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Flamma sine Fumo

or, poems without fictions. Hereunto are annexed the Causes, Symptoms, or Signes of several Diseases with their Cures, and also the diversity of Urines, with their Causes in Poetical measure. By R. W. [i.e. Rowland Watkyns]

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FAITH.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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FAITH.

Fides famem non formidat;
Bern.

Although I am not pure, or white,
But blacker than the shades of night,
Although my sins in heaps do lye
Like Crimson red, or scarlet dye;
Yet through the grace of God I know
I shall be white, as wooll, or snow.
Although my Harp is turn'd to wo,
And I, like Pilgrims, mourning go,
Although I feed on cares, like bread,
And wash all night with tears my bed,
Yet faith assures me, that my God,
Will kisse me again, and burn his rod:
Although the Devil doth prepare,
And watch to take me in his snare;
Though like a thief both night, and day
He thinks to steal my soul away,
Yet like a bird my soul shall fly
Safe from the fowlers tyranny.
Though friends will not support my need,
But fail me like a broken reed,
Although they love, but while 'tis fair,
And leave me in the troubled air;
Yet Christ my Rock is firme in love;
And nothing can this Rock remove;
Though corruption is my father,
And although just death will gather
My body to the peaceful number
Of those, that in their graves do slumber,
Though I am dust, yet thence ile rise,
And see my Saviour with these eyes.