The Temple

But to the Gentiles he bore crosse and all, Rending with earthquakes the partition-wall: Onely whereas the Ark in glorie shone, Now with the crosse, as with a stafFe, alone. Religion, like a pilgrime, westward bent, Knocking at all doores, ever as she went. Yet as the sunne, though forward be his flight. Listens behinde him, and allows ^ some light, Till all depart: ^ so went the Church her way. Letting, while one foot stept, the other stay Among the eastern nations for a time. Till both removed to the western clime. To Egypt first she came, where they did prove Wonders of anger once, but now of love. The ten Commandments there did flourish more Then the ten bitter plagues had done before. Holy Macarius and great Anthonie Made Pharaoh Moses, changing th' historie. Goshen was darknesse, Egypt full of lights, Nilus for monsters brought forth Israelites. Such power hath mightie Baptisme to produce For things misshapen, things of highest use. How deare to me^ 0 God^ thy counsels are! ^ Who may ivith thee compare P Religion thence fled into Greece, where arts^ Gave her the highest place in all mens hearts. Learning was pos'd. Philosophic was set, Sophisters taken in a fishers net. Plato and Aristotle were at a losse. And wheel' d. about again to spell Christ^Crosse.

Prayers chas'd syllogismes into their den, And Ergo was transformed into Amen. Though Greece took horse as soon as Egypt did^ And Rome as both; yet Egypt faster rid, And spent ^ her period and prefixed time Before the other. Greece being past her prime. Religion went to Rome^ subduing those. Who, that they might subdue, made all their foes.^ The Warrier his deere skarres no more resounds. But seems to yeeld Christ hath^ the greater wounds.

Wounds willingly endur'd to work his blisse. Who by an ambush lost his Paradise. The great heart stoops, and taketh from the dust

A sad repentance, not the spoils of lust: Quitting his spear, lest it should pierce again Him in his members, who for him was slain. The Shepherds hook grew to a scepter here. Giving new names and numbers to the yeare. But th* Empire dwelt in Greece^ to comfort them Who were cut short in Alexanders stemme. In both of these Prowesse and Arts did tame And tune ^ mens hearts against the Gospel came; Which using, and not fearing skill in th' one, Or strength in th' other, did erect her throne.^

Many a rent and struggling th' Empire knew, (As dying things are wont) untill it flew At length to Germante, still westward bending, And there the Churches festivall attending: That as before Empire and Arts made way, (For no lesse Harbingers would serve then they)

So they might still, and point us out the place Where first the Church should raise her downcast face.

Strength levels grounds, Art makes a garden there;

Then showres Religion, and makes all to bear. Spain in the Empire shar'd with Germanie^ But England in the higher victorie: Giving the Church a crown to keep her state, And not go lesse then she had done of late. Constantines British line meant this of old, And did this mysterie wrap up and fold Within a sheet of paper, which was rent From times great Chronicle, and hither sent. Thus both the Church and Sunne together ran Unto the farthest old meridian. • JHoiv deare to me, 0 God, thy counsels are!

Who may uuith thee compare P Much about one and the same time and place. Both where and when the Church began her race, Sinne did set out of Eastern Babylon, And travell'd westward also: journeying on ^ He chid the Church away, where e're he came, Breaking her peace, and tainting her good name.

At first he got to Egypt^ and did sow Gardens of gods, which ev'ry yeare did grow, Fresh and fine deities. They were at great cost. Who for a god clearely a sal let lost. Ah, what a thing is man devoid of grace. Adoring garlick with an humble face. Begging his food of that which he may eat, Starving the while he worshippeth his meat! Who makes a root his god, how low is he, If God and man be severed infinitely! What wretchednesse can give him any room, Whose house is foul, while he adores his broom? None will beleeve this now, though money be In us the same transplanted foolerie. Thus Sinne in Egypt sneaked for a while; His highest was an ox or crocodile. And such poore ^ game. Thence he to Greece doth passe.

And being craftier much then Goodnesse was. He left behinde him garrisons of sinnes To make good that which ev'ry day he winnes. Here Sinne took heart, and for a garden-bed Rich shrines and oracles he purchased: He grew a gallant, and would needs foretell As well what should befall, as what befell. Nay, he became a poet, and would serve His pills of sublimate in that conserve. The world came both ^ with hands and purses full To this great lotterie, and all would pull. But all was glorious cheating, brave deceit. Where some poore truths were shuffled for a bait

To credit him, and to ^ discredit those Who after him should braver truths disclose. From Greece he went to Rome: and as before He was a God, now he's an Emperour. Nero and others lodg'd him bravely there. Put him in trust to rule the Romane sphere. Glorie was his chief instrument of old: Pleasure succeeded straight, when that grew cold. Which soon was blown to such a mightie flame, That though our Saviour did destroy the game, Disparking oracles, and all their treasure. Setting affliction ^ to encounter pleasure; Yet did a rogue with hope of carnall joy Cheat the most subtill nations. Who so coy, So trimme,^ as Greece and Egypt? yet their hearts Are given over, for their curious arts, To such Mahometan stupidities. As the old heathen would deem prodigies. Hoiv deare to me^ 0 Gody thy counsels are!

