Divine poems Containing The History of Ionah. Ester. Iob. Sampson. Sions Sonets. Elegies. Written and newly augmented, by Fra: Quarles |
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Medita. 2.
Satan beg'd once, and found his pray'rs reward:
We often beg, yet oft returne, unheard.
If granting be th'effect of love, then we
Conclude our selves, to be lesse lov'd than hee:
True, Satan beg'd, and beg'd his shame, no lesse;
'Twas granted; shall we envie his successe?
We beg, and our request's (perchance) not granted;
God knew, perhaps, it were worse had than wanted.
We often beg, yet oft returne, unheard.
If granting be th'effect of love, then we
Conclude our selves, to be lesse lov'd than hee:
True, Satan beg'd, and beg'd his shame, no lesse;
'Twas granted; shall we envie his successe?
We beg, and our request's (perchance) not granted;
God knew, perhaps, it were worse had than wanted.
Can God and Belial both joyne in one will;
The one to aske, the other to fulfill?
The one to aske, the other to fulfill?
Sooner shall Stygian darknesse blend with light,
The Frost with Fier, sooner day with Night.
True, God and Satan will'd the selfe-same Will,
But God intended Good; and Satan, Ill:
That Will produc'd a severall conclusion;
He aim'd at Mans, and God at his confusion.
He that drew Light from out the depth of Shade,
And made of Nothing, whatsoe're he made,
Gan out of seeming Evill, bring good Events;
God worketh Good, though by ill Instruments.
The Frost with Fier, sooner day with Night.
True, God and Satan will'd the selfe-same Will,
But God intended Good; and Satan, Ill:
That Will produc'd a severall conclusion;
He aim'd at Mans, and God at his confusion.
He that drew Light from out the depth of Shade,
And made of Nothing, whatsoe're he made,
Gan out of seeming Evill, bring good Events;
God worketh Good, though by ill Instruments.
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As in a Clocke, one motion doth convay
And carry divers wheeles a severall way:
Yet altogether, by the great wheeles force,
Direct the hand unto his proper course:
Even so, that sacred Will, although it use
Meanes seeming contrary, yet all conduce
To one effect, and in a free consent,
They bring to passe heavens high decreed intent.
Takes God delight in humane weaknesse, then?
What glory reapes he from afflicted men?
The Spirit gone, can Flesh and Blood indure?
God burnes his Gold, to make his Gold more pure.
And carry divers wheeles a severall way:
Yet altogether, by the great wheeles force,
Direct the hand unto his proper course:
Even so, that sacred Will, although it use
Meanes seeming contrary, yet all conduce
To one effect, and in a free consent,
They bring to passe heavens high decreed intent.
Takes God delight in humane weaknesse, then?
What glory reapes he from afflicted men?
The Spirit gone, can Flesh and Blood indure?
God burnes his Gold, to make his Gold more pure.
Even as a Nurse, whose childes imperfect pace
Can hardly leade his foote from place to place,
Leaves her fond kissing, sets him downe, to goe,
Nor does uphold him, for a step or two:
But when she findes that he begins to fall,
She holds him up, and kisses him withall:
So God from man sometimes withdrawes his hand
A while, to teach his Infant faith to stand;
But when he sees his feeble strength begin,
To faile, he gently takes him up againe.
Can hardly leade his foote from place to place,
Leaves her fond kissing, sets him downe, to goe,
Nor does uphold him, for a step or two:
But when she findes that he begins to fall,
She holds him up, and kisses him withall:
So God from man sometimes withdrawes his hand
A while, to teach his Infant faith to stand;
But when he sees his feeble strength begin,
To faile, he gently takes him up againe.
Lord, I'm a childe; so guide my paces, than,
That I may learne to walke an upright man:
So shield my Faith, that I may never doubt thee,
For I shall fall, if e're I walke without thee.
That I may learne to walke an upright man:
So shield my Faith, that I may never doubt thee,
For I shall fall, if e're I walke without thee.
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