Divine Meditations Raised from Three Leaves of Nature, Poem 3 – Dedication 3
A CHRISTIAN SEA-CARD. Conſiſting of ſundry Poeticall Meditations raiſed from the Contemplation of the Nature and Qualities of the Sea.
THE PROLOGUE.
THis World's an ample Ʋolume, where we may
Not onelyonly Read, but aRom. 1. 19. 20. Act. 14. 15. 16. 17. Pſal. 19. 1.See God Day by Day;
And every Creature which it doth comprize,
A Text to preach him to our Hearts and Eyes:
No Plant, Herbe, Graſſe ſo ſmall, ſo vile but can
Teach, and demonſtrate God himſelfe to Man,
With his eternall Wiſedome, Goodneſſe, Power,
Which he is blind, who ſeeth not in each Flower.
Looke we above, beneath, or round about,
All that we ſee dothbPſal. 8. 1. 3. 4. 9. Pſal. 104. 24. 25. &c. Pſal. 19. 1. point, nay paint God out,
Amongſt the world of Creatures which preſent
God to our Thoughts, and Eyes with ſweete content
Me thinkes the Sea, (oft viewed with delight,)
Shewes him moſt cleerely to our Minds and ſight.
From whence a pious Heart may raiſe ſuch ſtore
Of godly Thoughts, that plenty makes it poore.
Meditations of the firſt Kinde.
1.
ANd firſt, the vaſte Sea, which with ſpeede can *Gen. 7. 18. to 24.drowne
The greateſt Iſland, Mountaine, Ship or Towne,
As eaſie as the ſmalleſt, Mole-hill, Boate,
Or cottage, in its all-devouring throate;
Moſt ſweetely repreſents to ſinnefull Man
The vaſte, immenſe, and boundleſſe cMich. 7. 19.Ocean
Of Gods free Grace and Mercy; ſo profound,
That worlds of greateſt ſinnes in it are drown'd;
No crimes ſo hainous, great, or numberleſſe;
But if with bleeding ſoules we themc…. Joh. 1. 7. Rev. 1. 5. confeſſe
And quite abandon, this large ſea of Grace
Shall over-whelme, waſh out, and cleane deface:
O ſweeteſt ſolace to a broken Heart,
And ſinne-ſicke ſoule, deſirous to convert!
What though thy horrid ſins and hainous crimes,
Be greater than the world ten thouſand times?
Loe, her's a Sea more vaſt ſhall d1 Joh. 1. 7. Rev. 1. 5. Mich. 7. 19.drowne them all
Without exception, great, as deepe, as ſmall.
O then deſpaire not, but behold with joy
This Ocean, which ſhall all thy ſinnes deſtroy.
Lord, let us ever Saile in this ſweete Sea,
Where Soules are ſav'd, Sinnes onelyonly Shipwrackt be.
2.
Againe, this ePſal. 104. 25. Pſal. 107. 23. 24. Pſal. 95. 3. 5. Gen. 1. 9.great Sea's huge immenſity
Length, Breadth, Depth; Bulke, a vaſter Deity
And greater God who ePſal. 104. 25. Pſal. 107. 23. 24. Pſal. 95. 3. 5. Gen. 1. 9.made it, clearely prove,
Then feare, yea fly his wrath, embrace his love;
Before all earthly Monarches, ſince they be
Not by ten thouſand parts ſo great as He;
Or as the Sea, that ſhadowes to our eyes,
HisfPſal. 145. 3. Iſa. 40. 12. 15. 17. 22. greatneſſe which our thoughts cannot compriſe.
What Creature, danger then ſhall once diſmay
Thoſe, who this Great God make their onelyonly ſtay?
3.
The Sea points forth unto us every houre,
Gods infinite, Almighty, Soveraigne power;
Who didgPſal. 95. 3. 5. Create it with a Word, and ſtill
Controules,hJob 38. 11. Pſal. 104. 9. to 11. Pſal. 107. 25. to 30. Pro. 8. 29. Jer. 5. 22. cap. 31. 35. rules, calmes, its raging waves at will,
When they with boiſterous Tempeſt, roare, and ſwell
As high as Heav'n, ſinke downe as low as Hell:
Bounding its proudeſt flouds with ſmalleſt Sand;
To ſhew how great a force weake things withſtand
When backt by God, ſith petty Sands can ſtay
The raging Seas fierce March, and blocke its way.
Who but aiPſal. 89. 8. 9. Mat. 8. 26. 27. Iſa. 51. 10. Pſal. 7. 4. Pſal. 106. 9. Pſal. 78. 13. Pſal. 93. 3. 4. God of might can tame and charme
Such foaming bedlam Seas, and them diſ-arme.
Of all their fury, ſtrength, and them divide
Yea, dry at pleaſure; to abate their pride?
And cannot he who bounds, rules, calmes and quels
The boiſt'rous Ocean, when it roares and ſwels
With greateſt force and furie, bridle, ſwage
Both men and Devills when they ſtorme and rage?
Yea*Pſal. 2. 9. daſh them into ſhivers with more eaſe
And ſpeed, than Seas a potſheard, if He pleaſe?
Why ſhould wee then oncekPſal. 46. 2. 3. dread their threats or frownes,
Their might or fury which our God ſtill bounds?
They cannot touch onelLuk. 21. 17. 18. Mat. 10. 28. 29. 30. haire, if he ſay nay,
Much leſſe our Soules harme, or our bodies ſlay
Whileſt we with upright hearts for his cauſe ſtand.
O ſweete! ſweete comfort to Gods choſen Band!
Thinke well of this, and then we ſhall mNeh. 6. 11. Dan. 3. 13. to 19. Pſal. 26. 1. 2. Pſal. 46. 1. 2. 3. Act. 21. 13. 14. Pro. 28. 1.defie
All Tyrants rage, and neare once feare, nor flye.
What ever comes, when God ſhall call us out
To fight for him, and ſhew our ſelves moſt ſtout.
4.
Beſides, the Flux, and Reflux of Seas Tyde
At certaine conſtant houres, without a guide:
Its wiſe diſpoſall to each ſhore, Port; Creeke,
Throughout the world, where men for traffique ſeeke:
Its cloſe*Pſal. 104. 8. to 15. conveyance to all Fountaines, Springs,
The Earth to water, and all living things:
The great and wondrous ſtrange*Pſal. 104. 25. variety
Of Fiſh and Creatures, which doe live, breede, lye
Within its wombe, Men to delight and feede,
As well in times of plenty as of neede.
What doe they all demonſtrate to our eyes
And Mindes, but that God is moſt skilfull nPſal. 104. 6. to 15. 24. 25. 26. 27. Pſal. 136. 5.wiſe
In theſe his wondrous workes, exceeding all
Mens Art, farre more than Earth a Tennis-Ball.
O let us then in all we enterprize,
Submit our wits to him who is ſo wiſe,
Craving his ayde, and giving him the praiſe
Of his great wiſedome, which muſtoPſal. 31. 3. Pſal. 48. 14. Iſa. 58. 11. guide our wayes.
5.
Yea, theſe ſhew forth to Men Gods Providence,
Which doth the Sea thus order, guide, diſpence
InpPſal. 104. 28. 29. Pſ. 145. 8. 9. 15. 16. wondrous manner, and feede, rule, ſuſtaine
All Fiſhes, creatures which it doth containe;
And is as watchfull, reſtleſſeqPſal. 121. 1. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. night and day,
As Seas, which ever move, but never ſtay.
ThricerPſal. 146. 5. Pſal. 34. 8. happie they who firmely can relie
Upon Gods care in all extremity:
He who each wave doth rule, and each fiſh feede,
Will insPſal. 34. 10. 17. 22. Pſal. 37. 3 4. 5. due ſeaſon, ſend them all they neede.
6.
The Seas great depth, which few or none can ſound,
Points outtRom 11. 33 34. Pſal. 36. 6. Job 11. 7. 8. 9. Gods ſecret Judgements more profound:
Yea, Ships, Barkes, Boates which plough the Seas bright face,
Yet leave no footſteps by which them to trace;
Gods hidden Counſells; wayes, and deepe decrees
Paſt finding out, preſent to all degrees.
Hence God isvPſal. 77. 19. ſayd, in Sea to have his way,
His pathes in waters deepe paſt mans diſplay,
O then adore his Judgements, Counſells deepe;
And not *Deut. 29. 29. Rom. 12. 3. 1 Sam. 6. 19. Exod. 19. 21. 22. 24.preſume into them once to peepe
With prying eyes, beyond thoſe bounds which He
In ſacred writ hath fixed unto thee.
7.
The Length and xPſal. 104. 25. Joſh. 1. 4.wideneſſe of the Sea, which ſpreads
It ſelfe both farre and neere, to pious Heads.
And Hearts ſhewes forth the vaſte immenſity,
And Omni-preſence of the Deity;
WhichyJu. 23. 24. Pſa. 139. 3. 7. 9. fills both Earth and Heaven, Sea, world, Hell;
Yea every part of each: O ſtrange to tell!
Oh horrid Meditation! to the Rout
Of graceleſſe ſinners; when they goe about
To hide, or flye from God; who doth fore-ſtall,
NayzPſal. 139. 7. 3. 9. Amos 9. 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. Jer. 5. 23. 24. fill all corners into which they crall.
How can they then eſcape his venging hand,
Which is ſo neare them both by Sea and Land?
Yet matchleſſe ſolace to Gods choſen ſheepe,
That his ſweeteaPſal. 65. 5. & 139. 9. 10. & 23. 4. Iſa. 43. 2. Joſh. 1. 5. 7. 9. Jer. 45 5. preſence ſhall them cheare, fence, keepe,
By Sea and Land, where ere they live or goe:
This makes them happie in a world of woe.
What neede we then to feare a baniſhment
From Friends, or home, or cloſe Impriſonment:
In any hole or dungeon? ſince bGen. 39. 20. 21. 23. Act. 16. 24. 25. Dan 3. 23. 24. 24. 25. 26. 28. c. 6. 20. 21. 22. 23.no place
Can barre from us Gods preſence or his Grace?
Which ever make an Heaven where they dwell,
A royall Pallace of the darkeſt Cell.
8.
The raging Seas fierce waves andcPſal. 107. 25. 26. 27. 28. Iſa. 50. 30. Lam. 2. 13. Jer. 31 35. Gen. 7. 18. roaring Cry
Which daunt all Hearts, ſpare neither Low nor High,
Bearing downe all before them who withſtand
Their furious progreſſe, with a potent hand.
Deſcribe GodsdNah. 1. 2. to 12. c. 2. 1. dreadfull wrath, and diſmall Ire,
Againſt obdurate ſinners; who conſpire
To breake his Lawes, oppoſe his Chriſt, deſpite
And grieve his Spirit, ſinning with delight,
Without remorſe or checke, till they ePſal. 2. 2. 3. 4. 5. 9. Deut. 29. 19. 20. Jer. 7. 18. 19.provoke
Him to conſume them with a fatall ſtroke.
O let us oft conſider, ſtill feare, ſhunne
His dreadfull wrathfPſal. 139 7. 8. 9. 10. Jer. 11. 11. 2 Chron. 20. 6. from which we cannot runne,
Much leſſe reſiſt it, praying Chriſt to ſwage
And quench itgPſal. 2. 12. leaſt we periſh in Gods rage.
The angry Floods can onelyonly drowne or fright
Us for a moment; but if Gods wrath light
Upon us; Soule and Body both ſhall be
Ʋnder its Tortures forhMat. 29. 41, Rev. 21. 8. Eternitie.
9.
The Sea ſo uſefull, good, and meete for Fiſh
And foule of all ſorts that mans heart can wiſh:
For Salt, Clounds, raine, ſprings, riversiEccleſ. 1. 7. Pſal. 104. 9. 10. (which proceede
From it) and traffique for all things we neede:
Proclaimes to all kPſal. 33. 5. 145. 9. 10.Gods goodneſſe, bounty, grace,
Who all this goodneſſe in the Sea did place,
To make Men happie. Let this goodneſſe raiſe
Our hearts to Love, and give him alllPſal. 107. 8. 15. 2. 31. Pſal. 145. 7. 4. 10. due praiſe.
