275 their mortal bodies freed; Made Kings & Priests to God through Christ's dear loves transcendency, There to remain and there to reign with him Eternally. 280 1662. FROM GOD'S CONTROVERSY WITH NEW-ENGLAND (WRITTEN IN THE TIME OF THE GREAT DROUGHT, ANNO 1662) Are these the folk whom from the brittish Iles, Through the stern billows of the watry main, I safely led so many thousand miles, As if their journey had been through a plain? And through so many deaths and dangers well directed, I brought and planted on the western shore, Where nought but bruits and salvage wights did swarm (Untaught, untrain'd, untam'd by vertue's lore), That sought their blood, yet could not do them harm? 10 Are these the men whose gates with peace I crown'd, And mortall frayes send thousands to the grave, 15 In brothers blood and fields with carcases bestrewed? .... Are these the folk to whom I milked out And sweetnes stream'd from consolations brest? Whose soules I fed and strengthened throughout With finest spirituall food most finely drest? On whom I rained living bread from Heaven, If these be they, how is it that I find In stead of holiness Carnality, In stead of heavenly frames an Earthly mind, For flaming love key-cold Dead-heartedness, 20 25 For temperance (in meat and drinke and cloaths) excess? 30 Ah dear New England! dearest land to me, Which unto God hast hitherto been dear, |