Rocks Improved, Part 1
Meditations of the firſt Ranke, Parallelling Chriſt and Rockes together.
ANd firſt, the Rockes doe lively repreſent
A complete Image, full of ſweete content,
Of Chriſt our Rocke; ſith that both They and He
In Name and Nature fitly doe agree.
Are they cal'd Rockes? So he in ſacred Writ
A b1 Cor. 10 4. Pſal. 18. 2. 31. 46. Pſ. 28. 1 Pſ. 21. 3. Pſa. 42. 4. Pſ. 62. 2. 7. Pſal. 71. 3. Pſ. 89. 26. Pſal. 92. 15. Pſ. 94. 22. Pſal. 95. 1. Deut. 32. 31. 2 Sam. 22. 2. 3. 32. 47.Rocke is ſtil'd, in theſe regards moſt fit.
1.
The Stony Rockes no other Father know
But God who made them, from whoſe cPſal. 148. 5. Ioh. 3. 3.word they flow
So Chriſt (both God and Man) no Father knowes
But dIoh. 5. 17. 18. Ioh. 8. 16. 18. 19. 28. 38. 41. 49. 54.God eternall; from whoſe Loines he flowes
By ſuch a eIoh. 1. 14. c. 3. 16. Act. 13. 33. Heb. 1. 5. c. 5. 5.Generation as exceedes
Mens ſhallow Thoughts, and in them wonder breeds.
2.
Rockes are the fMat. 7. 24. 25. Luk. 6. 47. 48.firmeſt ground whereon to lay,
And found ſuch buildings as ſhall not decay.
But laſt and ſtand in ſpite of Floods, Stormes, wind,
Which may beate on them, yet no entrance finde,
So gIſa. 28. 16. Mat. 16. 18. 1 Pet. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. Pſal. 118 22. Act. 4. 11. 1 Co. 3. 11. Epheſ. 2. 20 21.Chriſt's the onelyonly Rocke, the tryed ſtone
On which the Church is built: On Him alone
Our Soules ſo ſafe, faſt, firmely, founded lye,
That they ſhall ſtand for all eternity
Unſhaken, undemoliſht, maugre all
The hMat. 7. …4. 25. c. 16. 18. Rom. 8. 35. to 39. 2 Pet. 1. 10. Pſal. 125. 1. 2 Cor. 4. 7, 8, 9. 1 Cor. 10. 13.Stormes, Flands, Winds, that on them beat & fall
Through Men or Devils Malice: Happie they
Who on this firme Rocke, all their buildings lay.
3.
Rockes yeeld the ſweeteſt iPſal. 81. 16. Deut. 32. 13.Honey, Men to feede:
The k2 Cor. 1. 3. 4, 5, 6. Pſal. 71. 21. Cant. 2. 5. Iſa. 40. 1. c. 51. 3. c. 51. 1. 2.ſweeteſt honey comforts, Joyes proceede
From Chriſtour Rock, Mens drooping ſouls to cheare
And ſweeten all ſowre Croſſes which they heare.
4.
All precious Stones, and Jewels Rocks doe breed:
All Gemmes and Pearles of Grace from lIoh. 1. 16. Rev. 3. 18. Col. 2. 2 39.Chriſt proceed
The firſt, our Bodies decke, but for a ſpace;
The laſt, our mPſal. 45. 9. 13. 14. 1 Pet. 3. 3, 4, 5. 1 Tim 2. 9. 10. Cant. c. 1. to 8.Souls, with an eternall Gra…e.
The firſt, in Mans eyes are a lovely ſight;
The laſt in Gods eyes makes us ſhine moſt bright.
O let us then, theſe Jewels onelyonly priſe,
Which make us nEzech. 16. 8. 10 15. Cant. 2. 1, 2. c. 4. 1. 2. &c. c. 5. 1. to 8.comely in Gods ſacred eyes.
5.
The richeſt Mines of Silver, Gold, Tin, Lead,
Braſſe, Copper, in the wombes of oDeut. 8. 9. Iob. 28. 2.Rockes are bred:
Whence not digg'd out with pains, they uſeleſſe lie
And none are better'd, or enricht thereby.
Thus all the Mines, and Treaſures of Gods Grace
Are pCol. 2. 2. 3. 9. Ioh. 1. 15. 16 Epheſ. 3. 8. 18. 19.hid in Chriſt, as in their proper place.
Yet none doe happie, rich, or wealthy grow
By theſe hidde Treaſures, though they overflow;
But thoſe who take much qProv. 2. 3, 4, 5 Mat. 13, 44, 45. 46. Rev. 3 18. c. 22. 17. Ioh. 1. 15 16. Mat. 7. 7. 8. c. 21. 22. Iam. 5. 7. 8. Rom. 8. 24. 25.paines to dig them thence
With Prayers, Teares, Faith, Hope, and Patience.
O let us then be ever drawing Oare
Out of our Rock Chriſt, in whom there's ſuch ſtore
Of richeſt golden Mines, that all rRev. 3. 18. c. 22. 17. Iſ. 55. 1. 2. 3 Ioh. 7. 37.who will
May there their Soules, and Bagges for ever fill.
6.
