A Sacred Poem wherein the Birth Miracles Death Resurrection and Ascension of the Most Holy Jesus are delineated With His Prayer before his Apprehension: Also Eighteen of David's Psalms with the Book of Lamentations Paraphrased. Together with Poems on several Occasions. By James Chamberlayne |
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| POEMS ON SEVERAL Occasions.
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 | A Sacred Poem wherein the Birth Miracles |  |
173
POEMS ON SEVERAL Occasions.
By the same Hand.
175
The Sinners Wish.
Ah could I, Lord, at thy blest Hands,Receive a Freedom from my Bands,
From killing Sins and worldly-Cares,
From future Torments, dismal Fears,
Were I as certain of thy Love,
As Angels that enjoy't above,
Beauty with her bewitching-Smiles,
VVhich Fetters Millions with her Wiles,
Should ne're embrace me in her Arms,
I'de stand unconquer'd at her Charms;
Those wealthy Treasures of the Shoar,
The costly Gems, the glitt'ring Oar,
These I'de contemn upon this score;
That I might Heavens Treasures know,
And when I dye may thither go,
Say, Lord, the Word and 't shall be so.
176
On Lazarus rais'd.
Lord!
The Grave obey'd, Deaths Bands did fallAsunder, at thy pow'rful Call,
And all those faithless Lookers on,
Beheld his Resurrection,
Such charming Rhet'rick's in thy Voice,
The Dead Revive, the Sad Rejoyce,
And the lov'd Laz'rus did return
From the close Prison of his Urn.
As thou was pleas'd to raise from dust
His sensless Carkass, so I trust
Thou'lt call my Soul from ev'ry Lust.
And from this earthly Prison free
It, to a glorious Liberty.
To Death.
1
Since Adam sinn'd, and by that fatal Fall,Gave thee a Sov'raign Power over all,
It is decreed, we must obey thy Call.
2
To thy dark Cell when thou command'st I'le go,Since my dear Lord, hath trod that Path, I know
No Terrors I shall meet in th'Shades below.
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3
Pale Fear adieu, go find some other BreastFor thine abode, ne're think that thou shalt rest
Within my Bosom, I'le have no such Guest.
4
And since it is decreed my Body mustReturn from whence it had it's Birth at first,
Pronounce thy Sentence, & discharge thy Trust.
5
But know thy conq'ring-Dart in time will flyInto thy cruel-Heart, then thou shalt dye,
But ne're with me enjoy Eternity.
6
Yet I declare thou art my real Friend,Since from this earthly Prison thou dost send
My Soul, unto those Joys which have no end.
The Morning Sacrifice.
1
No sooner doth the chearful LightDispel the Horrours of the Night,
But like the Lark my Soul aloft
Mounts to her God, in Notes most soft
Recounts to Him with great delight,
All her past Mercies of the Night.
2
And since thou, dearest Lord, do'st prizeA thankful Heart, since in thine Eyes
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This grateful Tribute I will pay,
And 'twere a madness since no more
Thou do'st exact, to run o'th' Score.
3
For, O my Soul, what more befitsThee to return for benefits,
Than what the Angels do always?
Chant forth his most deserved Praise,
Who ev'ry dawn doth give new Birth
To all thy solid Joys on Earth.
On Reprobation.
1
I cannot think my God thou didst createSome Men on purpose for no happier State
Than endless Torments, which shall know no date.
2
Nor dare I own a thought that Christ did dyeOnly for Some, not All intention'lly,
These Doctrines I abhor most perfectly.
3
That Man the noblest of thy Works should be,By thee design'd for endless Misery,
To shew thy Justice, and thy Sov'raignty.
4
My Soul shall never entertain a thoughtOf so much horrour, of that God who sought
Our Restauration, and redemption bought.
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5
When all along thou promises do'st make,To all Mankind who will their Sins forsake,
Thou wilt forgive, shall I thy Word not take?
6
Yes, Lord, I will; though boldly some declare,Thy known and secret Will so diff'rent are,
When thou say'st live, thou ne're intend'st to spare.
7
'Tis strange they should some few dark places wrestTo speak their Sense, when, Lord, thou dost protest
Such thoughts were never harbour'd in thy Breast.
