Petrarchs seuen penitentiall psalmes paraphrastically translated: with other philosophicall poems, and a hymne to Christ vpon the crosse. Written by George Chapman Petrarca, Francesco, 1304-1374. 1612 Approx. 107 KB of XML-encoded text transcribed from 51 1-bit group-IV TIFF page images. Text Creation Partnership, Ann Arbor, MI ; Oxford (UK) : 2003-01 (EEBO-TCP Phase 1). A09532 STC 19810 ESTC S120615 99855810 99855810 21313 This keyboarded and encoded edition of the work described above is co-owned by the institutions providing financial support to the Early English Books Online Text Creation Partnership. This Phase I text is available for reuse, according to the terms of Creative Commons 0 1.0 Universal . The text can be copied, modified, distributed and performed, even for commercial purposes, all without asking permission. Early English books online. (EEBO-TCP ; phase 1, no. A09532) Transcribed from: (Early English Books Online ; image set 21313) Images scanned from microfilm: (Early English books, 1475-1640 ; 857:04) Petrarchs seuen penitentiall psalmes paraphrastically translated: with other philosophicall poems, and a hymne to Christ vpon the crosse. Written by George Chapman Petrarca, Francesco, 1304-1374. Chapman, George, 1559?-1634. [6], 94 p. Imprinted [by R. Field] for Matthevv Selman, dwelling in Fleete-streete neare Chancerie lane, London : 1612. Printer's name from STC. Reproduction of the original in the Bodleian Library. Created by converting TCP files to TEI P5 using tcp2tei.xsl, TEI @ Oxford. Re-processed by University of Nebraska-Lincoln and Northwestern, with changes to facilitate morpho-syntactic tagging. Gap elements of known extent have been transformed into placeholder characters or elements to simplify the filling in of gaps by user contributors. 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Copies of the texts have been issued variously as SGML (TCP schema; ASCII text with mnemonic sdata character entities); displayable XML (TCP schema; characters represented either as UTF-8 Unicode or text strings within braces); or lossless XML (TEI P5, characters represented either as UTF-8 Unicode or TEI g elements). Keying and markup guidelines are available at the Text Creation Partnership web site . eng Bible. -- O.T. -- Psalms -- Paraphrases, English -- Early works to 1800. 2002-08 TCP Assigned for keying and markup 2002-09 SPi Global Keyed and coded from ProQuest page images 2002-10 Judith Siefring Sampled and proofread 2002-10 Judith Siefring Text and markup reviewed and edited 2002-12 pfs Batch review (QC) and XML conversion PETRARCHS SEVEN PENITENTIALL PSALMS , PARAPHRASTICALLY TRANSLATED : With other Philosophicall POEMS , and a HYMNE to Christ vpon the Crosse. Written by GEORGE CHAPMAN . Arri. Epict. Progressus sum in medium , & pacem Omnibus hominibus proclamo . At mihi quod viuo detraxerit inuida turba , Post obitum duplici foenore reddet honos . LONDON , Imprinted for MATTHEVV SELMAN , dwelling in Fleete-streete neare Chancerie lane . 1612. TO THE RIGHT WORTHILY HONORD , graue , and ingenuous Fauorer of all vertue , Sir Edw. Phillips Knight , Maister of the Rolles , &c. SIR , though the name of a Poeme beares too light and vaine a Character in his forhead , either to answer my most affectionate desire to do you honour , or deserue your acceptance ; yet since the subiect & matter is graue and sacred enough , ( how rudely soeuer I haue endeuored to giue it grace and elocution , ) I presumed to preferre to your emptiest leisure of reading , this poore Dedication . In the substance and soule of whose humane and diuine obiect , the most wise and religious that euer writ to these purposes , I haue ( for so much as this little containes ) imitated , and celebrated . Good life , and the true feeling of our humane birth and Being , being the end of it all : and ( as I doubt not your iudiciall and noble apprehension will confesse ) the chiefe end of whatsoeuer else , in all authoritie and principalitie . Notwithstanding ( either for the slendernesse of the volume , or harshnesse of the matter ) I haue not dared to submit it ( as the rest of my weake labors ) to my most gracious and sacred Patron , the Prince ; reseruing my thrice humble dutie to his Highnesse , for some much greater labours , to which it hath pleased him to command me . And thus most truly thankfull for all your right free and honorable fauours , I humbly and euer rest The most vnfained and constant obseruer of you and yours , Geo. Chapman . PETRARCHS SEVEN PENITENTIALL PSALMES . PSALME I. Heu mihi Misero . 1. O Me wretch , I haue enrag'd My Redeemer ; and engag'd My life , on deaths slow foote presuming : I haue broke his blessed lawes , Turning with accursed cause , Sauing loue to wrath consuming . 2. Truths straite way , my will forsooke , And to wretched bywaies tooke , Brode , rough , steepe , and full of danger . Euery way , I labour found , Anguish , and delighte vnsound , To my iourneyes end a stranger . 3. Rockes past fowles wings , tooke my fligh●● , All my dayes spent ; all my nights ; Toyles and streights though still repelling . One or other beast I met , Shunning that for which I swet ; Wild beasts dens were yet my dwelling . 4. Pleasure , that all paine subornes Making beds of ease , on thornes , Made me found with ruine sleeping . Rest , in Torments armes I sought , All good talkt , but all ill thought , Laught , at what deseru'd my weeping . 5. What is now then left to do ? What course can I turne me to ? Danger , such v●icap't toyles pitching . All my youths faire glosse is gone , Like a shipwracke each way blown● , Yet his pleasures still bewitching . 6. I delay my Hauen to make ; Nor yet safeties true way take ; On her left hand euer erring : I a little see my course , Which in me , the warre makes worse , Th' vse of that small sight deferring . 7. Oft I haue attempted flight , Th' old yoke casting , but his weight Thou Nature to my bones impliest . O that once my necke were easde , Straight it were ; were thy powre pleasd , O , of all things high , thou highest . 8. O could I my sinne so hate , I might loue thee yet , though late ; But my hope of that is sterued ; Since mine owne hands make my chaines : Iust , most iust , I grant my paines ; Labour wrings me most deserued . 9. Mad wretch , how deare haue I bought Fetters with mine owne hands wrought ? Freely in deaths ambush falling . I made ; and the foe disposde Nets that neuer will be losde . More I striue , the more enthralling : 10. I look't by , and went secure In paths slipperie , and impure ; In my selfe , my sinne still flattering . I thought youths flowre still would thriue , Follow'd as his storme did driue , With it , all his hemlockes watering : 11. Said ; what thinke I of th'extreames Ere the Meane hath spent his beames ? Each Age hath his proper ob●ect . God sees this , and laughs to see . Pardon soone is go● My knee When I will repent , is subiect . 12. Custome then his slaue doth claime , Layes on hands , that touch and maime ; Neuer cour'd , repented neuer : Flight is then , as vaine , as late ; Faith too weake , to cast out Fate , Refuge past my reach is euer . 13. I shall perish then in sinne , If thy aide Lord , makes not in , Mending what doth thus depraue me ; Minde thy word then , Lord , and le●d Thy worke thy hand , crowne my end . From the iawes of Sathan saue me . All glorie to the Father be , And to the Sonne as great as he : With the coequall sacred Spirit ; Who all beginnings were before , Are , and shall be euermore . Glorie , all glorie to their merit . PSALME II. Inuocabo quem offendi . 1. I Will inuoke whom I inflam'd ; Nor will approch , his fierie throne in feare ; I will recall , nor be asham'd Whom I cast off , and pierce againe his eare . Hope , quite euen lost , I will restore , And dare againe to looke on heauen ; The more I fall , inuoke the more ; Prayre once will speed , where ●are is euer giuen . 2. In heauen my deare Redeemer dwels , His eare yet let downe to our lowest sounds ; His hand can reach the deepest hels ; His hand holds balmes for all our oldest wounds . I , in my selfe , do often die ; But in him , I as oft reuiue ; My health shines euer in his eye ; That heales in hell , and keepes euen death aliue . 3. Feare all , that would put feare on me ; My sinne most great is , but much more his grace : Though ill for worse still alterd be : And I in me , my eagrest foe embrace : Yet Truth in this hath euer stood , The blackest spots my sinnes let fall , One drop of his most precious blood ; Can cleanse and turne , to purest luorie all . 4. Strike , Lord , and breake the rockes that grow In these red seas of thy offence in me : And cleansing fountaines thence shall flow , Though of the hardest Adamant they be . As cleare as siluer , seas shall rore , Descending to that noysome sinke , Where euery houre hels horride Bore Lies plung'd , and drownd , & doth his vomits drinke . 5. Race , Lord , my sinnes inueterate skarres , And take thy new-built Mansion vp in me : Though powre failes , see my wils sharpe warres , And let me please euen while I anger thee . Let the remembrance of my sinne , With sighs all night ascend thine eare : And when the morning light breakes in , Let health be seene , and all my skies be cleare . 6. Thus though I temper ioyes with cares . Yet keepe thy mercies constant , as my crimes : I le cherish , with my faith , my prayres , And looke still sighing vp for better times . My selfe I euermore will feare , But thee , my rest , my hope , still keepe : Thy darkest clouds , thy lightnings cleare , Thy thunders rocke me , that breake others sleepe . 7. My purgatorie O Lord make My bridall chamber , wedded to thy will : And let my couch still witnesse take , In teares still steep't , that I adore thee still . My body I le make pay thee paines , Hell iawes shall neuer need to ope . Though all loues faile , thine euer raign●● , Thou art my refuge , last , and onely hope . All glorie to the Father , &c. PSALME III. Miserere Domine . 1. STay now , O Lord , my bleeding woes , The veine growes low and drie ▪ O now enough , and too much flowes , My sinne is swolne too hie . 2. What rests for the abhorr'd euent ? Time wasts , but not my woe : Woes me , poore man , my life is spent In asking what to do . 3. Pale Death stands fixt before mine eyes , My graue gaspes , and my knell Rings out in my cold eares the cryes and gnashed teerh of hell . 4. How long shall this day mocke my hope , With what the next will be ? When shall I once begin to ope , My lockt vp way to thee ? 5. Ease Lord , my still-increasing smart , Salue not , but cure my wounds : Direct the counsels of my heart , And giue my labours bounds . 6. As in me , thou hast skill infusd , So will , and action breath : Lest chidden for thy gifts abusd , I weepe and pine to death . 7. See , bound beneath the foe I lie , Rapt to his blasted shore : O claime thy right , nor let me die , Let him insult no more . 8. Tell all the ransome I must giue , Out of my hourely paines : See how from all the world I liue , To giue griefe all the raines . 9. What is behind , in this life aske , And in these members sums : Before the neuer ending taske , And bed●id beggerie comes . 10. Shew me thy way , ere thy chiefe light Downe to the Ocean diues : O now t is euening , and the night , Is chiefly friend to theeues . 