University of Virginia Library

Of the Fall of Man.

The Holy One did, by his Word, Create
Man in a blessed Innocent Estate;
Gave him a Righteous Law, whereby he might
Live in Eternal, Pure, Unstain'd Delight.
But th'Serpent, the most Subtil Beast i'th' Field,
Soon with a Lye our Grandmother beguil'd,
Through a vain Hope; and to Iniquity
Enslav'd poor Man, breaking the Unity
Betwixt him and his Maker; leading him
Fondly to seek a Satisfaction in
Self-hood, and Transitory Things, below
The Chiefest Good: Whereby Man came to know
Sad Disappointments; whence he could not be,
By pow'r in Self, e'er ransom'd or set free.
But, ah, the Bowels of Eternal Love
Did then, with Pity and Compassion, move
Towards his Creature, that he Promised,
The Woman's Seed should bruise the Serpent's Head:
And, in the time appointed, freely gave
His Darling Son a Sacrifice, to save
Perishing Mankind from that dreadful State,
Which was so miserable desperate;
So that believing in the Heavenly Pow'r,
He comes to know his Lord and Saviour,
Redeeming him from Sin unto Salvation,
And to Eternal Reconciliation.

Of a Sinful State.

My Sins are Numberless, more than the Hair
Upon my Head; yea, more than I can bear.
O how my Soul doth languish in Distress,
Because polluted with Unrighteousness!
Ah, how my wretched Heart hath often been
Ensnar'd with Folly, and enticing Sin!
Sin, seeming pleasant, subtilly betrays
Poor doting Mortals; but its cursed Ways
Leads to Death's Chambers, and like Poyson sweet,
Lulls on the Soul into a lasting Sleep.
Lord, Rouze me from such Slumbers that arise,
That I may this deformed Sin despise,
And quite forsake all Earthly Vanities,
Which me into Temptation thus hath brought,
That I (instead of Wisdom) Folly sought.
O that I were at Peace with thee, and could
Truly Lament my Sins, so manifold!
My Sins, which will, except thou grant Relief,
O'erwhelm me with Intolerable Grief.
Awake, awake, my Soul, do not remain
In Slothfulness and Sin; but turn again
To him that made thee: Do not still transgress
His Holy Law; but, whilst he calls thee, cease
From Evil, learn his Precepts, follow Him,
Who freely gave his Life thee to Redeem
From this vain World, from Sin and Slavery,
That brings to Endless Wo and Misery:
He bought thee dear, with his most precious Blood,
Shed on the Cross for thine and others good.
But, ah, how oft have I despis'd true Joys,
And plac'd my Heart on Transitory Toys?
How oft did I the Glorious Pearl refuse,
Vile Empty Husks, that nourish not, to choose?
Look down upon me, and Commiserate,
Most Gracious Lord, my Lamentable State;
And tenderly lead thou me back again
Into the Land of Promise, whence I came
Into this Land of Darkness; where, alas,
I thus was brought to Bondage and Distress:
For, ah, thou King of Kings, if thou reject me,
Phar'oh's pursuing Host would soon afflict me;
And if thou help me not in this Distress,
Then should I perish in the Wilderness.
In what Egyptian-Red-Sea straits am I?
Whither, or to what Refuge, shall I fly,
But unto thee? In whom alone I must
Repose my Confidence, and chiefest Trust.
Renew my Strength (dear Lord) that so I may
O'ercome my great Temptations day by day;
And so support my Soul, that I may bear
The World's Revilings with a thankful Ear;
And that I truly may in thee Rejoyce,
Great Spring of Life and Light, in Heart and Voice;
Confessing thee, the only Saviour,
Who sav'st thy People from the Dragon's Pow'r,
And with thy Blood dost wash and purifie
Our Souls from all Sin and Iniquity:
Who art indeed the good Samaritan,
That cast an Eye of Pity on us, when
The Priest pass'd by, and Levite turn'd aside,
And (as it were) Relief and Help deny'd:
But thou hadst Wine and Oyl to Purify,
Supple and Heal our grievous Malady.
Thou, thou alone, the true Physitian, art
The Consolation of a Contrite Heart:
Oh say, Be whole; say likewise, Sin no more,
Lest worse Afflictions happen than before:
Say also, if it please thee, Gracious Lord,
(Who what thou wilt, Effectest by thy Word)
Thy Sin's forgiven, thy Iniquity
Is cover'd; and beget true Faith in me,
That I may Praise thy Name Eternally.

On God's Love.

Of This Age.

O how doth England now polluted lye,
And deeply plunged in Iniquity!
Are not her People bruitish, and so vain,
That ev'n as great Motives to complain
And mourn for her, as for that City was,
(Through whose sad Streets our Saviour did pass
Bearing his Cross) may now be found? For they
As did the Jews, contemn the Blessed Day
Of Visitation; hate the Heav'nly Light,
That shines in Darkness; daily do despight
Unto the only Author of all Good;
And trample under Foot the precious Blood
Of Holy Jesus, by the Father Sent
A Just High Priest, a Blessed Covenant,
Unto the People: Him do they despise,
And on their Beds do Wickedness devise
Against the Just and Innocent; for they,
That Live Uprightly, make themselves a Prey.
Alas, both Priests and People now are bent,
With one accord, God's Heritage to rent:
But he observes them, and the Day draws near,
Wherein he'll surely meet them, as a Bear
Bereaved of her Whelps; and then he'll take
Vengeance, for his Afflicted Isr'el's sake.
And though the Priests Peace unto many cry,
They know not Peace; but such as do deny
To feed them with the Fat, they Rent and Tare,
Like those of old; yea, Cruel War prepare
Against them. Thus, for all their Learning, they
Know not the Scripture-Record, (which doth say,
Touch ye not mine Anointed, neither harm
My Prophets; for I'll guard them with the Arm
Of my Salvation) Nor the Pow'r of God,
That will Chastize, as with an Iron Rod,
The Proud Rebellious Ones; who shall be known
To be but Hirelings, whom he will not own.
These are they that for Gain do prophesie
Devices of their Brain, and speak a Lye
To People; yet dare say, Thus saith the Lord;
When-as they do not rightly know his Word,
That's as a Fire and Hammer, to Destroy,
Consume, and Batter down Iniquity.
People, observing Priests to count their Gain
Their Godliness, rush into all Prophane
Abominations and Impurity;
Counting Religion a meer Policy
To over-awe dull Souls, whilst some enjoy
All the Delights wherewith Earth can supply
Their Soaring Fancies. Thus, alas, they run
The Road to Ruine, swift to be undone:
If Heav'n prevent not with a Gracious Hand,
They'll soon draw down sad Judgments on the Land.

On the Fruitless Fig-Tree.

The Fig-Tree, tho' it flourish'd, did afford
No Fruit, as was expected by the Lord;
Therefore 'twas Curs'd, did wither and decay,
No Fruit producing from that very day.
But unto Mankind, O most Gracious Lord!
Great are the Mercies which thou dost afford;
Tho' slothfully they hide, sometimes deny,
The Talents given by thy Majesty:
Thou dost not in thine Indignation thus
Pass so severe a Sentence upon Us;
Although we, of our selves, so Barren be,
And oft more Fruitless than that Blooming Tree,
Thou prun'st us, and with sweet refreshing Show'rs
Art pleas'd oft to renew our weakned Pow'rs:
Yea, long thou spar'st us; and at length, who proves
Fruitful, thou cherishest, and freely loves.
But if thy great Forbearance, Lord, should be
As 'twere frustrated by a Fruitless Tree,
Thou justly may'st the Vine-dresser require
To cut it down, and cast it into th' Fire:
Though there was frequent Intercession made,
As when the Dressers of the Vineyard said,
Lord, let us try it yet another Year,
And then, if any Fruit thereon appear,
'Tis well Forbearance hath thereto been shewn;
If otherwise, 'tis time to cut it down.
When thus the Lord hath long time Fruit expected
From Men, and yet is carelesly rejected;
Though waiting still, he pleas'd to condescend
Line upon Line, with Patience, to extend;
And Precept upon Precept, did dispence;
And likewise promis'd a sure Recompence
Of Durable Reward, Eternal Joy,
To those that, ceasing from Iniquity,
Would unto his most Sacred Will resign
Themselves, and All: Then would he with Divine
Sweet Heav'nly Show'rs bedew, and always bless
Them, that they might be Trees of Righteousness.
But if such should resist, they'll come to be
Like Heath i'th' Desart, or the Fruitless Tree:
And if against them the Decree be Seal'd,
To cut them down, how can it be Repeal'd?
Ah! prize the present Day of Visitation,
And dare not to provoke his Indignation;
That, through Distillings of his Heav'nly Love,
You fertile Plants unto his Praise may prove.

On Israel's Rebellion.

O house of Israel, why will ye dye!
O House of Israel, why shall not I
Be King o'er you? Said the Eternal One,
When their Rebellions came before his Throne,
Rouzing his Justice: Why do ye refuse
Me to be King, another King to choose?
Incline your Ear, and hearken to my Voice,
Lest you too late Repent your hasty Choice:
Have I not gather'd you, that ye might be
A pure peculiar People unto me?
Did I not bring you out of Egypt's Land,
And set you free from Pharaoh's cruel Hand?
Did I not guide you safely through the Sea,
Leading you with a Glorious Cloud by Day,
And with a Pillar of bright Fire by Night,
Conducted you in pleasant Paths of Light?
Did I not Jordan's Flowing Streams divide,
Whilst you pass'd dry-shod to the further side?
Yea, without Humane Art, I caus'd to fall,
Down to the Ground, proud Jericho's high Wall.
Could any Mortal Prince do thus for you?
I gave you Being, Life, and Conquest too.
Why do you then Rebel against your God?
Do you not fear Him, nor his Iron Rod?
Remember how, in Love, I nourished
Thee, like a tender Child, with Angels Bread;
With Water from the Rock I did supply thee,
Altho' I knew 'twas good sometimes to try thee:
Thine Enemies I did for thee subdue;
Yea, Great and Mighty Kings I overthrew,
When they Oppressed or Opposed thee:
But, ah, what Guile, or what Iniquity,
Have your Fore-Fathers ever found in me!
Or in my Righteous Statutes? Yet have they
Delighted rather in a Crooked Way,
Than in my Law; whose Path is perfect Light,
In which the Wise and Prudent take delight.
Though they perversly often turn'd aside,
As you their Children, who have now deny'd
Me to be King: 'Tis Me that you forsake,
To choose a Mortal, who will from you take
Your Sons and Daughters, for his Offices,
For Horsemen, Cooks, and other Services;
Your Vineyards, Fields, Cattel, and other Treasure,
As he thinks fit, he'll call for at his Pleasure.
Stiff-necked People are ye then, to choose
Man for your King, but stubbornly refuse
Me, your Creator, that ye may hereby
Be like your Neighbours; whose Idolatry
You also dote upon: Though my Command
Was to destroy the Idols of the Land;
Which to extirpate utterly, I did
All Converse and Affinity forbid
With those Inhabitants; whom therefore I,
Since they the Land with gross Iniquity
Had long defil'd, determin'd to expel,
And give them for a Prey to Israel,
To Root them out, not Imitate: For they,
By ill Example, soon would lead astray
From my pure Precepts. Yet you rather be
Inclin'd to hearken unto such, than Me,
And t'imitate the Nations round about ye,
Who, should I but withdraw, would quickly rout ye
Take now your choice; but know, the time will be,
In your Afflictions, ye will seek to me:
For they will prove as Thorns to vex and grieve you,
And there is none but I that can relieve you;
For 'tis not Man can give you Victory
O'er your Opposers; No, 'tis only I.
And had you still obey'd my just Command,
I'd quite expell'd your Foes from out the Land.

Meditations in Trouble.

O how is my Distressed Soul perplext
With overwhelming Sorrows! Ah, how vext
With daily Troubles, hurry'd to and fro!
I know not where to stay, or where to go,
To find some ease, or to avoid my Grief;
From this false World I cannot find Relief.
Alas, alas, that which Afflicteth me
Is Thoughts, how I have oft rejected thee,
Most Gracious Lord, when thou Invited'st me,
With other Weary'd Ones, to give us Rest,
And Consolation at thy tender Breast.
But, ah, incline thine Ear to this my Cry,
Grant me thy Quick'ning Presence, or I dye.
Though in Obscurity I have been hid,
And as in Crooked Paths oft wandered;
Some Glimpse of Light is surely broken in,
Which gives to see the Loathsomness of Sin:
Yea, through thy Goodness, I begin to know
Thou'rt Rich in Mercy, and to Anger slow:
Lord, speak the Word, that so I may be heal'd,
Knowing thy Holy Life in me reveal'd.
Ah, let thy Heav'nly Fear always in me
Abound, Salvation is alone of thee.
For, tho' thy Righteous Law I have transgress'd,
And oft despised Knowledge, like the Beast,
That hath no Understanding; thou didst please
T'engage thy self, That if a Sinner cease
From his past Wickedness, and fervently
Do unto thee, Great King, for Mercy cry,
So that thy Holy Precepts he obey,
And walk sincerely in thy Living Way;
Thou, by thy Prophet, Lord, wert pleas'd to give
Thy Princely Word, He shall not Dye, but Live.
Encouraged hereby, my panting Soul
Cries unto thee, that thou would'st make me whole;
Thou only Author of true Living Faith,
That hast subdu'd the Pow'r of Hell and Death,
And overcome the World: Ah, lighten me,
That I may know thy Way, and follow thee;
Bearing the Daily Cross, and find that Power,
Which is to the Redeem'd a Refuge-Tower;
And so enjoy Eternal Peace with thee,
Thou taking up thy bless'd Abode with me,
That I may sing thy Praise Eternally.

