A Paraphrase on The Ten Commandments in Divine Poems Illustrated With Twelve Copper Plates, shewing how Personal Punishments has been inflicted on the Transgressors of these Commandments, as is Recorded in the Holy Scripture. Never before Printed. Also, a Metrical Paraphrase upon the Creed and Lord's-Prayer. Written by George Wither |
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| X. | Command. X.
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 | A Paraphrase on The Ten Commandments in Divine Poems |  |
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Command. X.
[Thou who to covet deem'st it no great crime]
Anothers right desire not,
But be contented with thy Lot.
But be contented with thy Lot.
Thou who to covet deem'st it no great crime,
Consider well, what wickedness in time
Arises thence, what danger and what shame
Unless thou timely shall repent the same
This folly, and the sequel of it view
In Ahab, and his guiltiness eschew
By heeding of this Law, whereon depend
All Duties, which the former Laws intend,
And which to us a Duty hath exprest
More hard to be observ'd than all the rest.
Consider well, what wickedness in time
Arises thence, what danger and what shame
Unless thou timely shall repent the same
This folly, and the sequel of it view
In Ahab, and his guiltiness eschew
By heeding of this Law, whereon depend
All Duties, which the former Laws intend,
And which to us a Duty hath exprest
More hard to be observ'd than all the rest.
A power we have receiv'd to bend the knee,
To take, to give, to speak, to hear, to see,
And execute those Actions which may give
Most lookers on, occasions to believe
That all God's other Laws we do fulfil,
In some degree according to his Will.
When we are false at heart, and keep not on
With such uprightness, as we should have done;
And were this Law left out, some persons might
Perswade themselves that they were most upright.
To take, to give, to speak, to hear, to see,
And execute those Actions which may give
Most lookers on, occasions to believe
That all God's other Laws we do fulfil,
In some degree according to his Will.
When we are false at heart, and keep not on
With such uprightness, as we should have done;
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Perswade themselves that they were most upright.
But by this Precept we are taught to see
How foul the insides of our Vessels be.
This findeth out, and smiteth every sin
Ev'n on the head, and where the Roots begin,
By checking of that Lust which unexprest
In outward acts lies lurking in the breast:
For 'tis the Cursed Root, whence every thing
Which may be termed Evil, first doth spring;
And if it be subdued e're fulfill'd
Within his Egg a Cocatrice is kill'd.
How foul the insides of our Vessels be.
This findeth out, and smiteth every sin
Ev'n on the head, and where the Roots begin,
By checking of that Lust which unexprest
In outward acts lies lurking in the breast:
For 'tis the Cursed Root, whence every thing
Which may be termed Evil, first doth spring;
And if it be subdued e're fulfill'd
Within his Egg a Cocatrice is kill'd.
This Law in Soveraignty assumeth more
Than all the Precepts mentioned before;
For it injoins to keep within command
My lustful heart, which is not in my hand;
And, whose desires, will offer, come and go
In spight of all that I can think or do.
Within my flesh and blood a Law still dwells
Which naturally against this Law Rebels,
And so rebels, that though my hands were clear,
My heart would foul and vitious oft appear
Unless a purging Medicine she acquires
To purify her thoughts and her desires.
Yea, though Man could not, and God would not see
The secret wickedness that is in me,
This Law, would never let me quiet bide
Till of my Guilt I should be purifi'd;
For every hidden lust it open lays,
And still so shows me mine own wicked ways,
That when by others I am righteous thought,
It frights my Soul, and tells me I am naught.
Than all the Precepts mentioned before;
For it injoins to keep within command
My lustful heart, which is not in my hand;
And, whose desires, will offer, come and go
In spight of all that I can think or do.
Within my flesh and blood a Law still dwells
Which naturally against this Law Rebels,
And so rebels, that though my hands were clear,
My heart would foul and vitious oft appear
Unless a purging Medicine she acquires
To purify her thoughts and her desires.
Yea, though Man could not, and God would not see
The secret wickedness that is in me,
This Law, would never let me quiet bide
Till of my Guilt I should be purifi'd;
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And still so shows me mine own wicked ways,
That when by others I am righteous thought,
It frights my Soul, and tells me I am naught.
