42 Shall we ascribe this wond'rous work, So little, and so great, So wretched, or so happy, Lord, To thee, or to blind fate? 43 Let there be light, said Christ, and light Truth's banner to the world; which seen, 44 Then I perceived that man was made 45 Here in the gospel-letters writ, We read man coming forth from God 46 And here we see him basely fall, His nature stain'd, and God enrag'd 47 To him thus driven up and down, 48" For shame!" he cries, " assert thy rank, To native wisdom turn; Lift up thy eyes to future things, 49 Grovel no more, thou son of God, To wisdom first, to virtue next, 50 For greater things I made thee, man, Take up thy cross and follow me, 51 Man, falling, must endure the scourge Of trouble e'er he rise; Must find himself a wretched fool, 52 That pride which tumbled Satan down From glory and from bliss, Wou'd with him surely plunge thee too 53 Yield not to that too cunning fool, And tho' in darkness, chains, and fire, 54 By which his fall, and murdering me, 55 Altho' to me, who died for thee, 56 The bait he throws full in thy sight, 57 Too wise the bird, that sees the net If not more foolish thou, from snares 58 One master only thou canst serve, Or him, who kindly means to save, 59 With ease and safety I am serv'd, 60 Fear him, who justly can condemn Love him, who can, and will redeem 61 If me you either fear or love, 62 Consort not with thy deadly foe, To make the partner of his crimes, 63 Remember well thy solemn vow 64 Eternal flames, immortal soul, He who in wisdom flies from sin, 65 Eternal joys, immortal soul, If 'tis thy wisdom these to choose, 66 To be as great as thou wert once, To rule this world is not so great, 67 But to be great, thou must be good, Must be, and somewhat more. 68 This glorious conquest to achieve, A mortal, made or good or great, 69 All powers above, and there below, Without me none is wise or good; 70 Vain of thy wisdom, as profound, Thou soon shalt judge from hence, 71 Canst thou distinguish good from ill, 72 Canst thou to thy known happiness And ne'er desire that happiness 73 Canst thou the best of friends embrace, When thou the worst can well discern 74 But if thy vaunted wisdom fails 75 Or rather, as an ox or ass These teachers I too recommend 76 If thou thy greatest good, well known, 77 Instead of me, if thou for guide 78 If such the wisdom of thy head, 79 What drew me from the throne above, If thou shalt ask, ungrateful man, 80 What! now again thy hammer raise ! Thy sin thro' me, thou must believe, 81 If thou by faith even yet in me Thy crime that wounds me, wounds thyself, 82 What! thou a Christian, and conspire To propagate the shame Of Christ among the Infidels, And teach them to blaspheme! 83 With hell's foul monster, O thou fool, 84 Be wholly mine, or wholly his, To climb to everlasting joys, 85 My patience, too much tir'd by crimes, Thou brother of the worm, beware ; 86 Provoke not justice; in my hand 87 But yet awake; return to me, With faith and grief I shall relent, 88 To each transgressor, who his sins A full forgiveness I shall grant, 89 In me direct thy steps, and thou I am the truth, the life, the way 90 Arm, arm, and watch,-lo, this my hand 91 I say to death, Where is thy sting? |