A Meditation.

Though Zion sit in Misery,
And do in Ashes mourn,
And all her Foes, as they pass by,
Do her deride and scorn.
Though like the spotless Turtle Dove,
That in the Rock doth dwell,
'Wailing the absence of her Love,
Whose Grief no Tongue can tell.
Though for a Season thus she may
Sit, like a Widow poor
And desolate, there is a Day
When she shall grieve no more.
Though yet she mourn, lament and weep,
To see her Children dear
To wander, like poor scatter'd Sheep,
Through Desarts far and near:
Hourly in danger to be torn,
By Tyger, Wolf or Bear,
As they are seeking to return
Unto their Mother dear.
Yet those that would these Sheep annoy,
Let them for certain know,
They shall not, if such them destroy,
Long unrewarded go.
Ere long this Cloud of Misery
Shall vanish quite away;
She, that sat in Obscurity,
Shall see a Glorious Day.
Then shall her Tyranizing Foes
Receive just Punishment,
Who did her Children dear expose
T'Exile and Banishment.
These shall return to her again,
With Sacred Songs of Joy;
But those shall Roar and Howl for pain,
And to the Mountains cry,
Fall on us, hide us from the Wrath
Of the Lamb's Anger, and
Which He against us justly hath
Sent forth: For who can stand
When he appears? Sure only those
That know his Blessed Power
T'surround and guard them from their Foes,
As in a Refuge Tower.

On PETER.

Could Peter, unto whom the watchful Cock
Was as a Sign, be that abiding Rock,
And firm Foundation, whereupon the Lord,
According to his never-failing Word,
Would build his Church, 'gainst which the Gates of Hell
Should not prevail? For Christ himself would dwell
Ev'n in the midst of her; Can these things be,
And Peter so prevail'd against? For he
Did after this yield to th' Infirmity
Of Flesh and Blood; and so, for fear, deny
His Lord and Master: Till his Master's Look
Pierced his Heart; and yet Compassion took
On Weeping Peter: But the Heav'nly Pow'r
Abides, that shew'd him clearly in that hour,
Jesus to be the Son of God, the Christ.
Though Gog and Magog study to resist
This Rock of Ages, all their Strength shall fail;
For against this, Hell-Gates shall ne'er prevail:
Nor shall that Faith or Hope e'er be Confounded,
That is on this abiding Basis grounded.
Would Man be safe against the Storms of Hell?
Then build upon this Rock of Israel.

A Meditation in Affliction.

O gracious Lord, thou only King of Kings,
Who only Saving Health and Comfort brings
To the Afflicted, that in Faith do cry
To thee! 'Tis thou canst heal each Malady;
Thou a Physitian of Physitians art,
And of thy Mercies freely dost impart
Unto thy Creatures, who have none but thee
To hope for help from, in their Misery.
O thou that to the Blind restored Sight,
Capacitating to behold the Light,
Which makes things manifest, whereby we may
Walk without Stumbling, and not lose our way:
Who likewise didst the Dumb Man's Tongue unty,
That he might speak, thy Name to magnify;
The Dead reviv'dst, the Bury'd rais'd again,
Strengthned the Ancle-Bones, whereby the Lame
Leap'd as an Hart: Thy Pow'r is still the same.
O thou that art the God of Love alone!
Look down, look down, from thy most Gracious Throne;
Have Mercy on me, ease me from my Grief,
And grant unto thy Hand-maid some Relief;
Hold forth thy Righteous Scepter, and say, Live;
'Tis thou alone that canst my Sins forgive:
Speak but the word, and my—Infirmities
Shall soon be heal'd.—Ah, heal my feeble Eyes,
Of Soul and Body, Lord, that I may see
Thy Heav'nly Light, and learn to follow thee!
And in thy Fear spend my remaining Days,
To tell thy Goodness, and to sing—thy Praise.

On the Sight of a Skull.

Behold, Ambitious Lump of Clay refin'd,
Thy Epilogue; see, see to what design'd!
So soon as thou wert Born, so soon as Air
Affords thee Breath, thy Vitals to repair;
So soon as thy small feeble Embrion Breast
Is of an active Power, unknown, possess'd;
So soon thou may'st expect the Dreadful Day,
When thou once more must be reduc'd to Clay;
And the whole Fabrick of thy Body must
Again be brought to its first nothing, Dust:
Then shall those Eyes, those Christal Eyes of thine,
Which now, like Sparkling Diamonds, do shine;
Their little Chambers circular forsake,
And them to Essence more obscure betake;
The tender Funnel of thy Nose, must thence
Corroded be, and lose its Smelling Sense;
And all the Volume of thy Face will be
So chang'd, none may thereby remember thee:
Therefore the hopes of all Terrestrial Glory,
Is Frivolous, and Vain, and Transitory.
Ah then, what cause hast thou, Presumptuous Man,
To boast thy self? Whereon, alas, where can
Thy vain Ambition build a Trophy now?
What Cause hath Majesty upon that Brow
T'Enthrone it self? Which must ere long become
A Thread-bare Skull, a simple naked Bone?
Therefore, who'er thou be, that dreads this strange,
To Flesh and Blood, this doleful, certain Change,
Let it be thy Concern, in holy Fear,
To pass the time of thy Sojourning here
In pure Obedience to that Heav'nly Pow'r,
Who, when he pleaseth, can to Life restore
And give thy Soul assured Satisfaction
(In Him, who is our Life and Resurrection)
To rest with him; whereby the Dread and Fear,
That doth so frequently in some appear,
When Thoughts of this great Change doth rise in Mind,
Are vanish'd and dispell'd; they inward find
Such hearty Resignation, they can sing,
Grave, where's thy Victory? Death, where's thy Sting?
Sin, Death's sad Sting, must therefore conquer'd be,
Before poor Man this Joyful Day can see:
Then, being call'd, we freely may lay down
This Transitory Life, to gain a Crown
Of Life Eternal, with the Prince of Peace,
Where all Affliction shall for ever cease.
Then, having put on Immortality,
Our Souls shall Praise his Name Eternally.

A Meditation.

O who would think it such a task to find
A vigilant and truly stable Mind!
Low center'd down in that Eternal Light,
Which, with its Brightness, drives away the Night
Of gross Egyptian Darkness, that it may,
Like pleasant Phospher, usher in the Day.
Alas, what Heart can rightly apprehend
The Soul-amazing Conflicts, that attend
All that begin to travel towards Zion,
How they're opposed by the Roaring Lion,
That goes about, still seeking to destroy,
And hinder from true Everlasting Joy.
Ah, none but those that walk the narrow Way,
Can see the Snares laid to entice astray,
And draw aside from that Protecting Pow'r,
Which only can preserve them in the Hour
Of great Temptation. Ah, thrice happy they
That know the Sheepfold, where they safely may
Lie down secure, and need not be afraid
Of any Beast of Prey, that would invade
The couching Lambs, whose Shepherd never sleeps,
But, as an Army, them securely keeps:
Here may they Pasture sweetly, safely, bless'd;
But from this Fold there is no place of Rest.

On the Parable of the Ten Virgins.

A Meditation.

The Lord, the Lord of Hosts, is Sion's King,
Who dwells i'th' midst of her, & she shall sing
High Praises to his Name; knowing his Word
Her only Law, to which, with one accord,
Her Children hearken: Tho' she once did Mourn,
She shall Rejoyce; Altho' she was the Scorn
Of Nations, He'll Exalt her, as the Crown
Of all the Earth; because she is his own.
Then shall Jerusalem be known to be
The bright, but tender Apple of his Eye;
And all that touch her, to afflict or grieve her,
Shall feel a Fiery Dart struck through their Liver:
Her Children are a Chosen Generation;
Jerusalem shall be an Habitation
Of Peace and Quietness; for she shall be,
By her Victorious Lord and King, kept free
From all Invasion; and her Glorious Light,
Which never more can be snrpriz'd by Night,
Is Heav'ns great Lord, against whom none can stand,
The Sun of Righteousness; whose Glorious Hand
Is Zion's Shield, Salvation is her Wall
And fenced Bulwarks, which can never fall,
By Force of Batt'ring Rams, or Cannon-Shot,
For their great Founder's is always on the Spot,
And never can be shaken, but shall be
Invincible to all Eternity.
And though her Gates (each of a Pearl entire,
Whose dazling Splendor justly may require
Our humble Admiration) are by Day
Open to all that that walk in Zion's Way;
That which defileth, or that is impure,
Or loves, or makes a Lye, cannot endure
To enter there; the Fire consumes all Dross:
The only Way therein is through the Cross.
Her Streets, where her Inhabitants do pass,
Are Bright as Gold, or like transparent Glass:
Hither the Lamb conducts his Chosen Ones,
To Reign with him, and sit on Glorious Thrones;
There to behold, for ever, Face to Face,
The Heavenly King, who giveth Grace for Grace,
With Princely Priviledge, to take and eat
Life's pleasant Fruit, which Man at first might take;
Which ev'ry Month brings forth a new supply,
Whose precious Leaves shall heal each Malady
Among the Nations, that there may remain
Not one infirm, or blemish'd with a Stain.
The Saving Health of Nations dwelleth here,
Where the Redeemed serve him without Fear;
Keeping th' Eternal Sabbath Day of Rest,
With great Emmanuel, for ever bless'd.
The Christal River streaming from the Throne
Of pure unblemish'd Glory (whereupon
The Lord God, and the Lamb immaculate,
In Mercy, Reigns) Refreshing ev'ry State,
Here sweetly flows; and also, Proclamation
Is made to ev'ry Kindred, Tongue and Nation,
If any thirst, let that poor Soul repair
Unto this Fountain, for Salvation's there:
Come, saith the Spirit; Come, the Bride doth say;
Why in a Land of Drought should any stay?
Come, all that thirst, Come, drink abundantly
These Soul-refreshing Streams of Purity:
This is the Blessed River, that makes glad
The Heritage of God, as David said;
For this doth through the Holy City flow,
And on its Banks that Tree of Life doth grow:
No Cursed Thing is in this City found,
But Perfect Peace, and Heav'nly Joys abound,
Because the Righteous reigns; whose Servants all
Praise Him incessantly; the Elders shall
Cast down their Crowns before his pure white Throne,
And say, All Praise, all Honour, and Renown,
Belongs to thee; who, by thy Living Word,
Created us for thy own Pleasure, Lord.

On Nadab and Abihu.

Were these the high Priests Heirs, that did begin
In 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,
As is an adding to the Law of God,
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.

On Charity.

Contemplation.

Great God, arise, that so thine Enemies
May be dispers'd, as Clouds when th'Sun doth rise!
Thou King of Kings, who only must expel
Th'intruding Foe, that in the Heart doth dwell,
Which is thy proper Right, who didst create
It for thy Service: Teach us, Lord, to wait
For thine Appearance, in Sincerity;
To know thee first to Judge, then Justify
The Meek, the broken contrite Heart: 'Tis thou
That teachest rightly to thy Name to Bow;
For none can Bow acceptably, or call
Thee, Jesus, Lord; (tho' thou art Lord of all,
Both Heav'n and Earth) but by thy holy Spirit;
Whereby we come, through Mercy, to inherit
Thy Princely Favours; and not only know
To call thee truly Lord, but Father too.
What! tho' Man in Externals may conform,
And seemingly from his Pollutions turn;
Yet to subdue and regulate the Will,
Is thy own Work, surpassing Humane Skill:
Poor wretched Man, tho' he thy Pow'r resist,
Cannot return unto thee when he list,
Without thy Help; since his depraved Will
Is so averse to Good, so prone to Ill;
Except he be, by thy Redeming Power,
Set free, and taught to know the Refuge-Tower:
Then neither Winds, nor Waves, nor Stormy Weather,
(Although with Fury all conspire together,
T'assault and ruinate the House that's founded,
And on the Rock is deep and firmly grounded)
Can overthrow it: Here's a Fortress sure,
Which will against all Batteries endure;
Here may we find a Captain will defend,
Whom all dear Sion's Foes cannot withstand.
Lord, since Salvation is alone from thee,
From Self Destruction, Wo and Misery;
Teach us to wait to feel thy Conqu'ring Love,
Within our yielding Bosoms, freely move,
To quicken, heal, and strengthen us; that we
May, through thy Goodness, rise and follow thee:
Believing, there is none but thee that can
Crown with Perfection this thy Work in Man;
And give access before thy Royal Throne,
Where perfect Peace and Joy in thee is known:
Then holy Thanks and Praises shall ascend
To thee, who to our Grief dost put an end.

A Meditation in Retirement.

