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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The Seventh Epistle to Cousin F. R. being then under some Exercises of Mind.
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The Seventh Epistle to Cousin F. R. being then under some Exercises of Mind.
In Loves pure Sympathy, endeared Friend,I know that secret Trials will attend,
And raise some Conflicts in thy tender Breast,
Such as by Pen cannot be well express'd:
But all things shall (as left upon Record)
Convene for good to them that fear the Lord.
Some latent cause, from Carnal Eye conceal'd,
May bring a Satisfaction, when reveal'd
By that Refulgent Light; whose sacred Ray
Leads on the Meek in Sion's pleasant Way;
Whose Paths are Peace to them that persevere
To follow Jesus with an holy Fear;
Jesus, the Spotless Lamb, whose Pow'r surrounds
His Babes, when Tribulation most abounds:
Lean on his Bosom, for his Love extends
Abundantly unto his Bosom-Friends;
Who, tho' He in true Wisdom please to prove
Our Faithfulness, our Fervency of Love,
As he sees good: Yet there is never just
Cause or Occasion of the least Distrust
Of Loyalty in Him; who, when as we
Were Strangers in a State of Enmity,
Nay, in a poor, defil'd, polluted State,
Objects more likely for Disgust and Hate;
Did cast an Eye of Pity and of Love
On Us, who had no Comeliness to move
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Had Washed, Swadled, had Anointed and
Adorned with his Robe of Righteousness,
And put upon us his own Comeliness;
And by his sacred Covenant, engage
Our Hearts unto him in our tender Age:
This, this is Love indeed! O let it never
Be quenched in our Hearts, but live for ever!
This, this is Love worthy to be admir'd!
Ah! this is He alone to be desir'd.
Therefore contend not in the Carnal Will,
Tread Self-hood under foot, watch and be still;
For all Additionals shall added be
By Him, who knows what's best for thee and me:
In Resignation let us wait to know
His Will fulfill'd, and living Praises flow
Unto his holy ever-blessed Name,
Who only's worthy in our Hearts to reign
For evermore, Eternally.
Amen.
Ninth Month, 1682.
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