The Holy Calendar.
Janus ad Lectores.
COme ſinful Chriſtians look and learn of me,
To draw Religion out of Poeſie.
Who knows, but what the clearer beams of day
Could not informe you, Ethnick darkneſs may.
My face you ſee a double aſpect bears,
At once ſurveying paſt and future years,
The things long hence to come, my ſearching eyes,
And thoſe rak'd up in ſilent duſt, deſcryes.
Times winged ſelf that flyes all ſight beſide,
From me his ſubtile footſteps cannot hide.
Be this your rule, ſo ſhall your heedful care,
Shun future crimes, the paſt, your tears repair.
The Feaſts of January. 2.
ON Janus firſt the Lord they circumciſe:
The Magi's Star upon the ſixth doth riſe;
The five and twentieth Saul converted, 's made
A tiller of that field he waſt had laid;
Upon the thirtieth day the Rebel Crew,
At his own Door the Royal Martyr ſlew.
New years day.
Epig. 1.
'TIs cuſtome Lord this day to ſend
A gift to every vulgar freind,
And ſhall I find no gift for thee,
That art the beſt of freinds to me?
There's nothing which my thoughts ſurvey,
My life, my ſoul, the light, the day;
But they are all by gifts to me,
And ſhall I find no gift for thee?
Yea Lord, behold I hear conferr
My life, my ſoul, and whatſo me're
Thy liberal hand hath given to me,
Back as a New-years gift on thee.
Say'd I gift? ah! 't is not ſo,
Alas both Men and Angels know,
That all theſe things thy Chriſt hath bought,
And therefore I can give thee naught.
Circumciſion.
Epig. 2.
TIs not a partial cleanneſs pleaſeth thee,
Thou Lord requir'ſt a total puritie,
Yet circumciſion the primordive ſigne
And badg of this renewing grace of thine,
Notes the ſubjection of ſome ſins alone,
With others it holds no proportion:
What means this Lord, it cannot be that thou
Shouldſt an imperfect righteouſneſs alow?
That ſo men ſlay their luſts, thy zealous eyes
Will winck at all their other vanities.
Only thou wouldſt informe us that this ſin
More then the reſt is rooted deep within;
Runs in the veins, and cannot be withſtood
With leſſer grief, then we can loſe our blood.
'Tis a mother ſin, from whoſe hell-gendring wombe
Thouſands of horrid wickedneſſes come.
And hence it is that thy unerring Writ
Them ſinners ſtiles, that theſe foul crimes commit;
As though however other men may ſtray,
Yet none indeed did ſin but only they.
'Tis the root of all ſins elſe, kill this they dy,
But nouriſh this, th' encreaſe and multiply.
And this is it, indeed thy wiſdom meant
To note unto us by this Sacrament,
That thoſe that have but this one ſin repreſt,
Are in effect got free from all the reſt.
Cleanſe my foul heart, O Lord, from every ſin,
In pledg whereof, O circumclſe my skin.
De eadem ad Chriſtum. Epig. 3.
VVHy circumcis'd they Lord thy skin?
On which there was no ſoyle of ſin.
It was we that did the crime commit,
And muſt thy Body ſmart for it?
Was ever ſuch a Method found,
By Proxy for to cure a wound.
Was ever ſuch a Surgeon known,
For others health, would loſe his own?
'Twas thus twixt thee and us indeed,
We ſinn'd, and thou alas didſt bleed,
Thou bled'ſt for us. O! who can hear
Thou didſt ſo, and not ſhed a tear?
A tear! ingrateful, could we weep
Oceans of tears, as vaſt and deep
As thoſe great Seas, whoſe flouds are roul'd
Betwixt the new found world and old:
They would not all ſuffice to pay
On drop of what thou bledſt to day.
Epiphany.
Epig. 1.
A Star this day my Saviour preacheth thee,
To ſhow what lights thy Preachers ought to be
Hereafter all would ſhine like Stars, but oh!
How few endeavour here ſo bright to ſhow?
De eadem. Epig. 2.
IN great Eclipſes Stars are ſeen to ſhine,
Such an Eclipſe (my God) was never as thine.
No wonder if a Star did rule the day,
The Sun diſrob'd of all his ſplendor lay.
Such ſhades of night his beams had over-run,
That men did need a Star to find the Sun.
De eadem.
Epig. 3.
VVHat's this my God theſe Magi ſay,
That they have ſeen thy Star to day?
Have all men then their proper Stars,
On which in ſecret characters,
Diſcern'd alone by skilful eyes,
Are writ all humane deſtinies.
Or was there ſome peculiar ſign
Engrav'd upon this Star of thine?
On ſight whereof theſe men could tell,
The birth of Judah's King ſo well?
Or was't a more celeſtial, beam,
From whence this radiant luſtre came?
Was it thy Spirit, and not their skill,
That did this heavenly light enſtill?
Thy Spirit was preſent Lord we know,
But doubt whither Art concurr'd or no,
However if ſuch Arts there be
That lead their followers unto thee.
And of thy Birth and Kingdom ſhow,
Happy are they that uſe them ſo:
And happy Arts, if ſuch there be,
That lead their followers unto thee.
Let ſelf-wiſe Zealots all contemn,
And vainly fear to practiſe them,
Yet if I may learn thee thereby,
Lord teach me ſuch Aſtrology.
St. Pauls Converſion. Epig. 1.
SEe here my ſoul what power thy Saviour hath,
He who ſo late deſtroy'd, now builds the Faith.
Who would diſpair that this example ſee,
Thy God, my ſoul, may do as much for thee.
De eadem.
Epig. 2.
GOd hath forgiven thy ſins, bleſt Paul, we know,
Yet he with thine own rod will ſcourg thee though,
None did purſue the Name of Jeſus more,
And for that Name, none is purſu'd ſo ſore;
A fruitful ſoyle thy rage did light upon,
Thou gav'ſt ſome death's, and ſuffredſt many a one.
Thus God at once a pattern made in thee,
Both of his Juſtice, and his Clemencie.
Ʋpon the light that ſhone round about St. Paul, as he was travelling to Damaſcus.
Act. 9. 3.
Epig. 3.
I Thought ſweet Saviour, thou hadſt ſent this light
Not to deprive, but to reſtore the ſight
Of this raſh Zealot, whoſe offence, alas!
Not malice to thy truth, but blindneſs was;
Yet Lord, no ſooner he theſe beams deſcries,
But 'ſtead of being cur'd, he loſt his eyes.
What Paradox is this my God? may then
Thy rayes be look'd on by no mortal men?
Muſt we have eyes from thee as well as light?
Elſe midſt of day ſhall we be wrapp'd in night?
Or is't thy way of cure? unleſs we be
Firſt ſtricken blind, canſt thou not make us ſee?
If ſo, our ſelves, Lord, at thy feet we caſt,
Do what thou wilt, ſo we may ſee at laſt.
Decollatio Caroli.
Ʋpon the Scotch Inſurrection, and the black conſequences thereof.
Epig. 1.
SCotos in Greek black darkneſs doth import
With us a Scotchman; and theres reaſon for't,
For thoſe black deeds that Hell would hardly own,
The Scotchmen firſt began to ſet upon.
England indeed matur'd the horrid Plot,
But the firſt riſe thereof was from the Scot.
Ʋpon Mat. 18. 8, 9. If thine hand or thy foot offend thee, &c.
Epig. 2.
OUr Lords mild counſels only did extend,
To th' eye, and hand, and foot, that did offend.
But our new Doctors more profoundly read,
To ſave the Body, lopp'd away the Head.
Bleſt Artiſts, may their trembling hearts be ſure
At their worſt throwes, to meet with ſuch a cure.
Ʋpon the Proverb that ſtiles the King of England, King of Devils.
Epig. 3.
DEvils I believe when they rebell'd, had ſpight
Enought' have thrown th' Eternal Godhead quite
Both from his throne and being. But their ſin
Met with a Power, that curb'd thoſe ſuries in,
And ſo abridg'd their guilt. But our black brood
Found none to Heavens unfathom'd counſel ſtood
That dur
•
t oppoſe their crimes, but curſt have done
That which thoſe Devils but only thought upon.
And therefore their foul ſin, as far exceeds
The others, as intents come ſhort of deeds.
Februarius.
TO Princely Numa's gift my name I owe,
Who by Egeria taught, that men below
By their continued treſpaſſes incenſe,
The heavenly Powers to hurle their judgments thence.
Choſe this my Month to be a time, wherein
With annual purgings they might cleanſe their ſin.
And from thoſe Rites which in that language cary
The name of Februa' call'd me February.
Chriſtians yet ſtile me ſo, but oh the ſhame!
Th' have loſt the practice, though they keep the name.
The Feaſts of February. 2.
MAry on Februs ſecond's purify'd. guide.
The fourteenth day young Valentine doth
The four and twentieth is Matthias guift,
All but Leap-years, and then the twenty-fifth.
Purification of the bleſſed Virgin.
Epig. 1.
BLeſt Mother of the Bleſſedſt Seed, that are
The pregnant womb of teeming fleſh did bear.
What new black ſtaines be theſe thy ſoul have dy'd,
That thou haſt need now to be purify'd?
Art not thou ſhe, bright Virgin, whom ere while,
The tongue of Angels full of Grace did ſtile?
Art not thou ſhe, who lately from above
Ore ſhadowed was't by that all-hallowing Dove?
Art not thou ſhe, from whoſe thrice happy womb
Repleat with mercies, all our cleanſings come?
And can there yet, bleſt Mayd, ſuch reaſons be
Why theſe vain Rites ſhould be apply'd to thee?
I know not, Lord, what theſe thwart runnings mean,
Can fulneſs want, or grace be ſtil'd unclean?
Can other terrene brutiſh Pigeons do
That which thy Dove could not attain unto?
Or he that freed the guiltful world from blame,
Could he not cleanſe the womb from whence he came
Far be ſuch impious thoughts, theſe Rites infer
No want of power in them, nor grace in her.
They were apt ſprings, rich ſtreams of grace to yeeld,
And ſhe a Veſſel eaſy to be fill'd.
Only th'unnurtur'd World, that could not ſee,
(Blind that they were) this hidden Energie.
Muſt be convinc'd by formes, we're often fain
With outward ſhowes raſh cenſures to reſtrain.
'Tis to be pure that moſt availes indeed,
Yet to be thought ſo, is no more then need.
