Meditations on Persecution

Cold hungry Seamen, tho' they oft endure Day-dark'ning Storms and Tempests, to procure The winged Treasures of this fading World; Although they run the Hazard to be hurl'd On wrecking Rocks, or quick devouring Sands, Or cast as Captives on some foreign Lands, To spend their wretched Days in Misery, Instead of what they sought for to enjoy, Abounding Wealth, if to their wished Shore They safe arrive; venture again, yet more Undaunted than at first, in hopes to be With more Success, kept from those Dangers free. Then why should such Faint-heartedness appear, In Israel's Camp, that ought of right to fear None but the Lord? Can any doubt, that have The Word of an almighty King, to save Them to the uttermost? What! though he seem To tarry long, his own appointed Time Is always best; in greatest Streights, we do Wholly depend on, and acknowledge too, Salvation only from above; for then We find, 'tis vain to hope for Help from Men. Ah, was not Israel thus beset? Could they Encounter furious Pharoah's Host, or th' Sea? Yet was Deliverance near; the Sea must be A Path to them, a Grave to th' Enemy; Pharoah might follow, to his own Destruction; Whilst Israel is prov'd, to gain Instruction: That these may learn whom they should chiefly fear, And whom to trust, when Tribulation's near. Ah, then in this our Gospel-Dispensation, Why should the Children of this Generation Seem so far wiser, or more valiant, than The sacred Off-spring of Jerusalem? Those hazard Life for transitory Toys, And shall not these, for everlasting Joys, Resign up Visibles, yea, Life and all, To him that gave it, if he please to call To such a Trial? Can we baulk the Way Wherein he leads, except we ran astray? We must through Exercises overcome, And bear the Cross, if we would wear the Crown, And fully follow him! The Recompence Will far exceed when we are parted hence. But who art thou, that art so loath to give Up an Estate? A Thief may soon deprive Thee of a greater Share, than he requires; Some suffer more by Carelesness and Fires: Which justly Heaven permits, to let them see How vain these poor, these trifling Treasures be. Or dost thou fear Confinement? Heav'n may send Grievous Diseases, which Physician's Hand Cannot remove, and to th' uneasy Bed Make thee a Pris'ner when thy Health is fled. But if thou be confin'd for Jesus Sake, He will a Prison much more pleasant make, Than any spacious Palace: For he'll be Fulness of Joy, and saving Health to thee. Now, tho' some shun the Cross, as worldly wise, And from the Path of Truth apostatize, And yet the Judgments do not soon ensue, (Altho' they be in dreadful Vengeance due) So that the Wicked did of old aver, Surely the Lord his coming doth defer: Yet shall they not have Peace, but feel the Rod Of a displeased, of a jealous GOD; Whose Word can never fail, although he try Some with Long-suffering, and great Clemency. Ah, kiss the Son, lest that his Anger be Incens'd! For he alone can comfort thee: And let not any faint or start aside, Heaven will support his faithful Ones when try'd.