At first, into dispair it almost threw me,
But God's good Spirit pleased was to shew me,
That, what my power extended not unto
His Grace would so enable me to do,
As that it should suffice if I assaid
To join my good endeavours to his aid.
But God's good Spirit pleased was to shew me,
That, what my power extended not unto
His Grace would so enable me to do,
As that it should suffice if I assaid
To join my good endeavours to his aid.
Then I began to see, this Law did wound,
Not to destroy, but, that I might be sound,
And that it is a needful Probe whereby
We may aright the curing Salve apply.
It shew'd me mine own frailty, that it might
Unto another make me take my flight.
And by instructing me to know my sin
Hath taught me where amendment should begin;
For when the Heart hath learned to obey,
The Members will the sooner find the way.
Not to destroy, but, that I might be sound,
And that it is a needful Probe whereby
We may aright the curing Salve apply.
It shew'd me mine own frailty, that it might
Unto another make me take my flight.
And by instructing me to know my sin
Hath taught me where amendment should begin;
For when the Heart hath learned to obey,
The Members will the sooner find the way.
Though our Desires, from evil are not free,
To us their Guilt imputed shall not be
If we resist them: And although they wound,
We shall at last with Victory be crown'd.
To us their Guilt imputed shall not be
If we resist them: And although they wound,
We shall at last with Victory be crown'd.
Keep well this Law, and all the Precepts here
A Thousand times more pleasing will appear.
Guard well thy heart, and then this Precept will
Be found a Precept easie to fulfil.
Break this, and thou hast broken down the sluce
To Flouds, which thy destruction will produce.
A Thousand times more pleasing will appear.
Guard well thy heart, and then this Precept will
Be found a Precept easie to fulfil.
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To Flouds, which thy destruction will produce.
The total sum of what this Law requires,
Is first, that we confess our own desires,
To be corrupt: For purity begins
To enter by confession of our sins.
Next, let us force our Longings to obey
The former Sacred Precepts what we may,
Because, the failing in one Duty, still
Lets in another lusting after Ill.
And, Lastly let us alway be content
With what the Grace of God to us hath lent.
For, none will keep Law moral, or divine,
Who much at his Condition doth repine.
Is first, that we confess our own desires,
To be corrupt: For purity begins
To enter by confession of our sins.
Next, let us force our Longings to obey
The former Sacred Precepts what we may,
Because, the failing in one Duty, still
Lets in another lusting after Ill.
And, Lastly let us alway be content
With what the Grace of God to us hath lent.
For, none will keep Law moral, or divine,
Who much at his Condition doth repine.
How can they love their God to whom he seems
To bar them what their appetite esteems
Without regard their welfare to provide
(As many think) whose wishes are deny'd?
To bar them what their appetite esteems
Without regard their welfare to provide
(As many think) whose wishes are deny'd?
How can he love his Neighbour who doth crave
Their Heritage, their wives or goods to have?
And what Commandement will he respect
Who neither God nor Neighbour doth affect?
Their Heritage, their wives or goods to have?
And what Commandement will he respect
Who neither God nor Neighbour doth affect?
Contrarywise him who Contentment hath,
Naught urgeth to pursue a lawless path;
For, to what end should he who doth possess
That precious Jem, embrace a wickedness?
Naught urgeth to pursue a lawless path;
For, to what end should he who doth possess
That precious Jem, embrace a wickedness?
He loveth God, because he surely knows
God's Power and Wisdom, justly doth dispose
That portion which will prove the best for him,
Although it may be bitter for a time:
And him he therefore serves, as he is able,
In every Precept of the former Table.
And while this Christian mind he entertains,
He findeth Godliness, no little gains.
God's Power and Wisdom, justly doth dispose
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Although it may be bitter for a time:
And him he therefore serves, as he is able,
In every Precept of the former Table.
And while this Christian mind he entertains,
He findeth Godliness, no little gains.
Nor will those men who in their lots delight
Or covet or usurp a neighbours right,
For, he that is contented first believes
That every one his propor share receives
And not anothers; next he strives to see
How perilous to him these things may be,
Which God withholds; and weighs with such regard
How fit those are which he for him prepar'd,
That resting in his portion well apaid
Nor House, nor Land, nor Wife nor Man, nor Maid,
Nor Oxe, nor Ass, nor any thing that is
Another man's desires he to be his;
But praiseth God, for what to him he gave,
And thanks him too, for that which others have.