Ad Mariam.
Epigr. 2.
I Cannot tell, the Subſtance ſelf, being by
Why theſe vain ſhadowes ſhould be priz'd ſo high
'Tis that bleſt Babe, whom thy glad armes encloſe,
From whence both thine, and all our cleanſing flows.
This Ritual Law no other uſe pretends,
But to adumbrate what from him deſcends.
And is ſuperfluous now, unleſſe it be
To ſhew how well the type and thing agree.
Or that the Worlds weak eyes were yet too dim,
Unleſs 'twere through a veyle to look on him.
Bleſt Mayd, thou no ſuch medium's want'ſt indeed,
Whoſe eyes undazeled, on his beams do feed.
But we whoſe weakneſs cannot brook the Sun,
By ſhadowes beſt diſcern his motion.
Epigr. 3.
I Apprehend, Bright Maid, no reaſon for't,
So God-like pure, as we believe thou wert,
Why thou ſhouldſt theſe myſterious Rites apply
Thy ſpotleſs ſelf, yet more to purify.
Unleſs perhaps, as ſome affirm, there be
A new found Acme in Divinitie,
Like unto that, which in another ſenſe,
Grammarians call the more then perfect tenſe:
I know not how their dreams they can aſſure,
But this I know, thou'rt either more then pure,
Or theſe Myſterious Rites, Bright Mayd, to thee,
That wert ſo pure before, ſuperflous be.
Valentine. a Valendo.
Epig. 1.
THy name imports a Power, and juſtly too,
For no Power elſe can work, what thine can do.
Kings rule the earth, fire, ſword, and torturing racks
The body with a thouſand death's diſtracts;
But can proceed no further, only thine,
Thy power commands the ſoul, great Valentine.
Epigr. 2.
THere's no reſiſting, I muſt ſerve thee too,
Great Saint, as well as all the Creatures do.
Feirce untam'd Beaſts, and winged Foules betray
A ſenſe of Love, and feel thy power to day.
And ſo do I, but in a lawful fire
Whoſe heat, oh may it never more expire!
Epigr. 3.
NO more vayne men, to Cupids Altars ſue,
We have a better Saint to go unto:
A Saint that breaths chaſt flames, whoſe hand doth hold
Arrowes compacted all of pureſt gold.
No leaden mixtures, no blew wounds that ſhow
The venom'd point from whence their rancors flow.
If then to bleſſe your amorous hopes, you need
Some favoring Powers; let Valentine ſucceed
The Cyprian fondling. Pious ſouls may ſeek
The ſweets of Love, without a bluſhing cheek.
Matthias de ſeipſo.
Epigr. 1.
ACcurſt Iſcariots vacant roome I fill,
See's make their Biſhops neither good nor ill.
All are not rocks that ſit in Peters chaire,
Nor Divels, that Judas his ſucceſſors are.
Judas ad Romanos.
Epigr. 2.
FOnd Romans, Peters dubious chaire reſigne,
'Tis for your honor more to ſit in mine.
None of the twelve themſelves will not deny,
Left an Apoſtle in his ſeat, but I.
Their meaner followers, meaner titles bare,
Mine with th' eleven aſſum'd an equal chaire.
If you would needs aſpire, my name had bin,
Apter t' have mask'd your vaſt ambition in
Then Peter's claime, of whom 'tis hard to know,
Whe'r ere indeed he were at Rome, or no.
But my opprobrious death is that alone,
Which your elſe ſhameleſs cheeks do bluſh to own.
As for the reſt, the conſcious world doth ſee
That you recede from Cephas, more then me.
In outward ſhow, I ſeem'd for Jeſus's ſake
To quit the world, and his ſharp croſs to take,
But play'd the thief the while, and made no ſpare,
So I might fill the curſed bagge I bare.
To rob the poor, and as if that were ſmall,
To ſet to ſale, even Chriſt himſelf and all.
Yet mask'd my treaſons ſtill with ſacred guile,
And cry'd, hail Lord, and kiſs'd him too the while.
And is not this your guiſe, I pray you tell,
Can any actions be more parallel.
Did ever any to one chaire ſucceed,
Whoſe lives exactly view'd, ſo well agreed?
But go to, ſince you think it yet a ſhame
Though you approve my works, to own my name,
Know this, your Seat's not ſo aſham'd of me,
As my Succeſſor of your ſeat would be.
Ʋpon Joſeph ſirnamed Juſtus, that was paſſed by; and Matthias that was choſen by lot into the roome of Judas. Act. 1. 24, 26.
Epigr. 3.
JOſeph (the Juſt) refuſ'd Heavens righteous doom,
Lots out Matthias unto Judas's room.
God looks not with mans eyes, the thing and name,
His wiſdome oft finds, not to be the ſame.
The Juſt one, could not but the Juſt approve:
Conformity's the ſureſt ground of love.
But his diſcerning eyes, no doubt, did ſee
One not ſo ſtil'd, to be more Juſt then he.
March. 1.
CHange but the names, the Heathen Fables are
Our Chriſtian Goſpels; what's their God of war
But our dread Lord of Hoaſts, their veſtal Nun,
And great Quirinus her immortal Son,
Romes God-like Founder, by his Patriots ſlayn,
But from the eating grave reviv'd again,
And in his Fathers Chariot, mounted high
Above Heavens ſtar-enamel'd canopy.
If you will note it, what doth this proclaime,
But Jeſus, and his Virgin-Mothers name?
Give things this ſenſe, and you ſhall nothing erre,
Though you this Month to Mars his name referr.
Though Rhea Syluia have her Feſtal day,
And Romulus his Quirinalia.
All, if you thus interpret, things will be,
Who ere gain-ſaies it, good Divinitie.
The Feaſts of March. 2.
WAles for her David, March his firſt doth claime.
The ſixteenth bears the Iriſh Patricks name.
Bright Gabriel on the twenty fifth doth bear
Glad tidings to the Virgin-Mothers eare.
Saint David. Epigr. 1.
BRutes Sons ſhall never ſay, great Saint, that I
Have thruſt thy name out of our Liturgy.
Let others doubt thy Hiſtory, to me
It is enough that Cambrians honor thee.
Epigr. 2.
BIſhop, or Champion, whether name be due,
Or whether both, great Saint, and thou like to
That other David, in one perſon bear
Prophet and Souldiers equal character.
I cannot tell, but this I am aſſur'd
Under thy auſpice, Wales hath long endur'd.
Epigr. 3.
WHen my obſerving thoughts revolv how long
Brutes warlike Sons have kept their name and tongue:
With what ſtout hands, they their own fields have held,
Maugre the rage of thoſe feirce ſtormes which ſwell'd
From the rough Saxons, Danes, and Nonmans hate,
Which like the none-excepting doom of fate
Fell upon all this Iſle, and rouled with
An irreſiſted ſtream from Thames to Frith.
Yet Brutes ſtern children kept their own, and ſtood
Coloſſi like athwart thoſe Seas of blood
Unſhaken with the tempeſt. When I weigh
Theſe things, great David, I am forc'd to ſay,
That either thou their Champion doſt excell,
Or they no Champion need, they fight ſo well.
S. Patrick.
Epig. 1.
VEnice ſometimes choſe Theodore to be
Her guardian Saint, but when ſhe found that he
Gave no ſucceſs to her deſigns, ſhe laid
Him by, and call'd in Mark unto her aid,
Which courſe unleſs the ruin'd Ireland run
And change her Saint too, ſhe is quite undone;
For either her Patrick cannot eaſe her needs,
Or which is worſe, he cares not how ſhe ſpeeds.
Epig. 2.
PAtrick his prayers they ſay to paſs did bring,
That in the Iriſh ſoil no venom'd thing
May breed, no Toads, no Serpents, Spiders there,
Nor other poiſonous creatures do appear:
A bleſſed gift! if what in them is loſt,
The men have not within their breſts ingroſt.
Epig. 3.
VVIſe Romans when they firſt commenced wars,
Againſt a Town call'd out her Tutelars,
And gave them worſhip leaſt perhaps they might,
In favour of the place againſt them fight:
Which courſe whether England took when long ago,
Sh' aſſail'd the Iriſh Kings I do not know.
But this I'me ſure their Patricks hand ſince then
Was ne're lift up againſt the Engliſh-men.
Annunciation of the Bleſſed Virgin. Epig. 1.
HAd Adam known his wife before the fall,
The bleſſing doubtleſs had been virtual
To propagation, and her firſt-born Son,
Had been conceiv'd without corruption:
But 'twas not ſo, the guilt which ſhe convei'd
To all her Iſſue, proves ſhe ſinn'd a Maid
Before coition, the Impoſtor knew
Too well accurſed, what he had to do,
When he the fountain did infect, that all
The lower ſtreams might ſuck from thence their gall,
Which yet leaſt it might bring a blot upon
That glorious ſtate, the Angels portion,
The lot of Spirits, the life of heaven, and we
For her crimes ſake might loath virginity,
His Grace our all-wiſe Saviour did diſpenſe,
In ſuch an anſwering method, that th' offence
And cure at one ſame gate might enter in,
And the ſalvation parallel the ſin:
Thus what a Maiden loſt, a Maid reſtores,
A Virgin caus'd, a Virgin heal'd our ſores.
Evah tranſgres'd, but you revers'd may read,
In Maries Ave both her name and deed:
Ʋpon Luke 1. 45. Bleſſed is ſhe that beleeved,
&c. Epig. 2.
SUch news bleſt maid as this bright Angel brings
Of ſuch unheard of inconſiſtent things,
'Tis as much wonder that thou couldſt beleeve,
As 'tis that God could thoſe ſtrange works atchieve:
What hand could interweave but his alone,
A Moment and Eternity in one,
Th' incomprehended eſſence and a ſpan,
The creature and Creator, God and Man.
Or which is leſſe, yet hard enough to do,
Compriſe in one a Maid and Mother too;
'Twas only God this work to paſs could bring,
And onely thou that couldſt beleeve the thing.
Epig. 3.
VVHen in our fleſh thou deign'ſt to lodge no room,
My God would ſerve thee, but a Virgins womb:
But in our hearts being pleas'd by faith to dwell,
It is not now thy lot to ſpeed ſo well;
For ſuch, oh horrid, is our ſinful ſtate,
Thou canſt find none thats not adulterate.
To find Eaſter for ever.