8
How vile's that Man whose heart doth not agreeWith's Tongue, good God and just! how is't that we,
What Man's asham'd of, attribute to thee?
9
What in my heart I think, to All I'le tell,Such contradictions sure can never dwell,
With perfect Purity, their Mansion's Hell.
10
Were I to represent to th'publick-ViewA Devil, Hypocrite, or Trayt'rous Jew,
I would delineate them, as these do you.
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11
What strange presumption do these Gnosticks show,To make as if they did thy Secrets know,
Which none can tell, who doth converse below?
12
In thy most sacred Writ 'tis manifestThere's none excluded, all Men may be blest,
If they are willing, with eternal Rest.
13
For thou art good and gracious unto all,Long-suffering to us Sinners, and dost call
All to repentance, would'st have none to fall.
14
And for this purpose Christ for all did dye,He hath affirm'd this Truth who cannot lye,
To doubt of which confronts Divinity.
15
Most safe it is to rest on this belief,Most satisfactory, it eases Grief,
And yields a poor desponding Soul relief.
A Meditation on Mans Folly.
Lord, what a foolish thing is Man,
How fond is he of Toys?
How doth he spend that little Span
Of his, in empty Joys?
But for that precious Soul of his
He takes no future care,
To fit it for immortal Bliss,
Such thoughts too serious are.
Himself to ev'ry pleasure gives,
And drowns his Soul in Lust,
In all destructive Sins he lives,
Till levell'd with the Dust.
How fond is he of Toys?
How doth he spend that little Span
Of his, in empty Joys?
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He takes no future care,
To fit it for immortal Bliss,
Such thoughts too serious are.
Himself to ev'ry pleasure gives,
And drowns his Soul in Lust,
In all destructive Sins he lives,
Till levell'd with the Dust.
Give me, O Lord, that pious care
And that obsequious love,
That all my Actions may declare,
I seek that place above,
Where we from Sin exempt shall be,
From Sorrow, and from Tears,
And where no Trouble we shall see,
Nor frighted be with Fears.
And that obsequious love,
That all my Actions may declare,
I seek that place above,
Where we from Sin exempt shall be,
From Sorrow, and from Tears,
And where no Trouble we shall see,
Nor frighted be with Fears.
A Vow.
I vow, Lord give me grace, no beauteous smile,No Wedg nor Honor shall my Soul beguile
From strict obedience, no not all the art
Of the seducing Fiend shall tempt my Heart,
Though all the Glories of the World should be
Amass'd together in one Treasury,
And by him tender'd, yet I would not bow
To his damn'd Scepter, but I'de keep my Vow.
182
Deus mi.
Bless me with peace of Conscience,And in my Soul with innocence,
Love of my God, and dearest Friends,
And my Ambition hath its ends.
This, Lord's the All, I must confess,
I dare on Earth call happiness,
I limit not thy Providence
To act according to my sence:
Dispose of me as thou think'st fit,
And make my Will to thine submit.
Domine Jesu.
1
The Vertue of that Balm which did distillFrom thy pierc'd side, infuse into my Will,
That thy good pleasure here I may fulfill.
2
Make me to Thee as to the Center move,Each thought and act refine, inflame my love
To all thy ways, that I may faithful prove.
3
And since to thee, the Cross must be my guide,That joy which made thee, make me to abide
Its weight, till I in Paradise reside.
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To a young Person that was about to Vow Celibacy.
1 Tim. Chap. 5. Ver. 14.
I will therefore that the younger Women marry,
bear Children, guide the House, give none occasion
to the Adversary to speak reproachfully.
She who her Reason lays aside,
And Superstition makes her Guide,
Can never hope by that false Light,
To do an action that is right.
In all religious Duties know,
Most principally, e're we Vow,
Right Reason should be sought unto.
Those which endure her rigid Test,
Them to embrace and leave the rest.
And Superstition makes her Guide,
Can never hope by that false Light,
To do an action that is right.
In all religious Duties know,
Most principally, e're we Vow,
Right Reason should be sought unto.
Those which endure her rigid Test,
Them to embrace and leave the rest.
