Meat out of the Eater, Poems 1 – Poem 2
MEAT OUT OF THE EATER: OR, MEDITATIONS Concerning The Necessity, End, and Usefulness of AFFLICTIONS Unto Gods Children.
All tending to Prepare them … and Comfort them under the CROSSE.
By Michael Wigglesworth
CAMBRIDGE: Printed by S. G. and M. …. for John Vsher of Boston. 1670.
Tolle Crucem. All Christians must be Cross bearers.
If any man will my Disciple …e,
Let him take up his Cross and follow me
None can with me and mine partak…
Who doth not all for me forsake.
Meditation I.
All Christians must be Sufferers
That would be Christ his Followers.
[1]
ALl that resolve to be
Christ's faithful Followers,
Must be contented in this worldActs 14.22. Mat. 10.37, 38. & 16.24, 25.
To be great Sufferers.
They must renounce themselves,
And their own wills deny,
Take up their Cross, and follow Christ
Through Sufferings chearfully.
[2]
Not onelyonly lighter Griefs
Mat. 10.39. Heb. 12.4.This Cross of ours implies:
But, when the Lord us calls thereto,
Greatest Extremities.
This must be taken up,
(Willingly undergone)
For Christ's dear sake, who suffered more
For our Redemption.
[3]
The Christian that expects
An Earthly Paradise
When Christ bids his take up the Cross
And bear it, is unwise.
We must not on the knee
Be alway dandled,
Nor must we think to ride to Heaven
Upon a Feather-bed.
[4]
Our way to Heavenly Rest
Is all against the stream;
We must not sail with Wind and Tide
As too too many dream:
But row against them both
And many Storms endure;
Till we arrive at that sweet Port
Where Saints shall rest secure.
[5]
Our way is up the Hill,
Which mounteth to the Skies:
But that's the way to Death and Hell
Which low and down-hill lies.
'Tis easie to Descend,
And down the Hill to roll:
But this is labour to Ascend,
And painful to the Soul.
[6]
But who would not take pain
Against the Hill to climbe,
That so they may true Rest attain
And Happiness in time?
Rather then down the Hill
With present ease to run
(As most men do) untill they be
Eternally undone.
[7]
Strait is the Way and PathMat. 7.13, 14. Luke 13 24.
Which leadeth unto Life:
Heaven is not gain'd by …ase and Sloth,
But by an earnest stri…e.
But broad are all the wayes
That to Destruction lead,
And many many are the feet
That daily therein tread.
[8]
Let others take their choice,
And run what way they please;
Let them enjoy their Lusts, and take
Their fill of Carnal Ease:
Chuse thou the narrow Path,
My Soul, and walk therein;
Thou know'st this is the onelyonly way
Eternal Life to win.
Meditation II.
God doth in Mercy scourge his owne
In Wrath he others lets alone.
[1]
IF in this narrow Path
And way that is so strait
…et. 4.You meet with Difficulties great▪
Be not disconsolate▪
The straitness of the way
Betokeneth opposition,
Afflictions, Dangers, Crosses, Snares
In this our frail condition.
[2]
These are the Common-Lot
Of all God's Children dear.
Through many Sorrows they must pass
The Lord that truely fear.
There's no Calamity
Doth unto thee befall,
But such as common is to men;1 Cor. 10.13.
Yea to the best of all.
[3]
Though various are the wayes
And sufferings whereby
God doth his Children exercise,
Correct, and also try:
Yet all must bear the Cross
Before they wear the Crown;2 Tim. 2.12.
All must partake of chastening
Whom God vouchsafes to own.
[4]
It is in Mercy then
That God chastiseth his,
And lets them not Correction want
When as they do amiss.
They are in trouble now
That he may give them rest,Psal. 94▪ 12, 13.
When as the Pit shall digged be
For such as them opprest.
[5]
All that Christ's Members are
Must be made like their Head:
Heb 12.8. Hos. 4.14.He is a Bastard not a Childe
That's never chastened.
God letteth some alone,
(Leaves them to take their course)
And by his Rod reclaims them not;
They sin without remorse.
[6]
They will not cross themselves,
Nor their own wills deny:
God will not cross them, nor correct,
To do them good thereby.
They w…x more impudent,
Eccles 8.11.And bolder to do evil,
Through God's forbearance, till at length
Mat. 25.41.He hurl them to the Devil.
[7]
Psal. 81.11, 12. Psal. 94.12. Jo… 7.17, 18. Isaiah 1.This is a fearful case
To be thus left of God:
Great mercy 'tis to be subdu'd
By scourging with the Rod▪
My Soul be thankful then
That God thee thus corrects:
Who might have let thee headlong run
With those whom he rejects.
Meditation III.
