Classic Poem

Occationd upon the Communion when it was a snowe — Januar-18-1645

Invited now to supp with Thee my God
All that I am is at a Period
How to be fittly drest
And soe t'become a worthy Guest:
For 'tis preparde alone,
For such as have the Wedding guarment on:
Which thorough gilt I want
And all my subsance to buy it is too scant.

Make me a Purse then, from His sacred skoar
Whose Institution 'twas; and will doe more
For those beleev His name
That to redeem us sinners came
Into the world: and shed
His pretious Blood, for to stand all in stead
By a quick Faith applye
The Soveraign Ballsam of His Agony.

For like the Man mett Theevs we all were left
Naked and wounded, Spectacles of Theft
And Rapine too, wherin
We welltring lay a pray to sinn
Till th'True Samaritan
Passing this way Redemption began
Not sparing Wine, nor Oyle,
Out of His hands, and feet, and side the while.

Thus now upon recovery again
Bound up in His Grave-Cloaths, brought to our Inn
And earnest left, to prove
His high Compassion, and Love:
What Care should be, t'express,
In all our future Actions Thankfullnes
Which, noe waye's better spent
Than in partaking right this Sacrament.

Which without Clensed Harts; and mindes that Can
Turn a new leaf, (with the Centurian
More of a Christian showe),
Made white as is the day with snow,
And like the Prophetts sute
Purged with Hissop from what doth polute
We cannot hope to doe
Nor that, 'less prompted by Thy Grace therto.
Wherto (I pray Thee) soe much mercy add
That I may have some Balme from Gilead
To heal my Leprous sore
Whilst humbled for my sinns before
My Future dayes may be
The inventary of more Piety
My forehead bear Thy stamp
As Servant, having Oyle stil in my lamp.