 | Poems on several subjects |  |
218
The contented Christian, or the Christian's Content.
A MEDITATION.
Thrice blessed is the happy man
That's with his state content,
Who trusts in God, he never can
In any case lament.
That's with his state content,
Who trusts in God, he never can
In any case lament.
True godliness is greatest gain;
Contentment fills his mind;
The promises are all his ain,
And God to him is kind.
Contentment fills his mind;
The promises are all his ain,
And God to him is kind.
Afflictions, crosses, losses, all
Are welcome to him still;
Whatever lot can him befal,
He yields to God's good will.
Are welcome to him still;
Whatever lot can him befal,
He yields to God's good will.
If persecution should arise,
He bears the smarting rod;
With joy he then lifts up his eyes,
And firmly trusts in God.
He bears the smarting rod;
With joy he then lifts up his eyes,
And firmly trusts in God.
If in reproach, contempt or scorn,
He mildly bears it all;
He minds how Christ's good name was torn,
Revil'd by great and small.
He mildly bears it all;
He minds how Christ's good name was torn,
Revil'd by great and small.
If adverse poverty and want
Should pinch him, he is more,
With that same lot of his, content,
Than if he had great store.
Should pinch him, he is more,
With that same lot of his, content,
Than if he had great store.
Altho' the fig-tree may not bloom,
Nor fruit be in the vine,
Yet in his heart should not be room
To fret or to repine.
Nor fruit be in the vine,
Yet in his heart should not be room
To fret or to repine.
The labour of the olive may
Cease, and so perish all;
And from the fold the flocks decay,
Nor herds be in the stall!
Cease, and so perish all;
And from the fold the flocks decay,
Nor herds be in the stall!
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Yet, in the Lord I will rejoice,
My only consolation;
I'll greatly joy in God, who is
The God of my salvation.
My only consolation;
I'll greatly joy in God, who is
The God of my salvation.
A dish of herbs I will prize more;
They more content will yield,
Than dainties all I had in store,
That come from fold or field.
They more content will yield,
Than dainties all I had in store,
That come from fold or field.
What tho' I lose this world's goods?
They are but empty toys;
God's gracious promises includes
My share in heav'nly joys.
They are but empty toys;
God's gracious promises includes
My share in heav'nly joys.
Tho' sickness sore should me befal,
Or sad calamity,
I'll eye God's providence in all,
When thus he calls on me.
Or sad calamity,
I'll eye God's providence in all,
When thus he calls on me.
These either are to keep me low,
Lest proudly I behave,
Or spurs to push me on to know
What I not yet perceive;
Lest proudly I behave,
Or spurs to push me on to know
What I not yet perceive;
Or else they are his chastisements,
To shew me how I've swerv'd
From's holy just commandements,
And nought but's wrath deserv'd.
To shew me how I've swerv'd
From's holy just commandements,
And nought but's wrath deserv'd.
Why should I then fret or repine
Against my Father's frowns,
When well I know the fault is mine,
Yet me he not disowns?
Against my Father's frowns,
When well I know the fault is mine,
Yet me he not disowns?
Yea, contrary, these shew his love
And tender care for me,
That I may reign with him above,
In true felicity.
And tender care for me,
That I may reign with him above,
In true felicity.
I'm not a native heir of heav'n;
My rights were forfeit all;
A bastard, vagabond out-driven,
By my original.
My rights were forfeit all;
A bastard, vagabond out-driven,
By my original.
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Yet, wonderful! the mighty God,
That made all things of nought,
Did cast his eyes of love abroad,
And of my state took thought.
That made all things of nought,
Did cast his eyes of love abroad,
And of my state took thought.
This wonder yet doth more appear,
When God, that cannot ly,
Said, if we disobedient were,
We should for ever die.
When God, that cannot ly,
Said, if we disobedient were,
We should for ever die.
Yet, out of love, by wisdom, he,
When we were all undone,
His word to keep, and us set free,
Laid our death on his Son.
