Divine Meditations Raised from Three Leaves of Nature, Poem 2 – To the reader 3
ROCKES IMPROVED. Compriſing certaine Poeticall Meditations, extracted from the contemplation of the Nature and Qualities of Rockes; a Barren and Harſh Soyle, yet a Fruitfull and Delightfull Subject of Meditation.
THE PROEME.
WHen from the lofty*Mount-Orguil. Caſtle I eſpie
The ragged Rocks, which round about it lye;
My Working thoughts begin from thence to raiſe
SomeaPſal. 77. 12. Pſal. 19. 14. Pſal. 143. 5. Pſa. 104. 34. Meditations, to their Makers Praiſe,
And mine own Profit: which my heart may warm,
Yea mount to Heaven, and vaine fancies charm.
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. 31. 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
ButdIoh. 5. 17. 18. Ioh. 8. 16. 18. 19. 28. 38. 41. 49. 54. God eternall; from whoſe Loines he flowes
By ſuch aeIoh. 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 P…. 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
ThehMat. 7. 24. 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, Flouds, 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. 61. 1. ….ſweeteſt honey comforts, Joyes proceede
From Chriſt our Rock, Mens drooping ſouls to cheare
And ſweeten all ſowre Croſſes which they beare.
4.
All precious Stones, and Jewels Rocks doe breed:
All Gemmes and Pearles of Grace fromlIoh. 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 Grace.
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. to 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 ofoDeut. 8. 9. Ioh. 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 muchqProv. 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 allrRev. 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 pleaſaniſt waters ſpring
Out ofſDeut. 8. 15. Pſal. 105. 41. Pſa. 114. 8. Iſa. 48. 21. Pſ. 104. 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 oftIoh. 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. 10. 19. c. 13. 12. 20. 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. 20. 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. Iſay 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 Crucifixe, to bring
Chriſt to our Mindes, ſith every Rocke and Spring
That flowes from thence, doth in morez1. Cor. 10. 4. Gal. 3. 1. lively wiſe
Preſent Chriſt and his Paſsion to our Eyes;
Let Papiſts then behold their painted ſtickes;
Each Rocke to me ſhall be a Crucifixe,
Asa1. Cor. 10. 4. God hath made it: and ſhall teach me more,
Than all the Pictures of the Roman Whore;
Which are meerebPſal. 135. 15. 16. 17. 18. Idoll, heatheniſh vanities,
And cJer. 10. 8. 9. Hab. 2. 18. Zech. 10. 2. Iſay 41. 29.teach nought elſe, but Errors, Sinnes, and Lies.
7.
Rockes yeeld a pleaſantdIſay 32. 2. Joh. 4. 5. 6. Job 7. 2. ſhade againſt the 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 refreſhingeIſay 25. 4. 5. c. 4. 6. Cant. 2. 3. Pſal. 17. 8. Pſ. 36. 7. Pſ 57. 1. Pſal. 91. 1. Hoſea. 14. 7. ſhade
Againſt all Heates that ſcorch, all ſinnes that lade
His Saints; whoſe weary Sinne-burnt Soules can gaine
NofMat. 11. 28. 29. 2 Theſſ. 1. 7. reſt but in his ſhade, which ends their paine;
Yea fills them with ſuchgIſa. 35 2. 10. Rom. 14. 17. c. 15. 13. Gal. 5. 22. 1 Pet. 1. 8. Peace, Ioy, Chearefulneſſe,
That they an Heaven here on Earth poſſeſſe.
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 Menh1 Sam. 13. 6. c. 23. 3. 4. Judg. 20. 45. 47. Iſa. 2. 10. 19. 21 c. 7. 19. c. 57. 5. Jer. 16. 16. Rev. 6. 15. 16. Jer. 13. 4. flye
In times of Danger, for Security;
Paint out the Holes, Clifts, wounds in Chriſts pierc'd iJoh. 19. 34. Iſa. 15 4. 5. Pſ. 27. 5. Pſ. 143. 9. Cant. 2. 14.ſide
Feete, Hands, wherein our Soules may ſafely hide
Themſelves againſt all ſtormes that Devils, 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 ſeldomekMat. 7. 25. 26. Job 6. 12. c. 19. 24. weare or waſte, but laſt and know
No changes, while Things, Seas ſtill ebbe, and flow
About them. So our Rocke Chriſt laſts for aye
Without all Change, bothlHeb. 13. 8. Pſ. 102. 12. 26. 27. Mal. 3. 6. Jam. 1. 17. Rev. 1. 8. 17. 18. Heb. 1. 11. 12. yeſterday, to day,
And ſtill the ſame for all eternitie,
When all things elſe decay, waxe, old and dye.
Friends, Parents, Kindred, Goods, Lands, Cities, States,
Kings, Kingdomes, yea the world, havemPſal. 102. 12. 25. 26. Heb. 1. 11. 12. Iſa. 2. 22. c. 26. 14. c. 40. 6. 7. Dan. 4. and 5. and 10. & 11. & 12. 2 Chron. 36. all their Fates,
Falls, Changes, Periods; and doe paſſe away;
Whiles Chriſt our Rocke ſtands firme at the nHeb. 13. 8.ſame ſtay.
No change, ageoRom. 6. 9. 10. Rev. 1. 8. 17. 18. death can on him ſeaze, or lite,
He ſtill continues in the ſelfe-ſame plight,
O let us then make Him our onelyonlypPſal. 73. 25. Pſ. 119. 57. stay,
Friend, Treaſure, Portion, who thus laſts for aye,
Then when all Friends, Helpes, Stayes, Hopes elſe faile, He
AloneqPſal. 27. 10. Eph. 1. 23. Col. 3. 11. 1 Cor. 15. 28. Pſal. 90. 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 therNum. 24. 21. Judg. 15. 8. c. 20. 45. 47. 1 Sam. 23. 25. Pſ. 94. 22. 1 Sam. 13. 6. c. 24. 2. Iſa. 2. 10. 19. 21 c. 17. 19. c. 33. 16. Jer. 4. 29. c. 16. 16. c. 48. 28. c. 49. 16. c. 51. 25. Obed. 3. 4. Rev. 6. 15. 16. ſtrongeſt, ſafeſt Fence,
Fort, Refuge 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 uſe to flye
For ayde and ſhelter in extremitie,
And is not Chriſt our Rocke, the ſtrongeſt Mound,
The ſafeſtsPſal. 18. 2. 31. 48. Pſ. 31. 3. Pſa. 61. 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 willt1 Pet. 4. 19. 2 Tim. 4. 18. Ioh. 10. 28. 29. protect them from all foes.
11.
Doves, Eagles, Conies, Fiſh invCant. 2. 14. Pro. 30. 26. Numb. 24. 21. Job 39. 28. 29. Pſal. 104. 18. Jer. 48. 28. Rockes doe breed,
Build, dwell and hide themſelves: Chriſts choſen ſeede
InxJoh. 15. 1. to 8. Cant. 2. 14. Iſay. 25. 4. Pſ. 32. 7. Pſ. 119 119. Iſa. 32. 2. Him alone breed, build, dwell, live, and hide
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 outwardyIſa. 2. 21. Ezech. 26. 4. forme nor comelineſſe
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. 118. 22. Mar. 21. 42. Act. 4. 11. Joh. 1. 10. 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
ThebEpheſ 3. 8. Col. 1. 16. 17. 18. c. 2. 9. 10. Eph. 1. 23. Ioh. 1. 16. richest Treaſures, Mines, Gems, hid from eye:
O judge not then byc1 Sam. 16. 7. out ſide, ſince corſe skinne
And rags oft times have Treaſures, PearlesdJam. 2. 5. Pſal. 45. 13. 1 Pet. 3. 4. Rom. 2. 28. 29. within,
Whiles guilded Outſides (like a eMat. 23. 27. 28.painted 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. 20. Ioh. 10. 28. 29. Rom. 8. 35. to 39. Pſal. 121. 1. to 8. Pſal. 125. 1. 2. 3.Chriſt defends his Church and feeble Sheepe,
Gainſt Devills, Tyrants, Wolves; who elſe would ſweepe
Them cleane away, and ſpeedily devoure,
If not protected 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. 18. Pſal. 60. 11Harbour 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 tohJudg. 15. 8. c. 20. 45. 1 Sam. 13. 6. c. 23. 25. c. 24. 2. Iſa. 2. 10. 19. 21. flye too, in extremitie.
Chriſt in iMat. 28. 20. Pſ. 34. 18. Pſal. 145. 18. Rom. 10. 6. 7. 8. Act. 10. 35. Pſal. 18. 1. 2.all places is ſtill neare at hand,
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 barekJudg. 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 onelyonlylPſal. 51. 17. Heb. 13. 15. 1 Pet. 2. 5. Phil. 2. 17. c. 4. 8. Pſ. 107. 22. Rom. 12. 1. Sacrifice)
Doth moſt regard, and them alone approve
Which laid onmHeb. 13. 15. Col. 3. 17. Joh. 13. 13. 14. c. 16. 24. 26. Christ our Rocke, doe from Him move,
And mount to HeavennRev. 5. 8. c. 8. 34. ſweetned with the fume
Of his rich Odors, which their ſtincke conſume.
17.
Altars of old were built onoJudg. 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 theqMat. 7. 26. 27. Luk. 6. 47. Sand,
And ſure to fall, which on Chriſt doe not ſtand;
As none doe now, ſithrHeb. 7. 12. 13. 14. to 28. c. 8. & 9. & 10. c. 13. 10. 1…. 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 CraggiesAmos. 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.ſloathfull 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, makeyLuk. 14. 28. to 34. account.
