War with the Devil or the Young Mans Conflict with the Powers of Darkness: In a Dialogue. Discovering the Corruption and Vanity of Youth, the Horrible Nature of Sin, and Deplorable Condition of Fallen Man. Also, a Definition, Power, and Rule of Conscience, and the Nature of true Conversion. To which is Added, An Appendix, containing a Dialogue between an old Apostate and a Young Professor. Worthy the Perusal of all, but chiefly intended for the Instruction of the Younger sort. The Fourth Impression. By B. K. [i.e. Benjamin Keach] |
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To the Reader, in Vindication of this Book. |
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 | War with the Devil |  |
4
To the Reader, in Vindication of this Book.
One or two lines to thee, I'le here commend,This honest POEM briefly to defend,
From Calumny, because that at this day,
All Poetry there's many do gain-say;
And very much condemn, as if the same,
Did worthily deserve, reproach and blame.
If any Book in Verse, they chance to spy,
A way Prophane, they presently do cry:
But though this kind of Writing, some dispraise,
Sith Men so captious are, in these our days;
Yet I dare say, how e're this scruple rose,
Verse hath expres'd, as sacred things as Prose.
Though some there be, that Poetry abuse,
Must we therefore, not the same method use?
Yea sure, for of Conscience it is the best,
And doth deserve, more Honour than the rest:
For 'tis no Humane knowledge gain'd by Art,
But rather 'tis inspir'd, into the Heart,
By Divine means, for true Divinity,
Hath with his Science, great Affinity:
Though some, through Ignorance, do it appose,
Many do it esteem, far more then Prose:
And find also that unto them it brings,
Content, and hath been the delight of Kings.
David, although a King, yet was a Poet,
and Solomon also, the Scriptures show it,
Then what if for all this some should abase it,
I'me apt to think the Angels do embrace it:
And though God giv't here but in part to some,
Saints shall hav't perfect in the World to come.
E. B.
| War with the Devil | |