Meat out of the Eater, Poems 4
Strength in Weakness.
THat weak ones may grow strong
We very often see:
But Strength in Weakness to behold,
This is a Noveltie.
To see a Weak man Strong,
And Strongest when most Weak;
To see the Strong through Weakness fall
And all their bones to break:
This is a Mystery
A Christian Paradox;
But this ensuing little Key
The Cabinet unlocks.
SONG I.
[1]
MAn's Strength meer Weakness is,
As frail as Venice glass:
Isa. 40.6, 7.And all his Excellency like
The flower upon the grass.
Adam in Paradise,
And in his perfect state,
Gen. 3 6.When left of God unto himself▪
Could soon degenerate
[2]
He that was strong at first
Immediately grew weak:
And let the stock of Grace run out,
Like vessels that do leak.
Hence we are all made weak,Rom. 5.6, 12, 14.
And neither have Free-will
To chuse, nor Power to do what's good,
But onelyonly what is ill.
[3]
But God, the God of Grace,
His Blessed Son imploy'd
And sent to ransome and restoreJohn 3.17.
What Adam had destroy'd.
He having us Redeem'd
And Ransom'd with his Blood▪
And also purchased for usRev. 1.5, 6.
All grace and saving good.
[4]
Restoreth us to life,Eph. 2.5, 6, 1….
Createth us anew,
Enableth us to do what's good
And evil to eschew▪
But still he keeps the StockJohn 15▪4, 5.
Of grace in his own hand,
And hath not left it unto us
To be at our command.
[5]
Phil. 4.13.The strongest Saints have need
Of daily fresh supplies:
And Christ will teach them where their strength
And all their power lies.
Unless the Sun do shine,
Soon vanisheth the Beam:
Unless the Fountain feed it still,
Soon dry'd up is the Stream.
[6]
Hence if the strongest Saints
Begin to grow secure,
Neglect their watch, trust in themselves;
Christ will not this endure.
He leaves them to themselves,
And lets them try their strength:
They fall and feel their weaknesses
Unto their cost at length.
[7]
2 Sam. 11.2, 3, 4.Thus David sadly fell:
And who more strong then David?
Or who more graciously himself
In all his straits behaved?
David, while weak, was strong,
And kept his …ands most pure:
But in his strength he grew most weak
By being too s…ure.
[8]
Peter was confidentLuke 22.33 & 56, 57, 58, 60.
And thought he had much strength
To follow Christ through thick and thin:
But what came on't at length?
He thought his Love so great,
He could with Christ have dy'd:
But ah frail man! e're morning light
He Christ three times deny'd.
[9]
Some haply here will say;
If Saints of such renownObi.
Have been so foil'd, and to the ground
In time of Triall thrown;
What will become of me,
That am so weak and frail?
How shall I stand, when violent
Temptations me assail?
[10]
Though God sometimes permitSol.
The strongest Saints to fall,
To stain the glory of all Flesh,
And to awaken all:
Yet let not weak ones faint,
Nor be discouraged,
Who feel their wants and weaknesses,
And flee to Christ their Head.
[11]
Isa. 40.29, 30.For Christ hath strength enough:
Do thou on him depend,
And he will make thee stand in storms,
And hold out to the end.
For in our weakness great
Christ's strength doth more appear:
We never are so safe, as when
We get to him most near.
[12]
When sense of our own wants,
And manifold defects,
Drives us to Christ our onelyonly strength:
Then he the weak protects.
Hence we are never stronger,
Then when we are most weak:
Because we then most heartily
Christ's help and succour seek.
[13]
2 Cor. 12.5, 7, 9, 10, 11.Thus Paul that great Apostle,
When I am weak, saith he,
Then am I strong; Because the strength
Of Christ then rests on me.
Therefore I rather chuse
In weaknesses to glory,
Then of my Revelations great
To tell an ample story.
SONG II.
[1]
ANd now for want of strength
And weakness Bodily,
I could say much; For few, I think▪
Have felt it more then I.
I have been many years
So impotent and weak
As none are able to conceive
That onelyonly hear me speak.
[2]
And when I finde most strength
And thereupon assay
To serve the Lord with all my heart
In the most publick way;
Just when I should set forth
Such feebleness assails me
That I am like a man half dead,
All strength and vigour fails me.
[3]
I go to God and tell him,
Thou Lord hast strength, I want it
To do thee service therewithall,
In faithfulness O grant it.
Thou putt'st me now on service,
And strength in me there's none:
Therefore on thee the God of strength
I will depend alone.
[4]
Mine eyes are wholly thus
Unto the God of strength:
I cast my self upon his Power,
Who succours me at length,
And in the time of need
Doth such assistance give,
That those who hear me scarce know how
My weakness to believe.