THe change in Februs if there any be,
Or that which firſt enſues note carefully,
And the next Tueſday doubt it not all,
That doth ſucceed Shrove Tueſday you may call.
Shrove-Tueſday paſt you may be bold to ſay,
That Sunday ſix weeks after's Eaſter Day.
The other Moveable Feaſts. 2.
TWo days Good Friday Eaſter doth precede,
Fourty from thence to Holy Thurſday lead;
Ten more unto Whitſunday numbred be,
And one week after that to Trinity.
Good-Friday, Paſſio Domini. Epig. 1.
HEe's dead: Inſult the Infernal Powers, the dread
Meſsias, Jeſus whom you fear'd is dead;
But ſtay, rejoyce not neither, it is from
His death, that your great Empires fall doth come.
'Twas a ſtrange combat this, wherein to ſlay,
The foe you fought with, was to loſe the day;
Yet thus it was, the Field had been your own,
Had you not our great Champion overthrown:
But through his ſides your ſelves accurſt you ſlew,
And he being ruin'd by you, ruin'd you.
Ʋpon Luke 22. 44.
And his ſweat was as it were great drops of blood falling to the ground.
SEe here my ſoul what weight in ſin remains
When he whoſe ſhoulder all things elſe ſuſtains,
Bow'd underneath the load: if he that ſtood
In equall poize with God, ſweat clods of blood,
And the Almighty groan'd to undergo
The burthen, what muſt finite creatures do?
Ʋpon
Matth. 27. 52, 53. And the graves were opened, and many bodies of Saints which ſlept aroſe.
Epig. 3.
THe Prince of life was ſlain and nothing now
Remain'd on earth, whoſe greatnes did not bow
To Death's all conquering power, you would have thought
The world it ſelf would quickly have bin brought
To its laſt gaſpe, and all the creatures have
Been buried with their maker in the grave,
When lo midſt all theſe ſpoils appal'd with fear,
From his own holds the enfeebled Conquerour
Flies with diſtracted ſteps, and leaves his prey,
Free and unguarded to eſcape away,
From their cloſe dungeons the enfranchis'd dead
Are ſent again the ſacred ſtreets to tread.
But wonder not, it was but time to flie,
When he beheld his Kingdome ſeized by
So ſtrange a wile. Death found, alas! too late,
That he had brought a prey within his gate
That would deſtroy his rights; and that 'twas vayne
To think to ſtay where Jeſus was, though ſlayne
So ſure it was that he, a wondrous thing,
Who came in Captaine, would go out a King.
Easter-Day. Reſurrectio Domini. Epig. 1.
I Know not where the greater wonder lies,
That God ſhould dy, or man from death ſhould riſe.
But this I know, th' are both enough to make
The Angels faith, if not upheld, to ſhake.
God is immortal, and for him to dy,
Were to be ſtripped of his Deity.
And for fraile man, being dead, to riſe again,
Is in effect to ceaſe to be humane.
Neither, if you conſider them alone,
Can be without a contradiction.
And when all tongues have argu'd what they can,
God muſt be God, and man can be but man.
But ſtart not at it, 'tis not thus that we
Muſt meaſure this tranſcendent Myſterie.
If you would view theſe Natures rightly, 'tis
As they concurre in our Hypoſtaſis;
And thus conſidered they no more oppoſe,
Man-God did die, God-Man from death aroſe.
'Twas one ſame Perſon both theſe mazes trod,
Yet roſe he not as Man, nor dy'd as God.
Epigr. 2.
CHriſt all the Sabbath bound in Grave did ly;
The Sabbath types out vaſt Eternity.
And 'twas Eternal death, indeed our ſin
Infinite that it was, had wrapp'd us in.
But he by carrying brake thoſe bonds, and quit
Us from Eternal death, by ſuffering it;
Happy exchange, now though we die, yet ſhall
Our death not ſtretch to that great Feſtival:
Death may our Corps indeed a while ſurprize,
But we on that great Sabbaths Eve ſhall riſe.
Epigr. 3.
THe Phoenix birth no more admire, nor what
Old Bardes of her renewed age have wrote;
The Fables which of that ſtrange Bird you read,
Are in our Jeſus verified indeed;
He's the true Phoenix, uncompell'd that flies
Into the Mountains forked tops and dies.
His Tombe like hers, with ſweet perfumes is fill'd,
The gums whereof ſuch fragrant ſmells do yeeld,
As Heaven it ſelf delights to ſent; and thoſe
Bleſt Spirits above rejoyce therewith to cloſe.
Dead from his Grave, as from a ſecond Wombe
New-borne, like her he back again doth come
Into th' aſtoniſhed world, more faire to ſee,
And bright, then ere before he us'd to be.
Only in this our Phoenix comes before
The other, that once rays'd, he dies no more.
Aſcenſion. Epigr. 1.
COme down bleſt Saviour, 'tis no ſin to pray
Thee down; I hope upon Aſcenſion day
So to deſcend, as I would have thee do,
Is not indeed to fall, but mount unto
A Zenith, which thou ne're before couldſt gain
Even my proud heart which rebel luſts have ta'ne,
And mann'd againſt thee: this my God is it
That I would have thee come and ſee and get;
Get this ſtrong hold into thy hands, and make
Her high-rays'd bulwarks at thy ſtorming ſhake,
And droop their heads; make my ſtout thoughts to fall
Proſtrate before thy glorious feet, and all
The powers within me to ly low, and be
Subject henceforth unto no King but thee.
Do this, dear Lord, and my glad ſoul ſhall ſay
To me thou ne're aſcendedſt till to day.
Epigr. 2.
Look in what ſenſe the Son of man was ſaid
To be in Heaven, whil'ſt yet on Earth he ſtayd.
In the ſame ſenſe we grant his body, though
In Heaven, may ſtill be ſay'd to be below.
He is aſcended all agree, that ſame
Material fleſh and blood of his that came
From the pure Virgins Womb, Heavens now retain,
And until all things be reſtor'd again,
Muſt ſtill retain it; yet it is confeſt,
That when the holy Elements are bleſt
By the Prieſts powerful lips, though nothing there
To outward ſenſe, but Bread and Wine appear;
Yet doth there under thoſe dark formes reſide
The body of the Son of Man that dy'd.
This, what bold tongue ſoever doth deny,
Gives in effect even Chriſt himſelf the ly.
Yet this whoe're too groſly doth maintain,
Pulls his aſcended Lord from Heaven again.
A middle courſe 'twixt thoſe two rocks to ſteer,
Is that becomes the Chriſtian Mariner.
So to beleeve the Aſcenſion as to grant
His real Preſence in the Sacrament;
Yet ſo his Real Preſence there to own
As not to make void his Aſcenſion.
Epig. 3.
THe grave and hell were both ſubdu'd, & nought
In thoſe dark coaſts was further to be wrought;
Heaven yet barr'd up her Azure gates to win
An entrance there, and bring his ranſom'd in,
Our Lord aſcends, and with a powerful hand,
Throws ope thoſe claſped doors that did withſtand
Our dear acquir'd admiſſion: Happy day
Wherein we by a new and living way,
His fleſh the vail have found a means into
The holy-holy place aſſur'd to go.
What ſhall our joys henceforth retard, when Hell
And death and heaven are all atton'd ſo well.
Whitſunday, Epig. 1.
LOrd I would fain thy bounteous grace admire,
Which gav'ſt thy Spirit this day in flames of fire,
But cannot do't if that ſame fire of thine,
Which fill'd their glowing boſoms fill not mine.
Fain I would of thoſe cloven tongues relate
Which this day on thy dear Apoſtles ſate,
But cannot ſpeak, alas, as I ſhould do,
Unleſs one of thoſe tongues be given me too.
None Lord can love, nor praiſe thee well, but thoſe
On whom thy ſelf both fire and tongue beſtows.
Epig. 2.
YOu that deſpiſe all humane helps whereby
Men are prepared for the Miniſtry,
And boaſt you have the Spirit enabling you,
Better then all their Books and Arts can do;
Be not deceiv'd fond men, 'tis more to be
Fitted for ſuch a work, then you can ſee,
Thoſe whom the Holy Ghoſt doth thus inſpire,
He comes to them in tongues as well as fire;
Show us but them, and wee'l allow your call,
If not, we heed not your vain brags at all.
Epig. 3.
DIvided tongues made Babels building ceaſe,
But now thy Zions buildings do encreaſe.
That was a curſe, the fruit of ſin, but this
One of the Churches greateſt bleſſings is:
Had not that gone before, no need had been,
T'have had this other mercy given in.
But ſuch was now our ſtate, that onely that,
Could cure the plague, which firſt the plague begat.
Trinity Sunday,
Epig. 1.
THree and but one, and one yet branch'd in three
I know not Lord, how this ſtrange thing can be;
But 'tis no matter what blind worm I know,
So I can but beleeve that it is ſo.
Epig. 2.
TAke heed ye bold enquirers how ye pry
Too much into this ſacred myſtery,
'Tis ſafer to beleev then ſearch too far,
Into thoſe truths that ſo tranſcendent are;
The eyes that gaze too long upon the Sun,
Are often ſtricken blind ere they have done.
Epig. 3.
TEll me ye Atheiſts that beleeve no more
Then what your reaſon fathoms, that vaſt ſtore
Of rouling waters that doth daily flow
Into the Ocean, whither doth it go?
What Ciſterns do thoſe big ſwoln ſtreams maintain,
That every tide are emptied in the main?
What dark inſtinct compels the churliſh ſteel,
The loadſtones undiſcerned force to feel?
Or if you will ever vulgar things ſurvey,
Thoſe which you taſte and handle every day:
Take me the ſeeds of every plant and tree,
Of every herb and flower that grows, and ſee
If when you have ript them open you can find,
A reaſon why they bring forth ſuch a kind,
And not another; where that virtue lyes,
That ſuch a form and taſte, and ſmell ſupplies,
So proper to it ſelf, that nothing well
The ſame, except it ſelf can parallel.
Hence let your ſerious thoughts reflect agen,
On the ſtrange Fabrick both of Beaſts and men,
Their bones, their veins, their arteries and all,
Th' eſſential ſtamps they bear and caſual,
The colour of their hair, their eyes and skin,
The extent, their age, and ſtature's bounded in;
And tell me whether your quick-ſight can read
The ground of all theſe wonders in the ſeed.
