Classic Poem

Meditation II

God doth in Mercy scourge His own.
In Wrath he others lets alone.

1

If in this narrow path
And way that is so strait
You meet with Difficulties great;
Be not disconsolate
The Straitness of the way
Betokeneth Opposition,
Afflictions, Dangers, Crosses, Snares
In this our frail Condition.

2

These are the Common Lot
Of all God's Children Dear,
Through many Sorrows they must pass
The Lord that truly fear.
There's no Calamity
Doth unto thee befall,
But such as common is to men,
Yea, to the best of all.

3

Though various are the Wayes
And Sufferings whereby
God doth His Children excercise,
Correct and also try:
Yet all must bear the Cross;
Before they wear the Crown;
All must partake of Chastening,
Whom God vouchsafes to own.

4

It is in mercy then
That God Chastiseth His
And lets them not Correction want
Whenas they do amiss.
They are in Trouble now
That he may give them Rest,
When as the pit shall digged be
For Such as them Opprest.

5

All that Christ's members are,
Must be made like their Head:
He is a Bastard not a Child
That's never chastened
God letteth some alone,
Leaves them to take their Course,
And by his Rod reclaims them not;
They sin without Remorse.

6

They will not cross themselves,
Nor their own wills deny:
God will not cross them nor correct,
To do them good thereby
They wax more impudent;
And bolder to do evil,
Thro' God's forbearance, till at length
He hurl them to the Devil.

7

This is a fearful case
To be thus left to God:
Great mercy 'tis to be subdu'd
By scourging with the Rod:
My soul be thankful then
That God thee thus corrects,
Who might have let thee head long run
With those whom He rejects.