[5]
But this is certain truth,
My strength again is gone,
And languishings return, as soon
As e're the work is done.
And every such attempt,
In this my weak estate,
My bodily Ails for divers weeks
Doth much exasperate.
[6]
By every little doing
I suffer very much:
Yet at God's hand I neither dare,
Nor have I cause to grutch▪
Hath not the Potter power
To frame out of the clay
One vessel for to serve him thus▪
Others another way?
[7]
But I have said enough,
All tending to depress
The Creature, and for to advance
God's Power and Faithfulness▪
For sure his Power shines forth2 Cor. 12.9. Jer. 9.23, 24. 1 Cor. 1.31.
In our Infirmity;
That whoso glorieth, glory may
In God alone most High.
SONG III.
A Dialogue wherein the Speakers are Troubled Conscience and Rectified Judgement.
Troub. Consc.
[1]
OH, but my weakness brings
Unserviceableness,
And takes me off from Christ's sweet work▪
Who can this grief express?
When as the Body fails
The Soul, and hindereth it
In all its motions, like a clog;
I am for nothing fit.
Rect. judgm.
[2]
If Christ disable thee
From doing as before,
He calls thee to some other work
That he approveth more.
Passive Obedience
More hard then Active is:
And Christ will own and honour that,
Who owns and crowneth this.
[3]
Thou still art serving Christ▪1 Pet. 4.12, 13, 14.
Though in another way:
And he thy Service will accept
And crown another day.
Thy Suffering is his work,Col…ss. 1.24.
As well as Doing was:
Thy service in a suffering way
Christ rather chosen has.
[4]
If Christ hath call'd thee off,1 Kings 17.1, 3, 4.5.
After a short assay,
From Publick Service; cease dispute,
And cheerfully obey.
Masters are pleased best,
When as their will is done,
Although a nobler work be left
To do a meaner one.
[5]
If he be pleas'd to make it
Thy business to sit still:
Thou pleasest him the best, by meek
Submission to his Will.
God hath no need of us,
Nor any work of our:
Yet for the deed he takes our will,
Where he denieth power.
[6]
Although the work be small
Thou canst for him effect:
2 Cor. 8.12.Yet if there be a willing minde
He doth the same accept.
For not by th'outward bulk
Of what we do fulfill,
God doth esteem our services;
But by the Doers will.
[7]
For this he will reward thee
As richly at the last:
As if thou able wert to do
More work then e're thou wast.
Thou hast a gentle Master,
That sets no cruel task:
But when he deitly abate thy strength
He doth less service ask.
[8]
Do what thou canst, my Soul
For God no more expects:
Luke 12.48.Where much he gaves, he looks for much;
Where less, hevless accepts.
But make not this a cloak,
Vile Flesh, for Slothfulness:
Deut. 10.2….God will be ser…'d with all our might,
Be 't more, or be it less.
[5]
He was a Rich Poor man,
Whose Poverty prepar'd him
For Heav'n: But he a poor Rich man
Whose Worldly Wealth ensnar'd him.
That man is Poor indeed
Both when he lives and dies,
That hath some Treasure here on Earth,
But none above the skies.
[6]
He that enlarg'd his BarnsLuke 18, 20.
To treasure up his store,
Was fetch'd away to Hell that night,
And died worse then poor.
And so is every man,
That being worldly-wise
Provides for th'outward man, but doth
The Heavenly wealth despise.
[7]
All Poor men are not Rich
('Twere happy if they were)
But such as Christ enriched hath,
And unto God brought neare.
All Rich men are not Poor
(That were a wofull case)
But such as have no part in Christ,
Nor any saving grace.
[8]
Let not the poorest Saint
Despond; for thou art rich:
Nor richest Worldling bless himself▪
For thou may'st be a wretch▪
Mat. ….33. Luk. 16.9 Luke 12.33.But let both Rich and Poor
Endeavour to make sure
Of Heavenly Treasure, Spiritual Wealth▪
This onelyonly will ensure.
[9]
If others will be fools
And no true wisdome learn:
Yet what belongs unto my peace,
Lord, help me to discern.
Psal. 17.14.To have my Portion here
Oh let me never chuse:
Nor for the sake of trifling Toyes
Eternal Joyes refuse.
[10]
My Soul craves better things
Then this World can afford:
Psal. 73.25, 26.Thou art the Portion that I chuse,
Give me thy self, O Lord.
I shall be richer then,
Then if I were possest
Of all the Riches, that are found
Both in the East and West.
Meditation II.
[1]
THe World doth value men
According to their Wealth,
Without enquiring how 'tis got,
By Honesty, or Stealth.
What such a man is worth
They commonly declare
By telling what his yearly Rent
Or his Possessions are.
