You shall not smart for any part of other mens offence But for your own transgression receive due recompence CLIX. But we were blind say â—hey in mind too dim was natures light Our only guide as hath been tryâ—d to bring us to the sight Of our estate degenerate and cuâ—st by Adam's fall How we were born and lay forlorn in bondage and in thâ—all CLX We did not know a Christ till now nor bow falâ— man he saved Else should we not right well we woâ— have so our selves behaved We should have mourn'd we should have turn'd from sin at thy reproof And been more wise through thine advice for our own Souls behoof CLXI But natures light shin'd not so bright to teach us the right way We might have lov'd it 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'n-ward to bend CLXII How came your mind to be so blind I once you knowledge gave Clearness of sight and judgement right who did the same deprave If to your cost you have it lost and quite defac'd the same Your own desert hath caus'd your smart you ought not me to blame CLXIII Your selves into a pit of wo your own transgressions led If I to none my grace had shown who had been injured If to a few and not to you I shew'd a way of life My Grace so free you clearly see gives you no ground of strife CLXIV 'T is â—ain to tell you wot full well if you in time had known Your Misery and Remedy your actions had it shown You sinful crew have not been true unto the light of Nature Noâ— done the good you understood nor owned your Creator CLXV He that the Light because 't is Light hath used to despize Would not the Light shining more bright be likely for to 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 CLXVI Then to the Bar all they drew near who dy'd 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 transgrest who thus began to plead CLXVII If for our own transgression or disobedience We here did stand at thy left hand jâ—st were the recompence But Adam's guilt our souls hath spilt his fault is charg'd upon us And that alone hath overthrown and utterly undone us CLXVIII Not we but he aâ—e of the Tree whose fruit was interdicted Yet on us all of his sad fall the punishment's inflicted How could we sin who had not bin or how is his sin our Without consent which to prevent we never had a pow'r CLXIX O great Creator why was our nature depraved and forlorn Why so defil'd and made so vild Whilst we were yet 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 â—et free and sav'd from his treâ—pass Whose sinful fall hath split us all and brought us to this pass Canst thou deny us once to try or grace to us to tender When he finds grace before thy face that was the chief offender CLXXI. Then answered the Judge most dread God doth such doom forbid Tâ—at men should die eternally for what they never did But what you call old Adam's Fall and only his Trespass You call amiss to call it his both his and yours it was CLXXII He was design'd of all mankind to be a publick 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 Gods true love never to move nor once awry to tread Then all his Race my Fathers Grace should have enjoy'd for ever And wicked Sprights by subtil 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'r obey'd nor did thy Laws regard It ill befits with benefits us Lord so to reward CLXXV Since then to share in his welfare you could have been content You may with reason share in his treason and in the punishment Hence you were born in state forlorn with natures so depâ—aved Death was your due because that you had thus your selves behaved CLXXVI You think if we had been as he whom God did so betrust We to our cost would ne'r 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 wo your selves and yours have brought CLXXVII I may deny you once to try or Grace to you to tender Though he finds grace beâ—ore my face who was the chief offender Else should my Grace cease to be Grace for it should not be free If to release whom I shall please I have not libertee CLXXVIII Iâ— upon one what 's due to none I frankly shall bestow And on the rest shall not think best compassions skirt to throw Whom injure I will you envy and grudge at others weal Or me accuse who do refuse your selves to help and heal CLXXIX Am I alone of what 's my own no Master or â—o Lord Or if I am how can you claim wâ—at I to some afford Will you demand Gâ—ace at my hand and challenge what is mine Will you teach me whom to set free and thus my Grace confine CLXXX You sinners are and such a share as sinners may expect Such you shall have for I do save none but mine own Elect. Yet to compare your sin with their who liv'd a longer time I do confess yours is much less though ev'ry sin 's a crime CLXXXI A crime it is therefore in bliss you may not hope to dwell But unto you I shall allow the easiest room in hell The glorious King thus answering they cease and plead no longer Their consciences must needs confess his Reasons are the stronger CLXXXII Thus all mens plea's the Judge with ease doth answer and confute Until that all both great and small are silenced and mute Vain hopes are cropt all mouths are stopt sinners have nought to say But that 't is just and equal most they should be damn'd for ay CLXXXIII Now what remains but that to pains and everlasting smart Christ should condemn the sons of men which is their just desert Oh ruâ—ul plights of sinful wights Oh wretches all forlorn That happy been they ne'r had seen the Sun or not been born CLXXXIV Yea now it would be good they couldâ— themselves annihilate And cease to be themselves to free from such a fearful state Oh happy Dogs and Swine and Frogs