The third doth further hint at th' Ends
For which the Lord Affliction sends.
[1]
GOd doth chastise his own
In love, their Souls to save:
And lets them not run wilde▪ with them
That no Correction have.
Now as the Rod restrainsProv. 23.14.
From posting down to Hell:
So by the same God doth excite
And teach us to do well.
[2]
Affliction is Christ's SchoolPsal. 94.12.
Wherein he teacheth his
To know and do their Duty, and
To mend what is amiss.
For though Afflictions may
Unto the Flesh be painful:
David and other Saints of God
Have found them very gainful.
[3]
Psal. 119.67.Before I was chastis'd,
Saith he, I went astray:
But since I've learnt with better care
To keep thy Precepts way.
Ver. 71.'Tis good for me that I
Have been afflicted sore,
That I might learn to know thy Laws
And swerve therefrom no more.
[4]
Isa. 48.10.These are God's Fining-Pot,
Wherein he melts his Gold,
Consumes the dross and maketh it
Malac. 3.2, 3. Dan. 11.35.More lovely to behold.
These are his Fullers Sope
To wash our spots away,
That being thus refin'd and wash'd
Him glorifie we may.
[5]
As sharpest Winter Frosts
Do clarifie the Aire,
And cleanse our Blood, soften the Earth
And it for Seed prepare,
Making it fruitfuller:
So do Afflictions sore
Lev. 26.40▪ 41.Correct the rankness of our hearts,
Cl…anse, and subdue them more.
[6]
Much Honey turns to Gall
And Cholerick excess;
And too-too-much Prosperity
Breeds Pride and Wantonness:Deut. 32.15. Isa. 27.9. Heb. 12.1…, 11.
Afflictions purge them out,
Like bitter Alöe,
Which, though unpleasant to the taste,
Far wholsomer may be.
[7]
Full Diet, dainty Fare,
With Idleness and EaseEzek. 16.49, 50.
Heap up bad Humours, and contract
Many a foul Disease,
To Soul, and Body too.
Dang'rous, and Troublesome;
Which must be purged out in Time
By some Catholicum.
[8]
Strong Wine makes weak heads giddy
Procuring Drunkenness:
Long Peace and Plenty likewise breedJer. 5.7, 8.
Intemperance and Excess.
We soon are Surfeted
With strong delicious matter:
And therefore God, who knows our frame,
Mingleth our Wine with Water.
[9]
Afflictions are like Ballast
I'th' Bottom of a Ship;
For though perhaps without the same
We might more lightly skip:
Yet every little puff
Would quickly set us over,
And sink us in the Ocean Sea
No more for to recover.
[10]
Jer. 4.3, 4.Our Hearts are over-run
Much like a fallow Field,
Which must be broke and plowed up
Before it fruit can yield:
Psal. 129.2.3. Jer. 31.18, 19.Afflictions are God's Plough
Wherewith he breaketh us,
Tears up our Lusts, those noisome Weeds,
And fitteth us for use.
[11]
Grace in Prosperity
Lies hid unoccupy'd:
But is by Chastening set to work,
And by the Cross descry'd.
The Cross to Virtue trains;
It tries, it makes to grow;
It sanctifies, purgeth and heals;
It humbleth and layes low.
Meditation IV.
The fourth by various Arguments
Strives to beat down all Discontents,
And overcome Discouragements.
[1]
SInce then our gracious God
And Father that's above
For such great Ends useth his Rod
In Faithfulness and Love:Heb. 12.6.
Why should'st thou once repine,
Or murmure at the Cross,
Impatient man? without such blows
Thy Soul would suffer loss.
[2]
Except that need there be,1 Pet. 1.6.
And thy Soul's health require,
He useth not severity,
Nor stirreth up his ire.
He layes on thee no moreJob. 34.23.
Then what may reach the End,
And do thy Soul the good for which
He doth Affliction send.
[3]
Iam. 3.33.He that unwillingly
Afflicts the sons of men,
Cannot take pleasure in the grief
Of his own Childeren.
He layes on his no Crosset,
But that they may attain
Some higher good. He sends no losses
But for their greater gain.
[4]
Burning and Cutting 'bide,
Hunger and Thirst endure
Thou wilt, thy Body from Grim Death,
Or Sickness to recure:
Thy Soul is much more worth,
And its Salvation dear;
Why then what may Soul-health procure
Should'st thou refuse to bear?
[5]
Christ never flattered thee,
Nor promis'd Carnal Ease,
Nor worldly Honour, Pleasure, Gain,
Security, o… Peace.
He told the worst at first,
(It was thine A, B, C)
Ma…. 16.24.That every one must bear the Cross
That would his Follower be.
[6]
Why should'st thou think it strange1 Pet. 4.12.