Poor Skepticks, in theſe common things below,
The furtheſt that your utmoſt skill can go,
Is only to diſcern that thus they be,
But why they're thus, alas, you cannot ſee:
Yet with th' Almighty you are grown ſo bold,
That though you in his Holy Word be told;
That that one ever bleſſed Eſſence is
Diſtinguiſh'd into three Hypoſtaſies.
And that thoſe three Hypoſtaſies abide,
Still one ſame Eſſence undiverſified;
Yet is it not enough for you to know,
That thus it is, unleſs we further ſhow
You why, and how it can be thus, and bring
Some proofs beſides his Dixit, of the thing.
But go to you, Blaſphemers, if there be▪
No other way to clear this Myſterie,
Unto your ſtaggering Faith, but ſenſe; be ſure
One day (though then 'twill be too late a cure)
Your very eyes ſhall ſee, and ſeeing pine,
The glory of the Trin-une, Ʋni-trine.
April 1.
ROmans this Month to Venus did aſſign,
From whom their Prince Aeneas drew his line.
Her Aphrodite from thoſe white froths they call
Which gave their Goddeſs his original,
And the Month April: 'Tis a nobler wombe,
From whence our Princes high deſcent doth come,
Nor is't from ſpurious froaths, but Seas that we
May draw (we think) her Etymologie.
Put all together, froaths with Seas compare,
View what both Princes, what their mothers are;
And if the odds with Venus ſtill remain,
Let her the guidance of this Month retain;
But if our Marie have a juſter right,
Let her aſſume the place of Aphrodite.
The Feasts of April 2.
ON Aprils three and twentieth George beſtrides,
His warlike ſteed and 'gainſt the Dragon rides.
The twenty fift to raiſe our wonder more,
The winged Lyon's voice is heard to roar.
Saint George, Epig. 1.
SEe here in Georges Portraiture a true
Deſcription of what Chriſtians ought to do;
No civill warrs, no brothers blood imbrues
His righteous hands, he no ſuch foes purſues;
The croſs his Engſin is, his Faith his ſhield,
His ſword the Scripture, his own heart the Field;
His enemy the Dragon, him alone
He thinks it worth his while to ſet upon;
O God that we who George our champion call,
Save ſuch as theſe would fight no fights at all.
Epig. 2.
WOuldſt thou a combat undertake wherein,
Thou might'ſt be ſure the victory to win,
And with it gain a Kingdome too, then fight
Saint Georges duels, let thy oppoſite,
Be the red Dragon, and on him be ſure,
Thou both the one and th'other ſhalt procure;
For none ere fought with him but won the day,
And none ere won, but bore a Crown away.
Epig. 3.
VVHether George a humane creature were indeed,
Or but an Embleme of that promiſed ſeed,
Whom God of old had ſet apart to tread
Upon the conquered Serpents wounded head;
Is not agreed: But this is ſure, no hand,
Of men or Devils, is able to withſtand
Thoſe whom that Champion aides, let him but fight
On Englands ſide, and we will dare the ſpight
Of all the adverſe world, no power can harm
Them who are guarded by ſo ſtrong an arm:
Needs muſt his might all other force repell,
Before whoſe feet the Dragon conquered fell.
Saint Mark, Epig. 1.
CHriſt is the Lambe ſo ſacred Writs define,
To Mark a Lions Figure they aſſign;
Yet ſee what Miracles from grace can ſpring,
The Lamb is now become the Lyons King.
Epig. 2.
DRead not poor ſheep, this roaring Lion here,
Goes not about your trembling fleſh to tear,
The World is chang'd, thoſe paws that us'd of old
To rend the flock, do now preſerve the fold
But would you know by what means this is done,
Saturn was then in Leo, now the Sun.
Ʋpon the State of Venice, or S. Marks arrogating the dominion of the Adriatick Sea. Epig. 3.
I Wonder not if all the Earth doth fear
Venetia's power, her Patron Mark doth bear
A Lions figure, whoſe ſtern voice doth make
The neighboring deſarts all about to ſhake;
Nor do I wonder when the Beaſt doth ſpread
His wings abroad, if all the air do dread.
Thus far there's reaſon for't, the Earth and Air
Are both th'amphibious Monſters thorow-fair;
And 'tis not to be wondred, if he fills
Both Tracts with terror of his voice and quills.
This only I admire, upon what right,
He Lords it over the blew Amphitrite;
Why Seas ſhould fear him, whoſe curl'd waves are free
From his proud threats, and roar as loud as he
May 1.
SUch due reſpects wiſe Romans to their grave
And hoary Elders, though but Heathens, gave,
That next their guardian Deities they ſet,
Their Names upon this Months fair Frontelet;
Which it keeps ſtill unraz'd, and to this day,
From thoſe Grand Majors is ſirnamed May.
Age crown'd with wiſdome high regards doth claim
Ancient of days is Gods own glorious name:
Whoſe more eſpecial ſtamp doth ſeem to be
Engrav'd upon their ſnowie gravitie;
Yet ſuch is our foul ſin, oh! wo the while,
We ſlight the duty, though we own the ſtile.
The Feaſts in May 2.
PHilip and Jacob May the firſt doth own
The twenty ninth Charles re-aſcends his Throne.
Philip and Jacob
Epigr. 1.
GReat pair of Saints, when your two names I ſee
Coupled together in the Epigraphie,
Of this fair Feaſt, I'me ready ſtrait to cry,
That ſurely Sol's in love with Gemini;
Before his time the horned Bull forſakes,
And with the beauteous Twins his lodging takes;
This certainly the glorious Saints, I know
That when your lovely ſouls were hous'd below
A brighter Sun in them did fix his rayes,
Not for a Month alone, but all your days:
And now (though rap'd from hence) he hath lodg'd you where,
Full of himſelf you ever may appear.
Epigr. 2.
VVHen I inſcrib'd upon this day had read,
The name of Jacob, I ſtraight fancied
Some ſupplantation, like to what of old,
Of the firſt Jacob Holy Writs have told.
But here is no ſuch thing, our Jacob here,
Doth not with holy Phillip intervere;
Here are no ſuch contentions, neither feels,
The others hand ſurprizing of his heels;
Here is no ſtrife for birth-right mov'd, nor yet
Which ſhall the Fathers happy bleſſing get.
Both are content, and both indeed obtain
That which the other Brothers ſought to gain,
From one another with ſo much ado,
Both have the birth-right, and the bleſſing too.
Ʋpon the two Phillips, the Apoſtle, and the Evangeliſt.
Epig. 3.
THe Macedonian Philips glorious name,
His own, and Sons great actions do proclaim;
The World yet rings thereof, and will do ſtill,
While men ſhall uſe their tongues, or hold a quill:
Yet 'tis not all the Fields that Warrier won,
Can match what our two Philips power hath done,
Small narrow bounds his conqueſts did confine,
Theirs ſtretch themſelves on either ſide the line,
Even to the untrodden Poles: his power and ſway
Is long ago expir'd and ſwept away
By Times rude hand, of all the ſprouts that ſhot
From that rich ſtem, one ſprig remaineth not
To ſhade the earth, but by a wondrous fall,
Are quite extinct, even root and branch and all.
But from our Philips verdant ſtock, there ſtill
Spring ſuch freſh boughs, as no keen froſts ſhal kill,
Nor pruning hooks lop down, whilſt that bright pair
Of Lamps, with ſplendid beams ſhall guild the air,
Their fruit ſhall ſtill increaſe, and day by day,
Wax ſtill more fair, and further from decay.
So that hereafter when unerring Fame,
Shall ſet true value on the Philips name,
The other meaner acts ſhe ſhall decline,
And t' ours alone, the names of Fair aſſign.
Regicipium, Or the Return of
Charles the ſecond, being alſo his Birth-day.
Epig. 1.
TWelve years black night our Royal Sun had hid
'Twas long indeed the Stygian Nadir did
From our ſad coaſts, his cheerful rayes detain,
Whilſt we poor creatures ſcarce e're look'd again,
To ſee the Morning dawn, or one bright beam
Of his, through our Horizons vaults to ſtream.
But heavens be bleſt the long-wiſh'd day at laſt
Is broke again, and thoſe thick clouds that caſt
Such diſmal ſhades ore all this Iſlands frame,
Are thruſt again to Hell from whence they came.
Go happy Brittains, you whoſe eyes have done
So long a pennance, greet your riſing Sun
With more then Perſian adorations, they
Wh'have felt ſuch darkneſs, well may prize their day.
Epig. 2.
VVHat name great Charles ſhall this bleſt Iſle aſſign,
To thoſe propitious heavenly beams of thine:
Englands bright Sun ſhall we entitle thee,
That name indeed would beſt of all agree
To thine immenſe perfections, which ſuffice
Alone to glad ſo many kingdome eyes.
Only t'would make us fear that envious night,
For all this, yet would rob us of thy ſight.
And who can think of loſing ſuch a Sun,
And not even mad with ſtartling horror run:
Shall we then call thee our bright Arctick ſtar,
She bears 'tis true thy name upon her carr,
And which to us ſounds beſt, ne're ſets at all,
But yet alas, her beams are weak and ſmall;
Like an obſcure Ruſh-candle's match'd with thine,
Which clearer then the mid-days Chariot ſhine.
What then remains, Dear Prince, but that we pray,
That ſince thy luſtre, and our wiſhes may
By neither of theſe Lamps diſ-joyn'd be ſhown,
Their married Powers in thee may meet in one;
That thou may'ſt ſhine like Sol when he diſplayes
'Twixt Cancer's claws at noon his brighteſt rays;
But like the Northern Bear may'ſt never ſleep,
In Thetis watry covertures, but keep
In thy full ſtrength, thy radiant Zenith ſtill,
And with perpetual day theſe Kingdoms fill.
Epig. 3.
'TIs no ſmall honor theſe three Realms do pay,
Of right great Prince, to this auſpicious day,
Which brought thee firſt into the world, and gave
Us hopes of thoſe rich fruits which now we have.
This crown'd it much indeed; but 'tis far more
Endear'd ſince that upon another ſcore,
Thy glorious reſtitution, which was wrought
This day almoſt beyond all humane thought;
That was thy Birth, but this may well be ſed
To be thy reſurrection from the dead,
And ours indeed in thine, for all the while,
That thou wert baniſh'd, death poſſeſs'd this Iſle,
And we lay buried in thy loſſe, but when
Thou once returnd'ſt, we all reviv'd agen
And breath'd new life, for which great mercies, we
Muſt ever pay our thanks to it, and thee.
