Divine poems written by Thomas Washbourne ...

EXOD. 3.2.

And the Angel of the Lord appeared unto him in a flame of fire, out of the midst of a bush; and he looked, and behold the bush burned with fire, and was not consumed.

LOe, here a sight Presented to the eye, A Bush on fire flaming bright, Yet not consum'd, a wondrous mysterie.

The Bush the Church, Affliction is the fire, Which serves not to destroy, but search And try her gold, raising the value higher.

It gathers dust, And ••ullied is with ease, Wherefore to rub off all the rust, To cast it in this fire God doth please.

Whence it comes forth, Far brighter then before,

And is advanced much in worth, One pound being equal now unto a score.

This bush that flame Could never long withstand, Unlesse the Lord were in the same; Tis he that doth uphold it with his hand.

Whiles he is there, And doth his light dispense, The heat we need not greatly fear, How ere it may seeme grievous to our sense.

For though we be I th'fiery furnace cast, Our faith the Son of God may see, Preserving of our very haires from waste,

Much more he will By his almighty arme Defend the souls of his Saints still, That by this fire they shall sustaine no harme.

For this fire shall, Like that which snatch'd away The Prophet once, ••ransport them all From this worlds sorrows to a world of joy.