15. Christ and Our Selves

I WISH a greater knowledge, then t’attaine

The knowledge of my selfe: A greater Gaine

Then to augment my selfe; A greater Treasure

Then to enjoy my selfe: A greater Pleasure

Then to content my selfe; How slight, and vaine

Is all selfe-Knowledge, Pleasure, Treasure, Gaine;

Vnlesse my better knowledge could retrive

My Christ; unles my better Gaine could thrive

In Christ; unles my better Wealth grow rich

In Christ; unles my better Pleasure pitch

On Christ; Or else my Knowledge will proclaime

To my owne heart how ignorant I am:

Or else my Gaine, so ill improv’d, will shame

My Trade, and shew how much declin’d I am;

Or else my Treasure will but blurre my name

With Bankrupt, and divulge how poore I am;

Or else my Pleasures, that so much inflame

My Thoughts, will blabb how full of sores I am:

Lord, keepe me from my Selfe; ’Tis best for me,

Never to owne my Selfe, if not in Thee.