Prison-pietie, or, Meditations divine and moral digested into poetical heads, on mixt and various subjects : whereunto is added a panegyrick to the right reverend, and most nobly descended, Henry Lord Bishop of London / by Samuel Speed ...

¶ On Sin and Sorrow.

OUr Sin and Sorrow two Companions are; Sin leads us in, and Sorrow feeds the snare. If our short moments merrily are spent, Into eternal mournings we are sent. He that won't weep while he may pardon have, Hereafter may, in vain, for pity crave. One bottle full of Tears thy sins may quell, But a whole Cloud not quench the flames of Hell. Then let the careless sinner laugh and scorn; I'll weep at present, not for ever mourn. Valleys of Tears do shew their cleansing skill, And raise a sinner unto Sions hill: But the fool's heart is in the house of mirth, His Joy's his Sorrow, and his Heaven, Earth. But he whose Cup is fill'd unto the brink With sin, he shall in Seas of Sorrow sink. Wherefore my Sins I'll here in Sorrow steep, And so weep now, as not for ever weep.