Or covet or usurp a neighbours right,
For, he that is contented first believes
That every one his propor share receives
And not anothers; next he strives to see
How perilous to him these things may be,
Which God withholds; and weighs with such regard
How fit those are which he for him prepar'd,
That resting in his portion well apaid
Nor House, nor Land, nor Wife nor Man, nor Maid,
Nor Oxe, nor Ass, nor any thing that is
Another man's desires he to be his;
But praiseth God, for what to him he gave,
And thanks him too, for that which others have.
Against no Law he greatly can transgress
Who is arriv'd at this contentedness.
And if to get this Grace our mind we set,
By Gods assistance, we may compass it
In that degree, whereby attain we may
To what we call perfection of the way.
But flesh and blood no further can aspire
Until that Kingdom comes, which we desire.
Who is arriv'd at this contentedness.
And if to get this Grace our mind we set,
By Gods assistance, we may compass it
In that degree, whereby attain we may
To what we call perfection of the way.
But flesh and blood no further can aspire
Until that Kingdom comes, which we desire.
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Strive what thou mayst, affections to withdraw
According to the straightness of this Law,
Thy Neighbours wife desire not then from him
Though kind, wise, rich, chast, good & fair she seem,
For most who have this way their longings gain'd,
Instead of Blessings, Curses have obtain'd,
By coveting the goods to others due,
The beggary of many doth ensue.
And Servants gotten, by anothers wrong
Are seldom gainful, to such Masters long,
Because by being lawlesly possest,
They either prove unfaithful, or unblest;
But he that with his own remains content,
Shall gain much Bliss, and many sins prevent.
According to the straightness of this Law,
Thy Neighbours wife desire not then from him
Though kind, wise, rich, chast, good & fair she seem,
For most who have this way their longings gain'd,
Instead of Blessings, Curses have obtain'd,
By coveting the goods to others due,
The beggary of many doth ensue.
And Servants gotten, by anothers wrong
Are seldom gainful, to such Masters long,
Because by being lawlesly possest,
They either prove unfaithful, or unblest;
But he that with his own remains content,
Shall gain much Bliss, and many sins prevent.
That which doth give occasion to transgress
Against this Law, is want of watchfulness,
To heed the baits which our betrayer lays
In every object and in all our ways.
Against this Law, is want of watchfulness,
To heed the baits which our betrayer lays
In every object and in all our ways.
The want of meditating in our thought
What inconveniences are dayly brought,
On such as make no covenants with their eyes,
Nor bound these longings which in them arise.
For, such as this way do their best endeavour,
May stumble, but they shall not fall for ever.
What inconveniences are dayly brought,
On such as make no covenants with their eyes,
Nor bound these longings which in them arise.
For, such as this way do their best endeavour,
May stumble, but they shall not fall for ever.
“Lord, in my self, I could not find the Will,
“Much less the Power, Thy statutes to fulfil.
“But, I now feel my heart to entertain
“A willingness; Oh! be it not in vain.
“Thy Grace alone renew'd this Will in me,
“And I a worker now desire to be,
“Who may, if thou enable to proceed,
“Improve my willingness unto the Deed
“Deny it not, Oh God! but from this day
“Ev'n to the latest moment of my stay,
“Vouchsafe unto me thy assisting Grace,
“That I may run a warrantable Race.
“Much less the Power, Thy statutes to fulfil.
“But, I now feel my heart to entertain
“A willingness; Oh! be it not in vain.
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“And I a worker now desire to be,
“Who may, if thou enable to proceed,
“Improve my willingness unto the Deed
“Deny it not, Oh God! but from this day
“Ev'n to the latest moment of my stay,
“Vouchsafe unto me thy assisting Grace,
“That I may run a warrantable Race.
“And keep this Law and all thy Laws entire
“In work, in word, and also in desire.
“In work, in word, and also in desire.
Amen.
| A Paraphrase on The Ten Commandments in Divine Poems | |