An essay on the contempt of the world by William Nicholls ...

About this Item

Title
An essay on the contempt of the world by William Nicholls ...
Author
Nicholls, William, 1664-1712.
Publication
[London] In the Savoy :: Printed by E. Jones for Francis Saunders ...,
1694.
Rights/Permissions

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Subject terms
Asceticism.
Link to this Item
http://name.umdl.umich.edu/A52296.0001.001
Cite this Item
"An essay on the contempt of the world by William Nicholls ..." In the digital collection Early English Books Online 2. https://name.umdl.umich.edu/A52296.0001.001. University of Michigan Library Digital Collections. Accessed May 27, 2025.

Pages

Page 216

A DIALOGUE ON THE Contempt of the WORLD. Between the TEMPTER and SOUL.

TEMPTER.
COme Noble Soul enjoy the day, And drive distracting Cares away: For Pleasures Heav'n did Thee design, Then Crown with Roses and with Wine.

Page 217

SOUL.
To Heav'nly Bliss the Heav'nly King Designs Immortal Souls to bring; Such Frothy Joys thou dost prepare, Thou Foolish Monarch of the Air.
TEMPTER.
See how the Generous Juice inspires. Noble Thoughts and soft Desires; See Wit, like it, sparkling and Bright, That steals away the Nimble Night.
SOUL.
No rather, Tempter, let me find The Comforts of a Peaceful mind; Such Joys, as Ravisht Saints do feel, As they Devout at Altar Kneel.
TEMPTER.
Oh! Tast the Joys of tender Love, The softness of the Paphian Dove.

Page 218

See! How Transported Lovers lie, And in Elysium seem to die.
SOUL.
No feel the Joys from him above, Who's God of Peace as well as Love: Unmingled Bliss and constant Charms, Flow only, Jesu, from thy Arms.
TEMPTER.
The Misers Pleasure next Adore, The Beauties of the shining Ore, How Pleasant is it to behold Large Farms and ponderous Bags of Gold!
SOUL.
I joy with th' Eye of Faith to see The Riches of Eternity: These always shall remain the same, Whilst those shall perish in the Flame.

Page 219

TEMPTER.
Go thou in Honours Chariot Ride And Triumph in the Glorious Pride; Fames Trumpet speak thy Praise aloud, Thou Walking thro' the bowing Crow'd.
SOUL.
Thou know'st, false Friend, the greatest Fame Vertue and Religion claim: And what the Noblest-Honour brings, Is for to serve the King of Kings,
TEMPTER.
Then toucht with some Celestial Flame Seek out at least some future Fame: Mens Tongues shall thee a Being give And make thee in the Grave to live.
SOUL.
I hope in Heav'n Eternally To live, when thou shalt Wish to die.

Page 220

When an immortal Starry Crown. My joyful Temples shall surround: When a New Body all Divine Shall the Phoebean Lamp outshine: When I shall see, ith' Triune Glass, Whate're shall be or is or was: When I shall feel my exulting Soul, In Oceans of fresh Pleasure Role: When Death and Time shall be no more, But New Joys still augment the store; And an Eternal Next shall always be before.
FINIS.
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