Besides! Were we unchangeable in Will, And of a Wit, that nothing could misdeem; Equal to GOD (whose wisdom shineth still, And never errs) we might ourselves esteem.
So that if Man would be unvariable; He must be GOD! or like a rock, or tree! For even the perfect angels were not stable; But had a fall, more desperate than we.
Then let us praise that Power, which makes us be Men, as we are! and rest contented so! And knowing man's fall was Curiosity, Admire GOD's counsels! which we cannot know.
And let us know that GOD, the Maker is Of all the Souls, in all the men that be: Yet their corruption is no fault of His; But the first man's, that broke GOD's first decree
[Sidenote: Why the Soul is united to the Body.]
This Substance, and this Spirit, of God's own making, Is in the Body placed, and planted there: That both of GOD, and of the world partaking; Of all that is, Man might the Image bear!
GOD, first, made Angels! bodiless pure minds! Then, other things, which mindless bodies be. Last, He made Man, the Horizon 'twixt both kinds, In whom, we do the World's Abridgement see.
Besides! This world below did need one wight, Which might thereof, distinguish every part; Make use thereof, and take therein delight; And order things with industry and Art.
Which, also, GOD, might (in His works) admire, And here, beneath, yield Him both prayer and praise; As there, above, the holy Angels' Quire Doth spread His glory, with spiritual lays.
Lastly, the brute unreasonable wights, Did want a Visible King, on them to reign; And GOD Himself, thus to the world unites, That so the world might endless bliss obtain.
[Sidenote: In what manner the Soul is united to the Body.]
But how shall we this Union well express? Nought ties the Soul, her subtility is such: She moves the body, which She doth possess; Yet no part toucheth, but by virtue's touch!
Then dwells She _not_ therein, as in a tent, Nor as a pilot, in his ship doth sit, Nor as a spider, in her web is pent, Nor as the wax retains the print in it:
Nor as a vessel, water doth contain, Nor as one liquor, in another shed, Nor as the heat doth in the fire remain, Nor as a voice, throughout the air is spread.
But as the fair and cheerful Morning Light Doth, here and there, her silver beams impart: And, in an instant, doth herself unite To the transparent air, in all and part.