The pureſt, beſt, and pleaſantſt waters ſpring
Out of sDeut. 8. 15 Pſal. 105. 41. Pſa. 114. 8. Iſa. 48. 21. Pſ. 1…4. 10, 11, 12, 13.Rockes ſideſ; which ſweete refreſhment bring
To Man and Beaſt, whoſe Thirſt they quench and ſtay,
Their bodies bathe, and waſh their filth away.
Thus from our Rocke Chriſt, and his pierced ſide,
Such peareleſſe Streames of tIoh. 19. 34. 1 Ioh. 5. 6. 8. c. 1. 7. Rev. 1. 5. Heb. 9. 14. Eph 5. 26. 1 Cor. 6. 11. Eph. 1. 5. 2. 13. Heb. 1… 19. c. 13. 22. 2…. 1 Pet. 1. 19.Blood and Water glide,
(To ſave, bathe, clenſe, refreſh all broken Hearts,
And quench hell flames, with Sathans, fiery Darts:)
As farre ſurpaſſe the pureſt Streames that flow,
From all the Rockes, or Fountaines here below.
And now (me thinks) vExod. 17. 5. 6. Num. 2…. 10. Deut. 8. 15. Neh. 9. 15. Pſal. 78. 16. 20. Pſ. 105. 41. Pſal. 114. 8. Iſa. 48. 21.the Rock in wilderneſſe
Whence ſtreames of waters guſhed to redreſſe,
And quench the Peoples Thirſt, when Moſes Rod
It ſmote, and pierced by command from God.
(Yea every Rock whence Criſtall waters ſpring)
A lively x1 Cor. 10. 4.Picture was, and is to bring
Our Rocke Chriſt to our Mindes, and to preſent
Him to our eyes, and Hearts with great content:
From whoſe pierc'd Hands and ſide with Nayles and Speare,
Whole yJoh. 19. 34. 1 Ioh. 5. 6. 8. 1 Joh. 1. 7. Rev. 1. 5. c. 22. 17 Ioh. 7. 37. Eph. 5. 26. …ay 55. 1. 2.Streames of precious Blood, and waters cleare
Did ſweetely flow, Gods wrath to quench, allay,
His peoples Thirſt, and waſh their ſinnes away.
We neede not then a Crucitixe, to bring
Chriſt to our Mindes, fith every Rocke and Spring
That flowes from thence, doth in more z1. Cor. 10. 4. Gal. 3. 1.lively wife
Preſent Chriſt and his Paſsion to our Eyes;
Let Papiſts then behold their painted ſtickes;
Each Rocke to me ſhall be a Crucifixe,
As a1. Cor. 10. 4God hath made it: and ſhall teach me more,
Than all the Pictures of the Roman Whore;
Which are meere bPſal. 135. 15. 16. 17. 18.Idoll, heatheniſh vanities,
And cJer. 1….8. … H….2.18. Zech. 1….2. …. 41.29.teach nought elſe, but Errors, Sinnes, and Lies.
7.
Rock…s yeeld a pleaſant d…ſhade againſt th… Heate,
The ſcorching Sun and Storms that on Men beate;
Which ſweete Refreſhment to the weary brings,
And cooles them more than any limpid Springs.
Chriſt our Rocke is a ſweete refreſhing eIſa… 25.4.4.c 4. …. Cant.2.3. Pſal. 17.8. Pſ.…6.7. Pſ 57. 1. Pſal.91 1. Hoſe… 14.7.ſhade
Againſt all Heates that ſcorch, all ſinnes that lad….
His Saints; whoſe weary Sinne-burnt Soules can gaine
No fMat. 11. 23. 29. 2 Theſſ. 1. 7.reſt but in his ſhade, which ends their paine;
Yea fills them with ſuch gIſa. 35 2. 1…. Rom. 14. 17. c. 15. 13. Gal. 5 22. 1 Pet. 1. 8.Peace, Ioy, Chearefulneſſe,
That they an Heaven here on Earth poſſeſſ….
O let us ſtill abide in this bleſt ſhade,
Where-with our ſoules are eas'd, and happy made.
8.
The Holes and Clifts in Rockes to which Men h1 Sam. 13.6. c.23.3.4. Judg. 2….4….47 I…a. 2.1….19.21c.7.19.c.57.8. Jer.1….1…. Rev.6.19.16. Jer.13.4.flye
In times of Danger, for Security;
Paint out the Holes, Clifts, wounds in Chriſts pierc'd iJoh. 19. …4 Iſa. 15 4. 5. Pſ. 27. …. Pſ. 14 3. 9. Cant. 2. 14.ſide
Feete, Hands, wherein our Soules may ſafely hide
Themſelves againſt all ſtormes that D…, Hell,
World, fleſh, or Sinne can raiſe up, them to quell.
O let us to theſe bleſſed Holes, Clifts flye
For Shelter, and in them both live and dye.
Yea let each Hole and Clift which we eſpie
In Rocks, preſent Chriſts wounds, Holes, to our Eye,
And ſo imprint them in our Hearts and Minde,
That they may ſtill ſweete Solace in them finde.
9.
