Emblem III.7: If thou thy Duties truely doe

If thou thy Duties truely doe,
Of thy Reward, be hopefull too.

SOme Sects are found, who so believing be,
They thinke themselves from legall-workings free;
And, so they live, as if they stood in feare
That, with Good-works, their God offended were.
Another sort we know, who credit not,
That any hope of Mercie can be got,
Till they themselves, by their externall-deed,
Have merited the favours they shall need:
And, so they prize their workings; that, for Grace,
They seeme to disallow all usefull place.
Both sorts, their errours may be purged from,
When to the Fiery-tryall they shall come.
So, likewise, may another Faction too,
That erre more deadly then these former doe.
These doe (forsooth) affirme, that God's decree
Before all Worlds (what Words can fouler be?)
Dbarr'd the greatest part of humane-race,
Without respecting sinne, from hope of Grace;
And, that, howere this number shall indeaver,
They must continue Reprobates, for ever.
The first, are errours of Impiety;
But, this, ascends the top of blasphemy;
Dispoyles Religion wholly of her fruits;
And, wrongeth God in all his Attributes.
These Errours, therefore shunne; and, so believe,
That wee thy Faith, may by thy Workes perceive.
So worke, that thy believing may approve
Thou wrought'st not for thy Wages; but, for love.
For (whatsoe're thou be) if thus thou doe,
Thou mayst have hopes, and, God will grant them too.