Meat out of the Eater, Poems 2
Light in Darkness.
Light in Darkness followeth next,
Which holds forth Comfort from the Text
To such as are in minde perplext,
And with Temptations strangely vext.
SONG I.
[1]
THus far in generall
About Afflictions,
Wherewith the Lord will exercise
All whom he owns for sons.
Now of particular Ailes
And Exercises great
(Such as most commonly befall)
We purpose to entreat.
[2]
P…ov. 18.14.The Spirit of a man
Will many Griefs sustain:
But who can bear a wounded Sp'rit?
This is the greatest pain.
First then for Spiritual Griefs,
Temptations, and distresses,
Wherewith the Devil keepeth down,
And some good Souls depresses.
[3]
Isa. 50.10, 11.There is a childe of Darkness
That walketh in the light,
That thinks his ill state very good
And therein takes delight.
There is a childe of Light
Whose state is very good,
Yet walks in sadness, in the night,
Till this be understood.
[4]
Thick Clouds sometimes arise
And darken the Noon-day:
A Mist may blinde Believers eyes,
They cannot see their way.
Although they walk in Light,
Satan so undermines
Their Comfort, that they see no Light
Which round about them shines.
[5]
Sometimes they doubtful are
Concerning their estates:
Sometimes conclude against themselves
That they are Reprobates.
Such things may Saints befall;
Yet are they never left
Of God, nor of his awful fear
Are utterly bereft.
[6]
They dare not wickedlyJonah 2.4. Psal. 88.1, 2, 3, &c Is…. 42.3.
Away from God depart,
But after his sweet presence mourn,
And seek him with their Heart.
Such bruised trembling Reeds
Christ will in no wise break:
But in the most accepted timeChap 61.1, 3.
will comfort to them speak.
[7]
He will into a flame
Blow up their little spark,
And make his face on them to shine
That now are in the dark▪
For he will not cast …,I…a. 5….15▪ 16.
Nor evermore forsake
Those that relie on him for grace,
And him their Portion make.
[8]
Come, poor distressed Souls,
And hear your Grievances:
Learn how you may with Spiritual Arms
Temptations force repress.
Hear what the Flesh suggests
For your discouragement:
Learn what the Spirit may reply
Soul-sinkings to prevent.
SONG II.
Being a Dialogue wherein the Speakers are Spirit and Flesh.
Spirit.
[1]
Psal. 42.5, 11.MY Soul what aileth thee
Thus heavily to droop,
And under thine Affliction
Dejectedly to stoop?
Art thou the onelyonly man
That hath Affliction seen?
And have not better men then thou
As much afflicted been?
[2]
Hast thou no part in God?
Or doth he cease to love thee?
If neither this, nor that be so,
What can so greatly move thee?
Flesh.
I heretofore did hope
My sins were pardoned
Through God's free-grace, that all my debts
were wholly cancelled:
[3]
That Christ had satisfy'd
For me, and clear'd the score;
That God was therefore reconcil'd
And would be wroth no more:
Yet now he hides his face
And on me seems to frown;
He will not hear my suit for grace,
But wounds and casts me down.
[4]
He writeth bitter things,Job 13.26.
And makes me to possess
My sins of youth: to minde he brings
My faults and trespasses.
Will God cast off from ay?Psal. 77 78.
And Anger still retain?
Will he depart ev'n quite away,
And no… return again?
Spirit.
[5]
John 13.1.Where Christ once sets his love
He loveth to the end,
And nothing can him change or move
From being still our Friend.
God cannot cease to love,
Where once he did begin:
Although he may with stripes reprove
And chasten thee for sin.
[6]
Be humbled for thy falls,
My Soul, and turn to God,
…. 3.12.Who from thy wandrings thee recalls
By this his gentle Rod.
Attend unto his voice,
Return to him that smites
…. 3.11, 12.For good; who every childe corrects
In whom his Soul delights.
[7]
Fathers may chide and whip
Their Children till they smart:
But whil'st their hand inflicteth stripes,
They pitty with their heart.
They cast not off a Childe,
Although they angry be:
Nor doth thy Heav'nly Father milde
Reject and cast off thee.
