In Confinement Liberty, SONG II

Though Liberty it self Is greatly to be sought; And they are happy that know how To use it as they ought; Especially whose hearts Esteem and highly prize And likewise carefully improve Their Spiritual Liberties.

Yet when the Lord is pleas'd Such freedom to deny, He can another Freedom give Ev'n in Captivity. When he our Will subdues, And helps us be content With his dispose, there's Libertie Even in Imprisonment.

Man's unsubdued Will Is a most heavy Chain: That man may walk at Liberty That can this freedom gain. When as the Will is brought Into Captivity Unto the holy Will of God; This is sweet Liberty.

Let but the Will be broke, Its Tyranny undone, And other Bands that us restrain Will quickly be as none. For then the Soul applies It self to get that good Thereby, which God intends, and Christ Hath purchas'd with his Blood.

And God that can bring good Out of the greatest ill, If that we seek him seriously, His Promise will fulfill. He will unfetter us, And set our Souls more free, Ev'n by restraining Bands, from sin And Satan's Tyranny.

Hee'll wean us from the world, And all things here below; And better things in stead of these He will on us bestow. Hee'll set our hearts upon The things that are above: And give us more and more to taste The sweetness of his Love.

He will enlarge our Souls To run his Precepts way: The love of Christ shall us restrain Most gladly to obey. And his Commandements They shall delightfull be. Thus he can make Restraint a means Of greatest Libertie.

God hedges up with thorns The Path of Wanderers, That have of Creature-comforts been Too eager Followers, Stops their pursuit, them brings Into a Wilderness, That thereunto their humbled Souls He may more Love express.