When we were all undone,
His word to keep, and us set free,
Laid our death on his Son.
God pass'd his word that we should die,
And he's a God of truth,
And there is no iniquity
Comes from his sacred mouth.
And he's a God of truth,
And there is no iniquity
Comes from his sacred mouth.
Adam did represent us all
In that first covenant;
And we with Adam had our fall;
Yea, the same punishment
In that first covenant;
And we with Adam had our fall;
Yea, the same punishment
Was due to us that he incur'd;
A punishment that none
E'er could or would for us endure:
None could our guilt atone.
A punishment that none
E'er could or would for us endure:
None could our guilt atone.
In earth and heaven none was found
To take the book, and say,
I'll loose the seals; nay, tho' the sound
Thro' heav'n and earth did fly;
To take the book, and say,
I'll loose the seals; nay, tho' the sound
Thro' heav'n and earth did fly;
Till Judah's Lion, David's Root,
With pow'r, at last, prevails;
The book did take; to solve the doubt,
He loos'd the seven seals.
With pow'r, at last, prevails;
The book did take; to solve the doubt,
He loos'd the seven seals.
May I not then rejoice and sing,
Instead of fretfulness,
When Christ, the Lamb of God, did bring
Us thus in terms of peace:
Instead of fretfulness,
When Christ, the Lamb of God, did bring
Us thus in terms of peace:
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No sacrifice, nor offering,
God's justice could appease;
Nay, tho' we should our first-born bring,
His anger would not cease.
God's justice could appease;
Nay, tho' we should our first-born bring,
His anger would not cease.
For Jesus Christ, the Son of God,
Of mere good will, engag'd
For sin to bear the wrathful load
Of justice all enrag'd.
Of mere good will, engag'd
For sin to bear the wrathful load
Of justice all enrag'd.
O holy God, I come, said he,
To do thy sacred will;
Thy justice I will satisfy;
Thy laws I'll all fulfil.
To do thy sacred will;
Thy justice I will satisfy;
Thy laws I'll all fulfil.
In room of them whom thou hast chose
To be redeem'd from wrath,
I'll suffer, that they may rejoice,
And triumph over death.
To be redeem'd from wrath,
I'll suffer, that they may rejoice,
And triumph over death.
All this is matter of content;
When I reflect on these,
Upon my lusts it puts restraint,
And fills my soul with praise.
When I reflect on these,
Upon my lusts it puts restraint,
And fills my soul with praise.
What joy to hear the blessed news,
That God to Adam said,
Thy seed, in time, shall surely bruse
The cursed serpent's head.
That God to Adam said,
Thy seed, in time, shall surely bruse
The cursed serpent's head.
The morning light doth still increase,
Until the sun doth shine;
So, from this dawning promise, grace
Increas'd her beams divine.
Until the sun doth shine;
So, from this dawning promise, grace
Increas'd her beams divine.
To Abraham this was renew'd,
And unto Jacob clearer;
David and all the prophets view'd
Christ's kingdom still the nearer.
And unto Jacob clearer;
David and all the prophets view'd
Christ's kingdom still the nearer.
Then rose the Sun of Righteousness,
With healing in his wings;
Good will to men on earth, true peace,
The holy angel sings.
With healing in his wings;
Good will to men on earth, true peace,
The holy angel sings.
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The Word made flesh, dwelt on the earth,
Men did his glory see;
Eclipsed glory in his birth,
To the dim carnal eye.
Men did his glory see;
Eclipsed glory in his birth,
To the dim carnal eye.
Yet faith sees better far than eyes;
It sees a beauty, when
Christ in a stable manger lyes,
Contemn'd by carnal men.
It sees a beauty, when
Christ in a stable manger lyes,
Contemn'd by carnal men.