11. Compell me , if thy Call shall faile , To make thy straight way , mine : In any skorn'd state let me wayle , So my poore soule be thine . All glorie to the Father be , And to the Sonne as great as he , With the coequall sacred Spirit : Who all beginning● were before , Are , and shall be euermore . Glorie , all glorie to their merit . PSALME IIII. Recordari libet . 1. ONce let me serue , Lord , my desire , Thy gifts to me recounting , and their prise , That shame may set my cheekes on fire , And iust confusion teare in teares mine eyes . Since quite forgetting what I am , Adorn'd so Godlike with thy grace , I yet neglect to praise thy name , And make thy image in me , poore and base . 2. Thou hast created , euen for me , The starres , all heauen , and all the turns of time ; For of what vse are these to thee , Though euery one distinguisht by his clime ? Thou Sunne and Moone , thou Nights and Dayes , Thou Light and Darknesse hast disposd : Wrapt earth in waters nimble wayes , Her vales , hils , plains , with founts , floods , seas enclosd 3. Her rich wombe thou hast fruitfull made , With choyce of seeds , that all wayes varied are : And euery way , our eyes inuade With formes and graces , in being common , rare . In sweete greene herbes thou cloth'st her fields , Distinguishest her hils with flowres . Her woods thou mak'st her meadowes shields , Adorn'd with branches , leaues , and odorous bowres . 4. The wearie thou hast rest prepar'd , The hote refreshest with coole shades of trees , Which streames melodious enterlar'd , For sweete retreats , that none but thy eye sees : The thirstie , thou giu'st siluer springs ; The hungrie , berries of all kinds ; Herbes wholesome , and a world of things , To nurse our bodies , and informe our mind● . 5. Now let me cast mine eye , and see With what choice creatures , strangely form'd and faire , All seas , and lands , are fil'd by thee : And all the round spread tracts of yeelding aire . Whose names or numbers who can reach ? With all earths powre , yet in thy span : All which , thy boundlesse bounties preach , All laide , O glorie ! at the foote of man. 6. Whose body , past all creatures shines , Such wondrous orders of his parts thou mak'st , Whose countenance , state , and loue combines : In him vnmou'd , when all the world thou shak'st . Whose soule thou giu'st powre , euen of thee , Ordaining it to leaue the earth , All heauen , in her discourse to see , And note how great a wombe , went to her birth . 7. Vnnumberd arts thou add'st in him , To make his life more queint and more exact : His eye , eternesse cannot dim . Whose state he mounts to , with a mind infract : Thou shew'st him all the milke-white way , Op'st all thy Tabernacles do●es . Learn'st how to praise thee how to pray , To shun , and chuse , what likes and what abhorres . 8. To keepe him in which hallowed path , As his companions , and perpetuall guides , Prayre thou ordainst , thy word and faith , And loue , that all his soule offences hides . And to each step his foot● shall take , Thy couenants stand like wals of brasse , Which , from thy watch towre , good to make , Thou add'st thine eye for his securer passe . 9. All this deare ( Lord ) I apprehend , Thy Spirit euen partially inspiring me : Which to consort me to my end , With endlesse thanks , I le strew my way to thee . Confessing falling , thou hast staid : Confirm'd me fainting , prostrate raisd , With comforts rapt me , quite dismaid , And dead , hast quickn'd me , to see thee praisd . All glorie to the Father b● , And to the Sonne , &c. PSALME V. Noctes mea in moerore transeunt . 1. YEt , Lord , vnquiet sinne is stirring , My long nights , longer grow , like euening shades : In which woe lost , is all waies erring : And varied terror euery step inuades . Wayes made in teares , shut as they ope , My lodestarre I can no way see : Lame is my faith , blind loue and hope , And , Lord , t is passing ill with me . 2. My sleepe , like glasse , in dreames is broken , No quiet yeelding , but affright and care , Signes that my poore life is forspoken : Lord , cou●be the ill , and good in place prepare . No more delay my spent desire , T is now full time , for thee to heare : Thy loue hath set my soule on fire , My heart quite broke twixt hope and feare . 3. No outward light , my life hath graced , My mind hath euer bene my onely Sunne : And that so farre hath enuie chaced , That all in clouds her hated head is runne . And while she hides , immortall cares Consume the soule , that sense inspires : Since outward she sets eyes and eares , And other ioyes spend her desires . 4. She musters both without and in me , Troubles , and tumults : she 's my houshold theefe , Opes all my doores to lust , and enuie , And all my persecutors lends releefe . Bind her , Lord , and my true soule free , Preferre the gift thy hand hath giuen : Thy image in her , crowne in me , And make vs here free , as in heauen . All glorie to the Father be , And to the Sonne , &c. PSALME VI. Circumuallarunt me inimici . 1. MY foes haue girt me in with armes , And earthquakes tost vp all my ioynts , No flesh can answer their alarmes , Each speare they manage hath so many points . 2. Death , arm'd in all his horrors , leades : Whom more I charge , the lesse he yeelds : Affections , with an hundred heads , Conspire with them , & turne on me their shields 3. Nor looke I yet , Lord , to the East , Nor hope for helpe , where I am will'd : Nor , as I ought , haue arm'd my breast ; But rust in sloth , and naked come to field . 4. And therefore hath the host of starres Now left me , that before I led : Arm'd Angels tooke my pay in wa●res , Frō whose height falne , all leaue me here for dead . 5. In falling , I discern'd how sleight , My footing was on those blest towres . I lookt to earth , and her base height , And so lost heauen , and all his aidfull powres . 6. Now , broke on earth , my bodie lies , Where theeues insult on my sad fall : Spoyle me of many a daintie prise , That farre I fetcht , t' enrich my soule withall . 7. Nor ceasse they , but deforme me too , With wounds that make me all engor'd : And in the desart , leaue me so , Halfe dead , all naked , and of all abhorr'd . 8. My head , and bosome , they transfixt , But in my torne affections rag'd : Wounds there , with blood , and matter mixt , Corrupt and leaue my very soule engag'd . 9. There , Lord , my life doth most misgiue , There quickly thy white hand bestow : Thou liu'st , and in thee I may liue . Thy fount of life doth euer ouerflow . 10. All this from heauen , thy eyes explore , Yet silent sitst , and sufferst all : Since all I well deserue , and more ; And must confesse me , wilfull in my fall : 11. And hence t is , that thou letst me bleed , Mak'st all men shun , and skorne my life : That all my workes such enuie breed , And my disgrace giues food to all mens strife . 12. But this , since Goodnesse oft doth cause , And t is Goods grace to heare his ill : Since t is a chiefe point in his lawes , No thought , without our powre , to make our wil. 13. Still let the greene seas of their gall , Against this rocke with rage be borne : And from their height , still let me fall : Them , stand and laugh , & me lie still and scorne . 14. But , Lord , my fall from thee , ô raise , And giue my fainting life thy breath : Sound keepe me euer in thy waies , Thou mightie art , and setst downe lawes to death . 15. Driue thou from this my ruines rape , These theeues , that make thy Phane their den : And let my innocence escape The cunning malice of vngodly men . All glorie to the Father be , And to the Sonne as great as he : With the coequall sacred Spirit : Who all beginnings were before , Are , and shall be euermore . Glorie , all glorie to their merit . PSALME VII . Cogitabam stare . 1. WHile I was falne , I thought to rise , And stand , presuming on my thies : But thighes , and knees , were too much broken . My haire stood vp to see such bane Depresse presumption so prophane : I tremble but to heare it spoken . 2. Yet in my strength , my hope was such , Since I conceiu'd , thou vow'dst as much : I fain'd dreames , and reioyc't to faine them : But weighing awake , thy vowes profound , Their depth , my lead came short to sound : And now , aye me , my teares containe them . 3. For calmes , I into stormes did stere , And look't through clouds , to see things cleare , Thy waies shew'd crook't , like speares in water ; When mine went trauerse , and no Snake Could winde with that course , I did take : No Courtier could so grosly flatter . 4. But which way I soeuer bend , Thou meet'st me euer in the end : Thy finger strikes my ioynts with terrors ; Yet no more strikes , then points the way : Which , weighing weeping , straight I stay , And with my teares cleanse feete and errors . 5. But of my selfe , when I beleeue To make my steps , thy waies atchieue , I turne head , and am treading mazes ▪ I feele sinnes ambush ; and am ●ext To be in error so perplext , Nor yet can finde rests holy places . 6. I loath my selfe , and all my deeds , Like Rubarbe taste , or Colche in weed● : I flie them , with their throwes vpon me . In each new purpose , customes old , So checke it , that the stone I rold Neuer so oft , againe fals on me . 7. No step in mans trust should be trod , Vnlesse in mans , as his in God : Of which trust , make good life the founder : Without which , trust no forme , nor art ; Faiths loadstarre is a guiltlesse heart ; Good life is truths most learn'd expounder . 8. With which , Lord , euer rule my skill ; In which , as I ioyne powre with will , So let me trust , my truth in learning , To such minds , thou all truth setst ope● The rest are rapt with stormes past hopes The lesse , for more deepe arts discerning . 9. Blesse , Lord , who thus their arts employ , Their sure truth , celebrate with ioy , And teare the maskes from others faces ; That make thy Name , a cloake for sinne ; Learning but termes to iangle in , And so disgrace thy best of Graces . 10. Whereof since I haue onely this , That learnes me what thy true will is , Which thou , in comforts still concludest ; My poore Muse still shall sit , and sing , In that sweete shadow of thy wing , Which thou to all earths state obtrudest . 11. As oft as I my fraile foote moue , From this pure fortresse of thy loue : So oft let my glad foes deride me . I know my weakenesse yet , and feare , By triall , to build comforts there , It doth so like a ruine hide me . 12. My worth is all , but shade , I finde , And like a fume , before the winde ; I gaspe with sloth , thy waies applying : Lie tumbling in corrupted blood ; Loue onely , but can do no good : Helpe , Lord , lest I amend not dying . All glorie to the Father be , And to the Sonne as great as he , With the coequall sacred Spirit : Who all beginnings were before : Are , and shall be euermore . Glorie , all glorie to their merit . The end of Petrarchs seuen Penitentiall Psalmes . THE I. PSALME more strictly translated . 1. O Me accurst , since I haue set on me ( Incenst so sternely ) my so meeke Redeemer ; And haue bene proud in prides supreme degree ; Of his so serious law , a sleight esteemer . 2. I left the narrow right way with my will , In bywaies brode , and farre about transferred : And euery way found toyle , and euery ill , Yet still in tracts more rough , and steepe I erred . 3. Where one or other of the brutish heard My feete encounterd , yet more brute affected : Euen to the dens of sauage beasts I err'd , And there my manlesse mansion house erected . 4. I haunted pleasure still , where sorrow mournd , My couch of ease , in sharpest brambles making : I hop't for rest , where restlesse torment burnd , In ruines bosome , sleepes securely taking . 