Sin And Strife.

Sin never slew a soul unless there went
Along with it some tempting blandishment.

Sin leads the way, but as it goes, it feels
The following plague still treading on his heels.

Sin once reached up to God's eternal sphere,
And was committed, not remitted there.

Sinners confounded are a twofold way,
Either as when, the learned schoolmen say,
Men's sins destroyed are when they repent,
Or when, for sins, men suffer punishment.

When we 'gainst Satan stoutly fight, the more
He tears and tugs us than he did before;
Neglecting once to cast a frown on those
Whom ease makes his without the help of blows.

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.