There were who did, and do behold
His glory in low station,
Such glory as cannot be told,
Tho' in his humiliation:
His glory in low station,
Such glory as cannot be told,
Tho' in his humiliation:
Glory as of the only Son,
Begotten of the Father,
So full of grace and truth, that none
Can speak or think of either;
Begotten of the Father,
So full of grace and truth, that none
Can speak or think of either;
Yet so eclips'd, that but a few
This glory did behold;
The sons of earth could never view
The same, tho' it were told
This glory did behold;
The sons of earth could never view
The same, tho' it were told
Not with a splendid pomp and fame
This glory did appear;
Not with a great heroic name
The prince of life came here.
This glory did appear;
Not with a great heroic name
The prince of life came here.
A virgin mean his mother was,
Oppress'd with taxes great;
She, pregnant, by command must pass
To the collector's seat.
Oppress'd with taxes great;
She, pregnant, by command must pass
To the collector's seat.
Unto Bethlehem, the chiefest town,
Tho' distant from her home;
Inn-keepers there did her disown,
And would not give her room.
Tho' distant from her home;
Inn-keepers there did her disown,
And would not give her room.
She and her husband then must lodge
In some old empty stable;
Fill'd with content, they did not grudge
At this their bed or table.
In some old empty stable;
Fill'd with content, they did not grudge
At this their bed or table.
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Oh! wonderful amazing love,
That God should dwell with men;
That he should leave the heav'ns above,
With sinners to remain.
That God should dwell with men;
That he should leave the heav'ns above,
With sinners to remain.
Subjected to the law, yet he
Is only the law-giver;
Tho' he was God, he man must be,
Both God and man for ever.
Is only the law-giver;
Tho' he was God, he man must be,
Both God and man for ever.
Tho' he was the Creator, lo,
A creature he became;
The nature of angels did forgo;
Took seed of Abraham.
A creature he became;
The nature of angels did forgo;
Took seed of Abraham.
May I not then contented be?
Content above all other;
Christ hath become all things for me;
He is mine elder brother.
Content above all other;
Christ hath become all things for me;
He is mine elder brother.
When I was in such misery,
As cannot be express'd;
Christ was a sacrifice for me,
Both sacrifice and priest.
As cannot be express'd;
Christ was a sacrifice for me,
Both sacrifice and priest.
By nature I'm an heir of wrath,
Yet with content may sing;
For Christ hath conquer'd Hell and Death;
He is my rightful king.
Yet with content may sing;
For Christ hath conquer'd Hell and Death;
He is my rightful king.
I am so brutish, that I am
For nothing that I know fit;
But Christ to earth from heav'n came,
To teach me as a prophet.
For nothing that I know fit;
But Christ to earth from heav'n came,
To teach me as a prophet.
By Nature I am enmitie
Against my great Creator;
But Christ he undertook for me
To be my Mediator.
Against my great Creator;
But Christ he undertook for me
To be my Mediator.
The devil pleads by law, that I
Be justly ruinate;
But Christ is always standing by,
My stronger advocate,
Be justly ruinate;
But Christ is always standing by,
My stronger advocate,
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Tho' I have been a sinner vile,
And oft did God provoke
To thrust me down to hell; meanwhile,
Christ is my saving rock.
And oft did God provoke
To thrust me down to hell; meanwhile,
Christ is my saving rock.
When I was under Justice rod,
With guilt and sin all stain'd,
Obnoxious to the wrath of God,
Christ stept in as my friend.
With guilt and sin all stain'd,
Obnoxious to the wrath of God,
Christ stept in as my friend.
Yea, such a friend he prov'd to me,
As I could ne'er expect;
He paid my debt, and set me free;
That makes me thus reflect.
As I could ne'er expect;
He paid my debt, and set me free;
That makes me thus reflect.
What love, what pity, and good-will,
Hath Christ to sinners shown;
We made the breach, he did it fill,
When helpers we had none.
Hath Christ to sinners shown;
We made the breach, he did it fill,
When helpers we had none.