June 1.
YOung men this Month is yours, your Country ſhows,
What honor ſhe to ſpringing virtue owes.
When as a pledge thereof, ſhe's proud to wear
Your name, inſcrib'd upon her Calendar.
Goodneſs at any time acceptance wins,
But 'tis beſt priz'd when it in youth begins.
The Feaſts of June 2.
THe 'leventh of June bright Barnabas obtains
The twenty fourth the new-born Baptiſt gains.
The nine and twentieth day apart is ſet,
To him that firſt for Chriſt forſook his net.
Barnabas Apoſtle,
upon Acts 11. 22.
&c. Epig. 1.
SSee what an humble ſoul can yeeld to do,
Barnabas by the Apoſtles ſent into
An ample Province, to command and guide
The Church of Antioch, freely doth divide,
His charge with Saul the convert, and is glad
To have him ſhare in all the power he had.
Good men for Chriſts behoof their intereſts wave,
And are content to part with all they have;
Let thy Church thrive (ſo they their prayers begin)
And 'tis no matter who doth loſe or win.
Ʋpon Acts 11. 26. Epig. 2.
FRom Barnabas and Saul's advice, the Name
Of Chriſtians firſt to Chriſts Diſciples came.
They preach'd not for themſelves, and could not brook
To ſee their hearers dote upon the look
Or garbe of any earthly Miniſter,
How great ſoever or polite he were.
'Twas Chriſt that own'd the building, and 'twas fit
They thought't ſhould bear his Name that purchas'd it.
Chriſtians rejoyce in your great ſtile, to bear
This title, is more glorious then to wear
Imperial Crowns. But pay your thanks withall
For this great grace to Barnabas and Saul.
'Twas Chriſt indeed from whom your honour ſprung
But through thoſe golden Pipes it paſs'd along.
Ʋpon Acts 15. 39. Epig. 3.
WHo would have thought that there could ever fall
Such bitter ſtrifes 'twixt Barnabas & Paul,
That they whoſe tongues ſo ſweetly did accord,
In the confeſſion of one God, one Lord,
One Spirit of grace, who one ſame hope enjoy'd,
One Faith, one Baptiſm, that were both emploi'd
In one ſame Function, and ſo long had ſtood,
Twin-like conjoyned in one Brotherhood.
That they ſhould jarr, and jarr fo ſharply too,
That they muſt part; oh this is ſad to view,
Good Lord, how looſe are mens affections tide,
Whom every trivial difference can divide;
Our comfort is when once w'are knit to thee.
That bond no time ſhall ever cancel'd ſee.
John the Baptiſt. Epig. 1.
JOhn was that voice that in the Deſart cryed,
All Judah heard it, and was terrified;
And who will wonder if they ſhook with fear,
When they ſuch ſhrill and dreadfull ſounds did hear.
All I admire's how this to paſs ſhould come,
That he ſhould get this Cryer that was dumbe.
Epigr. 2.
ENoch that walk'd with God, and Abraham,
His choſen friend, to whom the promiſe came;
Moſes the Steward of his houſe, and he
That up to heaven on fiery Steeds did flee.
Theſe doubtleſs had great viſions, and deſcried
More of their God, then all thoſe times beſide,
Yet 'twas not all thoſe Saints, nor any one
Before or after equaliz'd our John;
Who had the honour at one time to hear
The Father ſpeak, and ſee the Spirit appear;
And with his hands unworthy to baptize,
The Son that in the Fathers boſome lies.
Great John well did thy Saviours tongue proclaim
That amongſt all that out of women came,
Like thee there was no Prophet who alone,
Diſtinctly ſav'ſt at once the three in one.
Epigr. 3.
BEhold here! how the great high Prieſt doth ſtand
To be baptized by his ſervants hand:
And fear oh man how thou thoſe ſeals refuſe,
Which Chriſt thy Lord himſelf rejoyc'd to uſe;
And whatſoe're the frail diſpenſer be,
Remember John had ſins as well as he.
Peter Apoſtle.
Epig. 1.
PEter the rock that whilome ſtood ſo ſure,
That he (unmov'd) was able to endure
The blaſts of Hell it ſelf, now down is thrown
By a poor Damſels feeble breath alone:
Lord what is man? if thou withdraw thy hand,
When ſuch firm rocks as Peter cannot ſtand.
Ʋpon Luke 22. 61. Epig. 2.
SAthan now thought that he had given ſo ſore
A wound to Peter, that he never more,
Should raiſe again his bruiſed head, but lie
Weltering for ever in his blood, and die.
And who indeed that heard our Peter ſwear
And curſe, if ere he knew who Jeſus were,
Would think there could be any hope of cure,
For ſuch a deſperate deadly Calenture.
But ſee poor ſinners what a power there lies,
In your relenting Saviours gracious eyes;
When he no ſooner caſts a pittying look,
On wretched Peter, whom all life forſook;
But he revives again, and with his tears
Gives proof, that yet ſome hope of grace appears.
Lord if thine eyes have ſuch a power indeed,
Where-ere they look, repentant tears to breed;
Oh look on me, that I who have ſin'd as deep,
As Peter did, may go with him and weep.
Ʋpon Mark 14. 72. Epig. 3.
T'Was thought of old, the Cocks ſhril voice did make,
The Princely Lions warlike heart to ſhake;
But this I'me ſure not all the Fiends in Hell
Conſpiring, could have rung ſo ſad a knell
In Peters ears, as this Cocks voice did do,
When now the ſecond time he loudly crew;
But fear not Peter, 'twas ſweet Chanticleer,
No Screetch-Owl this thy troubled ears did hear;
Or rather indeed 'twas thy griev'd Lord that ſpake
By this Birds tongue, and cry'd awake, awake;
It is enough, thou'ſt thrice deny'd my name,
Peter awake, and ſin no more for ſhame.
Return to him that loves thee ſo, that he
For all this yet is gone to die for thee:
Thus crow'd the Cock, thou heardſt and ſtrait didſt riſe,
And back return'dſt, poor ſoul, with weeping eyes;
O God, that when we hear him crow, we knew
But how to take ſuch hints, and do ſo too.
July I.
FRom five this Month ſometimes deriv'd its name,
Which now great Julius doth more juſtly claim;
'Twas he indeed new form'd the year, and gave
The Months thoſe meaſur'd portions which they have;
And 'twas but fit the Father of them all,
One child in twelve by his own name ſhould call;
Heathens all yeeld, great Prince, it ſhould be ſo,
Who to thy pains their perfect Aera's owe:
We Chriſtians grant it too; who by thy aid
More punctual in our years of Chriſt are made.
The Feasts of July.
SAd Maudlin, July's two and twenti'th claims,
The twenty fift's aſſign'd to greater James.
Mary Magdalene Epig. I.
MAry when I thy former ſtate recall,
What ſins, what Devils thou here wert fill'd withall,
Yet ſee thee now all brightly cloathed ſit,
At thy beloved Saviours glorious feet.
I cannot but admire that bounteous grace,
That takes ſuch ſinners to ſo ſweet a place;
Yet when I think what floods of tears below
From thine even almoſt drowned eyes did flow,
How oft thou bath'dſt thy Saviours feet and then
With thy torn locks didſt wipe them dry agen;
I ſhould have wondred if that place had bin
Too good for ſuch a ſoul t'have lodged in▪
Tears mixt with faith ſuch power in heaven do bear,
That they can place the greateſt ſinners there.
Ʋpon John 20. 13.
Epig. 2.
MAry her buried Lord (ſhe thought) had loſt,
Yet ſee how dear this ſmall adventure coſt
Her tender heart; mark how ſhe wept and prai'd
To know but where her breathleſs Chriſt was laid;
But thou my ſenceleſſe ſoul: Oh dreadfull word!
Canſt looſe the preſence of thy glorious Lord
Days without number; yet ſcarce find a tear
To witneſſe that thou once didſt hold him dear.
Ah my vile heart, if thou thy Chriſt didſt prize,
As Mary did, thou wouldſt have Maries eyes.
Ʋpon Mark 16. 9.
and John 20. 17. Epig. 3.
SEe here what links of comfort meet to crown
Her drooping head, who but even now powr'd down
Such ſtreams of tears, no mortall eye muſt ſee
Their raiſed Lord, till firſt his Mary be
Bleſt with the Viſion, till thoſe eyes that wept
So much for grief, as much for joy have leap'd;
Nor is't enough to feaſt her eyes alone
With this glad ſight, hee'l uſe her lips upon
A glorious Meſſage to his Brethren, ſhe
Shall an Apoſtle to the Apoſtles be;
Themſelves he means ſhall ſee the truth ere long,
But they ſhall owe it firſt unto her tongue;
So carefull is our gracious Lord that thoſe,
That mourn for him ſhall not by mourning loſe.
James Apoſtle, Ʋpon Acts 12. 2. cum Mat. 20. 21. Epig. 1.
GReat James the firſt of all the twelve I think,
Thou of thy Saviours bloody cup didſt drink,
But grieve not at it: 'Twas the readieſt way
To gain that room for which thou once didſt pray,
Who holds it now, let bolder tongues report,
This onel' I know, thou didſt bid fairly for't.
Ʋpon James
and John
the two ſons of Zebedee. Epig. 2.
GOod God what odds 'twixt theſe two brethren lyes,
This firſt, that laſt of all the Apoſtles dies,
This an untimely bloody death abides,
That in a gentle quiet ſlumber glides
Out of the world (if he at all be gone
From hence, and muſt not riſe again anon.)
Both ſued indeed (mov'd with a like unfit
Ambition) on their Lords two hands to fit
And undertook in lieu thereof, to ſup
Their parts with him of his unpleaſant cup:
This had a ſhare, but that for reaſons beſt
Known to his Lord's reſerv'd for longer reſt:
How little is it, Lord, that we can know
Of men? by what betides them here below:
Some die for Chriſt, and thoſe that do not ſo,
Are oft as dear to him as thoſe that do;
To will to die for him, though't do not come
To paſs, in his account is Martyrdome.
Ʋpon both the
Jameſes. Epigr. 2.
