further to our reliſh repreſent,
Their ſweetneſs, even to aſtoniſhment.
A Kingdom.
HEaven is a Kingdom, and a Kingly throne
Is held the top, crown, and perfection
Of ſublunary bliſs, the higheſt aime
Of mans ambition, that which doth inflame
His aſpiration moſt, a confluence
It is of Riches and magnificence,
Of glory, pompe, and royal majeſty,
Of pleaſure and delightful bravery;
Or what the heart of man can more deſire,
To make his outward happineſs entire:
What ſtirs and ſtratagems, what pulling down,
Of one another, to climbe to a crown?
What Machavillian depths, what ſtrange adventures?
What ſtretching of mens brains upon the tenters?
What cunning Plots, what rowling of each ſtone,
To be inſtalled in the regal throne?
Witneſs our York and Lancaſter, nay all
Earths habitable parts both great and ſmall,
Which have from time to time prov'd (as we find
In ſtory) bloody Cock-pits in this kind.
An heavenly Kingdom.
AN Heavenly Kingdom 'tis to intimate,
That it in excellency, pompe, and ſtate,
As far tranſcends all earthly Kingdoms, as
The Empyrean Heaven doth ſurpaſs
The Earth with all its bravery and ſtore
Of choice delights, and infinitely more.
The Kingdom of God.
GOds Kingdom, 'tis a Kingdom of his own
Framing and beautifying; 'tis a throne
Erected by his power, who like himſelf
Doth all things make, not deek'd with worldly pelt,
But with ineffable tranſcendencies
Embelliſh'd, and ſuch rare felicities,
As beſt beſeem the Maker of all things,
The glorious reſidence of the King of Kings.
An Inheritance.
IT is no tenement at will, to be
Poſſeſt or left at th'Landlords libertie:
But an Inheritance to us convey'd,
And ſeal'd by th' higheſt price that e're was paid.
Which will as orient and as pretious be,
After as many thouſand years as we
Can poſſibly conceive, as 'twas the firſt
Day that it poured out was, and disburſt.
An incorruptible inheritance.
THe Ponderous weight of that felicity,
And bleſſedneſs which is poſſeſſed by
The ſaints, who there the royal ſcepter ſway,
Shall ne're be ſubject to the leaſt decay.
Much leſs ſhall their illuſtrious condition
Obnoxious be to any abolition.
But their unſpeakable beatitude
All diminution wholly …hall exclude:
And alwayes be as freſh and full as at
The firſt it was, their glorified eſtate
Shall ne're decline, but without ſpot or ſtain
Through all eternity entire remain.
An Exceeding, and Eternal weight of Glory.
HEaven an exceeding and eternal weight
Of Glory ſtiled is, its pompe and ſtate,
Crowns, kingdoms, jewels, and moſt orient
Pearls can to us but weakly repreſent,
And darkly ſhadow out; it is (ſaith one)
A phraſe ſuperlative, and ſuch as none
Of all the Heathen in their Or atory
Could ever reach unto, becauſe heavens glory
Is too tranſcendent, too ſublime and high,
E're to be ken'd by Natures pur-blind eye.
THE SAINTS SHALL BE WITH CHRIST IN HEAVEN.
THe Doctor of the Gentiles grand deſire
To be diſſolved was, he did aſpire
To the encircling armes of Chriſt, which he
Deemed the center of felicitie;
A Priviledge of the firſt magnitude,
A bleſſing that all bleſſings did include.
Surely we can no loſers be by being
With Chriſt who is almighty and all-ſeeing,
While we 're engarriſon'd in ſlime, too much
Of the wild olive ſtill remains in ſuch
As are indeed converted, but when death
Dams up the paſſage of our fleeting breath,
As young and tender Scions, then ſhall we
Into a better ſtock engrafted be:
We then ſhall be with Chriſt, whoſe company
Our hearts will raviſh to eternity.
A perfect ſtate more glorious is by far
Than an imperfect; here our graces are
Our richeſt jewels, but their luſtre they
Don't in this life unto the full diſplay:
They'r like the Moon, which when it ſhines moſt bright,
Hath a dark ſpot moſt obvious to our ſight;
Our pretious Faith (a jewel in Gods eye)
O… blended is with incredulity,
And our humility with ſo much pride
Is ſtain'd, that it can hardly be deſcri'd;
Our graces flame (alas) is not ſo pure,
But that ſome ſmoak doth often it obſcure;
Our Vertues here are in their infancy,
And can't arrive at full maturity,
Till on the top of Jacobs Ladder we
Are mounted, and do Chriſt in heaven ſee:
To be with Chriſt is held in ſacred ſtory
To be the higheſt link i'th chain of glory.
What is't the pious ſoul eſteems moſt meet
For him to covet? is it not the ſweet
Preſence of Chriſt? For nought on earth he cares
But what the image of his Saviour bears.
He loves religious duties, but whence is't?
Becauſe they manuductions are to Chriſt:
He prayes and praiſeth prayers excellence,
Cauſe ſouls with Chriſt have private conference:
He hears the Word, and ſtrives it to obey,
Becauſe to Chriſt it ch…lketh out the way.
Chriſt on the ſpirits wings to us doth flie,
VVe plume'd with Faith to him again do hie.
If in an O…d'nance Chriſt be not, inſteed
Of meat we on an empty diſh do feed.
Chriſt's all a Chriſtian can deſire, and more.
The ſev'ral graces which i'th ſaints of yore
A pleaſing luſter yielded though but dim,
Are all at once conſpicuous in him.
VVho ſo by Fuith moſt ſublimated is,
He neither hath a head-piece to deviſe,
Nor heart to cover all that's to be found
In Chriſt, but when we on the holy ground
Of heaven tread, the great Jehovah will
Enlarge our narrow Veſſels, and them fill
Up to the very brim, as once with VVine
Chriſt did the water-pots by's power Divine.
The ſight of Chriſt unto a ſaint, that is
Tranſlated and enammelled with bliſs,
A more delightful object will appear
Than e're his eyes beheld: VVhen he was here
On earth, the light of his Divinitie
In the dark-la…thorn did obſcured lie
Of his humanity, yet even then
The ſaints in him did ſo much beauty ken,
Through Faiths proſpective-glaſs, as did delight
Their hearts, and raviſh their amazed ſight.
But Oh! what glittering beams of matchleſs worth,
And peerleſs excellence ſhall ſparkle forth
From Chriſt, when ſaints ſhall ſee him as he is,
Shining in glory in the ſphear of bliſs.
O what a bleſſed ſight will't be to ſee,
Chriſt clad i'th' Robes of our humanity!
And in that humane nature placed higher
In dignity, than the melodious Quire
Of glorious Angels, who to heavens King,
Do everlaſting Halelujahs ſing.
Cherubs and Seraphims there are; But do
The ſaints believe that theſe make heaven? No;
I'th' ring of glory, Chriſt's the rareſt Gem;
The richeſt Pearl i'th' heavenly Diadem:
Therefore, St. Paul deſired not to be
In heaven, but with Chriſt, whoſe company
The heaven is of heav'ns—
Our being with our bleſſed Saviour, ſhall
Not only local be, but conjugal;
Our eyes ſhall ſo behold him, as that we
Shall be one with him to eternity:
What neerer is than Union? or what's ſweeter?
It is the ſpring of joy, and makes the creature
Happy beyond conceit: by vertue we
Of that bleſt Union, ſhall partakers be
Of thoſe tranſcendent beauties, wherewithal
Chriſt's humane nature is, and ever ſhall
Beſpangled be; Chriſt with the glory which
His Father gave him, will his ſaints enrich:
They with his beams ſhall ſhine, he doth array
Them with his graces, whilſt they'r in the way;
But when they to their journeys end are come,
He, them with Robes of Glory welcomes home.
How full of luſtre, will the ſaints appear,
When they their Saviors richeſt jewels wear!
Not only one, they with their husband ſhall
Then be, but eke reſemble him withal:
In other marriages Brides only do
Change their eſtate, but here complexion too:
Not that in glory, Chriſt conferreth ought
Of his own Eſſence, as Socinus taught.
