Part 3

“Lord, in thy Name, and by the same, we Devils dispossess’d; We rais’d the dead and minist’red Succor to the distressed. Our painful teaching and pow’rful preaching by thine own wondrous might, Did throughly win to God from sin many a wretched wight.“

_The Judge replyeth._

LXX. [60]

“All this,” quoth he, “may granted be, and your case little better’d, Who still remain under a chain and many irons fetter’d. You that the dead have quickened, and rescu’d from the grave. Yourselves were dead, yet ne’er needéd a Christ your souls to save.

LXXI.[61]

“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 paws, whilst in his jaws yourselves were held more fast?

LXXII. [62]

“Who though you knew Repentance true, and Faith is my great Name, The only mean to quit you clean, from punishment and blame, Yet took no pain true Faith to gain, such as might not deceive, Nor would repent with true intent, your evil deeds to leave.

LXXIII. [63]

“His Master’s will how to fulfil the servant that well knew, Yet left undone his duty known, more plagues to him are due. You against light perverted right; wherefore it shall be now For Sidon and for Sodom’s Land more easy than for you.“

_Another plea of the Hypocrites._

LXXIV. [64]

“But we have in thy presence been,” say some, “and eaten there. Did we not eat thy Flesh for meat, and feed on Heav’nly Cheer? Whereon who feed shall never need, as thou thyself dost say, Nor shall they die eternally, but live with Christ for aye.

LXXV.

“We may allege, thou gav’st a pledge of thy dear Love to us, In Wine and Bread, which figuréd thy Grace bestowéd thus. Of strength’ning Seals, of sweetest Meals, have we so oft partaken; And shall we be cast off by thee, and utterly forsaken?“

_The answer._

LXXVI. [65]

To whom the Lord, thus in a word, returns a short reply: “I never knew any of you that wrought Iniquity. You say you’ve been my Presence in; but then, how came you there With Raiment vile that did defile and quite disgrace my Cheer?

LXXVII.

“Durst you draw near without due fear Unto my holy Table? Durst you profane and render vain, so far as you were able, Those Mysteries, which whoso prize, and carefully improve, Shall savéd be undoubtedly, and nothing shall them move?

LXXVIII. [66]

“How durst you venture bold guests to enter in such a sordid hue, Amongst my guests unto those Feasts that were not made for you? How durst you eat for spir’tual meat your bane, and drink damnation, Whilst by your guile you render’d vile so rare and great Salvation?

LXXIX. [67]

“Your fancies fed on heav’nly Bread, your hearts fed on some Lust; You lov’d the Creature more than th’ Creator, your souls clove to the dust. And think you by Hypocrisy, and cloakéd Wickedness, To enter in laden with sin, to lasting Happiness?

LXXX. [68]

“This your excuse shews your abuse of things ordain’d for good. And doth declare you guilty are of my dear Flesh and Blood. Wherefore those Seals and precious Meals you put so much upon As things Divine, they Seal and Sign you to Perditi-on.“

_Another sort of Hypocrites make their pleas._

LXXXI.

Then forth issue another Crew (those being silencéd), Who drawing nigh to the Most High, adventure thus to plead: “We sinners were,” say they, “’tis clear, deserving condemnation; But did not we rely on thee, O Christ, for whole Salvation?

LXXXII. [69]

“We did believe, and oft receive thy gracious Promises; We took great care to get a share in endless Happiness. We pray’d and wept, and Fast-days kept, lewd ways we did eschew; We joyful were thy Word to hear; we form’d our lives anew.

LXXXIII.[70]

“We thought our sin had pardon’d been, that our Estate was good, Our debts all paid, our peace well made, our Souls wash’d with thy Blood. Lord, why dost though reject us now, who have not thee rejected, Nor utterly true sanctity and holy life neglected?“

_The Judge uneaseth them._

LXXXIV. [71]

The Judge incens’d at their pretens’d self-vaunting Piety, With such a look as trembling strook unto them made reply: “O impudent, impenitent, and guileful generation! Think you that I cannot descry your hearts’ abomination?

LXXXV. [72]

“You nor receiv’d, nor yet believ’d my Promises of Grace, Nor were you wise enough to prize my reconciléd Face; But did presume that to assume which was not yours to take, And challengéd the Children’s Bread, yet would not sin forsake.

LXXXVI. [73]

“Being too bold you laid fast hold where int’rest you had none, Yourselves deceiving by your believing, all which you might have known. You ran away but ran astray with Gospel Promises, And perishéd, being still dead in sins and trespasses.

LXXXVII. [74]

“How oft did I Hypocrisy and Hearts’ deceits unmask Before your sight, giving you light know a Christian’s task? But you held fast unto the last your own conceits so vain, No warning could prevail; you would your own Deceits retain.

