Let your light so shine, that men seeing your good workes may glorifie your Father which is in Heaven.
MATTHEW 5. 16.
1
Was it for this, the breath of Heav'n was blowne
Into the nostrils of this Heav'nly Creature?
Was it for this, that sacred Three in One
Conspir'd to make this Quintessence of Nature?
Did heav'nly Providence intend
So rare a Fabrick for so poore and end?
2
Was Man, the highest Master-peece of Nature,
The curious Abstract of the whole Creation,
Whose soule was copied from his great Creator,
Made to give Light, and set for Observation,
Ordain'd for this? To spend his Light
In a darke-Lanthorne? Cloystred up in night?
3
Tell me, recluse Monastick, can it be
A disadvantage to thy beames to shine?
A thousand Tapours may gaine light from Thee:
Is thy Light less, or worse for lighting mine?
If, wanting Light, I stumble, shall
Thy darkness not be guilty of my fall?
4
Why dost thou lurk so close? Is it for feare
Some busie eye should pry into thy flame,
And spie a Thiefe, or else some blemish there?
Or being spy'd, shrink'st thou thy head for shame?
Come, come, fond Tapour shine but cleare,
Thou needst not shrink for shame, nor shroud for feare.
5
Remember, O remember, thou wert set,
For men to see the Great Creator by;
Thy flame is not thy owne: It is a Det
Thou ow'st thy Maker; And wilt thou deny
To pay the Int'rest of thy Light?
And skulk in Corners; and play least in sight?
6
Art thou affraid to trust thy easie flame
To the injurious wast of Fortunes puffe?
Ah, Coward, rouze; and quit thy selfe, for shame;
Who dies in service, hath liv'd long enough:
Who shines, and makes no eye partaker,
Usurps himselfe, and closely robbs his Maker
7
Take not thy selfe a Pris'ner, that art free:
Why dost thou turne thy Palace to a Jaile?
Thou art an Eagle; And befits it thee
To live immured, like a cloysterd Snaile?
Let Toies seeke Corners: Things of cost
Gaine worth by view: Hid Jewels are but lost.
8
My God, my light is dark enough at lightest,
Encrease her flame, and give her strength to shine:
Tis fraile at best: Tis dimme enough at brightest,
But 'tis her glory to be foyld by Thine.
Let others lurke; My light shall be
Propos'd to all men; and by them, to Thee.
St. BERN.
If thou be one of the foolish Virgins, the Congregation is necessary for
thee; If thou be one of the wise Virgins, thou art necessary for the
Congregation.
HUGO.
Monasticks make Cloysters to inclose the outward man, O would to God they
would doe the like to restraine the inward Man.
