{"collection":"scripture-revelation","full_text_available":true,"graph_url":"https://unchartedknowledge.5gfusion.net/v2/api/page/gutenberg_56053/graph","html_url":"https://unchartedknowledge.5gfusion.net/v2/page/gutenberg_56053","id":"gutenberg_56053","license":"Public Domain (US)","rights_basis":"gutenberg_metadata_copyright_false","source":"gutenberg","source_url":"https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/56053","summary":null,"tags":["Category: Classics of Literature","Category: Poetry","Category: Religion/Spirituality","Judgment Day -- Poetry"],"text":"Transcriber\u2019s Note: Biblical references were originally present as side\nnotes rather than footnotes. The references for each stanza were\ncollected into a single footnote, as the references are mostly generic\nto the action of the stanza. The summaries, also present as side notes,\nhave been moved to precede the stanza to which they were attached.\n\nTHE DAY OF DOOM;\n\nOr, a\nPoetical Description\nOf the\nGreat and Last\nJUDGMENT:\nWith Other Poems.\n\nBy\n\nMichael Wigglesworth, A.M.,\n_Teacher of the Church at Malden in New England,_\n\n1662.\n\nAlso a memoir of the author, autobiography and sketch of his funeral\nsermon by Rev.\u00a0Cotton Mather.\n\nActs 17:31. Because he hath appointed a Day in the which he will judge\nthe World in Righteousness by that Man whom he hath ordained.\n\nMat. 24:30. And then shall appear the sign of the Son of Man in Heaven,\nand then shall all the tribes of the Earth mourn, and they shall see the\nSon of Man coming in the clouds of Heaven with power and great glory.\n\nFROM THE SIXTH EDITION, 1715.\n\nNew York;\nAmerican News Company.\n1867.\n\nEntered according to Act of Congress, in the year of our Lord, 1867, by\n\nWm. Henry Burr,\n\nin the Clerk\u2019s office of the District Court of the United States, for\nthe Southern District of New York.\n\nC. S. Westcott & Co., Printers, 79 John street.\n\n\nMemoir of the Author.\n\nThe following is the substance of an article published in the \u201cNew\nEngland Historical and Genealogical Register,\u201d for April, 1863, written\nby John Ward Dean, Esq., of Boston:\n\nA century ago no poetry was more popular in New England than\nWigglesworth\u2019s _Day of Doom_. Francis Jenks, Esq., in an article in the\n_Christian Examiner_ for Nov., 1828, speaks of it as \u201ca work which was\ntaught our fathers with their catechisms, and which many an aged person\nwith whom we are acquainted can still repeat, though they may not have\nmet with a copy since they were in leading strings; a work that was\nhawked about the country, printed on sheets like common ballads; and, in\nfine, a work which fairly represents the prevailing theology of New\nEngland at the time it was written, and which Mather thought might,\n\u2018perhaps, find our children till the Day itself arrives.\u2019\u201d\n\nThe popularity of Wigglesworth dated from the appearance of his poem,\nand continued for more than a century. Expressing in earnest words the\ntheology which they believed, and picturing in lively colors the terrors\nof the judgment day and the awful wrath of an offended God, it commended\nitself to those zealous Puritans, who had little taste for lofty rhyme\nor literary excellence. The imaginative youth devoured its horrors with\navidity, and shuddered at its fierce denunciation of sin. In the\ndarkness of night he saw its frightful forms arise, and was thus driven\nto seek the \u201cark of safety\u201d from the wrath of Jehovah. For the last\ncentury, however, the reputation of the _Day of Doom_ has waned, and few\nat the present day know it except by reputation.\n\nThe author of this book, whose wand had summoned up such images of\nterror, was neither a cynic nor a misanthrope, though sickness, which\ngenerally brings out these dispositions where they exist, had long been\nhis doom. His attenuated frame and feeble health were joined to genial\nmanners; and, though subject to fits of despondency, he seems generally\nto have maintained a cheerful temper, so much so that some of his\nfriends believed his ills to be imaginary.\n\nRev.\u00a0Michael Wigglesworth was born October 28, 1631, probably in\nYorkshire, England. He was brought to this country in 1638, being then\nseven years old, but in what ship we are not informed. His father,\nEdward Wigglesworth, was one of those resolute Puritans who, with their\nfamilies, found an asylum where they could enjoy their religion without\nmolestation in our then New England wilderness, the distance of which\nfrom their English homes can hardly be appreciated now. Here they\nsuffered the severe hardships of a rigorous climate, the fearful dangers\nfrom savage tribes around them, while uniting to build up villages which\nare now cities, and which still retain some of the characteristics of\ntheir Puritan founders. The determined purpose and strength of principle\nthat conquered every obstacle was a school of severe training for the\nchildren of that period. It was natural that a father who had endured so\nmuch for conscience\u2019 sake should desire to see his only son a clergyman;\nand, although the father\u2019s means were not large, the son was devoted to\nthe ministry and given a thorough education. Michael, after nearly three\nyears of preparatory studies, entered Harvard College in 1647. Here he\nhad the good fortune to have for a tutor the excellent Jonathan\nMitchell, \u201cthe glory of the college,\u201d and famous as a preacher. The\nfriendship here begun appears to have continued after both had left the\ncollege walls. Probably the eight stanzas \u201con the following work and its\nauthor,\u201d signed J. Mitchel, were written by that tutor and preacher, who\nwas a native of Yorkshire, the county in which Wigglesworth is believed\nto have been born.\n\nIn 1651 Mr.\u00a0Wigglesworth graduated, and was soon after appointed a tutor\nin the College. Some of his pupils were men of note in their day. Among\nthem were. Rev.\u00a0Shubael Dummer, of York, Me.; Rev.\u00a0John Eliot, of\nNewton; and Rev.\u00a0Samuel Torry, of Weymouth; but the chief of them, it\nwill be admitted, was Rev.\u00a0Increase Mather, D.D., pastor of the second\nchurch in Boston, and for sixteen years president of Harvard College.\nThat the tutor was faithful to his trust, we have evidence from the\nsketch of the funeral sermon appended to this work, preached by\nRev.\u00a0Cotton Mather, D.D., son of Increase, who probably derived his\ninformation from his father.\n\nWhile a tutor, he prepared himself for the ministry, and before his\nfather\u2019s death he had preached several times. He was invited, probably\nin the autumn of 1654, to settle at Malden, as the successor of\nRev.\u00a0Marmaduke Matthews, but owing to long-continued sickness was not\nordained there till 1656. The precise date of his ordination is not\nknown, but it must have been subsequent to August 25, 1656, for his\nletter of dismission from the church at Cambridge bears that date. This\nletter, addressing the \u201cChurch of Christ at Maldon,\u201d states that \u201cthe\ngood hand of Divine Providence hath so disposed that our beloved and\nhighly esteemed brother, Mr.\u00a0Wigglesworth, hath his residence and is\nemployed in the good work of ye Lord amongst you, and hath cause to\ndesire of us Letters Dismissive to your church, in order to his joining\nas a member with you.\u201d\n\nThe ill health which had delayed his ordination at Malden returned soon\nafter his settlement there, and interrupted his ministry several years.\nHe took a voyage to Bermuda, sailing Sept. 23, 1663, and being absent\nabout seven months and a half. But the tedious and stormy voyage seems\nto have impaired his health so much that the change of climate afforded\nhim little relief, and he returned much discouraged. He met with a very\ncordial welcome from his friends and parishioners.\n\nWhile he was thus withheld from his ministry, he employed his time in\nliterary labors. His _Day of Doom_ was published about 1662, the year\nbefore his voyage to Bermuda. The first edition consisting of 1,800\ncopies, was sold, with some profit to the author, within a year, which\nconsidering the population and wealth of New England at that time, shows\nalmost as remarkable a popularity as that of _Uncle Tom\u2019s Cabin_.\n\nWhile absent on his voyage in search of health, Dec. 9, 1663,\nRev.\u00a0Benjamin Bunker was ordained pastor of the church at Malden. It\nseems that a distinction was observed at this time in New England\nbetween pastor and teacher. Wigglesworth calls Bunker \u201cpastor\u201d in some\nverses composed on his death, while on the title-page of this, work he\ncalls himself \u201cteacher.\u201d After Wigglesworth became sole minister, he was\nprobably considered the pastor. Bunker held this office over six years,\ntill his death, Feb. 3, 1669-70; In the elegy on the death of his\ncolleague, Wigglesworth highly extols Bunker\u2019s piety and usefulness. The\nnext colleague of our author was Bev. Benjamin Blackman, settled about\n1674. He supplied the desk four years and upward. and left in the year\n1679. His next colleague was Rev.\u00a0Thomas Cheever, son of his early\nteacher, the celebrated New England schoolmaster, Ezekiel Cheever,\nauthor of _Latin Accidence_. These three ministers were all educated at\nHarvard College, Bunker having graduated in 1658, Blackman in 1663, and\nCheever in 1677. Mr.\u00a0Cheever began to preach at Maiden Feb. 14, 1679-80,\nwas ordained July 27, 1681, and was dismissed May 20, 1686.\n\nWigglesworth, though long prevented by sickness from officiating, never\nresigned his ministerial charge, as appears from a letter which he\naddressed to Samuel Sprague, July 22, 1687. He was now left alone as\nminister of the church. He had, however, recovered his health in a\nmeasure about this time, which had suffered for nearly twenty years, and\nfor the remainder of his life he continued in public usefulness.\n\nHe died on Sunday morning, June 10, 1705, in the 74th year of his age.\nThe epitaph on the last page of this work is believed to have been\nwritten by Cotton Mather, as it appears in the appendix to his funeral\nsermon as by \u201cone that had been gratified by his _Meat out of the Eater_\nand _Day of Doom_.\u201d\n\nMr.\u00a0Wigglesworth had at least three wives: Mary, daughter of Humphrey\nReyner, of Rowley; Martha, whose maiden name was probably Mudge; and\nSybil, widow of Dr.\u00a0Jonathan Avery, of Dedham, and daughter of Nathaniel\nSparhawk, of Cambridge.\n\nBy his first wife he had (1) _Mercy_ b. Feb., 1655-6; m. 1st, [Samuel?]\nBrackenbury, by whom she had at least one son, William; m. 2d,\n[Rev.\u00a0Samuel.?] Belcher.\n\nBy his second wife, Martha, who d. 11th Sept., 1690, a. 28, he had:\u2014 (2)\n_Abigail_, b. 20th March, 1681; m. Samuel Tappan, 23d Dec, 1700;\u2014 (3)\n_Mary_, b. 21st Sept., 1682 ; unm. in 1708;\u2014 (4) _Martha_, b. 21st Dec.,\n1683; m. Wheeler;\u2014 (5) _Esther_, b. 16th April, 1685; m. 1st, John\nSewall, June 8, 1708, who d. 1711; m. 2d, Abraham Tappan, Oct. 21,\n1713;\u2014 (6) Dorothy, b. 22d Feb., 1687-88; m. 2d June, 1709, James\nUpham;\u2014 (7) Rev.\u00a0Samuel, b. 4th Feb., 1689-90, d. 3d Sept., 1768. By his\nthird wife, Sybil, who d. 6th Aug., 1708, a. 53, he had:\u2014 (8) Prof.\n_Edward_, D.D., b. about 1692, d. Jan. 16, 1765.\n\nRev.\u00a0Samuel Wigglesworth, the elder son, was settled in Hamilton Parish,\nin Ipswich, Mass., in 1714. He m. 1st, Mary, dau. of John Brintnal, of\nWinnisimmet, 30th June, 1715, who d. June 6, 1723, a. 28, having borne\nhim four children, Mary, Michael, Martha, and Phebe. He m. March 12,\n1730, Martha Brown, and had nine children.\n\nEdward Wigglesworth, D.D., the younger son, took his degree of Bachelor\nof Arts in 1710, and applied himself to the study of Divinity. He\npreached for some time in different parishes, and in 1722 was installed\nHollis Professor of Divinity of Harvard College. Not long afterward he\nwas chosen one of the fellows of the corporation. He left an only son,\nwho succeeded him as Hollis Professor in the same college, and an only\nsurviving daughter, who married Prof.\u00a0Sewall.\n\nThe following are the various editions of the _Day of Doom_, so far as\nwe have been able to ascertain:\n\nThe first edition was published in 1661 or 1662, and the second four\nyears after. These facts are obtained from memoranda by the author,\nwhich are printed in the Historical Magazine for December, 1863. An\nedition was printed in London, England, without the author\u2019s name, in\n1673. This was, probably, the third impression; the date of the fourth\nis unknown. The fifth edition is said to have been published in 1701.\nMr.\u00a0Dean has made diligent search and repeated inquiries, but can only\nfind two or three copies of the edition of 1673, and several fragments\nwhich must have been parts of some of the other editions.\n\nThere was an edition published at Newcastle, in England, in 1711. The\nnext edition was published in 1715, called \u201cthe 6th edition, enlarged,\nwith Scripture and marginal notes\u201d\u2014\u201cprinted by John Allen, for Benjamin\nEliot, at his shop in King street.\u201d From this edition, which was\nevidently the seventh, the present one is reprinted, being carefully\ncompared with that of 1673. Another edition appeared in 1751, \u201cPrinted\nand sold by Thomas Fleet, at the Heart and Crown, in Cornhill,\u201d Boston.\nThe next edition appeared in 1811, \u201cPublished by E. Little & Company,\nNewburyport,\u201d Mass. The last edition, prior to the present, was\npublished in Boston in 1828, by Charles Ewer.\n\nBesides the _Day of Doom_ Mr.\u00a0Wigglesworth published, in 1669, \u201cMeat out\nof the Eater; or, Meditations concerning the necessity and usefulness of\nAfflictions unto God\u2019s Children.\u201d The \u201cfourth edition\u201d appeared in 1689,\nand subsequent editions in 1717 and 1770. In 1686 he preached an\nElection Sermon, which was printed by the colony. Among his unpublished\nwritings is a poem entitled \u201cGod\u2019s Controversy with New England, written\nin the time of the great Drought, Anno 1662. By a lover of New England\u2019s\nprosperity.\u201d\n\nMr.\u00a0Wigglesworth borrowed little from other poets, and what he borrowed\nwas probably from the commentaries and theological treatises with which\nhis library abounded, rather than from the poets. Not that his style is\nwholly prosaic, for there are passages in his writings that are truly\npoetical, both in thought and expression, and which show that he was\ncapable of attaining a higher position as a poet than can now be claimed\nfor him. The roughness of his verses was surely not owing to\ncarelessness or indolence, for neither of them was characteristic of the\nman. The true explanation may be, that he sacrificed his poetical taste\nto his theology, and that, for the sake of inculcating sound doctrine,\nhe was willing to write in halting numbers.\n\nThe author of the _Day of Doom_, belonging to the straitest sect of\nPuritans, was, like many others of that sect, a man of generous feeling\ntoward his fellows. Rev.\u00a0Dr.\u00a0Peabody calls him \u201ca man of the\nbeatitudes.\u201d Obedience to the supreme law gave a heavenly lustre to his\nexample and a sweet fragrance to his memory. The clergy of his day\npossessed a deep religious earnestness and a fervent piety. They were\nBible students and men of prayer. Even many who consider them erroneous\nin doctrine, are willing to allow that they were strict in morals; that,\nif they were wrong in faith, they were right in life; that, if their\ncreed was opaque, their hearts were luminous; and that, if their vision\ndid not discern the additional light which the saintly Robinson had\nprophesied was yet to break forth from God\u2019s Word, they sincerely\naccepted the light they saw. They were patient, hopeful, humble,\nbelieving, faithful. They stood on a higher plane than their successors,\nand exercised a proportionally higher power over their hearers. Their\npeople revered them, were constant in attendance on their services, and\nsubmitted gladly to their sway.\n\n\nAutobiography\n\nI was born of Godly Parents, that feared ye Lord greatly, even from\ntheir youth, but in an ungodly Place, where ye generality of ye people\nrather derided than imitated their piety; in a place where, to my\nknowledge, their children had Learnt wickedness betimes; in a place that\nwas consumed with fire in a great part of it, after God had brought them\nout of it. These godly parents of mine meeting with opposition and\npersecution for Religion, because they went from their own Parish church\nto hear ye word and Receiv ye Lords supper &c, took up resolutions to\npluck up their stakes and remove themselves to New England: and\naccordingly they did so, Leaving dear Relations, friends and\nacquaintance, their native Land, a new built house, a flourishing Trade,\nto expose themselves to ye hazzard of ye seas, and to ye Distressing\ndifficulties of a howling wilderness, that they might enjoy Liberty of\nConscience and Christ in his ordinances. And the Lord brought them\nhither and Landed them at Charlstown, after many difficulties and\nhazzards, and me along with them, being then a child not full seven\nyears old. After about 7 weeks stay at Charlstown, my parents removed\nagain by sea to New Haven in ye month of October. In our passage thither\nwe were in great Danger by a storm which drove us upon a Beach of sand\nwhere we lay beating til another Tide fetcht us off; but God carried us\nto our port in safety. Winter approaching we dwelt in a cellar partly\nunder ground covered with earth the first winter. But I remember that\none great rain, brake in upon us and drencht me so in my bed, being\nasleep, that I fell sick upon it; but ye Lord in mercy spar\u2019d my life\nand restored my health. When ye next summer was come I was sent to\nschool to Mr.\u00a0Ezekiel Cheever, who at that time taught school in his own\nhouse, and under him in a year or two I profited so much through ye\nblessing of God, that I began to make Latin and to get forward apace.