SONG III.
Another Dialogue or Combate between the Flesh and Spirit.
Flesh.
[1
OH but I greatly fear,
My sufferings are not such
As Childrens Nurture use to be,
But that they differ much.
They are too great and long
(I fear) to stand with love:
Such overwhelming strokes, me-thinks,
Do rather hatred prove.
[2]
Were I a Childe of God
He would more gently deal:
Nor would he alwayes use the Rod,
But sometimes help and heal.
But I am day by day
Afflicted very sore:
My sufferings have been many years,
And still are growing more.
Spirit.
[3]
God doth more gently deal
Then thou considerest well:
Lam. 3.22, 23.For had he us'd extremities
Thou hadst been now in Hell.
He is not so severe
As thou imaginest;
For some, that were to him most dear,
Have been much more distrest.
[4]
Gen. 27.43▪ 44. … Gen. 31.28, 41.Jacob from Esau's rage
To Padan-Aram sent,
The toyl and pain of twenty years
Hard service under-went;
Oft being circumvented
By Laban's subtile feats:
But he was fain to be contented
For he knew no deceits.
[5]
Gen. 32.6, 7. Chap. 34.… ▪ 30. Chap. 35.…, 22. ….Thou know'st what sorrows great
He after passed through,
One trouble hardly over-blown
Before he met a new▪
Moses brought up a Prince,
From Egypt Banished
Lived in Exile forty years,
And laboured for his bread.
[6]
Joseph an innocent,Gen. 27.28.
Through Bretherens cruel hate,
Was sold to strangers, and so brought
Into a servile state.
No sooner gains he favour
I'th' eyes of Potiphar:
But is accused of that Crime,Gen. 39.17.
Which he did most abhor.
[7]
His Master is incens'd,Vers. 19▪ …. Psal. 105.18.
The innocent is shut
Into a Dungeon dark, his hands
And feet in fetters put.
And though the Lord was pleas'd
This rigour to abate
After some time; yet dwelt he long
In this imprisoned state.
[8]
The Church was sore opprestExod▪ 1.14.
In Egypt many a day,
And made like Slaves, with rigour too,
To serve in brick and clay.
And though they cry'd to GodExod. 2.23.
With groans and many tears:
Yet were they in this Bondage held
Above an hundred years.
[9]
Read Job 1st & 2d …What thinkest thou of Job
And his great Sufferings?
Do not thy griefs, compar'd with his,
Seem light and little things?
So dismal was his case,
So strange his sorrows all,
Job 4.7. compared withAs Wise ones thought could unto none
But wicked men befall.
[10]
Job 42.7, 8.But God befools them for it,
And lets them understand
That Job was such an upright man,
As none was in the Land:
That notwithstanding all
That he had undergone
For a long time, yet was he still
His most beloved one.
[11]
David a man of God,
One after God's own heart,
In his long lasting Banishment
Of sorrows had his part;
Deprived of God's House,
1 Sam. 26.1, 18, 19.Hunted from place to place,
With restless feet and weary steps
Forc'd up and down to trace:
[12]
Flying to save his life,
In Caves and Forrests hiding▪
Untill at length in Ziklag-Town… Sam. 27.6. Chap. 3….3….
He found some safe abiding.
E're long his Town is burnt,
His Wives are Captive taken,
His Souldiers speak of stoning him,
He seems of all forsaken.
[13]
Had David said, God hates me,
In this his greatest need
When as all other Comforts fail'd,
He had been poor indeed.
But in his deep distress,
And over-bearing grief,
He comforted himself in God,
And from him found relief.
[14]
Heman from youthful yearsPsal. ….
Was ready for to die,
Distracted with amazing fears
He cries continuallie;
Complaining that the Lord
His face away did hide,
Had made his wrath pass over him,
And cast his Soul aside.
[15]
Yet Heman was a Saint,
And calls the Lord his God,
Verse 1.God of his Health, 'midst all complaints
And lashes of the Rod.
Take courage then my Soul,
And put away thy fear:
Thy sufferings well may stand with love,
Although they greater were.