10.
Once more; the Springs and Rivers whichmEccleſ. 1. 7. Pſal. 104. 9. 10. aſcend
Out of the Sea at firſt, and in it end:
Inſtruct us ſweetely, how that every thing
From God (the Sea of being)nRom. 11. 36. Gen. 1. 1. Pro. 16. 4. firſt did ſpring:
And therefore ſhould by way of thankefulneſſe
Their courſe, Aymes, Ends to him alone addreſſe,
But chiefely Man, (firſt made, and ſince thato1 Cor. 11. 31. 1 Pet. 4. 11. bought
TopLuk. 1. 74. 75. Rom. 14. 7. 8. ſerve God onelyonly in deed, word, and thought;)
Should all returne to him from whom it flowes,
Sinceq1 Chron. 29. 11. to 18. 1 Cor. 4 7. and 15. 10. all is his that on us ſprings or growes.
O let us ſtudy from our Hearts to give
All unto him,rAct. 17. 28. in whom we are, move, live;
It is hiss1 Chron. 29. 11. to 18. Pſal. 29. 2. Pſal. 56. 12. Pſal. 116. 12. due, our duty, all we have
To render to him, who our ſoules muſt ſave:
Moſt bleſſed God let us thus oft behold
Thee in this Chriſtall glaſſe, the Sea, our cold
And frozen Hearts to warme, with theſe ſweete Rayes
Which it reflects, to thine eternall praiſe.
Meditations of the ſecond Sort.
AGaine the Sea's of Chriſt a lively Type
And his deare blood, which doth our ſinnes out-wipe.
1.
For, as the Sea all filth doth clenſe away
From Bodies, Veſſells, Meates, Hearbes, Fruites, Aray,
That in it waſhed are: So Chriſts ſweete Blood
(MoretMal. 3. 2. 3. clenſing than the pureſt ſpring or Flood)
*1 Joh. 1. 7. Rev. 1. 5. Iſa. 1. 16. 17.All filth and ſpots of ſinne, which Soules defile,
And in Gods eyes preſent them foule and vile,
Doth quite aboliſh, and ſo purge away
From all ſuch ſoules, as on him faſt hold lay
By faith unfained, that no filth nor ſtaine
Of any ſinne, upon them ſhall remaine
To makev1 Joh. 1. 7. Rev. 1. 5. Heb. 9. 14. Epheſ. 5. 26. 27. 1 Cor. 6. 11. Act. 3. 19. Zech. 13. 1. Rev. 7. 14. them loathſome in his Fathers ſight,
In which they ſhine as ſtarres moſt cleare and bright.
O let us prize this Blood beyond compare,
By which our Soules from ſinne thus clenſed are.xDan. 12. 3. Mat. 13. 43. Phil. 2. 15.
2.
The Sea which did theyGen. 7. & 8. wicked world deſtroy
By Gods command; yet ſaved upright Noy.
With that red Sea, zExod. 14. 15. to 31.which the Aegyptians drown'd
When Gods owne people paſt it on dry ground
In ſafety, ſhadow that red Sea of Blood,
Which Chriſt upon theaCol. 1. 20. Rev. 7. 14. Croſſe ſhed for our good:
Wherein thebMich. 7. 19. 1 Joh. 1. 7. Jer. 50. 20. c. 31. 34. ſinnes of all his choſen ſheepe
With Helliſh Pharaoh, and his Hoaſt, ſo deepe
Are ſunke and drowned, that they never ſhall
Appeare againe, their Soules once to inthrall.
O let our Sinnes in this red Sea be dround,
Then are we certaine nought ſhall us cIſa. 45. 17.confound.
3.
The Sea's the way, meanes, paſſe todJonah. 1. 3. Iſa. 8. 2. to tranſport
Men to thoſe Ports to which they would reſort.
Chriſts blood's the ſea,eJoh. 19. 6. Epheſ. 2. 12. 13. 18. 19. Rev. 5. 9. 10. Heb. 10. 19. 20. way, ſhip which men convoyes
From Earth to Heaven, and eternall Joyes.
Sweete Jeſus let the Sea of thy bleſt Blood
Conduct and leade us ſafely through the Flood
And Rockes of this worlds Sea, to Heavens Port,
To which thy choſen Flocke with haſt reſort.
4.
The Seas faire, lovely, ſhining azure Face,
It's pleaſant Calmes in Halcion-daies Gods Grace,
And ſweete appeaſedfPſal. 80. 7. 19. & 89. 15. Cant. 2. 14. Act. 2. 28. Loving Countenance
To us in Chriſt, (which raps into a trance
The ſaddeſt Hearts and fils them with content
And matchleſſe joyes) moſt lively repreſent.
O then in all our griefe and miſery,
On Gods ſweete ſmiling Face ſtill fixe an Eye,
Which will ſupport our ſoules in all diſtreſſe,
And cheare them ſo, that nought ſhall us oppreſſe.
Sweete Jeſus when the Sea we view or paſſe,
Preſent thy ſelfe thus to us in its glaſſe:
Then if it wrecke or drowne us, yet ſhall we
Through thy Bloods Sea, eſcape and ſaved be.
Meditations of the third Ranke.
BEſides, the Sea exhibits to our ſight
A lively Emblem of the State and plight
Of Gods Elect, with all thoſe ſore and great
Stormes of Afflictions, which doe dayly beate
Upon them, whiles they paſſe this Sea below.
Whereg1 Pet. 5. 8. 1 Joh. 215. 16. 1 Pet. 2. 11. World, Fleſh, Devill, ſeeke to overthrow.
1.
For firſt, the Sea is*Iſa. 57. 20. reſtleſſe night and Day;
Its flux and conſtant progreſſe, none can ſtay:
Juſt ſo are Gods elect, who alwayes move;
hPſal. 84. 7. Phil. 3. 13. 14. 15.Tending to Heaven and the things above;
No Bankes, Winde, Stormes, iRom. 8. 35. 36. 37. 38. 39. 2 Cor. 1. 8. 9. 10. 11. c. 6. 4. to 11. Heb. 11. 35. 36. 37.threats, death, their courſe can ceaſe
Till they arive at Heavens Port in Peace.
2.
The Sea is ever kJam. 1. 6. Jer. 5. 22.toſt from place to place
With Winds, ſtormes, Tides: And is not this the Caſe
Of Gods deare Saints? ſtilllJob 7. 4. Pſal. 109. 23. Iſa. 22. 18. c. 54. 11. Heb. 11. 8. 9. 13. 14. 27. 37. Gen. 12. 1. 5. 6. 8. 9. 10. c. 15. 13. 1 Cor. 11. 23. to 29. Ruth. 1. handed too and fro
(By ſundry Tempeſts which they undergoe)
From Coaſt to Coaſt, from Goale to Goale, to ſhew
They Pilgrims are, and Strangers here below.
Fixt to no Certaine Clime, and that their home
And reſting place, is in the world to come.mGen. 47. 9. 1 Chron. 29. 15 Pſal. 39. 12. Pſal. 119. 19. Heb. 11. 13. 14. 1 Pet. 2. 11. Lev. 25. 23.
3.
The Sea is ever working, purging forth,
AndnIſa. 57. 20. caſting out filth, weedes, traſh of no worth
Which falls into it, and corrupt, defile
Its Chriſtall ſtreames, making them foule and vile.
Thus Gods Elect ſtilloIſa. 1. 16. Cant. 5. 3. 1 Cor. 6. 11. 2 Cor. 7. 1. Rev. 7. 14. Heb. 9. 14. Tit. 3. 3. 5. Epheſ. 4. 22. to 32. purge out, and eject.
Thoſe Luſts, ſinnes, vices, which their Soules infect
With ſuch ſuggeſtions as foule Devills caſt
Into their Hearts, them to pollute and Waſte.
4.
The Sea'spPſal. 107. 25. to 30. Jon. 1. expoſed to all ſtormes and Winds;
So qPſal. 34. 19. Pſal. 42. 7. Act. 14. 22. Heb. 11. 35. 36. 37. 38. 2 Cor. 11. 23. to 29. Ruth. 1. 20. 21.Saints to Troubles, Croſſes, of all kindes,
To make them humble, and tranſlate their love
From things on Earth, unto the things above.
5.
None dare to croſſe the Sea without a Card
Or Compaſſe, which they ſtill with care regard,
Stearing their courſe thereby, for feare they ſtray
Or miſſe their Port, and ſo be caſt away:
Thus Gods Elect, whilſt they doe ſaile and rove
In this worlds Sea, by Compaſſe ever move;
Stearing their Rudder, byrPſal. 119. 9. 11. 24. 30. 98. to 106. Gal. 6. 16. 2 Pet. 1. 19. Gods Sacred Writ
For feare they miſſe their Harbor, or elſe hit
Their Soules againſt thoſe Rockes, Shelves, Sands which lye
To Croſſe their voyage to Eternity.
6.
The Ebbing Sea diſcovers to the eye
Thoſe dangrous Rockes, Shelves, Sands, that hidden lye
At full Sea Tides, which then oft drowne and ſinke
Thoſe who approach them, when they leaſt feare, thinke
Of any danger: So the Ebbing State,
The Croſſes of Gods ChoſensPſal. 119. 67. 71. Ezech. 16. 62. 63. 2 Chron. 23. 11. 12. 13. Heb. 11. 24. 25. 26. 27. Demonſtrate
And point out to them many Rockes, Shelves, Sands,
To ſhipwracke Soules, betray them to the hands
Of Helliſh Pyrats, which ſtill hidden lye,
And undiſcerned in proſperity.
By which they ſhun their danger, and commend
Theſe Ebbes, which from ſuch perills them defend,
Before thoſe Full-Sea-Tides of wealth and joy,
WhichtProv. 1. 32. Jer. 22. 21. 1 Joh. 2. 15. 16. 1 Tim. 6. 9. 10. Shipwrecke thouſands, and their Soules deſtroy.
7.
The loweſt Ebbe, hath ſtill the higheſt Flood;
Saints deepeſt ſorrowesvPſal. 1 26. 2. 3. 5. 6. Iſa. 25. 8. 9. c. 35. 3. 4. 10. c. 61. 3. c. 9. 3. 4. c. 65. 14. Mat. 5. 4. 11. 12. Rev 6. 9. 14. 15. 16. 17. end in greateſt good:
Their Floods of joy tranſcend their Ebbes of woe
Beyond compare, and all their griefes out-goe.
8.
When Seas are at their loweſt Ebbe, they then
Forth-with begin to ſpring and flow. So men
Belov'd of God, when as they ſeeme to lye
At loweſtwEpheſ. 3. 20. 21. Gen. 22. 10. to 20. c. 42. 9. to 50. Exod. 12. and 14. Heſt. 5. 6. 7. 8. & 9. Dan. 3. 8. to 30. c. 4. 33. 34. 35. 36. 37. c. 7. 15. to 28. Mat. 27. & 28. 1. 2. 1 Sam. 2. 6. 7. 8. Pſal. 3. 2. 3. Ebbe, in deepeſt miſery,
Paſt helpe, paſt hope in Carnall mens account,
Beyond all expectation, ſpring and mount
Above their Croſſes, and enjoy a Flood
Of Peace, wealth, honour; and the greaſt good.
If old examples faile, you may now view
The truth hereof in ſome yet freſh and new.
9.
GodsxPſal. 95. 4. 5. Job 38. 2. 10. Will and pleaſure onelyonly is the Cauſe
Why Seas doe Ebbe and flow; not any Lawes
Of Nature, Moone, or Planets: So the will
AndyJob 1. 21. 1 Sam. 3. 18. & 2. 6. 7. 8. Deut. 32. 39. Mat. 10. 29. 30. 31. bleſſed pleaſure of our God is ſtill
The firſt chiefe cauſe, of all the Ebbes and Tides
Which here befall his Saints, nought elſe beſides:
Yea, as Sea StormeszPſal. 107. 25. 26. 27. Jon. 1. 4. proceede from God, and toſſe
Men up towards Heaven: So each ſtorme and croſſe
Which lite on Gods ElectaPſal. 73. 14. 25. 26. 28. Phi. 3. 26. Pſal. 130. 1. 5. 6. from him firſt ſprings
And nearer Heaven them lifts up, and brings.
