On Devotion

True Devotion is the supreamest Good,
If rightly practis'd, when 'tis understood;
But those enlightning Joys most Men do feel,
May prove much short of a Seraphick Zeal.
Pure Piety is a great mystery,
That puzzles our divine Philosophy;
Inspir'd by God's propitious fix'd Decrees,
Which humane Nature feels, but never sees;
And yet doth consecrate their lives desire,
Who God's great Attributes do most admire
And does those secret Riddles so unfold,
That we may understand what we are told,
And then by higher Raptures, antedate
The heavenly Pleasures of our future state,
By sacred Joys, that fill a righteous heart
With godly thoughts, too lofty to impart:
For no Man can angelick Fancies paint,
But he who is, or hopes to be a Saint.