LXXXVIII. [75]

“As for your care to get a share in Bliss; the fear of Hell, And of a part in endless smart, did thereunto compel. Your holiness and ways redress, such as it was, did spring From no true love to things above, But from some other thing.

LXXXIX. [76]

“You pray’d and wept, you Fast-days kept, but did you this to me? No, but for sin you sought to win the greater liberty. For all your vaunts, you had vile haunts, which for your Consciences Did you alarm, whose voice to charm you us’d these practices.

XC. [77]

“Your Penitence, your diligence to Read, to Pray, to Hear, Were but to drown the clam’rous sound of Conscience in your Ear. If light you lov’d, vain glory mov’d yourselves therewith to store, That seeming wise men might you prize, and honor you the more.

XCI. [78]

“Thus from yourselves unto yourselves, your duties all do tend; And as self-love the wheels doth move, so in self-love they end.“ Thus Christ detects their vain projects, and close Impiety, And plainly shews that all their shows were but Hypocrisy.

_Civil honest men’s pleas._

XCII. [79]

Then were brought nigh a Company of Civil honest Men, Civil honest That lov’d true dealing and hated stealing, ne’er wrong’d their Bretheren; Who pleaded thus: “Thou knowest us that we were blameless livers; No Whoremongers, no Murderers, no quarrelers nor strivers.

XCIII.

“Idolaters, Adulterers, Church-robbers we were none, Nor false dealers, nor cozeners, but paid each man his own. Our way was fair, our dealing square, we were no wasteful spenders, No lewd toss-pots, no drunken sots, no scandalous offenders.

XCIV. [80]

“We hated vice and set great price, by virtuous conversation; And by the same we got a name and no small commendation. God’s Laws express that righteousness is that which he doth prize; And to obey, as he doth say, is more than sacrifice.

XCV. [81]

“Thus to obey hath been our way; let our good deeds, we pray. Find some regard and some reward with thee, Lord, this day. And whereas we transgressors be, of Adam’s race were none, No, not the best, but have confess’d themselves to have misdone.“

_Are taken off and rendered invalid._

XCVI. [82]

Then answeréd unto their dread, the Judge: “True Piety God doth desire and eke require, no less than honesty. Justice demands at all your hands perfect Obedience; If but in part you have come short, that is a just offense.

XCVII.

“On Earth below, where men did owe a thousand pounds and more. Could twenty pence it recompense? Could that have clear’d the score? Think you to buy Felicity with part of what’s due debt? Or for desert of one small part, the whole should off be set?

XCVIII. [83]

“And yet that part whose great desert you think to reach so far, For your excuse doth you accuse, and will your boasting mar. However fair, however square your way and work hath been Before men’s eyes, yet God espies iniquity therein.

XCIX. [84]

“God looks upon th’ affecti-on and temper of the heart; Not only on the acti-on, and the external part. Whatever end vain men pretend, God knows the verity, And by the end which they intend their words and deeds doth try.

C. [85]

“Without true Faith, the Scripture saith, God cannot take delight In any deed that doth proceed [86] from any sinful wight. And without love all actions prove but barren empty things; Dead works they be and vanity, the which vexation brings.

CI.

“Nor from true Faitli, 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’n’s lofty Wall by Ladders of your own.

CII. [87]

“Your blinded spirit hoping to merit by your own Righteousness, Needed no Savior but your behavior, and blameless carriages. You trusted to what you could do, and in no need you stood; Your haughty pride laid me aside. And trampled on my Blood.

CIII. [88]

“All men have gone astray, and done that which God’s laws condemn; Purchase and offer’d Grace All men did not contemn. The Ninevites and Sodomites had no such sin as this; Yet as if all your sins were small, you say, ‘All did amiss.’

CIV. [89]

“Again you thought and mainly sought a name with men t’ acquire; Pride bare the Bell that made you swell, and your own selves admire. Mean fruit it is, and vile, I wiss, that springs from such a root; Virtue divine and genuine wonts not from pride to shoot.

CV. [90]

“Such deeds as your are worse than poor; they are but sins gilt over With silver dross, whose glist’ring gloss can them no longer cover. The best of them would you condemn, and ruin you alone. Although you were from faults so clear, that other you had none.

CVI. [91]

“Your gold is brass, your silver dross, your righteousness is sin; And think you by such honesty Eternal life to win? You much mistake, if for its sake you dream of acceptation; Whereas the same deserveth shame and meriteth damnation.“

_Those that pretend want of opportunity to repent._

CVII. [92]

A wondrous crowd then ’gan aloud thus for themselves to say: “We did intend, Lord, to amend, and to reform our way. Our true intent was to repent and make our peace with thee; But sudden death stopping our breath, left us no liberty.

