That weak ones may grow strong
We very often see:
But Strength in Weakness to behold,
This is a Noveltie.

To see a Weak man Strong,
And strongest when most Weak;
To see the Strong through Weakness fall
And all their bones to break:
This is a Mystery
A Christian Paradox;
But this ensuing little Key
The Cabinet unlocks

XI.

Turn then, ye erring Pilgrims! turn,
Who perfect bliss on earth pursue:
Her steps ye never shall discern;
To Heav'n the radiant Cherub flew,
When Adam fell. Go seek her there
By humble virtue, ardent prayer,
And Charity's directing light.
Not unregarded shall ye sigh:

VI.

What tho' the earth, now sterile grown,
Will but by toil her products bring;
What tho' her climes no longer own
An Eden's ever-during spring:
Use shall the native reconcile
To each adversity of soil,
Or art allay the wild extreme.
Necessity shall summon forth

I.

W HY should the melancholy Muse
Repress the ardour of the soul,
And o'er young Hope's enchanting views,
Devolve affliction's sable stole?
While fancy's groves inviting spread,
Shall she the vale of mourning tread?
Disease and guilt inhabit there.

A Dialogue or Discourse between the Believing Soul and her Savior.

Oh Christ my grief is such,
Because I love not much;
As addeth to my sore,
Because I grieve no more.

Give me a broken heart,
That may both bleed and smart,
That I so often stray,
That I no more obey.

Oh make me love thee dearly,
And trust in thee sincerely:
And help me well to prove
Mine interest in thy Love.

That God Omnipotent
Is freely well content
To cancel all my debts,
And all my sins forgets.

O Christ let me be thine,

Reader, I give thee here
Two Songs in other Meetre:
I hope they will not make a jarre,
But close up all the sweeter.

1

Lord from the deeps I cry'd to thee,
My voice Lord do thou hear;
Unto my supplications voice
Let be attent thine ear.
Lord who should stand? if thou O Lord
Should'st mark iniquitie:
But with thee there forgiveness is

1

And now for such as feel
These hellish Buffettings,
And anguish of these sudden darts,
Which are the Serpents stings;
I shall a word or two
Or Counsel here annex:
God make them useful unto some
Whom Satan doth perplex.

2

Follow they Calling close.
Love not to be alone;
Save only when by secret Prayer,

Satanical injections foul
Shall not undo thy godly Soul.
That them bewails, resists, and hates,
Nor need such question their estates.

1

I may not here neglect
Another case to mind,
Wherewith some precious Souls to be
Full sore agriev'd I find:
A case calamitous,
Beyond the help of man;
For out of Satans deadly gripe
Christ only rescue can.

2

Another Combate between the Flesh and Spirit.

Flesh

1

Soul thou hast cause to fear
Thy Faith will not hold out:
And that it is but counterfeit
Thou do'st so often doubt.
See what a mighty power
Of Unbelief prevails
From time to time! and how thine heart
And Faith thee often fails.

Spirit.

2

Oh sly and sinful flesh!

A Dialogue between the Flesh and Spirit.

Flesh.

1

But oh methinks the Lord
Is angry with my Prayers,
The more I cry to him for help
The worse it with me fares.
The more I sue for grace
And beg for some relief:
The more he lets me be distrest,
And doubled is my grief.

2

I fear he reckoneth