University of Virginia Library


27

A Return, in Answer to some of them, who sent to know how it fares with me in my Imprisonment.

God, gave me Grace; by Grace I did conceive
A saving Faith; by saving Faith I live.
My life of Faith, hath had a preservation,
By Hearing, Acting, and by Meditation.
By Meditation, I reduce to Words
What my Experience in this life affords.
By that Experience which I have attain'd,
A Patience in my troubles I have gain'd;
My Patience hath such hopefulness begot,
That, this disgraceful Prison shames me not.
Though I am poor (and, as our Proverb sayes)
As poor as Job) unto my God be praise,
I am no Beggar; for, I have not yet,
Been forc'd to ask for Money, Clothes, ot Meat;
Nor tempted (having dayly bread) to borrow
Through fear of wants, that may befal to Morrow:
And, well remembring, who was pleas'd to say
There's Care enough belonging to each Day,
I, for a day to which I may not live,
Will not of what I have, my self deprive.
With my Condition, I am pleas'd, and merry,
Of my long-suff'rings I am not grown weary.
And wish those who pursue me with most hate
No worse, then to enjoy the like estate,
Except my Bands. I have acquir'd this rest,
By those Means and Degrees, afore exprest,
And, this, unfeignedly, to you declares
How, at this present time, with me it fares.
Sept. 7. 1661. from Newgate.
George Wither.