University of Virginia Library

LECTORIE IN LIBRUM egregij Militis Gulielim Leighton. Thomas Burt. Verbi sacri Concionator.

Chiliad's of Bookes, and Iliad's full of paines,
In Riming royot spent in this age quicknes,
(Neglecting grace, respecting Godles gaines)
Ar Symptoms of this worlds most deadly sicknes
What wittie spirits, their spirits haue euen exhausted
In lustfull layes? and pretious time haue wasted?
But heare behold (against the common course)
A bird of Paradice heauenly Hymnes doth carpe,
By sence of sinne and conscience true remorse,
This Knight in Keye of grace tunes Dauids harpe:
And (though in lowly and submissiue verse)
With his laments the highest Heauens doth pierce.
Teares, prayers, plaints, may draw, moue, mollifie
The ruthles most relentles, hardest heart,
Teares, prayers plaints, heart, soule and minde, with cryes
Here offer, sacrifice and still impart.
Hear's fainting, falling, dying, and reuiuing,
Hear's death on death, and yet life euerliuing.
Gainst all temptations hear's th'apologie,
Heare is a stay against all desperation.
Gainst all soules sicknes heare giues learn'd Theologie,
Cure, comforts, cordialls, preseruation.
Yea in this booke (a Paradice diuine)
Are all hearbes for soules, meate and Medicine.
The matter meeter, manner, man and muse,
Do shew zeale, loue, faith, hope and true deuotion:
Sad Elegies and Enargies to vse,
(Euen as God's spirit in vs shall make the motion)
To conquer sinne, flesh, world, death, Diuell and Hell,
Through Christ. And bid this wicked world farewell.