Classic Poem

God's sov'reign ways to scoff or scan,
Shall worthless creatures dare?
Shall the most High, O wretched man!
Be summon'd to thy bar?

Wilt thou with him that gave thee breath,
Engage in hot dispute?
Or, quarreling his unseen path,
Wouldst thou thy God confute?

Presumptuous mortal bold, wilt thou
Thyself with him compare?
Shall to a worm Jehovah bow,
His conduct to declare?

To ask the reason of his ways,
Audacious is and rude;
Th' Almighty's deeds, because they're his,
Are therefore just and good.

Where shallow reason never could
The deep immense discern
Of Providence divine, it should
With due submission learn.

Not that he grudges man the views,
Of what discern'd can be;
His kind Creator to him shews
More than his eyes can see.

Our knowledge therefore never can
Raise in his breast envy,
When more is shown than silly man
Is capable to spy.

Once and again, to form the mind,
God does instruction give;
More than reluctant man's inclin'd,
Or willing to receive.

In dreams and visions of the night,
In slumbers of the bed,
And in deep sleep, celestial light
Hath been at times convey'd.

He various ways reveals his will
To man, and leaves behind
Instructions, touching good and ill,
Imprinted on the mind.

But our great Teacher's light will not
The mystic clouds dispel,
That keep his hidden paths remote,
And on his conduct dwell.

By's teachings must be understood,
He rather does devise
To make man, to his profit, good,
Than, to his peril, wise.

That from his sinful purposes,
Man may be drawn aside,
And humbly made, with will submiss,
To mortify his pride.

And thus his life and soul the Lord
Saves from destruction's path;
And from the dire menacing sword
Of God's avenging wrath.