The More Excellent Way to Edify the Church, Poem
A Welcome to Diſeſteem.
I.
THe World's a Syren, and its ſweeteſt Song The greateſt Wrong.
Th' Applauſe of Men the Prais'd endangereth Like poyſonous breath.
The Wings of Fame like thoſe of Icarus, Pernicious.
He that Ambitious is of Eſtimation,
Shews himſelf fond of Peril and Temptation.
II.
I'th moſt of Men a change is ſeen as ſoon As him i'th' Moon.
A word, a look can quench the hotteſt Love, And anger move.
The fondeſt Friend oft turns the worſt of Foes, And fury blows.
Whoſo does think to make men alwayes kind,
He may as well attempt to hold the Wind.
III.
On Mountains high the Tempeſts fierceſt are, And nothing ſpare.
The tops of loftieſt Buildings in a Town Are ſooneſt down.
He that's Above, is envied to Death By thoſe beneath.
Ambition does prove a fatal Charm,
And makes a man expoſe himſelf to harm.
IV.
Ʋnconſtant World! how low ſhould wiſe men deem Thy high eſteem!
To better bad men, Honour has no force, Makes good men worſe.
Honour is fitly styl'd the Fooliſh Fire That flies deſire;
But fondly follows ſuch as ſcorn and fly it,
That they may be miſled and ruin'd by it.
V.
What peace and ſafety is in being low, The Prudent know.
Chriſts Head did fly the Circle of a Crown And great Renown;
The whole World offered He did refuſe, And Meanneſs chuſe.
To follow Wiſdoms Pattern can't be folly;
Diſhonour's no juſt ground of Melancholy.
VI.
Falſe World! thy ill report I'le not deſerve, It ſhall me ſerve.
Thy frowns and ſlanders ſhall a kindneſs do, Not make me rue.
When Friends turn Foes, and Foes more Foes I ſee, It weaneth me
From things below, and kills exceſſive Love,
Where doating my deſtruction might prove.
VII.
I will the Rage of Froward Men, and Spight, With Love requite.
It troubles me to ſee Profeſſors Ire Burning like Fire.
I wiſh I were all Tears to check the Flame, And quench the ſame.
If Wrath ſhut ears againſt my Miniſtry,
I will to God for all the louder cry.
N. V.
THE END.
End of the text · Nathanael Vincent, The More Excellent Way to Edify the Church (1684)