Saints ſo much glory as compriz'd may be
Within the verge of their humanitie
Shall have; but though his image he impart,
Yet not his Eſſence. When the Sun doth dart
Its beams, and on a glaſs ſhines from its ſphaere,
Some print, it of its beauty leaveth there;
And 'twixt the Sun-beam and the glaſs, it is
No eaſie matter to diſeern; but this
Moſt certain is, the glaſs is not the ray,
The Sun its likeneſs only doth convey.
In Heaven, the Saints ſhall be all KINGS.
THere too too many are, who do aſpire
After Terreſtrial Scepters, whoſe deſire
Is to be mounted on the throne, as though
The place where ſaints muſt reign, were here below.
We ſurely then, Gods Church on Earth muſt grant
To be triumphant, and not militant.
But ſee the honour of the ſaints; O they
Shall all be Kings at their aſcenſion day:
VVe, of their royal robe, and throne of Glory,
Read in the Book of Books the ſacred ſtory.
The ſaints, that in this world a crown do wear
Of thorns, ſhall have a crown of glory there:
Yea, ſuch a crown as hath no cares at all
VVoven into't; the crown of Kings oft gall
Their royal heads, they by experience find
Them both with care and ſorrow to be lin'd.
Cyrus, the Perſian King, was wont to ſay,
Did men but know the cares, which he each day
Under a crown, imperial, did ſuſtain;
To take it up no doubt they would diſdain.
But lo the crowns of ſaints, in glory ſhal
No mixture know, or miſery at all:
They neither are with care of keeping blent,
Or fear of loſing, but yield all content.
O let us then with patience undergo
Our momentary troubles here below:
Let not our light afflictions preſs us down,
VVho bear the croſs, ſhall alſo were the crown.
In Heaven the Saints ſhall be filled with JOY.
THe joy of Saints is by their Union bred
VVith Chriſt; being fully joyn'd to their Head,
Their joyes ſhall then be perfect, and for ay
God from their eyes ſhall wipe all tears away
With that ſoft ſpung, which Chriſt their truſty friend
Provided hath before hand for that end.
The ſpouſe on Earth in ſable doth appear,
Becauſe ſhe abſent is from her moſt dear
And loving husband; but in heaven ſhe
Of all her mourning weeds ſhall ſtripped be:
Her bloody Robes Chriſt then will take away,
And all in white will her forthwith array.
Hell's call'd a place of weeping, they that here,
For all their ſins would never ſhed a tear,
Shall weep enough, when they tormented ly
I' th' ſcorching flames of endleſs miſery.
But when the ſaints have gain'd the heav'nly crown,
Chriſt from the willows will their harps take down.
He, for his trumpeters and heraulds there
VVill call, who at his beck do all appear.
The glorious Angels, that caeleſtial Quire,
VVith one conſent, do mutually conſpire,
To warble forth the anthemes of divine
Praiſe, and with them the ſaints ſhall all combine,
And ſhall with wondrous skill and heavenly art
In that bleſt conſort, ſweetly ſing their part.
If when we are i'th'arms of Chriſt, it were
Poſſible for a ſaint to ſhed a tear,
It would, without all paradventure, be
A tear of joy. Chriſt to eternitie
VVith beams of love, upon his ſpouſe will ſhine,
And all her water there turn into wine.
One ſmile from Chriſt, will make her quite forget
Her former grievances, and ſtrait-way ſet
Her on the pinacle of joy, where ſhe
From all afflictions ever ſhall be free.
Sorrow's a cloud, that's gather'd in the heart,
Upon the apprehenſion of ſome ſmart:
And weeping, which the off-ſpring is of pain,
A cloud of grief is dropping into rain.
But Chriſt the ſun of Righteouſneſs, ſhall ſhine
So brightly in the heavenly Palaeſtine,
That there no interpoſing clouds ſhall be;
No ſorrow mix'd with our felicitie.
In heaven there's no Devil to entice,
Nothing to breed, or to engender vice.
Saints in the boſome there of peace ſhall reſt,
No enemy there ſhall be to moleſt.
Though Iſr'el had ſubdued Canaan, yet
Of all the Canaanites, they could not get
The maſtery, or wholly them expel;
But they, amongſt them in that Land would dwell.
But when we with the Father are of Lights,
VVe ſhall no more be vex'd with Canaanites.
God with a flaming ſword, world without end,
The heavenly paradiſe ſhall ſtill defend.
The Saints in Heaven ſhall have perfect Rest.
A Pilgrime …, i'th' vale of miſerie,
May to … ſilver well reſembled be,
Which hath a principle of motion in it,
But not of Reſt: he almoſt every minute
Is like the Ball upon the Racket, or
The ſhip upon the waves that ſwell and rore.
So long as ſin our nature doth deface,
And a co-habitant remains with grace,
While Saints do feed on ſuch unwholſome diet,
They ſubject are to motion and diſquiet.
There is no reſt (ſaith holy David) in
My bones at all, by reaſon of my ſin:
Here ſaints are in a conſtant fluctuation,
And of their ſorrows have no relaxation:
They'r like the tyde that flows ſometime, and than
After a while doth ebb as faſt again.
No reſt on earth is to be had, 'cauſe we,
While here below, out of our center be.
The Dove no reſt after a tedious flight
Could find, till on the Ark ſhe did alight.
But when the ſaints in heaven do arive,
An everlaſting reſt ſhall them revive.
The winds of perſecution often blow
Upon this ſpiritual corn, whilſt it doth grow
Here in the field, and each one paſſing by
Will ſtill be plucking moſt inhumanely
Theſe ſacred ears of corn; but when this crop
Is in the heavenly Grainery laid up,
It from the injury of wind and weather
Shall then preſerved be for altogether:
It with impetuous ſtorms no more oppreſt
Shall be at all, but ever be at reſt.
Not that in heaven there's no principle
Of motion, ſpirits neither can nor will
Be idle there, but ſuch a motion 'tis
As without laſſitude and labour is.
No wearineſs the ſaints ſhall there infeſt,
Their work's their caſe, their motion is their reſt:
They labour here for reſt, but there they ſhall
Reſt from their labours, and be freed from thrall.
The Saints in Heaven ſhall have full Security.
'TIs poſſible a ſaint ſome minutes may
Of reſt have here, but they ſoon paſs away:
Security's a flower that doth not grow,
In Natures Garden, whilſt we're here below,
Sudden eclipſes in our hemiſphear
To over-cloud our comforts oft appear.
We here in danger are of loſing what
Our heav'n-bleſt induſtry hath fairly got.
He that upon the pinnacle is plac't
Of honour, doubts his honour will not laſt:
He that abounds in worldly wealth ſtill fears
A devaſtation by the plunderers:
Nay a Believer, though his riches be
Moſt permanent and durable, yet he
Still pendulous and full of ſcruples is
'Bout his condition, leſt of heaven he miſs:
Sometimes he queſtions, and would gladly know,
Whether in the ſtate of grace he be or no?
When Satan hath o're-reach'd him in ſome plot,
Do I believe (ſaith he) or do I not?
Something I have that ſhines, but is not it
A chain of pearl that's only counterfeit?
My Faith's preſumption and my love what is't
But love of ſelf, and no true love to Chriſt.
Yea, when the holy Spirit hath me taught
And in my ſoul ſome ſound perſwaſion wrought
I ſoon am ſhaken like a ſhip that lies
At anchor, when the ſwaggering billows riſe.
Thus theſe diſtracting fears oft make him ſtart,
And ſad impreſſions leave upon his heart
Yea, when a chriſtian knows himſelf to be
I'the ſtate of Grace, yet then he fears leſt he
Into ſome ſcandalous offence ſhould fall,
And ſo Gods ſpirit grieve, and deeply gall
His own awakened conſcience, and the heart
Of Gods dear children pierce through with this dart,
Leſt he thereby ſhould ſinners harden, and
Make Babes in Grace affrighted at him ſtand;
Yea, which is worſt of all, leſt God his ſpark
Extinguiſh ſhould, and leave him in the dark:
Theſe fears out of a gracious heart are ſtill
Ariſing like black vapours, and do fill
The ſouls of ſaints with ſorrow, but when they
Releaſed are out of their houſe of clay,
And in th' embraces of their Saviour lye,
Their hearts ſhall then have full ſecurity;
When they with Chriſt in glory ſhall appear,
They ſhall be rid of dangers and of fear.
