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 | Miscellaneous works of George Wither |  |
When King and People are confin'd by Laws
Neither the Princes, nor the Peoples Cause
Can be infring'd; and questionless, if he
Inclin'd to such a condescention be;
This would, when both sides thereunto submit,
Good will to men, and peace on earth, beget;
And, both GOD's Justice, and his mercy too
It would illustrate, if it might be so.
For, GOD's Long-suff'ring doth abide for ever;
And, Judgements, very seldom times, or never,
Are past by such an absolute Decree,
As, by Repentance not revers'd to be;
Nor doth he look, that, man's Repentance should
Proportion with his Deviations hold,
Since his Free Grace, a standing help supplies,
To make amends for those deficiencies.
Manasses, guilty of sins most abhorr'd,
Was cast out of his Kingdom, and restor'd;
Yea, and this Parliament, whose Crimes are more
Ten times, than his, were twice shut out of doore;
Yet, now in grace again (God grant they may
Take heed of falling the third time away,)
For, GOD, will then perhaps, the second time,
(As he did of the rest) make proof of him.
Neither the Princes, nor the Peoples Cause
Can be infring'd; and questionless, if he
Inclin'd to such a condescention be;
This would, when both sides thereunto submit,
Good will to men, and peace on earth, beget;
And, both GOD's Justice, and his mercy too
It would illustrate, if it might be so.
For, GOD's Long-suff'ring doth abide for ever;
And, Judgements, very seldom times, or never,
Are past by such an absolute Decree,
As, by Repentance not revers'd to be;
Nor doth he look, that, man's Repentance should
Proportion with his Deviations hold,
Since his Free Grace, a standing help supplies,
To make amends for those deficiencies.
Manasses, guilty of sins most abhorr'd,
Was cast out of his Kingdom, and restor'd;
Yea, and this Parliament, whose Crimes are more
Ten times, than his, were twice shut out of doore;
Yet, now in grace again (God grant they may
Take heed of falling the third time away,)
For, GOD, will then perhaps, the second time,
(As he did of the rest) make proof of him.
| Miscellaneous works of George Wither | |