5. Now then , aye me , what resteth to be done , Where shall I turne me , where such dangers trēble ? My youths faire flowres , are altogether gone , And now a wretched shipwracke I resemble . 6. That ( all the merchandise , and venture lost , ) Swims naked forth , with seas and tempests tost . 7. Farre from my hauen , I roue , touch at no streme That any course to my saluation tenders : But waies sinister , rauish me with them : I see a little ; which more grieuous renders 8. My inward conflict ; since my charges passe Vpon my selfe ; and my sad soule endanger : Anger with sinne striues ; but so huge a masse Of cruell miseries oppresse mine anger , 9. That it confounds me , nor leaues place for breath . Oft I attempt to flie , and meditation Contends to shake off my old yoke of death , But to my bones cleaues the vncur'd vexation . 10. O that at length , my necke his yoke could cleare , Which would be straite , wouldst thou ô highest will it : O that so angrie with my sinne I were , That I could loue thee , though thus late fulfill it . 11. But much I feare it , since my freedome is So with mine owne hands out of heart , & sterued : And I must yeeld , my torment iust in this , Sorrow , and labor , wring me most deserued . 12. Mad wretch , what haue I to my selfe procured ? Mine owne hands forg'd , the chains I haue endur'd . 13. In deaths blacke ambush , with my will I fell , And wheresoeuer vulgar brode waies traine me : Nets are disposde for me , by him of hell . When more retir'd , more narrow paths containe me . 14. There meete my feete with fitted snares as sure , I ( wretch looke downeward , and of one side euer , And euerie slipperie way I walke secure , My sins forget their traitrous flatteries neuer . 15. I thought the grace of youth could neuer erre , And follow'd where his boundles force wold driue me , Said to my selfe ; Why should th'extremes deterre , Before youths season , of the meane depriue me ? 16. Each age is bounded in his proper ends ; God , I know , sees this , but he laughs and sees it : Pardon , at any time , on prayre attends ; Repentance still weeps when thy wish decrees it . 17. Then vilest custome challengeth his slaue , And laies on hand , that all defence denies me ; And then no place reseru'd for flight I haue : Subdu'd I am , and farre my refuge flies me . 17. Die'in my sinne I shall , vnlesse my aide Stoopes from aloft , of which deserts depriue me . Yet haue thou mercie , Lord , helpe one dismaide , Thy word retain , & from hell mo●●h retriue me . All glorie to the Father be , And to the Sonne as great as he ▪ With the coequall sacred Spirit ; Who all beginnings were before , Are , and shall be euermore . Glorie , all glorie to their merit . A HYMNE TO OVR Sauiour on the Crosse. HAile great Redeemer , man , and God , all haile , Whose feruent agonie , tore the temples vaile , Let sacrifices out , darke Prophesies And miracles : and let in , for all these , * A simple pietie , a naked heart , And humble spirit , that no lesse impart , And proue thy Godhead to vs , being as rare , And in all sacred powre , as circulare . Water and blood mixt , were not swet from thee With deadlier hardnesse : more diuinitie Of supportation , then through flesh and blood , Good doctrine is diffusde , and life as good . O open to me then , ( like thy spread armes That East & West reach ) all those misticke charmes That hold vs in thy life and discipline : Thy merits in thy loue so thrice diuine ; It made thee , being our God , assume our man ; And like our Champion Olympian , Come to the field gainst Sathan , and our sinne : Wrastle with torments , and the garland winne From death & hell ; which cannot crown our browes 1 But blood must follow : thornes mixe w t thy bowes Of conquering ●aw●ell , fast naild to thy Crosse , Are all the glories we can here engrosse . Proue then to those , that in vaine glories place Their happinesse here : thy hold not by thy grace , To those whose powres , proudly oppose thy lawes , Oppressing Vertue , giuing Vice applause : They neuer manage iust authoritie , But thee in thy deare members crucifie . Thou couldst haue come in glorie past them all , With powre to force thy pleasure , and empale Thy Church with brasse , & Adamant , that no swine , Nor theeues , nor hypocrites , nor fiends 2 diuine Could haue broke in , or rooted , or put on Vestments of Pietie , when their hearts had none : Or rapt to ruine with pretext , to saue : Would 3 pompe , and radiance , rather not out braue Thy naked truth , then cloath , or countnance it With grace , and such sincerenesse as is fit : But since true pietie weares her pearles within , And outward paintings onely pranke vp sinne : Since bodies strengthned , soules go to the wall ; Since God we cannot serue and Beliall . Therefore thou putst on , earths most abiect plight , Hid'st thee in humblesse , vnderwentst despight , Mockerie , detraction , shame , blowes , vilest death . These , thou , thy 4 souldiers taughtst to fight beneath : Mad'st a commanding President of these , Perfect , perpetuall : bearing all the keyes To holinesse , and heauen . To these , such lawes Thou in thy blood writst : that were no more cause 5 T' enflame our loues , and feruent faiths in thee , Then in them , truths diuine simplicitie , T were full enough ; for therein we may well See thy white finger furrowing blackest hell , In turning vp the errors that our sence And sensuall powres , incurre by negligence Of our eternall truth-exploring soule . All Churches powres , thy writ word doth controule ; And , mixt it with the fabulous Alchoran , A man might boult it out , as floure from branne ; Easily discerning it , a heauenly birth , Brake it but now out , and but crept on earth . Yet ( as if God lackt mans election , And shadowes were creators of the Sunne ) Men must authorise it : antiquities Must be explor'd , to spirit , and giue it thies , And 6 controuersies , thicke as flies at Spring , Must be maintain'd about th' ingenuous meaning ; When no stile can expresse it selfe so cleare , Nor holds so euen , and firme a character . Those mysteries that are not to be reacht , Still to be striu'd with , make them more impeacht : * And as the Mill fares with an ill pickt grist , When any stone , the stones is got betwist , Rumbling together , fill the graine with grit ; Offends the eare , sets teeth an edge with it : Blunts the pict quarrie so , t will grinde no more , Spoyles bread , and scants the Millars custom'd store . So in the Church , when controuersie fals , It marres her musicke , shakes her batterd wals , Grates tender consciences , and weakens faith ; The bread of life taints , & makes worke for Death ; Darkens truths light , with her perplext Abysmes , And dustlike grinds men into sects and schismes . And what 's the cause ? the words deficiencie ? In volume , matter , perspicutitie ? Ambition , lust , and damned auarice , Peruert , and each the sacred word applies To his prophane ends ; all to profite giuen , 7 And pu●snets lay to catch the ioyes of heauen . Since truth , and reall worth , men seldome sease , Impostors most , and sleightest learnings please : And , where the true Church , like the nest should be Of chast , and prouident 8 Alcione : ( To which is onely one straight orifice , Which is so strictly fitted to her sise , 9 That no bird bigger then her selfe , or lesse , Can pierce and keepe it , or discerne th' accesse : Nor which the sea it selfe , on which t is made , Can euer ouerflow , or once inuade . 1 Now wayes so many to her Altars are , So easie , so prophane , and populare : That torrents charg'd with weeds , and sin-drownd beasts , Breake in , lode , cracke them : sensuall ioyes and feasts Corrupt their pure fumes : and the slendrest flash Of lust , or profite , makes a standing plash Of sinne about them , which men will not passe . Looke ( Lord ) vpon them , build them wals of brasse , To keepe prophane feete off : do not thou In wounds and anguish euer ouerflow , And suffer such in ease , and sensualitie , Dare to reiect thy rules of humble life : The minds true peace , & turne their zeales to strife , For obiects earthly , and corporeall . A tricke of humblesse now they practise all , Confesse their no deserts , habilities none : Professe all frailties , and amend not one : As if a priuiledge they meant to claime In sinning by acknowledging the maime Sinne gaue in Adam : Nor the surplussage Of thy redemption , seeme to put in gage For his transgression : that thy vertuous paines ( Deare Lord ) haue eate out all their former staines ; That thy most mightie innocence had powre To cleanse their guilts : that the vnualued dowre Thou mad'st the Church thy spouse , in pietie , And ( to endure paines impious ) constancie , Will and alacratie ( if they inuoke ) To beare the sweete lode , and the easie yoke Of thy iniunctions , in diffusing these ( In thy perfection ) through her faculties : In euery fiuer , suffering to her vse , And perfecting the forme thou didst infuse 2 In mans creation : made him cleare as then Of all the frailties , since defiling men . 3 And as a runner at th' Olympian games , With all the luggage he can lay on , frames His whole powres to y ● race , bags , pockets , greaues Stuft full of sand he weares , which when he leaues , And doth his other weightie weeds vncouer , With which halfe smotherd , he is wrapt all ouer : Then seemes he light , and fresh as morning aire ; Guirds him with silkes , swaddles with roulers faire His lightsome body : and away he scoures So swift , and light , he scarce treads down the flowrs : So to our game proposde , of endlesse ioy ( Before thy deare death ) when we did employ , Our tainted powres ; we felt them clogd and chain'd With sinne and bondage , which did rust , and raign'd In our most mortall bodi●● : but when thou Strip'dst vs of these bands , and from foote to brow Guirt , ●old , and trimd vs vp in thy deserts : Free were our feete , and hand● ; and spritely hearts Leapt in our bosoms ; and ( ascribing still All to thy merits : both our powre and will To euery thought of goodnesse , wrought by thee ; 4 That diuine scarlet , in which thou didst die Our cleansd consistens ; lasting still in powre T' enable acts in vs , as the next howre To thy most sauing , glorious sufferance ) We may make all our manly powres aduance Vp to thy Image ; and these formes of earth , Beauties and mockeries , match in beastly birth : We may despise , with still aspiring spirits To thy high graces , in thy still fresh merits : Not ●ouching at this base and spongie mould , For ●●y springs of lust , or mines of gold . For else ( milde Sauiour , pardon me to speake ) How did thy foote , the Serpents forhead breake ? How hath the Nectar of thy vertuous blood , The sinke of Adams forfeit oue●flow'd ? How doth it set vs free , if we still stand 5 ( For all thy sufferings ) bound both foote and hand Vassals to Sathan ? Didst thou onely die , Thine owne diuine deserts to glorifie , And shew thou couldst do this ? O were not those Giuen to our vse in powre ? If we shall lose By damn'd relapse , grace to enact that powre : And basely giue vp our redemptions towre , Before we trie our strengths , built all on thine , 6 And with a humblesse , false , and Asinine , Flattering our senses , lay vpon our soules The burthens of their conquests , and like Moules Grouell in earth still , being aduanc't to heauen : ( Cowes that we arre ) in heards how are we driuen To Sathans shambles ? Wherein stand we for Thy heauenly image , Hels great Conqueror ? Didst thou not offer , to restore our fall Thy sacrifice , full , once , and one for all ? If we be still downe , how then can we rise Againe with thee , and seeke crownes in the skies ? But we excuse this ; saying , We are but men , And must erre , must fall : what thou didst sustaine To free our beastly frailties , neuer can With all thy grace , by any powre in man Make good thy Rise to vs : O blasphemie In hypocriticall humilitie ! 