Clv. [132]

“Who willfully the remedy,   and means of life contemned. Cause have the same themselves to blame,   if now they be condemnéd. You have yourselves, you and none else,  to blame that you must die You chose the way to your decay,   and perish’d willfully.“

CLVI.

These words appall and daunt them all,   dismay’d and all amort. Like stocks that stand at Christ’s left hand   and dare no more retort. Then were brought near with trembling fear,   a number numberless, Of Blind Heathen and brutish men,   that did God’s Law transgress;

Heathen men plead want of the Written Word.

CLVII.

Whose wicked ways Christ open lays,   and makes their sins appear, They making pleas their case to ease,   if not themselves to clear. “Thy Written Word,” say they, “good   we never did enjoy; We ne’er refus’d, nor it abus’d;   Oh, do not us destroy!“