Then must thou love that state as best,
Which God in Paradise hath blest,
There Marr'age took its early Date,
There they began to Procreate.
A single Life He did foresee
Was inconvenient, Multiply
The great Creator did command,
And what he Wills none should withstand.
Had not his Wisdom lik'd by far
The marryed Life, though link'd to care,
As tending to a nobler end
Than Celibacy can pretend,
Thy Sex had never had its Birth,
Thy Being was to Man the Earth,
And not to live a strict Recluse
Neither to God or Man of use.
Which God in Paradise hath blest,
There Marr'age took its early Date,
There they began to Procreate.
A single Life He did foresee
Was inconvenient, Multiply
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And what he Wills none should withstand.
Had not his Wisdom lik'd by far
The marryed Life, though link'd to care,
As tending to a nobler end
Than Celibacy can pretend,
Thy Sex had never had its Birth,
Thy Being was to Man the Earth,
And not to live a strict Recluse
Neither to God or Man of use.
Is it in thee a pious part,
The great Design of Heav'n to thwart,
To vow a Virgin cloister'd Life,
Since thou art fit to be a Wife?
No, 'tis an impious act in thee,
Being young, to vow Virginity;
'Tis, though Devotion's the pretence,
'Gainst God and Nature an offence.
For, whatsoe're thou thinkest, sure
Destructive Vows God can't endure;
And none can more destructive be
Than those of Cloister'd Chastity.
Should all thy Sex be of this mind,
The Peopled Earth would quickly find
Its self bereft of either Kind.
Of Millions now, a He, or She,
In one short Age there would not be.
The great Design of Heav'n to thwart,
To vow a Virgin cloister'd Life,
Since thou art fit to be a Wife?
No, 'tis an impious act in thee,
Being young, to vow Virginity;
'Tis, though Devotion's the pretence,
'Gainst God and Nature an offence.
For, whatsoe're thou thinkest, sure
Destructive Vows God can't endure;
And none can more destructive be
Than those of Cloister'd Chastity.
Should all thy Sex be of this mind,
The Peopled Earth would quickly find
Its self bereft of either Kind.
Of Millions now, a He, or She,
In one short Age there would not be.
Then think not on so rash a Vow,
Which aims at Ruine, quickly now
Be thou a Pros'lyte to that state,
For which God did thy Sex create,
And be not tempted to do ill,
By a misguided Zeal, or Will,
To undertake what cannot be
Safely resolved on by thee.
Which aims at Ruine, quickly now
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For which God did thy Sex create,
And be not tempted to do ill,
By a misguided Zeal, or Will,
To undertake what cannot be
Safely resolved on by thee.
Perchance thou fondly think'st that they
Who married are want time to Pray,
And exercise their Piety;
This is a great mistake in thee,
They have their times of Vacancy.
'Tis true, so long they cannot be
As Sanctimon'alists on the Knee,
Because attended with more care,
And bus'ness than the Cloyster'd are;
Yet this their care their duty is,
Time so imploy'd doth lead to Bliss,
And is no bar to Happiness.
Who married are want time to Pray,
And exercise their Piety;
This is a great mistake in thee,
They have their times of Vacancy.
'Tis true, so long they cannot be
As Sanctimon'alists on the Knee,
Because attended with more care,
And bus'ness than the Cloyster'd are;
Yet this their care their duty is,
Time so imploy'd doth lead to Bliss,
And is no bar to Happiness.
Reiigion's active, hates a Drone,
Who buzzing spends each day alone
In Pray'r and Contemplation.
Both fitting duties to be done,
Great Pillars of Religion,
But she who wholly rests on these,
Though she may fancy what she please,
Spends but her days in idleness.
Who buzzing spends each day alone
In Pray'r and Contemplation.
Both fitting duties to be done,
Great Pillars of Religion,
But she who wholly rests on these,
Though she may fancy what she please,
Spends but her days in idleness.
So lives the lazy Nun, the Wife
Who truly virtuous is, a Life
Devouter leads than any she
Who vows Recluse Virginity.
No sullen humour clouds her mind,
Nor superstitious Zeal doth blind
Her Reason, so much to despise
That state, which Heaven dignifies.