\nBut God who is infinitely wise and absolutely soverain, and gives no\naccount concerning any of his proceedings, was pleased about this time\nto visit my father with Lameness which grew upon him more and more to\nhis dying Day, though he liv\u2019d under it 13 years. He wanting help was\nfain to take me off from school to follow other employments for ye space\nof 3 or 4 years, until I had lost all that I had gained in the Latin\nTongue. But when I was now in my fourteenth year, my Father, who I\nsuppose was not wel satisfied in keeping me from Learning whereto I had\nbeen designed from my infancy, and not judging me fit for husbandry,\nsent me to school again, though at that time I had little or no\ndisposition to it, but I was willing to submit to his authority therein\nand accordingly I went to school under no small disadvantage and\ndiscouragement, seing those that were far inferior to me, by my\ndiscontinuance now gotten far before me. But in a little time it\nappeared to be of God, who was pleased to facilitate my work and bless\nmy studies that I soon recovered what I had lost, and gained a great\ndeal more, so that in 2 years and 3 quarters I was judged fit for ye\nColledge and thither I was sent far from my parents and acquaintance\namong strangers. But when father and mother both forsook me then ye Lord\ntook care of me. It was an act of great self denial in my father that\nnotwithstanding his own lameness and great weakness of Body which\nrequired ye service and helpfulness of a son, and having but one son to\nbe ye staff of his age and supporter of his weakness, he would yet for\nmy good, be content to deny himself of that comfort and Assistance I\nmight have Lent him. It was also an evident proof of a strong Faith in\nhim, in that he durst adventure to send me to ye Colledge, though his\nestate was but small and little enough to maintain himself and small\nfamily left at home. And God let him Live to see how acceptable to\nhimself this service was in giving up his only son to ye Lord and\nbringing him up to Learning; especially ye Lively actings of his faith\nand self denial herein. For first, notwithstanding his great weakness of\nbody, yet he Lived til I was so far brought up as that I was called to\nbe a fellow of ye Colledge and improved in Publick servdce there, and\nuntil I had preached several Times; yea and more than so, he Lived to\nsee and hear what God had done for my soul in turning me from Darkness\nto light and from ye power of Sathan unto God, which filled his heart\nfull of joy and thankfulness beyond what can be expressed. And for his\noutward estate, that was so far from being sunk by what he spent from\nyear to year upon my education, that in 6 years time it was plainly\ndoubled, which himself took great notice of, and spake of it to myself\nand others, to ye praise of God, with Admiration and thankfulness. And\nafter he had lived under great and sore affliction for ye space of 13\nyears a pattern of faith, patience, humility, and heavenly mindedness,\nhaving done his work in my education and receiv\u2019d an answer to his\nprayers, God took him to his Heavenly Rest, where he is now reaping ye\nfruits of his Labors. When I came first to ye Colledge, I had indeed\nenjoyed ye benefit of Religious and strict education, and God in his\nmercy and pitty kept me from scandalous sins before I came thither and\nafter I came there, but alas I had a naughty vile heart and was acted by\ncorrupt nature, therefore could propound no Right and noble ends, but\nacted from self and for self. I was indeed studious and strove to outdoe\nmy compeers, but it was for honour and applause and preferment and such\npoor Beggarly ends. Thus I had my Ends and God had his Ends far\ndiffering from mine, yet it pleased him to Bless my studies, and to make\nme grow in Knowledge both in ye tongues and inferior Arts and also in\nDivinity. But when I had been there about three years and a half; God in\nhis Love and Pitty to my soul wrought a great change in me, both in\nheart and Life, and from that time forward I learnt to study with God\nand for God. And whereas before that, I had thoughts of applying myself\nto ye study and Practice of Physick, I wholy laid aside those thoughts,\nand did chuse to serve Christ in ye work of ye ministry if he would\nplease to fit me for it and to accept of my service in that great work.\n\nNote.\u2014In the foregoing Autobiography the original spelling is retained.\nIn the following poems the spelling is modernized. The use of the acute\naccent (\u2019) to indicate the former pronunciation of the final _ed_ as a\nseparate syllable will be obvious; in other exceptional cases the old\napostrophe is retained. In a few instances the termination _tion_ is\ndivided by a hyphen, to indicate its pronunication as two syllables\n(_she_-on). The modern double commas are also used to mark quotations.\n\nW. H. B.\n\n\nTo the Christian Reader.\n\nReader, I am a fool,\nAnd have adventur\u00e9d\nTo play the fool this once for Christ,\nThe more his fame to spread.\nIf this my foolishness\nHelp thee to be more wise,\nI have attain\u00e9d what I seek.\nAnd what I only prize.\n\nThou wonderest, perhaps,\nThat I in Print appear,\nWho to the Pulpit dwell so nigh,\nYet come so seldom there.\nThe God of Heaven knows\nWhat grief to me it is,\nTo be withheld from serving Christ;\nNo sorrow like to this.\n\nThis is the sorest pain\nThat T have felt or feel;\nYet have I stood some shocks that might\nMake stronger men to reel.\nI find more true delight\nIn serving of the Lord,\nThan all the good things upon Earth,\nWithout it, can afford.\n\nAnd could my strength endure\nThat work I count so dear,\nNot all the Riches of Peru\nShould hire me to forbear.\nBut I\u2019m a Prisoner,\nUnder a heavy Chain;\nAlmighty God\u2019s afflicting hand\nDoth me by force restrain.\n\nYet some (_I know_) do judge\nMine inability\nTo come abroad and do Christ\u2019s work.\nTo be Melancholly;\nAnd that I\u2019m not so weak\nAs I myself conceit:\nBut who in other things have found\nMe so conceited yet?\n\nOr who of all my Friends\nThat have my trials seen,\nCan tell the time in sev\u00e9n years\nWhen I have dumpish been?\nSome think my voice is strong,\nMost times when I do Preach;\nBut ten days after, what I feel\nAnd suffer few can reach.\n\nMy prison\u2019d thoughts break forth,\nWhen open\u2019d is the door.\nWith greater force and violence,\nAnd strain my voice the more.\nBut vainly do they tell\nThat I am growing stronger,\nWho hear me speak in half an hour,\nTill I can speak no longer.\n\nSome for because they see not\nMy clieerfulness to fail,\nNor that I am disconsolate,\nDo think I nothing ail.\nIf they had borne my griefs,\nTheir courage might have fail\u2019d them,\nAnd all the Town (perhaps) have known\n(Once and again) what ail\u2019d them.\n\nBut why should I complain\nThat have so good a God,\nThat doth mine heart with comfort till\nEv\u2019n whilst I feel his Rod?\nIn God I have been strong,\nBut wearied and worn out.\nAnd joy\u2019d in him, when twenty woes\nAssail\u2019d me round about.\n\nNor speak I this to boast.\nBut make Apology\nFor mine own self, and answer those\nThat fail in Charity.\nI am, alas! as frail.\nImpati\u00e9nt a creature,\nAs most that tread upon the ground,\nAnd have as bad a nature.\n\nLet God be magnified.\nWhose everlasting strength\nUpholds me under sufferings\nOf more than ten years\u2019 length;\nThrough whose Almighty pow\u2019r\nAlthough I am surrounded\nWith sorrows more than can be told,\nYet am I not confounded.\n\nFor his dear sake have I\nThis service undertaken,\nFor I am bound to honor him\nWho hath not me forsaken.\nI am a Debtor too,\nUnto the sons of Men,\nWhom, wanting other means, I would\nAdvantage with my Pen.\n\nI would, but ah! my strength.\nWhen tri\u00e9d, proves so small,\nThat to the ground without effect\nMy wishes often fall.\nWeak heads, and hands, and states,\nGreat things cannot produce ;\nAnd therefore I this little Piece\nHave publish\u2019d for thine use.\n\nAlthough the thing be small,\nYet my good will therein.\nIs nothing less than if it had\nA larger Volume been.\nAccept it then in love,\nAnd read it for thy good;\nThere\u2019s nothing in \u2019t can do thee hurt,\nIf rightly understood.\n\nThe God of Heaven grant\nThese Lines so well to speed,\nThat thou the things of thine own peace\nThrough them may\u2019st better heed;\nAnd may\u2019st be stirr\u00e9d up\nTo stand upon thy guard.\nThat Death and Judgment may not come\nAnd find thee unprepar\u2019d.\n\nOh get a part in Christ,\nAnd make the Judge thy Friend;\nSo shalt thou be assur\u00e9d of\nA happy, glorious end.\nThus prays thy real Friend\nAnd Servant for Christ\u2019s sake,\nWho, had he strength, would not refuse\nMore pains for thee to take.\n\nMichael Wigglesworth.\n\n\nOn the Following Work and its Author.\n\nA verse may find him who a sermon flies,\nSaith Herbert well. Great truths to dress in Meter.\nBecomes a Preacher, who men\u2019s Souls doth prize,\nThat Truth in Sugar roll\u2019d may taste the sweeter.\n\u00a0\u00a0No cost too great, no care too curious is\n\u00a0\u00a0To set forth Truth and win men\u2019s Souls to bliss.\n\nIn costly Verse, and most laborious Rhymes,\nAre dish\u2019d up here Truths worthy most regard:\nNo Toys, nor Fables (Poets\u2019 wonted crimes)\nHere be, but things of worth, with wit prepar\u2019d.\n\u00a0\u00a0Reader, fall to, and if thy taste be good,\n\u00a0\u00a0Thou\u2019lt praise the Cook, and say, \u2019Tis choicest Food.\n\nDavid\u2019s affliction bred us many a Psalm,\nFrom Caves, from mouth of Graves that Singer sweet\nOft tun\u2019d his Soul-felt notes: for not in \u2019s calm,\nBut storms, to write most Psalms God made him meet.\n\u00a0\u00a0Affliction turn\u2019d his Pen to Poetry,\n\u00a0\u00a0Whose serious strains do here before thee lie.\n\nThis man with many griefs afflicted sore.\nShut up from speaking much in sickly Cave,\nThence painful seizure hath to write the more.\nAnd send thee Counsels from the mouth o\u2019 th\u2019 Grave.\n\u00a0\u00a0One foot i\u2019 th\u2019 other world long time hath been,\n\u00a0\u00a0Read, and thou\u2019lt say, Illis heart is all therein.\n\nOh, happy Cave, that\u2019s to mount Nebo turn\u2019d!\nOh, happy prisoner that\u2019s at liberty\nTo walk through th\u2019 other World! the Bonds are burn\u2019d,\n(But nothing else) in Furnace fi\u00e9ry.\n\u00a0\u00a0Such fires unfetter Saints, and set more free\n\u00a0\u00a0Their unscorch\u2019d Souls for Christ\u2019s sweet company.\n\nCheer on, sweet Soul, although in briny tears\nSteept is thy seed; though dying every day;\nThy sheaves shall joyful be when Christ appears.\nTo change our death and pain to life for aye.\n\u00a0\u00a0The weepers now shall laugh; the jovial laughter\n\u00a0\u00a0Of vain ones here shall turn to tears hereafter.\n\nJudge right, and his restraint is our Reproof.\nThe Sins of Hearers Preachers\u2019 Lips do close,\nAnd make their Tongue to cleave unto its roof.\nWhich else would check and cheer full freely those\n\u00a0\u00a0That need. But from this Eater comes some Meat.\n\u00a0\u00a0And sweetness good from this affliction great.\n\nIn those vast Woods a Christian Poet sings\n(Where whilom Heathen wild were only found)\nOf things to come, the last and greatest things\nWhich in our Ears aloud should ever sound.\n\u00a0\u00a0Of Judgment dread, Hell, Heaven, Eternity,\n\u00a0\u00a0Reader, think oft, and help thy thoughts thereby.\n\nJ. MITCHEL.\n\n\nA Prayer Unto Christ the Judge of the World.\n\n_O Dearest, Dread, most glorious King!_\n_I\u2019ll of thy justest Judgments sing:_\n_Do thou my head and heart inspire,_\n_To Sing aright, as I desire._\n_Thee, thee alone I\u2019ll invocate,_\n_For I do much abominate_\n_To call the Muses to mine aid:_\n_Which is th\u2019 Unchristian use and trade_\n_Of some that Christians would be thought,_\n_And yet they worship worse than naught._\n_Oh! what a deal of Blasphemy_\n_And Heathenish Impiety_\n_In Christian Poets may be found,_\n_Where Heathen gods with praise are crown\u2019d!_\n_They make Jehovah to stand by_\n_Till Juno, Venus, Mercury,_\n_With frowning Mars, and thund\u2019ring Jove,_\n_Rule Earth below, and Heav\u2019n ahove._\n_But I have learn\u2019d to pray to none,_\n_Save unto God in Christ alone._\n_Nor will I laud, no, not in jest,_\n_That which I know God doth detest._\n_I reckon it a damning evil._\n_To give God\u2019s Praises to the Devil._\n_Thou, Christ, art he to whom I pray;_\n_Thy Glory fain I would display._\n_Oh! guide me by thy sacred Sprite,_\n_So to indite, and so to write._\n_That I thine holy Name may praise._\n_And teach the Sons of Men thy ways._\n\n\nThe Day of Doom\n\n_The security of the world before Christ\u2019s coming to judgment._\n\nI. [1]\n\nStill was the night, serene and bright,\n\u00a0\u00a0when all Men sleeping lay;\nCalm was the season, and carnal reason\n\u00a0\u00a0thought so \u2019twould last for aye.\n\u201cSoul, take thine ease, let sorrow cease;\n\u00a0\u00a0much good thou hast in store:\u201c\nThis was their Song, their Cups among,\n\u00a0\u00a0the evening before.\n\nII. [2]\n\nWallowing in all kind of Sin,\n\u00a0\u00a0vile Wretches lay secure;\nThe best of men had scarcely then\n\u00a0\u00a0their Lamps kept in good ure.\nVirgins unwise, who through disguise\n\u00a0\u00a0amongst the best were number\u2019d,\nHad clos\u2019d their eyes; yea, and the Wise\n\u00a0\u00a0through sloth and frailty slumber\u2019d.\n\nIII. [3]\n\nLike as of old, when men grew bold,\n\u00a0\u00a0God\u2019s threat\u2019nings to contemn.\nWho stopt their Ear, and would not hear\n\u00a0\u00a0when Mercy warn\u00e9d them,\nBut took their course, without remorse,\n\u00a0\u00a0till God began to pour\nDestructi-on the World upon,\n\u00a0\u00a0in a tempestuous show\u2019r;\n\nIV. [4]\n\nWho put away the evil day,\n\u00a0\u00a0and drown\u2019d their cares and fears,\nTill drown\u2019d were they, and swept away\n\u00a0\u00a0by vengeance unawares;\nSo at the last, whilst men sleep fast\n\u00a0\u00a0in their security,\nSurpris\u2019d they are in such a snare\n\u00a0\u00a0As Cometh suddenly.\n\n_The suddenness, Majesty and Terror of Christ\u2019s appearing._\n\nV. [5]\n\nFor at midnight breaks forth a light,\n\u00a0\u00a0which turns the night to day,\nAnd speedily an hideous cry\n\u00a0\u00a0doth all the World dismay.\nSinners awake, their hearts do ache,\n\u00a0\u00a0trembling their loins surpriseth;\nAmaz\u2019d with fear, by what they hear,\n\u00a0\u00a0each one of them ariseth.\n\nVI. [6]\n\nThey rush from beds with giddy heads,\n\u00a0\u00a0and to their windows run.\nViewing this light, which shines more bright\n\u00a0\u00a0than doth the noon-day Sun.\nStraightway appears (they see\u2019t with tears)\n\u00a0\u00a0the Son of God most dread,\nWho with his Train comes on amain\n\u00a0\u00a0to judge both Quick and Dead.\n\nVII. [7]\n\nBefore his face the Heav\u2019ns give place,\n\u00a0\u00a0and Skies are rent asunder.\nWith mighty voice and hideous noise,\n\u00a0\u00a0more terrible than Thunder.\nHis Brightness damps Heav\u2019n\u2019s glorious Lamps\n\u00a0\u00a0and makes them hide their heads;\nAs if afraid and quite dismay\u2019d,\n\u00a0\u00a0they quit their wonted steads.\n\nVIII.\n\nYe sons of men that durst contemn\n\u00a0\u00a0the Threat\u2019nings of God\u2019s Word,\nHow cheer you now? Your hearts, I trow,\n\u00a0\u00a0are thrill\u2019d as with a sword.\nNow Atheist blind, whose brutish mind\n\u00a0\u00a0a God could never see,\nDost thou perceive, dost now believe\n\u00a0\u00a0that Christ thy Judge shall be?\n\nIX.\n\nStout Courages, (whose hardiness\n\u00a0\u00a0could Death and Hell outface,)\nAre you as bold, now you behold\n\u00a0\u00a0your Judge draw near apace?\nThey cry, \u201cNo, no, Alas! and woe!\n\u00a0\u00a0our courage all is gone:\nOur hardiness (fool hardiness)\n\u00a0\u00a0hath us undone, undone!\u201c\n\nX. [8]\n\nNo heart so bold, but now grows cold,\n\u00a0\u00a0and almost dead with fear;\nNo eye so dry but now can cry,\n\u00a0\u00a0and pour out many a tear.\nEarth\u2019s Potentates and pow\u2019rful States,\n\u00a0\u00a0Captains and Men of Might,\nAre quite abasht, their courage dasht,\n\u00a0\u00a0at this most dreadful sight.\n\nXI. [9]\nMean men lament, great men do rent\n\u00a0\u00a0their Robes, and tear their hair;\nThey do not spare their flesh to tear\n\u00a0\u00a0through horrible despair.\nAll kindreds wail; all hearts do fail;\n\u00a0\u00a0Horror the World doth fill\nWith weeping eyes and loud out-cries,\n\u00a0\u00a0yet knows not how to kill.\n\nXII. [10]\n\nSome hide themselves in Caves and Delves,\n\u00a0\u00a0in places under ground:\nSome rashly leap into the Deep,\n\u00a0\u00a0to \u2019scape by being drown\u2019d:\nSome to the Rocks (O senseless blocks!)\n\u00a0\u00a0and woody mountains run.\nThat there they might this fearful sight,\n\u00a0\u00a0and dreaded Presence shun.\n\nXIII.\n\nIn vain do they to Mountains say,\n\u00a0\u00a0\u201cFall on us and us hide\nFrom Judge\u2019s ire, more hot than Fire,\n\u00a0\u00a0for who may it abide?\u201c\nNo hiding place can from his Face\n\u00a0\u00a0sinners at all conceal,\nWhose flaming Eye hid things doth spy,\n\u00a0\u00a0and darkest things reveal.\n\nXIV. [11]\n\nThe Judge draws nigh, exalted high\n\u00a0\u00a0upon a lofty Throne,\nAmidst the throng of Angels strong,\n\u00a0\u00a0lo, Israel\u2019s Holy One!\nThe excellence of whose Presence\n\u00a0\u00a0and awful Majesty,\nAmazeth Nature, and every Creature\n\u00a0\u00a0doth more than terrify.\n\nXV. [12]\n\nThe Mountains smoke, the Hills are shook,\n\u00a0\u00a0the Earth is rent and torn,\nAs if she should be clear dissolv\u2019d\n\u00a0\u00a0or from her center borne.\nThe Sea doth roar, forsakes the shore,\n\u00a0\u00a0and shrinks away for fear;\nThe wild beasts flee into the sea,\n\u00a0\u00a0so soon as he draws near,\n\nXVI. [13]\n\nWhose Glory bright, whose wond\u2019rous Might,\n\u00a0\u00a0whose Power Imperial,\nSo far surpass whatever was\n\u00a0\u00a0in Realms Terrestrial,\nThat tongues of men (nor Angel\u2019s pen)\n\u00a0\u00a0Cannot the same express;\nAnd therefore I must pass it by,\n\u00a0\u00a0lest speaking should transgress.\n\n_Resurrection of the Dead._\n\nXVII. [14]\n\nBefore his Throne a Trump is blown,\n\u00a0\u00a0proclaiming th\u2019 Day of Doom;\nForthwith he cries, \u201c_Ye Dead arise_\n\u00a0\u00a0_and unto Judgment come._\u201c\nNo sooner said, but \u2019tis obey\u2019d;\n\u00a0\u00a0Sepulchers open\u2019d are;\nDead bodies all rise at his call,\n\u00a0\u00a0and\u2019s mighty Power declare.\n\nXVIII.\n\nBoth Sea and Land at his command,\n\u00a0\u00a0their Dead at once surrender;\nThe Fire and Air constrain\u00e9d are\n\u00a0\u00a0also their dead to tender.\nThe mighty Word of this great Lord\n\u00a0\u00a0links Body and Soul together,\nBoth of the Just and the unjust,\n\u00a0\u00a0to part no more for ever.\n\n_The living changed_\n\nXIX. [15]\n\nThe same translates from Mortal states\n\u00a0\u00a0to Immortality,\nAll that survive and be alive,\n\u00a0\u00a0in th\u2019 twinkling of an eye;\nThat so they may abide for aye,\n\u00a0\u00a0to endless weal or woe:\nBoth the Renate and Reprobate\n\u00a0\u00a0are made to die no moe.\n\n_All brought to Judgment._\n\nXX. [16]\n\nHis wing\u00e9d Hosts fly through all coasts,\n\u00a0\u00a0together gathering\nBoth good and bad, both Quick and Dead,\n\u00a0\u00a0and all to Judgment bring.\nOut of their holes those creeping Moles,\n\u00a0\u00a0that hid themselves for fear,\nBy force they take, and quickly make\n\u00a0\u00a0before the Judge appear.\n\n_The Sheep separated from the Goats._\n\nXXI. [17]\n\nThus every one before the Throne\n\u00a0\u00a0of Christ the Judge is brought,\nBoth righteous and impious,\n\u00a0\u00a0that good or ill hath wrought.\nA separation and diff\u2019ring station\n\u00a0\u00a0by Christ appointed is\n(To sinners sad) \u2019twixt good and bad,\n\u00a0\u00a0\u2019twixt Heirs of woe and bliss.\n\n_Who are Christ\u2019s Sheep._\n\nXXII. [18]\n\nAt Christ\u2019s right hand the Sheep do stand,\n\u00a0\u00a0his holy Martyrs, who\nFor his dear Name suffering shame,\n\u00a0\u00a0calamity and woe.\nLike Champions stood and with their Blood\n\u00a0\u00a0their Testimony seal\u00e9d;\nWhose innocence without offence\n\u00a0\u00a0to Christ their Judge appeal\u00e9d.\n\nXXIII. [19]\n\nNext unto whom there find a room\n\u00a0\u00a0all Christ\u2019s afflicted ones,\nWho being chastis\u2019d, neither despis\u2019d\n\u00a0\u00a0nor sank amidst their groans;\nWho by the Rod were turn\u2019d to God,\n\u00a0\u00a0and lov\u00e9d him the more,\nNot murmuring nor quarrelling\n\u00a0\u00a0when they were chast\u2019ned sore.\n\nXXIV. [20]\n\nMoreover, such as lov\u00e9d much,\n\u00a0\u00a0that had not such a trial.\nAs might constrain to so great pain,\n\u00a0\u00a0and such deep self-denial.\nYet ready were the Cross to bear,\n\u00a0\u00a0when Christ them called thereto,\nAnd did rejoice to hear his voice,\u2014\n\u00a0\u00a0they\u2019re counted Sheep also.\n\nXXV. [21]\n\nChrist\u2019s flock of Lambs there also stands,\n\u00a0\u00a0whose Faith was weak, yet true,\nsound Believers (Gospel receivers)\n\u00a0\u00a0those Grace was small, but grew;\nAnd them among an Infant throng\n\u00a0\u00a0of Babes, for whom Christ died;\nWhom for his own, by ways unknown\n\u00a0\u00a0to Men, he sanctified.\n\nXXVI. [22]\n\nAll stand before their Savi-or,\n\u00a0\u00a0in long white Robes yclad,\nTheir countenance full of pleasance,\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0appearing wond\u2019rous glad.