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diff --git a/old/56053-0.txt b/old/56053-0.txt deleted file mode 100644 index d579537..0000000 --- a/old/56053-0.txt +++ /dev/null @@ -1,5150 +0,0 @@ -The Project Gutenberg EBook of The Day of Doom, by Michael Wigglesworth - -This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with -almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or -re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included -with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org/license - - -Title: The Day of Doom - Or, a Poetical Description of the Great and Last Judgement - -Author: Michael Wigglesworth - -Release Date: November 26, 2017 [EBook #56053] - -Language: English - -Character set encoding: UTF-8 - -*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE DAY OF DOOM *** - - - - -Produced by Michael McDermott, using scans obtained from -the Internet Archive - - - - - -Transcriber’s Note: Biblical references were originally present as side -notes rather than footnotes. The references for each stanza were -collected into a single footnote, as the references are mostly generic -to the action of the stanza. The summaries, also present as side notes, -have been moved to precede the stanza to which they were attached. - -THE DAY OF DOOM; - -Or, a -Poetical Description -Of the -Great and Last -JUDGMENT: -With Other Poems. - -By - -Michael Wigglesworth, A.M., -_Teacher of the Church at Malden in New England,_ - -1662. - -Also a memoir of the author, autobiography and sketch of his funeral -sermon by Rev. Cotton Mather. - -Acts 17:31. Because he hath appointed a Day in the which he will judge -the World in Righteousness by that Man whom he hath ordained. - -Mat. 24:30. And then shall appear the sign of the Son of Man in Heaven, -and then shall all the tribes of the Earth mourn, and they shall see the -Son of Man coming in the clouds of Heaven with power and great glory. - -FROM THE SIXTH EDITION, 1715. - -New York; -American News Company. -1867. - -Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year of our Lord, 1867, by - -Wm. Henry Burr, - -in the Clerk’s office of the District Court of the United States, for -the Southern District of New York. - -C. S. Westcott & Co., Printers, 79 John street. - - -Memoir of the Author. - -The following is the substance of an article published in the “New -England Historical and Genealogical Register,” for April, 1863, written -by John Ward Dean, Esq., of Boston: - -A century ago no poetry was more popular in New England than -Wigglesworth’s _Day of Doom_. Francis Jenks, Esq., in an article in the -_Christian Examiner_ for Nov., 1828, speaks of it as “a work which was -taught our fathers with their catechisms, and which many an aged person -with whom we are acquainted can still repeat, though they may not have -met with a copy since they were in leading strings; a work that was -hawked about the country, printed on sheets like common ballads; and, in -fine, a work which fairly represents the prevailing theology of New -England at the time it was written, and which Mather thought might, -‘perhaps, find our children till the Day itself arrives.’” - -The popularity of Wigglesworth dated from the appearance of his poem, -and continued for more than a century. Expressing in earnest words the -theology which they believed, and picturing in lively colors the terrors -of the judgment day and the awful wrath of an offended God, it commended -itself to those zealous Puritans, who had little taste for lofty rhyme -or literary excellence. The imaginative youth devoured its horrors with -avidity, and shuddered at its fierce denunciation of sin. In the -darkness of night he saw its frightful forms arise, and was thus driven -to seek the “ark of safety” from the wrath of Jehovah. For the last -century, however, the reputation of the _Day of Doom_ has waned, and few -at the present day know it except by reputation. - -The author of this book, whose wand had summoned up such images of -terror, was neither a cynic nor a misanthrope, though sickness, which -generally brings out these dispositions where they exist, had long been -his doom. His attenuated frame and feeble health were joined to genial -manners; and, though subject to fits of despondency, he seems generally -to have maintained a cheerful temper, so much so that some of his -friends believed his ills to be imaginary. - -Rev. Michael Wigglesworth was born October 28, 1631, probably in -Yorkshire, England. He was brought to this country in 1638, being then -seven years old, but in what ship we are not informed. His father, -Edward Wigglesworth, was one of those resolute Puritans who, with their -families, found an asylum where they could enjoy their religion without -molestation in our then New England wilderness, the distance of which -from their English homes can hardly be appreciated now. Here they -suffered the severe hardships of a rigorous climate, the fearful dangers -from savage tribes around them, while uniting to build up villages which -are now cities, and which still retain some of the characteristics of -their Puritan founders. The determined purpose and strength of principle -that conquered every obstacle was a school of severe training for the -children of that period. It was natural that a father who had endured so -much for conscience’ sake should desire to see his only son a clergyman; -and, although the father’s means were not large, the son was devoted to -the ministry and given a thorough education. Michael, after nearly three -years of preparatory studies, entered Harvard College in 1647. Here he -had the good fortune to have for a tutor the excellent Jonathan -Mitchell, “the glory of the college,” and famous as a preacher. The -friendship here begun appears to have continued after both had left the -college walls. Probably the eight stanzas “on the following work and its -author,” signed J. Mitchel, were written by that tutor and preacher, who -was a native of Yorkshire, the county in which Wigglesworth is believed -to have been born. - -In 1651 Mr. Wigglesworth graduated, and was soon after appointed a tutor -in the College. Some of his pupils were men of note in their day. Among -them were. Rev. Shubael Dummer, of York, Me.; Rev. John Eliot, of -Newton; and Rev. Samuel Torry, of Weymouth; but the chief of them, it -will be admitted, was Rev. Increase Mather, D.D., pastor of the second -church in Boston, and for sixteen years president of Harvard College. -That the tutor was faithful to his trust, we have evidence from the -sketch of the funeral sermon appended to this work, preached by -Rev. Cotton Mather, D.D., son of Increase, who probably derived his -information from his father. - -While a tutor, he prepared himself for the ministry, and before his -father’s death he had preached several times. He was invited, probably -in the autumn of 1654, to settle at Malden, as the successor of -Rev. Marmaduke Matthews, but owing to long-continued sickness was not -ordained there till 1656. The precise date of his ordination is not -known, but it must have been subsequent to August 25, 1656, for his -letter of dismission from the church at Cambridge bears that date. This -letter, addressing the “Church of Christ at Maldon,” states that “the -good hand of Divine Providence hath so disposed that our beloved and -highly esteemed brother, Mr. Wigglesworth, hath his residence and is -employed in the good work of ye Lord amongst you, and hath cause to -desire of us Letters Dismissive to your church, in order to his joining -as a member with you.” - -The ill health which had delayed his ordination at Malden returned soon -after his settlement there, and interrupted his ministry several years. -He took a voyage to Bermuda, sailing Sept. 23, 1663, and being absent -about seven months and a half. But the tedious and stormy voyage seems -to have impaired his health so much that the change of climate afforded -him little relief, and he returned much discouraged. He met with a very -cordial welcome from his friends and parishioners. - -While he was thus withheld from his ministry, he employed his time in -literary labors. His _Day of Doom_ was published about 1662, the year -before his voyage to Bermuda. The first edition consisting of 1,800 -copies, was sold, with some profit to the author, within a year, which -considering the population and wealth of New England at that time, shows -almost as remarkable a popularity as that of _Uncle Tom’s Cabin_. - -While absent on his voyage in search of health, Dec. 9, 1663, -Rev. Benjamin Bunker was ordained pastor of the church at Malden. It -seems that a distinction was observed at this time in New England -between pastor and teacher. Wigglesworth calls Bunker “pastor” in some -verses composed on his death, while on the title-page of this, work he -calls himself “teacher.” After Wigglesworth became sole minister, he was -probably considered the pastor. Bunker held this office over six years, -till his death, Feb. 3, 1669-70; In the elegy on the death of his -colleague, Wigglesworth highly extols Bunker’s piety and usefulness. The -next colleague of our author was Bev. Benjamin Blackman, settled about -1674. He supplied the desk four years and upward. and left in the year -1679. His next colleague was Rev. Thomas Cheever, son of his early -teacher, the celebrated New England schoolmaster, Ezekiel Cheever, -author of _Latin Accidence_. These three ministers were all educated at -Harvard College, Bunker having graduated in 1658, Blackman in 1663, and -Cheever in 1677. Mr. Cheever began to preach at Maiden Feb. 14, 1679-80, -was ordained July 27, 1681, and was dismissed May 20, 1686. - -Wigglesworth, though long prevented by sickness from officiating, never -resigned his ministerial charge, as appears from a letter which he -addressed to Samuel Sprague, July 22, 1687. He was now left alone as -minister of the church. He had, however, recovered his health in a -measure about this time, which had suffered for nearly twenty years, and -for the remainder of his life he continued in public usefulness. - -He died on Sunday morning, June 10, 1705, in the 74th year of his age. -The epitaph on the last page of this work is believed to have been -written by Cotton Mather, as it appears in the appendix to his funeral -sermon as by “one that had been gratified by his _Meat out of the Eater_ -and _Day of Doom_.” - -Mr. Wigglesworth had at least three wives: Mary, daughter of Humphrey -Reyner, of Rowley; Martha, whose maiden name was probably Mudge; and -Sybil, widow of Dr. Jonathan Avery, of Dedham, and daughter of Nathaniel -Sparhawk, of Cambridge. - -By his first wife he had (1) _Mercy_ b. Feb., 1655-6; m. 1st, [Samuel?] -Brackenbury, by whom she had at least one son, William; m. 2d, -[Rev. Samuel.?] Belcher. - -By his second wife, Martha, who d. 11th Sept., 1690, a. 28, he had:— (2) -_Abigail_, b. 20th March, 1681; m. Samuel Tappan, 23d Dec, 1700;— (3) -_Mary_, b. 21st Sept., 1682 ; unm. in 1708;— (4) _Martha_, b. 21st Dec., -1683; m. Wheeler;— (5) _Esther_, b. 16th April, 1685; m. 1st, John -Sewall, June 8, 1708, who d. 1711; m. 2d, Abraham Tappan, Oct. 21, -1713;— (6) Dorothy, b. 22d Feb., 1687-88; m. 2d June, 1709, James -Upham;— (7) Rev. Samuel, b. 4th Feb., 1689-90, d. 3d Sept., 1768. By his -third wife, Sybil, who d. 6th Aug., 1708, a. 53, he had:— (8) Prof. -_Edward_, D.D., b. about 1692, d. Jan. 16, 1765. - -Rev. Samuel Wigglesworth, the elder son, was settled in Hamilton Parish, -in Ipswich, Mass., in 1714. He m. 1st, Mary, dau. of John Brintnal, of -Winnisimmet, 30th June, 1715, who d. June 6, 1723, a. 28, having borne -him four children, Mary, Michael, Martha, and Phebe. He m. March 12, -1730, Martha Brown, and had nine children. - -Edward Wigglesworth, D.D., the younger son, took his degree of Bachelor -of Arts in 1710, and applied himself to the study of Divinity. He -preached for some time in different parishes, and in 1722 was installed -Hollis Professor of Divinity of Harvard College. Not long afterward he -was chosen one of the fellows of the corporation. He left an only son, -who succeeded him as Hollis Professor in the same college, and an only -surviving daughter, who married Prof. Sewall. - -The following are the various editions of the _Day of Doom_, so far as -we have been able to ascertain: - -The first edition was published in 1661 or 1662, and the second four -years after. These facts are obtained from memoranda by the author, -which are printed in the Historical Magazine for December, 1863. An -edition was printed in London, England, without the author’s name, in -1673. This was, probably, the third impression; the date of the fourth -is unknown. The fifth edition is said to have been published in 1701. -Mr. Dean has made diligent search and repeated inquiries, but can only -find two or three copies of the edition of 1673, and several fragments -which must have been parts of some of the other editions. - -There was an edition published at Newcastle, in England, in 1711. The -next edition was published in 1715, called “the 6th edition, enlarged, -with Scripture and marginal notes”—“printed by John Allen, for Benjamin -Eliot, at his shop in King street.” From this edition, which was -evidently the seventh, the present one is reprinted, being carefully -compared with that of 1673. Another edition appeared in 1751, “Printed -and sold by Thomas Fleet, at the Heart and Crown, in Cornhill,” Boston. -The next edition appeared in 1811, “Published by E. Little & Company, -Newburyport,” Mass. The last edition, prior to the present, was -published in Boston in 1828, by Charles Ewer. - -Besides the _Day of Doom_ Mr. Wigglesworth published, in 1669, “Meat out -of the Eater; or, Meditations concerning the necessity and usefulness of -Afflictions unto God’s Children.” The “fourth edition” appeared in 1689, -and subsequent editions in 1717 and 1770. In 1686 he preached an -Election Sermon, which was printed by the colony. Among his unpublished -writings is a poem entitled “God’s Controversy with New England, written -in the time of the great Drought, Anno 1662. By a lover of New England’s -prosperity.” - -Mr. Wigglesworth borrowed little from other poets, and what he borrowed -was probably from the commentaries and theological treatises with which -his library abounded, rather than from the poets. Not that his style is -wholly prosaic, for there are passages in his writings that are truly -poetical, both in thought and expression, and which show that he was -capable of attaining a higher position as a poet than can now be claimed -for him. The roughness of his verses was surely not owing to -carelessness or indolence, for neither of them was characteristic of the -man. The true explanation may be, that he sacrificed his poetical taste -to his theology, and that, for the sake of inculcating sound doctrine, -he was willing