DAY OF DOOM; OR A DESCRIPTION Of the Great and Last Judgement.  
WITH A SHORT DISCOURSE ABOUT ETERNITY  Eccles. 12. 14. For God shall bring every work into Judgement with every secret thing, whether it be good or whether it be evil. 
LONDON, Printed by J G. for P. C. 1666   

A 〈◊〉 unto Christ the judge of the World.  
O Dearest dread, most glorious King,  
I'll of thy justice judgement sing:  
Do thou my head and heart inspire  
To do't aright, as I desire.  
Thee, thou alone I'll invocate:  
For I do much abominate  
To call the Muses to mine aid:  
Which is the unchristian use, and trade  
Of some that Christians would be thought,  
And yet they Worship worse than naught.  
Oh, what a deal of Blasphemy,  
And Heathenish Impiety,  
In Christian Poets may be found,  
Where Heathen Gods with Praise are cr●wn●  
They make JEHOVAH to stand by,  
Till Juno, Venus, Mercury,  
With frowning Mars, and thundering Jove,  
Rule Earth below, and Heaven above.  
But I have learned to pray to none,  
Save unto God in Christ alone.  
Nor will I laud, no not in jest,  
That which I know God doth detest.  
I reckon it a damning evil,  
To give God's Praises to the Devil.  
Thou, Christ, art he to whom I pray:  
Thy glory fain I would display.  
Oh, guide me by the sacred Spirit  
So to indite, and so to write,  
That I thine holy Name may praise,  
And teach the sons of men thy ways.   

THE DAY OF ●●OM.  

I.  
STill was the night, serene and bright,  
when all men sleeping lay;  
Calm was the season, & carnal reason  
thought so 'twould last for ay.  
Soul take thine ease, let sorrow cease,  
much good thou hast in store;  
This was their song their cups among  
the evening before.   

II.  
Wallowing in all kind of sin,  
vile wretches lay secure,  
The best of men had scarcely then  
their Lamps kept in good ure.  
Virgin's unwise, who through disguise  
amongst the best were numbered,  
Had closed their eyes; yea, and the Wise  
through sloth and frailty slumbered.   

III.  
Like as of old, when men grew bold  
God's threatenings to contemn,  
(Who stopped their ear, and would not hear  
when mercy warned them?  
But took their course, without remorse,  
till God began to pour  
Destruction the world upon,  
in a tempestuous show●●   

IU.  
They put away the evil day  
and drowned their cares and fears,  
Till drowned were they, and swept away  
by vengeance unawares:  
So at the last, whilst men sleep fast  
in their security,  
Surprised they are in such a snare  
as cometh suddenly.   

V.  
For at midnight broke forth a light,  
which turned the night to day:  
And speedily an hideous cry  
did all the world dismay.  
Sinners awake, their hearts do ache,  
trembling their loins surpriseth;  
Amaz'd with fear, by what they hear,  
each one of them ariseth.   

VI  
They rush from beds with giddy heads,  
and to their windows run,  
Viewing this Light, which shines more bright  
than doth the noonday Sun.  
Straightway appears (they see't with tears)  
the Son of God most dread,  
Who with his train comes on amain  
to judge both Quick and Dead.   

VII.  
Before his face the Heavens give place,  
and Skies are rend asunder,  
With mighty voice and hideous noise,  
more terrible than Thunder.  
His brightness damps heavens glorious lamps,  
and makes them hide their heads:  
As if afraid, and quite dismayed,  
they quit their wonted steads.   

VIII.  
Ye sons of men that durst contemn  
the threatenings of God's word,  
How cheer you now? your hearts (I trow)  
are thrilled as with a sword.  
Now Atheist blind, whose brutish mind  
a God could never see,  
Dost thou perceive, dost now believe  
that Christ thy Judge shall be●   

IX.  
Stout courages (whose hardiness  
could death and hell outface)  
Are you as bold now you behold  
your Judge draw near apace?  
They cry, No, no: alas and wo●  
our courage all is gone:  
Our hardiness, (fool-hardiness)  
hath us undone, undone.   

X.  
No heart so bold but now grows cold,  
and almost dead with fear:  
No eye so dry but now can cry,  
and pour out many a tear.  
Earth's Potentate's and powerful States,  
Captains and men of Might  
Are quite abashed, their courage dashed.  
At this most dreadful sight.   

XI.  
Mean men lament, great men do r●nt  
their robes and tear their hair:  
They do not spare their flesh to tear  
through horrible despair.  
All kindreds wail, their hearts do fail:  
horror the world doth fill  
with weeping eyes, and loud out-cries,  
yet knows not how to kill.   

XII.  
Some hide themselves in Caves and Delves,  
and places under ground:  
Some rashly leap into the deep,  
to, scape by being drowned:  
Some to the Rocks, (O senseless blocks)  
and woody Mountains run,  
That there they might this fearful ●ight  
and dreaded Presence shun.   

XIII.  
In vain do they to Mountains say,  
Fall on us, and us hide  
From Judge's ire, more hot than fire,  
For who may it abide?  
No hiding place can from his face  
sinners at all conceal,  
Whose flaming eye hid things doth spy,  
and darkest things reveal.   

XIV.  
The Judge draws nigh, exalted high  
upon a lofty Throne,  
Amids the throng of Angels strong,  
LIKE Israel's ●oly One.  
The excellence of whose Presence,  
and awful Majesty,  
Amazeth Nature, and every Creature  
doth more than terrify.   

XV.  
The Mountains smoak, the Hills are shaken,  
the Earth is rend and torn,  
As if she should be clean dissolved,  
or from her Centre born.  
The Sea doth roar, forsakes the shore,  
and shrinks away for fear:  
The wild beasts flee into the Sea  
so soon as he draws nea●.   

XVI.  
Whose glory bright, whose wondrous might,  
whose Power Imperial,  
So far surpass what ever was  
in Realms Terrestrial;  
That tongues of men (nor Angel's pen)  
cannot the same express:  
And therefore I must pass it by,  
lest speaking should transgress.   

XVII.  
Before his throne a Trump is blown,  
proclaiming th' day of Doom:  
Forthwith he cries, Ye dead arise,  
and unto judgement come.  
No sooner said, but 'tis obeyed;  
Sepulchres opened are;  
Dead bodies all ●ise at his call,  
and's mighty power declare.   

XVIII.  
Both sea and land at his command,  
their dead at once surrender:  
The fire and air constrained are  
also their dead to ●ender.  
The mighty word of this great Lord  
links body and soul together,  
Both of the just and the unjust,  
to part no more for ever.   

XIX.  
The same translates from mortal states  
to immortality,  
All that survive, and be alive,  
i'th' twinkling of an eye.  
That so they may abide for ay  
to endless weal or woe;  
Both the Renate and Reprobate  
are made to die no moe.   

XX.  
His winged Hosts fly through all Coasts,  
together gathering  
Both good and bad, both quick and dead,  
and all to Judgement bring.  
Out of their holes these creeping Moles,  
that hid themselves for fear,  
By force they take, and quickly make  
before the Judge appear.   

XXI.  
Thus every one before the Throne  
of Christ the Judge is brought,  
Both righteous and impious,  
that good or ill had wrought.  
A separation, and differing station  
by Christ appointed is  
To sinners sad ('twixt good and bad,)  
'twixt Heirs of woe, and bliss.   

XXII.  
At Christ's right hand the sheep do st●nd,  
his Holy Martyrs who  
For his dear Name, suffering shame,  
calamity, and woe,  
Like Champions stood, and with their blood  
their Testimony sealed;  
Whose innocence, without offence  
to Christ their Judge appealed.   

XXIII.  
Next unto whom there find a room,  
all Christ's afflicted one●,  
Who being chastised, neither despised,  
nor sank amidsts their groans:  
Who by the Rod were turned to God,  
and loved him the more,  
N●● murmuring nor quarrelling  
when they were chastened sore.   

XXIV.  
Moreover such as loved much,  
that had not such a trial,  
As might constrain to so great pain,  
and such deep self-denial;  
Yet ready were the Cross to bear,  
when Christ them called thereto,  
And did rejoice to hear his voice,  
they're counted Sheep also.   

XXV.  
Christ's flock of Lambs there also stands,  
whose Faith was weak, yet true;  
All sound Believers (Gospel-receivers)  
whose grace was small, but grew.  
And them among an infant throng  
of Babes, for whom Christ died;  
Whom for his own, by ways unknown.  
to men, he sanctified.   

XXVI.  
All stand before their Saviour  
in long white Robes yclad,  
Their countenance full of pleasance,  
appearing wondrous glad.  
O glorious sight I behold how bright  
dust heaps are made to shine,  
Conformed so their Lord unto,  
whose glory is divine.   

XXVII.  
At Christ's left hand the Goats do stand,  
all whining Hypocrites,  
Who for self-ends did seem Christ's friends,  
but fost'red guileful spirits:  
Who Sheep resembled, but they dissembled  
(their heart was not sincere)  
Who once did throng Christ's Lambs among;  
but now must not come near.   

XXVIII.  
Apostatas, and Run-away's,  
such as have Christ forsaken,  
(Of whom the the Devil, with seven more evil,  
hath fresh possession taken:  
Sinners in grain, reserved to pain  
and torments most severe)  
Because against light they sinned with spite,  
are also placed there.   

XXIX.  
There also stand a numerous band,  
that no profession made  
Of Godliness, nor to redress  
their ways at all assayed:  
Who better knew, but (sinful Crew●)  
Gospel and Law despised;  
Who all Christ's knocks withstood like blocks,  
and would not be advised.   

XXX.  
Moreover there with them appear  
a number numberless  
Of great and small, vile wretches all,  
that did God's Law transgress:  
Idolaters, false Worshippers,  
Prophaners of God's Name,  
Who not at all thereon did call,  
or took in vain the same.   

XXXI.  
Blasphemers lewd, and Swearers shrewd,  
Scoffers at Purity,  
That hated God, contemned his Rod,  
and loved security.  
Sabbath-polluters, Saints Persecuters,  
Presumptuous men, and Proud,  
Who never loved those that reproved;  
all stand amongst this crowd.   

XXXII.  
Adulterers and Whoremongers  
were there, with all unchaste.  
There Covetous, and Ravenous,  
that Riches got too fast:  
Who used vile ways themselves to raise  
the Estates and worldly wealth,  
Oppression by, or Knavery,  
by Force, or Fraud, or Stealth.   

XXXIII.  
Moreover, there together were  
Children flagitious,  
And Parents who did them undo  
by nature vicious.  
False-witness-bearers, and self-forswearers,  
Murderers and men of blood,  
Witches, Enchanters, and Alehouse-haunters,  
beyond account there stood.   

XXXIV.  
Their place there find all Heathen blind,  
that Nature's light abused,  
Although they had no tidings glad  
of Gospel-grace refused.  
There stand all Nations and Generations  
of Adam's Progeny,  
Whom Christ redeemed not, who Christ esteemed not  
through infidelity.   

XXXV.  
Who no Peacemaker, no Undertaker  
to shroud them from God's ire  
Ever obtained; they must be pained  
with everlasting fire.  
These numerous bands, wring their hands,  
and weeping, all stand there,  
Filled with anguish, whose hearts do languish  
through self-tormenting fear.   

XXX.  
Fast by them stand at Christ's left hand  
the Lion fierce and fell,  
The Dragon bold, that Serpent old  
that hurried Souls to Hell.  
There also stand, under command,  
Legions of Sprights unclean.  
And hellish Fiends that are no friends  
to God, nor unto men.   

XXXVII.  
With dismal chains and strong reins,  
like prisoners of Hell,  
They're held in place before Christ's face,  
till he their Doom shall tell.  
These void of tears, but filled with fears,  
and dreadful expectation  
Of endless pains, and scalding flames,  
stand waiting for Damnation.   

