from Poems from the Dobell Folio
Published online by Cambridge University Press: 05 May 2015
1
A quiet Silent Person may possess
All that is Great or High in Blessedness.
The Inward Work is the Supreme: for all
The other were occasiond by the Fall.
A man, that seemeth Idle to the view
Of others, may the Greatest Business do.
Those Acts which Adam in his Innocence
Performed, carry all the Excellence.
These outward Busy Acts he knew not, were
But meaner Matters, of a lower Sphere.
Building of Churches, giving to the poor,
In Dust and Ashes lying on the floor,
Administring of Justice, Preaching Peace,
Ploughing and Toyling for a forc't Increas,
With visiting the Sick, or Governing
The rude and Ignorant: This was a thing
As then unknown. for neither Ignorance
Nor Poverty, nor Sickness did advance
Their Banner in the World, till Sin came in:
These therfore were occasiond all by Sin.
The first and only Work he had to do,
Was in himself to feel his Bliss, to view
His Sacred Treasures, to admire, rejoyce
Sing Praises with a Sweet and Heavnly voice,
See, Prize, Give Thanks within, and Love
Which is the High and only Work, above
Them all. And this at first was mine; These were
My Exercises of the Highest Sphere.
To see, Approve, take Pleasure, and rejoyce,
Within, is better then an Empty Voice:
No Melody in Words can Equal that;
The Sweetest Organ, Lute, or Harp is flat,
And Dull, compard thereto. And O that Still
I might Admire my Fathers Lov and Skill!
This is to Honor, Worship and Adore,
This is to lov Him: nay it is far more.
It is to Enjoy Him, and to Imitate
The Life and Glory of his High Estate.
Tis to receiv with Holy Reverence,
To understand his Gifts, and with a Sence
Of Pure Devotion, and Humilitie,
To prize his Works, his Lov to magnify.
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