to write in halting numbers. - -The author of the _Day of Doom_, belonging to the straitest sect of -Puritans, was, like many others of that sect, a man of generous feeling -toward his fellows. Rev. Dr. Peabody calls him “a man of the -beatitudes.” Obedience to the supreme law gave a heavenly lustre to his -example and a sweet fragrance to his memory. The clergy of his day -possessed a deep religious earnestness and a fervent piety. They were -Bible students and men of prayer. Even many who consider them erroneous -in doctrine, are willing to allow that they were strict in morals; that, -if they were wrong in faith, they were right in life; that, if their -creed was opaque, their hearts were luminous; and that, if their vision -did not discern the additional light which the saintly Robinson had -prophesied was yet to break forth from God’s Word, they sincerely -accepted the light they saw. They were patient, hopeful, humble, -believing, faithful. They stood on a higher plane than their successors, -and exercised a proportionally higher power over their hearers. Their -people revered them, were constant in attendance on their services, and -submitted gladly to their sway. - - -Autobiography - -I was born of Godly Parents, that feared ye Lord greatly, even from -their youth, but in an ungodly Place, where ye generality of ye people -rather derided than imitated their piety; in a place where, to my -knowledge, their children had Learnt wickedness betimes; in a place that -was consumed with fire in a great part of it, after God had brought them -out of it. These godly parents of mine meeting with opposition and -persecution for Religion, because they went from their own Parish church -to hear ye word and Receiv ye Lords supper &c, took up resolutions to -pluck up their stakes and remove themselves to New England: and -accordingly they did so, Leaving dear Relations, friends and -acquaintance, their native Land, a new built house, a flourishing Trade, -to expose themselves to ye hazzard of ye seas, and to ye Distressing -difficulties of a howling wilderness, that they might enjoy Liberty of -Conscience and Christ in his ordinances. And the Lord brought them -hither and Landed them at Charlstown, after many difficulties and -hazzards, and me along with them, being then a child not full seven -years old. After about 7 weeks stay at Charlstown, my parents removed -again by sea to New Haven in ye month of October. In our passage thither -we were in great Danger by a storm which drove us upon a Beach of sand -where we lay beating til another Tide fetcht us off; but God carried us -to our port in safety. Winter approaching we dwelt in a cellar partly -under ground covered with earth the first winter. But I remember that -one great rain, brake in upon us and drencht me so in my bed, being -asleep, that I fell sick upon it; but ye Lord in mercy spar’d my life -and restored my health. When ye next summer was come I was sent to -school to Mr. Ezekiel Cheever, who at that time taught school in his own -house, and under him in a year or two I profited so much through ye -blessing of God, that I began to make Latin and to get forward apace. -But God who is infinitely wise and absolutely soverain, and gives no -account concerning any of his proceedings, was pleased about this time -to visit my father with Lameness which grew upon him more and more to -his dying Day, though he liv’d under it 13 years. He wanting help was -fain to take me off from school to follow other employments for ye space -of 3 or 4 years, until I had lost all that I had gained in the Latin -Tongue. But when I was now in my fourteenth year, my Father, who I -suppose was not wel satisfied in keeping me from Learning whereto I had -been designed from my infancy, and not judging me fit for husbandry, -sent me to school again, though at that time I had little or no -disposition to it, but I was willing to submit to his authority therein -and accordingly I went to school under no small disadvantage and -discouragement, seing those that were far inferior to me, by my -discontinuance now gotten far before me. But in a little time it -appeared to be of God, who was pleased to facilitate my work and bless -my studies that I soon recovered what I had lost, and gained a great -deal more, so that in 2 years and 3 quarters I was judged fit for ye -Colledge and thither I was sent far from my parents and acquaintance -among strangers. But when father and mother both forsook me then ye Lord -took care of me. It was an act of great self denial in my father that -notwithstanding his own lameness and great weakness of Body which -required ye service and helpfulness of a son, and having but one son to -be ye staff of his age and supporter of his weakness, he would yet for -my good, be content to deny himself of that comfort and Assistance I -might have Lent him. It was also an evident proof of a strong Faith in -him, in that he durst adventure to send me to ye Colledge, though his -estate was but small and little enough to maintain himself and small -family left at home. And God let him Live to see how acceptable to -himself this service was in giving up his only son to ye Lord and -bringing him up to Learning; especially ye Lively actings of his faith -and self denial herein. For first, notwithstanding his great weakness of -body, yet he Lived til I was so far brought up as that I was called to -be a fellow of ye Colledge and improved in Publick servdce there, and -until I had preached several Times; yea and more than so, he Lived to -see and hear what God had done for my soul in turning me from Darkness -to light and from ye power of Sathan unto God, which filled his heart -full of joy and thankfulness beyond what can be expressed. And for his -outward estate, that was so far from being sunk by what he spent from -year to year upon my education, that in 6 years time it was plainly -doubled, which himself took great notice of, and spake of it to myself -and others, to ye praise of God, with Admiration and thankfulness. And -after he had lived under great and sore affliction for ye space of 13 -years a pattern of faith, patience, humility, and heavenly mindedness, -having done his work in my education and receiv’d an answer to his -prayers, God took him to his Heavenly Rest, where he is now reaping ye -fruits of his Labors. When I came first to ye Colledge, I had indeed -enjoyed ye benefit of Religious and strict education, and God in his -mercy and pitty kept me from scandalous sins before I came thither and -after I came there, but alas I had a naughty vile heart and was acted by -corrupt nature, therefore could propound no Right and noble ends, but -acted from self and for self. I was indeed studious and strove to outdoe -my compeers, but it was for honour and applause and preferment and such -poor Beggarly ends. Thus I had my Ends and God had his Ends far -differing from mine, yet it pleased him to Bless my studies, and to make -me grow in Knowledge both in ye tongues and inferior Arts and also in -Divinity. But when I had been there about three years and a half; God in -his Love and Pitty to my soul wrought a great change in me, both in -heart and Life, and from that time forward I learnt to study with God -and for God. And whereas before that, I had thoughts of applying myself -to ye study and Practice of Physick, I wholy laid aside those thoughts, -and did chuse to serve Christ in ye work of ye ministry if he would -please to fit me for it and to accept of my service in that great work. - -Note.—In the foregoing Autobiography the original spelling is retained. -In the following poems the spelling is modernized. The use of the acute -accent (’) to indicate the former pronunciation of the final _ed_ as a -separate syllable will be obvious; in other exceptional cases the old -apostrophe is retained. In a few instances the termination _tion_ is -divided by a hyphen, to indicate its pronunication as two syllables -(_she_-on). The modern double commas are also used to mark quotations. - -W. H. B. - - -To the Christian Reader. - -Reader, I am a fool, -And have adventuréd -To play the fool this once for Christ, -The more his fame to spread. -If this my foolishness -Help thee to be more wise, -I have attainéd what I seek. -And what I only prize. - -Thou wonderest, perhaps, -That I in Print appear, -Who to the Pulpit dwell so nigh, -Yet come so seldom there. -The God of Heaven knows -What grief to me it is, -To be withheld from serving Christ; -No sorrow like to this. - -This is the sorest pain -That T have felt or feel; -Yet have I stood some shocks that might -Make stronger men to reel. -I find more true delight -In serving of the Lord, -Than all the good things upon Earth, -Without it, can afford. - -And could my strength endure -That work I count so dear, -Not all the Riches of Peru -Should hire me to forbear. -But I’m a Prisoner, -Under a heavy Chain; -Almighty God’s afflicting hand -Doth me by force restrain. - -Yet some (_I know_) do judge -Mine inability -To come abroad and do Christ’s work. -To be Melancholly; -And that I’m not so weak -As I myself conceit: -But who in other things have found -Me so conceited yet? - -Or who of all my Friends -That have my trials seen, -Can tell the time in sevén years -When I have dumpish been? -Some think my voice is strong, -Most times when I do Preach; -But ten days after, what I feel -And suffer few can reach. - -My prison’d thoughts break forth, -When open’d is the door. -With greater force and violence, -And strain my voice the more. -But vainly do they tell -That I am growing stronger, -Who hear me speak in half an hour, -Till I can speak no longer. - -Some for because they see not -My clieerfulness to fail, -Nor that I am disconsolate, -Do think I nothing ail. -If they had borne my griefs, -Their courage might have fail’d them, -And all the Town (perhaps) have known -(Once and again) what ail’d them. - -But why should I complain -That have so good a God, -That doth mine heart with comfort till -Ev’n whilst I feel his Rod? -In God I have been strong, -But wearied and worn out. -And joy’d in him, when twenty woes -Assail’d me round about. - -Nor speak I this to boast. -But make Apology -For mine own self, and answer those -That fail in Charity. -I am, alas! as frail. -Impatiént a creature, -As most that tread upon the ground, -And have as bad a nature. - -Let God be magnified. -Whose everlasting strength -Upholds me under sufferings -Of more than ten years’ length; -Through whose Almighty pow’r -Although I am surrounded -With sorrows more than can be told, -Yet am I not confounded. - -For his dear sake have I -This service undertaken, -For I am bound to honor him -Who hath not me forsaken. -I am a Debtor too, -Unto the sons of Men, -Whom, wanting other means, I would -Advantage with my Pen. - -I would, but ah! my strength. -When triéd, proves so small, -That to the ground without effect -My wishes often fall. -Weak heads, and hands, and states, -Great things cannot produce ; -And therefore I this little Piece -Have publish’d for thine use. - -Although the thing be small, -Yet my good will therein. -Is nothing less than if it had -A larger Volume been. -Accept it then in love, -And read it for thy good; -There’s nothing in ’t can do thee hurt, -If rightly understood. - -The God of Heaven grant -These Lines so well to speed, -That thou the things of thine own peace -Through them may’st better heed; -And may’st be stirréd up -To stand upon thy guard. -That Death and Judgment may not come -And find thee unprepar’d. - -Oh get a part in Christ, -And make the Judge thy Friend; -So shalt thou be assuréd of -A happy, glorious end. -Thus prays thy real Friend -And Servant for Christ’s sake, -Who, had he strength, would not refuse -More pains for thee to take. - -Michael Wigglesworth. - - -On the Following Work and its Author. - -A verse may find him who a sermon flies, -Saith Herbert well. Great truths to dress in Meter. -Becomes a Preacher, who men’s Souls doth prize, -That Truth in Sugar roll’d may taste the sweeter. - No cost too great, no care too curious is - To set forth Truth and win men’s Souls to bliss. - -In costly Verse, and most laborious Rhymes, -Are dish’d up here Truths worthy most regard: -No Toys, nor Fables (Poets’ wonted crimes) -Here be, but things of worth, with wit prepar’d. - Reader, fall to, and if thy taste be good, - Thou’lt praise the Cook, and say, ’Tis choicest Food. - -David’s affliction bred us many a Psalm, -From Caves, from mouth of Graves that Singer sweet -Oft tun’d his Soul-felt notes: for not in ’s calm, -But storms, to write most Psalms God made him meet. - Affliction turn’d his Pen to Poetry, - Whose serious strains do here before thee lie. - -This man with many griefs afflicted sore. -Shut up from speaking much in sickly Cave, -Thence painful seizure hath to write the more. -And send thee Counsels from the mouth o’ th’ Grave. - One foot i’ th’ other world long time hath been, - Read, and thou’lt say, Illis heart is all therein. - -Oh, happy Cave, that’s to mount Nebo turn’d! -Oh, happy prisoner that’s at liberty -To walk through th’ other World! the Bonds are burn’d, -(But nothing else) in Furnace fiéry. - Such fires unfetter Saints, and set more free - Their unscorch’d Souls for Christ’s sweet company. - -Cheer on, sweet Soul, although in briny tears -Steept is thy seed; though dying every day; -Thy sheaves shall joyful be when Christ appears. -To change our death and pain to life for aye. - The weepers now shall laugh; the jovial laughter - Of vain ones here shall turn to tears hereafter. - -Judge right, and his restraint is our Reproof. -The Sins of Hearers Preachers’ Lips do close, -And make their Tongue to cleave unto its roof. -Which else would check and cheer full freely those - That need. But from this Eater comes some Meat. - And sweetness good from this affliction great. - -In those vast Woods a Christian Poet sings -(Where whilom Heathen wild were only found) -Of things to come, the last and greatest things -Which in our Ears aloud should ever sound. - Of Judgment dread, Hell, Heaven, Eternity, - Reader, think oft, and help thy thoughts thereby. - -J. MITCHEL. - - -A Prayer Unto Christ the Judge of the World. - -_O Dearest, Dread, most glorious King!_ -_I’ll of thy justest Judgments sing:_ -_Do thou my head and heart inspire,_ -_To Sing aright, as I desire._ -_Thee, thee alone I’ll invocate,_ -_For I do much abominate_ -_To call the Muses to mine aid:_ -_Which is th’ 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 crown’d!