Fruits of Retirement Or, Miscellaneous Poems, Moral and Divine. Being Some Contemplations, Letters, &c. Written on a Variety of Subjects and Occasions. By Mary Mollineux ... To which is Prefixed, Some Account of the Author |
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On the Parable of the Ten Virgins.
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 | Fruits of Retirement |  |
On the Parable of the Ten Virgins.
Truth pleas'd to say, Ten Virgins typifie
The Heav'nly Kingdom's sacred Mystery.
Ten Virgins, and but Five were counted Wise:
Tho' all, alas, inclin'd to slumbering Eyes,
Both Wise and Foolish; yet the King discern'd
Who were his Faithful Ones, for they had learn'd
To be prepar'd, and in their Vessels they
Had taken Oyl, and labour'd in the Day,
And furnished their Lamps; that in the Night,
The Bridegroom coming suddenly, they might
Find Favour and Admittance in to see
The sacred Nuptial Joys; as also be
Happy Partakers of the same: When they
That Foolish were, and idly slept away
Their precious Time, not having Oyl, must go
To Buy; but then, too late returning to
The Door, they find it shut; where, tho' they cry,
Lord open to us! Ah, the sad Reply
Will be, I know you not, depart from me,
Ye Foolish Workers of Iniquity.
Then may they wander, destitute of Light,
In horrid Darkness of perpetual Night.
The Heav'nly Kingdom's sacred Mystery.
Ten Virgins, and but Five were counted Wise:
Tho' all, alas, inclin'd to slumbering Eyes,
Both Wise and Foolish; yet the King discern'd
Who were his Faithful Ones, for they had learn'd
To be prepar'd, and in their Vessels they
Had taken Oyl, and labour'd in the Day,
And furnished their Lamps; that in the Night,
The Bridegroom coming suddenly, they might
Find Favour and Admittance in to see
The sacred Nuptial Joys; as also be
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That Foolish were, and idly slept away
Their precious Time, not having Oyl, must go
To Buy; but then, too late returning to
The Door, they find it shut; where, tho' they cry,
Lord open to us! Ah, the sad Reply
Will be, I know you not, depart from me,
Ye Foolish Workers of Iniquity.
Then may they wander, destitute of Light,
In horrid Darkness of perpetual Night.
Now, you that would be numbred with the Wise,
Take heed of sleeping in Formalities;
Lest ye forget the Oyl, the Life of Light,
And so be unprepared in the Night:
For, though you imitate the Wise, and bear
A shew of Lamps, there can no Light appear,
If Oyl be wanting. O Redeem your Time!
Have Oyl in th'Vessel, that your Lamps may shine;
Lest, if it be to seek, when 'tis too late,
Such may in vain stand Knocking at the Gate,
But find no Entrance: Therefore watch to hear
The Midnight Cry, Arise, prepare, prepare
To meet the Bridegroom; 'tis the Wise that shall
Be entertain'd, that waited for the Call,
And in their Vessels kept the Oyl for Light;
Such were in Readiness, and therefore might
Have free access unto the Marriage-Feast,
And with a Chearful Heart, sit down and taste;
Yea, feed and drink thereat abundantly,
Having the Wedding-Garment on, whereby
They read their Welcom in the Bridegroom's Eye.
True durable Delights do then abound,
Salvation, as a Bulwark, doth surround
These highly Favoured Ones; who therefore sing
Praise to the Bridegroom, Sion's Blessed King.
Take heed of sleeping in Formalities;
Lest ye forget the Oyl, the Life of Light,
And so be unprepared in the Night:
For, though you imitate the Wise, and bear
A shew of Lamps, there can no Light appear,
If Oyl be wanting. O Redeem your Time!
Have Oyl in th'Vessel, that your Lamps may shine;
Lest, if it be to seek, when 'tis too late,
Such may in vain stand Knocking at the Gate,
But find no Entrance: Therefore watch to hear
The Midnight Cry, Arise, prepare, prepare
To meet the Bridegroom; 'tis the Wise that shall
Be entertain'd, that waited for the Call,
And in their Vessels kept the Oyl for Light;
Such were in Readiness, and therefore might
Have free access unto the Marriage-Feast,
And with a Chearful Heart, sit down and taste;
Yea, feed and drink thereat abundantly,
Having the Wedding-Garment on, whereby
They read their Welcom in the Bridegroom's Eye.
True durable Delights do then abound,
Salvation, as a Bulwark, doth surround
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Praise to the Bridegroom, Sion's Blessed King.
1669.
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