No man had ever greater love
Than for a friend to die;
But Christ's love greater far did prove
To me his enemy.
Than for a friend to die;
But Christ's love greater far did prove
To me his enemy.
He suffer'd hunger, thirst and cold;
He had no where to lodge;
Reproach'd and scorn'd, by young and old,
Wrought like a servile drudge.
He had no where to lodge;
Reproach'd and scorn'd, by young and old,
Wrought like a servile drudge.
One of his disciples betray'd
Him with a feigned kiss;
Another of them him deny'd;
All left him comfortless.
Him with a feigned kiss;
Another of them him deny'd;
All left him comfortless.
He that was judge of all the earth,
Must judged be of men;
He that was sinless from his birth,
Must in a goal remain.
Must judged be of men;
He that was sinless from his birth,
Must in a goal remain.
From prison to the judgment-hall
They brought him; did accuse him;
The multitude, both great and small,
Inhumanly abus'd him.
They brought him; did accuse him;
The multitude, both great and small,
Inhumanly abus'd him.
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When they blindfolded him by turns,
They smote his blessed face;
Their hellish minds with malice burn
To put him to disgrace.
They smote his blessed face;
Their hellish minds with malice burn
To put him to disgrace.
They scorning bade him prophesy
Who't was that smote him last:
They all cry'd out, Him crucify,
Till Pilate sentence past.
Who't was that smote him last:
They all cry'd out, Him crucify,
Till Pilate sentence past.
His face with spittle all besmear'd,
Mix'd with his precious blood;
A murderer to him preferr'd,
Their malice was so rude.
Mix'd with his precious blood;
A murderer to him preferr'd,
Their malice was so rude.
They stript him naked shamefully,
In sight of all his foes;
And scourged him most grievously;
And then instead of cloaths,
In sight of all his foes;
And scourged him most grievously;
And then instead of cloaths,
With purple mantle him array'd;
A reed into his hand;
A thorny crown on's head they laid;
And mocking round him stand.
A reed into his hand;
A thorny crown on's head they laid;
And mocking round him stand.
They bow'd the knee, and jesting said,
Hail, thou King of the Jews;
They struck the crown upon his head,
And made the blood out squeeze.
Hail, thou King of the Jews;
They struck the crown upon his head,
And made the blood out squeeze.
The clots of his most precious blood
Came trickling to the ground;
That all, where-e'er he went or stood,
Was all besprinkled round.
Came trickling to the ground;
That all, where-e'er he went or stood,
Was all besprinkled round.
They all, with one united voice,
To crucify him cry'd;
To torture him they all rejoice;
On him none pity had.
To crucify him cry'd;
To torture him they all rejoice;
On him none pity had.
They pull'd the mantle off again,
His own cloaths put upon him;
Yet, notwithstanding all this pain,
Not one was to bemoan him.
His own cloaths put upon him;
Yet, notwithstanding all this pain,
Not one was to bemoan him.
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Then was death's sentence on him past,
He must be crucify'd:
An heavy cross they bring, at last,
And on his shoulders ty'd.
He must be crucify'd:
An heavy cross they bring, at last,
And on his shoulders ty'd.
His nat'ral strength began to fail,
That in the way he stood,
And fainted, (while they on him rail),
With so much loss of blood.
That in the way he stood,
And fainted, (while they on him rail),
With so much loss of blood.
A stranger they compell'd to bear
His cross with him along
Unto mount Calvary, and there
They round about him throng.
His cross with him along
Unto mount Calvary, and there
They round about him throng.
Flat on the ground they laid the cross,
And stretch'd him hands and feet,
And to the tree they nail'd them closs,
To make his pains complete.
And stretch'd him hands and feet,
And to the tree they nail'd them closs,
To make his pains complete.
They set the cross upon its end,
And let it fall again;
Such cruel torture they intend,
His innocence to stain.
And let it fall again;
Such cruel torture they intend,
His innocence to stain.
