Becoming America - An Exploration of American Literature from Precolonial to Post-Revolution, 2018a

BECOMING AMERICA
SEVENTEENTH CENTURY ENGLISH COLONIAL LITERATURE
CXXX
Others argue, and not a few,
is not God gracious?
His Equity and Clemency
are they not marvellous?
Thus we believ’d; are we deceiv’d?
cannot his Mercy great,
(As hath been told to us of old)
asswage his anger’s heat?
CXXXI
How can it be that God should see
his Creatures endless pain?
O [. . .] hear their groans or ruefull moanes,
and still his wrath retain?
Can it agree with equitee?
can Mercy have the heart,
To Recompence few years oence
with Everlasting smart?
CXXXII
Can God delight in such a sight
as sinners Misery?
Or what great good can this our bloud
bring unto the most High?
Oh thou that dost thy Glory most
in pard’ning sin display!
Lord! might it please thee to release,
and pardon us this day?
CXXXIII
Unto thy Name more glorious fame
would not such Mercy bring?
Would it not raise thine endless praise,
more than our suering?
With that they cease, holding their peace,
but cease not still to weep;
Griefe ministers a ood to tears,
in which their words do steep:
CXXXIV
But all too late; Grief’s out of date
when Life is at an end.
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