Mary Mollineux

A Meditation in Retirement

O that my mind were centred where it ought,

Entirely freed from all distracting thought,

Vain wandering thoughts, that crowd within my breast,

Do oft obstruct my soul from solid rest;

And like to vagrant clouds obscure the mind,

Which should to serious watching be inclined:

Ah! rise Thou Son of righteousness, Thy light

Can soon dispel the gloominess of night:

Appear, appear, let Thy victorious ray,

And longer for presence, still renew the day:

Whereby my slumbering eyes may wake and see

The dawning morning of felicity,

Still more and more break forth to perfect day,

Whose heavenly light leads in the blessed way,

That leads to that renowned holy hill;

Where true obedience to thy sacred will,

Makes glad the hearts of thy redeemed ones,

Who know the comfort of adopted sons,

And can sing praises to that glorious hand,

Which raised them up, and taught them how to stand,

To walk and run the pleasant paths of peace,

Rejoicing in true joys that never cease.

1677

A Contemplation

How amiable is Thy presence, Lord!

O how desirable Thy holy word!

Though as a fire or hammer it appear,

To burn and batter down whatever's dear

To sinful flesh and blood, Thy judgments be

Exceeding sweet and pleasant unto me:

For Zion's children are redeemed thereby,

And purified from their iniquity;

Yea, everlasting righteousness brought in,

Her converts ransomed from ensnaring sin;

And Thy salvation is hereby revealed

More near, and Thy great mysteries unsealed,

When judgment is brought forth to victory,

That Thine may walk with Thee in purity.

Ah, teach us daily patiently to wait,

In holy awe, to know this happy state

Confirmed and sealed unto us, that we may

Reign with the Lamb in the eternal day;

Then may we, to the praise of Zion's King,

A song of judgment and of mercy sing.

Contemplation

My Life, my Love, my Joy,

Who can enough admire

The sweetening influence

Of Shiloh's stream, from whence

Virtue abounds unto Thy plants, whereby

The Lily sprouts, far from the choking briar;

Thy trees do likewise being forth fruit and flourish,

To th' praise of Thee, who both both prune and cherish.

The time that is employed,

In holy meditation

Of Thy prevailing love,

Engaging from above

The upright heart, (wherein it is enjoyed)

I'm humble fear, and sacred admiration,

Is best improved; for this indeed doth tend

To true content and peace, world without end.

1678

1651-95

Mary Mollineux (new Southworth) was well educated, to the extent of preferring to speak in Latin. The family were Quakers and both she and her husband were imprisoned for their faith. Her book, Fruits of Retirement or Miscellaneous Poems Moral and Divine, was printed despite her objection.