Divine poems Containing The History of Ionah. Ester. Iob. Sampson. Sions Sonets. Elegies. Written and newly augmented, by Fra: Quarles |
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Medit. 19.
And are the Lawes of God defective then?
Or was the Paper scant, or dull the Pen
That wrote those sacred lines? Could imperfection
Lurk closly there, where heav'n hath giv'n direction
How comes it then new feasts are celebrated,
Vnmention'd in the Law, and uncreated
By him that made the Law compleat, and just,
Not to be chang'd as brain-sicke mortalls lust?
Is not heavens deepest curse with death to boot,
Denounc'd to him that takes from, or ads too't?
Or was the Paper scant, or dull the Pen
That wrote those sacred lines? Could imperfection
Lurk closly there, where heav'n hath giv'n direction
How comes it then new feasts are celebrated,
Vnmention'd in the Law, and uncreated
By him that made the Law compleat, and just,
Not to be chang'd as brain-sicke mortalls lust?
Is not heavens deepest curse with death to boot,
Denounc'd to him that takes from, or ads too't?
166
True 'tis; the Law of God's the rule and squire,
Whereby to limit Mans uncurb'd desire,
And with a gentle hand doth justly paize
The ballances of his unbevell'd wayes,
Whereby to limit Mans uncurb'd desire,
And with a gentle hand doth justly paize
The ballances of his unbevell'd wayes,
True 'tis accurs'd, and thrice accurs'd be he
That shall detract, or change such Lawes, as be
Directive for his Worship, or concerne
His holy Service, these we strictly learne
Within our constant brest to keepe inshrin'd,
These in all seasons, and for all times binde:
But Lawes (although Divine) that doe respect
The publike rest, and properly direct,
As Statutes politike, doe make relation
To times and persons, places, and occasion:
The brazen Serpent, which, by Gods command,
Was builded up, was by the Prophets hand
Beat downe againe, as impious, and impure,
When it became an Idoll, not a Cure.
That shall detract, or change such Lawes, as be
Directive for his Worship, or concerne
His holy Service, these we strictly learne
Within our constant brest to keepe inshrin'd,
These in all seasons, and for all times binde:
But Lawes (although Divine) that doe respect
The publike rest, and properly direct,
As Statutes politike, doe make relation
To times and persons, places, and occasion:
The brazen Serpent, which, by Gods command,
Was builded up, was by the Prophets hand
Beat downe againe, as impious, and impure,
When it became an Idoll, not a Cure.
A morall Law needs no more warranty,
Then lawfull givers, and conveniency,
(Not crossing the Divine:) It lies in Kings,
To act, and to inhibit all such things
As in his Princely wisedome shall seeme best,
And most vantagious to the publike rest,
And what before was an indifferent thing,
His law makes good or bad: A lawfull King
Is Gods Liev-tenant; in his sacred eare
God whispers oft, and keepes his presence there.
Then lawfull givers, and conveniency,
(Not crossing the Divine:) It lies in Kings,
To act, and to inhibit all such things
As in his Princely wisedome shall seeme best,
And most vantagious to the publike rest,
And what before was an indifferent thing,
His law makes good or bad: A lawfull King
Is Gods Liev-tenant; in his sacred eare
God whispers oft, and keepes his presence there.
To breake a lawfull Princes just Command,
Is brokage of a sinne, at second hand.
Is brokage of a sinne, at second hand.
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