XXXVIII.  
All silence kept, both Goats and Sheep,  
before the Judge's Throne:  
With mild aspect to his Elect  
then spoke the Holy One:  
My Sheep draw near, your sentence hear,  
which is to you no dread,  
Who clearly now discern, and know  
your sins are pardoned.   

XXXIX.  
'Twas meet that ye should judged be,  
that so the world may ' spy  
No cause of grudge, when as I judge  
and deal impartially,  
Know therefore all both great and small,  
the ground and reason why  
These men do stand at my right hand,  
and look so cheerfully.   

XL.  
These men be those my Father chose  
before the world's foundation,  
And to me gave that I should save  
from death and condemnation.  
For whose dear sake I flesh did take,  
was of a woman born,  
And did inure myself t'endure  
unjust reproach and scorn.   

XLI.  
For them it was that I did pass  
through sorrows many a one:  
That I drank up that bitter Cup,  
which made me sigh and groan.  
The Cross his pain I did sustain;  
yea more, my Father's ire  
I underwent, my blood I spent  
to save them from Hell fire.   

XLII.  
Thus I esteemed, thus I redeemed  
all these from every Nation,  
that they might be (as now you see)  
a chosen Generation.  
What if erewhile they were as vile  
and bad as any be,  
●nd yet from all their guilt and thrall  
at once I set them free?   

XLIII.  
My grace to one is wrong to none:  
none can Election claim.  
Amongst all those their souls that lose,  
none can Rejection blame.  
He that may choose, or else refuse,  
all men to save or spill,  
May this man choose, and that refuse,  
redeeming whom he will.   

XLIV.  
But as for those whom I have chose  
Salvations heirs to be,  
I underwent their punishment,  
and therefore set them free.  
I bore their grief, and their relief  
by suffering procured,  
That they of bliss and happiness  
●ight firmly be assured.   

XLV.  
And this my g●ace they did embrace,  
believing on my name;  
Which Faith was true, the fruits do show  
proceeding from the same.  
Their Penitence, their Patience,  
their Love, their Self-den●al;  
In suffering losses and bearing crosses,  
when put upon the trial:   

XLVI.  
Their sin forsaking, their cheerful taking  
my yoke; their chari●ee  
Unto the Saints in all their wants,  
and in them unto me.  
These things do clear, and make appear  
their Faith to be unfeigned:  
And that a part in my desert  
and purchase they have gained.   

XLVII.  
Their debts are paid, their peace is made,  
their sins remitted are;  
Therefore at once I do pronounce  
and openly declare,  
That Heaven is theirs, that they be Heir●  
of Life and of Salvation;  
Nor ever shall they come at all  
to death or to damnation.   

XLVIII.  
Come, blessed ones, and sit on Thrones,  
judging the world with me:  
Come, and possess your happiness,  
and bought ●elicitee.  
Henceforth no fears, no care, no tears,  
no sin shall you annoy,  
Nor any thing that grief doth bring;  
eternal rest enjoy.   

XLIX.  
You bore the Cross, you suffered loss  
of all ●or my Names sake:  
Receive the Crown that's now your own;  
come, and a kingdom take.  
Thus spoke the Judge: the wicked grudge,  
and grind their teeth in vain;  
They see with groans these placed on throne●  
which addeth to their pain:   

L.  
That those whom they did wrong and slay,  
must now their judgement see!  
Such whom they slighted and once de●spighte●  
must of their Judges be!  
Thus 'tis decreed, such is their meed  
and guerdon glorious:  
With Christ they sit, judging it fit  
to plague the impious.   

LI.  
The wicked are brought to the Bar  
like guilty malefactors,  
That oftentimes of bloody crimes  
and treasons have been actors.  
Of wicked men none are so mean  
as there to be neglected:  
Nor none so high in dignity,  
as there to be respected.   

LII.  
The glorious Judge will privilege  
nor Emperor nor King:  
But every one that hath misdone  
doth into judgement bring;  
And every one that hath misdone,  
the Judge impartially  
Condemneth to eternal woe,  
and endless misery.   

LIII.  
Thus one and all, thus great and small,  
the rich as well as poor,  
And those of place, as the most base,  
do stand their Judge before:  
They are arraigned, and there detained  
before Christ's judgement seat  
With trembling fear their Doom to hear,  
and feel his anger's heat.   

LIV.  
There Christ demands at all their hands  
a strict and strait account  
Of all things done under the Sun;  
who●e numbers far surmount  
Man's wit and thought: yet all are brought  
unto this solemn trial;  
And each offence with evidence,  
so that there's no denial.   

LV.  
There's no excuses for their abuse●●  
since their own consciences  
More proof give in of each man's sin;  
then thousand witnesses.  
Though formerly this faculty  
had grossly been abused,  
(Men could it stifle, or with it trifle,  
whenas it them accused.)   

LVI.  
Now it comes in, and every si●  
unto man's charge doth lay:  
It judgeth them, and doth condemn,  
though all the world say nay.  
It so stingeth and tortureth,  
it worketh such distress,  
That each man's self against himself  
is forced to confess.   

LVII.  
It's vain, moreover, for men to cover  
the least iniquity;  
The Judge hath seen and privy been  
to all their villainy.  
He unto light and open sight  
the works of darkness b●ings:  
He doth unfold both new and old,  
both known and hidden things.   

LVIII.  
All filthy facts and secret acts,  
however closely done  
And long concealed, are there revealed.  
before the midday Sun.  
Deeds of the night shunning the light,  
which darkest corners sought,  
To fearful blame and endless shame,  
are there most justly brought.   

LIX.  
And as all facts and grosser acts,  
so every word and thought,  
Erroneous notion and lustful motion,  
are into judgement brought.  
No sin so small and trivial,  
but hi●her it must come:  
●or so long passed, but now at last  
it must receive a doom.   

LX.  
●t this sad season Christ asks a reason  
(with just austerity)  
Of Grace refused, of Light abused  
so oft, so wilfully:  
O● Talents lent, by them-mispent,  
and on their lusts bestown;  
Which if improved as it behooved,  
Heaven might have been their own.   

LXI.  
Of time neglected, of means rejected,  
of God's long-suffering,  
And patience, to penitence  
that sought hard hearts to bring.  
Why cords of love did nothing move  
to shame or to remorse?  
Why warnings grave, and counsels have  
nought changed their sinful course?   

LXII.  
Why chastenings and evil ●hings,  
why judgements so severe  
Prevailed not with them a jo●,  
nor wrought an awful fear?  
Why promises of holiness,  
and new obedience,  
●hey oft did make, but always break  
the ●ame to God's offence?   

LXIII.  
Why, still Hellward, without regard,  
the boldly ventured,  
And chose Damnation before Salvation  
when it was offered?  
Why sinful pleasures and earthly treasures,  
like fools they prized more  
Than heavenly wealth, eternal health,  
and all Christ's Royal store?   

LXIV.  
Why, when he stood offering his Blood  
to wash them from their sin,  
They would embrace no saving Grace,  
but lived and died therein?  
Such aggravations, where no evasions  
nor false pretences hold,  
Exaggerate and cumulate  
guilt more than can be told:   

LXV.  
They multiply and magnify  
men's gross iniquities;  
They draw down wrath (as Scripture saith)  
out of God's treasuries●  
Thu● all their ways Christ open lays  
to Men and Angels view,  
And, as they were, makes them appear  
in their own proper hue.   

LXVI.  
Thus he doth find of all mankind  
that stand at his left hand  
No mother's son but hath misdone,  
and broken God's command.  
All have transgressed, even the best,  
and merited God's wrath  
●nto their own perdition,  
and everlasting scathe.   

LXVII.  
Earth's dwellers all both great and small,  
have wrought iniquity,  
And suffer must (for it is just)  
eternal misery.  
Amongst the many there come not any  
before the Judge's face,  
That able are themselves to clear,  
of all this curled race.   

LXVIII.  
Nevertheless they all express,  
Christ granting liberty,  
What for their way they have to say,  
how they have lived, and why.  
They all draw near, and seek to clear  
themselves by making pleas.  
There hypocrites, falsehearted wights,  
do make such pleas as these.   

LXIX.  
Lord, in thy Name, and by the same  
we Devils dispossessed:  
We raised the dead, and ministered  
succour to the distressed.  
Our painful preaching and powerful teaching,  
by thine own wondrous might,  
Did throughly win from God to sin  
many a wretched wight.   

LXX.  
All this (quoth he) may granted be●  
and your case little bettered,  
Who still remain under a chain,  
and many irons fettered.  
You that the dead have quickened,  
and rescued from the grave,  
Yourselves were dead, yet never n  
a Christ your Souls to save.   

LXXI.  
You that could preach, and others teach  
wh●t way to life doth lead;  
Why were you slack to find that tract,  
and in that way to tread?  
How could you bear to see or hear  
of others freed at last  
From Satan's Paws, whilst in his jaws  
yourselves were held more fa●t?   

LXXII.  
Who though you kne● Repentance true  
and faith in my great Name,  
The only mean to quit you clean  
from punishment and blame,  
Yet took no pain true faith to gain,  
(such as might not deceive)  
Nor would repent wi●h true intent  
●our evil deeds to leave.   

LXXIII.  
●is Masters will how to fulfil  
●he servant that well knew,  
●et left undone his duty known,  
more plagues to him are due.  
●ou against Light perverted Right;  
●herefore it shall be now  
●or Sidon and for Sodom's Land  
●ore easy then for you.   

LXXIV.  
●ut we have in thy presence been,  
say some, and eaten there.  
●id we not eat thy flesh for meat,  
and feed on heavenly cheer?  
Whereon who feed shall never need,  
as thou thyself dost say,  
●or shall they die eternally,  
but live with thee for ay.   

LXXV.  
We may allege, thou gav'st a pledge  
of thy dea● love to us  
〈◊〉 Wine and B●e●d, ●hich figured  
●hy grace bestowed thus.  
Of strengthening seals, of sweetest meals  
have we so oft partaken?  
●nd shall we be cast off by thee,  
and utterly forsaken?   

LXXVI.  
〈◊〉 whom the Lord thu● in a word  
returns a short reply:  
I never known any of you  
that wrought iniquity.  
You say ye have been, my Presence in;  
bu●, friend's, how came you there  
Wi●h Raiment vile, that did defile  
and quite disgrace my cheer?   

LXXVII.  
Durst you draw near without due fear  
unto my holy Table?  
Dared you profane and render vain  
so far as you were able,  
Those Mysteries? which whoso prize  
and carefully improve,  
Shall saved be undoubtedly,  
and nothing shall them move.   

LXXVIII.  
How dared you venture, bold guests, to enter  
in such a sordid hi●e,  
Amongst my guests, unto those feasts  
that were not made for you?  
How durst you eat for spiritual meat  
your bane, and drink damnation,  
Whilst by your guile you rendered vile  
so rare and great salvation?   

LXXIX.  
Your fancies fed on heavenly bread;  
your hearts fed on some lust:  
You loved the Creature more than th'Creator  
your souls clavae to the dust.  
And think you by hypocrisy  
and cloaked wickedness,  
To enter in, laden with sin,  
to lasting happiness.   

LXXX.  
This your excuse shows your abuse  
of things ordained for good;  
And do declare you guilty are  
of my dear Flesh and Blood.  
Wherefore those Seals and precious Meals  
you put so much upon  
As things divine, they seal and sign  
you to perdition.   

LXXXI.  
Then forth issue another Crew,  
(those being silenced)  
Who drawing nigh to the most High  
adventure thus to plead:  
We sinners were, say they, 'tis clear,  
deserving Condemnation:  
But did not we rely on thee,  
O Christ, for whole Salvation?   

LXXXII.  
We did believe, and of receive  
thy gracious Promises:  
We took great care to get a share  
in endless happiness:  
We prayed and wept, we Fast-days kept,  
lewd ways we did eschew:  
We joyful were thy Word to h●ar,  
we fo●m'd our lives anew.   

