University of Virginia Library

Doubts from the Want of Grace Answerd.

SOUL
Such as are Gracious grow in Grace therefore
Such as have Grace, are Gracious evermore.
Who sin Commit are sinfull: and thereby
They grow Ungodly. So I feare do I.

SAINT
Such as are Gracious, Graces have therefore
They evermore desire to have more.
But such as never knew this dainty fare
Do never wish them 'cause they dainties are.

SOUL
Alas! alas! this still doth me benight.
I've no desire, or no Desire aright.
And this is Clear: my Hopes do witherd ly,
Before their buds breake out, their blossoms dy.

SAINT
When fruits do thrive, the blossom falls off quite.
No need of blossoms when the seed is ripe.
The Apple plainly prooves the blossoms were.
Thy withred Hopes hold out Desires as Cleare.

SOUL
Alas! my Hopes seem but like blasted fruit.
Dead on the Stoole before it leaves its root.
For if it lively were a growth it hath,
And would be grown e're this to Saving Faith.

SAINT
[OMITTED] I'le make most plain
[OMITTED]
Which lively is, layes hold on Christ too, though
Thou deemst it doth like blasted blossoms show.

SOUL
If it was so, then Certainly I should,
With Faith Repentance have. But, oh! behold,
This Grace leaves not in mee a single print.
Mine Eyes are Adamant, my Heart is Flint.

SAINT
Repentance is not argued so from Tears.
As from the Change that in the Soul appears.
And Faith Ruld by the Word. Hence ever spare
To mete Repentance out by Satans square.

SOUL
I fear Repentance is not Genuine.
Its Feare that makes me from my sins decline.
And if it was, I should delight much more,
To bathe in all Gods Ordinances pure.

SAINT
And dost thou not? Poore Soule, thou dost I know.
Why else dost thou Relent, and sorrow so?
But Satan doth molest thee much to fling
Thee from thy Dutie into e'ry Sin.

SOUL
If these were my Delight, I should Embrace
The royall Retinue of Saving Grace,
Peace, Patience Pray're, Meekness, Humility,
Love, Temp'rance, Feare, Syncerety, and Joy.

SAINT
You do: though not alike at all times sure,
And you do much desire to have more.
I wonder that you judge them worth the having,
Or Crave them, if they are not got by Craving.

SOUL
My measure is so small, I doubt, alas!
Its next to none, and will for nothing pass.
But if I had but this or that Degree,
Of all these Graces, then thrice Happy mee!

SAINT
You have not what you Would, and therefore will
Not own you have at all. What Sullen still?
If God should fill you, and not work your bane,
You would not be Content, but would Complain.

SOUL
What must my vessell voide of Grace be thrust
By you in Glory thus among the Just
As Gracious though the Dose of Grace I finde
Is scarce a Grain? Can this Content your minde?

SAINT

SOUL
Had I but any Sparke of Grace, I might
Have much more than I have with much delight.
How can I trust to you? You do not know
Whether I have a Grain of Grace, or no.

SAINT
You think you might have more: you shall have so,
But if you'd all at once, you could not grow.
And if you could not grow, you'd grieving fall.
All would not then Content you, had you all.
Should Graces Floodgate thus at once breake down
You most would lose, or else it would you drown.
He'l fill you but by drops that so he may
Not drown you in't, nor Cast a Drop away.