Divine Meditations Raised from Three Leaves of Nature, Miscellany – Errata 3
COMFORTABLE CORDIALLS, OR Latine Verſes and Sentences, written by Mr. William Prynne on his Chamber Walls in the Tower of London, during his Impriſonment there; Since tranſlated into Engliſh by him.
1.
TRanſlulit in Coelum Chriſti praeſentia Clauſtrum:
Quid faciet Coelo, quae Coelum jam creat Antro?
Chriſts preſence hath my Priſon turn'd into
A bleſſed Heaven; what then will it doe
In Heav'n hereafter, when it now creates
Heav'n in a Dungeon? Goales, to Courts tranſlates?
2.
Stigmata Chriſticolis, ſplendentia ſidera; ſanguis,
Purpura regalis; mutilataque Membra, Decorum;
Vincula, gemmatus Torques; Opprobria, plauſus;
Vulnera, Martyrium; Mors; Vita; Gravamina, Lucrum.
Optima cuncta piis, Triſtiſſima ſola miniſtrant;
Vnica Crux ſanctis, Via, Ianua, ſumma ſalutis.
Brands, unto Chriſtians are bright Starres; Blood ſpent,
A Royall Purple; Maym'd Limbes, Ornament;
Bonds, Chaines of Pearle; Reproaches, Praiſe (no ſtaine)
Wounds, Martyrdome; Death, Life; Oppreſſions, Gaine.
To godly men the ſaddeſt fates only
All beſt things bring, and their joyes multiply;
The Croſſe alone to Saints is the high way,
Gate, ſumme of ſafety, Meanes of endleſſe Joy:
3.
Chriſtus ubique pium comitatur; Carceris Antrum
Ingreditur: Turres, Denſiſſima Maenia, Rupes,
Foſſas, Ferratas Portas, Obstacula, Flammas
Permeat intrepidus; ſocius ſolamen, Amicus,
Omnia ſecluſis,oan. 20. 19. ſolus; ſaturatque benignus
Deliciis ſuperum ſitientia Corda ſuorum,
Diſcipulis foribus cluſis intravit amaenus,
Chriſticolis clauſis habit at conviva perennis.
O fortunatus, cui Con-captivus Iëſus,
Laetificans radiis triſtiſſima Clauſtra ſupernis;
Vincula non illum, Tormenta, gravamina moeſtum
Efficiunt, animum retinentem utcunque ſerenum.
Chriſt every where accompanies good Men;
He goes with them into the Priſons Den;
The Towers, thickeſt Walls broad ditches, Gates,
Of Iron, Barracadoes, Flames and Grates
Doth boldly paſſe through; proves Companion,
Friend, ſolace, all things of himſelfe alone;
VntoUnto cloſe Priſoners and fills plenteouſly
The thirſty ſoules of his, with heavenly
Delights. *John 20: 19.Hee entered in the dores faſt ſhut
To his Diſciples, them to comfort; but
With godly priſoners he's a conſtant gueſſe
Reſides; O happie he who doth poſſeſſe
Chriſt for his Fellow-priſoner, who doth gladde
With heavenly Sunbeames, Goales that are moſt ſad,
Bonds, Torments, Priſons, make not him ſad; he
Retaines a quiet mind how ere things be.
4.
Nullatenus vinctus Chriſti virtute ſolutus;
Permanet immunis, cluſus vel Carcere Vinclis.
Liber ubique, pius, placidus, benedictus, amoenus,
Indomitus; tacitum circumfert pectore Coelum:
Triſtia Laetificans, Moeſtisſima cuucta ſerenans;
Vincula diſcutiens, arctiſſima clauſtra recludens.
He is not bound whom CHRIST hath made free; he
Though ſhut cloſe Priſoner, chaind, remains ſtill free,
A godly Man's at large in every place,
Still chearefull, well content, in bleſſed caſe,
Vnconquer'd; he a ſecret Heaven ſtill beares
About within his breſt, which ſad things cheares,
Diſpells his blackeſt cloudes of griefe, off ſhakes
His chaines; and cloſeſt priſons open makes.
5.