LXXXIII.  
We thought our sin had pardoned bi●,  
that our estate was good,  
Our debts all paid, ●ur peace well made,  
our Soul's wash● wi●h ●hy Broud.  
Lord, why dost thou reject us now,  
who have not thee rejected,  
Nor utterly true sanctity  
and holy li●e neglected?   

LXXXIV.  
The Judge incensed at their pretenced  
self-vaunting piety,  
With such a look as trembling struck  
into them, made reply;  
O impudent, impenitent,  
and guileful generation!  
Think you that I cannot descry  
your heart's abomination?   

LXXXV.  
You not received, nor yet believ●d  
my promises of grace;  
Nor were you wise enough to prise  
my reconciled face:  
But did presume, that to assume  
which was not yours to take,  
And challenged the children's bread,  
yet would not sin forsake.   

LXXXVI.  
B●ing too bold you laid fast hold  
where interest you had none,  
Yourselves deceiving by your believing;  
all which you might have known.  
You ●an away (but run astray)  
with Gospel promises,  
And perished, being still dead  
in sins and trespasse●.   

LXXXVII.  
How oft did I hypocrisy  
and hearts deceits unmask  
Before your sight, giving you light  
to know a Christians task?  
But you held fast unto the last  
your own conceits so vain:  
No warning could prevail, you would  
your own deceits re●ain.   

LXXXVIII.  
As for your care to get a share  
in bliss, the fear of Hell,  
And of a part in endless smart,  
did thereunto compel.  
Your holiness and ways redress,  
such as it was, did spring  
From no true love to things above,  
but from some other thing.   

LXXXIX.  
You prayed and wept, you Fast-days kept,  
but did you this to me?  
No, but for ●●n you sought to win  
the greater liberte●.  
For all your vaunts, you had vile haunts;  
for which your consciences  
Did you alarm, whose voice to charm  
you used these practices.   

XC.  
Your penitence, your diligence  
to read, to pray, to hear,  
Were but to drown the clamorous sound  
of conscience in your ea●●  
If light you loved, vainglory moved  
yourselves therewith to store,  
Th●t seeming wise, men might you prise,  
and honour you the more.   

XCI.  
Thus from yourselves unto yourselves  
your duties all do tend:  
And as self-love the wheels do move,  
so in self-love they end.  
Thus Ch●ist detects their vain projects,  
and close impiety,  
And plainly shows that all their shows  
were but hypocrisy.   

XCII.  
Then were brought nigh a company  
of ●ivil honest men,  
That loved true dealing, and hated stealing,  
●e wronged their brethren:  
Who pleaded thus, Thou knowest us  
that we were blameless livers;  
No whore-mongers, no murderers,  
no quarrellers nor strivers.   

XCIII.  
Idolaters, Adulterers,  
Church-robbers we were none;  
Nor false dealers, nor couzeners,  
but paid each man his own.  
Our way was fair, our dealing square,  
we were no wasteful spenders,  
No lewd toss-pots, no drunken sots,  
no scandalous offenders.   

XCIV.  
We hated vice, and set great price  
by virtuous conversation:  
And by the same we got a name,  
and no small commendation.  
God's Laws express that righteousness  
is that which he doth prize;  
And to obey, as he doth say,  
is more than sacrifice.   

XCV.  
Thus to obey, hath been our way;  
let our good deeds, we pray,  
Find some regard, and good rewa●d  
with thee, O Lord, this day.  
And whereas we transgressors be;  
of Adam's Race were n●ne,  
(No not the best) but have confes●●●  
themselves to h●ve misdone.   

XCVI.  
Then answered, un●o their dread,  
the Judge, True piety  
God doth desire, and eke requi●e  
no less than honesty.  
Justice demands at all your hands  
perfect Obedience:  
If but in part you have come sh●●●,  
that is a just offence.   

XCVII.  
On earth below where men did owe  
a thousand pounds and more,  
Could twenty pence it recompense?  
could that have cleared the score?  
Think you to buy felicity  
with part of what's due debt?  
O● for desert of one small part  
the whole should off be set?   

XCVIII.  
And yet that part (whose great desert  
you think to reach so far  
For your excuse) doth you accuse,  
and will your boasting mar.  
However fair, however square  
your way, and work h●th been  
Before men's eyes, yet God espies  
iniquity therein.   

XCIX.  
God looks upon th'●ff●ction  
and temper of the heart;  
Not only on the action,  
and the external part.  
Whatever end vain men pretend,  
God knows the v●ri●y●  
And by the end which they intent  
their words and deeds doth try.   

C.  
Without true faith, the Scripture saith,  
God cannot take delight  
In any deed, that doth proceed  
from any sinful wight.  
And without love all actions prove  
but barren empty things:  
Dead works they be, and vanity,  
the which vexation brings.   

CI.  
Nor from true faith, which quencheth wrath  
hath your obedience flown:  
Nor from true love, which want to move  
believers, hath it grown.  
Your argument shows your intent  
in all that you have done:  
You thought to ●cale heavens lofty wall,  
by ladder's o● your own.   

CII.  
Your blinded spirit, hoping to merit  
by your own righteousness,  
Needed no Saviour, but your behaviour  
and blameless ca●riages●  
You trusted to what you could do,  
and in no need you stood:  
Your haughty pride laid me aside,  
and trampled on my Blood.   

CIII.  
All men have gone astray, and done  
that which God's Law● condemn:  
But my Purchase and offered Grace  
all men did not contemn.  
The Ninevites and Sodomites  
had no such sin as this:  
Yet as if all your sins were small,  
you say, All did amiss.   

CIV.  
Again, you thought, and mainly sought  
a name with men t' acquire:  
Pride bore the B●ll that made you swell,  
and your own selves admire.  
M●an frui● it is, and vile, I wis,  
that spring's from such a root:  
Virtue divine and genuine  
wants not from pride to shoor.   

CV.  
Such deeds as you are worse than poo●,  
they are but sins gilded over  
With silver dross, whose glistering gloss  
●an them no longer cover.  
The best of them would you condemn,  
and ●uine you alone,  
Although you were from faults so clear,  
that other you had none.   

CVI  
Your gold is dross, you● silver brass,  
your righteousness is sin:  
And think you by such honesty  
Eternal life to win?  
You much mistake, if for its sake  
you dream of acceptation;  
Whereas the same deserveth shame,  
and meriteth damnation.   

CVII.  
A wondrous Crowd than began aloud  
thus for themselves to say;  
We did intend, Lord to mend,  
and to reform our way:  
Ou● true intent was to repent,  
and make our peace with thee;  
But sudden death stopping our breath,  
left us no liberty.   

CVIII.  
Short was our time; for in his prime  
our youthful flower was cropped:  
We died in youth, before full growth;  
so was our purpose stopped.  
Let our good will to turn from ill,  
and sin to have forsaken,  
Accepted be O Lord, by thee,  
and in good part be taken.   

CIX.  
To whom the Judge; Where you allege  
the shortness of the space  
That from your birth you lived on earth,  
to compass Saving Grace:  
It was freegrace, that any space  
wa● given you at all  
To turn from evil, defy the Devil,  
and upon God to call.   

CX.  
One day, one week, wherein to seek  
God's face with all your hearts,  
A favour was that far did pass  
the best of your deserts.  
You had a season; what was your Reason  
such precious hours to waste?  
What could you find, what could you mind  
that was of greater haste?   

CXI.  
Could you find time for vain pastime?  
for lose licentious mirth?  
For fruitless toys, and fading joys  
that perish in the birth?  
Had you good leisure for Carnal pleasure  
in days of health and youth?  
And yet no space to seek God's face,  
and turn to him in truth?   

CXII.  
In younger years, beyond your fears,  
what if you were surprised?  
You put away the evil day,  
and of long life devised.  
You oft were told, and might behold,  
that Death no age would spare.  
Why then did you your time foreslow,  
and slight your Souls welfare?   

CXIII.  
H●d your intent been to Repent,  
and had you it desired,  
There would have been endeavours seen  
before your time expired.  
God makes no treasure nor hath he pleasure  
in idle purposes:  
Such fair pretences are foul offences,  
and cloaks for wickedness.   

CXIV.  
Then were brought in and charged with sin  
another Company,  
Who by Petition obtained permission  
to make apology:  
They argued; We were misled,  
as is well known to thee,  
By their Example, that had more ample  
abilities than we.   

CXV.  
Such as professed we did detest  
and hate each wicked way:  
Whose seeming grace whilst we did trace,  
our Souls were led astray.  
When men of Parts, Learning and Arts,  
professing Piety,  
Did thus and thus, it seemed to us  
we might take liberty.   

CXVI.  
The Judge Replies; I gave you eyes,  
a●d light to see your way:  
Which had you loved and well improved  
you had not gone astray.  
My Word was pure, the Rule was sure;  
why did you it forsake,  
Or thereon trample, and men's Example  
your Directory make?   

CXVII.  
This you well know, that God is true,  
and that most men are liars,  
In word professing holiness,  
in deed thereof deniers●  
O simple ●ools! that having Rules  
your lives to Regulate,  
Would them refuse, and rather choose  
vile men to imitate.   

CXVIII.  
But Lord, say they, we we●● astray,  
and did more wickedly,  
By means of those whom thou hast chose  
Salvations Heirs to be.  
To whom the Judge; What you allege  
doth nothing help the case,  
But makes appear how vile you were,  
and rend'reth you more ba●e.   

CXIX.  
You understood that what was good  
was to be ●ollowed,  
And that you ought that which was nought  
to have relinquished.  
chose, it was your guise,  
only to imitate  
Good men's defects, and their neglects  
that were Regenerate.   

CXX.  
But to express their holiness,  
or imitate their Grace,  
Yet little ca●'d, not once prepared  
your hearts to seek my face.  
They did Repent, and truly Rend  
their hearts for all known sin:  
You did Offend, but not Amend,  
to follow them therein.   

CXXI.  
We had thy Word, (said some) O Lord,  
but wiser men than we  
Could never yet interpret it,  
but always disagree.  
How could we fools be led by Rules  
so far beyond our ken,  
Which to explain, did so much pain  
and puzzle wisest men?   

CXXII.  
Was all my Word obscure and hard?  
the Judge then answered:  
It did contain much Truth so plain,  
you might have run and read.  
But what was hard you never cared  
to know, nor studied:  
And things that were most plain and clear,  
you never practised.   

CXXIII.  
The Mystery of Piety  
God unto Babes reveals;  
When to the wise he it denies,  
and from the world conceals.  
If ●o fulfil Gods holy will  
had seemed good to you,  
You would have sought light as you ought,  
and done the good y●u knew.   

CXX●V.  
Then came in view another Crew,  
and began to make their pleas;  
Amongst the rest, some of the best  
had such poor shifts as these:  
Thou knowst right well, who all canst tell,  
we lived amongst thy foes,  
Who the Renate did sorely hate,  
and goodness much oppose.   

CXXV.  
We Holiness durst not profess,  
fearing to be forlorn  
Of all our friends, and for amends  
to be the wicked's scorn.  
We knew thei● anger would much endanger  
our lives and our estates:  
Therefore for fear we durst appear  
no better than our mates.   

CXXVI.  
To whom the Lord returns this word;  
O wonderful deceits!  
To cast off awe of God's strict Law,  
and fear men's wrath and threats!  
To fear Hell-fire and Gods fierce ire  
less than the rage of men!  
As if God's wrath could do less scathe  
than wrath of brethren!   

CXXVII.  
To use such strife to temporal life  
to rescue and secure!  
And be so blind as not to mind  
that life that will endure!  
This was you● case, who carnal peace  
more than ●●ue joys did savour:  
Who fed on dus●, clavae to your lust,  
and spurned at my ●avour.   