NEither of the Jameſes ever was in Spain,
They had their tasks elſewhere, that did detain
Their pains and perſons: Paul indeed we know
Had a deſign into thoſe parts to go,
Which if he did not execute the blame
If any, from his troubles onely came,
Which kept him back, not from his changed mind,
Which firmly ſtill to ſerve them was enclin'd,
Yet how it comes to paſſe I cannot tell,
But Paul that had deſerv'd of them ſo well,
Is laid aſide, and James receiv'd alone
To be the Patron of that Nation;
Yea not content with this, through blinded zeal,
In points of Faith; from Paul they do appeal
To James his doctrine, as if heaven's had made
Him to be judge of what the other ſaid:
And that his purer Comments muſt give light,
To thoſe more doubtful texts that Paul did write.
But fools they one day to their coſt ſhall know,
That one ſame Spirit in both their pens did flow:
And that theſe wretches that diſhonour Paul,
Shall that day find no friend of James at all.
Auguſt 1.
AƲguſtus name, this Month inſcrib'd doth bear,
A name that ſtill is ſweet to every ear;
Sweet for the peace he gave the world, for though
At his firſt entrance, Seas of Blood did flow
Ore all the earth, he ſtopp'd the deadly ſpring,
And golden reſt into all lands did bring;
But that which made him moſt unparallel'd
Is that his reign, the Prince of peace beheld.
The Feaſts of Auguſt 2.
AƲguſt the twenty fourth to Bart'lemew,
The twenty ninth's the headleſs Baptiſts due.
Bartholomew Apoſtle,
Epig. 1.
HOw is it Lord, that there's no mention made
In all thy book, of what was done or ſaid
By this thy great Apoſtle? other men
Of meaner rank, and gifts, thy ſacred Pen
Finds time to ſpeak of, but of him alas!
There doth not one bare word diſtinctly paſſe,
Was it to teach us, that thoſe Tapers are
Not ever of moſt worth, that brighteſt glare,
That deep-fraught ſouls lie always ſnug and low,
Whilſt empty hulks loom big, and lofty ſhow;
Or is't enough that thou haſt let us ſee
A proof in ſome, of what the others be;
Men bring not all their wares to open teſt,
A few found right, give credit to the reſt:
Lord we ſubmit, and by the things we hear
Of Peter judge, what all his brethren were.
Ʋpon Luke 22. 29, 30. Epig. 2.
IT is not much great Bart'lemew indeed,
That of thy works and labours we do read,
But this we from thy Lords own mouth do find
That thou a Throne and Kingdom hadſt aſſign'd,
As well as John and Peter had whoſe pains,
The holy Text ſo punctually explains;
And who will think that ſervants labors came
Short of his Mates, whoſe wages is the ſame.
Ʋpon Acts 5. 12. Epig. 3.
INto the Temples Porch the twelve withdrew,
And thou amongſt the reſt great Bart'lemew;
There you all preach, and work ſuch mighty things
As no man elſe dare think of equalling;
What thou diſtinctly doſt, I do not hear,
But of one ſtamp, 'tis ſure your actions were
So great and glorious, as did juſtly ſtrike,
A fear in all men to attempt the like;
Some ſouls thou winſt, I doubt not too, for who
Can think ſuch gracious words in vain did flow
From thy bleſt lips; as yet indeed they be
But like the windfall's to the loaden tree:
Thy work lies further off, where heavens intend,
Whole Nations to thy powerful voice ſhall bend.
The Circumciſion's Peters charge, but thine
God knows how many Regions ſhall confine.
John Baptiſt beheaded. Epig. 1.
YOu that for love of outward peace or gain,
From preaching all the truths of Chriſt refrain,
That dare not touch the times, nor lance the ſore,
Of States and Courts, which ranks more and more;
That ſee the great ones run themſelves to Hell,
And damn their ſouls with ſins too palpable:
Yet you ſtand dumb the while, and will not go
And tell them to their faces what they do.
Look on our John, if he this path had trod,
He might have kept his head, but wrong'd his God.
Ʋpon Mat. 14. 9. Epigr. 2.
HErod hath ſworn, and John muſt loſe his head,
A poor man would be loth to have it ſed,
That he had broke his Oath, but Kings muſt ſtand,
Upon their honour here at any hand;
But who, blind Tyrant, bad thee ſwear at all?
Wiſe men would weigh what miſchiefs may befall,
Before they ventur'd on ſo raſh a vow,
Which if it muſt be kept, thy children now
And Mothers throats are not ſecure; nor ought
So vile, but if ſhe liſts, it muſt be wrought;
But plead not Conſcience, he that daily lies
In luſtful ſheets, will ſwallow perjuries:
Revenge the Prophet firſt in priſon threw,
Whom now vain-glory and indulgence ſlew.
Ʋpon Mar. 6. 2. Epig. 3.
BAte Herod but his inceſt, and there's none
Will be a greater follower of John;
He hears him gladly, and obſerves him too,
And many things accordingly doth do
But here he ſticks; with this he cannot part,
Hypocrites will have ſomething neer their heart;
Some luſt or other which they prize before
Their ſouls, and him whom all good ſouls adore.
What profit is't, my Saviour, to have gone
Half way with Herod in Religion▪
To be near heaven, as that poor Lawyer was,
If I ſtay there, and do no further paſs;
Oh root out every ſin which I poſſeſs,
Or 'tis but vain to think of happineſs.
September 1.
NAme not this Month, but let your thoughts withall
Thoſe old Moſaick myſteries recall,
Which in this ſacred number couched lie,
And chalenge from us a ſolemnity.
Seven in a Chriſtians mouth ſhould never come,
But his quick ſoul ſhould run ore all the ſum;
Rehearſe a ſhort couch'd Catalogue by rote
Of all the ſevens which Holy Writ doth note.
Every ſmall hint and word ſuggeſted, brings
A godly man in mind of heavenly things.
The Feaſts of September 2.
SEptember's twenty firſt is Matthew's right,
Great Michael doth in twenty nine delight.
Matthew
Apoſtle. Epig. 1.
YOu'l ſay Exciſe men ſeldome come to good,
Who by extortions gaine their lively-hood▪
Yet ſee what Chriſt can do, our Matthew here
Was ſuch a one, yet's ſaved I do not fear.
Let none condemn th' employment, mercy can
Of ſuch a Vermine make an honeſt man.
Epig. 2.
OF all the Goſpels, Matthew's onely writ
In the Hebrew tongue, as if he purpos'd it
Meerely to ſave that Nation, whom before
With harſh exactions he had poll'd ſo ſore.
And 'twas a large amends we grant indeed,
For Earthly chaff, to give them heavenly ſeed.
Epig. 3.
GOod God what change is here! our Matthew that
Erewhile at the receipt of Cuſtome ſate,
And was ſo vile a wretch, that none, except
The Divel himſelf, a worſer Conſcience kept;
Is now become a Saint, yea counted fit
In one of the Apoſtolick chaires to ſit.
Nor ſtayes he at this height, but firſt of men
Is choſe his Saviours life and death to pen:
Which he diſcharg'd ſo well, that now they fear
Not to affirme an Angels hand did bear
A part in the employment, as if none
Of humane race could write ſuch things alone;
So ſoon he paſt through both extreams, of late
Almoſt a Devil, and now an Angels Mate.
Michael Archangel. Epig, 1.
AT Moſes Barre if ſinful men were try'd,
No fleſh alive would ere be juſtified.
But him in mercy God hath lay'd ſo low,
That Devils themſelves his burial do not know.
They ſtrive indeed to find it out, and faine
Would bring him from his putrid Urne again
To judge the World; if they might have their will,
Moſes ſhould live, and Chriſt be buried ſtill.
But our Archangels powerful hand alone
Nulls all their ſearch, and keeps his grave unknown
Even ſo, great Prince, let him ſtill buriedly,
For if he riſe, the whole wide world muſt dy.
Epig. 2.
Ad Schiſmaticos, quod Michael non ſit Chriſtus.
TIs no created Angel this, you ſay,
But Chriſt the Lord, whom holy Church to day
Honors for that great combat which of old
He with the Divel 'bout Moſes corps did hold:
But tell us then what were thoſe men the while
That ſay he durſt not that foul fiend revile?
What is't that great Meſſias durſt not do,
Who made the Devils and ſhal condemn them too?
Or whom doth God with his bleſt Spirit infuſe,
That ſuch harſh words of Chriſt their Lord will uſe?
Chooſe which you'l hold, or 'twas a Creature this,
Or what th▪ Apoſtles wrote were Blaſphemies.
Epig. 3.
Ʋpon Revelat. cap. 12.
DIvels have their Prince, and ſo have Angels too,
Monarchick power all creatures yield unto:
Theſe fought in heaven, this with deſire to teare
The woman thence, but that to keep her there:
But reſt poor Creature with thy Babe ſecure,
The Dragon is not able to endure
Thy Michaels ſtrength, whom God hath arm'd to be
A Prince, and Guardian to thy ſeed and thee:
Reſt happy Church, and though this Serpents tail
Over almoſt half the ſtarres of heaven prevail
To throw them down, yet be not thou affright,
For whoſe defence ſuch hoſts of Angels fight.
October 1.
EIght is the Goſpels number, on this day
Our buried Lord triumphing, broke away
From Death's ſtrong holds, whom ſhe ſuppos'd ſh'had ty'd
There faſt enough for ever to abide.
That day, till he aſcended hence, he ſtill
Met, and inform'd his Brethren with what skill,
They in and out before his Church ſhould go.
That day his Spirit in ſtreams of fire did flow
Into the Apoſtles boſomes, and between
Their knees, to ſit like cloven tongues, was ſeen.
That day the Lord for all his Churches weal
To his belov'd Diſciple did reveal,
In Pathmos Iſle, a gracious ſight of all
Thoſe changes which hereafter muſt befall
His wearied Spouſe, till She at laſt do come
To▪ feaſt it with him in the wedding room.
In memory of all which things, his will
Is, that this Eight day ſhall be honored ſtill
Throughout the world, till he us all remove
To keep an everlaſting Eight above.
The Feaſts of
October 2.
OCtober's eighteenth day on Luke doth wait:
Simon and Jude are pleas'd with twenty eight.
Luke Evangeliſt. Epigr. 1.
THat you may ſee that Galen's Pupills are
Not all ſuch Atheiſts as reports declare;
Reade thoſe two books that Luke's ſweet hand did pen,
In this the Acts of God, in that of men:
And tell me whether the Church ere had a man
That wrote more truths then our Phyſitian:
To theſe, if you demand my Faith, I flie,
And ſay here's my Religio Medici.