O that my Mind were cent'red where it ought!
Entirely freed from all distracting Thought:
Vain wandring Thoughts, that crowd within my Breast
Do oft obstruct my Soul from Solid Rest;
And, like to vagrant Clouds, obscure the Mind
Which should to serious watching be inclin'd:
Ah! Rise thou Sun of Righteousness, thy Light
Can soon dispel the Gloominess of Night:
Appear, appear, let thy Victorious Ray,
And long'd-for Presence, still renew the Day;
Whereby my slumb'ring Eyes may walk and see
The Dawning Morning of Felicity,
Still more and more break forth to perfect Day,
Whose Heav'nly Light guides in the Blessed Way,
That leads to thy renowned Holy Hill;
Where true Obedience to thy Sacred Will
Makes glad the Hearts of thy Redeemed Ones,
Who know the Comfort of Adopted Sons;
And can sing Praises to that Gracious Hand,
Which rais'd 'em up, and taught 'em how to stand,
To walk and run the pleasant Paths of Peace,
Rejoycing in true Joys that never cease.

On the Vanity of the World.

How long shall empty Toys possess the Mind,
Which should to solid Joys be more inclin'd!
What true Content can spring t'Immortal Souls
From Riches, that take Wings, or lurk in Holes?
Thereby deluding those who seem t' possess
Them; but excluding from the Happiness,
Which, in right use of them, might be enjoy'd;
So in th'abuse their Hearts are more imploy'd,
Hoping to find therein a true Content
Unto the Mind: Yet nothing permanent
Can e'er be found in fading Vanity;
Such Hopes are crown'd at last with Misery.
Shall then the seeming Beauty of this thing
So dis-ingage from Duty to the King
Of Glory, who alone should rule in Man?
The Heart should be his Throne: Shall these things then
So sway the Mind, that Mortals should thereby
Be thus inclin'd to dote on Vanity,
Rather than to adore their Maker, and
Fall down before him, at his just Command.
May He be their Delight and Joy alone,
For Everlasting Life in Him is known:
Whereas the Love of transient Objects here,
Doth often prove a Soul-deluding Snare,
To hold them fast, as in Captivity;
Until at last, for their Iniquity,
They come to find themselves in this sad State;
Their Minds tormented, and their Joys t'abate.
Should any then imploy his Time, his Labour,
To gain a fading Toy, and lose the Favour
Of his Creator! Who, with tender Love,
Doth, as a Father, visit from above,
And gently call unto himself, that He
Might Ransom all to perfect Liberty.
Yet might we use needful Enjoyments here,
Without abuse, in holy Dread and Fear.
These outward things should not possess the Mind,
That to the King of Kings should be resign'd:
And he perswades to leave things transitory,
Yea, freely leads to never-fading Glory;
Come then, embrace the Crown that's set before ye.

Contemplation.

How amiable is thy Presence, Lord!
O how desirable thy holy Word!
Though as a Fire or Hammer it appear,
To burn and batter down whatever's dear
To sinful Flesh and Blood, thy Judgments be
Exceeding sweet and pleasant unto me:
For Sion's Children are Redeem'd thereby,
And Purify'd from their Iniquity;
Yea, Everlasting Righteousness brought in,
Her Converts ransom'd from ensnaring Sin;
And thy Salvation is hereby reveal'd
More near, and thy great Mysteries unseal'd,
When Judgment is brought forth to Victory,
That thine may walk with thee in Purity.
Ah! teach us daily patiently to wait,
In holy Awe, to know this happy State
Confirm'd and Seal'd unto us, that we may
Reign with the Lamb in the Eternal Day:
Then may we, to the Praise of Sion's King,
A Song of Judgment and of Mercy sing.

A Meditation.

O keep me in thy Fear, thou All in All,
That I may always hearken to thy Call,
And answer thy Commands: If thou say, Come,
Or Go, I with a willing Mind may run
The Paths of thy pure Precepts; that I may
Still know thy Presence in thy Living Way.
Ah, guide me by thy bright Enam'ring Eye!
Wherein sweet Mildness, mixt with Majesty,
So overcomes my Soul; that, ah, my Heart
Thus wounded, loves to feel so sweet a Smart!
'Tis thou alone that wounds, and gently heals;
Thou kills, and Everlasting Life reveals
Unto the Dead, that hear thy Voice; they Live
To bless thy Name, and Living Praises give
Unto thy Life-restoring Word; whereby
Thine are set free from their Iniquity,
To Live and Reign with thee, whose Pow'r alone
Works Wonders: Weakness wholly is our own;
But Strength Invincible is thine, Great King!
Thou Living Fountain, whence all Comforts spring:
Ah, teach me fervently to wait to see
Salvation and Deliverance wrought for me!
That all Thanksgiving may to thee redound,
Who art with Everlasting Glory crown'd.

On TRUTH.

Contemplation.

The Retreat, a Meditation.

Thou only Solace of a Panting Soul,
Let not Earth's interposing Mists controul
The earnest Breathing of my Heart, and vail
Thy Beauty over-long, lest Doubts prevail:
Yet gently teach me always to submit
To what Chastizement thou, my Lord, think'st fit;
That a more intimate Acquaintance may
With thee be known, and thy Eternal Day
Shine forth, as when the Moon's Light must become,
As the bright Quick'ning Lustre of the Sun;
And so the Splendor of the Sun increase
As the united Light of Seven Days.
Ah then, what cause of Stumbling can there be
To the Redeemed Souls, that follow thee,
In true Unfeigned Love! Thou only art
Worthy to have sole Interest in the Heart:
'Tis thou alone, who dost our Foes subdue,
And, with kind Invitations, long pursue
Rebellious Souls, too apt to turn aside,
Or to forget thy kindness, if thou hide
Thy Face a little; or like Israel,
When Moses tarry'd in the Mount, rebel:
For, ah, distrusting Thoughts do presently
Object the sad Impossibility
Of finding thee again, whereby we might
Be overwhelmed in Egyptian Night;
And with our borrow'd Jewels, form and make
A Golden Calf, and wretchedly forsake,
For new Inventions, thy most Righteous Law,
If Moses for a season should withdraw;
VVilling and running to our own Destruction,
When we should wait on thee to gain Instruction.
Ah, let thy tender Care preserve and keep
Us, with an Eye that is not apt to sleep,
But always guards thy little Heritage,
From all their Adversaries, in this Age,
As formerly; though the Unfaithful are
Often Surpriz'd, and cast into a Snare:
Bnt tho' thou try'st thy true Depending Ones,
Thou still protect'st them as Beloved Sons.
Ah! prove me, but support me; my Desire
Is, with resigned Will, to pass the Fire
Of Trials and Afflictions, till thereby
I be refin'd from all Impurity.
For those whom thou hast throughly purify'd,
And in the Furnace of Afflictions try'd,
Thou bear'st up in the Arms of thy Salvation,
And suckles at the Breast of Consolation,
That they may speak thy Praise, and run the Way
Of Life and Peace, in thy Eternal Day.

The First Epistle to Cousin F. R.

My Heart (dear Cousin) thy Eternal Good
Truly desires, and that Life's saving Food
Thy Soul may taste and feed upon; that so
Thou may'st unto a perfect Stature grow
In Jesus Christ, the bless'd Emmanuel,
And with him in pure Heav'nly Places dwell;
That in sincerity, thy Heart and Mind
May to this Loyal Lover be resign'd:
Then will it not be grievous unto thee
To wait to know his Will more frequently;
Which, when made known, be careful to obey,
That thou may'st travel in his holy Way;
Not still resisting, lest he cease to strive,
Who by his potent Love preserves alive.
O prize this Love! and see that, with disdain
Thou do'st not recompence this Love again:
Plead not for Flesh, nor Fleshly Vanity,
Lest thou be plung'd into Iniquity.
Thou know'st, thou hast a Talent to improve,
Yea, more than some: O do not grieve, or move
To Indignation, Him that doth extend
His tender Arm of Love thee to defend
From the devouring Dragon, that with Wiles
And sluggard Poisons, subtilly beguiles
Unstable Souls, that sell the precious Truth,
And in vain Pleasures waste their Prime of Youth,
But be not thou as they, who for meer Toys,
Contemn and Sell their Souls Eternal Joys:
Nor be asham'd (dear Friend) I thee intreat,
To honour Him that did thy Soul create,
And Body too; altho' the World should scorn,
For Jesus sake; thou know'st thou wast not Born
To serve the World, the Flesh, nor Satan neither;
Therefore, altho' all these Conspire together,
Give Christ thy Heart, & he will give thee Strength
To overcome thine Enemies at length.
But if thou be, before the Sons of Men,
Asham'd to own thy self his Servant, then
He'll be asham'd of thee before his Father,
And Ever-Blessed Angels; therefore rather
Deny thou all for Him, than Him for any;
For tho' there be pretended Lovers many,
Let this the chiefest of Ten Thousand be;
For surely so he'll prove himself to thee,
If thou canst but believe, and not exclude
Thy self, through Sin and vile Ingratitude.
O set thy self to seek him, that seeks thee,
With his endeared Love, to set thee free
From the Oppression of the Enemy,
Thee to adorn in spotless Purity.
Tho' Troubles, Griefs, and Crosses, do attend
Thee many times, thou hast a Bosom-Friend,
To whom in secret thou may'st tell thy Grief,
Who will not fail to grant thee true Relief.
Come then (dear Cousin) in Humility,
Prove, and thou'lt find this Friend's Fidelity;
Who will undoubtedly from Griefs divert thee,
And unto Holiness and Peace convert thee:
His Grace sufficient is, He only can
Effect what seems Impossible to Man.
My Heart is full, and fluent to indite,
My Hand is therefore thus engag'd to write
Much more than at the first I did intend,
And yet I scarce can freely make an end.

The Second Epistle to Cousin F. R.

A Remembrancer.

Consider well some by-past Days,
On former Times reflect,
And see if thou in all thy ways
Art truly circumspect.
'Twas said in Scripture's true Record,
The People well have spoken,
Had they an Heart to serve the Lord,
And not so falsly broken
Their Sacred Vows, whereby they did
Engage in holy Fear
To leave undone what he forbad,
That they might know him near,
Strength'ning to do what he requires,
(In deep Humility)
And still begetting new desires,
His Name to magnifie:
Whose Promise is to dwell within,
Even in the Humble Heart,
And wholly to Redeem from Sin,
And of his Grace impart;
That we may know his just Command
Reveal'd within, and done;
And all destroy'd, that would withstand;
Then shall his Kingdom come,
Which doth consist in Righteousness,
In Peace, and Heav'nly Joy
In th'Holy Ghost, where Blessedness
Abounds Eternally.

An Epistle to Cousin E. S.

When I remember thee (dear Friend) I find
My Heart thus to advise thee, is inclin'd;
If thou canst hear in Calmness, and subdue
All peevish Passion, which in open view
Of sober Persons, justly merits Blame,
And manifests the Ground from whence it came:
Then let this Counsel find a place in thee;
Stoop low to Truth, and learn Humility:
This thou wast once acquainted with; beware,
Lest Strangeness interpose, and learn to fear.
Know'st thou not what true Wisdom said of old,
Man's greatest Foes are of his own Houshold?
And true it is, not outwardly alone,
But inwardly; for greater there is none,
Than these, we can encounter with; for they
Lurk close within, and secretly betray.
Therefore take heed, for tho' there do appear
Bad Precedents, and Ill Examples near,
They'll not so soon infect a solid Mind,
Which unto Watchfulness is still inclin'd:
And then, though Trials frequently attend,
There is an Arm of Love that will defend
From all Assaults of Man's grand Enemy,
As it is lean'd to, in Simplicity.
O let's remember this, lest we should prove
Unmindful of our First, our Chiefest Love!
Or lest a Second Love should so engage
Our Hearts and Minds, in this Infectious Age,
As wholly to lead captive, and betray
Us to a treacherous, fawning Delilah,
A subtil Bosom Traytor; such prevail'd
O'er one, whose Strength and Valour never fail'd,
Until he doted on a Stranger's Love.
O may such false Enticements never move
Our Hearts to turn aside, lest we may lose
Our Strength and Stay, and frequently expose
Our selves to Snares and Dangers! Surely we
Are always bound to wait in fear, to be
Kept near that Living Vertue, that doth favour
Thoughts, Words, & Actions, and that keeps in favour
With our First Love; that we may live and rest
With Sion's holy King, for ever bless'd.

To Cousin M. S.

Sometimes (dear Friend) this riseth in my Heart,
Come, let's with Mary, choose the better part;
Of which the Meek shall not deprived be:
Her Seat was low, in deep Humility,
At holy Jesus Feet; where her desire
Was still to hear that Voice, which did inspire
Her Heart with fervent Love. She did not seek
Usurped Power, but learned to be Meek;
For certainly, the Humble-Hearted shall
Exalted be; but Pride portends a fall.
Whoever would be Great, must first be Low
And Little, and a true Subjection know
To that which teacheth Lowliness of Mind;
And to the Truth their All must be resign'd,
Before they can obtain that true Content,
And solid Joy, that's firm and permanent:
Such then may say, No Solace, Joy, nor Love,
Like unto this, which freely from above
Distills and streams into the Heart that's pure;
Here's Treasure, Pleasure, Peace, that will endure:
To this we ought to make our Calling sure.

The Third Epistle to Cousin F. R.