\nO glorious sight! Behold how bright\n\u00a0\u00a0dust-heaps are made to shine.\nConform\u00e9d so their Lord unto,\n\u00a0\u00a0whose Glory is Divine.\n\n_The Goats described, or the several sorts of Reprobates on the left hand._\n\nXXVII. [23]\n\nAt Christ\u2019s left hand the Goats do stand,\n\u00a0\u00a0all whining Hypocrites\nWho for self-ends did seem Christ\u2019s friends,\n\u00a0\u00a0but foster\u2019d guileful sprites;\nWho Sheep resembled, but they dissembled,\n\u00a0\u00a0(their hearts were not sincere,)\nWho once did throng Christ\u2019s Lambs among,\n\u00a0\u00a0but now must not come near.\n\nXXVIII. [24]\n\nApostates base and run-aways,\n\u00a0\u00a0such as have Christ forsaken,\nOf whom the Devil, with seven more evil,\n\u00a0\u00a0hath fresh possession taken;\nSinners ingrain, reserv\u2019d to pain,\n\u00a0\u00a0and torments most severe,\nBecause \u2019gainst light they sinn\u2019d with spite,\n\u00a0\u00a0are also placed there.\n\nXXIX. [25]\n\nThere also stand a num\u2019rous band,\n\u00a0\u00a0that no profession made\nOf Godliness, nor to redress\n\u00a0\u00a0their ways at all essay\u2019d;\nWho better knew, but (sinful Crew)\n\u00a0\u00a0Gospel and Law despis\u00e9d.\nWho all Christ\u2019s knocks withstood like blocks,\n\u00a0\u00a0and would not be advis\u00e9d.\n\nXXX. [26]\n\nMoreover, there with them appear\n\u00a0\u00a0a number, numberless,\nOf great and small, vile wretches all,\n\u00a0\u00a0that did God\u2019s Law transgress;\nIdolaters, false worshippers,\n\u00a0\u00a0Profaners of God\u2019s Name,\nWho not at all thereon did call,\n\u00a0\u00a0or took in vain the same.\n\nXXXI. [27]\n\nBlasphemers lewd, and Swearers shrewd,\n\u00a0\u00a0scoffers at Purity,\nThat hated God, contemn\u2019d his Rod,\n\u00a0\u00a0and lov\u2019d Security;\nSabbath-polluters, Saints-persecutors,\n\u00a0\u00a0presumptuous men and proud,\nWho never lov\u2019d those that reprov\u2019d;\n\u00a0\u00a0all stand amongst this crowd.\n\nXXXII. [28]\n\nAdulterers and Whoremongers\n\u00a0\u00a0were there, with all unchast;\nThere Covetous and Ravenous,\n\u00a0\u00a0that riches got too fast:\nWho us\u2019d vile ways themselves to raise\n\u00a0\u00a0t\u2019 Estates and worldly wealth,\nOppression by or knavery,\n\u00a0\u00a0by force, or fraud, or stealth.\n\nXXXIII. [29]\n\nMoreover, there together were\n\u00a0\u00a0children flagiti-ous.\nAnd Parents who did them, undo\n\u00a0\u00a0by nurture vici-ous.\nFalse-witness-bearers and self-forswearers,\n\u00a0\u00a0Murd\u2019rers and Men of Blood,\nWitches, Enchanters, and Ale-house haunters,\n\u00a0\u00a0beyond account there stood.\n\nXXXIV. [30]\n\nTheir place there find all Heathen blind\n\u00a0\u00a0that Nature\u2019s light abus\u2019d,\nAlthough they had no tidings glad\n\u00a0\u00a0of Gospel grace refus\u2019d\nThere stand all Nations and Generations\n\u00a0\u00a0of Adam\u2019s Progeny,\nWhom Christ redeem\u2019d not, whom he esteem\u2019d not,\n\u00a0\u00a0through Infidelity;\n\nXXXV. [31]\n\nWho no Peace-maker, no undertaker,\n\u00a0\u00a0to shroud them from God\u2019s ire.\nEver obtain\u2019d; they must be pain\u2019d\n\u00a0\u00a0with everlasting fire.\nThese num\u2019rous bands, wringing their hands,\n\u00a0\u00a0and weeping all stand there.\nFill\u00e9d with anguish, whose hearts do languish,\n\u00a0\u00a0through self-tormenting fear,\n\nXXXVI. [32]\n\nFast by them stand at Christ\u2019s left hand,\n\u00a0\u00a0the Lion fierce and fell.\nThe Dragon bold, that Serpent old,\n\u00a0\u00a0that hurried Souls to Hell.\nThere also stand, under command,\n\u00a0\u00a0legions of Sprites unclean.\nAnd hellish Fiends, that are no friends\n\u00a0\u00a0to God, nor unto Men.\n\nXXXVII. [33]\n\nWith dismal chains, and strongest reins,\n\u00a0\u00a0like Prisoners of Hell,\nThey\u2019re held in place before Christ\u2019s face,\n\u00a0\u00a0till He their Doom shall tell.\nThese void of tears, but fill\u2019d with fears,\n\u00a0\u00a0and dreadful expectation\nOf endless pains and scalding flames,\n\u00a0\u00a0stand waiting for Damnation.\n\n_The Saints cleared and justified._\n\nXXVIII.\n\nAll silence keep both Goats and Sheep\n\u00a0\u00a0before the Judge\u2019s Throne;\nWith mild aspect to his Elect\n\u00a0\u00a0then speaks the Holy One:\n\u201cMy Sheep draw near, your Sentence hear,\n\u00a0\u00a0which is to you no dread,\nWho clearly now discern and know\n\u00a0\u00a0your sins are pardon\u00e9d.\n\nXXXIX. [34]\n\n\u201c\u2019Twas meet that ye should judg\u00e9d be,\n\u00a0\u00a0that so the World may spy\nNo cause of grudge, when as I judge\n\u00a0\u00a0and deal impartially.\nKnow therefore all both great and small,\n\u00a0\u00a0the ground and reason why\nThese Men do stand at my right hand\n\u00a0and look so cheerfully.\n\nXL.[35]\n\n\u201cThese Men be those my Father chose\n\u00a0\u00a0before the World\u2019s foundation,\nAnd to me gave, that I should save\n\u00a0\u00a0from Death and Condemnation;\nFor whose dear sake I flesh did take,\n\u00a0\u00a0was of a Woman born.\nAnd did inure myself t\u2019 endure\n\u00a0\u00a0unjust reproach and scorn.\n\nXLI. [36]\n\n\u201cFor then it was that I did pass\n\u00a0\u00a0through sorrows many a one;\nThat I drank up that bitter Cup\n\u00a0\u00a0which made me sigh and groan.\nThe Cross\u2019s pain I did sustain;\n\u00a0\u00a0yea more, my Father\u2019s ire\nI underwent, my Blood I spent\n\u00a0\u00a0to save them from Hell-fire.\n\nXLII. [37]\n\n\u201cThus I esteem\u00e9d, thus I redeem\u00e9d\n\u00a0\u00a0all these from every Nation,\nThat they may be (as now you see)\n\u00a0\u00a0a chosen Generation.\nWhat if ere while they were as vile\n\u00a0\u00a0and bad as any be.\nAnd yet from all their guilt and thrall\n\u00a0\u00a0at once I set them free?\n\nXLIII.[38]\n\n\u201cMy grace to one is wrong to none;\n\u00a0\u00a0none can Election claim;\nAmongst all those their souls that lose,\n\u00a0none can Rejection blame.\nHe that may choose, or else refuse,\n\u00a0\u00a0all men to save or spill,\nMay this Man choose, and that refuse,\n\u00a0\u00a0redeeming whom he will.\n\nXLIV. [39]\n\n\u201cBut as for those whom I have chose\n\u00a0\u00a0Salvation\u2019s heirs to be,\nI underwent their punishment,\n\u00a0\u00a0and therefore set them free.\nI bore their grief, and their relief\n\u00a0\u00a0by suffering procur\u2019d.\nThat they of bliss and happiness\n\u00a0\u00a0might firmly be assur\u2019d.\n\nXLV. [40]\n\n\u201cAnd this my grace they did embrace,\n\u00a0\u00a0believing on my Name;\nWhich Faith was true, the fruits do shew\n\u00a0\u00a0proceeding from the same;\u2014\nTheir Penitence, their Pati-ence,\n\u00a0\u00a0their Love and Self-denial,\nIn suff\u2019ring losses and bearing Crosses,\n\u00a0\u00a0when put upon the trial;\u2014\n\nXLVI. [41]\n\n\u201cTheir sin forsaking, their cheerful taking\n\u00a0\u00a0my Yoke, their Charity\nUnto the Saints in all their wants,\n\u00a0\u00a0and in them unto me;\u2014\nThese things do clear, and make appear\n\u00a0\u00a0their Faith to be unfeign\u00e9d,\nAnd that a part in my desert\n\u00a0\u00a0and purchase they have gain\u00e9d.\n\nXLVII. [42]\n\n\u201cTheir debts are paid, their peace is made,\n\u00a0\u00a0their sins remitted are;\nTherefore at once I do pronounce,\n\u00a0\u00a0and openly declare,\nThat Heav\u2019n is theirs, that they be Heirs\n\u00a0\u00a0of Life and of Salvation;\nNor ever shall they come at all\n\u00a0\u00a0to Death or to Damnation.\n\nXLVIII. [43]\n\n\u201cCome blessed Ones and sit on Thrones,\n\u00a0\u00a0judging the World with me;\nCome and possess your happiness,\n\u00a0\u00a0and bought felicity;\nHenceforth no fears, no care, no tears,\n\u00a0\u00a0no sin shall you annoy,\nNor any thing that grief doth bring:\n\u00a0\u00a0Eternal Rest enjoy.\n\n_They are placed on Thrones to join with Christ in judging the wicked._\n\nXLIX. [44]\n\n\u201cYou bore the Cross, you suffer\u2019d loss\n\u00a0\u00a0of all for my Name\u2019s sake;\nReceive the Crown that\u2019s now your own;\n\u00a0\u00a0come, and a Kingdom take.\u201c\nThus spake the Judge: the wicked grudge\n\u00a0\u00a0and grind their teeth in vain;\nThey see with groans these plac\u2019d on Thrones,\n\u00a0\u00a0which addeth to their pain:\n\nL. [45]\n\nThat those whom they did wrong and slay,\n\u00a0\u00a0must now their Judgment see!\nSuch whom they slighted and once despited,\n\u00a0\u00a0must now their Judges be!\nThus \u2019tis decreed, such is their meed,\n\u00a0\u00a0and guerdon glorious;\nWith Christ they sit, judging it fit\n\u00a0\u00a0to plague the Impious.\n\n_The wicked brought to the Bar._\n\nLI. [46]\n\nThe wicked are brought to the Bar.\n\u00a0\u00a0like guilty Malefactors,\nThat oftentimes of bloody Crimes\n\u00a0\u00a0and Treasons have been Actors.\nOf wicked Men, none are so mean\n\u00a0\u00a0as there to be neglected;\nNor none so high in dignity\n\u00a0\u00a0as there to be respected.\n\nLII. [47]\n\nThe glorious Judge will privilege\n\u00a0\u00a0nor Emperor nor King;\nBut every one that hath misdone\n\u00a0\u00a0doth unto judgment bring.\nAnd every one that hath misdone,\n\u00a0\u00a0the Judge impartially\nCondemneth to eternal woe,\n\u00a0\u00a0and endless misery.\n\nLIII.\n\nThus one and all, thus great and small,\n\u00a0\u00a0the Rich as well as Poor,\nAnd those of place, as the most base,\n\u00a0\u00a0do stand the Judge before.\nThey are arraign\u2019d, and there detain\u2019d\n\u00a0\u00a0before Christ\u2019s Judgment seat,\nWith trembling fear their Doom to hear,\n\u00a0\u00a0and feel his Anger\u2019s heat.\n\nLIV. [48]\n\nThere Christ demands at all their hands\n\u00a0\u00a0a strict and straight account\nOf all things done under the Sun,\n\u00a0\u00a0whose number far surmount\nMan\u2019s wit and thought: they all are brought\n\u00a0\u00a0unto this solemn Trial,\nAnd each offense with evidence,\n\u00a0\u00a0so that there\u2019s no denial.\n\nLV.\n\nThere\u2019s no excuse for their abuse,\n\u00a0\u00a0since their own Consciences\nMore proof give in of each Man\u2019s sin,\n\u00a0\u00a0than thousand Witnesses.\nThough formerly this faculty\n\u00a0\u00a0had grossly been abus\u00e9d,\n(Men could it stifle, or with it trifle,\n\u00a0\u00a0when as it them accus\u00e9d,)\n\nLVI.\n\nNow it comes in, and every sin\n\u00a0\u00a0unto Men\u2019s charge doth lay;\nIt judgeth them and doth condemn,\n\u00a0\u00a0though all the \u201cWorld say nay.\nIt so stingeth and tortureth,\n\u00a0\u00a0it worketh such distress,\nThat each Man\u2019s self against himself,\n\u00a0\u00a0is forc\u00e9d to confess.\n\n_Secret sins and works of darkness brought to light._\n\nLVII. [49]\n\nIt\u2019s vain, moreover, for Men to cover\n\u00a0\u00a0the least Iniquity;\nThe Judge hath seen, and privy been\n\u00a0\u00a0to all their villainy.\nHe unto light and open sight\n\u00a0\u00a0the work of darkness brings;\nHe doth unfold both new old,\n\u00a0\u00a0both known and hidden things.\n\nLVIII. [50]\n\nAll filthy facts and secret acts,\n\u00a0\u00a0however closely done.\nAnd long conceal\u2019d, are there reveal\u2019d\n\u00a0\u00a0before the mid-day Sun.\nDeeds of the night, shunning the light,\n\u00a0\u00a0which darkest corners sought.\nTo fearful blame, and endless shame,\n\u00a0\u00a0are there most justly brought.\n\nLIX. [51]\n\nAnd as all facts, and grosser acts,\n\u00a0\u00a0so every word and thought,\nErroneous notion and lustful motion,\n\u00a0\u00a0are unto Judgment brought.\nNo Sin so small and trivial,\n\u00a0\u00a0but hither it must come;\nNor so long past but now at last\n\u00a0\u00a0it must receive a doom.\n\n_An account demanded of all their actions._\n\nLX. [52]\n\nAt this sad season, Christ asks a Reason\n\u00a0\u00a0(with just austerity)\nOf Grace refus\u2019d, of light abus\u2019d\n\u00a0\u00a0so oft, so wilfully;\nOf Talents lent, by them misspent\n\u00a0\u00a0and on their Lust bestown,\nWhich if improv\u2019d as it behoov\u2019d\n\u00a0\u00a0Heav\u2019n might have been their own;\n\nLXI. [53]\n\nOf times neglected, of means rejected,\n\u00a0\u00a0of God\u2019s long-suffering\nAnd Pati-ence, to Penitence\n\u00a0\u00a0that sought hard hearts to bring;\nWhy chords of love did nothing move,\n\u00a0\u00a0to shame or to remorse?\nWhy warnings grave, and counsels, have\n\u00a0\u00a0naught chang\u2019d their sinful course?\n\nLXII. [54]\n\nWhy chastenings, and evils things,\n\u00a0\u00a0why judgments so severe.\nPrevail\u00e9d not with them a jot,\n\u00a0\u00a0nor wrought an awful fear?\nWhy promises of Holiness,\n\u00a0\u00a0and new Obedience,\nThey oft did make, but always brake\n\u00a0\u00a0the same, to God\u2019s offense?\n\nLXIII. [55]\n\nWhy still Hell-ward, without regard,\n\u00a0\u00a0they bold ventur\u00e9d,\nAnd chose Damnation before Salvation,\n\u00a0\u00a0when it was offer\u00e9d?\nWhy sinful pleasures and earthly treasures,\n\u00a0\u00a0like fools, they priz\u00e9d more\nThan Heav\u2019nly wealth. Eternal health,\n\u00a0\u00a0and all Christ\u2019s Royal store?\n\nLXIV. [56]\n\nWhy, when he stood off\u2019ring his Blood\n\u00a0\u00a0to wash them from their sin,\nThey would embrace no saving Grace,\n\u00a0\u00a0but liv\u2019d and died therein?\nSuch aggravations, where no evasions,\n\u00a0\u00a0nor false pretences hold,\nExaggerate and cumulate\n\u00a0\u00a0guilt more than can be told.\n\nLXV.\n\nThey multiply and magnify\n\u00a0\u00a0Men\u2019s gross Iniquities;\nThey draw down wrath (as Scripture saith)\n\u00a0\u00a0out of God\u2019s treasuries.\nThus all their ways Christ open lays\n\u00a0\u00a0to Men and Angels\u2019 view,\nAnd as they were makes them appear\n\u00a0\u00a0in their own proper hue.\n\nLXVI. [57]\n\nThus he doth find of all Mankind,\n\u00a0\u00a0that stand at his left hand,\nNo mother\u2019s son but hath misdone,\n\u00a0\u00a0and broken God\u2019s command.\nAll have transgress\u2019d, even the best,\n\u00a0\u00a0and merited God\u2019s wrath,\nUnto their own perditi-on\n\u00a0\u00a0and everlasting scath.\n\nLXVII. [58]\n\nEarth\u2019s dwellers all, both great and small,\n\u00a0\u00a0have wrought iniquity,\nAnd suffer must (for it is just)\n\u00a0\u00a0Eternal misery.\nAmongst the many there come not any,\n\u00a0\u00a0before the Judge\u2019s face.\nThat able are themselves to clear,\n\u00a0\u00a0of all this cursed Race.\n\n_Hypocrites plead for themselves._\n\nLXVIII.\n\nNevertheless, they all express.\n\u00a0\u00a0(Christ granting liberty,)\nWhat for their way they have to say,\n\u00a0\u00a0how they have liv\u2019d, and why.\nThey all draw near and seek to clear\n\u00a0\u00a0themselves by making pleas;\nThere Hypocrites, false-hearted wights,\n\u00a0\u00a0do make such pleas as these:\n\nLXIX. [59]\n\n\u201cLord, in thy Name, and by the same,\n\u00a0\u00a0we Devils dispossess\u2019d;\nWe rais\u2019d the dead and minist\u2019red\n\u00a0\u00a0Succor to the distressed.\nOur painful teaching and pow\u2019rful preaching\n\u00a0\u00a0by thine own wondrous might,\nDid throughly win to God from sin\n\u00a0\u00a0many a wretched wight.\u201c\n\n_The Judge replyeth._\n\nLXX. [60]\n\n\u201cAll this,\u201d quoth he, \u201cmay granted be,\n\u00a0\u00a0and your case little better\u2019d,\nWho still remain under a chain\n\u00a0\u00a0and many irons fetter\u2019d.\nYou that the dead have quickened,\n\u00a0\u00a0and rescu\u2019d from the grave.\nYourselves were dead, yet ne\u2019er need\u00e9d\n\u00a0\u00a0a Christ your souls to save.\n\nLXXI.[61]\n\n\u201cYou that could preach, and others teach\n\u00a0\u00a0what way to life doth lead,\nWhy were you slack to find that track\n\u00a0\u00a0and in that way to tread?\nHow could you bear to see or hear\n\u00a0\u00a0of others freed at last\nFrom Satan\u2019s paws, whilst in his jaws\n\u00a0\u00a0yourselves were held more fast?\n\nLXXII. [62]\n\n\u201cWho though you knew Repentance true,\n\u00a0\u00a0and Faith is my great Name,\nThe only mean to quit you clean,\n\u00a0\u00a0from punishment and blame,\nYet took no pain true Faith to gain,\n\u00a0\u00a0such as might not deceive,\nNor would repent with true intent,\n\u00a0\u00a0your evil deeds to leave.\n\nLXXIII. [63]\n\n\u201cHis Master\u2019s will how to fulfil\n\u00a0\u00a0the servant that well knew,\nYet left undone his duty known,\n\u00a0\u00a0more plagues to him are due.\nYou against light perverted right;\n\u00a0\u00a0wherefore it shall be now\nFor Sidon and for Sodom\u2019s Land\n\u00a0\u00a0more easy than for you.\u201c\n\n_Another plea of the Hypocrites._\n\nLXXIV. [64]\n\n\u201cBut we have in thy presence been,\u201d\n\u00a0\u00a0say some, \u201cand eaten there.\nDid we not eat thy Flesh for meat,\n\u00a0\u00a0and feed on Heav\u2019nly Cheer?\nWhereon who feed shall never need,\n\u00a0\u00a0as thou thyself dost say,\nNor shall they die eternally,\n\u00a0\u00a0but live with Christ for aye.\n\nLXXV.\n\n\u201cWe may allege, thou gav\u2019st a pledge\n\u00a0\u00a0of thy dear Love to us,\nIn Wine and Bread, which figur\u00e9d\n\u00a0\u00a0thy Grace bestow\u00e9d thus.\nOf strength\u2019ning Seals, of sweetest Meals,\n\u00a0\u00a0have we so oft partaken;\nAnd shall we be cast off by thee,\n\u00a0\u00a0and utterly forsaken?\u201c\n\n_The answer._\n\nLXXVI. [65]\n\nTo whom the Lord, thus in a word,\n\u00a0\u00a0returns a short reply:\n\u201cI never knew any of you\n\u00a0\u00a0that wrought Iniquity.\nYou say you\u2019ve been my Presence in;\n\u00a0\u00a0but then, how came you there\nWith Raiment vile that did defile\n\u00a0\u00a0and quite disgrace my Cheer?\n\nLXXVII.\n\n\u201cDurst you draw near without due fear\n\u00a0\u00a0Unto my holy Table?\nDurst you profane and render vain,\n\u00a0\u00a0so far as you were able,\nThose Mysteries, which whoso prize,\n\u00a0\u00a0and carefully improve,\nShall sav\u00e9d be undoubtedly,\n\u00a0\u00a0and nothing shall them move?\n\nLXXVIII. [66]\n\n\u201cHow durst you venture bold guests to enter\n\u00a0\u00a0in such a sordid hue,\nAmongst my guests unto those Feasts\n\u00a0\u00a0that were not made for you?\nHow durst you eat for spir\u2019tual meat\n\u00a0\u00a0your bane, and drink damnation,\nWhilst by your guile you render\u2019d vile\n\u00a0\u00a0so rare and great Salvation?\n\nLXXIX. [67]\n\n\u201cYour fancies fed on heav\u2019nly Bread,\n\u00a0\u00a0your hearts fed on some Lust;\nYou lov\u2019d the Creature more than th\u2019 Creator,\n\u00a0\u00a0your souls clove to the dust.\nAnd think you by Hypocrisy,\n\u00a0\u00a0and cloak\u00e9d Wickedness,\nTo enter in laden with sin,\n\u00a0\u00a0to lasting Happiness?\n\nLXXX. [68]\n\n\u201cThis your excuse shews your abuse\n\u00a0\u00a0of things ordain\u2019d for good.\nAnd doth declare you guilty are\n\u00a0\u00a0of my dear Flesh and Blood.\nWherefore those Seals and precious Meals\n\u00a0\u00a0you put so much upon\nAs things Divine, they Seal and Sign\n\u00a0\u00a0you to Perditi-on.\u201c\n\n_Another sort of Hypocrites make their pleas._\n\nLXXXI.\n\nThen forth issue another Crew\n\u00a0\u00a0(those being silenc\u00e9d),\nWho drawing nigh to the Most High,\n\u00a0\u00a0adventure thus to plead:\n\u201cWe sinners were,\u201d say they, \u201c\u2019tis clear,\n\u00a0\u00a0deserving condemnation;\nBut did not we rely on thee,\n\u00a0\u00a0O Christ, for whole Salvation?\n\nLXXXII. [69]\n\n\u201cWe did believe, and oft receive\n\u00a0\u00a0thy gracious Promises;\nWe took great care to get a share\n\u00a0\u00a0in endless Happiness.\nWe pray\u2019d and wept, and Fast-days kept,\n\u00a0\u00a0lewd ways we did eschew;\nWe joyful were thy Word to hear;\n\u00a0\u00a0we form\u2019d our lives anew.\n\nLXXXIII.[70]\n\n\u201cWe thought our sin had pardon\u2019d been,\n\u00a0\u00a0that our Estate was good,\nOur debts all paid, our peace well made,\n\u00a0\u00a0our Souls wash\u2019d with thy Blood.\nLord, why dost though reject us now,\n\u00a0\u00a0who have not thee rejected,\nNor utterly true sanctity\n\u00a0\u00a0and holy life neglected?