Part 58

33. The truth and I were both here cast Together, and we do Lie arm in arm, and so hold fast Each other; this is true.

34. This goal to us is as a hill, From whence we plainly see Beyond this world, and take our fill Of things that lasting be.

35. From hence we see the emptiness Of all this world contains; And here we feel the blessedness That for us yet remains.

36. Here we can see how all men play Their parts, as on a stage, How good men suffer for God’s way, And bad men at them rage.

37. Here we can see who holds that ground Which they in Scripture find; Here we see also who turns round Like weathercocks with wind.

38. We can also from hence behold How seeming friends appear But hypocrites, as we are told In Scripture every where.

39. When we did walk at liberty, We were deceiv’d by them, Who we from hence do clearly see Are vile deceitful men.

40. These politicians that profest For base and worldly ends, Do now appear to us at best But Machiavellian friends.

41. Though men do say, we do disgrace Ourselves by lying here Among the rogues, yet Christ our face From all such filth will clear.

42. We know there’s neither flout nor frown That we now for him bear, But will add to our heavenly crown, When he comes in the air.

43. When he our righteousness forth brings Bright shining as the day, And wipeth off those sland’rous things That scorners on us lay.

44. We sell our earthly happiness For heavenly house and home; We leave this world because ’tis less, And worse than that to come.

45. We change our drossy dust for gold, From death to life we fly: We let go shadows, and take hold Of immortality.

46. We trade for that which lasting is, And nothing for it give, But that which is already his By whom we breath and live.

47. That liberty we lose for him, Sickness might take away: Our goods might also for our sin By fire or thieves decay.

48. Again, we see what glory ’tis Freely to bear our cross For him, who for us took up his, When he our servant was.

49. I am most free that men should see A hole cut thro’ mine ear; If others will ascertain me, They’ll hang a jewel there.

50. Just thus it is we suffer here For him a little pain, Who, when he doth again appear, Will with him let us reign.

51. If all must either die for sin A death that’s natural; Or else for Christ, ’tis best with him Who for the last doth fall.

52. Who now dare say we throw away Our goods or liberty, When God’s most holy Word doth say We gain thus much thereby?

53. Hark yet again, you carnal men, And hear what I shall say In your own dialect, and then I’ll you no longer stay.

54. You talk sometimes of valour much, And count such bravely mann’d, That will not stick to have a touch With any in the land.

55. If these be worth commending then, That vainly show their might, How dare you blame those holy men That in God’s quarrel fight?

56. Though you dare crack a coward’s crown, Or quarrel for a pin, You dare not on the wicked frown, Nor speak against their sin.

57. For all your spirits are so stout, For matters that are vain; Yet sin besets you round about, You are in Satan’s chain.

58. You dare not for the truth engage, You quake at prisonment; You dare not make the tree your stage For Christ, that King, potent.

59. Know then, true valour there doth dwell Where men engage for God, Against the devil, death, and hell, And bear the wicked’s rod.

60. These be the men that God doth count Of high and noble mind; These be the men that do surmount What you in nature find.