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Reason, The use of it in Divine MattersReason, The use of it in Divine Matters
Some blind themselves, `cause possibly they may
Be led by others a right way;
They build on Sands, which if unmov`d they find,
`Tis but because there was no Wind.
Less hard `tis, not to err our selves, than know
If our Fore-fathers err`d or no.
When we trust Men concerning God, we then
Trust not God concerning Men.
Visions and Inspirations some expect
Their course here to direct,
Like senseless chymists their own wealth destroy,
Imaginary gold t`enjoy.
So Stars appear to drop to us from sky,
And gild the passage as they fly:
But when they fall, and meet th`opposing ground,
What but a sordid Slime is found?
Sometimes their fancies they `bove reason set,
And fast, that they may dream of meat.
Sometimes ill spirits their sickly souls delude,
And bastard-forms obtrude.
So Endors wretched sorceress, although
She Saul through his disguise did know,
Yet when the Dev`il comes up disguis`d, she cries,
Behold, the Gods arise.
In vain, alas, these outward hopes are try`d;
Reason within`s our onely gGuide.
Reason, which (God be prais`d!) still walks, for all
It`s old original fall.
And since itself the boundless Godhead join`d
With a reasonable mind,
It plainly shows that mysteries divine
May with our Reason join.
The holy book, like the eighth Sphere, does shine
With thousand lights of truth divine.
So numberless the stars, that to the eye,
It makes but all one galaxy.
Yet Reason must assist too, for in seas
So vast and dangerous as these,
Our course by stars above we cannot know,
Without the compass too below.
Though Reason cannot through Faiths mysteries see,
It sees that there and such they be;
Leads to heavens door, and there does humbly keep,
And there through chinks and key-holes peep.
Though it, like Moses, by a sad command
Must not come in to th` Holy Land,
Yet thither it infallibly does guide,
And from afar `tis all descry`d.
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