[Poems by Danforth in] Proceedings of the American Antiquarian Society April 17, 1968 - October 16, 1968 : Volume 78 |
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Two vast Enjoyments commemorated, and two great Bereavements lamented, in two excellent Persons, viz. the Reverend Mr. PETER THACHER
And the Reverend Mr. SAMUEL DANFORTH,
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 | [Poems by Danforth in] Proceedings of the American Antiquarian Society |  |
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Two vast Enjoyments commemorated, and two great Bereavements lamented, in two excellent Persons, viz. the Reverend Mr. PETER THACHER And the Reverend Mr. SAMUEL DANFORTH,
Pastor of the Church of CHRIST in Milton, who was born into this World July 18. Anno Dom. 1651. and ascended to a better World, December 17. Anno Dom. 1727. Aetatis 77. and in the 47th of his Pastorate.
Pastor of the Church of CHRIST in Taunton, whose Nativity was December 18. Anno Dom. 1666. and his Translation to the heavenly Paradise, November 14. Anno Dom. 1727. Fifteen Days after the first Shock of the great Earthquake in New-England.
WHAT! Without Feeling? Don't we make Pretense,
In some Degree, unto that vital Sense?
Dumb too! and would be press'd to Death as Mutes?
Angels use speaking Arts: but rarely Brutes.
In some Degree, unto that vital Sense?
Dumb too! and would be press'd to Death as Mutes?
Angels use speaking Arts: but rarely Brutes.
Lisp we no Ecchoes to the dismal Sound,
From Caverns and Convulsions under Ground?
To th' Peals from the charg'd Chambers of the Skies?
To th' Voice from Temples of the LORD most High?
From Caverns and Convulsions under Ground?
To th' Peals from the charg'd Chambers of the Skies?
To th' Voice from Temples of the LORD most High?
To th' Shrieks from the bereav'd BRITANNICK THRONE,
And Realms; Great GEORGE's Death that loudly groan?
When Warning-Pieces great are fired and shot;
When shook, and struck, and call'd, answer we not?
And Realms; Great GEORGE's Death that loudly groan?
When Warning-Pieces great are fired and shot;
When shook, and struck, and call'd, answer we not?
Blind Eyes, deaf Ears, hard Hearts, bind fast the Tongue:
What frightful Maladies upon us throng?
O SON of David Mercy on us shew!
Restore our Souls! Our spiritual Sense renew!
From Blindness, Deafness, Hardness, instantly
LORD! If thou wilt, Thou can'st our Souls set free.
What frightful Maladies upon us throng?
O SON of David Mercy on us shew!
Restore our Souls! Our spiritual Sense renew!
From Blindness, Deafness, Hardness, instantly
LORD! If thou wilt, Thou can'st our Souls set free.
We'll then with Thanks review Enjoyments past,
For poor Improvements we will be abas'd.
Our late Bereavements we will lay to Heartt;
But most of all, GOD's Wrath, and our Desert.
For poor Improvements we will be abas'd.
Our late Bereavements we will lay to Heartt;
But most of all, GOD's Wrath, and our Desert.
We long enjoy'd a Sky, that did refrain;
An Earth, that Terra Firma did remain;
And not Infirma, but a quiet Seat;
Groan'd not so loud, to make our Hearts to beat.
An Earth, that Terra Firma did remain;
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Groan'd not so loud, to make our Hearts to beat.
Long were we bless'd with GEORGE's Influence,
By whom GOD gave us great Deliverance.
Th' ascended LORD long favour'd us with Lights
To Shine vile Rebels into Favourites.
The Council-Board, the Bench, the sacred Desk
Long shone with Heroes, who are now at Rest.
CHRIST's two last aged Shepherds tarried long,
His dear, (but now bereaved) Flocks among.
By whom GOD gave us great Deliverance.
Th' ascended LORD long favour'd us with Lights
To Shine vile Rebels into Favourites.
The Council-Board, the Bench, the sacred Desk
Long shone with Heroes, who are now at Rest.
CHRIST's two last aged Shepherds tarried long,
His dear, (but now bereaved) Flocks among.
View their paternal and maternal Lines,
Both of them sprang from many great Divines,
Honour'd in England, and New-England too,
For Service they for CHRIST, and's Church did do.
Both of them sprang from many great Divines,
Honour'd in England, and New-England too,
For Service they for CHRIST, and's Church did do.