Epigr. 2.
LƲke the belov'd Phyſitian's ſtyl'd a name,
At which would God our Tribe did chiefly aime:
Let others ſcrape for wealth, but let us be
Deſervedly belov'd as well as he:
Let us ſtill wait upon our Patients ſide,
Take ſuch account of all things that betide
Their ſleeps, their wakings, coolings, heats, and all
Thoſe very nauſeous excrements that fall,
Bear all their wayward moods, ſpeak ſtill ſo fair,
Give ſuch good words, as may remove deſpair
From their ſad thoughts, which kills as much or more
Then all their ſickneſs; caſt in ſtill ſuch ſtore
Of ſeaſonable advice, as may diſpoſe
Them for a better life then that they loſe.
Yet ever be at hand to recommend
Such congruous medicines as through Grace may tend
To their recovery, that when all is done,
We may get love, though little elſe be wonne.
Epigr. 3.
ANd why great Luke did Ancient times aſſigne
An Oxes form to ſuch a ſoul as thine;
A ſoul that breathes ſuch heavenly ſtreynes, as well
Might fit an Angell's glorious tongue to tell:
Was it becauſe thy holy book begins
With a relation of thoſe offerings;
Which in Abrah's courſe were now to be
Perform'd by old religious Zachary?
Or was 't becauſe thou more then all the reſt
Thy Saviours doleful Paſſion haſt expreſt,
Who like an Oxe was to the ſlaughter led,
And di'd to ranſome ſinners that were dead?
Or was't thy ſelf and not thy books that were
Decipher'd by this Oxes character;
The Oxe we know doth fitly repreſent
The lab'ring Paſtor in his government;
And this apt embleme truly could not be
Referr'd to any better then to thee;
Thy feet trod out much corn for us indeed,
On which God grant our ſouls may gladly feed.
Simon and Jude Apoſtles. Epigr. 1.
THe name imports not much, the good and bad
Have oftentimes the ſelf ſame title had.
The Sorcerer and Cephas both did bear
The name of Simon, yet was Peter nere
The worſer thought of for vile Magus ſake,
Nor do accurſt Iſcariots treaſons make
Thaddeus, James his Brother, lov'd the leſs
Becauſe they both were called Judaſſes.
Good names do well indeed, and yet we ſee
That names and things do often diſagree.
Eve call'd her firſt born Cain as hoping well
He might have prov'd that man that was to quell
The Serpent's rage, but he alas became
His Brother's Butcher, and his Parents ſhame.
Lord give me that new name, the which alone
'Tis ſure was never given in vain to none.
Ʋpon Simon the Canaanite, Matt. 10. 4.
& Mar. 3. 18. Epigr. 2.
FRom Canaan's curſed ſtock ſome good doth flow,
Even Chriſt himſelf to Rahab's loyns doth ow
The fleſh he took, and ſhe who begg'd a crum
Fallen from his board, from that vile race did come.
You need not therefore wonder at the ſight
If 'mongſt the twelve you find a Canaanite.
The gifts of Grace are free, beſtow'd alike
Upon the Jew, and alſo on the Greek:
The Spirit breathes where 't liſt, that none may vaunt
Of too much plenty, nor deſpair for want.
Ʋpon Simon Zelotes,
Epig. 3.
THe Canaanite receiv'd into the train
Of Chriſt, Zelotes name doth quickly gain,
From that great zeal no doubt which he expreſs'd,
Unto his new choſe Maſters intereſt:
And to ſay truth, it is not ſeldome ſeen
That thoſe ſtrange branches, which are grafted in,
Bring forth more plenteous, and more lovely fruit,
Then thoſe which nature thruſteth from the root,
'Tis ſad indeed it ſhould be thus, that they
Who came into Chriſts School but yeſterday,
Should outſtrip thoſe, who many years before
Did put their ſluggiſh feet within his dore.
Yet thus my God, with my poor Soul it ſtands,
Thoſe that but now did put their labo'ring hands
Unto thy Plough, have rid more work away
Then I that here have pingled many a day.
I grudge not, Lord, at what theſe Zealots do,
May they ſtill thrive in Grace, and adde unto
The fire they have for thee, all that I pray
Is that thou make me burne as well as they.
November. 1.
THe Muſes here put in their claime, and cry,
That this of right is their Feſtivity.
That, I am bound this Month in every line
To Eccho forth the honor of the Nine.
But they muſt pardon me, theſe ſacred Layes
Do own no influence but
Ʋrania's.
They know no Nines, ſave ſuch as couched be
In the Thrice-great, Thrice-holy Trinity.
Th' are all my Muſes, from their bounteous Throne
My Artleſs quill derives her ayd alone.
November
his Feaſts.
ALL Saints unto Novembers firſt repair;
The fift, the Powder-Plots diſcovered are;
The thirtieth is to that bleſt Saint applyed,
Whom John firſt to the Lamb of God did guide.
All Saints. Epigr. 1.
THe Saints deceaſ'd, which now ſecurely reſt
In Abraham's boſome of rich joys poſſeſſ'd.
Cry ſtrongly yet, no doubt, to re-obtain
An union with their buried Corps again:
And being alike convinc'd that they, and we
Who ſtill below in theſe dark Manſions be,
Make but one Body, they as ſtrongly pray
That we may gain thoſe joys as well as they.
We alſo here on Earth, having learn'd that thoſe
Bleſt Spirits which now in bliſsful joys repoſe,
Are part of us, and have aſſum'd their Throne
In our behalf, as well as in their own.
Do praiſe thee, Lord, for them, whom thy good grace
Hath rapp'd from hence, into ſo ſweet a place.
Thus whilſt our praiſes, and their prayers do meet
Knit up together, at thy glorious feet.
Whilſt they our wants, and we their joys partake:
And each the others ſtate their own do make.
This is that true Communion indeed
Of Saints, that we are taught out of the Creed.
Epig. 2.
WE are not able, Lord, to comprehend
What numerous troopes of glorious Saints attend
About thy bleſſed Throne, and yet we know
That there's not one of them to whom we owe
Not a Religious reverence, for thoſe ſhares
Which we are ſure we have in all their prayers.
Which due regards, leſt we ſhould haply miſs
In paying to their ſeveral Memori's.
Athenian-like, but in a juſter way,
To th' unknown Saints we Dedicate this day.
Epigr. 3.
THe meaneſt of thy Saints, O God, we find
Have left ſuch patterns of their lives behind;
And now ſuch advantageous prayers do make
(At leaſt in general) for their Brethren's ſake,
That we can never pay thee what we owe
For what from one of theſe rich ſprings doth flow.
How much more then, when all their ſtreams unite
Into one flood, muſt that be infinite?
Th' are thus indeed, being view'd by our weak eyes,
Which make alas but poor diſcoveries.
Although compar'd to what thy Chriſt hath done,
Th' are all but like a ſpark unto the Sun.
Gunpowder Treaſon.
Epig. 1.
ROmes Mitred Shepherds rage like Wolves, and rend
With their fell teeth, the flocks they ought to tend.
But I admire not at it, for 'tis ſed
Her founders with Wolves milk at firſt were fed.
And this approv'd experience daily ſhowes,
That from the breaſts men ſuck their nature flows.
Epig. 2.
VVHoſe Vicar Romes High Prieſt's moſt like to be,
This dayes curſt fire-works teach ſufficientlie.
The devil no doubt firſt taught this murthering skill.
And th' are his Impes alone that uſe it ſtill.
Epig. 3.
'TWas thought that ſuch groſſe hereticks as we
Could ſcarce be ſav'd, or Gods bright Preſence ſee.
When lo, the tender Romaniſt being ſorry
To have us damn'd, prepar'd a Purgatory,
A new-found blaſt of Sulph'rous flames, wherein
Cleanſ'd from the groſs impurities of ſin:
Prince, Peeres, and People, all at once might flie
(Like Manaoh's Angel) to thoſe joyes on high.
Who'le now hereafter charge the Popiſh rabble
Of ſhaveling Prieſts to be uncharitable,
Who would at their own charge (kind ſoules) convey
Their Enemies to Heaven ſo near a way.
Andrew Apoſtle. Epig. 1.
ANdrew having found the Chriſt, brings Peter in;
True Converts ſtill ſtrive others ſouls to win.
Nor loſe they by't, for grace is ſuch a thing,
The more men ſpend, the more their waters ſpring.
Like Chriſt his loaves, whereof the more do ſhare,
The fuller ſtill the emptied baskets are.
Or like the widdows oyle, which never ſtayed
Till ſhe an end of pouring out had made.
A ſparing hand here makes the Owner poor,
They that do dole moſt out, have moſt in ſtore,
Ʋpon John 1. 38, 39. Epig. 2.
ANdrew enquires where Jeſus dwelleth, he
Anſwers him truly, he muſt come and ſee,
'Tis not the hearing of the eare, O man,
That is enough to make a Chriſtian.
Unleſſe thou come to Chriſt, and with thine eye
Of faith, ſurvey the place where he doth lie.
Thouſands have heard his own ſweet mouth to tell
Where his abode, and yet are gone to Hell,
But none e're came to him that went away,
And periſht in his ſins another day.
Epigr. 3.
Ʋpon the Scots Arrogating Saint Andrew for their Patron.
SCotland, we grant, feels Andrews powerful hand,
But 'tis to puniſh, not to guard their land,
Their King, their God, their Souls, and all they'll ſell
For a few pence, and run themſelves to Hell,
But this ſad curſe their Saint on them hath laid,
That they ſhall ſtill be poor, for all their Trade.
December 1.
MEthinks this Moneth to Sinai ſadly leades,
And in our ears the ten Commandments reads,
Thoſe ten ſad words, which none e're kept, and none
E're broke, but 'twas to his own deſtruction.
Sad words indeed, but that this Month, before
It doth expire, brings in a Saviour.
One that doth keep them from us, and doth bear
That death himſelf, which our ſad ſouls did fear.
O happy Advent! that hath power to make
This yoak ſo eaſie now to undertake,
That takes all dread from theſe ten words away,
And turns our Serpent to a helping ſtay.
Which way ſo e're we look, this Number now
Hath no more threatning wrinkles in its brow.
Look upon Chriſt, and this tenth Month will bring
Him clad in fleſh, to be our offering.
Look on the Law, and all the thunder's gone
And it hath nothing in't, but light alone.