_ -_They make Jehovah to stand by_ -_Till Juno, Venus, Mercury,_ -_With frowning Mars, and thund’ring Jove,_ -_Rule Earth below, and Heav’n ahove._ -_But I have learn’d 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 thy sacred Sprite,_ -_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 Doom - -_The security of the world before Christ’s coming to judgment._ - -I. [1] - -Still was the night, serene and bright, - when all Men sleeping lay; -Calm was the season, and carnal reason - thought so ’twould last for aye. -“Soul, take thine ease, let sorrow cease; - much good thou hast in store:“ -This was their Song, their Cups among, - the evening before. - -II. [2] - -Wallowing in all kind of Sin, - vile Wretches lay secure; -The best of men had scarcely then - their Lamps kept in good ure. -Virgins unwise, who through disguise - amongst the best were number’d, -Had clos’d their eyes; yea, and the Wise - through sloth and frailty slumber’d. - -III. [3] - -Like as of old, when men grew bold, - God’s threat’nings to contemn. -Who stopt their Ear, and would not hear - when Mercy warnéd them, -But took their course, without remorse, - till God began to pour -Destructi-on the World upon, - in a tempestuous show’r; - -IV. [4] - -Who put away the evil day, - and drown’d their cares and fears, -Till drown’d were they, and swept away - by vengeance unawares; -So at the last, whilst men sleep fast - in their security, -Surpris’d they are in such a snare - As Cometh suddenly. - -_The suddenness, Majesty and Terror of Christ’s appearing._ - -V. [5] - -For at midnight breaks forth a light, - which turns the night to day, -And speedily an hideous cry - doth 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. [6] - -They rush from beds with giddy heads, - and to their windows run. -Viewing this light, which shines more bright - than doth the noon-day 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. [7] - -Before his face the Heav’ns give place, - and Skies are rent asunder. -With mighty voice and hideous noise, - more terrible than Thunder. -His Brightness damps Heav’n’s glorious Lamps - and makes them hide their heads; -As if afraid and quite dismay’d, - they quit their wonted steads. - -VIII. - -Ye sons of men that durst contemn - the Threat’nings of God’s Word, -How cheer you now? Your hearts, I trow, - are thrill’d 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 woe! - our courage all is gone: -Our hardiness (fool hardiness) - hath us undone, undone!“ - -X. [8] - -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 Potentates and pow’rful States, - Captains and Men of Might, -Are quite abasht, their courage dasht, - at this most dreadful sight. - -XI. [9] -Mean men lament, great men do rent - their Robes, and tear their hair; -They do not spare their flesh to tear - through horrible despair. -All kindreds wail; all hearts do fail; - Horror the World doth fill -With weeping eyes and loud out-cries, - yet knows not how to kill. - -XII. [10] - -Some hide themselves in Caves and Delves, - in places under ground: -Some rashly leap into the Deep, - to ’scape by being drown’d: -Some to the Rocks (O senseless blocks!) - and woody mountains run. -That there they might this fearful sight, - 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. [11] - -The Judge draws nigh, exalted high - upon a lofty Throne, -Amidst the throng of Angels strong, - lo, Israel’s Holy One! -The excellence of whose Presence - and awful Majesty, -Amazeth Nature, and every Creature - doth more than terrify. - -XV. [12] - -The Mountains smoke, the Hills are shook, - the Earth is rent and torn, -As if she should be clear dissolv’d - or from her center borne. -The Sea doth roar, forsakes the shore, - and shrinks away for fear; -The wild beasts flee into the sea, - so soon as he draws near, - -XVI. [13] - -Whose Glory bright, whose wond’rous Might, - whose Power Imperial, -So far surpass whatever 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. - -_Resurrection of the Dead._ - -XVII. [14] - -Before his Throne a Trump is blown, - proclaiming th’ Day of Doom; -Forthwith he cries, “_Ye Dead arise_ - _and unto Judgment come._“ -No sooner said, but ’tis obey’d; - Sepulchers open’d are; -Dead bodies all rise 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 constrainéd are - also their dead to tender. -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. - -_The living changed_ - -XIX. [15] - -The same translates from Mortal states - to Immortality, -All that survive and be alive, - in th’ twinkling of an eye; -That so they may abide for aye, - to endless weal or woe: -Both the Renate and Reprobate - are made to die no moe. - -_All brought to Judgment._ - -XX. [16] - -His wingéd Hosts fly through all coasts, - together gathering -Both good and bad, both Quick and Dead, - and all to Judgment bring. -Out of their holes those creeping Moles, - that hid themselves for fear, -By force they take, and quickly make - before the Judge appear. - -_The Sheep separated from the Goats._ - -XXI. [17] - -Thus every one before the Throne - of Christ the Judge is brought, -Both righteous and impious, - that good or ill hath wrought. -A separation and diff’ring station - by Christ appointed is -(To sinners sad) ’twixt good and bad, - ’twixt Heirs of woe and bliss. - -_Who are Christ’s Sheep._ - -XXII. [18] - -At Christ’s right hand the Sheep do stand, - his holy Martyrs, who -For his dear Name suffering shame, - calamity and woe. -Like Champions stood and with their Blood - their Testimony sealéd; -Whose innocence without offence - to Christ their Judge appealéd. - -XXIII. [19] - -Next unto whom there find a room - all Christ’s afflicted ones, -Who being chastis’d, neither despis’d - nor sank amidst their groans; -Who by the Rod were turn’d to God, - and lovéd him the more, -Not murmuring nor quarrelling - when they were chast’ned sore. - -XXIV. [20] - -Moreover, such as lovéd 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. [21] - -Christ’s flock of Lambs there also stands, - whose Faith was weak, yet true, -sound Believers (Gospel receivers) - those 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. [22] - -All stand before their Savi-or, - in long white Robes yclad, -Their countenance full of pleasance, - appearing wond’rous glad. -O glorious sight! Behold how bright - dust-heaps are made to shine. -Conforméd so their Lord unto, - whose Glory is Divine. - -_The Goats described, or the several sorts of Reprobates on the left hand._ - -XXVII. [23] - -At Christ’s left hand the Goats do stand, - all whining Hypocrites -Who for self-ends did seem Christ’s friends, - but foster’d guileful sprites; -Who Sheep resembled, but they dissembled, - (their hearts were not sincere,) -Who once did throng Christ’s Lambs among, - but now must not come near. - -XXVIII. [24] - -Apostates base and run-aways, - such as have Christ forsaken, -Of whom the Devil, with seven more evil, - hath fresh possession taken; -Sinners ingrain, reserv’d to pain, - and torments most severe, -Because ’gainst light they sinn’d with spite, - are also placed there. - -XXIX. [25] - -There also stand a num’rous band, - that no profession made -Of Godliness, nor to redress - their ways at all essay’d; -Who better knew, but (sinful Crew) - Gospel and Law despiséd. -Who all Christ’s knocks withstood like blocks, - and would not be adviséd. - -XXX. [26] - -Moreover, there with them appear - a number, numberless, -Of great and small, vile wretches all, - that did God’s Law transgress; -Idolaters, false worshippers, - Profaners of God’s Name, -Who not at all thereon did call, - or took in vain the same. - -XXXI. [27] - -Blasphemers lewd, and Swearers shrewd, - scoffers at Purity, -That hated God, contemn’d his Rod, - and lov’d Security; -Sabbath-polluters, Saints-persecutors, - presumptuous men and proud, -Who never lov’d those that reprov’d; - all stand amongst this crowd. - -XXXII. [28] - -Adulterers and Whoremongers - were there, with all unchast; -There Covetous and Ravenous, - that riches got too fast: -Who us’d vile ways themselves to raise - t’ Estates and worldly wealth, -Oppression by or knavery, - by force, or fraud, or stealth. - -XXXIII. [29] - -Moreover, there together were - children flagiti-ous. -And Parents who did them, undo - by nurture vici-ous. -False-witness-bearers and self-forswearers, - Murd’rers and Men of Blood, -Witches, Enchanters, and Ale-house haunters, - beyond account there stood. - -XXXIV. [30] - -Their place there find all Heathen blind - that Nature’s light abus’d, -Although they had no tidings glad - of Gospel grace refus’d -There stand all Nations and Generations - of Adam’s Progeny, -Whom Christ redeem’d not, whom he esteem’d not, - through Infidelity; - -XXXV. [31] - -Who no Peace-maker, no undertaker, - to shroud them from God’s ire. -Ever obtain’d; they must be pain’d - with everlasting fire. -These num’rous bands, wringing their hands, - and weeping all stand there. -Filléd with anguish, whose hearts do languish, - through self-tormenting fear, - -XXXVI. [32] - -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 Sprites unclean. -And hellish Fiends, that are no friends - to God, nor unto Men. - -XXXVII. [33] - -With dismal chains, and strongest 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 fill’d with fears, - and dreadful expectation -Of endless pains and scalding flames, - stand waiting for Damnation. - -_The Saints cleared and justified._ - -XXVIII. - -All silence keep both Goats and Sheep - before the Judge’s Throne; -With mild aspect to his Elect - then speaks 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 pardonéd. - -XXXIX. [34] - -“’Twas meet that ye should judgéd 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.[35] - -“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. [36] - -“For then 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’s pain I did sustain; - yea more, my Father’s ire -I underwent, my Blood I spent - to save them from Hell-fire. - -XLII. [37] - -“Thus I esteeméd, thus I redeeméd - all these from every Nation, -That they may be (as now you see) - a chosen Generation. -What if ere while they were as vile - and bad as any be. -And yet from all their guilt and thrall - at once I set them free? - -XLIII.[38] - -“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. [39] - -“But as for those whom I have chose - Salvation’s heirs to be, -I underwent their punishment, - and therefore set them free. -I bore their grief, and their relief - by suffering procur’d. -That they of bliss and happiness - might firmly be assur’d. - -XLV. [40] - -“And this my grace they did embrace, - believing on my Name; -Which Faith was true, the fruits do shew - proceeding from the same;— -Their Penitence, their Pati-ence, - their Love and Self-denial, -In suff’ring losses and bearing Crosses, - when put upon the trial;— - -XLVI. [41] - -“Their sin forsaking, their cheerful taking - my Yoke, their Charity -Unto the Saints in all their wants, - and in them unto me;— -These things do clear, and make appear - their Faith to be unfeignéd, -And that a part in my desert - and purchase they have gainéd. - -XLVII. [42] - -“Their debts are paid, their peace is made, - their sins remitted are; -Therefore at once I do pronounce, - and openly declare, -That Heav’n is theirs, that they be Heirs - of Life and of Salvation; -Nor ever shall they come at all - to Death or to Damnation. - -XLVIII. [43] - -“Come blessed Ones and sit on Thrones, - judging the World with me; -Come and possess your happiness, - and bought felicity; -Henceforth no fears, no care, no tears, - no sin shall you annoy, -Nor any thing that grief doth bring: - Eternal Rest enjoy. - -_They are placed on Thrones to join with Christ in judging the wicked._ - -XLIX. [44] - -“You bore the Cross, you suffer’d loss - of all for my Name’s sake; -Receive the Crown that’s now your own; - come, and a Kingdom take.“ -Thus spake the Judge: the wicked grudge - and grind their teeth in vain; -They see with groans these plac’d on Thrones, - which addeth to their pain: - -L. [45] - -That those whom they did wrong and slay, - must now their Judgment see! -Such whom they slighted and once despited, - must now their Judges be! -Thus ’tis decreed, such is their meed, - and guerdon glorious; -With Christ they sit, judging it fit - to plague the Impious. - -_The wicked brought to the Bar._ - -LI. [46] - -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. [47] - -The glorious Judge will privilege - nor Emperor nor King; -But every one that hath misdone - doth unto judgment 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 the Judge before. -They are arraign’d, and there detain’d - before Christ’s Judgment seat, -With trembling fear their Doom to hear, - and feel his Anger’s heat. - -LIV. [48] - -There Christ demands at all their hands - a strict and straight account -Of all things done under the Sun, - whose number far surmount -Man’s wit and thought: they all are brought - unto this solemn Trial, -And each offense with evidence, - so that there’s no denial. - -LV. - -There’s no excuse for their abuse, - since their own Consciences -More proof give in of each Man’s sin, - than thousand Witnesses. -Though formerly this faculty - had grossly been abuséd, -(Men could it stifle, or with it trifle, - when as it them accuséd,) - -LVI. - -Now it comes in, and every sin - unto Men’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 forcéd to confess. - -_Secret sins and works of darkness brought to light._ - -LVII. [49] - -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 work of darkness brings; -He doth unfold both new old, - both known and hidden things. - -LVIII. [50] - -All filthy facts and secret acts, - however closely done. -And long conceal’d, are there reveal’d - before the mid-day Sun. -Deeds of the night, shunning the light, - which darkest corners sought. -To fearful blame, and endless shame, - are there most justly brought. - -LIX. [51] - -And as all facts, and grosser acts, - so every word and thought, -Erroneous notion and lustful motion, - are unto Judgment brought. -No Sin so small and trivial, - but hither it must come; -Nor so long past but now at last - it must receive a doom. - -_An account demanded of all their actions._ - -LX. [52] - -At this sad season, Christ asks a Reason - (with just austerity) -Of Grace refus’d, of light abus’d - so oft, so wilfully; -Of Talents lent, by them misspent - and on their Lust bestown, -Which if improv’d as it behoov’d - Heav’n might have been their own; - -LXI. [53] - -Of times neglected, of means rejected, - of God’s long-suffering -And Pati-ence, to Penitence - that sought hard hearts to bring; -Why chords of love did nothing move, - to shame or to remorse? -Why warnings grave, and counsels, have - naught chang’d their sinful course? - -LXII. [54] - -Why chastenings, and evils things, - why judgments so severe. -Prevailéd not with them a jot, - nor wrought an awful fear? -Why promises of Holiness, - and new Obedience, -They oft did make, but always brake - the same, to God’s offense? - -LXIII. [55] - -Why still Hell-ward, without regard, - they bold venturéd, -And chose Damnation before Salvation, - when it was offeréd? -Why sinful pleasures and earthly treasures, - like fools, they prizéd more -Than Heav’nly wealth. Eternal health, - and all Christ’s Royal store? - -LXIV. [56] - -Why, when he stood off’ring his Blood - to wash them from their sin, -They would embrace no saving Grace, - but liv’d 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. -Thus all their ways Christ open lays - to Men and Angels’ view, -And as they were makes them appear - in their own proper hue. - -LXVI. [57] - -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 transgress’d, even the best, - and merited God’s wrath, -Unto their own perditi-on - and everlasting scath. - -LXVII. [58] - -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 cursed Race. - -_Hypocrites plead for themselves._ - -LXVIII. - -Nevertheless, they all express. - (Christ granting liberty,) -What for their way they have to say, - how they have liv’d, and why. -They all draw near and seek to clear - themselves by making pleas; -There Hypocrites, false-hearted wights, - do make such pleas as these: - -LXIX. [59] - -“Lord, in thy Name, and by the same, - we Devils dispossess’d; -We rais’d the dead and minist’red - Succor to the distressed. -Our painful teaching and pow’rful preaching - by thine own wondrous might, -Did throughly win to God from sin - many a wretched wight.