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

The heavenly Powers wch made my heart to quake, My Prison bonds and doors did open shake: ⟨p. 13⟩Sin now was folly, villainy and shame: God, Heaven, Christ, Holiness, seem not the same: How thou wouldst use me, yet I did not know, Whether my sin thou wouldst forgive, or no: But well I saw there was no turning back: Nature is loth to go to Hell awake: Thy Gospel told me, I might mercy find: Nothing but Hell and Darkness was behind: At last thy Grace brought me to this conclusion, To HOPE and SEEK I sixth my resolution. O my dear God! How precious is thy Love? Thy Griefs prepare us for the Joys above.

The heav'nly Powers wch made my heart to quake, My Prison bonds and doors did open shake: ⟨p. 13⟩Sin now was folly, villany and shame: God, Heav'n, Christ, Holiness, seem not the same: How thou wouldst use me, yet I did not know, Whether my sin thou wouldst forgive, or no: But well I saw there was no turning back: Nature is loth to go to Hell awake: Thy Gospel told me, I might mercy find: Nothing but Hell and Darkness was behind: At last thy Grace brought me to this conclusion, To HOPE and SEEK I fixt my resolution. O my dear God! How precious is thy Love? Thy Griefs prepare us for the Joys above.

Yet these my wounds and smart were not so great, As many's who sate long in scorners seat: Nor did the change so suddenly begin, As to make known when special Grace came in: In my young years thou hadst convinced my Soul: Conscience did childish vanity control: I liked thy ways as best: I honoured those, That Folly shunned, and Holy Wisdom chose: Thou hadst prevented Oaths and horrid crimes; And the enormous vices of the times: Preserving me from youthful lusts and rage: The thoughts of Thee increasing with my Age. This greatest Change began when I was green, Having not much above three lustres seen: Therefore I doubted whether it were true, Because its entrance I no better knew: ⟨p. 14⟩