Angels, per Saltum, took their high Degree,
Commencing Spirits, from Non-Entity,
These Angels of our Churches, Babes first were;
How excellent the Mothers that them bare?
Again they both were New-Born of the SPIRIT:
And both great double-Portions did inherit,
Of the rare Spirit of the bless'd ELIJAHS,
Whose Mantles fell to these good young ABIJAHS.
Commencing Spirits, from Non-Entity,
These Angels of our Churches, Babes first were;
How excellent the Mothers that them bare?
Again they both were New-Born of the SPIRIT:
And both great double-Portions did inherit,
Of the rare Spirit of the bless'd ELIJAHS,
Whose Mantles fell to these good young ABIJAHS.
What Man (since Miracles are ceas'd) e're gains,
Without the Teachers, and the Learners Pains,
And th' Blessing upon both, from GOD most High,
Sufficient Knowledge in the Mystery
Of Arts, of Languages, and of Religion
To qualify for the Prophetick-Vision?
Without the Teachers, and the Learners Pains,
And th' Blessing upon both, from GOD most High,
Sufficient Knowledge in the Mystery
Of Arts, of Languages, and of Religion
To qualify for the Prophetick-Vision?
GOD bless'd the Pains, (bless'd be His glorious Name!)
To both of these, that quickly they became
(Like well-taught Pegasuss) thorow-pac'd;
Before they were with College-Laurels grac'd.
To both of these, that quickly they became
(Like well-taught Pegasuss) thorow-pac'd;
Before they were with College-Laurels grac'd.
Their Temper far from Injucundity;
Their Tongues and Pens from Infacundity.
Solid and Grave, yet pleasant they were each;
Lest any should of Starch'dness them impeach.
Their Tongues and Pens from Infacundity.
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Lest any should of Starch'dness them impeach.
In Med'cine, and in civil Laws, well read
Were Luke and Zenas; for their Neighbours Need.
Each, on Occasion, might few Minutes lend,
To Advise a Sick or an exposed Friend:
Both these our Pastors very Skilful were,
Like Luke the one, th' other like Zenas rare.
Their Usefulness thence flowing, by the by,
How full of Piety and Charity!
All to their Office-Work subordinated;
A Work unrivall'd, not to be check-mated.
A Work, upon the Wheels forever going;
A Work (whatever else was done) still doing.
A Work for which they left no Stone unturn'd;
A Work for which the Indian-Tongue they learn'd,
Th' Indians in their own Language had their Lectures,
All full of CHRIST, and Grace, and Heav'nly Nectars.
But th' English mainly had their Pains and Care,
To th' English they were Angels Tutelar.
High in Employments, but not high in Pride,
Their HIGH-EMPLOYER was their Guard and Guide.
Were Luke and Zenas; for their Neighbours Need.
Each, on Occasion, might few Minutes lend,
To Advise a Sick or an exposed Friend:
Both these our Pastors very Skilful were,
Like Luke the one, th' other like Zenas rare.
Their Usefulness thence flowing, by the by,
How full of Piety and Charity!
All to their Office-Work subordinated;
A Work unrivall'd, not to be check-mated.
A Work, upon the Wheels forever going;
A Work (whatever else was done) still doing.
A Work for which they left no Stone unturn'd;
A Work for which the Indian-Tongue they learn'd,
Th' Indians in their own Language had their Lectures,
All full of CHRIST, and Grace, and Heav'nly Nectars.
But th' English mainly had their Pains and Care,
To th' English they were Angels Tutelar.
High in Employments, but not high in Pride,
Their HIGH-EMPLOYER was their Guard and Guide.
To batter Sin they mighty were: For Zeal
Chariots and Horsemen of our Israel.
Their Churches were by them (as Bulwarks strong)
From Vice (thank the MOST HIGH) defended long:
While the Resistless Sword was in their Hand,
Agags were hewn to Pieces in their Land.
'Gainst Sin did Lions in GOD's Cause appear,
But in their own, they Lambs for Meekness were.
Chariots and Horsemen of our Israel.
Their Churches were by them (as Bulwarks strong)
From Vice (thank the MOST HIGH) defended long:
While the Resistless Sword was in their Hand,
Agags were hewn to Pieces in their Land.
'Gainst Sin did Lions in GOD's Cause appear,
But in their own, they Lambs for Meekness were.