[2]
But God doth more esteem
Mens Virtues then Estates;
And if they have small Grace, or none▪
Accordingly them rates.
When he Belshazzar weigh'd
With Babel at his back,…
Although he were an Emperour
He found him weight to lack.
[3]
I'le not envie the Rich,
Nor will I sleight the Poor:
But what God prizeth more then wealth▪
That I will value more.
For Poor men may be rich,
And Rich men may be poore;
If those have Heavenly wealth, and these
Have none but Earthly store.
[4]
Prov. 11.…For Riches profit not
When as the day of Wrath
Is come; But Gospel-Righteousness
Delivereth from Death.
Prov. 12.26.The Upright man is better,
(Though in a Sheep-skin clad
And fed with Indian Bread and Water)
Then those whom Wealth makes mad.
[5]
Though Riches in the World
Jam. 2.2, 3.Do make men honourable;
Though Poverty do bring contempt,
And render despicable:
Yet God oft-times bestows
Mat. 11.25.True Faith with Saving Grace,
And Heavenly Glory upon those,
Whom men account most base.
[6]
Weak, foolish, mean, obscure,1 Cor. 1.27, 28.
And such as men despise,
Such are the Persons and the things
Whereon God sets his eyes.
Of such he maketh Sons,
Yea more then Sons,Jam. 2.5. his Heirs
And Fellow-heirs with Christ, that so
The Kingdom may be theirs.
Meditation III.
A Dialogue, the Speakers being, Faith and Unbelief.
Vnbelief.
[1]
THou speakest sleightly how
Of all these outward things:
But what, when Poverty thee wounds
With all her Pois'ned Stings?
What if thy Weaknesses
Bring on distressing wants?
How wilt thou then behave thy self?
Or live without complaints?
Faith.
[2]
Perhaps I may not live
Those future Months to see:
And then 'twere folly to take thought
For what shall never be.
But if the Lord see fit
That I on Earth abide
Mat. 6.26—34.A longer time, he can and will
… sustenance provide.
[3]
1 Tim. 6.8.If I have Meat and Drink,
Though neither of the best,
And Clothes that will but keep me warm,
I shall not be distrest.
Mean things give me content;
For God can mean things bless,
Psal. 37.16.More then their overflowing Cups
That greatest things possess.
[4]
Those that abound in wealth
May lose it in a night;
And be despoil'd of all they have
Before the morning light:
And if they have no God
To help them in their need;
It matters not what once they were,
They'll then be poor indeed.
[5]
But he that hath the LordPsal. 23.….
Engag'd by Covenant
To stand his Friend at every turn,
That man can never want,
My Soul be thankful then;
Thou hast a better lot,Psal. 16.5, 6.
Although thy substance be but small,
Then worldly men have got.
[6]
Thou hast a gracious God
Who never will forsake thee,Heb. 1 5. Psal. 7 24.
But here on Earth hee'll do thee good,
And then to Heaven take thee.
A blessed Portion He
To all that on him trust:
Whose Souls and Bodies he will feed;
But hee'll not feed their Lust.
[7]
Our Saviour teacheth us
For daily bread to pray;Mat. 6.11.
Not for a twelve-months Bread at once,
But for each present day:
That so we might on God
From time to time depend,
Believing that our present help
Will help us to the End.
[8]
Of present things, my Soul,
What present need requires
1 Tim. ….8, 9. Ma…. 6 25—34.Thou dost possess: here stay thy thoughts
And bridle thy desires.
Beware lest future things
Thy careful minde distract:
For carking care can nothing else
But guiltiness contract.
[9]
Rev. 21.7. Gen. 33.… foreignGood reason hath the man
To be content with small things,
Who when he is at lowest ebb,
Yet still possesseth all things.
For God is All in all
I have All … Jacob … 17 Ro. 11.…6Through Christ his gracious Son,
The Ocean whence all streams proceed,
And into which they run.
[10]
He is a living Spring,
A Fountain never dry:
Though water in the Pitcher fail,
The Fountain can supply.
That man is not i'th'dark,
Psal. 84.11.That still enjoyes the Sun:
Although his Fire be quite gone out,
And Candle ends be done.
Meditation IV.
[1]
O Man of little faith!
Behold the winged Fowls,Mat. 6 26.
The Ravens, Crows, and Cormorants,
The Kites, the Hawks, the Owls,
Also the numerous Doves
Whose flocks make dark the Aire▪
And tell me who for all this Crew
Doth kindly food prepare.
[2]
The Heavenly Father's wise
And wondrous Providence
Gives unto all these Multitudes
Their daily sustenance.
Doth God take care of FowlsPsal. 149.9. Luk. 12.24.
And hear the Ravens cry?
And can he see his Saints in want
And not their wants supply?