Who may ^with thee compare P Onely the West and Rome do keep them free From this contagious infidelitie. And this is all the Rock, whereof they boast. As Rome will one day finde unto her cost.^ Sinne being not able to extirpate quite The Churches here, bravely resolv'd one night To be a Church-man too, and wear a Mitre: The old debauched ruffian would turn writer.

I saw him in his studie, where he sate Busie in controversies sprung of late. A gown and pen became him wondrous well: His grave aspect had more of ^ heav'n then hell:

Onely there was a handsome picture by, To which he lent a corner of his eye. As Sinne in Greece a Prophet was before, And in old Rome a mightie Emperour; So now being Priest he plainly did professe To make a jest of Christs three offices: The rather since his scattered jugglings were United now in one both time and sphere. From Egypt he took pettie deities, From Greece oracular infallibilities, And from old Rome the libertie of pleasure. By free dispensings ^ of the Churches treasure. Then in memoriall of his ancient throne He did surname his palace, Babylon. Yet that he might the better gain all nations, And make that name good by their transmigrations;

From all these places, but at divers times, He took fine vizards to conceal his crimes: From Egypt Anchorisme and retirednesse. Learning from Greece, from old Rome statelinesse:

And blending these he carri'd all mens eyes, While Truth sat by, counting his victories: Whereby he grew apace and scorn' d to use Such force as once did captivate the Jews;

But did bewitch, and finely work each nation ^ Into 2 a voluntarie transmigration. All poste to Rome: Princes submit their necks Either t* his publick foot or private tricks. It did not fit his gravitie to stirre, Nor his long journey, nor his gout and ^ furre. Therefore he sent out able ministers. Statesmen within, without doores cloisterers: Who ^ without spear, or sword, or other drumme Then what was in their tongue, did overcome; And having conquered, did so strangely rule. That the whole world did seem but the Popes mule.

As new and old Rome did one Empire twist; So both together are one Antichrist, Yet with two faces, as their Janus was; Being in this their old crackt looking-glasse. Hoiv deare to me^ 0 Gody thy counsels are!

Who may iv'ith thee compare P Thus Sinne triumphs in Western Babylon; Yet not as Sinne, but as Religion. Of his two thrones he made the latter best. And to defray his journey from the east. Old and new Babylon are to hell and night. As is the moon and sunne to heav'n and light.

When th' one did set, the other did take place, Confronting equally the law and grace. They are hells land-marks, Satans double crest: They are Sinnes nipples, feeding th' east and west.

But as in vice the copie still exceeds The pattern, but not so in vertuous deeds; So though Sinne made his latter seat the better, The latter Church is to the first a debter. The second Temple could not reach the first: And the late reformation never durst Compare with ancient times and purer yeares; But in the Jews and us deserveth tears. Nay, it shall ev'ry yeare ^ decrease and fade; Till such a darknesse do the world invade At Christs last coming, as his first did finde: Yet must there such proportions 2 be assign'd To these diminishings, as is between The spacious world and Jur'te to be seen. Religion stands on tip-toe in our land, Readie to passe to the American strand. ^ When height of malice, and prodigious lusts, Impudent sinning, witchcrafts, and distrusts (The marks of future bane) shall fill our cup Unto the brimme, and make our measure up; When Sein shall swallow Tiber j and the Thames By letting in them both, pollutes her streams: When Italie of us shall have her will. And all her calender of sinnes fulfill;

Whereby one may fortell, what sinnes next yeare Shall both in France and England domineer: Then shall Religion to America flee: They have their times ^ of Gospel, ev'n as we. My God, thou dost prepare for them a way By carrying first their gold from them away: For gold and grace did never yet agree: Religion alwaies sides with povertie. We think we rob them, but we think amisse: We are more poore, and they more rich by this. Thou wilt revenge their quarrell, making grace To pay our debts, and leave our ^ ancient place To go to them, while that which now their nation But lends to ^ us, shall be our desolation. Yet as the Church shall thither westward flie, So Sinne shall trace and dog her instantly: They have their period also and set times Both for their vertuous actions and their crimes. And where of old the Empire and the Arts Usher'd the Gospel ever in mens hearts, Spain hath done one; when Arts perform the other,

The Church shall come, and Sinne the Church shall smother: That when they haue accomplished the ^ round. And met in th' east their first and ancient sound, Judgement may meet them both and search

Thus do both lights, as well in Church as Sunne, Light one another, and together runne.^

Thus also Sinne and Darknesse follow still The Church and Sunne with all their power and skill.i

But as the Sunne still goes both west and east; So also did the Church by going west Still eastward go; because it drew more neare To time and place, where j udgement shall appeare. How deare to mcy 0 God^ thy counsels are /

Who may ivith thee compare?