such a root Vertue divine and genuine wants not from pride to shoor CV Such deeds as you are worse then pooâ— they are but sins guilt over With silver dross whose glistering gloss â—an them no longer cover The best of them would you condemn and â—uine you alone Alâ—hough you were from faults so clear that other you had none CVI. Your gold is dross youâ— silver brass your righteousness is sin And think you by such honesty Eternall life to win You much mistake if for it's sake you dream of acceptation Whereas the same deserveth shame and meriteth damnation CVII A wond'rous Crowd then 'gan aloud thus for themselves to say We did intend Lord to mend and to reform our way Ouâ— true intent was to repent and make our peace with thee But sudden death stopping our breath left us no libertee CVIII Short was our time for in his prime our youthful flow'r was cropt We dy'd in youth before full growth so was our purpose stopt Let our good will to turne from ill and sin to have forsaken Accepted be O Lord by thee and in good part be taken CIX To whom the Judg Where you alledge the shortness of the space That from your biâ—th you liv'd on earth to compass Sâ—ving Grace It was free-grace that any space waâ— given you at all To turn from evil defie the Devil and upon God to call CX One day one week wherein to seek Gods face with all your hearts A favour was that far did pass the best of your deserts You had a season what was your Reason such preciouâ— hours to waste What could you find what could you mind that was of greater haste CXI Could you find time for vain pastime for loose licentious mirth For fruitless toys and fading joyes that perish in the birth Had you good leisure for Carnal pleasure in days of health and youth And yet no space to seek Gods face and turn to him in truth CXII In younger years beyond your fears what if you were surprised You put away the evil day and of long life devised You oft were told and might behold that Death no age would spare Why then did you your time foreslow and slight your Souls welfare CXIII Hâ—d your intent been to Repent and had you it desir'd There would have been endeavours seen before your time expir'd God makes no â—reasure nor hath he pleasure in idle purpoâ—es Such fair pretences are foul offences and cloaks for wickedness CXIV Then were brought in and charg'd with sin another Compaâ—y Who by Petition obtain'd permission to make apology They argued We were mis-led as is well known to thee By their Example that had more ample abilities than we CXV Such as profest we did detest and hate each wicked way Whose seeming grace whil'st 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 CXVI The Judge Replies I gave you eyes aâ—d 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 This you well know that God is true and that most men are liars In word professing holiness in deed thereof deniersâ— O simple â—ools that having Rules your lives to Regulate Would them refuse and rather chuse vile men to imitate CXVIII But Lord say they we weâ—â— astray and did more wickedly By means of those whom thou hast chose Salvations Heirs to be To whom the Judge What you alledge doth nothing help the case But makes appear how vile you were and rend'reth you more baâ—e CXIX You understood that what was good was to be â—ollowed And that you ought that which was nought to have relinquished Contrariwise it was your guise only to imitate Good mens defects and their neglects that were Regenerate CXX But to express their holiness or imitate their Grace Yet little caâ—'d not 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 CXXI We had thy Word said some O Lord but wiser men then wee Could never yet interpret it but always disagree How could we fools be led by Rules so far beyond our ken Which to explain did so much pain and puzzle wisest men CXXII Was all my Word obscure and hard the Judge then answered It did contain much Truth so plain you might have run and read But what was hard you never car'd to know nor studied And things that were most plain and clear you never practised CXXIII The Mystery of Pieâ—y God unto Babes reveals When to the wise he it denies and from the world coâ—ceals If â—o fulfill Gods holy will had seemed good to you You would have sought light as you ought and done the good yâ—u knew CXXâ—V Then came in view anoâ—her Crew and 'gan to make their plea's Amongst the rest some of the best had such poor â—hifts 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 We Holiness durst not profess fearing to be forlorn Of all our friends and for amends to be the wicked's scorn We knew theiâ— anger would much endanger our lives and our estates Therefore for fear we durst appear no better than our mates CXXVI To whom the Lord returns this word O wonderful deceits To cast off aw of Gods strict Law and fear mens wrath and thâ—eats To fear Hell-fire and Gods fierce ire less then the rage of men As if Gods wrath could do less scath than wrath of bretheren CXXVII To use such strife to temp'ral life to rescue and secure And be so bâ—ind as not to mind that life that will endure This was youâ— case who carnal peace more then â—â—ue joyes did savour Who fed on dusâ— clave to your lust and spurned at my â—avour CXXVIII To please your kin mens loves to win to flow in woâ—ldly wealth To save your skin these things have bin more than Eternal health You had your choice wherein rejoyce it was your portion For which you chose your Souls t' expose unto Perdition CXXIX Who did not hate friends life and state with all things else for me And all forsake and 's Cross up take shall never happy be Well worthy they do die for ay who death then life had rather Death is their due that so value the friendship of my Father CXXX Others argue and not a few is not God gracious His Equity and Clemency are they not marvellous Thus we believ'd are we deceiv'd cannot his Mercy great As hath been told to us of old asswage his anger's heat CXXXI How can it be that God should see his Creatures endless pain Oâ— hear their groans or ruefull moanes and still his wrath retain Can it