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 muſtaMat. 24. 42. 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. Lnk. 22. 46. 1 Theſ. 5. 6. 7. Eph. 5. 14.Shake off ſleepe, with all ſecurity:
Watching andc2 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 partdPſ. 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 waseMat. 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,fMat. 8. 27. Mar. 4. 41. Luk. 8. 25. Mat. 14. 33. when Seas and floods before Him fall;
Yea, prove a footeſtoole for his feete to tread,
AndgMa.. 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 ſomehJudg. 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 quiteiIſa. 53. 3. Pſal. 118. 22. Act. 4. 11. Mar. 9. 12. Joh. 1. 10. 11. neglect, deſpiſe,
Deſert, abandon tillkMat. 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.Forſake them quite, when 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 dothmMat. 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 29. 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;
ThoughpPhil. 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 pleaſantqNum. 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, ſuchr2 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, baſesEccleſ. 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,
HevMat. 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
Had faſted, then the Devill Him incites
ToxMat. 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) toyJoh. 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
AaPſal. 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
InbExod. 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 ſweeteſtcMat. 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 butd1 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 hiseJoh. 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 tofIſa. 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
AgIſa. 8. 14. 15. Luk. 2. 34. Rom. 9. 33. 1 Pet. 2. 8. Rocke offenſive, 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. Job. 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 notoJob. 6. 12. Jer. 23. 29. complaine
Cry, ſtir, though Tempeſts, Seas, Winds, Axes, Rain,
Nay Sledges be at 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 never bleate, ſtir, roare.
O let all Chriſtians now at laſt fromq1 Pet. 2. 19. to 25. Rev. 12. 12. Rom. 13. 10. Jam. 1. 3. 4. hence
Learne to beare croſſes with like Patience.
31.
TherMat. 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 yce and ſnow them hide from ſight:
So Chriſt on earth s1 Pet. 2. 22. 23. Heb. 2. 9. 10. 18. c. 4. 15. c. 12. 2. Matth. 4, 2. to 10. c. 27. and 28. Mar 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, thevMat. 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, madex1 King. 19 11. Nah. 1. 6. Rockes in pieces 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, rent, fall
In pieces, when Chriſt ſhall it ſhake, ſmite, call
By his Almighty Hand, or voyce; which make
The hardeſtz1 King. 19. 11. Joſh. 2. 11. Amos. 9. 13. Nah. 1. 5. 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.
RockesaJob. 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 laſtdRom. 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
TheeJoh. 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 thefMat. 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 allgHeb. 1. 8. 12. Pſal. 145. 13. 2 Pet. 1. 11. Eternity.
Here ſhall this ever-living raiſed Rocke
For everhRev. 22. 5. reigne amidſt his choſen Flocke.
35.
Our Rocke Chriſt being dead entombed lay
Within aiMar. 15. 46. 47. Mat. 27. 60. Luk. 23. 53. Rocke; where He grim death did ſlay.
We, Duſt and Earth, when dead, tokGen. 3. 19. Eccleſ. 3. 10. them returne:
But our dead Rocke, a Rocke had for his Ʋrne:
Which Him receiv'd, and habor'd even when,
He Slaine, and quitelIſa. 53. 3. 14 c. 4. 11. rejected was by Men.
O Rockes of Fleſh, and Bowels, which firſtmMat. 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 (morenJer. 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 ſhalloJoh. 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 thatpMar. 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 theqJob. 17. 1. 13. Pſal. 88. 3. 5. Place where we muſt lye
Inter'd, ere long, and fits us ſtill tor2 Tim. 4. 6. 7. 8. 1 Cor. 15. 31. dye:
Which done, it then revives our ſoules againe
With this ſweet Thought, that wesPſal. 19. 9. 10 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 Grave for ever; ſince our Saviour roſe
From thence againe, to rayſe us, and all thoſe
Who are his Members, from the Duſt, totRev. 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, if itv1 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. 20.Word, Workes, Sacraments, yea,yGen. 1. 26. 27. c. 3. 1. c. 9. 6. 1 Cor. 11. 7. Eph. 4. 24. Col. 3. 10. Heb. 1. 3. c. 2. 11. 12. 13. 14. 16. 17. Phil. 2. 7. 8. 1 Joh. 3. 2. Joh. 1. 14. 30. 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 thezPſal. 62. 2. 6. 7. Pſal. 94. 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. 7. 8. 2 Cor. 5. 8.living, cleaving, dying unto Thee
The onelyonly Rocke, where they full ſafe ſhall be.
Meditations of the ſecond Kinde, comparing Rockes and Sinnes together.
AGaine, Me thinkes, the Rockes doe typifie,
the nature of thoſe Sinnes which in us lye.
1.
For firſt, all Rockes exceedingcPro. 27. 3. Zech. 12. 3. Iſa. 32. 2. Heavie are,
To thoſe who them upon their ſhoulders beare:
Yet Light, not pondrous to their proper place:
So, to all Hearts renu'd with ſaving Grace
All ſinnes moredPſ. 38. 4. 5. Job 6. 3. 4. Mat. 11. 28. heavie than Rockes are, and ſeeme;
Though ſtony hearts them light and eaſie deeme.eZech. 12. 3. Dan. 2. 34. 35. Prov. 27. 3. 2…. Chron. 25. 12. Pſ. 137. 9. Eccl. 10. 9. Joſh. 10. 11.
2.
Rockes preſſe and bruiſe Them ſore on whom they lye,
And for meere anguiſh make them Roare and Cry.
Sinnes doe ſo too; when God doth once awake
Mens ſoules, their Preſſure makes themfPſal. 38. 1. to 11. Pſ. 32. 3. Pſ. 22. 1. Joh. 3. 24. Pſ. 88. 1. 2. 3. roare and quake.
O then beware of Sinnes, whichgMar. 11. 28. Pſal. 38. 8. 2 Sam. 24. 14. bruiſe, oppreſſe
Our ſoules, and worke nought elſe but their diſtreſſe.
Rockes ſinke, and bend ſtillhExod. 15. 5. Neh. 7. 11. Jer. 51. 63. 64. downe wards: Sins doe ſo,
Tending toiPſal. 9. 17. Pſal. 55. 15. Pro. 5. 5. 2 Pet. 2. 14. Iſa. 24. 24. Hell the Place to which they goe:
Each day they ſinke men lower than they were,
Till by degrees they them to Hell downe-beare.
Oh then betimes ſhake off theſekHeb. 12. 1. Amos 2. 13. Rev. 18. 21. weights, which preſſe
And ſinke our Soules to Hell, without redreſſe.
4.
RockslExod. 15. 16. 1 Sam. 25. 35. cold, hard, dead and ſenſeleſſe are;mHeb. 3. 13. Ezech. 3. 7. Epheſ. 2. 1. 2. c. 4. 18. 19. Sins make
All ſuch, within whoſe Hearts they Lodgings take:
Beware then how ſuch Gueſts we entertaine,
By which our Soules are deaded,n2 Chro. 25. 12. Iſa. 8. 14. 15. Pſal. 141. 6. Zech. 12. 3. hurt and Slaine.
5.
Rockes make men oft to ſtumble, ſlip, and fall;
And break their Bones, Limbs, Neckes, oft times withall:
Sinnes oIſa. 8. 15. Jer. 18. 15. Iſa. 24. 20. Jer. 8. 4. 12. c. 25. 27. c. 50. 32.doe the like. If then we would be free
From Slips and Break-neck-falls, we muſt them flee.
6.
Rockes arepIſa. 2. 21. deformed, horrid, barren, vile;
And ſo areqIſa. 64. 6. Ezech. 16. 3. to 40. Pro. 13 5. Gen. 49. 4. ſinnes, with all whom they defile.
Theſe make Men ugly, filthy, Steril, baſe,
And all their Glory, Beauty quite deface;
Yea, change them intorEzech. 21. 25. c. 22. 27. Monſters, wolves, dogs, ſwine;
Nay sJoh. 6. 70. 71. c. 8. 44. Act. 20. 29. 2 Pet. 2. 22. Rev. 22. 15.Fiends incarnate. O then Sinnes decline!
7.
Where tExod. 15. 16. Job 18. 4. c. 28. 9.Rockes once fixe their Stations, they remaine;
And none but God can move them thence againe:
So Sins once ſetled in Mens Hearts, therevJer. 13. 23. Rom. 7. 18. to 25. Zeph. 12. Jude 10. 11. 12. 13. ſtand
Faſt centred, till Gods owne Almighty hand
Expell them thence. O then let no Sinnes lye
Upon our Soules, but out them preſently,
Leſt they ſhould xHeb. 3. 12. 13. Eph. 1. 1. 2. 3. c. 4. 18. 19. Rom. 1. 23. to 29.ſettle; for if once they reſt
Within them, they are hardly diſpoſſeſt.
8.
Rockes areyJer. 5. 3. Mat. 7. 25. 26. Job 41. 24. exceeding hard to batter, breake,
Mine, pierce, demoliſh. So let all Men ſpeake,
And they muſt ſay, thatzJer. 13. 23. Epheſ. 1. 19. 20. 1 Cor. 9. 27. Rom. 7. 18. to 25. Heb. 12. 1. all Sinnes are ſo too,
We ruine, breake them ſtill with much adoe.
He who doth thinke his Sinnes with eaſe to quell,
Shall never tame, nor from him them expell.
9.
Rockes make their DwellersaObad. 3. 4. Jer. 21. 13. c. 49. 16. feareleſſe, and ſecure
Of Foes or Perils, and to thinke all ſure:
SinnesbJob 12. 6. Iſa. 28. 15. 18. Deut. 29. 19. 20 Judg. 18. 7. 10. 27. Ezech. 28. 2. to 12. doe the like to thoſe that in them dwell;
Who feare no dangers till they ſinke to hell.
O then beware leſt Sinnes make us ſecure.
No State's ſo ill, as that which ſeemes moſt ſure!
10.
All Rockes arecJer. 5. 3. bluſhleſſe, ſhameleſſe, impudent;
Sinnes are ſo too, nought can then daunt, relent.
And by degrees Mens Hearts, Browes they ſodJer. 3. 3. c. 6. 15. c. 8. 12. Ezech. 2. 4. c. 3. 7. Heb. 3. 13. ſteele
That they no Sinne, Bluſh, ſhame, diſgrace can feele.
Take heede then leſt Sinne, firſt, us ſhameleſſe make,
Then Senſeleſſe, Graceleſſe, fit for Hells dread Lake.
11.
Rocks, ſtonese2 King. 3. 19. 25. good grounds oft ſpoyle, and quite deface:
So fEzech. 18. 24. 26.ſinnes good men deprave, marre ſhame, diſgrace.
12.