Rockes … kM…. 7. 2…. 2…. Job 6. 12. c. 19.21.w…are or waſte, but laſt and know
N…hing…s, while Things, Seas ſtill ebbe, and flow
About them. So our Rocke Chriſt laſts for aye
Without …ll Change, both lHeb. 1…. …. Pſ… … 12.2…. 27. Mal. 3.…. Jam.1.17. Rev. 1.8.17.18. Heb.1.11.12.yeſterday, today,
And ſtill the ſ… for all eternitie,
When all things elſe decay, waxe, old and dye.
Friends, P…nts, Kindred, G…ds, Lands, Cities, States,
Kings, Kingdomes, yet the world, have mPſal. 1 2.12.25.26. Heb. 1.11.1…. Iſa.2.22.….2….…3.c.….….7. Dan.….and 5. and …. & …1. & 12.2 Chron.3….all their Fates,
Falls, Chang…, Periods; and doe paſſe away;
Whiles Chriſt our Rocke ſtands ſame at the nHeb. 13.….ſame ſtay.
No change, …g… oRom. ….9. 1…. Rev. 1.8.17.18.death can on him ſ…e, or lite,
He ſtill …ontinues in the ſelfe-ſame plight,
O let us then make Him …ur onelyonly pPſal.73.25. Pſ… 57.stay,
Friend, Tr…ſure, Portion, who thus laſts for aye,
Then when all Friends, Helpes, Stayes, Hopes elſe faile, He
Alon… qPſal. 27 … Eph. 1. 23. Col. 3.11. 1 Cor. 15. 28. Pſal. ….1.more than all theſe to us will be.
Oh prize Him moſt who doth all elſe excell,
And ſtill remaines when they bid us farewell.
10.
Rockes are to Men the rNum▪ … 21. Judg. 15. …. c. 20. 25 47. 1 Sam 23. 25. Pſ. 94. 22. 1 Sam 13. 6. c. 24. 2. Iſa. 2. 1…. 19. 21 c. 17 19. c. 3…. 16. Je. 4. 29. c. 16. 16. c. 48 28. c 49. 16. c. 51. 25. Obed. …. 4. Rev 6. 15. 16.ſtrongeſt, ſafeſt Fence,
F…rt, R…fuge in all Dangers: and from hence
Moſt Caſtles, Townes, Forts on them ſetled ar,
Which guard whole Kingdomes, both in Peace and war;
To theſe men in all places uſ… to flye
F…r ayde and ſhelter in extremitie,
And is not Chriſt our Rocke, the ſtrongeſt Mound,
The ſafeſt sPſal. 18. 2. 21. 4… Pſ. 3…. 3▪ Pſa. 6 1. 2. Pſ. 94 22. Deut. 32. 4.refuge of his Saints? who found
Their Forts, ſtrength, fafty upon Him, and flye
To him alone in all their Miſerie?
Where they in ſafty live, and dare defie
Both Men and Devils with ſecuritie.
O let us then on Him alone repoſe
Our Soules, who will t1 Pet. 4. 19. 2 Tim. 4. 1…. Ioh. …. 28. 29.protect them from all foes.
11.
Doves, Eagles, Conies, Fiſh in vCant. 2. 14 Pro. 3…. 26. Numb. 24. 21. Job 39. 28. 29. Pſal. 1…4. 1…. Jer. 48. 28.Rockes doe breed,
Build, dwell and hide themſelves: Chriſts choſen ſeede
In xJoh. 15. 1. to …. Cant. 2. 14. Iſay. 25. 4. Pſ. 32. 7. Pſ. 119 11…. Iſa. 32. 2.Him alone breed, build, dwell, live, and …ide
From all ſuch Perills as ſhall them betide.
Let this their wiſedome teach all others grace
In this Rock Chriſt, their Strength, Neſts, Homes to place.
12.
Rockes have no outward yIſa. 2. 21. Ezech. 26. 4.forme nor comelineſſ.
To make them lovely. zIſa. 53. 2. 3. Pſa. 22. 14. 15. 16. 17. Iſa. 52. 14.Scripture is expreſſe
That Chriſt our Rocke had none, whence moſt aIſa. 53. 3. Mark. 9. 12. Pſ. 11…. 22. Mat. 21. 42. Act. 4. 11. Joh. 1. 1…. 11.deſpiſe
Him whiles they view Him but with carnall Eyes.
And yet as Rockes, though ragged, vile and bare
In outward forme, containe within them rare
And precious Jewels, Stones, Mines, of all Kinds;
So though our Rocke, Chriſt, unto carnall Minds
In outward ſhew ſeemes baſe; yet in Him lye
The bEpheſ 3. 8. Col. 1. 16. 17. 18. c. 2. 9. 1…. Eph. 1. 23. Ioh. 1. 16.richest Treaſures, Mines, Gems, hid from eye:
O judge not then by cSam. 16. 7.outſide, ſince corſe skinne
And rags oft times have Treaſures, Pearles dJam. 2. 5. Pſal. 45. 1…. 1 Pet. 3. 4. Rom. 2. 28. 29.within,
Whiles guilded Outſides (like a eMat. 2…. 27. ….pa…ted Grave)
Nought elſe but Duſt, Droſſe, Dung, within them have.