That Love (dear Friend) which brings thee to my Mind,
Thus frequently, hath now again inclin'd
To visit thee, with these Considerations
Concerning thee: O Let thy Meditations
Hereof be serious! Let all Vanity
Be far exil'd, and love Simplicity.
Shall I object to thee the Pompons State
Of Purple Dives, or his Dreadful Fate?
Nay surely! Thou the History canst read;
Read thou within, and let not Self-hood plead.
His Unrelenting Heart despis'd the Poor,
Ev'n Lazarus, that Languish'd at his Door,
Without Relief: Whereas in such a State,
I should (think'st thou) be more Compassionate,
And not so disregard him. Ah, my Friend!
Though some a Hand of Charity extend,
As outwardly (which in its place is good)
Imparting sometimes Raiment, sometimes Food,
To Fellow-Creatures: Yet there's one that's Poor,
Humble and Meek, contemned at thy Door;
That waits for entrance, and that gently knocks,
Until the Dew have wet his Comely Locks;
Open to entertain him now, for He
Is come, in tender Love, to visit thee:
And tho' Poor, Meek and Lowly he appear,
He's King of Kings; therefore incline thine Ear
To his Request, that he may dwell with thee,
Whose Love's the Fountain of Felicity.
Let Superfluities be laid aside,
The Gaudy Trophies of Insulting Pride;
And be not over-curious to express
Too much Exactness in an outward Dress;
Lest peevish Passion should too oft prevail,
To banish Reason from its Throne, and vail
Sound Judgment; which would search and purify
Submissive Souls from their Iniquity,
And Vanity, abounding in th'abuse
Of Visibles, which Mortals fondly choose,
And seek a Satisfaction in, in vain;
For here no lasting Joy can they obtain.
Why then should any so unmindful be
Of that great Off-spring of Eternity,
Th'Immortal Soul? That Epitome of Wonder;
Compar'd to which, all things beneath or under
The Glorious Sun are vain! What can be given
In change for this, whose proper Home is Heaven?
Ah, what advantage will it be to gain
The World, and plunge the Soul in Endless Pain!
Alas! Earths transient, vain, deluding Toys,
So fondly snatch'd at, for true lasting Joys,
Tho' (as by Rattles oft a Crying Child
Is for a season of the Breast beguil'd)
They seem to please, can never satiate
The Panting Soul, nor bring t'a Blessed State:
Why should they thus be priz'd, my Friend! O seeing
Thou art the Off-spring of th'Eternal Being:
Whilst that the Lord of Lords invites thee, come,
Love him that will conduct thee safely home,
Unto himself; and in thy Heart reveal
Eternal Life, as the abiding Seal
Of his endeared Love: Then Heav'nly Joy
Shall Consolate thy Heart Eternally.
Alas, that thou hereby might'st rightly know
How the abounding Streams of Love do flow
To thee and others, with increasing Store;
Its Boundless Current streams and issues more
Than through the slender Conduit of a Quill,
In such small sable Channels can distill:
O may'st thou always at the Fountain dwell!
For it's unseal'd to wrestling Israel.

The Fourth Epistle to Cousin F. R. in Answer to one Received.

To Cousin P. S.

Love, that inviteth all Men, hath (I see)
Extended its Engaging Hand to thee,
Dear Child! Consider and incline thine Ear,
Bow down in Meekness, and thou'lt quickly hear
The still small Voice, which doth behind thee say,
Come, follow me, this is the Heav'nly Way,
Walk in it: Travel here, thoul't not be weary,
(This Path leads on to Sion's Sanctuary)
But diligently waiting, shall renew
Thy Strength in Him, that's Holy, Just, and True,
The blessed Prince of Everlasting Peace,
Who, as obey'd, will plenteously increase
His daily Favours in thee, and reveal
His Holy Will, and strengthen to prevail
Against thine Enemies, that do surround
Thy Soul with Snares, whereby thy Griefs abound:
This is indeed the good Samaritan,
That binds up broken Hearts, and only can
Heal the afflicted; but he loves to see
Jacob bow down in deep Humility:
For then's the time of Love; He then extends
His Love to contrite Hearts; such he defends
With his Indwelling Presence: Therefore Fear
Always; for he delighteth to appear
To those that fear his Name, and faithful be
To what's made known; in small things, they shall see
Dominion over much, if they forsake
The Flatt'ring World, and Self, for Jesus sake,
Who Suffer'd for us, and despis'd the Shame;
He's only worthy over all to Reign.
Stoop therefore to the Cross, and do not fear
What Earth can do, tho' Mortals scoff and jeer,
And persecute, as those have ever done,
That stubbornly Rebel against the Son
And Heir of Glory: Him they buffeted,
Revil'd and scorn'd; and on his Comely Head
They tauntingly did set a Crown of Thorn,
Whose Head the Crown of Glory doth adorn.
'Twas He, that for his Foes resign'd his Breath,
And by his Suffering conquer'd Hell and Death:
Therefore let's Suffer with him, that we may
Live in his Presence in th'Approaching Day;
When all his Adversaries shall become
But as a Footstool to be trampled on.

Contemplation.

Establishment in holy Fear,
That I may know my Darling near,
Is more to me
Than all the Pleasures Earth can boast,
Which are but Pleasing Pains at most,
And Fading Vanity.
O thou prevailing Prince of Peace!
Reveal still more the bless'd Increase
Of thy Authority
And Government, that shall remain,
But never end; that so thy Reign,
In Dread and Majesty,
May be Exalted over those
That would thy Conqu'ring Arm oppose;
But to the Joy
Of all that humbly wait in fear,
And love to see thee, Lord, appear
In perfect Purity.

An Epistle to M. J.

Beloved Friend, thy Welfare every Day,
And Preservation in Truth's holy Way,
Is heartily desir'd; and that in Fear,
And holy Dread, thy Soul may persevere
To travel Sion's Path in Purity,
Learning to dwell in true Humility.
Ah, let us both, in lowliness of Mind,
Bow to the Pow'r, by which the Heart's inclin'd,
With true Sincerity, to stand and wait,
In Silence of all Flesh, at Wisdom's Gate;
Until the Heav'nly Lawgiver appear,
And in the Heart reveal his Counsel near;
Who teacheth Meekness; never to repay
Railing for Railing; but in Love to pray
For those that do despightfully accuse us,
And with Revilings frequently abuse us.
When Spotless Inuocency was by Men
Accus'd, and Truth condemn'd; O did he then,
By Verbal Arguments with them, assay
To justifie his upright Cause, or say
The least Reviling Word? Nay, surely Nay.
How then dare any, whom his Boundless Love
Hath once engag'd, if he be pleas'd to prove
Their Faith by Trials, as in secret say,
We'll follow him in a more easie Way?
Can we, without the Cross, expect the Crown
Of Everlasting Glory and Renown?
Nay verily, except the Cross do kill
The Self-hood, and subdue the Carnal Will,
How can we hope Eternally to Reign
With Him, who by his Suff'rings overcame?
'Tis not restraint from gross Iniquity,
But Self-denial, inward Purity,
And Holiness made perfect in his Fear,
That finds acceptance, when he doth appear
To Judge the Secrets of all Hearts, and bring
Into the Presence of the highest King.
Then 'tis the pure in Heart shall see the Lord,
And sing Eternal Praise with one accord;
Because they know that holy Name, whereby
They were Redeem'd from all Iniquity;
The Righteous enter Everlasting Joy.

Meditations.

O love! Thou Substance of the Royal Law,
Let thy sweet Influencing Power draw
Our troubled Hearts, in true Humility,
To wait on thee with holy Fervency:
For thou our Souls hast often visited,
That we might, by thy tender hand, be led
From Darkness unto Light; from Enmity,
Strife and Contention, unto Unity,
In Undefiled, in Unfeigned Love;
Which, tho' it may in Gentleness reprove,
Or otherwise instruct, it covers all
Faults and Offences; yea, if any fall
Through Weakness, it bears up with ready Hand,
And lends a Shoulder, till such learn to stand,
And walk more strongly: For it joys to see
Brethren to dwell in perfect Unity,
Only Contending who may most be found
In Lowliness, that Love may more abound.
But, ah, 'tis Hatred, Wrath, Revenge, and Strife,
Discovers Faults, strikes at the very Life;
Provoking oft one seeming Friend or Brother,
To bite, despise, if not devour another,
For empty Trifles; so that Vanity
Becomes Vexatious, and Perplexity
Of Spirit: For, as well observ'd by one,
All things are Vanity below the Sun;
The Sun of Righteousness, which when it shines
With its Resplendent Conqu'ring Ray, refines
The drossy Nature; rightly purifies
The Heart, consuming all Impurities;
Whereby, at last, the Enmity is slain,
And Love exalted over all to Reign.
Great Prince of Peace! Instruct our Souls to wait
To be Establish'd in this happy State;
Where Joys abound, and Enmity does cease,
And Charity withal doth still increase;
That, with thy dear Redeemed Ones, we may
Walk Hand in Hand in Sion's blessed Way;
Where no Iniquity can e'er be found,
Nor Love wax cold, but more and more abound;
Yea, Love that thinks no Evil, but doth seek
The Good of all, and teacheth to be meek;
Not easily provoked, but in Peace
With all: Here Happiness shall still increase.
Then may our cheerful Souls triumph, and sing
Pure, holy, living Praise to Salem's King.

The Fifth Epistle to Cousin F. R.

When I (endeared Cousin) meditate,
How Heav'n hath blest thee in thy tender State;
Reading thy Lines, by Wisdom's Dictates pen'd,
Which thou (by mutual Love engag'd) didst send,
And weightily reflect upon the (strange
To Flesh and Blood! but) truly happy Change
That's wrought in thee, by that Eternal Power,
That (as a Father) leads to Sion's Tower,
The Rock of Ages, Us, that went astray,
Wand'ring like Pilgrims, that had lost their Way
In some vast Desart, where the Savage Bear,
And other Savage Beasts, range here and there,
To seek their Prey: Yet by a sacred Hand
They're brought t'a happy Habitable Land.
Methinks we're bound to say, with one accord,
Who can enough admire thy Goodness, Lord!
O how can such but much esteem their Guide!
Who, had their careless Steps but turn'd aside,
And frowardly left the Discover'd Way,
Had certainly become a wretched Prey
To those Devourers: Ah! Such was our case,
Had not th'Eternal led us by his Grace:
Which, let us ne'er forget, but Praises sing
To our most Gracious Guide, dear Sion's King:
Who by his holy Life (the Light within
Reveal'd) redeems Believing Hearts from Sin;
And the Obedient to the Lord's Command,
Shall eat the Good and Sweetness of the Land;
The Land of Promise, giv'n them to possess,
(Though Murmurers fall in the Wilderness)
Then shall they feel that Life, which as with Nerves
And Joynts, unites, and tenderly preserves
As Members of one Body; so to give
Due Service to the Head, in whom we live,
By distribution of that precious Blood,
Which to the Body is both Life and Food;
And tho' it may retire, yet soon again
It circulates and flows through every Vein;
Renewing Warmth, encreasing Strength, whereby
The Body flourishes in Unity.
As doubly thus engag'd, methinks I prize thee
Much more than Pen and Ink can advertise thee:
Then how can those, who feel these Streams of Love
And Life, but prize each other far above
Ontward Relations, yet rejoyce to see
Them to partake of this bless'd Unity!
Thus thou to me art now become more near
Than formerly Related; yea, as dear
As Children of one Father, mutually
Oblig'd to Breathe for the Prosperity
And Welfare of each other, in the pure
Eternal Love, which makes Election sure,
And seals Salvation to us; yea, I find
My Soul, in Sympathizing Love, inclin'd,
As for it self, so to desire for thee,
That we in Faithfulness may ever be
Freserv'd; tho' Tribulations should attend,
Emmanuel, Almighty to defend,
Is near; yea, nearer than our Hearts expect,
Tho' often undiscern'd through our neglect;
He's Omnipresent, tho' not always seen,
For interposing Clouds may from us skreen
His Countenance: This he permits, to try
And prove our Love, our Chaste Fidelity.
But still he leaves us Pledges of his Love,
That, ah, methinks, nothing should ever move
Our firm engaged Hearts! Yet we, poor we,
Are weak, and subject to Infirmity;
Apt to forget his Favours, multiply'd
Towards us daily; apt to turn aside,
Did not his Blessed Arm protect, defend,
And still renew Engagements to depend
Only on Him, who loves unto the end.

The Sixth Epistle to Cousin F. R.

Can I but frequently remember thee,
Endeared Friend, when I such dangers see,
That daily meet the Travellers that set
Their Faces Sion-ward? Can I forget
To Recommend thee to that Arm of Power,
That keeps Worm Jacob, as a Fenced Tower?
Nay, nay; Can any Heart but break or bleed,
To view th'Affliction of the holy Seed,
Which in that

City of Chester.

