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

Thus must the little spark of fire be blown, Or else it will not flame, nor scarce be known; New-lighted Candles, darkened by the snuff, Are ready to go out with every puff: So it was long before the heavenly spark Conquered my snuff, and shined in the dark: My feeble new-born soul began with crying: My Infant-life did seem to be still dying: Betwixt supporting Hope, and sinking Fears, My doubting soul did languish many years. O my dear God! how precious is thy Love? Thy troubling Motions tend to Rest above.

Thus must the little spark of fire be blown, Or else it will not flame, nor scarce be known; New-lighted Candles, darkened by the snuff, Are ready to go out with every puff: So it was long before the heav'nly spark Conquered my snuff, and shined in the dark: My feeble new-born soul began with crying: My Infant-life did seem to be still dying: Betwixt supporting Hope, and sinking Fears, My doubting soul did languish many years. O my dear God! how precious is thy Love? Thy troubling Motions tend to Rest above.

Thus GRACE like NATURE entereth in a seed; Which with man's labour, heavenly dews must feed: Whose Virtue and first Motions no eye sees; But after comes to ripeness by degrees: ⟨p. 16⟩Our Father's tender Love doth much appear, When he with useless crying Babes can bear: When we the Household's grief and trouble are; He shows the more his patient nursing care. At first I wished that I could pray and weep: Thus when I could not go, I learned to creep: Then thou beganst to loose my Infant tongue; And taughtest me Abba, Father, when but young First by the Book, and some unworded groans; After by heart-indited words and moans. Thy diet first was Milk, then stronger food: But always that which wholesome was and good. Though Preachers were too often dry and dull, Thy holy Word was quick and powerful: The many precious Books of holy men, Thy Spirit used on me as his Pen: Perkins, Sibbs, Bolton, Whateley, holy Dod, Hildersham, Preston, other men of God, How pertinently spake they to my case? They opened Heaven and Hell before my face: They did unfold the Gospel-Mysteries, And set Christ crucified before my eyes: They shamed sin; they showed me the snare; Opened the danger; charged me to beware. In every duty they did me direct; Told me the sin, and danger of neglect: They searched my heart; helped me to try my state My earthly Mind they helped to elevate: What strong & quickening motives did they bring To raise my heart, and wind the slackened spring