The soules solace, or Thirtie and one spirituall emblems

23. The opposition of sinne and grace.

IN great and common Wells for every man, Such as is neere the Burse in Amsterdan, There are two Buckets fastned to a chaine, The easier downe to sway, and vp againe. One being alost, the tother then is vnder, Necessity doth force them thus asunder When one is empty t' other straight doth fill; They ne're are both aboue; one's vnder still.

[illustration]

Like to these Buckets, hanging thus a part, Is grace and sinne; in every mortalls heart.

Seest thou a man is given much to sweare? That man t'is sure hath not the gift of prayer. And see'st thou one to wrath that's much inclind? That man hath not a meeke and quiet mind. The Scripture saith, in Amos, you may reade; Can two together walke, not well agreede? There's mortall Enmity twixt sinne and grace, The one the other striveth to deface. If the strong man keeps house, himselfe hee'le fence▪ In quiet, still a stronger driues him thence. When the Soule garnish't is, and swept from sinne, Then comes Gods spirit, and forthwith enters in. When the hearts empt'ed quite, and quit of grace, Then enters streight the Divell, and he takes place. Soone as Gods Arke to Dagons temple came, The Idoll falls, and brake, to Ashdods shame.

Consider this, who loue'st in sinne to liue, Yet hop'st in heaven thy portion God will giue. The Iron chaine compells one Bucket low, And forceth still the other vp to goe. So sinne and grace (Gods justice doth command) Nor in one heaven, nor in one heart may stand.

M. D.