A Chriſtian in this life may likened be
Unto a man upon the ſummitie.
Of ſome …all Maſte, ſometime the pirates (I
Mean perecutors) at his ſhip let fly;
And though the paſſenger can't be annoy'd,
To wit, the ſoul, yet oft the ſhip's deſtroy'd.
Sometimes the winds of ſtrong temptation blow,
Thoſe northern winds, and the poor chriſtian now
Gods favour queſtions much, and gladly would
Know if his name were in Gods Book enrould.
And though in Chriſt having an intereſt,
There is no danger, yet his heart can't reſt.
But when he is with Chriſt off from the maſt,
And planted on that rock, all peril's paſt:
Then you ſhall hear him ſay, Now I am ſure
I've ſhot the Gulf, my ſoul is now ſecure:
I'm paſt from death to life, no Sirens charms
Henceforth can pluck me from my Saviors arms.
In Heaven there ſhall be a Vindication of Names.
THough Saints a conſcience here void of offence
Towards God & man have, yet their innocence
By poyſoned arrows of malitious words
Oft wounded is, which ſharper are than ſwords.
The Devil that old ſerpent ſticks not to
Spit out his venome at the godly through
The mouths of wicked men, if he can't ſmite
Their conſciences with his keen darts, and fright
Their ſouls into diſpair, he then will put
A dead flie in their names, which oft doth cut
Them to the very heart, the ſaints we ſee
Unto the world oft times decipher'd be
In a ſad manner; who can e're expreſs
How ſtrangely ſaints look in the Devils dreſs?
Job to the world was repreſented by
His Friends as one ſtain'd with hypocriſie:
Saint Paul was ſtiled a ſeditious man,
When he to publiſh heavenly truths began.
The marks of Chriſt he in his body did
Not only bear, but in his name beſide.
Yea, Chriſt himſelf, who bleſſed is for ever
Was called of the people a deceiver:
And ſtill the Devils inſtruments aſſay
The ſaints in ugly colours to pourtray.
A hainous ſin, no doubt, 'tis to defame
A chriſtian by beſpattering his good name,
It is no leſs than murther, rather he
Would loſe his life, than's credit ſoyl'd ſhould be.
Who ſo his neighbor wounds in's reputation
For it can never make him reparation.
Flaws in mens credit are like blots in white
Paper, which one can hardly fetch out quite.
Or if the wound it ſelf ſhould cured be,
Some skar to their perpetual obloquie
Would ſtill remain; in fine, they do defame
The God of ſaints, who blaſt the ſaints good name.
Believers have Gods picture on their hearts,
And he that caſteth his malitious darts
Againſt it, or prophanely ſpits upon't,
Offers to God himſelf no ſmall affront:
Well, either God the innocence will clear
Of his Elect, while they do ſojourn here.
when graceleſs-men them with their tongus do ſmite
Their righteouſneſs hee'l bring forth as the light,
Or elſe without all peradventure at
The day of Doom their names he'l vindicate,
Though troublers now of Iſrael ſtiled they be,
The day ſhall come when their integritie
By him ſhall be proclaim'd, who only knows
The hearts of men, and can their thoughts diſcloſe.
The duſt that here upon their reputation
Was thrown by men of evil converſation
Shall then be wiped off, and they no more
Shall loaded be with ſcandals as before.
The credits then of thoſe ſhall be redeem'd,
Of whom the world ſo baſely here eſteem'd.
For names Jehovah (who is great and good)
Shall inquiſition make as well as blood;
And then the ſaints ſhall ſuch a luſter gain,
As no polluted breath can ever ſtain.
Then God himſelf the ſtone of obloquie
Which here below on their good names did lye,
Eſtſoons ſhall roul away and they out from
Among the pots immediately ſhal come,
Where they were black'd and ſulled, and ſhal be
No more traduced to eternity.
They then muſt needs appear without a blur,
When God himſelf is their compurgator.
The Graces of the Saints ſhall be perfect in heaven.
HEre Grace to ſilver may reſembled be,
Which hath ſome droſs blent with its purity;
But when 'tis coined in the heavenly mint,
No mixture of corruption ſhall be in't.
When we're advanc'd to the caeleſtial throne,
Grace ſhall be flowr'd into perfection:
It then moſt certainly refin'd ſhall be
Into the higheſt power and purity.
This contemplation ſhould unto a ſaint
Be very ſweet, our love hath here, I grant,
Its winter in our breaſts, but it ſhall be
As fire ad octo in eternitie.
No ſmoak of imperfection ſhall obſcure
That radiant flame, or render it impure.
Our graces in ſuch orient colours there
As never can be ſoyled ſhall appear.
There grace ſhall want no meaſure no degree,
But to eternity ſhall perfect be.
It may be here compared to a ſtar
Impriſon'd in a cloud, but when we are
Once fixed in the firmament one high,
It like the ſun in a moſt glorious skye
Shall then appear, and there a regal crown
Of rare and matchleſs beauty ſhall put on.
In fine, 'tis manifeſt in ſacred ſtory,
That grace ſhall then be ſwallow'd up in glory.
THE BEAUTY AND BLESSEDNESS OF Glorified Bodies.
WHile we're on Earth, our earthly tabernacle
Is of infirmities the receptacle,
Phyſicians find with all their art and skill
Enough to do to piece't up for a while.
Our houſe of clay like to a picture is,
That's out of frame, or like an edifice
That wants repair; how ſoon each ſudden blaſt
Of ſickneſs doth its ſtrength and beauty waſt?
How often is the heaven-born ſpirit pent
Up in a moſt deformed tenement?
To rotten wood the body may indeed
Be likened, where like worms diſeaſes breed:
But yet this piece of clay beſpangled ſhall
With glory be above in heavens VVhitehall.
No Feaver there or Pluriſie ſhall be,
No wound, diſtemper, or deformity
But all the iſſues of infirmity,
That here beſet the holieſt ſaints ſhall dry
Up in illuſtrious ſplendour, there for aye
With greater beauty God ſhall them array
Then that of Phoebus, when it ſhines moſt bright,
And blaz'ned is in its meridian light:
There Leah ſhan't complain of her blear eyes,
Nor ag'd Barzilla of infirmities.
Whither the bodies glory doth rebound
From the ſouls bleſſedneſs and ſo redound
By a continued conſtant influence
Upon the body, with much diligence
I ſhall not here enquire, or whether by
Jchovahs powerful hand originally
In the reformed body 'tis implanted,
This in the general is on all ſides granted,
That in the morning of the reſurrection
It ſhall be raiſed up in great perfection:
And like the glorious Body of our dear
Saviour in heavenly ſplendor ſhall appear:
Which is a happineſs moſt excellent,
Superlative and ſupereminent.
Glorified BODYES immortal.
DEath is the bitter and accurſed fruit
Of ſin, a worm ſtill feeding at the root
Of our decaying Gourds, but when we die,
Our mortal puts on immort alitie.
As 'twas with Adam in his innocence,
Had not ſin ſtript him of his excellence,
Such harmony between each quality
There of his Body was, that probably
Of life he never ſhould have been bereaven,
But have tranſlated been to th'higheſt heaven,
Indeed by Bellarmine it is averr'd,
That Adam dy'd had, though he ne're had err'd.
But there's no ground for this aſſertion in
The ſacred ſcripture to be found, there ſin
Is made the formal cauſe of death, however,
Death our bodies glorified ſhall never
Dominion have, but they by heavens decree
Are made as long liv'd as eternity.
That God, who Manna made ſome ages paſt
Hundreds of years'th' golden pot to laſt,
Shall ſo conſolidate the body by
His ſoveraign power, that it ſhall never die,
But with impoſſibility of ever
Periſhing ſhall in blisful ſtate perſevere.
