A world replete with wickedness and lust
Will not receive it nor My wisdom trust;
But, who earth's vanities prefer to me,
I say, cannot My loving servants be;
Nor who, when torture comes, and life's at stake,
Retract their steps, My holy faith forsake :
They shall alone My blessed kingdom see,
Who to the last to My commands are true,
Amid all dangers, persecutions, stand
My faithful followers till life's mis'ries end.
You know that seeds are, from the sower's hand,*
Impartial scatter'd over various ground:
Yet some, which fall on the impervious way,
Not striking root, of fowls become the prey,
As soil of no productive powers possess'd'
Excludes their growth, receives them to be lost.
You know that some cast on the rocky shore,
Though budding, yet, soon fade and are no more,
For scorching blasts from baneful regions fly,
Make verdure sicken, wither soon, and die.
You see what fall on ground with weeds o'errun
Are smother'd by them, and become unknown;
But, all that finding cultivated earth,
With vigour spring abundant fruit bring forth.
So, I My Father's word now give to man,.
Impartial by Me is the blessing sown;
Though hearts licentious and impenitent,
Will nor accept it, nor of ill relent.
Some soul espousing My good cause at first,
When trials come, will fall, and must be lost.
And more will wish to make subservient,
My holy precepts to impure intent,
To worldly pleasures, sensual desires,
To wicked hearts, and self-int'rested views;
And but pretend my gospel to sustain,
For fruits produc'd will prove them none of Mine,
And worldly cares, to which they're so inclin'd, -
Soon extirpate religion from the mind.
But others, as the cultivated ground
Matures its seed to produce sweet, and sound,
Will take My word with stedfast faith and joy,
Keep it to guide, direct, and purify
All future conduct while residing here,
While pass'd this world, its cares are known no more,
And yield a goodly, bountiful increase
Nor blasts nor storms impeding the produce.
Still hear Me, I repeat, declare, again,*
By Me, on earth, is sown celestial grain-;
Yet, in foul malice My great enemy,
Disseminates among it privately
Infernal; and when Mine begins to spring
Mix'd with it pois'nous is conspicuous seen.
My servants wish this to be rooted up,
But that at present I will not permit,
As 'tis My will both undisturb'd remain,
Until arriv'd the proper harvest time,
* See Matthew chap. xiii.
When shall My reapers twain them separate,
Shall burn the darnel but preserve the wheat,
Which shall be gather'd as My valued store,
And safe preserv'd from intermixture more.
This wheat my faithful children represents,
The noxious seeds the faithless delinquents:
The enemy that sows, the wicked one,
Continual bent on ruining of man ;
And of the world the harvest is the end,
When My angelic reapers shall descend,
The just and unjust duly separate,
And who, together, never more must meet.
Be sure approaches that momentous hour,*
When I shall come just judgment to declare,
When all the dead since man did first exist,
Shall hear My voice, awake, and quit the dust,
My faithful then a blessed kingdom see,
The contumacious sent to lasting wo.
Though weak and humble now. My cause appears
It surely shall to exaltation rise,
In distant regions rule predominant,
In spite of opposition 'gainst it bent;
It shall increase, so finally prevail
That it shall reign triumphant over all.
O, Thou, My Father, Lord of earth and heav'n,t Although to worldly wisdom be not given
*See John chap. v. and xxvi.
Thy holy gospel's luminous way to know,
Man's pride forbidding there the rays to glow,
And minds ambitious will not light behold,
To meek and humble is Thy will reveal'd,
I thank Thee for Thy goodness; so it seem'd,
Before the right these be by Thee esteem'd!
Your heavenly Father drew the mighty plan
Of man's redemption, form'd the glorious scheme;
With execution He has honor'd Me,
Through Me alone shall man salvation see.
But Me, O Father! who Thy counsels know?
Or who, My glories, Gracious God but Thee?
Thy attributes man's senses far transcend,
His nature can't Thy Godhead comprehend;
But I am sent to light a darken'd world,
Thy love and mercy publish and unfold,
Unknown till now was My appearance here,
Except to whom Thou gav'st it heretofore.
Then, come to Me who labour, are oppress'd;
Come, burden'd sinners and I'll give you rest!
Accept My yoke, with ease you may it wear,
My load is light, My burden good to bear.*
Lo! I am meek, benevolent, and kind,
O learn from Me to cultivate the mind,
Accept My bounty, hear my gracious calls,
And heavenly rest's prepared for your souls!
But, who desires My holy rest to see,
Must first renounce himself, then follow Me;
All worldly vanities must cast away,
With heart renew'd, he Me, his Lord, obey.
Who will a subject of My realm become,*
Must be spiritually as one new born;
He must reclaim the unbelieving heart,
Must love his God, the Holy cause support,
A heavenly will be anxious to possess,
Shun ev'ry deed that virtue may transgress,
Have God's blest Spirit with His soul to dwell,
And by Its influence holy comfort feel,
By love My gospel's sacred truths attest,
His mind no longer riches must arrest,
What once his corrupt heart so much desir'd,
And after which his very soul aspir'd,
Must be renounc'd and totally dismiss'd,
His God, as first of objects, be caress'd.
What profit have you if all earth you gain?
For you must shortly quit it and be gone?†
Then, shall its fleeting pleasures be compar'd,
To lasting treasures for My friends prepar❜d?
Shall grandeur transient, momentary, vain,
Which leaves its vot'ries, and no more is seen,
To blessings be compar'd that will endure,
To joy celestial lasting evermore ?
All worldly gains attract but to deceive,
They first allure and then their followers leave.
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