Part 2

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]