Joy in Sorrow, SONG IV

Solamen miseris focios habuisse doloris Christum cum sanctis—

IT is an ease in Grief To have Coparteners: It yields some comfort and relief T' have Fellow-sufferers. Especially to have Such as our case bemoan, As lay to heart our sorrows, and Under our burden groan.

The Saints all make one Body, Have Union with one Head; Are acted by one Spirit, and By him are quickened. Hence then they cannot chuse But feel each others smart, Their Burden bear, lament their case, And in their woes take part,

They cannot chuse but mourn With such as mourners be: And be afflicted too with those Whom they afflicted see. Christ gives them tender hearts, Therefore they fellow-feel: They pitty, pray for, comfort them, And seek each others weal.

This is a Comfort then To Saints in misery, To have such sweet Companions Of their Calamity. That when they are in sorrow They sorrow not alone: But meet with some that heartily Their Miseries bemoan.

Oh let it never be That Saints should Saints infest, And add unto each others grief, That are with grief opprest. This wisdom from above Comes not, but from beneath: And ill becometh those in whom The Spirit of Love doth breath.

That Spirit of Love and Peace, Who dwells in all the Saints, Unite our hearts, appease our strife, Cease quarrels and complaints: Help us to pitty more, And pray for one another, To strive who shall in love outstrip And go beyond his Brother.

This were a blessed strife; Thus ought we all to strive: Were this our strife; how would it make Souls, Towns, and Churches thrive. As many Shoulders make A heavy Burden light: So might our Burdens lightened be, Were but our Spirits right.

Well: Friends may pitty us And at our Sorrows grieve; They cannot alwayes help: But Christ Can pitty and relieve. This is the main support, And comfort of the Saints, That Jesus Christ them pittieth, when They pour out their complaints.

Friends sometimes stand aloof, And Bretheren may forget us, Or strangers be unto our griefs; The World at nought may set us: But Jesus Christ regards us Ev'n in our low estate; He mînds us well, and leaves us not Forlorn and desolate.

Our gracious, great High-Priest Is such an One as can From his Experience pitty us With bowels of a Man. Afflicted been he has In their Affliction: And therefore their Affliction was As if it had been none.

Though far above all Griefs In Glory Christ remains: Yet of the Sorrows of his Saints A feeling he retains. He tells our wanderings, And bottleth all our tears, Is well acquainted with our griefs, And writeth down our fears.

He knows thy Sicknesses; He feeleth all thy smart: Thy sufferings are his sufferings, And reach his tender heart. And if he know and feel All that doth thee agrieve: He will with choicest Cordials Thy fainting Soul relieve.

If these thy Sufferings He reckon to be his: Hee'll shortly put an end thereto, And take thy Soul to Bliss. Christ will not suffer long: For he's not perfected, Till all his Members be made like In Glory to their Head.