Some Lines Occasioned by a Series of Theological Enquiries

Shall man, who blindly wanders nature thro', Dark and impervious to his nearest view; Shall he, to God, his eye presumptuous turn, And hope from whence, and what he is, to learn!

O! first and last! O! greatest, wisest, best! To thee be still my prayers and praise addrest, Nor let me boast that I to ask am free, How He now is, who ne'er began to be; How love immense, that form'd creation's plan, Could unexerted lie, till time began; Or if all nature's works and all their laws Are co-eternal with their parent-cause, Spontaneous beaming with dependent ray, As from the sun the light that gives the day; If all the vast immensity of space Is fill'd with beings of an endless race; Or, if some narrower bounds the work confine, And why thus bounded love and power divine; Whence the deep shades of sin and sorrow came, And evil mingled with the general frame; Why spread the dark dominions of the grave, Or why I wish more virtue than I have. These secret things to none but Thee are known, Veil'd in the darkness that surrounds thy throne. O! let my soul be still content to know Thy love, thy wisdom rules the world below. Secure, my lot the blessing or the rod, To find a father where I trace the God; While hope by thee permitted looks on high, And, as her portion, meditates the sky, Safe in the path which terminates above, Secur'd from wandering, while I walk by love.— O! brighter still illume the social flame, Thy shining image! in my filial frame; By just gradation let my love ascend, All else my neighbours, thou alone my friend.