10.
The Sea isbNumb. 34. 3. 12. Salt and brackiſh: Croſſes are
The like, atcHeb. 12. 11. Pſal. 71. 20. Ruth. 1. 20. firſt, to Saints who doe them beare.
11.
The Salteſt Seas the ſweeteſt Fiſhes breed:
Saintsd2 Cor. 1. 4. 5. 6. Heb. 12. 11. 12. Pſal. 126. 5. 6. ſweeteſt comforts from the Croſſe proceede:
Yea, as the beſt and largeſt Fiſh are found
In Salteſt waters: So the beſt, moſt ſound,
Large, ſtrongeſt Chriſtians, which wee finde, or know,
InePſal. 119. 67. 71. Iſa. 48. 10. Jam. 5. 10. harſheſt Floods of Sorrowes alwayes grow.
12.
The Seas ſalt waters clenſe and purifie
Things that are filthy: Thus adverſitie
DothfDan. 12. 35. c. 12. 10. Iſa. 1. 25. 1 Pet. 1. 7. Zech. 13. 9. purge and waſh away from Gods Elect
Thoſe Spots, ſinnes; vices, which their Soules infect.
13.
Seas briniſh waters pickle and preſerve
Things from corruption: So gPſal. 119. 61. 71. 75. 2 Tim. 4. 17. 18. … 30. 20. 21.Afflictions ſerve
To ſeaſon Saints, who elſe would putrifie,
And rot in thoſe foule ſinnes, which now they flye.
14.
Sea ſtormes drive Men tohPſal. 107. 27. 28. 29. Jon. 1. 4. to 16. Mat. 8. 24. 25. prayers, cryes, and teares,
Augmented and intended by their Feares:
Yea, make them poſt to Harbours, for releefe;
And bid the Sea adieu with Joy, not greefe:
Thus troubles cauſe the Saints toiPſal. 18. 6. 118. 15. 120. 1. Hoſ. 5. 15. pray and cry
To God for helpe with greater fervencie;
Intend, increaſe their prayers; make themkPſal. 143. 9. 10. 11. 12. flye
To God their Harbour, for ſecurity;
Cauſe them to loath andlPhil. 1. 21. 23. Job 10. 1. 1 King. 19. 4. leave this world with joy:
Whoſe waves and Tempeſts them ſtill ſore annoy.
15.
And as great bluſtring ſtormes doe ſooner drive
Ships to the Harbours where they would arive,
Then Calmes and mildeſt Gales: So mHoſea 5. 15. Pſal. 107. 27. 38. 30. Pſal. 143. 9. 10.Croſſes mend
Gods darlings ſpeed, and oft times ſooner ſend
Them unto Heaven, thennPſal. 30. 6. Jer. 22. 21. Pro. 1. 27. proſperity,
Which calmes their Sailes, and makes them ſtill to lye.
16.
The Tempeſt that befell the Ship wherein
The ProphetoJonah 1. Jonah fled, and ſlept in ſinne,
Did never ſlacke nor ceaſe, till he was caſt
Into the Sea, which done, the ſtorme was paſt:
So, Saints afflictionspJoſh. 7. 11. 12. Jona. 3. 10. Hoſ. 5. 15. Iſa. 27. 9. Ezeck. 16. 61. c. 36. 21. to 38. never ſwage nor end,
Till Jonah be caſt out, and they amend,
Which done, their Tempeſts ceaſe, and calmes ſucceede,
Unleſſe ſome other Jonah in them breede.
17.
In ſtormes at Sea, theqJer. 51. 42. Mat. 6. 24. Pſal. 107. 27. 28. 29. waves come on ſo faſt,
That freſh ſucceede before the firſt be paſt:
So Croſſes on Gods Saints ſo thicke oft lite
To humble,*Dan. 11. 35. try, purge, waſh and make them bright:
That onerJob. 1. 13. to 22. Pſal. 42. 7. 88. 7. & 34. 19. Iſa. 54. 11. treads on the others heeles, and new
Come on before the old bid them adieu.
18.
Yet, as Sea-ſtormes, though long, ſtillsPſal. 107. 28. 29. 30. Jon. 1. 5. Mat. 8. 24. 26. Pſal. 8. 9. end at laſt
In pleaſant Calmes; thus Croſſe, which ſo faſt,
So, thicke preſſe on Gods Saints for many Dayes,
(Yea moneths and yeares oft-times)tPſal. 34. 19. & 37. 38. 39. 40. Job 42. 10. 11. Jam. 5. 11. Pſal. 94. 13. & 116. 7. Iſa. 14. 3. c. 57. 2. 1 King. 5. 4. Mic. 7. 8. 9. conclude alwayes,
In Gods due time, in ſweeteſt Calmes of peace,
And Tides of Joy: Bleſt Tempeſts which ſo ceaſe!
O then in all thy ſorrowes, Troubles, ſtill
Waite and depend on God by Faith, who will
(Inv1 Pet. 5. 6. Pſal. 37. 34. Iſa. 25. 9. fitteſt ſeaſon) ſend ſuch Joy and Eaſe
As ſhall thine Heart cheare, and all ſtormes appeaſe.
19.
The Seas great deluge did bothxGen. 7. & 8. overflow
The wicked old world, and it overthrow,
Yet Righteous Noe did then eſcape its rage;
And landed ſafely when the Flood did ſwage.
Juſt thus, Afflictions waves and DelugeyNah. 1. 8. 9. 10. Jer. 15. 6. 7. Judg. 5. 31. Pſal. 80. 16. wracke,
And drowne all carnall wretches which doe lacke
Gods grace and faith to hold them up; when they
Who with true faith, their ſoules on God can ſtay
And Anchor; never ſinke; but ſwim and beare
TheirzPſal. 46. 1. 2. 3. 4. & 27. 1. 3 Rom. 8. 35. 36. 37. 38. 39. Mic. 7. 8. 9. heads above all Seas with joyfull cheare;
Ariving ſafely, when the Stormes are paſt,
In Heavens Harbour, where they Anchor caſt.
20.
All thoſe who uſe the Sea, doe ever minde
TheaPſal. 107. 30. Port to which thy Sayle; and as the wind
Doth bring them nearer to it day by day
Their Joyes increaſe, the more ſayles on they lay,
Longing to end their voyage, and arive
At that ſweete Haven unto which they drive:
Thus Gods ElectbPhil. 1. 23. c. 3. 2. 3. Rom. 8. 23. 2 Cor. 5. 1. 2. 3. 5. 8. Luk. 2. 29. 2 Tim. 4. 6. 7. 8. Rev. 22. 20. have alwayes in their Eye
The Port above, to which they dayly flye
With all their ſpeede and might, and as each day
Doth bring them nearer to this happie Bay;
Their inward Joyes and Comforts ſtill increaſe,
The more they long there to arive in peace:
Mending their ſpeede, imbracing with delight
(That which all others doth ſo ſore affright)
Grim *Luk. 2. 29. Gen. 46. 30.pallid Death, the Pilot to convoy
Them to this Haven of Eternall Joy.
Lord, teach us Heavens Port thus ſtill to eye
Whilſt here we ſaile, that when we come to dye,
We may attaine it; and there ſafely ride
Free from all perrils of winds, ſtormes, and tide.
Lord make us thine Elect, that we may gaine
This Port, where all thy Saints in bliſſe ſhall reigne.
Meditations of the fourth Claſſe.
FUrther, the Sea doth fitly Charactrize
Moſt wicked mens deportment, and their guiſe.
1.
For, as the Sea, ſo they ſtillcIſa 57. 20. 21. c. 1. 4. 5. 6. 2 King. 6. 33. 2 Chron. 28. 22. 23. rage, foame, roare,
When croſt, ſicke, pained ſtorming more and more
As their afflictions grow, and multiply;
So as, their Phiſicke proves their Maladie;
Whereas the godly aredPſal. 39. 9. Lam. 3. 26. Judg. 10. 13. 1 Sam. 3. 18. meeke, patient, ſtill,
And ſilent in the greateſt ſtormes of ill.
2.
The Sea'seIſa. 47. 20. 21. oft troubled, and then caſts out nought
But mire and dirt from its diſ-gorging throate:
Ungodly men are reſtleſſe in their Minde,
Much troubled, vexed; leaving nought behinde
Butf2 Chron. 28. 19. 22. 23. 1 Cor 15. 33. dirt and filth of Oathes, lewd talke, ſinnes, crimes,
And noyſome luſts; which they caſt up oft times
In ſuch aboundance, that they ſooneg1 Cor. 5. 6. Gal. 5. 9. 2 Kin. 13. 6. c. 14. 29. c. 17. 21. infect
All places with the filth they thus eject.
3.
The Sea ahPſ. 104. 25. Lam. 4. 3. world of ugly monſters breedes
Within her wombe, the which ſhe dayly feedes
WholeiRom. 1. 29. 30. 31. Act. 13. 10. Eph. 4. 19. worlds of monſtrous Sinnes and luſts are bred
In wicked Hearts, and dayly nouriſhed.
4.
The Sea iskIſa. 57. 20. Jam. 1. 6. Gen. 49. 4. floating and unconſtant ſtill,
Moving with Wind and Tide which way they will
Direct and ſteare its courſe; ſo wicked men
ArelGen. 49. 4. Jam. 1. 8. 2. Pet. 2. 14. c. 3. 16. Iſa. 1. 5. c. 31. 6. Jer. 5. 23. c. 6. 28. c. 3. 6. 8. 11. 12. Hoſ. 11. 7. fickle and unſtable, even when
They ſeeme moſt firme; changing their friendſhip, love,
Yea Faith, Oathes, Friends; as Times, Winds, Tides them move.
5.
We ſee, the Sea ismEccleſ. 1. 7. never full, though all
Springs, Rivers, Waters, dayly runne and fall
Into it; So though this worlds ſtreames all flow
And fall into Ill men, they never grow
ThenEccleſ. 5. 10. 12. 17. Pro. 30. 15. fuller by them, but ſtill empty are,
The more they have, the more they carke and care.
6.
The Sea isoPſal. 135. 6. Gen. 1. 2. c. 7. 11. deepe, deceitefull: Ill men too
Are pPſal. 64. 6. Pſal. 35. 20. and 43. 1. Jer. 17. 9.ſo: whence both a world of men undoe:
Then never make a wicked man thy Friend,
For feare he cheate, undoe Thee in the end.
7.
Seas ſhew no mercy but qExod. 14. 28. Gen. 7. 21. 22. 23.devoure, drowne all
Without remorſe, who in their mouthes once fall:
Thus wicked men arerProv. 12. 10. Hoſ. 12. 7. Act. 9. 2. Zech. 3. 3. Mat. 2. 16. cruell; mercileſſe,
Voyd of all pitty, ready to oppreſſe.
And ruine all Sorts; no worth, parts, ſex, age,
Can reſt exempted from their Helliſh rage.
8.
The Sea is full of*Act. 27. 29. Rockes, Shelves, Sands which ſplit,
Wrecke, drowne ſhips, boates, and men that on them hit.
Ill men aresProv. 5. 3. to 15. c. 1. 10. to 20. c. 7. 8. to 27. fraught, with Rockes, Shelves, Sands of vice
And ſinne, to which they others oft entice,
Amidſt the which they ſo long ſaile and play,
Till both their ſoules be ſplit and caſt away.
9.
The Sea is harſh, tart, briniſh, and nought growes
Upon thoſe Sands and Bankes it over-flowes:
Ungodly men aret1 Sam. 25. 10. 11. Rom. 1. 29. 30. 31. 2 Tim. 3. 2. 3. 4. churliſh, crabbed, rude,
Ʋnkinde, at leaſt to thoſe who are renu'de:
Barren of goodneſſe, grace, truth, piety;
And others make ſo by their company.
No grace or goodneſſe ſhall oncevIſa. 5. 2. 7. 2. Tim. 2. 17. 1 Cor. 5. 8. Iſa. 1. 5. 6. 7. 2 Chro. c. 28. & 33. thrive, or ſprout
Where things are ſwayed by this wicked Rout.
10.
