 | [Poems in two Parts] |  |
5
Doubt. 2.
From Gods Justice.
SOUL.But God is just, and will not see his Law
Broken without revenge. I stand in awe,
And dread his iron-rod. Doth he not say,
The soul that sins shall die? ah! who then may
Once hope for life, since we are sinners all,
And lost our righteousness in Adam's fall.
Behold me cloth'd with rags, once but one story
Lower than Angels, who are cloth'd with glory.
These rags are filthy too, and so the shame
Which they should cover, they to all proclaim:
I do condemn my self, though self I love:
What favour then can I expect above?
The Law hath past its sentence, it doth crie,
All men are sinners, and as such shall die.
My guilt is great, my God is just, who can
Satisfie justice, and clear guilty man?
FAITH.
I have a Friend will do't. Did I say, will?
Pardon, dear Jesus: Oh, how I do fill
With joy, since I can say, he hath it done,
And God is pleas'd with thee in Christ his Son.
Thy debt was great, empty thy purse, that friend
Became thy surety, and did put an end
To the Law-suit, by saying he would pay
What thou wast charged with, upon the day
6
Paid to a farthing, and discharged thee.
The sum was great, but his far greater love
Bogled not at it, nor did he once remove
From his resolved kindness, but hath given
What did redeem lost earth, & purchase Heaven.
He laid his life down, his heart-blood he gave,
That sparing thy blood, he thy life might save.
What more can Justice ask? surely if I
Be once arrested, I'le plead, Christ did die.
If God be not appeas'd with death of God,
I will for ever bear his flaming rod.
Besides, I spi'd white linnen in his grave,
And soon concluded that I this must have.
Christ saw me naked, and then did provide
A perfect Robe my nakedness to hide.
What more is lacking? let strict Justice see;
My Saviour saith, there is no spot in me.
| [Poems in two Parts] | |