\u201c\n\n_The Judge uneaseth them._\n\nLXXXIV. [71]\n\nThe Judge incens\u2019d at their pretens\u2019d\n\u00a0\u00a0self-vaunting Piety,\nWith such a look as trembling strook\n\u00a0\u00a0unto them made reply:\n\u201cO impudent, impenitent,\n\u00a0\u00a0and guileful generation!\nThink you that I cannot descry\n\u00a0\u00a0your hearts\u2019 abomination?\n\nLXXXV. [72]\n\n\u201cYou nor receiv\u2019d, nor yet believ\u2019d\n\u00a0\u00a0my Promises of Grace,\nNor were you wise enough to prize\n\u00a0\u00a0my reconcil\u00e9d Face;\nBut did presume that to assume\n\u00a0\u00a0which was not yours to take,\nAnd challeng\u00e9d the Children\u2019s Bread,\n\u00a0\u00a0yet would not sin forsake.\n\nLXXXVI. [73]\n\n\u201cBeing too bold you laid fast hold\n\u00a0\u00a0where int\u2019rest you had none,\nYourselves deceiving by your believing,\n\u00a0\u00a0all which you might have known.\nYou ran away but ran astray\n\u00a0\u00a0with Gospel Promises,\nAnd perish\u00e9d, being still dead\n\u00a0\u00a0in sins and trespasses.\n\nLXXXVII. [74]\n\n\u201cHow oft did I Hypocrisy\n\u00a0\u00a0and Hearts\u2019 deceits unmask\nBefore your sight, giving you light\n\u00a0\u00a0know a Christian\u2019s task?\nBut you held fast unto the last\n\u00a0\u00a0your own conceits so vain,\nNo warning could prevail; you would\n\u00a0\u00a0your own Deceits retain.\n\nLXXXVIII. [75]\n\n\u201cAs for your care to get a share\n\u00a0\u00a0in Bliss; the fear of Hell,\nAnd of a part in endless smart,\n\u00a0\u00a0did thereunto compel.\nYour holiness and ways redress,\n\u00a0\u00a0such as it was, did spring\nFrom no true love to things above,\n\u00a0\u00a0But from some other thing.\n\nLXXXIX. [76]\n\n\u201cYou pray\u2019d and wept, you Fast-days kept,\n\u00a0\u00a0but did you this to me?\nNo, but for sin you sought to win\n\u00a0\u00a0the greater liberty.\nFor all your vaunts, you had vile haunts,\n\u00a0\u00a0which for your Consciences\nDid you alarm, whose voice to charm\n\u00a0\u00a0you us\u2019d these practices.\n\nXC. [77]\n\n\u201cYour Penitence, your diligence\n\u00a0\u00a0to Read, to Pray, to Hear,\nWere but to drown the clam\u2019rous sound\n\u00a0\u00a0of Conscience in your Ear.\nIf light you lov\u2019d, vain glory mov\u2019d\n\u00a0\u00a0yourselves therewith to store,\nThat seeming wise men might you prize,\n\u00a0\u00a0and honor you the more.\n\nXCI. [78]\n\n\u201cThus from yourselves unto yourselves,\n\u00a0\u00a0your duties all do tend;\nAnd as self-love the wheels doth move,\n\u00a0\u00a0so in self-love they end.\u201c\nThus Christ detects their vain projects,\n\u00a0\u00a0and close Impiety,\nAnd plainly shews that all their shows\n\u00a0\u00a0were but Hypocrisy.\n\n_Civil honest men\u2019s pleas._\n\nXCII. [79]\n\nThen were brought nigh a Company\n\u00a0\u00a0of Civil honest Men, Civil honest\nThat lov\u2019d true dealing and hated stealing,\n\u00a0\u00a0ne\u2019er wrong\u2019d their Bretheren;\nWho pleaded thus: \u201cThou knowest us\n\u00a0\u00a0that we were blameless livers;\nNo Whoremongers, no Murderers,\n\u00a0\u00a0no quarrelers nor strivers.\n\nXCIII.\n\n\u201cIdolaters, Adulterers,\n\u00a0\u00a0Church-robbers we were none,\nNor false dealers, nor cozeners,\n\u00a0\u00a0but paid each man his own.\nOur way was fair, our dealing square,\n\u00a0\u00a0we were no wasteful spenders,\nNo lewd toss-pots, no drunken sots,\n\u00a0\u00a0no scandalous offenders.\n\nXCIV. [80]\n\n\u201cWe hated vice and set great price,\n\u00a0\u00a0by virtuous conversation;\nAnd by the same we got a name\n\u00a0\u00a0and no small commendation.\nGod\u2019s Laws express that righteousness\n\u00a0\u00a0is that which he doth prize;\nAnd to obey, as he doth say,\n\u00a0\u00a0is more than sacrifice.\n\nXCV. [81]\n\n\u201cThus to obey hath been our way;\n\u00a0\u00a0let our good deeds, we pray.\nFind some regard and some reward\n\u00a0\u00a0with thee, Lord, this day.\nAnd whereas we transgressors be,\n\u00a0\u00a0of Adam\u2019s race were none,\nNo, not the best, but have confess\u2019d\n\u00a0\u00a0themselves to have misdone.\u201c\n\n_Are taken off and rendered invalid._\n\nXCVI. [82]\n\nThen answer\u00e9d unto their dread,\n\u00a0\u00a0the Judge: \u201cTrue Piety\nGod doth desire and eke require,\n\u00a0\u00a0no less than honesty.\nJustice demands at all your hands\n\u00a0\u00a0perfect Obedience;\nIf but in part you have come short,\n\u00a0\u00a0that is a just offense.\n\nXCVII.\n\n\u201cOn Earth below, where men did owe\n\u00a0\u00a0a thousand pounds and more.\nCould twenty pence it recompense?\n\u00a0\u00a0Could that have clear\u2019d the score?\nThink you to buy Felicity\n\u00a0\u00a0with part of what\u2019s due debt?\nOr for desert of one small part,\n\u00a0\u00a0the whole should off be set?\n\nXCVIII. [83]\n\n\u201cAnd yet that part whose great desert\n\u00a0\u00a0you think to reach so far,\nFor your excuse doth you accuse,\n\u00a0\u00a0and will your boasting mar.\nHowever fair, however square\n\u00a0\u00a0your way and work hath been\nBefore men\u2019s eyes, yet God espies\n\u00a0\u00a0iniquity therein.\n\nXCIX. [84]\n\n\u201cGod looks upon th\u2019 affecti-on\n\u00a0\u00a0and temper of the heart;\nNot only on the acti-on,\n\u00a0\u00a0and the external part.\nWhatever end vain men pretend,\n\u00a0\u00a0God knows the verity,\nAnd by the end which they intend\n\u00a0\u00a0their words and deeds doth try.\n\nC. [85]\n\n\u201cWithout true Faith, the Scripture saith,\n\u00a0\u00a0God cannot take delight\nIn any deed that doth proceed [86]\n\u00a0\u00a0from any sinful wight.\nAnd without love all actions prove\n\u00a0\u00a0but barren empty things;\nDead works they be and vanity,\n\u00a0\u00a0the which vexation brings.\n\nCI.\n\n\u201cNor from true Faitli, which quencheth wrath,\n\u00a0\u00a0hath your obedience flown;\nNor from true Love, which wont to move\n\u00a0\u00a0Believers, hath it grown.\nYour argument shews your intent\n\u00a0\u00a0in all that you have done;\nYou thought to scale Heav\u2019n\u2019s lofty Wall\n\u00a0\u00a0by Ladders of your own.\n\nCII. [87]\n\n\u201cYour blinded spirit hoping to merit\n\u00a0\u00a0by your own Righteousness,\nNeeded no Savior but your behavior,\n\u00a0\u00a0and blameless carriages.\nYou trusted to what you could do,\n\u00a0\u00a0and in no need you stood;\nYour haughty pride laid me aside.\n\u00a0\u00a0And trampled on my Blood.\n\nCIII. [88]\n\n\u201cAll men have gone astray, and done\n\u00a0\u00a0that which God\u2019s laws condemn;\nPurchase and offer\u2019d Grace\n\u00a0\u00a0All men did not contemn.\nThe Ninevites and Sodomites\n\u00a0\u00a0had no such sin as this;\nYet as if all your sins were small,\n\u00a0\u00a0you say, \u2018All did amiss.\u2019\n\nCIV. [89]\n\n\u201cAgain you thought and mainly sought\n\u00a0\u00a0a name with men t\u2019 acquire;\nPride bare the Bell that made you swell,\n\u00a0\u00a0and your own selves admire.\nMean fruit it is, and vile, I wiss,\n\u00a0\u00a0that springs from such a root;\nVirtue divine and genuine\n\u00a0\u00a0wonts not from pride to shoot.\n\nCV. [90]\n\n\u201cSuch deeds as your are worse than poor;\n\u00a0\u00a0they are but sins gilt over\nWith silver dross, whose glist\u2019ring gloss\n\u00a0\u00a0can them no longer cover.\nThe best of them would you condemn,\n\u00a0\u00a0and ruin you alone.\nAlthough you were from faults so clear,\n\u00a0\u00a0that other you had none.\n\nCVI. [91]\n\n\u201cYour gold is brass, your silver dross,\n\u00a0\u00a0your righteousness is sin;\nAnd think you by such honesty\n\u00a0\u00a0Eternal life to win?\nYou much mistake, if for its sake\n\u00a0\u00a0you dream of acceptation;\nWhereas the same deserveth shame\n\u00a0\u00a0and meriteth damnation.\u201c\n\n_Those that pretend want of opportunity to repent._\n\nCVII. [92]\n\nA wondrous crowd then \u2019gan aloud\n\u00a0\u00a0thus for themselves to say:\n\u201cWe did intend, Lord, to amend,\n\u00a0\u00a0and to reform our way.\nOur true intent was to repent\n\u00a0\u00a0and make our peace with thee;\nBut sudden death stopping our breath,\n\u00a0\u00a0left us no liberty.\n\nCVIII.\n\n\u201cShort was our time, for in itr, prime\n\u00a0\u00a0our youthful pow\u2019r was cropt;\n\u201cWe died in youth before full growth,\n\u00a0\u00a0so was our purpose stopt.\nLet our good will to turn from ill,\n\u00a0\u00a0and sin to have forsaken,\nAccepted be, Lord, by thee,\n\u00a0\u00a0and in good part be taken.\u201c\n\n_Are confuted and convicted._\n\nCIX. [93]\n\nTo whom the Judge: \u201cWhere you allege\n\u00a0\u00a0the shortness of the space,\nThat from your birth you liv\u2019d on earth,\n\u00a0\u00a0to compass saving Grace,\nIt was Free Grace that any space\n\u00a0\u00a0was given you at all,\nTo turn from evil, defy the Devil,\n\u00a0\u00a0and upon God to call.\n\nCX. [94]\n\n\u201cOne day, one week wherein to seek\n\u00a0\u00a0God\u2019s face with all your hearts,\nA favor was that far did pass\n\u00a0\u00a0the best of your deserts.\nYou had a season; what was your reason\n\u00a0\u00a0such precious hours to waste?\nWhat could you find, what could you mind\n\u00a0\u00a0that was of greater haste?\n\nCXI. [95]\n\n\u201cCould you find time for vain pastime,\n\u00a0\u00a0for loose, licentious mirth?\nFor fruitless toys and fading joys,\n\u00a0\u00a0that perish in the birth?\nHad you good leisure for carnal Pleasure,\n\u00a0\u00a0in days of health and youth?\nAnd yet no space to seek God\u2019s face,\n\u00a0\u00a0and turn to him in truth?\n\nCXII. [96]\n\n\u201cIn younger years, beyond your fears,\n\u00a0\u00a0what if you were surprized?\nYou put away the evil day,\n\u00a0\u00a0and of long life devised.\nYou oft were told, and might behold,\n\u00a0\u00a0that Death no Age doth spare;\n\u201cWhy then did you your time foreslow,\n\u00a0\u00a0and slight your soul\u2019s welfare?\n\nCXIII. [97]\n\n\u201cHad your intent been to repent,\n\u00a0\u00a0and had you it desir\u2019d,\nThere would have been endeavors seen\n\u00a0\u00a0before your time expir\u2019d.\nGod makes no treasure, nor hath he pleasure\n\u00a0\u00a0in idle purposes;\nSuch fair pretenses are foul offenses,\n\u00a0\u00a0and cloaks for wickedness.\u201c\n\n_Some plead examples of their betters._\n\nCXIV. [98]\n\nThen were brought in and charg\u2019d with sin,\n\u00a0\u00a0another Company,\nWho by Petition obtain\u2019d permission\n\u00a0\u00a0to make Apology.\nThey argued, \u201cWe were misled,\n\u00a0\u00a0as is well known to thee.\nBy their example that had more ample\n\u00a0\u00a0abilities than we;\n\nCXV. [99]\n\n\u201cSuch, as profess\u2019d they did detest\n\u00a0\u00a0and hate each wicked way;\nWhose seeming grace whilst we did trace,\n\u00a0\u00a0our Souls were led astray.\nWhen men of Parts, Learning, and Arts,\n\u00a0\u00a0professing Piety,\nDid thus and thus, it seem\u2019d to us\n\u00a0\u00a0we might take liberty.\u201c\n\n_Who are told that examples are no Rules._\n\nCXVI. [100]\n\nWho are told The Judge replies: \u201cI gave you eyes,\n\u00a0\u00a0And light to see your way,\nWhich had you lov\u2019d and well improv\u2019d,\n\u00a0\u00a0you had not gone astray.\nMy Word was pure, the Rule was sure;\n\u00a0\u00a0Why did you it forsake,\nOr thereon trample, and men\u2019s example\n\u00a0\u00a0your Directory make?\n\nCXVII. [101]\n\n\u201cThis you well knew: that God is true,\n\u00a0\u00a0and that most men are liars,\nIn word professing holiness,\n\u00a0\u00a0in deed thereof deniers.\nsimple fools! that having Rules,\n\u00a0\u00a0your lives to regulate.\nWould them refuse, and rather choose\n\u00a0\u00a0vile men to imitate.\u201c\n\n_They urge that they were led by godly men\u2019s Examples. But all their shifts turn to their greater shame._\n\nCXVIII.\n\n\u201cBut, Lord,\u201d say they, \u201cwe went astray,\n\u00a0\u00a0and did more wickedly,\nBy means of those whom thou has chose\n\u00a0\u00a0Salvation\u2019s heirs to be.\u201c\nTo whom the Judge: \u201cWhat you allege\n\u00a0\u00a0doth nothing help the case,\nBut makes appear how vile you were,\n\u00a0\u00a0and rend\u2019reth you more base.\n\nCXIX. [102]\n\n\u201cYou understood that what was good,\n\u00a0\u00a0was to be followed.\nAnd that you ought that which was naught\n\u00a0\u00a0to have relinquished.\nContrariwise it was your guise\n\u00a0\u00a0only to imitate\nGood men\u2019s defects, and their neglects\n\u00a0\u00a0who were regenerate.\n\nCXX. [103]\n\n\u201cBut to express their holiness,\n\u00a0\u00a0or imitate their grace.\nYou little car\u2019d, nor once prepar\u2019d\n\u00a0\u00a0your hearts to seek my Face.\nThey did repent and truly rent\n\u00a0\u00a0their hearts for all known sin;\nYou did offend, but not amend,\n\u00a0\u00a0to follow them therein.\u201c\n\n_Some plead the Scripture\u2019s darkness, and difference among Interpreters._\n\nCXXI. [104]\n\n\u201cWe had thy Word,\u201d say some, \u201cLord,\n\u00a0\u00a0but wiser men than we\nCould never yet interpret it,\n\u00a0\u00a0but always disagree.\nHow could we fools be led by Rules\n\u00a0\u00a0so far beyond our ken.\nWhich to explain did so much pain\n\u00a0\u00a0and puzzle wisest men?\u201c\n\n_They are confuted._\n\nCXXII. [105]\n\n\u201cWas all my Word abstruse and hard?\u201d\n\u00a0\u00a0the Judge then answer\u00e9d;\n\u201cIt did contain much Truth so plain\n\u00a0\u00a0you might have run and read.\nBut what was hard you never car\u2019d\n\u00a0\u00a0to know, or studi\u00e9d;\nAnd things that were most plain and clear\n\u00a0\u00a0you never practis\u00e9d.\n\nCXXIII. [106]\n\n\u201cThe Mystery of Piety\n\u00a0\u00a0God unto Babes reveals,\nWhen to the Wise he it denies,\n\u00a0\u00a0and from the world conceals.\nIf to fulfil God\u2019s holy Will\n\u00a0\u00a0had seemed good to you,\nYou would have sought light as you ought,\n\u00a0\u00a0and done the good you knew.\u201c\n\n_Others the fear of persecution._\n\nCXXIV. [107]\n\nThen came in view another crew,\n\u00a0\u00a0and \u2019gan to make their pleas;\nAmongst the rest, some of the best\n\u00a0\u00a0had such poor shifts as these :\n\u201cThou know\u2019st right well, who all canst tell,\n\u00a0\u00a0we liv\u2019d amongst thy foes.\nWho the Renate did sorely hate\n\u00a0\u00a0and goodness much oppose.\n\nCXXV. [108]\n\n\u201cWe holiness durst not profess,\n\u00a0\u00a0fearing to be forlorn\nOf all our friends, and for amends\n\u00a0\u00a0to be the wicked\u2019s scorn.\n\u201cWe knew their anger would much endanger\n\u00a0\u00a0our lives and our estates;\nTherefore, for fear, we durst appear\n\u00a0\u00a0no better than our mates.\u201c\n\n_They are answered._\n\nCXXVI. [109]\n\nTo whom the Lord returns this word:\n\u00a0\u00a0\u201cO wonderful deceits!\nTo cast off awe of God\u2019s strict law,\n\u00a0\u00a0and fear men\u2019s wrath and threats;\nTo fear hell-fire and God\u2019s fierce ire\n\u00a0\u00a0less than the rage of men;\nAs if God\u2019s wrath could do less scath\n\u00a0\u00a0than wrath of bretheren!\n\nCXXVII.\n\n\u201cTo use such strife, a temp\u2019ral life\n\u00a0\u00a0to rescue and secure,\nAnd be so blind as not to mind\n\u00a0\u00a0that life that will endure!\nThis was your case, who carnal peace\n\u00a0\u00a0more than true joys did savor;\nWho fed on dust, clave to your lust,\n\u00a0\u00a0and spurned at my favor.\n\nCXXVIII. [110]\n\n\u201cTo please your kin, men\u2019s love to win,\n\u00a0\u00a0to flow in worldly wealth,\nTo save your skin, these things have been\n\u00a0\u00a0more than Eternal health.\nYou had your choice, wherein rejoice;\n\u00a0\u00a0it was your porti-on.\nFor which you chose your souls to expose\n\u00a0\u00a0unto Perditi-on.\n\nCXXIX. [111]\n\n\u201cWho did not hate friends, life, and state,\n\u00a0\u00a0with all things else for me,\nforsake and\u2019s Cross up-take\n\u00a0\u00a0shall never happy be.\nWell worthy they to die for aye,\n\u00a0\u00a0who death than life had rather;\nDeath is their due that so value\n\u00a0\u00a0the friendship of my Father.\u201c\n\n_Others plead for pardon from God\u2019s Mercy and Justice._\n\nCXXX. [112]\n\nOthers plead Others argue, and not a few,\n\u00a0\u00a0\u201cIs not God graci-ous?\nHis Equity and Clemency,\n\u00a0\u00a0are they not marvellous?\nThus we believ\u2019d; are we deceiv\u2019d?\n\u00a0\u00a0Cannot his Mercy great,\n(As hath been told to us of old,)\n\u00a0\u00a0assuage his anger\u2019s heat?\n\nCXXXI.\n\n\u201cHow can it be that God should see\n\u00a0\u00a0his Creatures\u2019 endless pain.\nOr hear their groans and rueful moans,\n\u00a0\u00a0and still his wrath retain?\nCan it agree with Equity,\n\u00a0\u00a0can Mercy have the heart.\nTo recompense few years\u2019 offense\n\u00a0\u00a0with everlasting smart?\n\nCXXXII. [113]\n\n\u201cCan God delight in such a sight\n\u00a0\u00a0as sinners\u2019 misery?\nOr what great good can this our blood\n\u00a0\u00a0bring unto the most High?\nO thou that dost thy Glory most\n\u00a0\u00a0in pard\u2019ning sin display,\nLord, might it please thee to release\n\u00a0\u00a0and pardon us this day!\n\nCXXXIII.\n\n\u201cUnto thy name more glorious fame\n\u00a0\u00a0would not such Mercy bring?\nWould not it raise thine endless praise,\n\u00a0\u00a0more than our suffering?\u201c\n\u201cWith that they cease, holding their peace,\n\u00a0\u00a0but cease not still to weep;\nGrief ministers a flood of tears,\n\u00a0\u00a0in which their words do steep.\n\n_They are answered._\n\nCXXXIV.\n\nBut all too late; grief\u2019s out of date,\n\u00a0\u00a0when Life is at an end.\nThe glorious King thus answering,\n\u00a0\u00a0all to his voice attend:\n\u201cGod gracious is,\u201d quoth he; \u201clike his,\n\u00a0\u00a0no mercy can be found:\nHis Equity and Clemency\n\u00a0\u00a0to sinners do abound,\n\n_Mercy now shines forth in the vessels of Mercy._\n\nCXXXV. [114]\n\n\u201cAs may appear by those that here\n\u00a0\u00a0are plac\u2019d at my right hand,\nWhose stripes I bore, and clear\u2019d the score,\n\u00a0\u00a0that they might quitted stand.\nFor surely none but God alone,\n\u00a0\u00a0whose Grace transcends men\u2019s thought.\nFor such as those that were his foes\n\u00a0\u00a0like wonders would have wrought.\n\n_Did also wait upon such as abused it._\n\nCXXXVI. [115]\n\n\u201cAnd none but lie such lenity\n\u00a0\u00a0and patience would have shown\nTo you so long, who did him wrong,\n\u00a0\u00a0and pull\u2019d his Judgment down.\nHow long a space, stiff-neck\u2019d race,\n\u00a0\u00a0did patience you afford?\nHow oft did love you gently move,\n\u00a0\u00a0to turn unto the Lord ?\n\n_The day of Grace now past_\n\nCXXXVII. [116]\n\n\u201cWith chords of love God often strove\n\u00a0\u00a0your stubborn hearts to tame;\nNevertheless your wickedness\n\u00a0\u00a0did still resist the same.\nIf now at last Mercy be past\n\u00a0\u00a0from you for evermore,\nAnd Justice come in Mercy\u2019s room,\n\u00a0\u00a0yet grudge you not therefore.\n\nCXXXVIII. [117]\n\n\u201cIf into wrath God turned hath\n\u00a0\u00a0his long, long-suffering,\nAnd now for love you vengeance prove,\n\u00a0\u00a0is an equal thing.\nYour waxing worse hath stopt the course\n\u00a0\u00a0of wonted Clemency,\nMercy refus\u2019d and Grace misus\u2019d\n\u00a0\u00a0call for severity.\n\nCXXXIX. [118]\n\n\u201cIt\u2019s now high time that ev\u2019ry Crime\n\u00a0\u00a0be brought to punishment;\nWrath long contain\u2019d and oft restrain\u2019d,\n\u00a0\u00a0at last must have a vent.\nJustice severe cannot forbear\n\u00a0to plague sin any longer,\nBut must inflict with liand most strict\n\u00a0\u00a0mischief upon the wronger.\n\nCXL. [119]\n\n\u201cIn vain do they for Mercy pray,\n\u00a0\u00a0the season being past,\nWho had no care to get a share\n\u00a0\u00a0therein, while time did last.\nThe man whose ear refus\u2019d to hear\n\u00a0\u00a0the voice of Wisdom\u2019s cry,\nEarn\u2019d this reward, that none regard\n\u00a0\u00a0him in his misery.\n\nCXLI. [120]\n\n\u201cIt doth agree with Equity\n\u00a0\u00a0and with God\u2019s holy Law,\nThat those should die eternally\n\u00a0\u00a0that Death upon them draw.