A Cyclopædia of Sacred Poetical Quotations / Consisting of Choice Passages from the Sacred Poetry of All Ages and Countries, Classified and Arranged, for Facility of Reference, Under Subject Headings; Illustrated by Striking Passages from Scripture, and Forming Altogether a Complete Book of Devotional Poetry.

by Unknown

That, made by God of all his creatures best,

Straight made himself the worst of all the rest:

If any strength we have, it is to ill;

But all the good is God’s, both power and will;

The dead man cannot rise, though he himself may kill.

Giles Fletcher.

Ah! what are we, but lumps of walking clay?

Why should we swell? Whence should our spirits rise?

Are not the beasts as strong, and birds as gay,

Trees longer lived, and creeping things as wise?