To meet with fiery Triall?
Or to be put upon the task
Of serious Self-deniall?
Thou owest more to Christ,
Who shed his dearest Blood,
And bare God's Wrath, for to procure
Thine Everlasting good.
[7]
The Son of God himself
By whom the World was madeHeb. 5.8, 9. & 12.2, 3.
Took up the Cross, endured Death,
And so our Ransom paid.
He had no need to die;
But we had been undone:
Unless that He our Punishment
And Pain had undergone.
[8]
He past through SufferingsLuke 24.26. Mat. 10.24, 25. Rom. 8.26. Gal 3.13. 1 Cor. 15.55, 56.
Into his glorious state:
It's fit that Members be content
Their Head to imitate.
Himself hath born the Curse,
And ta'ne away the Sting:
So that the Cross is now become
A sanctified thing.
[9]
Therefore take up the Cross;
The Rod in meekness kiss:
Be silent and him reverence, who
Thy God and Father is.
Ezra. 9.13. Heb. 12.1….Who less afflicteth thee,
Then thou deserved hast;
Yea and afflicteth thee, that so
A gainer be thou may'st.
[10]
Jer. 30.11. 1 Cor. 10.13.Measure and Moderation
In Chast'ning he respecteth;
And none of his beyond their strength
By pain or grief dejecteth.
Although he burn the Dross
Luke 21.18.He will not waste his Gold:
If with the one hand he cast down;
His other doth uphold.
[11]
The smothering smoaking Flax
Mat. 12.20.Hee'll not extinguish quite:
To break a bruised shaken Reed
Is none of his delight.
Hee'll not contend for ay,
Isa. 57.16.Nor evermore upbraid:
Lest that the spirit before him fail,
And Souls that he hath made.
[12]
Thou cravest oft a pledgeHeb. 12.7
Of Christ's free love to thee.
A pledge thou hast, if Chastening
Thou bearest fruitfullie.
God deals with us like sons
If Scourging we endure,
For unto patient Suffering
He will his sons inure.
[13]
What if thy strength thee fail?
If Sicknesses increase?
If Creature-comforts thee forsake?Psal. 27.10. Psal. 46.1, 2, 3.
If dearest Friends decease?
If wants do multiply,
And woes come on amain?
If Men and Devils should conspire
To aggravate thy pain?
[14]
Droop not faint-hearted man,
Thou art not yet undone:
So long as God himself survives,Psal. 73.26. Judg 14.14.
And is thy Portion.
Out of the Eater He
Will surely bring forth Meat:
And Spiritual Good more sweet then honey
Out of Affliction great.
Meditation V.
The fifth perswades to Patience,
From that rich future Recompence;
Minding us of our Heavenly Rest,
Which should revive us when distrest.
[1]
MEekly to bear Christ's yoke
It is an Honour high:
Thou Christ wilt surely them reward
Who bear it patiently.
For this short Grief of ours,
2 Cor. 4.17.And our Affliction light
Shall work of glorious Happiness
A far more lasting weight.
[2]
Psal. 97.11For just men light is sown
(Reward laid up in store)
Psal. 126 5.Who sow in tears shall reap in joy,
And after mourn no more.
They'll one day wear a Crown,
Who now the Cross sustain:
1 Cor. 15 58▪In Christ our Lord no suffering,
Nor labour shall be vain.
[3]
Reign with him long shall they,1 Tim. 2▪ 12.
With him that suffer do:
Who follow him in's Death, partake
Shall of his Glory too.
Not that our servicesIsa. 64 6.
Deserve such recompence:
But he resolveth to set forth2 Thess. 1.10.
His own Munificence.
[4]
Who can expect a Crop
Or Harvest to obtain;
That breaks no ground, that sowes no seed.
That undergoes no pain?
To triumph who can hope
That doth the Battel shun?
Eternal Glory whoso findes,
Must first through rough wayes run.
[5]
Thou art a Pilgrim here;…. 39.12.
This world is not thy home:
Then be content with Pilgrims fare,
Till thou to Heaven come.
What if thou tossed art
With boisterous winds and seas?
Behold the Haven, where thou shaltHeb. 4.9.
Enjoy long rest and ease.
[6]
What if thy conflict with
The roaring Lion be?
If thou be call'd to fight against
World, Flesh, and Devil, all three.
1 Joh. 4.4. Rom. 16 20.Stronger is Christ in thee
Then strongest Enemy,
Who Satan under thy Souls feet
shall tread down speedily.
[7]
Souldier be strong, who fightest
Heb. 2.…0.Under a Captain stout:
Dishonour not thy conquering Head
By basely giving out.
Endure a while, Bear up,
And hope for better things:
War ends in Peace; and Morning light
Mounts up on Midnights wings.
