Logos Virtual Library: George Herbert: The Temple: The Church: Self-condemnation

George Herbert

George Herbert (1593-1633)

The Temple

Self-condemnation

Thou who condemnest Jewish hate,
For choosing Barabbas a murderer

Before the Lord of glorie;

Look back upon thine own estate,
Call home thine eye (that busie wanderer)

That choice may be thy storie.

He that doth love, and love amisse
This worlds delights before true Christian joy,

Hath made a Jewish choice:

The world an ancient murderer is;
Thousands of souls it hath and doth destroy

With her enchanting voice.

He that hath made a sorrie wedding
Between his soul and gold, and hath preferr’d

False gain before the true,

Hath done what he condemnes in reading:
For he hath sold for money his deare Lord,

And is a Judas-Jew.

Thus we prevent the last great day,
And judge our selves. That light, which sin and passion

Did before dimme and choke,

When once those snuffes are ta’ne away,
Shines bright and cleare, ev’n unto condemnation,

Without excuse or cloke.