English

181

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.

182

Thus all mens Pleas the Judge with ease
doth answer and confute,
Until that all, both great and small,

171

Than answered the Judge most dread,
God doth such doom forbid,
That men should dye 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.

172

He was design'd of all Mankind
to be a publick Head,
A common Root, whence all should shoot,

161

But Natures 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.

162

How came your mind to be so blind?
I once you knowledge gave,
Clearness of sight, and judgment right;

151

You, sinful Crew, no other knew
but you might be elect.
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 Heav'ns door.

152

'Twas no vain task to knock, to ask,
whilst life continued
Whoever sought heav'n as he ought,
and seeking perished?
The lowly meek who truly seek

141

It doth agree with equity,
and with Gods holy Law,
That those should dye 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 pain.

142

Eternal smart is the desert,
ev'n of the least offence;
Then wonder not if I allot
to you this Recompence:

131

How can it be that God should see
his Creatures endless pain,
Or hear the groans and rueful moans,
and still his wrath retain?
Can it agree with Equitie?
can mercy have the heart
To recompence few years offence
with Everlasting smart?

132

Can God delight in such a sight
as sinners misery?
Or what great good can this our blood

121

We had thy Word, say some, O Lord,
but wiser men than we
Could never yet interpret it,
but alway 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?

122

Was all my word abstruse and hard?
the Judge then answered:
It did contain much truth so plain,

111

Could you find time for vain pastime,
for loose licentious mirth?
For fruitless toyes, and fading joyes
that perish in the birth?
Had you good leasure for carnal Pleasure
in dayes of health and youth?
And yet no space to seek God's face,
and turn to him in truth?

112

In younger years, beyond your fears,
what if you were surprised?
You put away the evil day,

101

Nor from true faith, 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'ns lofty Wall
by Ladders of your own.

102

Your blinded spirit, hoping to merit
by your own Righteousness,
Needed no Saviour, but your behaviour,

81

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

82

We did believe and oft receive
thy gracious promises:
We took great care to get a share
in endless happiness