Her God she honours, honours too
Her Husband, as she ought to do.
Hazards with an undaunted mind,
Her Life to propagate her kind.
Shuns not the World, nor bus'ness here,
But walks in both with so much care,
That neither proves her Conquerour.
And though Temptations do around
Beset her Soul, she keeps her ground.
Sure such a courage bears away
The Palm from her who shuns the fray,
And out of fear to be o'recome,
Within close Walls her Life doth doom.
Who truly virtuous is, a Life
Devouter leads than any she
Who vows Recluse Virginity.
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Nor superstitious Zeal doth blind
Her Reason, so much to despise
That state, which Heaven dignifies.
Her God she honours, honours too
Her Husband, as she ought to do.
Hazards with an undaunted mind,
Her Life to propagate her kind.
Shuns not the World, nor bus'ness here,
But walks in both with so much care,
That neither proves her Conquerour.
And though Temptations do around
Beset her Soul, she keeps her ground.
Sure such a courage bears away
The Palm from her who shuns the fray,
And out of fear to be o'recome,
Within close Walls her Life doth doom.
Too tedious 'twere to tell the ways,
And pious actions of her days,
She loves, industrious is, obeys,
Each morn she brings a Sacrifice
Of Pray'r and Thanks, before her Eyes
Close up at Night a holy Flame
Dissolves her Soul in Pray'r again.
Nor doth the duty of the day,
From Heaven steal her heart away;
For while her hands most busied are,
In managing her house affair,
She breaths a short, yet grateful Pray'r.
And pious actions of her days,
She loves, industrious is, obeys,
Each morn she brings a Sacrifice
Of Pray'r and Thanks, before her Eyes
Close up at Night a holy Flame
Dissolves her Soul in Pray'r again.
Nor doth the duty of the day,
From Heaven steal her heart away;
For while her hands most busied are,
In managing her house affair,
She breaths a short, yet grateful Pray'r.
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Such grapple Blessings, prove more strong
Than cloyster'd Pray'rs a whole day long,
They mount, and with a quicker Wing
To all her Wants fresh Succours bring
Than a more tedious Offering.
And for the good of all Mankind,
As full and quick returns do find.
Than cloyster'd Pray'rs a whole day long,
They mount, and with a quicker Wing
To all her Wants fresh Succours bring
Than a more tedious Offering.
And for the good of all Mankind,
As full and quick returns do find.
Thus lives the virtuous Wife, and so
Thou, being young, shouldst marry too,
And live, as she's describ'd to do.
For, 'tis not good to live alone,
Two being better much than one
In Health, or sad Affliction.
Thou, being young, shouldst marry too,
And live, as she's describ'd to do.
For, 'tis not good to live alone,
Two being better much than one
In Health, or sad Affliction.
In the chaste, blessed Nuptial Twine,
Woman gives much a brighter shine,
More good Examples in that State
Shows, than the fruitless Celibate.
To God more grateful presents gives,
Holy'r, and full as chastly lives
(If not much more) than any She
Immur'd within a Nunnery.
I'le say no more—but chuse that Life,
Which God approves off, be a Wife.
Woman gives much a brighter shine,
More good Examples in that State
Shows, than the fruitless Celibate.
To God more grateful presents gives,
Holy'r, and full as chastly lives
(If not much more) than any She
Immur'd within a Nunnery.
I'le say no more—but chuse that Life,
Which God approves off, be a Wife.
Justice.
Justice should all our Actions steer,It our embodied-Souls will rear
Above the reach of anxious Fear.
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'Twill crown our Souls with perfect Joys,
'Twill free our Bodies from the Grave,
That they a Resurrection have,
And safely seat us in that Bliss
Which fades not, but eternal is.
The Prodigal Son.
1
While lib'ral Fortune did dispenseHer Favours, in great affluence,
And his beloved God, his Chest,
Deny'd his Ryots no request,
He like a frantick-Beast did run
The Stages of Destruction.
2
But when a total emptinessDid his consumptive Bags possess,
His Belly pinch'd, his Treasure gone,
He then consider'd what he had done,
And to his Father goes in haste,
Implores forgiveness for what's past.
