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The Amaranth

Or, religious poems; consisting of fables, visions, emblems, etc. Adorned with copper-plates from the best masters [by Walter Harte]

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7.

The men of Science aim themselves to show ,
And know just what imports them not to know .
[Once having miss'd the truth, they farther stray:
As men ride fastest who have lost their way;]
Whilst the poor peasant that with daily care
Improves his lands and offers Heav'n his pray'r,
With conscious boldness may produce his face
Where proud philosophers shall want a place.
Philosophy in anxious doubts expires:
Religion trims her lamp, as life retires.

35

True faith, like gold into the furnace cast,
Maintains its sterling pureness to the last.
Conscience will ev'ry pious act attest :
A silent panegyrist, but the best!
 

“It is good to know much and live well: but, if we cannot attain both, it is better to desire piety than learning: for knowledge makes no man truly happy, nor doth happiness consist in intellectual acquisitions. The only valuable thing is a religious life.” Sti. Greg. Magn. Moral.

And again: “That only is the best knowledge which makes us better.

Imitat. of Christ.

Ibid.

Imitat. of Jesus Christ, L. II, C. 10.

As in water face answereth to face, so the heart of man to man. Prov. xxvii, V. 19. “Thou canst avoid, sooner or later, whatever molesteth Thee, except Thy own conscience.” Augustin. in Psalm xxx.