[16]
And as for length of Time;
Examples do thee show,
That divers Saints have Sufferers been
A longer time then thou:
So that it well appears,
That altereth not the case,
(Of man's short life the longest Time
Is but a little space)
[17]
For what are twenty years
Unto E…ernity?
Eternal Rest will make amends
For all this Misery.
When Time shall pass away
Like an untimely Birth,
These transient Griefs shall be forgot,
Or thought upon with mirth.
SONG IV.
A Dialogue wherein the Speakers are Distressed Conscience and Rectified Judgement.
Consc.
[1]
'TIs not Affliction barely
That doth my Soul distress:
But rather multitude of sinsPsal. 38.3▪4.
And mine own wickedness.
Nor is it former faults
That now are brought to minde,
So much, as swarms of present sins
And hateful Lusts I finde.
[2]
Had ever any one
So vile a heart as mine?
So barren under all God's pains
Nurture and discipline?
The Saints of God have found
Affliction to sever
Their Souls from sin; but I finde mine
More boisterous now then ever.
[3]
Ezek. 24.…3.This makes me greatly fear
And question mine estate;
Lest I be nothing else but dross
Jer. 6.28, 29, 30.And silver reprobate,
That is not purify'd
By passing through the fire,
Fit to be trampled under foot
And troden in the mire.
Judgment.
[4]
Conscience, this is a Time
Wherein thou art benighted,
And seest not things as formerly,
Because thou art dim-sighted.
Job 33.23.Now therefore haste to some
Thy doubts that answer may:
Or for the present hark to me,
And hear what I shall say.
[5]
While Physick is at work,
Ill Humours are disturb'd:
So while Chastisements are at work,
Corruptions may be stirr'd.
They do but shew what was
Within the heart before:
They may discover hidden Lusts,
They do not make them more.
[6]
God hath ordain'd the RodProv. 3.11, 12.
To do his Children good;
And this the Saints in God's due time
Have felt, and understood:
Not alwayes presently,
And while the smart is on:Job 3. Psal 77.2, 3, 4, 7.
For some of them have then cry'd out,
As if they were undone.
[7]
No chast'ning joyous is,Heb. 12.11.
But seems at present hard:
Yet brings forth fruits of Righteousness,
And sweet Peace afterward.
Therefore my sinful Soul,
And doubting Conscience,
Hope well for after-fruit; and do'nt
Judge all by present sense.
[8]
Gods Physick is at work
To purge Corruption out:
And this in time he will effect,
Believe and do not doubt,
He first discovereth sin,
Shews thee what wanting is,
Makes thee to feel thy need of help,
And mourn for what's amiss.
[9]
This is some hopeful fruit,
And do not this despise:
J…b 42.6.For God is making thee more vile
And base in thine own eyes.
Builders may be at work
Before thou see a Stone:
God may be working good for thee,
Though thou discernest none.
Consc.
[10]
Oh but my heart is hard,
…. 63.17.Much like the Adamant:
It cannot weep, nor mourn for sin,
Nor pour out its complaint.
It cannot kindly melt,
Though daily sins abound
In thought, affection, word, and deed,
Which Conscience prick and wound.
Judgm.
[11]
There may be tenderness
Compare Is… 63.17 with Chap. 64 6, 7, 8.Where hardness most is felt:
And notwithstanding want of Tears
The heart may truely melt.
All are not broken-hearted
That store of Tears can weep:
And some that have them not, may have
Humiliation deep.
[12]
He that bewails his sinsPsal 51.2, 3▪ 4, 7, 10. Isa. 1▪ 16, 17, 18.
Because they God offend,
That tr…ly hates them, Pardon begs,
Endeavours to amend:
That flies to Christ for grace
To mortifie his Lust,Jer. 3….18▪ 19.
That mourns because he mourns no more;
This man repents I trust.
[13]
Doth not my Soul do thus
(Speak Conscience) day by day?
I know that thou wilt speak the truth:
Thou canst not this gainsay.
Well then be comforted,
And doubt not of thy state▪
But still endeavour every sin
More thorowly to hate.
[14]
And labour for to tasteEph. 3.…8, …9.
