Divine poems Containing The History of Ionah. Ester. Iob. Sampson. Sions Sonets. Elegies. Written and newly augmented, by Fra: Quarles |
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 | Divine poems |  |
11.
[The Ancient Sophists, that were so precise]
The Ancient Sophists, that were so precise,
(and oftentimes (perchance) too curious nice)
Averre, that Nature hath bestow'd on Man,
Three perfect Soules: When this I truly scan,
Me thinks, their Learning swath'd in Errour, lyes;
They were not wise enough, and yet too wise;
Too curious wise, because they mention more
Then one; Not wise enough, because not foure;
Nature, not Grace, is Mistris of their Schooles;
Grace counts them wisest, that are veriest Fooles:
Three Soules in man? Grace doth a fourth allow,
The Soule of Faith: But this is Greeke to you:
'Tis Faith that makes man truly wise; 'Tis Faith
Makes him possesse that thing he never hath.
(and oftentimes (perchance) too curious nice)
Averre, that Nature hath bestow'd on Man,
Three perfect Soules: When this I truly scan,
Me thinks, their Learning swath'd in Errour, lyes;
They were not wise enough, and yet too wise;
Too curious wise, because they mention more
Then one; Not wise enough, because not foure;
Nature, not Grace, is Mistris of their Schooles;
Grace counts them wisest, that are veriest Fooles:
72
The Soule of Faith: But this is Greeke to you:
'Tis Faith that makes man truly wise; 'Tis Faith
Makes him possesse that thing he never hath.
This Glorious Soule of Faith bestow on me,
(O Lord) or else take thou the other three:
Faith makes men lesse then Children, more then Men,
It makes the Soule cry Abba, and Amen.
(O Lord) or else take thou the other three:
Faith makes men lesse then Children, more then Men,
It makes the Soule cry Abba, and Amen.
| Divine poems | |