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

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 ⟨p. 17⟩These happy Counsellors were still at hand; The Maps, and Landscapes of the Holy Land. This food was not locked from me; but I could Go read a holy Sermon when I would. How cheaply kept I many Rare Divines? And for a little purchased Golden Mines? My griefs they eased; my many doubts resolved; With great delight I daily then revolved: O my dear God! how precious is thy Love? Are these thy Candles? What's the Sun above?

Thus GRACE like NATURE entereth in a seed; Which with man's labour, heav'nly 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 Houshold's grief and trouble are; He shews the more his patient nursing care. At first I wisht that I could pray and weep: Thus when I could not go, I learn'd to creep: Then thou beganst to loose my Infant tongue; And taught'st me Abba, Father, when but young First by the Book, and some unworded groans; After by heart-indited words and moans. Thy dyet first was Milk, then stronger food: But alwaies that which wholsom 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 open'd Heav'n and Hell before my face: They did unfold the Gospel-Mysteries, And set Christ crucified before my eyes: They shamed sin; they shewed me the snare; Opened the danger; charg'd me to beware. In every duty they did me direct; Told me the sin, and danger of neglect: They search'd my heart; help'd me to try my state My earthly Mind they help'd to elevate: What strong & quickening motives did they bring To raise my heart, and winde the slackned spring