The sweetness of Christ's love▪
Nothing can m…lt the heart lik… …h…sPs…l. 119.135, 136.
Sweet Sun-shine from abo…e▪
This can the Rock dissolve,
And make the waters flow
Out of the hardest flinty Heart,1 Joh. 4.1… ▪
Where never good did grow.
SONG V.
A Dialogue between the Flesh and Spirit.
Flesh.
[1]
BUt oh me-thinks the Lord
Is angry with my Prayers,
The more I cry to him for help
The worse it with me fares.
The more I sue for grace
And beg for some relief:
The more he lets me be distrest,
And doubled is my grief.
[2]
I fear he reckoneth
My Prayers to me, for sin,
And rather is displeas'd therewith.
Then takes delight therein.
If God reject my Prayer,
I fear he me rejects.
For how can he despise their Prayer
Whose persons he respects?
Spirit.
[3]
Against his people's Prayers
The Lord sometimes may smoke,Psal. 8….4.
When some sin unrepented of
His anger doth provo…e▪Psal 66.18.
If David sin regard
God will not hear his Prayer:
To search for, finde out, mourn for sin,L…m ….40.
My Soul make this thy care.
[4]
God puts thee upon search,Josh. ….1….14.
Would have thee diligent
To finde out what offensive is▪
And to be Penitent.
Be thou displeas'd with s…n,Jer 3.12, 13, 14, 22. Chap. 3….19.20.
And hee'll be pleas'd with▪ thee:
Hee'll turn to thee his face, if thou
Turn from iniquitie.
[5]
Some-Times the Lord delayes▪
And makes us long to wait▪
For other ends▪ as for to make
Us more importunate,Mat. 15.23, 24▪ to 29.
To try our Self-denial,
Our Faith, Love, Patience.
Sometimes to make his Power shine forth
In-our deliverance.
[6]
He lets our troubles grow
Exod. 14. & 15 Chapters.Unto the greater height,
That his Salvation might appear
More glorious in our sight.
For these, and other more,
Such great, and gracious Ends
The Lord defers to hear our prayer,
For he no hurt intends.
[7]
Gen. 18.19.Our Prayers are sometimes heard,
Not just unto our minde,
Yet heard they are, and answered
In some far better kinde.
2 Cor. 12 8, 9.God may deny to grant
That thing that we request,
Yet answer in a better thing,
For he knows what is best.
[8]
Be silent then frail Flesh,
Thou savourest not these things:
Thy wisdom doth but vex my Soul;
Leave off thy Reasonings.
Gen. 3.Satan by Serpents mouth
Mankinde did undermine:
And I perceive he now assayes
To ruine me by thine.
SONG VI.
Another Combate between the Flesh and Spirit.
Flesh.
[1]
SOul thou hast cause to fear
Thy Faith will not hold out:
And that it is but counterfeit
Thou do'st so often doubt.
See what a mighty power
Of Unbelief prevails
From time to time! and how thine heart
And Faith thee often fails!
Spirit.
[2]
Oh sly and sinful Flesh!
Thou art a treacherous Thief,
That robs me of my Faith, and then
Condemns for Unbelief.
They're thy suggestions vile
(That do'st with Hell comply)
That make me doubt, who otherwise
On Christ alone rely.
[3]
John 1.12▪ Acts 8.37 1 Cor. 1.30▪ Phil. 3.9▪ 10. Heb. 12.14.Whole Christ with all my heart
I earnestly embrace;
And for my whole Salvation I
Relie upon his grace:
Renouncing all my own
Both Righteousness, and Sin▪
Endeav'ring Holiness, as well
As Happiness, to win.
[4]
And blessed be the Lord,
Phil. 1.6.Who will compleat my Faith,
Weak though it be, as he the same
At first begotten hath:
1 Pet. 1.5. Mat. 16.18.Mean while he it supports;
And as himself doth tell,
It never shall be vanquished
By all the force of Hell.
SONG VII.
Satanical injections foul
Shall not undo the godly Soul
That them bewails, resists and h…tes,
Nor need such question their estates.