13.
Rockes fence the Land againſt the raging Seas,
Which elſe would ſwallow it with ſpeed, and eaſe.
So fMat. 16. 18. c. 28. 2…. Ioh. 10. 2…. 29. Rom. …. 35. to 39. Pſal. …21. 1. to 8. Pſal. 125. 1. 2. 3.Chriſt defends his Church and feeble Sheepe,
Gainſt Deviils, Tyrants, Wolves; who elſe would ſweepe
Them cleane away, and ſpeedily devoure,
If not pr…t…cted by his Mighty Power.
O give Him then the praiſe of this ſweete Grace
Who thus preſerves us ſafe in every place.
14.
Rockes oft times Harbours make for Ships to ride
In ſafty both from Pirats, Stormes, winds, Tide.
So Chriſt our Rocke, an gJer. 16. 19. Pſal. 18. 1. 2. Pſal. 9. 9. Pſal. 46. 1. 2. 3. Pſal. 62. 7. 8. Iſa. 25. 4. Heb. 6. 1…. Pſal. 60. 1…Harbour is to all,
Who flye to Him, and for helpe on him call
In all their Troubles; where they may repoſe
Themſelves in ſafty, maugre Stormes, or Foes.
15.
Rockes through the world neare hand diſperſed lie
For Men to hJudg. 15. 8. c. 2. 45. 1 Sam. 1…. 6. c. 23. 25. c. 24. 2. Iſa. 2. 1…. 19. 21.flye too, in extremitie.
Chriſt in iMat 28. 2…. Pſ. 34. 18. Pſal. 145. 18. Rom. 1… 6 7. 8. Act. 10. 35. Pſal. 18. 1. 2.all places is ſtill neare at Band,
A Rocke to ſhield, and guard his choſen Band,
In all their Dangers, and perplexities,
Thrice happy he who in him fenced lies.
16.
God well accepted in moſt gratefull wiſe,
And by ſome wonder grac'd the Sacrifice
Which holy Men upon bare kJudg. 6. 20. 21. c. 13. 19. 20.Rockes did lay,
And offer to him; not on Altars gay:
Thus God thoſe Praiſes, Almes, Teares, Prayers, Cryes,
(A Chriſtians best and onelyonly lPſal. 51. 17. Heb. 13. 15. 1 Per. 2. 5. Phil. 2. 17. c. 4. 8. Pſ. 107. 22. Rom. 12. 1.Sacrifice)
Doth moſt regard, and them alone approve
Which laid on mHeb. 13. 15. Col. 3. 17. Joh. 13. 13. 14. c. …6. 24. 26.Christ our Rocke, doe from Him move,
And mount to Heaven nRev. 5. 8. c. 8. 34.ſweetned with the fume
Of his rich Odors, which their ſtincke conſume.
17.
Altars of old were built on oJudg. 6. 26. c. 13. 19. 20.Rockes; to ſhew
That we no pHeb. 13. 10. Rev. 16. 9. c. 8. 3. c. 9. 13.Altar elſe but Chriſt ſhould know;
And that all Altars, Offerings muſt proceede
From Him, or elſe theyle ſtand us in no ſteede.
Thoſe Altars then are built but on the qMat. 7. 26. 27. Luk. 6. 47.Sand,
And ſure to fall, which on Chriſt doe not ſtand;
As none doe now, ſith rHeb. 7. 12. 13. 14. to 28. c. 8. & 9. & 10. c. 13. 10. 13. 1 Cor. 9. 13. 14. c. 10. 16. to 22. c. 11. 24. to 37. Col 2. 10. to 22.Chriſts death overthrew
All Altars but Himſelfe, both old and new.
18.
No laſie, fearefull Perſons can aſcend
Steepe Craggie sAmos. 6. 12. 1 Sam. 14. 4. 13. Jer. 4. 29.Rockes, but onelyonly thoſe who bend
Their Mindes, Force, Might thereto, who hardly get
VponUpon them but with earneſt paine and ſweat,
Nay falls, oft-times, and Bruiſes: ſo all thoſe
Who tMat. 25. 26. Rom. 12. 11. Heb. 6. 12. Pro. 21. 25.ſl…athfull are, with Chriſt can never cloſe:
A Rock ſo Narrow, craggie, ſteep, Sublime
That, none, with Eaſe, with Paines, vMat. 7. 13. 14. Luk. 13. 24.few can Him Climbe,
Meeting with xJoh. 16. 33. Act. 14. 22. 1 Theſ. 3. 4.many Rubbes, Falls, Bruiſes, ere
They climbe upon Him, and a building reare.
O then let all who thinke this Rocke to mount
Of Paines, Sweat, Fals, Rubs, croſſes, make yLuk. 14. 28. to. 34.account.(z) Deut. 6. 5. Luk. …3. 24.
And then addreſſe themſelves with zDeut. 6. 5. Luk. 13. 24.all their might
Ʋnto this worke, which will their paines requite.
19.
Rockes are too Hard, on which to ſleepe ſecure:
And they muſt aMat. 24. 4…. c. 26. 41. Mar. 13. 37. Luk. 21. 36.watch, not ſleepe whom Chriſt keepes ſure.