Vincula non Animam cohibent, haud carcere cluſam:
Sidera tranſvolitat, Terram, Mare, cuncta pererrat
Alipes, immenſi fines tranſcendit Olympi;
Limitis impatiens, arctari neſcia Mundi
Cancellis; tantum requieſcens Numine vaſto;
Securus, placiduſque Piis, vel turbine, Portus;
No bands the ſoule of Man can once reſtraine;
No Priſon it incloſe, nor yet containe;
It ſoares above the Starres, and ſwiftly flyes
O're Earth, Sea, all things; mounts beyond the skies,
And bounds of the vaſt Heav'ns, impatient
Of Limits, ignorant how to be pent
Within the Rayles of this whole world; onelyonly
Reſting within the boundleſſe Deity;
A ſecure, pleaſant harbour to Godly
Men, even in a ſtorme of Miſery.
6.
Vincula quid trepidas? quid tela minantia? Flammas,
Vulnera? quid rabidi Tormenta, Cruceſve Tyranni?
Aſpera pro Chriſto,*Rev. 2. 7. 11. 17. 21. c. 3. 5. 12. 21. c. 21. 7. 2 Tim. 1. 7. 8. dulciſſima; qui Diadema
Vincenti Statuit, Lignique cruore paravit.
Scenicaturba Choros, ſpectacula, Tympana, Mimos,
Ludicra ſtuproſis celebret, ſpectetque Theatris;
Vincula Christicolae, Mutilatio, ſtigmata, Furcae
Gaudia plura ferunt, cumulataque Praemia condunt.
Hiſtrio, Scena, Iocus, ſaltatio, Maſcara, Cantus,
Riſus Sardonicos generant, fictoſque Cachinnos.
Cordolium verum, gemitus morſuſque perennes:
Dulcia poſt triſtant, peramara ſalute coronant.
Why fearſt thou Bonds? why threatnings? Weapons? Fires?
Wounds? why the torments, Croſſes or the Ires
Of raging Tyrants? ſith the ſharpeſt things
We undergoe for Chriſt, moſt ſweetnes brings.
who hath prepar'd and purchaſed for him
Who*Rev. 2. 7. 11. 17. 21. c. 3. 5. 12. 21. c. 21. 7. 2 Tim. 4. 7 8. overcomes, a glorious Diadem
By the Blood of his Croſſe. Let then the Crue
Of ſtage Frequenters celebrate, and view
Playes, Dances, Paſtimes, Players, ſports in baſe.
And filthy Theaters, where growes no grace.
Chaines, Mutilations, Pilories, Brandes bring,
To godly Chriſtians farre more joyes, heaping
Moſt large rewards upon them. Players, Playes,
Jeſts, Dancing, Maskes, Songs, generate alwayes
But deadly Laughters, feigned ſhoutes;*0. m 4. 9. 1 c. 5. 1. true griefe,
Sighes, laſting gripes of Conſcience, paſt reliefe.
Sweet worldly pleaſures ſtill in*Pro. 14. 13. ſadneſſe ceaſe;
When*2 Cor. 4. 17. 2. Tim. 2. 12. bittereſt ſufferings bring Crownes, ſafety▪ peace.
7.
Aulicus imbellis gemmis, Dominaeque Capillis
Auriculas onerat magnoque decore venuſtat,
Stigma, Cicatrices, mutilatio pulchrius Aures
Chriſtigenae decorant, radiiſque micantibus ornant,
O Decus eximium referentia Vulnera Chriſtum:
Talibus inſignis ſuperis peramatus abibis.
Th'unmanly Courtier with his Miſtreſſe Haire,
And Jewels, lades his eares, to make them faire.
When as Brands, Scarres, and Croppings farre more dight
A Chriſtians eares, and make them ſhine more bright.
O Matchleſſe Glory, Woundes which Chriſt expreſſe!
Adorn'd with theſe, Gods love thou ſhalt poſſeſſe.
8.
Paſſio Coelipetis Alpha, at Solamen Omega:
Principium Lachrymis decoratur; Meta, Triumphis.
Suffering's their▪ Alpha who to Heaven tend;
But Joy is their Omega, finall end;
Their Entrance is adorn'd with teares of Woe,
Their end with Triumphs, which their griefes outgo.
