Penitency.

Who after his transgression doth repent,
Is half, or altogether innocent.

When I shall sin, pardon my trespass here;
For once in hell, none knows remission there.

God, who me gives a will for to repent,
Will add a power to keep me innocent;
That I shall ne'er that trespass recommit
When I have done true penance here for it.

The doctors, in the Talmud, say,
That in this world one only day
In true repentance spent will be
More worth than heaven's eternity.

God pardons those who do through frailty sin,
But never those that persevere therein.

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