\nThe soul that sins Damnation wins,\n\u00a0\u00a0for so the Law ordains;\nWhich Law is just; and therefore must\n\u00a0\u00a0such suffer endless pains.\n\nCXLII. [121]\n\n\u201cEternal smart is the desert\n\u00a0\u00a0ev\u2019n of the least offense;\nThen wonder not if I allot\n\u00a0\u00a0to you this Recompense;\nBut wonder more that since so sore\n\u00a0\u00a0and lasting plagues are due\nTo every sin, you liv\u2019d therein,\n\u00a0\u00a0who well the danger knew.\n\nCXLIII. [122]\n\n\u201cGod hath no joy to crush or \u2019stroy,\n\u00a0\u00a0and ruin wretched wights;\nBut to display the glorious Ray\n\u00a0\u00a0of Justice he delights.\nTo manifest he doth detest,\n\u00a0\u00a0and throughly hate all sin,\nBy plaguing it as is most fit\u2014\n\u00a0\u00a0this shall him Glory win.\u201c\n\n_Some pretend they were shut out of Heaven by God\u2019s Decree._\n\nCXLIV. [123]\n\nSome pretend Then at the Bar arraign\u00e9d are\n\u00a0\u00a0an impudenter sort,\nWho to evade the guilt that\u2019s laid\n\u00a0\u00a0Upon them, thus retort:\n\u201cHow could we cease thus to transgress?\n\u00a0\u00a0How could we Hell avoid,\nWhom God\u2019s Decree shut out from thee,\n\u00a0\u00a0and sign\u2019d to be destroy\u2019d ?\n\nCXLV. [124]\n\n\u201cWhom God ordains to endless pains\n\u00a0\u00a0by Law unalterable,\nRepentance true, Obedience new,\n\u00a0\u00a0to such are unable.\nSorrow for sin no good can win,\n\u00a0\u00a0to such as are rejected;\nNor can they grieve nor yet believe,\n\u00a0\u00a0that never were elected.\n\nCXLVI.\n\n\u201cOf Man\u2019s fall\u2019n race, who can true Grace\n\u00a0\u00a0or Holiness obtain?\nWho can convert or change his heart,\n\u00a0\u00a0if God withhold the same?\nHad we applied ourselves and tried\n\u00a0\u00a0as much as who did most,\nGod\u2019s love to gain, our busy pain\n\u00a0\u00a0and labor bad been lost.\u201c\n\n_Their pleas taken off._\n\nCXLVII. [125]\n\nChrist readily makes this Reply:\n\u00a0\u00a0\u201cI damn you not because\nYou are rejected, nor yet elected;\n\u00a0\u00a0but you have broke my Laws.\nIt is in vain your wits to strain\n\u00a0\u00a0the end and means to sever;\nMen fondly seek to part or break\n\u00a0\u00a0what God hath link\u2019d together.\n\nCXLVIII. [126]\n\n\u201cWhom God will save, such he will have\n\u00a0\u00a0the means of life to use;\nWhom he\u2019ll pass by shall choose to die,\n\u00a0\u00a0and ways of life refuse.\nHe that fore-sees and fore-decrees,\n\u00a0\u00a0in wisdom order\u2019 d has.\nThat man\u2019s free-will, electing ill,\n\u00a0\u00a0shall bring his Will to pass.\n\nCXLIX. [127]\n\n\u201cHigh God\u2019s Decree, as it is free,\n\u00a0\u00a0so doth it none compel\nAgainst their will to good or ill;\n\u00a0\u00a0it forceth none to Hell.\nThey have their wish whose Souls perish\n\u00a0\u00a0with Torments in Hell-fire,\nWho rather choose their souls to lose,\n\u00a0\u00a0than leave a loose desire.\n\nCL. [128]\n\n\u201cGod did ordain sinners to pain,\n\u00a0\u00a0yet he to Hell sends none\nBut such as swerv\u2019d and have deserv\u2019d\n\u00a0\u00a0destruction as their own.\nHis pleasure is, that none from Bliss\n\u00a0\u00a0and endless happiness\nBe barr\u2019d, but such as wrong\u2019d him much\n\u00a0\u00a0by willful wickedness.\n\nCLI. [129]\n\n\u201cYou, sinful Crew! no other knew\n\u00a0\u00a0but you might be elect;\nWhy did you then yourselves condemn?\n\u00a0\u00a0Why did you me reject?\nWhere was your strife to gain that life\n\u00a0\u00a0which lasteth evermore?\nYou never knock\u2019 d, yet say God lock\u2019d\n\u00a0\u00a0against you Heaven\u2019s door.\n\nCLII. [130]\n\n\u201c\u2019Twas no vain task to knock and ask,\n\u00a0\u00a0whilst life continued.\nWho ever sought Heav\u2019n as he ought,\n\u00a0\u00a0and seeking perished?\nThe lowly, meek, who truly seek\n\u00a0\u00a0for Christ and for Salvation,\nThere\u2019s no decree whereby such be\n\u00a0\u00a0ordain\u2019d to condemnation.\n\nCLIII. [131]\n\n\u00a0You argue then: \u2019But abject men,\n\u00a0\u00a0whom God resolves to spill,\nCannot repent, nor their hearts rent;\n\u00a0\u00a0nor can they change their will.\u2019\nNot for his _Can_ is any man\n\u00a0\u00a0adjudg\u00e9d unto Hell,\nBut for his _Will_ to do what\u2019s ill,\n\u00a0\u00a0and nilling to do well.\n\nCLIV.\n\n\u201cI often stood tend\u2019ring my Blood\n\u00a0\u00a0to wash away your guilt,\nAnd eke my Sprite to frame you right,\n\u00a0\u00a0lest your Souls should be spilt.\nBut you, vile Race, rejected Grace,\n\u00a0\u00a0when Grace was freely proflfer\u2019d,\nNo changed heart, no heav\u2019nly part\n\u00a0\u00a0would you, when it was offer\u2019 d.\n\nCLV. [132]\n\n\u201cWho willfully the remedy,\n\u00a0\u00a0and means of life contemned.\nCause have the same themselves to blame,\n\u00a0\u00a0if now they be condemn\u00e9d.\nYou have yourselves, you and none else,\n\u00a0to blame that you must die\nYou chose the way to your decay,\n\u00a0\u00a0and perish\u2019d willfully.\u201c\n\nCLVI.\n\nThese words appall and daunt them all,\n\u00a0\u00a0dismay\u2019d and all amort.\nLike stocks that stand at Christ\u2019s left hand\n\u00a0\u00a0and dare no more retort.\nThen were brought near with trembling fear,\n\u00a0\u00a0a number numberless,\nOf Blind Heathen and brutish men,\n\u00a0\u00a0that did God\u2019s Law transgress;\n\n_Heathen men plead want of the Written Word._\n\nCLVII.\n\nWhose wicked ways Christ open lays,\n\u00a0\u00a0and makes their sins appear,\nThey making pleas their case to ease,\n\u00a0\u00a0if not themselves to clear.\n\u201cThy Written Word,\u201d say they, \u201cgood\n\u00a0\u00a0we never did enjoy;\nWe ne\u2019er refus\u2019d, nor it abus\u2019d;\n\u00a0\u00a0Oh, do not us destroy!\u201c\n\nCLVIII. [133]\n\n\u201cYou ne\u2019er abus\u2019d, nor yet refus\u2019d\n\u00a0\u00a0my Written Word, you plead;\nThat\u2019s true,\" quoth he, \u201ctherefore shall ye\n\u00a0\u00a0the less be punish\u00e9d.\nYou shall not smart for any part\n\u00a0\u00a0of other men\u2019s offense,\nBut for your own transgressi-on\n\u00a0\u00a0receive due recompense.\u201c\n\n_Insufficiency of the light of Nature._\n\nCLIX.\n\n\u201cBut we were blind,\u201d say they, \u201cin mind;\n\u00a0\u00a0too dim was Nature\u2019s Light,\nOur only guide, as hath been tried,\n\u00a0\u00a0to bring us to the sight\nOf our estate degenerate,\n\u00a0\u00a0and curs\u2019d by Adam\u2019s Fa\u2019l;\nHow we were born and lay forlorn\n\u00a0\u00a0in bondage and in thrall.\n\nCLX. [134]\n\n\u201cWe did not know a Christ till now,\n\u00a0\u00a0nor how fall\u2019n men be saved,\nElse would we not, right well we wot,\n\u00a0\u00a0have so ourselves behaved.\n\u201cWe should have mourn\u2019d, we should have turn\u2019d\n\u00a0\u00a0from sin at thy Reproof,\nAnd been more wise through thy advice,\n\u00a0\u00a0for our own soul\u2019s behoof.\n\n_They are answered._\n\nCLXI.\n\n\u201cBut Nature\u2019s light shin\u2019d not so bright\n\u00a0\u00a0to teach us the right way:\nWe might have lov\u2019d it and well improv\u2019d it,\n\u00a0\u00a0and yet have gone astray.\u201c\nThe Judge most High makes this Reply:\n\u00a0\u00a0\u201cYou ignorance pretend.\nDimness of sight, and want of light,\n\u00a0\u00a0your course Heav\u2019nward to bend.\n\nCLXII. [135]\n\n\u201cHow came your mind to be so blind?\n\u00a0\u00a0I once you knowledge gave.\nClearness of sight and judgment light:\n\u00a0\u00a0who did the same deprave?\nIf to your cost you have it lost,\n\u00a0\u00a0and quite defac\u2019d the same,\nYour own desert hath caus\u2019d the smart;\n\u00a0\u00a0you ought not me to blame.\n\nCLXIII. [136]\n\n\u201cYourselves into a pit of woe,\n\u00a0\u00a0your own transgression led;\nIf I to none my Grace had shown\n\u00a0\u00a0who had been injured?\nIf to a few, and not to you,\n\u00a0\u00a0I shew\u2019d a way of life,\nMy Grace so free, you clearly see,\n\u00a0\u00a0gives you no ground of strife.\n\nCLXIV. [137]\n\n\u201c\u2019Tis vain to tell, you wot fall well,\n\u00a0\u00a0if you in time liad known\nYour misery and remedy,\n\u00a0\u00a0your actions had it shown:\nYou, sinful Crew, have not been true\n\u00a0\u00a0unto the Light of Nature,\nNor done the good you understood,\n\u00a0\u00a0nor owned your Creator.\n\nCLXV. [138]\n\n\u201cHe that the Light, because \u2019tis slight,\n\u00a0\u00a0hath us\u00e9d to despise,\nWould not the Light shining more bright,\n\u00a0\u00a0be likely for a prize.\nIf you had lov\u2019d, and well improv\u2019d\n\u00a0\u00a0your knowledge and dim sight,\nHerein your pain \u2019had not been vain,\n\u00a0\u00a0your plagues had been more light.\u201c\n\n_Reprobate Infants plead for themselves._\n\nCLXVI. [139]\n\nThen to the Bar all they drew near\n\u00a0\u00a0Who died in infancy,\nAnd never had or good or bad\n\u00a0\u00a0effected pers\u2019nally:\nBut from the womb unto the tomb\n\u00a0\u00a0were straightway carried,\n(Or at the least ere they transgress\u2019d)\n\u00a0\u00a0who thus began to plead:\n\nCLXVII.\n\n\u201cIf for our own transgressi-on,\n\u00a0\u00a0or disobedience.\nWe here did stand at thy left hand,\n\u00a0\u00a0just were the Recompense;\nBut Adam\u2019s guilt our souls hath spilt,\n\u00a0\u00a0his fault is ckarg\u2019d upon us;\nAnd that alone hath overthrown\n\u00a0\u00a0and utterly undone us.\n\nCLXVIII.\n\n\u201cNot we, but he ate of the Tree,\n\u00a0\u00a0whose fruit was interdicted;\nYet on us all of his sad Fall\n\u00a0\u00a0the punishment\u2019s inflicted.\nHow could we sin that had not been,\n\u00a0\u00a0or how is his sin our,\nWithout consent, which to prevent\n\u00a0\u00a0we never had the pow\u2019r?\n\nCLXIX. [140]\n\n\u201cO great Creator why was our Nature\n\u00a0\u00a0deprav\u00e9d and forlorn?\nWhy so defil\u2019d, and made so vil\u2019d,\n\u00a0\u00a0whilst we were jet unborn?\nIf it be just, and needs we must\n\u00a0\u00a0transgressors reckon\u2019d be.\nThy Mercy, Lord, to us afford,\n\u00a0\u00a0which sinners hath set free.\n\nCLXX.\n\n\u201cBehold we see Adam set free,\n\u00a0\u00a0and sav\u2019d from his trespass,\nWhose sinful Fall hath split us all,\n\u00a0\u00a0and brought us to this pass.\nCanst thou deny us once to try,\n\u00a0\u00a0or Grace to us to tender,\nWhen he finds grace before thy face,\n\u00a0\u00a0who was the chief offender?\u201c\n\n_Their arguments taken off._\n\nCLXXI. [141]\n\nThen answered the Judge most dread:\n\u00a0\u00a0God doth such doom forbid,\nThat men should die eternally\n\u00a0\u00a0for what they never did.\nBut what you call old Adam\u2019s Fall,\n\u00a0\u00a0and only his Trespass,\nYou call amiss to call it his,\n\u00a0\u00a0both his and yours it was.\n\nCLXXII. [142]\n\n\u201cHe was design\u2019d of all Mankind\n\u00a0\u00a0to be a public Head;\nA common Root, whence all should shoot,\n\u00a0\u00a0and stood in all their stead.\nHe stood and fell, did ill or well,\n\u00a0\u00a0not for himself alone.\nBut for you all, who now his Fall\n\u00a0\u00a0and trespass would disown.\n\nCLXXIII.\n\n\u201cIf he had stood, then all his brood\n\u00a0\u00a0had been established\nIn God\u2019s true love never to move,\n\u00a0\u00a0nor once awry to tread;\nThen all his Eace my Father\u2019s Grace\n\u00a0\u00a0should have enjoy\u2019d for ever.\nAnd wicked Sprites by subtile sleights\n\u00a0\u00a0could them have harmed never.\n\nCLXXIV.\n\nWould you have griev\u2019d to have receiv\u2019d\n\u00a0\u00a0through Adam so much good,\nAs had been your for evermore,\n\u00a0\u00a0if he at first had stood?\nWould you have said, \u2019We ne\u2019er obey\u2019d\n\u00a0\u00a0nor did thy laws regard;\nIt ill befits with benefits,\n\u00a0\u00a0us, Lord, to so reward?\u2019\n\nCLXXV. [143]\n\n\u201cSince then to share in his welfare,\n\u00a0\u00a0you could have been content,\nYou may with reason share in his treason,\n\u00a0\u00a0and in the punishment.\nHence you were born in state forlorn,\n\u00a0\u00a0with Natures so deprav\u00e9d;\nDeath was your due because that yo\n\u00a0\u00a0had thus yourselves behaved.\n\nCLXXVI. [144]\n\n\u201cYou think \u2019If we had been as he\n\u00a0\u00a0whom God did so betrust,\nWe to our cost would ne\u2019er have lost\n\u00a0\u00a0all for a paltry lust.\u2019\nHad you been made in Adam\u2019s stead,\n\u00a0\u00a0you would like things have wrought,\nAnd so into the self-same woe,\n\u00a0\u00a0yourselves and yours have brought.\n\n_The free gift._\n\nCLXXVII. [145]\n\n\u201cI may deny you once to try,\n\u00a0\u00a0or Grace to you to tender.\nThough he finds Grace before my face\n\u00a0\u00a0who was the chief oifender;\nElse should my Grace cease to be Grace,\n\u00a0\u00a0for it would not be free,\nIf to release whom I should please\n\u00a0\u00a0I have no liberty.\n\nCLXXVIII.\n\n\u201cIf upon one what\u2019s due to none.\n\u00a0\u00a0I frankly shall bestow,\nAnd on the rest shall not think best\n\u00a0\u00a0compassion\u2019s skirt to throw,\nWhom injure I? will you envy\n\u00a0\u00a0and grudge at others\u2019 weal?\nOr me accuse, who do refuse\n\u00a0\u00a0yourselves to help and heal ?\n\nCLXXIX. [146]\n\n\u201cAm I alone of what\u2019s my own,\n\u00a0\u00a0no Master or no Lord?\nAnd if I am, how can you claim\n\u00a0\u00a0what I to sonie afford?\nWill you demand Grace at my hand,\n\u00a0\u00a0and challenge what is mine?\nWill you teach me whom to set free,\n\u00a0\u00a0and thus my Grace confine?\n\nCLXXX. [147]\n\n\u201cYou sinners are, and such a share\n\u00a0\u00a0as sinners, may expect;\nSuch you shall have, for I do save\n\u00a0\u00a0none but mine own Elect.\nYet to compare your sin with their\n\u00a0\u00a0who liv\u2019d a longer time,\nI do confess yours is much less,\n\u00a0\u00a0though every sin\u2019s a crime.\n\n_The wicked all convinced and put to silence._\n\nCLXXXI. [148]\n\n\u201cA crime it is, therefore in bliss\n\u00a0\u00a0you may not hope to dwell;\nBut unto you I shall allow\n\u00a0\u00a0The easiest room in Hell.\u201c\nThe glorious King thus answering,\n\u00a0\u00a0they cease, and plead no longer;\nTheir Consciences must needs confess\n\u00a0\u00a0his Reasons are the stronger.\n\n_Behold the formidable estate of all the ungodly as they stand hopeless and helpless before an impartial Judge, expecting their final Sentence._\n\nCLXXXII. [149]\n\nThus all men\u2019s pleas the Judge with ease\n\u00a0\u00a0doth answer and confute,\nUntil that all, both great and small,\n\u00a0\u00a0are silenc\u00e9d and mute.\nVain hopes are cropt, all mouths are stopt,\n\u00a0\u00a0sinners have naught to say,\nBut that \u2019tis just and equal most\n\u00a0\u00a0they should be damn\u2019d for aye.\n\nCLXXXIII.\n\nNow what remains, but that to pains\n\u00a0\u00a0and everlasting smart,\nChrist should condemn the sons of men,\n\u00a0\u00a0which is their just desert?\nOh rueful plights of sinful wights!\n\u00a0\u00a0Oh wretches all forlorn!\n\u2019T had happy been they ne\u2019er had seen\n\u00a0\u00a0the sun, or not been born.\n\nCLXXXIV.\n\nYea now it would be good they could\n\u00a0\u00a0themselves annihilate.\nAnd cease to be, themselves to free\n\u00a0\u00a0from such a fearful state.\nhappy Dogs, and Swine, and Frogs,\n\u00a0\u00a0yea, Serpent\u2019s generation!\nWho do not fear this doom to hear,\n\u00a0\u00a0and sentence of Damnation!\n\nCLXXXV. [150]\n\nThis is their state so desperate;\n\u00a0\u00a0their sins are fully known;\nTheir vanities and villanies\n\u00a0\u00a0before the world are shown.\nAs they are gross and impious,\n\u00a0\u00a0so are their numbers more\nThan motes in th\u2019 Air, or than their hair,\n\u00a0\u00a0or sands upon the shore.\n\nCLXXXVI. [151]\n\nDivine Justice offended is,\n\u00a0\u00a0and satisfaction claimeth;\nGod\u2019s wrathful ire, kindled like fire.\n\u00a0\u00a0against them fiercely flameth.\nTheir Judge severe doth quite cashier,\n\u00a0\u00a0and all their pleas off take,\nThat ne\u2019er a man, or dare, or can\n\u00a0\u00a0a further answer make.\n\nCLXXXVII. [152]\n\nTheir mouths are shut, each man is put\n\u00a0\u00a0to silence and to shame,\nNor have they aught within their thought,\n\u00a0\u00a0Christ\u2019s Justice for to blame.\nThe Judge is just, and plague them must,\n\u00a0\u00a0nor will he Mercy shew,\nFor Mercy\u2019s day is past away\n\u00a0\u00a0to any of this Crew.\n\nCLXXXVIII. [153]\n\nThe Judge is strong, doers of wrong\n\u00a0\u00a0cannot his pow\u2019r withstand;\nNone can by flight run out of sight,\n\u00a0\u00a0nor \u2019scape out of his hand.\nSad is their state; for Advocate,\n\u00a0\u00a0to plead thei cause, there\u2019s none;\nNone to prevent their punishment,\n\u00a0\u00a0or mis\u2019ry to bemoan.\n\nCLXXXIX. [154]\n\nO dismal day! whither shall they\n\u00a0\u00a0for help and succor flee?\nTo God above with hopes to move\n\u00a0\u00a0their greatest Enemy?\nHis wrath is great, whose burning heat\n\u00a0\u00a0no floods of tears can slake;\nHis Word stands fast that they be cast\n\u00a0\u00a0into the burning Lake.\n\nCXC. [155]\n\nTo Christ their Judge? He doth adjudge\n\u00a0\u00a0them to the Pit of Sorrow;\nNor will he hear, or cry or tear,\n\u00a0\u00a0nor respite them one morrow.\nTo Heav\u2019n, alas! they cannot pass,\n\u00a0\u00a0it is against them shut;\nTo enter there (O heavy cheer)\n\u00a0\u00a0they out of hopes are put.\n\nCXCI. [156]\n\nUnto their Treasures, or to their Pleasures?\n\u00a0\u00a0All these have them forsaken;\nHad they full cofiers to make large offers,\n\u00a0\u00a0their gold would not be taken.\nUnto the place where whilom was\n\u00a0\u00a0their birth and Education?\nLo! Christ begins for their great sins,\n\u00a0\u00a0to fire the Earth\u2019s Foundation;\n\nCXCII. [157]\n\nAnd by and by the flaming Sky\n\u00a0\u00a0shall drop like molten Lead\nAbout their ears, t\u2019 increase their fears,\n\u00a0\u00a0and aggravate their dread.\nTo Angel\u2019s good that ever stood\n\u00a0\u00a0in their integrity,\nShould they betake themselves, and make\n\u00a0\u00a0their suit incessantly?\n\nCXCIII.\n\nThey\u2019ve neither skill, nor do they will\n\u00a0\u00a0to work them any ease;\nThey will not mourn to see them burn,\n\u00a0\u00a0nor beg for their release.\nTo wicked men, their bretheren\n\u00a0\u00a0in sin and wickedness,\nShould they make moan? Their case is one;\n\u00a0\u00a0they\u2019re in the same distress.\n\nCXCIV. [158]\n\nAh! cold comfort and mean support,\n\u00a0\u00a0from such like Comforters!\nAh! little joy of Company,\n\u00a0\u00a0and fellow-sufferers!\nSuch shall increase their heart\u2019s disease,\n\u00a0\u00a0and add unto their woe,\nBecause that they brought to decay\n\u00a0\u00a0themselves and many moe.\n\nCXCV. [159]\n\nUnto the Saints with sad complaints\n\u00a0\u00a0should they themselves apply?\nThey\u2019re not dejected nor aught affected\n\u00a0\u00a0with all their misery.\nFriends stand aloof and make no proof\n\u00a0\u00a0what Prayers or Tears can do;\nYour Godly friends are now more friend\n\u00a0\u00a0to Christ than unto you.\n\nCXCVI. [160]\n\nWhere tender love men\u2019s hearts did move\n\u00a0\u00a0unto a sympathy,\nAnd bearing part of others\u2019 smart\n\u00a0\u00a0in their anxiety,\nNow such compassion is out of fashion,\n\u00a0\u00a0and wholly laid aside;\nNo friends so near, but Saints to hear\n\u00a0\u00a0their Sentence can abide.\n\nCXCVII. [161]\n\nOne natural Brother beholds another\n\u00a0\u00a0in his astonied fit.\nYet sorrows not thereat a jot,\n\u00a0\u00a0nor pities him a whit.\nThe godly Wife conceives no grief\n\u00a0\u00a0nor can she shed a tear\nFor the sad state of her dear Mate,\n\u00a0\u00a0when she his doom doth hear.\n\nCXCVIII. [^198]\n\nHe that was erst a Husband pierc\u2019d\n\u00a0\u00a0with sense of Wife\u2019s distress.\nWhose tender heart did bear a part\n\u00a0\u00a0of all her grievances,\nShall mourn no more as heretofore,\n\u00a0\u00a0because of her ill plight.\nAlthough he see her now to be\n\u00a0\u00a0a damn\u2019d forsaken wight.