The Temple: Sacred Poems and Private Ejaculations/The H. Communion
¶ The H. Communion.
NOt in rich furniture, or fine aray,Nor in a wedge of gold,Thou, who from me wast sold,To me dost now thy self convey;For so thou should'st without me still have been,Leaving within me sinne:
But by the way of nourishment and strengthThou creep'st into my breast;Making thy way my rest,And thy small quantities my length;Which spread their forces into ev'ry part,Meeting sinnes force and art.
Yet can these not get over to my soul,Leaping the wall that partsOur souls and fleshly hearts;But as th' outworks, they may controllMy rebel-flesh, and carrying thy name,Affright both sinne and shame.
Onely thy grace, which with these elements comes,Knoweth the ready way,And hath the privie key,Op'ning the souls most subtile rooms;While those to spirits refin'd, at doore attendDispatches from their friend.
Give me my captive soul, or takeMy bodie also thither.Another lift like this will makeThem both to be together.
Before that sinne turn'd flesh to stone,And all our lump to leaven;A fervent sigh might well have blownOur innocent earth to heaven.
For sure when Adam did not knowTo sinne, or sinne to smother;He might to heav'n from Paradise go,As from one room t'another.
Thou hast restor'd us to this easeBy this thy heav'nly bloud;Which I can go to, when I please,And leave th' earth to their food.