His cross between two thieves they fix'd;
Then they deride him all:
And when he cry'd, I thirst, they mix'd
Strong vinegar and gall,
Then they deride him all:
And when he cry'd, I thirst, they mix'd
Strong vinegar and gall,
And put it on a reed, and held
It to his sacred mouth.
Strange! how these wretches thus rebell'd
'Gainst innocence and truth.
It to his sacred mouth.
Strange! how these wretches thus rebell'd
'Gainst innocence and truth.
The God-head was from him withdrawn;
His human nature left
With death to struggle all alone;
Of comfort all bereft.
His human nature left
With death to struggle all alone;
Of comfort all bereft.
The pow'rs of hell triumph'd to see
Him thus forsaken quite:
Those that pass'd by did vilifie,
And mock him with delight.
Him thus forsaken quite:
Those that pass'd by did vilifie,
And mock him with delight.
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He saved others; now, say they,
Let him his power exert,
And save himself from cruelty,
Since he was so expert.
Let him his power exert,
And save himself from cruelty,
Since he was so expert.
Strangers at him their heads did nod,
And with blasphemy rave;
In God he trusted; now let God
With miracles him save.
And with blasphemy rave;
In God he trusted; now let God
With miracles him save.
Let Christ, the king of Jews, descend
Down from the cross to day,
And we'll believe, now in the end,
What he before did say.
Down from the cross to day,
And we'll believe, now in the end,
What he before did say.
This the chief priests and elders said,
To aggravate his grief;
Thus God and man they all deny'd
This innocent relief,
To aggravate his grief;
Thus God and man they all deny'd
This innocent relief,
Till he was forc'd to cry, My
God,
My God, why hast thou me
Forsaken? Nay, sure this is odd,
That I am left of thee
My God, why hast thou me
Forsaken? Nay, sure this is odd,
That I am left of thee
Then must his human nature fade;
Now yield to death he must.
He cry'd, 'Tis finish'd; bow'd his head;
And then gave up the ghost.
Now yield to death he must.
He cry'd, 'Tis finish'd; bow'd his head;
And then gave up the ghost.
The sun withdrew his shining light;
The rocks were rent in twain;
The graves were open'd; saints that night
Rose from the dead again.
The rocks were rent in twain;
The graves were open'd; saints that night
Rose from the dead again.
The temple-vail was rent, from top
To bottom, at that tide:
All nature seem'd her course to stop
When he was crucify'd.
To bottom, at that tide:
All nature seem'd her course to stop
When he was crucify'd.
They'd not believe that he was dead,
Until they pierc'd his side;
Thence blood and water did proceed,
From wounds both deep and wide.
Until they pierc'd his side;
Thence blood and water did proceed,
From wounds both deep and wide.
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Then in a new grave they interr'd
His blessed corps at last;
And then a great stone they'd prepar'd,
Laid thereon, seal'd it fast.
His blessed corps at last;
And then a great stone they'd prepar'd,
Laid thereon, seal'd it fast.
Of sufferings a dreadful scene
Our Lord did undergo;
The wrath of God, of hell, and men,
All did him overflow.
Our Lord did undergo;
The wrath of God, of hell, and men,
All did him overflow.
Then, was not my content dear bought
To him that did procure it
At such a ransom, that no thought
Enough can e'er admire it?
To him that did procure it
At such a ransom, that no thought
Enough can e'er admire it?
O wonderful mysterious love!
None like it sure can be;
The Son of God come from above
To suffer thus for me,
None like it sure can be;
The Son of God come from above
To suffer thus for me,
Who am the vilest creature, sure,
That's this day out of hell;
But, by his blood, I am made pure;
My sins it doth expel.
That's this day out of hell;
But, by his blood, I am made pure;
My sins it doth expel.
By rising from the grave again,
He took death's sting away;
He purchas'd ease to me with pain
When I in bondage lay.
He took death's sting away;
He purchas'd ease to me with pain
When I in bondage lay.
