Nor would it trouble me to see it found That can be thought upon, Square, oval, many-angled, long, or round : Fix'd, open, moveable, all's one to me. And yet, methinks, at a Communion There's greatest decency, And that which maketh most for union: To vary, tends to the breach of charity. Yet, rather than I'll give, I will not take So that I be not driven To thwart authority, a party make For faction, Or side, but seemingly, in the action. At a Communion I wish I might Have no cause to suspect Of unity and peace, either in sight Apparently, Or in men's hearts concealed secretly. That, which ordained is to make men one, More than before they were, Should not itself appear, Though but appear, distinctly diverse. None Too much can see Of what, when most, yet but enough can be. If others will dissent, and vary, who Can help it? If I may, As hath been done alway, By the best, and most; I will myself do so. The servants should be of one God, one Lord. COMMUNION PLATE. NEVER was gold, or silver, graced thus Before. To bring this body, and this blood, to us Is more Than to crown Kings, Or be made rings, For star-like diamonds to glitter in. No precious stones are meet to match this bread Divine. Spirits of pearls dissolved would but dead This wine. This heavenly food Is too too good To be compared to any earthly thing. For such inestimable treasure can There be Vessels too costly made by any man? Sure he That knows the meat So good to eat, Would wish to see it richly served in. Although 'tis true, that sanctity's not tied To state, Yet sure Religion should not be envied The fate Of meaner worth, To be set forth As best becomes the service of a King. A King unto whose cross all Kings must vail Their crowns, And at his beck in their full course strike sail : Whose frowns And smiles give date Unto their fate, And doom them, either unto weal, or woe. A King, whose will is justice: and whose word Is power, And wisdom both. A King, whom to afford An hour Of service truly Perform'd, and duly, Is to bespeak eternity of bliss. When such a King offers to come to me As food, Shall I suppose his carriages can be Too good? No: Stars to gold Turn'd, never could Be rich enough to be employ'd so. If I might wish then, I would have this bread, This wine, Vessell'd in what the Sun might blush to shed His shine, When he should see: But, till that be, I'll rest contented with it, as it is. CHURCH-OFFICERS. STAY. Officers in Church? Take heed: it is A tender matter to be touch'd. If I chance to say any thing amiss, Which is not fit to be avouch'd, I must expect whole swarms of wasps to sting me, Few, or no bees, honey or wax, to bring me. Some would have none in Church do any thing Others into the number more would bring, But 'tis no matter; If men censure me, I write, mine own thoughts to declare, THE SEXTON. THE Church's key-keeper opens the door, Rings bells, digs graves, and fills them up again; Openly owning Christianity, To mark, and learn many good lessons by. O thou that hast the key of David, who That none can shut or open after thee, Our soul's door-keeper, by thy blessed Spirit: Cleanse thou our sin-soil'd souls from the dirt and dust Brought in by the foul feet of our affections: With the blessing of thy Spirit added to it, Lord, ringing changes all our bells hath marr'd, So long, they're out of tune, and out of frame, Put them in frame anew, and once begin Let all our sins be buried in thy grave, |