Classic Poem

Discomforts will the heart contract
 And joy will cause it to dilate;
That every part its part may act,
 A heart enlarg'd must animate.

Unfruitfull ones therfore they are
 That planted be in sorrow's shade,
Sith by the blasts of cloudy care
 They are unfit for action made.

The ill effects of fruitlesse greife
 Are in this place no further shown,
Because the meanes of true releife
 Is more convenient to be known.

Now he in whom all fullnesse dwels
 All good and meanes of good must bee,
His presence Sathans rule expells
 And doth from Legall terror free.

So that their Soules which are so blessed
 His sacred presence to enioy,
Can never be so much distressed
 But consolacion find they may.

Having a hiding place secure,
 And covert from the stormy wind,
And streames of water perfect pure
 To vivify and cheare the mind.

If scorched with afflictions heat
 They to their shady rock may fly,
And be in safties bosome seat
 And lap of true felicity.

Where are delights Angelicall,
 The quintisence of all good things,
Refined wine to cheare withall
 And food which life eternall brings.

Which though the Saints by faith posesse,
 Doe not suppose it solace give,
But truly reall happinesse,
 As they that feele alone beleeve.

Who thence abundant strength collect,
 In all condicions to support,
Nor troubles can them much deject,
 Who have this soules defensive Fort.

Suppose temptacion sist them sore,
 Sufficient grace will them releive,
And make their Faith appeare the more,
 Which will to them the Conquest give.

Or be their Scourge some outward Crosse,
 As causlesse hate, or poverty,
Decay of parts, disease, or losse
 Of Credit, Friends, or Liberty.

Nay were their state compos'd of woes,
 In whom the Morning Star doth shine,
Whose lively luster will disclose,
 To his a heritage divine,

Which he of Love did them procure,
 With freedom, not to Adam dain'd
To tast the Tree of Life most pure,
 Whereby the soule alone's sustain'd.

The sence of Love-Eternall, doth,
 with Love, Obedience still produce,
Which active is, and passive both,
 So suffrings are of speciall use.

Bearing the soule with joy and peace,
 Through true beleeving, evermore,
Whose sweet contentments take encrease,
 From heavens never-fayling store.