"Affliction is the Fire, wherein their Mind / From Sin, and drossy Mixtures is refin'd."

— Baker, Daniel (c. 1654-1723)


Place of Publication
London
Publisher
Printed for Robert Clavel [etc.]
Date
1706
Metaphor
"Affliction is the Fire, wherein their Mind / From Sin, and drossy Mixtures is refin'd."
Metaphor in Context
Learn Wisdom then, and own that Providence
Acts by a Law superior far to Sense.
'Tis Faith alone can solve the knotty Doubt,
And vig'rous Hope must make the Riddle out.
Th' important Secret only GOD reveals,
And in the Breast of his choice[1] Servants seals,
That Wicked Men, by Heav'ns severe Decree,
Are spar'd, to fill up their Iniquity.
Which done, their seeming Joys shall end with Speed,
And real Sorrows in their Place succeed.
Their Wealth is in a Moment gone, and now
Begins a Tragick Scene of endless Woe.
But Pious Souls by Suff'rings are prepar'd
For future Happiness, a rich Reward.
Affliction is the[2] Fire, wherein their Mind
From Sin, and drossy Mixtures is refin'd.

That in their Father's Kingdom they may shine
(Like Angels) all Immortal and Divine.
Categories
Provenance
Searching "mind" and "dross" in HDIS (Poetry)
Theme
Refinement
Date of Entry
06/13/2005

The Mind is a Metaphor is authored by Brad Pasanek, Assistant Professor of English, University of Virginia.