University of Virginia Library

How doe they doate then, who would tye the Lord
To be so ayding to his childrens sword,
As that he ne're should use his owne, nor doe
Any one act, but what they wish him too?
Are they so good? or is his love so fond
As of a courtesie to make a bond?
Shall they indent with him? and say thus farre
Thou maist correct, but if thy judgements are
Of longer date, they are unjust? for shame
(All ye that glory in a purer Name,)
Hence those blasphemous thoughts, far hence remove,
Lest they deserve the plagues they would reprove.
Is it injustice to suppresse our pride,
To bring unto our eyes what we would hide,
Ev'n from our selves, our close deformities?
Or, may not God, to shew how he does prize
His servants labours, make them thus appeare,
As does the Sunne after a cloud, more cleare?
His judgement certainly wee'l say's too quicke,
Who'l prove one bad because he sees him sicke;
These judgements are diseases, and bestow'd
At pleasure, and not where they most are owd:
Yet due they are where ever they are found,
Since there are none so Catholikely sound,
But in a word, but in a thought have strayd,
Perhaps in those Afflictions, when th'ave wayd
Their deeds and suffrings, which they thinke to be
Of farre more rigor then Æquality.
Then courage noble Countrymen, nor feare,
Though you should want successe a while, to reare
Your names up to your ancestors, (who did
Those acts which now were better to be hid:
Lest that they should upbraid us) doe not feare
That Spaine is neerer the Almighties Eare
Then our devotions: he that could bestow
A victory after a second blow
Vpon the doubting Israelites, can still
Create our better hopes ev'n out of ill.
Or if he doe not, if he have decreed
That our just plague shall be their unjust deed:
That Israel shall be once more overcome,
And David flie away from Absalom:
Yet let this glad us in our chiefest woe,
Man may be good and yet unhappy too.