The Pilgrimes New-yeares-Gift or, Fourteene Steps to the Throne of Glory. By the 7. Corporeall and 7. Spirituall Acts of Charitie, and those made Parallels. By Ralph Crane |
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Canto 2.
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 | The Pilgrimes New-yeares-Gift |  |
35
Canto 2.
T'instruct the Ignorant,
what grace it brings the soule
MERCIE relates; and leaue doth grant
the Pilgrime to enroule.
To
giue the Thirstie Drinke the second Act
what grace it brings the soule
MERCIE relates; and leaue doth grant
the Pilgrime to enroule.
Of Mercie corporeall is this Mercies Tract:
For what is Ignorance, but the fearefull Thurst
And drought of knowledg: In Gods wrath oft curst,
Swearing, the Erring, and Idolatrous Brest
Should neuer enter into his faire Rest.
In warrs of Ignorance, they are said to liue,
And fire & thirst are the fair'st fruites warrs giue
I giue you Milke to Drink (saith Paul) not Meat
Which shewes the faintnes of an Ignorant heat:
God calls the Glory of the Ignorant, Drought:
And like Men famish'd, their Lifes Ioyes goe-out
Instruction (like a Riuer) then let in
Waters the Soule, that lay eu'n parch'd with Sin:
And marke their glorious Reward that do't
They that to right waies turne the Wanderers foot
Themselues (like fixed Starres who erring neuer)
Shall in th' Eternall Kingdome shine for euer.
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Goe teach all Nations (willing all to saue)
And (what makes perfect his Cōmand) Baptize,
That in their Soules a heau'nly Spring might rise;
Then to Instruct the Ignorant, is to giue
Spirituall Drinke, by which the Soule may Liue:
when Food & Drink's giuen: diuine Charitie saith
Counsell the doubtfull: Cloath the bare in faith
| The Pilgrimes New-yeares-Gift | |