Logos Virtual Library: George Herbert: The Temple: The Church: Justice (2)

George Herbert

George Herbert (1593-1633)

The Temple

Justice (2)

O dreadfull Justice, what a fright and terrour

Wast thou of old,

When sinne and errour

Did show and shape thy looks to me,

And through their glasse discolour thee!
He that did but look up, was proud and bold.

The dishes of thy ballance seem’d to gape,

Like two great pits;

The beam and scape

Did like some tort’ring engine show:

Thy hand above did burn and glow,
Danting the stoutest hearts, the proudest wits.

But now that Christs pure vail presents the sight,

I see no fears:

Thy hand is white,

Thy scales like buckets, which attend

And interchangeably descend,
Lifting to heaven from this well of tears.

For where before thou still didst call on me,

Now I still touch

And harp on thee.

Gods promises have made thee mine;

Why should I justice now decline?
Against me there is none, but for me much.