Rockes, Stones in fertile Soiles themgIſa. 5. 2. 2 King. 53. 19. 25. Mat. 13. 5. Mat. 4. 5. 6. Lu. 8. 6. 7. barren make;
And nought will ſpring, or grow there, till men take
Them thence: So Rockes and Stones of Sinne decay,
And make Menh1 Pet. 2. 1. 2. Jam. 4. 1. to 12. fruitleſſe till remov'd away.
No fruites of Grace will ever grow, or ſprout
Up in them, till theſe Stones be digged out.
13.
Great RockesiEzech. 24. 7. 8. Rev. 6. 15. 16. Numb. 23. 9. apparent are to each Mans eye,
And all both farre and neare may them eſpie.
Great Sinnes in all, in k2 Sam. 12. 10. 11. 12. 14. Exech. 16. 36. 37. 38. Iſa. 3. 9.Great men ſpecially,
Themſelves to all both farre and neare deſcry;
Whence lEzech. 24. 7. 8.Scripture ſaith, they are on Rockes Tops ſet,
And doe inm1 King. 13. & 14. & 16. others worlds of Sinnes beget.
Let all, but Great ones chiefely, all Sinnes flye;
Which though kept cloſe, will yet n2 Sam. 12 1. 12. Pſa. 90. 8 Eccleſ. 12. 14. Mar. 4. 22.themſelves deſcry.
14.
Wildeo1 Sam. 24. 2. Job. 39. 1. Goates in Rockes ſeede, live, and much delight:
So, wicked Men, ſtil'dpMat. 25. 32. 33. Goates both day and night
InqEph. 2. 1. 2. 3. c. 4. 19. Rom. 1. 27. to 32. 1 Joh. 5. 19. 2 Pet. 2. 13. to 22. ſinnes and luſts doe wallow, live and joy;
Though they their ſoules at laſt will quite deſtroy.
O Madneſſe! thus in Sinnes to take delight,
Which againſt God, Soule, Body, alwayesr1 Pet. 2. 11. Act. 5. 39. c. 2…. 9. fight.
15.
The Steepe high Rockes, and Forts which on them ſtand
Are neversJer. 39. 1. 2. 3. Ezech. …9. 18. ſcal'd, or won but by ſtrong hand;
Much Paines, Long Seige, or Famine, which doe pine,
Or ſtarve their Men, and cauſe them to reſigne.
The ſteepe, high, craggie Rockes and Forts of ſin
Within us, none can evert1 Cor. 9. 27. Rom. 7. 18. to 25. Mat. 17. 21. Luk. 2. 37. 1 Cor. 7… 5. 2 Cor. 6. 5. c. 11. 27. Scale, force, win,
But by ſtrong hand, much coſt, paines, ſweate, ſtrife, care,
Long Seige, and Eaſts, by which they ſtarved are,
And forc'd at laſt for very want to yeeld,
Where elſe they would have made us leave the field.
Its then no eaſie thing to conquer Sinne:
They muſt beſtir them who its Forts would winne.
16.
Rockes,vAct. 27. 29. wrecke, ſinke, breake Ships, Boates: So Sins oft x1 Tim. 6. 9. Rev. 21. 18.ſplit
And drowne thoſe Soules which on them daſh or hit;
Not in Sea-waters, but in Lakes of fire,
Where they ſhall ever feele Gods ſcorching Ile.
17.
Inſtruct us then, O Chriſt, our Rocke, to ſhun
All Sinnes as Rockes; and not on them to run,
For feare of ruine, and ſtill give us Grace
To flye theſe Rockes of Sinne in every place,
With greater care thanyAct. 27. 29. Sea-men doe avoyde
Thoſe noted Rockes, which thouſands have deſtroyd;
Not once preſuming to approach or hit
Againſt ſuch Rockes; as others Soules have ſplit.
And ſince ſunke Rockes ofzPſa. 19. 12. Job. 34. 32. ſecret Sinnes that lye
Hid in our Hearts, andaJam. 5. 1. 5. Iſa. 22. 12. 13. 14. c. 5. 12. 13. 14. c. 47. 7. 8. 9. Zeph. 2. 15. Job. 21. 10 12. 13. Amos. 6. 3. to 8. c. 8: 10. worldly jollity,
Mirth, Paſtimes, Pleaſures, (where we leaſt ſuſpect,
Or feare a danger) moſt ſoules ſtill have wreckt;
Teach us theſe Rocks to ſee, and then to flye
With chiefeſt care, and them not to come nigh.
Yea, ſith no Sea ſo fraught with Rockes can be,
As this whereon our Soules ſayle towards Thee:
O Shield us from theſe Rocks by thy great Power,
Which elſe will Split and Sinke us every houre:
That ſo we may at laſt arive ſecure
In Heaven's bleſt Port, where Joyes for aye endure.
Meditations of the third Sort, ſuiting Rockes, and Gods Elect together.
BEſides, theſe Rockes preſent before our Eyes
The State of Gods Elect, in lively wiſe.
1.
Rockes fixed are,bJob 18. 4. Mat. 7. 25. 26. not toſſed to and fro,
With every Winde, Storme, Tempeſt: Even ſo
Gods Choſen Sheepe withcRom. 8. 35. 36. 37. 38. 39. firme and ſtable Hearts
Adhere to Him in all their Troubles, Smarts:
No Stormes, Windes, Croſſes, Changes can remove
Them from his Word, Sonne, Spirit, Truth or Love:
When dJoh. 6. 66. 67. 68. 2 Pet. 1. 10. 11.Troopes of others ſhrinke, and fall away,
They cleave to him as to their onelyonly Stay.
2.
Rockes manyeMat. 7. 25. 26. Winds, Stormes, Tempeſts undergoe:
And doe not all thefPſal. 34. 13. Act. 23. 22. Pſa. 73. 14. Saints, whiles here, doe ſo?
3.
Rockes meekely beare and ſuffer Stormes that fall,
And never fret, rage, or repine at all:
GodsgPſal. 39. 2. 9. 1 Sam. 3. 8. 2 Sam. 15. 25. 26. 27. c. 18. 4. to 14. Saints without all murmur, fret, or cry
Their Croſſes, Loſſes beare moſt quietly;
Submitting unto God, whoſe Providence
All bitter Potions doth to them diſpenſe.
4.
All men on hMat. 7. 25. 26.Rockes may ſafely build and reſt:
And of all truſty friends, the Saints are beſt.
Oni3 Ioh. 5. 6. Prov. 17. 17. c. 18. 24. Joh. 15. 13. whom we may all times with truſt relye,
And to them in all Dangers ſafely flye.
5.
RockeskIſa. 2. 21. Ezech. 26. 4. bare and ragged are: The Saints oft lPſa. 37, 26. Jam. 2. 5. 1 Cor. 4. 11. 12. c. 16. 1. 2. 2 Cor. 6. 10. c. 8. 2. 4. Rom. 15. 26.Poore,
In outward State; but ſeldome begge at doore.
6.
Yet though Rockes Outſides be but baſe and rude,
They richeſt Mines within their wombes include:
So though Saints Outſides be but ragged, baſe,
Within themmJam. 2. 5. Pſal. 45. 13. Epheſ. 3. 19. Phil. 1. 11. Col. 1. 9. 10. 11. Heb. 11. 37. 38. hidden lye gold-Mines of Grace.
7.
Stones digged out of Rockes and hewed ſquare
Then1 King. 5. 17. 18. c. 6. 7. 8. c. 7. 3. 10. 11. 2 Chron. 2. & 3. 2 King. 12. 12. Ezech. 40. 42. faireſt Temples, Buildings make that are.
So Gods Elect, though vile whiles that they lye
In Natures Quarries in deformitie;
Yet hew'de out thence, ſquar'd, poliſht by Gods Grace,
And layd in order in their proper Place,
BecomeoPſal. 14, 4. 12. Iſa. 11. 11. 12. 1 Cor. 3. 16. 17. 2 Cor. 6. 16. Epheſ. 2. 21. rich Temples wherein God doth dwell,
And doe all other ſtructures farre excell,
In worth, and glory: Lord thus ſquare, and lay
Us in theſe Sacred walls, which laſt for aye.
8.
Rockes for the moſt part lowly are and meeke:
The pPſa. 131. 1. 2. 3. Col. 3. 1. 2. 3. Heb. 11. 13. 14. 15. 16. 24. 25. 26. 35. 36. 37. 38. 2 Cor. 4. 9. to 18.Saints are ſo, and no high places ſeeke;
In this vaine world; where they dejected lye
Till God advance them to the Starrie skie.
9.
Rockes Kingdomes, Iſlands guard and fortifie
Gainſt raging Seas, Floods, Stormes, and Enemie:
qExod. 32. 11. to 15. Jam. 5. 16. 17. 18. 2 King. 2. 12. c. 6. 2. to 24. c. 8. 9. c. 20. 6. Gen. 28. 23. to 25. Act. 27. 24. 2 King. 13. 14. 28.Saints holy Lives, and frequent Prayers ar
States ſureſt Guards; Forts, both in Peace and war;
Theſe Shield-off Judgements, Foes, Plagues, yea Gods Ire,
Which elſe would waſt, and ſcorch them worſe than Fire.
10.
Rockes from their Sides ſend forthrNumb. 20. 10. 11. 12. Deut. 8. 15. Pſal. 105. 41. Springs ſweete and pure,
Mens Thirſt to quench, their wounds and ſores to cure:
And who but Chriſt and Saints can sIſa. 61. 1. c. 4…. 1. 2. 2 Cor. 1, 4. 5.Comfort bring
To Sinne-ſicke Soules, and thoſe who feele the Sting
Gripes, Torments, Flames of Hell and Conſcience?
Or binde up broken, hearts, and chaſe from thence
All feares and horrid Terrors? Which an Hell
On Earth oft make in thoſe wherein they dwell?
Hence all ſuch wounded Soules doe ever fly
Tot2 Cor. 1. 4. 5. 6. Act. 9. 10. to 20. theſe for Comfort in extremity:
Since no ungodly wretch can cheare, or eaſe
A Sinne-ſicke Soule, nor aking Heart appeaſe.
11.
Rockes moſt deſpiſed and neglected are,
As worthleſſe Creatures: Thus Gods Saints oft fare
v1 Cor. 4. 9 to 13. Heb. 11. 36. 37. 38. Mal. 3. 14. to 18.Contem'd, abhor'd of Moſt, as vile and baſe,
Though of Mankinde the onelyonly Pearles, Starres, Grace.