Careless City is oppress'd,
Like to a tender Babe kept from the Breast?
Ah! Dreadful is the State of those, that lay
Such Stumbling-Blocks, to hinder from the Way
That leads to Life, and by a bare Profession
Discourage them that seek the true Possession.
O! Can Luke-warm Laodicea be
So Justify'd? No, no, the firm Decree,
Without Repentance, may not be Repeal'd;
What's done in Secret, soon shall be Reveal'd:
Ah, let their Stumblings and Backslidings be
A Caution, but no Stumbling-Block to thee!
Wait in the Deep, to know Love's Streams distil,
Like the refreshing Dew of Hermon's Hill:
Then, as thou travell'st in the Valleys low,
Where Shiloh's sacred Rivolet doth flow,
Thou may'st be, by its quick'ning Influence,
Preserved in an holy Living Sense
Of Heav'nly Things: Which blessed Priviledge,
The Rage or Strength of Men can ne'er abridge
Us of. Nor yet can I unmindful be
Of my own State, whilst I admonish thee;
But, sensible of Weakness, pity those
Whom great Offences frequently oppose,
To hinder them, if possible, that they
Might not persist to travel Sion's Way.
And as the wicked Spies, that falsly told
Discouragements to Israel of old,
Excluded both themselves, and likewise those
That, with them, did by Unbelief oppose
The Heav'nly Promise; tho' the Faithful were
Conducted safe, and took Possession there,
Ev'n in the Land that did with Sweetness flow;
So do the Sloathful and the Careless now
Raise Doubtings, and Distrust of Victory,
In all that do not, with true Fervency,
Press forward Cheerfully, with holy Fear,
Knowing their Captain of Salvation near.
O let the Love, which set the Heart on Fire
To follow him, increase a true Desire
In thee, to persevere unto the End;
For Isr'el's King for ever will defend
All that upon Him faithfully depend.

Meditations in Trouble.

Concerning Trials.

A Meditation in Retirement.

O thou, great King of Kings, arise and Reign!
Except thy Vertue springs, all Worship's vain;
Except thy Quick'ning Life be felt to rise,
There's none can offer up a Sacrifice,
That finds acceptance with so great a King:
And then, who dare into thy Presence bring
The Blemished, the Maimed, or the Blind,
Which with an Earthly Prince could never find
Any Regard; but rather for the same,
Severe Chastizement, with Rebuke and Shame.
O let thy holy Power operate
Within thy Temple, thou Immaculate
Holy, High Priest! O let thy Hand prepare
The Sacrifice! Then Isr'el may not fear
To find Admittance to the Royal Throne;
Thou'lt smell the Sweetness, and accept thy own:
We'll wait in Patience, and depend on thee,
Thou only canst Rebuke the Enemy;
That old Deceiver, Satan, though he stand
Among thy Children, as at the right Hand
Of Joshua; 'tis thy own Arm alone
Can save the Brand pluck'd from the Fire, or none.
'Tis thou that tak'st the filthy Garment from us,
And in thy Love art pleas'd to put upon us
Thy Royal Robe of Righteousness, whereby
We find access before thy Majesty,
To touch thy Glorious Scepter, and appear
Before the Throne of Grace; where, over Fear,
Love sweetly hath prevail'd: Yet shall there be
An holy Awe in all that worship thee,
An humble (deep-engaged) Filial Fear,
As to a tender Father, from his dear
Obedient Off-spring; watchful to attend
His holy Precepts; fearful to offend,
For very Love; not as in Slavery,
Dreading the Laws of just Severity;
But as by Love engag'd, which fills the Breast
With Satisfaction, not to be express'd
With Mortal Tongue; as thou wast pleased, by
Th'Apostle, whom thou lov'dst, to signify.
We're now thy Sons, Great King! but who can tell
What we shall be hereafter, when we dwell
With thee in Glory? Can the Hand of Man
Measure the Fulness of the Ocean?
Then may a Finite Engine testify
The Boundless Splendor of Eternity.

Of MODESTY.

Meditation.

On ELIJAH.

Of CHASTITY.

Vertue's its own Reward; and Innocence,
Where'er it dwells, a Fortress of Defence;
And in the Confines of pure, Chastity,
The Heav'n Born Soul finds joyful Liberty,
And pleasant Freedom; far surpassing all
The Latitude of base, luxurious Thrall,
Wherein the captivated Heart's inclin'd
To dote on Trifles, where it cannot find
True Solace, suiting the Nobility
Of that which sprung from Immortality:
Then why should any, stiled Rational,
So slight their Princely Great Original,
As to sit down content, to equalize
Themselves to Bruits, and sordidly despise
Enjoyments more sublime, which gratify
The Noble Intellectual Faculty,
Proper alone to Creatures Rational?
To be preferr'd before those Criminal
Polluting Pleasures, which do so incense
The injur'd (if not seared) Conscience,
As much allays their present seeming Joys,
And feeds the gnawing Worm that never dyes;
Whilst prudent Minds delight to Contemplate
The Wisdom of that Pow'r, that did Create
And Form the Universe: The Mystery
Of Natures scarce observed Harmony,
And that Intrinsick Vertue, that is found
In some familiar Concrets to abound,
Brings a Delight inferiour to none,
Save the Indwelling of that Lord alone,
That gives the Knowledge of them, and did frame
Them, to the Glory of his holy Name:
The sweet Experience whereof, I find,
Is, by a Noble and Ingenious Mind,
Acknowledged; asserting it to raise
The Heart, to celebrate their Maker's Praise.
Why then should so much Time, Expence, and Cost,
Be on some vain deluding Objects lost?
Which, as with Chains, do bind in Slavery,
And overwhelm, in gross Impurity,
Some doting Mortals, whose depraved Sense
Can taste no Pleasures, not derived thence.
But where unstained Chastity doth reign,
The Mind kept pure, is apt to entertain
Joys more refin'd; and then, if any rude
Disturbing Thought would secretly intrude,
'Tis soon expell'd, and banish'd from that Breast,
Where Chastity hath taken up her rest:
For here the Thoughts, the Words and Actions be
Well season'd, with an awful Gravity;
The good Effects of an Internal Law,
Which doth, by its prevailing Precepts, draw
Unto Obedience; whose Recompence
Doth far surmount all transient Joys of Sense:
Yet, ah, how many make it their Design,
T'entice the Soul, and lead beyond the Line
Of Innate Law, through pleasant Confidence,
Bringing at last to Boundless Impudence;
That Enemy to Vertue, that Prophane
Preludium unto a Tragick Scene,
Which doth by Heart-beguiling Pastimes bring
The yielding Captives to the wounding Sting
Of inward Horror, a tormenting Pain,
That frets their Hearts, involv'd in lasting Shame;
Whilst Peace and Honour evermore remains
To them, in whose chaste Breast true Vertue reigns.
Both Sexes are adorn'd by Chastity,
For, as Recorded to Posterity,
Great Heroes, for their Valour much renown'd,
If in their Princely Bosoms this was found,
As by a Law to limit; such did gain
A more enobling Lustre to their Name:
But those, from whom great Armies conquer'd fled,
That by a wanton Heart were vanquishéd,
(Though Fortitude is not to be forgot)
This to their Names is a perpetual Blot.
Who conquers Self, Vertue more Noble calls,
Than he that overthrows the strongest Walls:
Then for the Blushing Sex, what Tongue can tell
The Infamy that on her Name shall dwell,
That wants the Ornament of Chastity?
'Tis a Reproach unto her Memory:
But she that keeps her Mind retir'd and chaste,
Her Praise shall flourish; Fame nor Envy's blast
Can never blemish it; that Happy Peace,
That in her Bosom lives, shall never cease.
This therefore is to some a Pearl as dear
As Life; and such do less regard or fear
The loss of Life, and all, than once to stain
Their chaste reserved Souls, with guilt and shame.
Thus fair Matilda rather chose to dye
A Martyr to her Spotless Chastity,
Than with a gnawing Guilt and Horror live
In all the Pleasures that a Court can give;
Who, tho' with Mortals she be ceas'd to dwell,
She lives where Joys Immortal do excel
All Vanities on Earth; and here her Name
Doth still in Honour and Esteem remain.
Vertue bestows a Crown of Endless Praise
On all that to it Consecrate their Days.

Of a FRIEND.

If I to Love would be inclin'd,
And, without seeking, knew to find
One, whose unblemish'd Outward Case,
Princely Deportment, Comely Grace,
Might unto each observant Eye
Denote the true Nobility
Of an Heroick Heart and Mind,
(From sordid Vanity sublim'd)
Sincerely Pious, Loyal, Chaste,
And with such Inward Peace possest,
That Blust'ring Storms could ne'er prevent
True Inward Solace and Content:
Whom Prosp'rous Lot exalts not high,
Nor can a cross Adversity
Much discompose; observing well,
That all things here are mutable;
Who rightly knows to prize a Friend,
Without a base sinister End.
And though a Competency here
Of needful things, without much care
Enjoying, knows Treasure laid up,
Secur'd from Theft, and Moths corrupt;
Yet here, in Visibles, can see
The Wisdom of Eternity;
And knowing Rule, and Ruling know,
In true Dominion things below;
Meek, though Majestick; Valiant, and
That Self and Passion can command:
Rich in all Vertues, to compleat
A Noble Heart, more Good than Great;
'Tis such an one as this shall be
Much Honour'd, and Esteem'd by me.

A Meditation.

Ah, Lord! Why hid'st thou now thy Face from me?
My Soul expects no Comfort but from thee;
No Joy, but Grief; no Solace can be found,
But Soul-distracting Sorrows still abound
Within my troubled Breast; if thou retire,
Or hide thy Face, all my Delights expire.
How can I Live, except thy Quick'ning Breath
Breathe on me, and subdue the Pow'r of Death?
Ah, let my Heart thy Holy Ghost receive,
That so a Resurrection from the Grave
I may not only know, but be renew'd
In strength, to press ev'n through a Multitude
Of Tribulations, Lord, to follow thee!
Which if they sometimes as a trial be,
To prove the Love, whereto thou dost engage
My Heart and Soul, in this Backsliding Age,
Let many Waters never quench the same,
But rather be as Oyl pour'd on the Flame;
Which quickens, not extinguisheth the Fire:
So may these Trials rouze my dull Desire
Still more and more in Fervency to move
And tend to thee, thou pure Eternal Love:
For, ah, the warmth of thy Enliv'ning Ray,
Proclaims the Dawning of th' Eternal Day;
Which secretly Incourages to bear
These light Afflictions; for the Day draws near,
Wherein shall be a Glory (far transcending
These Griefs) reveal'd, a Glory never ending:
But, Lord, support me; there's no Trial can
So far perplex, that on the outward Man
May be impos'd; no Sorrow that can be
Like the withdrawing of thy self from me:
Thou only art the Solace of my Soul,
To thee let my distressed Heart condole
Her Troubles; for there's none like that, when thou
With Frowns beclouds the Brightness of thy brow;
Or secretly with-holds the Glorious Ray,
Which is my Sun and Shield, my Strength and Stay;
My chiefest Counsellor, mine All: Ah, then
How can my Troubles be described by Pen!
The Threats of this vain World shall not afflict me,
Except the Darling of my Soul reject me:
For it's thine Absence is the greatest Grief,
Thy loving Presence is a true Relief.
O 'tis my long'd-for Joy, mine only One!
This Blessing therefore grant me, Lord, or none.
O 'tis thy Love that thus engageth me,
To wrestle with, and follow after thee!
And tho' to prove me, thou may'st tarry long,
Preserve in Patience, let me never wrong
Thy Favours, so as once to entertain
Another Lover, or to turn again
In Heart to Egypt: Can her Garlick be
Of any pleasant Savour now to me,
Or any other Soul, that once hath fed
On Manna-Delicates, or Angels Bread?
Which even in the Desart thou affords
Abundantly, as Holy Writ records
Thou didst of Old: No, no, 'twas Penury
Enforced (in that Land of Slavery)
To feed thereon. If thy indulgent Care
Provide, and feed my Soul with better Fare,
Teach me to prize thy Love; 'tis now the same;
To Isr'el's Seed, thou say'st not, Wait in vain;
But thou appear'st, who always do'st regard
Thy Breathing Babes, and with thee thy Reward
Of inward Comfort's known, with an Increase
Of Joy, and Earnest of Eternal Peace,
To those that keep thy Covenant; to them
Thy Promises are all Yea and Amen.

Of the Rainbow.

O how Stupendious are thy Wonders, Lord,
Which thou Effectest by thy Living Word!
How Gloriously Presented every where,
Do they to the discerning Eye appear!
Which, as it views the Outside, may discover
The Inward Wonder, by the Shell vail'd over.
Hath not each Visible a Mystery?
Doth not each Herb proclaim a Deity?
Which, with so fine an Essence, gave it Birth,
Out of the gross dark Bowels of the Earth.
If these familiar little Creatures be
Such cause of Admiration, what may we
Observe in this vast Concave of the Sky,
So full of Wonders to a Searching Eye?
Do not the Heav'nly Orbs declare thy Glory,
Great King, as in an Universal Story?
Sun, Moon and Stars do, by their Light, proclaim
A Power divine, and magnify thy Name:
Can then this curious Semi-circle, deck'd
With such pure undy'd Colours, but affect
Our Hearts with Dread and Wonder? Can a Sign
Of such Concern and Glory (by Divine
Authority plac'd in the Firmament,
To signify that Gracious Covenant,
Which, for thy Goodness, for thy Mercy's sake,
Thou, in thy tender Pity, pleas'd to make
With poor Ungrateful Mortals, that thereby
They might believe, Floods should no more destroy
All Animals) pass unobserv'd? Though Man,
Through his ambitious Ignorance, began
Soon to insult, altho' in vain; his Power
And Policy, both fail'd at Babel's Tower:
Yet hast thou not remov'd this signal Token
Of thy endearing Love; nor rashly broken
Thy lasting Cov'nant; but thereby dost shew,
That thou alone art Faithful, Just and True.
O can this great Memorial to the Nation,
The Rainbow, but excite our Admiration,
When it appears! Were not the Signs of Heaven,
And Wonders in the Earth, ordain'd and given
For more sublime Designs, than only be
Look'd at, and gaz'd on, by Mortality?
Did not the great Apostle once attest,
That things invisible are manifest
By those that do appear? Did not hereby
Some of the Gentiles learn Divinity?
Why may they not as well excite and raise
Our Hearts, to celebrate the Author's Praise?