Thoſe who intend on this Rocke ſafe to lye,
Muſt bRom. 13. 14. Luk. 22. 46. 1 Theſ. 5. 6. 7. Eph. 5. 14.Shake off ſleepe, with all ſecurity:
Watching and c2 Theſ. 5. 17. Eph. 6. 18. Rom. 12. 12. Act. 6. 4. Luk. 21. 36.praying alwayes night and day,
Leſt world, fleſh, Devill them ſurprize and ſlay.
20.
Rockes in, or neere the Seas, and waters are;
And doe their heads, moſt part dPſ. 40. 2. Pſ. 61. 2.above them beare:
So Chriſt, our Rocke, on earth did oft reſide
Neare to the Sea; yea, on it, walke and ride:
Lifting his Head above the proudeſt Seas,
And calming all their raging waves with eaſe:
To ſhew that He was eMat. 4. 13. 15. 18. c. 8. 24. 26. 27. c. 13. 1. c. 14. 24. 25. 26. c. 15. 29. Mar. 2. 13. c. 3. 7. c. 4. 1. c. 5. 1. 21. c. 7. 3. Luk. 6. 17. c. 21. 15. Joh. 6. 1. 16. 18. c. 21. 1.Supreme Lord of all
The world, when Seas and floods before Him fall;(f) Mat. 8. 27. Mar. 4. 41. Luk. 8. 25. Mat. 14. 33.
Yea, prove a footeſtoole for his feete to tread,
And gMa…. 14. 25. 26. Mar. 6. 48. 49. Joh. 6. 19.walke upon in ſafty, without dread.
All other Rockes in waters ſincke, Chriſt Sailes,
Swimmes, walkes upon, and over them prevailes.
21.
Moſt, ragged Rockes contemne, neglect, forſake,
Ʋntill ſome hJudg. 15. 8. c. 20. 45. 1 Sam. 13. 6. c. 24. 2. c. 23. 25. 26. Iſa. 2. 10. 19. 21. c. 7. 19. Jer. 4. 29.Dangers force them to betake
Themſelves unto them for ſecuritie,
And then they prayſe, and highly magnifie
Thoſe Rockes they held before in ſuch diſgrace,
As the moſt ſtrong, ſweete, beſt, and ſafeſt place.
So, moſt this Rocke Chriſt quite iIſa. 53. 3. Pſal. 118. 22. Act. 4. 11. Mar. 9. 12. Joh. 1. 10 11.neglect, deſpiſe,
Deſert, abandon till kMat. 11. 28. 29. 2 Chron. 33. 12. Hoſ. 5. 15. Pſa. 78. 34. 35. 36. Iſa. 55. 1. 2. Zeph. 3. 12. 1 Tim. 5. 5.extremities
Enforce them to Him, to protect and free.
Them from the Evills which they feare and flee.
And then no place ſo ſweete, ſafe, delicate
As this our Rocke before left deſolate.
But yet as thoſe who unto Rockes doe flye,
Not out of love, but meere neceſſity,
lPſal. 78. 34. 35. 36. 37. Jer. 3. 10. Exod. 8. & 9. & 10. Judg 2. 17. 18. 19. c. 3. 10. to 16. c. 4. 1. to 6. c. 6. 1. to 11.For ſake them quite, where as their Dangers end;
So, ſuch whom Feares, or Perills force, and ſend
(Not ſincere love) to Chriſt our Rocke, lPſal. 78. 34. 35. 36. 37. Jer. 3. 10. Exod. 8. & 9. & 10. Judg 2. 17. 18. 19. c. 3. 10. to 16. c. 4. 1. to 6. c. 6. 1. to 11.away
Depart from Him, and will no longer ſtay,
When as their Dangers, Troubles, Feares are gone,
And moſt unkindly leave Him all alone.
Hence may all Popelings Learne, that Multitude,
Chriſts, or his Churches truth doth mMat. 7. 12. 13. 14. c. 20. 16. c. 22. 24. Luk. 13. 23. 24. 1 Pet. 20. 21. Rev. 3. 4. 1 King. 22. 6. to 20.ill conclude.
22.
Rockes humble are, and never upwards tend,
Mount, ſwell, but nExod. 15. 5. Nah. 1. 6.downe their Heads and Motions bend.
So Chriſt our Rocke, did oMat. 11. 29 Phil. 2. 5. 6. 7. 8. Joh. 6. 15. 16. Eph. 4. 9. Heb. 2. 7. 9. Zech. 9. 9.humble and abaſe
Himſelfe, but never ſought high ſtate or Place;
Moving from Heaven downe to Earth below,
To quench all Pride, and make men humble grow.
Who then dares ſwell with Pride, or Haughtineſſe
When Chriſt, Himſelfe did thus ſo low depreſſe;
Though pPhil. 2. 5. 6. 7. 8. 1. Tim. 6. 15. Rev. 17. 14. c. 19. 6. Deut. 10. 17.King of Kings, and Lord of Lords, moſt High,
Nay ſecond Perſon in the Deity?
23.