The xPſal. 104. 25. 26.Sea is ever open night and day
To all of all ſorts, like a common way:
Thus, lewd mens Hearts doe alwayes open lye
To ſinnes ofyRom. 1. 29. 30. 31. Epheſ. 4. 19. 2 Tim. 2. 26. Rom. 6. 12. 13. 17. all kindes; no iniquitie
So great, ſtrange, horrid, but may freely ſaile
Within their Hearts, and over them prevaile.
11.
The Seas ſalt waters farre exceede the ſweete
And pleaſant ſtreames; yea, drowne them when they meete,
Ungodly men in number much Surmount
Chriſts choſen flocke; ſozMat. 7. 13. 14. Luc. 13. 23. 24. Rom. 9. 27. c. 10. 16. 1 Pet. 3. 20. Rev. 3. 4. Iſa. 17. 5. 6. 1 King. 19. 14. ſmall in Mans account,
That they oft times are hardly ſeene; and lye
Like wheate in chaffe, hid in obſcurity:
From whence we learne that Papiſts ill conclude
Their Church the trueſt, from her multitude.
12.
The Sea is Lawleſſe, Lordleſſe,aJoh. 9. 8. Pſal. 89. 9. Pſal. 93. 4. none can tame
Or rule it, but that God that made the ſame:
Lewd men are ſuch, nob2 Tim. 3. 2. 3. 4. Jam. 3. 7. 8. Pſal. 2. 2. 3. mortall wight but God
Can breake, tame, ſway them, with his Iron Rod.
13.
Sea waters heated, ſoone grow cold againe,
And alwayes after cold, harſh, ſalt, remaine;
So wicked men heate with afflictions fire
Or ſome good fits of zeale, doe *Pſal. 106. 13. 21. Hoſ 6. 4.ſoone retire
Ʋnto their former coldneſſe, brackiſhneſſe,
Which to their*Joh. 8. 21. 24. dying dayes doe them poſſeſſe.
14.
We ſee Sea waters themſelves caſt and mold
Into each veſſels ſhape, which doth them hold:
So, ill men will themſelves*Pſal. 106. 35. 36. Judg. 1. 21. 33. c. 2. 2. ſhape, and apply
To every place, time, faſhion, company;
And water like, will ſuite themſelves full well
To any Sect, Religion, where they dwell.
15.
The Sea, with rage, the Rockes doth oft aſſaile,
To over-turne them, yet can nought prevaile,
But ſtill with loſſe ſelfe doth breake and ſplit,
Not them, whiles its fierce waves againſt them hit:
Thus wicked men, whilſt they with furie rage
Againſt our Rocke Chriſt, or his Heritage,
Themſelves (not him, nor them) to cPſal. 2. 2. 3. 9. Rev. 2. 27. Pſ. 50. 22. Mat. 21. 44. Iſa. 8. 9.powder grinde
And in the cloſe, nought but confuſion finde.
O daſh not then againſt theſe Rockes, which ſhall
StanddPſal. 125. 1. Prov. 10. 30. Iſa. 33. 20. Mat. 7. 24. 25. firme amidſt all ſtormes that on them fall:
Lord let us never be of this lewd crue,
But with thy grace our Hearts and Lives renue
That ſo we may eſcape that eRev. 19. 20. c. 20. 10. c. 21. 8. Mat. 25. 41.Lake of fire
Where they ſhall ever feele thy ſcalding Ire.
Meditations of the fifth Sort.
ONce more, me thinkes the Sea (which ever floates,
But never reſts,) preſents unto my thoughts
A lively Mappe of this vaine World; (which, it.
In ſome reſpects reſembles very fit;)
Yeelding them ample Sea-roome, for to hale,
And chaſe this Theame with a delightfull Gale,
Untill my roving Muſe, quite tyred ſhall
Take in her Sailes, and let her Anchor fall.
1.
Now to begin this pleaſing chaſe? the Seas
Are ſalt, harſh, brackiſh, and no Pallats pleaſe:
This world isfRuth. 1. 20. 21. Exod. 1. 19. Job. 3. 10. c. 13. 26. c. 23. 2. bitter, tart, and ſalt to all,
Through ſickeneſſe, ſorrowes, croſſes, which befall
Them in ſome kinde or other, for to make
Their Hearts more willing its love to forſake:
But moſt unpleaſant is it to Gods Saints
Of any others; whoſe moſt ſadgJob 3. & 6. 10. Pſa. 6. & 31. & 35. & 38. and 62. & 69 & 22. Lam. 1. & 2. & 3. & 4. Complaints
Of itshJob 7. 11. c. 9. 18. c. 10. 1. c. 25. 25. Iſa. 38. 15. 17. Lam. 1. 4. c. 3. 15. ſharpe Brine, would peirce a heart of ſteele,
And make all ſalt we in it taſte, or feele.
How can we then this briniſh world once love,
Or be unwilling from it to remove
Unto that other? fraught with alliPſal. 16. 11. Iſa. 35. 10. c. 51. 11. Rev. 22. 2. to 8. delights,
All ſweeteſt Joyes, and Soule-refreſhing ſights!
2.
Sea waters drunke downe, hurt, gnaw, fret, decay
The Entralls, and oft times take life away:
This brackiſh world, quaft down, kJam. 4. 4. 9. 10. 1 Joh. 2. 15. 16. 17..the ſoule annoyes,
Corrodes, conſumes, and at the laſt deſtroyes.
Thoſe who ſippe of it, ſickely grow, but ſuch
Are paſt all cure, who ſwallow over-much.
O let us never bibbe, carouſe, or l1 Cor. 7. 30. 31. 1 Joh. 2. 15. 16.love
Her poyſnous cups, which doe ſo deadly prove.
3.
Salt waters ſtill increaſe, not quench mens thirſt,
He that drinkes theſe, is dryer than at firſt:
This worlds ſalt ſtreames mens drought can never ſwage,
The more they drinke, themEccleſ 4. 8. c. 5. 15. Iſa 56. 11. more their thirſt doth rage;
A cup or two, ſtill makes them long for more;
And none ſo dry, as thoſe who have moſt ſtore
Of this worlds waters, which doe onelyonly feede
Not quench the dropſie; cauſe, not helpe their neede.
O taſte not then her ſtreames, but them defie,
Which ſwage no thirſt, but make men ſtill more drie.
4.
The Sea is evernJam. 1. 6. Iſa 57. 20. floating, changing place,
State, and condition, never in one Caſe:
Sometimes it flowes a ſpace; then ebbes againe
Forth-with; and Stormes, its Calmes ſtill entertaine.
If now it ſmiles, anon it frownes, foames, ſwels,
Ringing the changes more than any Bells:
Thiso1 Cor 7. 31. world is flitting, fickle, mutable;
We all likepPſal. 39. 9. 119. 19. Levit. 25. 23. 1 Chro. 29. 15. 1 Pet. 2. 11. Heb. 11. 8. 9. 13. 14. 15. 16. 37. 38. Pſal. 107. 4. 5. ſtrangers, pilgrimes in it dwell,
Roving from place to place till death arreſt
Our wandring Corps, and loſe us in Earthes breſt.
Sometimes the flowing Tydes of happineſſe
Mount us aloft; anon, ſome Ebbes depreſſe
And caſt us downe; farre lower than before,
As happy made, to be more vile and poore.
One ſpace a Calme or pleaſant Gale doth ſmile
And breath upon us; but within a while,
Tempeſtuous ſtormes and whirle-winds over-take,
Toſſe; teare, ſplit, ſinke us, and we ſhipwracke make.
To day we rich are,qJob 1. 13. to 22. Prov. 23. 5. ere to morrow poore;
Well, in the morning,r1 Sam. 4. 17 10 22. Job 8. 9. c. 14. l. 2. Jam. 3. 14. Iſa. 37. 36. Pſal. 103. 14. 15. 16. Luk. 18. 26. Pſa 90. 5. 6. 7. dead, or at deaths doore
Ere night: in Honour and eſteeme this houre,
The next,sDan. 4. 3. to 35. c. 5. 30. 31. c 6. 23. Eſth. 7. caſt downe, baſe, withered like a flower.
How many ſayling in full ſtreames of wealth,
Pomp, Honour, Pleaſure, Favour, Greatneſſe, Health
And all contentments which the world can give
Unto her darlings, whilſt they therein live,
Have in onetEſther. 7. Dan. 4. 33. houres ſpace, beene ſtript of all,
And daſht in peeces with a ſuddaine fall?
How manyvExod. 14. 27. 28. Num. 31. 7. 8. 9. Joſh. 8. & 10. 11. & 12. Judg. 1. 6. 7. c. 7. & 8. 1 King 16. 22. 2 King. 9. & 11. & 13. 14. 15. 16. 17. & 19. 21. 23. 24. & 25. 2 Chron. 36. 1. to 22. Dan. 4. 30. to 35. c. 5. 30. 31. Act. 12. 21. 22. 23. mighty Kings, States, Monarchies,
Have in a moment felt ſuch miſeries,
Such fatall changes in their worldly State,
As no Heart could conceive no tongue relate?
Unconſtant world (more full of changes then
The Sea or Moone) how can the ſonnes of men
Oncex1 Joh. 2. 15. 16. 17. love or truſt thee? Goe, cheate
Thy ſickely friendſhip ever will defie.
5.
The Sea is full ofyAct. 27. 29. Rockes, which ſinke and quaſh.
Thoſe Ships, Barkes, Boates, that doe againſt them daſh:
This world hath farre more Rockes to wracke and Split
The Soules of ſuch as doe againſt them hit.
z1 Joh. 2. 15. 16. 17. c. 5. 19. Jam. 4. 4. 1 Tim. 6. 9. 10. 11.Wealth, honours, luſts, pompes, pleaſures, pride of Life,
With ſundry other Rockes, are here at ſtrife
Which ſhall moſt ſoules deſtroy, and ſinke to Hell,
In Seas andaRev. 19. 20. c. 20. 10. Mat. 25. 41. Lakes of brimſtone ſtill to dwell.
How dare we then approach theſe Rockes, or run
Upon them, which whole Millions have undone?
Or take delight this worlds ill Seas to croſſe,
Where moſt are Wreckt, none ſcape without ſome loſſe?
6.
The Sea a ſmiling, ſhining azure face
And lovely out-ſide hath her ſelfe to grace;
Wherewith ſhe hides her ſavage cruelty,
Rockes, Shelves, Gulfes, and thoſe Monſters that doe lye
Cloſe couch'd in her, to wrecke and to devoure
All thoſe her beauty drawes within their power.
This cheating flatring world, mens ſoules to traine
Into her deadly Snares (where they remaine
Faſt hampred till they periſh) ſtill preſents
Her ſelfe to them, deckt with ſuch Ornaments,
Such out-ſide, beauty, pompe, State, gaudineſſe,
And ſeeming ſhewes of preſent happineſſe,
As raviſh moſt mens Eyes and Heartsb1 Joh. 15. 16. 17. Jam. 4. 4. Col. 3. 2. with Love
Of her, and turne them from the things above.
Whereas, if they once ſaw, or could diſcry
Thoſe horrid Monſters, Rockes, gulfes, ſnares that lye
Hid under her faire ſurface, they would ſhun
Her Love, and faſter from, than to her run
O let us view her intrals, not her skin;
She's Gold without, but Poyſon, Droſſe, within.
7.
The Sealyes open to allcJonah. 1. 4. Pſal. 107. 25. 26. 29. ſtormes and winds,
This world expoſed is untodJoh. 16. 33. 1 Pet. 5. 9. 2 Cor. 6. 4. 2 Tim. 3. 11. 12. 2 Cor. 4. 8. to 13. all kinds
Of Tempeſts, Croſſes, Loſſes, Guſtes, and Harmes:
How can we then lye ſleeping in her Armes?
Or hope to finde peace, reſt, content, or bliſſe
In her, where we are certaine all to miſſe?
8.
The Clouds above much darken, and obſcure
The Seas bright ſhining face, whiles they indure:
So clouds of croſſes ſent from God, deface
This worlds bright Luſter, much eclipſe her grace;
Making hereJob 10. 1. 1 Joh. 2. 15. 16. 2 Cor. 5. 2. 3. 4. Rom. 8. 19. to 24. loathſome in theſe very Eyes,
Which in her Sun-ſhine, did her over priſe.