12.
Rockes hurt no Shippes, Boates, Men, but ſuch as xAct. 27. 29.hit
Themſelves againſt them; and ſo breake or ſplit:
So Gods Elect doe never hurt, breake, quaſh
Any, but thoſe whoy1 King. 13. 4. 6. Act. 9. 4. 5. wilfully rune, daſh,
Bruiſe, breake, themſelves againſt them; who muſt check?
And blame themſelves, not them, for this their wreck.
13.
God firſt ingrav'd his Sacred Lawes upon
A Marble RockezExod. 24. 12. c. 31. 18. c. 34. 29. Deut. 4. 13. c. 5. 22. c. 9. 10. 11. 15. 17. a Table made of Stone;
Not brittle Glaſſe, ſoft Paper; that they might
Out laſt all time: God, ſtill, his Lawes doth write
On hardeſt Rockes; Saints ſtable aJer. 31. 33. 2 Cor. 3. 3.Hearts, whereby
They Time ſurvive, and gaine eternity.
The two firſt Stony Tables whereuopon
God ſtampt his Lawes, broke, loſt were long agon:
Theſe harder Tables of Saints Hearts remaine,
And in them Gods bleſt Lawes for aye retaine.
Lord, I my heart abEzech. 11. 19. c. 36. 26. Rocke have made: O carve
Therein thy Lawes, from which it may not ſwarve.
And ſince it ſhall out-dure the firmeſt Rocke,
O, this rich treaſure ever in it locke!
Yea, make each Saints Stone-Heart the Treaſury
Of thy ſweete Lawes, for all eternity.
14.
Rockes in moſt places thinly ſcatred are;
Saints in all places are moſt cLuk. 13. 23. 24. Iſa. 17. 6.thinne and rare.
d1 Pet. 1. 1. 2. Heb. 11. 36. 37.Diſperſed here and there, where hid they lye
In ſecret Corners in obſcurity;
Driven from Country, Lands, Houſe, Home, by thoſe
Who for theirePſal. 38. 20. Goodneſſe onelyonly are their Foes.
15.
Rockes burnt tofIſa. 33. 12. Lime, doe faſten, joyne, ſement
Stones in all Buildings, and them free from rent:
Yea; laid on barren Grounds where nought would ſpring,
They make them fertile, and great Crops to bring:
So Gods Elect, when melted by the Flame
Of his ſweete Spirit,gEph. 4. 3. to 17. Rom. 15 5. 6. 7. c. 16. 17. 18. 1 Cor. 1. 10. 11. 12. 13. c. 12 4. to 31. Phil. 1. 27. 28. Jud. 3. 4. Rev. 2. 14. knit, unite the Frame
And Stones of his Church here on Earth together,
And keepe out Errours, Sects that would it ſever:
Yea, ſent to barren Soiles where grew no Grace,
They make thembAct. 26. 17. 18. Rom. 1. 13. c. 15. 18. 19. 20. Col. 1. 6. fruitfull, and in better caſe.
16.
Rockes cut and poliſht, turne to richeſt Gems
Become Kings Treaſures,iZech. 9. 16. 2 Sam. 12. 30. crowne their Diadems.
Saints ſquar'd and poliſht from their droſſe by Grace,
Prove Gods richkMal. 3. 17. Jewels, in his Crowne have place.
Lord ſo refine me that I may be ſet,
A Stone, Pearle, Jewel in thy Coronet.
Amidſt thoſe Saints which thou reput'ſt ſuch Gems
As farre excell, out-ſhine all Diadems.
Sweete Jeſus make me of thy Choſen Flocke,
That I, like them, may be a bleſſed Rocke.
Meditations of the fourth Claſſe, ſampling Rockes, and Rockie Hearts, with ungodly Men, together.
YEt more, me thinkes Rockes repreſent to all
Mans Rockie Heart, and Nature, ſince the fall,
In ſome Reſpects, wherein they well agree
With Stony Hearts; from which God make us free.
1.
Rockes are exceeding lJer. 5. 3.Shameleſſe, Impudent;
Nought will them daunt, or cauſe for to relent.
So men of Stony Hearts, have mJer. 3. 3. c. 5. 3. c. 8. 12. Ezech. 2. 4. c. 3. 7.Browes of Steele,
Faces of Rocke, which no bluſh, ſhame can feele.
No ſhamefull Sinne, Convictions, or Diſgrace
Will daunt, or cauſe them once to hide the Face.
It is theirnPhil. 3. 19. glory to be voyd of ſhame,
And vaunt of that which doth them moſt defame.
2.
Rockes ſhew no mercy, but tooJoſh. 10. 10. Judg. 9. 53. 54. Zech. 12. 3. Luk. 13. 4. 2 Chron. 25. 12. peeces mall,
Breake, bruiſe, or hurt, all thoſe on whom they fall.
So men of Rockie hearts arep2 King. 8: 12. 13. Gen. 5. 7. Pſal. 71. 4. Prov. 12. 10. Je…. 6. 23. c. 50. 42. Pſal. 27. 12. Ezech. 34. 4. mercileſſe,
And breake, bruiſe, teare, cruſh, all they doe oppreſſe.
No Cries, Parts, Vertues, Merits can aſſwage
Their cruell Projects, nor divert their Rage.
O let me rather fall into the Pawes
OfqProv. 17. 12. Beares or Lyons, than an hard Hearts Jawes.
3.
Rocks make thoſerIſa. 47. 2. Milſtones which doe grinde, bruiſe, teare
The Corne we uſe, to make us Bread, or Beere:
So men of Rockie Hearts ſtill ſerve tosExod 1. 12. c. 4. Iſa. 3. 15. grinde,
Preſſe, bruiſe Gods Choſen, till they be refinde
From all their Huskes of ſinne, and made meete Food
For Gods ſweete Pallate, to their greateſt Good.
4.
Some Rockes burnt in the Fornace harder grow;
And nought buttDeut. 8. 9. Job 28. 2. Steele, or Iron from them flow:
Which ſerves to breake, hew, poliſh, fit, and ſquare
Rude Rockes and Stones, and Stately piles to reare:
Gods fiery Fornace Rockie Hearts makes more
vIſa. 1. 5. 6. 2 Chro. 28. 22. 23.Hard, and obdurate than they were before;
Yea all its ſcorching Heate the which they feele,
Serves but to turne them into harder Steele,
Or Iron; for to breake, hew, poliſh, pare
The Rockes and Stones which God layes in the rare
And choiſeſt Buildings of his Church: whoſe walls
ArexExod. 1. 12. c. 4. built, not ras'd, with theſe hard Iron Malls.
And Tooles of Steele, though they no yAct. 8. 21.Part nor ſhare
Have in the Temples which they helpe to reare.
5.
The moſt miſchievous Inſtruments of war
Wounds, Bloodſhed, firſt fromzJob 28. 2. Deut. 8. 9. Rockes extracted ar;
As Canons, Muſquets, Bullets, Sword, Bills, Speares
With other weapons, where with Man kills, teares,
Torments, Maimes, Stabs his Brother in deſpite,
As if he did in nought but Blood delight:
So from Mens StonyaMat: 15. 19. Gen. 6. 5. c. 8. 21. c. 27. 41. Hearts firſt flow and ſpring
All Miſchiefes, Murders, Warres, Sinnes, each ill thing:
Theſe were the Artiſts which did firſt invent
Each bloody, murth'ring, warlike Inſtrument;
The Shops in which they forged were, the Armes
That weild them ſtill, & work a world of Harmes.
O curſed Hearts of Rocke from whence doe flow
All Evills, Miſchiefes, woes we heare, ſee, know!
Lord free and ever keepe us from ſuch Hearts,
Which are the Cauſe of all our Sinnes, Ills, Smarts.
6.
Rockes make thoſe in thembObad. 3. 4. Jer. 21. 13. 14. c. 49. 16. careleſſe, Proud, Secure
From feare of Danger: Stony Hearts are ſure
To make allcIſ. 47. 7. 8 9. 10. 11. c. 5. 19.
Them in great Miſchiefes ere they be aware.
Rockes aredJob 41. 24. Jer. 23. 29. Nah. 1. 6. Jer. 5. 3. exceeding Hard; and ſooner broke
Than ſquar'd or poliſht with the Axes ſtroke:
Mens Stony Hearts ſo hard and flinty are,
That all Gods Axes, JudgementseIſa. 1. 5. 2 Chron. 28. 22. Exod. 5. to 13. Jer. 5. 3. c 2. 30. Iſa. 9. 30. Amos 4. 6. to 14. Rom. 2. 4. 5. cannot ſquare
Them to his Rules, nor cauſe them to amend,
And ſooner breake than rent, or make them bend.
He who in hardeſt fExo. 31. 18. c. 34. 1. 4. 29.S…es of old impreſt
His Sacred Lawes, upon a Rockie Breſt
Cannot ingrave them: Lord what Hearts of Flint
Have Men, whereon thy Lawes can make no Print!
Nought but Chriſts blood theſe gEzech. 11. 19. c. 36. 26. Jer. 32. 39.Adamants can thaw
And ſquare them to the Models of Gods Law.
8.
No heate of Sunne or Fornace Rockes will melt,
But harden rather, and their Heat's not felt:
Gods hIſa. 26. 10. 11. c. 1. 5. c. 9. 30. Jer. 5. 3. 2 Chro. 36. 14. 15 16. Jer. 25. 3. to 15. c. 29. 19. c. 32. 33. Amos. 4. 6. to 13. Hoſ. 6. 4. 5. Rom. 2. 4. 5.Sun-ſhine Mercies, and his ſweeteſt Grace;
His fiery Fornace, and his frowning face,
Mens Rockie Hearts will neither warme, relent,
Affect, melt, change, nor move them to repent.
9.
Moſt Rocks are iEzech. 26. 4 Amos 6. 12.barren, yeelding nought for Back
Or Belly, that Mankinde or Beaſts doe lack:
ManskEzech. 11. 19. Math. 13. 5. 6. 20. 21. Mar. 4. 5. Luke 8. 6. Stonie Heart's as Barren: no good Thing,
No Fruites of Grace, Faith, Vertue in it ſpring.
