Meat out of the eater: or, Meditations concerning the necessity, end, and usefulness of afflictions unto Gods children. All tending to prepare them, for, and comfort them under the cross. / By Michael Wigglesworth.Meat out of the eater: or, Meditations concerning the necessity, end, and usefulness of afflictions unto Gods children. All tending to prepare them, for, and comfort them under the crosse. / By Michael Wigglesworth.
Michael Wigglesworth 1631–1705printed by S.G. Samuel Green for John Usher of Boston, 1670
208 p. ; (8vo) · 23k words · Evans 158 · Wing W2104
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
Unbelief.
[1]
Thou speakest slightly how
Of all these outward things:
But what, when Poverty thee wounds
With all her Poisoned Stings?
What if thy Weaknesses
Bring on distressing wants?
How wilt thou then behave thy self?
Or live without complaints?
Vnbelief.
[1]
THou speakest sleightly how
Of all these outward things:
But what, when Poverty thee wounds
With all her Pois'ned Stings?
What if thy Weaknesses
Bring on distressing wants?
How wilt thou then behave thy self?
Or live without complaints?
Faith.
[2]
Perhaps I may not live
Those future Months to see:
And then 'twere folly to take thought
For what shall never be.
But if the Lord see fit
That I on Earth abide
1A longer time, he can and will
[…] sustenance provide.
[3]
2If I have Meat and Drink,
Though neither of the best,
And Clothes that will but keep me warm,
I shall not be distressed.
Mean things give me content;
For God can mean things bless,
More then their overflowing Cups
That greatest things possess.
[4]
Those that abound in wealth
May lose it in a night;
And be despoiled of all they have
Before the morning light:
And if they have no God
To help them in their need;
It matters not what once they were,
They'll then be poor indeed.
But here on Earth he'll do thee good,
And then to Heaven take thee.
A blessed Portion He
To all that on him trust:
Whose Souls and Bodies he will feed;
But he'll not feed their Lust.
[7]
Our Saviour teacheth us
For daily bread to pray;
Not for a twelve-months Bread at once,
But for each present day:
That so we might on God
From time to time depend,
Believing that our present help
Will help us to the End.
⟨p. 130⟩
[8]
Of present things, my Soul,
What present need requires
Thou dost possess: here stay thy thoughts
And bridle thy desires.
Beware lest future things
Thy careful mind distract:
For carking care can nothing else
But guiltiness contract.
[9]
Through Christ his gracious Son,
The Ocean whence all streams proceed,
And into which they run.
[10]
He is a living Spring,
A Fountain never dry:
Though water in the Pitcher fail,
The Fountain can supply.
That man is not i'th'dark,
That still enjoys the Sun:
Although his Fire be quite gone out,
And Candle ends be done.
Faith.
[2]
Perhaps I may not live
Those future Months to see:
And then 'twere folly to take thought
For what shall never be.
But if the Lord see fit
That I on Earth abide
1A longer time, he can and will
〈…〉 sustenance provide.
[3]
2If I have Meat and Drink,
Though neither of the best,
And Clothes that will but keep me warm,
I shall not be distrest.
Mean things give me content;
For God can mean things bless,
3More then their overflowing Cups
That greatest things possess.
[4]
Those that abound in wealth
May lose it in a night;
And be despoil'd of all they have
Before the morning light:
And if they have no God
To help them in their need;
It matters not what once they were,
They'll then be poor indeed.
⟨p. 129⟩[5]
But he that hath the Lord4
Engag'd by Covenant
To stand his Friend at every turn,
That man can never want,
My Soul be thankful then;
Thou hast a better lot,5
Although thy substance be but small,
Then worldly men have got.
[6]
Thou hast a gracious God
Who never will forsake thee,6
But here on Earth hee'll do thee good,
And then to Heaven take thee.
A blessed Portion He
To all that on him trust:
Whose Souls and Bodies he will feed;
But hee'll not feed their Lust.
[7]
Our Saviour teacheth us
For daily bread to pray;7
Not for a twelve-months Bread at once,
But for each present day:
That so we might on God
From time to time depend,
Believing that our present help
Will help us to the End.