[8]
Through Changes manifold,
And Dangers perilous,
Isai▪ 43.2. Heb. 11.14, 16. Mar. 25.34.Through fiery flames, and water-floods,
Through wayes calamitous,
We travel towards Heaven
A quiet Habitation:
Christ shews a Kingdom there prepar'd
Ev'n from the worlds foundation.
[9]
O Heaven, most holy place,
Which art our Country dear▪
What cause have I to long for thee,2 Cor. 5▪ 2, 4, 8.
And beg with many a tear?
Earth is to me a Prison;
This Body an useless wight:
And all things else vile, vain, and nought
To one in such ill plight.
[10]
Oh Christ make haste, from bands
Of Sin and Death me free;
And to those Heavenly Mansions
Be pleas'd to carry mee:
Where glorified Saints
For ever are possest1 Thess. 4.17.
Of God in Christ their chiefest Good,
And from all troubles rest.
Meditation VI.
Christ's Sufferings are our Copy-book,
Whereon we often ought to look.
[1]
Heb. 12.2, 3.LEt every suffering Saint
Consider Jesus Christ,
What Sufferings great he under-went,
Who is our Blest-High-Priest.
What Misery can'st thou name,
He hath not undergone,
Who was most innocent and just,
Isa. 53.9.And nought amiss had done?
[2]
When we are like to faint,
And when our spirits fail;
When discontents, discouragements
And terrours us assail:
When thou art apt to say,
No grief was e're like mine;
Then think of Christ, and sure thou'lt say,
His far exceeded thine.
[3]
Art thou a Prisoner?
Our Lord himself was bound.Mat. 27.2. Chap. 26.65 67, 68.
Art thou disgrac'd? why, he was scorn'd
And trampled to the ground;
Blindfolded, spit upon,
Most wrongfully accused,
Reviled, mocked, buffetted,Mat. 27.28, 30.
And wickedly abused.
[4]
Art thou in Poverty?
Why, Christ himself was poore,2 Cor. 8.9. Mat. 8.20
And had not where to lay his head;
It's like he gives thee more.
Art thou in Heaviness?
He was a man of Grief;Isa. 53.3. Mat 26.38.
Whose Soul was sorrowful to Death,
To purchase our relief.
[5]
Or do Temptations vex thee?
He tempted was likewise:Heb. 2.18 & 4 15.
He pitieth when such things perplex thee,
And helps thee when thou cries.
Do Sin and Wrath distress thee?
None so distrest as he,Mat. … ▪ 46.
Who underwent God's direful wrath,
From wrath our Souls to free.
[6]
If thus our Generall
Joh. 12.26.No danger hath declin'd:
Well may his Souldiers be content
Some hardship for to find.
If he hath suffered
In whom no guilt was found:
Well may we suffer for our faults,
Whose sins so much abound.
[7]
If God's dear Son hath dy'd,
And born his Fathers ire:
Well may the sinfull sons of men
Pass through a gentle fire.
Isai. 53.4, 6.Since onelyonly for our sake
All this he under-went:
What cause have we with our light Cross
To be right well content?
[8]
John 18.11.He drank up all the Dregs,
And bitterest of the Cup:
Gal. 3.13.The Cup, he gives us, is allay'd,
And but a little sup.
Oh then my sinful Soul!
If Christ to suffering call,
Take up thy Cross, and willingly
Follow thy Generall.
Meditation VII.
The worldly man's Prosperity
Is onelyonly gilded Misery.
[1]
ALthough God's dealings are
Exceeding various
Respecting outward things, which be
Adverse or Prosperous;
That none can certainlyEccles. 9.1, 2.
Discern God's Love or Hate,
By being in Affliction,
Or in a Prosperous state:
[2]
(For now and then a Saint
Enjoyes Prosperity:
And sometimes wicked men are plagu'd,
And are in Misery)
Yet commonly we seeActs 14.22. Job 21.7, 8, 9, 10, 13.
Affliction is the Lot
Of precious Saints; whil'st others thrive
I'th' world, who serve him not.
[3]
They are afflicted less
Then God's own Children dear:
Psal. 17.14.And it's no wonder, if we minde,
They have their Portion here.
Yet silly sinfull flesh
Psal. 73.3, 4, 5.At this is apt to grumble:
And at the scandal of the Cross
There are too many stumble.
[4]
They flourish like a Tree;
They have the world at will:
Job 21.24.Their Breasts are flowing-full of milk;
Marrow their bones doth fill.
They have no sorrows great
Their vigour to decay:
Nor is their Moisture radical
Consum'd and sweal'd away.
[5]
While better men are sick,
Their bodies are in health:
Whil'st others are distrest with wants,
They flow in worldly wealth.
They have their time of peace,
While others are in trouble.
If other men have Plenty too,
They have it more then double.
[6]
They live and lie at ease,Amos 6.4, 5, 6.
While others are in pain:
And meet not with Calamity
Their mirth for to restrain.
While godly men are weeping,
And laying sin to heart:
They're feasting, singing, or else sleeping,
Because they fell no smart.
[7]
Their eyes stand out with fat;Psal. 73.7
They've more then heart can wish:
Honey and milk, butter and oil
Do drop into their dish.
The World them dandleth,
Like Darlings on her lap,
And streams delights into their mouth
From this and th'other Pap.
[8]
They prosper in their way,Psa. 37.7.
And bring their ends to pass,
Judging themselves as happy men,Psa. 49.18.
As ever any was.
Because they have success,
They bless themselves therein:
They think God loves, and favours them,
Though they still love their sin.
[9]
Psal. 55.19.Because they have no changes,
Therefore they fear not God:
They do not dread to anger him,
Because they feel no Rod.
Eccles 8.11.God doth not execute
His Sentence speedily
'Gainst wicked works: therefore they're bold
To do more wickedly.
[10]
God gives them outward things,
And they the same bestow
Jam 4.3. Luke 16.13.Upon their Lusts: they serve the world,
And unto Mammon bow.
In him they put their trust;
Him they most highly prize:
Unto this Idol every day
They offer Sacrifice.
[11]
For having made the World
The God whom they adore,
They rake and scrape, they pill and pull,
and covet more and more.
The World doth fill their Head,
And occupy their Heart:
But God, to whom both these belong,
They leave for him no part.
[12]
Their Riches make them proud,1 Tim. 6.17.
And puff them up in minde:
Their Plenty doth besot them too,
And make them worse then blinde.
They see no need of Christ,Rev. 3.17 Mat. 19.22, 23, 24.
But by his Grace set light:
Despise a Saviour, shut their eyes
Against the Gospel's Light.
[13]
They being fat and fullDeut. 32.15.
Are wanton, Jesurun-like;
They kick and spurn against God's Love,
And at his Bowels strike.
Whil'st he them nourisheth,Isa. 1.2.
Against him they rebell:
And under Satan's Banner fight,John 18.44.
Like wicked Imps of Hell.
[14]
Thus their Prosperity,Prov. 1.32.
Through God Almighty's Curse,
Doth make them wax more insolent,
And grow still worse and worse.
Their Table is their Snare,Psal. 69.22.
Their Delicates a Baite
Which leads them to turn Belly-gods,
And grow Intemperate.
[15]
Prov 23.31, 33.Their over-flowing Cups
Entice to Drunkenness:
And then expose to filthy Lust
Their pampered Carkases.
The greater strength they have:
The stronger to do evil.
The healthfuller their Bodies be:
More fit to serve the Devil.
[16]
2 Chron. 36.15, 16 Ezek. 23.9, 10, 11.God warns them by his Word;
They're deaf and do not hear:
He cuts down others with his Sword;
They neither feel nor fear.
Isa. 42.25 Jer. 5.3.If God vouchsafe to scourge them,
Yet they like Mad-men feel not:
Or if they feel, their hearts are hard;
Repent, and turn they will not.
[17]
Exod. 8.27, 28. compared with 34.Whil'st that the smart is on,
Perhaps they promise fair:
But, Pharaoh-like, when respite comes,
They shew you what they are.
2 Pet. 2.22.To wallowing in the mire
Like filthy unclean Hogs,
And to their vomit back again
They run, like greedy Dogs.
[18]
Since then they chuse their Bane,
And will no warning take:
They have their choice, and may thereof
Their best advantage make.
God will no more take painsIsa. 1.5. Hos. 4.14.
To scourge them for their sin:
But lets them glut themselves therewith,
And end as they begin.
[19]
He winketh at their faults,
And lets them take their course;
Yea gives them up unto their lusts,Psal. 81.11, 12. Mat. 23.32. Mat. 25.41.
To sin without remorse:
Till having fill'd their measures,
The Lord to Judgement call;
Where op'ning all his fiery Treasures,
Hee'll pay them once for All.
Meditation VIII.
Saints happier be when most distrest,
Then wicked men are at the best.
[1]
WE have the Wicked view'd,
And seen his best estate:
And who would chuse with him to share,
Except a Reprobate?
Prov. 1.32.For sure the Simple's ease
Shall turn to his decay:
And the Prosperity of Fools
Shall utterly them slay.
[2]
Psal. 92.7.When wicked men like Grass
Do springing up arise,
When they are in a flourishing case
That work iniquities:
'Tis for their cutting down
To perpetuity;
It's but to ripen them for woe,
And endless misery.