10.
Thornes, Thiſtles,lJudg. 8. 7. 16. Brambles, Weedes of Rockes oft grow;
All Stony Hearts with theſe, ſtillmHeb. 6. 8. Rom. 1. 24. to 32. c. 2. 4. 5. over-flow:
Fruitefull in nothing, but thoſe tares of vice,
And ſinne, which barre them out of Paradiſe.
11.
Rockes Deafe and Senceleſſe are of good, and ill:
HardnEpheſ. 4. 18. 19. 1 Tim. 4. 2. Proverb. 23. 35. Deut. 29 2. 3. 4. Iſa. 6. 9. 10. 2 Chron. 36. 15. 16. Hearts are ſo, and neither can, doe, will,
Gods Word, Law, Workes regard, Heare, underſtand;
Nor, feare his angry; kiſſe, his ſoothing hand.
12.
The fierceſt Stormes,oMat. 7. 25. 26. Winds, Waves, on Rookes doe daſh:
GodspDeut. 28. 15. to 68. 1. Sam. 5. 7. 2. Chron. 21. 19. Ezech. 14. 21. Mich: 2. 10. Heb. 10. 29. Soreſt Judgements Stonie Hearts doe laſh:
And though they ſeldome feele Gods ſtroke or Curſe;
This nothing Mends, butqEpheſ. 4. 18. 19. Rom. 2. 5. makes their Caſe farre worſe.
13.
The pleaſant Showres, Drops, Dewes that on Rockes light.
Make them not fruitfull; nor in better plight:
But glide away forthwith, not ſinking downe
To make them Mellow, good, or ſinne to drowne:
So RockierHeb. 6. 7. 8. c. 3. 13. 8. Mat. 13. 5. 6. Iſa. 28. 10. 13. 2 Chro. 36. 15. 16. Jer. 23. 3. 4. c. 35. 15. Hearts, though they receive the raine,
And frequent ſhowres of Gods bleſt Word; remaine
Still Barren, Hard, and Senceleſſe; nought will ſtay
That drops upon them, but all ſlides away
That's Good or Sacred; onelyonly Flouds of sJob 15. 16.ſinne
Sinke downe with ſpeede, and freely enter in.
14.
None craggietLuk. 8. 6. 13. Amos. 6. 12. Rockes will Till, Plough, Plant, or Sow;
Their Labours loſt who doe it, nought will grow.
Obdurate Hearts few uſe to Plough or Till
With Godly Precepts, Counſells; ſith they ſtill
v2 Chron. 36. 15. 16. Jer. 23. 3. 4. Mat. 7. 6. Prov. 9. 7. 8.Neglect, deride, contemne them; ſo as all
The ſeede is loſt which on the Rockes doth fall.
15.
Rockes blunt, and hurt the edge of Tooles that ſmite,
Or ſquare them for good uſes; yea in ſpite
Their Chips and Shivers daſh againſt the Eyes,
Face, Shins of thoſe that hew them. Loe the guiſe
Of Rockie Hearts, whichxPro. 9. 7. 8. Mat. 7. 6. Prov. 15. 12. 1 King. 13. 4. c. 18. 17. 18. 2 Chron. 24. 19. 20. 21. 22. c. 36. 15. 16. Mat. 23. 37. Gal. 4. 16. hurt and malice thoſe
Who checke their ſinnes, and hate them as their Foes.
Yea, let their Paſtors in their Miniſtry
But touch their Sores, into their Face they flye:
So zealous are they for thoſe Sinnes, which end
In hell, when they will not Gods cauſe defend.
O that our zeale for God were halfe ſo much
As for our darling Crimes, when Men them touch:
Then would we let themyPſal 141. 5. Pſal. 139. 23. 24. Prov. 8. 9. c. 29. 25. ſtrike, wound, lance, yea Slay
Our deareſt Sinnes; and thanke, not them gaine-ſay.
16.
Rockes Cold and Heavie are, andzJob. 18. 4. never move
Out of their Places; nor mount up above
Unleſſe perforce; and then they ever aRev. 18. 21. Jer. 51. 63. 64. Neh. 9. 11. Exod. 15. 5. 10 Matth. 18. 6. Mark. 9. 42. Luk. 17. 2.bend
Downe to the Center; whence they did aſcend
So bRom. 2. 4. 5. c. 1. 23. to 32. Ephe. 4. 18. 19. 2 Pet. 2. 20. 21. 22.Rockie Hearts are Cold, and lumpiſh ſtill
To all that good is; prone to nought but Ill:
No Love, Heate, zeale to God within them flame;
His Cauſe they'le not ſtir in for Love, nor Shame:
Their Thoughts, Minds, Cares are fixt oncPhil. 3. 18. 19. things below,
And never upwards Soare to view, mind, know
The things above; unleſſe ſome dIſa. 26. 11. 16.ſodaine Feare
Of Death, Hell, Danger up them ſcrue or reare
Againſt their Wills: which paſt, to Earth they hie
With greater poyſe, and there ſtill groveling lie.
17.
RockeseHab. 2. 19. Dumbe and ſilent are: So Hearts of Stone
For good Diſcourſe have neither Tongue, nor Tone
Sitting ſtillfIſa. 56. 10. Job. 15. 3. Mute like ſtones without voyce, ſence,
When any fall to godly Conference.
18.
RockesgEzech. 26. 4. bare and naked are; whence all may ſpie
Their Nakedneſſe, and groſſe Deformitie.
All Stony Hearts, arehEzech. 16. 3. to 15. Rev. 17. 18. naked, poore, and bare;
Their Bareneſſe, vileneſſe, wants expoſed are
To all Mens view; till Chriſts rich Robes of Grace
Cloath or Adorne them, and theſe wants deface.
19.
Rockes Liveleſſe are; and Stony Hearts are iMat. 8. 22. Joh. 5. 25. 19. Epheſ. 2. 1. 5. c. 5. 14.Dead;
No life of Grace was ever in them bred:
Yea, all who now draw breath, muſt ſhortlyKHeb. 9. 27. Pſal. 89. 48. dye,
(Who knowes how ſoone) and dead as Rockes ſhall lye.
20.
Rockes till by force they broken be, and ſlit,
l2 Chron. 2. 2. 18. 1 King. 5. 17. c. 7. 9. 10. 12.Hewd, poliſht, for all Buildings are unfit:
Thus Rockie Hearts till God themmEzech. 36. 26. Joel 2. 13. Hoſea 6. 5. rent, hew, ſquare;
To build his Houſe, Church, Temple, uſeleſſe are.
21.
Rockes make MennIſa. 8. 14. fall and ſtumble, to their Paine
And Hurt: That oRom. 2. 5. Eph. 4. 18. 19.Rockie Hearts doe thus, tis plaine;
Since all our Slips, Falls, Bruiſes, Sinnes proceede
From Stony Hearts, which make us take no heede.
22.
RockespAct. 27. 29. Shipwracke thoſe, who doe too neare them ſayle;
And ſunken Rockes to ſplit Ships moſt prevaile:
Thus Rockie Hearts unleſſe we from them fly
WillqRom. 2. 4. 5. Epheſ. 4. 18. 19. 1 Tim. 6. 9. wracke us all; but yet eſpecially
When neither Felt, nor Seene: for then we run
With full-ſaile on them, and are quite undone.
23.
Rockes feele no Burthens, weights that on them lie;
So Rockie Hearts doe neverrEpheſ. 4. 18. 19. ſigh, groane, cry
Ʋnder the Weights and Burthens of their Crimes,
(ThoughsPſal. 38. 4. Matth. 11. 28. Job 6. 3. heavier than the Sands a thouſand times)
And why? becauſe they never feele their poyſe
Till it them ſinke to Hell, and quite deſtroyes.
24.
Not all the Men on Earth, with all their Art
Can make one Rock, or Stone; much leſſe an Heart;
But onelyonly tJoh. 1. 3.God himſelfe: yet Men alone
Are thevPſal. 95. 8. Exod. 8. 15. Creators of all Hearts of Stone,
Not God: O wonder, that Men ſhould create
Nought but Hard Rockie Hearts which God doth hate:
Such Hearts can none elſe but Men, Fathers call,
Which ſinke ſtill downewards, till to Hell they fall.
25.
O then when ever we a Rocke ſhall ſee,
Let theſe thoughts to our Mindes recalled be:
Yea, ponder what OldxEzech. 11. 19. c. 36. 26. Pſal. 51. 10. 17. Rockie Hearts we have
By Sinne and Nature: then New, ſoft Hearts crave,
With fervent Prayers, Grones, Sighes, Teares; ſo we
Our Hearts of Rocke, to fleſh transform'd ſhall ſee.
And if we finde, feele, know by ſignes moſt ſure
Our hearts thus changed, and made ſoft, and pure;
Let us for ever in Word, Deede, Life, Thought,
Extoll and (y) praiſe Him who this Change hath wrought;
Keeping a narrowzAct. 2. 46. 47. Eph. 3. 20. 21. watch both night and day,
Over our cheating Hearts; for feare leſt they
Should by degrees freeze, or growaHeb. 3. 13. c. 12. 15. Prov. 4. 23. hard againe,
Yea turne to Rockes, and ſo for aye remaine.
26.
Sweete Jeſus bEzech. 11. 19. c. 36. 26.take our Stony Hearts away,
And give us hearts of fleſh, we humbly pray;
And of all other Plagues, from us avert
This as the greateſt, an obdurate Heart.
And ſince of all our Parts Thou doſt require,
Seeke, prize ourcProv. 23. 26. Hearts moſt; grant us we deſire
Such broken, contrite tender Hearts, as may
Delight Thee moſt; and never from Thee ſtray.
Such Hearts Thou onelyonly canſtdPſal. 51. 10. 17. create, not we;
Make our Hearts ſuch; then happy ſhall we be.
Miſcellanie Meditations of the fifth Kinde.
TO winde up all; Rockes to our Mindes preſent Some other uſefull Thoughts, with great content.
1.
