A Meditation

How long will Man forget himself, And be so much inclin'd To treasure up that sordid Pelf, Which he must leave behind?

And seek these Vanities on Earth, Which quickly come to nought; A little Jollity and Mirth Is often dearly bought:

Fools for the Belly sell away Their Birth-right to the Wife; What's this Inheritance? Cry they: Thus they for Trash despise

That Treasure, which no Thief can steal, No Canker-worm, nor Rust Can e'er corrupt: And 'tis by Seal Confirmed to the Just;

Who, tho' they here may suffer Loss, Is shall become their Gain, If patiently they bear the Cross, They shall the Crown obtain.

But those that choose their Portion here, Shall wail in Misery, Because such would not lend an Ear To th' Voice of Wisdom's Cry;

Who call'd, to lead them in the Way, Where no Destroyer's found, Nor any hurtful Beast of Prey Can tread this holy Ground:

The Vulturous Eye here cannot spy; But yet the humble Mind, That seeks in crue Simplicity, This pleasant Path may find;

And, tho' Unlearned, cannot err, Led by a sacred Guide, Unto a Habitation, where True Comforts are enjoy'd.

Then why should Men unmindful be Of their more Noble Part, The Offspring of Eternity, As wholly to invert

The sole Use of their Intellects, To gain a fading Toy, This faithless World; while they reject True Everlasting Joy?

They snatch at Shadows here, and slight The Substance that remains For ever: Thus they, in the Night, Walk on to endless Pains;

If they persist to wander there, And carelesly contemn The springing Light, that doth appear Thence to deliver them:

Then, why, alas, should they destroy Their Hopes of lasting Treasures, And rest contented, sordidly To share with Beasts in Pleasures?

Since Wisdom hath prepar'd a Feast, Her Tables furnished, That Fools may now become her Guests, And feed on Heavenly Bread.

Indeed the wise in their own Eyes, Are fill'd with vain Conceit; Such will the Honey-comb despise, Yet shall the Hungry eat,

Till satisfy'd, and with Delight, Walk on in Wisdom's Way; Knowing the Light expels the Night, And brings in perfect Day:

Whereby they see things as they be And so are taught to choose Eternal Life in Purity, But Sin and Death refuse.

There's no abiding City here; Seek one that shall remain: To Wisdom's Counsel lend an Ear; True Godliness is Gain.

Where the contented Mind is known, There is a sweet Increase Of Solace, where the Soul lies down In Everlasting Peace;

True Peace and Joy, not to be found In vain Terrestrial Things: Pure holy Praises then abound Unto the King of Kings;

Who from on High, with tender Eye, Look'd down, and pleas'd to send Wisdom to call, whose Voice and Cry Doth unto all extend.