No More Learning

PRESCIENCE.

God's prescience makes none sinful; but th' offence
Of man's the chief cause of God's prescience.


221. CHRIST.

To all our wounds here, whatsoe'er they be,
Christ is the one sufficient remedy.


222. CHRIST'S INCARNATION.

Christ took our nature on Him, not that He
'Bove all things loved it for the purity:
No, but He dress'd Him with our human trim,
Because our flesh stood most in need of Him.


223. HEAVEN.

Heaven is not given for our good works here;
Yet it is given to the labourer.


224. GOD'S KEYS

God has four keys, which He reserves alone:
The first of rain; the key of hell next known;
With the third key He opes and shuts the womb;
And with the fourth key he unlocks the tomb.


225. SIN.
There's no constraint to do amiss,
Whereas but one enforcement is.


226. ALMS.

Give unto all, lest he, whom thou deni'st,
May chance to be no other man but Christ.


227. HELL FIRE.

One only fire has hell; but yet it shall
Not after one sort there excruciate all:
But look, how each transgressor onward went
Boldly in sin, shall feel more punishment.


228. TO KEEP A TRUE LENT.

Is this a fast, to keep
The larder lean?
And clean
From fat of veals and sheep?

Is it to quit the dish
Of flesh, yet still
To fill
The platter high with fish?

Is it to fast an hour,
Or ragg'd to go,
Or show
A downcast look and sour?

No; 'tis a fast to dole
Thy sheaf of wheat,
And meat,
Unto the hungry soul.

It is to fast from strife,
From old debate
And hate;
To circumcise thy life.

To show a heart grief-rent;
To starve thy sin,
Not bin;
And that's to keep thy Lent.