We had thy Word, say some, O Lord
121
We had thy Word, say some, O Lord,
but wiser men than we
Could never yet interpret it,
but alway disagree
How could we fools be led by Rules,
so far beyond our ken,
Which to explain did so much pain,
and puzzle wisest men?
122
Was all my word abstruse and hard?
the Judge then answered:
It did contain much truth so plain,
you might have run and read;
But what was hard you never car'd
to know nor studied,
And things that were most plain and clear
you never practised.
123
The Mystery of Pietie
God unto Babes reveals,
When to the wise he it denies,
and from the world conceals
If to fulfil Gods holy will
had seemed good to you,
You would have sought light as you ought,
and done the good you knew.
124
Then came in view another Crew,
and 'gan to make their pleas;
Amongst the rest, some of the best
had such poor shifts as these:
Thou know'st right well, who all canst tell
we liv'd amongst thy foes,
Who the Renate did sorely hate,
and goodness much oppose.
125
We holiness durst not profess,
fearing to be forlorn
Of all our friends, and for amends
to be the wickeds scorn
We knew their anger would much endanger
our lives, and our estates:
Therefore for fear we durst appear
no better than our mates.
126
To whom the Lord returns this word;
O wonderful deceits!
To cast off aw of Gods strict Law,
and fear mens wrath and threats
To fear hell-fire and Gods fierce ire
less than the rage of men,
As if Gods wrath, could do less scath
than wrath of bretheren.
127
To use such strife, a temporal life,
to rescue and secure,
And be so blind as not to mind
that life that will endure:
This was your case, who carnal peace
more than true joyes did favour;
Who fed on dust, clave to your lust,
and spurned at my favour.
128
To please your kin, mens love to win,
to flow in worldly wealth,
To save your skin, these things have bin
more than Eternal health
You had your choice, wherein rejoyce,
it was your portion,
For which you chose your Souls t'expose
unto perdition.
129
Who did not hate friends, life, and state,
with all things else for me,
And all forsake, and's Cross up-take,
shall never happy be
Well worthy they to dy for ay,
who death then life had rather,
Death is their due, that so value
the friendship of my Father.
130
Others Argue, and not a few,
is not God gracious?
His Equity and Clemency
are they not marvellous?
Thus we believ'd; are we deceiv'd?
cannot his mercy great,
(As hath been told to us of old)
asswage his angers heat?
We had thy Word, say some, O Lord,
but wiser men than we
Could never yet interpret it,
but alway disagree
How could we fools be led by Rules,
so far beyond our ken,
Which to explain did so much pain,
and puzzle wisest men?
122
Was all my word abstruse and hard?
the Judge then answered:
It did contain much truth so plain,
you might have run and read;
But what was hard you never car'd
to know nor studied,
And things that were most plain and clear
you never practised.
123
The Mystery of Pietie
God unto Babes reveals,
When to the wise he it denies,
and from the world conceals
If to fulfil Gods holy will
had seemed good to you,
You would have sought light as you ought,
and done the good you knew.
124
Then came in view another Crew,
and 'gan to make their pleas;
Amongst the rest, some of the best
had such poor shifts as these:
Thou know'st right well, who all canst tell
we liv'd amongst thy foes,
Who the Renate did sorely hate,
and goodness much oppose.
125
We holiness durst not profess,
fearing to be forlorn
Of all our friends, and for amends
to be the wickeds scorn
We knew their anger would much endanger
our lives, and our estates:
Therefore for fear we durst appear
no better than our mates.
126
To whom the Lord returns this word;
O wonderful deceits!
To cast off aw of Gods strict Law,
and fear mens wrath and threats
To fear hell-fire and Gods fierce ire
less than the rage of men,
As if Gods wrath, could do less scath
than wrath of bretheren.
127
To use such strife, a temporal life,
to rescue and secure,
And be so blind as not to mind
that life that will endure:
This was your case, who carnal peace
more than true joyes did favour;
Who fed on dust, clave to your lust,
and spurned at my favour.
128
To please your kin, mens love to win,
to flow in worldly wealth,
To save your skin, these things have bin
more than Eternal health
You had your choice, wherein rejoyce,
it was your portion,
For which you chose your Souls t'expose
unto perdition.
129
Who did not hate friends, life, and state,
with all things else for me,
And all forsake, and's Cross up-take,
shall never happy be
Well worthy they to dy for ay,
who death then life had rather,
Death is their due, that so value
the friendship of my Father.
130
Others Argue, and not a few,
is not God gracious?
His Equity and Clemency
are they not marvellous?
Thus we believ'd; are we deceiv'd?
cannot his mercy great,
(As hath been told to us of old)
asswage his angers heat?
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