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

As fire first kindleth on the nearest Wood, My sense thus fixed on the nearest good: And where sense fixed, there with greatest sense The mind did exercise its Complacence. It seemed more cold to that which distant was; Yet still looks further as I forward pass: And towards my End, the nearer Heaven I go, My Love abstracteth more from things below. Love seemeth to get ground, and Fear decays; Doubting & Grief give place to Thanks & Praise And tho Fear wrought with greatest sense before, And was in bulk and violence much more; Yet the least spark of Love which is sincere, Will save the Soul, tho mixed with greater Fear: Who loves God somewhat, & the world above him Loving not God as God, he doth not love him: Love must be so far tried by the measure, That God be Loved above all earthly Treasure: But that supposed the least degree of Love, With greater Doubts and Fears will saving prove Great Bodies with small souls are animate: Great Heads with little Eyes, are oculate. Small Candles lighten Rooms that are more large A Steward may have spacious Lands in charge. The Kingdom may be bigger than the King: The Diamond may be smaller than the Ring: ⟨p. 27⟩The House may bigger than the dweller be: Great Fear and little Love, consistent be. But still true Love to God and Man are known, More by the Fruits, than by the Sense alone. • must be such a Love, as when there's need, Will venture, suffer, visit, clothe and feed. • my Dear God! how precious is thy Love? Which gently leads us to the Joys above?

As fire first kindleth on the nearest Wood, My sense thus fixed on the nearest good: And where sense fixed, there with greatest sense The mind did exercise its Complacence. It seem'd more cold to that which distant was; Yet still looks further as I forward pass: And towards my End, the nearer Heav'n I go, My Love abstracteth more from things below. Love seemeth to get ground, and Fear decaies; Doubting & Grief give place to Thanks & Prais• And tho Fear wrought with greatest sense before, And was in bulk and violence much more; Yet the least spark of Love which is sincere, Will save the Soul, tho mixt with greater Fear: Who loves God somewhat, & the world above him Loving not God as God, he doth not love him: Love must be so far tryed by the measure, That God be Lov'd above all earthly Treasure: But that suppos'd the least degree of Love, With greater Doubts and Fears will saving prove Great Bodies with small souls are animate: Great Heads with little Eyes, are oculate. Small Candles lighten Rooms that are more large A Steward may have spacious Lands in charge. The Kingdom may be bigger than the King: The Diamond may be smaller than the Ring: