Divine poems Containing The History of Ionah. Ester. Iob. Sampson. Sions Sonets. Elegies. Written and newly augmented, by Fra: Quarles |
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 | Divine poems |  |
329
Meditat. 13.
Was this that wombe, the Angel did enlarge
From barrennesse? And gave so strict a charge?
Was this that wōbe, that must not be defil'd
With uncleane meates, lest it pollute the child?
Is this the Nazarite? May a Nazarite, then,
Embrue and paddle in the bloods of men?
Or may their vowes be so dispens'd withall,
That they, who scarce may see a funerall,
Whose holy foot-steps must beware to tread
Vpon, or touch the carkasse of the dead?
May these revēge their wrongs, by blood? may these
Have power to kill, & murther where they please?
From barrennesse? And gave so strict a charge?
Was this that wōbe, that must not be defil'd
With uncleane meates, lest it pollute the child?
Is this the Nazarite? May a Nazarite, then,
Embrue and paddle in the bloods of men?
Or may their vowes be so dispens'd withall,
That they, who scarce may see a funerall,
Whose holy foot-steps must beware to tread
Vpon, or touch the carkasse of the dead?
May these revēge their wrongs, by blood? may these
Have power to kill, & murther where they please?
Tis true: A holy Nazarite is forbid
To doe such things as this our Nazarite did:
He may not touch the bodies of the dead,
Without pollution; much lesse, may shed
The blood of man, or touch it, being spilt,
Without the danger of a double guilt:
But who art thou, than art an undertaker,
To question with, or plead against thy Maker?
May not that God, that gave thee thy creation,
Turne thee to nothing, by his dispensation?
He that hath made the Sabbath, and commands
It shall be kept with unpolluted hands;
Yet if he please to countermand agin,
Man may securely labour, and not sin;
A Nazarite is not allow'd to shed
The blood of man, or once to touch the dead;
But if the God of Nazarites, bids kill
He may; and be a holy Nazarite still:
To doe such things as this our Nazarite did:
He may not touch the bodies of the dead,
Without pollution; much lesse, may shed
The blood of man, or touch it, being spilt,
Without the danger of a double guilt:
But who art thou, than art an undertaker,
To question with, or plead against thy Maker?
May not that God, that gave thee thy creation,
Turne thee to nothing, by his dispensation?
He that hath made the Sabbath, and commands
It shall be kept with unpolluted hands;
Yet if he please to countermand agin,
Man may securely labour, and not sin;
A Nazarite is not allow'd to shed
The blood of man, or once to touch the dead;
330
He may; and be a holy Nazarite still:
But stay! Is God like Man? Or can he border
Vpon confusion, that's the God of order?
The Persian Lawes no time may contradict;
And are the Lawes of God lesse firme and strict?
Vpon confusion, that's the God of order?
The Persian Lawes no time may contradict;
And are the Lawes of God lesse firme and strict?
An earthly Parent wills his child to stand
And waite; within a while he gives command
(Finding the weaknesse of his sonne opprest
With wearinesse) that he sit downe and rest;
Is God unconstant then, because he pleases
To alter, what he wild us, for our eases?
Know, likewise, O ungratefull flesh and blood,
God limits his owne glory, for our good:
He is the God of mercy, and he prizes
Thine Asses life above his Sacrifices;
His Sabbath is his glory, and thy rest;
Hee'l lose some honour, ere thou lose a Beast:
And waite; within a while he gives command
(Finding the weaknesse of his sonne opprest
With wearinesse) that he sit downe and rest;
Is God unconstant then, because he pleases
To alter, what he wild us, for our eases?
Know, likewise, O ungratefull flesh and blood,
God limits his owne glory, for our good:
He is the God of mercy, and he prizes
Thine Asses life above his Sacrifices;
His Sabbath is his glory, and thy rest;
Hee'l lose some honour, ere thou lose a Beast:
Great God of mercy; O, how apt are wee
To rob thee of thy due, that art so free
To give unaskt! Teach me, O God, to know
What portion I deserve, and tremble too.
To rob thee of thy due, that art so free
To give unaskt! Teach me, O God, to know
What portion I deserve, and tremble too.
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