XII.
“Being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.”
—Rom. v. 1.
The peace of God! Oh boon beyond all price!
A blood-besprinkled conscience; never known
By those who fondly dream they can atone
For sins untold, by aught of man's device;
By costly rites or bloody sacrifice,
Long pilgrimage, lean fast, or vigils lone,
The torturing scourge, or hermit's couch of stone.
One Cross alone can lead to Paradise.
The servile rites of ignorance and fear,
Reluctant worship of a heart estranged,
That leave the stubborn nature still unchanged,
Change not his law, nor turn aside his rod.
But to the Mercy-seat thro' Christ draw near,
And, justified by faith, thou shalt have peace with God.
