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GOD'S DETERMINATIONS: THE SOULE SEEKING CHURCH-FELLOWSHIP, by                 Poet Analysis     Poet's Biography
First Line: The soul refreshed with gracious steams, behold
Last Line: To grow herein and so rejoyce.
Subject(s): Puritans In Literature


The Soul refresht with gracious Steams, behold,
Christs royall Spirit richly tended
With all the guard of Graces manifold
Throngs in to solace it amended
And by the Trinity befriended.

Befriended thus! It lives a Life indeed
A Life! as if it Liv'd for Life.
For Life Eternall: wherefore with all heed
It trims the same with Graces rife
To be the Lambs espoused Wife.

Yea, like a Bride all Gloriously arraide
It is arrai'de Whose dayly ware
Is an Imbrodery with Grace inlaide,
Of Sanctuary White most Faire,
Its drest in Heavens fashion rare.

Each Ordinance and Instrument of Grace
Grace doth instruct are Usefull here.
They're Golden Pipes where Holy Waters trace
Into the spirits spicebed Deare,
To vivify what withering were.

Hence do their Hearts like Civit-Boxes sweet
Evaporate their Love full pure,
Which through the Chincks of their Affections reechs
To God, Christ, Christians all, though more,
To such whose Counsills made their Cure.

Hence now Christ's Curious Garden fenced in
With Solid Walls of Discipline
Well wed, and watered, and made full trim:
The Allies all Laid out by line:
Walks for the Spirit all Divine.

Whereby Corruptions are kept out, whereby
Corrupters also get not in,
Unless the Lyons Carkass secretly
Lies lapt up in a Lamblike skin
Which Holy seems yet's full of sin.

For on the Towers of these Walls there stand
Just Watchmen Watching day, and night,
And Porters at each Gate, who have Command
To open onely to the right.
And all within may have a sight.

Whose Zeale, should it along a Channell slide
Not banckt with Knowledg right and Good,
Nor Bottomed with Love: nor wiers ti'de
To hinder prejudiciall Blood
The Currant will be full of mud.

But yet this Curious Garden richly set,
The Soul accounts Christs Paradise
Set with Choice slips, and flowers: and longs to get
Itselfe set here: and by advice
To grow herein and so rejoyce.





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