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Rebecca then a member of the 'lection,
Began to talk of Brotherly affection;
For this, said she, as I have heard the wise
Discourse, consisteth much in exercise;
Yet I was foolish once, and did resist,
And but that a dear Brother would not desist,
Carried forth by a strong believing power
That I would yield at length, even to this hour
I had liv'd in darkness still, and had not known
What joys the Laud revealeth to his own.
Then said the Priest, there is a time for all things,
There is a time for great things, and for small things:
There's a time to eat, and drink, and reformation,
A time to empty, and for procreation;
Therefore dear Sister, we may take our time,
There's reason for't, I never car'd for Rhyme.
Do not the wicked Heathen speak and say,
Gather your Flowers and Rose-buds while you may?
Ay truly, answer'd she, 'tis such a motion
As alwayes I embrac'd with warm devotion:
I mean since it did please the Laud in mercy,
To shew me things by feeling, not by hear-say;
And truly Brother, there's no man can prove Nothing
beyond
ingratitude.
That I was ere ingratefull for his love;
But sometimes Angels did attend his Purse,
At other times I did him duly nurse
With many a secret dish of lusty meat,
Which did enable us to do the feat.
Truly quoth Dorcas then, I saw a Vision,
That we should have our foes in great derision.
Quoth Martha straight, (and then she shook the crums
From off her apron white, and pickt her gums)
So did I too; methought I went a Maying,
And the Word of the Laud came to me, saying,
Martha put off thy cloaths, for time is come,
That men may bauble shew, and women bum,
For that the seed of them that do profess,
Shall only need be cloath'd with Righteousness.
'Tis
