25. TO GOD.
Do with me, God, as Thou didst deal with John,
Who writ that heavenly Revelation.
Let me, like him, first cracks of thunder hear,
Then let the harps enchantments stroke mine ear:
Here give me thorns, there, in Thy kingdom, set
Upon my head the golden coronet;
There give me day; but here my dreadful night:
My sackcloth here; but there my stole of white.
Stroke, text strike.
26. WHIPS.
God has His whips here to a twofold end:
The bad to punish, and the good t' amend.
27. GOD'S PROVIDENCE.
If all transgressions here should have their pay,
What need there then be of a reckoning day?
If God should punish no sin here of men,
His providence who would not question then?
28. TEMPTATION.
Those saints which God loves best,
The devil tempts not least.