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 Nadab and Abihu.
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 | Fruits of Retirement |  |
On Nadab and Abihu.
Were these the high Priests Heirs, that did beginIn Sacrifice to perpetrate a Sin
So Capital, so Dreadful, to provoke
Offended Justice, to inflict a Stroke
So Terrible, as to destroy at once
Two of th'anointed Priests, the high Priests Sons,
For offering Sacrifice; yea, Incense, when
They hop'd to purchase Favour, but in vain?
'Tis not Presumption in the Carnal Will,
That finds acceptance; nor can this fulfil
The Sacred Precepts of the highest King,
But rather Sad and Dreadful Judgments bring
Upon the Heads of them, whose Confidence
In self produceth such a bold Offence,
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To such he'll add his Plagues; his Iron Rod
Shall sore afflict them. 'Tis his Word alone
Must be the Law; in his Beloved Son
Is he well pleas'd; Him only all should hear,
And feel their Hearts abound with holy Fear;
Not taught by Carnal Precepts, Man's Tradition,
Or a Self-will, but where a true Submission
Is known; the Author of our Faith doth here,
In th' humble Heart, beget true Son-like Fear:
Such dare not pass the Limit of Command,
Lest he say, Who requir'd it at your hand?
For He (to whom, of his abundant Grace,
The Great Eternal One spoke Face to Face)
Who knew what he requir'd, then testify'd,
Thus saith the Lord, I will be Sanctify'd
By them that do approach to me; for I,
As with Refiners Fire, will purify
The Sons of Levi. Therefore àll in Fear,
Must with a broken contrite Heart draw near
To Isr'el's God; this is the Sacrifice
Which he hath promis'd never to despise.
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