TO MY REVEREND FRIEND THE AUTHOR OF THE SYNAGOGUE.
Reading edition
1661.
[The Synagogue, or The Shadow of the Temple. Sacred Poems and Private Ejaculations. In imitation of Mr. George Herbert. The fourth Edition corrected and enlarged. London, Printed for Philemon Stephens, at the guilded Lyon in St. Pauls Churchyard, 1661. p. 67.]
To my Reverend Friend the Author of the Synagogue.
Sir,
I lov'd you for your Synagogue, before I knew your person; but now love you more; Because I find It is so true a picture of your mind: Which tunes your sacred lyre To that eternal quire; Where holy Herbert fits (O shame to prophane wits) And sings his and your Anthems, to the praise Of Him that is the first and last of daies.
These holy Hymns had an Ethereal birth: For they can raise sad souls above the earth And fix them there Free from the worlds anxieties and fear. Herbert and you have pow'r To do this: ev'ry hour I read you kills a sin, Or lets a vertue in To fight against it; and the Holy Ghost Supports my frailties, lest the day be lost.
This holy war, taught by your happy pen, The Prince of Peace approves. When we poor men Neglect our arms, W'are circumvested with a world of harms. But I will watch, and ward, And stand upon my guard, And still consult with you, And Herbert, and renew My vows; and say, Well fare his, and your heart, The fountains of such sacred wit and art. IZ. WA.
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