No More Learning

253. BAPTISM.

The strength of baptism that's within,
It saves the soul by drowning sin.


254. GOLD AND FRANKINCENSE.

Gold serves for tribute to the king,
The frankincense for God's off'ring.


255. TO GOD.

God, who me gives a will for to repent,
Will add a power to keep me innocent;
That I shall ne'er that trespass recommit
When I have done true penance here for it.


256. THE CHEWING THE CUD.

When well we speak and nothing do that's good,
We not divide the hoof, but chew the cud;
But when good words by good works have their proof,
We then both chew the cud and cleave the hoof.


257. CHRIST'S TWOFOLD COMING.

Thy former coming was to cure
My soul's most desp'rate calenture;
Thy second advent, that must be
To heal my earth's infirmity.
_Calenture_, delirium caused by excessive heat.


258. TO GOD, HIS GIFT.

As my little pot doth boil,
We will keep this level-coil,
That a wave and I will bring
To my God a heave-offering.

_Level-coil_, the old Christmas game of changing chairs; to "keep
level-coil" means to change about.


259. GOD'S ANGER.

God can't be wrathful: but we may conclude
Wrathful He may be by similitude:
God's wrathful said to be, when He doth do
That without wrath which wrath doth force us to.


260. GOD'S COMMANDS.

In God's commands ne'er ask the reason why;
Let thy obedience be the best reply.


261. TO GOD.

If I have played the truant, or have here
Failed in my part, oh! Thou that art my dear,
My mild, my loving tutor, Lord and God!
Correct my errors gently with Thy rod.