Heavenly Bodies impaſsible
SOul grinding ſores Jobs Body ſoft and tender
Invaded, and therein did worms engender:
And every worm was actuated by
A Devil to augment his miſery,
(As Origen aſſerts) converted Paul,
Who was ſometime before his funeral
Bath'd in the chryſtal ſtreams of heavenly bliſs,
Did in his body bear the marks of his
Dear Lord and Saviour: but our bodies when
They are poſſeſſed of the magazen
Of bleſſedneſs, impaſſible ſhal be
From agonizing torments wholly free,
That ſuch a paſſion bodies glorifi'd
Have, as delightful is, can't be deny'd,
Since they of joy are capable, but this
Is certain, when they in the lap of bliſs
Once dandled are, to violence they ſhal
Ne're be expos'd, or miſery at all.
Heavenly Bodies Agile.
THe bodies of the ſaints tereſtrial
Are heavy in their motion, but they ſhal
Be with incredible agility
Endow'd, when they above the blew-flowr'd sky
Tranſlated are into the throne of bliſs,
Which for triumphant ſaints prepared is.
A lump of Lead which to the bottom ſtil
Sinks, being wyre-drawn by the workmans skil
Into the form and faſhion of a Boat,
(Saith Auſten) wil upon the waters float:
And ſhal not God give that ability
Unto the body of a ſaint, when by
His ſovereign power 'tis rais'd up from the dead,
Which the artificer gives to the Lead:
The ſoul is in its operations by
The bodies lumpiſh ponderoſity
Obſtructed here, when e're it doth aſſay
Unto the heavenly throne to make its way,
Or Would aſpire to the caeleſtial crown,
That like a Leaden-plummet puls at down.
But when the grave from out its pregnant womb
Shal caſt its treaſure, at the day of doom,
When ſaints out of their beds of earth ſhal riſe,
And be refin'd, it ſhal be otherwiſe:
Elementary gravity ſhal no
Impeding obſtacle ere be unto
Their bodies then, but ſwift and facile they
Shal in their motion be, and that for ay.
Heavenly BODYES Amiable
THe Body when to Heaven it takes its flight
Shal be like iron filed and made bright,
It ſhal coruſcant be, and with divine
Luſter in the celeſtial Orbe ſhal ſhine.
Like to the ſun in ſplendor it ſhal be,
Nay ſeven times brighter in its claritie:
The Body of a ſaint impure before
And droſsy, like the Gold when in the ore,
Shal gliſter, when reform'd and glorifi'd,
Like burniſht Gold i'th' furnace often try'd.
It ſo tranſparent then and clear no doubt
Shal be, as that the ſoul ſhal ſally out
At every part, and through the bodies as
The VVine ſhal ſparkle through a Venice-glaſs.
Such glorious brightneſs and reſplendency
The body ſteeped in felicity
Innoble ſhal, that ſhould we it compare
VVith Sols moſt radiant beams that gild the air,
VVe to th'expreſſion of the excellence
Of its illuſtrious pre-eminence
Shal nothing ſay at all —.
The beauty and bleſſedneſs of Glorified Souls.
IT would an endleſs labour be no doubt,
If I ſhould undertake to ſhadow out
The ſeveral glories of each faculty
Of the refined ſoul, (undoubtedly)
All humane rhetorick and angelical
Too narrow is e're to expreſs them al
Unto the life, my purpoſe only is
A taſte to give you of its perfect bliſs:
Yet from thoſe cluſters which I here preſent,
A ſaint may reap much ſweetneſs and content.
The Saints Knowledge perfected in Heaven.
THe intellectual part enlarg'd ſhal be
With knowledge ith' ſuperlative degree,
It all things there cognoſcible ſhal know,
That from its eye were vailed here below:
Whatever knowledge comes within the ſphear
Of finite underſtandings it ſhal there
Perfectly comprehend, no myſtery
Shal ſcape the ken of its enlightened eye.
Knowledge of nature, arts, and things created
Delightful is, and highly eſtimated.
Some Heathens were with Philoſophical
Wiſdom, and beams of intellectual
Light ſo enamour'd, that they did contemne
The world as nothing to that peerleſs Gem.
Aeneas Silvius long ago did ſay
Unto a Doctor once of Auſtria,
That if the face of humane Learning could
Be ſeen by mortal eyes, it (doubtleſs) would
Appear more beautiful and brighter far,
Than doth the morning or the evening ſtar.
In other pleaſures a ſatiety
There is, when they are uſed, by and by
Their verdure doth depart, which argues that
It is the Novelty doth recreate,
And not the Quality, and that they be
Pleaſures in thought, not in realitie.
Ambitious Princes are not alwayes jolly,
But are ſometimes o're-whelm'd with melancholy,
And men o're-charged with voluptuouſneſs
Oft ſheath their bodies in a Friars dreſs.
But there's of Knowledge no ſatiety,
The more we drink of this the more we dry:
Here ſatisfaction and appetite
Do meet, with interchangeable delight,
Which plainly proves that it is really
Good, without accident of fallacy.
Now this inferiour knowledge to the height
Shal there be rais'd by him who dwels in light,
And ſo compleated be as that the leaſt
And loweſt ſaint of heaven once poſſeſt
The cauſes of all natural things far more
Exactly comprehend ſhal than before,
And have a clearer ſight of the concluſions
Of art, through th' opticks of divine infuſions,
Then ere could be attained by the eye
Of Nature, Reaſon, or Philoſophy.
In every kind of humane learning there
Some ſtrange aenigma's dayly do appear,
Which exerciſed have from time to time
The braveſt wits, but (ah) ſo dark, ſo dimme
By nature, is each intellectual eye,
That they thoſe Gordian knots could ne're unty;
Whether the rowling Orbes by angels are
Mov'd, or internal forms, who can declare?
Whether in man three ſouls diſtinct there be,
Or one in ſubſtance only vertually
Containing th'other two, too intricate
A queſtion is for humane wits to ſtate.
The ſouls fair wings do flag here and decay,
Some feathers ſick are, and oft drop away.
Here one Philoſopher of his head oft makes
Doleful complaints, his underſtanding akes,
His reaſon's dimm'd, a ſecond ſadly cryes,
A third's ſoul trembles with uncertainties:
One graſps a cloud of errors, and another
Spends in untying ſome hard knot or other
Much of his time, one's pleas'd to recreate
Himſelf i'th' ſhadow of his own conceit,
Another al his netves ſo long doth bend
Til they oft ſnap aſunder in the end:
You Socrates may in the twilight ſee
Sadly lamenting the obſcuritie
Of his benighted ſtate, and telling you,
His Lamp can nought but his own darkneſs ſhew.
You may diſcover Plato ſitting by
The banks of Lethe in an agony:
And through the limbecks of his moiſtened eyes
Diſtilling pearly drops in mournful wiſe,
Becauſe he can't by al his induſtry
His former Notions cal to memory.
Look on the Naturaliſts head and you ſhal ſee
It non-pluſt with an occult quality.
But when the ſoul aſcendeth up on high,
All miſty clouds ſhal be diſpelled by
The clear ſun of a knowledge more refin'd,
And chas'd out of the region of the mind.
So that it then exactly ſhal deſcry
The cauſes, natures, riſe and progeny,
Together with the ends of al things that
Jehovahs powerful word did e're create.
It clearly then each Goſpel myſtery
Which here ſurpaſt al humane ſcrutiny
Shal ſee, and moſt exactly comprehend
The darkeſt paſſages that e're were pen'd,
Whether Jobes wife her plous husband bid
Bleſs or Curſe God, and whether Jephta did
His Daughter ſacrifice to God on high,
Or conſecrate her to virginity.
Whether Naaman a real convert were,
Or one in ſemblance only did appear.
That ſcripture then each one that runs ſhal read,
Why then are they baptized for the dead?
When ſaints the heavenly paradiſe inherit,
They ſhal be hold with raviſhment of ſpirit
Thoſe ſacred myſteries, which here below
Some boldly dive into, but cannot know;
They then ſhal ſee and ſhal rejoyce to ſee
How three make one, and one again makes three:
They then ſhal apprehend with admiration
The miracles of Chriſt his incarnation,
They then the dark and ſecret myſtery
Of providence exactly ſhal deſcry.