High Rocks a pleaſant qNum. 23. 9. Iob. 39. 28. 29.Proſpect yeeld, whence Men
Sea, Land, nay Heaven may the better Ken.
And with delight ſee farther, and farre more
Than they on lower ground beheld before.
Thus men high mounted on our Rock, Chriſt, view
From thence, with moſt delight, ſuch r2 Cor. 5. 16. 17. 18. 1 Cor. 2. 7. to 16. Act. 26. 18. 2 Cor. 3. 18. Col. 3. 1. 2. 3. Phil. 3. 7. 8. 9. 20. Eph. 3. 8. 9. 20. Eph. 3. 8. 9. 10.pleaſant, new
And glorious Sights of God, and things above
As rap their ſoules, and make them ſicke of Love.
Thence they behold all Earthly things below
With other Eyes, and both diſcerne and know
Them to be vile, baſe sEccleſ. 1. 2. 14. 1. Ioh. 2. 15. 16. 17. Phil. 3. 7. 8, 9. Prov. 23. 4, 5.Droſſe, meere vanity;
And very ſmall when view'd thus from on high.
24.
When tPro. 30. 19.Serpents upon Rockes doe creepe or glide
They leave no tract, way, ſteps, that can be ſpide.
When that old Serpent Satan crept upon
Our Rocke Chriſt, with his ſtrong Temptation,
He vMat. 4. 1. to 10. Lu. 4. 1. to. 10. Ioh. 14. 30. Heb. 4. 15.nought prevailed, and no print, ſtep, trace,
Of him or his Aſſaults on Him tooke place.
25.
When Chriſt our Rocke for forty dayes and nights
Hid faſted, then the Devill Him incites
To xMat. 4. 2. 3. 4. Luk. 4. 2. 3. 4.turne ſtones into Bread, Himſelfe to feede;
Which He denide, though then he bread did neede:
Yet of his tender Mercy to Mankinde,
And their poore ſoules, which are with hunger pinde,
He dayly turnes a Rocke (Himſelfe) to yJoh. 6. 32. to 64.Bread
Of life, wherewith their hungry Soules are fed.
Yea, rather than his choſen, Bread ſhall neede,
The Rockes and Stones their Soules ſhall fat and feede,
Nay feaſt with thoſe ſweete wafers, which their Minde,
By zPſal. 77. 12. Pſ. 143. 5.Meditations doth within them finde.
Let then our Hearts be right, we neede not feare
A aPſal. 34. 9. 10. Pſa. 37: 25. 1 King. 17. 6: 7: 11: 12▪ 13:want of Bread, Food, them to feede, feaſt, cheare,
Since every Rocke and Ston's a Magazine
To feede, ſtore, feaſt them ſtill with Bread Divine.
26.
When God himſelfe of his abundant Grace
Shew'd forth his glorious Preſence, and bleſt Face
To Moſes and Elias; he them plac'd
In bExod. 33. 21. 22. 23. 1 King. 19. 9. to 16.Clifts or Caves of Rockes, and there them grac'd
With this grand Honour, Him to view. When we
Gods ſweeteſt cMat. 3. 17. Joh. 1. 18. c. 6. 46. c. 14. 7. 9.Face and Preſence long to ſee,
Our Soules to raviſh; we muſt ſtand, and hide
Within the Clifts of our Rock, Chriſts peirc'd ſide
(Which theſe Rockes doe but d1 Cor. 10. 4.figure,) the ſole place
Wherein we may with Comfort view Gods face.
O let our Soules in theſe Clifts dwell and ſtay,
Where God his eJoh. 14. 7. 9. 2 Cor. 5. 19. 20.Face and preſence doth diſplay,
In ſuch ſweete manner, and ſuch lively ſort,
As will our Soules with Love and Joy tranſport.
27.
Rough ragged Rockes and Stones, cauſe Men to fIſa. 8. 14. 15 Luk. 2. 34. Ro. 9. 33. 1 Pet. 2. 8. 2 Chron. 25 12. Zech. 12. 3 Pſal. 141. 6.fall
And ſtumble on them; yea, oft times withall,
Themſelves to bruiſe, maime, breake, and hurt ſo ſore,
That they expire therewith, and riſe no more;
Thus Chriſt becomes to many a wicked one
A gIſa. 8. 14. 15. Luk 2. 34 Rom. 9. 33. 1 Pet. 2. 8.Rocke effenſive, and a ſtumbling ſtone
Who on Him ſtumble, ſlip, and headlong fall,
And daſh themſelves in pieces therewithall.
O then beware how we againſt Him hit
Spurne, ſtumble, who to ()Luk. 2. 34. Mat. 21. 44.ſhivers will us ſplit.
28.
Some hDeut. 32. 13. Joh. 29. 6.Rockes of flint yeeld ſofteſt oyle, to ſwage,
And ſupple hardeſt ſwellings, when they rage.
Heale wounds, and Ulcers; ſuppleſt Oyles of Grace,
Which iEzech. 11. 19. c. 36. 26.ſoften hard Hearts in a little ſpace;
kMat. 11. 28 Pſal. 41. 4. Mal. 4. 2. Rev. 22. 2.Aſſwage our Paine, our Aches, wounds, ſores cure,
Proceede from Chriſt, a Rocke moſt firme and ſure.