9.
Thoſe Fogges, Cloudes, Stormes, which darke the light-ſome skies
Ecclipſe the Sun-ſhine, worke much harme, ariſe
Out of thef1 King. 19. 43. 44. Job 38. 8. 9. Sea at firſt: Moſt cloudes of woes
Miſts, fogges of ſorrowes which doe interpoſe
Twixt Men and Heaven, hiding Gods ſweete Face
And preſence from them, with his Rayes of grace,
g1 Tim. 6. 9. 10. Jam. 5. 1. to 7. Eccleſ. 2. 22. 23.Vexing their Hearts, Mindes, Soules, doe ever ſpring
From this worlds Seas, which nought but miſchiefe bring.
O let us never fixe our mindes or Hearts
On her, that is the cauſe of all our ſmarts!
10.
The loweſt Ebbes Seas higheſt Tydes ſucceede:
Mens greateſt falls from this worlds heights proceede;
Expect then when her Tydes doe higheſt flow,
SomehEſth. c. 6. to 9. Dan. 4. 30. to 34. Act. 12. 11. 12. 13. Luk. 12. 15. to 21. great approaching Ebbe to bring thee low.
Let not then her ſpring Tides of happineſſe
Make men ſecure, proud, haughty, or to bleſſe
Themſelves without good cauſe, ſince none ſo nigh
Are to a fall, as thoſe ſhe mounts moſt high.
11.
The Breaches which the Sea makes on the maine
AreiLam. 2. 13. 2 Sam. 1. 20. hardly made up, or repair'd againe:
The Ruptures which this worlds Floods dayly make
Upon thoſe Soules they batter, enter, take,
ArekHeb. 6. 5. 6. 7. 2 Tim. 4. 10. Mat. 13. 20. 1 Cor. 7. 31. 33. 34. Gal. 1. 4. 1 Tim. 6. 17. 2 Pet. 2. 17. 20. 21. hardly cured and ſtopt up? Beware
Their Breaches then, and them prevent with care;
Their entrance is at firſt with Eaſe debarr'd
But once got in, them to repulſe is hard.
12.
All RiverslEccleſ. 1. 7. run into the Sea, yet ſtill
It empty is, and never hath its fill,
The ſtreames of moſt mens Cares, thoughts, labours, braines,
Into this worlds Sea run, which yet remaines
AsmEccleſ. 5. 10. Iſa. 56. 11. empty as before. O then beſtow
Nought upon that which never full will grow.
13.
Moſt liveleſſe things, as mettalls, ſtones, duſt, ſand
And pondrous bodiesnExod. 15. 5. 10. ſinke downe out of hand
As ſoone as caſt into the Sea; where drown'd,
They are ſo loſt, that they cannot be found.
Yet trees, which mount from Earth up to the skie
Whiles they are growing; and ſuch foules as flye
Up towards heaven, ſafelyoGen. 7. 17. 18. ſwim, and ride
Ʋpon the Sea, not fearing, winds, ſtormes, tide:
So men, deprived of the Life of Grace
Made all ofpPſal. 10. 18. Joh. 3. 31. Phi. 3. 19. Col. 3. 2. Earth, on which they fixe and place
Their hearts and thoughts; no ſooner lanch or fall
Into this worlds Sea, but they ſinke downe all
So deepe into it, that itq1 Tim. 6. 9. 10. 2 Tim. 4. 10. Eccl. 2. 22. 23. 1 Joh. 5. 19. drownes them quite,
And in a moment ſwallowes out of ſight.
Whereas Gods choſen Saints, whoſe hearts and Love
Are ever centred on therPhil. 2. 20. Col. 3. 1. 20. 1 Joh. 5. 4. 5. Jam. 1. 27. 1 Cor. 7. 33. things above,
And ſoaring upwards, ſafely ſwim and beare
Themſelves above her floods, and ſtill appeare.
14.
Sea waters quench not, but increaſe the flame
On which men caſt them. This worlds doe the ſame;
Her ſtreamessEccleſ. 5. 10. Iſa. 56. 11. Hab. 2. 5. augment, not quench mens raging fire,
The more they have, the more they ſtill deſire.
Why ſhould we then affect her floods, or ſtore
Which never make us rich, but ever poore?
15.
The Sea ſtilltJona. 1. 13. moves and runs with Wind and Tide,
Theſe ſteare this World, and doe her Rudder guide:
If Times, Winds, Tide, move with us, then will ſhe
Runnev2 King. 9. 30. to 35. c. 10. 1. to 12. Eſth. c. 6. & 7. & 8. Pro. 14. 20. Lam. 1. 2. 8. Pſa. 88. 18. Prov. 19. 20. c. 19. 14. 19. Pſal. 38. 11. with us too, and friendly ſeeme to be;
But let them once, begin on us to frowne,
Shee'le joyn with them to wreck and caſt us down.
O falfe deceitfull world, who doſt forſake
All when they neede thee moſt, and never take
Their parts but when they neede thee not, adieu:
Unconſtant friends are ever falſe, not true.
16.
The Sea the Earth doth compaſſe andxGen. 2. 11. Lam. 2. 13. Hab. 3. 9. 10. Amos 9. 5. Ezech. 27. 34. ſurround,
Some parts whereof by it are often drown'd:
Juſt ſo thisy2 Pet. 2. 20. 21. c. 1. 4. Gal. 1. 4. world environs men about,
Their Soules to ſwallow, ſo that 'few ſwim out
Or ſcape her danger. O thrice happie he
That can ſaile through it, and not drowned be.
17.
Sea fights of any other are moſt fell,
Fierce, bloody, dangerous, hot and terrible.
The Battles which thisz2 Pet. 2. 19. 20. 21. 1 Cor. 3. 18. 19. Gal. 1. 4. Eph. 2. 2. Eph. 6. 12. Col. 2. 8. 20. 1 Tim. 6. 17. 2 Tim. 4. 10. Jam. 4. 4. 1 Joh. 2. 15. 16. 1 Joh. 5. 4. 5. 19. world doth dayly make
Againſt mens Soules them to deſtroy, or take,
Are farre more dangerous, deadly, worſe than thoſe
Wherewith the Fleſh, or Devill them oppoſe:
Her Engines, traines, aſſaults, theirs much exceede,
And none can ſcape them without ſpeciall heede.
18.
As Ships built on the Land with force, toyle, be
Still lanched and dradge out into the Sea:
So man whence once form'd in his Mothers womb
With painefullaGen. 3. 16. c. 35. 16. 17. 18. Job 3. 3. 4. 5. 8. Labour is enforſt to come;
And lanch'd by her into the worlds wide Sea,
Where he from winds and ſtormes is ſeldome free.
Hence he with ſighes, teares, cries, bJob 14. 1. 2. c. 3. 3. to 26.laments in vaine,
As ſoone as borne, what he muſt here ſuſtaine:
O let us then withcLuk. 2. 29. 30. Gen. 46. 30. Job 3. 3. to 10. Rev. 22. 20. ſongs and ſhouts of joy
Leave this worlds Sea, which doth us ſore annoy:
And ſith we enter it with teares, cries, paine,
Its madneſſe thus to part from it againe.
What we with force, griefe, ſobs, firſt undertake;
We ſhould withdPhil. 1. 20. 23. 2. Cor. 5 2. 31. 5. Rom. 8. 22. 23. chearefull hearts at laſt forſake.
Like ſhips, which gladly runne themſelves a ſhore;
Becauſe perforce lanch'd into Seas before.
And yet the moſt with greater ePſal. 55. 4. 116. 3.griefe (O Sinne!)
Depart this world, than they it entred in,
And muſt by might, with grones, teares, ſhreekes and cry
Be puld out thence, and forc'd with woe to dye.
Bleſſed Lord God, ſo ſteare our ſhips and Helme
Through this worlds Sea, which would us overwhelme,
And wrecke for ever, that we may at laſt
Gaine Heav'ns bleſt Port, and there ſure Anchor caſt.
Meditations of the ſixth Sort.
IN fine, the Sea ſuggeſts to each good mind
Theſe Meditations which are yet behind.
1.
Firſt, when we ſee the Sea, it readily
Preſents that vow andf1 Cor. 10. 2. 1 Pet. 3. 21. Baptiſme to our eye,
Which make us Chriſtians, and oblige us ſtill
Theg1 Joh. 2. 15. 16. 17. World, Fleſh, Devill, with their Pompe, Luſts, will
Quite to renounce; and ever to obey
Gods holy Lawes, who waſht our ſinnes away
In theſe Baptiſmall waters; to the hRom. 6. 1. to 20. c. 14. 7. 8. Luk. 1. 74. 75. Gal. 1. 4.end
That we by ſinning ſhould no more offend
His Sacred goodneſſe, but ſpend all our dayes
In juſt, good, holy actions, to his praiſe.
O then when ever we the waters ſee
Let theſe things to our mindes recalled be,
To mend our Lives, renue our vowes, and make
Us World, Fleſh, Devill, and their Luſts forſake.
2.
Croſſe-Seas whoſe boiſterous Tydes by turnes oreſway
Each other, and enforce their ſtreames to ſtray
Quite from their proper courſe, and over-beare
Them ſo, that they their motions counter-ſteare
To that courſe they intend; in lively wiſe
A Newborne Chriſtians ſtate unto our Eyes
Preſent, in whom twoiGal 5. 16. 17. 18. Rom. 7. 13. to 25. Croſſe Seas, Tydes contend
And meete each day, conteſting without end
To over-beare each other: Sometimes the
Floods of their fleſhly Luſts prevailers be,
And over-beare the Spirits counter-tydes,
Which at the laſt prevaile, put fleſh beſides
Its courſe and channell, and through heav'ns great might
Beare downe its ſtreames, and over-comes them quite.
3.
The floating Sea when it invades the Land,
And drownes the Coaſts that next unto it ſtand;
Paints out thatkGen. 7. & 8. 2 Pet. 2. 5. 1. Pet. 3. 20. deluge in the dayes of Noy
Which did the wicked old world quite deſtroy.
And then inſtructs us with all care to flye
Thoſe ſinnes whichl1 Tim. 6. 9. 10. Rev. 20. 10. c. 21. 8. c. 19. 20. drowne us for eternitie,
Both Soule and Body in the fiery Lake.
This thought ſhould move us, all ſinnes to forſake.
4.
When we behold men, goods, lead, ſtones,mExod. 15. 5. 10. ſinke downe
Into the Sea, which them doth quickely drowne
So deepe, that they can never riſe againe:
It paints forth Hell unto us very plaine,
That ſinkes, nRevel. 19. 20. c. 20. 10. c. 21. 8. Mat. 25. 41. 42.drownes, tortures, for eternity
Mens ſoules and bodies, which there chained lye,
So faſt, ſo deepe, that they can never riſe,
Nor ſwim out thence: Which ſhould us all adviſe,
To flye all ſinnes; yea, more to feare and minde
This fiery Lake, whence none redemption finde.
And ſith all feare in Seas for to be drown'd,
How ſhould they dread this Lake, thats more profound.
5.
The Sands on Sea-ſhores, which doe farre ſurpaſſe
AlloGen. 22. 15. c. 32. 12. Joſh. 11. 4. 1 King. 7. 20. 29. number, ſhewes us like a Chriſt all glaſſe
Thoſe multitudes of ſinnes that in us breed
Which doe thepJob. 6. 3. Pſal. 40. 10. Sands in number farre exceede,
To make us humble. And each flowing Tide,
Which doth the Sand both moyſten, drowne and hide
From time to time, inſtructs us every day,
With Floods ofqPſal. 6. 6. Jer. 9. 1. 18. Lam. 2. 10. 18. teares our ſinnes to waſh away;
And in Chriſtsr1 Joh. 1. 7. Mich. 7. 19. blood them ſo to drowne, and hide,
Through Faith, that they may be no more eſpide.
If thus we thinke, learne, doe, by what we ſee,
From day to day, thrice happie ſhall we be.
6.
