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The Poem.
VVHen cattel from your fields are gone astray,
and you to seek them through the Country ride;
Enquiring for them all along the way;* 1.1
tracking their foot-steps, where they turn'd aside.
One servant this way sent, another that;
searching the fields, and countrey round about:
This meditation now falls in so pat;
as if God sent it to enquire you out.
My beasts are lost, and so am1 1.2 I by sin;
my wretched soul from God thus wandring went,
And I seek them, so was2 1.3 I sought by him
who from the3 1.4 fathers bosom forth was sent.
Pursu'd by Sermons, Follow'd close by grace;
and strong convictions Christ hath sought for me,
Yea though I4 1.5 shun him still he gives me chase,
as if resolv'd I should not damned be.
When5 1.6 Angels lost themselves it was not so,
God did not seek, or once for them enquire;
But said, let these Apostate creatures go,
I'le plague them for it6 1.7 with eternal fire.
Lord, what am7 1.8 I, that thou shouldst set thine eyes
and still seek after such a wretch as I?
Whose matchless mercy, and rich grace8 1.9 despise,
as if in spight thereof resolv'd to die.
Why should I shun thee, blessed Saviour, why
should I avoid thee thus? thou dost not chase
My soul to9 1.10 slay it; O that ever I
should fly a Saviour that's so full of grace!