An EPISTLE to Cousin E. S

When I remember thee, dear Friend, I find My Heart thus to advise thee is inclin'd; If thou canst hear in Calmness, and subdue All peevish Passion, which in open view Of sober Persons, justly merits Blame, And manifests the Ground from whence it came: Then let this Counsel find a Place in thee; Stoop low to Truth, and learn Humility: This thou wast once acquainted with; beware, Lest Strangeness interpose, and learn to fear. Know'st thou not what true Wisdom said of old, Man's greatest Foes are of his own Houshold? And true it is, not outwardly alone, But inwardly; for greater there is none, Than these, we can encounter with; for they Lurk close within, and secretly betray. Therefore take heed, for tho' there do appear Bad Precedents, and ill Examples near, They'll not so soon infect a solid Mind, Which unto Watchfulness is still inclin'd: And then, though Trials frequently attend, There is an Arm of Love that will defend From all Assaults of Man's grand Enemy, As it is lean'd to, in Simplicity. O let's remember this, lest we should prove Unmindful of our first, our chiefest Love! Or lest a second Love should so engage Our Hearts and Minds, in this infectious Age, As Wholly to lead captive, and betray Us to a treacherous, fawning Delilah, A subtil bosom Traytor; such prevail'd O'er one, whose Strength and Valour never fail'd, Until he doted on a Stranger's Love. O may such false Enticements never move Our Hearts to turn aside, lest we may lose Our Strength and Stay, and frequently expose Ourselves to Snares and Dangers! Surely we Are always bound to wait in Fear, to be Kept near that living Virtue, that doth favour Thoughts, Words & Actions, and that keeps in Favour With our first Love; that we may live and rest With Zion's holy King, for ever bless'd.