Churches. II

Summary

Were there but one alone

Wherin we might approach his Throne,

One only where we should accepted be,

As in the Days of old

It was, when Solomon of Gold

His Temple made; we then should see

A numerous Host approaching it,

Rejoicing in the Benefit:

The Queen of Sheba com

With all her glorious Train,

The Pope from Rome,

The Kings beyond the Main;

The Wise men of the East from far,

As guided by a Star,

With Rev'rence would approach that Holy Ground,

At that sole Altar be adorning found.

Great Lords would thither throng,

And none of them without a Song

Of Prais; Rich Merchants also would approach

From ev'ry forein Coast;

Of Ladies too a shining Host,

If not on Hors-back, in a Coach;

This Single Church would crouded be

With Men of Great and High Degree:

Princes we might behold

With glitt'ring Scepters there

In-laid with Gold

And precious Stones, draw near.

No Room for mean Ones there would be,

Nor place for Thee and Me:

An endless Troop would crouding there appear,

Bringing new Presents daily ev'ry Year.

But now we Churches have

In ev'ry Coast, which Bounty gave

Most freely to us; now they sprinkled stand

With so much Care and Lov,

Tokens of Favor from abov,

That men might com in ev'ry Land

To them with greater Eas; lo, we

Those blest Abodes neglected see:

As if our God were worse

Becaus His Lov is more,

And doth disburse

Its self in greater Store;

Nor can object with any face

The Distance of the place;

Ungrateful We with slower haste do com

Unto his Temple, 'caus 'tis nearer home.