263            [from Cælica]

SONNET 99.

Downe in the depth of mine iniquity,

That ugly center of infernall spirits;

Where each sinne feeles her owne deformity,

In these peculiar torments she inherits,

5              Depriv’d of humane graces, and divine,

                Even there appeares this saving God of mine.

  And in this fatall mirrour of transgression,

Shewes man as fruit of his degeneration,

The errours ugly infinite impression,

10      Which beares the faithlesse downe to desperation;

                Depriv’d of humane graces and divine,

                Even there appeares this saving God of mine.

  In power and truth, Almighty and eternall,

          Which on the sinne reflects strange desolation,

15      With glory scourging all the Spr’its infernall,

          And uncreated hell with unprivation;

                Depriv’d of humane graces, not divine,

                Even there appeares this saving God of mine.

  For on this sp’rituall Crosse condemned lying,

20      To paines infernall by eternall doome,

          I see my Saviour for the same sinnes dying,

          And from that hell I fear’d, to free me, come;

                Depriv’d of humane graces, not divine,

                Thus hath his death rais’d up this soule of mine.