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I simply should so great a debt defray;
I'le keepe it to maintaine mee, not to pay.
Yet, for my soul's last quiet when I die,
I will commend it to posteritie:
Although 'tis fear'd ('cause they are left so poore)
They'll but acknowledge, what they should restore:
However, since I now may erne my Bayes,
Without the taint of flatterie in prayse;
Since I've the luck, to make my prayses true.
I'le let them know, to whom this Debt is due:
Due unto you, whose learning can direct
Why Faith must trust, what Reason would suspect:
Teach Faith to rule, but with such temp'rate law,
As Reason not destroys, yet keeps't in awe:
Wise you; the living-Volume, which containes
All that industrious Art, from Nature gaines;
The usefull, open-Booke, to all unty'd;
That knowes more, than halfe-Knowers seeme to hide
And with an easie cheerefulnesse reveale,
What they, through want, not sullennesse conceale.
That, to great-faithlesse-Wits, can truth dispence
'Till't turne, their witty scorne, to reverence:
I'le keepe it to maintaine mee, not to pay.
Yet, for my soul's last quiet when I die,
I will commend it to posteritie:
Although 'tis fear'd ('cause they are left so poore)
They'll but acknowledge, what they should restore:
However, since I now may erne my Bayes,
Without the taint of flatterie in prayse;
Since I've the luck, to make my prayses true.
I'le let them know, to whom this Debt is due:
Due unto you, whose learning can direct
Why Faith must trust, what Reason would suspect:
Teach Faith to rule, but with such temp'rate law,
As Reason not destroys, yet keeps't in awe:
Wise you; the living-Volume, which containes
All that industrious Art, from Nature gaines;
The usefull, open-Booke, to all unty'd;
That knowes more, than halfe-Knowers seeme to hide
And with an easie cheerefulnesse reveale,
What they, through want, not sullennesse conceale.
That, to great-faithlesse-Wits, can truth dispence
'Till't turne, their witty scorne, to reverence:
Make
