We were deceiv'd by them,Who we from hence do clearly see
Are vile deceitful men.
40. These politicians that profest
For base and worldly ends,
Do now appear to us at best
But Machiavellian friends.
41. Though men do say, we do disgrace
Ourselves by lying here
Among the rogues, yet Christ our face
From all such filth will clear.
42. We know there's neither flout nor frown
That we now for him bear,
But will add to our heavenly crown,
When he comes in the air.
43. When he our righteousness forth brings
Bright shining as the day,
And wipeth off those sland'rous things
That scorners on us lay.
44. We sell our earthly happiness
For heavenly house and home;
We leave this world because 'tis less,
And worse than that to come.
45. We change our drossy dust for gold,
From death to life we fly:
We let go shadows, and take hold
Of immortality.
46. We trade for that which lasting is,
And nothing for it give,
But that which is already his
By whom we breath and live.
47. That liberty we lose for him,
Sickness might take away:
Our goods might also for our sin
By fire or thieves decay.
48. Again, we see what glory 'tis
Freely to bear our cross
For him, who for us took up his,
When he our servant was.
49. I am most free that men should see
A hole cut thro' mine ear;
If others will ascertain me,
They'll hang a jewel there.
50. Just thus it is we suffer here
For him a little pain,
Who, when he doth again appear,
Will with him let us reign.
51. If all must either die for sin
A death that's natural;
Or else for Christ, 'tis beset with him
Who for the last doth fall.
52. Who now dare say we throw away
Our goods or liberty,
When God's most holy Word doth say
We gain thus much thereby?
53. Hark yet again, you carnal men,
And hear what I shall say
In your own dialect, and then
I'll you no longer stay.
54. You talk sometimes of valour much,
And count such bravely mann'd,
That will not stick to have a touch
With any in the land.
55. If these be worth commending then,
That vainly show their might,
How dare you blame those holy men
That in God's quarrel fight?
56. Though you dare crack a coward's crown,
Or quarrel for a pin,
You dare not on the wicked frown,
Nor speak against their sin.
57. For all your spirits are so stout,
For matters that are vain;
Yet sin besets you round about,
You are in Satan's chain.
58. You dare not for the truth engage,
You quake at prisonment;
You dare not make the tree your stage
For Christ, that King, potent.
59. Know then, true valour there doth dwell
Where men engage for God,
Against the devil, death, and hell,
And bear the wicked's rod.
60. These be the men that God doth count
Of high and noble mind;
These be the men that do surmount
What you in nature find.
61. First they do conquer their own hearts,
All worldly fears, and then
Also the devil's fiery darts,
And persecuting men.
62. They conquer when they thus do fall,
They kill when they do die:
They overcome then most of all,
And get the victory.
63. The worldling understands not this,
'Tis clear out of his sight;
Therefore he counts this world his bliss,
And doth our glory slight.
64. The lubber knows not how to spring