Of CONTENT.

Who seeks a Prize where 'tis not to be found,
Makes his Confusion but the more abound:
So they that dote on Riches that have Wings,
Or any other transitory things,
Do but with great perplexing Cares prevent
That which they most pretend to seek, Content.
Where may it then be sought? Behold, it lies
Hid, as a Treasure, from the Vult'rous Eyes:
Yet there's a Garden where this Plant doth grow,
Which who desires to find, must learn to know
A Heart that's well refin'd and purify'd
From high-aspiring discontented Pride;
Disdaining to admire that Idol, Gold,
But can, as with undazled Eyes, behold
Its Earth-bred Lustre; knowing how to use it,
Not hoarding it to rust, that's to abuse it;
That cannot for vile Pleasures prostitute
The noble Soul to grovle with the Brute;
That cannot be so bound to Humane Fashion,
As to be over-sway'd with Furious Passion:
But doth, as with a well-composed Mind,
Hear Self revil'd and scorn'd; yet not inclin'd
Unto Revenge, but still refers the wrong
To Him, to whom all Vengeance doth belong;
And can in inward Purity rejoyce,
Tho' Vertue's branded with the Name of Vice;
That doth in Joy such equal Temper know,
That Sorrow cannot make it stoop too low,
Nor be afraid, altho' the World should frown;
Nor yet forget himself, through vain Renown;
That counts an Injury worth no Reward,
Save only this, a Noble Disregard;
That's unto slavish Fear so much a Stranger,
That it undaunted meets approaching Danger;
Yea, high and low Estates can calmly bear,
Without Disturbance or distracting Care;
That honours Vertue, though in Poverty,
Rather than Vice, puff'd up with Dignity;
Whose equal Justice cannot vex his Foe,
Nor spare his Friend, if that his Cause says, No;
Who, tho' in Pow'r, would not inflict a Wrong;
Nor yet can see th' Oppressed suffer long,
Without Relief; but cheerfully doth lend
A Helping-hand to Enemy or Friend;
Whose Word's more binding than a Golden Chain,
Who stedfast to his Promise doth remain;
And will perform it, tho' no Ear attend,
To testify betwixt him and his Friend;
Who, in great multiplicity, can find
A calm and wisely-recollected Mind;
Knowing, that Heav'n did never This ordain
A Slave to Earth, but over it to reign:
And having Treasure, which no Rust can rot,
Doth use the World, as if he us'd it not:
And cheerfully submit to Providence,
(Not by constraint) in what it doth dispence;
Whether in Storms or Trials; for he knows
That Promis'd Comforts appertain to those
That mourn; or if his Lord and Master please,
Can Joy in Sun-shine, or more prosp'rous Days;
Knowing th' Eternal Wisdom never errs,
Therefore sincerely in his Thoughts prefers
That Will before his own; so comes to learn,
Wisdom and Love in all things to discern;
Who need not boast what Ancestors have been,
When all their Vertues shine more bright in him;
Which is a greater Honour than to be
The Refuse of some Famous Pedigree;
This knows such Peace the World can ne'er prevent,
Here's that much sought-for, durable Content.

An Epistle to M. R.

This Opportunity did me invite,
Dear Cousin, (tho' with Scribbling Pen) to write
These Lines unto thee, thus to manifest
I have not yet excluded from my Breast
Th'Remembrance of thee; neither Time nor Place,
Though far remote, should cancel or deface
The Monument of Friendship in that Mind,
That is to th' Everlasting Truth inclin'd.
O may this always our Instructor be!
Then shall we live in constant Amity:
Let Truth in th' Inward Part be always dear
Unto thee, then thy Counsellor is near;
Who will instruct thee, how thou may'st behave
Thy self at all times, modest, meek, and grave;
That thou may'st find that Peace, which doth excel
All Visible Enjoyments, and so dwell
In Undefiled Love, that will attend
The truly humble Heart unto the end.

An Epistle to Cousin J. R.

Could pious Paul desire that dreadful State,
To be anathemiz'd, or separate
From Jesus Christ, his high esteemed Lord,
For Isr'elites, to whom the Heavenly Word,
The Promises and Law, did appertain,
The People unto whom the Cov'nants came,
His Kindred in the Flesh? Then how can I
Be unconcern'd for thee, my near Ally?
No, no; for Love, the Universal Love,
Which tenderly doth visit from above,
Desires the good of all; takes no delight
That Sinners die in Sin, but doth invite
All to return to Him, and Live; for He
Hath promis'd their Iniquity shall be
Forgotten, they in Righteousness shall live;
And He, to them that overcomes, will give
A Crown of Life; yea, they shall splendidly
Be cloath'd with Robes of Immortality.
Consider well these things, my Friend, and learn
To know what chiefly is thy great Concern;
That Noble Off-spring of the Deity,
Why should it be seduc'd with Vanity?
O come, and in true lowliness of Mind,
Receive Instruction! Seek, and ye shall find,
Is a Sufficient Warrant to begin
To seek the piece of Silver, hid within
The House, thy Heart; Redeem thy precious Time,
And find it out. O let thy Mind incline
Unto the Voice, that doth in secret say,
As one behind thee, This is Wisdom's Way,
Walk in it; this will lead to lasting Joys;
Despise them not for transitory Toys.
Aim'st thou at Honour? Know, a sudden Puff
Blasts it, and often leaves a Stinking Snuff.
Ah, see'st thou not, that here all vain Renown
Is dash'd and disannulled with a Frown?
Seek Honour from above, and fear the Lord,
And hearken to his holy living Word,
Hid in thy Heart, that frequently reproves:
Wisdom rebukes, and chastens whom she loves.
But where there's no Reproof, there's cause of fear,
Lest that the Holy One cease striving there:
Such may too late bewail themselves, and say,
O that I might be spar'd another Day!
What can a wounded Spirit satiate,
When Soul and Body must be separate?
Whilst therefore Time doth unto thee remain,
Take up the Cross, and own that holy Name,
Christ crucify'd, and risen from the Grave,
Whose Life's the Light of Men, that comes to save.
But what avails to read the History!
In silence learn to know the Mystery:
For inwardly the Heart's defil'd with Sin,
Therefore Salvation must be wrought within,
By that which humbles, and that boweth down
To Judgment; first the Cross, and then the Crown.
The Word is as a Fire to purify
The Heart of Man from all Iniquity,
Before it be a Word of Consolation,
And bring the Soul glad tidings of Salvation.
All this (I hope) thou know'st; but he that knows it
Is not thereby approv'd, but he that does it:
The Doer of the Word is Justify'd,
Because he by the same is Sanctify'd.
Slight not the day of small things, lest there be
Greater with-holden and conceal'd from thee.
Was it not said, when Ephr'im was a Child,
I loved him (that's lowly, meek, and mild?)
O be not high and lofty, but come down,
With quick Zacheus, if thou'lt gain the Crown
Of Life and Peace! Hark, doth not Jesus say,
Salvation's come unto thy House this day?
If thou'lt receive it, cast it not away.

An ELEGY.

An EPISTLE.

Is Friends fled, or Love grown cold?
Do frozen Walls of Ice with-hold
Its Pearly Streams? O let the Sun,
That gave it being, shine upon
The brittle Fence! Or is some Skreen
Injuriously set up between
The gentle Spring, and that bright Ray
Which, conqu'ring Night, brings joyful Day?
Remove that Obstacle away:
Then, tho' with Grief I may confess,
In Winter-time th' Effects be less,
Because of Distance, or cold Air
Prevailing in our Hemisphere,
And interposing (For Sol's Pow'r
Is still the same each Day and Hour)
It will dissolve the Frost in time,
If its warm Ray there-on may shine;
Tho' vacant Clouds do interpose
Its pure refulgent Beam, and those
Inferiour Concrets that have Birth
From the gross Element of Earth.
But stay! Methinks a Spring should be
From Winters chilling force, more free
Than to be Frozen! Inbred Heat
Is then, with purest Springs, more great;
And with its Current soon doth glide
Through Ice besetting either side.
Let Love spring up, that we may see
The same Effects, dear Friend, in thee.

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
The least Affection, till his Gracious Hand
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.

The Eighth Epistle to Cousin F. R.

Shall Transitory Toys, vile Chaff and Dross,
E'er be esteem'd and priz'd above the Cross?
The Cross of Christ, the Pow'r of God, whereby
The holy Men of Old did crucify
The World and Self-hood; and thereby obtain
A Crown of Glory, over all to reign,
With Sion's King, in Everlasting Peace,
Where Joys abound, but Griefs and Sorrows cease.
Ah! Shall that precious Seed, that hath been sown
In Ground prepar'd, so soon be overgrown
With Bryars and Thorns? Or must the scorching Ray
And parching Heat of Trials, cause decay
In that once green (tho' tender) sprouting Plant?
Hath it but little Root? Or doth it want
Refreshing Show'rs, or early Dews? O see
Why thus it seems to droop! Why should it be
So long neglected? It may sprout again
If cherished with first and latter Rain;
Which Bount'ous Heav'n will not too long deny,
If Disobedience and Idolatry
Do not provoke thereto: That Gracious Hand,
That planted it, can make a barren Land
More fertile for its sake; and if he please,
Can make a Fruitful Land a Wilderness.
Ah! let our Breathings for each other be,
That since we were from the wild Olive Tree
Remov'd and separated, that we might
Be grafted in the good, we may not slight
The Hand that planted, nor the Root that bare us,
Lest we decay; for can the Pruner spare us,
That spar'd not Nat'ral Branches, if we be
Unfruitful, but divide us from the Tree?
But that we ever may, as we depend
Upon the Root, feel Life and Sap ascend
Into our Branches; that pure Praise may spring,
And Fruits of Righteousness to Sion's King.

A Letter to Cousin F. R.

In secret Yearning for thy Preservation,
Endeared Friend, I send the Salutation
Of Love unfeign'd, and heartily desire
Its pure Refining Flame may ne'er expire,
Or be extinguish'd: For 'twas said of old,
Iniquities abound, when Love grows cold.
Now, though thy silent Pen doth testifie,
There's some (yet latent) cause of Jealousie:
I'll not my Rival envy, if it be
One worthy to be entertain'd by thee,
Without Detraction from that innate Worth,
Whereto (I hope) thou art by second Birth
Entituled. But can Affairs so crow'd,
Or interpose, no Hour must be allow'd
To send some welcome Evidence of Love,
Which did so mutually engage and move
Our Hearts and Pens so frequently t'express
Their Quondam Sympathy? Well, ne'ertheless
What's character'd in my poor pausing Mind,
I send unto thee, as by Love inclin'd;
Wishing thy Candid Aspect on the same,
Or else annihilate them in a Flame.

A Parable to Cousin F. R.

SOLITUDE.

A Meditation.

Can I forget that hand, that first did lay
My mean Foundation out of Dust or Cay?
Can I forget the Breath, that did inspire
My Lifeless Mass with pure Eternal Fire?
Can I forget the Word, that first said, Live;
And with its Vertue, Life did to me give?
Can I forget that Eye, that guideth me
With Heav'nly Brightness through Obscurity?
Can I forget that holy Arm of Power,
That guards and keeps me safe, as in a Tower?
Can I forget that sweet Celestial Bread,
By which, when hungry, I am nourished?
Or can my Soul ever unmindful be
Of those Refreshing Streams that flow from thee?
Thou great Eternal Fountain of all Good!
Whose Name by Mortals is not understood;
Nor can, by Letters, Words, or Sentences,
Be rightly Comprehended as it is:
For thou art All in All; and who can say,
He can remember thee another Day?
Except thy Holy Spirit still abide,
And lodge with us, to teach, direct, and guide
Our Hearts & Thoughts, and quicken good Desires,
Whereby we long for thee, when thou retires
To thy Pavilion, to thy Secret Place;
So that we rest not, till we see thy Face:
For thou alone prepares true Rest for thine;
Tho' furious Men against the Saints combine,
Their Habitation they can ne'er destroy,
By all their hostile Arts and Policy:
For it is founded on the Rock that shall
Abide; and, tho' Waves beat, shall never fall,
As Faithful they remain to thee, that art
Author of Faith, that Shield from ev'ry Dart.
Ah, why should any doubt? Thy Arm's the same
As ever; all-sufficient to restrain
The Wrath of Man, tho' (as a flowing Tide)
It seems Resistless: If thou please to guide
Our feeble foot-steps-in thy Path, we shall
Not be dismay'd, but follow thee through all
That would oppose: Thou art our chiefest Guard;
Yea, thou art our exceeding great Reward.
Ah, take up thy abode with us! For we
Can find no Resting Place, except in thee.