3
Thus want a reformation wrought,And the luxurious Youth was taught,
To chuse the good, with care to shun
Those Follies he so doted on.
O happy change! which made him know
The danger which he ran into.
189
Thou didst hide thy Face and I was troubled.
When from my sinful Soul that glorious Sun,
Thy blessed Spirit, Lord, was forc'd to run,
Soon did the actions of my Life betray
The want of that pure Light, then did I stray
In those dark Regions, where no heav'nly Ray
Affords one lightsom glance to guide my way.
Immortal God! in what a dismal case
Was my poor Soul, when thou withdrew'st thy grace?
Thy blessed Spirit, Lord, was forc'd to run,
Soon did the actions of my Life betray
The want of that pure Light, then did I stray
In those dark Regions, where no heav'nly Ray
Affords one lightsom glance to guide my way.
Immortal God! in what a dismal case
Was my poor Soul, when thou withdrew'st thy grace?
As in a Garden the enamell'd Flow'rs,
When the Sun's mask'd with sullen Clouds or Show'rs,
Close up their Leaves, and sad and pensive look
To miss that warmth which from his Beams they took,
Till he again doth dart a liv'ning Ray,
Their Beauty fades, and sweetness doth decay;
When the Sun's mask'd with sullen Clouds or Show'rs,
Close up their Leaves, and sad and pensive look
To miss that warmth which from his Beams they took,
Till he again doth dart a liv'ning Ray,
Their Beauty fades, and sweetness doth decay;
So when thy Beams of Mercy thou didst quite
Vail from my Soul, what an Egyptian-Night
Did cover it, how did its Beauty fade
And Glory wither in that dismal Shade?
But when again that Sun-shine did appear,
Which doth inspirit all our actions here,
My Soul forthwith reviv'd, and vows to sing
Perpet'al Hallelujahs to my King.
Vail from my Soul, what an Egyptian-Night
Did cover it, how did its Beauty fade
And Glory wither in that dismal Shade?
But when again that Sun-shine did appear,
Which doth inspirit all our actions here,
My Soul forthwith reviv'd, and vows to sing
Perpet'al Hallelujahs to my King.
190
On Mary Magdelene weeping.
The Scene is chang'd, that lovely GraceWhich sate triumphing in her Face,
Which whosoe're beheld, streight found
The Darts of Love his Soul to wound,
Grief hath o're-cast; those wanton Eyes,
Whose Glances challeng'd Victories,
Shed penitent Show'rs, and that Hair,
Each Curl of which did prove a Snare
To fetter Youth, dishevel'd lyes,
And serves for Towels to those Eyes,
Which over-flow with happy Tears,
Whose drops gain'd Heav'n, and calm'd her Fears.
On the ten Lepers made clean.
The ten were heal'd, and all but oneUnthankful prov'd, for what was done,
You may as well confine the Wind
To constancy, as think to bind
With kindness an ungrateful Mind;
Yet when afflictions prest them sore,
How ready were they to implore
Their Saviour's help, his Cross once o're
They never thought upon him more.
191
Destructive Rocks to Shipwrack Love!
Riches and Beauty are deceitful, but a faithful Friend is the Medicine of Life.
1
That glittering Idol most adore,Within her Temple others may
Pay their Devotions, I ne're more
Will Idolize what will destroy;
What though she wealthy Treasures plead,
Gold-Chains will unto Torments lead.
2
Beauty shall ne're my Soul debase,Under that form there oft do ly
A rotten Soul, though lovely Face,
Full of mis-shap'd deformity,
Scarce one of thousands can we find
Who lovely is, in Shape, and Mind.
3
'Tis not a Fabrick rear'd on high,Nor Riches that can ease the Mind,
'Tis not a lovely Face, nor Eye,
Wherein we can contentment find,
'Tis none of all these things, that can
Yield solid comforts to a Man.
192
4
It is a faithful-hearted-Friend,Whose kindness to me knows no date,
Though Poverty should be my end,
Scorns to convert his Love to hate,
Who when I sin will always be
A Faithful Monitor to me.
5
Unto whose breast I dare commitA secret, safe as in my own,
Who ne're will in angry fit
Betray his Trust to any One,
Nor from my Interest will be
Withdrawn by Frowns or Flattery.