The ſpringing Tide which by degrees doth flow
To Full-Sea marke, and then by ſteps falls low,
With ſhips firſt built, then lanch'd, next rigd, then ſent
And put to Sea, till they be wreckt or ſpent:
Paint out ManssJob 7. & 14. birth, growth, age, death to our ſight,
With all thoſe Floodes, Ebbes, changes that doe lite
Upon him from the wombe unto his Urne,
Where he meeretGen. 3. 19. Eccleſ. 3. 20. c. 12. 7. duſt, ſhall unto duſt returne.
7.
The vGen. 7. & 8. 1 Pet. 3. 20. 21. 2 Pet. 2. 5.Arke of old, which on the floods did floate,
And ſaved Noah, with each Shippe and boate
Which croſſe the Seas, and thoſe in ſafty keepe
That in them ſaile, when others in the deepe
Depriv'd of theſe, are drowned; ſweetely ſhew
To us Gods Churches State, which here below
On this worlds Sea, dothxIſa. 42. 2. 2 Tim. 4. 17. 18. ſafely floate and ride
(ThoughyPſal. 109. 23. Iſa. 54. 11. Job 7. 4. toſt and torne with Tempeſts, Windes, and tide)
Andz1 Pet. 3. 20. 21. Joh. 15. 4. 5. 6. 7. Act. 2. 47. ſaves all ſuch as in her ſaile and ſtay;
When all without, are drown'd and caſt away.
Let this induce us in Chriſts Church to dwell,
Live, dye, for feare we drowne, and ſinke to Hell.
8.
The vaſteſt Sea isaJo… 38. 8. 10. 11. Pſa. 104. 9. Jer. 5. 22. Prov. 29. bounded, and obeyes
The Lawes and Edicts, which God on its layes,
As well as ſmalleſt ſprings, or ſtreames: How then
Dare greateſt Monarches; Princes, Kings, or Men
Themſelves deeme boundleſſe, lawleſſe and exceede
The bankes andb2 Sam. 23. 2. 3. 4. Deut. 17. 15. to 22. 2 Chron. 9. 8. Pſ. 2. 10. 11. 12. Lawes which God to them decreed?
Let ſenceleſſe Seas now teach them to containe
Within due Bounds, and not to over-ſtraine.
9.
When Seas through winds or ſtormes doe cGen. 7. 8. 8. Neh 1. 8. 2 Pet. 2. 6. Jer. 47. 2. Iſa. 48. 2.overflow,
Or breake their bankes, great miſchiefes, loſſes grow
From thence to men and Beaſts, (which then are drown'd)
And all ſuch places which they doe ſurround:
When Kings, or great ones out of Avarice,
Pride, Luſt, Ambition, or ſome other vice
Out-ſwell, or breake the bounds which God hath ſet,
AdExod. 14. 22. to 31. Joſh. c. 3. to c. 14. Judg. c. 1. to 15. Flood of woes and miſchiefes they beget,
Wherein they drowne themſelves and many more;
And then, too late, their diſmall Fates deplore.
Let Kings and Grandees then take ſpeciall heede,
How they their fined Bounds breake, or exceede.
10.
The Sea below doth ever flow Ebbe move,
AsePſal. 104. 6. to 14. c. 107. 25. 26. 29. God himſelfe doth ſteare it from above:
So men on Earth, their thoughts, words, acts ſhould frame
And Guide, asfPſal. 119. 9. Gal. 6. 16. God above directs the ſame.
11.
Now waters ever ſtinke or putrifie
Whiles they within theirgPſal. 104. 6. to 14. Channels move, and lie:
But once remov'd out of their proper place,
Or let lye ſtill, they ſtinke, and loſe their grace.
Thus men doe ſeldome rot in ſinnes, luſts, vice
Whilſt they theirh2 Theſ. 3. 6. to 14. Rom. 12. 6. 7. 8. honeſt calling, exerciſe
And keepe within their Compaſſe. But if they
GrowiEzech. 16. 49. 1 Tim. 5. 12. 13. 2 Theſ. 3. 6. to 13. Pro. 19. 15. idle, lazie, or begin to ſtray
Out of their fixed Stations, in ſhort ſpace
They rot and ſtinke, in Sinnes to their diſgrace.
O then beware of ſleepe and idleneſſe
WhichkEzech. 16. 45. 50. rot and Slay the Soules they once poſſeſſe.
12.
When I perceive the Seas ſweete flowing tyde
Upon the drie Sands, ſhores to creepe, ſteale, glide
By ſenſeleſſe ſteps, untill it drowne them quite:
It repreſents unto my thoughts, minde, ſight,
Howſinnes and vices bylHeb. 3. 12. 13. Jam. 1. 14. 15. degrees, creepe, grow,
On men, till they them drowne and overflow.
O then let all, their firſt progreſſe withſtand
Elſe they will them ſoonemHeb. 12. 1. 2 Tim. 6. 9. drowne, as Seas doe Land:
Nay worſe; ſince flowing Seas ſtill Ebbe againe,
And leave the Sands dry: Sinnes ſtill flow and gaine
On Men, and drowne them each daynRevel. 22. 11. 2 Tim. 3. 13. more and more
They know no Ebbes, but flow and ne're give o're.
13.
The Ebbing Sea which all its filth behinde
Leaves on the ſhore; ſhould put all men in minde
How their Ebbes, and afflictions ſhould ſtill make
Them all their filth of ſinne quite tooRev. 7. 14. Dan. 11. 35. Iſa. 1. 25. forſake;
Which being once caſt up upon the ſhore,
MuſtpPſal. 85. 8. Hoſ. 14 8. never be reſumed by them more.
14.
When I behold Our Females waſh away
With water, all blacke ſpots of Inke, Soote, Clay,
Which on their faces fall by accident,
I wonder much, and cannot but lament
To ſee ſome ſpot their faces ſtudiouſly
With Anticke Patches of a Sable dye;
Should God himſelfe their viſage thus beſpot
They would repute it an uncomely Blot
A great diſhonor, and uſe all their skill
To cure, or hide ſuch blacke ſpots, Moles as ill:
How dare they then uſe Artificiall ſpots
Which they, if native, would repute for blots
And deeme a blemiſh to their beauty, nay
A ſad ill Omen? May I not then ſay
qDeut. 32. 5.Theſe ſpots are not the ſpots of Gods Children
Which make them odious to God and good Men,
Who loverJob 11. 15. no ſpots, ſince Chriſt his blood out-ſhed
To clenſe his choſen from allsEph. 5. 27. Cant. 4. 7. Job. 11. 15. 1 Pet. 1. 19. 2. Pet. 3. 14. Spots and dread,
Waſh off, renounce theſe Satan-Spots, leaſt He
Them Satans Spots adjudge, and you to be
His marked Vaſſals, not his owne waſht traine
Sith ſuch blacke ſpots upon your face remaine.
To weare white LinnentJude 23. ſpotted, is diſgrace,
What is it then to weare a ſpotted Face,
And that in Gods owne preſence? Certainely
It cannot but be ſinne or infamie.
A Spotleſſe Soule abhorres a vJob 11. 15. 1 Pet. 1. 19.ſpotted Face
Which where all's cleane within, can have no place
By Chriſts owne verdict, ſo that all may feare
Inward uncleanneſſe where ſuchy2 Pet. 2. 13. Jude 12. ſpots appeare;
Which ſpring no doubt from*Iſa. 3. 16. to 25. 1 Joh. 2. 15 16. Rom. 12. 1. 2. 1 Tim. 2. 9. 10. Pride, luſt, wantonneſſe,
Or following great Vaine Perſons antique Dreſſe,
The Sea which hates ſpots, ſhall in judgement riſe
Againſt all who with ſpots their Fronts diſguiſe.
15.
The flowing Seas, which ſeeme to kiſſe, embrace
The ſhore in lovely ſort, yet in ſhort ſpace
Recoile againe, and leave it naked, dry,
And faſter from than to it uſe to flye,
Paint out in lively ſort before our Eyes
Thoſe hollow hearted friends unconſtant guiſe
Who in the flood of Mens proſperity
Can hugge, embrace, proteſt to live and die
Together with them, But as ſoone as they
Begin to Ebbe, and their eſtates decay,
ForthwithzNah. 3. 17. Rev. 18. 10. Pſ. 35. 14. 15. Pſa. 41. 9. 10. Pſal. 88. 18. Pro. 14. 20. Job 16. 20. c. 19. 14. to 20. Pſal. 38. 11. Prov. 19. 4. 7. retire, and in poſt from them flye,
Leaving them naked in their miſery.
This is the common friendſhip, now adayes,
Wherein true Friends deſerve both love, Crownes praiſe,
Who ſtill ſticke cloſeſt inaPro. 17. 17. c. 18. 24. adverſity
And then draw neareſt when all others flye.
16.
Few put to Sea, or come a ſhore, but when
It flowes, not Ebbes, which Character, that Men
Delight tobJob. 29. 2. to 25. Luk. 16. 19. Jam. 5. 3. 5. 6. ſwim ſtill in proſperity
And flowing ſtreames, ſhunning adverſity,
With Ebbes of Fortune; though thecPſal. 119. 71. 67. Heb. 12. 11. Schoole of grace
And vertue, which in full Seas ſcarce finde place:
For as the flowing Sea ſtill runnes amaine
Towards the Earth, and never turnes againe
Till Ebbes recall it: So proſperities
Encreaſing Flood, mens hearts, minds, loves, carries
Still towardsdJam. 5. 1. to 8. Prov. 1. 32. Phil. 3. 19. Earth and worldly things below
Drowning all Graces, vertues that ſhould grow
Within them; till ſome croſſe Ebbes which befall
Them, their hearts, thoughts affections quite e2 Chro. 33. 12. to 20.recall
From Earth and worldly things, to things above
Turning the ſtreame of their deſires, hearts love
To God and grace above, the Port, But, End
To which our Thoughts, Acts, motions ſhould ſtill tend.
OfPſa. 119. 71. 1 Pet. 1. 6. 7. Heb. 12. 3. to 12. Rom. 5. 3. 4. 5. happy Ebbes, which mount our ſoules on high
And them tranſlate from Earth above the skie:
Were it not for theſe Ebbes, few would arive
At heavens bleſt Port, to which they moſt men drive.
17.
When tis full Sea at one place, it is then
Low Ebbe at others, Its Juſt ſo with men:
Somes wealth, flood, greatneſſe, others make poore, low.
And theſe their Ebbes, cauſe them to ſpring, riſe, flow.
Tis never full Sea at once in all climes,
Nor in all mens Eſtates, which have their times
TogPſal. 30. 5. 6. 7. Pſal. 107. 40. 41. Pſ. 113. 7. 8. Ebbe and flow by turnes; we cannot all
Be happie here; when ſome riſe, ſome muſt fall.
Yea, thoſe who have the higheſt worldly Flood,
Have oft with it the loweſt Ebbes of good:
Their Floods ofh2 Tim. 4. 10. Hoſ. 4. 7. c. 10. 1. Prov. 1. 32. worldly wealth, Pompe, State, effect
Strange Ebbes of Grace, and make them God neglect.
18.
The Sea in Calmes, and where no Rockes, Shelves lye,
To croſſe its courſe, runnes ſmooth without waves, cry;
But croſt by winds, ſtormes, rockes, ſands, inſtantly
It ſwells, roares, fumes, and rageth furiouſly
Beyond all meaſure, caring not to ſplit
And breake it ſelfe 'gainſt Rockes that hinder it:
Thus many men who ſeeme milde, meek and ſweete
Of Nature, whiles they with no windes, rubbes meete
Which Croſſe their Wills, deſignes, ſwell fome, i1 King. 13. 4. Dan. 3. 11. to 23.rage, fret,
Storme, and all rules of reaſon quite forget.
Oft in a moment, when croſt in their will
Aymes, Endes, Luſts, Cauſes, whether good or ill;
And like ſome furious, Bedlams, voyd of wit,
Will in their fits of cholor rather ſplit
And wrecke themſelves for ever, than not have
Their wills in all things, which they ſeeke or crave.
This Bedlam fury doth too oft undoe
Thoſe it poſſeſſeth, if not lookt unto
In time, and quite ſubdude, eſpecially
Great men, or thoſe who would be climbing high.
