God Sparing In Scourging.

God scourgeth some severely, some He spares;
But all in smart have less or greater shares.

God ne'er afflicts us more than our desert,
Though He may seem to overact His part:
Sometimes He strikes us more than flesh can bear;
But yet still less than grace can suffer here.

God in His own day will be then severe
To punish great sins, who small faults whipt here.

God, as He's potent, so He's likewise known
To give us more than hope can fix upon.

In vain our labours are whatsoe'er they be,
Unless God gives the benedicite.

God has His whips here to a twofold end:
The bad to punish, and the good t' amend.