THESAURO-PHULAKION[Greek]: or, A treasury of divine raptures Consisting of Serious Observations, Pious Ejaculations, Select Epigrams. Alphabetically rank'd and fil'd by a Private Chaplain to the Illustrious and Renowned Lady Urania The Divine and Heavenly Muse. The first part [by Nicholas Billingsley] |
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 | THESAURO-PHULAKION[Greek]: or, A treasury of divine raptures |  |
268. On Conditions.
If we were our own carvers, we should cut
The worst piece oftentimes: Lot being put
To'his choice, Sodom was his choice desire
Which was within a while consum'd with fire:
The wise God sees the same condition
Not fit for all, that which is good for one
May be for others bad; one sort of weather
Serves not all mens occasions altogether:
This, needs Sun-shine; he, rain; by Gods wise power
W'are plac'd in diff'rent Spheres, higher or lower;
Prosperity is not so fit for all,
Nor yet adversity, Honey nor Gall.
The worst piece oftentimes: Lot being put
To'his choice, Sodom was his choice desire
Which was within a while consum'd with fire:
The wise God sees the same condition
Not fit for all, that which is good for one
May be for others bad; one sort of weather
Serves not all mens occasions altogether:
This, needs Sun-shine; he, rain; by Gods wise power
W'are plac'd in diff'rent Spheres, higher or lower;
Prosperity is not so fit for all,
Nor yet adversity, Honey nor Gall.
Liberty is desired by the Saint,
God will work his liberty by restraint;
Many, through high-flown pride, are not content
With what is given, or rather to them lent
By the great God; but very few alas,
Have learn'd Pauls lesson! he contented was
In all estates, men are to that pass grown,
They like any condition, but their own:
One man commends this kind of life; a second
Commendeth that, a country life is reckon'd
By him the best; and he a City-life
Highly applauds, this likes anothers wife
Far better then his own, if men be poor,
They learn to envy others that have store;
If men are rich, their hand must then be greas'd,
Much covets more, nor poor, nor rich are pleas'd
Contentment as an Hony-comb, drops down
Sweetness into ev'ry condition:
There's no condition comes amiss to him
That is content, let riches sink or swim,
In the same posture he is always found,
Knows as well how to want, as how t'abound:
His Cross he doth not go to pick and choose,
But always loves, to be at Gods dispose.
God will work his liberty by restraint;
Many, through high-flown pride, are not content
With what is given, or rather to them lent
By the great God; but very few alas,
Have learn'd Pauls lesson! he contented was
In all estates, men are to that pass grown,
They like any condition, but their own:
One man commends this kind of life; a second
Commendeth that, a country life is reckon'd
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Highly applauds, this likes anothers wife
Far better then his own, if men be poor,
They learn to envy others that have store;
If men are rich, their hand must then be greas'd,
Much covets more, nor poor, nor rich are pleas'd
Contentment as an Hony-comb, drops down
Sweetness into ev'ry condition:
There's no condition comes amiss to him
That is content, let riches sink or swim,
In the same posture he is always found,
Knows as well how to want, as how t'abound:
His Cross he doth not go to pick and choose,
But always loves, to be at Gods dispose.
Who hath a silver Crutch to lean upon
Is pleas'd, but troubled when his Crutch is gon.
God Checker-works his Providences white
And black; the cloudy Pillar had its light,
And dark-side too; mercies and miseries
Are interwoven by a God most wise.
Is pleas'd, but troubled when his Crutch is gon.
God Checker-works his Providences white
And black; the cloudy Pillar had its light,
And dark-side too; mercies and miseries
Are interwoven by a God most wise.
Think what thou hast deserved at Gods hand,
And discontent will easily disband:
Thou hast deserv'd less mercies then are carv'd
To thee, and more afflictions hast deserv'd:
Some are in a for worse condition, who
Perhaps deserv'd, far better then you do?
Nay Christ himself, the Son and Heir of bliss,
Was pleas'd to come in Forma pauperis:
Nothing thou hast, but what thou soon maist lose,
O be content to be at God's dispose.
And discontent will easily disband:
Thou hast deserv'd less mercies then are carv'd
To thee, and more afflictions hast deserv'd:
Some are in a for worse condition, who
Perhaps deserv'd, far better then you do?
Nay Christ himself, the Son and Heir of bliss,
Was pleas'd to come in Forma pauperis:
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O be content to be at God's dispose.
| THESAURO-PHULAKION[Greek]: or, A treasury of divine raptures | |