Gainsborough.
"_God's Love_" (Vol. v., p. 272.).--If T. S. will refer to Wood's
_Athenæ Oxon._, vol. iii. col. 698. edit. 4to., he will find all account
of the author of _God's Love_. Wood records an edition of 1659. In the
_Bibliotheca Anglo-Poetica_, No. 594., was one dated 1679; but I have
now before me the _first_, which neither Wood nor his editor appear to
have heard of. The title:
"God's Love and Man's Vnworthiness: whereunto is annexed a
Discourse between the Soul and Satan. With several Divine
Ejaculations. Written by John Quarles. London: Printed for John
Stafford, and are to be sold at his house in S. Bride's
Church-yard; and by Humphrey Moseley, at the Prince's Armes, in
St. Paul's Church-yard; and John Holder, at the Blue Anchor, in
the New Exchange. 1651."
Collation: the minde of the frontispiece: 8 lines verse. The
frontispiece, or engraved title: _God's Loue, Man's Vnworthiness_, by
Io. Qu. "Lord, what is man," &c. _Ps._ viii. 4. An engraved portrait of
the author, kneeling and saying, "O giue salvation vnto Israell out of
Sion!" (this unknown to Granger or Bromley: the latter records _three_
other portraits of the author.) Then the title, as given before. The
dedication: "To my much honoured and esteemed Friend, Edward Benlowes,
Esq." To the Reader. To my Muse: "Tel me, presumptuous Muse, how dar'st
thou treat." _God's Love_, &c., pp. 1. to 66. A Dialogue, &c., pp. 67.
to 108. Pp. 109, 110. wanting in my copy, but probably blank, as the
catch-word "Divine" agrees with "Divine Ejaculations," which commence
on p. 111. and end at p. 160., thus concluding the volume.