CXVIII.

“But, Lord,” say they, “we went astray,   and did more wickedly, By means of those whom thou has chose   Salvation’s heirs to be.“ To whom the Judge: “What you allege   doth nothing help the case, But makes appear how vile you were,   and rend’reth you more base.

CXIX. [102]

“You understood that what was good,   was to be followed. And that you ought that which was naught   to have relinquished. Contrariwise it was your guise   only to imitate Good men’s defects, and their neglects   who were regenerate.

CXX. [103]

“But to express their holiness,   or imitate their grace. You little car’d, nor once prepar’d   your hearts to seek my Face. They did repent and truly rent   their hearts for all known sin; You did offend, but not amend,   to follow them therein.“

_Some plead the Scripture’s darkness, and difference among Interpreters._

CXXI. [104]

“We had thy Word,” say some, “Lord,   but wiser men than we Could never yet interpret it,   but always disagree. How could we fools be led by Rules   so far beyond our ken. Which to explain did so much pain   and puzzle wisest men?“

_They are confuted._

CXXII. [105]

“Was all my Word abstruse and hard?”   the Judge then answeréd; “It did contain much Truth so plain   you might have run and read. But what was hard you never car’d   to know, or studiéd; And things that were most plain and clear   you never practiséd.

CXXIII. [106]

“The Mystery of Piety   God unto Babes reveals, When to the Wise he it denies,   and from the world conceals. If to fulfil God’s holy Will   had seemed good to you, You would have sought light as you ought,   and done the good you knew.“

_Others the fear of persecution._

CXXIV. [107]

Then came in view another crew,   and ’gan to make their pleas; Amongst the rest, some of the best   had such poor shifts as these : “Thou know’st right well, who all canst tell,   we liv’d amongst thy foes. Who the Renate did sorely hate   and goodness much oppose.

CXXV. [108]

“We holiness durst not profess,   fearing to be forlorn Of all our friends, and for amends   to be the wicked’s scorn. “We knew their anger would much endanger   our lives and our estates; Therefore, for fear, we durst appear   no better than our mates.“

_They are answered._

CXXVI. [109]

To whom the Lord returns this word:   “O wonderful deceits! To cast off awe of God’s strict law,   and fear men’s wrath and threats; To fear hell-fire and God’s fierce ire   less than the rage of men; As if God’s wrath could do less scath   than wrath of bretheren!