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Title page of Meat out of the eater, 1670Meat out of the eaterMichael Wigglesworth, 1670

SONG IV.

pp. 65–696 passages

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.

:207p. 65

SONG IV.

:208p. 65

A Dialogue wherein the Speakers are Distressed Conscience and Rectified Judgement.

:209p. 65–66

Consc. [1] 'Tis not Affliction barely That doth my Soul distress: But rather multitude of sins¹ And mine own wickedness. Nor is it former faults That now are brought to mind, So much, as swarms of present sins And hateful Lusts I find. [2] Had ever any one So vile a heart as mine? So barren under all God's pains Nurture and discipline? The Saints of God have found Affliction to sever Their Souls from sin; but I find mine More boisterous now then ever. ⟨p. 66⟩[3] ²This makes me greatly fear And question mine estate; Lest I be nothing else but dross ³And silver reprobate, That is not purified By passing through the fire, Fit to be trampled under foot And trodden in the mire.

Consc. [1] 'TIs not Affliction barely That doth my Soul distress: But rather multitude of sins¹ And mine own wickedness. Nor is it former faults That now are brought to minde, So much, as swarms of present sins And hateful Lusts I finde. [2] Had ever any one So vile a heart as mine? So barren under all God's pains Nurture and discipline? The Saints of God have found Affliction to sever Their Souls from sin; but I finde mine More boisterous now then ever. ⟨p. 66⟩

:210p. 66–68

Judgment. [4] Conscience, this is a Time Wherein thou art benighted, And seest not things as formerly, Because thou art dim-sighted. ¹Now therefore haste to some Thy doubts that answer may: Or for the present hark to me, And hear what I shall say. [5] While Physic is at work, Ill Humours are disturbed: So while Chastisements are at work, Corruptions may be stirred. They do but show what was Within the heart before: They may discover hidden Lusts, They do not make them more. ⟨p. 67⟩[6] God hath ordained the Rod² To do his Children good; And this the Saints in God's due time Have felt, and understood: Not always presently, And while the smart is on:³ For some of them have then cried out, As if they were undone. [7] No chastening joyous is,⁴ But seems at present hard: Yet brings forth fruits of Righteousness, And sweet Peace afterward. Therefore my sinful Soul, And doubting Conscience, Hope well for after-fruit; and don't Judge all by present sense. [8] Gods Physic is at work To purge Corruption out: And this in time he will effect, Believe and do not doubt, He first discovereth sin, Shows thee what wanting is, Makes thee to feel thy need of help, And mourn for what's amiss. ⟨p. 68⟩[9] This is some hopeful fruit, And do not this despise: ⁵For God is making thee more vile And base in thine own eyes. Builders may be at work Before thou see a Stone: God may be working good for thee, Though thou discernest none.

Judgment. [4] Conscience, this is a Time Wherein thou art benighted, And seest not things as formerly, Because thou art dim-sighted. ¹Now therefore haste to some Thy doubts that answer may: Or for the present hark to me, And hear what I shall say. [5] While Physick is at work, Ill Humours are disturb'd: So while Chastisements are at work, Corruptions may be stirr'd. They do but shew what was Within the heart before: They may discover hidden Lusts, They do not make them more. ⟨p. 67⟩[6] God hath ordain'd the Rod² To do his Children good; And this the Saints in God's due time Have felt, and understood: Not alwayes presently, And while the smart is on:³ For some of them have then cry'd out, As if they were undone. [7] No chast'ning joyous is,⁴ But seems at present hard: Yet brings forth fruits of Righteousness, And sweet Peace afterward. Therefore my sinful Soul, And doubting Conscience, Hope well for after-fruit; and do'nt Judge all by present sense. [8] Gods Physick is at work To purge Corruption out: And this in time he will effect, Believe and do not doubt, He first discovereth sin, Shews thee what wanting is, Makes thee to feel thy need of help, And mourn for what's amiss. ⟨p. 68⟩[9] This is some hopeful fruit, And do not this despise: ⁵For God is making thee more vile And base in thine own eyes. Builders may be at work Before thou see a Stone: God may be working good for thee, Though thou discernest none.

:212p. 68–69

Judgm. [11] There may be tenderness ¹Where hardness most is felt: And notwithstanding want of Tears The heart may truly melt. All are not broken-hearted That store of Tears can weep: And some that have them not, may have Humiliation deep. ⟨p. 69⟩[12] He that bewails his sins² Because they God offend, That tr••ly hates them, Pardon begs, Endeavours to amend: That flies to Christ for grace To mortify his Lust,³ That mourns because he mourns no more; This man repents I trust. [13] Doth not my Soul do thus (Speak Conscience) day by day? I know that thou wilt speak the truth: Thou canst not this gainsay. Well then be comforted, And doubt not of thy state▪ But still endeavour every sin More thoroughly to hate. [14] And labour for to taste⁴ The sweetness of Christ's love▪ Nothing can m•lt the heart like •h•s⁵ Sweet Sun-shine from abo•e▪ This can the Rock dissolve, And make the waters flow Out of the hardest flinty Heart,⁶ Where never good did grow.

Judgm. [11] There may be tenderness ¹Where hardness most is felt: And notwithstanding want of Tears The heart may truely melt. All are not broken-hearted That store of Tears can weep: And some that have them not, may have Humiliation deep. ⟨p. 69⟩[12] He that bewails his sins² Because they God offend, That tr••ly hates them, Pardon begs, Endeavours to amend: That flies to Christ for grace To mortifie his Lust,³ That mourns because he mourns no more; This man repents I trust. [13] Doth not my Soul do thus (Speak Conscience) day by day? I know that thou wilt speak the truth: Thou canst not this gainsay. Well then be comforted, And doubt not of thy state▪ But still endeavour every sin More thorowly to hate. [14] And labour for to taste⁴ The sweetness of Christ's love▪ Nothing can m•lt the heart lik• •h•s⁵ Sweet Sun-shine from abo•e▪ This can the Rock dissolve, And make the waters flow Out of the hardest flinty Heart,⁶ Where never good did grow.

1Compare Is• 63.17 with Chap. 64 6, 7, 8.
2Psal 51.2, 3▪ 4, 7, 10. Isa. 1▪ 16, 17, 18.
3Jer. 3•.18▪ 19.
4Eph. 3.•8, •9.
5Psal. 119.135, 136.Ps•l. 119.135, 136.
61 Joh. 4.1• ▪