What more contentment can I have
Than see my Lord, by faith,
His life resume, and from the grave
Rise conqu'ring hell and death?
Than see my Lord, by faith,
His life resume, and from the grave
Rise conqu'ring hell and death?
To see him on mount Olives stand,
In sight of the eleven,
Enclos'd with angels, to ascend
To God's right-hand in heav'n.
In sight of the eleven,
Enclos'd with angels, to ascend
To God's right-hand in heav'n.
Therefore his people makes request
Before his father's throne;
When prayer by them in faith's exprest,
Christ pleads them as his own.
Before his father's throne;
When prayer by them in faith's exprest,
Christ pleads them as his own.
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He sends his Spirit us to teach
The ways of holiness;
His servants he instructs to preach
The news of righteousness.
The ways of holiness;
His servants he instructs to preach
The news of righteousness.
O blessed news! that such as we
Such favour should obtain;
So highly privileg'd, to be
Redeem'd from Satan's chain:
Such favour should obtain;
So highly privileg'd, to be
Redeem'd from Satan's chain:
Not only so, but we are made
To our God priests and kings;
And Christ shall, as a shepherd, lead
Us unto living springs:
To our God priests and kings;
And Christ shall, as a shepherd, lead
Us unto living springs:
Yea, and all tears wipe from our eyes,
And set our hearts in frame;
And stir up all our faculties
To bless his holy name.
And set our hearts in frame;
And stir up all our faculties
To bless his holy name.
O worthy, worthy, is the Lamb
That was for sinners slain;
The promis'd seed of Abraham,
That gives us life again.
That was for sinners slain;
The promis'd seed of Abraham,
That gives us life again.
When we were dead in sins, and lost,
Without all hopes of grace,
Our life, alas! him dearly cost,
His own life and no less.
Without all hopes of grace,
Our life, alas! him dearly cost,
His own life and no less.
But now he lives; O blessed be
The rock of my salvation;
In heav'n he intercedes for me,
To my great consolation.
The rock of my salvation;
In heav'n he intercedes for me,
To my great consolation.
His Spirit guides me in all truth,
And sets my heart in frame;
And with a new song fills my mouth,
To bless his holy name.
And sets my heart in frame;
And with a new song fills my mouth,
To bless his holy name.
Let seraphims and angels bless
His holy name with me;
Since I'm a sharer of his grace,
His praise I'll magnify.
His holy name with me;
Since I'm a sharer of his grace,
His praise I'll magnify.
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For this I know, and am assur'd,
That I with him shall reign;
Afflictions here must be endur'd,
But lo they want their sting:
That I with him shall reign;
Afflictions here must be endur'd,
But lo they want their sting:
For Christ hath drunk the bitter cup
For sin, that was my due;
And from the dead hath lift me up;
For he did Death subdue:
For sin, that was my due;
And from the dead hath lift me up;
For he did Death subdue:
And in triumph, victorious, he
Ascended up on high,
And led captive captivity,
That did in bondage ly:
Ascended up on high,
And led captive captivity,
That did in bondage ly:
And he received gifts for those,
Yea, those that did rebel,
E'en those that were his keenest foes,
And nought deserv'd but hell.
Yea, those that did rebel,
E'en those that were his keenest foes,
And nought deserv'd but hell.
All this to me gives true content;
And my contentment's this,
That Jesus Christ doth compliment
Me with his righteousness:
And my contentment's this,
That Jesus Christ doth compliment
Me with his righteousness:
By which alone I'm justify'd
Before his Father's throne;
And ever after glorify'd
When time here shall be none.
Before his Father's throne;
And ever after glorify'd
When time here shall be none.
Tho' here I see it but in part,
And dark, as thro' a glass,
By faith, Lord, fix upon my heart
What time shall bring to pass.
And dark, as thro' a glass,
By faith, Lord, fix upon my heart
What time shall bring to pass.
