If heaven’s mystery divulged should, ’haps, become, The whole world ’twould burn up, as fire doth wood consume.” Let’s contemplate the acts of God, the deeds of men; Know, men’s deeds do exist. This truth is patent, then. 110 If men’s deeds be not in this nether world of ours, Say not thou unto others: “Why these deeds of yours?” God’s act it is through which those deeds of ours arise; Our acts are but the sequels of God’s agencies. The letter, or the spirit, ’tis, our reason weighs. But both at once it cannot comprehend always. Examining the spirit, letter we neglect; At one time forwards, backwards we cannot prospect. If thou straight forward look at any point of time, Thou canst not backwards see, whatever be the clime. 115 Our souls not taking in the letter, spirit too, How could they e’er create these predicates, one, two? God comprehendeth all things;--all things doth ensue; One act’s no hindrance, with Him, other acts to do. The reason Satan gave: “Since Thou hast tempted me,”[198] The scheming demon strove to hide his sin, we see. His trespass Adam owned: “Against ourselves we’ve sinned.”[199] God’s act he, like as we, then left not out of mind. Through shame the act of Satan Adam secret kept. Self-accusation’s fruit, in consequence, he reaped. 120 Repentance shown by Adam, God in mercy said: “In thee ’twas I created, sin thou hast displayed. Was it not My decree and providence that thou, In asking pardon, shouldst the tempter disavow?” Said Adam: “Thee I feared; most bitter shame I felt.” God added: “It was I who gave thee shame heartfelt.” Consideration he who shows considered is; So he who brings the sugar, share of cake is his. For whom, then, benefits, but practisers of good?[200] Keep pleased thy friend. Offend him; see what ensue would. 125 One sole example study,--instance of this law,— Compulsion and election’s difference to draw. “There is a hand that shakes from palsy or from fear. Another hand also thou shakest when thou’rt near. Know: God it is creates the movement in them both; And yet there’s no resemblance in their motions loth. Thou’rt sorry that thou shakedst that man’s hand anon, When thou seest him annoyed at what thou’st just now done.” A question ’tis of judgment; judgment shrewdness is, Until some weakness intervene to mar all this. 130 A question, now, of judgment as to corals, pearls, Is not the same as one about the soul, you churls. A question of the soul’s another matter quite; The wine that feeds the soul comes not from grapes, black, white.