[1]
I May not here neglect
Another case to minde,
Wherewith some precious Souls to be
Full sore agriev'd I finde:
A case calamitous,
Beyond the help of man;
For out of Satans deadly gripe
Christ onelyonly rescue can.
[2]
Blasphemous, hellish thoughts
Into his minde are cast
Concerning God; which make him quake,
And stand like one agast.
Imaginations black,
And Fancies filthy-foul
Are darted in with violence,
Which stab him to the Soul.
[3]
Which way soe're he turns
His Understanding's ey,
Think what he will, these fancies vi…e
Do meet him presently.
Poor Soul he them resists
And struggleth as for life:
But yet he cannot keep them out
By all his care and strife.
[4]
The more he with them strives,
The more they wound and vex him▪
The more he dreads and feareth them,
The worse they do perplex him.
And when he meditates
Or prayes to God for grace,
Then most of all such horrid thoughts
Do stare him in the face.
[5]
This makes him dread to pray,
Or reade, or meditate,
Because such thoughts mix with his prayers
As God, he knows, doth hate.
For all these Blasphemies
And thoughts that Hell suggests,
He judgeth them his own hearts sins,
Although he them detests.
[6]
Experience daily shews
It may befall a Saint
To be thus dogg'd with Hell's black Hounds
Until he almost faint.
And barely this to know,
That ever any were
Thus exercis'd that feared God,
May mitigate thy fear.Lam. 2.13▪
[7]
It yields us some support
To know we're not alone,
But that through such a dismal way
Some have before us gone.
But for to come more near,
And speak unto thy grief
What in a few lines may be spoke,
The answer is in brief;
[8]
Such thoughts how vile soever
And full of Blasphemy,
They are no further our own sinsRom. 7.1…, 20.
Then we with them comply.
They are the Devils sins,
And his suggestions foul,
Not thine who mournest under them
And ha…'st them with thy Soul.
[9]
Be not discouraged;
God will not them impute
To thee, but unto him who do'th
Those poisoned Arrows shoot.
But, oh thou wilt complain,
Rom. 7.23, 24.My heart is tinder-like
As prone and ready to take fire,
As Satan is to strike.
[10]
Well, let it humble thee
To feel a treacherous part
A sinful Self; a wicked Flesh
Remaining in thy heart.
Yet for thy comfort know,
Thou hast not lost the field,
So long as thou do'st sin resist,
And strivest not to yield.
[11]
Are wicked thoughts thy load
Psa. 119.113.And heavy burden still,
From which thou longest to be freed
Rom. 7.17, 23, 24, 25▪As from the greatest ill?
The Lord is nearer thee
Then thou art well aware:
He keeps thee that thou art not caught
Psal. 91.3By Satans deadly snare.
[12]
Yea though Temptations strong
May thee sometimes surprise;
If by Repentance from thy falls▪Psa▪ 32.….
God helps thee to arise:
Fear not, all turns to gain;
For Gold is purify'd,
And loseth nothing, but its dross,
By being often try'd.
[13]
Christ hath the Devil fast,Luke 1….3….
And holds him in a Chain,
And that he may not swallow thee
He doth him still restrain.
He can no longer vex theeRom. 1… 2….
Then Christ shall him permit
Who will in season take him off,
When he shall see most fit,
SONG VIII.
[1]
ANd now for such as feel
These hellish Buffettings,
And anguish of these sudden darts,
Which are the Serpents stings;
I shall a word or two
Of Counsel here annex:
God make them useful unto — some
Whom Satan doth perplex.
[2]
Exod. 20.9. Eccles 4.9, 10, 11, 12 Matth. 6.6.Follow thy Calling close.
Love not to be alone;
Save onelyonly when by secret Prayer
Thou makes to God thy moane.
Omit not secret Prayer,
Nor other Means neglect:
The Tempter hath thee where he would,
If once he that effect.
[3]
Thy help is in the Lord;Hos. 13 9. Ezek. 36.37.
From him it must be sought:
Use thou the Means, and wait his time,
Who lingers not for nought.
Thy Prayers are poor and vile;
Yet do not them forgoe:
For what were that, but for to give
Thy weapon to thy Foe!