agree with equitee can Mercy have the heart To Recompence few years offence with Everlasting smart CXXXII Can God delight in such a sight as sinners Misery Or what great good can this our bloud bring unto the most High Oh 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 it not raise thine endless praise more than our suffering With that they cease holding their peace but cease not still to weep Griefe ministers a flood to tears in which their words do steep CXXXIV But all too late Grief 's out of date when Life is at an end The glorious King thus answering all to his voice attend God gracious is quoth he like his no Mercy can be found His Equity and Clemency to sinners do abound CXXXV As may appear by those that here are 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 man's thought For such as those that were his foes like wonders would have wrought CXXXVI And none but he such lenitee and patience would have shown To you so long who did him wrong and pull'd his judgements down How long a space O stiff-neck't Race did patience you afford How oft did love you gently move to turn unto the Lord CXXXVII With cords of Love God often strove your stubborn hearts to tame Nevertheless your wickedness did still resist the same If now at last Mercy be past from you for evermore And Justice come in Mercies room yet grudge you noâ— therefore CXXXVIII If into wrath God tuâ—â—ed hath his Long-long â—uffeâ—ing And now for Love you Vengeance prove it is an equal thing Your waxing worse hath stopt the course of wonted Clemency Mercy refus'd and Grace misus'd call for severity CXXXâ—X It 's now high time that every Crime be brought to punishment VVrath long contain'd and oft refrain'd at last must have a vent Justice â—evere cannot foâ—bear to plague sin any longer But must inflict with hand moâ—t strict mischief upon the wronger CXL In vain do they for Mercy pray the season being past Who had no care to get a share therein while time did last The men whose ear refus'd to hear the voice of Wisdom's cry Earn'd this reward that none regard him in his misery CXLI It doth agree with Equitee and with God's holy Law That those should dy eternally that death upon them draw The Soul that sin's damnation win's for so the Law ordains Which Law is justâ— and therefore must such suffer endless pains CXLII Eternâ—l smart is the desert ev'n of the least offence Then wonder not if I allot to you this Recompence 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 God hath no joy to crush or ' stroy and ruine wretched wights But to display the glorious ray of Justice he delights To manifest he doth detest and throughly hate all sin By plaguing it as is most fit this shall him glory win CXLIV Then at the Bar arraigned are an impudenter sort Who to evade the guilt that 's laid upon them thus retort How could we cease thus to transgress how could we Hell avoid Whom God's Decree shut out from thee and sign'd to be destroy'd CXLV Whom God ordains to endless pains by Laws unalterable Repentance true Obedience new to save such are unable Sorrow for sin no good can win to such as are rejected Ne can they give not yet believe that never were elected CXLVI Of man's faln Race who can true Grace or Holiness obtain Who can convert or change his heart if God with-hold the same Had we apply'd our selves and tri'd as much as who did most Gods love to gain our busie pain and labour had been lost CXLVII Christ readily makes this reply I damn you not because You are rejected or not elected but you have broke my Laws It is but vain your wits to strain the Eâ—d and Meâ—ns to sever Men fondly seek to dart or break what God hath link'd together CXLVIII Whom God will save such he will have the means of life to use Whom he 'l pass by shall chuse to diâ— 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 High God's Decree as it is free so doth it none compel Against their will to good or ill iâ— forceth none to Hell They have their wish whose Souls perish with torments in Hell-fire Who rather chose their souls to lose then leave a loose desire CL. God did ordain sinners to pain and I to hell send none But such as sweâ—v'd and have deserv'd destruction as their own His pleasure is that none fr 〈…〉 ss and endless happiness Be barr'd but such as wrong 〈◊〉 much by wilful wickedness CLI You sinful crew no other knew but you might be elect Why did you then your selves condemn why did you me reject Where was your strife to gain that life which lasteth evermore You never knock't yet say God lock't against you heavens door CLII. 'T was no vain task to knock to 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 You argue then But abject men whom God resolves to spill Cannot repent nor their hearts rent ne can they change their will Not for his Can is any man adjudged unto hell But for his Will â— to do what 's ill and nilling to do well CLIV. I often stood tend'ring my Bloud 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 proffer'd No changed heart no heav'nly part would you when it was offer'd CLV Who wilfully the remedy of Grace and Life contemned Cause have the same themselves to blame if now they be coâ—demned You have your selves you and none else your selves have done to die You chose the way to your decay and perish'd wilfully CLVI These words apale and daunt them all dismai'd and all amort Like stocks they stand at Christs left hand and dare no more retort Then were brought near with trembling fear a number numberless Of blind Heathen and bâ—utish men that did Gods Law transgress CLVII Whose wicked ways Christ open lays and makes their sins appear They making plea's the case to ease if not themselves to clear Thy written word say they good Lord we never did enjoy We not refus'd nor it abus'd Oh do not us destroy CLVIII You ne'r abus'd nor yet refus'd my written Word you plead That 's tâ—ue quoth he therefore shall ye the less be punished