6
If such a Friend I chance to find,I'le Center all my Joys in this—
I have a Jewel to my mind,
There's not on Earth a greater Bliss,
Ambition may eck on desire,
Mine here shall rest, and soar no high'r.
The Sensualist.
All that below this heav'nly Orb doth move,
For Man was made, and so ordain'd above.
What reason is there that he should deny
Himself the Pleasure, to content his Eye?
Woman that lovely Creature here was plac'd,
For his delight to gaze on, and to taste
That fragrant Balm which on her Lips doth grow,
For him to wanton in her Vale below.
All those rich Treasures both of Sea and Land,
Were they not made to bow to his Command?
And whatsoever his vast mind doth crave,
Was he not freely his desires to have?
Then where's the Sin, or how doth he amiss,
If he doth use them as his pleasure is?
Sure Man, by God, above the Brutes was grac'd
With Reason, and for nobler ends here plac'd,
As Soveraign over all, than to allow
His Reason should to's Will and Passions bow:
This never could be the Creator's thought,
When out of Clay this curious piece he wrought;
And none but Folly will pretend to own,
This he design'd in his Creation.
For Man was made, and so ordain'd above.
What reason is there that he should deny
Himself the Pleasure, to content his Eye?
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For his delight to gaze on, and to taste
That fragrant Balm which on her Lips doth grow,
For him to wanton in her Vale below.
All those rich Treasures both of Sea and Land,
Were they not made to bow to his Command?
And whatsoever his vast mind doth crave,
Was he not freely his desires to have?
Then where's the Sin, or how doth he amiss,
If he doth use them as his pleasure is?
Sure Man, by God, above the Brutes was grac'd
With Reason, and for nobler ends here plac'd,
As Soveraign over all, than to allow
His Reason should to's Will and Passions bow:
This never could be the Creator's thought,
When out of Clay this curious piece he wrought;
And none but Folly will pretend to own,
This he design'd in his Creation.
'Tis true, that Woman by the lib'ral hand
Of Heav'n was fram'd to be at Mans command,
So as to make a loyal, loving Wife,
And prove a Comfort in his tedious Life,
But not to gaze on with a lustful Eye,
Much less unmarryed in her Arms to lye.
Of Heav'n was fram'd to be at Mans command,
So as to make a loyal, loving Wife,
And prove a Comfort in his tedious Life,
But not to gaze on with a lustful Eye,
Much less unmarryed in her Arms to lye.
And though the Treasures of the wealthy Shoar,
And Sea are subject to Man's lordly Pow'r,
Yet can't he without yielding up his sense,
And proving guilty of an high offence,
Claim (as a Soveraign) with a wanton Hand,
At will to rifle both the Sea and Land,
And make them bow unto his boundless Lust,
Then own the action not to be unjust.
He had not his Dominion to abuse
The things created for his needful use,
But was to have a most regardful Eye,
Not to enslave them to his Luxury.
And Sea are subject to Man's lordly Pow'r,
Yet can't he without yielding up his sense,
And proving guilty of an high offence,
194
At will to rifle both the Sea and Land,
And make them bow unto his boundless Lust,
Then own the action not to be unjust.
He had not his Dominion to abuse
The things created for his needful use,
But was to have a most regardful Eye,
Not to enslave them to his Luxury.
If so there's no Man but a Fool will say,
He, as his pleasure is, may them enjoy.
He, as his pleasure is, may them enjoy.
A Prayer.
1
Great God! whose providential CareIs over all, bow down thine Ear
Unto my Pray'r, permit not Thou
The Devil, my invet'rate Foe,
To work my final overthrow.
2
So closely on our Souls he waits,With his bewitching-tempting-Baits,
That straight our Sensual parts we please,
Embrace a short and transient ease,
And hazard all than Flesh displease.
3
With-hold not then thy saving-GraceFrom me, my God, one Minutes space,
195
With my immortal Soul, a Prey
Becomes to him the damn'd obey.
4
O let thy Love procure for meAn easier Fate, than Misery,
'Tis just in thee, my God, I know,
Since unto Satan's Lure I bow,
Not to exalt, but cast me low.