CXXVIII.  
To please your kin, men's loves to win,  
to flow in worldly wealth,  
To save your skin, these things have been  
more than Eternal health.  
You had your choice, wherein rejoice,  
it was your portion,  
For which you chose your Souls t' expose  
unto Perdition.   

CXXIX.  
Who did not hate friends, life, and state,  
with all things else for me,  
And all forsake, and's Cross up take,  
shall never happy be.  
Well worthy they do die for ay,  
who death then life had rather:  
Death is their due that so value  
the friendship of my Father.   

CXXX.  
Others argue, and not a few,  
is not God gracious?  
His Equity and Clemency  
are they not marvellous?  
Thus we believed; are we deceived?  
cannot his Mercy great,  
(As hath been told to us of old)  
assuage his anger's heat?   

CXXXI.  
How can it be that God should see  
his Creatures endless pain?  
O● hear their groans or rueful moans,  
and still his wrath retain?  
Can it agree with equity?  
can Mercy have the heart,  
To Recompense few years offence  
with Everlasting smart?   

CXXXII.  
Can God delight in such a sight  
as sinner's Misery?  
Or what great good can this our blood  
bring unto the most High?  
Oh thou that dost thy Glory most  
in pardoning sin display!  
Lord! might it please thee to release,  
and pardon us this day?   

CXXXIII.  
Unto thy Name more glorious fame  
would not such Mercy bring?  
Would it not raise thine endless praise,  
more than our suffering?  
With that they cease, holding their peace,  
but cease not still to weep;  
Grief ministers a flood to tears,  
in which their words do steep:   

CXXXIV.  
But all too late; Grief's out of date  
when Life is at an end.  
The glorious King thus answering,  
all to his voice attend:  
God gracious is, quoth he, like his  
no Mercy can be found;  
His Equity and Clemency  
to sinners do abound.   

CXXXV.  
As may appear by those that here  
are placed at my right hand;  
Whose stripes I bore and cleared the score  
that they might quitted stand.  
For surely none but God alone,  
whose Grace transcends man's thought,  
For such as those that were his foes  
like wonders would have wrought.   

CXXXVI.  
And none but he such lenitee  
and patience would have shown  
To you so long, who did him wrong,  
and pulled his judgements down.  
How long a space (O stiffnecked Race!)  
did patience you afford?  
How oft did love you gently move  
to turn unto the Lord?   

CXXXVII.  
With cords of Love God often strove  
your stubborn hearts to tame:  
Nevertheless, your wickedness  
did still resist the same.  
If now at last Mercy be passed  
from you for evermore,  
And Justice come in Mercies room,  
yet grudge you no● therefore.   

CXXXVIII.  
If into wrath God tu●●ed hath  
his Long-long ●uffe●ing,  
And now for Love you Vengeance prove,  
it is an equal thing.  
Your waxing worse, hath stopped the course  
of wont Clemency:  
Mercy refused, and Grace misused,  
call for severity.   

CXXX●X.  
It's now high time that every Crime  
be brought to punishment:  
Wrath long contained, and oft refrained,  
at last must have a vent.  
Justice ●evere cannot forbear  
to plague sin any longer;  
But must inflict with hand mo●t strict  
mischief upon the wronger.   

CXL.  
In vain do they for Mercy pray,  
the season being past,  
Who had no care to get a share  
therein, while time did last.  
The men whose ear refused to hear  
the voice of Wisdom's cry,  
Earned this reward, that none regard  
him in his misery.   

CXLI.  
It doth agree with equity,  
and with God's holy Law,  
That those should die eternally,  
that death upon them draw.  
The Soul that sin's damnation wins;  
for so the Law ordains:  
Which Law is just● and therefore must  
such suffer endless pains.   

CXLII.  
Eternal smart is the desert  
even of the least offence;  
Then wonder not if I allot  
to you this Recompense:  
But wonder more that, since so sore  
and lasting plagues are due  
To every sin, you lived therein,  
who well the danger knew.   

CXLIII.  
God hath no joy to crush or 'stroy,  
and ruin wretched wights:  
But to display the glorious ray  
of Justice he delights.  
To manifest he doth detest  
and throughly hate all sin,  
By plaguing it, as is most fit,  
this shall him glory win.   

CXLIV.  
Then at the Bar arraigned are  
an impudenter sort,  
Who to evade the guilt that's laid  
upon them, thus retort;  
How could we cease thus to transgress?  
how could we Hell avoid,  
Whom God's Decree shut out from thee,  
and signed to be destroyed?   

CXLV.  
Whom God ordains to endless pains  
by Laws unalterable,  
Repentance true, Obedience new,  
to save such are unable:  
Sorrow for sin no good can win  
to such as are rejected;  
Ne can they give, not yet believe  
that never were elected.   

CXLVI.  
Of man's fallen Race who can true Grace  
or Holiness obtain?  
Who can convert or change his heart,  
if God withhold the same?  
Had we applied ourselves, and tried  
as much as who did most  
Gods love to gain, our busy pain  
and labour had been lost.   

CXLVII.  
Christ readily makes this reply;  
I damn you not because  
You are rejected, or not elected;  
but you have broke my Laws.  
It is but vain your wits to strain  
the E●d and Meanss to sever:  
Men fond seek to dart or break  
what God hath linked together.   

CXLVIII.  
Whom God will save, such he will have  
the means of life to use:  
Whom he'll pass by, shall choose to di●,  
and ways of life refuse.  
He that foresee and fore-decrees,  
in wisdom ordered has,  
That man's freewill electing ill  
shall bring his Will to pass.   

CXLIX.  
High God's Decree, as it is free,  
so doth it none compel  
Against their will to good or ill;  
i● forceth none to Hell.  
They have their wish whose Souls perish  
with torments in Hell-fire:  
Who rather chose their souls to lose,  
then leave a loose desire.   

CL.  
God did ordain sinners to pain;  
and I to hell send none,  
But such as swerved, and have deserved  
destruction as their own.  
His pleasure is, that none fr 〈…〉 ss  
and endless happiness  
Be barred, but such as wrong 〈◊〉 much  
by wilful wickedness.   

CLI.  
You (sinful crew!) no other knew  
but you might be elect:  
Why did you then yourselves condemn?  
why did you me reject?  
Where was your strife to gain that life  
which lasteth evermore?  
You never knocked, yet say God locked  
against you heavens door.   

CLII  
'Twas no vain task to knock, to ask,  
whilst life continued.  
Who ever sought Heaven as he ought,  
and seeking perished?  
The lowly-meek who truly seek  
for Christ and for salvation,  
There's no Decree whereby such be  
ordained to condemnation.   

CLIII.  
You argue then; But abject men,  
whom God resolves to spill,  
Cannot repent, nor their hearts rend;  
ne can they change their will.  
Not for his Can is any man  
adjudged unto hell:  
But for his Will ● to do what's ill,  
and nilling to do well.   

CLIU  
I often stood tendering my Blood  
to wash away your guilt:  
And eke my Spirit to frame you right,  
lest your souls should be spilt.  
But you, vile race, rejected Grace  
when Grace was freely proffered:  
No changed heart, no heavenly part  
would you, when it was offered.   

CLV.  
Who wilfully the remedy  
of Grace and Life contemned,  
'Cause have the same themselves to blame,  
if now they be condemned.  
You have yourselves, you and none else,  
yourselves have done to die:  
You chose the way to your decay,  
and perished wilfully.   

CLVI.  
These words apale and daunt them all;  
dismayed, and all amort,  
Like stocks they stand at Christ's left hand,  
and dare no more retort.  
Then were brought near, with trembling fear  
a number numberless  
Of blind Heathen and brutish men,  
that did God's Law transgress.   

CLVII.  
Whose wicked ways, Christ open lays,  
and makes their sins appear,  
They making pleas the case to ease,  
if not themselves to clear.  
Thy written word (say they) good Lord  
we never did enjoy:  
We not refused nor it abused,  
Oh do not us destroy.   

CLVIII.  
You ne'er abused nor yet refused  
my written Word, you plead;  
That's true, (quoth he) therefore shall ye  
the less be punished.  
You shall not smart for any part  
of other men's offence,  
But for your own transgression  
receive due recompense.   

CLIX  
But we were blind, say ●hey, in mind;  
too dim was nature's light,  
Our only guide (as hath been try●d)  
to bring us to the sight  
Of our estate degenerate,  
and cursed by Adam's fall;  
How we were born and lay forlorn  
in bondage and in th●all.   

CLX.  
We did not know a Christ till now,  
nor bow fal● man he saved:  
Else should we not, right well we wo●,  
have so ourselves behaved.  
We should have mourned, we should have turned  
from sin at thy reproof,  
And been more wise through thine advice  
for our own Souls behoof.   

CLXI.  
But nature's light shined not so bright  
to teach us the right way:  
We might have loved it, & well improved it,  
and yet have gone astray.  
The Judge most high makes this reply;  
you ignorance pretend,  
Dimness of sight, and want of light  
your course Heav'n-ward to bend:   

CLXII.  
How came your mind to be so blind?  
I once you knowledge gave,  
Clearness of sight, and judgement right;  
who did the same deprave?  
If to your cost you have it lost,  
and quite defaced the same;  
Your own desert hath caused your smart,  
you ought not me to blame.   

CLXIII.  
Yourselves into a pit of woe  
your own transgressions led:  
If I to none my grace had shown,  
who had been injured?  
If to a few, and not to you,  
I showed a way of life,  
My Grace so free, you clearly see,  
gives you no ground of strife.   

CLXIV.  
'Tis ●ain to tell, you wot full well,  
if you in time had known  
Your Misery and Remedy,  
your actions had it shown.  
You, sinful crew, have not been true  
unto the light of Nature;  
No● done the good you understood,  
nor owned your Creator.   

CLXV.  
He that the Light, because 'tis Light,  
hath used to despize,  
Would not the Light, shining more bright,  
be likely for to prise.  
If you had loved and well improved  
your knowledge and dim sight,  
Herein your pain had not been vain,  
your plagues had been more light.   

CLXVI.  
Then to the Bar all they drew near  
who died in infancy,  
And never had or good or bad  
effected personally;  
But from the womb unto the tomb  
were straightway carried,  
(Or at the least, ere they transgressed)  
who thus began to plead.   

CLXVII.  
If for our own transgression,  
or disobedience,  
We here did stand at thy left hand,  
j●st were the recompense:  
But Adam's guilt our souls hath spilt,  
his fault is charged upon us;  
And that alone hath overthrown,  
and utterly undone us.   

CLXVIII.  
Not we, but he, a●e of the Tree,  
whose fruit was interdicted:  
Yet on us all of his sad fall  
the punishment's inflicted.  
How could we sin who had not been?  
or how is his sin our  
Without consent, which to prevent  
we never had a power?   

CLXIX.  
O great Creator, why was our nature  
depraved and forlorn?  
Why so defiled, and made so vild  
Whilst we were yet unborn?  
If it be just, and needs we must  
transgressors reckoned be,  
Thy mercy, Lord, to us afford,  
which sinners hath set free.   

CLXX.  
Behold, we see Adam ●et free,  
and saved from his trespass,  
Whose sinful fall hath split us all,  
and brought us to this pass.  
Canst thou deny us once to try,  
or grace to us to tender,  
When he finds grace before thy face,  
that was the chief offender?   

CLXXI  
Then answered the Judge most dread;  
God doth such doom forbid,  
T●at men should die eternally  
for what they never did.  
But what you call old Adam's Fall,  
and only his Trespass,  
You call amiss to call it his:  
both his and yours it was.   

CLXXII.  
He was designed of all mankind  
to be a public Head,  
A common Root whence all should shoot,  
and stood in all their stead:  
He stood and fell, did ill or well,  
not for himself alone,  
But for you all, who now his Fall  
and trespass would disown.   