9.
Nil Crus ſentit in Nervo, ſi Anima ſit in Coel….
The Legg feeles nothing in the ſtockes, if the
Soule, minde, Affections in Heav'n placed be.
10.
Non timet is carcerem, qui ſcit contemnere Libertatem,
Vitam, voluptatem, Famam: cui Mundus Ergaſtulum,
Terra Exilium, Deus habitaculum, Mors Solatium.
He feares no priſon who knowes to deſpiſe
Freedome, Life, pleaſure, Fame, which others priſe:
To whom this world's a priſon; Earth, a place
Of Exile, God, a Manſion; Death, Solace.
11.
Servus Chriſti etiam in vinculis, Liber.
Servus Peccati etiam in ſumma Libertate captivus.
Chriſts Servants even in priſon are ſtill free:
Sinnes, in the greateſt freedome, captives bee.
12.
Nil corpus patitur in Ergaſtulo, ſi Animus ſit in Coelo.
The body ſuffers nought in priſon, when
The mind it ſelfe is lodged in Heaven.
13.
Quid Coelum ſine Deo, niſi Barathrum?
Quid Barathum eum Deo niſi Coelum?
What's Heav'n without God but a very Hell?
What's Hell but a Heav'n, if God once there dwell?
14.
Nullibi incarceratur, qui ubique in Chriſto liberatur:
Nunquam dejicitur, qui ſemper à Jehova ſuſtentatur.
He in no place can once impriſoned be,
Who in all places is*Joh. 8. 36. Gal. 5. 1. by Chriſt ſet free:
He never is*Pſal. 37. 24. dejected, who alway
Hath great Iehovah for his prop and ſtay.
15.
Nuſquam ſolus qui ubique cum Deo;
Nunquam Miſer quiſemper cum Chriſto,
He never is alone, who every where
Hath God himſelfe, him company to beare,
He never can be miſerable, who
Is alwayes with Chriſt, who doth with him goe.
16.
Vbi Deus adeſt, ibi non eſt Carcer, ſed Paradiſus; Non Ergaſtulum,
Sed Palatium; non Barathrum, ſed Coelum.
Where God is preſent, there no Priſon is,
But a ſweet Paradiſe of Joy and bliſſe;
No Bridewell, but a Palace; no darke Cell,
But a bright Heaven, where all comforts dwell.
17.
Carcer probat Ami…es, detegit Iuimicos;
Excludit Mundum, includit Deum:
Alit virtutes, extinguit Libidines,
Edocet Temperantiam; cohibet Luxuriam;
Mortificat earnem, ſanctificat hominem;
Ingenerat gratiam, the ſaurizat Gloriam.
A priſon tries▪ Mens friends, detects their Foes,
Shuts out the world, God to men doth incloſe;
Nouriſheth vertues, Luſts extinguiſheth;
Temperance teacheth, Riot reſtraineth,
Quite kills the fleſh, but makes the Man holy;
Ingenders Grace, *2 Cor. 4. 17. 2 Tim. 4. 8.and ire aſures up glory.
1
Turris Chriſtiaenos fideles fictè incarcerat, verè liberat, Vnicum Dulciſſimum Chriſti, Iugum, [cui ſubjugari eſt perfectè manumitti] Imponendo… multiplicia gravis ſimaque Carnis peccati, Mundi, Diaboli vincula [quibus ill… queari, eſt certiſſimè captivari,] diſcutiendo.
The Tower true faithfull Chriſtians feinedly
Impriſons, but them ſets free verily,
By putting on them Chriſts ſweet yoake onelyonly,
To which to be ſubjected, is truely
To be enfranchiſed; by ſhaking off
The manifold, and moſt heavy chaines of
The fleſh, ſinne, World, Di'le; in which for to lye
Inſnarde, is to be captiv'd certainely.
19.
Turris plurimis Spectaculum, multis habitaculum: nonnullis Refugium; aliis diverſ…rium; Regi Palatium; Regno Gazophylacium, Armamentarium, Propugnaculum, Monetarium: Vinctis piis, Oratorium; Papiſticis, Purgatorium; Clauſis, Monaſterium; Innoxiis, Hoſpitium; Reis, Ergaſtulum; Literatis, Muſaeum; Ebrioſis, Oenopolium; proditoriis, Macellum.