J^ING of glorle^ King of peace ^ ^ With the one make warre ^ to cease; With the other blesse thy sheep, Thee to love, in thee to sleep. Let not Sinne devoure thy fold, Bragging that thy bloud is cold. That thy death is also dead, While his conquests dayly spread; That thy flesh hath lost his food. And thy Crosse is common wood. Choke him, let him say ^ no more, But reserve his breath in store. Till thy conquests and his fall Make his sighs to use it all. And then bargain with the winde To discharge what is behinde. Blessed he God alone. Thrice blessed Three in One A

Q GRATIOUS Lord, how shall I know Whether in these gifts Thou bee so

As Thou art everywhere? Or rather so, as Thou alone Tak'st all y® lodging, leaving none

For thy poore creature there.

First I am sure, whether bread stay, Or whether Bread doe fly away,

Concerneth Bread, not mee; ^ But y* both Thou and all Thy traine Bee there, to Thy truth and my gaine

And if in comming to Thy foes. Thou dost come first to them, y* showes The hast of Thy good will;

Or if that Thou two stations makest, In Bread and mee, the way Thou takest Is more, but for mee still.

Then of this also I am sure,

That Thou didst all those pains endure

To abolish Sinn, not wheat; Creatures are good and have their place; Sinn onely w^^ did all deface

Thou drivest from his seat.

I could beleeve an Impanation At the rate of an Incarnation,

If Thou hadst dyde for Bread; But that w^^ made my soule to dye, My flesh and fleshly villany.

That allso made Thee dead.

That flesh is there mine eyes deny: And what should flesh but flesh discry,

The noblest sence of five? If glorious bodies pass the sight. Shall they be food and strength and might.

Even there where they deceive?

Into my soule this cannot pass;

Flesh (though exalted) keeps his grass.

And cannot turn to soule. Bodyes and minds are different spheres; Nor can they change their bounds and meres.

But keep a constant pole.

This gift of all gifts is the best, Thy flesh the least I request;

Thou took' St that pledge from raee: Give mee not that I had before, Or give mee that so I have more;

My God, give mee all Thee.

' I ^HOU art too hard for me in Love ^

There is no dealing w*^ Thee in that art,, That IS Thy Masterpeece, I see» When I contrive and plott to prove Something that may be conquest on my part, Thou still, O Lord, outstrippest mee.

Sometimes, when as I wash, I say. And shrodely as I think. Lord wash my soule.

More spotted then my flesh can bee.

But then there comes into my way Thy ancient baptism, w^^ when I was foule

And knew it not, yet cleansed mee.

I took a time when Thou didst sleep. Great waves of trouble combating my brest:

I thought it brave to praise Thee then;

Yet then I found that Thou didst creep Into my hart w*^ ioye, giving more rest

Then flesh did lend Thee back agen.

Let mee but once the conquest have Vpon y® matter, twill Thy conquest prove:

If Thou subdue mortalitie,

Thou dost no more then doth y® grave; Whereas if I orecome Thee and Thy love,

Hell, Death, and Divel come short of mee.

Two reacheth Thee In some degree: Nature and grace ^^th glory may attaine thy face. Steele and a flint strike fire; Witt and desire Never to thee aspire. Except life catch and hold those fast. That w^^ beleefe Did not confess in y® first theefe

His fall can tell From heaven through earth to hell. Lett two of those alone To them that fall. Who God and saints and angels loose at last: Hee that has one Has all.

npHE day is spent, and hath his will on mee: ^ I and Sunn have runn our races: I went y® slower, yet more paces; For I decay, not hee.

Lord, make my losses up, and sett mee free; That I, who cannot now by day Look on his daring brightnes, may

Shine then more bright then hee.

If thou defer r this light, then shadow mee;

Least that the night, earths gloomy shade, Fouling her nest, my earth invade.

As if shades knew not thee.

But thou art light and darkness both togeather: If that bee dark we cannot see; The sunn is darker than a tree.

And thou more dark then either.

Yet thou art not so dark since I know this But that my darknes may touch thine; And hope, that may teach it to shine,

Since light thy darknes is.

O lett my soule, whose keyes I must deliver Into the hands of senceles dreams W^^ know not thee, suck in thy beams

And wake w^^ thee for ever.

The bell doth toUe Lord, help thy servant whose perplexed soule

On either hand, And sometimes offers, sometimes makes a stand.

Now is the season Now y® great combat of our flesh and reason

See, they breake in, Disbanded humours, sorrows, troops of sinn

Lord make thy blood Convert and colour all the other flood

That they may bee Julips and cordials when wee call on thee vp to thee Are so, as for the present I did move Or rather as thou movedst mee.

But what shall issue, whither these my words Shall help another, but my iudgment bee; As a burst fouling-peece doth save y® birds But kill the man, is seal'd w*^ thee.

For who can tell though thou hast dyde to winn And wedd my soule in glorious paradise, Whither my many crymes and vse of sinn May yet forbid the banes and bHss?

Onely my soule hangs on thy promisses W*^ face and hands clinging vnto thy brest; Clinging and crying, crying w*^out cease, Thou art my rock, thou art my rest.