University of Virginia Library

Search this document 

collapse section 
  
 I. 
 II. 
 III. 
 IIII. 
 V. 
 VI. 
 VII. 
 VIII. 
collapse section 
 IX. 
 X. 
 XI. 
 XII. 
expand section 
 XVI. 
 XVII. 
XVII.
 XVIII. 
 XIX. 
 XX. 



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.