Theophila :: :: University of Virginia Library

When Heav'ns Love! Paramount, Himself reveals,
And to the suppliant Soul, her Pardon seals,
At feard-Hopes doubtful Gate, wch trembling fell,

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(Who Heav'n-ward sails, coasts by the Cape of Hell)
That Her He deigns to take, She joyes in Woes,
To have in Labour pass'd the Parturition Throes.

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All Travell-pangs, all New-birth Heart-deep Groans,
All After-births of Penitential Mones,
Are swallow'd up in living Streams of Bliss;

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When as the Heav'n-born Heir, the New-man is,
By th' quickning Spirit of the High'st reborn:
Time past hath pas'd her Night, present presents her Morn.

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See Joy in Light, See Light in Joy; O, see,
Poor worthless Maid, Fruit brought thee from Lifes-Tree,
By th' Spouse & Spirit, Saints sole Supporters! Rise

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Then, Hells Apostate, and be Heav'nly wise:
Thou art (Lets interpledge our Souls) my One,
My All, though not by Unitie, by Union!

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Ineffably mysterious Knot begun;
Saints mount, as Dew allur'd by beckning Sun:
Loves faithful Friends, what parallels your Guard,

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Where Truth is Sentinel, and Grace the Ward?
The Way is Flow'r-strown, where the Guide is Love:
His Spirit with you below, your Spirit with Him Above.

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Reciprocal Excesse of Joy! Then, soar
My Soul to Him, Who Man became; Nay more,
Took Sin it self, to cleanse thy fully'd Clay,

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But took it, only to take it away.
O, Self Donation! peerlesse Guift, unknown!
Now since that He is Thine, be never Thou thine own!

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O, Prodigie of Great and Good! Faith, sound
This Loves Abysse, that do's so strangly bound
Almightines It Self! From Whose Veins, see,

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Unsluc't, Loves purple Ocean, when His Free
Red-streaming Life did vanquish Death & Hell!
That thou might'st live, He dy'd! That thou might rise, He fell!

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God so lov'd Man, that Naturalists may deem
God to set Man before Himself did seem!
When Man, with seeing blinde, 'gainst God arose,

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And slew his only Friend, God sav'd his Foes!
Sol mour'nd in blacks! Heav'ns Vice-roy, Nature, swounded!
Excess Loves Reason was, Immensitie Love bounded!

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Ye Twins of Light, as Sun-flow'rs be enclin'd
To th' Sun of Righteousnes; Let Taste, refin'd,
Like nothing as Loves Heav'nly Manna; and

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Let all but Christ feel rough, as Esaus Hand;
Let nought like's Garment smell; Let Ears rejoyce,
But in expresles Dictates of Loves whisp'ring Voice!

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He's thy bright Sun; 'twixt Whom, and thy Souls Bliss,
Thy earthie Body interposed is;
Whereby such dread Eclipses caused are,

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As fam'd Astronomers can ne're declare:
Yet oft He shines; Then, vanish servile Fears;
Then, Heav'n-ward filial Hopes dry up thy trickling Tears.

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Spiritual Light Spirituals clears: In Heav'n
Thou'lt view that full, what now by Glimps, like Steph'n
Thou canst but spy; There, shalt thou Face to Face,

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His Light, His Joy, His Love, His Pow'r, His Grace,
And His All-Filling Glory clearly see
In optick Emanations from Eternitie!

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I'th' Ring of boundless Luster, from whose Ray
This petty World gleaneth its peep of Day:
Thou shalt be Crown'd with Wreaths of endless Light:

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Here, oft's an Enterview in Heat, and Might,
By Inter-lucidations from Above,
Twining Embraces with's ensphearing Arm of Love!

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Most blessed Souls, to whom He do's appear,
Folded within your Arms chast Hemisphear!
O,Condescent! How's Lips shed Love! Life, Merit!

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He makes his Angels Court of Guard! By's Spirit
He crowns you with his Grace! So, with his Blood,
When He Redeem'd you, and consign'd His Flesh for Food!

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Meat came from th' Eater, from the Strong did Dew
Sweetnesse; when as, incomparably true,
Omnipotencies Self did largely shed

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His mystick Oil of Joy upon thy Head:
Then, trample Sin in Babylons golden Cup;
Treasures away She trifles, Trifles treasures up.

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Oyl of this Lamp, obsequious Soul, lights Thee
To thine approaching Heav'n in Sanctitie
Be actuated then; Being up assum'd

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By this bright Sun, with this rich Oyl perfum'd,
Th' art prepossest with Heav'nly Comforts, which,
With their Soul-chearing Sweets, both ravish and enrich.

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Poor, panting Heart, Loves Seat, yearn for Joys Pith!
To have (thy highest Bliss!) Communion with
The Father & the Son, one Spirit with Christ!

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And One in Them, as They are One! Thou fly'st
Through Grace to Glory! Vision shall sublime
Thy Faith, Fruition Hope, Eternity thy Time!