"Vile Man becomes, when purify'd by Grace, / Thy Living Temple, and abiding Place."
— Blackmore, Sir Richard (1654-1729)
Place of Publication
London
Publisher
Printed by W. Wilkins for Jonas Browne ... and J. Walthoe [etc.]
Date
1718
Metaphor
"Vile Man becomes, when purify'd by Grace, / Thy Living Temple, and abiding Place."
Metaphor in Context
Inmate Divine! Celestial Guest!
Who dost inhabit every pious Breast,
Vile Man becomes, when purify'd by Grace,
Thy Living Temple, and abiding Place.
His Heart is made Thy Altar, whence
To Heav'n arise pure Flames of holy Fire,
It moves by Thy impulsive Influence,
And feels the God within, fresh Heat and Life inspire.
Minds, destitute of Native Purity,
Quicken'd, ennobled and refin'd by Thee,
To the blest Seats above aspire,
Wing'd with Celestial Love, and strong Desire.
They by their striving upward prove
Th' attractive Center is above,
Thither their Motions they direct,
All which the Sun of Righteousness respect:
Govern'd by Him they take their Course,
Drawn by his Glorious Orb's Magnetic Force.
Who dost inhabit every pious Breast,
Vile Man becomes, when purify'd by Grace,
Thy Living Temple, and abiding Place.
His Heart is made Thy Altar, whence
To Heav'n arise pure Flames of holy Fire,
It moves by Thy impulsive Influence,
And feels the God within, fresh Heat and Life inspire.
Minds, destitute of Native Purity,
Quicken'd, ennobled and refin'd by Thee,
To the blest Seats above aspire,
Wing'd with Celestial Love, and strong Desire.
They by their striving upward prove
Th' attractive Center is above,
Thither their Motions they direct,
All which the Sun of Righteousness respect:
Govern'd by Him they take their Course,
Drawn by his Glorious Orb's Magnetic Force.
Categories
Provenance
Searching in HDIS (Poetry)
Citation
Richard Blackmore, A Collection of Poems on Various Subjects. By Sir Richard Blackmore, Kt. M. D. Fellow of the Royal-College of Physicians. (London: Printed by W. Wilkins, for Jonas Browne and J. Walthoe, 1718). <Link to ECCO>
Date of Entry
03/15/2006
