Schola cordis, or, The heart of it selfe, gone away from God brought back againe to him & instructed by him in 47 emblems.

ODE. 28.

1.

Nay, blessed Lord, Unlesse thou wilt afford Manure, as well as tillage, to thy field, It will not yeeld That fruit which thou expectest it should beare: The ground I feare Will still remaine Barren of what is good: and all the graine It will bring forth, As of its owne accord, will not be worth The paines of gathering So poore a thing.

2.

Some faint desire,

That quickly will expire, Wither, and die, is all thou canst expect. It thou neglect To sow it now't is ready, thou •…•… find That •…•… •…•… •…•…, And •…•… grow Then at the first it was. Thou must bestow Some further cost, Else all thy former labour will be lost. Mine heart no corne will breed Without thy seed.

3.

Thy Word is seed, And manure too: will seed, As well as fill mine heart. If once it were Well rooted there, It would come on apace: O then neglect No time expect No better season. Now, now thy field mine heart is ready: reason Surrenders now, Now my rebellious will begins to bow, And mine affections are Tamer by farre.

4.

Lord, I have laine Barren too long, and saine I would redeem the time, that I may be Fruitfull to thee, Fruitfull in knowledge, saith, obedience, Ere I goe hence: That when I come At harvest to be reaped, and brought home; Thine Angels may

My soule in thy celestiall garner lay, Where perfect joy, and blisse Eternall is.

5.

If, to intreat A crop of purest wheat, A blessing too transcendent should appeare For me to beare, Lord, make me what thou wilt, so thou wilt take What thou do st make, And not disdaine To house me, though amongst thy coursest graine, So I may be Laid with the gleanings gathered by thee, When the full sheaves are spent, I am content.