132 BAXTER'S POEMS. Madness .called wisdom is, and rules in chief, With all that cann~t see beyond this life : 'l~o them that see not beyond flesh and blood, And taste no better than these senses food ; That know not the true everlasting good,. Nothing,on earth is rightly understood. The heavenly light must open sinners' eyes, Before they ever will be truly wise: One real prospect of the life to come, A tl'ue belief whither men's souls are gone, \Vould more felicitating.wisdom give, Than foolish, sensual men will now believe. Call not that wisdom which will end in shame, 'Which undoes .him who hy it wins the game : A wit that can deceive himself arid others, Wit to destroy his own soul, and his brothers: 'Wit that can prove that sin 's a harmless thing, That sin's 'no sin, or no great hurt will bring; That with the serpent.can give God the lie, And say, believe not God, you shall not die. Wit that can prove that God speaks but in jest, That fleshly pleasure is man's best. Wit that can prove God's wisdom is deceiv'd, And Sacred Scriptures should not be receiv'd . Wit to confute God's word, reject his grace, Lose time, sin boldly, post towards Hell apaceL Defend the devil's cause, his own damnation, Slight God, neglect a Saviour and salvation. Call not that wisdom, which men would disown1 And wish at l~st that they had never knowni
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