University of Virginia Library

Search this document 


XVII.

[If I could snut the gate against my thoughts]

If I could snut the gate against my thoughts,
And keepe out sorrow from this roome with-in:
Or memory could cancell all the notes,
Of my misdeeds and I vnthink my sinne,
How free, how cleare, how cleane my soule should lye,
Discharg'd of such a lothsome company.
Or were there other roomes with-out my hart,
That dyd not to my conscience ioyne so neare,
Where I might lodge the thoughts of sin a-part,
That I might not their claim'rous crying heare.
What peace, what Ioy, what ease should I possesse,
Free'd from their horrors that my soule oppresse.
But O my Sauiour, who my refuge art,
Let thy deare mercies stand twixt them and mee:
And be the wall to seperate my hart,
So that I may at length repose mee free:
That peace, and Ioy, and rest may be within,
And I remaine deuided from my sinne.