\n\nCXCIX. [162]\n\nThe tender Mother will own no other\n\u00a0\u00a0of all her num\u2019rous brood,\nBut such as stand at Christ\u2019s right hand,\n\u00a0\u00a0acquitted through his Blood.\nThe pious Father had now much rather\n\u00a0\u00a0his graceless Son should lie\nIn Hell with Devils, for all his evils,\n\u00a0\u00a0burning eternally,\n\nCC. [163]\n\nThan God most High should injury\n\u00a0\u00a0by sparing him sustain;\nAnd doth rejoice to hear Christ\u2019s voice,\n\u00a0\u00a0adjudging him to pain.\nThus having all, both great and small,\n\u00a0\u00a0convinc\u2019d and silenc\u00e9d,\nChrist did proceed their Doom to read,\n\u00a0\u00a0and thus it utter\u00e9d:\n\n_The Judge pronounceth the sentence of condemnation._\n\nCCI. [164]\n\n*\u201cYe sinful wights and curs\u00e9d sprights,*\n\u00a0\u00a0_that work iniquity,_\n_Depart together from me for ever_\n\u00a0\u00a0_to endless Misery;_\n_Your portion take in yonder Lake,_\n\u00a0\u00a0_where Fire and Brimstone flameth;_\n_Suffer the smart which your desert,_\n\u00a0\u00a0*as its due wages claimeth.\u201c*\n\n_The terror of it._\n\nCCII.\n\nOh piercing words, more sharp than swords!\n\u00a0\u00a0What! to depart from Thee,\nWhose face before for evermore\n\u00a0\u00a0the best of Pleasures be!\nWhat! to depart (unto our smart),\n\u00a0\u00a0from thee _Eternally_!\nTo be for aye banish\u2019d away\n\u00a0\u00a0with Devils\u2019 company!\n\nCCIII.\n\nWhat! to be sent to Punishment,\n\u00a0\u00a0and flames of burning Fire!\nTo be surrounded, and eke confounded\n\u00a0\u00a0with God\u2019s revengeful Ire!\nWhat! to abide, not for a tide,\n\u00a0\u00a0these Torments, but for Ever!\nTo be releas\u2019d, or to be eas\u2019d,\n\u00a0\u00a0not after years, but Never!\n\nCCIV.\n\nOh fearful Doom! now there\u2019s no room\n\u00a0\u00a0for hope or help at all;\nSentence is past which aye shall last;\n\u00a0\u00a0Christ will not it recall.\nThen might you hear them rend and tear\n\u00a0\u00a0the Air with their out-cries;\nThe hideous noise of their sad voice\n\u00a0\u00a0ascendeth to the Skies.\n\nCCV. [165]\n\nThey wring their hands, their caitiff-hands,\n\u00a0\u00a0and gnash their teeth for terror;\nThey cry, they roar for anguish sore,\n\u00a0\u00a0and gnaw their tongues for horror.\nBut get away without delay,\n\u00a0\u00a0Christ pities not your cry;\nDepart to Hell, there may you yell,\n\u00a0\u00a0and roar Eternally.\n\n_It is put in Execution._\n\nCCVI. [166]\n\nThat word \u201c_Depart_\u201d maugre their heart,\n\u00a0\u00a0It is put in drives every wicked one,\nWith mighty pow\u2019r, the self-same hour,\n\u00a0\u00a0far from the Judge\u2019s Throne.\nAway they\u2019re chas\u2019d by the strong blast\n\u00a0\u00a0of his Death-threat\u2019ning mouth;\nThey flee full fast, as if in haste,\n\u00a0\u00a0although they be full loath.\n\nCCVII. [167]\n\nAs chaff that\u2019s dry, as dust doth fly\n\u00a0\u00a0before the Northern wind.\nRight so are they chas\u00e9d away,\n\u00a0\u00a0and can no Refuge find.\nThey hasten to the Pit of Woe,\n\u00a0\u00a0guarded by Angels stout.\nWho to fulfil Christ\u2019s holy Will,\n\u00a0\u00a0attend this wick\u00e9d Rout;\n\n_HELL._\n\nCCVIII. [168]\n\nWhom having brought as they are taught,\n\u00a0\u00a0unto the brink of Hell,\n(That dismal place, far from Christ\u2019s face,\n\u00a0\u00a0where Death and Darkness dwell,\nWhere God\u2019s fierce Ire kindleth the fire,\n\u00a0\u00a0and vengeance feeds the flame.\nWith piles of Wood and Brimstone Flood,\n\u00a0\u00a0so none can quench the same,)\n\n_Wicked men and Devils cast into it forever._\n\nCCIX. [169]\n\nWith Iron bands they bind their hands\n\u00a0\u00a0and curs\u00e9d feet together,\nAnd cast them all, both great and small,\n\u00a0\u00a0into that Lake forever,\nWhere day and night, without respite,\n\u00a0\u00a0they wail, and cry and howl,\nFor tort\u2019ring pain which they sustain,\n\u00a0\u00a0in Body and in Soul.\n\nCCX. [170]\n\nFor day and night, in their despite,\n\u00a0\u00a0their torment\u2019s smoke ascendeth.\nTheir pain and grief have no relief,\n\u00a0\u00a0their anguish never endeth.\nThere must they lie and never die,\n\u00a0\u00a0though dying every day;\nThere must they dying ever lie,\n\u00a0\u00a0and not consume away.\n\nCCXI.\n\nDie fain they would if die they could,\n\u00a0\u00a0but Death will not be had;\nGod\u2019s direful wrath their bodies hath\n\u00a0\u00a0forev\u2019r immortal made.\nThey live to lie in misery,\n\u00a0\u00a0and bear eternal woe;\nAnd live they must whilst God is just,\n\u00a0\u00a0that he may plague them so.\n\n_The unsufferable torments of the Damned._\n\nCCXII. [171]\n\nBut who can tell the plagues of Hell,\n\u00a0\u00a0and torments exquisite?\nWho can relate their dismal state,\n\u00a0\u00a0and terrors infinite?\nWho fare the best and feel the least,\n\u00a0\u00a0yet feel that punishment\nWhereby to nought they would be brought\n\u00a0\u00a0if God did not prevent.\n\nCCXIII. [172]\n\nThe least degree of misery\n\u00a0\u00a0there felt is incomparable;\nThe lightest pain they there sustain\n\u00a0\u00a0is more than intolerable.\nBut God\u2019s great pow\u2019r from hour to hour\n\u00a0\u00a0upholds them in the fire,\nThat they shall not consume a jot\n\u00a0\u00a0nor by its force expire.\n\nCCXIV. [173]\n\nBut, ah, the woe they undergo\n\u00a0\u00a0(_they_ more than all beside)\nWho had the light, and knew the right,\n\u00a0\u00a0yet would not it abide!\nThe sev\u2019n fold smart which to their part\n\u00a0\u00a0and porti-on doth fall.\nWho Christ\u2019s free Grace would not embrace,\n\u00a0\u00a0nor hearken to his call.\n\nCCXV. [174]\n\nThe Amorites and Sodomites,\n\u00a0\u00a0although their plagues be sore,\nYet find some ease compar\u2019d to these,\n\u00a0\u00a0who feel a great deal more.\nAlmighty God, whose Iron Rod,\n\u00a0\u00a0to smite them never lins.\nDoth most declare his Justice rare\n\u00a0\u00a0in plaguing these men\u2019s sins.\n\nCCXVI. [175]\n\nThe pain of loss their souls doth toss,\n\u00a0\u00a0and wond\u2019rously distress,\nTo think what they have cast away\n\u00a0\u00a0by willful wickedness.\n\u201cWe might have been redeem\u2019d from sin,\u201d\n\u00a0\u00a0think they, \u201cand liv\u2019d above.\nBeing possesst of Heav\u2019nly rest,\n\u00a0\u00a0and joying in God\u2019s love\n\nCCXVII. [176]\n\n\u201cBut woe, woe, woe, our Souls unto!\n\u00a0\u00a0we would not happy be;\nAnd therefore bear God\u2019s vengeance here\n\u00a0\u00a0to all Eternity.\nExperience and woful sense\n\u00a0\u00a0must be our painful teachers,\nWho\u2019d not believe, nor credit give\n\u00a0\u00a0unto our faithful Preachers.\u201c\n\nCCXVIII. [177]\n\nThus shall they lie and wail and cry,\n\u00a0\u00a0tormented and tormenting;\nTheir galled hearts with poison\u2019d darts,\n\u00a0\u00a0but now too late repenting.\nThere let them dwell in th\u2019 Flames of Hell:\n\u00a0\u00a0there leave we them to burn,\nAnd back again unto the men\n\u00a0\u00a0whom Christ acquits, return.\n\n_The Saints rejoice to see the Judgment executed upon the Wicked World._\n\nCCXIX. [178]\n\nThe Saints behold with courage bold\n\u00a0\u00a0and thankful wonderment,\nTo see all those that were their foes\n\u00a0\u00a0thus sent to punishment.\nThen do they sing unto their King\n\u00a0\u00a0a Song of endless Praise;\nThey praise his Name and do proclaim\n\u00a0\u00a0that just are all his ways.\n\n_They ascend with Christ into Heaven triumphing._\n\nCCXX.\n\nThus with great joy and melody\n\u00a0\u00a0to Heav\u2019n they all ascend,\nHim there to praise with sweetest lays,\n\u00a0\u00a0and Hymns that never end;\nWhere with long rest they shall be blest,\n\u00a0\u00a0and naught shall them annoy,\n\u201cWhere they shall see as seen they be,\n\u00a0\u00a0and whom they love enjoy.\n\n_Their eternal happiness and incomparable glory there._\n\nCCXXI. [179]\n\nOh glorious Place! where face to face\n\u00a0\u00a0Jehovah may be seen,\nBy such as were sinners while here,\n\u00a0\u00a0and no dark veil between!\nWhere the Sunshine and light Divine\n\u00a0\u00a0of God\u2019s bright countenance,\nDoth rest upon them every one,\n\u00a0\u00a0with sweetest influence!\n\nCCXXII. [180]\n\nOh blessed state of the Renate!\n\u00a0\u00a0Oh wond\u2019rous happiness.\nTo which they\u2019re brought beyond what thought\n\u00a0\u00a0can reach or words express!\nGrief\u2019s watercourse and sorrow\u2019s source\n\u00a0\u00a0are turn\u2019d to joyful streams;\nTheir old distress and heaviness\n\u00a0\u00a0are vanished like dreams.\n\nCCXXIII. [181]\n\nFor God above in arms of love\n\u00a0\u00a0doth dearly them embrace.\nAnd fills their sprights with such delights,\n\u00a0\u00a0and pleasures in his Grace,\nAs shall not fail, nor yet grow stale,\n\u00a0\u00a0through frequency of use;\nNor do they fear God\u2019s favor there\n\u00a0\u00a0to forfeit by abuse.\n\nCCXXIV. [182]\n\nFor there the Saints are perfect Saints,\n\u00a0\u00a0and holy ones indeed;\nFrom all the sin that dwelt within\n\u00a0\u00a0their mortal bodies freed;\nMade Kings and Priests to God through Christ\u2019s\n\u00a0\u00a0dear Love\u2019s transcendency,\nThere to remain and there to reign\n\u00a0\u00a0with him Eternally.\n\n\nA Short Discourse On Eternity.\n\nWhat mortal man can with a Span\n\u00a0\u00a0mete out Eternity?\nOr fathom it by depth of Wit,\n\u00a0\u00a0or strength of Memory?\nThe lofty Sky is not so high,\n\u00a0\u00a0Hell\u2019s depth to this is small;\nThe World so wide is but a stride,\n\u00a0\u00a0compar\u00e9d therewithal.\n\nIt is a main great Oce-an\n\u00a0\u00a0withouten bank or bound,\nA deep Abyss, wherein there is\n\u00a0\u00a0no bottom to be found.\nThis World hath stood now since the Flood,\n\u00a0\u00a0four thousand years well near,\nAnd had before endur\u00e9d more\n\u00a0\u00a0than sixteen hundred year.\n\nBut what\u2019s the time from the World\u2019s prime,\n\u00a0\u00a0unto this present day,\nIf we thereby Eternity\n\u00a0\u00a0to measure should essay?\nThe whole duration since the Creation,\n\u00a0\u00a0though long, yet is more little.\nIf placed by Eternity,\n\u00a0\u00a0than is the smallest tittle.\n\nTell every Star both near and far,\n\u00a0\u00a0in Heav\u2019n\u2019s bright Canopy\nThat doth appear throughout the year\n\u00a0\u00a0of high or low degree:\nTell every Tree that thou canst see\n\u00a0\u00a0in this vast Wilderness,\nUp in the \u201cWoods, down by the Floods,\n\u00a0\u00a0in thousand miles Progress:\n\nThe sum is vast, yet not so vast\n\u00a0\u00a0but that thou may\u2019st go on\nTo multiply the leaves thereby,\n\u00a0\u00a0that hang those Trees upon:\nAdd thereunto the Drops that thou\n\u00a0\u00a0imaginest to be\nIn April Show\u2019rs, that bring forth Flow\u2019rs\n\u00a0\u00a0and blossoms plenteously:\n\nNumber the Fowls and living Souls\n\u00a0\u00a0that through the Air do fly,\nThe wing\u00e9d Hosts in all their Coasts\n\u00a0\u00a0beneath the starry Sky:\nCount all the Grass as thou dost pass\n\u00a0\u00a0through many a pasture-land,\nAnd dewy Drops that on the tops\n\u00a0\u00a0of Herbs and Plants do stand:\n\nNumber the Sand upon the Strand,\n\u00a0\u00a0and atoms of the Air;\nAnd do thy best on Man and Beast,\n\u00a0\u00a0to reckon every Hair:\nTake all the Dust, if so thou lust,\n\u00a0\u00a0and add to thine Account:\nYet shall the Years of Sinners\u2019 tears,\n\u00a0\u00a0the Number far surmount.\n\nNaught join\u2019d to nauglit can ne\u2019er make aught,\n\u00a0\u00a0nor Cyphers make a Sum;\nNor things finite, to infinite\n\u00a0\u00a0by multiplying come:\nA Cockle-shell may serve as well\n\u00a0\u00a0to lade the Ocean dry\nAs finite things and reckonings\n\u00a0\u00a0to bound Eternity.\n\nOh happy they that live for aye,\n\u00a0\u00a0with Christ in Heav\u2019n above!\nWho know withal that nothing shall\n\u00a0\u00a0deprive them of his love.\n_Eternity, Eternity!_\n\u00a0\u00a0Oh! were it not for thee,\nThe Saints in bliss and happiness\n\u00a0\u00a0could never happy be.\n\nFor if they were in any fear\n\u00a0\u00a0that this their joy might cease,\nIt would annoy (if not destroy)\n\u00a0\u00a0and interrupt their peace.\nBut being sure it shall endure\n\u00a0\u00a0so long as God shall live;\nThe thoughts of this, unto their bliss,\n\u00a0\u00a0do full perfection give.\n\nCheer up ye Saints amidst your wants\n\u00a0\u00a0and sorrows many a one;\nLift up the head, shake off all dread,\n\u00a0\u00a0and moderate your moan.\nYour sufferings and evil things\n\u00a0\u00a0will suddenly be past;\nYour sweet Fruitions and blessed Visions,\n\u00a0\u00a0for evermore shall last.\n\nLament and mourn you that must burn\n\u00a0\u00a0amidst those flaming Seas:\nIf once you come to such a doom,\n\u00a0\u00a0for ever farewell ease.\nsad estate and desperate,\n\u00a0\u00a0that never can be mended,\nUntil God\u2019s Will shall change, or till\n\u00a0\u00a0Eternity be ended!\n\nIf any one this Questi-on\n\u00a0\u00a0shall unto me propound:\nWhat! have the years of Sinners\u2019 tears\n\u00a0\u00a0no limits or no bound?\nIt kills our heart to think of smart,\n\u00a0\u00a0and pains that last for ever;\nAnd hear of fire that shall expire,\n\u00a0\u00a0or be extinguish\u2019d never,\n\nI\u2019ll answer make (and let them take\n\u00a0\u00a0my words as I intend them;\nFor this is all the Cordi-al\n\u00a0\u00a0that here I have to lend them:)\nWhen Heav\u2019n shall cease to flow with peace\n\u00a0\u00a0and all felicity.\nThen Hell may cease to be the place\n\u00a0\u00a0of Woe and Misery.\n\nWhen Heav\u2019n is Hell, when Ill is Well,\n\u00a0\u00a0when Virtue turns to Vice;\nWhen Wrong is Right, when Dark is Light,\n\u00a0\u00a0when Naught is of great price;\nThen may the years of Sinners\u2019 tears\n\u00a0\u00a0and sufferings expire.\nAnd all the Hosts of damn\u00e9d Ghosts\n\u00a0\u00a0escape out of Hell-fire.\n\nWhen Christ above shall cease to lovo,\n\u00a0\u00a0when God shall cease to reign\nAnd be no more as heretofore\n\u00a0\u00a0the World\u2019s great Sov\u00e9reign;\nOr not be just, or favor lust,\n\u00a0\u00a0or in IMen\u2019s sins delight;\nThen wicked men (and not till then)\n\u00a0\u00a0to Heav\u2019n may take their flight.\n\nWhen God\u2019s great Power shall be brought lower,\n\u00a0\u00a0by foreign Puissance,\nOr be decay\u2019d and weaker made\n\u00a0\u00a0through Time\u2019s continuance;\nWhen drowsiness shall him oppress,\n\u00a0\u00a0and lay him fast asleep,\nThen sinful men may break their pen,\n\u00a0\u00a0and out of Prison creep.\n\nWhen those in Glory shall be right sorry\n\u00a0\u00a0they may not change their place,\nAnd wish to dwell with those in Hell,\n\u00a0\u00a0never to see Christ\u2019s face;\nThen those in pain may freedom gain\n\u00a0\u00a0and be with Glory dight:\nThen Hellish fiends may be Christ\u2019s Friends,\n\u00a0\u00a0and Heirs of Heaven hight.\n\nThen, ah! poor men! What! not till then?\n\u00a0\u00a0No, not an hour before;\nFor God is just, and therefore must\n\u00a0\u00a0torment them evermore.\nETERNITY! ETERNITY!\nthou mak\u2019st hard hearts to bleed:\n\u00a0\u00a0The thoughts of thee in misery,\n\u00a0\u00a0do make men wail indeed.\n\nWhen they remind what\u2019s still behind\n\u00a0\u00a0and ponder this word NEVER,\nThat they must there be made to bear\n\u00a0\u00a0God\u2019s Vengeance for EVER :\nThe thought of this more bitter is\n\u00a0\u00a0than all they feel beside;\nYet what they feel, nor heart of steel,\n\u00a0\u00a0nor flesh of brass can bide.\n\nTo lie in woe and undergo\n\u00a0\u00a0the direful pains of Hell,\nAnd know withal, that there they shall\n\u00a0\u00a0for aye and ever dwell;\nAnd that they are from rest as far\n\u00a0\u00a0when fifty thousand year,\nTwice told, are spent in punishment,\n\u00a0\u00a0as when they first came there;\n\nThis, oh! this makes Hell\u2019s fiery flakes\n\u00a0\u00a0much more intolerable;\nThis makes frail wights and damned sprites\n\u00a0\u00a0to bear their plagues unable.\nThis makes men bite, for fell despite,\n\u00a0\u00a0their very tongues in twain;\nThis makes them roar for great horrcr,\n\u00a0\u00a0and trebleth all their pain.\n\n\nA Postscript Unto The Reader.\n\nAnd now, good Reader, I return again\nTo talk with thee who hast been at the pain\nTo read throughout and heed what went before;\nAnd unto thee I\u2019ll speak a little more.\nGive ear I pray thee unto what I say,\nThat God may hear thy voice another day.\nThou hast a Soul, my Friend, and so have I,\nTo save or lose; a Soul that cannot die;\nA Soul of greater price than Gold or Gems;\nA Soul more worth than Crowns and Diadems;\nA Soul at first created like its Maker,\nAnd of God\u2019s Image made to be partaker:\nUpon the wings of noblest Faculties,\nTaught for to soar above the Starry Skies,\nAnd not to rest, until it understood\nItself possessed of the chiefest Good.\nAnd since the Fall thy Soul retaineth still\nThose faculties of Reason and of Will,\nBut oh! how much deprav\u2019d and out of frame,\nAs if they were some other\u2019s, not the same!\nThine Understanding dismally benighted,\nAnd Reason\u2019s eye in Spir\u2019tual things dim-sighted,\nOr else stark blind; thy Will inclin\u2019d to evil.\nAnd nothing else; a slave unto the Devil;\nThat loves to live, and liveth to transgress.\nBut shuns the way of God and Holiness.\nAll thine Affections are disorder\u00e9d,\nAnd thus by headstrong Passions are misled.\nWhat need I tell thee of thy crooked war,\nAnd many wicked wand\u2019rings every day?\nOr that thine own transgressi-ons are more\nIn number than the sands upon the Shore?\nThou art a lump of wickedness become,\nAnd may\u2019st with horror think upon thy Doom,\nUntil thy Soul be wash\u00e9d in the flood\nOf Christ\u2019s most dear, soul-cleansing, precious Blood.\nThat, that alone can do away thy sin,\nWhich thou wert born and hast long lived in;\nThat, only that can pacify God\u2019s wrath,\nIf apprehended by a lively Faith,\nNow whilst the day and means of Grace do last,\nBefore the opportunity be past.\n\nBut if, man, thou liv\u2019st a Christless creature,\nAnd Death surprise thee in a state of nature,\n(As who can tell but that may be thy case?)\nHow wilt thou stand before the Judge\u2019s face,\nWhen he shall be reveal\u2019d in flaming fire.\nAnd come to pay ungodly men their hire.\nTo execute due vengeance upon those\nThat knew him not, or that had been his foes?\nWhat wilt thou answer unto his demands.\nWhen he requires a reason at thy hands.\nOf all the things that thou hast said or done.\nOr left undone, or set thine heart upon?\nWhen he shall thus with thee expostulate:\n\u201cWhat cause hadst thou thy Maker for to hate;\nTo take up arms against thy Sovereign,\nAnd enmity against him to maintain?\nWhat injury hath God Almighty done thee?\nWhat good hath he withheld that might have won thee?\nWhat evil, or injustice hast thou found\nIn him that might unto thine hurt redound?\nIf neither felt nor feared injury\nHath mov\u00e9d thee to such hostility,\nWhat made thee then the Fountain to forsake,\nAnd unto broken Pits thyself betake?\nWhat reason hadst thou to dishonor God,\nWho thee with Mercies never ceas\u2019d to load?\nBecause the Lord was good hast thou been evil,\nAnd taken part against him with the Devil?\nFor all his cost to pay him with despite.\nAnd all his love with hatred to requite?\nIs this the fruit of God\u2019s great patience,\nTo wax more bold in disobedience?\nTo kick against the bowels of his Love?\nIs this aright his Bounty to improve?\nStand still, ye Heav\u2019ns, and be astonished,\nThat God by man should thus be injured!\nGive ear, Earth, and tremble at the sin\nOf those that thine Inhabitants have been!\nBut thou, vile wretch, hast added unto all\nThine other faults and facts so criminal.\nThe damning sin of willful unbelief;\nOf all Transgressors hast thou been the chief.\nYet when time was thou might\u2019st have been set free\nFrom Sin and Wrath and punishment by me;\nBut thou would\u2019st not accept of Gospel Grace,\nNor on my terms Eternal Life embrace.