While we in tenements of clay do dwel,
What God is doing of we cannot tel:
He many times in ſhort-hand writeth, and
His characters we cannot underſtand:
We ſeeing here but darkly through a glaſs,
The footſteps of his providence can't trace:
But when we'e veſted in the coſtly dreſs
And choice attire of heavens happineſs
A reaſon of divine tranſactions we
Shal then without al peradventure ſee
In every providence we then (no doubt)
A wonder or a mercy ſhal ſpy out.
A Limner at the firſt albeit indu'd
With skil enough, yet maketh but a rude
Draught in the picture, but when every part
And lineament is limm'd out by his art,
And in their colours laid, it by and by
Appears moſt amiable to the eye.
We who in robes of fleſh are cloathed here,
Do only ſee a rude draught, as it were
Some pieces of myſterious providence
Obſcurely ſhadowed out, but when from hence
We at the haven of felicity
Arrived are, and clearly do deſcry
The pourtraiture of providence drawn ous
In al its lively colours, it (no doubt)
Will be a bleſſed and a glorious ſight,
Feeding the ſoul with infinite delight.
In fine, when ſaints upon the ſhoar do land
Of bleſſedneſs, they then ſhal underſtand
The myſtery of hearts, they then ſhal ſee
To their content an heart anatomy:
For every work with every ſecret thing
Jehovah then ſhal into judgement bring.
They then the cabinet deſignes ſhal ken,
And privy counſels of the hearts of men.
The heart is deep, we may it wel compare
Unto a river that hath very fair
Streams gliding on the top, but when this brook
Comes to be drain'd, who ſo doth in it look,
Much vermine at the bottom ſhal eſpy,
That lay before concealed from the eye:
Thus with the heart of man it is, ſome fair
Streams running on the top there oft-times are,
A civil life, a ſpecious pretence,
Of zeal, of purity, and innocence.
But when the tryer of the reins ſhal come
To drain this river at the day of doom,
When God ſhal make a ful diſcovery
Of hearts, the crawling vermine by and by
Of avarice, and of ambition ſhal
Appear, and clearly be diſcern'd of al:
All ſecret things ſhal then be brought to light,
'Twere worth the dying to behold that ſight.
The Saints Love perfected in Heaven.
LOve is the jewel, the rich ornament,
with which Chriſts Bride is deckt, more excellent
'Tis in a ſenſe than Faith, for love doth never
Ceaſe, but abides for aye, as ſoon as ever
The ſaints to heaven come, Faiths orient Gem
They ſtraight put off, but not loves Diadem.
Loves ſparkling beams with their reſplendency
Shal gild the ſoul to al eternity.
VVhile here below we wallow in the mire,
Our love to God is rather a deſire.
But when upon the ſpicy Mountain we
Of bliſs are lodg'd, and face to face do ſee;
VVhen Hallelujahs we ſhal with the quire
Of angels ſing, the ſmoak then of deſire
Into a …ame of Love blown up ſhal be,
VVe then ſhal Love God in the higheſt degree.
Our love is luke-warme here, and ſometimes frozen,
It much afflicts the ſpirits of the choſen,
That in the grace of Love they are ſo poor,
And that they can their Maker love no more.
But there's a time approaching ſhortly whan
Their Love ſhal blaze and burn as hot as't can.
The damned in a flame of fire ſhal be,
The ſaints of Love to perpetuitie.
Here flattering objects ſteal our Love away
From God, but there it never ſhal decay.
You in the morning may behold the graſs
With drops of dew al covered over, as
So many pearls but when the ſun draws near
With ſcorching beams, they ſtraightway diſappear.
Perchance wh…n our affections once are ſtirr'd
Up by the quickning vertue of the VVord,
Or when we ſee the pretious bloud of Chriſt
Trickling as't were down in the Euchariſt;
Our hearts then melt with love, ſome love-drops fal
Down from the Limbecks of our eyes, but al
Again doth vaniſh in a little ſpace,
And our firſt-love declines and ſpends apace
While here on Earth we Mortals have our ſtation,
This matter is of great humiliation.
But when our God in glory we ſhal ſee,
Our Love ſhal fix'd as wel as fervent be:
It ne're ſhal taken off be any more
From him whom Saints and Angels al adore.
Such beauty in Jehovah then ſhal ſhine,
That alwayes as a Load-ſtone moſt divine,
He ſweetly ſhal attract each heart and eye,
Oh bleſſed fight! Oh rare felicity!
Between the ſaints a mutual accord
There ſhal be too, there Enmity's abhor'd;
The Pulſe of their affection towards each other
Shal ſtrongly beat; here brother ſtrives with brother;
But in the Paradiſe above the plant
Of Love arrives at perfect growth: I grant
Our natures here are ſometime ſo defac'd,
That grace cannot ſo great a luſtre caſt.
In aiming at, that mark we here ſhoot wide,
Bad men unite, when good-men oft divide.
'Mong ſaints contentions never were more hot,
Nor Love more cold, ſaints againſt ſaints do plot;
Many there are, who Members are of Chriſt,
Whoſe muſick al in diſcords doth conſiſt,
Whoſe Harp the Croſs is, who the truth pretend
To Love, but won't an ear to concord lend.
Diviſions are the powder-plot, whereby
Satan blows up the Churches unity.
Sin brought forth ſeparation, and this Daughter
Her curſed Mother too much taking after,
The Grand-child of Diviſion to our ſmart
Hath born, great thoughts & ſearchings there of heart
Are for theſe things, it is no marvel I
Conceive at al to hear the Harlot cry,
Pray let the Child divided be: But oh
To hear the Mother of the Child ſay ſo,
That's very ſad: No wonder 'tis to ſee
Pope, Jeſuite, and Sectary agree
To rend the bowels of their tender Mother,
But for one ſaint to perſecute another,
That's very ſtrange, 'tis ſuch a ſight as doth
Provoke to pity and amazement both.
For VVolves to worry Lambs 'tis uſual,
For Lambs each other, that's unnatural.
It is an ordinary thing, you know,
Among the thorns to ſee Chriſts Lilly grow,
But for this Lilly to become a thorn,
And tear it ſelf, to ſee't who doth not mourn?
Well this a foil wil be the more to ſet
Off Heaven, there our Love ſhal ever get
And kept the upper hand of Enmity,
Of judgement there no difference ſhal be:
I'th journies end ſaints ſhal agree, no doubt
Though by the way they many times fal our.
When once Chriſts harp in th'ears of ſaints hath ſounded,
The evil ſpirit ſhal be quite confounded:
VVhen to the higheſt peg of bliſs, our ſtrings
Shal once be wounded up by the King of Kings,
No diſcord in our Muſick then ſhal be,
In heaven there's a perfect harmony:
But ſtay my Muſe, forbear to proſecute
This lofty theame, leſt thou be ſtrucken mure
By th' ne're enough admired depth and height
Of heavens bliſs tranſcending al conceit.
None to the life can limne out heavens glory,
Although they ſtudy nought but Oratory.
Saint Auſtin by a Biſhop of his time
Being requeſted earneſtly to climb
Up in his thoughts to the Emperial Court
Above, and of its joyes, to make report,
VVhile he addreſt himſelf unto the task,
Attempting heavens beauty to unmask,
VVhil'ſt on the wing he ſoar'd of contemplation,
And in the depth was of his meditation,
A voice articulate, diſtinct and clear
Arrived at the portal of his ear,
Saying, what mean'ſt thou (Auſtin?) doſt thou ever
Hope to effect what thou doſt now endeavour?
Doſt thou th' expanded Ocean in thy hand
E're think to meaſure, or to graſpe the Land
VVithin thy ſhallow fiſt? Leave altogether
The ſearch of heaven till thou commeſt thither.
If that bright ſtar was by an heavenly voice
Silenc'd, and from the handling of ſo choice
A theame prohibited, How then may I
Into thoſe ſacred ſecrets dare to pry?
Let it in brief ſuffice to know that al
The Rhetorick of the Quire angelical
Is not enough to reach the top and height
Of heavens glory, pleaſure, and delight,
Nor al the bitter ſighs and helliſh groans
Of damned ſpirits and tormented ones,
Who labour under an eternal croſs,
Sufficient to bewaile ſo great a loſs.
