Fruits of Retirement Or, Miscellaneous Poems, Moral and Divine. Being Some Contemplations, Letters, &c. Written on a Variety of Subjects and Occasions. By Mary Mollineux ... To which is Prefixed, Some Account of the Author |
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The Second Epistle to Cousin F. R.
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 | Fruits of Retirement |  |
49
The Second Epistle to Cousin F. R.
Shall I (endeared Friend) expect in vain
Thy Promise answer'd, and not yet obtain
The Joy of better Fruits of vacant Hours,
Which we are not assur'd long to be ours?
Alas, the time will come when some will say,
O that I had as yet another Day!
What, to add Sin to Sin, and to retire,
If once wash'd clean, to wallow in the Mire!
No, no; but diligently to improve
Their time, that they might Treasure up above,
In Heav'ns Exchequer, that which will endure;
Gold tryed in the Fire, refin'd and pure,
With Garments of Salvation, which will bring
Into acceptance with th'Eternal King.
These are the Robes of Righteousness, that can
Procure the Favour of both God and Man.
Thy Promise answer'd, and not yet obtain
The Joy of better Fruits of vacant Hours,
Which we are not assur'd long to be ours?
Alas, the time will come when some will say,
O that I had as yet another Day!
What, to add Sin to Sin, and to retire,
If once wash'd clean, to wallow in the Mire!
No, no; but diligently to improve
Their time, that they might Treasure up above,
In Heav'ns Exchequer, that which will endure;
Gold tryed in the Fire, refin'd and pure,
With Garments of Salvation, which will bring
Into acceptance with th'Eternal King.
These are the Robes of Righteousness, that can
Procure the Favour of both God and Man.
O Come! Consider, let all Vanity
Stoop to Concerns of such Importancy:
And let none say, I hope 'tis well with me,
Because I yet no Condemnation see,
Nor feel I Judgments: If such yet retain
A fond delight in transitory, vain,
And fading Toys, their Treasure lies below,
Which soon corrupts; such reap, ev'n as they sow;
Sad Disappointments. Sion's Converts must
Redemption know, by Judgments true and just
Alas, the Hope of Hypocrites shall fail!
In times of trial, what shall it avail?
But those that singly leave all things below,
Shall in themselves the Hope of Glory know;
A Living Hope, a Hope that will endure:
This purifies the Heart, as he is pure,
That raiseth up the same in Men, that they
May be encouraged in the good Way,
That leads to Life, to Everlasting Peace,
In Joys Eternal, which shall never cease.
Ponder these things (my Friend!) thou hast indeed
Engag'd thy self (although thou yet proceed
But slowly to perform) with diligence,
To render humble due Obedience
To what's made known, by him that from above
Draws tenderly, by his Long-suff'ring Love:
O let it not so soon forgotten be!
Which, as desir'd, will more increase in thee
Its Sweet'ning Vertue, its Enliv'ning Power;
That unto thee will more and more discover
Iniquity, and for the same reprove
Thy Soul in secret; but will gently move
And lead thee, by his Strength-renewing Hand,
With Cheerfulness to answer his Command,
And fully Recompence thee: O be wise!
Learn thou to fear, but do not now despise
The Day of small Things; Ah, believe, that she
That Faithful in a little is, shall be
Made Ruler over much: Commit thine All
To Him, that doth in Love so often call,
Come unto me! And know, if thou abide
Faithful in fervent Zeal, when thou art try'd,
Thou'lt in thy Bosom find a sweet Increase
Of an admired overflowing Peace;
Which, rightly known, will more esteemed be,
Than all those Objects carnal Eyes can see.
But know, that mighty Works were never done
Amongst them that would not believe the Son,
The Lamb of God; such from a near Relief,
Excluded were, because of Unbelief:
Yet unto one, not Conscious of that Guilt,
Be it unto thee even as thou wilt,
Was Graciously Proclaim'd; whereby she found
Her meek Petition fairly Heard, and Crown'd
With a desired Grant; although to try
Her Faith, at first the Answer did imply
Rather Repulse than Favour, when 'twas said,
It is not fit to take the Childrens Bread,
And give to Dogs: She answered, Truth; yet Lord,
These lick the Crums that fall beside their Board.
