Meat out of the Eater, Poems 9
Heavenly Crowns FOR Thorny Wreaths.
SONG I.
[1]
WHen Christ was crown'd with Thorns,
Mat. 27.29, 30.And smitten with a Reed
Upon the Thorns, to wound his Head
And for to make him bleed;
The world did little think
This was the King of Glory:
So when we speak of Crowns for Thorns,
They think it's but a story.
[2]
But as our Lord doth now
His Crown of Glory wear;
Who for our sake did wear those Thorns
And such Abuse… …ear:
So shall th'Afflicted Saints
That suffer for his sake
E're long be Crowned like their Head,
And of his Joyes partake.
[3]
Those that for doing well,
For keeping Christ's Commands,
For bearing witness to his Truth
Suffer Reproach or Bands,Rev. 7.14, 15, 16, 17.
Or any other Pain
To keep their Conscience pure;
Such of a glorious Recompence
And rich Reward are sure.
[4]
Those that are persecuted
Because of Righteousness,
Are Blessed ones, saith Christ,Mat. 5.10, 11, 1…. for they
Heav'ns Kingdom shall possess.
And Blest are ye whom men
Revile and persecute,
To whom for my sake heinous Crimes
They wrongfully impute
[5]
Rejoice and be ye glad
Hereat exceedingly;
Because there is a great Reward
Laid up for you on high.
For thus they persecuted
The Prophets that of old
Reprov'd their sins, and faithfully
God's Counsel to them told▪
[6]
Mark 10.29, 30.Who Father, Mother, Wife
For love of Christ forsakes;
Or of his Houses▪ Lands, Estate
For him small reckoning makes:
Shall here an hundred fold
With Persecutions gain;
And in the World that is to come
Eternal Life obtain.
[7]
2 Tim. 2.11, 12.If in a suffering state
Of Christ we Followers be:
We shall be unto him conform'd
In Royal Dignitie.
Mat. 19.28.Those that have stuck to Christ
In Tribulations great,
Shall Reign with Christ, and sit with him
Upon his Judgement-Seat.
[8]
But those that suffer pain
Foul Errours to defend,
That for vile Fancies of their own
Dread not their liv…s to spend:
Such do in vain sup…ose
They suffer for Christ's sake.
'Tis not the Suff'ring but the Cause
That doth a Martyr make.
SONG II.
[1]
THat Eminent Apostle
And holy Martyr Paul,
That laboured more for Jesus Christ,
And suffered more then All,
When as his race was run
And life almost laid down
For Christ: Henceforth, saith he,2 Tim 4.8. there is
Laid up for me a Crown,
[2]
Which Christ that Righteous Judge
Shall give to me above:
And unto all, as well as me,
That his Appearing love.
Christ Jesus at that day
Will all Believers own:Mat. 25 34, 35.
And all their faithful Services
And Patient Sufferings crown.
[3]
Not onelyonly such as have
For Jesus shed their Blood;
John 8.31, 32. Mat. 11.29.But all that have embrac'd the Truth
And firm therein have stood:
All that have meekly born
Christ's Yoke because 'twas his
Shall be rewarded, and shall share
In Everlasting Bliss.
[4]
1 Cor. 15.41.Although some Stars outshine
The rest in Glory bright:
Yet every Star i'th' Firmament
Is full of glorious light.
So every vessel then
Shall full of Glory be,
Though some are of a larger size,
Some of a less degree.
[5]
Our Lord will call to minde
The meanest services
That any man with upright heart
Hath done for one of his:
Mat. 10.42.So that a Cup of Water
Tend'red unto a Saint
For love of Christ, shall not reward
Nor acceptation want.
[6]
Much less will Christ forgetHeb 6.10 compared with Heb. … 32, 39
Their love and labour sure
That take great pains, and for his sake
Afflictions long endure.
He that will smallest things
So graciously regard,
Will not far greater things neglect
And leave without reward.
[7]
As in his suffering SaintsActs 9.4, 5. 2 Thess. 1.10.
Christ suffereth now; so he
In all his glorified Saints
Will glorified be.
Their Sufferings now are his,
Their Glory will be his:
Christ should his Glory lose, if Saints
Should future Glory miss.
[8]
Christ's precious Sufferings,Isa. 53.4, 5, &c. Gal. 3.13, 14. Rev. 1.5, 6.
And whole Obedience,
Have purchased for us this Crown
And glorious Recompence.
He dy'd that we might live,
Wore Thorns that we might reign.
The End of his own Sufferings
Christ, doubtless, will obtain.
[9]
As surely then as He
Reproach and Shame endur'd,
And by his Sufferings hath for us
A glorious Crown procur'd;
As sure as we him follow
In patient suffering here;
2 Tim. 2.11, 12.So certainly this glorious Crown
We shall hereafter wear.