“ - -_The Judge replyeth._ - -LXX. [60] - -“All this,” quoth he, “may granted be, - and your case little better’d, -Who still remain under a chain - and many irons fetter’d. -You that the dead have quickened, - and rescu’d from the grave. -Yourselves were dead, yet ne’er needéd - a Christ your souls to save. - -LXXI.[61] - -“You that could preach, and others teach - what way to life doth lead, -Why were you slack to find that track - 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 fast? - -LXXII. [62] - -“Who though you knew Repentance true, - and Faith is 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 with true intent, - your evil deeds to leave. - -LXXIII. [63] - -“His Master’s will how to fulfil - the servant that well knew, -Yet left undone his duty known, - more plagues to him are due. -You against light perverted right; - wherefore it shall be now -For Sidon and for Sodom’s Land - more easy than for you.“ - -_Another plea of the Hypocrites._ - -LXXIV. [64] - -“But we have in thy presence been,” - say some, “and eaten there. -Did we not eat thy Flesh for meat, - and feed on Heav’nly Cheer? -Whereon who feed shall never need, - as thou thyself dost say, -Nor shall they die eternally, - but live with Christ for aye. - -LXXV. - -“We may allege, thou gav’st a pledge - of thy dear Love to us, -In Wine and Bread, which figuréd - thy Grace bestowéd thus. -Of strength’ning Seals, of sweetest Meals, - have we so oft partaken; -And shall we be cast off by thee, - and utterly forsaken?“ - -_The answer._ - -LXXVI. [65] - -To whom the Lord, thus in a word, - returns a short reply: -“I never knew any of you - that wrought Iniquity. -You say you’ve been my Presence in; - but then, how came you there -With Raiment vile that did defile - and quite disgrace my Cheer? - -LXXVII. - -“Durst you draw near without due fear - Unto my holy Table? -Durst you profane and render vain, - so far as you were able, -Those Mysteries, which whoso prize, - and carefully improve, -Shall savéd be undoubtedly, - and nothing shall them move? - -LXXVIII. [66] - -“How durst you venture bold guests to enter - in such a sordid hue, -Amongst my guests unto those Feasts - that were not made for you? -How durst you eat for spir’tual meat - your bane, and drink damnation, -Whilst by your guile you render’d vile - so rare and great Salvation? - -LXXIX. [67] - -“Your fancies fed on heav’nly Bread, - your hearts fed on some Lust; -You lov’d the Creature more than th’ Creator, - your souls clove to the dust. -And think you by Hypocrisy, - and cloakéd Wickedness, -To enter in laden with sin, - to lasting Happiness? - -LXXX. [68] - -“This your excuse shews your abuse - of things ordain’d for good. -And doth 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 Perditi-on.“ - -_Another sort of Hypocrites make their pleas._ - -LXXXI. - -Then forth issue another Crew - (those being silencéd), -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. [69] - -“We did believe, and oft receive - thy gracious Promises; -We took great care to get a share - in endless Happiness. -We pray’d and wept, and Fast-days kept, - lewd ways we did eschew; -We joyful were thy Word to hear; - we form’d our lives anew. - -LXXXIII.[70] - -“We thought our sin had pardon’d been, - that our Estate was good, -Our debts all paid, our peace well made, - our Souls wash’d with thy Blood. -Lord, why dost though reject us now, - who have not thee rejected, -Nor utterly true sanctity - and holy life neglected?“ - -_The Judge uneaseth them._ - -LXXXIV. [71] - -The Judge incens’d at their pretens’d - self-vaunting Piety, -With such a look as trembling strook - unto them made reply: -“O impudent, impenitent, - and guileful generation! -Think you that I cannot descry - your hearts’ abomination? - -LXXXV. [72] - -“You nor receiv’d, nor yet believ’d - my Promises of Grace, -Nor were you wise enough to prize - my reconciléd Face; -But did presume that to assume - which was not yours to take, -And challengéd the Children’s Bread, - yet would not sin forsake. - -LXXXVI. [73] - -“Being too bold you laid fast hold - where int’rest you had none, -Yourselves deceiving by your believing, - all which you might have known. -You ran away but ran astray - with Gospel Promises, -And perishéd, being still dead - in sins and trespasses. - -LXXXVII. [74] - -“How oft did I Hypocrisy - and Hearts’ deceits unmask -Before your sight, giving you light - know a Christian’s task? -But you held fast unto the last - your own conceits so vain, -No warning could prevail; you would - your own Deceits retain. - -LXXXVIII. [75] - -“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. [76] - -“You pray’d and wept, you Fast-days kept, - but did you this to me? -No, but for sin you sought to win - the greater liberty. -For all your vaunts, you had vile haunts, - which for your Consciences -Did you alarm, whose voice to charm - you us’d these practices. - -XC. [77] - -“Your Penitence, your diligence - to Read, to Pray, to Hear, -Were but to drown the clam’rous sound - of Conscience in your Ear. -If light you lov’d, vain glory mov’d - yourselves therewith to store, -That seeming wise men might you prize, - and honor you the more. - -XCI. [78] - -“Thus from yourselves unto yourselves, - your duties all do tend; -And as self-love the wheels doth move, - so in self-love they end.“ -Thus Christ detects their vain projects, - and close Impiety, -And plainly shews that all their shows - were but Hypocrisy. - -_Civil honest men’s pleas._ - -XCII. [79] - -Then were brought nigh a Company - of Civil honest Men, Civil honest -That lov’d true dealing and hated stealing, - ne’er wrong’d their Bretheren; -Who pleaded thus: “Thou knowest us - that we were blameless livers; -No Whoremongers, no Murderers, - no quarrelers nor strivers. - -XCIII. - -“Idolaters, Adulterers, - Church-robbers we were none, -Nor false dealers, nor cozeners, - 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. [80] - -“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. [81] - -“Thus to obey hath been our way; - let our good deeds, we pray. -Find some regard and some reward - with thee, Lord, this day. -And whereas we transgressors be, - of Adam’s race were none, -No, not the best, but have confess’d - themselves to have misdone.“ - -_Are taken off and rendered invalid._ - -XCVI. [82] - -Then answeréd unto their dread, - the Judge: “True Piety -God doth desire and eke require, - no less than honesty. -Justice demands at all your hands - perfect Obedience; -If but in part you have come short, - that is a just offense. - -XCVII. - -“On Earth below, where men did owe - a thousand pounds and more. -Could twenty pence it recompense? - Could that have clear’d the score? -Think you to buy Felicity - with part of what’s due debt? -Or for desert of one small part, - the whole should off be set? - -XCVIII. [83] - -“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 hath been -Before men’s eyes, yet God espies - iniquity therein. - -XCIX. [84] - -“God looks upon th’ affecti-on - and temper of the heart; -Not only on the acti-on, - and the external part. -Whatever end vain men pretend, - God knows the verity, -And by the end which they intend - their words and deeds doth try. - -C. [85] - -“Without true Faith, the Scripture saith, - God cannot take delight -In any deed that doth proceed [86] - 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 Faitli, which quencheth wrath, - hath your obedience flown; -Nor from true Love, which wont to move - Believers, hath it grown. -Your argument shews your intent - in all that you have done; -You thought to scale Heav’n’s lofty Wall - by Ladders of your own. - -CII. [87] - -“Your blinded spirit hoping to merit - by your own Righteousness, -Needed no Savior but your behavior, - and blameless carriages. -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. [88] - -“All men have gone astray, and done - that which God’s laws condemn; -Purchase and offer’d 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. [89] - -“Again you thought and mainly sought - a name with men t’ acquire; -Pride bare the Bell that made you swell, - and your own selves admire. -Mean fruit it is, and vile, I wiss, - that springs from such a root; -Virtue divine and genuine - wonts not from pride to shoot. - -CV. [90] - -“Such deeds as your are worse than poor; - they are but sins gilt over -With silver dross, whose glist’ring gloss - can them no longer cover. -The best of them would you condemn, - and ruin you alone. -Although you were from faults so clear, - that other you had none. - -CVI. [91] - -“Your gold is brass, your silver dross, - 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.“ - -_Those that pretend want of opportunity to repent._ - -CVII. [92] - -A wondrous crowd then ’gan aloud - thus for themselves to say: -“We did intend, Lord, to amend, - and to reform our way. -Our 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 itr, prime - our youthful pow’r was cropt; -“We died in youth before full growth, - so was our purpose stopt. -Let our good will to turn from ill, - and sin to have forsaken, -Accepted be, Lord, by thee, - and in good part be taken.“ - -_Are confuted and convicted._ - -CIX. [93] - -To whom the Judge: “Where you allege - the shortness of the space, -That from your birth you liv’d on earth, - to compass saving Grace, -It was Free Grace that any space - was given you at all, -To turn from evil, defy the Devil, - and upon God to call. - -CX. [94] - -“One day, one week wherein to seek - God’s face with all your hearts, -A favor 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. [95] - -“Could you find time for vain pastime, - for loose, 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. [96] - -“In younger years, beyond your fears, - what if you were surprized? -You put away the evil day, - and of long life devised. -You oft were told, and might behold, - that Death no Age doth spare; -“Why then did you your time foreslow, - and slight your soul’s welfare? - -CXIII. [97] - -“Had your intent been to repent, - and had you it desir’d, -There would have been endeavors seen - before your time expir’d. -God makes no treasure, nor hath he pleasure - in idle purposes; -Such fair pretenses are foul offenses, - and cloaks for wickedness.“ - -_Some plead examples of their betters._ - -CXIV. [98] - -Then were brought in and charg’d with sin, - another Company, -Who by Petition obtain’d 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. [99] - -“Such, as profess’d they 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 seem’d to us - we might take liberty.“ - -_Who are told that examples are no Rules._ - -CXVI. [100] - -Who are told The Judge replies: “I gave you eyes, - And light to see your way, -Which had you lov’d and well improv’d, - 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. [101] - -“This you well knew: that God is true, - and that most men are liars, -In word professing holiness, - in deed thereof deniers. -simple fools! that having Rules, - your lives to regulate. -Would them refuse, and rather choose - vile men to imitate.“ - -_They urge that they were led by godly men’s Examples. But all their shifts turn to their greater shame._ - -CXVIII. - -“But, Lord,” say they, “we went astray, - and did more wickedly, -By means of those whom thou has chose - Salvation’s 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 base. - -CXIX. [102] - -“You understood that what was good, - was to be followed. -And that you ought that which was naught - to have relinquished. -Contrariwise it was your guise - only to imitate -Good men’s defects, and their neglects - who were regenerate. - -CXX. [103] - -“But to express their holiness, - or imitate their grace. -You little car’d, nor once prepar’d - your hearts to seek my Face. -They did repent and truly rent - their hearts for all known sin; -You did offend, but not amend, - to follow them therein.“ - -_Some plead the Scripture’s darkness, and difference among Interpreters._ - -CXXI. [104] - -“We had thy Word,” say some, “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?“ - -_They are confuted._ - -CXXII. [105] - -“Was all my Word abstruse and hard?” - the Judge then answeréd; -“It did contain much Truth so plain - you might have run and read. -But what was hard you never car’d - to know, or studiéd; -And things that were most plain and clear - you never practiséd. - -CXXIII. [106] - -“The Mystery of Piety - God unto Babes reveals, -When to the Wise he it denies, - and from the world conceals. -If to fulfil God’s holy Will - had seemed good to you, -You would have sought light as you ought, - and done the good you knew.“ - -_Others the fear of persecution._ - -CXXIV. [107] - -Then came in view another crew, - and ’gan to make their pleas; -Amongst the rest, some of the best - had such poor shifts as these : -“Thou know’st right well, who all canst tell, - we liv’d amongst thy foes. -Who the Renate did sorely hate - and goodness much oppose. - -CXXV. [108] - -“We holiness durst not profess, - fearing to be forlorn -Of all our friends, and for amends - to be the wicked’s scorn. -“We knew their anger would much endanger - our lives and our estates; -Therefore, for fear, we durst appear - no better than our mates.