Here's Wrestling Faith indeed, which as express'd
In fervent Meekness, from a Panting Breast,
Admiredly prevail'd with Him; whose Name,
Whose matchless Love and Goodness, is the same
For ever. Faint not, but go supplicate
For Grace, to him that's easie to intreat
By all that, in true Lowliness of Mind,
Make their Addresses: Seek and ye shall find,
Is the Authentick Warrant to begin
To seek the Glorious Pearl that's lost within.
Look not abroad, but light thy Candle there;
Seek thou at home, and thou shalt find it near:
Therefore Redeem thy Time, and Meditate
How best thy Promise thou may'st yet compleat.
Verily, what thou say'st, can not avail
To justify, if thy Performance fail;
Nor is there strength in self: Therefore endeavour
To know that Hand, which helpeth to persevere
Unto the End; and if thou Faithful be,
A Crown of Life shall be bestow'd on thee.
Stoop to Concerns of such Importancy:
And let none say, I hope 'tis well with me,
Because I yet no Condemnation see,
Nor feel I Judgments: If such yet retain
A fond delight in transitory, vain,
And fading Toys, their Treasure lies below,
Which soon corrupts; such reap, ev'n as they sow;
Sad Disappointments. Sion's Converts must
Redemption know, by Judgments true and just
Alas, the Hope of Hypocrites shall fail!
In times of trial, what shall it avail?
But those that singly leave all things below,
Shall in themselves the Hope of Glory know;
50
This purifies the Heart, as he is pure,
That raiseth up the same in Men, that they
May be encouraged in the good Way,
That leads to Life, to Everlasting Peace,
In Joys Eternal, which shall never cease.
Ponder these things (my Friend!) thou hast indeed
Engag'd thy self (although thou yet proceed
But slowly to perform) with diligence,
To render humble due Obedience
To what's made known, by him that from above
Draws tenderly, by his Long-suff'ring Love:
O let it not so soon forgotten be!
Which, as desir'd, will more increase in thee
Its Sweet'ning Vertue, its Enliv'ning Power;
That unto thee will more and more discover
Iniquity, and for the same reprove
Thy Soul in secret; but will gently move
And lead thee, by his Strength-renewing Hand,
With Cheerfulness to answer his Command,
And fully Recompence thee: O be wise!
Learn thou to fear, but do not now despise
The Day of small Things; Ah, believe, that she
That Faithful in a little is, shall be
Made Ruler over much: Commit thine All
To Him, that doth in Love so often call,
Come unto me! And know, if thou abide
Faithful in fervent Zeal, when thou art try'd,
Thou'lt in thy Bosom find a sweet Increase
Of an admired overflowing Peace;
Which, rightly known, will more esteemed be,
Than all those Objects carnal Eyes can see.
But know, that mighty Works were never done
Amongst them that would not believe the Son,
51
Excluded were, because of Unbelief:
Yet unto one, not Conscious of that Guilt,
Be it unto thee even as thou wilt,
Was Graciously Proclaim'd; whereby she found
Her meek Petition fairly Heard, and Crown'd
With a desired Grant; although to try
Her Faith, at first the Answer did imply
Rather Repulse than Favour, when 'twas said,
It is not fit to take the Childrens Bread,
And give to Dogs: She answered, Truth; yet Lord,
These lick the Crums that fall beside their Board.
Here's Wrestling Faith indeed, which as express'd
In fervent Meekness, from a Panting Breast,
Admiredly prevail'd with Him; whose Name,
Whose matchless Love and Goodness, is the same
For ever. Faint not, but go supplicate
For Grace, to him that's easie to intreat
By all that, in true Lowliness of Mind,
Make their Addresses: Seek and ye shall find,
Is the Authentick Warrant to begin
To seek the Glorious Pearl that's lost within.
Look not abroad, but light thy Candle there;
Seek thou at home, and thou shalt find it near:
Therefore Redeem thy Time, and Meditate
How best thy Promise thou may'st yet compleat.
Verily, what thou say'st, can not avail
To justify, if thy Performance fail;
Nor is there strength in self: Therefore endeavour
To know that Hand, which helpeth to persevere
Unto the End; and if thou Faithful be,
A Crown of Life shall be bestow'd on thee.
1678.
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