When we behold ſomee2 Chro. 2. & 3. 1 King. 5. 17. 18. c. 6. 7. 8. c. 7. 3. 10. 11. 2 King. 12. 12. c. 32. 6. Stones with Tooles and Barres
Dig'd out of Rockes, and taken from the Quarres;
To build ſome Stately Church; whiles others ſtay
Still there, unwrought; though quite as good as they:
It mindes us of that common Rocke wherein
Mankinde corrupted lay, through Adams Sinne:
From whence God byfPſal 144. 12. Iſa. 14. 11. 12. c. 51. 1. Rom. 9. 11. to 31. c. 8. 29. 30. c. 11. 5. 6. 7. Epheſ. 1. 4. 5. 11. c. 2. 4. to 22 c. Pet. 2. 4. 5. 6. 7. 2 Theſ. 2. 13. Mat. 24. 40. 4. c. 20. 16. Mal. 1. 2. 3. Ex. 33. 19. Jer. 18. 6. 2 Tim. 2. 9. Election and meere Grace
Culls out ſome Stones (though few) which he doth place
Within his Churches Buildings; where they lie
Faſt joyn'd to Chriſt, for all Eternitie:
When as all others (though as good as they
And of the ſelfeſame Rocke,Originall or Actuall. Quar, Lumpe, and Clay:)
Lye ſtill unpoliſht, in the rotten Maſſe,
And State of Sinne, untill to Hell they paſſe;
Without Injuſtice, ſince Gods Grace isgHoſ. 14. 4. Mat. 10. 14. Rom. 3. 24. c. 8. 32. c. 11. 5. 6. free;
And none but forhMath. 25. 41. 42. 43. Mark. 16. 16. Pſal. 51. 4. 5. Lam. 3. 39. ſome Sinne ſhall damned be.
2.
When I conſider that alliIſa. 22. 16. Mark. 15. 46. Tombeſtones, Urnes,
And Tombes, where Man, *Gen. 3. 19.meere Duſt, to Duſt returnes;
Are broken pieces of ſome Rockes; I then
Behold my Tombe-ſtone, in each Rocke I ken:
And ſay; Loe here's the laſting Monument
Wherein my Body muſt ere long be pent,
And ſhut Cloſe Priſner, till thekJoh. 5. 58. Rev. 20. 12. 13. Judgement day,
When all its Ruſt and Bolts ſhall fall away.
Which Thought digeſted, makes me ſtill amend
My Life; and fits me alwayes for mine End.
Let all revolve it oft within their Minde,
And they ſhall Treaſure, Honey in it finde.
3.
When I behold ſome people dwell, live, lye
In lJob 24. 8. Obad. 3. Jer. 48. 28.Caves of Rockes; I then thinke preſently;
He who a Cottage wants his Head to Hide,
Shall finde ſome Rocke, or Hole where to abide;
In which he may ſleepe freer from feares, Foes,
And Cares, than thoſe whom Caſtles, Guards, incloſe.
What neede we care then here for Houſe or Home,
If theſe ſhould faile, yet Rockes will give us Roome
To Lodge and hide in: Here m1 King. 17 4. 13. c. 19. 9. 11. 15. Heb. 11. 38. Gen. 19. 30. Judg. 6. 2. 1 Sam. 13. 6. c. 24. 2. 3. 4. 7. Exod. 33. 21. 22.Gods deareſt Saints
Have liv'd, and hid oft times without Complaints;
And beene more happie in theſe caved Stones
Than greateſt Monarchs in their royall Thrones.
Repine not then though Clifts of Rocks ſhould be
Thine Houſe or Home, ſith there thou mayſt be free,
Safe, bleſſed, chearefull, and to God more nigh
Than thoſe who in the faireſt Pallace lye.
4.
The precious Jewels nProv. 2. 4. Job 3. 21. Mat. 14. 44. Pſal. 17. 14. Col. 2. 3.Treaſures, Stones which are
Lockt up and hid in courſeſt Rockes, declare
Gods deareſt Saints and Jewels common Caſe,
And State on Earth: who thruſt out with diſgrace
From Houſe and Home, enforced are to flye
Too1 King. 19. 9. 11. 15. c. 17. 4. 13. 1 Sam. 13. 6. c. 24. 2. 3. 4. Heb 11. 38. 39 Caves and Rockes, where they impriſned lye:
Whence driven out againe by bloody Foes
(Like Gold or Jewels out of Rockes;) they cloſe
And locke them up againe inpPſal. 88. 8. Jer. 31. 2. c. 33. 1. c. 36. 5. c. 39. 15. Luk. 3. 20. Act 5. 18. 21. c. 12. 4. Priſons, Goales
Or naſtie Dungeons, amidſt filth, duſt,*Bonner Impriſoned the Martyrs in his Cole-houſe in Queene Maries dayes. Coles,
The commonqHeb. 11. 35. to 39. Gaskets where theſe Gemmes, Pearles lye
Ʋntill ſome Flames them into Aſhes frie.
Yet courage Noble Soules, whiles thus you fare
It's a ſure Signe you peereleſſerMal. 3. 17 Iſa. 61. 10. Exo. 19. 5. Pſ. 135. 4 Jewels are,
And Gods Choyce Treaſures, ſince you under Locke,
Thus lye, like Gold, Gems in ſome Casket, Rocke:
And that you ſhall besPſal. 88. 6. 8. 18. Cant. 5. 4. 6. Jer. 30. 2. 3. Act. 16. 23. 24. Heb. 11. 36. ſureſt kept of any,
Becauſe kept cloſeſt, and not ſeene of many.
The choyceſt Things Men ever cloſeſttCant. 4. 3. Pſal. 17. 14. Mar 13. 44. Job 3. 21. Prov. 2. 4. Col. 2. 3. Locke;
And Wolves runne looſe, whiles God doth vEzech. 34. 14. Joh. 10. 16.fold his Flocke.
5.
Rockes love toxEzec. 26. 4. c. 24. 7. 8. ſhew, not hide their Nakedneſſe:
Adam and EveyGen. 3. 7. 10. 11. 21. c. 9. 22. 23. bluſht at their Naked Dreſſe
When they beheld it, and did hide for ſhame,
Till they with Coates of Figge-leaves vail'd the ſame.
Thoſe wanton Females then that take delight,
TheirzEzech. 16. 36. 37. Hoſea 2. 2. 3. 4. 2 Cor. 5. 5. Revel. 3. 17. 18. c. 16. 15. Gen. 9. 22. 23. Heb. 2. 15. Iſa. 47. 3. Naked Breaſts, Neckes, Armes, (like ſome ſtrange ſight)
To ſhew to others, without Bluſh or ſhame,
In ſpight of God, Men, who them taxe and blame:
Are rather ſhameleſſe Rockes than Adams Race;
And for the moſt part voyd of Sence, ſhame, Grace;
If not of Honour, and true aHoſea 2. 2. 34. Ezech. 16. 35. 36. 37. 38. 39. c. 23. 10. 11 18. 19. 23.Chaſtitie,
Sith moſt is common which doth open lye.
6.
When we behold Men with much Danger, Swet,
Paines, Trouble, vileſt wrack to gather, get,
And draw from Sea-Rockes, for to burne, or dreſſe
Their tilled Grounds, and mend their fruitfulneſſe.
Me thinkes it ſhould wring bPhil. 3. 18. 19.Teares from us, to ſee
What Paines theſe take for Dung, whiles they and wee
Doe not take halfe the Care, Paines, Travell, Sw…et
The richeſt Gems of Grace to digge, fetch, get
From Chriſt our Rocke, which would not onelyonly cheare
And warme our Soules, and make them fruite to beare;
But them cRev. 3. 18. Pſal. 45. 13. 14.adorne, enrich, ſtore in ſuch wiſe,
That they all elſe as vile Dung would deſpiſe.
For ſhame then henceforth let us take dLuk. 13. 24 1 Cor. 9. 25. 26. 17. 2 Pet. 1. 5. 10.more paine
Theſe richeſt Gemmes, than they baſe wracke to gaine.
7.
When I a Rent or Clift in Rockes eſpie,
It mindes me of the dreadfull Majeſtie,
And mighty Power of our God which make
The hardeſte1 King. 19. 11. Nah. 1. 5. 6. Mat. 27. 51. Rockes for feare to ſplitfJoel. 2. 12. 13. 10. rent ſhake
And duely pondred would in peeces teare
Our Rockie Hearts, & make them quake for feare
8.
When I behold Men, Tempeſts, Waves, Raine, Winde,
Beate long ongMat. 7. 25. 26. Rockes, and yet no entrance finde:
It makes me ſee whathEzech. 11. 19. c. 36. 26. rockie hearts we have
At which though Chriſt (who ſeekes our Soules to ſave)
Doth daylyiRev. 3. 20. Iſa. 53. 1. 3. Joh. 12. 37. 38 39. 40. c. 1. 10. 11. Rom. 10. 21. Iſa. 5. 1. to. 7. Je…. 25. 5. to 8. c. 29. 19. knocke by his Word, Grace and Sp'rit,
Saints, Preachers, Motions; and oft times them ſmite
With ſundry Judgements, Tempeſts, Seas, Malles, Winds
To make them open, yet butkJer. 2. 20. Iſa. 1. 5. c. 3. 9. Jer. 5. 3. Amos 4. 6. to 13. Pſ. 95. 8. 10. Deut. 8. c. c. 29. 3. 4. 5. Joſh. 5. 4. Heb. 3. 8. 9. 17. 2 Chron. 36. 15. 16. Jer. 25. 4. to 8. c. 32. 33. 34. ſeldome finds,
Or makes an Entrance: nay though many yeares,
He thus beates on them, yet no fruite appeares:
O Hearts more hard than any Rocke, Flint, Steele,
Which all theſe ſtrokes upon them never feele!
O l2 Pet. 3. 9. Rev. 1. 9. c. 3. 10. Rom. 15. 5.patient Jeſus! who ſo long canſt beare,
With ſuch hard hearts, which will not melt nor teare!
9.
When I behold Rockes, Stones, moſt ragged, baſe,
Rude and deformed in their Native place,
m2 Chron. 2. & 3. 1 King. 5. and 6. & 7.Hew'd out from thence, and poliſht by Man-Kinde
Turn'd into goodly Structures of each Kinde
And made rich Statues,nZech. 9. 16. 2 Sam. 12. 30. Jewels, Ouches, Gemmes,
Yea, ſet in Gold and royall Diadems.
