O brook it not! thy bloud is mine, THE RELAPSE. My God, how gracious art thou! I had slipt Almost to hell, And on the verge of that dark, dreadful pit Did hear them yell; But O thy love! thy rich, almighty love, That sav'd my soul, And checkt their furie, when I saw them move, my And heard them howl! soule comfort, take no more these wayes And I will mend my own without delayes, I have deserv'd a thick, Egyptian damp, Should mist within me, and put out that lamp A darting conscience full of stabs and fears; Sullen and sad ecclipses, cloudie spheres, But He that with his bloud (a price too deere) My scores did pay, Bid me, by vertue from him, chalenge here The brightest day; [streams, Sweet, downie thoughts, soft lily-shades, calm Fresh, spicie mornings, and eternal beams,— THE RESOLVE. I HAVE Consider'd it, and find Is but excus'd neglect. To mind Into another, or to none, Cannot be love: When shall that traveller come home, That will not move? If thou would'st thither, linger not, Tell youth and beauty they must rot, Loose, parcell'd hearts will freeze: the sun Scarce warms, but by contraction Can heat the rocks. Call in thy powers; run on, and reach Be there before the shadows stretch, Follow the cry no more: there is All strewed with flowres and happiness, There turn, and turn no more: let wits Or lips; but who there weeping sits, THE MATCH. DEAR friend! whose holy ever-living lines To many, and have checkt my blood, By these bright fires which thee inflam'd; Here I joyn hands, and thrust my stubborn heart Into thy deed, There from no duties to be freed; And if hereafter youth or folly thwart And claim their share, Here I renounce the pois'nous ware. II. ACCEPT, dread Lord, the poore oblation; Yet through thy mercies may be more. And save me from all inward strife! For one, I am thy tenant here O let me still mind that in this! To thee, therefore, my thoughts, words, actions, Thy will in all be done, not mine. My heart, and thee planted in it; O do as much now unto me! O hear, and heal thy servant! Lord, strike dead All lusts in me, Who onely wish life to serve thee! Suffer no more this dust to overflow And drown my eies; But seal, or pin them to thy skies. Through thy increase grow new and quick. RULES AND LESSONS. WHEN first thy eies unveil, give thy soul leave To do the like; our bodies but forerun The spirit's duty. True hearts spread and heave Unto their God, as flow'rs do to the sun. Give him thy first thoughts then; so shalt thou Him company all day, and in him sleep. [keep Yet never sleep the sun up. Prayer shou'd Rise to prevent the sun; sleep doth sins glut, Walk with thy fellow-creatures: note the hush O leave thy cares and follies! go this way, Serve God before the world; let him not go, |