 | Otia Sacra Optima Fides |  |
Ascensus Gratiarum, Descensus Gratiarum.
If there be any Vertue left that canPull Blessings down, 'tis Gratitude in Man;
And to be humbly thankfull, that alone
Makes Him true subject for Compassion.
All Other Graces as Assistants sit
Upon the Wool-sacks for to farther it;
In representing how the Law concludes
On Gods Rich Bounties, Our ingratitudes:
So thereupon Impeachment's drawn to show
Delinquencies, and what He gives, we ow.
First then unless dejected Care possess
The Heart and Soul for by-past wickedness,
And stir up Resolution to become
Henceforth more righteous, ev'n to Martyrdome:
In vain it is to hope, or yet surmize
The acceptation of such Sacrifize
From Him, whose all-discerning eye doth pierce
The very Center of the Universe,
And knows before we think: Let our thoughts flye
To overtake His Providentiall eye;
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His Bounties, but our own Unworthiness.
And like the Eagle, first such flight begin
From the low contemptible Vale of sin,
Untill Confession and Amendment raise
Our stretcht out Pinions to the clouds in praise.
And then when all is done that we are able,
Still we must know, we're but Unprofitable.
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