1.
Where like to like is matched so
That virtue must of force decay,
There God with vengeance, plagues and woe,
By judgement just must needs repay.
‖: For like to like, the worldlings cry,
Although both likes do grace defy. :‖
2.
And whereas Satan planted hath
In vicious minds a sinful trade;
There like to like do walk his path
By which to him like they are made.
‖: So like with like reward obtain,
To have their meed in endless pain. :‖
3.
Likewise in faith where matches be,
And where as God hath planted grace,
There do his children still agree,
And like to like do run their race.
‖: Like Christ, like hearts of Christian men,
As like to like well-coupled then. :‖
4.
Therefore like grace, like faith and love,
Like virtue springs in each degree;
Where like assistance from above
Doth make them like so right to be.
‖: A holy God, a Christ most just,
And so like souls in him do trust. :‖
5.
Then like as Christ above doth reign
In heaven high, our Saviour best;
So like with him shall be our gain,
In peace and joy and endless rest,
‖: If we ourselves like him do frame
In fear of his most holy name. :‖
6.
To him be praise that grace doth give,
Whereby he fashioneth us anew,
And makes us holily to live
Like to himself, in faith most true;
‖: Which our redemption sure hath wrought,
Like him to be most dearly bought. :‖