The Temple: Sacred Poems and Private Ejaculations/Obedience
For works with similar titles, see Obedience.
¶ Obedience.
MY God, if writings mayConvey a Lordship any wayWhither the buyer and the seller please;Let it not thee displease,If this poore paper do as much as they.
On it my heart doth bleedAs many lines, as there doth needTo passe it self and all it hath to thee:To which I do agree,And here present it as my speciall deed.
If that hereafter PleasureCavill, and claim her part and measure,As if this passed with a reservation,Or some such words in fashion;I here exclude the wrangler from thy treasure.
O let thy sacred willAll thy delight in me fulfill!Let me not think an action mine own way,But as thy love shall sway,Resigning up the rudder to thy skill.
Lord, what is Man to thee,That thou shouldst minde a rotten tree?Yet since thou canst not choose but see my actions;So great are thy perfections,Thou mayst as well my actions guide, as see.
Besides, thy death and bloudShow'd a strange love to all our good:Thy sorrows were in earnest; no faint proffer,Or superficiall offerOf what we might not take, or be withstood.
Wherefore I all forgo:To one word onely I say, No.Where in the deed there was an intimationOf a gift or donation,Lord, let it now by way of purchase go.
He that will passe his land,As I have mine, may set his handAnd heart unto this deed, when he hath read;And make the purchase spreadTo both our goods, if he to it will stand.
How happie were my part,If some kinde man would thrust his heartInto these lines; till in heav'ns court of rollsThey were by winged soulsEntred for both, farre above their desert!