7 As we are men , we death and hell controule , Since thou createdst man a liuing soule : 8 As euerie houre we sinne , we do like beasts : Needlesse , and wilfull , murthering in our breasts Thy saued image , out of which , one cals Our humane soules , mortall celestials : When casting off a good lifes godlike grace , We fall from God ; and then make good our place When we returne to him : and ●o are said To liue : when life like his true forme we leade , And die ( as much as an immortall creature : ) 1 Not that we vtterly can ceasse to be , But that we fall from lifes best qualitie . But we are tost out of our humane Throne By pied and Protean opinion ; We vouch thee onely , for pretext and fashion , And are not inward with thy death and passion . We slauishly renounce the royaltie With which thou crownst vs in thy victorie : Spend all our manhood in the fiends defence , And drowne thy right , in beastly negligence . God neuer is deceiu'd so , to respect , His shade in Angels beauties , to neglect His owne most cleare and rapting louelinesse : Nor Angels dote so on the species And grace giuen to our soule ( which is their shade ) That therefore they will let their owne formes fade . And yet our soule ( which most deserues our woe , And that from which our whole mishap doth flow ) So softn'd is , and rapt ( as with a storme ) With flatteries of our base corporeall forme , ( Which is her shadow ) that she quite forsakes Her proper noblesse , and for nothing takes The beauties that for her loue , thou putst on ; In torments rarefied farre past the Sunne . Hence came the cruell fate that Orpheus Sings of Narcissus : who being amorous Of his shade in the water ( which denotes ) Beautie in bodies , that like water flotes ) Despisd himselfe , his soule , and so let fade , His substance for a neuer-purchast shade . Since soules of their vse , ignorant are still , With this vile bodies vse , men neuer fill . And , as the Suns light , in streames ne're so faire Is but a shadow , to his light in aire , His splendor that in aire we so admire , 3 Is but a shadow to his beames in fire : In fire his brightnes●e , but a shadow is To radiance fir'd , in that pure brest of his : So as the subiect on which thy grace shines , Is thicke , or cleare ; to earth or heauen inclines ; So that truths light showes ; so thy passion takes ; With which , who inward is , and thy breast makes Bulwarke to his breast , against all the darts The foe st●l shoots more , more his late blow smarts , And sea-like raues most , where t is most withstood . He tasts the strength and vertue of thy blood : He knows that when flesh is most sooth'd , & grac't , Admir'd and magnified , ador'd , and plac't In height of all the blouds Idolatry , And fed with all the spirits of Luxury , One thought of ioy , in any soule that knowes Her owne true strength , and thereon doth repose ; Bringing her bodies organs to attend Chiefly her powres , to her eternall end ; Makes all things outward ; and the sweetest sin , That rauisheth the beastly flesh within ; All but a fiend , prankt in an Angels plume : A shade , a fraud , before the wind a fume . Hayle then diuine Redeemer , still all ●aile , All glorie , gratitude , and all auaile , Be giuen thy all deseruing agonie ; Whose vineger thou Nectar mak'st in me , Whose goodnesse freely all my ill turnes good : Since y u being crusht , & straind throgh flesh & blood : Each nerue and artire needs must tast of thee . What odour burn'd in ayres that ●oisome be , Leaues not his sent there ? O then how much more Must thou , whose sweetnesse swet eternall odour , Stick where it breath'd : & for whō thy sweet breath , Thou freely gau'st vp , to reuine his death ? Let those that shrink then as their conscience lodes , That fight in Sathans right , and faint in Gods , Still count them slaues to Sathan . I am none : Thy fight hath freed me , thine y u mak'st mine owne . * O then ( my sweetest and my onely life ) Confirme this comfort , purchast with thy griefe , And my despisde soule of the world , loue thou : No thought to any other ioy I vow . Order these last steps of my abiect state , Straite on the marke a man should leuell at : And grant that while I striue to forme in me , Thy sacred image , no aduersitie May make me draw one limme , or line amisse : Let no vile fashion wrest my faculties From what becomes that Image . Quiet so My bodies powres , that neither weale nor wo , May stirre one thought vp , gainst thy freest will. Grant , that in me , my mindes waues may be still : The world for no extreme may vse her voice ; Nor Fortune treading reeds , make any noise . Amen . Complaine not whatsoeuer Need inuades , But hea●iest fortunes beare as lightest shades . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Poems . VIRGILS EPIGRAM of a good man. 1 A Good and wise man ( such as hardly one Of millions , could be found out by the Sun ) Is Iudge himselfe , of what stuf●e he is wrought , And doth explore his whole man to a thought . What ere great men do ; what their sawcie bawdes ; What vulgar censure barks at , or applauds : His cariage still is chearfull and secure ; He , in himselfe , worldlike , full , round , and sure . 2 Lest , through his polisht parts , the slendrest staine Of things without , in him should sit , and raigne ; To whatsoeuer length , the fierie Sunne , Burning in Cancer , doth the day light runne ; How faire soeuer Night shall stretch her shades , When Phoebus gloomie Capricorne inuades ; He studies still ; and with the equall beame , 3 His ballance turnes ; himselfe weighs to th' extreme . Lest any crannie gaspe , or angle swell Through his strict forme : and that he may compell His equall parts to meete in such asphere , That with a * compasse tried , it shall not erre : What * euer subiect is , is solide still : Wound him , and with your violent * fingers feele All parts within him , you shall neuer find An emptie corner , or an abiect mind . He neuer lets his watchfull lights descend , To those sweet sleepes that all iust men attend , Till all the acts the long day doth beget , With thought on thought laid , he doth oft repeate : Examines what hath past him , as forgot : What deed or word was vsde in time , what not . Why this deed of Decorum felt defect ? Of reason , that ? What left I by neglect ? Why set I this opinion downe for true , That had bene better chang'd ? Why did I * rue Need in one poore so , that I felt my mind ( To breach of her free powres ) with griefe declin'd ? Why will'd I what was better not to will ? Why ( wicked that I was ) preferr'd I still Profite to honestie ? Why any one Gaue I a foule word ? or but lookt vpon , With count'nance churlish ? Why should nature draw More my affects , then manly reasons law ? Through all this thoughts , words works , thus making way , And all reuoluing , frō the Euen till Day : Angrie , with what amisse , abusde the light , Palme and reward he giues to what was right . A great Man. 1 A Great and politicke man ( which I oppose To good and wise ) is neuer as he showes . Neuer explores himselfe to find his faults : But cloaking them , before his conscience halts . Flatters himselfe , and others flatteries buyes , Seemes made of truth , and is a forge of lies . Breeds bawdes and sycophants , and traitors makes To betray traitors ; playes , and keepes the stakes , Is iudge and iuror , goes on life and death : And damns before the fault hath any breath . Weighs faith in falsehoods ballance ; iustice does To cloake oppression ; taile-like downward groes : Earth his whole end is : heauen he mockes , and hell : 2 And thinkes that is not , that in him doth dwell . Good , with Gods right hand giuē , his left takes t'euil : When holy most he seemes , he most is euill . Ill vpon ill he layes : th'embroderie Wrought on his state , is like a leprosie , The whiter , still the fouler . What his like , What ill in all the bodie politike Thriues in , and most is curst : his most blisse fires : And of two ils , still to the worst aspires . When his thrift feeds , iustice and mercie feare him : And ( * Wolf-like fed ) he gnars at all men nere him . Neuer is chearefull , but when flatterie trailes On * squatting profite ; or when Policie vailes Some vile corruption : that lookes red with anguish Like wauing reeds , his windshook cōforts languish . Paies neuer debt , but what he should not ow ; Is sure and swift to hurt , yet thinks him slow . His bountie is most rare , but when it comes , T is most superfluous , and with strook-vp drums . Lest any true good pierce him , with such good As ill breeds in him , Mortar ▪ made with blood Heapes stone-wals in his heart , to keepe it out . His sensuall faith , his soules truth keepes in doubt , And like a rude , * vnlearn'd Plebeian , Without him seekes his whole insulting man. 1 Nor can endure , as a most deare prospect , To looke into his owne life , and reflect Reason vpon it , like a Sunne still shining , To giue it comfort , ripening , and refining : But his blacke soule , being so deformd with sinne , He still abhorres ; with all things hid within : And forth he wanders , with the outward fashion , Feeding , and fatting vp his reprobation . Disorderly he sets foorth euerie deed , Good neuer doing , but where is no need . If any * ill he does , ( and hunts through blood , For shame , ruth , right , religion ) be withstood , The markt withstander , his race , kin , least friend , That neuer did , in least degree offend , He prosecutes , with hi●'d intelligence To fate , defying God and conscience , And to the vtmost mite , he rauisheth All they can yeeld him , rackt past life and death . In all his acts , he this doth verifie , The greater man , the lesse humanitie . While * Phebus runs his course through all the signes , He neuer studies ; but he vndermines , Blowes vp , and ruines , with pretext to saue : Plots treason , and lies hid in th' actors graue . Vast crannies gaspe in him , as wide as hell , And angles , gibbet-like , about him swell : Yet seemes he smooth and polisht , but no more Solide within , then is a Medlars core . The kings frown fels him , like a gun-strooke fowle : When downe he lies , and casts the calfe his soule . He neuer sleepes but being tir'd with lust : Examines what past , not enough vniust ▪ Not bringing wealth enough , not state , not grace : Not shewing miserie bedrid in his face : Not skorning vertue , not depra●ing her , Whose ruth so flies him , that her Bane's his cheare . In short , exploring all that passe his guards , Each good he plagues , and euerie ill rewards . A sleight man. A Sleight , and mixt man ( set as t were the meane Twixt both the first ) frō both their heapes doth gleane : Is neither good , wise , great , nor polititick . Yet tastes of all these with a naturall tricke . Nature and Art , sometimes meet in his parts : Sometimes deuided are : the austere arts , Splint him together , set him in a brake Of forme and reading . Nor is let partake With iudgement , wit , or 1 sweetnesse : but as time , Terms , language , and degrees , haue let him clime , To learn'd opinion ; so he there doth stand , Starke as a statue ; stirres nor foote nor hand ▪ Nor any truth knowes : knowledge is a meane To make him ignorant , and rapts him cleane , In stormes from truth . For what Hippocrates Sayes of foule 2 bodies ( what most nourishes , That most annoies them ) is more true of minds : For there , their first inherent prauitie blinds Their powres preiudicate : and all things true Proposd to them , corrupts , and doth eschue : Some , as too full of toyle ; of preiudice some : Some fruitlesse , or past powre to ouercome : With which , it so augments , that he will seeme With 3 iudgment , what he should hold , to contemne And is incurable . And this is he Whose learning formes not lifes integritie . This the mere Artist ; the mixt naturalist , With foole quicke memorie , makes his hand a fist , And catcheth Flies , and Nifles : and retaines With heartie studie , and vnthrif●ie paines , What your composd man shuns . With these his pen And prompt tongue tickles th'●ares of vulgar men : Sometimes takes matter too , and vtters it With an admir'd and heauenly straine of wit : Yet with all this , hath humors more then can Be thrust into a foole , or to a woman . As nature made him , reason came by chance , Held her torch to him , cast him in a trance ; And makes him vtter things that ( being awake In life and manners ) he doth quite forsake . He will be graue , and yet is light as aire ; He will be proude , yet poore euen to despaire . Neuer sat Truth in a tribunall fit , But in a modest , staid , and humble wit. I rather wish to be a naturall bred , Then these great wits with madnesse leauened . He 's bold , and frontlesse , passionate , ●nd mad , Drunken , adulterous , good at all things bad . Yet for one good , he quotes the best in pride , And is enstil'd a man well qualifide ▪ These delicate shadowes of things vertuous the● Cast on these vitious , pleasing , patcht vp men , Are but the diuels cousenages to blind Mens sensuall eyes , and choke the enuied mind . And where the truly * learnd is euermore Gods simple Image , and true imitator : These sophisters are emulators still ( Cousening , ambitious ) of men true in skill . Their imperfections yet are hid in sleight , Of the felt darknesse , breath'd out by deceipt , The truly learn'd , is likewise hid , and failes To pierce eyes vulgar ▪ but with other vailes . And they are the diuine beames , truth casts round About his beauties , that do quite confound Sensuall beholders . Scuse these rare seene then , And take more heede of common sleighted men . A good woman . A Woman good , and faire ( which no dame can Esteeme much easier found then a good man ) Sets not her selfe to shew , nor found would be : Rather her vertues flie abroad then she . Dreames not on fashions , loues no gossips feasts , Affects no newes , no tales , no guests , no ieasts : Her worke , and reading writs of worthiest men : Her husbands pleasure , well taught childeren : Her housholds fit prouision to see spent , As fits her husbands will , and his consent : Spends pleasingly her time , delighting still , To her iust dutie , to adapt her will. Vertue she loues , rewards and honors it , And hates all scoffing , bold and idle wit : Pious and wise she is , and treads vpon This foolish and this false opinion , That learning fits not women ▪ since it may Her naturall cunning helpe , and make more way To light , and close affects : for so it can Courbe and compose them too , as in a man : And , being noble , is the noblest meane , To spend her time : thoughts idle and vncleane , Preuenting and suppressing ▪ to which end She entertaines it : and doth more commend Time spent in that , then houswiferies low kinds , As short of that , as bodies are of minds . If it may hurt , is powre of good lesse great , Since food may lust excire , shall she not eate ? She is not Moone-like , that the Sunne , her spouse Being furthest off , is cleare and glorious : And being neare , growes pallid and obscure : But in her husbands presence , is most pure , In all chast ornaments , bright still with him , And in his absence , all retir'd and dim : With him still kind and pleasing , still the same ; Yet with her weeds , not putting off her shame : But when for bed-rites her attire is gone , In place thereof her modest shame goes on . Not with her husband lies , but he with her : And in their loue-ioyes doth so much prefer Modest example , that she will not kisse Her husband , when her daughter present is . When a iust husbands right he would enioy , She neither flies him , nor with moods is ●oy . One , of the light dame sauours ▪ th' other showes Pride , nor from loues ingenuous humor flowes . And as * Geometricians approue , That lines , nor superfie●es , do moue Themselues , but by their bodies motions go : So your good woman neuer striues to grow Strong in her owne affections and delights , But to her husbands equall appetites , Earnests and ieasts , and lookes austerities , Her selfe in all her subiect powres applies . Since lifes chiefe cares on him are euer laid , * In cares she euer comforts , vndismaid , Though her heart grieues , her lookes yet makes it sleight , Dissembling euermore , without deceit . * And as the ●wins of learn'd Hippocrates , If one were sicke , the other felt disease : If one reioyc't ; ioy th' others spirits fed : If one were grieu'd , the other sorrowed : * So fares she with her husband ; euery thought ( Weightie in him ) still watcht in her , and wrought . * And as those that in Elephants delight , Neuer come neare them in weeds rich and bright ▪ Nor Buls approch in scarlet ; since those hewes , Through both those beasts , enrag'd affects diffuse : And as from Tygres , men the Timbrels sound And Cimbals keepe away ; since they abound Thereby in furie , and their owne flesh teare : So when t'a good wife , it is made appeare , That rich attire , and curiositie In wires , tires , shadowes , do displease the eye Of her lou'd husband ; musicke , dancing , breed● Offence in him ; she layes by all those weeds , Leaues dancing , musicke ; and at euery part Studies to please ; and does it from her heart . As greatnesse in a Steed ; so dignitie Needs in a woman , courbe , and bit , and eie , If once she weds , shee 's two for one before : Single againe , she neuer doubles more . VIRGILS EPIGRAM of Play. DEspise base gaine ; mad Auarice hurts the mind : Ye wise , shun fraud ; beleeue y e learn'd , ye blind . At play put passions downe , as monies are . He playes secure , whose trunks hold crowns to spare : Who brings all with him , shall go out with none : A greedie gamester euer ends vndone . Peace holy is to men of honest minds ; If ye will play , then courbe your warring splenes : No man wins alwayes . It shames mans true worth , Of but three Furies , to fare like a fourth . Correct your earnest spirits , and play indeed : At staid yeares be not mou'd : nere play for need . VIRGILS EPIGRAM of wine and women . BE not enthrall'd with wine , nor womens loue , For both by one meanes hurt : as women proue Meanes to effeminate , and mens powres decline : So doth the too much indulgence of wine , Staggers the vpright steps a man should take , Dissolues his nerues , and makes his goers weake . Blind loue makes many all their thoughts expresse , Whose like effect hath brainlesse drunkennesse . Wilde Cupid oft beates vp warres sterne alarmes , As oft fierce Bacchus cals our hands to armes . Dishonest Venus made Mars Ilion sease : And Bacchus lost with warre the Lapithes . Lastly , when both make mad misgouern'd minds , Feare , shame , all vertues vanish with the winds . With Giues make Venus hold her legs together , And bind Liaeus in his iuie with her . Let wine quench thirst , sweet Venus children beare , Whose bounds once broke , ye buy their pleasures deare . VIRGILS EPIGRAM of this letter Y. THis letter of Pythagoras , that beares This forkt distinction , to conceit prefers The forme mans life beares . Vertues hard way takes Vpon the right hand path : which entrie makes ( To sensuall eyes ) with difficult affaire : But when ye once haue climb'd the highest staire , The beautie and the sweetnesse it containes , Giue rest and comfort , farre past all your paines . The broad-way in a brauery paints ye forth ( In th' entrie ) softnesse , and much shade of worth : But when ye reach the top , the taken Ones It headlong hurles downe , to●●e at sharpest stones . He then , whom vertues loue , shall victor crowne , Of hardest fortunes , praise wins and renowne : But he that sloth and fruitlesse luxurie Pursues , and doth with foolish warinesse flie Opposed paines , ( that all best acts befall ) Liues poore and vile , and dies despisde of all . A FRAGMENT OF the Teares of peace . O That some sacred labour would let in The ocean through my womb , to clense my sin ; I , that belou'd of Heauen , as his true wife , Was wont to bring forth a delightsome life To all his creatures : and had vertues hand To my deliuerance , decking euery land ( Where warre was banisht ) with religious Temples , Cloisters and monuments in admir'd examples Of Christian pietie , and respect of soules , Now drunke with Auarice and th' adulterous boules Of the light Cyprian , and by Dis deflowr'd , I bring forth seed , by which I am deuour'd : Infectuous darknesse from my intrails flies , That blasts Religion , breeds blacke heresies , Strikes vertue bedrid , fame dumb , knowledge blind , And for free bounties ( like an Easterne wind ) Knits nets of Caterpillers , that all fruites Of planting peace , catch with contentious suites . And see ( O heauen ) a warre that inward breeds Worse farre then Ciuill , where in brazen steeds , Armes are let in vnseene , and fire and sword Wound and consume men with the rauenous hord Of priuate riches , like prickt pictures charm'd , And hid in dunghils , where some one is arm'd With armes of thousands ; and in such small time , ( Euen out of nakednesse ) that the dismall crime Stickes in his blasing forehead like a starre , Signall of rapine and spoile worse then warre , These warres giue such slie poison for the spleene , That men affect and studie for their teene , That it recures the wolfe in auarice , And makes him freely spend his golden thies : Yet no one thought spends on poore Vertues peace . Warres , that as peace abounds , do still increase . Warres where in endlesse rout the kingdome erres , Where misers mightie grow the mightie misers , Where partiall Lucre Iustice sword doth draw : Where Eris turnes into Eunomia , And makes Mars weare the long robe , to performe A fight more blacke and cruell , with lesse storme , To make for stratageme , a policie driuen Euen to the conquest ▪ ere th' alarme be giuen . And for set battels where the quarrell dies , Warres that make lanes through whole posterities , A●achne wins from Pallas all good parts , To take her part , and euery part conuerts His honie into poison : abusde Peace Is turn'd to fruitlesse and impostum'd ease , For whom the dwarfe Contraction is at worke In all professions ; and makes heauen lurke In corner pleasures : learning in the braine Of a dull linguist , and all tight in gaine , All rule in onely powre , all true zeale In trustlesse auarice : all the commonweale In few mens purses . Volumes fild with fame Of deathlesse