Let all them flye it: 'tis mens ſhame to be
As mad, raſh, raging, as the Senceleſſe Sea;
And to permit their ſtations to tranſport
Them paſt the bounds of reaſon, in this ſort.
19.
When I behold men with much toyle to row,
And beate the Seas oft-times when croſſe winds blow,
Or tydes againſt them runne till they with paine
Their wiſhed Haven at the laſt obtaine.
It mindes me how all Chriſtians while below
In this worlds Sea,kLuk. 13. 24. ſhould dayly ſtrive and row,
Againſt all winds, Tydes, Stormes, which croſſe or drive
Them from Heavens Port, till they therein arrive
In ſafety: which bleſt Harbor none can gaine
Without muchl1 Cor. 9. 24 25. 26. 27. labour, rowing; ſweat, and paine.
20.
Its dangerous croſſing of the Seas at night;
When neither Sunne, Moone, Starres yeeld any light.
Hence moſt ſhips in the night are caſt away
For want of light, when few are wreckt by day;
This worlds Seas are moſt dangerous, ſpecially
In darkeſt Nights, when no light from on high
Of ſaving Grace ormJoh. 11. 9. 10. Hoſ. 4. 6. Mar. 15. 14. 1 Joh. 2. 11. Joh. 12. 35. knowledge doth appeare
Within mens ſoules, whereby their courſe to ſteare.
Needes muſt men periſh then for want of light
To ſhunne Rockes, Shelves, and guide their ſhips aright.
We ſhould then for this light of Grace more pray
And long, than*Act. 27. 29. Seamen in a ſtorme for Day.
21.
The deepeſt Seas run ſilent without noyſe
When as the ſhallow, roare, lift up their voyce;
With horrid rage and out-cry. So we ſee
The deepeſt, wiſeſt men moſt ſilent be,
Making leaſt noyſe or bragges, and *Pſal. 39. 1. 2. 9.patiently
Ʋnder all ſtormes and Croſſes quiet lye.
When ſhallow Pates like*1 Cor. 13. 1. empty veſſels make
The greateſt noyſe, bragges, and moſt on them take;
And being croſt, pincht with adverſity,
*Iſa. 59. 11. c. 57. 20. 21.Roare, rage, ſtorme, vex like Bedlams furiouſly.
To bragge, vaunt, rage, foame, chafe and over-prate,
Is a ſure Symptome of a ſhallow Pate.
22.
Whiles that the Sun-beames on the Sea ſhine bright
They make her ſhine ſo, that ſhe bleares the ſight
And eyes of men, with thoſe meere borrowed Rayes
Which ſhe reflects, and ſo to them conveyes:
But let the Sunne ſet, or a cloud it hide,
Her ſhining Luſter's gone, and not eſpide;
When as the Sun-ſhine of proſperity
Breakes out on thiso1 Joh. 15. 2. 15. 16. 17. worlds Sea, it bleares the eye
Of Carnall men, and makes her ſhine ſo bright
That nought to them ſeemes halfe ſo cleare, or light,
Though all her Luſtre be but borrowed Rayes,
Whichp1 Cor. 7. 31. Eccleſ. 1. & 2. paſſe away, and in her make no ſtayes:
As ſoone as Clouds or Croſſes hide this Sunne,
Her glory fades, and all her ſplendor's gone;
O dote not then upon her hired light,
Which if it laſts all day, ſtill qPſa. 49. 16. 17. 18. Jer. 15. 9. Amos 8. 9.ſets at Night.
23.
The Sea is liquid, and whiles men doe thinke
To walkeupon it, downe they fall andrPſal. 69. Mat. 14. 30. 31. ſinke;
Unfaithfull friends are like; whiles we reſt, ſtay
On them, we fall, ſinke, and are caſt away.
Try then before you truſt; and tIſa. 2. 22. Pſal. 146. 3. Pſa. 118. 8. 9.reſt on none
Who are meere fleſh, but upon God alone:
WhovPſal. 61. 8. Deut. 31. 6. Joſh. 1. 5. Pſal. 27. 9. 10. Pſal. 60. 11. never failes, when falſe friends from us fall
And true Friends dye, or cannot helpe at all.
24.
When we behold Seas conſtantly to flow
In ſpite of winds & ſtormes which on them blow,
Twice every day; It minds us how each day
WexPſal. 92. 2. 55. 17. Pſ. 53. & 56. 8. & 88. 13. Dan. 6. 10. 1 Theſ. 5. 17. Epheſ. 6. 18. Luk. 18. 1. c. 23. 36. twice, at leaſt, to God ſhould duely pray,
Maugre all Winds, Stormes, Sports, Workes, Company,
That would us hinder from this piety.
A type whereof theyExod. 29. 39. c. 30. 7. 8. Lev. 6. 12. 20. 1 Chro. 16. 40. 2 Chron. 2. 4. c. 13. 11. c. 31. 7. Ezra. 3. 3. double Sacrifice
Of old each day, did paint forth to our eyes:
And as Sea-waters alwayes joyntly flow,
Twice every day together, whence they grow
More ſtrong and great: So every family
Wherein thezThe practiſe of Piety p. 26 1. &c. Heb. 10. 24. 25. Deut. 6. 6. 7. c. c. 11. 19. 18. 20. Pſal. 95. 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. Practice of true Piety
Or gifts of grace reſide, ſhould twice each day
Morning and Evening, to God joyntly pray,
As well as privately; that ſo their Teares,
Sighes, Cryes might ſound more loude, ſweete, in Gods eares,
AndaRom. 13. 30. 31. Philem. 22. 1 Theſ. 5. 2…. 2. & 3. 1. Heb. 13. 18. 2 Cor. 1. 11. more prevaile with him; O happy they
Who with pure Hearts to God thus dayly pray.
25.
When we eſpie ſhips driven quite beſides
Their courſe and Compaſſe, with ſtormes, Winds, and Tydes,
In darkeſt nights, and tempeſts for to croſſe,
Saile, paſſe in ſafety, without wrecke, bruiſe, loſſe,
Amidſt unknowne moſt dangerous, Rocks, Shelves when
AllbAct. 27. 20. to 44. Pſa. 107. 25. to 31. hopes of ſafty faile in thoughts of men,
Sith diverſe ſhips have there beene caſt away
Though ſtear'd by skilfull Pilots, at mid-day
In Calmes and faireſt weather: we muſt thence
Conclude, and cry, Gods ſecret cAct. 20. 27. 31. to 40. Pſal. 107. 24. to 31. Iſa. 22. 2. Jon. 2. 6. Pſal. 66. 12.Providence
(The beſt and onelyonly Pilot) did direct
Their Helme, and them from Shipwrackes thus protect.
And learne that humane skill, Art, nought avayles
Unleſſe God ſteares the Rudder, guides the Sailes.
No matter then what ere the Pilot be,
If God us guide, we ſhall from wreckes be free.
O Let usdPſal. 78. 53. Pſal. 3. 8. 43. 2. & 68. 20. pray to him alwayes to ſteare
Our Helmes, then we no Rockes, wreckes, neede to feare,
And ſhall ſaile ſafe, whiles others who relye
Upon their skill, not God, wrecke, ſplit, drowne, dye:
26.
When I behold ſweete pleaſant ſtreames to fall
Into ſalt Seas at laſt, which drowne them all.
I thereby learne, how worldly jollity,
And ſtreames of ſinfull pleaſureseLuk. 16. 25. Job 21. 11. 12. 13. Pro. 14. 13. Rev. 18. 7. 8. Amos 6. 1. to 8. end onelyonly
In Seas of briniſh teares, in floods of griefe,
And plunge men intofJob 21. 12. 13. Iſa. 5. 11. to 16. Luk. 16. 19. to 26. Eccl. 11. 9. Hell paſt all releefe.
Fly then theſe pleaſant ſtreames which ever end
In ſalteſt Seas, and men poſt to Hell ſend.
27.
When Marriners or Paſſengers long lye
Waiting for Wind, and opportunity
To croſſe the Seas to thoſe Ports, Townes, Countries
To which they bound are, they will in no wiſe
Let ſlip, but take the firſt good Gale; which loſt
May quite undoe, or put them to great coſt.
Their Wiſedome ſhould inſtruct all thoſe who lye
On Earth below, for paſſage to their high
And Heav'nly Country, never to omit
OnegHeb. 3. 7. 8. 12. 13. 15. c. 4. 1. 11. 16. Gale of Grace which blowes well towards it,
But whiles Life, Time, and meanes of Grace endure
And breath upon them, to make heaven ſure,
And poſt on to it, with full Sayles each day;
For feare they*Mat. 25. 9. to 12. loſe their paſſage through delay.
One Gale of Grace or opportunity
Neglected, may loſe us eternity.
GodshLuk. 19. 42 Pſal. 95. 7. 8. 11. 1 Theſ. 5. 19. Spirit, which blowes when and where it will
Muſt not be ſlighted, but obſerved ſtill:
It will not ever waite, noriJoh. 3. 8. Gen. 6. 3. ſtrive with men
And once departed, returnes not agen.
28.
Sea waters in their Channels, are but light;
Under them all a Childe may ſtand upright:
But taken thence, they very pondrous prove,
A Pipe or two, no Gyant can remove;
Whole Seas of vaſteſt ſinnes are veryk1 King. 16. 30. 31. 32. Eze. 26. 37. Epheſ. 4. 18. 19. Jer. 36. 23. 24. light
On carnall Hearts, who never feele their weight:
Whereas to humbled Soules, the ſmalleſt Crimes
ArelPſa. 38. 3. 4. 6. 8. Mat. 11. 28. Job 6. 2. 3. 4. Amos 2. 13. Rom. 7. 23. 24. 25. heavier than the Sea ten thouſand times;
Wherewith their Soules, are burden'd, and oppreſt,
More than if Mountaines lay upon their breſt.
The reaſons plaine; in one, ſinnes in its place;
ButmHoſ. 14. 2. 8. Rom. 6. 2. to 22. out of it, in Hearts renude by grace.
Try then thy State hereby: if ſinnes weigh light
In thy Soules Seales, thy caſe is ill, not right.
29.
The Sea isoGen. 1. 9. 10. Pſal. 33. 7. 104. 6. to 15. Hab. 2. 14. c. 3. 15. Job 38. 16. Iſa. 60. 5. full of waters, which there lye
Pil'd up in Heapes, as in Gods Treaſurie,
Or Common ſtore-houſe; who doth thence diſperce
Them to all Places of the Ʋniverſe,
Where they are needfull: Which in lively wiſe
Paints out moſt ſweetely to our Hearts and Eyes,
Thoſe inexhauſt, vaſt, boundleſſepJoh 1. 16. Col. 1. 19. c. 2. 9. Magazines
Of goodneſſe, grace, with all thoſe golden Mines
Laid up in God and Chriſt, who day by day
With open HandsqPſal. 104. 21. 26. 27. 28. 145. 15. 16. Pſa. 17. 14. Mat. 5. 6. diſperſe, and give away
Theſe precious ſtores, to every living thing
Throughout the world, and to their Homes them bring.
How ſhould the thought of their vaſt ſtores, feaſt, cheare
Our hungry Soules, and baniſh all their feare?
Sith Seas ſhallrHab. 3. 17. 18. 19. Pſal. 102. 26. 27. 28. Iſa. 19. 4. Jer. 31. 34. 36. 37. c 33. 20. 21. Pſ. 136. & 145. 9. 15. 16. 17. 18. ſooner faile of ſtreames, and dry
Quite up, then theſe ſtores of the Diety
Faile, or diminiſh, which ſtill open ſtand
All needfull things to yeeld us out of hand.
30.
When I conſider how the Seas did ſtand
And ſwim at firſtsGen. 1. 9. 10. Job 38. 8. 9. 10 Pſal. 104. 6. 7. 8. 9. Pſal. 33. 7. Pſal. 136. 6. Prov. 8. 29. Jer. 5. 22. Gen. 6. 17. c. 7. 11. to 24. c. 8. 1. to 22. above the higheſt Land,
Till God confin'd them within Bankes; whence they
If but permitted, would ſoone ſcape away,
And in a moment drowne the world againe:
Me thinkes it points out to us very plaine
The patience, mercy, andtExod. 34. 6. Pſal. 103. 8. 9. 10. 11. Pſal. 86. 15. 16 abundant grace
Of our ſweete God, who keepes them in their place,
ThoughvPſal. 7. 11. Lam. 3. 22. 23. Iſa. 54. 9. 10. dayly urged by our ſinnes, and Crimes,
To let them looſe, to drowne us, ſundry times.
