Quotes from Robert Southwell

Man's mind a mirror is of heavenly sights,A brief wherein all marvels summèd lie,Of fairest forms and sweetest shapes the store,Most graceful all, yet thought may grace them more.

Hoist up sail while gale doth last, Tide and wind stay no man's pleasure.

God gave Himself to you: give yourself to God.

I feel no care of coin,Well-doing is my wealth;My mind to me an empire is,While grace affordeth health.

Gift better than Himself God doth not know, Gift better than God no man can see; This gift doth here the giver given bestow Gift to this gift let each receiver be; God is my gift, Himself He freely gave me, God's gift am I, and none but God shall have me.

As I in hoary winter night stood shivering in the snow,Surprised was I with sudden heat which made my heart to glow;And lifting up a fearful eye to view what fire was nearA pretty Babe all burning bright did in the air appear.

When Fortune smiles, I smile to think how quickly she will frown.

Times go by turns, and chances change by course,From foul to fair, from better hap to worse.

Where sin was hatch'd, let tears now wash the nest, Where life was lost, recover life with cries.

Not where I breathe, but where I love, I live.

Plough not the seas, sow not the sands,Leave off your idle pain;Seek other mistress for your minds,Love's service is in vain.

The saddest birds a season find to sing,The roughest storm a calm may soon allay;Thus with succeeding turns God tempereth all,That men may hope to rise yet fear to fall.

Times go by turns, and chances change by course, from foul to fair, from better hap to worse.

Christianity is warfare, and Christians are spiritualsoldiers.