5
Low as that Pit of Horrours, whereThe Damned Howl, and tortur'd are,
Where 'midst those Flames which them torment,
Which ever Blaze, but ne're are spent,
They day and night their Curses vent.
6
Although my Sins these Flames deserve,Yet from their lasting Heats preserve
My trembling Soul, this I implore;
Except the same thing o're and o're,
I know not what to ask Thee more.
God's Goodness and Man's Folly.
When trembling Dust with awful fear
Unto thy Throne of Grace draws near,
And in an humble posture brings
To Thee his Catalogue of Sins;
No sooner he imparts his Grief,
But thou afford'st thy quick Relief,
And with forgiveness ready art
To ease the Sorrows of his Heart.
Unto thy Throne of Grace draws near,
And in an humble posture brings
To Thee his Catalogue of Sins;
196
But thou afford'st thy quick Relief,
And with forgiveness ready art
To ease the Sorrows of his Heart.
Yet rather than we will forgo
Some short-liv'd-Pleasures, endless Wo
We fondly Court, and slight that Love
Which will at length our Ruine prove.
Whereas would we obey thy Will,
Not suffering ours to have their fill;
If we thy Laws would not refuse,
Nor Favours willingly abuse,
We should enjoy that happiness,
The glorious Saints in Heav'n possess.
Some short-liv'd-Pleasures, endless Wo
We fondly Court, and slight that Love
Which will at length our Ruine prove.
Whereas would we obey thy Will,
Not suffering ours to have their fill;
If we thy Laws would not refuse,
Nor Favours willingly abuse,
We should enjoy that happiness,
The glorious Saints in Heav'n possess.
An Admonition.
1
Soul let thy Contemplation beOn Heaven and Eternity,
To fix thy thoughts on this base Earth,
Becomes not Thee of heav'nly Birth.
2
Since all these worldly-Glories quite,Will (like thy empty Dreams i'th' Night)
Vanish e're thy bright Morn doth break,
Why should'st thou pleasure in them take.
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3
When the last dreadful Trump shall all(With its shril Voice) to Judgment call,
Those who their God this World did make,
Must not of heav'nly Joys partake.
4
The Crown of Glory only shall,As a Reward to Virtue fall,
It never shall the Temples bind
Of those, who earthly things did mind.
The Penitent.
1
I who that precious time which thou hast lent,Have, dearest God! in sinful courses spent;
I, who have chose to feed on Husks with Swine,
Rather than live under thy Rules Divine;
I, thy ungracious Son, unto thee, home
With bleeding heart & weeping Eyes do come,
Asham'd that I so miserably have
Mispent those Favours, which thy bounty gave.
2
And yet what reason have I to presume,That e're thy Lips will pass a gentle Doom
On my rebellious Life, since it hath been
wholly devoted to the ways of Sin?
No, I in Justice cannot think thou'lt own,
Such an ungrateful Wretch to be thy Son,
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The wholsome counsels of a Parent dear.
3
But, O my Father! by that pow'rful word,Look on thy humbled Creature, and afford
Some glimps of Comfort to my troubled mind;
And as thou stil'st thy self to be a kind
And gracious Father, be thou so to me,
Forgiving him who truly turns to Thee.
Look not upon me with a rig'rous Eye
Of Justice, but of Mercy, lest I dye.
A Prayer before the Sacrament.
Thou, God, who always tak'st delight to be
Conferring good on those who trust in Thee;
Who from thy Bosome (by eternal Doom)
Did'st send thy Son (from whence all Joys do come)
To take our nature on him, and to dy
Th'accursed death for our Impiety,
Let me adore Thee for this mighty Love;
For this, my Soul, do thou obedient prove.
And grant, dear Lord, that I, who humbly now
Approach thine Altar, to remember how,
And what Christ suffer'd, may of Thee obtain
Those dear-bought Mercies, which his Death did gain.
Conferring good on those who trust in Thee;
Who from thy Bosome (by eternal Doom)
Did'st send thy Son (from whence all Joys do come)
To take our nature on him, and to dy
Th'accursed death for our Impiety,
Let me adore Thee for this mighty Love;
For this, my Soul, do thou obedient prove.
