Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, THE POTTER AND HIS CLAY, by ISAAC WATTS


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Classic and Contemporary Poetry

THE POTTER AND HIS CLAY, by                     Poet's Biography
First Line: Behold the potter and the clay
Last Line: The glory of his righteousness.
Subject(s): Evil; Justice; Pottery And Potters


BEHOLD the Potter and the clay,—
He forms his vessels as he please;
Such is our God, and such are we,
The subjects of his high decrees.

Does not the workman's pow'r extend
O'er all the mass—which part to choose
And mould it for a nobler end,
And which to leave for viler use?

May not the Sov'reign Lord on high
Dispense his favours as He will;
Choose some to life, while others die,
And yet be just and gracious still?

What if, to make his terror known,
He lets his patience long endure,
Suff'ring vile rebels to go on,
And seal their own destruction sure;

What if He means to shew his grace,
And his electing love employs,
To mark out some of mortal race,
And form them fit for heav'nly joys,—

Shall man reply against the Lord?
And call his Maker's ways unjust,
The thunder of whose dreadful word
Can crush a thousand worlds to dust?

But, O my soul!—if truth so bright
Should dazzle and confound thy sight,
Yet still his written will obey,
And wait the great decisive day.

Then shall He make his justice known;
And the whole world before his throne,
With joy or terror, shall confess
The glory of his righteousness.





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