soules , in signing a large name Loue of all good in selfe loue : all deserts In sole desert of hate . Thus Ease inuerts * My fruitfull labours , and swolne blind with lust , Creepes from her selfe , trauailes in yeelding dust ; Euen recking in her neuershifted bed : Where with benumd securitie she is fed : Held vp in Ignorance , and Ambitions armes , Lighted by Comets , sung to by blind charmes . Behind whom Danger waites , subiection , spoyle , Disease , and massacre , and vncrowned Toyle : Earth sinkes beneath her , heauen fals : yet she deafe Heares not their thundring ruines : nor one leafe Of all her Aspen pleasures , euer stirres ; In such dead calmes her starke presumption erres . For good men . A Good man want ? will God so much deny His lawes , his witnesses , his ministrie ? Which onely for examples he maintaines Against th'vnlearnd , to proue , he is , and raignes : And all things gouerns iustly : nor neglects Things humane , but at euery part protects A good man so , that if he liues or dies , All things sort well with him ? If he denies A plenteous life to me , and sees it fit I should liue poorely ; What , alas , is it ? But that ( refusing to endanger me In the forlorne hope of men rich and ●ie , ) Like a most carefull Captaine , he doth sound Retraite to me ▪ makes me come backe , giue ground To any , that hath least delight to be A scuffler in mans warre for vanitie ? And I obey , I follow , and I praise My good Commander . All the cloudie daies Of my darke life , my enuied Muse shall sing His secret loue to goodnesse : I will bring Glad tidings to the obscure few he keepes : Tell his high deeds , his wonders , which the deepes , Of pouertie , and humblesse , most expresse , And weepe out ( for kinde ioy ) his holinesse . Please with thy place . GOd hath the whole world perfect made , & free ; His parts to th' vse of all . Men then , that be Parts of that all , must as the generall sway Of that importeth , willingly obay In euerie thing , without their powres to change . He that ( vnpleasd to hold his place ) will range , Can in no other be containd , that 's fit : And so resisting all is crus●t with it . But he that knowing how diuine a frame The whole world is , and of it all can name ( Without selfe flatterie ) no part so diuine As he himselfe , and therefore will confine Freely , his whole powres , in his proper part : Goes on most god-like . He that striues t' inuert The vniuersall course , with his poore way : Not onely , dustlike , shiuers with the sway ; But ( crossing God in his great worke ) all earth Beares not so cursed , and so damn'd a birth . This then the vniuersall discipline Of manners comprehends : a man to ioyne Himselfe with th'vniuerse , and wish to be Made all with it , and go on , round as he . Not plucking from the whole his wretched part , And into streights , or into nought reuert : Wishing the complete vniuerse might be Subiect to such a ragge of it , as he . But to consider great necessitie , All things , as well refract , as voluntarie Reduceth to the high celestiall cause : Which he that yeelds to , with a mans applause , And cheeke by cheeke goes , crossing it , no breath , But like Gods image followes to the death : That man is perfect wise , and euerie thing , ( Each cause and euerie part distinguishing ) In nature , with enough Art vnderstands , And that full glorie merits at all hands , That doth the whole world , at all parts adorne , And appertaines to one celestiall borne . Of sodaine Death . VVHat action wouldst y u wish to haue in hand , If sodain death shold come for his cōmand . I would be doing good to most good men That most did need , or to their childeren , And in aduice ( to make them their true heires ) I would be giuing vp my soule to theirs . To which effect if Death should find me giuen , I would with both my hands held vp to heauen , Make these my last words to my deitie : Those faculties thou hast bestowd on me To vnderstand thy gouernment and will I haue , in all fit actions offerd still To thy diuine acceptance , and as farre As I had influence from thy bounties starre , I haue made good thy forme infusde in me : Th'anticipations giuen me naturally , I haue with all my studie , art , and prayre Fitted to euerie obiect , and affaire My life presented , and my knowledge taught . My poore saile , as it hath bene euer fraught With thy free goodnesse , hath bene ballast to With all my gratitude . What is to do , Supply it sacred Sauiour : thy high grace In my poore gifts , receiue againe , and place Where it shall please thee : thy gifts neuer die But , hauing brought one to felicitie , Descend againe , and helpe another vp , &c. Height in Humilitie . WHy should I speak impe●ious courtiers faire ? Lest they exclude thee , at thy Court repaire . If they shall see me enter willingly , Let them exclude me . If necessitie Driue me amongst them , and they shut the dore , I do my best , and they can do no more . Gods will , and mine , then weigh'd : I his preferre , Being his vow'd lackey , and poore sufferer : I trie what his will is , and will with it : No gate is shut to me ; that shame must fit Shamelesse intruders . Why feare I disgrace To beare ill censure by a man of face ? Will any thinke that impudence can be An equall demonstration of me ? T is kingly , Cyrus ( said Antisthenes ) When thou doest well , to heare this ill of these . But many pitie thy defects in thee . I mocke them euer that so pittie me . Strangers they are , and know not what I am ; Where I place good and ill , nor euer came Where my course lies : but their 's the world may know : They lay it out , onely to name and show . If comfort follow truth of knowledge still , They meete with little truth ; for if their skill Get not applause , their comfort comes to nought . I studie still to be , they to be thought . Are they lesse frustrate of their ends then I ? Or fall they lesse into the ils they flie ? Are they industrious more ? lesse passionate ? Lesse faltring in their course ? more celebrate Truth in their comforts ? But they get before Much in opinion . True , they seeke it more . For stay in competence . THou that enioyst onely enough to liue , Why grieu'st thou that the giuer does not giue Foode with the fullest , when as much as thou He thinkes him emptie ? T is a state so low That I am fearefull euerie howre to sinke . Well said . Vnthankfull fearefull , eate and drinke , And feare to sterue still . Knowst thou not who sings Before the theefe ? The penurie of things Whither conferres it ? Drawes it not one breath With great satietie ? End not both in death ? Thy entrailes , with thy want , together shrinke ; He bursts with cruditie , and too much drinke . Will not thy want then with a chearefull eye Make thee expect death ? whom sterne tyrannie , Empire , and all the glut of thirstie store , Shun with pale cheekes affrighted ●uermore ? Earth is a whore , and brings vp all her brats With her insatiate gadflie : euen her flats High as her ●il● looke ; lusting , lusting still , No earthly pleasure euer hath her fill . Turne a new leafe then : thirst for things past death ; And thou shalt neuer thinke of things beneath . How should I thirst so , hauing no such heat● ? Fast , pray , to haue it : better neuer eate , Then still the more thou 〈◊〉 the more des●re . But wilt thou quench this ouerneedie fire ? Canst thou not write , nor reade , nor keepe a gate● Teach children , be a porter . That poore state Were base and hatefull . Is that base to thee , That is not thy worke ? That necessitie Inflicts vpon thee ? that inuades thee to Onely as head-aches and agues do ? That the great Ordrer of th'vniuerse sees So good , he puts it in his master peece ? But men will scorne me . Let them then go by , They will not touch thee : he that shifts his eye To others eye-browes , must himselfe be blind . Leau'st thou thy selfe for others ? t is the mind Of all that God and euery good forsakes . If he goes thy way , follow : if he takes An opposite course , canst thou still go along , And end thy course ? Go right , though all else wrong . But you are learn'd , and know Philosophie To be a shift to salue necessitie : Loue syllogismes , figures , and to make All men admire how excellent you spake . Your caution is to keepe a studious eye , Lest you be caught with carpes of sophistrie : To b● a man of reading , when alas , All these are caught in a Plebeians case . None such poore fooles , incontinent , couetous , Atheisticall , deceitfull , villanous . Shew me thy studies end , and what may be Those weights and measures , that are vsde by thee , To mete these ashes barreld vp in man. Is not the wreath his , that most truly can Make a man happie ? And ( in short ) is that Any way wrought more , then in teaching what Will make a man most ioyfully embrace The course his end holds , and his proper place ? Not suffering his affections to disperse , But fit the maine sway of the vniuerse . Of the Will. THe empire of the Will is euer sau'd , Except lost by it selfe , when t is deprau'd . Of Man. MAn is so soueraigne and diuine a state , That not contracted and elaborate , The world he beares about with him alone , But euen the Maker makes his breast his throne . Of a Philosopher . Does a Philosopher inuite , or pray Any to heare him ? or not make his way , As meate and drinke doth ? or the Sunne excite Onely by vertue of his heate and light ? Of Ambition . Who , others loues and honors goes about , Would haue things outward , not to be without . Of Friendship . NOw I am old , my old friends loues I wish , As I am good ; & more old , grow more fresh . Friends constant , not like lakes are standing euer , But like sweete streames , euer the same , yet neuer Still profiting themselues , and perfecting . And as a riuer furthest from his spring , Takes vertue of his course , and all the way Greater and greater growes , till with the sea He combats for his empire , and gets in , Curling his billowes , till his stile he win : So worthy men should make good to their ends , Increase of goodnesse ; such men make thy friends . Such nobler are , the poorer was their source ; And though w t crooks & turns , yet keep their course , Though till their strength , they did some weaknesse show , ( All thankes to God yet ) now it is not so . Will is the garden first , then Knowledge plants ; Who knowes and wils well , neuer vertue wants : Though o●t he faile in good , he nought neglects ; The affect , not the effect , God respects . But as the Academickes euer rate A man for learning , with that estimate They made of him , when in the schooles he liu'd ; And how so ere he scatter'd since , or thriu'd , Still they esteeme him as they held him then : So fares it with the doomes of vulgar men ; If once they knew a man defectiue , still The staine stickes by him ; better he his skill , His life and parts , till quite refin'd from him He was at first ; good drownes , ill still doth swim : Best men are long in making : he that soone Sparkles and flourishes , as soone is gone . A wretched thing it is , when nature giues A man good gifts , that still the more he liues , The more they die . And where the complete man ( Much lesse esteem'd ) is long before he can The passage cleare , betwixt his soule and sense , And of his body gaine such eminence , That all his organs open are , and fit To serue their Empresse . Th' other man of wit , At first is seru'd with all those instruments ▪ Open they are , and full , and