And then inſtructs us, him not to offend,
Who can at will whole Seas againſt us ſend,
(Yea troopes of xMat. 5. 9. to 15. Luk. 8. 30. to 35. Job 1. & 2.Devils) which would ſoone devoure
Us, if not held off by his mighty Power.
31.
When I inyPſa. 24. 2. Scripture read, that God did found
This world on Seas and floods, …s on its ground;
I finde the cauſe of this Worlds z1 Cor. 7. 31. 1 Joh. 2. 15 16. 17.fickleneſſe,
And all the things that We therein poſſeſſe.
For how can ought be ſtable, firme or ſtayd,
That on unſtable, floating Seas is layd?
O then make nought that this world yeelds, youraPſal. 62 10. 1 Tim. 6. 17. Prov. 23. 4. 5. ſtay,
Or Treaſure, ſith it floates and ſwimmes away.
32.
The Sea is Homogeniall, and each ſmall
Drop in it, hath the nature of it all,
In all reſpects; and will not bIſa. 57. 20. Jam. 3. 11.mixe, nor cloſe
With ſtrange or forraigne things, but them oppoſe:
Which ſhould inſtruct all Chriſtians, to agree,
Yea in Faith, Word, and Deede butcJoh. 17. 20. 21. 22. 23. Rom. 12. 16. c. 15. 5. 6. Phil. 2. 2. Act. 4. 32. one to be,
And not to hugge, love, like, but dPſal. 119. 115. Pſal. 101. 6. 7. 8. Pſa. 139. 21. 22. 2. Joh. 5. 5. 10. 11. 1 Cor. 59. 10. 11.ſhun all thoſe
Who in Faith, Life, workes doe not with them cloſe.
33.
The Sea retaines in every coaſt and place,
Her Native Colours, and ſweete azure face.
A checke and ſhame to that phantaſticke crue
Whiche2 King. 9. 10. Jer. 4. 30. c. 22. 14. Ezech. 23. 40. Iſa. 3. 16. to 25. Zeph. 1. 8. 9. paint, and chop old faſhions ſtill for new:
And to thoſe fJam. 1. 6. 8. 2 Pet. 2. 14. 15. 17. 20. Jude 12. 13. Epheſ. 4. 1.changlings, who to ſerve the time
Can ſuite themſelves to every Sect, Place, Clime;
And whiles they thus g1 Cor. 9. 20. 21. 22.become all things to all,
In truth are nothing, and the worſt of all.
34.
When angryhAct. 27. 41. Croſſe Seas meete and claſh together
They foame, rage, roare, yea raiſe ſtormes in faire weather
And toſſe, wrecke, or indanger all that ſaile
Or paſſe their race, and over them prevaile.
When Potent Neighbour Princes, ſtrive, war, fight
One with another, with great force and might,
Nought elſe butiJoſh. cap. 3. to 13. 2 Chron. 15. 5. 6. c. 36. 16. 17. 18. 19. 20. Jer. 14. 19. 1 Sam. 31. 1. to 7. 2 Sam. 2. 26. bloody Battels, tumults, cryes,
Stormes, perils to their Subjects ſtill ariſe,
Which wrecke, conſume their Fortunes, Goods, Lands, Lives.
And of all worldly bleſſings them deprives.
O Let us then be thankefull for our peace:
AndkPſal. 122. 6. 7. 8. Pſal. 128. 6. Iſa. 26. 3. 12. pray that it may laſt, and ſtill increaſe.
35.
The Sea and Skies in colour both agree,
When as in moſt things elſe they different be.
Its thenl1 Sam. 15. 6. 7. Joh. 7. 24. Mat. 23. 27. 28. ill judging by the meere out-ſide:
Thoſe who thus doe, ſhall oft times erre and ſlide.
36.
All Springs andmEccleſ. 5. 1. 7. Rivers runne with chearefull ſpeed
Into the Ocean whence they firſt proceede:
And ſhould not we, with equallnLuk. 1. 29. 30. Gen. 46. 30. Rom. 8. 23. 2 Cor. 5. 2. to 8. Phil. 1. 23. Job 14. 13. 14. c. 3. 22. chearefulneſſe
And ſpeed, our courſes to the grave addreſſe?
Since we fromoGen. 3. 19. Job 4. 19. c. 34. 15. Pſa. 103. 14. 15. Eccleſ. 3. 20. c. 12. 7. Duſt did ſpring at firſt, and ſhall
By Gods decree to duſt and aſhes fall?
(How ſoonepGen. 27. 2. Eccleſ. 9. 12. Job 14. 1 Theſ. 5. 2. 3. he onelyonly knowes:) thrice happy we
If for the grave we ſtill prepared be:
The onelyonly Harbour where we reſt ſecure,
From all thoſe Tempeſts, we did here endure.
36.
Nor neede we feare; ſince we ſhall not remaine
Still in our Graves, but thenceqJob 19. 25. Dan. 12. 21. Iſa. 26. 19. Act. 24. 15. Rev. 20. 23. 1 Cor. 15. 12. to 57 Joh. 11. 23. 24. 1 Theſ. 4. 13. to 18. Joh. 6. 39. 40. 44. 54. riſe up againe:
For, as the Ebbing Sea when it ſinkes low,
And ſeemes quite loſt, and never like to flow;
Yet in ſhort ſpace returnes, and ſprings a freſh
As high as ever; So our Corps, and fleſh,
Though turn'd to duſt and rotted in the Grave,
A ſpring, and rich returne from thence ſhall have
With great advantage; riſing up againe
Free fromr1 Cor. 15. 42. 43. 44. 48. 49. 52. 53. 54. 2 Joh. 3. 2. Dan. 12. 3. Mat. 13. 43. Phil. 3. 21. 2 Theſ. 1. 10. corruption, ſinne, ach, ſickneſſe, paine
And imperfection, in ſuch glorious plight,
That Sunne, Moone, Stars, ſhall not ſhine halfe ſo bright.
Why ſhould we then onces1 Cor. 15. 14. 51. 56. 57. dread death, or the grave,
OrtMar. 8. 36. Joh. 12. 25. Mat. 5. 29. 30. loſe our Soules, our Goods, Lives, Limbes to ſave?
Since our dead Corps,vJoh. 6. 39. loſt Limbes ſhall riſe againe
In ſuch ſurpaſſing glory; and then x2 Tim. 2. 12. Rev. 20. 6. c. 22. 5. 1 Theſ. 4 17.reigne
(Joyn'd to our Soules, and never more to dye,)
In perfect bliſſe, for all eternity?
Inſtruct us Lord toyRo. 14. 7. 8. live to Thee by grace,
Whiles we here ſaile in this Seas dangerous race:
Then are we zJob 19. 25. 1 Joh. 3. ….certaine when we end our dayes,
That thou wilt us from grave, to Heaven raiſe
Where we more Bliſſe and glory ſhall receive
Thana1 Cor. 2. 9. Iſa. 64. 4. Pſal. 31. 19. Rev. 22. 1. to 8. tongues can utter, or our hearts conceive.
Lord, let theſebPſal. 19. 14. Meditations of mine Heart,
Mine owne, and others Soules to thee convert,
And rap them into ſuch ſweete Extaſies
That theyePſa. 73. 25. Phil. 3. 7. 8. 9. nought elſe but Thee, may Love and priſe.
The Epilogue.
IF all who uſe, croſſe, view the Sea, would raiſe
Such Meditations from it, to the praiſe
Of its Creator, ſpending day by day
Some vacant time, and pious thoughts this way;
What Floods and ſtreames of grace? what tydes of Joy
AndaPſal. 104. 34. ſweeteſt Raptures (able to deſtroy
Thoſe ſinnes, luſts, vices, which now taint, defame
Their very Callings, and their Perſons bJude 13. Pro. 13. 5. c. 14. 34.ſhame,
Would ſpring up in them? what bleſt Calmes cIſa. 26. 3. Phil. 4. 7.of Peace
Amidſt all winds and ſtormes? what great increaſe
Of Faith Love, knowledge, zeale, and each ſweete Grace
Might thee enjoy, whiles they the Ocean trace?
How might their SoulesdPhil. 3. 20. Col. 3. 2. 3. mount up above the skie
When as their ſhips ſinke and their bodies dye?
What change of Heart and Life would it effect
In thoſe, who now God, and their Soules neglect?
What holy, pious Saints mightePſal. 107. 23. to 33. Jona. 1. 5. to 17. Sea-Men be,
If they the Sea would thus divinely ſee?
O! as they love their Soules, let me requeſt
Them, and all others, as they would be bleſt,
Hence-forth at vacant times to lay aſide
All ſins, Luſts, Vices, which their Soules miſ-guide;
(With wordly workes, thoughts, cares) and then addreſſe
Their Hearts and Mindes in Sacred earneſtneſſe
To pious fGen. 24. 63. Pſal. 77. 12. Pſa. 119. 97. Pſ. 143. 5. Pſ. 8.Meditations, from the ſight
And Nature of the Sea, which will gPſal. 104. 34 Pſal. 8.delight
Their drooping Hearts, their wicked Lives amend,
And lodge their ſoules inhPhil. 3. 10. Heaven ere they end.
If any want inſtructions to direct,
Or helpe them in this kinde, let them reflect
On this rude Chriſtian-Sea-Card, which may guide
Them, till ſome better Card thruſt it aſide;
By which if they their courſe ſhall henceforth ſteare,
They neede no Rockes, Shelves, Gulfes, Stormes, Wreckes to feare.
FINIS.
A CHRISTIAN PARADISE: OR A Divine Poſie, Compiled of ſundry Flowers of Meditation, gathered from the Sweet and Heavenly Contemplation of the Nature, Fruites, and Qualities of Gardens.
BY WILLIAM PRYNNE, late Exile and Cloſe Priſoner in the Iſle of Ierſy.
Iſaiah 61. 10. 11.
I Will greatly rejoyce in the Lord, my Soule ſhall be joyfull in my God, for he hath cloathed me with the Garments of Salvation, he hath covered me with the Robe of Righteouſneſſe: as a Bridegroome decketh himſelfe with Ornaments, and as a Bride adorneth her ſelfe with her Jewels. For as the Earth bringeth forth her bud, & as the GARDEN cauſeth the things that are ſowne in it to ſpring forth; ſo the Lord will cauſe Righteouſneſſe and praiſe to ſpring forth before all the Nations.
Cant. 5. 1.
I am come into my GARDEN my Siſter, my Spouſe; I have gathered my Myrrhe with my Spice; I have eaten my Honey-combe with my Honey, I have drunke my Wine with my Milke. O Friends, drinke and be drunken with love, O beloved.
Iſaiah 58. 11.
And the Lord ſhall guide thee continually, and ſatisfie thy Soule in drought; and make fat thy bones; and thou ſhalt be like a watred GARDEN, and like a Spring of Water, whoſe waters faile not.
London Printed by T. Cotes, for Michael Sparke dwelling at the blue Bible in Greene Arbor. 1641.
TO The Worſhipfull his ever Honoured Kinde Friends, Mrs Douſe, and Mrs Margaret Carteret, Daughters to Sr Philip Carteret Knight, Lieutenant Governor and Bayliffe of the Iſle of Jerſy.
SWeeteneſſe and Beauty, two chiefe Qualities
Of Gardens, ſhine forth in ſuch radiant wiſe
In you ſweete Mrs Douſe, faire Margaret
Prime Flowers of the Houſe of Carteret,
That 'twere Ingratitude, nay Injury
For me in ſilence here to paſſe You by,
And not inſcribe this PARADISE to You,
To whom it is in all reſpects moſt Due.
Deigne then to owne this little Teſtimonie
Of Thankes, for all your Love and Courteſie
To me an Exil'd Priſner, in Jerſy,
Who ſhall endeavour to be till I dye,
Your Devoted Friend and Servant, WILLIAM PRYNNE.