\nAs if that all thy breaches of God\u2019s Law\nWere not enough upon thy head to draw\nEternal Wrath, thou hast despis\u2019d a Savior,\nRejected me, and trampled on my favor.\nHow oft have I stood knocking at thy door,\nAnd been denied entrance evermore?\nHow often hath my Spirit been withstood,\nWhen as I sent him to have done thee good?\nThou hast no need of any one to plead\nThy cause or for thy Soul to intercede:\nPlead for thyself, if thou hast aught to say,\nAnd pay thy forfeiture without delay.\nBehold thou dost ten thousand Talents owe;\nPay thou the debt or else to Prison go.\u201c\n\nThink, think, man, when Christ shall thus unfold\nThy secret guilt, and make thee to behold\nThe ugly face of all thy sinful errors.\nAnd fill thy soul with his amazing terrors,\nAnd let thee see the flaming Pit of Hell,\nWhere all that have no part in him shall dwell;\nWhen he shall thus expostulate the case,\nHow canst thou bear to look him in the face?\nWhat wilt thou do without an Advocate,\nOr plead, when thus thy state is desperate?\nDost think to put him oif with fair pretenses?\nOr wilt thou hide and cover thine offenses?\nCan anything from him concealed be,\nWho doth the hidden things of darkness see?\nArt thou of force his Power to withstand?\nCanst thou by might escape out of his hand?\nDost thou intend to run out of his sight,\nAnd save thyself from punishment by flight?\nOr wilt thou be eternally accurst,\nAnd \u2019bide his Vengeance, let him do his worst?\nOh! who can bear his indignation\u2019s heat?\nOr \u2019bide the pains of Hell which are so great?\n\nIf, then, thou neither canst his Wrath endure.\nNor any ransom after death procure;\nIf neither Cries nor Tears can move his heart\nTo pardon thee or mitigate thy smart,\nBut unto Hell thou must perforce be sent,\nWith dismal horror and astonishment,\nConsider, my Friend, what cause thou hast,\nWith fear and trembling (while as yet thou may\u2019st),\nTo lay to heart thy sin and misery,\nAnd to make out after the Remedy.\nConsider well the greatness of thy danger,\nO Child of wrath, and object of God\u2019s anger.\nThou hangest over the Infernal Pit,\nBy one small thread, and car\u2019st not thou a whit?\nThere\u2019s but a step between thy Soul and Death;\nNothing remains but stopping of thy breath,\n(Which may be done to-morrow, or before)\nAnd then thou art undone forevermore.\nLet this awaken thy security,\nAnd make thee look about thee speedily.\n\nHow canst thou rest an hour or sleep a night,\nOr in thy creature-comforts take delight?\nOr with vain Toys thyself forgetful make\nHow near thou art unto the burning Lake?\nHow canst thou live without tormenting fears?\nHow canst thou hold from weeping floods of tears?\nYea, tears of blood, I might almost have said,\nIf such-like tears could from thine eyes be shed.\nTo gain the world what will it profit thee.\nAnd lose thy soul and self eternally?\nEternity on one small point dependeth;\nThe man is lost that this short life misspendeth.\nFor as the Tree doth fall, right so it lies,\nAnd man continues in what state he dies.\nWho happy die shall happy rise again;\nWho curs\u00e9d die shall curs\u00e9d still remain.\nIf under Sin and Wrath Death leaves thee bound,\nAt Judgment under Wrath thou shalt be found;\nAnd then woe woe that ever thou wert born,\nO wretched man, of Heav\u2019n and Earth forlorn!\nConsider this, all ye that God forget,\nWho all his threatenings at naught do set.\nLest into pieces he begin to tear\nYour souls, and there be no deliverer.\n\nO you that now sing care and fear away,\nThink often of the formidable Day,\nWherein the Heavens with a mighty noise.\nAnd with a hideous, heart-confounding voice\nShall pass away, together being roll\u2019d,\nAs men are wont their garments up to fold;\nWhen th\u2019 Elements with fervent heat shall melt,\nAnd living Creatures in the same shall swelt.\nAnd altogether in those flames expire,\nWhich set the Earth\u2019s Foundati-ons on fire.\nOh! what amazements will your hearts be in,\nAnd how will you to curse yourselves begin.\nFor all your damned sloth and negligence.\nAnd unbelief and gross Impenitence,\nWhen you shall hear that dreadful Sentence pass\u2019d.\nThat all the wicked into Hell be cast!\nWhat horrors will your Consciences surprise.\nWhen you shall hear the fruitless, doleful cries\nOf such as are compelled to depart\nUnto the place of everlasting smart!\nWhat! when you see the sparks fly out of Hell,\nAnd view the Dungeon where you are to dwell.\nWherein you must eternally remain\nIn anguish and intolerable pain!\nWhat! when your hands and feet are bound together,\nAnd you are cast into the Lake forever!\nThen shall you feel the truth of what you hear,\nThat Hellish pains are more than you can bear,\nAnd that those Torments are an hundred fold\nMore terrible than ever you were told.\n\nNor speak I this, good Reader, to torment thee\nBefore the time, but rather to prevent thee\nFrom running headlong to thine own decay,\nIn such a perilous and deadly way.\nWe who have known and felt Jehovah\u2019s terrors,\nPersuade men to repent them of their errors.\nAnd turn to God in time ere his Decree\nBring forth, and then there be no Remedy.\nIf in the night, when thou art fast asleep,\nSome friend of thine that better watch doth keep,\nShould see thy house all on a burning flame.\nAnd thee almost inclosed with the same:\nIf such a friend should break thy door and wake thee,\nOr else by force out of the peril take thee,\nWhat! wouldst thou take his kindness in ill part,\nOr frown upon him for his good desert?\n\nSuch, my friend, such is thy present state\nAnd danger, being unregenerate.\nAwake, awake, and then thou shalt perceive\nThy peril greater than thou wilt believe.\nLift up thine eyes, and see God\u2019s wrathful ire\nPreparing unextinguishable fire\nFor all that live and die impenitent.\nAwake, awake, Sinner, and repent.\nAnd quarrel not because I thus alarm\nThy Soul, to save it from eternal harm.\n\nPerhaps thou harborest such thoughts as these:\n\u201cI hope I may enjoy my carnal ease\nA little longer, and myself refresh\nWith those delights that gratify the flesh,\nAnd yet repent before it be too late,\nAnd get into a comfortable state.\nI hope I have yet many years to spend,\nAnd time enough those matters to attend,\u201c\nPresumptuous heart! Is God engag\u2019d to give\nA longer time to such as love to live\nLike Rebels still, who think to strain his Glory\nBy wickedness, and after to be sorry?\nUnto thy lust shall he be made a drudge,\nWho thee and all ungodly men shall judge?\nCanst thou account sin sweet, and yet confess\nThat first or last it ends in bitterness?\nIs sin a thing that must procure thee sorrow,\nAnd wouldst thou dally with\u2019t another morrow?\n\nO foolish man who lovest to enjoy\nThat which will thee distress, or else destroy!\nWhat gain\u00e9d Samson by his Delilah?\nWhat gain\u00e9d David by his Bathshebah?\nThe one became a slave, lost both his eyes,\nAnd made them sport that were his enemies;\nThe other penneth, as a certain token\nOf God\u2019s displeasure, that his bones were broken,\nBesides the woes he after met withal.\nTo chasten him for that his grievous Fall:\nHis own Son Ammon, using crafty wiles,\nHis Daughter Thamar wickedly defiles:\nHis second Son, more beautiful than good.\nHis hands embreweth in his Brother\u2019s blood:\nAnd by and by, aspiring to the Crown,\nHe strives to pull his gentle Father down;\nWith hellish rage, him fiercely persecuting,\nAnd brutishly his Concubines polluting.\nRead whoso list, and ponder what he reads,\nAnd he shall find smaU joy in evil deeds.\n\nMoreover this consider, that the longer\nThou liv\u2019st in sin, thy sins will grow the stronger;\nAnd then it will an harder matter prove\nTo leave those wicked haunts that thou dost love.\nThe Black\u2019moor may as eas\u2019ly change his skin.\nAs old Transgressors leave their wonted sin.\nAnd who can tell what will become of thee,\nOr where thy Soul in one day\u2019s time may be?\nWe see that Death ne\u2019er old nor young men spares,\nBut one and other takes at unawares;\nfor in a moment, whilst men Peace do cry,\nDestruction seizeth on them suddenly.\nThou who this morning art a lively wight,\nMay\u2019st be a corpse and damn\u00e9d Ghost ere night.\n\nOh! dream not then that it will serve thy turn\nUpon thy Death-bed for thy sins to mourn;\nBut think how many have been snatch\u2019d away,\nAnd had no time for mercy once to pray.\nIt\u2019s just with God Repentance to deny\nTo such as put it off until they die.\nAnd late Repentance seldom proveth true,\nWhich, if it fail, thou know\u2019st what must ensue;\nFor after this short life is at an end,\nWhat is amiss thou never canst amend.\nBelieve, man, that to procrastinate.\nAnd put it off until it be too late,\nAs \u2019tis thy sin, so it is Satan\u2019s wile,\nWhereby he doth great multitudes beguile.\nHow many thousands hath this strong delusion\nAlready brought to ruin and confusion,\nWhose souls are now reserv\u2019d in iron chains,\nUnder thick darkness to Eternal Pains!\nThey thought of many years, as thou dost now,\nBut were deceived quite, and so may\u2019st thou.\n\nOh! then, my friend, waste not away thy time.\nNor by rebellion aggravate thy crime.\nOh! put not off Repentance till to-morrow,\nAdventure not, without God\u2019s leave, to borrow\nAnother day to spend upon thy lust,\nLest God (that is most Holy, Wise, and Just)\nDenounce in wrath, and to thy terror say,\n\u201cThis night shall Devils fetch thy Soul away.\u201d\n\nNow seek the face of God with all thy heart.\nAcknowledge unto him how vile thou art.\nTell him thy Sins deserve eternal wrath,\nAnd that it is a wonder that he hat\nPermitted thee so long to draw thy breath.\nWho might have cut thee off by sudden death,\nAnd sent thy Soul into the lowest Pit,\nFrom whence no price should ever ransom it;\nAnd that he may most justly do it still,\n(Because thou hast deserv\u2019d it) if he will.\nYet also tell him that, if he shall please,\nHe can forgive thy sins and thee release.\nAnd that in Christ his Son he may be just\nAnd justify all those that on him trust;\nThat though thy sins are of a crimson dye.\nYet Christ his Blood can cleanse thee thoroughly.\nTell him that he may make his Glorious Name\nMore wonderful by covering thy shame;\nThat Mercy may be greatly magnified.\nAnd justice also fully satisfied.\nIf he shall please to own thee in his Son,\n\u201cWho hath paid dear for Man\u2019s Redempti-on.\nTell him thouh hast an unbelieving heart.\nWhich hind\u2019reth thee from coming for a part\nIn Christ; and that although his terrors awe thee,\nThou canst not come till he be pleas\u2019d to draw thee.\nTell him thou know\u2019st thine heart to be so bad,\nAnd thy condition so exceeding sad,\nThat though Salvation may be had for naught\nThou canst not come and take it till thou\u2019rt brought.\n\nOh! beg of him to bow thy stubborn will\nTo come to Christ, that he thy lusts may kill.\nLook up to Christ for his attractive pow\u2019r.\nWhich he exerteth in a needful hour;\nWho saith, \u201cWhen as I lifted up shall be,\nThen will I draw all sorts of men to me.\u201c\nOh! wait upon him with true diligence\nAnd trembling fear in every Ordinance;\nUnto his Call earnest attention give.\nWhose voice makes deaf men hear and dead men live.\nThus weep and mourn, thus hearken, pray, and wait,\nTill he behold and pity thine estate,\nWho is more ready to bestow his Grace\nThan thou the same art willing to embrace;\nYea, he hath Might enough to bring thee home,\nThough thou hast neither strength nor will to come.\n\nIf he delay to answer thy request.\nKnow that ofttimes he doth it for the best;\nNot with intent to drive us from his door,\nBut for to make us importune him more;\nOr else to bring us daily to confess.\nAnd be convinc\u2019d of our unworthiness.\nOh! be not weary, then, but persevere\nTo beg his Grace till he thy suit shall hear;\nAnd leave him not, nor from his footstool go.\nTill over thee Compassion\u2019s skirt he throw.\nEternal Life shall recompense thy pains,\nIf found at last, with everlasting gains.\nFor if the Lord be pleas\u2019d to hear thy cries,\nAnd to forgive thy great iniquities,\nThou \u201cwilt have cause forever to admire\nAnd laud his Grace, that granted thy desire.\nThen shalt thou find thy labor is not lost,\nBut that the good obtain\u2019d surmounts the cost.\nNor shalt thou grieve for loss of sinful pleasures,\nExchang\u2019d for Heav\u2019nly joys and lasting treasures.\nThe yoke of Christ which once thou didst esteem\nA tedious yoke, shall then most easy seem.\nFor why? The love of Christ shall thee constrain\nTo take delight in that which was thy pain.\nThe ways of Wisdom shall be pleasant ways,\nAnd thou shalt choose therein to spend thy days.\n\nIf once thy Soul be brought to such a pass,\nO bless the Lord and magnify his Grace.\nThou that of late hadst reason to be sad,\nMay\u2019st now rejoice and be exceeding glad;\nFor thy condition is as happy now\nAs erst it was disconsolate and low.\nThou art become as rich, as whilom poor;\nAs blessed now as cursed heretofore.\nFor being cleansed with Christ\u2019s precious Blood,\nThou hast an int\u2019rest in the chiefest Good;\nGod\u2019s anger is towards thy Soul appeas\u2019d.\nAnd in his Christ he is with thee well pleas\u2019d.\nYea, he doth look upon thee with a mild\nAnd gracious aspect, as upon his child.\nHe is become thy Father and thy Friend,\nAnd will defend thee from the cursed Fiend.\nThou need\u2019st not fear the roaring Lion\u2019s rage,\nSince God Almighty doth himself engage\nTo bear thy Soul in everlasting Arms,\nAbove the reach of all destructive harms.\nWhatever here thy sufferings may be,\nYet from them all the Lord shall rescue thee.\nHe will preserve thee by his wond\u2019rous Might\nUnto that rich Inheritance in Light.\n\nO sing for joy, all ye Regenerate,\nWhom Christ hath brought unto this blessed state!\nO love the Lord all ye his saints, who hath\nRedeem\u00e9d you from everlasting wrath!\nWho hath by dying made your Souls to live.\nAnd what he dearly bought doth freely give.\nGive up yourselves to walk in all his ways,\nAnd study how to live unto his praise.\nThe time is short you have to serve him here;\nThe day of your deliv\u2019rance draweth near.\nLift up your heads, ye upright ones in heart,\nWho in Christ\u2019s purchase have obtain\u2019d a part.\nBehold he rides upon a shining cloud.\nWith angel\u2019s voice and Trumpet sounding loud.\nHe comes to save his folk from all their foes.\nAnd plague the men that Holiness oppose.\nSo come, Lord Jesus, quickly come, we pray;\nYea, come and hasten our Redemption-day.\n\n\nVanity of Vanities.\n\nA SONG OF EMPTINESS.\n\nVain, frail, sliort-liv\u2019d, and miserable Man,\nLearn what tliou art wlien thy estate is best;\nA restless Wave o\u2019 th\u2019 troubled Oce-an,\nA Dream, a lifeless Picture finely drest.\n\nA Wind, a Flower, a Vapor, and a Bubble,\nA Wheel that stands not still, a trembling Reed,\nA trolling Stone, dry Dust, light Chaff, and Stubble,\nA shadow of something but truly naught indeed.\n\nLearn what deceitful Toys and empty things\nThis World and all its best Enjoyments be;\nOut of the Earth no true Contentment springs,\nBut all things here are vexing Vanity.\n\nFor what is Beauty but a fading Flower?\nOr what is Pleasure but the Devil\u2019s bait.\nWhereby he catcheth whom he would devour,\nAnd multitudes of Souls doth ruinate?\n\nAnd what are Friends but mortal men as we.\nWhom Death from us may quickly separate?\nOr else their hearts may quite estrang\u00e9d be,\nAnd all their love be turned into hate.\n\nAnd what are Riches to be doted on?\nUncertain, fickle, and ensnaring things;\nThey draw men\u2019s Souls into Perditi-on,\nAnd when most needed take them to their wings.\n\nAh! foolish man! that sets his heart upon\nSuch empty shadows, such wild Fowl as these,\nThat being gotten will be quickly gone,\nAnd whilst they stay increase but his disease.\n\nAs in a Dropsy, drinking drought begets.\nThe more he drinks the more he still requires,\nSo on this \u201cWorld whoso afifection sets,\nAs Wealth\u2019s increase, increaseth his desires.\n\nO happy Man, whose portion is above,\nWhere Floods, where Flames, where Foes cannot bereave him!\nMost wretched Man that fix\u00e9d hath his love\nUpon this World, that surely will deceive him!\n\nFor what is Honor? what is Sovereignty,\nWhereto men\u2019s hearts so restlessly aspire?\nWhom have they crowned with Felicity?\nWhen did they ever satisfy desire?\n\nThe Ear of Man with hearing is not fill\u2019d;\nTo see new sights still coveteth the Eye;\nThe craving stomach, though it may be still\u2019d.\nYet craves again without a new supply.\n\nAll Earthly things man\u2019s cravings answer not,\nWhose little heart would all the World contain,\n(If all the World should fall to one man\u2019s lot)\nAnd notwithstanding empty still remain.\n\nThe Eastern Conqueror was said to weep\nWhen he the Indian Oce-an did view,\nTo see his Conquest bounded by the Deep,\nAnd no more Worlds remaining to subdue.\n\nWho would that man in his Enjoyment bless,\nOr envy him, or covet his Estate,\nWhose gettings do augment his greediness.\nAnd make his wishes more intemperate?\n\nSuch is the wonted and the common guise\nOf those on Earth that bear the greatest sway;\nIf with a few the case be otherwise.\nThey seek a Kingdom that abides for aye.\n\nMoreover they of all the Sons of Men\nThat rule, and are in highest Places set,\nAre most inclin\u2019d to scorn their Bretheren,\nAnd God himself (without great Grace) forget.\n\nFor as the Sun doth blind the gazers\u2019 eyes,\nThat for a time they naught discern aright,\nSo Honor doth befool and blind the Wise,\nAnd their own lustre \u2019reaves them of their sight.\n\nGreat are their Dangers, manifold their Cares,\nThrough which, whilst others sleep, they scarcely Nap,\nAnd yet are oft surprised unawares.\nAnd fall unwilling into Envy\u2019s Trap.\n\nThe mean Mechanic finds his kindly rest;\nAll void of fear sleepeth the Country Clown;\nWhen greatest Princes often are distrest,\nAnd cannot sleep upon their Beds of Down.\n\nCould Strength or Valor men Immortalize,\nCould Wealth or Honor keep them from decay\nThere were some cause the same to Idolize,\nAnd give the lie to that which I do say.\n\nBut neither can such things themselves end are,\nWithout the hazard of a change, one hour.\nNor such as trust in them can they secure\nFrom dismal days, or Death\u2019s prevailing pow\u2019r.\n\nIf Beauty could the Beautiful defend\nFrom Death\u2019s dominion, then fair Absalom\nHad not been brought to such a shameful end:\nBut fair and foul unto the Grave must come.\n\nIf Wealth or Scepters could Immortal make,\nThen, vrealthy Croesus, wherefore art thou dead?\nIf Warlike force which makes the World to quake,\nThen why is Julius Caesar perished?\n\nWhere are the Scipio\u2019s Thunderbolts of War?\nRenown\u00e9d Pompey, Caesar\u2019s Enemy?\nStout Hannibal, Rome\u2019s Terror known so far?\nGreat Alexander, what\u2019s become of thee?\n\nIf Gifts and Bribes Death\u2019s favor might but win,\nIf Pow\u2019r, if Force, or Threat\u2019nings might it fray.\nAll these, and more had still surviving been;\nBut all are gone, for Death will have no Nay.\n\nSuch is this World, with all her Pomp and Glory;\nSuch are the men whom worldly eyes admire,\nCut down by time, and now become a Story,\nThat we might after better things aspire.\n\nGo boast thyself of what thy heart enjoys,\nVain Man! triumph in all thy worldly Bliss:\nThy best Enjoyments are but Trash and Toys;\nDelight thyself in that which worthless is.\n\n_Omnia pr\u0153tereunt pr\u0153ter amare Deum._\n\n\nDeath Expected and Welcomed.