“ - -_They are answered._ - -CXXVI. [109] - -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 God’s fierce ire - less than the rage of men; -As if God’s wrath could do less scath - than wrath of bretheren! - -CXXVII. - -“To use such strife, a temp’ral life - to rescue and secure, -And be so blind as not to mind - that life that will endure! -This was your case, who carnal peace - more than true joys did savor; -Who fed on dust, clave to your lust, - and spurned at my favor. - -CXXVIII. [110] - -“To please your kin, men’s love 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 porti-on. -For which you chose your souls to expose - unto Perditi-on. - -CXXIX. [111] - -“Who did not hate friends, life, and state, - with all things else for me, -forsake and’s Cross up-take - shall never happy be. -Well worthy they to die for aye, - who death than life had rather; -Death is their due that so value - the friendship of my Father.“ - -_Others plead for pardon from God’s Mercy and Justice._ - -CXXX. [112] - -Others plead Others argue, and not a few, - “Is not God graci-ous? -His Equity and Clemency, - are they not marvellous? -Thus we believ’d; are we deceiv’d? - 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. -Or hear their groans and rueful moans, - and still his wrath retain? -Can it agree with Equity, - can Mercy have the heart. -To recompense few years’ offense - with everlasting smart? - -CXXXII. [113] - -“Can God delight in such a sight - as sinners’ misery? -Or what great good can this our blood - bring unto the most High? -O thou that dost thy Glory most - in pard’ning 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 not it 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 of tears, - in which their words do steep. - -_They are answered._ - -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, - -_Mercy now shines forth in the vessels of Mercy._ - -CXXXV. [114] - -“As may appear by those that here - are plac’d at my right hand, -Whose stripes I bore, and clear’d the score, - that they might quitted stand. -For surely none but God alone, - whose Grace transcends men’s thought. -For such as those that were his foes - like wonders would have wrought. - -_Did also wait upon such as abused it._ - -CXXXVI. [115] - -“And none but lie such lenity - and patience would have shown -To you so long, who did him wrong, - and pull’d his Judgment down. -How long a space, stiff-neck’d race, - did patience you afford? -How oft did love you gently move, - to turn unto the Lord ? - -_The day of Grace now past_ - -CXXXVII. [116] - -“With chords of love God often strove - your stubborn hearts to tame; -Nevertheless your wickedness - did still resist the same. -If now at last Mercy be past - from you for evermore, -And Justice come in Mercy’s room, - yet grudge you not therefore. - -CXXXVIII. [117] - -“If into wrath God turned hath - his long, long-suffering, -And now for love you vengeance prove, - is an equal thing. -Your waxing worse hath stopt the course - of wonted Clemency, -Mercy refus’d and Grace misus’d - call for severity. - -CXXXIX. [118] - -“It’s now high time that ev’ry Crime - be brought to punishment; -Wrath long contain’d and oft restrain’d, - at last must have a vent. -Justice severe cannot forbear - to plague sin any longer, -But must inflict with liand most strict - mischief upon the wronger. - -CXL. [119] - -“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 man whose ear refus’d to hear - the voice of Wisdom’s cry, -Earn’d this reward, that none regard - him in his misery. - -CXLI. [120] - -“It doth agree with Equity - and with God’s holy Law, -That those should die eternally - that Death upon them draw. -The soul that sins Damnation wins, - for so the Law ordains; -Which Law is just; and therefore must - such suffer endless pains. - -CXLII. [121] - -“Eternal smart is the desert - ev’n of the least offense; -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 liv’d therein, - who well the danger knew. - -CXLIII. [122] - -“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.“ - -_Some pretend they were shut out of Heaven by God’s Decree._ - -CXLIV. [123] - -Some pretend Then at the Bar arraignéd 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 sign’d to be destroy’d ? - -CXLV. [124] - -“Whom God ordains to endless pains - by Law unalterable, -Repentance true, Obedience new, - to such are unable. -Sorrow for sin no good can win, - to such as are rejected; -Nor can they grieve nor yet believe, - that never were elected. - -CXLVI. - -“Of Man’s fall’n 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, -God’s love to gain, our busy pain - and labor bad been lost.“ - -_Their pleas taken off._ - -CXLVII. [125] - -Christ readily makes this Reply: - “I damn you not because -You are rejected, nor yet elected; - but you have broke my Laws. -It is in vain your wits to strain - the end and means to sever; -Men fondly seek to part or break - what God hath link’d together. - -CXLVIII. [126] - -“Whom God will save, such he will have - the means of life to use; -Whom he’ll pass by shall choose to die, - and ways of life refuse. -He that fore-sees and fore-decrees, - in wisdom order’ d has. -That man’s free-will, electing ill, - shall bring his Will to pass. - -CXLIX. [127] - -“High God’s Decree, as it is free, - so doth it none compel -Against their will to good or ill; - it forceth none to Hell. -They have their wish whose Souls perish - with Torments in Hell-fire, -Who rather choose their souls to lose, - than leave a loose desire. - -CL. [128] - -“God did ordain sinners to pain, - yet he to Hell sends none -But such as swerv’d and have deserv’d - destruction as their own. -His pleasure is, that none from Bliss - and endless happiness -Be barr’d, but such as wrong’d him much - by willful wickedness. - -CLI. [129] - -“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 knock’ d, yet say God lock’d - against you Heaven’s door. - -CLII. [130] - -“’Twas no vain task to knock and ask, - whilst life continued. -Who ever sought Heav’n as he ought, - and seeking perished? -The lowly, meek, who truly seek - for Christ and for Salvation, -There’s no decree whereby such be - ordain’d to condemnation. - -CLIII. [131] - - You argue then: ’But abject men, - whom God resolves to spill, -Cannot repent, nor their hearts rent; - nor can they change their will.’ -Not for his _Can_ is any man - adjudgéd unto Hell, -But for his _Will_ to do what’s ill, - and nilling to do well. - -CLIV. - -“I often stood tend’ring my Blood - to wash away your guilt, -And eke my Sprite to frame you right, - lest your Souls should be spilt. -But you, vile Race, rejected Grace, - when Grace was freely proflfer’d, -No changed heart, no heav’nly part - would you, when it was offer’ d. - -CLV. [132] - -“Who willfully the remedy, - and means of life contemned. -Cause have the same themselves to blame, - if now they be condemnéd. -You have yourselves, you and none else, - to blame that you must die -You chose the way to your decay, - and perish’d willfully.“ - -CLVI. - -These words appall and daunt them all, - dismay’d and all amort. -Like stocks that 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; - -_Heathen men plead want of the Written Word._ - -CLVII. - -Whose wicked ways Christ open lays, - and makes their sins appear, -They making pleas their case to ease, - if not themselves to clear. -“Thy Written Word,” say they, “good - we never did enjoy; -We ne’er refus’d, nor it abus’d; - Oh, do not us destroy!“ - -CLVIII. [133] - -“You ne’er abus’d, nor yet refus’d - my Written Word, you plead; -That’s true," quoth he, “therefore shall ye - the less be punishéd. -You shall not smart for any part - of other men’s offense, -But for your own transgressi-on - receive due recompense.“ - -_Insufficiency of the light of Nature._ - -CLIX. - -“But we were blind,” say they, “in mind; - too dim was Nature’s Light, -Our only guide, as hath been tried, - to bring us to the sight -Of our estate degenerate, - and curs’d by Adam’s Fa’l; -How we were born and lay forlorn - in bondage and in thrall. - -CLX. [134] - -“We did not know a Christ till now, - nor how fall’n men be saved, -Else would we not, right well we wot, - have so ourselves behaved. -“We should have mourn’d, we should have turn’d - from sin at thy Reproof, -And been more wise through thy advice, - for our own soul’s behoof. - -_They are answered._ - -CLXI. - -“But Nature’s light shin’d not so bright - to teach us the right way: -We might have lov’d it and well improv’d 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’nward to bend. - -CLXII. [135] - -“How came your mind to be so blind? - I once you knowledge gave. -Clearness of sight and judgment light: - who did the same deprave? -If to your cost you have it lost, - and quite defac’d the same, -Your own desert hath caus’d the smart; - you ought not me to blame. - -CLXIII. [136] - -“Yourselves into a pit of woe, - your own transgression led; -If I to none my Grace had shown - who had been injured? -If to a few, and not to you, - I shew’d a way of life, -My Grace so free, you clearly see, - gives you no ground of strife. - -CLXIV. [137] - -“’Tis vain to tell, you wot fall well, - if you in time liad known -Your misery and remedy, - your actions had it shown: -You, sinful Crew, have not been true - unto the Light of Nature, -Nor done the good you understood, - nor owned your Creator. - -CLXV. [138] - -“He that the Light, because ’tis slight, - hath uséd to despise, -Would not the Light shining more bright, - be likely for a prize. -If you had lov’d, and well improv’d - your knowledge and dim sight, -Herein your pain ’had not been vain, - your plagues had been more light.“ - -_Reprobate Infants plead for themselves._ - -CLXVI. [139] - -Then to the Bar all they drew near - Who died in infancy, -And never had or good or bad - effected pers’nally: -But from the womb unto the tomb - were straightway carried, -(Or at the least ere they transgress’d) - who thus began to plead: - -CLXVII. - -“If for our own transgressi-on, - or disobedience. -We here did stand at thy left hand, - just were the Recompense; -But Adam’s guilt our souls hath spilt, - his fault is ckarg’d upon us; -And that alone hath overthrown - and utterly undone us. - -CLXVIII. - -“Not we, but he ate of the Tree, - whose fruit was interdicted; -Yet on us all of his sad Fall - the punishment’s inflicted. -How could we sin that had not been, - or how is his sin our, -Without consent, which to prevent - we never had the pow’r? - -CLXIX. [140] - -“O great Creator why was our Nature - depravéd and forlorn? -Why so defil’d, and made so vil’d, - whilst we were jet unborn? -If it be just, and needs we must - transgressors reckon’d be. -Thy Mercy, Lord, to us afford, - which sinners hath set free. - -CLXX. - -“Behold we see Adam set free, - and sav’d 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, - who was the chief offender?“ - -_Their arguments taken off._ - -CLXXI. [141] - -Then answered the Judge most dread: - God doth such doom forbid, -That 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. [142] - -“He was design’d 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, then all his brood - had been established -In God’s true love never to move, - nor once awry to tread; -Then all his Eace my Father’s Grace - should have enjoy’d for ever. -And wicked Sprites by subtile sleights - could them have harmed never. - -CLXXIV. - -Would you have griev’d to have receiv’d - through Adam so much good, -As had been your for evermore, - if he at first had stood? -Would you have said, ’We ne’er obey’d - nor did thy laws regard; -It ill befits with benefits, - us, Lord, to so reward?’ - -CLXXV. [143] - -“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 depravéd; -Death was your due because that yo - had thus yourselves behaved. - -CLXXVI. [144] - -“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 self-same woe, - yourselves and yours have brought. - -_The free gift._ - -CLXXVII. [145] - -“I may deny you once to try, - or Grace to you to tender. -Though he finds Grace before my face - who was the chief oifender; -Else should my Grace cease to be Grace, - for it would not be free, -If to release whom I should please - I have no liberty. - -CLXXVIII. - -“If upon one what’s due to none. - I frankly shall bestow, -And on the rest shall not think best - compassion’s 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. [146] - -“Am I alone of what’s my own, - no Master or no Lord? -And if I am, how can you claim - what I to sonie afford? -Will you demand Grace at my hand, - and challenge what is mine? -Will you teach me whom to set free, - and thus my Grace confine? - -CLXXX. [147] - -“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 liv’d a longer time, -I do confess yours is much less, - though every sin’s a crime. - -_The wicked all convinced and put to silence._ - -CLXXXI. [148] - -“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. - -_Behold the formidable estate of all the ungodly as they stand hopeless and helpless before an impartial Judge, expecting their final Sentence._ - -CLXXXII. [149] - -Thus all men’s pleas the Judge with ease - doth answer and confute, -Until that all, both great and small, - are silencéd and mute. -Vain hopes are cropt, all mouths are stopt, - sinners have naught to say, -But that ’tis just and equal most - they should be damn’d for aye. - -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! -’T had 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. -happy Dogs, and Swine, and Frogs, - yea, Serpent’s generation! -Who do not fear this doom to hear, - and sentence of Damnation! - -CLXXXV. [150] - -This is their state so desperate; - their sins are fully known; -Their vanities and villanies - before the world are shown. -As they are gross and impious, - so are their numbers more -Than motes in th’ Air, or than their hair, - or sands upon the shore. - -CLXXXVI. [151] - -Divine Justice offended is, - and satisfaction claimeth; -God’s wrathful ire, kindled like fire. - against them fiercely flameth. -Their Judge severe doth quite cashier, - and all their pleas off take, -That ne’er a man, or dare, or can - a further answer make. - -CLXXXVII. [152] - -Their mouths are shut, each man is put - to silence and to shame, -Nor have they aught within their thought, - Christ’s Justice for to blame. -The Judge is just, and plague them must, - nor will he Mercy shew, -For Mercy’s day is past away - to any of this Crew. - -CLXXXVIII. [153] - -The Judge is strong, doers of wrong - cannot his pow’r withstand; -None can by flight run out of sight, - nor ’scape out of his hand. -Sad is their state; for Advocate, - to plead thei cause, there’s none; -None to prevent their punishment, - or mis’ry to bemoan. - -CLXXXIX. [154] - -O dismal day! whither shall they - for help and succor flee? -To God above with hopes to move - their greatest Enemy? -His wrath is great, whose burning heat - no floods of tears can slake; -His Word stands fast that they be cast - into the burning Lake. - -CXC. [155] - -To Christ their Judge? He doth adjudge - them to the Pit of Sorrow; -Nor will he hear, or cry or tear, - nor respite them one morrow. -To Heav’n, alas! they cannot pass, - it is against them shut; -To enter there (O heavy cheer) - they out of hopes are put. - -CXCI. [156] - -Unto their Treasures, or to their Pleasures? - All these have them forsaken; -Had they full cofiers 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. [157] - -And by and by the flaming Sky - shall drop like molten Lead -About their ears, t’ increase their fears, - and aggravate their dread. -To Angel’s good that ever stood - in their integrity, -Should they betake themselves, and make - their suit incessantly? - -CXCIII. - -They’ve 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 bretheren - in sin and wickedness, -Should they make moan? Their case is one; - they’re in the same distress. - -CXCIV. [158] - -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 moe. - -CXCV. [159] - -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 friend - to Christ than unto you. - -CXCVI. [160] - -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 friends so near, but Saints to hear - their Sentence can abide. - -CXCVII. [161] - -One natural Brother beholds another - in his astonied 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. [^198] - -He that was erst a Husband pierc’d - 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 damn’d forsaken wight. - -CXCIX. [162] - -The tender Mother will own no other - of all her num’rous 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. [163] - -Than God most High should injury - by sparing him sustain; -And doth rejoice to hear Christ’s voice, - adjudging him to pain. -Thus having all, both great and small, - convinc’d and silencéd, -Christ did proceed their Doom to read, - and thus it utteréd: - -_The Judge pronounceth the sentence of condemnation._ - -CCI. [164] - -*“Ye sinful wights and curséd sprights,* - _that work iniquity,_ -_Depart together from me for ever_ - _to endless Misery;_ -_Your portion take in yonder Lake,_ - _where Fire and Brimstone flameth;_ -_Suffer the smart which your desert,_ - *as its due wages claimeth.