The Return

To the Tune of Pas. Mes. Galliard; or, to the common Psalm Tunes.

Who was it that I left behind,

When I went last from home?
That now I all disorder’d find,

When to myself I come?

I. thought I had the door fast lock’d

When I went last away: And long might strangers there have knock’d

If none had found my key.

When I was here the fire did burn,

That now is almost out: Half dead with cold I sit and mourn,

Perplex’d with many a doubt.

I left it light, but now’s all dark,.

And I am fain to grope:
Were it not for one little spark,

I should be out of hope.

The rooms I carefully did sweep;

But now I find all foul:
Serpents do crawl, and vermin creep,

In my polluted soul.

My Gospel-book I open left,

Where I the promise saw: But now I doubt it ’s lost by theft,

1 find none but the Law.

And when my soul I had undress’d,
And thought some ease to find:

I found distress instead of rest,
Through anguish of my mind.

For thorns were put into my bed,

Where I was wont to sleep:
Grief is the pillow for my head,

On which I lie and weep.

And if I slumber, up I start:

My dreams awake my fears: The thorns have pierced head and heart;

And drawn forth more than tears.

‘The stormy rain an entrance hath,

Through the uncover’d top: How should I rest when showers of wrath

Upon my conscience drop?

My goods I fear are gone to waste,

The best I cannot find:
The rest are in disorder cast:

Which yet are left behind.

I lock’d my jewel in my chest:

I ’11 search lest that be gone: If this one guest had quit my breast,

I had been quite undone.

I know it ’s sin that did all this;

For nothing else could do it:
I’ll charge upon it all I miss,

And with the Law pursue it.

My treacherous flesh had play’d its part,

And opened sin the door: And they have spoil’d and robb’d my heart %

And left it sad and poor.

How shall I see my landlord’s face,

How shall I pay his rent?
When I have thus abused his grace,

And have his treasure spent?

Yet have I one great trusty friend,

That will procure my peace;
And all this loss and ruin mend,

And purchase my release.

When I the prodigal had play’d,

And all my portion spent;
He told me he my debts had paid*

And bade me but repent,
Yea, this by his supply was done:
Whose covenant bade me do it.

Because I had not of my own,
So much as would serve to it.

And after this when my false heart
Forgot my dearest Lord;

He did perform a Saviour’s part,
And still my soul restored.

I fear’d lest as but once he died,
He would but once forgive:

But still when in distress I cried,
He did my soul relieve.

Still when he took me by the hand,
My father on me smiled:

Oft have I broken his command;
And yet he call’d me child.

I know his power: and for his love, It spoke by pains and blood:

Largely doth he his kindness prove,
And make his promise good.

Therefore I ’11 never more despair,
Nor take myself for lost:

For he will all my loss repair,
Though at the dearest cost.

Yea more, I have his hand to shew,
That when my lease is out,

A kingdom he ’11 on me bestow:
He chides me if I doubt.

I ’11 trust on him, and use his name,

Whatever be my need: And I shall ‘scape the wrath and shame,

And shall be sure to speed.

And for that sin that play’d the thief,

I ’11 stop its poisonous breath;
Or pine it with consuming grief,

And famish it to death.

And I ’11 take heed for time to come;

Of wandering abroad, With my best constant friend at home,

I ’11 settle mine abroad.

The bellows I’ll yet take in hand,

Till this small spark shall flame. Love shall my heart and tongue command,

To praise God’s holy name.

Once more I mean to sweep all clean,

And cast out filthy sin:
And Christ again I ’11 entertain,

And wait on him within.

I ’11 mend the roof: I ’11 watch the door,

And better keep the key: I ’11 trust my treacherous flesh no more,

But force it to obey.

I ’11 make a covenant with mine eyes;

My tongue shall know its law: I ’11 all the baits of sin despise,

And keep my heart in awe.

My bed shall be made soft by love;

And there I’ll take my rest:
Or else I ’11 wake till I remove,

Where none dwell but the bless’d.

What have I said? that I ’11 do this?

That am so false and weak?
And have so often done amiss,

And did my covenants break?

I mean, Lord, all this shall be done, If thou my heart wilt raise.

And as the work must be thine own; so also shall the praise.