Classic Poem

A Dialogue wherein the Speakers are Troubled Conscience and Rectified Judgment.

Troub. Consc.

1

Oh, but my weakness brings
Unserviceableness,
And takes me off from Christ's sweet works:
Who can this grief express?
When as the Body fails
The Soul, and hindereth it
In all its motions, like a clog;
I am for nothing fit

Rect Judgm.

2

If Christ disable thee
From doing as before,
He calls thee to some other work
That he approveth more
Passive Obedience
More hard then Active is:
And Christ will own and honour that,
Who owns and crowneth this

3

Thou still art serving Christ,
Though in another way.
And he thy Service will accept
And crown another day.
They Suffering is his work,
As well as Doing was:
Thy service in a suffering way
Christ rather chosen has

4

If Christ hath call'd thee off,
After a short assay,
From Publick Service; cease dispute,
And cheerfully obey.
Masters are pleased best,
When as their will is done,
Although a nobler work be left
To do a meaner one

5

If he be pleas'd to make it
Thy business to sit still:
Thou pleasest him the best, by meek
Submission to his Will
God hath no need of us,
Nor any work of ours:
Yet for the deed he takes our will,
Where he denieth power.

6

Although the work be small
Thou canst for him effect:
Yet if there be a willing mind
He doth the same expect:
For not by th' outward bulk
Of what we do fulfill,
God doth esteem our services;
But by the Doers will.

7

For this he will reward thee
As richly at the last:
As if thou able wert to do
More work than e're thou wast
Thou hast a gentle Master,
That sets no cruel task:
But when he doth abate thy strength
He doth less service ask.

8

Do what thou canst, my Soul;
For God no more expects:
Where much he gives, he looks for much:
Where less, he less accepts.
But make not this a cloak,
Vile Flesh, for Slothfulness:
God will be serv'd with all our might,
Be't more, or be it less

Consc.

9

Ah me! what shall I say?
This word my Soul doth prick
In twenty places all at once,
And wounds it to the quick.
Will God be served then
With all our wit and might?
Alas! how shall I answer him,
Or stand before his sight?

Judgm

10

Mourn thou for thy neglects,
Thy self to Christ betake,
Who will thee cleanse from thy defects,
And thee more fruitful make
Endeavour to amend,
And be more diligent:
For God will pardon all their sins
Who seriously repent.
Christian, though thou art weak ,
Yet thy Redeemer's strong:
Who under weakness thee supports,
And will set free e're long.