SONG III.
[1]
HOw great this Glory is
No mortal tongue can tell:
Isa. 64.4. Rom. 5.10, 17, 18. 2 Thess. 1.10.But that it far exceeds our thoughts
And words we know full well.
'Tis that which Christ's own Blood
Hath purchas'd and acquir'd:
'Tis that which God will then bestow
That he may be admir'd.
[2]
God's wayes are not like ours,Isa. 55.8. Eph. 1.6, 14. Rev. 5.12.
Nor are his thoughts like our:
For he will glorifie his Grace
And magnifie his Power,
Yea and his Wisdome too
By glorifying us,
And therefore Christ will make his Saints
Exceeding glorious.
[3]
That Glory must be great
And of surpassing fame
Which God bestows to get himselfIsa. 55.13. Rom. 9.23.
An Everlasting Name.
They shall be crown'd indeed
With Glory at that day,
When as the richness of their Crown
God's Glory must display.
[4]
When every Saint shall beIsa. 62.3.
A Diamond in Christ's Crown:
They must be glorious Saints indeed,
To set forth his Renown.
The Saints shall shine like SunsDan. 12.3. Mat. 13.4….
Array'd with glorious light,
That through their lustre Christs own Beams
May shine more clear and bright.
[5]
O glorious, rich Free-grace!
And Everlasting Love,
That God's own heart unto these thoughts
Before all time did move!
O wondrous Condescension
Eph. 3.18, 19.Of God's most gracious Son!
And matchless Love of Jesus Christ
Beyond comparison!
[6]
Phil. 2.5, 7, 8.Who for our sake was pleas'd
Under a mean outside,
Under the Garment of frail Flesh
His Majesty to hide:
Who ware a Crown of Thorns,
Who shed his dearest Blood,
Isa▪ 53.5.Who bare his Fathers Wrath for us
To purchase Saving Good,
[7]
That he …ght us Redeem
Rev. 5.9, 10. Rom. 5.17, 18, 19, &c.From endless Misery,
And by his Sufferings us advance
To Heavenly Dignity.
He was content to be
Abus'd, Reproach'd and Scorn'd
That we might be advanced, crown'd,
And gloriously adorn'd.
[8]
That such as have deserv'd
God's vengeance for to bear
Eternally, should Royal Robes
And Crowns of Glory wear!
Saints can you think of this
And not this Grace admire?
And do not you that are no Saints
To share therein desire?
[9]
Which is the better choice?
With Christ in Bliss to dwell,Deu…. 30.19. compare Mark 9.43▪ 44. with Phil. 1.23.
Or for to roar eternally
Amidst the flames of Hell?
What? are you in a doubt
Which of the twain to chuse?
Well, chuse to burn, if that be best:
Chuse Hell, and Heaven refuse.
[10]
This were a fearful choice.
What then? Will you be wise?
Oh be so; get a part in Christ:
Him love, him seek, him prize.Mat. 11.28, 29.
Receive him with his Cross;
His Yoke with meekness bear:
And then Free-Grace will give you CrownsRom. 5.17.
Of Glory for to wear.
SONG IV.
[1]
1 Joh. 3.1, 2.BEhold what matchless Love
The God of Heaven shows,
To those on whom Eternal Life
And Glory he bestows!
If now God calls them Sons;
How glorious shall they be,
When being made like Christ, they shall
Him in his Glory see?
[2]
Their Body frail and vile,
That's in Corruption sown,
Shall then be raised up again
In Incorruption.
This Mortal must be cloth'd
With Immortality:
And then shall Death be swallow'd up
In perfect Victory.
[3]
It is at present sown1 Cor. 15.42, 43, 44.
A Body Naturall:
But shall arise again e're long
A Body Spirituall.
We now need many helps
Our vigour to maintain,
As Meat, Drink, Sleep: but shall need none
After we rise again.
[4]
It's now in weakness sown;
But shall be rais'd in power:
Sown in Dishonour; but shall rise
In Glory at that hour.
It shall be wholly freed
From all Infirmities,
And be most active, hale, and strong
When once it doth arise.
[5]
Though subject to Reproach
Whil'st living; and when dead
Must needs be carried out of sight,G…n. 23.4. Phil. 3.21.
And quickly buried:
Yet Christ shall raise it up
With Beauty shining bright,
More lovely then the Morning fair,
With Heavenly Glory dight.
[6]
And if the Body shew
So beautiful and faire:
How shall the Soul be beautify'd
And shine beyond compare?
Rev. 21.11, 18, 19. Rev. 19.8▪Adorn'd with costly Robes,
More precious far then Gold,
Of Christ's unspotted Righteousness
Most lovely to behold.
[7]
When as God's blessed Image
That was defac'd by Sin
Is perfectly restor'd again
And ever dwells therein.
