p.
| |
So though the least of his paines, deeds, or words Would busie a life, shee all this daye affordes. This treasure then in grosse, My Soule vplaie And in my life retale itt every daie Since Christ embracd the Crosse itt selfe, dare I His Image, the Image of his Crosse denye? Would I haue proffitt by the Sacrifice, And dare the chosen Altar to despise? Itt bore all other sinns: But is itt fitt Thatt itt should beare the sinns of scorninge itt? Who from the Picture would avert his Eie, How would hee fly his paines who there did die? From mee no Pulpitt, nor Misgrownded lawe, Nor scandall taken shall this Crosse withdrawe; Itt shall not for itt cannott: for the losse Of this Crosse, were to mee another Crosse; Better were worse; for no affliction, No crosse is soe extreame as to haue none. Who can blott out the Crosse, which the Instrument Of God, dewd on mee, in the Sacrament? Who can deny mee power, and liberty To strech myne Armes, and myne owne Crosse to bee? Swym, and at every stroke, thou art thy Crosse The Maste, and Yard make one, where Seas doe tosse. Looke downe, thou spiest out crosses in small thinges; Looke vp thou seest Byrds raisd on crossed winges. All the Globes frame, and Spheres, is nothing els But the Meridians crossinge Paralells. [CW: Materiall] |
 |