“* - -_The terror of it._ - -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 aye banish’d away - with Devils’ 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 releas’d, or to be eas’d, - not after years, but Never! - -CCIV. - -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. -Then might you hear them rend and tear - the Air with their out-cries; -The hideous noise of their sad voice - ascendeth to the Skies. - -CCV. [165] - -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. - -_It is put in Execution._ - -CCVI. [166] - -That word “_Depart_” maugre their heart, - It is put in drives every wicked one, -With mighty pow’r, the self-same hour, - far from the Judge’s Throne. -Away they’re chas’d by the strong blast - of his Death-threat’ning mouth; -They flee full fast, as if in haste, - although they be full loath. - -CCVII. [167] - -As chaff that’s dry, as dust doth fly - before the Northern wind. -Right so are they chaséd 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 wickéd Rout; - -_HELL._ - -CCVIII. [168] - -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, - so none can quench the same,) - -_Wicked men and Devils cast into it forever._ - -CCIX. [169] - -With Iron bands they bind their hands - and curséd feet together, -And cast them all, both great and small, - into that Lake forever, -Where day and night, without respite, - they wail, and cry and howl, -For tort’ring pain which they sustain, - in Body and in Soul. - -CCX. [170] - -For day and night, in their despite, - their torment’s 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. - -Die fain they would if die they could, - but Death will not be had; -God’s direful wrath their bodies hath - forev’r 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. - -_The unsufferable torments of the Damned._ - -CCXII. [171] - -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 would be brought - if God did not prevent. - -CCXIII. [172] - -The least degree of misery - there felt is incomparable; -The lightest pain they there sustain - is more than intolerable. -But God’s great pow’r from hour to hour - upholds them in the fire, -That they shall not consume a jot - nor by its force expire. - -CCXIV. [173] - -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’n fold smart which to their part - and porti-on doth fall. -Who Christ’s free Grace would not embrace, - nor hearken to his call. - -CCXV. [174] - -The Amorites and Sodomites, - although their plagues be sore, -Yet find some ease compar’d to these, - who feel a great deal more. -Almighty God, whose Iron Rod, - to smite them never lins. -Doth most declare his Justice rare - in plaguing these men’s sins. - -CCXVI. [175] - -The pain of loss their souls doth toss, - and wond’rously distress, -To think what they have cast away - by willful wickedness. -“We might have been redeem’d from sin,” - think they, “and liv’d above. -Being possesst of Heav’nly rest, - and joying in God’s love - -CCXVII. [176] - -“But woe, woe, woe, our Souls unto! - we would not happy be; -And therefore bear God’s vengeance here - to all Eternity. -Experience and woful sense - must be our painful teachers, -Who’d not believe, nor credit give - unto our faithful Preachers.“ - -CCXVIII. [177] - -Thus shall they lie and wail and cry, - tormented and tormenting; -Their galled hearts with poison’d darts, - but now too late repenting. -There let them dwell in th’ Flames of Hell: - there leave we them to burn, -And back again unto the men - whom Christ acquits, return. - -_The Saints rejoice to see the Judgment executed upon the Wicked World._ - -CCXIX. [178] - -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. - -_They ascend with Christ into Heaven triumphing._ - -CCXX. - -Thus with great joy and melody - to Heav’n they all ascend, -Him there to praise with sweetest lays, - and Hymns that never end; -Where with long rest they shall be blest, - and naught shall them annoy, -“Where they shall see as seen they be, - and whom they love enjoy. - -_Their eternal happiness and incomparable glory there._ - -CCXXI. [179] - -Oh glorious Place! where face to face - Jehovah may be seen, -By such as were sinners while here, - and no dark veil between! -Where the Sunshine and light Divine - of God’s bright countenance, -Doth rest upon them every one, - with sweetest influence! - -CCXXII. [180] - -Oh blessed state of the Renate! - Oh wond’rous happiness. -To which they’re brought beyond what thought - can reach or words express! -Grief’s watercourse and sorrow’s source - are turn’d to joyful streams; -Their old distress and heaviness - are vanished like dreams. - -CCXXIII. [181] - -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 favor there - to forfeit by abuse. - -CCXXIV. [182] - -For there the Saints are perfect Saints, - and holy ones indeed; -From all the sin that dwelt within - their mortal bodies freed; -Made Kings and Priests to God through Christ’s - dear Love’s transcendency, -There to remain and there to reign - with him Eternally. - - -A Short Discourse On Eternity. - -What mortal man can with a Span - mete 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, - comparéd therewithal. - -It is a main great Oce-an - withouten bank or bound, -A deep Abyss, wherein there is - no bottom to be found. -This World hath stood now since the Flood, - four thousand years well near, -And had before enduréd more - than sixteen hundred year. - -But what’s the time from the World’s prime, - unto this present day, -If we thereby Eternity - to measure should essay? -The whole duration since the Creation, - though long, yet is more little. -If placed by Eternity, - than is the smallest tittle. - -Tell every Star both near and far, - in Heav’n’s bright Canopy -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: - -The sum is vast, yet not so vast - but that thou may’st go on -To multiply the leaves thereby, - that hang those Trees upon: -Add thereunto the Drops that thou - imaginest to be -In April Show’rs, that bring forth Flow’rs - and blossoms plenteously: - -Number the Fowls and living Souls - that through the Air do fly, -The wingéd Hosts in all their 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: - -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. - -Naught join’d to nauglit can ne’er make aught, - nor Cyphers make a Sum; -Nor things finite, to infinite - by multiplying come: -A Cockle-shell may serve as well - to lade the Ocean dry -As finite things and reckonings - to bound Eternity. - -Oh happy they that live for aye, - with Christ in Heav’n 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. - -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. - -Cheer up ye 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 past; -Your sweet Fruitions and blessed Visions, - for evermore shall last. - -Lament and mourn you that must burn - amidst those flaming Seas: -If once you come to such a doom, - for ever farewell ease. -sad estate and desperate, - that never can be mended, -Until God’s Will shall change, or till - Eternity be ended! - -If any one this Questi-on - 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 extinguish’d never, - -I’ll answer make (and let them take - my words as I intend them; -For this is all the Cordi-al - that here I have to lend them:) -When Heav’n shall cease to flow with peace - and all felicity. -Then Hell may cease to be the place - of Woe and Misery. - -When Heav’n is Hell, when Ill is Well, - when Virtue turns to Vice; -When Wrong is Right, when Dark is Light, - when Naught is of great price; -Then may the years of Sinners’ tears - and sufferings expire. -And all the Hosts of damnéd Ghosts - escape out of Hell-fire. - -When Christ above shall cease to lovo, - when God shall cease to reign -And be no more as heretofore - the World’s great Sovéreign; -Or not be just, or favor lust, - or in IMen’s sins delight; -Then wicked men (and not till then) - to Heav’n may take their flight. - -When God’s great Power shall be brought lower, - by foreign Puissance, -Or be decay’d and weaker made - through Time’s continuance; -When drowsiness shall him oppress, - and lay him fast asleep, -Then sinful men may break their pen, - and out of Prison creep. - -When those in Glory shall be right sorry - they may not change their place, -And wish to dwell with those 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 Christ’s Friends, - and Heirs of Heaven hight. - -Then, ah! poor men! What! not till then? - No, 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 misery, - do make men wail indeed. - -When they remind what’s still behind - and ponder this word NEVER, -That they must there be made to bear - God’s Vengeance for EVER : -The thought of this more bitter is - than all they feel beside; -Yet what they feel, nor heart of steel, - nor flesh of brass can bide. - -To lie in woe and undergo - the direful pains of Hell, -And know withal, that there they shall - for aye 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; - -This, oh! this makes Hell’s fiery flakes - much more intolerable; -This makes frail wights and damned sprites - to bear their plagues unable. -This makes men bite, for fell despite, - their very tongues in twain; -This makes them roar for great horrcr, - 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 God’s Image made to be partaker: -Upon the wings of noblest Faculties, -Taught for to soar above the Starry Skies, -And not to rest, until it understood -Itself possessed of the chiefest Good. -And since the Fall thy Soul retaineth still -Those faculties of Reason and of Will, -But oh! how much deprav’d and out of frame, -As if they were some other’s, not the same! -Thine Understanding dismally benighted, -And Reason’s eye in Spir’tual things dim-sighted, -Or else stark blind; thy Will inclin’d to evil. -And nothing else; a slave unto the Devil; -That loves to live, and liveth to transgress. -But shuns the way of God and Holiness. -All thine Affections are disorderéd, -And thus by headstrong Passions are misled. -What need I tell thee of thy crooked war, -And many wicked wand’rings every day? -Or that thine own transgressi-ons are more -In number than the sands upon the Shore? -Thou art a lump of wickedness become, -And may’st with horror think upon thy Doom, -Until thy Soul be washéd 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 do last, -Before the opportunity be past. - -But if, 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 case?) -How wilt thou stand before the Judge’s face, -When he shall be reveal’d in flaming fire. -And come to pay ungodly men their hire. -To execute due vengeance upon those -That knew him not, or that had been his foes? -What wilt thou answer unto his demands. -When he requires a reason at thy hands. -Of all the things that thou hast said or done. -Or left undone, or set thine heart upon? -When he shall thus with 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 won thee? -What evil, or injustice hast thou found -In him that might unto thine hurt redound? -If neither felt nor feared injury -Hath movéd thee to such hostility, -What made thee then the Fountain to forsake, -And unto broken Pits thyself betake? -What reason hadst thou to dishonor God, -Who thee with Mercies never ceas’d 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 of God’s great patience, -To wax more bold in disobedience? -To kick against the bowels of his Love? -Is this aright his Bounty to improve? -Stand still, ye Heav’ns, and be astonished, -That God by man should thus be injured! -Give ear, 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 willful unbelief; -Of all Transgressors hast thou been the chief. -Yet when time was thou might’st have been set free -From Sin and Wrath and punishment by me; -But thou would’st not accept of Gospel Grace, -Nor on my terms Eternal Life embrace. -As if that all thy breaches of God’s Law -Were not enough upon thy head to draw -Eternal Wrath, thou hast despis’d a Savior, -Rejected me, and trampled on my favor. -How oft have I stood knocking at thy door, -And been denied entrance evermore? -How often hath my Spirit been withstood, -When as 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 forfeiture without delay. -Behold thou dost ten thousand Talents owe; -Pay thou the debt or else to Prison go.