Poetical fragments heart-employment with God and it selfPoetical fragments heart-imployment with God and it self

The Second Part.

LOVE, which can make its Object, did produce This Worm, in season, for his proper use: In the Earth's Garden, the most happy Land, Where Christians dwell, & Christian Kings command: Where plenteous streams of living waters flow; Where the first-fruits of Paradise do grow: Whence Proud, Dark, Bloody Popery was driven: To whom the opened Book of God was given. Where sacred guides, and books, and helps abound; And all that will may hear the joyful sound.

LOVE, which can make its Object, did produce This Worm, in season, for his proper use: In the Earth's Garden, the most happy Land, Where Christians dwel, & Christian Kings command: Where plenteous streams of living waters flow; Where the first-fruits of Paradise do grow: Whence Proud, Dark, Bloody Popery was driven: To whom the opened Book of God was given. Where sacred guides, and books, and helps abound; And all that will may hear the joyful sound.

My Parents here thy skilful hand did plant, Free from the snares of Riches and of Want. Their tender care was used for me alone, Because thy providence gave them but One: Their early Precepts so possest my heart, That taking root, they did not thence depart. Thy Wisdom so contrived my Education, As might expose me to the least temptation. Much of that guilt thy Mercy did prevent, In which my spring-time I should else have spent. ⟨p. 11⟩Yet Sin sprung up, and early did appear; •n love of play, and lies produced by fear: An appetite pleased with forbidden fruit, A proud delight in literate repute; Excess of pleasure in vain Tales, Romances; Time spent in feigned Histories and Fancies: In idle talk, conform to company; Childhood and Youth had too much vanity. Conscience was oft resisted when it checked, And holy duty I did much neglect.