\n\n\u201cWelcome sweet Rest, by me so long Desir\u2019d,\nWho have with Sins and Griefs so long been tir\u2019d;\nAnd welcome Death, my Father\u2019s Messenger;\nOf my Felicity the Hastener.\n\nWelcome good Angels, who, for me distrest,\nAre come to guard me to Eternal Rest.\nWelcome, Christ, who hast my Soul Redeem\u2019d,\nWhose Favor I have more than Life esteem\u2019d.\n\nOh! do not now my sinful soul forsake.\nBut to thyself thy Servant gath\u2019ring take.\nInto thy Hands I recommend my Spirit,\nTrusting through Thee Eternal Life t\u2019 inherit.\n\n\nA Farewell to the World.\n\nNow Farewell, World, in which is not my Treasure;\nI have in thee enjoy\u2019d but little Pleasure.\nAnd now I leave thee for a Better Place,\nWhere lasting Pleasures are, before Christ\u2019s face.\n\nFarewell, ye Sons of Men, who do not savor\nThe things of God; who little prize his Favor.\nFarewell, I say, with your Fool\u2019s Paradise,\nUntil the King of Terrors you surprise,\nAnd bring you trembling to Christ\u2019s Judgment Seat,\nTo give Account of your Transgressions great.\n\nFarewell, New England, which hast long enjoy\u2019d\nThe Day of Grace, but hast most vainly toy\u2019d\nAnd trifled with the Gospel\u2019s glorious Light;\nThou may\u2019st expect a dark Egyptian Night.\n\nFarewell, young Brood and rising Generation,\nWanton and proud, ripe for God\u2019s Indignation,\nWhich neither you nor others can prevent,\nExcept in Truth you speedily repent.\n\nFarewell, sweet Saints of God, Christ\u2019s little Number,\nBeware lest ye through sloth securely slumber;\nStand to your Spir\u2019tual Arms and keep your Watch,\nLet not your Enemy you napping catch;\nTake up your Cross, prepare for Tribulation,\nThrough which doth lie the way unto salvation.\n\nLove Jesus Christ with all sincerity;\nEschew Will-worship and Idolatry.\nFarewell, again, until we all appear\nBefore our Lord, a _Well-done_ there to hear.\n\nFarewell, ye faithful Servants of the Lord,\nPainful dispensers of his Holy Word,\nFrom whose Communion and Societ\nI once was kept through long infirmity\nThis of my Sorrows was an aggravation;\nBut Christ be thank\u00e9d, through whose Mediation\nI have at length obtain\u00e9d Liberty\nTo dwell with Soul-delighting Company,\nWhere many of our Friends are gone before,\nAnd you shall follow with a many more.\nMeanwhile stand fast, the Truth of God maintain,\nSuffer for Christ, and great shall be your Gain.\n\nFarewell, my natural Friends and dear Relations,\nWho have my Trials seen and great Temptations;\nYou have no cause to make for me great Moan;\nMy Death to you is little Loss or none.\nBut unto me it is no little Gain,\nFor Death at once frees me from all my Pain.\nMake Christ your greatest Friend, who never dies;\nAll other Friends are fading Vanities.\nMake him your Light, your Life, your End, your All;\nPrepare for Death, be ready for his Call.\n\nFarewell, vile Body, subject to decay.\nWhich art with lingering sickness worn away;\nI have by thee much Pain and Smart endur\u2019d;\nGreat Grief of Mind hast thou to me procur\u2019d;\nGreat Grief of Mind by being Impotent,\nAnd to Christ\u2019s Work an awkward Instrument.\nThou shalt not hencefortli be a clog to me.\nNor shall my Soul a Burthen be to thee.\n\nRest in thy Grave until the Resurrection,\nThen shalt thou be reviv\u00e9d in Perfection,\nEndow\u2019d with wonderful Agility,\nClothed with Strength and Immortality;\nWith shining Brightness gloriously array\u2019d.\nLike to Christ\u2019s glorious Body, glorious made.\nThus Christ shall thee again to me restore,\nEver to live with him and part no more.\nMeanwhile my Soul shall enter into Peace,\nWhere Fears and Tears^ where Sin and Smart shall cease.\n\n\nA Character of the Reverend Author, Mr.\u00a0Michael Wigglesworth, in a Funeral Sermon Preached at Malden, June 24, 1705. By the Reverend Dr.\u00a0Cotton Mather.\n\nHe was Descended of Eminently Religious Parents, who were Sufferers for\nthat which was then _The Cause of God_ and of _New-England_. While he\nwas yet a youth, he was marvellously concerned that he might have an\nHeart filled with the Spirit of God. This Concernment upon his mind\nappeared especially in his watchful Endeavors to have _Spiritual Sins_\nchased out of his cleansed Heart. Pride, the Sin of _Young Men_, yea, of\n_all_ Men; Pride, the Sin which few Men try or trouble themselves about;\nthis Devout Youth was full of Holy and Watchful Trouble about it: And he\nthen wrote a very Savoury Discourse, Entituled, _Considerations against\nPride_, and another, Entituled, _Considerations against Delighting more\nin the Creature than in God_. This was to Mortify in himself the Sins\nrarely minded by the most of men.\n\nHaving had a Pious and a Learned Education, the first Publick Station\nwherein I find him, was that of a _Fellow_ and a _Tutor_ in _Harvard\nColledge_. With a rare Faithfulness did he adorn that Station! He used\nall means imaginable to make his _Pupils_ not only good Scholars, but\nalso good _Christians_, and instil into them those things which might\nrender them rich Blessings unto the _Churches_ of God. Unto his Watchful\nand Painful Essays to keep them close under their _Academical Exercises_\nhe added Serious Admonitions unto them about their Interior State; and\nhe Employed his _Prayers_ and _Tears_ to God for them, and had such a\nflaming zeal to make them worthy Men, that upon Reflection he was afraid\n_Lest his cares for their Good, and his affection to them, should so\ndrink up his very Spirit, as to steal away his Heart from God._\n\nFrom _Cambridge_ he made his remove to _Malden_, and was their Faithful\nPastor for about a Jubilee of years together.\n\nIt was not long after his coming to Maiden that a sickly Constitution so\nprevailed upon him, as to confine him from his Publick Work for some\nwhole seven of Years. His _Faithfulness_ continued when his _Ministry_\nwas thus interrupted. The Kindness of his Tender Flock unto him was\nanswered in his Kind Concern to have them served by other Hands. He took\na short voyage unto another Country for the Recovery of his Health;\nwhich, though he recovered not, yet at his Return I find him comforting\nhimself with inserting of this Passage in his Reserved Papers:\n\n  \u201cPeradventure the Lord Removed me for a season that he might set a\n  better Watchman over his Flock, and a more painful Laborer in his\n  Vineyard. This was one thing that I aimed at in Removing (to help the\n  People\u2019s Modesty in the case), and I believe the Lord aimed at it, in\n  Removing me for a season.\u201d\n\nHis Faithfulness now appeared in his _Edifying Discourses_ to those that\ncame near him; much bewailing the want of a Profitable and Religious\nconversation in so many that profess Religion. And that yet he might\nmore _Faithfully_ set himself to do Good, when he could not Preach he\n_Wrote_ several Composures, wherein he proposed the edification of such\nReaders as are for plain Truths, dressed up in _a Plain Meeter_. These\nComposures have had their Acceptance and Advantage among that sort of\nReaders; and one of them, the _Day of Doom_, which has been often\nReprinted in both Englands, may find our Children till the Day itself\narrive.\n\nIt pleased God, when the distress of the Church in _Malden_ did\nextremely call for it, wondrously to restore his _Faithful Servant_. He\nthat had been for near Twenty Years almost _Buried Alive_, comes abroad\nagain, and for as many years more, must, in _Publick Usefulness_,\nreceive the Answer and Harvest of the Thousands of Supplications with\nwhich the God of his Health had favoured him.\n\nHow _Faithfully_ did he now Deliver the _Whole Counsel of God!_\n\nHow _Faithfully_ did he Rebuke _Sin_, both in his _Ministry_ and\n_Discipline!_\n\nHow Faithful was he to the _Work of God_ in the Churches of\n_New-England_, and grieved at every thing that he thought had any\nTendency to incommode that Glorious Work! But how _Patient_, how\n_Loving_, how _Charitable_ to such as in lesser Matters differed from\nhim!\n\nHow Faithful was he in the Education of his _Family_! A very Abraham for\nhis Commands unto them, to _Keep the Way of the Lord!_ A very David for\nhis charge unto them to _Know the God of their Father and Serve Him!_\n\nHis long Weakness and Illness made him an _able Physician_ for the\n_Body_ as well the _Soul_.\n\nAs he was _Faithful to the Death_, so he was _Lively to the Death._\n\nIt was a surprise to us to see a little, feeble _Shadow of a Man_,\nbeyond _Seventy_, Preaching usually twice or tlirice in a week,\nVisiting, Comforting the _Afflicted_, Encouraging the _Private\nMeetings_, _Catechising_ the Children of the Flock, and managing the\n_Government_ of the Church, and attending the _Sick_, not only as a\n_Pastor_, but as a _Physician_ too; and this not only in his own Town,\nbut also in all those of the Vicinity. Thus he did _unto the Last_; and\nhe was but one _Lord\u2019s-Day_ taken off before his Last. But in the _Last\nWeek_ of his Life, how full of _Resignation!_ How full of\n_Satisfaction!_\n\nFrom his Exemplary Life I will single out one thing, his EARLY RELIGION.\nOur _Wigglesioorth_ was a Godly child, and he held on living to God and\nChrist until the Seventy-Fourth Year of his Age.\n\nWhen he lay a Dying, some one spoke to him about his having secured his\n_Interest_ in the Favor of Heaven, and his _Assurance_ of that Interest.\nHe Replyed, [Methoughts like my _Polycarp,_]\n\n  \u201cI bless God I began that Work betimes, and ere I was Twenty Years Old\n  I had made thorow work of it. Ever since then I have been pressing\n  after the Power of Godliness, the Power of Godliness! For more than\n  Fifty Years together I have been Laboring to uphold a Life of\n  Communion with God; and I thank the Lord I now find the Comfort of it!\n\nWords that contain in them _A History of a Life_ more Valuable than I\nhave seen a Volume in Folio.\n\n\nEpitaph. (Believed to Have Been Written by Rev.\u00a0Cotton Mather.) The Excellent Wigglesworth; Remembered by Some Good Tokens.\n\nHis Pen did once _Meat from the Eater_ fetch; And now he\u2019s gone beyond\nthe _Eater\u2019s_ reach. His _Body_ once so _Thin_, was next to _None_; From\nhence he\u2019s to _Unbodied Spirits_ flown. Once his rare skill did all\n_Diseases_ heal; And he does nothing now _uneasy_ feel. He to his\n_Paradise_ is joyful come, And waits with joy to see his _Day of Doom._\n\n\nContents.\n\nMemoir of the Author\nAutobiography\nTo the Christian Reader\nOn the following Work\nPrayer unto Christ\nThe Day of Doom\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Security of the World before Christ\u2019s coming\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Suddenness and Terror of his appearing\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Resurrection \u2014 All brought to judgment\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0The Sheep separated from the goats\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0The several sorts of reprobates described\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0The Saints justified \u2014 Election \u2014 Atonement\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0They are placed on thrones\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0The wicked brought to the Bar\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Secret sins brought to light\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Hypocrites plead for themselves\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Another sort of hypocrites\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Civil honest men\u2019s pleas\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Pretended want of opportunity to repent\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Plea of examples of betters\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Godly men\u2019s examples misleading\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Scripture, darkness, and difference of interpretation\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Fear of persecution\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Plea of God\u2019s mercy and justice\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Vessels of mercy\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Mercy abused \u2014 Day of grace past\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Shutting out by God\u2019s decree\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0The Heathen\u2019s plea\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Reprobate infants\u2019 plea\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0The wicked all convinced and silenced\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Hopeless and helpless estate of the ungodly\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Sentence of condemnation\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Sentence executed \u2014 The wicked cast into Hell\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Their unsufferable torments\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0The saints rejoice thereat\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0They ascend in triumph to Heaven\nA Short discourse on Eternity\nA Postscript unto the Reader\nVanity of Vanities\nDeath expected Ill\nA Farewell to the World\nFuneral Sermon\nEpitaph\n\n[1] Luke 12:19.\n\n[2] Matt. 25:5.\n\n[3] Mat. 24:37, 38.\n\n[4] 1 Thes. 5:3.\n\n[5] Mat. 25:6.\n2 Pet. 3:10.\n\n[6] Mat. 24:29, 30.\n\n[7] 2 Pet. 3:10.\n\n[8] Rev.\u00a06:15\n\n[9] Mat. 24:30.\n\n[10] Rev.\u00a06:15, 16.\n\n[11] Mat. 25:21.\n\n[12] Rev.\u00a06:14.\n\n[13] Thes. 4:16.\n\n[14] John 5:28, 29\n\n[15] Luke 20:36.\n 1 Cor. 15:52.\n\n[16] Mat. 24:31\n\n[17] 2 Cor. 5:10.\n Matt. 25:32.\n\n[18] Mat. 5:10, 11.\n\n[19] Heb. 12:5, 6, 7.\n\n[20] Luke 7:41, 47.\n\n[21] John 21:15.\n Mat. 19:14.\n John 3:3.\n\n[22] Rev.\u00a06:11.\n Phil. 3:21.\n\n[23] Mat. 24:51.\n\n[24] Luke 11:24, 26.\n Heb. 6:4, 5, 6.\n Heb. 10:29.\n\n[25] Luke 12:47.\n Prov. 1:24, 26.\n Job 3:19\n\n[26] Gal. 3:10.\n 1 Cor. 6:9.\n Rev.\u00a021:8\n\n[27] Exod. 20:7, 8.\n 2 Thes. 1:6, 8, 9.\n\n[28] Heb. 13:4.\n 1 Cor. 6:10.\n\n[29] Zach. 5:3, 4.\n Gal. 5:19, 20, 21.\n\n[30] Rom. 2:13\n\n[31] Acts 4:12.\n\n[32] 1 Cor. 6:3.\n\n[33] Jude 6.\n\n[34] 2 Cor. 5:10.\n Eccl. 3:17.\n John 3:18\n\n[35] Job 17:6.\n Eph. 1:4.\n\n[36] Rev.\u00a01:5.\n\n[37] Eph. 2:1, 3.\n\n[38] Mat. 23:13, 15.\n Rom. 9:20, 21.\n\n[39] Isa. 53:4, 5, 11.\n\n[40] Acts 1:3, 48.\n Jam. 2:18.\n Heb. 12:7.\n Mat. 19:29.\n\n[41] 1 John 3:3.\n Mat. 25:39, 40.\n\n[42] Isa. 53:11, 12.\n Rom. 8:16, 17, 33, 34.\n John 3:18.\n\n[43] Luke 22:29, 30.\n Mat. 19:28.\n\n[44] Mat. 25:34.\n\n[45] Cor. 6:2.\n\n[46] Rom. 2:3, 6, 11.\n\n[47] Rev.\u00a06:15, 16.\nIsa. 30:33.\n\n[48] Eccl. 11:9, 12, 14.\n\n[49] Ps. 139:2, 4, 12.\nRom. 2:16\n\n[50] Eccl. 12:14.\n\n[51] Mat. 12:36.\nRom. 7:7\n\n[52] John 5:40, and 3:19.\nMat. 25:19, 27.\n\n[53] Rom. 2:4, 5.\n\n[54] Isa. 1:5.\nJer. 2:20\n\n[55] John 3:19, etc.\nProv. 8:36.\nLuke 12:20, 21.\n\n[56] Luke 13:34.\nJohn 5:40, and 15:22.\n\n[57] Rom. 3:10, 12.\n\n[58] Rom. 6:23.\n\n[59] Mat. 7:21, 22, 23.\n\n[60] John 6:70.\n1 Cor. 9:27.\n\n[61] Rom. 2:19, 21, 22, 23.\n\n[62] John 9:41.\nRev.\u00a02:21, 22.\n\n[63] Luke 12:47.\nMatt. 11:21, 22, 24.\n\n[64] Luke 13:20.\n\n[65] Luke 13:27.\nMatt. 22:12.\n\n[66] 1 Cor. 11:27, 29.\n\n[67] Mat. 6:21, 24.\nRom. 1:25.\n\n[68] 1 Cor. 11:27, 29.\n\n[69] Acts 8:13.\nIsa. 58:2, 3.\nHeb. 6:4, 5.\n\n[70] 2 Pet. 2:20.\n\n[71] John 2:24, 25.\n\n[72] John 6:64.\nPsal. 50:16.\nMat. 15:26.\n\n[73] Rev.\u00a03:17.\nMat. 13:20.\n\n[74] Mat. 6:2, 4, 24.\nJer. 8:5, 6, 7, 8.\n\n[75] Psal. 78:34, 35, 36, 37.\n\n[76] Zach. 7:5, 6.\nIsa. 58:3, 4.\n1 Sam.15:13, 21.\nIsa. 1:11, 15.\n\n[77] Mat. 6:2, 5.\nJohn 5:44.\n\n[78] Zech. 7:5, 16.\nHos. 10:1.\n\n[79] Luke 18:11.\n\n[80] 1 Sam. 15:22.\n\n[81] Eccl. 7:20.\n\n[82] Deut. 10:12.\nTit. 2:12.\nJam. 2:10.\n\n[83] Luke 18:11, 14.\n\n[84] 1 Sam.16:7. 2 Chron. 25:2.\n\n[85] Heb. 11:6.\n1 Cor. 13:1, 2, 3.\n\n[86] Heb. 11:6.; 1 Cor. 13:1, 2, 3.\n\n[87] Rom. 10:3.\n\n[88] Rom. 9:30, 32.\nMatt 11:23, 24 and 21:41.\n\n[89] Mat. 6:5.\n\n[90] Prov. 26:23.\nMat. 23:27.\n\n[91] Prov 15:8.\nRom. 2:3.\n\n[92] Prov. 27:1.\n Jam. 4:13.\n\n[93] Eccl. 12:1.\nRev.\u00a02:21.\n\n[94] Luke 13:24.\n2 Cor. 6:2.\nHeb. 3:7, 8, 9.\n\n[95] Eccl. 11:9.\nLuke 14:18, 19, 20.\n\n[96] Amos 6:3, 4, 5, 6.\nEph. 5:16.\nLuke 19:42.\n\n[97] Luke 13:21, 25, etc.\nPhil. 2:12.\n\n[98] Mat. 18:7.\n\n[99] John 7:48.\n\n[100] Psal. 19:8, 11.\n Exod. 23:2.\n Psal. 50:17, 18.\n\n[101] 2 Tim. 3:5.\n\n[102] 1 Cor. 11:1.\nPhil. 4:8.\n\n[103] Psal. 32:5.\n2 Chron. 32:26.\nMat. 26:75.\nProv. 1:24, 25.\n\n[104] 2 Pet. 3:16.\n\n[105] Prov. 14:6.\nIsa. 35:8.\nHos. 8:12.\n\n[106] Matt. 11:25.\nProv. 2:3, 4, 5.\n\n[107] Acts 28:22.\n\n[108] John 12:42, 43.\n\n[109] Luke 12:4, 5.\nIsa. 51:12, 13.\n\n[110] Luke 9:23, 24, 25 and 16:2.\n\n[111] Luke 9:26.\nProv 8:36\nJohn 3:19, 20.\n\n[112] Psal. 78:38.\n2 Kin. 11:26.\n\n[113] Psal. 30:9.\nMic. 7:18.\n\n[114] Mic. 7:18.\nRom. 9:23.\n\n[115] Rom. 2:4.\nHos. 11:4.\n\n[116] Luke 13:34.\n\n[117] Luke 19:42, 43.\nJude 4.\n\n[118] Rom. 2:5, 6.\nIsa. 1:24.\nAmos 2:13.\nGen.\u00a018:25.\n\n[119] Mat. 25:3, 1, 2.\nProv. 12:8, 29, 30.\n\n[120] Isa. 5:18, 19.\n Gen.\u00a02 : 17.\nRom. 2:8, 9.\n\n[121] Rom. 6:23.\n2 Thes. 1:8, 9.\n\n[122] Ezek. 83:11.\nExod. 34:7, and 14:17.\nRom. 9:22.\n\n[123] Rom. 9:18, 19.\n\n[124] Heb. 22:17.\nRom. 11:7, 8.\n\n[125] Luke 13:27.\n2 Pet. 1:9, 10, compared with Mat. 19:16.\n\n[126] Acts 3:19, and 16:31.\n1 Sam. 2:15.\nJohn 3:19.\nJob 5:40.\n2 Thes. 2:11, 12.\n\n[127] Ezek. 33:11, 12.\nLuke 13: 34.\nProv. 8 : 33, 36.\n\n[128] Gen.\u00a02:17.\nMat. 25:41, 42.\nEzek. 18:20.\n\n[129] 2 Pet. 1:10.\n Acts 13:46.\n Luke 13:24.\n\n[130] Mat. 7:7, 8\n Gal. 5:22, 23.\n\n[131] John 3:19.\n\n[132] John 15:22, 24.\n Heb. 2:3.\n Isa. 66:34.\n\n[133] Mat. 11 : 22.\nLuke 12 : 48.\n\n[134] Mat. 11:22.\n\n[135] Gen.\u00a01:27.\nEccl. 7 : 29.\nHos. 13 : 9.\n\n[136] Mat. 11 : 25, compared with 20:15.\n\n[137] Rom. 1:20, 21, 22.\n\n[138] Rom. 2:12, 15 and 1:32.\n Mat. 12:41.\n\n[139] Rev.\u00a020:12, 15, compared with Rom. 5:12, 14 and 9:11, 13.\n Ezek. 18:2.\n\n[140] Psal. 51:5.\n\n[141] Ezek. 18:20.\n Rom. 5:12, 19.\n\n[142] 1 Cor. 15:48, 49.\n\n[143] Rom. 5:12.\n Psal. 51:5.\n Gen.\u00a05:3.\n\n[144] Mat. 23:30, 31.\n\n[145] Rom. 9:15, 18.\n Rom. 5:15.\n\n[146] Mat. 20:15.\n\n[147] Psal. 58:8.\n Rom 6:23.\n Gal. 3:10.\n Rom. 8:2, 30, and 11:7.\n Rev.\u00a021:27.\n Luke 12:14, 8.\n Mat. 11:22.\n\n[148] Rom. 3:19.\n Mat. 22:12.\n\n[149] Rev.\u00a06:16, 17.\n\n[150] Psal. 139:2, 3, 4.\n Eccl. 12:14.\n\n[151] Mat. 25:45.\n\n[152] Mat. 22:12.\n Rom. 2:5, 6.\n Luke 19:42.\n\n[153] Mat. 28:18.\n Psal. 137:7.\n\n[154] Isa. 33:14.\n Psal. 11:6. Num. 25:19.\n\n[155] Mat. 25:41, and 25:10, 11, 12.\n\n[156] Luke 12:20.\n Psal. 49:7, 17.\n Deut. 32:2.\n\n[157] 2 Pet. 3:10.\n\n[158] Luke 16:28.\n\n[159] Rev.\u00a021:4.\n Psal. 68:10.\n\n[160] 1 Cor. 6:2.\n\n[161] Compare Prov. 1:26. with 1 John 3:2, and 2 Cor. 5:16.\n\n[162] Luke 16:25.\n\n[163] Psal. 58:10.\n\n[164] Mat 25:41.\n\n[165] Luke 13:38.\n Prov. 1:26.\n\n[166] Mat. 25:46.\n\n[167] Mat. 13:41, 42.\n\n[168] Mat. 25:30,\n Mark 9:42.\n Isa. 30:33.\n Rev.\u00a021:8.\n\n[169] Mat. 22:13, and 25:46.\n\n[170] Rev.\u00a014:10, 11.\n\n[171] Luke 16:24.\n Jude 7.\n\n[172] Isa. 33:14.\n Mark 9:43, 44.\n\n[173] Luke 12:47.\n\n[174] Mat. 11:24.\n\n[175] Luke 16:23, 25, and 13:28.\n\n[176] Luke 13:24.\n\n[177] Mat. 9:44.\n Rom. 2:15.\n\n[178] Psal. 68:10.\n Rev.\u00a010:1, 2, 3.\n\n[179] 1 John 3:2.\n 1 Cor. 13 12.\n\n[180] Rev.\u00a021:4.\n\n[181] Psal. 16:11.\n\n[182] Heb. 12:23.\n Rev.\u00a01:6, and 22:5.","title":"The Day of Doom; Or, a Poetical Description of the Great and Last Judgement","tradition":"scripture-revelation","translated_text":null,"word_count":23981}