“ - -Think, think, 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 soul 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 thus thy state is desperate? -Dost think to put him oif with fair pretenses? -Or wilt thou hide and cover thine offenses? -Can anything 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 accurst, -And ’bide his Vengeance, let him do his worst? -Oh! who can bear his indignation’s heat? -Or ’bide the pains of Hell which are so great? - -If, then, 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, my Friend, what cause thou hast, -With fear and trembling (while as yet thou may’st), -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 car’st not thou a whit? -There’s but a step 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 forevermore. -Let this awaken thy security, -And make thee look about thee speedily. - -How canst thou rest an hour or 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 state he dies. -Who happy die shall happy rise again; -Who curséd die shall curséd still remain. -If under Sin and Wrath Death leaves thee bound, -At Judgment under Wrath thou shalt be found; -And then woe woe that ever thou wert born, -O wretched man, of Heav’n and Earth forlorn! -Consider this, all ye that God forget, -Who all his threatenings at naught do set. -Lest into pieces he begin to tear -Your souls, and there be no deliverer. - -O you that now sing care and fear away, -Think often of the formidable Day, -Wherein the Heavens with a mighty noise. -And with a hideous, heart-confounding voice -Shall pass away, together being roll’d, -As men are wont their garments up to fold; -When th’ Elements with fervent heat shall melt, -And living Creatures in the same shall swelt. -And altogether in those flames expire, -Which set the Earth’s Foundati-ons on fire. -Oh! what amazements 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 pass’d. -That all the wicked into Hell be cast! -What horrors will your Consciences surprise. -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 the Lake forever! -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 Remedy. -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 inclosed with the same: -If such a friend should break thy door and 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, 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 see God’s wrathful ire -Preparing unextinguishable fire -For all that live and die impenitent. -Awake, awake, Sinner, and repent. -And quarrel not because I thus alarm -Thy Soul, to save it from eternal harm. - -Perhaps thou harborest 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 many years to spend, -And time enough those matters to attend,“ -Presumptuous heart! Is God engag’d to give -A longer time to such as love to live -Like Rebels still, who think to strain 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 gainéd Samson by his Delilah? -What gainéd David by his Bathshebah? -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, -Besides the woes he after met withal. -To chasten him for that his grievous Fall: -His own Son Ammon, using crafty wiles, -His Daughter Thamar wickedly defiles: -His second Son, more beautiful than good. -His hands embreweth in his Brother’s blood: -And by and by, aspiring to the Crown, -He strives to pull his gentle Father down; -With hellish rage, him fiercely persecuting, -And brutishly his Concubines polluting. -Read whoso list, and ponder what he reads, -And he shall find smaU joy in evil deeds. - -Moreover this consider, that the longer -Thou liv’st in sin, thy sins will grow the stronger; -And then it will an harder matter prove -To leave those wicked haunts that thou dost love. -The Black’moor may as eas’ly change his skin. -As old Transgressors leave their wonted sin. -And who can tell what will become of thee, -Or where thy Soul in one day’s time may be? -We see that Death ne’er old nor young men spares, -But 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 lively wight, -May’st be a corpse and damnéd Ghost ere night. - -Oh! dream not then that it will serve thy turn -Upon thy Death-bed for thy sins to mourn; -But think how many have been snatch’d 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 die. -And late Repentance seldom proveth true, -Which, if it fail, thou know’st what must ensue; -For after this short life is at an end, -What is amiss thou never canst amend. -Believe, man, that to procrastinate. -And put it off until it be too late, -As ’tis thy sin, so it is Satan’s wile, -Whereby he doth great multitudes beguile. -How many thousands hath this strong delusion -Already brought to ruin and confusion, -Whose souls are now reserv’d in iron chains, -Under thick darkness to Eternal Pains! -They thought of many years, as thou dost now, -But were deceived quite, and so may’st thou. - -Oh! then, my friend, waste 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 fetch thy Soul away.” - -Now seek the face of God with all thy heart. -Acknowledge unto him how vile thou art. -Tell him thy Sins deserve eternal wrath, -And that it is a wonder that he hat -Permitted thee so long to draw thy breath. -Who might have cut thee off by sudden death, -And sent thy Soul into the lowest Pit, -From whence no price should ever ransom it; -And that he may most justly do it still, -(Because thou hast deserv’d 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 shame; -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 Redempti-on. -Tell him thouh hast an unbelieving heart. -Which hind’reth thee from coming for a part -In Christ; and that although his terrors awe thee, -Thou canst not come till he be pleas’d to draw thee. -Tell him thou know’st thine heart to be so bad, -And thy condition so exceeding sad, -That though Salvation may be had for naught -Thou canst not come and take it till thou’rt 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 pow’r. -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 true diligence -And trembling fear in every Ordinance; -Unto his Call earnest attention give. -Whose voice makes deaf men hear and dead men live. -Thus weep and mourn, thus hearken, pray, and wait, -Till he behold and pity thine estate, -Who is more ready to bestow his Grace -Than thou the same art willing 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 ofttimes he doth it for the best; -Not with intent to drive us from his door, -But for to make us importune him more; -Or else to bring us daily to confess. -And be convinc’d 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 from his footstool go. -Till over thee Compassion’s skirt he throw. -Eternal Life shall recompense thy pains, -If found at last, with everlasting gains. -For if the Lord be pleas’d to hear thy cries, -And to forgive thy great iniquities, -Thou “wilt have cause forever to admire -And laud his Grace, that granted thy desire. -Then shalt thou find thy labor is not lost, -But that the good obtain’d surmounts the cost. -Nor shalt thou grieve for loss of sinful pleasures, -Exchang’d for Heav’nly joys and lasting treasures. -The yoke of Christ which once thou didst esteem -A tedious yoke, shall then most easy seem. -For why? The love of 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 int’rest in the chiefest Good; -God’s anger is towards thy Soul appeas’d. -And in his Christ he is with thee well pleas’d. -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 need’st not fear the roaring Lion’s rage, -Since God Almighty doth himself engage -To bear thy Soul in everlasting Arms, -Above the reach of all destructive harms. -Whatever here thy sufferings may be, -Yet from them all the Lord shall rescue thee. -He will preserve thee by his wond’rous Might -Unto that rich Inheritance in Light. - -O sing for joy, all ye Regenerate, -Whom Christ hath brought unto this blessed state! -O love the Lord all ye his saints, who hath -Redeeméd 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 short you have to serve him here; -The day of your deliv’rance draweth near. -Lift up your heads, ye upright ones in heart, -Who in Christ’s purchase have obtain’d 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. - - -Vanity of Vanities. - -A SONG OF EMPTINESS. - -Vain, frail, sliort-liv’d, and miserable Man, -Learn what tliou art wlien thy estate is best; -A restless Wave o’ th’ troubled Oce-an, -A Dream, a lifeless Picture finely drest. - -A Wind, a Flower, a Vapor, and a Bubble, -A Wheel that stands not still, a trembling Reed, -A trolling Stone, dry Dust, light Chaff, and Stubble, -A shadow of something but truly naught 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? -Or what is Pleasure but the Devil’s bait. -Whereby he catcheth whom he would devour, -And multitudes of Souls doth ruinate? - -And what are Friends but mortal men as we. -Whom Death from us may quickly separate? -Or else their hearts may quite estrangéd be, -And all their love be turned into hate. - -And what are Riches to be doted on? -Uncertain, fickle, and ensnaring things; -They draw men’s Souls into Perditi-on, -And when most needed take them 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 whoso afifection sets, -As 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 fixéd hath his love -Upon this World, that surely will deceive him! - -For what is Honor? 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 fill’d; -To see new sights still coveteth the Eye; -The craving stomach, though it may be still’d. -Yet craves 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 Oce-an did view, -To see his Conquest bounded by the Deep, -And no more Worlds remaining to subdue. - -Who would that man in his Enjoyment bless, -Or envy him, or covet his Estate, -Whose gettings do augment his greediness. -And make his wishes more intemperate? - -Such is the wonted and the common guise -Of those on Earth that bear the greatest sway; -If with a few the case be otherwise. -They seek a Kingdom that abides for aye. - -Moreover they of all the Sons of Men -That rule, and are in highest Places set, -Are most inclin’d to scorn their Bretheren, -And God himself (without great Grace) forget. - -For as the Sun doth blind the gazers’ eyes, -That for a time they naught discern aright, -So Honor 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 unwilling into Envy’s Trap. - -The mean Mechanic finds his kindly rest; -All void of fear sleepeth the Country Clown; -When greatest Princes often are distrest, -And cannot sleep upon their Beds of Down. - -Could Strength or Valor men Immortalize, -Could Wealth or Honor keep them from decay -There were some cause the same to Idolize, -And give the lie to that which I do say. - -But neither can such things themselves end are, -Without the hazard of a change, one hour. -Nor such as trust in them can they secure -From dismal days, or Death’s prevailing pow’r. - -If Beauty could the Beautiful defend -From Death’s dominion, then fair Absalom -Had not been brought to such a shameful end: -But fair and foul unto the Grave must come. - -If Wealth or Scepters could Immortal make, -Then, vrealthy Croesus, wherefore art thou dead? -If Warlike force which makes the World to quake, -Then why is Julius Caesar perished? - -Where are the Scipio’s Thunderbolts of War? -Renownéd Pompey, Caesar’s Enemy? -Stout Hannibal, Rome’s Terror known so far? -Great Alexander, what’s become of thee? - -If Gifts and Bribes Death’s favor might but win, -If Pow’r, if Force, or Threat’nings might it fray. -All these, and more had still surviving been; -But all are gone, for Death will have 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 thy heart enjoys, -Vain Man! triumph in all thy worldly Bliss: -Thy best Enjoyments are but Trash and Toys; -Delight thyself in that which worthless is. - -_Omnia prœtereunt prœter amare Deum._ - - -Death Expected and Welcomed. - -“Welcome sweet Rest, by me so long Desir’d, -Who have with Sins and Griefs so long been tir’d; -And welcome Death, my Father’s Messenger; -Of my Felicity the Hastener. - -Welcome good Angels, who, for me distrest, -Are come to guard me to Eternal Rest. -Welcome, Christ, who hast my Soul Redeem’d, -Whose Favor I have more than Life esteem’d. - -Oh! do not now my sinful soul forsake. -But to thyself thy Servant gath’ring take. -Into thy Hands I recommend my Spirit, -Trusting through Thee Eternal Life t’ inherit. - - -A Farewell to the World. - -Now Farewell, World, in which is not my Treasure; -I have in thee enjoy’d but little Pleasure. -And now I leave thee for a Better Place, -Where lasting Pleasures are, before Christ’s face. - -Farewell, ye Sons of Men, who do not savor -The things of God; who little prize his Favor. -Farewell, I say, with your Fool’s Paradise, -Until the King of Terrors you surprise, -And bring you trembling to Christ’s Judgment Seat, -To give Account of your Transgressions great. - -Farewell, New England, which hast long enjoy’d -The Day of Grace, but hast most vainly toy’d -And trifled with the Gospel’s glorious Light; -Thou may’st expect a dark Egyptian Night. - -Farewell, young Brood and rising Generation, -Wanton and proud, ripe for God’s Indignation, -Which neither you nor others can prevent, -Except in Truth you speedily repent. - -Farewell, sweet Saints of God, Christ’s little Number, -Beware lest ye through sloth securely slumber; -Stand to your Spir’tual Arms and keep your Watch, -Let not your Enemy you napping catch; -Take up your Cross, prepare for Tribulation, -Through which doth lie the way unto salvation. - -Love Jesus Christ with all sincerity; -Eschew Will-worship and Idolatry. -Farewell, again, until we all appear -Before our Lord, a _Well-done_ there to hear. - -Farewell, ye faithful Servants of the Lord, -Painful dispensers of his Holy Word, -From whose Communion and Societ -I once was kept through long infirmity -This of my Sorrows was an aggravation; -But Christ be thankéd, through whose Mediation -I have at length obtainéd Liberty -To dwell with Soul-delighting Company, -Where many of our Friends are gone before, -And you shall follow with a many more. -Meanwhile stand fast, the Truth of God maintain, -Suffer for Christ, and great shall be your Gain. - -Farewell, my natural Friends and dear Relations, -Who have my Trials seen and great Temptations; -You have no cause to make for me great Moan; -My Death to you is little Loss or none. -But unto me it is no little Gain, -For Death at once frees me from all my Pain. -Make Christ your greatest Friend, who never dies; -All other Friends are fading Vanities. -Make him your Light, your Life, your End, your All; -Prepare for Death, be ready for his Call. - -Farewell, vile Body, subject to decay. -Which art with lingering sickness worn away; -I have by thee much Pain and Smart endur’d; -Great Grief of Mind hast thou to me procur’d; -Great Grief of Mind by being Impotent, -And to Christ’s Work an awkward Instrument. -Thou shalt not hencefortli be a clog to me. -Nor shall my Soul a Burthen be to thee. - -Rest in thy Grave until the Resurrection, -Then shalt thou be revivéd in Perfection, -Endow’d with wonderful Agility, -Clothed with Strength and Immortality; -With shining Brightness gloriously array’d. -Like to Christ’s glorious Body, glorious made. -Thus Christ shall thee again to me restore, -Ever to live with him and part no more. -Meanwhile my Soul shall enter into Peace, -Where Fears and Tears^ where Sin and Smart shall cease. - - -A Character of the Reverend Author, Mr. Michael Wigglesworth, in a Funeral Sermon Preached at