Meditations on Persecution.

Gold-hungry Seamen, tho' they oft endure
Day-dark'ning Storms & Tempests, to procure
The winged Treasures of this fading World;
Altho' they run the hazard to be hurl'd
On wrecking Rocks, or quick-devouring Sands,
Or cast as Captives on some foreign Lands,
To spend their wretched Days in Misery,
Instead of what they sought for to enjoy,
Abounding Wealth, if to their wished Shoar
They safe arrive; venture again, yet more
Undaunted than at first, in hopes to be
With more success, kept from those Dangers free.
Then why should such Faint-heartedness appear
In Isr'el's Camp, that ought of right to fear
None but the Lord! Can any doubt, that have
The Word of an Almighty King, to save
Them to the uttermost? What! Tho' he seem
To tarry long, his own Appointed Time
Is always best; in greatest Straights, we do
Wholly depend on, and acknowledge too,
Salvation only from above; for then
We find, 'tis vain to hope for help from Men.
Ah! was not Isr'el thus beset? Could they
Encounter furious Pharaoh's Host, or th'Sea?
Yet was Deliverance near; the Sea must be
A Path to them, a Grave to th'Enemy:
Pharaoh might follow, to his own Destruction;
Whilst Israel is prov'd, to gain Instruction:
That these may learn whom they should chiefly fear,
And whom to trust, when Tribulation's near.
Ah, then in this our Gospel-Dispensation,
Why should the Children of this Generation
Seem so far Wiser, or more Valiant, than
The sacred Off-spring of Jerusalem?
Those hazard Life for Transitory Toys;
And shall not these, for Everlasting Joys,
Resign up Visibles, yea, Life and all,
To Him that gave it, if he please to call
To such a Trial? Can we baulk the Way
Wherein he leads, except we run astray?
We must through Exercises overcome,
And bear the Cross, (if we would wear the Crown)
And fully follow him: The Recompence
Will far exceed, when we are parted hence.
But who art thou, that art so loath to give
Up an Estate? A Thief may soon deprive
Thee of a greater Share, than he requires;
Some suffer more by Carelesness and Fires;
Which justly Heav'n permits, to let them see
How vain these poor, these trifling Treasures be.
Or dost thou fear Confinement? Heav'n may send
Grievous Diseases, which Physitians Hand
Cannot remove, and to th'uneasie Bed
Make thee a Pris'ner, when thy Health is fled.
But if thou be confin'd for Jesus sake,
He will a Prison much more pleasant make,
Than any Spacious Palace: For He'll be
Fulness of Joy, and Saving Health to thee.
Now, tho' some shun the Cross, as Worldly Wise,
And from the Path of Truth apostatize,
And yet the Judgments do not soon ensue,
(Altho' they be in dreadful Vengeance due)
So that the Wicked did of old aver,
Surely the Lord his Coming doth defer:
Yet shall they not have Peace, but feel the Rod
Of a Displeased, of a Jealous GOD;
Whose Word can never fail, altho' he try
Some with Long-suffering, and great Clemency.
Ah, Kiss the Son, lest that his Anger be
Incens'd! For He alone can comfort thee:
And let not any faint, or start aside,
Heav'n will support his Faithful Ones when try'd.

On DANIEL.

Meditations concerning our Imprisonment Only for Conscience sake, 1684. in Lancaster Castle.

Another Letter to Cousin F. R.

On FRIENDSHIP.

Amongst the many Records I have read,
And Transcripts, thro' the world much scattered,
I've met with several Hints and Whisperings,
Of an abstruse Grand-Property, that springs
From some interiour, hidden, innate Cause,
In Noble Breasts, uncircumscrib'd by Laws,
Styl'd Friendship, which of such a Nature is,
That many think they know it when they miss.
But 'tis suppos'd of such sweet Innocence,
Of so Divine and Sacred Influence,
When it doth in true tender Hearts prevail,
That when occurrent Troubles would assail,
It guards, as doth a Bulwark, either Breast,
Where it resides, and taketh up its rest.
But O! this treacherous World knows little of it,
Except it be in Name, whereby to scoff it.
For now, tho' some affected with the Name,
Would be suppos'd touch'd with its Noble Flame,
They scorn its Dictates, and will not regard
A troubled Friend, except some fair Reward
Appear in view; their Business or their Pride
Engrosses all; Self may not be deny'd.
O when will Mortals raise their Eyes to see,
That all things here are only Vanity!

On the Three Holy Children.

When Conqu'ring Babel's Foes were subjugate,
And fair Jerusalem depopulate,
King Nebuchadnezzar Triumph'd in Pride,
And his Concerns of War seem'd laid aside;
Who Glorying in his Strength, not in the Lord,
Formed a Golden God to be ador'd.
Now this great Image, made by Mortal Hand,
Must worship'd be (such was the King's Command)
Tho' senseless, helpless, tho' he ne'er could bless
Their War-like Enterprizes with success:
But 'tis the King's Decree, and then who dare
Resist, but such as do a Greater fear?
The Sentence is, The Fiery Furnace must
Consume the Rebels Body unto Dust.
Yet there were Captive Jews of Royal Blood,
Who, in their Zeal for Israels God, withstood
That cursed Edict, that vain Law reject,
That strict Decree with them had small Effect:
Then the Informers, that observ'd the Jews,
And sought for an occasion to accuse
The Innocent, (as some do now) drew near;
And first, to gain acceptance in his Ear,
Said, Live, O King, for ever! Thou hast made
A firm Decree, which some have not obey'd;
Even Three conceited Jews, who neither Thee
Regard, nor to thy Gods do bow their Knee.
O how his Fury doth at this arise!
That any should his Golden God despise:
His Visage doth its native Features change;
His Eyes, with sparkling Rage, proclaim Revenge:
Therefore, at his Command, they all in haste
The Persons of the Innocent arrest;
Call'd Shedrach, Meshach, and Abednego,
And they before the wrathful King must go
To prove the Matter; and, it seems, to try
If they would Bow: Which, when they still deny,
As knowing, He alone that did create
The Fire, and all things else, could soon abate
Its Violence; and from the threatning Hand
Of Babel's King, deliver them that stand
In Awe to none but him, and fear not Man;
But dread the Living God, who only can
Kill and Destroy, or save and keep Alive;
For He to Man doth Life and Being give.
This they believing, did not study how
To answer; but resolved not to Bow
To any, but the Lord: Altho' the King
Seem'd, in his Wrath, to count it as a thing
Impossible, that any God could be
So Potent, to withstand his fierce Decree.
But Great JEHOVAH did that Law confound;
For when all Three were in their Vestments bound,
And cast into the furious Fiery Flame,
Th'Eternal Word did Pow'rfully restrain
Its proper Quality, and so surround
Them with Defence, no harm on them was found:
Yet did the Fire retain its former Vigor,
And manifest it with resistless Rigor,
Against those Men, who bold to execute
The King's Command, the Just did persecute:
Which, when Nebuchadnezzar saw, dismay'd,
He rose in haste, and to his Nobles said,
Were not Three Men cast bound into the Flame?
They answer'd, True: The King reply'd again,
Now, in the midst thereof, behold, I see
Four Men walk loose, and from their Fetters free;
Whereof the Fourth seems cloath'd in Majesty,
As Son of the Immortal Deity.
Thus was the Lofty forced to confess,
There was a Pow'r above him, and to bless
The God of Isr'el; set his Servants free,
That, trusting in him, would not bow the Knee
Unto, or serve another, than the Lord,
Their only God; but, as with one accord,
Did yield their Bodies to his Will, that they
Might magnify him in their Trial-Day.
Consider now, had they not Faithful been,
The Captive Seed of Isr'el had not seen
That great Deliverance, so signally
Wrought for them, that, in true Simplicity,
Resign'd themselves, their all, unto the Lord,
Who is alone worthy to be ador'd:
Nor Babel's Monarch been constrain'd to bless
His holy Name, who Reigns in Righteousness;
Deposing Kingdoms unto whom he sees
Most fit, and Changing Man's perverse Decrees.
Lord, may thy Wisdom, in these latter Days,
Limit, or turn Man's Wrath unto thy Praise!
Put thou an Hook into the Jaws of those,
That study Politickly to oppose
Thy Works of Love and Wonder, in the Land,
And with their Subtilty seek to withstand
The Progress of despised Israel,
In their Return towards thy Holy Hill,
Sion, the sacred Mount of thy Renown,
Which Babylon hath sought to Batter down,
But never shall prevail; altho' she seem
To sit in Pomp, like to a Stately Queen,
That sees no Sorrow; all her Pride is vain;
For fall she must, and never rise again;
The Time's appointed: Then shall Sion rise,
And Triumph over all her Enemies.

The Conclusion of a Letter to Cousin F.R.

Ne'er let the Prospect of a great Estate
Dazle those Eyes, which I presum'd of late,
Could from on High, with brave disdain, look down
On this Worlds fading Glory; since a Crown
Of Life is promis'd for a Recompence
Of hearty, true, sincere Obedience,
Unto the Faithful Soul, whose strong Desires
Are centred in that Joy that ne'er expires.
Ah, let Enough suffice! Could Poverty
Be Advocate, 'twould plead Excuse for thee:
But if we grasp at Riches that are vain,
Then how is our Religion strong and plain?

A MEDITATION.

Lord, teach me patiently to follow thee,
Thro' thy sore Travels, thro' thine Agony,
Which thou so meekly didst endure for me,
'Mongst such unworthy Worms as wounded thee,
Piercing thee fresh with our Iniquity:
Teach us to Suffer, till we Reign with thee.

To her Friend M. J.

Let us, my Friend, all peevish Self withstand,
And in the Meekness of the Spotless Lamb,
Lead one another gently by the Hand,
And travel forward to the holy Land,
Where the Redeemed on Mount Sion stand,
With Harps of Living Praises in their Hand.

A MEDITATION.

Eternal Love, before whose Glorious Face
All Times art present, filling ev'ry place;
Uncircumscribed, Unexcluded! Can
Thy Boundless Mercy to forgetful Man
Be told? Or can thy long Forbearance be
Enough admir'd? Great Dreadful Majesty!
Ah, let my Soul, in a true living Sense
Now ruminate on the sweet Influence
Of that abounding Goodness, which from thee
Did freely reach to such a Worm as Me!
The Beast, that cleaves the Hoof, & chews the Cud,
Was by the Ancient Law proclaimed Good:
And as thou'rt pleas'd t'enjoyn thine Israel,
In humble due acknowledgment, to tell
Thy Mighty Wonders, each one to his Friend,
Whereby thou brought'st 'em to the promis'd Land;
So 'mongst the many Favours, Lord, of thine,
May I now call to Mind that doleful Time;
Wherein, as pondering of my State, I found
(Tho' Life and Vertue doth with thee abound)
My self as one of those dry senseless Bones,
Which lay in th'open Valley, which thou once
Did'st shew thy Prophet, all exceeding dry,
Until thou pleas'd to cast a tender Eye
Of Pity on them, and the Answer give
Unto that great Demand, Can dry Bones live?
By Breathing on them, when thy Gracious Hand
Had gather'd them, and by thy bless'd Command,
Cloath'd them with Flesh: Great King! thy Pow'r's the same
It was of old, and cannot move in vain.
Thus, tho' at first my miserable State
Seem'd unto me doleful and desperate,
How soon thou, in the Bone, didst broach a Spring,
Which to my Soul did sweet Refreshment bring.

Friendship Tried.

A MEDITATION.

Of a Happy Life.

Shall we exclude from a Sedate,
Sweet, Happy, and Contented State?
The honest Man, that lives in Health,
Enjoying still sufficient Wealth,
Though not from an Inheritance,
But sure supply from Providence,
Estate by Industry can find,
But treasures Goodness in his Mind;
Though boasting no Nobility,
Nor Honours, from a Pedigree;
But rather can, with Tully,

Ego meis Majoribus Virtute præluxi.

tell,
He doth his Ancestors excel;
Yet is not over-clogg'd with Care;
Can Time for Mind and Body spare;
Can Feed and Sleep in Season, free
From Superfluous Luxury;
That hath an equal Loyal Spouse,
An handsome Habitable House;
Inherited, or Purchas'd, that
He need not fear the sullen Threat
Of griping Landlord; but if not,
Finds true Content in any Lot;
Since in the Closet of his Mind
Dwells Solace not to be defin'd,
Hath a just Friend, that canot be
Transformed in Adversity;
And what's more Happy, yet more Strange!
He's always ready for a Change.

On David and Jonathan.