[4]
Cry mightily to God2 Cor. 12.8. Psal. 56.3
When other Helpers fail:
Relie upon him stedfastly,
When terrours thee assail.
The more the Devil strives
(For this is all his scope)
To rob thee of thy Spiritual Arms,1 Thess. 5.8. Heb. 10.35.
The faster hold thy hope.
[5]
Bewail the sin that cleavesRom 7.24, 25.
Unto thine holy things,
And look unto the Blood of Christ1 Joh. 2.1, 2. Matth. 8.26
Which acceptation brings.
Be not too much dismay'd,
Nor 'stonished with fear:
But unto Christ who is thy strength
Labour to keep more near.
[6]
Mat. 14.30.Distracting horrid Fear
The Soul of strength deprives,
Draws in these thoughts, and to the Devil
A great advantage gives.
Jam. 5.16.Adventure not to smother
Temptations in thy brest:
Keep not the Devil's counsel, if
Thou do'st the same detest.
[7]
Make out for help in time;
2 Cor. …1.3.Lest by some subtile wile,
Or hidden craft to thee unknown,
The Serpent thee beguile.
Temptations are like Poison,
Provide an Antidote:
'Tis easier mischief to prevent,
Then cure it when 'tis got.
[8]
Jer. 4.14.Recall not wicked thoughts
Of them to take a view
(No not to make thee loath them more)
Lest thou this folly rue:
But thrust them out of doors,
Jam. 4.7.And strongly say them nay;
And if thou canst not rid them so,
Flee thou, and run away.
[9]
Be not thou like the Sheep,
That, being in a maze,
In stead of running from the Woolf
Stand still and at him gaze:
Till having one devour'd
He comes to worry more,
And then they run, but stand again
Still gazing as before.
[10]
Bemoan thy self to God;Psa. 119.113.
In generall them confess:
But if thou think them o're again
They will thee more distress.
Let every Christian manGen. 6.5. Prov. 24.9. Psal. 81.12.
Unto his thoughts take heed:
For God can whip thee with thy thoughts,
Until he make thee bleed.
[11]
Give not thy minde to think
Of vain or evil things,
As thou desirest to escape
These hellish Buffettings.
Thus I have briefly given
My Counsel in this case.
The Lord direct thee what is good
To follow and embrace.
Reader, I give thee here
Two Songs in other Meetre:
I hope they will not make a jarre,
But close up all the sweeter.
SONG IX.
[1]
…sa 30 1.LOrd from the deeps I cry'd to thee.
2My voice Lord do thou hear;
Unto my supplications voice
Let be attent thine ear.
3.Lord who should stand? if thou O Lord
Should'st mark iniquitie:
4.But with thee there forgiveness is
That feared thou may'st be.
[2]
Psa. 65.3.Works of iniquity prevail
Against me sore do they:
But as for our Transgressions
Thou shalt them purge away.
Micah 7.18.For who's a God like unto thee
Pard'ning iniquity?
And the transgression of his folk
That freely passeth by?
[3]
I for the Lord wait, my soul waits;Psal. 130.5.
And I hope in his Word.
Then morning watchers watch for morn,6.
My soul more for the Lord.
Let Israel for Jehovah stay,7.
In waiting hopefully:
Because that with Jehovah there
Is kinde benignity.
[4]
I to the Lord from my distressJonah 2.2.
Did cry, and he gave ear:
Out of Hells belly I did cry,
And he my voice did hear.
Why therefore should I be afraidPs…l 49.5.
In dayes that evil be?
When as my heels iniquity
About shall compass me.
[5]
My soul, … wherefore dost thou bowPsal 42.11.
Thy fell …own heavily?
And wherefore in me makest thou
A stir tumultuously?
Hope thou in God, because I shall
With praise him yet advance:
Who is my God, he also is
Health of my Countenance.
[6]
Isa. 126.3, 4.Upon the Lord for evermore
See that your selves you stay;
For there is in Jehovah store
Of strength that lasts for ay.
In peace, in peace thou wilt him keep
Whose minde is staid on thee;
Because that in thy self, O Lord,
His trust repose doth hee.