Practical Concluſions From the former DISCOURSE.
THey that expect a glorious tranſlation,
Muſt lead on Earth a gracious converſation,
Of doing wel it never muſt repent them,
A common courſe of life muſt not content them,
Their boſome-ſins they muſt eſt-ſoon diſcard,
Which do their motion heaven-ward retard,
How pure had they need be who fix their eye
Upon a place free from impurity?
In righteouſneſs they others muſt excel,
Who hope for heaven where righteouſneſs doth dwel.
In Glories famous Univerſitie
They Graduates can never look to be,
Who are not in the ſchool of grace with ſtore
Of Piety well principled before.
Holineſs is heavens happineſs, a ſign,
Heaven was not built to be a ſty for ſwine.
No ſinful ſouls may there themſelves embark,
As unclean creatures once in Noahs ark.
The wine of angels never was nor ſhal
Be preſſed out to fill old casks withal.
Garlands of Glory they ſhal never wear,
In whom the flow'rs of Grace don't firſt appear.
The Second Practical Concluſion.
O Let the thoughts of heavens endleſs joy
Bear up thy heart when ſorrows would annoy;
Under temptations let thy ſoul be glad,
An intereſt in heaven and be ſad:
Although the Lead of trouble, down-ward move,
Yet let the Cork of Faith ſtill ſwim above.
This worlds afflictions, which are tranſitory,
Hold no compariſon with the weight of glory.
When melancholy did the ſcepter ſway
In Caeſar's heart, he then was wont to ſay,
Remember thou art Caeſar; and thereby,
Dethroned that uſurping Enemy.
When outward croſſes on thy ſpirit lye,
Make a perſume of a perplexity,
By muſing often on thine intereſt
In God, in Chriſt, and in that place of reſt.
Where ſwallow'd up all worldly ſorrows ſhal
Where in the viſion beatifical.
St. Baſil doth of certain Martyrs write
Expoſed naked in a winters night
To the inclemency of wind and weather
Being the next day to be burnt together:
That in this plight they were no whit diſmaid,
But comfortably to each other ſaid,
Sharp is the cold, but ſweet is Paradiſe,
This torment's nothing to that pearl of price.
The Way is thorny, and our feet may gall,
Our journies end wil make amends for al.
Let us a while endure the cold, and than
The Patriarchs boſome warm us ſhal again.
Let our feet burn, that we may when we dye
Dance with the Angels to eternity.
And ſo much joy there is in ſtore for me,
Said bleſſed Philpot, that although I be
Up in a place of doleful darkneſs pent,
Yet wretched ſinner I cannot lament,
But night and day I am as full of glee,
As if from croſſes I were wholly free.
Yea, ne're was I in al my life before
So cheer'd as now I'm landing at the ſhore:
The contemplation of eternity
Pulls out the ſting of worldly miſery.
It turns the hiſſing ſerpent of temptation
Into a bloſſoming rod of conſolation,
It makes the oyl of gladneſs ſwim and lye
Above the water of adverſity,
It out of ev'ry croſs doth take the core,
It ſucks the poyſon out of every ſore.
It draws the anguiſh out of every groan,
And cutteth each calamity of the ſtone.
They cannot chuſe but lead a joyful life,
In whom the thoughts of heaven are moſt riſe.
That chryſtal fountain to perplexed hearts
Sweet draughts of conſolation oft imparts.
The Third Practical Concluſion.
O Let there be within thy ſoul a dearth
Of worldly thoughts, leſt doting on the earth
Thou forfeit thoſe refined ſweets, which lie
Safe in the boſome of eternitie.
Cold comfort is in creatures to be found,
Contentment grows not in ſuch barren ground.
Heaven is the ſpring from whence a lone doth flow
Sweet ſatisfaction to the faints below.
Where others ſet their hearts, there ſet thy feet,
Such counſel for a chriſtian is moſt meet.
Spend not thy coin for that which is not bread,
But with diſdain on earths enjoyments tread.
Faſten thine eyes upon that glorious ſtate,
For which the ſaints with expectation waite.
Part not with that invaluable treaſure,
For a few drops of moment any pleaſure.
O hazard not thy ſelf to endleſs woes,
For things that are as fading as the Roſe.
What fruit hath Dives of his rich attire,
Or dainty fare in the infernal fire?
Of her diſſolved Gems what pleaſing taſt
Hath Cleoparra now her life is paſt?
What ſweetneſs now finds Heliogabalus
In the Elixars of his various
And coſtly Cates? VVhat pleaſures now ariſe
From his unheard of ſenſualities?
O toy not then with beggarly delights!
Divert thine eye from earths inchanting ſights;
Reliſh no earthly joyes, nor highly priſe
The gilded pompe of worldly phantaſies:
What cares and fears gripe thoſe who thus excel?
Rich diſcontent is but a glorious hell.
Though thou to ſo journ here on earth art driven
Yet let thy Faith be breathing ſtill in heaven.
O fix thine eye upon thy future ſtation,
Let that be floating on thy meditation.
The matchleſs glory which thy preſent ſtate
Succeedeth, time ſhal never antiquate:
Let all thy ſtudies to that center tend,
The bleſſedneſs of heaven knows no end;
Be ſure to make eternity the ſphere
Of all thy thoughts even while thou liveſt here,
And let thy contemplation often be
Prying upon thy future dignity;
Be ever thinking thus, Oh when ſhall I
Take up my lodging in eternity!
Still Rally up thy thoughts, and Muſter them
To proſecute the heavenly Diadem:
And learn with ſtudiouſneſs to methodiſe
The grand affairs in which thy ſafety lies.
O let thy ſoul unto eternity
As Eagles to the carcaſs ſwiftly flye,
And there be alwayes hovering up and down,
Till thou a fight gain of the eternal crown.
While others fill their thoughts with dirt, and go
After the muddy comforts here below,
O do not thou diſgrace and vilifie
Thy ſoul that of-ſet of divinity;
With ſuch vain contemplations don't affect
I'th' ſumptuous casket of thine intellect
To lay up pebbles; 'tis a very groſs
Sin for a ſaint to ſtudy dung and droſs,
To putrifie his thonghts with objects which
Defiling are, and oft the heart bewitch.
Our lives like Candles in the wind are here,
To which each blaſt proves an extinguiſher.
Or like to Glaſſes, that are broken by
A gentle knock, and into ſhivers flye.
There's no diſtemper but may in the wombe
Of Earth our dying carcaſes intombe.
Since then we are ſo brittle and ſo frail
Let us not ceaſe to peep within the vail,
Let's fix our thoughts upon eternal bliſs,
Which our eſtate behind the curtain is:
Our veſſels to that Haven let us ſteere
And anchor al our meditations there.
The thoughts of Heaven put a mask before
The beauties which al carnal hearts adore.
Of ſenſual appetites they dul the edge
And caſt a ruſt upon the golden wedge.
Such contemplations do anatomiſe
The flattering world in its varieties.
And of its cheat each vein and artery
Moſt clearly and diſtinctly do deſcry.
Eternal glory ruminated on
Will ſtain the beauty of the regal throne.
'Twil raiſe the heart and the affections carry
Far above al contentments ſublunary.
This opes the eyes and make a ſaint eſpy
Much paint, impoſture, and fugacity
In the moſt rich and flouriſhing eſtate
That comes within the worldly mans conceit.
VVhen once a ſaint through Faiths proſpective glaſs
Peeps into heaven and deſcries the maſs
Of never fading wealth laid up in ſtore
For ſuch as God in purity adore,
The cream of creature comforts by and by
Grows ſtale and curdles into vanity.
The Dagon ſtreight of worldly bliſs doth fall,
Before the thoughts of joy caeleſtial.
As pretty labouring Bees, although they live
I'th' midſt of wax and honey in their Hive,
Yet are their nimble wings not hindred by
That viſcous matter, that they cannot fly
Abroad, or ſwiftly paſs from flower to flower,
To gather thyme to carry to their bower.