CLXXIII.  
If he had stood, than all his brood  
had been established  
In God's true love, never to move,  
nor once awry to tread:  
Then all his Race my Father's Grace  
should have enjoyed for ever,  
And wicked Sprights by subtle sleights  
could them have harmed never.   

CLXXIV.  
Would you have grieved to have received  
through Adam so much good,  
As had been your for evermore,  
if he at first had stood?  
Would you have said, We ne'er obeyed  
nor did thy Laws regard;  
It ill befits with benefits  
us, Lord, so to reward?   

CLXXV.  
Since then to share in his welfare  
you could have been content,  
You may with reason share in his treason,  
and in the punishment.  
Hence you were born in state forlorn,  
with natures so depraved:  
Death was your due, because that you  
had thus yourselves behaved.   

CLXXVI.  
You think if we had been as he,  
whom God did so betrust,  
We to our cost would ne'er have lost  
all for a paltry lust.  
Had you been made in Adam's stead,  
you would like things have wrought;  
And so into the selfsame woe  
yourselves and yours have brought.   

CLXXVII.  
I may deny you once to try,  
or Grace to you to tender,  
Though he finds grace be●ore my face  
who was the chief offender:  
Else should my Grace cease to be Grace,  
for it should not be free,  
If to release whom I shall please  
I have not liberty.   

CLXXVIII.  
I● upon one what's due to none  
I frankly shall bestow,  
And on the rest shall not think best  
compassions skirt to throw,  
Whom injure I? will you envy,  
and grudge at others weal?  
Or me accuse, who do refuse  
yourselves to help and heal?   

CLXXIX.  
Am I alone of what's my own  
no Master or ●o Lord?  
Or if I am, how can you claim  
w●at I to some afford?  
Will you demand G●ace at my hand,  
and challenge what is mine?  
Will you teach me whom to set free,  
and thus my Grace confine?   

CLXXX.  
You sinners are, and such a share  
as sinners may expect,  
Such you shall have, for I do save  
none but mine own Elect.  
Yet to compare your sin with their  
who lived a longer time,  
I do confess yours is much less,  
though every sin's a crime:   

CLXXXI.  
A crime it is: therefore in bliss  
you may not hope to dwell:  
But unto you I shall allow  
the easiest room in hell.  
The glorious King thus answering,  
they cease and plead no longer:  
Their consciences must needs confess  
his Reasons are the stronger.   

CLXXXII.  
Thus all men's pleas the Judge with ease  
doth answer and confute,  
Until that all both great and small,  
are silenced and mute.  
Vain hopes are cropped, all mouths are stopped,  
sinners have nought to say,  
But that 'tis just, and equal most  
they should be damned for ay.   

CLXXXIII.  
Now what remains, but that to pains  
and everlasting smart  
Christ should condemn the sons of men,  
which is their just desert?  
Oh rueful plights of sinful wights!  
Oh wretches all forlorn!  
That happy been they ne'er had seen  
the Sun, or not been born.   

CLXXXIV.  
Yea, now it would be good they could●  
themselves annihilate,  
And cease to be, themselves to free  
from such a fearful state.  
Oh happy Dogs, and Swine, and Frogs!  
yea, Serpent's generation!  
Who do not fear this doom to hear,  
and sentence of Damnation!   

CLXXXV.  
This is their state so desperate:  
their sins are fully known;  
Their vanities and villainies  
Before the world are shown.  
As they are gross and impious,  
so are their numbers more  
Than motes i' th' air, or then their hair,  
or sands upon the shore.   

CLXXXVI.  
Divine Justice offended is,  
a●d Satisfaction claimeth:  
Gods wrathful ire kindled like fire  
against them fiercely flameth.  
Their Judge severe doth quite cashier  
and all their Pleas off take,  
That never a man, or dare, or can  
a further Answer make.   

CLXXXVII.  
Their mouths are shut, each man i● put  
to silence and to shame:  
Nor have they ought within their thought  
Christ's Justice for to blame;  
The Judge is just, and plague them must,  
nor will he mercy show  
(For Mercy's day is passed away)  
to any of this Crew.   

CLXXXVIII.  
The Judge is strong; doers of wrong  
cannot his Power withstand:  
None can by flight run out of sight,  
nor scape out of his hand.  
Sad is their sta●e; for Advocate  
to plead their Cause there's none:  
None to prevent their punishment,  
or misery to bemole.   

CLXXXIX.  
O dismal day! whither shall they  
for help or succour flee?  
To God above, with hopes to move  
their greatest Enemee?  
His wrath is great, whose burning heat  
to flood of Tears can ●lake:  
His word stands fast, that they be cast  
into the burning Lake.   

CXC.  
To Chr●st their Judge? he doth adjudge  
them to the Pit of Sorrow:  
Nor will he hear or cry, or tear,  
nor respite them on morrow.  
To Heaven? Alas they cannot pass,  
it is against them shut:  
To enter there (O heavy cheer!)  
they out of hopes are put.   

CXCI  
U●to their Treasures, or to their Pleasures?  
all these have been forsaken:  
Had they full Coffers to make large offers,  
their Gold would not be taken.  
Unto the place where whilom was  
their birth and education?  
Lo! Christ begins for their great sins  
to fire the Earth's foundation:   

CXCII.  
And by and by the flaming Sky  
shall drop like molten Lead  
About their ears, t' increase their fears  
and aggravate their dread.  
To Angels good that ever stood  
in their integrity,  
Should they betake themselves, and make  
their suit incessantly?   

CXCIII.  
They neither skill, nor do they will  
to work them any ease:  
They will not mourn to see them burn,  
nor beg for their release.  
To wicked men, their brethren  
in sin and wickedness,  
Should they make moan? their case is one;  
they're in the same distress.   

CXCIV.  
Ah, cold comfort, and mean support  
from such like Comforters!  
Ah, little joy of Company,  
and fellow-sufferers!  
Such shall increase their heart's disease,  
and add unto their woe,  
Because that they brought to decay  
themselves and many more.   

CXCU.  
Unto the Saints with sad complaints.  
should they themselves apply?  
They're not dejected nor aught affected  
with all their misery.  
Friends stand aloof, and make no proof  
what Prayers or Tears can do:  
Your godly friends are now more friends  
to Christ then unto you.   

CXCVI  
Where tender love men's hearts did move  
unto a sympathy,  
And bearing part of others smart  
in their anxiety;  
Now such compassion is out of fashion,  
and wholly laid aside:  
No friend so near, but Saints to hear  
their judgement can abide.   

CXCVII.  
One natural Brother beholds another  
in this astonished fit,  
Yet sorrows not thereat a jot,  
nor pities him a whit.  
The godly wife conceives no grief,  
nor can she shed a tear  
For the sad state of her dear Mate,  
when she his doom doth hear.   

CXCVIII  
He that was erst a Husband pierced  
with sense of Wife's distress,  
Whose tender heart did bear a part  
of all her grievances,  
Shall mourn no more as heretofore  
because of her ill plight;  
Although he see her now to be  
a damned forsaken wight.   

CXCIX.  
The tender Mother will own no other  
of all her numerous brood,  
But such as stand at Christ's right hand  
acquitted through his Blood.  
The pious Father had now much rather  
his graceless Son should lie  
In Hell with Devils, for all his evils  
burning eternally:   

CC.  
Then God most High should injury  
by sparing him sustain;  
And doth rejoice to hear Christ's voice  
adjudging him to pain.  
Who having all (both great and small)  
convinced and silenced,  
Did then proceed their Doom to read,  
and thus it uttered;   

CCI  
Ye sinful wights, and cursed sprights,  
that work Iniquity,  
Depart together from me for ever  
to endless Misery.  
Your portion take in that sad Lake  
where Fire and Brimstone flameth:  
Suffer the smart, which your desert  
as its du● wages claimeth.   

CCII  
Oh piercing words more sharp than Swords!  
what, to depart from Thee,  
Whose face before for evermore  
the best of Pleasures be!  
What! to depart (unto our smart)  
from thee Eternally!  
To be for ay banished away  
with Devil's company!   

CCIII.  
What! to be sent to Punishment,  
and flames of Burning Fire!  
To be surrounded, and eke confounded  
with God's Revengeful Ire!  
What! to abide, not for a tide,  
these Torments, but for Ever!  
To be released, or to be eased,  
not after years, but Never!   

CCIU  
Oh, fearful Doom! now there's no room  
for hope, or help at all:  
Sentence is past which aye shall last,  
Christ will not it recall.  
There might you hear them rend and tear  
the Air with their outcries:  
The hideous noise of their sad voice  
ascendeth to the skies.   

CCV.  
They wring their hands, their caitiff-hands,  
and gnash their teeth for terror:  
They cry, they roar for anguish sore,  
and gnaw their tongues for horror.  
But get away without delay;  
Christ pities not your cry:  
Depart to Hell● there may you yell  
and roar Eternally.   

CCVI  
That word Depart, maugre their heart;  
drives every wicked one,  
With mighty power, the selfsame hour  
far from the Judge's throne.  
Away they're cast by the strong blast  
of his Death-threatning mouth:  
They ●lee full fast, as if in haste;  
although they be full loath.   

CCVII  
As chaff that's dry, and dust doth fly  
before the Northern wind:  
Right so are they chased away,  
and can no Refuge find.  
They hasten to the Pit of woe,  
guarded by Angels stout:  
Who to fulfil Christ's holy will  
attend this wicked Rout.   

CCVIII.  
Whom having brought, as they are taught  
unto the brink of Hell  
(That dismal place far from Christ's face,  
where Death and Darkness dwell:  
Where God's fierce ire kindleth the fire,  
and Vengeance feeds the flame  
With piles of wood, and brimstone flood,  
that none can quench the same.)   

CCIX  
With Iron bands they bind their hands  
and cursed feet together,  
And cast them all, both great and small,  
into that Lake for ever.  
Where day and night, without respite,  
they wail, and cry, and howl  
For tor'●ring pain, which they sustain  
in Body and in Soul.   

CCX.  
For day and night, in their despite,  
their torments smoke ascendeth:  
Their pain and grief have no relief,  
their anguish never endeth.  
There must they lie, and never die;  
though dying every day:  
There must they dying ever lie;  
and not consume away.   

CCXI  
Dye fain they would, if die they cou●  
but death will not be had●  
God's direful wrath their bodies hath  
for e'er Immortal made.  
They live to lie in misery.  
and bear eternal woe:  
And live they must whilst God is just,  
that he may plague them so.   

CCXII  
But who can tell the plagues of Hell,  
and torments exquisite?  
Who can relate their dismal state,  
and terrors infinite?  
Who fare the best, and feel the least,  
yet feel that Punishment  
Whereby to nought they should be brought,  
if God did not prevent.   

CCXIII  
The least degree of misery  
there felt's incomparable,  
The lightest pain they there sustain  
more than intolerable.  
But Gods great power from hour to hour  
upholds them in the fire,  
That they shall not consume a jot,  
nor by its force expire.   

CCXIU  
But ah, the woe they undergo  
(they more than all beside)  
Who had the light, and knew the right,  
yet would not it abide!  
The sev'●-fold smart, which to their part  
and portion doth fall,  
Who Christ his Grace would not embrace,  
nor hearken to his call!   

CCXV.  
The Amorites and Sodomites,  
although their plagues be sore,  
Yet find some ease, compared to these,  
who feel a great deal more.  
Almighty God, whose Iron Rod  
to smite them never ●ins,  
Doth most declare his Justice rare  
in plaguing these men's ●ins.   

CCXVI.  
The pain of loss their souls doth toss  
●nd wondrously distress,  
To think what they have cast away  
by wilful wickedness.  
We might have been redeemed from si●,  
think they, and lived above,  
Being possessed of heavenly rest,  
and joying in God's love.   

