University of Virginia Library

2882.

[Dispute and fierce contention springs]

And they are informed of thee, that thou, &c. —xxi. 21.

Dispute and fierce contention springs
From zeal for outward needless things,
With hasty error join'd:

389

Their tenets eager to defend,
Men will not patiently attend
To know each other's mind.
'Tis thus the legalists mistake,
And think that Moses we forsake,
And righteous works deny,
Who make the great salvation known,
And teach that God through faith alone
Doth freely justify.
Themselves the false conclusion draw;
We do not abrogate the law,
But its abuse remove
And fix it on a steadfast base,
And tell the faithful sons of grace
'Tis all fulfill'd in love.