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Poems Divine, and Humane

By Thomas Beedome

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The Corner stone.

'Twas a faire stone, though it was abus'd,
And by the senselesse builder was refus'd;
Alas their sinne blind soules, and blinder eyes,
Sought by the pride of all their industries
To polish martle, porphery, or that
On which proud folly set so high a

Diamonds, or other pretious stones.

rare,

And with such earth-bred trifles to refine
Materiall Temples to the powre divine.
Whilst that bright stone from th' heavenly square taken,
Lies on the mountaine by these fooles forshaken.
Ah! had they knowne the value of this Jem,
It had not beene so underpriz'd by them.
Oh! when that Babell building of their sinne
Shall ruin'd dash upon themselves agin:
And wanting props to under-set it shall
Uppon the builders head with terrour fall.
How will they wish this abject stone had beene
By faith well laid, them and their sinnes betweene:
Then had it like a storme-contemning rocke,
Secur'd their Mansions from their heavy shocke
Of wrath and judgement, both the which unjust,
Shall make them roare with woe: Oh! had I wist.
Lord be the Basis of my hopes high Throne,
And then I'le build on that strong Corner-stone.