CCXVII.  
But woe, woe, woe our souls unto!  
we would not happy be;  
And therefore bear God's vengeance here  
to all eternity.  
Experience and woeful sense  
must be our painful teachers,  
Who ● ' old believe, nor credit give  
unto our faithful Preachers.   

CCXVIII.  
Thus shall they lie, and wail, and cry,  
tormented, and tormenting  
Their galled hearts with poisoned darts;  
but now too late repenting.  
There let them dwell i' th' flames of hell,  
there leave we them to burn,  
And back again unto the men  
whom Christ acquits return.   

CCXIX  
The Saints behold with courage bold,  
and thankful wonderment,  
To see all those that were their foes  
thus sent to punishment:  
Then do they sing unto their King  
a song of endless praise●  
They praise his Name, and do proclaim,  
that just are all his ways.   

CCXX.  
Thus with great joy and melody  
to Heaven they all ascend,  
Him there to praise with sweetest lays,  
And Hymns that never end.  
Where with long Rest they shall be blest,  
and nought shall them annoy:  
Where they shall see as seen they be,  
and whom they love, enjoy.   

CCXXI.  
O glorious Place! where face to face  
Jehovah may be seen,  
By such as were sinners whilere,  
and no dark vail between.  
Where the Sunshine, and Light divine,  
of God's bright Countenance  
Doth rest upon them every one  
with sweetest influence.   

CCXXII.  
O blessed state of the Renate!  
O Wondrous Happiness  
To which they're brought, beyond what thought  
can reach, or words express!  
Grief's watercourse, and Sorrow's source  
are turned to joyful streams.  
Their old distress and heaviness  
a●e vanished like dreams.   

CCXXIII  
For God above in arms of love  
doth dearly them embrace,  
And fills their sprights with such delights  
and pleasures in his grace;  
As shall not fail, nor yet grow stale  
through frequency of use:  
Nor do they fear God's Favour there  
to forfeit by abuse.   

CCXXIU  
For there the Saints are perfect Saints,  
and holy ones indeed,  
From ●ll the sin, that dwelled within  
their mortal bodies, freed:  
Made Kings and Priests to God, through Christ's  
dear loves transcendency,  
There to remain, and there to reign  
with him Eternally.   
FINIS.   

I Walked and did a little Molehill view,  
Full peopled with a most industrious crew  
Of busy Ants, where each one laboured more,  
Then if he were to bring home Indian Ore;  
Here wrought the Pioners, there marched the Bands,  
Here Colonies went forth to plant new Lands ●  
These hasted out, and those supplies brought in,  
As if they had some sudden Siege foreseen:  
Until there came an angry Spade, and cast  
Country and People to a Pit at last.  
Again, I viewed a Kingdom in a Hive,  
Where every one did wo●k, and so all thrive;  
Some go, some come, some war, some watch & ward,  
Some make the works, & some the works do guard ●  
These frame their curious Waxen-cells, and those  
Do into them their Nectar drops dispose:  
Until the greedy Gardner brought his smoke,  
And, for the work, did all the workmen choke.  
Lo here, frail Mortals may ●it Emblems see  
Of their great toil, and greater vanity.  
They weary out their b●ain, their strength, their time,  
While some to Arts, and some to Honours climb:  
They s●arch Earth's bowels, cross the roaring Seas,  
Mortgage their Souls, and forfeit all their Ease,  
Grudge Night her sleep, and lengthen out the day,  
To far these B●gs, & cram those Chests with clay.  
They rack and charm each Creature to explore  
Some latent Quintessence, not known before:  
Torture and squeeze out all its juice and blood,  
To try if they can now find out that GOOD  
Which Solomon despaired of, but at last  
On the same shore of Vanity are cast;  
The Spade stops their career of Pride and Lust,  
And calls them from their Clay unto their Dust ●  
Leave off your Circles, Archimede, away,  
The King of Terror calls, and will not stay:  
Miser, kiss all your Bags, and then lie down;  
Scholar, your Books; Monarch, yield up your Crown;  
Give way Wealth, Honour, Arts, Thrones ● bac● make room●  
That these pale Souls may come unto their doom's  
Nor show vain men the fruit of all that pain,  
Which i● the ●nd nothing but Loss did gain:  
Compute your Lives, and all your Hours up cast●  
Lo here's the total sum of All at last.  
I rose up early, sat up late, to know  
As much as Men, as Tongues, as Books could shew●  
I toiled to search all Science and all Art,  
But died ignorant of mine own Heart.  
I got great Honour, and my Fame did stream  
As far as doth the Morning's shining Beam;  
My Name into a page of Titles swelled,  
My head a Crown, my ●and a Sceptre held:  
Ado●'d without, but shameful lusts within;  
Adorned with Titles, but defiled with sin ●  
With anxious thoughts, with saddest cares a●● 〈◊〉  
I gained these Lordships and this Soul I l●st:  
My greedy Heir now hovers o'er my pelf,  
I purchased Land ●or him, Hell for myself.  
Go on you nobler B●ains, and fill your sight  
As full of Learning as the Sun's of light;  
Expand your Souls to Truth as wide as Day,  
Kuow all that Men, know all that Angels say:  
Write shops of Volumes, and let every Book  
Be filled with lustre as was Moses look,  
Yet know, all this is but a better kind  
Of sublime vanity, and more refin'd●  
Except a saving knowledge crown the rest,  
Devils know more, and yet shall ●e'r be blest.  
Go on, ambitious Wo●●s, yet, yet aspire,  
Lay a sure Scene how you may yet rise higher:  
March forward, Macedonian Horn, add on  
Gaza to Tyre, Indies to Babylon;  
Make stirrups of the people's backs and bones,  
Climb up by them to Diadems and Thrones:  
Thy Crowns are all but Grass; thine was the toil,  
Thy Captains come and they divide the spoil.  
Except one heavenly Crown crown all the rest,  
Devils are Potentates, and yet not blest.  
Go on, base dunghil-souls, heap gold as mi●●,  
Sweep silver as the dust, emulate Tyre,  
Fill every Warehouse, purchase every Field,  
Add house to house, Pelion on Ossa build;  
●●t Mida's vote to transubstantiate  
whatever you please all into golden plate;  
●uild wider Barns, sing requiem to your heart,  
●eel your wealth's pleasures only, not their smart:  
Except his Riches who for us was poor,  
Do sweeten those which Mortals so adore;  
Except sublimer wealth crown all the rest,  
Devils have nobler Treasures, yet not blest.  
Cease then from vain delights, & set your min●  
T●at solid and enduring GOOD to fi●d,  
Which sweetens life and death, which will increase  
O● an immortal Soul immortal peace;  
Which will replenish and advance you higher  
Then ere your own Ambition could aspire.  
Fear your great Maker with a childlike awe,  
Believe his Grace, love and obey his Law.  
This is the total work of man, and this  
Will crown you here with Peace, and there wi●● Blis●  
Be kind unto yourselves, believe and try:  
If not, go on, fill up your lusts and die.  
Sing peace unto yourselves; 'twill once be kno●  
Whose word shall stand, your Judgs, or your ow●  
Crown thee with Rosebuds, satiate thine eyes,  
Glut every sense with her own vanities:  
Melt into pleasures, until that which Lust  
D●d not before consume, rot into dust:  
The Thrones are set, the Books will straight be rea●  
Hell will her Souls, & graves give up their dea●  
Then there will be (and the time is not far)  
Fi●e on the Bench, and Stubble at the Bar.  
O sinners ruminate these thoughts again,  
You have been Beast enough, at last be Men.  
Chris● ●et entreats, but if you will not turn,  
Whe●e G●●ce will not convert, there Fire will b●●●   

A SHORT DISCOURSE ABOUT ETERNITY.  

I.  
WHat mortal man can wi●h h●s span  
meet out Eternity?  
Or fathom it by depth of wit,  
or strength of memory?  
The lofty sky is not so high,  
hell's depth to this is small:  
The world so wide is but a stride,  
compared herewithal.   

II.  
It is a main great Ocean,  
withouten Bank or Bound:  
A deep Abyss, wherein there is  
no bottom to be found.  
This world hath stood now since the Flood  
for thousand years well near,  
And had before endured more  
than sixteen hundred year:   

III.  
But what's the time from the world's prime  
unto this present day,  
If we thereby Eternity  
to measure should assay?  
The whole duration since the Creation,  
though long, yet is more little,  
If placed by Eternity,  
then is the smallest tittle.   

IV.  
Tell every Star both near and far  
in Heavens bright Canopee,  
That doth appear throughout the year,  
of high or low degree:  
Tell every Tree that thou canst see  
in this vast Wilderness,  
Up in the Woods, down by the Floods,  
in thousand miles' progress:   

V.  
The sum is vast, yet not so vast  
but that thou mayst go on  
To multiply the Leaves thereby,  
that hang those trees upon:  
Add thereunto the drops, that thou  
imaginest to be  
In April showrs, that bring forth Flowrs  
and Blossoms plenteously:   

VI.  
Number the Fowls and living Souls  
that through the air do fly,  
The winged Hosts in all the Coasts  
beneath the starry Sky:  
Count all the grass as thou dost pass  
through many a pasture land,  
And dewy drops that on the tops  
of Herbs and Plants do stand:   

VII.  
Number the Sand upon the Strand,  
And Atoms of the air;  
And do thy best on Man and Beast  
to reckon every Hair:  
Take all the Dust, if so thou lust,  
and add to thine account:  
Yet shall the years of sinners tears  
the number far surmount.   

VIII.  
Nought joined to Nought can ●e'● make aught  
nor Ciphers make a Sum:  
Nor things Finite to Infinite  
by multiplying come:  
A Cockleshell may serve as well  
to lave the Ocean dry,  
As finite things and Reckonings  
to bond Eternity.   

IX.  
O happy they that live for ay  
with Christ in Heaven above!  
Who know withal that nothing shall  
deprive them of his love.  
Eternity! Eternity!  
Oh, were it not for thee,  
The Saints in Bliss and Happiness  
could never happy be.   

X.  
For if they were in any fear  
that this their joy might cease,  
It would annoy (if not destroy)  
and interrupt their peace:  
But being sure it shall endure  
so long as God shall live;  
The thoughts of this unto their bliss  
do full perfection give.   

XI.  
Cheer up, you Saints, amidst your wants  
and sorrows many a one:  
Lift up the head, shake off all dread,  
and moderate your moan.  
Your sufferings and evil things  
will suddenly be passed:  
Your sweet Fruitions, and blessed Visions  
for evermore shall last.   

XII.  
Lament and mourn you that must burn  
amidst those flaming Seas:  
If once you come to such a doom,  
for ever farewell ease.  
O sad estate and desperate,  
that never can be mended,  
Until Gods will shall change, or ●ill  
Eternity ●e ended!   

XIII.  
If any one this Question  
shall unto me propound;  
What, have the years of sinners tears  
no limits or no bound?  
It kills our heart to think of smart,  
and pains that last for ever;  
And hear of fire that shall expire,  
or be extinguished, never.   

XIV.  
I'll answer make, (and let them take  
my words as I intent them;  
For this is all the Cordial  
that here I have to lend them)  
When Heaven shall cease to flow with peace,  
and all felicity:  
Then Hell may cease to be the place  
of woe and misery.   

XV.  
When Heaven is Hell, when Ill is Well,  
when Virtue turns to Vice,  
When Wrong is Right, when D●rk is Light,  
when Nought is of great price:  
Then may the years of sinners tears  
and sufferings expire,  
And all the hosts of damned ghosts  
escape out of hellfire.   

XVI.  
When Christ above shall cea●e to love;  
when God shall cease to reign,  
And be no more, as heretofore,  
the wo●lds great Sovereign,  
Or not be just, or favour lust,  
o● in men's ●i●s delight:  
Then wicked men (and not till then)  
to Heaven may take their flight.   