I thence conclude, that God with much more eaſe
Speede, Art, can turne, when ever he ſhall pleaſe,
TheoEzech. 36. 26. 1 Cor. 3. 16. 17. 2 Cor. 6. 16. Epheſ. 2. 21. Mal. 3. 17. hardeſt, vileſt, rockie Hearts that are
Into rich Temples, Jewels, Gemmes moſt rare;
Yea ſet them in Chriſts very royall Crowne
Like precious ſtones unto their great renowne.
As he did p1 Tim. 1. 13 14. 15. 16.Paul, q2 Chron. 33. 12. to 20.Manaſſes, and all thoſe
Moſt glorious Saints which Heav'n doth now incloſe.
Let no man then though ne're ſo meane, vile, baſe,
Lewd, ſinfull, once deſpaire of Gods free Grace,
Which in a moment can rEpheſ. 2. 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. c. 3. 20. 21.change and tranſlate
Him from his wretched to a glorious ſtate.
10.
When as I ſee thesJob. 28. 10. Pſ. 105. 41. waters that doe ſtreame
And guſh from ſtony Rockes, me thinkes they ſeeme
A lively Image of thoſet2 King. 20. 5. Job 16. 20. Lam. 2. 18. Jer. 9. 1. 8. Luk. 7. 38. 44. Act. 20. 19. 31. Mat. 26. 75. Teares that flow
From Rockie Hearts, when they once tender grow.
Through Gods ſweete Grace and Spirit, which can melt
The hardeſt Hearts to Teares, and them relent
As He did Rockes of Old, whencevPſal. 105. 41. Exod. 17. 6 Numb. 20. 11. 12. water guſht
By ſtreames when He them either ſmote or cruſht.
Bleſſed Lord Jeſus, ſoften, breake, relent
Our Hearts of Rocke, and cauſe them to repent,
And ſend forth Streames, nay Floods of Teares to waſh,
Our ſinnes away, and all their force to quaſh.
11.
xJob 39. 28. 29. Jer. 49. 16.Eagles in lofty Rockes ſtill breed and lye,
And from their Toppes their Prey farre off eſpie:
Gods choſen Saints whom Scriptures oft compare
To yPſa. 103. 5. Iſa. 40. 13. Mat. 24. 28. Luk. 17. 37.Eagles, upon Chriſt high mounted are:
(The talleſt Rocke) on whom theyzEpheſ. 2. 20. build, lodge, ſtay,
And thence they ſeeke, finde, take their ſacred prey.
Lord make our Soules with Eagles wings to flye,
To this ſweete Rocke, and there to live and dye.
12.
When I contemplate how Rockes aJob. 28. 10. Pſal. 104. 10. 11. 12. 13. 14.Chriſtall Springs
Which ſerve to moiſten, ſoften other Things,
Make trees, herbes, graſſe, plants, flowers ſpring and grow;
And quench the Thirſt of all things here below;
Yet neither moyſten, ſoften, fructifie
The Rockes themſelves, ſtill barren, fruitleſſe, dry:
Me thinkes I view in them ſome Rockie Hearts,
Endew'd with rare, rich, profitable Parts
Of Art and Nature; which doe good to many,
Yet to their Owners good, they doe not any.
How many Preachers others helpe to ſave
Yet bMat. 22. 7. 1 Cor. 9. 27.damne themſelves? and whiles they others gave
The Food of life, have ſtarv'd themſelves to death:
Others made Fertile, themſelves barren Heath?
How many c2 Sam. 16. 23. c. 17. 23.wiſe to teach, rule, counſell all
Except themſelves, and ſo through folly fall:
Its hardly worth the Name of Good Art, Skill
That betters others, makes the Owners Ill.
13.
When I eſpie Rockes trampled on by all,
Chriſts and true Chriſtians States, to minde I call.
dIſa. 53. 2. 3. 4. Mar. 9. 12. Pſal. 118. 22. 1 Cor. 4. 9. 10. 11. 12. 13. 2 Cor. 4. 8. 9. 10. 11. c. 6. 4. to 11. Heb. 11. 36. 37. 38.Trod under feete, with all contempt, ſpite, hate
Throughout the world, and valu'd at no rate.
Complaine not then of any diſ-reſpect.
No greater Honour than Ill mens neglect.
14.
Each vaſte, high-towring, maſſie Rocke we eye
Preſents to us the ſtrength and Potencie
Of that Almighty God, whoſeeIſa. 40. 12: to 18. Pſal. 89. 13. Potent Hand
Did in a moment, both by Sea and Land
Raiſe up ſo many vaſte high Piles, and Packe
Such Maſſie Rockes on one anothers backe;
Without an Engin, by his fPſal. 148. 5.Word alone,
And them ſo ſtrongly ſoder one to one
That all the Art, Wit, Strength, in Man's to weake
To raſe theſe Mounts, and them in Peeces breake.
We wonder much at*See Camdens Brittania Wiltſhire. Stonedge, where there lye
A few large ſtones, pil'd vp not very high
On one anothers head, and thinke it ſtrange,
How men ſuch pondrous Stones could reare and range,
In ſuch a manner, though theſe great ſtones be
But Pigmies, Pibbles to the Rockes we ſee.
How much more then with wonder and amaze
Should we upon thoſe Maſſie high Rockes gaze
Which them ſo far in Bulk, weight, height exceed,
And may true admiration in us breed
Of Gods Almighty Power, which could raiſe
Such grand, rare, laſting Trophies to his praiſe.
To which all Structures made by men doe ſeeme
But Mole-hills, Attomes, and of no eſteeme.
He who ſuch heavie Rockes could make, lift, reare,
gIſa. 40. 12. 15.Weigh, toſſe with eaſe, as if they feathers were;
With greater eaſe can lift and elevate
His humbled Saints out of theirhPſa. 113. 7. 8. 1 Sam. 2. 7. 8. loweſt State:
And in an inſtant intoiPſal. 2. 9. Pſal. 107. 40. ſhivers daſh,
All who with Him or Them preſume to claſh.
15.
When we diſcerne the Sea, and Time tokJob. 14. 9. weare
The very Rockes, and them to waſte, eate, teare;
Thinke and contemplate then, how time, age, ſpace
All things conſume, waſte, weaken and deface;
But chiefely Men, compact of lGen. 3. 19. Eccleſ. 3. 10. c. 12. 7.Duſt, not ſtone
Who fade likemPſ. 103. 14. 15. 16. Pſa. 90. 5. 6. Iſa. 4. 6. 7. 8. Job 14. 1. 2. Jam. 1. 10. 1 Pet. 1. 24. graſſe, are in a Moment gone.
How can meere Duſt and Aſhes thinke to laſt,
When time and age the hardeſt Rockes doe waſt?
16.
Thoſe who in lofty, fenced, ſteepe Rockes dwell
ArenObad. 3. Jer. 49. 16. c. 21. 13. haughty, proud, ſecure, and farre excell
Moſt others in theſe vices, ſlighting all,
As if no Miſchiefe could upon them fall.
Whence ſodaine Dangers, Ruines them ſurpriſe
(To quell their Pride) from thoſe they moſt deſpiſe;
Thus carnall Men advanc'd and fortifide
With potent Friends, wealth, Honours, ſwell with oEzech. 28. 2. to 29. Iſa. 47. 7. to 12. Rev. 18. 7. 8.Pride;
Deride all Dangers, Foes, grow ſo ſecure,
As if their Props and Stayes ſhould ſtill endure.
Whence God their Pride to puniſh and abate
Caſts them downe head-long by ſome ſodaine Fate.
Which ſhould make all, but great men ſpecially
Beware of Pride, and groſſe Security,
The ſadpProv. 16 18 Rev. 18. 7. 8. Fore-runners of a certaine fall,
Which them and theirs will ſoone to peeces mall.
17.
When as we ſee Men with muſt coſt and paine
To Mine the Rocks, and Treaſures thence to gaine
Of ſundry Sorts; where with they much increaſe
Their wealth, and make things meete for warre and Peace:
It forth-with mindes us how with farre more care,
Coſt, Paines, Sweat, Labour all who Chriſtians are,
Should daylyqProv. 2. 4. Col. 2. 2. 3. Mat. 13. 44. Search, and Myne for richer Oare
In Chriſt their Rocke; in whom there is ſuch ſtore
Of peereleſſe Mines, and Treaſures of each Kinde
As well content, yearEpheſ. 1. 23 Joh. 1. 16. fill the vaſteſt Minde;
And ſtore all Chriſtians with all Things they need
In Peace and War, Life, death! Let this then breed
A Reſolution in us, ſtill to Mine,
And draw theſe Treaſures from this Rock Divine.
18.
Whiles that we view Men Rockes to ſmite, pierce, rent
With Sledges, Axes, or like Inſtrument;
We then ſhould ponder, how we all each day
Our bleſſed Rocke Chriſt JeſussAmos 2. 13. Heb. 10. 29. c. 6. 6. 2 Pet. 2. 1. Rev. 1. 7. ſmite, ſtab, ſlay
A freſh with thoſe accurſed Sinnes and Crimes
Where-with we grieve, pierce, wound Him at all times:
Which Thought ſhould turne the Edge, and Point of all
Our Sinnes from Him; upon our ſelves to mall
Breake, wound our Rockie hearts, becauſe we rent,
Abuſe Chriſt thus; and cauſe us to repent.
19.
When we eſpie Rockes dart out Sparkes of fire
When ſmote, or cut with Tooles of Steele or I're:
It ſweetely mindes us, how the Hand of God
Smiting upon us with antPſal. 2. 9. 10. 11. 12. Iſa. 26. 9. 11. 16. Hoſ. 5. 15. 2 Chr. 33. 12. 13. 2 Cor. 8. 2. 1 Theſ. 1. 6. 7. 1 Pet. 1. 6. 7. 8. 9. Jam. 1. 2. 3. 12. c. 5. 13. Pſal. 119. 67. 71. 75 107. Iron Rod
Should from our Hearts of Rocke extract and draw
Such ſacred Sparkes, yea flames as ſhould them thaw,
Purge all their Droſſe away, and them inflame
With a moſt ardent Love, unto his Name.
Lord when thy Rod ſhall ever on us lite,
Let it ſuch Sparkes, and Flames in us excite.
20.
