University of Virginia Library

The Divine Dreame.

VVorme that I am; O how shall I begin
To praise that God, that in my sleepe 'gainst sin
Gave divine warning; sent truths sacred scrole
Which to and fro, hovring i'th' Ayre, did role
This way, and that; at last, as if Heav'ns will
Had so decreed; the waving scrole stood still,
(Much like the golden Taper of the Sun
At the command of Man; the sonne Nun)
In which me thouht I read, and read it ore,
Peccair no majs; that is, sinne no more
Written in Spanish; this seeming sight so strange,
Workt in my dreaming spirit such a change
That startling from my drowsie sleepe I cride
To heav'n; thus instantly with Teares repli'd
O sacred Saviour, humbly I implore,
Give me the spirit of Grace to sinne no more.
For I am blind; sinne clouds my sence of seeing
Thy good, my ill; I'me Natures brittle being,
Vext to the soule; so infinitely opprest
With sighes and groanes, they cannot be exprest.
What shall I doe? great Natures miracle,
Thou onely wise God, Heav'ns firme Oracle,
Fashion me to thy will; rip out with the core
Of sinne in me; that I may sinne no more.
Say to my soule, lest I in soule despaire,
“Thy grace sufficient is; Cure Lord my care.
“Speake but the word (as the Centurion said)
“Thy servant shall he heal'd; Lord be my aid.
“No Rod so sharpe, nor no disease so sore,
“But thy good Grace can cure, to sinne no more.
Thou Lord by holy Text confirm'd dost say,
I am the Lord that heales; I Ropeca:
“Thou God the true Phisitian art that can,
“Be mine, Lord be so; pitty me weake man.
God my Physitian, and his Grace the Physicke
I must not, will not, cannot be sin-sicke.