The Tower is to moſt, a Spectacle;
To many its a houſe, wherein they dwell;
To ſome a refuge; Others, a lodging;
A Royall Pallace, it is to the King;
VntoUnto the Kingdome it's a Treaſury,
Armory, Bulwarke, Mint': an Oratory
To Godly priſoners; but a purgatory
To popiſh; to cloſe ones, a Monaſt'ry;
To guiltleſſe ones, it's an Inne; to guilty
A Bridewell; to learn'd ones, it's a ſtudy;
To idle ones a Dormitory; to
Drunkards, a tipling-houſe them to undoe;
To Traytors it's a ſhambles, where their head
And Quarters hang, when they are butchered.
On his Exile into Ierſy Iſle.
Why ſhould this Exile me grieve,Levit. 25. 23. diſcontent,
Sith this whole World's a place of Baniſhment?
And men as truely Exiles are at home,
As in the ſtrangeſt Clime to which they come?
Are not God, Chriſt, Grace, Heav'n to us as nigh
In forraigne Parts, as in our own Country?
Yea; and oft times more neare: this true to be
By*Pſal. 39. 12. pſal. 119. 19 2 Chron: 29 15. Heb. 11. 13 1 pet. 2. 11. Abraham, Iacob, Ioſeph, all may ſee,
I will not then flye, feare my Baniſhment,
But in it joy, and take moſt ſweet content,
Sith God will me protect,*Gen. 12. 28. to 48. Act. 7. 3. to 17. Heb. 11. 8. reſtore againe,
Or elſe tranſlate to Heav'n, with him to reigne,
Mine onelyonly Proper *Iſay 41. 5. 6.Country, wherein I
Shall live a Free-man for eternity,
In ſpite of my Arch-foes; whom I ſhall ſee
Exild,*Heb. 11. 14. 16. impriſon'd,*Prov. 11. 8. c. 21. 18. c. 12. 13. and my ſelfe ſet free.
20. Deus Turris etiam in Turre:
Turris
Libertatis
Conſolationis
Quietis,
Foelicitatis
Honoris
Splendoris
Securitatie
Salutis
Spei
Gaudii
Pacis
Protectionis
Gratiae
Vitae
Gloria
in Turre
Anguſtiae;
Triſtitiae;
Moleſtiae;
Miſeriae;
Dedecoris,
Obſcuritatis;
Perturbationis,
Perditionis,
Deſperationis
Afflictionis,
Belli;
Periculi,
Peccati;
Mortis,
Perpeſſionis.
God is a*Pſal. 18. 2. Pſal. 1. 3. Pſal. 144. 2. Tower in the Tower.
A Tower of Liberty,
In the Tower of Reſtraint; a Tower
Of Comfort, Jollity
In the Tower of Sadneſſe; a Tower
Of ſweeteſt Quietneſſe
In the Tower of Trouble; a Tower
Of bleſſed Happineſſe,
In the Tower of Miſery; a Tower
Of Honour, Dignity
In the Tower of diſgrace; a Tower
Of bright Excellency
In the Tower of darknes; a Tower
Of ſtrong ſecurity
In the Tower of danger; a Tower
Of health and true ſafety
In the Tower of Sickneſſe; a Tower
Of hope and good ſucceſſe
In the Tower of Deſpaire; a Tower
Of joy and cheerefulneſſe
In the Tower of ſorrow; a Tower
Of peace and union
In the Tower of fierce war: a Tower
Of ſafe Protection
In the Tower of perill; a Tower
Of Grace and Piety
In the Tower of vile Sinne; a Tower
Of Life, eternity
In the Tower of grim death; a Tower
Of Glory and great praiſe,
In the Tower of ſuffring: ſuch Tower
God proves to his alwayes.