XVII.  
When Gods great Power shall be brought lower  
by foreign Puissance;  
Or be decayed, and weaker made  
through Times, continuance:  
When drousiness shall him oppress,  
and lay him fast asleep:  
Then sinful men may break their Pen,  
and out of Prison creep.   

XVIII.  
When those in Glory shall be right sorry  
they may not change their place,  
And wish to dwell with them in Hell,  
never to see Christ's face:  
Then those in pain may freedom gain,  
and be with glory dight:  
Then hellish Fiends may be Ch●ists F●iends  
and Heirs of Heaven height.   

XIX.  
Then! Ah poor men! what! not till then  
n●, not an hour before:  
For God is just, and therefore must  
torment them evermore.  
Eternity! Eternity!  
thou mak'st hard hearts to bleed:  
The thoughts of thee in miseree  
do make men wail indeed.   

XX.  
When they remind what's still behind,  
and ponder this word, NEVER,  
That they must here be made to bear  
God's Vengeance for EVER:  
The thought of this more bitter is  
then all they feel beside:  
Yet what they feel, nor heart of steel,  
ro● flesh of brass can 'bide.   

XXI.  
To lie in woe, and undergo  
the direful pains of Hell,  
And know withal, that there they shall  
for ay, and ever dwell;  
And that they are from rest as far,  
when fifty thousand year,  
Twice told, are spent in punishment,  
as when they first came there.   

XXII.  
This, Oh! this makes Hell's fiery flakes  
much more intolerable;  
This makes frail wights and damned spirit  
to bear their Plagues unable.  
This makes men bite, for ●ell despite,  
their very tongues in twain:  
This makes them roar for great hor●or,  
and trebleth all their pain.    

A POSTSCRIPT UNTO THE READER.  
ANd now, good Reader, I return again  
To talk with thee, who hast been at the pain  
To read throughout, and heed what went before;  
And unto thee I'll speak a little more.  
Give ear, I pray thee, unto what I say,  
That God may hear thy voice another day.  
Thou hast a Soul, my friend, and so have I,  
To save or lose a soul that cannot die:  
A Soul of greater price than Gold or Gems,  
A Soul more worth than Crowns and Diadems:  
A Soul at first created like its Maker,  
And of G●ds Image made to be partaker:  
Upon the wings of noblest Faculties  
Taught for to soar above the starry skies,  
And no● to rest, until it understood  
Itself possessed o● the chiefest Good●  
And since the Fa●l, thy ●oul retaineth still  
The Faculties of Reason and of Will;  
But Oh! how much depraved and out of ●rame,  
As if they were some others, not the same,  
Thine Understanding dismally benighted,  
And Reason's eye in spiritual things dim●sighted●  
Or else stark blind: thy Will inclined to evil,  
And nothing else, a slave unto the Devil●  
That loves to live, and liveth to transgress,  
But shuns th● ways of God and holiness,  
All thine affections are disordered:  
And thou by headstrong passions art misled.  
What need I tell thee of thy crooked way,  
And many wicked wander, every day?  
Or that thy own transgressions are more  
In number, than the sands upon the shore?  
Thou art a lump of wickedness become,  
And mayst with horror think upon thy doom:  
Until thy soul be washed in the flood  
Of Christ's most dear, soul-cleansing precious blood;  
That, that alone can do away thy sin  
Which thou wert born and hast long lived in.  
That, only that, can pacify God's wrath,  
If apprehended by a lively faith,  
Now whilst the day and means of grace doth last,  
Before the opportunity be past●  
But if, O man, thou liv'st a Christless creature,  
And death surprise thee in a state of nature,  
(As who can tell but that may be thy ●ase)  
How wilt thou stand before thy Judge's face?  
When he shall be revealed in flaming fire●  
And come to pay ungodly men their hire:  
To execute due vengeance upon those  
That know him not, or that have been his foes:  
What wilt thou answer unto his demands,  
When he requires a reason at thine hands  
Of all the things that thou hast said, or done,  
Or left undone, or set thine heart upon?  
When he shall thus wi●h thee expostulate;  
What cause hadst thou thy Maker for to hate,  
To take up arms against thy Sovereign,  
And enmity against him to maintain?  
What injury hath God Almighty done thee?  
What good hath he withheld that might have wo● thee?  
What evil or injustice hast thou found  
In him, that might unto thy hurt redound?  
If neither felt nor ●eared injury  
Hath moved thee to such hostility:  
What made thee then the Fountain to forsake,  
And unto broken Pits thyself betake?  
What reason hadst thou to dishonour God,  
Who the● with Mercies never ceased to load?  
Because the Lord was good, hast thou been evil,  
And taken part against him with the Devil?  
For all his cost to pay him with despite!  
And all his love with hatred to requite!  
Is this the fruit o● God's great pa●ience,  
To wax more bold in disobedience?  
To kick against the bowels of his love!  
Is this aright his bounty to improve?  
Stand still, ye heavens, and be astonished,  
That God by man should thus be injured.  
Give ear, O Earth, and tremble at the sin  
Of those that thine Inhabitants have been.  
But thou, vile wretch, hast added unto all  
Thine other faults, and facts so criminal,  
The damning sin of wilful Unbelief.  
Of all Transgressor's hadst thou been the chief;  
Yet when time was, thou mightst have been set free  
From sin, and wrath, and punishment by me.  
But thou wouldst not accept of Gospel grace,  
Nor on my terms eternal life embrace.  
As if all thy breaches of God's Law  
Were not enough upon thy head to draw  
Eternal wrath, thou hast despised a Saviour,  
Rejected me, and trampled on my favour.  
How o●t have I s●ood knocking a● thy door,  
And been denied entrance evermore?  
How often hath my Spirit been withstood,  
Whenas I sent him to have done thee good?  
Thou hast no need of any one to plead  
Thy cause, or for thy Soul to intercede:  
Plead for thyself, if thou hast aught to say,  
And pay thy forfeitures without delay.  
Behold, thou dost ten thousand Talents owe:  
Or pay thy debt, or else to prison go.  
Think, think, O man, when Christ shall thus unfold  
Thy secret guilt, and make thee to behold  
The ugly face of all thy sinful errors,  
And fill thy face with his amazing terrors,  
And let thee see the flaming pit of hell,  
(Where all that have no part in him shall dwell)  
When he shall thus expostulate the case?  
How canst thou bear to look him in the face?  
What wilt thou do without an Advocate,  
Or plead, when as thy state is desperate?  
Dost think to put him off with fair pretences?  
Or wilt thou hide and cover thine offences?  
Can any thing from him concealed be,  
Who doth the hidden things of darkness see?  
Art thou of force his power to withstand?  
Canst thou by might escape out of his hand;  
Dost thou intend to run out of his sight,  
And save thyself from punishment by flight?  
Or wilt thou be eternally accursed,  
And 'bide his vengeance, let him do his worst?  
Oh, who can bear his indignations heat?  
Or 'bide their pains o● hell which are so great?  
I● than thou neither canst his wrath endure,  
Nor any ransom after death procure:  
If neither Cries nor Tears can move his heart  
To pardon thee, or mitigate thy smart●  
But unto Hell thou must perforce be sent  
With dismal horror and astonishment:  
Consider, O my Friends, what cause thou hast  
With fear and trembling, while as yet thou mayst,  
To lay to heart thy sin and misery,  
And to make out after the Remedy.  
Consider well the greatness of thy danger,  
O child of wrath, and object of God's anger.  
Thou hangest over the infernal pit  
By one small thread, and carest thou not a whit?  
There's but a s●ep between thy soul and death:  
Nothing remains but stopping of thy breath,  
(Which may be done to morrow, or before)  
And then thou art undone for evermore:  
Let this awaken thy security,  
And make thee look about thee speedily.  
How canst thou rest an hour, ●r sleep a night,  
Or in thy creature comforts take delight?  
Or with vain toys thyself forgetful make  
How near thou art unto the burning Lake?  
How canst thou live without tormenting fears?  
How canst thou hold from weeping floods of tears,  
Yea, tears of blood, I might almost have said,  
If such like tears could from thine eyes be shed?  
To gain the world what will it profit thee,  
And lose thy soul and self eternally?  
Eternity on one small point dependeth:  
The man is lost that this short life misspendeth.  
For as the Tree doth fall, right so it lies:  
And man continues in what s●ate he dies.  
Who happy die; shall happy rise again:  
Who cursed di● shall cursed still remain.  
If under sin and wrath death leaves thee bound,  
At Judgement under wrath thou shalt be found:  
And then woe, woe that ever thou wert born  
O wretched man, of heaven and earth forlorn!  
Consider this, all ye that God forget,  
Who all his threatenings at nought do set,  
Le●● into pieces he begin to tear  
Your souls, and there be no deliver●r.  
O you that now sing care and fear away,  
Think o●ten of that formidable day,  
Wherein the heavens with a mighty noise,  
And with an hideous heart-confounding voice,  
Shall pass away together being rolled.  
As men are wont their garments up to fold:  
When th' Elements with ●ervent heat shall melt,  
And living creatures in the same shall swelled,  
And all together in those flames expire,  
Which set the earth's foundations on fire.  
Oh, what amazement will your hearts be in,  
And how will you to curse yourselves begin,  
For all your damned sloth, and negligence,  
And unbelief, and gross impenitence,  
When you shall hear that dreadful Sentence pas●,  
That all the wicked into hell be cast?  
What horror will your consciences ●u●prise,  
When you shall hear the fruitless-doleful cries  
Of such as are compelled to depart  
Unto the place of everlasting smart?  
What, when you see the sparks fly out of hell,  
And view the Dungeon where you are to dwell,  
Wherein you must eternally remain  
In anguish and intolerable pain?  
What, when your hands and feet are bound together,  
And you are cast into that Lake for ever?  
Then shall you feel the truth of what you hear,  
That hellish pains are more than you can bear;  
And that those torments are an hundred fold  
More terrible than ever you were told.  
Nor speak I this, good Reader, to torment thee  
Before the time, but rather to prevent thee  
From running headlong to thine own decay  
In such a perilous and deadly way.  
We who have known and felt Jehovah's terrors,  
Persuade men to repent them of their errors.  
And turn to God in time, ere his Decree  
Bring forth, and then there be no remedee.  
If in the night, when thou art fast asleep,  
Some friend of thine, that better watch doth keep,  
Should see thy house all on a burning flame,  
And thee almost enclosed with the same:  
If such a friend should break thy door & wake thee,  
Or else by force out of the peril take thee:  
What wouldst thou take his kindness in ill part?  
Or frown upon him for his good desert?  
Such, O my friend, such is thy present state,  
And danger, being unregenerate.  
Awake, awake, and then thou shalt perceive  
Thy peril greater than thou wilt believe.  
Lift up thine eyes and ●ee God's wrathful ire  
Preparing unextinguishable fire  
For all that live and die impenitent.  
Awake, awake, O sinner, and repent.  
And quarrel not, because I thus alarm  
Thy Soul to save it from eternal harm.  
Perhaps thou harbourest such thoughts as these,  
I hope I may enjoy my carnal ease  
A little longer, and myself refresh  
With those delights that gratify the flesh:  
And yet repent before it be too late,  
And get into a comfortable state.  
I hope I have yet m●ny years to spend,  
And time enough those matters to attend.  
Presumptuous heart! is God engaged to give  
A longer time to such as love to live  
Like Rebels still, who think to slain his Glory  
By wickedness, and after to be sorry?  
Unto thy lust shall he be made a drudge,  
Who thee, and all ungodly men shall judge?  
Canst thou account sin sweet, and yet confess  
That, first or last, it ends in bitterness?  
Is sin a thing that must procure thee sorrow,  
And wouldst thou dally with't another morrow?  
O foolish man, who lovest to enjoy  
That which will thee distress or else destroy!  
What gained Samson by his Dalilah?  
What gained David by his B●thsheba?  
The one became a slave, lost both his eyes.  
And made them sport that were his enemies:  
The other penneth, as a certain token  
Of God's displeasure, that his bones were broken.  
Read, whoso list, and ponder what he reads,  
And he shall find small joy in evil deeds.  
Moreover this consider, that the longer  
Thou liv'st in sin, thy sin will grow the stronger:  
And than it will an harder matter prove,  
To leave those wicked haunts that thou dost love.  
The Blackmore may as easily change his skin,  
As old transgressors leave their wont sin.  
And who can tell what may become of thee,  
Or where thy Soul in one days time may be?  
We see that Death nor old nor young men spares,  
By'r one and other takes at unawares.  
For in a moment, whilst men Peace do cry,  
Destruction seizeth on them suddenly.  
Thou who this morning art a living wight,  
Mayst be a Corpse and damned Ghost ere night.  
Oh dream not then, that it will serve the turn  
Upon thy deathbed ●or thy sins to mourn.  
But think how many have been snatched away,  
And had no time for Mercy once to pray.  
It's just with God Repentance to deny  
To such, as put it off until they dy●  
And late Repentance seldom proveth true:  
Which if it fail, thou knowst what must ensue.  
For after this short life is at an end,  
What is amiss thou never canst amend.  
Believe, O man, that to procrastinate,  
And to put off until it be too late,  
As 'tis thy sin, so is it Satan's wile,  
Whereby he doth great multitudes beguile●  
How many thousands hath this strong delusion  
Already brought to ruin and con●usion,  
Whose souls are now reserved in Iron Chains  
Under thick darkness to eternal pains?  
They thought of many years, as thou dost now:  
But were deceived quite, and so mayst thou.  
Oh then, my friend, while not away thy time,  
Nor by Rebellion aggravate thy Crime.  
Oh put not off Repentance till to morrow.  
Adventure not without God's leave to borrow  
Another day to spend upon thy lust:  
Lest God (that is most holy, wise, and just)  
Denounce in wrath, and to thy terror say,  
This night shall Devils ●etch thy Soul away.  
Now seek the face of God with all thy heart,  
Acknowledge unto him how vile thou art;  
●ell him thy sins deserve eternal wrath,  
And that it is a wonder that he hath  
Permitted thee so long to draw thy breath,  
Who might have cut thee off by sudden death,  
And sent thy Soul unto the lowest Pit,  
From whence no price should ever ransom it,  
And that he may most justly do it still  
(Because thou hast deserved it) if he will.  
Yet also tell him that, if he shall please,  
He can forgive thy sins, and thee release:  
And that in Christ his Son he may be just,  
And justify all those that on him trust;  
That though thy sins are of a Crimson dye,  
Yet Christ his blood can cleanse thee thoroughly.  
Tell him, that he may make his glorious Name  
More wonderful by covering thy ●hame.  
That Mercy may be greatly magnified,  
And Justice also fully satisfied,  
If he shall please to own thee in his Son,  
Who hath paid dear for Man's Redemption.  
Tell him thou hast an unbelieving heart,  
Which hindereth thee ●rom coming for a part  
In Christ: and that, although his terrors awe thee.  
Thou canst not come, till he be pleased to draw thee.  
Tell him, thou knowst thy heart to be so bad,  
And thy condition so exceeding sad,  
That though Salvation may be had for nought,  
Thou canst not come and take, till thou be brought,  
Oh beg of him to bow thy stubborn will  
To come to Christ, that he thy lusts may kill.  
Look up to Christ for his attractive power.  
Which he exerteth in a needful hour;  
Who saith, When as I lifted up shall be,  
Then will I draw all sorts of men to me,  
Oh, wait upon him with due diligence,  
And trembling fear in every Ordinance,  
Unto his Call earnest attention give,  
Whose voice makes deaf men hear, & dead men live●  
Thus weep, and mourn, thus hearken, pray, & wait:  
Till he behold, and pity thine estate,  
Who is more ready to bestow his Grace,  
Then thou the same art ready to embrace.  
Yea, he hath might enough to bring thee home,  
Though thou hast neither strength nor will to come.  
If he delay to answer thy Request:  
Know that oft times he doth it for the best;  
Not with intent to drive us from his door,  
But ●or to make us importune him more;  
Or else to bring us duly to con●ess,  
And be convinced of our unworthiness.  
Oh be not weary then, but persevere  
To beg his Grace, till he thy suit shall hear;  
And leave him not, nor ●rom his footstool go●  
Till over thee Compassion's skirt he throw.  
Eternal life will recompense thy pains,  
If ●ound at last, with Everlasting gains.  
For if the Lord be pleased to hear thy cries,  
And to forgive thy great iniquities,  
Thou wilt have cause for ever to admire  
And laud his Grace, that granted thy desire.  
Theu shalt thou find thy labour is not lost:  
But that the good obtained surmounts the cost.  
Nor shalt thou grieve for loss of sinful pleasures,  
Exchanged sor heavenly joys & lasting treasures  
The yoke of Christ, which once thou didst esteem  
A tedious yoke, shall then most easy ●eem.  
For why? The love o● Christ shall thee constrain  
To take delight in that which was thy pain.  
The ways of Wisdom shall be pleasant ways,  
And thou shalt choose therein to spend thy days●  
If once thy Soul be brought to such a pass:  
O bless the Lord, and magnify his Grace.  
Thou, that of late hadst reason to be sad,  
May'st now rejoice, and be exceeding glad;  
For thy condition is as happy now,  
As erst it was disconsolate and low.  
Thou art become as rich, as whilom poor;  
As blessed now, as cursed heretofore.  
For being cleansed with Christ's precious blood,  
Thou hast an interest in the Chiefest Good:  
God's anger is towards thy soul appeased:  
And in his Christ he is with thee well-pleased.  
Yea, he doth look upon thee with a mild  
And gracious aspect as upon his child.  
He is become thy Father and thy Friend,  
And will defend thee from the cursed Fiend.  
Thou needest not fear the roaring Lions rage,  
Since God Almighty doth himself engage  
To bear thy Soul in Everlasting Arms,  
Above the reach of all destructive harms.  
Whats'ever here thy sufferings may be,  
Yet ●rom them all the Lord shall rescue thee:  
He will preserve thee by his wondrous might  
Unto that rich Inheritance in light.  
Oh sing for joy, all ye Regenerate,  
Whom Christ hath brought into this blessed state,  
O love the Lord, all ye his Saints, who hath  
Redeemed you from everlasting wrath:  
Who hath by dying made your Souls to live,  
And what he dearly bought doth freely give.  
Give up yourselves to walk in all his ways,  
And study how to live unto his praise.  
The time is ●hort you have to ●erve him here:  
The day of your deliverance draweth near.  
Lift up your heads, ye upright ones in heart,  
Who in Christ's Purchase have obtained a part●  
Behold! he rides upon a shining Cloud,  
With Angel's voice, and Trumpet sounding loud.  
He comes to save his folk from all their foes,  
And plague the men that Holiness oppose.  
So come, Lord jesus, quickly come we pray,  
Yea come and hasten our Redemption day.   