So thou that doſt in the abundance dwell
Of worldly Delicates as in a cell
Of ſweetneſs, ſhouldſt beware, leſt earthly things
To thine affections cleave, which are the wings
Of thine immortal ſoul, that may retard
Thy daily flight and motion heaven-ward:
That may abate thy thoughts activity
In their oft muſing on the myſtery
Of heavens bliſs, which chiefly and above
All things a ſaint delight in ſhould and love.
The Loadſtone doth its vertue loſe and can't
Iron attract plac'd neer the Adamant;
And ſhall the world thy heart draw and entice,
For all the neerneſs of the pearl of price?
Hagar, no doubt, would have contented been
With her exhauſted Bottle, had ſhe ſeen
The Well that was beſide her; ſo ſhould ſaints
With little of the world, ſince God acquaints
Them with a ſpring of living water nigh,
Which ſhall refreſh them to eternity.
The Fourth Practical Concluſion.
THough heaven be an edifice ſo wide,
That myriads of ſouls may there reſide
Yet thither all ſhall not advanced be;
To many Chriſt will ſay, Depart from me,
I never knew you, never did approve
Of your Devotion, or pretended love;
Who Vaſſals are to ſin, cannot expect
A ſhare in bleſſedneſs with Gods Elect.
The Cherubims with flaming ſwords do ſtand,
To ſtop their paſſage to the Holy Land.
The Chaff may with the Wheat together lie
Here in the floor, not in the Granatie;
No ſons of Belial e're refreſhed ſhall
Be with the dews of joyes caeleſtial.
Their heads with glory never ſhall be crown'd,
Whoſe hearts were never conſecrated ground.
Such in the landskip of a ſingle glance
Shall ne're behold the ſaints inheritance.
Or if they do, 'tis to accumulate
The infelicity of their deſp'rate ſtate.
Although the ſerpent into Paradiſe
Did winde it ſelf the VVoman to entiſe:
Yet no defiled ſoul by al its skill
Shal e're aſcend or ſcale Gods holy hill.
Great Pompeys theatre was ſtiled by
Turtullian of al filthineſs the ſty:
But Heaven's Noneſuch, there is not the leaſt
Tincture of ſin to ſtain that place of reſt.
There no temptation ſhal the ſaints aſſaile,
No ſinful luſt ſhal lodge within the vaile.
Heaven is the ſacred and imperial court
Of Gods immediate preſence; where (in ſhort)
His purer eyes ſhal ne're offended be
VVith the leaſt riſing of deformity.
Marks of our Intereſt in Heaven.
THey that ſhal wear the Royal Diadem
Of glory in the New Jeruſalem
Are Scions off from Natures Olive broke
And grafted new into another ſtock.
God hath diſmantled the old man in part,
VVho full poſſeſſion once had of the heart.
Some carnal luſt falls from them ev'ry day,
That in the ſoul did formerly bear ſway.
They looſed are from the grave-cloaths of ſin,
VVhichWhich heretofore they were involved in.
Their wonted paths they willingly forſake,
And in the wayes of God much pleaſure take.
The fignet of the word and heavenly print
Hath ſtamped on their hearts once ſatans mint.
The ſpirits gale hath blown upon them, and
Turned their courſe towards the Holy Land;
Their lives beſpangled are with holineſs,
His Vertues that hath call'd them they expreſs,
The rayes of Chriſts tranſcendent beauty ſhine
Upon them, and their hearts to him encline.
Temptations womb is in the bitths of ſin,
Leſs fruitful than it heretofore hath been.
The weeds of luſt decay in them apace,
And in their room ſprings up the Herb of Grace.
The Second Mark
THeir ſouls are carried out with violence,
Heaven to attain they pine at no expence.
As Gods redeemed Iſrael by his aid
The Land of Promiſe ſtoutly did invade:
So his Elect and choſen Generation
Lay ſiege unto the heavenly habitation.
There's no arriving at eternal life,
They know full well, without this holy ſtrife.
To heaven with all celerity they hie,
As flocks of Doves unto their windows flie,
They march on ſpeedily without delay,
Although there be a Lion in the way.
The wings of Faith bear them above thoſe fears,
Which carnal hearts do penetrate like ſpears.
They break through all obſtructions that they may
Poſſeſs themſelves of their intended prey.
The batt'ries of their prai'rs'gainſt heaven they plant
And ſtorm't, till God to them an entrance grant:
They ask in Faith and will not be denied,
Heaven they muſt have, what e're they want beſide.
At this they aim, to this each ſaint aſpires,
… here's the center of their choice deſires.
The Third Mark.
THey by the new and living way do go
The vaile of Chriſts humanity; they know,
That there is no ſalvation to be had
In any other: if they be not clad
VVith his unſpotted robes of righteouſneſs,
They can't be ſav'd in any other dreſs.
There's no name under heaven that can eaſe us
Of ſins enthralment, but the name of Jeſus.
Saints by his merits only do attain
Eternal life, which is the greateſt gain.
Good works to heavens kingdom are the way,
The cauſe of reigning that we dare not ſay.
Chriſt is the Door, and there's no entring in
But by his bloud, which clonſeth from all ſin:
He is the curtain, the refreſhing ſcreen,
Us and Gods ſcorching ire that ſtands between
The deluge of his wrath no man can ſhun,
Unleſs with ſpeed into this ark he run:
They loſe themſelves for ever, who aſſay
To go to heaven any other way.
The Fourth Mark.
THeir ſouls oft ſoar above the ſpangled sky,
And unto Heaven in contemplation fly;
Mount Tabor they do frequently aſcend,
To eye the glory that may there be kenn'd:
They heaven alwayes have within their eye,
VVhichWhich makes them earthly trifles to defie.
Their hearts are only fix'd on things above,
Theſe are the chiefeſt objects of their love.
The bleſſed God their thoughts ſtill dwel upon,
An eartely ſaint's a contradiction.
Though they to ſo journ here below are driven,
Yet is their converſation ſtill in heaven:
There is their treaſure, there their chief eſtate,
From which no wile their hearts can ſeparate.
How to be great on earth is not their plot,
They uſe the world as though they us'd it not.
The pleaſures of this life they little heed,
Their thoughts upon the faireſt objects feed.
They'r alwayes preſſing forward tow'rds the mark,
And long to taſte the Manna in heav'ns ark.
The Fifth Practical Concluſion.
O Long to be inſtalled in the throne
Of endleſs glory, let thy ſpirit groan
After a full and plenary poſſeſſion
Of bleſſedneſs tranſcending all expreſſion;
Pant after that unparallell'd eſtate,
One mite whereof ſurpaſſeth all conceit.
Be like the Bird of Paradiſe, which (they ſay)
Being intangled in the ſnare, ſtraightway
Begins to ſtrive, and never giveth o're
Till ſhe enjoy her freedom as before.
Sing Simeons ſwan-like ſong at his deceaſe,
Lord, let thy ſervant now depart in peace.
Welcome the meſſenger of death, which brings
Moſt joyful tydings from the King of Kings;
Which tells the ſaints of an approaching crown
Of matchleſs glory, honour, and renown.
Death is the chariot, which without delay
Saints to their Fathers houſe ſoon bears away.
Death lodgeth ſouls, i'th' twinckling of an eye,
In the ſweet boſome of felicity:
Death is to humble penitents no leſs
Then a ſhort entrance into happineſs:
Their naſty loathſome rags death frees them from,
And gives them change of raiment in their room.
Death is the ſaints aſcenſion day to bliſs,
Their marriage day with Jeſus Chriſt it is.
Death is the Charter of their liberty,
The period of their pain and miſery:
Death gives them an immunity from ſin,
And frees them from the fears they once were in:
Death is the bane of woe, the grave of vice,
The portal opening into Paradiſe.
Where grace, that in the bud was here below,
Into the flow'r of glory ſtraight ſhal blow,
Where ſaints immortal ſouls made more divine
Shal with the Di'monds of perfection ſhine.
Where they to their unſpeakable delight
Of God himſelf ſhal have a perfect ſight;
VVhere in their wills there ſhal a likeneſs be
To God in holineſs and purity.
VVhere having ſhot the gulph of Death they ſhal
VVear on their heads a crown imperial.
VVhere the rich caskets of their ſouls ſhal be
O'relaid with glories beſt embroiderie.
