Behold this little volume here inrolde: <br />'Tis the Almighty's present to the world: <br />Hearken earth's earth; each sencelesse thing can heare <br />His Maker's thunder, though it want an eare: <br />God's word is senior to his works, nay rather <br />If rightly weigh'd the world may call it father; <br />God spake, 'twas done; this great foundation <br />Is the Creator's Exhalation <br />Breath'd out in speaking. The best work of man <br />Is better than his word; but if wee scanne <br />God's word aright, his works far short doe fall; <br />The word is God, the works are creatures all. <br />The sundry peeces of this generall frame <br />Are dimmer letters, all which spell the same <br />Eternal word; But these cannot expresse <br />His greatnesse with such easy readinesse, <br />And therefore yeild. The Heavens shall pass away, <br />The sun and moone and stars shall all obey <br />To light one general bonfire; but his word, <br />His builder-upp, his all-destroying sworde, <br />That still survives; no jott of that can dye, <br />Each tittle measures immortalitie. <br /> <br /> <br />The word's owne mother, on whose breast did hang <br />The world's upholder drawne into a span, <br />Shee, shee was not so blest because she bare him <br />As cause herselfe was new-born, and did hear him. <br />Before she had brought forth she heard her Son <br />First speaking in the Annunciation: <br />And then, even then, before she brought forth child, <br />By name of Blessed shee herselfe instilde. <br /> <br /> <br />Once more this mighty word his people greets, <br />Thus lapt and thus swath'd upp in paper sheets: <br />Read here God's Image with a zealous eye, <br />The legible and written Deity.<br /><br />William Strode<br /><br />http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/on-the-bible/