21. Deus Turris.
| 1. Protegendo; A malis, In malis, Contra malos, Inter malos, Vbique, Tutiſſimè, Fortiſſimè, Gratioſiſſimè, | 2. Conſolando, In Malis, Semper, Abundunter, Suaviſſimè; | 3. Eripieudo, A Malis Citò Tempeſtivè Potentiſſimè |
Mortalium proculdubiò Beatiſſimus, qui Mundi Exul, Chriſtique Captivus, Turri iſti tutiſſima, jucundiſſima, optimae, maximae perpetuò (dum vixerit) adjudicatur Salvò certè cuſtoditur, quinon ſolùm à Deo, ſed in Deo conſervatur: arctari non poteſt, qui ipſa Dei infinitate (incarceratus) ſpatiatur. Ita ominatur Gulielmus Prynne: Martij 3. 1633.
God is a Tower by protecting all
His Saints from Ills, in Ills which them befall;
Againſt, amidſt ill men in every place,
Moſt ſafely, ſtrongly out of his meere grace;
By comforting them in adverſity
Alwayes, moſt ſweetly, moſt abundantly:
By freeing them from evills ſpeedily,
In the beſt time, and that moſt potently:
No doubt he is the happieſt man alive,
Who this worlds Exile, and Chriſts deare Captive,
Is during life adjudg'd perpetually
In this moſt ſafe, ſweet, beſt great'ſt Tower to lye.
He is truely kept ſafely, who both by
And in God is preſerv'd continually:
He cannot ſtraitned be, who walkes freely
(Whiles priſoner) in Gods vaſt Infinity.
Of this opinion WILLIAM PRYNNE was the
Third day of March, ſix hundred thirty three.
Sentences of Scriptures there likewiſe written.
PSAL. 69. 33.
The Lord heareth the poore, and deſpiſeth not his priſoners.
PSAL. 146. 7, 8.
The Lord looſeth the priſoners; the Lord raiſeth thoſe that are bowed downe.
PHIL. 4. 11, 12, 13.
I have learned in whatſoever ſtate I am, therewith to bee content, I know both how to be abaſed, and I know how to abound: every where, and in all things I am inſtructed, both to bee full, and to bee hungry; both to abound, and to ſuffer need: I can doe all things through Chriſt, which ſtrengtheth mee.
PSAL. 34. 17. 19. 22.
The righteous cry, and the Lord heareth, and delivereth them out of all their troubles. Many are the afflictions of the righteous, but the Lord delivereth him out of them all; the Lord redeemeth the ſoule of his Servants, and none of them that truſt in him, ſhall be deſolate.
PSAL. 37. 23, 24, 37, 38, 39, 40.
The ſteps of a good man are ordered by the Lord, and hee delighteth in his way: Though hee fall, hee ſhall not be utterly caſt downe, for the Lord upholdeth him with his hand: Marke the perfect man, and behold the upright: For the end of that man is peace. But the tranſgreſſours ſhall bee deſtroyed together, the end of the wicked ſhall bee cut off: But the ſalvation of the righteous is of the Lord, hee is their ſtrength in the time of trouble. And the Lord ſhall help them and deliver them: hee ſhall deliver them from the wicked, and ſave them, becauſe they truſt in him.
PSAL. 71. 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24.
Thy righteouſneſſe alſo O God, is very high, who haſt done great things, O God who is like to thee? Thou which haſt ſhewed me great and ſore troubles, ſhalt quicken mee againe, and ſhalt bring mee up againe from the depthes of the earth. Thou ſhalt encreaſe my greatneſſe, and comfort me on every ſide. I will alſo praiſe thee, with the Pſaltery even thy truth: O my God unto thee will I ſing with the Harpe, O thou holy one of Iſrael: My lips ſhall greatly rejoyce when I ſing unto thee: and my ſoule which thou haſt redeemed: my tongue alſo ſhall talke of thy righteouſneſſe all the day long: for they are confounded, for they are brought unto ſhame that ſeeke my hurt.
MICAH: 7, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10.
