Duplex Cognitio Dei
When I consider all the ways of man,
His blesséd pow'rs, or heaven's sun and show'rs,
Or that ill state of ruin that makes him wan,
And call to God for help in lowly hours;
When eye is cast beyond the earthly haze,
And pierces through the starry heights above,
To rest on beauty, burning blind its gaze,
And falters before glory's weighty oeuvre,
Then shall a man, his God and self behold
Aright in truth: that righteousness, so pure;
That wisdom, keen; that virtue, ever bold,
That light in fullest light, none can endure,
Till he undone shall be by doom and death,
And born anew by Holy Spirit's breath.