Malden, June 24, 1705. By the Reverend Dr. Cotton Mather. - -He was Descended of Eminently Religious Parents, who were Sufferers for -that which was then _The Cause of God_ and of _New-England_. While he -was yet a youth, he was marvellously concerned that he might have an -Heart filled with the Spirit of God. This Concernment upon his mind -appeared especially in his watchful Endeavors to have _Spiritual Sins_ -chased out of his cleansed Heart. Pride, the Sin of _Young Men_, yea, of -_all_ Men; Pride, the Sin which few Men try or trouble themselves about; -this Devout Youth was full of Holy and Watchful Trouble about it: And he -then wrote a very Savoury Discourse, Entituled, _Considerations against -Pride_, and another, Entituled, _Considerations against Delighting more -in the Creature than in God_. This was to Mortify in himself the Sins -rarely minded by the most of men. - -Having had a Pious and a Learned Education, the first Publick Station -wherein I find him, was that of a _Fellow_ and a _Tutor_ in _Harvard -Colledge_. With a rare Faithfulness did he adorn that Station! He used -all means imaginable to make his _Pupils_ not only good Scholars, but -also good _Christians_, and instil into them those things which might -render them rich Blessings unto the _Churches_ of God. Unto his Watchful -and Painful Essays to keep them close under their _Academical Exercises_ -he added Serious Admonitions unto them about their Interior State; and -he Employed his _Prayers_ and _Tears_ to God for them, and had such a -flaming zeal to make them worthy Men, that upon Reflection he was afraid -_Lest his cares for their Good, and his affection to them, should so -drink up his very Spirit, as to steal away his Heart from God._ - -From _Cambridge_ he made his remove to _Malden_, and was their Faithful -Pastor for about a Jubilee of years together. - -It was not long after his coming to Maiden that a sickly Constitution so -prevailed upon him, as to confine him from his Publick Work for some -whole seven of Years. His _Faithfulness_ continued when his _Ministry_ -was thus interrupted. The Kindness of his Tender Flock unto him was -answered in his Kind Concern to have them served by other Hands. He took -a short voyage unto another Country for the Recovery of his Health; -which, though he recovered not, yet at his Return I find him comforting -himself with inserting of this Passage in his Reserved Papers: - - “Peradventure the Lord Removed me for a season that he might set a - better Watchman over his Flock, and a more painful Laborer in his - Vineyard. This was one thing that I aimed at in Removing (to help the - People’s Modesty in the case), and I believe the Lord aimed at it, in - Removing me for a season.” - -His Faithfulness now appeared in his _Edifying Discourses_ to those that -came near him; much bewailing the want of a Profitable and Religious -conversation in so many that profess Religion. And that yet he might -more _Faithfully_ set himself to do Good, when he could not Preach he -_Wrote_ several Composures, wherein he proposed the edification of such -Readers as are for plain Truths, dressed up in _a Plain Meeter_. These -Composures have had their Acceptance and Advantage among that sort of -Readers; and one of them, the _Day of Doom_, which has been often -Reprinted in both Englands, may find our Children till the Day itself -arrive. - -It pleased God, when the distress of the Church in _Malden_ did -extremely call for it, wondrously to restore his _Faithful Servant_. He -that had been for near Twenty Years almost _Buried Alive_, comes abroad -again, and for as many years more, must, in _Publick Usefulness_, -receive the Answer and Harvest of the Thousands of Supplications with -which the God of his Health had favoured him. - -How _Faithfully_ did he now Deliver the _Whole Counsel of God!_ - -How _Faithfully_ did he Rebuke _Sin_, both in his _Ministry_ and -_Discipline!_ - -How Faithful was he to the _Work of God_ in the Churches of -_New-England_, and grieved at every thing that he thought had any -Tendency to incommode that Glorious Work! But how _Patient_, how -_Loving_, how _Charitable_ to such as in lesser Matters differed from -him! - -How Faithful was he in the Education of his _Family_! A very Abraham for -his Commands unto them, to _Keep the Way of the Lord!_ A very David for -his charge unto them to _Know the God of their Father and Serve Him!_ - -His long Weakness and Illness made him an _able Physician_ for the -_Body_ as well the _Soul_. - -As he was _Faithful to the Death_, so he was _Lively to the Death._ - -It was a surprise to us to see a little, feeble _Shadow of a Man_, -beyond _Seventy_, Preaching usually twice or tlirice in a week, -Visiting, Comforting the _Afflicted_, Encouraging the _Private -Meetings_, _Catechising_ the Children of the Flock, and managing the -_Government_ of the Church, and attending the _Sick_, not only as a -_Pastor_, but as a _Physician_ too; and this not only in his own Town, -but also in all those of the Vicinity. Thus he did _unto the Last_; and -he was but one _Lord’s-Day_ taken off before his Last. But in the _Last -Week_ of his Life, how full of _Resignation!_ How full of -_Satisfaction!_ - -From his Exemplary Life I will single out one thing, his EARLY RELIGION. -Our _Wigglesioorth_ was a Godly child, and he held on living to God and -Christ until the Seventy-Fourth Year of his Age. - -When he lay a Dying, some one spoke to him about his having secured his -_Interest_ in the Favor of Heaven, and his _Assurance_ of that Interest. -He Replyed, [Methoughts like my _Polycarp,_] - - “I bless God I began that Work betimes, and ere I was Twenty Years Old - I had made thorow work of it. Ever since then I have been pressing - after the Power of Godliness, the Power of Godliness! For more than - Fifty Years together I have been Laboring to uphold a Life of - Communion with God; and I thank the Lord I now find the Comfort of it! - -Words that contain in them _A History of a Life_ more Valuable than I -have seen a Volume in Folio. - - -Epitaph. (Believed to Have Been Written by Rev. Cotton Mather.) The Excellent Wigglesworth; Remembered by Some Good Tokens. - -His Pen did once _Meat from the Eater_ fetch; And now he’s gone beyond -the _Eater’s_ reach. His _Body_ once so _Thin_, was next to _None_; From -hence he’s to _Unbodied Spirits_ flown. Once his rare skill did all -_Diseases_ heal; And he does nothing now _uneasy_ feel. He to his -_Paradise_ is joyful come, And waits with joy to see his _Day of Doom._ - - -Contents. - -Memoir of the Author -Autobiography -To the Christian Reader -On the following Work -Prayer unto Christ -The Day of Doom - Security of the World before Christ’s coming - Suddenness and Terror of his appearing - Resurrection — All brought to judgment - The Sheep separated from the goats - The several sorts of reprobates described - The Saints justified — Election — Atonement - They are placed on thrones - The wicked brought to the Bar - Secret sins brought to light - Hypocrites plead for themselves - Another sort of hypocrites - Civil honest men’s pleas - Pretended want of opportunity to repent - Plea of examples of betters - Godly men’s examples misleading - Scripture, darkness, and difference of interpretation - Fear of persecution - Plea of God’s mercy and justice - Vessels of mercy - Mercy abused — Day of grace past - Shutting out by God’s decree - The Heathen’s plea - Reprobate infants’ plea - The wicked all convinced and silenced - Hopeless and helpless estate of the ungodly - Sentence of condemnation - Sentence executed — The wicked cast into Hell - Their unsufferable torments - The saints rejoice thereat - They ascend in triumph to Heaven -A Short discourse on Eternity -A Postscript unto the Reader -Vanity of Vanities -Death expected Ill -A Farewell to the World -Funeral Sermon -Epitaph - -[1] Luke 12:19. - -[2] Matt. 25:5. - -[3] Mat. 24:37, 38. - -[4] 1 Thes. 5:3. - -[5] Mat. 25:6. -2 Pet. 3:10. - -[6] Mat. 24:29, 30. - -[7] 2 Pet. 3:10. - -[8] Rev. 6:15 - -[9] Mat. 24:30. - -[10] Rev. 6:15, 16. - -[11] Mat. 25:21. - -[12] Rev. 6:14. - -[13] Thes. 4:16. - -[14] John 5:28, 29 - -[15] Luke 20:36. - 1 Cor. 15:52. - -[16] Mat. 24:31 - -[17] 2 Cor. 5:10. - Matt. 25:32. - -[18] Mat. 5:10, 11. - -[19] Heb. 12:5, 6, 7. - -[20] Luke 7:41, 47. - -[21] John 21:15. - Mat. 19:14. - John 3:3. - -[22] Rev. 6:11. - Phil. 3:21. - -[23] Mat. 24:51. - -[24] Luke 11:24, 26. - Heb. 6:4, 5, 6. - Heb. 10:29. - -[25] Luke 12:47. - Prov. 1:24, 26. - Job 3:19 - -[26] Gal. 3:10. - 1 Cor. 6:9. - Rev. 21:8 - -[27] Exod. 20:7, 8. - 2 Thes. 1:6, 8, 9. - -[28] Heb. 13:4. - 1 Cor. 6:10. - -[29] Zach. 5:3, 4. - Gal. 5:19, 20, 21. - -[30] Rom. 2:13 - -[31] Acts 4:12. - -[32] 1 Cor. 6:3. - -[33] Jude 6. - -[34] 2 Cor. 5:10. - Eccl. 3:17. - John 3:18 - -[35] Job 17:6. - Eph. 1:4. - -[36] Rev. 1:5. - -[37] Eph. 2:1, 3. - -[38] Mat. 23:13, 15. - Rom. 9:20, 21. - -[39] Isa. 53:4, 5, 11. - -[40] Acts 1:3, 48. - Jam. 2:18. - Heb. 12:7. - Mat. 19:29. - -[41] 1 John 3:3. - Mat. 25:39, 40. - -[42] Isa. 53:11, 12. - Rom. 8:16, 17, 33, 34. - John 3:18. - -[43] Luke 22:29, 30. - Mat. 19:28. - -[44] Mat. 25:34. - -[45] Cor. 6:2. - -[46] Rom. 2:3, 6, 11. - -[47] Rev. 6:15, 16. -Isa. 30:33. - -[48] Eccl. 11:9, 12, 14. - -[49] Ps. 139:2, 4, 12. -Rom. 2:16 - -[50] Eccl. 12:14. - -[51] Mat. 12:36. -Rom. 7:7 - -[52] John 5:40, and 3:19. -Mat. 25:19, 27. - -[53] Rom. 2:4, 5. - -[54] Isa. 1:5. -Jer. 2:20 - -[55] John 3:19, etc. -Prov. 8:36. -Luke 12:20, 21. - -[56] Luke 13:34. -John 5:40, and 15:22. - -[57] Rom. 3:10, 12. - -[58] Rom. 6:23. - -[59] Mat. 7:21, 22, 23. - -[60] John 6:70. -1 Cor. 9:27. - -[61] Rom. 2:19, 21, 22, 23. - -[62] John 9:41. -Rev. 2:21, 22. - -[63] Luke 12:47. -Matt. 11:21, 22, 24. - -[64] Luke 13:20. - -[65] Luke 13:27. -Matt. 22:12. - -[66] 1 Cor. 11:27, 29. - -[67] Mat. 6:21, 24. -Rom. 1:25. - -[68] 1 Cor. 11:27, 29. - -[69] Acts 8:13. -Isa. 58:2, 3. -Heb. 6:4, 5. - -[70] 2 Pet. 2:20. - -[71] John 2:24, 25. - -[72] John 6:64. -Psal. 50:16. -Mat. 15:26. - -[73] Rev. 3:17. -Mat. 13:20. - -[74] Mat. 6:2, 4, 24. -Jer. 8:5, 6, 7, 8. - -[75] Psal. 78:34, 35, 36, 37. - -[76] Zach. 7:5, 6. -Isa. 58:3, 4. -1 Sam.15:13, 21. -Isa. 1:11, 15. - -[77] Mat. 6:2, 5. -John 5:44. - -[78] Zech. 7:5, 16. -Hos. 10:1. - -[79] Luke 18:11. - -[80] 1 Sam. 15:22. - -[81] Eccl. 7:20. - -[82] Deut. 10:12. -Tit. 2:12. -Jam. 2:10. - -[83] Luke 18:11, 14. - -[84] 1 Sam.16:7. 2 Chron. 25:2. - -[85] Heb. 11:6. -1 Cor. 13:1, 2, 3. - -[86] Heb. 11:6.; 1 Cor. 13:1, 2, 3. - -[87] Rom. 10:3. - -[88] Rom. 9:30, 32. -Matt 11:23, 24 and 21:41. - -[89] Mat. 6:5. - -[90] Prov. 26:23. -Mat. 23:27. - -[91] Prov 15:8. -Rom. 2:3. - -[92] Prov. 27:1. - Jam. 4:13. - -[93] Eccl. 12:1. -Rev. 2:21. - -[94] Luke 13:24. -2 Cor. 6:2. -Heb. 3:7, 8, 9. - -[95] Eccl. 11:9. -Luke 14:18, 19, 20. - -[96] Amos 6:3, 4, 5, 6. -Eph. 5:16. -Luke 19:42. - -[97] Luke 13:21, 25, etc. -Phil. 2:12. - -[98] Mat. 18:7. - -[99] John 7:48. - -[100] Psal. 19:8, 11. - Exod. 23:2. - Psal. 50:17, 18. - -[101] 2 Tim. 3:5. - -[102] 1 Cor. 11:1. -Phil. 4:8. - -[103] Psal. 32:5. -2 Chron. 32:26. -Mat. 26:75. -Prov. 1:24, 25. - -[104] 2 Pet. 3:16. - -[105] Prov. 14:6. -Isa. 35:8. -Hos. 8:12. - -[106] Matt. 11:25. -Prov. 2:3, 4, 5. - -[107] Acts 28:22. - -[108] John 12:42, 43. - -[109] Luke 12:4, 5. -Isa. 51:12, 13. - -[110] Luke 9:23, 24, 25 and 16:2. - -[111] Luke 9:26. -Prov 8:36 -John 3:19, 20. - -[112] Psal. 78:38. -2 Kin. 11:26. - -[113] Psal. 30:9. -Mic. 7:18. - -[114] Mic. 7:18. -Rom. 9:23. - -[115] Rom. 2:4. -Hos. 11:4. - -[116] Luke 13:34. - -[117] Luke 19:42, 43. -Jude 4. - -[118] Rom. 2:5, 6. -Isa. 1:24. -Amos 2:13. -Gen. 18:25. - -[119] Mat. 25:3, 1, 2. -Prov. 12:8, 29, 30. - -[120] Isa. 5:18, 19. - Gen. 2 : 17. -Rom. 2:8, 9. - -[121] Rom. 6:23. -2 Thes. 1:8, 9. - -[122] Ezek. 83:11. -Exod. 34:7, and 14:17. -Rom. 9:22. - -[123] Rom. 9:18, 19. - -[124] Heb. 22:17. -Rom. 11:7, 8. - -[125] Luke 13:27. -2 Pet. 1:9, 10, compared with Mat. 19:16. - -[126] Acts 3:19, and 16:31. -1 Sam. 2:15. -John 3:19. -Job 5:40. -2 Thes. 2:11, 12. - -[127] Ezek. 33:11, 12. -Luke 13: 34. -Prov. 8 : 33, 36. - -[128] Gen. 2:17. -Mat. 25:41, 42. -Ezek. 18:20. - -[129] 2 Pet. 1:10. - Acts 13:46. - Luke 13:24. - -[130] Mat. 7:7, 8 - Gal. 5:22, 23. - -[131] John 3:19. - -[132] John 15:22, 24. - Heb. 2:3. - Isa. 66:34. - -[133] Mat. 11 : 22. -Luke 12 : 48. - -[134] Mat. 11:22. - -[135] Gen. 1:27. -Eccl. 7 : 29. -Hos. 13 : 9. - -[136] Mat. 11 : 25, compared with 20:15. - -[137] Rom. 1:20, 21, 22. - -[138] Rom. 2:12, 15 and 1:32. - Mat. 12:41. - -[139] Rev. 20:12, 15, compared with Rom. 5:12, 14 and 9:11, 13. - Ezek. 18:2. - -[140] Psal. 51:5. - -[141] Ezek. 18:20. - Rom. 5:12, 19. - -[142] 1 Cor. 15:48, 49. - -[143] Rom. 5:12. - Psal. 51:5. - Gen. 5:3. - -[144] Mat. 23:30, 31. - -[145] Rom. 9:15, 18. - Rom. 5:15. - -[146] Mat. 20:15. - -[147] Psal. 58:8. - Rom 6:23. - Gal. 3:10. - Rom. 8:2, 30, and 11:7. - Rev. 21:27. - Luke 12:14, 8. - Mat. 11:22. - -[148] Rom. 3:19. - Mat. 22:12. - -[149] Rev. 6:16, 17. - -[150] Psal. 139:2, 3, 4. - Eccl. 12:14. - -[151] Mat. 25:45. - -[152] Mat. 22:12. - Rom. 2:5, 6. - Luke 19:42. - -[153] Mat. 28:18. - Psal. 137:7. - -[154] Isa. 33:14. - Psal. 11:6. Num. 25:19. - -[155] Mat. 25:41, and 25:10, 11, 12. - -[156] Luke 12:20. - Psal. 49:7, 17. - Deut. 32:2. - -[157] 2 Pet. 3:10. - -[158] Luke 16:28. - -[159] Rev. 21:4. - Psal. 68:10. - -[160] 1 Cor. 6:2. - -[161] Compare Prov. 1:26. with 1 John 3:2, and 2 Cor. 5:16. - -[162] Luke 16:25. - -[163] Psal. 58:10. - -[164] Mat 25:41. - -[165] Luke 13:38. - Prov. 1:26. - -[166] Mat. 25:46. - -[167] Mat. 13:41, 42. - -[168] Mat. 25:30, - Mark 9:42. - Isa. 30:33. - Rev. 21:8. - -[169] Mat. 22:13, and 25:46. - -[170] Rev. 14:10, 11. - -[171] Luke 16:24. - Jude 7. - -[172] Isa. 33:14. - Mark 9:43, 44. - -[173] Luke 12:47. - -[174] Mat. 11:24. - -[175] Luke 16:23, 25, and 13:28. - -[176] Luke 13:24. - -[177] Mat. 9:44. - Rom. 2:15. - -[178] Psal. 68:10. - Rev. 10:1, 2, 3. - -[179] 1 John 3:2. - 1 Cor. 13 12. - -[180] Rev. 21:4. - -[181] Psal. 16:11. - -[182] Heb. 12:23. - Rev. 1:6, and 22:5. - - - - - -End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Day of Doom, by Michael Wigglesworth - -*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE DAY OF DOOM *** - -***** This file should be named 56053-0.txt or 56053-0.zip ***** -This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: - http://www.gutenberg.org/5/6/0/5/56053/ - -Produced by Michael McDermott, using scans obtained from -the Internet Archive - - -Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions -will be renamed. - -Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no -one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation -(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without -permission and without paying copyright royalties. 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