HERE is the Spring where waters flow,
To quench our heat of sin:
Here is the Tree where truth doth grow,
To lead our lives therein:
Here is the Judge that stints the strife,
When men’s devices fail:
Here is the Bread that feeds the life,
That death can not assail.
The tidings of Salvation clear
Comes to our ears from hence:
The Fortress of our Faith is here,
The shield of our defence.
Then be not like the hog that hath
A pearl at his desire,
And takes more pleasure of the trough
And wallowing in the mire.
Read not this Book, in any case,
But with a single eye:
Read not, but first desire God’s grace,
To understand thereby.
Pray still in faith, with this respect,
To fructify therein,
That knowledge may bring this effect,
To mortify thy sin.
Then happy thou, in all thy life,
Whatso to thee befalls:
Yea, double happy shalt thou be,
When God by death thee calls.
* From the Geneva Translation of the Bible first published in 1560.