Classic Poem

Cold hungry Seamen, tho' they oft endure
Day-darkning Storms and Tempests, to procure
The winged Treasures of this fading World
Although they run the Hazard to be hurl'd
On wrecking Rocks, or quick devouring Sounds,
Or cast as Captives on some foreign Lands
To spend their wretched Days in Misery,
Instead of what they sought for to enjoy,
Abounding Wealth, if to their wished Shore,
They safe arrive; venture again, yet more
Undaunted than at first, in hopes to be
With more Success, kept from those Dangers free
Then why should such Faint-heartedness appear,
In Israel's Camp, that ought of right to fear
None but the Lord? Can any doubt, that have
The Word of an almighty King, to save
Them to the uttermost? What! though he see
To tarry long, his own appointed time
Is always best; in greatest Streights, we do
Wholly depend on, and acknowledge too,
Salvation only from above; for then
We find, 'tis vain to hope for Help from Men.
Ah, was not Israel thus beset? Could they
Encounter furious Pharaoh's Host, or th'Sea?
Yet was Deliverance near; the Sea must be
A Path to them, a Grave to th'Enemy;
Pharaoh might follow, to his own Destruction;
While Israel is prov'd, to gain Instruction:
That these may learn whom they should chiefly fear,
And whom to trust, when Tribulation's near.
Ah, then is this our Gospel-Dispensation,
Why should the children of this Generation
Seem so far wiser, or more valiant, then
The sacred Off-spring of Jerusalem?
Those hazard Life for transitory Toys;
And shall not these, for everlasting Joys;
Resign up Visibles, yea, Life and all,
To him that gave it, if he please to call
To such a Trial? Can we baulk the Way
Wherein he leads, except we run astray?
We must through Exercises overcome,
And bear the Cross, if we would wear the Crown,
And fully follow him: The Recompence
Will far exceed when we are parted hence,
But who art thou, that art so loath to give
Up on Estate? A Thief may soon deprive
Thee of a greater Store, than he requires;
Some suffer more by Carelessness and Fires;
Which justly Heaven permits, to let them see
How vain these poor, these trifling Treasures be.
Or dost thou fear Confinement? Heav'n may send
Grievous Diseases, which Physician's Hand
Cannot remove, and to th'uneasy Bed
Make thee a Pris'ner when thy Health is fled
But if thou be confin'd for Jesus sake
He will a Prison much more pleasant make
Than any spacious Palace: For he'll be
Fullness of Joy, and saving health to thee.
Now, tho' some shun the Cross, as worldly wise
As from the Path of Truth apostasize,
And yet the Judgments do not soon ensue,
(Altho' they be in dreadful Vengeance due)
So that the Wicked did of old aver,
Surely the Lord his Coming doth defer:
Yet shall they not have Peace, but feel the Rod
Of a displeased, of a jealous GOD;
Whose Word can never fail, although he try
Some with Long-suffering, and great Clemency
Ah, kiss the Son, lest that his Anger be
Incens'd! For he alone can comfort thee:
And let not any taint or start aside
Heaven will support his faithful Ones when try'd.