[3]
The less Affliction hereLuke 16.23, 24, 25.
They feel, the more's to come
The greater Blessings they abuse,
The heavier is their Doome.
Now let us take a Saint
Whom men account accurst,
Because they judge him plagu'd of God.
And view him at his worst.
[4]
Suppose his case as bad,
As bad it well can be:
And his Calamity more sad
Then commonly we see.
Dispose him where you will,
Do with him what you can:
Yet God is present with him still
He is a happy man.
[5]
Let Sickness come upon him,
Or great Tormenting Pain:
God will not lose him,Jam. 5.11. Acts 23.11. but a Saint
A Saint shall still remain.
In Prison him immure,
All comforts from him take:
You cannot rob him of his God,
Nor him unhappy make.
[6]
Isa. 43.2.Plunge him into the mire,
Or water; God is neare:
Cast him into the burning Fire;
Psal. 42.7.8.God will be with him there.
If many roaring waves
Of great Affliction roll
Over his head: God so supports
They cannot sink his Soul.
[7]
(Jacob in servitude,
Joseph in Prison Chains,
Moses in his long Banishment
Heaven's Favourite still remains.
Three Children in the Fire
Daniel i'th' Lions Den
Have God to guard them: so had Paul
When Shipwrack'd. Happy Men!)
[8]
Deut. 33. 27.The Everlasting Arms
Are underneath his head
To bear him up; and hence it comes
He is not swallowed,
Psal. 44.17, 18, 22Nor suffered wickedly
From God to turn aside:
As by his carriage will appear
When troubles him betide.
Meditation IX.
The Carriage of a Childe of God
VnderUnder his Fathers smarting Rod.
[1]
HE sees a hand of God
In his Afflictions all,Job. 1.21. & 2.10.
And owns it for to be his Rod,
Whatever Cross befall.
For whosoever be
Th' immediate Instrument,2 Sam. 16.11.
He knows right well that God himself
was the Efficient.
[2]
And that AfflictionsJob 5.6.
Rise not out of the Dust:
Nor are they order'd by … will
Of Man, or Devils lust.
If that the Grief be small
Or the Chastisement light:
Yet since God sends it not in vain,1 Kin. 22.48, 49.
Light strokes he dare not slight.
[3]
If greater be the Blow,
H…b 12.5, 6.It doth not him dismay:
Because he knows a Fathers hand
Such stripes may on him lay.
Joel 2 12 Amos 4.12.But he prepares himself
Betimes to meet the Lord
By true Repentance, as he hath
Commanded in his Word.
[4]
Lam. 3.39, 40 42 Job. 10.2. Job 34.31, …2. Job 36.8, 9, 10, 11, 15. Job 42.6.To search and try his wayes,
To finde out what's amiss,
To leave his sins, to loath himself
His first great Business is.
And having once found out
What sin hath God offended;
He seriously bewails it, and
Endeavours to amend it.
[5]
Heb. 6.18.Unto the cleansing Blood
Of Jesus Christ he flies;
Psal. 51.7.And to his wounded Conscience
That Soveraign Balm applies:
Which can both Cleanse and Heal;
1 Joh. 2.2. Heb 9 14 Re… … 5.Both pacifie God's wrath,
And cure a guilty Sin-sick Soul,
When 'tis improv'd by Faith.
[6]
And though he be unworthy
To look God in the face;
Yet through the Merits of his SonHeb. 4.15, 16. Job 19.25▪ 26 27. Lam 3.31, 32.
He begs and hopes for Grace:
Being right well assur'd
That though the Lord chastise him;
Yet will he not cast off his Soul,
Nor utterly despise him.
[7]
But if by all his search
He cannot finde the cause
For which the Lord afflicteth him,
Or from his Soul withdraws:
Yet he believeth, that
For just and holy ends,
To humble, purge, and better him
The Lord Affliction sends.
[8]
And though he cannot say,Job 10.2, 7.
I have at random run,
Or wickedly by some known sin
Away from God have gon:Job 7.…0 Job 9.2, 3.
Yet so much sin he sees
Both in his heart and wayes,
As God may judge it meet therefore
To scourge him all his dayes.
[9]
1 Pet. 5.6.Himself he humbleth under
The mighty hand of God:
1 Sam. 3.18. Job 2.10.And for the sake of that sweet hand
Doth kiss the sharpest Rod.
He taketh up his Cross,
Denieth his own will,
Advanceth God's above his own,
And yieldeth to him still.
[10]
Lam. 3.29, 30.Unto the yoke of Christ
He doth his neck submit:
He turns his cheek to him that smites,
And meekly taketh it.
Lam. 3.22, 23, 25.Yea when his grief is most,
And sorest is his pain:
He still endeavoureth good thoughts
Of God for to retain.
