Predestination.

Art thou not destin'd? then with haste go on
To make thy fair predestination:
If thou can'st change thy life, God then will please
To change, or call back, His past sentences.

Sin is the cause of death; and sin's alone
The cause of God's predestination:
And from God's prescience of man's sin doth flow
Our destination to eternal woe.

If all transgressions here should have their pay,
What need there then be of a reckoning day?
If God should punish no sin here of men,
His providence who would not question then?

God's prescience makes none sinful; but th' offence
Of man's the chief cause of God's prescience.

That prince takes soon enough the victor's room
Who first provides not to be overcome.

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