Lord give us ſtore of this ſoft Oyle, that we
Our Hearts made ſoft, our wounds quite heal'd may ſee.
29.
The Mines and Treaſures which in Rockes hid lye,
lIſa. 2. Z.Exceede Mans ſearch and full diſcovery.
The Sacred hidden Treaſures which doe dwell
In Chriſt our Rocke, are ſo mEpheſ. 3. 8. 10. 19. 20. 1 Cor. 2. 9 Col. 2. 3. 9. c. 1. 19.unſearchable;
Vaſt, boundleſſe, endleſſe, that they farre exceede
Saints largeſt thoughts and in them wonder breede.
O let us ſtill contemplate more and more
The nEph. 3. 18. 19. Pſal. 62. 2. 6. 7. Pſal. 73. 25.height, depth, length, breadth, of this ſearchleſſe ſtore.
To fill our Soules with ſweeteſt joyes, and make
Them for the Love of theſe, all elſe forſake.
30.
Rockes are moſt Patient and doe not oJoh 6. 12. Jer. 23. 29.complaine
Cry, ſtir, though Tempeſts, Seas, Winds, Axes, Rain,
Nay Sledges beat upon them, and them bruiſe,
Break, hew, cleave, pierce, cut, lance, & much miſuſe.
So Chriſt our Rocke, endured pIſa. 53. 7. Mat. 26. 63. c. 27. 12. Act. 8. 32. 2 Pet. 2. 23. Heb. 12. 2. Rev. 19.patiently,
His Croſſe, wrongs, ſuffrings, Death without all cry,
Complainte, reſiſtance; like a Sheepe before
Her ſhearer, which doth neuer bleate, ſtir, roare.
O let all Chriſtians now at laſt from q1 Pet. 2. 19. to 25. Rev. 12. 12. Rom. 13. 10. Jam. 1. 3. 4.hence
Learne to beare croſſes with like Patience.
31.
The rMat. 7. 25. Luk. 6. 47. 48.Floods, windes, ſtormes againſt the Rockes oft beate;
They ſtill expoſed are to Cold, or Heate:
Sometimes the Seas ſurround & drown them quite
And oft the yee and ſnow them hide from ſight:
So Chriſt on earth s1 Pet. 2. 12. 23. Heb. 2. 9. 10. 18. c. 4. 15. c. 12. 2. Matth. 4, 2. to 10. c. 27. and 28. Mat 15. & 16. Luk. 23. & 24. Act. 2. 23. to 37. c. 3. 13. to to 22. c. 4. 26. 27. 28.aſſaulted was with windes;
Floodes, Tempeſts, Heate, Cold, Croſſes of all Kindes,
Which for a time did hide, immerge, at laſt,
Quite over-whelme Him, till the Storme was paſt.
What Chriſtian then can thinke himſelfe tJoh. 15. 20. Mat. 10. 22. 23. 24. 25.ſecure
From Stormes, Winds, Floods, ſith Chriſt did them endure?
32.
When Chriſt gave up the Ghoſt, the (vMat. 27. 51 Rockes did rent,
The Death of this cheefe Rocke for to lament:
Yea, to beare witneſſe of his Deity,
Who though he dy'd, made x1 King. 19 11. Nah. 16.Rockes in pi…es flye.
That Heart is harder, worſe than Rock or Stone,
Which Chriſts Death cannot rent, nor cauſe to moane.
Yea every yEzech. 22. 14. c. 36. 26. c. 11. 19. Luk. 24. 32. Iſa. 13. 7. Ezech. 21. 7. Jer. 23. 29.Rockie Heart muſt melt, …, fall
In pieces, when Chriſt ſhall it ſhake, ſmite, call
By his Almighty Hand, or voyce which make
The hardeſt z1 King 19. 11. Joſh. 2. 11. Amos. 9. 13. Nah. 15. 6.Rockes and Hearts to melt, ſplit, ſhake.
Lord let the Thoughts of thy Death quite relent
Our Rockie Hearts, and move them to repent.
33.
Rockes aJob. 6. 12. c. 14. 24.ſeldome rot, corrupt, or putrifie:
bAct. 2. 24. 31. c. 13. 34. 35. 36. 37. Pſal. 16. 10.Chriſt rotted not, whilſt he in Grave did lye;
That ſo he might our rotten Corps thence c1 Cor. 15. 42. 43. 52. 53. 54. 55. 56. Phi. 3. 21.raiſe
Free from corruption, Him for aye to prayſe.
O feare not then, though we returne to duſt,
Chriſt at the laſt dRom. 6. 9. 10. 1 Cor. 15. 42. 43. 52. to 57.will ſcoure off all our Ruſt,
Droſſe, and Corruption; and our Corps reſtore
To ſuch a State, that it ſhall dye no more;
But live in endleſſe Glory, and excell
The eJoh. 13. 2. Phil. 3. 21. Mat. 13. 43. Dan. 12. 3.ſhining Rayes, which in Starres, Moone, Sunne, dwell.
34.