1 John 3.2. 2 Cor. 3.18.When as it shall behold
God's Glory shining bright,
And be transform'd and glorious made
By that most glorious sight.
[8]
When like a Glass it shall
Receive those glorious Rayes,
And back again reflect the same
To God's Eternal Praise.
When in the Sea of Bliss
It constantly shall move:
And be for ever ravish'd with
The sweetness of his Love.
[9]
If Moses face did shineExod. 34.29, 30.
By being forty dayes
I'th' Mount: how shall their faces shine
That dwell with God alwayes?
Moses his Back-parts saw
But they shall see his face:
And to their joy unspeakable
Enjoy the God of Grace.
[10]
Oh happy, happy Souls
That in God's Bosome rest!
That of the Fountain of all Bliss
Already are possest!
Your Labour's at an end;
Your Seed in Tears was sown:
But now you reap a joyful Crop2 Tim. 4.7, 8.
And wear a glorious Crown.
[11]
We that are still below
Have much work yet undone;
A War to wage, sharp Thorns to wear,1 Tim▪ 6.12. 1 Cor. 9.24, 25.
A painful Race to run.
Lord help us so to run
As that we may obtain:
That when this life is at an end,
We may in Glory reign.
SONG V.
[1]
Heb. 12.….OUr Saviour, for the joy
That was before him set,
Endur'd the Cross, despis'd the shame,
And paid for all our debt.
And as himself did eye
That future glorious …state:
So would he have the thoughts thereof
Our Souls to animate.
[2]
To him that hath begun,
And will compleat our Faith,
We are commanded for to look;
Who thus despised hath
The Ignominious shame
For that most glorious joy;
And having suffered, is set down
At God's right hand on high.
[3]
And though some Gospellers
Call this an Hireling Spirit:
Yet more of such a Spirit, Lord,
Grant that we may inherit.
For surely thou didst more
Thy Father's Glory prize,
Then these, that at this rich Reward
Would seem to shut their eyes.
[4]
Oh but the love of Christ
Should wholly us constrain
To do all duties, bear the Cross,
And suffer every Pain.
True;Compare Mat. 25.34, 35. with Titus 3.4▪ 5, 6, 7. and the love of Christ
In this most strongly moves us,
That hee'll regard us, and thus reward us
Meerly because he loves us.
[5]
If Christ hath purchased
A glorious rich Reward
For all his Followers: shall not w…
This Recompence regard?
If he Rewards propound
To whet our diligence:
Is not our over-looking them
The way to Negligence?
[6]
Heb. 11.24, 25, 26.Unto this Recompence
Moses had such respect;
That all the Glory of the World
He could for this reject:
Esteeming Christ's reproach
More rich then Egypt's Treasures;
Chusing Affliction with Gods Church,
Rather then sinful pleasures.
[7]
2 Pet. 3.14.Since then we do expect
Such glorious things as these:
How ought we to bestir our selves
So good a God to please?
How should the wayes of Christ
Most pleasant to us seem?
How should this make the heaviest Cross
Rom. 8.18.Grow light in our esteem?
[8]
Oh let the thoughts of this
Incorruptible Crown,
Which shall on patient suffering Saints
So frankly be bestow'n,
Heb. 12.1, 2.Effectually perswade us
For to amend our pace,
And with more chearfulness and speed
To run our Heavenly Race▪
[9]
More readily to do
And willingly to bear
Whatever Christ shall call us to
So long as we are here;
Knowing that all our Pains
Though worthless, poor,1 Cor. 15▪58. and vile
Shall such a rich reward obtain
Within a little while.
[10]
How many men can wade
Up to the knees in Blood
To win an Earthly Kingdom, which
Can do them little good?
Which brings them nought but sorrow;
Which cannot satisfie▪
Which may be lost before to morrow;
And must be, when they die.
[11]
And shall not we take pains1 Cor. 9.24, 25.
To win a Heavenly Crown;
Which having once, through grace, obtain'd
Shall ever be our own?
A glorious, ma…ie Crown,
A rich Inheritance,1 Pet. 1.4, to 10.
That's undefil'd, that never fades,
Not subject unto chance.
[12]
Good Lord increase our Faith:
And help us to believe,
That thou wilt such a rich Reward
To all thy Servants give.
2 Cor. 5.14, 15.And let this love constrain us
To give our selves to thee:
Thou hast us bought and thine we are
Thine let us ever be.
[13]
Now unto him that lov'd us
Rev. 1.5, 6.And wash'd us from our sins
With his own Blood, and made us Priest
To God, and also Kings▪
That we might live and reign
Chap. 22.5.The face of God before:
To him be Glory, Honour, Power,
Both … and evermore.
Amen.
Be … suffering Saint,
… down:
… turn
Thy …
End of the text · Michael Wigglesworth, Meat out of the Eater (1670)