Springs, Quarries, Mines in Rockes, ne're drawne quite drie;
Preſent moſt ſweetely to each Minde and Eye
The vEpheſ. 3. 8. 10. 19. 20. Joh. 1. 5. 16. Col. 2. 3. 8. 9. 10.inexhauſted, boundleſſe, Endleſſe Mines,
Springs, Treaſures, Stores, and vaſteſt Magazines
Of Grace and Goodneſſe, which incloſed lye,
Within the Boſome of the Deity.
To feede, feaſt, fill, enrich, each hungry, poore,
Sad, pined Soule, with all their matchleſſe ſtore.
The very thoughts whereof our Hearts ſhould fill
With ſweeteſt Solace, and delight them ſtill.
21.
When I perceive the ſmalleſt Pibble xExod. 15. 5. Neh. 9. 11. Jer. 51. 63. 64. Mat. 18. 6. Rev. 18. 21.ſinke
In Floods, as deepe as greateſt Rockes; I thinke
How ſmalleſt Sinnes are deadly, and as well,
As ſoone almoſt, as Great, ſinke Men to Hell.
O then beware of all ſinnes, ſince the ſmall
As well as great toyRom 6. 23. c. 7. 24. 25. Ec. 12. 18. Math. 12. 36. 37. Hell thus tend and fall.
Let Papiſts talke of Veniall ſinnes, I trow
No ſinne is veniall, when all ſinke ſo low.
22.
The worthleſſe Rubbiſh in each Rocke exceeds,
And hides the Mines and Precious ſtones it breeds:
Yea, richeſt Mines have ever greater Store
Of droſſe and off all, than refined Oare.
Which pondred, learnes us, how each Place, zMat. 7. 13. 14. c. 13. 3. to 51. Luk. 13. 23. 24. Rom. 10. 16. c. 11. 4 5.Church breeds
More Bad than Good: that Good Mens Ill, exceeds
Their Goodneſſe: that the Bad, Good Men obſcure
As Rubbiſh hides, Surmounts the Oare that's pure.
Hence Multitude, and viſibility
Appeare ill Markes a Churches Truth to trie.
23.
When aJoſh. 10. 11 Judg 9. 53. 54. 2 Sam. 11. 21. Zech. 12. 3. Luk. 13. 4.Rockes or Stones fall on Men, and them daſh
To peeces, or at leaſt them bruiſe and quaſh:
It mindes us how our Rocke Chriſt bIſa. 8. 14▪ 15. Luk. 2. 34. Pſa. 2 9. Rev. 2. 27. c. 19. 15.grindeth all
To powder, upon whom he doth once fall.
O then beware how we pull on our backes
This Maſſie Rocke which Men to peeces crackes.
24.
cPſal. 41. 2. Pſal. 61. 2.Rockes keepe from ſinking thoſe who walke or Stand
Ʋpon them, whiles ſuch, who on Bogges, Floods, Sand
Doe walke,dPſal. 40. 2. Pſal. 69. 2. 14. Mat. 14. 30. Jer. 38. 6. 20. reſt, ſtay, ſinke downe and mired are,
Yea oft times drowned without ſpeciall care.
Hence may we learne that thoſe who walke, reſt, ſtay,
Themſelves on Chriſt (the ſureſt Rocke) alway
Stand firme, ſafe, ſtable; never ſinking downe;
Whiles thoſe who on Bogges, Sands ſinke, ſtand, and drowne.
O let our feete on this Rocke ſtill abide
Then are we certaine not to ſinke, fall, ſlide.
25.
Rockes thoſe who dwell upon them fence, eIſa. 33. 16.defend,
But thoſe who Scale them, hurt, bruiſe and offend.
So Chriſt our RockefJoh. 10. 11. 14. 27. 28. 29. 1 Pet. 1. 5. c. 4. 19. protects his Choſen ſheepe
Who reſt upon Him, doth them ſafely keepe.
Yet hurts and breakes togLuk. 2. 39. Mat. 21. 44. Pſ. 2. 9. 10. peeces all ſuch Foes,
Who dare preſume Him, and them to oppoſe.
26.
The ſight of Rockes, theirhIſa. 2. 10. 19. 21. Rev. 6. 15. 16. 17. Luk. 23. 30. Hoſ. 10. 8. Clifts, Caves, Holes ſhould Minde,
All of the Day of Judgement, yet behinde:
So full of dreadfull Terrour and Affright
That i1 King. 19. 11. Nah. 1. 5. 6. Mat. 27. 51. Iſa. 64. 1. 2. 3. Pſal. 97. 5. Amos 9. 13. 2 Pet. 3. 10. 12. Judg. 5. 5.Kings themſelves, and men of greateſt Might
Shall quake and ſhake for very feare; and call
Ʋnto the Rockes and Hills on them to fall;
And into Caves, Holes, Clifts of Rockes ſhall flye
To hide them from the Wrath, Sight, Majeſtie
Of Chriſt our Rocke, before whoſe dreadfull face
The Rockes ſhall then melt, fall, quake, change their place.
And all thekIſa. 2. 10. to 18. c. 5. 15. 16. 2 Theſ. 1. 8. 9. Jud… 14. 15. Stout, proud, Rockie Hearts of thoſe
Who did Himſelfe, Word, Grace, Saints here oppoſe.
Shall be ſo daunted, ſtoniſht, ſtrucke with feare
And Horrour, that theylPſal. 1. 5. 1. Pet. 4. 18. Mat. 25. 30 31. 32. 42. to 46. 2 Theſ. 2. 8. 9. 10. Dan. 12. 2. Joh. 5. 25. 29. Rev. 6. 14. 15. 16. 17. c. 20. 9. 10. 12. 14. 15. dare not once appeare;
Till drag'd perforce before Chriſts Barre and Face,
Where try'd, convict, condemn'd; with all diſgrace
They ſhall be caſt for all Eternity
Into Hels fiery Flames, there ſtill to fry.
O let the Terrour of this diſmall Day,
(Which now drawes neere, and we ſhouldmJam. 5. 7. 8. 9. Rev. 22. 20 mind alway;)
For ever ſcare us from all Sinne, and make
Our Stony Hearts to melt, bleed, ſigh, breake, ake:
And cauſe us now with ſpeed to flye and hide
Our ſelves within the Holes of Chriſts pierc'd ſide,
Who ſhall us n2 Cor. 5. 10. 11. Rom. 14. 10. 11. 12. Rom. 2. 16. Pſa. 143. 9.judge: and then we boldly may
oLuk. 21. 28.Lift up our Heads, and Hearts in that great Day
With joyfull cheare, when others hang them downe;
And eke receive a Rich, Large, Maſſiep2 Cor. 4. 17. 2 Tim. 4. 8. Crowne
Of endleſſe Glory, in the Heavens high
Where we ſhall reigne for all Eternity.qRev. 22. 4. 5.
O Chriſt (our onelyonly Rocke) of thy free Grace
Advance, and bring us to this blisfull Place:
And let each Rocke, Clift, Stone we henceforth ſee
Inſtruct us thus, and bring us home to Thee.
The Concluſion.
VVIth theſe ſweete uſefull Thoughts, and thouſands more
The Barren Rockes, our Hearts, and Minds may ſtore
When we behold them: and if Natures Booke,
And Rockes, whiles we upon them dayly looke,
Can teach us Nothing which our Lives may mend,
Or cauſe our Hearts, Minds, Thoughts up to aſcend▪
To Chriſt their Rock, God, and the Things above,
Them to contemplate with the greateſt Love;
Our Hearts are Rockie; We, quite voyd of Grace;
And Rockes than we, are yet in better Caſe.
FINIS.
A CHRISTIAN SEA-CARD. Conſiſting of ſundry Poeticall Meditations, raiſed from the Contemplation of the Nature and Qualities of the Sea.
BY WILLIAM PRYNNE, Late Exile and Cloſe Priſoner in Mount-Orgueil Caſtle in the Iſle of Ierſy.
Pſalme 104. 24. 25. 26.
O Lord how manifold are thy Workes! in Wiſedome haſt thou made them all; the Earth is full of thy Riches. So is this great and wide SEA, wherein are things creeping innumerable, both ſmall & great beaſts. There goe the Shippes; there is that Leviathan thou haſt made to play therein.
Pſal. 77. 19.
Thy way is in the SEA, and thy path in the GREAT WATERS, and thy footeſteps are not knowne.
Iſaiah 43. 1. 2. 3. 5. 6.
But now thus ſaith the Lord that created thee, O Jacob, and he that formed thee O Iſrael; Feare not, for I have redeemed thee, I have called thee by thy Name, thou art mine. When thou paſſeſt through the WATERS I will be with thee, and through the RIVERS, they ſhall not overflow thee; when thou walkeſt through the fire thou ſhalt not be burnt, neither ſhall the flame kindle upon thee. For I am the Lord thy God, the Holy One of Iſrael, thy Saviour, &c.
Pſalme 66. 12.
Thou haſt cauſed men to ride over our heads; we went through FIRE and through WATER, but thou broughteſt us out into a wealthy place.
London Printed by T. Cotes, for Michael Sparke dwelling at the blue Bible in Greene Arbor. 1641.
TO The Worſhipfull his highly Honoured Friend Mrs Elizabeth Carteret, Daughter to Sir Philip Carteret, Knight, Lievtenant Governour and Bayliffe of the Iſle of Jerſy.
THat neare relation wherein now you ſtand
By Habitation, and a Nuptiall Band,
To Seas, and Sea-men; did at firſt induce
Me to digeſt this SEA-CARD for your Uſe,
And his you moſt eſteeme; which in ſome ſort
May helpe conduct you unto Heav'ns bleſt Port,
The onelyonly Haven which you now moſt Eye,
And ſtrive for to arrive in when you dye.
Accept it therefore (though ſcarce worthy view,)
As a ſmall pledge of his Reſpects to you,
Who much adores your Vertues, and muſt deeme
His Muſe too meane to adde to your eſteeme.
Your Engaged Friend and Servant, WILLIAM PRYNNE.
SIth God Seas, Rockes, in Place hath joyn'd together
It were unkindneſſe them in Verſe to ſever.
And hence my Muſe, which bates to be unkinde,
Hath them, in theſe two Poems, here combinde.