A Poem for Christian Pipe Smokers

I redistributed this from my friend Ruke's Facebook page.

This Indian weed now wither´d quite,

Though green at noon, cut down at night,

Shows thy decay;

All flesh is hay.

Thus think, and smoke tobacco.

The pipe so lily-like and weak,

Does thus thy mortal state bespeak.

Thou are ev´n such,

Gone with a touch.

Thus think, and smoke tobacco.

All when the smoke ascends on high,

Then thou behold´st the vanity

Of worldly stuff,

Gone with a puff.

Thus think, and smoke tobacco.

And when the pipe grows foul within,

Think on thy soul defil´d with sin;

For then the fire,

It does require.

Thus think, and smoke tobacco.

And seest the ashes cast away;

Then to thyself thou mayest say,

That to the dust

Return thou must.

Thus think, and smoke tobacco.

Part II

Was this small plant for thee cut down?

So was the Plant of great renown;

Which mercy sends

For nobler ends.

Thus think, and smoke tobacco.

Doth juice medicinal proceed

From such a naughty foreign weed?

Then what´s the pow´r

Of Jesse´s flow´r?

Thus think, and smoke tobacco.

The promise, like the pipe inlays,

And by the mouth of faith conveys

What virtue flows

From Sharon´s rose.

Thus think, and smoke tobacco.

In vain the´unlighted pipe you blow;

Your pains in outward means are so,

Till heav´nly fire

The heart inspire.

Thus think, and smoke tobacco.

The smoke, like burning incense, tow´rs;

So should a praying heart of yours,

With ardent cries,

Surmont the skies.

Thus think, and smoke tobacco.”

from The Sermons, and Other Practical Works of Ralph Erskine