A BLESSED Truth for parable to paint, "That men should always pray, and never faint!" Just the reverse of this would Satan say, "That men should always faint, and never pray." He wants to drive poor sinners to despair; And Christ, to save them by prevailing pray'r. The judge, who feared neither God nor man, Despis'd the widow when she first began Her just request; but she, continuing on The same petition, wearied him anon; He could not bear to hear her praying still; And did her justice, tho' against his will. Can perseverance force a man, unjust, To execute, however loth, his trust? And will not God, whose fatherly delight Is to save souls, so precious in his sight, Hear his own offspring's persevering call, And give the blessing which He has for all? Yes, to be sure, He will; the lying "No" Is a downright temptation of the foe; Who first emboldens sinners to presume, As if a righteous judgment had no room; And, having led them into grievous faults, With the despair of mercy then assaults. Dear soul, if thou hast listen'd to the lies Which, at the first, the tempter would devise, Let him not cheat thee with a second snare, And drag thee into darkness by despair; Pray against all his wiles, for God will hear, And will avenge thee of him, never fear. He gives the grace to sorrow for thy sin, The sign of kindling penitence within; Let not the smoke disturb thee; for, no doubt, The light and flame will follow, and break out; And love arise to overcome restraint, That thou mayst @3always pray and never faint.@1 | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...BETWEEN THE LINES by WILFRID WILSON GIBSON ON SOME LINES OF LOPE DE VEGA by SAMUEL JOHNSON (1709-1784) AT A VACATION EXERCISE IN THE COLLEGE by JOHN MILTON ODES II, 10 by QUINTUS HORATIUS FLACCUS I CLEANED MY HOUSE TODAY by KATHARINE CANBY BALDERSTON |