[3]
Rom. 8.32.He that did not withhold
From death his onelyonly Son,
But gave him up, that we through him
Might gain Salvation:
He that hath given us
An interest in his Blood,
Will not deny us lesser things
That may promote our good.
[4]
1 Pet. 1.4. Luke 12.32. Mat. 13.43. Mat. 7.9, 10.11.He that hath called us
To his Inheritance,
And unto royal dignity
Intendeth to advance:
He that will make us shine
In glory like our Head,
Will not put off his Childeren
With stones in stead of Bread.
[5]
For Meat and Drink and Clothes
What need the Childe take care
That hath a Father Kinde and Rich
To tender his welfare?
Isa. 49.15 Psal. 14… 5. Psa. …4.1.Thy Father is more kinde
Then Earthly Fathers be:
Amongst them all there's none so wise
Nor none so rich as He.
[6]
If Kinde, he wants not will;
If Rich, he wants not power:
If Wise, he knows what's best to give▪
And when's the fittest hour.
He knows what be thy wantsMa…. 6.32. Isa 65.24.
Before thou them declare:
And oft bestows before thou ask
The things that needfull are.
[7]
He hath thy wants prevented,
Rather then wants supply'd:
And not without great cause thy Suit
At other times deny'd.
He knows what things will most
Unto thy weal conduce:
And when such things as may do good
Will be of greatest use.
[8]
Thou oft hast try'd his love,Luke 22 35.
And found his readiness
To give thee succour and supplies,
Whens'ever in distress.
Let past Experiences2 Cor. 1.10. Psal. 34 9.10.
Make thee in him confide:
Who will for all that in him trust
Most seas'nably provide.
[9]
Thou wantest thankfulness:
This calleth for complaint
Against thy self: of other things
Thou hast no present want.
Oh get a thankful Heart;
1 Cor. 1.30. Mat. 7.7.8, 11.Christ can this want supply▪
And if thou seek it seriously,
Will not thy suit deny.
Meditation V.
[1]
THis Meditation
Mine Heart hath comforted;
Mat 15.26, 27.…That he who feeds the Dogs with crumbs,
Will give his Children Bread.
By Bread I mean both that
Which our frail Body feeds,
And also that which doth relieve
Our Spiritual wants and needs.
[2]
That's Bread of Life indeed,John 6 27, 51 55.
Which never doth decay:
Which maketh those who thereon feed
To live and thrive for ay.
This Bread makes dead men live;John 1… 25.26.
And lets none living dy,
But feeds them to Eternal Life;
This is a Mystery.
[3]
Such Bread Christ Jesus gives,
His own dear Flesh and Blood,
Wherewith he nourisheth our Souls▪
Oh this is wondrous food!
He that the greater gives
Will not the less deny:Rom. 8 32. 1 Tim 4.…
But when our Bodies stand in need,
He will their wants supply.
[4]
Again, when I behold
What great things God bestows
On Turks and Pagans (Infidels)
And such as live like those.
I certainly conclude
He hath some better Treasure
To give his Saints, then Worldly-wealth,
Honour, or Carnal Pleasure.
[5]
For will not God deal better
With Servants, then with Foes?
With Children, then with Enemies
And such as Christ oppose?
Hath not Christ purchased
Far better things for Saints,
Then common bounty here affords
To faithless Miscreants?
[6]
The Turkish Empire vast,
What is it? but a Bone
That by the Master of the House
Unto the Dogs is thrown?
The Gold Mynes of the West,
And Riches of the East,
Are often-times possest by one
That lives and dies a Beast.
[7]
If God bestow such gifts
On …oody brutish men:
Psal. 31.19. 1 Cor. 2.9.…Oh what great things hath he in store
For his dear Childeren!
No mortal eye hath seen,
No Ear did ever hear,
Nor Heart conceive, what Christ prepares
For such as do him fear.
[8]
Earth's Treasures are but dung,Phil 38. Amos 2.7.
And carnal Pleasures base,
Unto those Joyes the Saints enjoy
Before Christ's Royal face.
The richest Robes are Rags,
And contemptible geer,
Unto those bright and shining RobesMark 9.3.
The Saints in Glory wear.
[9]
The stateliest Palaces,2 Cor. 5.1—9.
If we should them compare
With those Celestial Mansions,
More vile then Hog-sties are.
What now we have in hope,
We shall have in fruition,
When all ungodly men at once
Are drowned in Perdition.
[10]
My Soul, rejoyce in God,
Who will enrich thee more
Then those, that of all Earthly wealth
Possess the greatest store.
If thou be Christ's, then He,Cantic. 2.16.
And all he hath is thine.
Oh feast thy self with these sweet thoughts,
And with them sup and dine.