Rockes though they drowned be, appeare againe,
And fixed in their Places ſtill remaine:
So Chriſt, though Dead, and layd in Grave, aroſe
Againe the fMar. 26. 6. 7. Mar. 16. 6. 1 Cor. 15. 4. 5. 6. 12. to 23.third day, yea to Heav'n up goes,
Above the reach of Floodes; where he on high
Hath fixt his Throne for all gHeb. 1. 8. 12. Pſal. 145. 13. 2 Pet. 1. 11.Eternity.
Here ſhall this ever-living raiſed Rocke
For ever hRev. 22. 5.reigne amidſt his choſen Flocke.
35.
Our Rocke Chriſt being dead entombed lay
Within a iMar. 15. 46. 47. Mat. 27. 60. Luk. 23. 53.Rocke; where He grim death did ſlay.
We, Duſt and Earth, when dead, to kGen. 3. 19. Eccleſ. 3. 10.them returne:
But our dead Rocke, a Rocke had for his Ʋrne,
Which Him receiv'd, and harbor'd even when,
He Slaine, and quite lIſa. 53. 3. 14 c. 4. 11.rejected was by Men.
O Rockes of Fleſh, and Bowels, which firſt mMat. 27. 51.rent
Themſelves, His bloody Paſſion to Lament!
And then Him in their Boſomes lodge, and plac'd,
When men Him ſlew, forſook, and moſt diſgrac'd!
O men (more nJer. 5. 3. Ezech. 3. 5.hard than any Rocke, Flint, Stone,
Who never, pitty, feele, regard, bemoane
Chriſts cruell Death and Paſſion; nor receive
Him, when the Rocks rent, and Him Houſe-roome give!
O let us learne from hence, how hard, unkinde,
Ingrate we are to Him, who ſtill ſhall oJoh. 1. 10. 11. Mat. 8. 20. Luk. 9. 58. Job 24. 7. 8.finde
More pitty, harbor, love, from Rockes than we,
Ʋntill our Hearts by Grace relented be.
And let this Thought our Hearts of Rocke now thaw,
And Floods of bitter Teares out from them draw.
36.
In fine; when we conſider that pMar. 15. 46. 47. c. 16. 1. 2. 3. Mat. 27. 60. c. 28. 5. 6. Luk. 23. 53. c. 24. 6. 7. Joh. 19. 41. 42. c. 20. 1. to 26.Chriſt lay
Intombed in a Rocke; yet the third day
Roſe up from thence: it makes each Hole and Cave
We ſee in Rockes, no other but a Grave:
And points us out the qJob. 17. 1. 13. Pſal. 88. 3. 5.Place where we muſt lye
Inter'd, ere long, and fits us ſtill to r2 Tim. 4. 6. 7. 8. 1 Cor. 15. 31.dye;
Which done, it then revives our ſoules againe
With this ſweet Thought, that we sPſal. 19. 9. 1… Act. 2. 32. c. 13. 33. 1 Cor. 15. 1 Theſ. 4. 14. to 18. 2 Cor. 4. 14. Rom. 8. 11.ſhal not remaine
In Gr…ve for ever; ſince our Saviour roſe
From thence againe, to rayſe us, and all thoſe
Who are his Members, from the Duſt, to tRev. 22. 5.raigne
In endleſſe Bliſſe, where he doth now remaine.
Let theſe ſweete Speculations ever cheare
Our drooping Soules, and baniſh all their Feare.
Thus Barren Rockes unto a pious Minde
May fruitfull prove, it it v1 Cor. 10. 4.Chriſt in them finde;
When they in Name and Nature thus expreſſe
Unto the life, with Fruite and Pleaſantneſſe;
Farre better than all Pictures which the Blinde,
Dull Papiſts make, to bring them to their Minde,
As if His x1 Cor. 11. 25. 26. 29. Gal. 3. 1. 1 Cor 2. 2. Rom. 1. 19. 2….Word, Workes, Sacraments, yea, yGen. 1. 26. 27. c. 3. 1. c. 9. 6. 1 Cor. 11. 7. Eph. 4 24. Col. 3. 1…. Heb. 1. 3. c. 2. 11. 12. 13. 14. 16. 17. P…l. 2. 7. 8. 1 Joh. 3 2. Joh. 1. 14 …Man
The trueſt, beſt Idaea that we can
Have of Him) with each Rocke, Stone they eſpie
Were not enough to ſhew him to their eye,
Without thoſe Idols, which have thruſt aſide
Theſe better Pictures, and Chriſt from them hide.
38.
Bleſſed Lord Jeſus who the zPſal. …2. 2. 5. 7. Pſal. …4. 22. Pſ. 18 2. 31. 1 Cor. 10. 4.only Rocke,
And Refuge art of thine Elected Flocke,
Teach us thus ſweetely to behold, and view
Thee in each Rocke we ſee; for to renue,
Melt, change, delight, rejoyce our Hearts, & make
Them out of love to Thee, all elſe aLu. 14. 33. Mar. 10. 28. 29. Pſa. 73. 25.forſake:
Still bRom. …4. 8. 2 Cor. 5. 8.living, cleaving, dying unto Thee
The onelyonly Rocke, where they full ſafe ſhall be.