⟨p. 130⟩[8]
Of present things, my Soul,
What present need requires
8Thou dost possess: here stay thy thoughts
And bridle thy desires.
Beware lest future things
Thy careful minde distract:
For carking care can nothing else
But guiltiness contract.
[9]
9Good reason hath the man
To be content with small things,
Who when he is at lowest ebb,
Yet still possesseth all things.
For God is All in all
10Through Christ his gracious Son,
The Ocean whence all streams proceed,
And into which they run.
[10]
He is a living Spring,
A Fountain never dry:
Though water in the Pitcher fail,
The Fountain can supply.
That man is not i'th'dark,
11That still enjoyes the Sun:
Although his Fire be quite gone out,
And Candle ends be done.
[1]
O Man of little faith!
Behold the winged Fowls,1
The Ravens, Crows, and Cormorants,
The Kites, the Hawks, the Owls,
Also the numerous Doves
Whose flocks make dark the Air▪
And tell me who for all this Crew
Doth kindly food prepare.
[1]
O Man of little faith!
Behold the winged Fowls,1
The Ravens, Crows, and Cormorants,
The Kites, the Hawks, the Owls,
Also the numerous Doves
Whose flocks make dark the Aire▪
And tell me who for all this Crew
Doth kindly food prepare.
[2]
The Heavenly Father's wise
And wondrous Providence
Gives unto all these Multitudes
Their daily sustenance.
Doth God take care of Fowls1
And hear the Ravens cry?
And can he see his Saints in want
And not their wants supply?
[3]
1He that did not withhold
From death his only Son,
But gave him up, that we through him
Might gain Salvation:
He that hath given us
An interest in his Blood,
Will not deny us lesser things
That may promote our good.
[3]
1He that did not withhold
From death his onely Son,
But gave him up, that we through him
Might gain Salvation:
He that hath given us
An interest in his Blood,
Will not deny us lesser things
That may promote our good.
[4]
1He that hath called us
To his Inheritance,
And unto royal dignity
Intendeth to advance:
He that will make us shine
In glory like our Head,
Will not put off his Children
With stones in stead of Bread.
[4]
1He that hath called us
To his Inheritance,
And unto royal dignity
Intendeth to advance:
He that will make us shine
In glory like our Head,
Will not put off his Childeren
With stones in stead of Bread.
[5]
For Meat and Drink and Clothes
What need the Child take care
That hath a Father Kind and Rich
To tender his welfare?
1Thy Father is more kind
Then Earthly Fathers be:
Amongst them all there's none so wise
Nor none so rich as He.
[5]
For Meat and Drink and Clothes
What need the Childe take care
That hath a Father Kinde and Rich
To tender his welfare?
1Thy Father is more kinde
Then Earthly Fathers be:
Amongst them all there's none so wise
Nor none so rich as He.
[6]
If Kind, he wants not will;
If Rich, he wants not power:
If Wise, he knows what's best to give▪
And when's the fittest hour.
He knows what be thy wants1
Before thou them declare:
And oft bestows before thou ask
The things that needful are.
[6]
If Kinde, he wants not will;
If Rich, he wants not power:
If Wise, he knows what's best to give▪
And when's the fittest hour.
He knows what be thy wants1
Before thou them declare:
And oft bestows before thou ask
The things that needfull are.
[7]
He hath thy wants prevented,
Rather then wants supplied:
And not without great cause thy Suit
At other times denied.
He knows what things will most
Unto thy weal conduce:
And when such things as may do good
Will be of greatest use.
[7]
He hath thy wants prevented,
Rather then wants supply'd:
And not without great cause thy Suit
At other times deny'd.
He knows what things will most
Unto thy weal conduce:
And when such things as may do good
Will be of greatest use.
[8]
Thou oft hast tried his love,1
And found his readiness
To give thee succour and supplies,
Whensoever in distress.
Let past Experiences2
Make thee in him confide:
Who will for all that in him trust
Most seasonably provide.
[8]
Thou oft hast try'd his love,1
And found his readiness
To give thee succour and supplies,
Whens'ever in distress.
Let past Experiences2
Make thee in him confide:
Who will for all that in him trust
Most seas'nably provide.
