Acts 8:1: There was a great persecution... and they, &c

Who shall presume to' explore,
Or tell us all His mind,
If God let loose the adverse power
The wicked hands unbind?
By man doth He chastise
In vengeful wrath His own?
Or bid the raging tempest rise
To make His mercy known?

His love and righteousness
May they not both agree?

While God permits the world to' oppress
That all His power may see
While the whole preaching crowd
To different climes are driven
And water'd by the martyrs' blood
The church grows up to heaven.