[7]
…ai. 50.10.Though such as truly fear the Lord,
And's Servant's voice obey,
Walk in the dark and have no light:
Themselves yet let them stay
With confidence upon their God,
And in the Lord's Name trust.
11.But such as walk by their own fire,
Lye down in sorrow must.
SONG X.
A Dialogue or Discourse between the Believing Soul and her Saviour.
Soul.
OH Christ my grief is such,
Because I love not much;
As addeth to my sore,
Because I grieve no more.
Give me a broken heart,
That may both bleed and smart,
That I so often stray,
That I no more obey.
Oh make me love thee dearly,
And trust in thee sincerely:
And help me well to prove
Mine interest in thy Love.
That God Omnipotent
Is freely-well-content
To cancel all my debts,
And all my sins forgets.
O Christ let me be thine▪
And be thou wholly mine:
Let me be thine entire;
Be thou mine I desire.
Sav.
Ah poor distressed Soul
So sad and sorrowful,
That weakly dost believe
And wouldst more strength receive;
Behold at thy request
I'm here full ready prest
To save and succour thee;
Fear not to come to mee.Mat. 14.28, 29.
Thou didst mine aid implore,
And now it's at thy doore.
Malac. 4.2.I am thy Surgeon,
Do not thine Healer shun.
Do'st with thine heart embrace
Joh. 1 12. Mat. 13.44.Both me and all my grace?
Canst me thy Treasure make,
And for thy Portion take?
Psal. 119.94. Mat. 11.29.Do'st thou thy self resigne,
And yieldest to be mine?
Would'st thou as willinglie
Be rul'd as sav'd by me?
Joh. 6.37.40.Then I my self entire
Do yield to thy desire.
Believe and do not doubt
I will not cast thee out.
I am and will be thine;
Eph. 1.3, 6, 7.And all this wealth of mine
Dear purchased by me
I freely give to thee.
Gal. 5.22. Psal. 130.8.L…ght, pardon, joy, and peace,
Eternal life, and ease,
With full Redemption,
Shall be thy Portion.
Also my Father mildJohn 20.17. John 14.16, 17.
Thy Father will be styl'd:
My Spirit the Comforter
Shall be thy Strengthener.
He shall thy Will renewEzek. 36.26, 27.
And by degrees subdue
Thy Lusts, and all thy foes
That Holiness oppose.
He will to thee impart
An humble broken heart,
Increase of Spiritual strength,
And Victory at length.
Doubt not poor soul; Be strongPsal. 27.14. John 14.27.
For me that waitest long:
And fear not to believe
That I my peace thee give.
Upon me wholly rollPsal. 37.3, 4, 5.
The Burden of thy Soul:
Thy self upon me stay,
And then rejoice for ay.
Soul.
Is This my Saviour's voice
That bids me to rejoice?
To me, vile wretch this word
Directest thou▪ dear Lord!
Will God be reconcil'd
To one that is so vil'd?
Wilt thou thy self bestow
On me so base and low?
Shall I now live for ay
That went so long astray?
Wilt thou such grace out-stretch
Unto a sinful wretch?
O Gracious Grace indeed!
Shown in a time of need.
O God of Grace, All Grace!
How pleasant is thy face!
Psal. 116.1, 2, 12.To God what shall I render?
Who me vouchsafes to tender
In this my low estate,
Which was so desolate.
Had I a thousand hands
To do what he commands;
Ten thousand Hearts to love him,
To fear him, and improve him,
As many Lives t'expose
And for his sake to lose:
Yet could I never do him
The service that I ow him.
Thy Love doth all surmount,Ephes. 3.18, 19.
And is beyond account:
I never can express
Sufficient thankfulness.
Yet help me to endeavour2 Cor. 5.14, 15. Psal. 73.25.
To honour thee for ever;
Thee onelyonly to desire,
Love, Reverence, and Admire:
Thee let me ever serve,
And never from thee swerve:
Let this sweet face of thine
Upon me alwayes shine.
Let no sin interpose
To hide, or make me lose
Thy Countenances light,
Which on me shines so bright.