Hymn XV. For such as are Barren.
[_]
Barrennesse, is objected by some as a Reproach, and
many are much discomforted thereby This Ode
hath for their Comfort, therefore, briefly expressed
such things as may be helpfull to prevent, or mitigate, their disconsolation.
[1]
You, that, in Children fruitfull are,
Vpbraid ye not, the barren-wombe;
As though, the carnall-seed you bear,
Should make you happy to become.
Nor let it much afflict thy heart,
Who canst not of that blessing boast,
As if, (because thou childlesse art)
The, best contentments, quite, were lost.
2
In thinking so, we are beguild:
For, blisse depends not thereupon.
Though Hannah joyed in her childe;
By Children, Eli, was undone.
Nay she that bare the blessed-birth,
(Though in so suffring, blest she were)
Had many Sorrows here on earth,
Occasion'd by the Childe she bare.
3
If to prolong their carnall care
A blisse therein essentiall, had
Then, Cain more blest then Abel was,
And, Cham a blessed man was made.
Then, he, whom Ravens came to feed;
And, he, that was by him, fore-shown,
Had left behind then carnall seed,
And, this way, blessed, should have grown.
4
Yea, he that us by Grace, begot,
Did carnall fruitfulnesse neglect,
And, therefore, sure, it profits not,
The best perfections to effect.
Nay, many times it rather lets,
That happinesse, which here, is sought:
For, man sometimes a childe begets;
By whom, to ruine; he is brought.
5
When outward-things away are worn,
They shall to us become as dear,
Whom others have begot or born,
As these whom we beget or bear.
And, he effects a greater good,
Who gives to one, a ghostly birth,
Then he, who gets of flesh and blood,
Enough to people all the earth.
6
I, therefore will not grieve nor pine,
That in the flesh, I barren seem:
But, seek an Off-spring, more divine,
And, covet fruit of more esteem.
My minde hereafter, I will give
The seed of Grace, to entertain,
And, that blest issue to conceive,
Which needs not to be born-again.
7
The bread, my Children should have eat,
The cloth, I purpos'd they should wear,
May be the needy Orphanes meat;
And, Robes for them, who naked are.
The Tendance which they should have had,
Vpon the sick, may be bestown.
And others may be happy made,
By what (perhaps) had mard mine own.
8
Yea, peradventure, to this end,
The Wombe is closed unto me;
That, I on God, might more attend,
And, Parent, to his Children, be.
Wherein, if I perform his will;
He, that knows what befits us best,
Shall then in me his words fulfill;
Who said, the barren should be blest.
