160 BAXTER'S POEMS. You see not whither souls departing go, But Heaven and Hell are visible to faith; God bath reveal'd enough to make us know, That all shall be performed which he saith. We no more need to fear his word should fail, Or God ,forsake the souls that do him please, Or ·any final hurt, Christ's flock assail, Than. earth to bare, or sun to shine should cease. Is not a sober, righteous, holy life, In certain hope of everlasting joys, Better than sin, despair, care, fear, and strife, For short deceit, pleasant dreams and toys. TF yet, blind man, thou think'st thou art a beast, And hast no higher hopes and works to mind, Become a tame and gentle one at least, Not of the wild, fierce, hurtful, bloody kind. Serpents, and toads, and wolves, are harmless things, Yea lions, tigers, and such beasts ofprey, Compar'd with many conquerors and kings, Who do ten thousand fold more hurt than they. If this short, fleshly pleasure be thy best, What need of wars and blood, rage and debate? Sweet love, and quiet peace, afford more rest, Than pow'r and wealth, withhurtfulplotsandhate. What need ·of large dominions to prepare For dying pangs, a coffin and a grave. Quiet, content, and kindness fitter are, Thy neighbour's welfare and thine own to save.
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