PATER COELESTIS. I have been moved to strike man diversely. Since I left Adam in this same earthly mansion; For why he hath done to me displeasures many, And will not amend his life in any condition: No respect hath he to my word nor monition, But doth what him lust without discreet advisement, And will in no wise take mine advertisement. Cain hath slain Abel his brother, an innocent, Whose blood from the earth doth call to me for vengeance: My children with men so carnally consent, That their vain working is unto me much grievance: Mankind is but flesh in his whole dalliance. All vice increaseth in him continually, Nothing he regardeth to walk unto my glory. My heart abhorreth his wilful misery, His cankered malice, his cursed covetousness, His lusts lecherous, his vengeable tyranny, Unmerciful murther and other ungodliness. I will destroy him for his outrageousness. And not him only, but all that on earth do stere,[290] For it repenteth me that ever I made them here. JUSTUS NOAH. Most Gentle Maker, with his frailness somewhat bear; Man is thy creature, thyself cannot say nay. Though thou punish him, to put him somewhat in fear, His fault to knowledge,[291] yet seek not his decay. Thou mayest reclaim him, though he goeth now astray, And bring him again, of thy abundant grace, To the fold of faith, he acknowledging his trespass. PATER COELESTIS. Thou knowest I have given to him convenient space, With lawful warnings, yet he amendeth in no place. The natural law, which I wrote in his heart, He hath outrased, all goodness putting apart: Of health the covenant, which I to Adam made, He regardeth not, but walketh a damnable tread.[292] JUSTUS NOAH. All this is true, Lord, I cannot thy words reprove, Let his weakness yet thy merciful goodness move. PATER COELESTIS. No weakness is it, but wilful working all, That reigneth in man through mind diabolical. He shall have therefore like as he hath deserved.