The Song of Songs, Chapter VIII: The Paraphrase

The Church.
LORD that thou wert as near to me
As is my Mothers Son;
Such freedom should I have with thee,
As if we both were One:
I would impart my very Heart
To one that was so near;
Whose nearness should advance my Love
Above all Slavish fear.

Gods Holy Church, my Mother Dear,
Sould me such Lectures Read;
I should provide such Heav'nly Chear,
Whereon thou lov'st to Feed.

And then shouldst thou thy Love display,
The Riches of thy Grace,
Thy Left Hand then my Head should slay,
Thy Right my Heart embrace.

Christs Love my Heart doth so inflame,
This Charge I needs must give;
All ye that own his Sacred Name
Do not his Spirit grieve:
Lord, leave us not; if yet thou wilt
With Tears we'll own thy Right;
But a Departure forc'd by Guilt
Makes a Tempestuous Night.

Weak Christians.
What strange Aspiring Souls are those
Which do this World disdain;
Who on their Lord themselves repose,
Heav'ns Kingdom to obtain.

The Church.
Under thine Ordinances Shade
I Sought and found thine Aid;
For there thine Entrance first was made,
Thy Graces first Conveigh'd.

Lord bear my Name upon thy Breast,
Engrave it on thine Heart;
There let it be so sure possest
It thence shall ne're depart:
For Love, like Death doth cast its Dart,
Which wounds me to the quick;
Thy Presence, Lord, supports my Heart;
Thy absence makes it Sick.
Shouldst thou but seemingly disdain
My Heart so deep Engag'd,
I should be Tortur'd with such pain
As could not be asswag'd.
O Love Me, Lord, or else I die!
Thee, Lord, my Love doth crave!
My Lord, shouldst thou my Love deny,
My Love would be my Grave.
My Love doth flame my Jealousie,
So burns my Heart and Eyes.
I must embrace my Lord, or I
Must be Loves Sacrifice.

Whole Seas of Trouble cannot quench
Loves everlasting Fire:
Though Hell oppose, whom I have chose,
I cannot but Admire.
None but a Christ, none but my Lord,
No Brides can take with Me;
A proffer'd World would be abhorr'd;
A Christ, and none but He!

The Jewish Church.
Remember the Blind Nations, Lord,
Who in a Dungeon grope,
And lack the Sun-shine of thy Word,
Yet Prisn'rs are of Hope.
When once the Hour of thy Design
Hath on these Captives Shone,
When they are call'd and own'd for Thine,
What shall be further done?

Christ.
If they be constant to my Name,
And firmly hold my Word;
They shall be blest with strength and fame,
And honour'd by their Lord:
If they will open at my Call,
That I with them may dwell;
I'll hold them fast, and make them last
Against the Gates of Hell.

The Jewish Church.
Lord, I am constant to thy Name,
And firmly hold thy Word;
(I had a Smile upon the same
From my most Gracious Lord.)

Christ.
I nor admire nor imitate
Those who their Vineyards Let;
Who of their Profit do abate,
That they some Ease may get.

My Church and Vineyard is alway
My care and my Delight;
I my self keep it every Day,
And watch it every Night:
Drest by my Hand, watch'd by my Eye,
Its Fruit to me abounds;
The Praise of its Fertility
Wholly to me redounds.

My Dearest Church, who art compos'd
Of divers companies;
Now we have both our Minds disclos'd,
I'll end with this Advice:
As all thy Members give an Ear
Unto thy Gracious Strain;
So let Me often from thee hear,
Until we Meet again.

The Church.
Ah my dear Saviour! pity Me,
Preserve Me in thy Heart;
And Oh make hast, make hast, that we
May Meet and never part.