free euents All he can thinke obtaines , and forth there flies Flashes from him , thicke as the Meteord skies , Like which he lookes , and vp drawes all mens eies , Euen to amaze : yet like those Meteors , ( Onely in ayre imprest ) away he soares , His organs shut : and twixt his life and soule , Sue a diuorce aliue . Such ne're enroule In thy brasse booke of Friendship : such are made To please light spirits , not to grow but fade . Nor friends for old acquaintance chuse , but faith , Discretion , good life , and contempt of death : That foes wrongs beare with Christian patience , Against which fighting , Reason hath no fence : That lay their fingers on their lips the more , The more their wrong'd simplicities deplore , And stop their mouthes to euery enemies ill , With th' ill he does them . Thus good men do still , And onely good men friends are : make no friend Of fleshie-beast-men , friendship 's of the mind . Of plentie and freedome in goodnesse . NOt to haue want , what riches doth exceed ? Not to be subiect , what superior thing ? He that to nought aspires , doth nothing need : Who breakes no law , is subiect to no King. Of Attention . WHen for the least time , y u lett'st fall thine eare From still attending , things still fit to heare , And gin'st thy mind way to thy bodies will : Imagine not thou hold'st the raines so still , That at thy pleasure thou canst turne her in : But be assur'd that one dayes soothed sinne , Will aske thee many to amend and mourne : And make thy mind so willing to adiourne That instant-due amendment , that t will breed A custome to do ill ; and that will need A new birth to reforme . What ? May I then ( By any diligence , or powre in men ) Auoid transgression ? No , t is past thy powre : But this thou maist do ; euery day and houre , In that be labouring still , that lets transgression : And worth my counsell t is , that this impression Fixt in thy mind , and all meanes vsde in man , He may trangresse as little as he can . If still thou saist , To morrow I will win My mind to this attention : therein Thou saist as much , as this day I will be Abiect and impudent : it shall be free This day for others to liue Lords of me , To leade and rule me : this day I will giue Reines to my passions , I will enuious liue , Wrathfull and lustfull : I will leaue the state Man holds in me , and turne adulterate , Vulgar and beastly . See to how much ill Thou stand'st indulgent . But all this thy will Shall mend to morrow : how much better t were This day thou shouldst mans godlike scepter beare : For if to morrow , in thy strengths neglect , Much more to day , while t is vncounter-checkt . To liue with little . VVHen thou seest any honour'd by the king , Oppose y u this , thou thirsts for no such thing . When thou seest any rich , see what in sted Of those his riches thou hast purchased . If nothing , nothing fits such idle wretches . If thou hast that , that makes thee need no riches ▪ Know thou hast more , and of a greater price , And that which is to God a sacrifice . When thou seest one linkt with a louely wife , Thou canst containe , and leade a single life . Seeme these things smal to thee ? O how much more Do euen those great ones , and those men of store Desire those small things , then their greatest owne : That they could scorn their states so bladder-blown , Their riches , and euen those delicious Dames , That seast their blood with such enchanted flames ? For haue not yet thy wits the difference found , Betwixt a feu'rie mans thirst , and one sound ? He hauing drunke is pleasd : the other lies Fretting and lothing , vomits out his eyes : His drinke to choler turnes , and ten parts more His vicious heate inflames him , then befo●e . So while the long fit of his drie desire Lasts in a rich man , such insatiate fire He feeles within him . While the like fit lasts In one ambitious , so he thirsts , and wasts . While the fit lasts , and lust hath any fewell : So fares the fond venerean with his iewell There being linkt to euery one of these Feares , emulations , sleeplesse Ielosies , Foule cogitations , foule words , fouler deeds . Enough be that then , that may serue thy needs , What thou canst keepe in thy free powre alone , Others affect , and thou reiect'st thine owne . Both will not draw in one yoke : one release And th' other vse , or neither keepe in peace Twixt both distracted . Things within thee prise ; Onely within , thy helpe and ruine lies . What wall so fencefull ? what possession So constant , and so properly our owne ? What dignitie so expert of deceipts ? All trade-like beggarly , and full of sleights . On which who sets his mind , is sure to grieue , Feed on faint hopes , neuer his ends atcheeue , Fall into that he shuns , and neuer rest , But bad esteeme his state , when t is at best . Serue but thy mind with obiects fit for her , And for things outward thou shalt neuer care . Obtaine but her true , and particular vse And obtaine all things Nor let doubt , abuse Thy will to winne her , as being coy enclind , Nought is so pliant as a humane mind . And what shall I obtaine , obtaining her , Not wishing all , but some particular ? What wouldst thou wish for her dowre more then these ? To make thee pleasant , of one hard to please ? To make thee modest , of one impudent ; Temperate , and chast , of one incontinent : Faithfull , being faithlesse . Fit not these thy will ? Affect'st thou greater ? What thou dost , do still : I giue thee ouer , doing all I can , Th' art past recure , with all that God giues man. To yong imaginaries in knowledge . NEuer for common signes , dispraise or praise , Nor ar● , nor want of a●t ▪ for what he saies Ascribe to any Men may both waies make In forme , & speech , a mans quicke doome mistake . All then that stand in any ranke of Art , Certaine decrees haue , how they shall impart That which is in them : which decrees , because They are within men , making there the lawes To all their actions , hardly shew without : And till their ensignes are displaid , make doubt To go against or with them : nor will they So well in words as in their deeds display . Decrees are not degrees . If thou shalt giue Titles of learning , to such men as liue Like rude Plebeians , since they haue degrees , Thou shalt do like Plebeians . He that sees A man held learn'd do rudely , rather may Take for that deed , his learned name away , Then giu 't him for his name . True learnings act ▪ And speciall object is , so to compact The will , and euery actiue powre in man , That more then men illiterate , he can Keepe all his actions in the narrow way To God and goodnesse , and there force their stay As in charm'd circles . Termes , tongs , reading , all That can within a man , cald learned , fall ; Whose life is led yet like an ignorant mans : Are but as tooles to goutie Artizans , That cannot vse them ; or like childrens arts , That out of habite , and by rootes of hearts , Construe and perce their lessons , yet discerne Nought of the matter , whose good words they learn : Or like our Chimicke Magi , that can call All termes of Art out , but no gold at all : And so are learn'd like them , of whom , none knows His Arts cleare truth , but are meere Ciniflos . But sacred learning , men so much prophane , That when they see a learn'd-accounted man Liue like a brute man ; they will neuer take His learn'd name from him , for opinions sake : But on that false gound brutishly conclude , That learning profites not . You beastly rude , Know , it mor●s profites , being exact and true , Then all earths high waies chokt with herds of you . But must degrees , & termes , and time in schooles , Needs make men learn'd , in life being worse then fooles ? What other Art liues into happy aire , That onely for his habite , and his haire , His false professors worth you will commend ? Are there not precepts , matter , and an end To euery science ? which , not kept , nor showne By vnderstanding ; vnderstanding knowne By fact ; the end , by things to th' end directed , What hap , or hope haue they to be protected ? Yet find such , greatest friends : and such professe Most learning , and will preasse for most accesse Into her presence , and her priuiest state , When they haue hardly knockt yet at her gate . Externall circumscription neuer s●rues To proue vs men : blood , flesh , nor bones nor nerues But that which all these vseth , and doth guide : Gods image in a soule eternifide , Which he that shewes not in such acts as tend To that eternesse , making that their end : In this world nothing knowes , uor after can , But is more any creature then a man. This rather were the way , if thou wouldst be , A true proficient in philosophie : Dissemble what thou studiest , till alone By thy impartiall con●e●tion Thou prou'st thee fit , to do as to professe . And if thou still professe it nor , what lesse Is thy philosophie , if in thy deeds Rather then signes , and shadowes , it proceedes ? Shew with what temper thou dost drinke , and eate : How farre from wrong thy deeds are , angers heat● ▪ How thou sustainst , and abstainst ; how farre gone In appetite and auersation ▪ To what account thou doest affections call , Both naturall , and ad●entitiall : That thou art faithfull , pious , humble , kind , Enemie to enuie : of a chearefull mind , Constant , and dantlesse . All this when men see Done with the learnedst ▪ them let censure thee ; But if so dull , and blind of soule they are , Not to acknowledge heauenly Mulciber , To be a famous Artist by his deeds , But they must see him in his working weeds : What ill is it , if thou art neuer knowne To men so poore of apprehension ? Are they within thee , or so much with thee As thou thy selfe art ? Can their dull eyes see Thy thoughts at worke ? Or how like one that 's sworn To thy destruction , all thy powres are borne T' entrap thy selfe ? whom thou dost hardlier please Then thou canst them ? Arme then thy mind w t these : I haue decrees set downe twixt me and God ; I know his precepts , I will beare his lode , But what men throw vpon me , I reiect : No man shall let the freedome I elect ; I haue an owner that will challenge me , Strong to defend , enough to satisfie : The rod of Mercurie , will charme all these , And make them neither strange , nor hard to please ▪ And these decrees , in houses constitute Friendship , and loue : in fields cause store of fruite : In cities , riches ; and in temples zeale : And all the world would make one commonweale . Shun braggart glorie , seeke no place , no name : No shewes , no company , no laughing game , No fashion : nor no champion of thy praise , As children sweete meates loue , and holidaies : Be knowing shamefastnesse , thy grace , and guard , As others are with dores , wals , porters bard . Liue close awhile ; so fruits grow , so their seed Must in the earth a little time lie hid ; Spring by degrees , and so be ripe at last . But if the Eare , be to the blades top past Before the ioynt amidst the blade , be knit , The corne is lanke , and no Sunne ripens it . Like which art thou yong Nouice ; florishing Before thy time , winter shall burne thy spring . The husbandman dislikes his fields faire birth , When timelesse heate beates on vnreadie earth , Grieues lest his fruits with aire should be too bold , And not endure the likely-coming cold . Comfort the roote then first , then let appeare The blades ioynt knit , and then produce the Eare : So Natures selfe , thou shalt constraine , and be Blest with a