To Her Lord

ALAS, how hard a Thing

It is to bring

Into a true Subjection Flesh and Blood,

Quietly to entertain

(And not complain)

Those Exercises that attend for Good!

My Life, my Joy, my Love,

If thus thou please to prove

And exercise my poor perplexèd Mind,

Teach me to wait in Fear,

That I may learn to hear

What Trials may attend, of any Kind:

And, guarded by thy Ray,

Walk in the Way,

That leads directly to the Throne of Grace;

Where in Humility,

Poor I may be

Admitted to sit down i’ th’ heav’nly Place.

And there to thee discharge

My griefs at large,

As to a Bosom-Friend, that bears with me,

And often passes by

Faults of Infirmity:

Alas, I cannot bear too much for thee!