University of Virginia Library

On a Cross with a Crown upon it, in Burton, betwixt Lancashire and Kendale; Sept. 18. ---80.

This day in Riding through a Town,
Upon the Cross I saw a Crown;
Which straightway brought unto my mind
What we in Holy Writ do find;
That Christ did first his Cross sustain,
Before he was advanc'd to reign;
And this is every Christians case,
Who wins the prize, must run the race.
Our selves we first must well behave,
E're modestly Rewards we crave;
Bearing the burthen of the day,
E're we receive the evening-pay;
And Conquer in our Christian fight,
Before we have to Triumph right:
And many sorrows undergo
Before the Joys of Heav'n we know.
Lord, to thy Orders I submit,
Confessing they are just and fit:
Reason doth teach us, and thy Word,
The Servant's not above his Lord;
By Patience and Obedience, he
To Glory went, and so must we:
But since thy Grace alone doth send
Help in the way, bliss in the end,
Such measures of this Grace impart,
As may both give strength and desert;
Lord furnish me with pow'r and skill,
To do and suffer all thy Will;
Make me but willing to obey,
And what commands thou pleasest lay.
Make me but able to abide,
And how thou wilt let me be tri'd.
Lord help me so thy yoke to wear,
Help me my burdens so to bear,
That when they shall be both laid down,
I may receive a glorious Crown.