Thus thou, my God, can'ſt make December ſnow
With more ſweet joyes, then verdant May to flow.
December his Feaſts. 2▪
DEcember's twenty firſt is Thomas Fee;
The twenty fift is Chriſt's Nativity;
Stephen upon the twenty ſixt they ſtone;
The twenty ſeventh's aſſign'd to aged John;
The twenty eight by Herods cruelty
At Bethlehem, the poor Innocents did dy.
Thomas Apoſtle.
Epig. 1.
THy faith was weak, it cannot be deny'd,
Such doubtings are not to be juſtifi'd,
When ſuch a cloud of Witneſſes do meet
To clear a truth, then (Thomas) not to ſee't
Is willful blindneſs, which doth not admit
Of any juſt excuſe to cover it.
But yet, bleſt Saint, when by thy Lords conſent
Thy hands had felt thoſe holes the nails had rent,
And that the ſpear had made within his ſide,
Then never man with greater fervour cry'd,
My Lord, my God: O happy, happy tongue!
That feelingly ſo ſweet an Anthem ſung,
Thomas thy failings they were great indeed,
But thy great faith I'm ſure did more exceed.
Epig. 2.
THomas had not thy failings been ſo ſad
Our Faith had not ſo firm a footing had;
Thy weakneſs is our ſtrength, and by thy fall
W'are now ſo ſetled, as no tempeſt ſhall
Unfix our holds, or make us doubt again:
O God, what cannot thy great power attain?
Who mak'ſt thy Saints miſcarriages to be
An Antidote to all Poſteritie.
Well may we by their graces look to win
That do become ſuch gainers by their ſin.
Epig. 3.
Ʋpon John 20. 21.
THomas 'tis true, thy late dead Maſter ſtands
Before thy eyes, thou feel'ſt his ſide and hands,
(Such is his grace) and now beleev'ſt indeed,
But 'tis weak faith that ſuch ſtrong proofs doth need.
Bleſſed are they whom leſſer means will draw,
To reſt upon that Chriſt they never ſaw.
Thou doſt not want thy wages, but their Faith
No doubt my God, a double portion hath.
Christmas Day, Epig. 1.
Ʋpon Luke 2. 7.
STruck with a new Inſtinct me thinks I ſpy
The Beaſts before thy manger proſtrate lie,
And ſtrait cry out, Lord, now 'tis true indeed,
That which we in thy Holy Book do read,
The Oxe, and th' Aſſe their Maſters crib do know,
But Iſrael thine own people do not ſo.
Epig. 2. Verſ. eod. There was no room for them in the Inne.
VVHo'd think that Davids heir, in Davids town
With child, ſhould find no lodging to lay down,
Her precious burthen, but poor creature muſt
Into the ſtable with the Beaſts be thruſt.
But thus in common Inns t' hath always bin,
They thruſt out Chriſt whilſt Ruffians vaunt within.
Epigr. 3.
Ʋpon Luke 2. 8, 9, 10, 11.
VVHy didſt thou ſend thine Angel Lord to tell
Poor Shepherds firſt of this great Miracle,
The birth of thy Meſſias which had bin
News for the ſtatelieſt Courts to have gloried in:
Was it to ſhow that in theſe heavenly things,
Poor Swains oft get the ſtart of mighty Kings?
Or was't becauſe that he whoſe birth was told,
Himſelf was the great Shepherd of the fold,
And 'twas but meet that ſuch as Shepherds were,
The birth of the great Shepherd firſt ſhould hear;
Or wouldſt thou have theſe Shepherds know that Lambe
Of God was now brought forth, whom it became
Them to look after, more then all their own;
A Lamb that whoſome're doth wait upon,
They are kept ſafe, by that ſame Lamb they keep,
The Shepherds are preſerved by the Sheep;
Whether this or that induc'd thee Lord to ſhow
This grace, to theſe poor men, I do not know.
But this I know, they've ſeen ſuch things to day
As never men beheld before but they;
Go happy Shepherds, leave your flocks and hie,
To Beth'lem where your Infant Lord doth lie:
And when you have view'd his ſacred perſon well,
Spare not aloud, what you have ſeen to tell;
Write volums of theſe things, and let them bear
The title of the Shepherds Calender.
This I aſſure you, never ſhepherds knew
With all their ſtudies, half ſo much as you.
Saint Stephen. Epig. 1.
THy name, great Stephen, doth a Crown denote,
And thou indeed a goodly Crown has got.
The firſt rich Crown that ever Martyr ware,
That witneſs to his glorious Maſter bare.
Chriſt by his ſufferings paſt into his Throne;
And thou the ſelf ſame-way to thine art gone.
Where thou now reigneſt with him, O happy man!
That by one Combat, ſuch a Kingdome wan.
Had I, great Saint, that learned Graecian's skill,
And could drop golden raptures from my quill,
I'de write whole books like his, and they ſhould be
Πέρι στεφάνου of thy Crown and thee.
Ʋpon Act. 7. 56. Epig. 2.
THat Chriſt on Gods right hand enthron'd doth ſit,
Our Creed, and all the Scriptures witneſs it.
Yet thou, great Martyr, ſeeſt him ſtand, a thing
Well worthy of our ſtrict examining.
But I have found it. Thou being now to fight
This firſt pitch'd Combat in thy Maſters right:
Chriſt leaves his ſeat, and upon tiptoe ſtands
To ſee how thou thereof wouldſt quit thy hands,
And having ſeen thee, with much joy to win
The prize, he opes the Heavens to take thee in.
And will ſit down no more, thou happy one,
Till he have plac'd thee firſt upon thy throne:
And ta'ne thoſe ſtones, which when thou now didſt dy
About thy head like ſtormes of hayl did fly:
And chang'd to Rubies, have enameld them
About thy well-wrought glorious Diadem.
Stephen, thy way indeed was hard and rough,
But thy reward at laſt was ſweet enough.
Ʋpon Act. 7. 6. He fell aſleep. Epig. 3.
THen when the furious ſtones in ſtormes did fall
About thy head, when blood and brains and all
Spatt'red from thy diſſevered skull, and thoſe
That gave them, have bemoan'd their dreadful blowes,
'Tis ſayd thou fell'ſt aſleep, O wondrous thing!
Was this a time for ſleep to ſpred her wing
About thy peaceful temples? cou'd'ſt thou ly
So gently down, when ſuch rough ſtorms did fly?
But I admire not, thou hadſt ſeen a ſight
That raviſh'd thy glad Soul with more delight
Then all thoſe wounds could fright thee with, which were
Indeed an Exit, not a cauſe of fear.
Let me my God but ſuch a viſion ſee,
And I ſhall ſleep in death as well as he.
John
the Evangeliſt. Epig. 1.
'Twas not for naught, great John, that thou didſt reſt
Thy head upon thy Maſters ſacred Breſt,
Thence thou deriv'ſt thoſe heavenly gifts that none
Of all the twelve e're had but thou alone:
They mov'd in narrower Spheres, one's hand did pen,
Epiſtles to the ſcattered brethren:
Another fill'd with a celeſtial light,
The ſtorie of his Saviours life did write:
But thou alone in one ſweet knot didſt twiſt,
Prophet, Apoſtle, and Evangeliſt.
Epig. 2.
Ʋpon John 19. 26, 27.
THis povver to all beleevers is convey'd,
That they are Gods adopted children made,
And 'tis a grace indeed, to be alli'd
To Chriſt the Lord upon the better ſide:
But John to thee this further honour's done
That thou'rt adopted alſo Maries ſon;
On both ſides novv unto thy Lord a kin,
His German-brother doubly grafted in;
O vvho can boaſt great Saint, as thou canſt do?
The Son of God, and Son of Mary too!
No mortal man had e're that favour ſhovvn,
To be thus truly ſtil'd, but thou alone.
Epig. 3.
Ʋpon the Effigies of an Eagle, aſcrib'd to S.
John.
T'Was not unmeet bleſt Saint that thou didſt bear
The quick-y'd Eagles ſpecious Character,
Who couldſt with fixed looks ſo freely gaze,
Upon thoſe beams which other eyes amaze;
Who haſt thy Lords dread perſon ſo expreſt,
As if thou dſt lain, not on, but in his breſt;
As though the other Writers all had ſeen
But his back-parts, and thou alone hadſt been
Familiar with his face, which ſhone ſo bright,
That no mans eies but thine could brook the ſight.
The Type was apt, but ſhort, the Eagles eye
And towring wing indeed, that ſoars ſo high,
Something preſent thy Genius, but not well
For ſhe wants tongue the things ſhe ſees to tell;
Thou with Seraphick skill at once didſt ſee,
And warble out thy Saviours dignitie:
Well did the Church in one ſweet Book of thine,
Aſcribe to thee the Title of Divine.
Thou ſhowd'ſt thy ſelf ſo there, and to ſay true
In all the reſt great Saint, thou didſt ſo too.
Innocents day,
Epig. 1.
VVEigh but the ſins, and ſorrows age doth bring,
And you'l conclude it is a happy thing
To die betimes, and ſo prevent thoſe woes
Which he that long ſurviveth undergoes,
This was your caſe, ſweet Babes, you early dy'd,
And ſo bleſt ſouls the fewer evils try'd
But that's not all, you dy'd for Jeſus ſake,
And that's a cauſe indeed enough to make
The ſaddeſt ſuffrings glorious; never man
For his behoof the ſmaleſt hazzard ran
And lo
••
•
y the adventure, ſo to dy,
Is to live happy everlaſtingly.
Then weep not Rachell that thy Sons are ſlayne,
Nor reckon that thy loſs, that was their gaine.
'Twas mercy that thy children dy'd ſo ſoon,
But that they thus did dy, 's a double Boon.
Epig. 2.
THe ſting of death is ſin, remove but that,
And death hath nothing to be trembled at.
What need then theſe ſweet Infants fear; th' events
Of death, ne're hurt ſuch harmleſs Innocents.
Lord, waſh my Soul as clean as theirs, and I
When e're thou call'ſt, will be content to dy.
Epigr. 3.
YOu dy'd for Chriſt, ſweet Babes, but grudge not though,
You gain'd a glorious Crown by doing ſo:
And 'twas no ſorry bargain, that to loſe
A moments breath, for ſuch rich joys as thoſe;
And yet that breath was none of yours, beſide▪
'Twas bought before by him, for whom you dy'd
FINIS.