[11]
His earnest care and prayer
When greatest is his smart,
Is that he never may blaspheme
God with his mouth or heart.
He beggeth Patience
In his extremities
To bear Gods hand, that so his heart
may not against him rise.
[12]
If murmuring thoughts do risePsal. 73.13 14, 15, 22.
(Or heart begin to swell)
He strives to beat them down again;
He hates such thoughts like Hell.
God he resolves to love,
Deal with him as he will:
And in his Mercy to confideJob 13 15.
Although he should him kill.
[13]
To God that smiteth him
He strives to get more near.
He will not cease to pray,Psa. 88.1.2 9 13. Psa…. 42.7, 8, 9. although
God seem to stop his ear.
Though God hath long delay'd
To answer his request,
Yet will he seek, and never cease,
Whil'st life is in his brest.
[14]
He waiteth patientlyPsal. 46.1 2, 4.
Untill deliverance come,
And will not use dishonest meansIsai 28.16.
To shun what's troublesome.
He hates all sinful sleights
To get his Cross from under:
He will not break his Bonds,Psal. 116.16. but stay
Till God them out asunder.
[15]
Gen. 8.13, 14, 16.Noah would not leave his Ark,
Nor out of Prison break,
Although he saw the ground was dry,
Till God did to him speak.
1 Sam. 26.9, 11.David refus'd to kill
King Saul his mortal Foe,
That persecuted him to Death,
And wrought him so much woe.
[16]
He rather chose to wait
Till God should plead his Cause,
And of his Enemy him avenge,
Then for to break God's Laws.
Thus every Saint will rather
Iob 36.21.Chuse Suffering, then to Sin:
He will not God offend Self-ease
or Safety for to win.
[17]
Mat. 26.70; 75.But if through Humane frailty,
And over-bearing power
Of strong Temptation, he do swerve
And fall i'th' evil hour:
(As sometimes Peter did)
Luke 22.32.It grieveth him full sore,
He weeps and mourns, repents, returns,
Grows stronger then before.
[18]
The longer God afflicts him,Psal. 119.67, 71. Eccles. 7.3.
The better he is for it:
Love's Holiness the more, loath's sin
And learneth to abhor it.
The more he is bereft
And stript of outward things:
The less he dotes on these wilde Fowl
That take them to their wings.
[19]
When Creature-comforts fail;
When sorrows him surround,
He takes the faster hold of God
In whom true Comfort's found.
When Conduit-pipes are stopt,
When Streams are vanished:
The more he to the Fountain hastes,
And lives at the Well-head.
[20]
Thus David comforted1 Sam. 30.6.
And cheer'd himself in God
When all was gone: although he felt
The anguish of the Rod.
Thus Jacob took fast holdGen. 32.26 28.
And wrestled with the Lord,
When as he was distrest for fear
Of cruel Esau's Sword.
[21]
Prince-like he wrestled
And would not let him go,
Untill he had a Blessing got
To shield him from his Foe.
Thus every suffering Saint
By wrestling shall prevail,
And having overcome at last
Be styled Israel.
Meditation X.
Although Afflictions tanne the skin,
Such Saints are Beautiful within.
[1]
Cant. 2.14.HOw amiable is
The face of suffering Saints,
Where God thus quieteth their hearts
And stilleth their complaints!
Where 'tis their daily care,
And earnest hearts desire,
To love, and bless, and honour God
In middest of the fire.
[2]
Where nothing grieves them morePsal. 139.21, 22, 23, 24.
Then what their God doth grieve:
Where nothing pleaseth them like that
Which makes them sin to leave.
Where though they have a will
And wishes of their own:
Yet at the foot of Jesus ChristMat. 16.24.
They meekly lay them down.
[3]
These are the happy men,
Judge of them what thou pleaseJam 5.11 compared with Job 42.6, 7, 8.
Vain world; Amongst thy Darlings all
Thou hast not one like these.
As God is dear to them,
So they to him are dear:
And he to all the world ere long
Will make it to appear.
[4]
The Daughter of the KingPsal. 45.13.
All glorious is within,
How black soever and Sun-burnt
May seem her outward skin.
Because I blackish amCant. 1.5, 6.
Upon me — look not ye
Because that with his beams the Sun
Hath looked down on me.
[5]
A patient suffering Saint
Is a right comely one:
Though black as Kedar's Tents, and as
Curtains of Solomon.
Thus beautifie my Soul
Dear Saviour; thus adorn it.
As for the Trappings of the world,
And Bravery, I can scorn it.
[6]
Mat. 23.25, 26, 27, 28.Some deck the outside fair;
But are like Graves within:
Some sweep and wash their houses clean,
Whose hearts most nasty been.