CVIII.

“Short was our time, for in itr, prime our youthful pow’r was cropt; “We died in youth before full growth, so was our purpose stopt. Let our good will to turn from ill, and sin to have forsaken, Accepted be, Lord, by thee, and in good part be taken.“

_Are confuted and convicted._

CIX. [93]

To whom the Judge: “Where you allege the shortness of the space, That from your birth you liv’d on earth, to compass saving Grace, It was Free Grace that any space was given you at all, To turn from evil, defy the Devil, and upon God to call.

CX. [94]

“One day, one week wherein to seek God’s face with all your hearts, A favor was that far did pass the best of your deserts. You had a season; what was your reason such precious hours to waste? What could you find, what could you mind that was of greater haste?

CXI. [95]

“Could you find time for vain pastime, for loose, licentious mirth? For fruitless toys and fading joys, that perish in the birth? Had you good leisure for carnal Pleasure, in days of health and youth? And yet no space to seek God’s face, and turn to him in truth?

CXII. [96]

“In younger years, beyond your fears, what if you were surprized? You put away the evil day, and of long life devised. You oft were told, and might behold, that Death no Age doth spare; “Why then did you your time foreslow, and slight your soul’s welfare?

CXIII. [97]

“Had your intent been to repent, and had you it desir’d, There would have been endeavors seen before your time expir’d. God makes no treasure, nor hath he pleasure in idle purposes; Such fair pretenses are foul offenses, and cloaks for wickedness.“

_Some plead examples of their betters._

CXIV. [98]

Then were brought in and charg’d with sin, another Company, Who by Petition obtain’d permission to make Apology. They argued, “We were misled, as is well known to thee. By their example that had more ample abilities than we;

CXV. [99]

“Such, as profess’d they did detest and hate each wicked way; Whose seeming grace whilst 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.“

_Who are told that examples are no Rules._

CXVI. [100]

Who are told The Judge replies: “I gave you eyes, And 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. [101]

“This you well knew: that God is true, and that most men are liars, In word professing holiness, in deed thereof deniers. simple fools! that having Rules, your lives to regulate. Would them refuse, and rather choose vile men to imitate.“

_They urge that they were led by godly men’s Examples. But all their shifts turn to their greater shame._

CXVIII.

“But, Lord,” say they, “we went astray, and did more wickedly, By means of those whom thou has chose Salvation’s heirs to be.“ To whom the Judge: “What you allege doth nothing help the case, But makes appear how vile you were, and rend’reth you more base.

CXIX. [102]

“You understood that what was good, was to be followed. And that you ought that which was naught to have relinquished. Contrariwise it was your guise only to imitate Good men’s defects, and their neglects who were regenerate.

CXX. [103]

“But to express their holiness, or imitate their grace. You little car’d, nor 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.“

_Some plead the Scripture’s darkness, and difference among Interpreters._

CXXI. [104]

“We had thy Word,” say some, “Lord, but wiser men than we 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?“

_They are confuted._

CXXII. [105]

“Was all my Word abstruse and hard?” the Judge then answeréd; “It did contain much Truth so plain you might have run and read. But what was hard you never car’d to know, or studiéd; And things that were most plain and clear you never practiséd.

CXXIII. [106]

“The Mystery of Piety God unto Babes reveals, When to the Wise he it denies, and from the world conceals. If to fulfil God’s holy Will had seemed good to you, You would have sought light as you ought, and done the good you knew.“

_Others the fear of persecution._

CXXIV. [107]

Then came in view another crew, and ’gan to make their pleas; Amongst the rest, some of the best had such poor shifts 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. [108]

“We holiness durst not profess, fearing to be forlorn Of all our friends, and for amends to be the wicked’s scorn. “We knew their anger would much endanger our lives and our estates; Therefore, for fear, we durst appear no better than our mates.“

_They are answered._

CXXVI. [109]

To whom the Lord returns this word: “O wonderful deceits! To cast off awe of God’s strict law, and fear men’s wrath and threats; To fear hell-fire and God’s fierce ire less than the rage of men; As if God’s wrath could do less scath than wrath of bretheren!

CXXVII.

“To use such strife, a temp’ral life to rescue and secure, And be so blind as not to mind that life that will endure! This was your case, who carnal peace more than true joys did savor; Who fed on dust, clave to your lust, and spurned at my favor.

CXXVIII. [110]

“To please your kin, men’s love to win, to flow in worldly wealth, To save your skin, these things have been more than Eternal health. You had your choice, wherein rejoice; it was your porti-on. For which you chose your souls to expose unto Perditi-on.

