Occasional verse, moral and sacred Published for the instruction and amusement of the Candidly Serious and Religious [by Edward Perronet] |
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WHATEVER'S WRONG IS RIGHT. |
 | Occasional verse, moral and sacred |  |
126
WHATEVER'S WRONG IS RIGHT.
I
Can what all know is wrong be right,And yet not true the inverse?
Not in the view of moral light,
As now we shall rehearse.
II
We speak not here of things or men,Their evil can't be good;
No more than pleasure can be pain,
Or poison wholesome food.
III
But what we mean refers to him,And to His sov'reign will,
Who, in this world's mysterious scheme,
O'er-rules both good and ill.
IV
The last forbids with awful frown,The first, as right, commands;
And calls the effect of each his own,
As each in order stands.
V
Yet not the more excus'd are they,Who daring thus offend,
Because, directed each their way,
They answer each his end.
127
VI
This all things must, whate'er they be,It cannot but be done,
His purpose, counsel, and decree,
Whose all designs are one!
VII
From whom all came, to Him shall allIn season due return:
Whate'er we good or evil call,
To this one End are borne.
VIII
As waters, parted from the Sea,In various currents flow;
So all ordain'd by His decree,
Where that decrees shall go.
IX
However far or wide they spread,They wander not, but where
They wander to their fountain head,
And all re-centre there.
X
So all things here beneath His eye,Whose hand all things controls,
In earth, or heav'n, air or sky,
His providence upholds.
XI
All accidents of time or place,All good or evil done,
Religion's scorn, or Sin's disgrace,
Proceed from hence alone.
128
XII
The trials that His servants bear,Their poverty, or shame,
Their various wants, and every care
That can His notice claim:
XIII
Their cries, their moans, by Him are heard,To him their griefs are known;
And they (like Him in that He fear'd)
Are answer'd in His own.
XIV
Thus all things tend to work for good,To them who fear His name;
Who love, as they are lov'd of god,
And glory in the lamb!
XV
Address we then His sov'reign throne,His majesty and might;
To His great will resign our own,
And own, that “All is right!”
| Occasional verse, moral and sacred | |