No More Learning

There is no evil that we do commit,
But hath th' extraction of some good from it:
As when we sin, God, the great Chemist, thence
Draws out th' elixir of true penitence.


197. GOD.

God is more here than in another place,
Not by His essence, but commerce of grace.


198. THIS, AND THE NEXT WORLD.

God hath this world for many made, 'tis true:
But He hath made the World to Come for few.


199. EASE.

God gives to none so absolute an ease
As not to know or feel some grievances.


200. BEGINNINGS AND ENDINGS.

Paul, he began ill, but he ended well;
Judas began well, but he foully fell:
In godliness not the beginnings so
Much as the ends are to be look'd unto.


201. TEMPORAL GOODS.
These temporal goods God, the most wise, commends
To th' good and bad in common for two ends:
First, that these goods none here may o'er-esteem
Because the wicked do partake of them;
Next, that these ills none cowardly may shun,
Being, oft here, the just man's portion.


202. HELL FIRE.

The fire of hell this strange condition hath,
To burn, not shine, as learned Basil saith.


203. ABEL'S BLOOD.

Speak, did the blood of Abel cry
To God for vengeance? Yes, say I,
Ev'n as the sprinkled blood called on
God for an expiation.


204. ANOTHER.

The blood of Abel was a thing
Of such a rev'rend reckoning,
As that the old world thought it fit
Especially to swear by it.


205. A POSITION IN THE HEBREW DIVINITY.

One man repentant is of more esteem
With God, than one that never sinned 'gainst Him.


206. PENITENCE.