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not still to weep Griefe ministers a flood to tears in which their words do steep CXXXIV But all too late Grief 's out of date when Life is at an end The glorious King thus answering all to his voice attend God gracious is quoth he like his no Mercy can be found His Equity and Clemency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
DAY OF DOOM OR A DESCRIPTION Of the Great and Last Judgment WITH A SHORT DISCOURSE ABOUT ETERNITY Eccles. 12. 14. For God shall bring every work into Iudgment with every secret thing whether it be good or whether it be evil LONDON Printed by I. G. for P. C. 166â— A 〈◊〉 unto Christ the Iudge of the World O Dearest dread most glorious King I 'le of thy justice Iudgment sing Do thou my head and heart inspire To do 't aright as I desire Thee thee alone I 'le invocate For I do much abominate To call the Muses to mine aid Which is the unchristian use and trade Of some that Christians would be thought And yet they Worship worse than naughtâ— Oh what a deal of Blasphemy And Heathenish Impiety In Christian Poets may be found Where Heathen Gods with Praise are crâ—wnâ— They make IEHOVAH to stand by Till Juno Venus Mercury With frowning Mâ—rs and thund'ring Joâ—e â— Rule Earth below and Heav'n above 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 Gods Praises to the Devil Thou Christ art he to whom I pray Thy glory fain I would display Oh guide me by the sacred Sprite So to indite and so to write That I thine holy Name may praise And teach thâ— sons of men thy ways THE DAY OF â—â—OM I. STill was the night serene and bright when all men sleeping lay Calm was the season carâ—â—l reason thought so 't would last â—or ay Soul take thine ease let sorrow cease much good thou hast in store This was their song their cups among the evening before II. Wallowing in all kind of sin vile wretches lay secure The best of men had scarcely then their Lamps kept in good ure 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. Like as of old when men grew bold Gods threatnings to contemn Who stopt their ear and would not hear when mercy warned them But took their course without remorse till God began to pour Destruction the world upon in a tempestuous showâ—â— IV. They 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 whilest men sleep fast in their security Surpriz'd they are in such a snare as cometh suddenly V. For at midnight broke forth a light which turn'd the night to day And speedily an hideous cry did all the world dismay Sinners awake their hearts do ake trembling their loyns surprizeth Amâ—z'd with fear by what they hear each one of them ariseth VI. They rush from beds with giddy heads and to their windows run Viewing this Light which shines more bright than doth the noon-day Sun Straightway appears they see 't with â—ears the Son of God most dread Who with his train comes on amain to judge both Quick and Dead VII Before his face the Heavens give place and Skies are rent asunder With mighty voice and hideous noise more terrible then Thunder His brightness damps Heav'ns glorious lâ—mps and makes them hide their heads As if afraid and quite dismaid they quit their wonâ—ed steads VIII Ye sons of men that durst contemn the threatnings of Gods word How cheer you now your hearts I trow are thrill'd as with a sword Now Atheist blind whose bruâ—ish minâ— a God could never see Dost thou perceive dost now believe that Christ thy Judge shall beâ— IX Stout courages whose hardiness could death and hell out-face Are you as bold now you behold your Judge draw near apace They cry No no alas and woâ— our courage all is gone Our hardiness â—ool-hardiness hath us undone undone X. No heart so bâ—ld but now grows cold and almost dead with fear No eye so dry but now can cry and pour out many a tear Earths Poâ—entates and pow'rful States Captains and men of Might Are quiâ—e abasht their courage dasht At this most dreadful sight XI Mean men lament great men do râ—nt their robes and tear their hair They do not spare their flesh to tear through horrible despair All kindreds wail their hearts do fail horrour the world doth fill Wiâ—â— weeping eyes and loud out-cries yet knows not how to kill XII Some hide themselves in Caves and Delves and plâ—ces under ground Some rashly leap into the deep to scape by being drown'd Some to the Rocks O sensless blocks and woody Mountains run Tâ—aâ— there they might this fearful â—ight and dreaded Presence shun XIII In vâ—in do they to Mountains say Fall on us and us hide From Judges iâ—e more hot then fire For who may it abide No hiding place can from his face sinners at all conceal Whose flaming eye hid things doth spy and darkest things reveal XIV The Judge draws nigh exalted high upon a lofty Throne Amids the throng of Angels strong LIKE Israel's â—oly One The excellence of whose Presence and awful Majesty Amâ—zeth Nature and every Creaâ—ure doth more then terrifie XV. The Mountains smoâ—k the Hills are shook the Earth is rent and torn As if she should be clean dissolv'd or from her Cenâ—re born The Sea doth roar forsakes the shoâ—e and shrinks away for fear The wild beasts flee into the Sea so soon as he draws neaâ— XVI Whose glory bright whose wondâ—ous might whose Power Imperial So far surpass what ever was in Realms Terrestrial That tongues of men nor Angels pen cannot the same express And theâ—efore I must pass it by lest speaking should transgress XVII Before his throne a Trump is blown proclaiming th' day of Doom Forthwith he câ—ies Ye dead arise and unto Iudgement come No sooner said but 't is obey'd Sepulchâ—es open'd are Dead bodies all â—ise at his call and 's migâ—â—y power declare XVIII Both sâ—a and land at his command their dead at once surrender The fire and air constrained are also â—heir deâ—d to â—ender The mighty woâ—d of â—his great Lord links body and soul togeâ—her Both of the just and the unjust to part no more for ever Xâ—X The same translates from mortal states â—o immâ—â—tality All that survive and be alive i' th' twinkling of an eye That so they may abide for ay to endless weal or woe Both the Renate and Reprobate are made to dye no moe XX. His winged Hosts fly through all Coasts together gathering Both good and bad both quick and dead and all to Judgement bring Out of their holes these creeping Moles that hid themselves for fear By force they take and quickly make before the Judge appear XXI Thus every one before the Throne of Christ the Judge is brought Both righteous and impious that good or ill had wrought A sepaâ—ation and diff'ring station by Christ appointed is To sinners sad ' â—wixt good and bad ' â—wixt Heirs of woe and bliss XXII At Christ's right hand the
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