Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap. For as he thinketh in his heart, so is he. All hearts doth the Lord search, and every imagination of the thoughts doth he understand. And in the time of harvest I will say to the reapers, Gather ye together first the tares, and bind them in bundles to burn them: but gather the wheat into my barn. THE JUDGE OF ALL THE EARTH Male he created thee, but thy consórt Female, for race; then blessed mankind, and said, And every living thing that moves on the Earth!' Is yet distinct by name-thence, as thou know'st, And freely all their pleasant fruit for food Gave thee. All sorts are here that all the earth yields, Variety without end; but of the tree Which tasted works knowledge of good and evil Thou may'st not; in the day thou eat'st, thou diest. Death is the penalty imposed; beware, And govern well thy appetite, lest Sin Surprise thee, and her black attendant, Death. And good he made thee; but to persevere He left it in thy power-ordained thy will By nature free, not over-ruled by fate Our voluntary service he requires, Finds no acceptance, nor can find; for how Can hearts not free be tried whether they serve By destiny, and can no other choose? Myself, and all the Angelic Host, that stand In sight of God enthroned, our happy state Hold, as you yours, while our obedience holds. I in thy persevering shall rejoice, And all the Blest. Stand fast; to stand or fall ATH God cast away his people? HAT For what cause hast thou left them? Why shouldst thou be as a stranger in the land? Why standest thou afar off, O Lord? why hidest thou thyself in times of trouble? Wherefore dost thou forsake us for ever, and forsake us so long time? Is the Lord among us, or not? We cannot find him out. Will God in very deed dwell with men on the earth? Are we not counted of him strangers? Carest thou not that we perish? The Lord our God be with us, as he was with our fathers; oh may he not leave us, nor forsake us. Oh that God would but speak! Free in thine own arbitrement it lies. "How fully hast thou satisfied me, pure Seek them with wandering thoughts, and notions vain!" THE MORNING HYMN OF ADAM AND EVE "THESE HESE are thy glorious works, Parent of good, Thus wondrous fair: Thyself how wondrous then! In these thy lowest works; yet these declare Him first, him last, him midst, and without end. In mystic dance, not without song, resound Of Nature's womb, that in quaternion run And nourish all things, let your ceaseless change YOUR iniquities have separated between you and your God, and your sins have hid his face from you. With an everlasting love have I loved thee. Ye have forsaken me. Thine own mouth condemneth thee, and not I: yea, thine own lips testify against thee. Thy way and thy doings have procured these things unto thee. Thou hast stumbled through thy iniquity. Destruction is thy own: thy help is only in me. I change not. I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee. Your sins have withholden what is good from you. YOUR FATHER |