When I shall see thee face to face,
And know as I am known,
And view the beatific place
Of thy majestic throne,
And know as I am known,
And view the beatific place
Of thy majestic throne,
Admiring thy infinite love
And grace bestow'd on me,
In pure unmix'd content above,
I'll spend eternity.
And grace bestow'd on me,
In pure unmix'd content above,
I'll spend eternity.
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And when King Jesus shall descend,
To judge this world below,
His mighty angels will attend
Him with a glorious show:
To judge this world below,
His mighty angels will attend
Him with a glorious show:
With sound of trumpet, from on high,
The great archangel shall
Descend. All in the grave that ly,
Shall hear him loudly call,
The great archangel shall
Descend. All in the grave that ly,
Shall hear him loudly call,
Arise, ye dead, that in the grave
And dust of death do ly,
And come to judgment. All shall have
Their doom eternally.
And dust of death do ly,
And come to judgment. All shall have
Their doom eternally.
Then, with content, to consummate,
I, with the souls above,
The heav'nly orbs shall penetrate
With songs of divine love.
I, with the souls above,
The heav'nly orbs shall penetrate
With songs of divine love.
I, with a swift angelic flight,
Shall from these orbs descend,
And at the grave's mouth shall alight,
My body to attend;
Shall from these orbs descend,
And at the grave's mouth shall alight,
My body to attend;
There one another we shall greet,
With welcomes of content;
Then I'll re-enter, when we meet,
My old new-fashion'd tent,
With welcomes of content;
Then I'll re-enter, when we meet,
My old new-fashion'd tent,
Made like the body of my Lord,
With organs all complete;
Free of corruption, and decor'd
With ev'ry member meet,
With organs all complete;
Free of corruption, and decor'd
With ev'ry member meet,
To soar with seraphs thro' the sky,
And join the blessed throng
Of saints and angels, from on high,
In a triumphant song.
And join the blessed throng
Of saints and angels, from on high,
In a triumphant song.
Then, to my great content, I shall
Among the blessed stand,
At the last judgment general,
On Jesus Christ's right hand,
Among the blessed stand,
At the last judgment general,
On Jesus Christ's right hand,
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And hear from his own blessed mouth,
In favour of us all
Who have believ'd his sacred truth,
That benediction fall,
In favour of us all
Who have believ'd his sacred truth,
That benediction fall,
Ye blessed of my Father all
Come, and inherit now
The kingdom, which, before the fall,
I had prepar'd for you.
Come, and inherit now
The kingdom, which, before the fall,
I had prepar'd for you.
For I was hungry, and thou didst
With pity on me think,
And gave me meat, and in the midst
Of my thirst gave me drink.
With pity on me think,
And gave me meat, and in the midst
Of my thirst gave me drink.
When I was sick with sore disease,
Thou didst me visits make;
If ought disturb'd my peace or ease,
Thou didst compassion take.
Thou didst me visits make;
If ought disturb'd my peace or ease,
Thou didst compassion take.
When I was naked, poor and low,
Ye did me clothing give;
And when I did to prison go,
Thou oft didst me relieve.
Ye did me clothing give;
And when I did to prison go,
Thou oft didst me relieve.
Then shall we answer, Lord, we ne'er
Saw thee in such distress;
This is a myst'ry, we declare,
Lord, thou dost now express.
Saw thee in such distress;
This is a myst'ry, we declare,
Lord, thou dost now express.
Then shall he say, In as much as
Thou didst it unto mine,
The same as done to me it was;
The same reward is thine.
Thou didst it unto mine,
The same as done to me it was;
The same reward is thine.
Then shall our Lord proceed, and say,
To them on his left hand,
Depart, ye cursed, hence away,
In my sight do not stand;
To them on his left hand,
Depart, ye cursed, hence away,
In my sight do not stand;
Hence to eternal fire, prepar'd
For Satan and his crew;
He and his ways were ay prefer'd
Before mine still by you:
For Satan and his crew;
He and his ways were ay prefer'd
Before mine still by you:
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For I was hungry, and no meat
You gave me for supply;
To slack my thirst I did intreat,
Yet this you did deny.
