The Designe (‘The Choice’)

Summary

1

When first Eternity Stoopd down to Nought,

And in the Earth its Likeness sought,

When first it out of Nothing framd the Skies,

And formd the Moon and Sun

That we might see what it had don,

It was so Wise,

That it did prize

Things truly Greatest Brightest fairest, Best.

All which it made, and left the rest.

2

Then did it take such Care about the Truth,

Its Daughter, that even in her Youth,

Her face might Shine upon us, and be known,

That by a better fate,

It other Toys might Antedate,

As soon as shewn;

And be our own,

While we were hers; And that a Virgin Love

Her best Inheritance might prove.

3

Thoughts undefiled, Simple, Naked, Pure;

Thoughts Worthy ever to endure,

Our first and Disengaged thoughts it lovs,

And therfore made the Truth,

In Infancy and Tender Youth,

So Obvious to

Our Easy view

That it doth prepossess our Soul, and proves

The Caus of what it all Ways moves.

4

By Merit and Desire it doth allure;

For Truth is so Divine and Pure,

So Rich and Acceptable, being seen,

(Not parted, but in Whole)

That it doth Draw and force the Soul,

As the Great Queen

Of Bliss, between

Whom and the Soul, no one Pretender ought

Thrust in, to Captivat a Thought.

5

Hence did Eternity contrive to make

The Truth so fair for all our Sake.

That being Truth, and Fair and Easy too,

While it on all doth Shine,

We might by it becom Divine

Being led to Woo

The Thing we view,

And as chast Virgins Early with it joyn,

That with it we might likewise Shine.

6

Eternity doth give the richest Things

To evry Man, and makes all Kings.

The Best and Richest Things it doth convey

To all, and evry one.

It raised me unto a Throne!

Which I enjoy,

In such a Way,

That Truth her Daughter is my chiefest Bride,

Her Daughter Truth's my chiefest Pride.