wealthy crop in spite of thee . Of Constancie in goodnesse . Who feares disgrace for things wel done , y e knows i● Wrong euer does most harme to him that does it . Who more ioy takes , that men his good aduance , Then in the good it selfe , does it by chance : That being the worke of others ; this his owne . In all these actions therefore that are common , Men neuer should for praise or dispraise care , But looke to the Decrees , from whence they are . Of Learning . LEarning , the Art is of good life : they then That leade not good liues , are not learned men . For ill successe . If thou sustainst in any sort an ill , Beare some good with thee to change for it still . Of negligence . When thou letst loose thy mind to obiects vain T is not in thee to call her backe againe : And therefore when thy pleasure in her good Droopes , and would downe in melancholy blood , Feed her alacritie with any thought Or word , that euer her recomfort wrought . Of iniurie . When thou art wrong'd , see if the wrong proceed From fault within thy iudgement , word or deed : If not , let him beware that iniures thee , And all that sooth him ; and be thy state fr●e . Of Attire . IN habite , nor in any ill to th'eie , Affright the vulgar from Philosophie : But as in lookes , words , workes , men witnesse thee Comely and checklesse , so in habite be . For if a man shall shew me one commended For wit , skill , iudgement , neuer so extended , That goes fantastically , and doth fit The vulgar fashion ; neuer thinke his wit Is of a sound peece , but hath bracks in it . If slouenly and nastily in weed● Thou keep'st thy body , such must be thy deeds , Hence , to the desart , which thou well deseru'st , And now no more for mans societie seru'st . Externall want to this height doth expresse Both inward negligence , and rottennesse . FRAGMENTS . Of Circumspection . IN hope to scape the law , do nought amisse , The penance euer in the action is . Of Sufferance . IT argues more powre willingly to yeeld To what by no repulse can be repeld , Then to be victor of the greatest state , We can with any fortune subiugate . Of the Soule . THe Soule serues with her functions to excite , Abhorre , prepare , and order appetite , Cause auersation , and susception : In all which , all her ill is built vpon Ill receiu'd iudgements ; which reforme with good ; And as with ill she yeelded to thy blood , And made thy pleasures , God and man displease , She will as well set both their powres at peace , With righteous habits , and delight thee more With doing good now , then with ill before . Of great men . WHen Homer made Achilles passionate , Wrathfull , reuengefull , and insatiate In his affections ; what man will denie He did compose all that of industrie ? To let men see , that men of most renowne , Strong'st , noblest , fairest , if they set not downe Decrees within them , for disposing these , Of iudgement , resolution , vprightnesse . And vertuous knowledge of their vse and ends , Mishaps and miserie , no lesse extends To their destruction , with all that they prisde , Then to the poorest , and the most despisde . Of learned men Who knows not truth , knows nothīg ; who what 's best Knowes not , not 1 truth knowes . Who ( alone profest In that which best is ) liues bad : Best not knowes , Since with that Best and Truth , such ioy still goes , That he that finds them , cannot but dispose His whole life to them . Seruile Auarice can Prophane no liberall-knowledge-coueting man. Such hypocrites , opinion onely haue , Without the 2 minds vse : which doth more depraue Their knowing powres , then if they 3 nought did know . For if with all the sciences they flow , Not hauing that , that such ioy brings withall , As cannot in vnlearn'd mens courses fall : As with a 4 tempest they are rapt past hope Of knowing Truth , because they thinke his scope Is in their tongues , much reading , speech profuse , Since they are meanes to Truth in their true vse : 5 But t is a fashion for the damned crue , One thing to praise , another to pursue : As those learn'd men do , that in words preferre Heauen and good life , yet in their liues so erre , That all heauen is not broade enough for them To hit or aime at , but the vulgar streame Hurries them headlong with it : and no more They know or shall know , then the r●dest Bore . FINIS . Notes, typically marginal, from the original text Notes for div A09532-e7450 * Simplicitie of pietie , and good life , answerable to such doctrine in men ; now as rare as miracles in other times : and require as much diuinitie of supportation . 1 As our Sauiours browes bled with his crowne of thorns . 2 Such as are Diuines in profession ; and in fact , diuels , or Wolues in sheepes clothing 3 Pompe and outward glorie , rather outface truth then countenance it . 4 Christ taught all his militant souldiers to fight vnder the ensignes of Shame and Death . 5 We need no other excitation to our faith in God , and good life , but the Scriptures , and vse of their meanes prescribed . 6 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . In these controuersies men make the By the Maine : the Maine the By. * Simile . 7 Men seeke heauen , with vsing the enemies to it ; Money and Auarice . 8 Alciones nest described in part , out of Plut. to which the Church is compared . 9 If the bird be lesse , the sea will get in ; by which meanes though she may get in , she could not preserue it . 1 Altars of the Church for her holiest place● vnderstood . 2 Vbi abundauit delictum , superabunda●it gratia . Rom. 5. ver . 20. 3 A simile , to life expressing mans estate , before our Sa●iours descension . 4 Our Sauiours blood , now and euer , as fresh , and vertuous as in the howre it was shed for vs. 5 Our Sauiour suffered nothing for himselfe , his owne betternesse , or comfort : but for vs and ours . 6 It is false humilitie to lay necessarily ( all our Sauiours grace vnderstood ) the victorie of our bodies , on our soules . 7 Man i● a liuing soule . Gen. 2. 8 We do not like men when we sin , ( for as we are true and worthie men , we are Gods images : ) but like brutish creatures , slauishly and wilfully conquered with the powers of flesh . 1 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . Hier. in Carm. Pythag. Non quod existere de●inat , sed quod vitae praestantia exciderit . 3 Simile . The minds ioy farre aboue the bodies , to those few , whom God hath inspird with the soules true vse . * Inuocatio . Notes for div A09532-e11060 1 The Sunn● vsurpe for Apollo ; whose Oracle being aske for such a man , ●ound onely Socrates . 2 Externae nequid labis per laeuia sidat . This verse Ascensius ioynes with the next before ; which is nothing so ; the sence being vtterly repugnant , as any impar●●all and iudiciall conferrer ( I suppose ) will confirme . 3 Cogitat , & iusto trutinae se examine pensat ▪ This verse is likewise mis●yned in the order of Ascenscius , which makes the period to those before . * I here needlesly take a little licence : for the word is Amussis , the mind of the Author being as well exprest in A compasse . Sit solidum quodcunqu● subest , nec inania subtus . Subest and subtus Ascens●con founds in his sence ; which the presnesse and matter of this Poem allowes not : it being in a Translator sooner and better seen then a Commentor . He would turne digitis pellentibus , to digitis palantibus . To which place , the true order is hard to ●it . And that truth in my conuersion ( how opposite soeuer any may stand ) with any conference , I make no doubt I shall perswade . * I here needlesly take a little licence : for the word is Amussis , the mind of the Author being as well exprest in A compasse . Sit solidum quodcunqu● subest , nec inania subtus . Subest and subtus Ascens●con founds in his sence ; which the presnesse and matter of this Poem allowes not : it being in a Translator sooner and better seen then a Commentor . He would turne digitis pellentibus , to digitis palantibus . To which place , the true order is hard to ●it . And that truth in my conuersion ( how opposite soeuer any may stand ) with any conference , I make no doubt I shall perswade . * I here needlesly take a little licence : for the word is Amussis , the mind of the Author being as well exprest in A compasse . Sit solidum quodcunqu● subest , nec inania subtus . Subest and subtus Ascens●con founds in his sence ; which the presnesse and matter of this Poem allowes not : it being in a Translator sooner and better seen then a Commentor . He would turne digitis pellentibus , to digitis palantibus . To which place , the true order is hard to ●it . And that truth in my conuersion ( how opposite soeuer any may stand ) with any conference , I make no doubt I shall perswade . * Miseratus egentē , cur aliquē fracta persensi mente dolorem . Ascens very iudicially makes this good man in this di●tie , opposite to a good Christian , since Christ ( the president of all good men ) enioynes vs , vt supra omnia misericordes simus . But his meaning here is , that a good and wise man should not so piti● the want of any , that he should want manly patience himselfe to sustaine it . And his reason Ser●ius alledgeth for him is this , saying , In quem cadit vna mentis perturbatio , posse in eum omnes cadere : sicut potest omni virtute pollere cui virtus vna contigerit . 1 A great & politike man , such as is , or may be opposed , to good or wise . 2 The priuation of a good life , and therein the ioyes of heauen , is hell in this world . * As Wolues and Tigers horribly gnarre , in their feeding : so these zealous , and giuen-ouer great ones to their own lusts and ambitions : in aspiriring to them , and their ends , fare , to all that come nere them in comp●tencie ; or that resist their de●o●ring . * This alludeth to hounds upon the traile of a squa● Hare , and making a chearefull crie about her , is applyed to the forced cheare or flatterie this great man ●hewe●h , when he hunts for his profite . * Plebeij status & nota est nunquam à seipso vel damn●m expectare , vel vtilitatem , sed à rebus externis . 1 How a good great man should employ his greatnesse . * The most vnchristian disposition of a great and ill man , i● following any that withstand his ill . * This hath reference ( as most of the rest hath ) 〈◊〉 the good man before , being this mans opposite . 1 Intending in his writing , &c. 2 Quo magis alantur , co magis ea laedi . 3 To be therefore instructed in the truth of knowledge , or a●spire to any egregious vertue ; not stiffe & 〈◊〉 Art serues ▪ but he must be help● besides , benigniore nascendi hor● . According to this of Inusual . — plus etenim fati valet hora benigni , Quam fi te Veneris commendet epistola Marti . * The truly learned imitateth God , the sophi●te●● emul●●eth man. His imperfections are hid in the mists imposture breathes : the others perfections are unseene by the brightnesse truth casts about his temples , that dazle ignorant and corrupt beholders , or ●pprehenders . * Geometrae dicunt , lineas & superficies , non seipsis moue●i , sed motus corporum comitari . * A good wife in most cares , should euer vn●●smaid comfort her husband . * Simile . * A good wife watcheth her husbands serious thoughts in his looke● and applies her owne to them . * Simile . * Ease and Securitie described . Resp. 1 Si absit scientia optimi , nihil scitur . 2 Qui opinioni absque mente , consenserint . 3 Prodest multis non nosse quicquā . 4 Nonne merit● , multa tempestate iactabitur● 5 Absurdam alia laudare , alia sequi .