Some bodies fat and fair
Have Souls both foul and lean:
But howsoe're my Body fare,
Lord make my Soul more clean.
A Conclusion Hortatory To those that are, or hereafter may be in Affliction.
[1]
ANd now, my Christian Friend,
That shalt these Lines per use;
Oh that they might thine heart perswade
The Cross of Christ to chuse!
And to esteem it more
Then greatest Worldly Treasures!
Light grief would bring thee glorious joyes,2 Cor. 17.
Short pain Eternal Pleasures.
[2]
I have endeavoured
The Cross for to adorn,
By setting forth its comliness,
Although the world it scorn.
I have discours'd in brief
What profit comes thereby,
That thou might'st be encouraged
To bear it patiently.
[3]
I have before thine eyes
An humble gracious Saint
Bearing the Cross upon his back
Endeavoured to paint.
Now strive to imitate;
After this Copy write:
This is the onelyonly end for which
I did the same endite.
[4]
I would not for this world,
Were it a world of Gold,
(Yea for a thousand times as much,
And more then can be told)
I would not Rules prescribe
And unto thee commend,
And yet my self be negligent
Those Rules for to attend.
[5]
It is my daily Prayer,
Lord let me never teach
That unto others which my self
Have little care to reach.
I have not told thee Tales
Of things unseen, unfelt,
But speak them from Experience;
Believe it how thou wilt.
[6]
Yet I shall tell the Truth,
And nothing from thee keep;
Before I wrote this sentence out
I sat down twice to weep
Tears of remorse and sorrow
Because I am so poore
In these rich graces, and because
I have attain'd no more.
[7]
That having been so long
A Scholar in this School,
I have so little progress made,
And been so great a fool.
But I shall say no more,
But pass from this discourse.
My weeping tears do blinde mine eyes,
And me thereto enforce.
[8]
My son despise not thouHeb. 12.5.
The Lords chastising hand,
Nor faint when thou corrected art:
But turn at his command.
Oh be not obstinate
(No better then before)
Lest God provoked be to smite,Lev. 26.18.
And lay on seven times more.
[9]
For thus he threateneth;
Verse 23, 24.If that ye will not be
By all my strokes reformed yet
But still walk cross to me:
Then will I also walk
Contrary unto you
In wrath and fury, and seven times
More Plagues will on you throw.
[10]
Dear Brother, Christian Friend,
Be wise for thine own ease,
And do not wilfully thy God
And Father milde displease.
Lam. 3.33, 34.He loveth not to grieve,
Nor crush the sons of men:
Why should'st thou love to anger him,
Or for to grieve him then?
[11]
It may be thou hast been
Some headstrong Bullock like▪
Kicking and spurning at the Rod,
And running on the Pike.
Now …en bemoan thy self;
And cry, Lord turn thou me,
That have a stubborn sinner been,
And turned I shall be.
[12]
If Ephraim thus repent
And pray; God quickly hears,Jer. 31.18, 19, 20
Embraceth him as his dear Childe,
And wipes away his tears.
God listeneth for to hear
The voice of true returners,
And is most ready to speak peace
To broken-hearted mourners.
[13]
Oh let New-England turn,
When gentler Warning's given:
Lest by our sins the Lord to use
Severity be driven.
It will be to our cost
To put him thereupon:
Oh therefore let's repent in time,
Before we be undone.
[14]
Incorrigibleness
God's Anger will increase:
True Penitence, and Faith in Christ,
This anger will appease;
And nothing else can do't.
Lord give us hearts to say,
Turn us to thee,Hos. 14.2. and all our sins
Purge out and wash away.
[15]
Hos. 6.1, 2.Come let's return to God,
He hath us torn, Hee'll heal:
He hath us smitten with his Rod,
And binde us up he will.
After two dayes are past
He will us so revive,
And on the third day raise us up
That we in's sight shall live.
Psal. 80.19.Turn us again Lord God of Hosts,
And make thy countenance
To shine upon us, and so we
Shall have deliverance.
Amen.
RIDDLES UNRIDDLED, OR Christian Paradoxes Broke open, smelling like sweet Spice N…w taken out of Boxes.
Each Paradox is like a Box
That Cordials rare incloseth:
This Key unlocks, op'neth the Box
And what's within discloseth;
That whoso will may take his fill,
And gain where no man loseth.
RIDDLES Unriddled OR Christian Paradoxes.
Light in Darkness,
Sick mens Health,
Strength in Weakness,
Poor mens Wealth,
In Confinement
Liberty,
In Solitude
Good Company,
Joy in Sorrow,
Life in Deaths,
Heavenly Crowns for
Thorny Wreaths,
Are presented to thy view
In the Poems that ensue.
If my Trials had been thine,
These would cheer thee more then Wine.