20. FAITH.

      LORD, how couldst thou so much appease

      Thy wrath for sinne, as when man’s sight was dimme,

      And could see little, to regard his ease,

      And bring by Faith all things to him?

      Hungrie I was, and had no meat:

      I did conceit a most delicious feast;

      I had it straight, and did as truly eat,

      As ever did a welcome guest.

      There is a rare outlandish root,

      Which when I could not get, I thought it here:

      That apprehension cur’d so well my foot,

      That I can walk to heav’n well neare.

      I owed thousands and much more:

      I did believe that I did nothing owe,

      And liv’d accordingly; my creditor

      Beleeves so too, and lets me go.

      Faith makes me any thing, or all

      That I beleeve is in the sacred storie:

      And where sinne placeth me in Adam’s fall.

      Faith sets me higher in his glorie.

      If I go lower in the book,

      What can be lower than the common manger?

      Faith puts me there with Him, who sweetly took

      Our flesh and frailtie, death and danger.

      If blisse had lien in art or strength,

      None but the wise or strong had gained it:

      Where now by Faith all arms are of a length;

      One size doth all conditions fit.

      A peasant may beleeve as much

      As a great clerk, and reach the highest stature.

      Thus dost thou make proud knowledge bend and

      While grace fills up uneven nature. [crouch,

      When creatures had no reall light

      Inherent in them, thou didst make the sunne,

      Impute a lustre, and allow them bright:

      And in this show, what Christ hath done.

      That which before was darkned clean

      With bushie groves, pricking the looker’s eie,

      Vanisht away, when Faith did change the scene:

      And then appeared a glorious skie.

      What though my bodie run to dust?

      Faith cleaves unto it, counting ev’ry grain,

      With an exact and most particular trust,

      Reserving all for flesh again.