The Inference. I

Well-guided Thoughts within possess
The Treasures of all Blessedness.
Things are indifferent; nor giv
Joy of themselvs, nor griev.
The very Deity of God torments
The male-contents
Of Hell; To th' Soul alone it provs
A welcom Object, that Him lovs.
Things tru affect not, while they are unknown:
But Thoughts most sensibly, tho quite alone.

Thoughts are the inward Balms or Spears;
The living Joys, or Griefs & Fears;
The Light, or els the Fire; the Theme
On which we pore or dream.
Thoughts are alone by Men the Objects found
That heal or wound.
Things are but dead: they can't dispense
Or Joy or Grief: Thoughts! Thoughts the Sense
Affect & touch. Nay, when a Thing is near
It can't affect but as it doth appear.

Since then by Thoughts I only see;
Since Thought alone affecteth me;
Since these are Reall things when shewn;
And since as Things are known
Or thought, they pleas or kill: What Care ought I
(Since Thoughts apply
Things to my Mind) those Thoughts aright
To frame, & watch them day & night;
Suppressing such as will my Conscience stain,
That Hev'nly Thoughts me hev'nly Things may gain.

Ten thousand thousand Things are dead;
Ly round about me; yet are fled,
Are absent, lost, & from me gon;
And those few Things alone,
Or griev my Soul, or gratify my Mind,
Which I do find
Within. Let then the Troubles dy,
The noisom Poisons buried ly:
Ye Cares & Griefs avaunt, that breed Distress;
Let only those remain which God will bless.

How many Thousands see the Sky,
The Sun & Moon, as well as I?
How many more that view the Seas,
Feel neither Joy nor Eas?
Those Things are dead & dry & banished.
Their Life is led
As if the World were yet unmade:
A Feast, fine Cloaths, or els a Trade,
Take up their Thoughts; &, like a grosser Skreen
Drawn o'r their Soul, leav better Things unseen.

But O! let me the Excellence
Of God, in all His Works, with Sense
Discern; Oh! let me celebrat
And feel my blest Estate:
Let all my Thoughts be fixt upon His Throne;
And Him alone
For all His gracious Gifts admire,
Him only with my Soul desire:
Or griev for Sin. 'That with du Sense, the Pleasure
I may possess of His Eternal Treasure.