Are learned Pens solicitous t'Express
Idle Chimera's in Romantick Dress?
And shall the Fame of these Heroick Friends,
Be thought a Theme unworthy of such Pens?
Where a more Princely Pattern can we find
Of Loyal Friendship, and a Nobler Mind,
Than shines in Jonathan, Saul's famous Son?
Whose Heart to David, since the Conquest won
From great Goliah, was so firmly knit,
That no Self-Int'rest could e'er alter it:
Such Potent Love sprang in his Royal Breast,
That he Disrob'd himself, to Cloath his Guest;
And gave his Garments, Girdle, Sword, and Bow,
Whether he did, by sacred Instinct, know
He should his Father in the Throne succeed:
(Can Man divert what Heaven hath decreed?)
And though the Kishite politickly told,
While Jesse's Son surviv'd, He never should
Establish his Dominion, or Advance
His Royal Scepter: Yet since Providence
Had so dispos'd it, He, with Pious Mind,
Serene from Envy, had in Heart resign'd
His Kingly Pow'r to David: For had he
Been false in Heart, some trick of Treachery
Had broken forth, his Honour to obscure;
Yet David other ways been kept secure.
But O his brave Heroick Soul disdain'd
Ignoble Projects; yea, a Crown so stain'd
With Breach of Friendship! Ah, how did he plead
With furious Saul, and nobly intercede
For absent David, till he did provoke
To (had it hit) a sad and fatal Stroke
Against himself? then meekly he withdrew,
And at th'appointed season went to shew
This unto him, whose Life seem'd to depend
On the Fidelity of such a Friend;
Who (pre-advis'd) did privately attend
The Prince's coming; where, with mutual grief,
Leave to depart, was then the sole Relief
Time did afford; with Tears, and great increase
Of Sorrow, David is dismiss'd in Peace.
But David, truly worthy such a Friend,
Rememb'red this, when Heav'n had put an End
To Rivalty of Rule, and call'd away
The noble Prince; lest here his longer stay
Might seem t'Eclipse his great Renowned Name,
Had he surviv'd to see another Reign:
David yet Grateful (when with watry Eyes,
He had bewail'd his dear Friend's Exequies,
And griev'd that he was by Philistines slain,
'Gainst whom his Sword was never drawn in vain,
Until that dismal Day, that Heav'ns Decree
On wretched Saul must executed be)
Sought out occasion how to manifest
The Effects of Friendship in his Kingly Breast;
And to the Off-spring, gently did extend
The Favours due to his deceased Friend;
Mephibosheth, though Saul's Posterity,
(Saul's, that was of such noted Enmity
To David) being Son to Jonathan,
Must dwell at Court, the King will entertain
Him at his Royal Table, gives Command
For the Surrender of Saul's State and Land.
Was David Valiant? Did he, void of fear,
Assail and slay a Lion and a Bear,
And with undaunted Courage overcome
The Warlike Gathite with a little Stone?
But, which preferr'd him more than all the rest,
An Upright Heart he bore within his Breast.
Was not his Friendly Rival Jonathan
Renown'd for Valour too? The only Man,
That, with his Armour-Bearer, overthrew
The proud Philistines, ere his Father knew
With whom he left the Host of Israel,
Whilst the proud Garrison before him fell,
With Dread and Trembling; Israel, mean while
Amaz'd, made haste but to pursue and spoil:
Yet did he not out-brave his Loyal Friend,
But by Majestick Meekness recommend
That true Nobility of Mind, that brings
A greater Honour than the Name of Kings.
For tho' his Sword many Philistines slew,
And Israel's Foes he bravely did subdue;
Yet did that Love and Friendship in his Breast,
Embalm his honour'd Name above the rest
Of his Renowned Vertues, and engage
Immortal Fame in each succeeding Age.

On Modesty and Chastity.

O how is this Luxurious World beguil'd!
That Spotless Modesty seems quite exil'd;
And Chastity cashier'd, or banish'd hence,
Lest her prevailing pow'rful Influence
Should tincture Humane Hearts with holy Awe,
And deeply there engrave the Royal Law;
Which few regard, though of a vast Extent,
Although its Precepts teacheth to prevent
The sad Effects, Grief, Shame, and Obloquy,
That still attend them that slight Modesty.
For Chastity, sits as with awful Grace,
Enthron'd i'th' Heart, and sweetly in the Face
Holds forth its Ensign, Modesty, as 'twere
A Flag of Peace, which, when it doth appear,
It bids Defiance to th'Voluptuous Mind,
Although to Hospitality inclin'd;
And doth with Friendly Treatments entertain
Those that converse therewith, without a Stain,
Or base Extravagance of wanton Look,
Wherewith deluding Syrens bait their Hook,
To catch unstable Hearts with seeming Joy,
Though the design is chiefly to destroy.
No, here's a pure, tho' far more potent Charm,
That, as a Castle, daunts approaching Harm
With simple Innocence, whose chiefest Care
Is to prevent, rather than plant a Snare.
Then why Should either Sex claim Liberty,
Beyond the Confines of sweet Modesty?
It seasons Words, and fairly regulates
Deportment, both to High and Low Estates;
It crowns the Man with Comeliness: But she
That wants it, deserves Shame and Infamy.

RETIREMENT.

On Solomon's Requests.

A Meditation.

O who would think, all outward Foes might be
Suppress'd and Conquer'd, much more easily
Than that insulting Tyrant in the the Heart,
Which there usurps, and acts the Traytor's part!
For though a Man externally Reform
His Actions, so that strictly he perform
The Precepts of the Law; 'tis all in vain,
If he th' accursed Achan entertain
In his polluted Breast: This will expose
Him to the Fury of all outward Foes;
Whom otherwise he might with ease repel,
Did not this Traytor in the Bosom dwell.
We'll therefore wait, to feel the searching Power,
By its Enlightning Influence, discover
This cursed Achan, that the Camp may be
Entirely Sanctified, to follow thee,
Isr'els Victorious King, who truly dost
Watch with a tender care o'er Isr'els Host:
For 'tis a Task, surpassing Humane Skill,
Rightly to govern and direct the Will.
Let therefore Heart and Will be still resign'd
To thee, with a free, fervent, humble Mind.

Contemplation.

Of FRIENDSHIP.

A Letter to a Friend.

Sometime this Query riseth in my Mind,
Can Friends be to each other so unkind,
Thus to perplex, and yet not shew the Cause
Why Friendship should admit so long a Pause?
Hath Grandeur stupify'd thy fertile Quill,
Or Mammon metamorphos'd thus thy Will?
So Condescending formerly, and kind,
As if to Love and Friendship most inclin'd.
Methinks abundance of such outward Store
Should ne'er abridge our time, but gain us more.
Not that Wealth can add Number to our Days;
But Time (wherein the Indigent may raise
Some Stipend, to procure their daily Food)
Might be improv'd, as for a mutual Good,
By such as have obtain'd a full supply;
Or else wherein doth the advantage lie
Betwixt the Rich and Poor? Heaven still extends
Bread, to sustain each to their latter ends.
Then should not those, that greater Mercy share,
Some Time for Friendship's Priviledges spare?
But should my Grief by words be thus express'd?
I'll cease to write, and only Sigh the rest;
For since my Letters may not answer'd be,
I may conclude, that all is Vanity.

Another Letter to a Friend.

My hasty Pen, about to write Unkind,
(When interrupted by my zealous Mind)
Again admits of dear Marcaria; tho'
Thy tedious Silence gives affront unto
True Cordial Friendship, which in ev'ry State
Sweetly delighteth to communicate
Pure Streams of Love, as opportunity
Permits, to manifest its Sympathy:
Which, seeming now to cease, gives cause of doubt,
Some new Concern hath jostled Friendship out
From that fair Bosom; where, if yet it dwell,
'Twill by its influencing Power dispel
What'er would stop its Current: For we see
That standing Pools oft-times corrupted be,
When smaller Brooks, whose Streams do gently glide
Along their Banks, are purg'd and purify'd.
Alas, that Love that burns with fervency,
Is frequently perplext with Jealousie!
Then why so Silent? Why so strangely Mute?
Must I indeed not only find my Suit
Ungranted, but Disdain'd? And must I be
Therefore unanswer'd, for a Penalty
To be impos'd, as for a henious Crime?
Tho' I forgot once a Request of thine,
I did not wholly throw aside my Pen;
But, as full fraught with other matter, when
In hopes of sending, though I did omit
To answer each Punctilio, yet I writ,
(Grateful or not:) For my Officious Quill,
As formerly engag'd, is ready still
To write to thee.—
Ah! Canst thou think what Doubtings do attend,
Whether sad Sickness, or some rival Friend
May now so long restrain thy careless Pen,
As if it would not deign to write ag'in?
Or must that Friendship in Oblivion Iye,
That seems Immortal? Then send Reasons why:
How should I else resent this Injury?

Upon Parting with a Friend.

A Letter of Invitation to a Friend.

If to the Country I my Friend invite,
'Tis but to do languishing Friendship right:
What to a Friend can be a greater Wrong,
Than that the Second's absent over-long?
Now, tho' our Cottage be but mean for thee,
Make it more pleasant by thy Company.
For tho' we think we have an Interest,
Firmly secured in each others Breast;
Yet if it cease to circulate and flow,
'Twill sooner stagnate, than increase and grow.
Ne'er let it be like that adored Gold,
Possess'd by wretched Misers, (that of old
Conceal'd and hid it) useless, lest we seem
Quite to reject, and lose that just Esteem,
Due to the Root, from which true Friendship springs,
Which to the Heart, Immortal Solace brings.
Indeed in high-flown Panegyrick Verse,
My Pen is not accustom'd to rehearse
Praises incredible, nor to Commend,
In deep Hyperboles, a worthy Friend;
Yet she that treasures Vertue in her Breast,
Shines in those Robes, wherewith it doth invest
The truly Noble Soul, whereby each Eye
Something of Innate Lustre may espy.
Then may such well assert, like Sheba's Queen,
When she great Judah's King and Court had seen,
One half had not been told; So may it be
Affirm'd by many that have heard of thee:
Why then should this mean Pen pretend to tell
Half of those Vertues that in thee excel?

A Meditation.

Another Meditation.

Dat veniam Corvis, vexat censura Columbis

A Letter to Cousin F. R.

[Written after her Marriage.]

Dear Cousin, thine is safely come to Hand,
Whereby I may thy Welfare understand;
Which is right pleasant welcome News to me,
As the like Notice here of mine to thee:
For mutual Love, where it abides, doth joy
In Friends, as in their own, Felicity.
O may it ever have preheminence!
Then shall we not be apt to take Offence,
Nor wilfully offend; but in each Breast,
Where it prevails, believe and hope the best:
This still indulgeth Amity and Peace,
But causeth Animosities to cease;
Distance of Miles can never quench the same,
It lives a Warming, not Consuming Flame:
In which I re-salute thee, and remain
Thy constant Friend, not changed but in Name.

Another Letter to Cousin F. R.

No doubt, ere this Rejoycing Friends are come,
Congratulating thy Arrival home;
And with the kindest Welcome, signify
Their Expectation, to renew the Joy
They'd formerly in thy Society.
But sure, a watchful Heart may never be
Lost (tho' engag'd) in multiplicity;
But eyes the Rock, which, when in rowling Waves,
Is safe to Anchor on, and firmly saves,
As in a Cliff, or secret hiding place,
Free from the dangers of Tempestuous Seas;
Wherein, as any doth securely stand,
Such cannot be unmindful of a Friend
That doth in such like Habitation dwell,
But can delight by Tongue or Pen to tell
Their Exercises, with Endearments free;
Love circulating thus in Sympathy.
But scarce had these my Musings finished,
With many more quite lost and scattered,
For want of Penning, when thy Letter came,
And prov'd my hopes deferr'd were not in vain;
Therefore in curtale Lines herewith I send
My Sentiments thereof to thee, my Friend.

A Third Letter to Cousin F. R.

Can I be silent, though I seem t'intrude
'Mongst such a throng'd important Multitude?
Can I forget that Heart, that seem'd to me
Firmly engag'd in mutual Sympathy,
And Bonds of sacred Friendship, which were then
Suppos'd Immortal? Can my sluggish Pen
Forget its useful Office, though it want
That influencing fair Encouragement,
Which once was wont so freely to distil
In copious Lines, from thy more pregnant Quill?
Nay, nor although I own Realities,
May I in curled Strains Hyperbolize,
That innate Vertue, which in thee doth lye,
Needs no such varnishing, vain Sophistry:
This nought avails, but, like Adventures, toss'd
On Boistrous Seas, may well be reck'ned lost,
If no Return be made: Yet may there be
A better Traffick 'twixt my Friend and me,
If she'll but deign to step from out the Crowd
Of those Incumb'rances, which so be-cloud
And intercept that Converse, which should be
Not too too long confin'd in such as thee;
Who, by Example and good Converse, may
Lead on Associates in an happy Way.
Should then this fading World again e'er find
So great a place in that Heroick Mind,
Which heretofore so prudently deny'd
Its Grandeur, Pomp, and all its swelling Pride,
To treasure up a far more Noble Prize,
Than can be well observ'd by common Eyes,
Which dote on Toys, and can admire the blaze
Of transitory Honours, but soon daze
At the Appearance of that Glorious Light,
Which to th'Immortal Soul gives perfect Sight
And Prospect of the new Jerusalem,
Where the Redeemed wear the Diadem
Of Endless Glory, and Rejoyce to sing
Melodious Songs of Praise to Sion's King?
Should then this World's Inferiour Trifles be
Of such regard, as to prevail with thee
To look aside? Ah! nay; For thou hast learn'd
To pass by all her Triumphs unconcern'd.
Now therefore, persevere, my worthy Friend,
In that where Friendship never knoweth end.

UPON SILENCE.

[Written by another Hand.]