English

71

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 pawes, whilst in his jawes
your selves were held more fast?

72

Who though you knew Repentance true,
and Faith in my great Name,
The only mean to quit you clean,

61

Of times neglected, of means rejected,
of God's long-suffering,
And Patience, to Penitence
that sought hard hearts to bring.
Why Cords of love did nothing move
to shame or to remorse?
Why warnings grave, and counsels, have
nought chang'd their sinful course?

62

Why chastenings, and evil things,
why judgments so severe
Prevailed not with them a jot,

51

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.

52

The glorious Judge will priviledge
nor Emperour, nor King:
But every one that hath mis-done

41

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

42

Thus I esteem'd, thus I redeem'd
all these from every Nation,
That they may be (as now you see)

31

Blasphemers lewd, and Swearers shrewd,
Scoffers at Purity
That hated God, contemn'd his Rod,
and lov'd Security;
Sabbath-polluters, Saints persecuters,
Presumptuous men and Proud,
Who never lov'd those that reprov'd;
all stand amongst this Crowd.

32

Adulterers and Whoremongers
were there, with all unchast:
There Covetous, and Ravenous,

21

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

22

At Christ's right hand the Sheep do stand,
his holy Martyrs, who
For his dear Name suffering shame,

11

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.

12

Some hide themselves in Caves and Delves,
in places under ground:
Some rashly leap into the Deap,

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 ay
Soul, take thine ease, let sorrow cease,
much good thou has in store:
This was their Song, their Cups among,
the Evening before.

2

Wallowing in all kind of sin,
vile wretches lay secure:
The best of men had scarcely then

O Dearest Dread, most glorious King,
I'le of thy justest Judgments sing:
Do thou my head and heart inspire,
To Sing aright, as I desire,
Thee, thee alone I'le 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 then nought.
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

Reader, I am a fool,
And have adventured
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 attained what I seek,
And what I onely prize

Thou wonderest perhaps,
That I in Print appear,
Who in the Pulpit dwell so nigh,
Yet come so seldome there:
The God of Heaven knows
What grief to me it is,
To be with-held from Serving Christ:
No sorrow like to this.