Classic Poem

An experience Concerning afliction october 26 71

This day I met, with triels sharp
Which made my soull to bleed
(but god did come, and chear my hart)
Of it their was great need.

That sin might be mortified
And grace be made alive
That I doe cretures might be dead
And in thy love; might dive.

Aflictions give, what thou seest good
So love may mix my cup
Thou wilt theirby my sins up root
And shortly take me up.

Thou hast made me, this day to see
My foolish Childishnese
In that I would a carver bee
Of mine own hapynese.

My will was sweetly swalowed
Up in the will of god
Whilst by affliction I was led
To stoop, and kise thy rod.

It was a triell sweet to me
Which did thy love reveill
By it, thou dist in some degree
Thy favour to me seall,

I could spell nothing out, but love
In eve'ry peice therof
(And though t'was smart) to god above
It made me sweetly move.

I now, doe once again, resovle
That thou shalt chouse for me
All my concerns, I doe revovle
On thee, & thy love free.

I doe to thee, my self resign
With all that e're I have
Oh cary on thy love design
That is the thing, I crave.

Oh false, vain world, oh world unkind
I care not for thy love
I'le now with scorn, cast thee behind
My back, & live above.

Great things, I never did seek after
For, thy sake, I threw them by
Much of thy grace, thy love, & favour
Can only satisfie.

If thou wilt but to me give food
And raiment to put on
I will acknowledg thee, as good
Whilst in my race, I run.

But if thou shouldst deny me this
Ile make up all in thee
In thy love, lyes my reall blise
Thou'rt all, in all, to me.

What though my triels, may be smart
They shall be very short
Thou hast love, for me, in thine hart
This I beleive, oh Lord.

Tis but a litle, litle while
And he that shall come, will
Before thou hast, gone many a mile
Hee'l follow att thy heel.

Eternity, will make amends
For all my sorrows here
Christs bosome, shall, be my defence
securing me from fear