On God's Mercy

Our God from us his Glory keeps conceal'd,
Because it would destroy us, if reveal'd:
His essence we can never understand;
'Tis well if we obey his just Command;
For God to mortal Man will never teach
Such great Secrets; because what we can reach,
By Nature cloys, as soon as had or known:
He therefore lets us live by Faith alone;
Still subject to so many hopes and fears,
That our prime Joys are damp'd by frequent tears,
Which daily do our sorrows multiply,
Until death comes, to tell us we must die;
The only remedy ordain'd to cure
All sorts of evils that we here endure.
Yet God in mercy makes amends at last,
To free us from all miseries are past,
By raising them to blifs, who do their best
To gain a share in his eternal rest;
Which best in God's esteem is to do all
Was done by bless'd St. Stephen and St. Paul.