FULKE GREVILLE, LORD BROOKE

262           [from Cælica]

SONNET 89.

The Manicheans did no Idols make,

Without themselves, nor worship gods of Wood,

Yet Idolls did in their Idea’s take,

And figur’d Christ as on the crosse he stood.

5              Thus did they when they earnestly did pray,

                Till clearer Faith this Idoll tooke away:

  We seeme more inwardly to know the Sonne,

And see our owne salvation in his blood;

When this is said, we thinke the worke is done,

10      And with the Father hold our portion good:

                ”As if true life within these words were laid,

                ”For him that in life, never words obey’d.

  If this be safe, it is a pleasant way,

The Crosse of Christ is very easily borne:

15      But sixe dayes labour makes the sabboth day,

The flesh is dead before grace can be borne.

                The heart must first beare witnesse with the booke,

                The earth must burne, ere we for Christ can looke.