A SONG of EMPTINESS, to fill up the Empty Pages following. VANITY OF VANITIES.  

VAin, frail, shore-lived and miserable man,  
Learn what thou art when thine estate is best;  
A restless Wave o'th' troubled Ocean,  
A Dream, a lifeless Picture finely dressed:   

A Wind, a Flower, a Vapour, and a Bubble,  
A Wheel that stands not still, and a trembling Reed,  
A rolling Stone, dry dust, light Chaff, and Stubble,  
A Shadow of something, but nought indeed.   

Learn what deceitful Toys, and empty things,  
This World and all its best Enjoyments be:  
Out of the Earth no true Contentment springs;  
But all things here are vexing vanity.   

For what is Beauty, but a fading Flower?  
O● what is Pleasure, but the Devil's bait,  
Whereby he catch●th whom he would devour,  
And multitudes of Souls doth ruinate?   

And what are Friends, but mortal men, as we?  
Whom Death from us may quickl● separate?  
Or else their hearts may quite estranged be,  
And all their love be turned into hate.   

And what a●e Riches to be doted on?  
Uncertain, fickle, and ensnaring things!  
They draw men's Souls into Perdition,  
And when most needed, take th●m to their wings.   

Ah foolish man, that sets his heart upon  
Such empty shadows, such wild fowl as these,  
That being gotten will be quickly gone,  
And whilst they stay increase but his disease!   

As in a Dropsy, drinking drought begets:  
The more he drinks, the more he still requires?  
So on this World whos● affection sets,  
His Wealth's increase increaseth his desires.   

O happy man, whose Portion is above,  
Where Floods● where Flames, where Foes cannot bereave him.  
Most wretched man, that fixed hath his love  
Upon this World, that surely will deceive him!   

For what is Honour? what is Sovereignty,  
Whereto men's hearts so restlessly aspire?  
Whom have they Crowned with Felicity  
When did they ever satisfy desire?   

The Ear of man with hearing is not filled:  
To see new sights ●till coveteth the Eye:  
The croaking Stomach though it may be stilled,  
Yet croaks again without a new supply.   

All earthly things man's cravings answer not,  
Whose little Heart would all the world contain,  
(If all the world should fall to one man's Lot)  
And notwithstanding empty still remain.   

The Eastern Conqueror was said to weep,  
When he the Indian Ocean did view,  
To see his conquests bounded by the Deep,  
And no more world's remaining to be subdue.   

Who would that man in his Enjoyments bless,  
Or envy him, or covet his estate,  
Whose gettings do augment his greediness,  
And make his Wishes more intemperate?   

Such is the wont and the common guise  
Of those on Earth that bear the greatest sway:  
If with a few the case be otherwise,  
T●ey seek a Kingdom that abides for ay.   

Moreover they of all the Sons of men  
That Rule, and are in highest Places set,  
Are most inclined to scorn their Brethren,  
And God himself (without great Grace) forget.   

For as the Sun doth blind the gazer's eyes  
That for a time they nought discern aright:  
So Honour doth befool and blind the Wise,  
And their own Lustre ' reaves them of their sight.   

Great are their Dangers, manifold their Cares:  
Through which, whilst others sleep, they scarcely nap  
And yet are oft surprised unawares,  
And fall unwitting into Envies Trap.   

The mean Mechanic finds his kindly rest:  
All void of fear sleepeth the Country Clown:  
When greatest Princes often are distressed,  
And cannot sleep upon their Beds of Down.   

Could Strength or Valour men Immortalize,  
Could Wealth or Honour keep them from decay,  
There were some cause the same to Idolise,  
And give the lie to that which I do say:   

But neither can such things themselves endure  
Without the hazard of a Change one hour,  
Nor such as trust in them can they secure  
From dismal days, or Death's prevailing power.   

If Beauty could the beautiful defend  
From Death's dominion, then fair Absalome  
Had not been brought to such a shameful end:  
But fair and foul unto the Grave must come.   

If Wealth or Sceptres could Immortal make,  
Then, wealthy Croesus, wherefore art thou dead?  
If Warlike Force, which makes the World to quake,  
Then why is Julius Caesar perished?   

Where are the Scipio'●, Thunderbolts of War?  
Victorious Pompey, Caesar's Enemee?  
Stout Hannibal, Rome's Terror, known so far?  
Great Alexander, what's become of thee?   

If Gifts and Bribes Death's favour might but win,  
If Power it force, or threatenings might it fray;  
All these and more, had still surviving been:  
But all are gone, for Death will take no Nay.   

Such is this World with all her Pomp and Glory;  
Such are the men whom worldly eyes admire:  
Cut down by Time, and now become a Story,  
That we might after better things aspire.   

Go boast thyself of what thine heart enjoys,  
Vain man! triumph in all thy worldly Bliss:  
Thy best Enjoyments are but trash and toys;  
Delight thyself in that which worthless i●.   

Omnia praetereunt praeter Amare Deum.   
FINIS.