And grant, dear Lord, that I, who humbly now
Approach thine Altar, to remember how,
And what Christ suffer'd, may of Thee obtain
Those dear-bought Mercies, which his Death did gain.
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I must confess, when I consider, Lord,
How I have sinn'd against thy sacred Word,
How oft I have refus'd to come and eat,
When I was summon'd to this heav'nly Treat,
I have not left within my troubled Breast,
A glimm'ring hope to be a welcome Guest.
How I have sinn'd against thy sacred Word,
How oft I have refus'd to come and eat,
When I was summon'd to this heav'nly Treat,
I have not left within my troubled Breast,
A glimm'ring hope to be a welcome Guest.
Yet should I still absent, should I forbear
T'approach thy Table, where such offers are,
How can I ever hope, dear Christ, to be
Partaker of thy Love and Victory?
No I must never think thou'lt own me, when
Thou sits in Judgment on the Sons of Men.
T'approach thy Table, where such offers are,
How can I ever hope, dear Christ, to be
Partaker of thy Love and Victory?
No I must never think thou'lt own me, when
Thou sits in Judgment on the Sons of Men.
Therefore to thee, my God, I come, and bring
My Soul and Body, for an Offering.
Vouchsafe that at thy Hands they may a kind
And gracious entertainment this day find:
And be enabled by thy Grace to move
In the delightful Steps of holy Love.
Let not my Sins of Youth, or riper Years,
Engage thee to forsake me, to my Tears
Have some regard, and let me now partake
Of thy Sons Mercies, for his merits sake.
My Soul and Body, for an Offering.
Vouchsafe that at thy Hands they may a kind
And gracious entertainment this day find:
And be enabled by thy Grace to move
In the delightful Steps of holy Love.
Let not my Sins of Youth, or riper Years,
Engage thee to forsake me, to my Tears
Have some regard, and let me now partake
Of thy Sons Mercies, for his merits sake.
Amen, and Amen.
A Farewell to the World.
Thou glorious Nothing, now adieu,
I'le be no more a Slave to you:
Hence forward all my time will I
To a more serious Court apply.
Heaven and all its Joys above
Shall be the Object of my Love,
And study of my Life each day,
Till I my borrow'd Earth repay.
I'le be no more a Slave to you:
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To a more serious Court apply.
Heaven and all its Joys above
Shall be the Object of my Love,
And study of my Life each day,
Till I my borrow'd Earth repay.
And thou immortal God, who art
The rightful Sov'raign of my Heart,
Dispose my Thoughts and Actions now,
Strictly to keep this sacred Vow.
Thou know'st what mighty Foes they are,
I must engage with in this War:
The World, on one hand, will be sure
To bring its Glories to allure;
And its Temptations will combine
To shake this firm Resolve of mine.
My Flesh will all its vigour show,
To make me to its Dictates bow.
And the industr'ous-wily-Fiend,
Against me all his Pow'rs will bend.
Forces too great to be withstood,
By a Compound of Flesh and Blood.
Needs must I Faint, and be subdu'd,
Unless with heav'nly force indu'd.
Yet I am fully bent to try
Their Strength, and Fight them till I dye,
And do not doubt but at my Death,
To have the never-fading-Wreath.
The rightful Sov'raign of my Heart,
Dispose my Thoughts and Actions now,
Strictly to keep this sacred Vow.
Thou know'st what mighty Foes they are,
I must engage with in this War:
The World, on one hand, will be sure
To bring its Glories to allure;
And its Temptations will combine
To shake this firm Resolve of mine.
My Flesh will all its vigour show,
To make me to its Dictates bow.
And the industr'ous-wily-Fiend,
Against me all his Pow'rs will bend.
Forces too great to be withstood,
By a Compound of Flesh and Blood.
Needs must I Faint, and be subdu'd,
Unless with heav'nly force indu'd.
Yet I am fully bent to try
Their Strength, and Fight them till I dye,
And do not doubt but at my Death,
To have the never-fading-Wreath.
SOLI DEO GLORIA.
| A Sacred Poem wherein the Birth Miracles | |