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[verse 7] For what knowes he what shall succeed? he can not mend his fate,
[verse 8] In life, death, battell, sinne cannot protect the wickeds state.
7.
For he knowes not that which shal be: for who can tell him when it shalbe.
For it lies not (no doubt) in powre of man,
To iudge aright of sequels and euents,
Though (by obseruance of things past) we can
Sometimes right neere coniecture of intents,
As like to haue successe as we desire:
But none can iudge the truth that they require.
It is but chance not iudgement if they hit,
So many errors do incounter them:
Those future knowledges for God are fit,
And none but he, that priuileage can claime;
For as for Reuelations few are now,
And diuelish arts, Gods word will not allow.
8.
Man is not Lord ouer the spirit to retaine the spirit: nei∣ther hath he power in the day of death, nor deliuerance in battell, nei∣ther shall wic∣kednesse deli∣uer the posses∣sors thereof.
And how should he be able to foretell,
An others haps or actions, can you thinke,
That not foresaw, what to himselfe befell,
Nor knew his perill being at pits brinke?
Nor could deferre his death or destiny,
With all the care he did thereto apply?
That could not tell the place, the dart should light,
That he in battell flong against his foe?
That cannot saue himselfe amidst the fight,
But beares the brunt (perhaps) of ouerthroe?
No wicked slight or art can sinners saue,
But that they sure (in fine) their merits haue.