Poems and Dramas of Fulke Greville :: :: University of Virginia Library

Eternall Truth, almighty, infinite,
Onely exiled from mans fleshly heart,
Where ignorance and disobedience fight,
In hell and sinne, which shall haue greatest part:
When thy sweet mercy opens forth the light,
Of Grace which giueth eyes vnto the blind,
And with the Law euen plowest vp our sprite
To faith, wherein flesh may saluation finde;
Thou bidst vs pray, and wee doe pray to thee,
But as to power and God without vs plac'd,
Thinking a wish may weare out vanity,
Or habits be by miracles defac'd.
One thought to God wee giue, the rest to sinne,
Quickely vnbent is all desire of good,
True words passe out, but haue no being within,
Wee pray to Christ, yet helpe to shed his blood;
For while wee say Believe, and feele it not,
Promise amends, and yet despaire in it,
Heare Sodom iudg'd, and goe not out with Lot,
Make Law and Gospell riddles of the wit:
We with the Iewes euen Christ still crucifie,
As not yet come to our impiety.