VVhere in the river they of pleaſures ſhal
Be bath'd, whoſe ſweetneſs is perpetual.
VVhere no contaminating tincture e're
Shall their unſpotted purity beſmear.
VVhere God himſelf unto the ſaints ſhall be
A ſpring of life to perpetuitie.
Where they ſhal in the fragrant boſome li…
Of their beloved to eternitie;
Where ſaints by vertue of their Saviours merit
Shal alwayes have freſh in-comes of the ſpirit.
VVhere the enammel of their glory ſhal
Never wear off, nor ſoiled be at all.
VVhere they ſhal have a rich redundancy
Of peace, joy, comfort and ſerenity.
Where they their ſafety ſhal behold from all
Inſulting foes, and their eternal thrall.
VVhere they a glorious kingdom ſhal receive,
Of which no power on earth can them bereave.
VVhere they ſhal be partakers of that joy,
VVhichWhich will them ſatisfie, but never cloy.
VVhere Baca into Beracha ſhal be
Converted, mourning into melody.
VVhere briniſh tears ſhal never dim their eyes,
Nor ſhal their ears be frighted more with cryes.
Where ſorrows ne're ſhal damp their hearrs again,
Nor ſhal their ſenſes be diſturb'd with pain.
VVhere they no more ſhal perſecuted be
By Satans imps for their integrity.
VVhere ſaints with ſparkling Gems of glory ſhal
Be deck'd, and not be envi'd for't at all.
VVhere length of years without the leaſt decay
Of ſtrength they ſhal enjoy; yea, where for ay
They ſhal be bleſſed with the love of many,
And need not fear the jealoufie of any:
VVhere for their labour a Quietus eſt
Each ſaint ſhal have, and ever be at reſt.
Where life and immortality they ſhall
Have for their death in Chriſt, and Chriſt for all.
The Concluſion of the whole.
THe Glory that within the curtain lies
Can't meaſur'd be by our capacities.
There's more within the vaile than by the beſt
And moſt ſublimed ſaint can be expreſt;
Grace may believe't, but Reaſon cannot ſound
The bottom of't, though never ſo profound.
In fathoming this rich inheritance,
What's all acuteneſs but meer ignorance?
He cannot reach this glory that's indu'de
VVith knowledge in the largeſt latitude.
If Natures ſecretary did not know
The cauſe why Euripus did ebbe and flow,
O how then would his Reaſon puzz'led be
To ſound the Ocean of Eternity?
VVhat the inſpired Pen-man doth relate
Of natural men and unregenerate,
Reſpectively to ſpir'tuals, that they are
Not able them to comprehend or bear:
The ſame more truly may aſſerted be,
In reference unto Eternity.
'Tis with the proſpect of eternity
As to the Ocean it is with the eye:
It may its ſurface, not its bottom ſee.
And ſo ſome dark and glimmering knowledge we
May have of heaven, but no mortal eye
Into its in ſide able is to pry.
The blind-man half reſtored to his ſight
Said, Lo, I ſee by this imperfect light
Men walk as trees: So may a pur-blind eye
Glance at the riches of Eternity.
Some few weak parcels of the knowledge we
May of it gain, but not its Centre ſee.
He that was carri'd up above the sky,
To ſee a Landskip of Felicity,
To take a view of thoſe tranſcendencies
Heaven was enrich'd withal, what there his eyes
Had ſeen to their ineffable content,
At his return with what aſtoniſhment
Doth he relate it! Yea, he doth confeſs,
Words were too weak his Viſion to expreſs:
The raviſhing and beatifical
Sights, which his eyes had bleſſed been withal,
VVere not to be pourtrai'd in all their glory
By th' Pencil of the rareſt Oratory.
The riches that attend Eternity
Tranſcend the reach of any mortal eye:
They are a ſphear above the apprehenſions
Of humane underſtandings or inventions.
… though height'ned much with induſtry
And Grace, their worth and value can't deſcry.
Eternal glory to our weaker eyes
Is an eſtate vail'd o're with myſteries,
Much like to pictures, whoſe rare artifice
By Curtains from our eyes concealed is.
The lanthorn of our ſhallow intellect
Us to the knowledge of it can't direct.
VVhile grace is of ſo low a ſtature, we
Can't look that knowledge ſhould giganticke be.
None can of Glory have a perfect ſight,
Till they from earth to heaven take their flight:
The winter of our life muſt firſt be paſt,
E're we the ſummer fruits of glory taſte;
VVhen ſaints out of the cage of earth ſhall flye
Into the Region of eternity,
Their pondrous weights of glory they ſhall find
To nonplus all conceptions of the mind.
Till that time come they muſt contented be
VVith the firſt fruits of that felicitie.
VVith thoſe ſweet crums their craving ſtomacks they
Muſt pacifie till their aſcenſion day.
The fuller knowledge of our future ſtate
Concealed is, our Faith to animate.
VVho dig in Mines where ſtore of Gold doth lye,
Their hopes of wealth do whet their induſtry.
Many Reſerves there are in heaven which
Magnetick are to draw out all the rich
And orient Graces of the ſaints, and theſe
VVarm their endeavours, that are apt to freeze.
VVhat in the dark remains doth grace excit…,
And ſcrue it up unto a greater height:
Such a deſire of knowledge natural
VVas that ingenious Romane edg'd withal,
That while the cauſe he of Veſuvius
His flaming Vomits with a vigorous
Enquiry ſought to know, he in the wombe
Of thoſe ejections did himſelf entombe.
And how doth this lend Grace a wing to fly,
And with more vigorous conqueſt it ſupply!
That he, whoſe eye of Faith moſt piercing is,
Can't ſee the end of his eternal bliſs,
Nor ſum up what the int'reſt of his Glory
Amounts to by the light of ſacred ſtory.
This portion, which our intellects can't ſee
To tell out while they vail'd and clouded be,
Is a moſt rich and rare encouragement,
VVhereby our graces with a ſtronger bent
Are carri'd heaven-ward; this Faith enflames,
And makes our hope riſe higher in its aims.
This plumes a ſaint, and makes him higher flie
In contemplation of eternitie.
Faith's Triumph.
ST and not my ſoul upon a ſinners leggs,
But with all ſpeed relinquiſh thine own dreggs,
Into the arms of thy dear Saviour flie,
There only mayſt thou find ſecuritie:
Endeavour to beleeve what thou art never
Able to purchaſe by thine own endeavour:
Thy debt acknowledge, and then by and by
Thy Jeſus will the payment juſtifie,
Confide not in thy ſelf or what thou haſt,
Leſt by thy ſelf thou be deceiv'd at laſt:
Wouldſt thou the precious Grace of Faith acquire?
Renounce thy ſelf, caſt off thine own attire.
Wouldſt thou in purity preſerve thy Faith?
Condemne thy ſelf, heed not what Reaſon ſaith:
Do miſty clouds obſcure and dimme thy ſight?
Faith will diſpel them by its radiant light.
Is Heaven gate faſt up againſt thee blockt?
The Key of Faith will open and unlock't:
Is there in Heavens high-way a roaring Lion?
Faith will o're com't and lead thee unto Sion.
Doth fear ſurprize thee? Faith will courage bring:
Doth Death affright thee? Faith pulls out the ſting.
Is't hard and difficult to gain the crown?
Faith bear'ſt away with honour and renown.
Be faithful to the death and thou ſhalt ha…
An heavenly garland, though an earthly g…ve.
It ſhall not be to thee (the Scripture ſaith)
According to thy works but to thy faith:
If before Faith good works can't work ſalvation,
After Repentance bad ones can't damnation.
As he that crowns thy good works doth thereby
Crown his own gifts, ſo doth he magnifie
His own free Grace, that pardoneth thine evil
Works, which enſlaved thee unto the Devil;
Caſt anchor here my ſoul, let nothing e're
Remove thee, in thy Faith ſtill perſevere.
And when the waves of thy corruptions beat
Into thy leaking veſſel, and do threat
Thine utter ruine and eternal bane,
By true Repentance pumpe them out again.
FINIS.
End of the text · Francis Taylor, Grapes from Canaan (1658)