You gave me for supply;
To slack my thirst I did intreat,
Yet this you did deny.
When naked, and in prison cast,
A stranger all forlorn,
And when I turned sick, at last,
In all I was your scorn.
A stranger all forlorn,
And when I turned sick, at last,
In all I was your scorn.
Then shall they answer, Lord, we ne'er
Saw thee in such distress,
Else of our help you had had share
In each dejected case.
Saw thee in such distress,
Else of our help you had had share
In each dejected case.
Then shall he say, In as much as
Ye did it not to mine,
The same as not to me it was;
The same reward is thine.
Ye did it not to mine,
The same as not to me it was;
The same reward is thine.
Then shall they mourn with discontent,
When devils shall them lead
Unto eternal punishment,
Without the least remede.
When devils shall them lead
Unto eternal punishment,
Without the least remede.
Then we the sentence shall applaud,
As past with equity;
Tho' in that damn'd and cursed crowd
Our nearest kindred be.
As past with equity;
Tho' in that damn'd and cursed crowd
Our nearest kindred be.
Then shall our Lord ascend on high,
With all his glorious train,
Up to his throne of majesty,
For ever to remain.
With all his glorious train,
Up to his throne of majesty,
For ever to remain.
Then palms of victory and peace
Shall unto us be giv'n;
While all the wicked from his face
Shall into hell be driv'n.
Shall unto us be giv'n;
While all the wicked from his face
Shall into hell be driv'n.
Eye hath not seen, ear hath not heard;
Man's heart cannot conceive
The bless'd effects of that reward
We then in heav'n shall have.
Man's heart cannot conceive
The bless'd effects of that reward
We then in heav'n shall have.
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When we shall enter heaven's gate,
Our joys shall then abound;
Thousands of angels shall await,
Our welcomes there to sound.
Our joys shall then abound;
Thousands of angels shall await,
Our welcomes there to sound.
No more shall discontent molest;
No more shall sorrow seize us;
We then shall fully be possess'd
Of ev'ry thing to please us.
No more shall sorrow seize us;
We then shall fully be possess'd
Of ev'ry thing to please us.
No more afflictions; no more cross;
And no more fear of dying;
Yea, no more grudging; no more loss;
And no more pain or crying.
And no more fear of dying;
Yea, no more grudging; no more loss;
And no more pain or crying.
No more temptations to assault;
No more an evil heart;
No more we can commit a fault,
Nor from our God depart.
No more an evil heart;
No more we can commit a fault,
Nor from our God depart.
There shall be none to persecute;
There none to raise reproach;
There shall no bribes be destribute;
No falsehood can approach.
There none to raise reproach;
There shall no bribes be destribute;
No falsehood can approach.
There no division, no debate,
No malice, no ill-will,
No animosities, no hate;
But love and concord still.
No malice, no ill-will,
No animosities, no hate;
But love and concord still.
Nought to oppose our true content;
Nought to disturb our joy;
Nought there to make us more lament;
Nought there can us annoy.
Nought to disturb our joy;
Nought there to make us more lament;
Nought there can us annoy.
O then, my soul, say, be content
With all that us befal;
Until a little time be spent,
Then we'll be freed of all.
With all that us befal;
Until a little time be spent,
Then we'll be freed of all.
Then we will fairly bid adieu
To all that's transitory,
And changed be from old to new,
And reign in endless glory.
To all that's transitory,
And changed be from old to new,
And reign in endless glory.
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Which that we may, O God, I crave
Thy Sp'rit to guide me here,
Until that sentence I receive,
Before thee to appear.
Thy Sp'rit to guide me here,
Until that sentence I receive,
Before thee to appear.
| Poems on several subjects | |