CXXIX. [111]

“Who did not hate friends, life, and state, with all things else for me, forsake and’s Cross up-take shall never happy be. Well worthy they to die for aye, who death than life had rather; Death is their due that so value the friendship of my Father.“

_Others plead for pardon from God’s Mercy and Justice._

CXXX. [112]

Others plead Others argue, and not a few, “Is not God graci-ous? 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,) assuage his anger’s heat?

CXXXI.

“How can it be that God should see his Creatures’ endless pain. Or hear their groans and rueful moans, and still his wrath retain? Can it agree with Equity, can Mercy have the heart. To recompense few years’ offense with everlasting smart?

CXXXII. [113]

“Can God delight in such a sight as sinners’ misery? Or what great good can this our blood bring unto the most High? O 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 not it raise thine endless praise, more than our suffering?“ “With that they cease, holding their peace, but cease not still to weep; Grief ministers a flood of tears, in which their words do steep.

_They are answered._

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,

_Mercy now shines forth in the vessels of Mercy._

CXXXV. [114]

“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 men’s thought. For such as those that were his foes like wonders would have wrought.

_Did also wait upon such as abused it._

CXXXVI. [115]

“And none but lie such lenity and patience would have shown To you so long, who did him wrong, and pull’d his Judgment down. How long a space, stiff-neck’d race, did patience you afford? How oft did love you gently move, to turn unto the Lord ?

_The day of Grace now past_

CXXXVII. [116]

“With chords 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 Mercy’s room, yet grudge you not therefore.

CXXXVIII. [117]

“If into wrath God turned hath his long, long-suffering, And now for love you vengeance prove, is an equal thing. Your waxing worse hath stopt the course of wonted Clemency, Mercy refus’d and Grace misus’d call for severity.

CXXXIX. [118]

“It’s now high time that ev’ry Crime be brought to punishment; Wrath long contain’d and oft restrain’d, at last must have a vent. Justice severe cannot forbear to plague sin any longer, But must inflict with liand most strict mischief upon the wronger.

CXL. [119]

“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 man whose ear refus’d to hear the voice of Wisdom’s cry, Earn’d this reward, that none regard him in his misery.

CXLI. [120]

“It doth agree with Equity and with God’s holy Law, That those should die 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 pains.

CXLII. [121]

“Eternal smart is the desert ev’n of the least offense; Then wonder not if I allot to you this Recompense; 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. [122]

“God hath no joy to crush or ’stroy, and ruin 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.“

_Some pretend they were shut out of Heaven by God’s Decree._

CXLIV. [123]

Some pretend Then at the Bar arraignéd 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. [124]

“Whom God ordains to endless pains by Law unalterable, Repentance true, Obedience new, to such are unable. Sorrow for sin no good can win, to such as are rejected; Nor can they grieve nor yet believe, that never were elected.

CXLVI.

“Of Man’s fall’n race, who can true Grace or Holiness obtain? Who can convert or change his heart, if God withhold the same? Had we applied ourselves and tried as much as who did most, God’s love to gain, our busy pain and labor bad been lost.“

_Their pleas taken off._

CXLVII. [125]

Christ readily makes this Reply: “I damn you not because You are rejected, nor yet elected; but you have broke my Laws. It is in vain your wits to strain the end and means to sever; Men fondly seek to part or break what God hath link’d together.

CXLVIII. [126]

“Whom God will save, such he will have the means of life to use; Whom he’ll pass by shall choose to die, 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. [127]

“High God’s Decree, as it is free, so doth it none compel Against their will to good or ill; it forceth none to Hell. They have their wish whose Souls perish with Torments in Hell-fire, Who rather choose their souls to lose, than leave a loose desire.

CL. [128]

“God did ordain sinners to pain, yet he to Hell sends none But such as swerv’d and have deserv’d destruction as their own. His pleasure is, that none from Bliss and endless happiness Be barr’d, but such as wrong’d him much by willful wickedness.

CLI. [129]

“You, sinful Crew! no other knew but you might be elect; Why did you then yourselves condemn? 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 Heaven’s door.

CLII. [130]

“’Twas no vain task to knock and 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. [131]

You argue then: ’But abject men, whom God resolves to spill, Cannot repent, nor their hearts rent; nor can they change their will.’ Not for his _Can_ is any man adjudgéd unto Hell, But for his _Will_ to do what’s ill, and nilling to do well.

CLIV.

“I often stood tend’ring my Blood 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 proflfer’d, No changed heart, no heav’nly part would you, when it was offer’ d.

CLV. [132]