They left a sacred Stamp, where e're they trod;
Their Lives-Right-Steps shew'd Men the Way to GOD:
They both were to their Flocks unblotted Paterns;
And of all Godliness and Virtue Patrons.
Their Lives-Right-Steps shew'd Men the Way to GOD:
They both were to their Flocks unblotted Paterns;
And of all Godliness and Virtue Patrons.
Shepherds they were, the Sheep who right did guide;
And who seducing Wolves could not abide.
Both wrought with GOD, and wrought by Faith and Prayer,
Both wrought for GOD, and were His tender Care.
And who seducing Wolves could not abide.
Both wrought with GOD, and wrought by Faith and Prayer,
Both wrought for GOD, and were His tender Care.
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Both many thousand sacred Sermons preach'd,
That th' Ears and Hearts of many Hundreds reach'd.
Most bounteously GOD answered their Desire,
Hard Hearts would melt by their seraphick Fire.
That th' Ears and Hearts of many Hundreds reach'd.
Most bounteously GOD answered their Desire,
Hard Hearts would melt by their seraphick Fire.
Their Prayers and Prophecyings (by Heav'ns Might)
Rais'd up dead Souls, restor'd the Blind to sight.
Right noble Wisdom thus each of 'em had;
Wise to win Souls, to make their SAVIOUR glad.
Rais'd up dead Souls, restor'd the Blind to sight.
Right noble Wisdom thus each of 'em had;
Wise to win Souls, to make their SAVIOUR glad.
Careful they were CHRIST's Sheep should never feed
On Arian, Popish or Arminian Weed.
Careful lest worldly Lusts should hot pursue 'em,
Bad Company and Pleasures should undo 'em.
Careful to bring 'em from destructive Things,
To the safe Shelter of bless'd JESUS's Wings.
On Arian, Popish or Arminian Weed.
Careful lest worldly Lusts should hot pursue 'em,
Bad Company and Pleasures should undo 'em.
Careful to bring 'em from destructive Things,
To the safe Shelter of bless'd JESUS's Wings.
For Foresight and good Forecast, few their Match:
Were ever on their Guard, and on their Watch.
Both Men and Things they studied well, and knew;
Their Bow they seldom at Adventure drew.
In Councils frequent and in Travels oft;
Success (like joyful Streamers) seen aloft.
But I omit whole Volumes yet behind;
So great Enjoyments tell us GOD is kind.
Lustres of Years (though fit for Heaven) they stood,
By CHRIST continued, for His Churches good.
Their precious useful Memory remains,
For wise Improvers everlasting Gains.
Who gain'd no Gold by these Aurifick-Stones,
Have Reason now to make their doleful Moans.
Our Loss in their Remove is far from finall,
Who were such copious Blessings unto all.
May Heaven, that takes our Treasures, make Retrievements!
Else Bankrupts are undone by such Bereavements.
Levi'thans they who do not (for their Part)
The wounding-Warnings duely lay to heart.
Portended Ills prevent! most gracious GOD!
Make all take Warning, by thy speaking Rod!
Bereaved Families, and Flocks with Tears,
Ask tender Sympathy, and fervent Prayers:
May Heav'ns kind Ears receive their Lamentations!
Give, LORD! Their weakned Hearts strong Consolations.
Were ever on their Guard, and on their Watch.
Both Men and Things they studied well, and knew;
Their Bow they seldom at Adventure drew.
In Councils frequent and in Travels oft;
Success (like joyful Streamers) seen aloft.
But I omit whole Volumes yet behind;
So great Enjoyments tell us GOD is kind.
Lustres of Years (though fit for Heaven) they stood,
By CHRIST continued, for His Churches good.
Their precious useful Memory remains,
For wise Improvers everlasting Gains.
Who gain'd no Gold by these Aurifick-Stones,
Have Reason now to make their doleful Moans.
Our Loss in their Remove is far from finall,
Who were such copious Blessings unto all.
May Heaven, that takes our Treasures, make Retrievements!
Else Bankrupts are undone by such Bereavements.
Levi'thans they who do not (for their Part)
The wounding-Warnings duely lay to heart.
Portended Ills prevent! most gracious GOD!
Make all take Warning, by thy speaking Rod!
Bereaved Families, and Flocks with Tears,
Ask tender Sympathy, and fervent Prayers:
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Give, LORD! Their weakned Hearts strong Consolations.
Amen.
Ita humillime precatur J. D.
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