A mans enemies are the men of his owne houſe: Therefore I will looke unto the Lord; I will waite for the God of my ſalvation, my God will heare mee: Rejoyce not againſt me ô mine enemy: when I fall, I ſhall ariſe: when I ſit in darkneſſe, the Lord ſhall bee a light unto mee. I will beare the indignation of the Lord, becauſe I have ſinned againſt him, untill hee plead my cauſe and execute judgement for mee, Hee will bring me forth to the light, and I ſhall behold his righteouſneſſe. Then ſhee that is mine enemy ſhall ſee it, and ſhame ſhall cover her which ſaid unto mee, where is the Lord thy God? mine eyes ſhall behold her, now ſhall ſhe be troden downe, as the mire of the ſtreets.
On his Suffrings on the Pillory.
Chriſt for *Iſay 53. 4. 5. 6. 8. 10. Rom 4. 25. 1 Cor. 15. 3 1 Pet. 2. 24.my ſake, ſinnes, and Redemption
From Hell and endleſſe Torments; ſuffered on
The*Heb. 12. 2. c. 13. 12. 12. Gal. 3. 13. Phil. 2. 8. Croſſe, a ſhamefull, curſed Death, with all
Alacrity, joy, promptitude: And ſhall
I not for his ſake then moſt cheerefully
Both ſtand, and ſuffer on the Pillory,
Without all bluſh, or feare? ſince 'tis no ſhame,
But*Phil. 1. 29 2 Tim. 2. 12. Rev. 7. 13. to 17. Honour, thus to ſuffer for Chriſts name.
Verſes made by W. PRYNNE, as he returned by Water to the Tower after his laſt ſufferings, upon his Stigmatizing.
S. L. Stigmata Laudis.
Stigmata Maxillis referens, Inſignia Laudis,
Exultans remeo, victima grata Deo.
Bearing Lands Stamps on my Cheekes, I retire
Triumphing, Gods ſweet Sacrifice through fire.
On his returne from Exile.
Foes ſent me hence, but God, and his Saints cryes
Have brought me back, 'tis wondrous in all Eyes.
No Exiles, Priſons, Chaines, powers can detaine
Thoſe whom God will recall, free, raiſe againe.
ISAY. 51. 11. 14. c. 41. 5, 6.
The redeemed of the Lord ſhall returne, and come with ſinging unto Zion, and everlaſting joy ſhall be upon their head; they ſhall obtaine gladneſſe and joy; and ſorrow and mourning ſhall flee away. The CAPTIVE EXILE haſtneth, that hee may be looſed, and that he ſhould not dye in the pit, nor that his bread ſhould faile. Feare not, for I am with thee, I will bring thy ſeed from the Eaſt, and gather thee from the Weſt, I will ſay to▪ the North, Give up; and to the South, keep not backe; bring my ſonnes from farre, and my daughters from the ends of the Earth.
FINIS.
ERRATA.
IN the Epiſtle v. 1. it were, r. t'were p. 2. l. 32. The r. He p. 3. l. 8. He's, r he The verſes p. 9. of his Exile into Jerſy, ſhould have come in p. 15. after Stigmata Laudis.
Courteour Reader, I ſhall requeſt thee to correct theſe few Preſſe errors, which have ſcaped in ſome Coppies in my abſence.
Errata.
Page 1. line 10. for the, read this. p. 3. l. 12. r. make. p. 18. l. 3. when whom. l. 6. them, r. him. p. 19. l. 8 to r. in. p. 32. l. 24. of, on. p. 33. l. 18. ſinne, weeds. p. 34. 7. they, theſe. p. 47. l. 5. muſt, much. p. 65. l. 5. be, lie. p. 71. l. 19 greateſt. p. 82. l. 21. loſe, cloſe. p. 83 l. 13. others, l. p. 93. l. 21. fined, fixed. p. 95 l 22. and, Oh. l. 23 Satan, Satin. p. 98. l. 25. them, then. l. 27. ſtations, paſsions. p. 103 l 15. over, ever. p. 108. l. 21. thee, they. p. 119. l. 6. to. or. p. 125. l. 23 arriv'd, arm'd. l. 25. flattering. p. 149. l. 6. ſhall, ſhould. p. 164. l. 1. the, then. p. 165. l. 13. th'one, thine. p. 169. l. 11. prints' paints.
Printers oft erre, but not as others men;
Their Errors are corrected with a Pen.
End of the text · William Prynne, Divine Meditations Raised from Three Leaves of Nature (1641)