Sin being gone, oh fill the place, REDEMPTION. HAVING been tenant long to a rich Lord, In heaven at His manor I Him sought : They told me there, that He was lately gone About some land, which He had dearly bought Long since on earth, to take possession. I straight return'd, and knowing His great birth, Of thieves and murderers: there I Him espied, Who straight, Your suit is granted, said, and died. SEPULCHRE. O BLESSED Body! whither art Thou thrown? Sure there is room within our hearts' good store; For they can lodge transgressions by the score: Thousands of toys dwell there, yet out of door They leave Thee. But that which shows them large, shows them unfit. Where our hard hearts have took up stones to brain Thee, And missing this, most falsely did arraign Thee; Only these stones in quiet entertain Thee, And order. And as of old the law, by heavenly art To hold Thee. Yet do we still persist as we began, And so should perish, but that nothing can, Withhold Thee. EASTER. RISE, heart; thy Lord is risen. Sing His praise Without delays, Who takes thee by the hand, that thou likewise With Him mayst rise : That, as His death calcined thee to dust, His life may make thee gold, and, much more, just. Awake, my lute, and struggle for thy part, With all thy art : The cross taught all wood to resound his name, Who bore the same. His stretched sinews taught all strings, what key Is best to celebrate this most high day. Consort both heart and lute, and twist a song Pleasant and long, Or since all music is but three parts vied, And multiplied; O let Thy blessed Spirit bear a part, And make up our defects with His sweet art. I GOT me flowers to strew Thy way; The sun arising in the east, Though he give light, and the east perfume; If they should offer to contest With Thy arising, they presume. Can there be any day but this, Though many suns to shine endeavor? EASTER WINGS. LORD, who createdst man in wealth and store, Till he became Most poor: With Thee O let me rise As larks, harmoniously, And sing this day Thy victories: Then shall the fall further the flight in me. My tender age in sorrow did begin : That I became Most thin. With Thee Let me combine, And feel this day Thy victory, HOLY BAPTISM. As he that sees a dark and shady grove, Which is above the heavens, whose spring and vent Or else give tears to drown them, as they grow. In you Redemption measures all my time, And spreads the plaster equal to the crime: You taught the book of life my name, that so, |