Part 4

“Who willfully the remedy, and means of life contemned. Cause have the same themselves to blame, if now they be condemnéd. You have yourselves, you and none else, to blame that you must die You chose the way to your decay, and perish’d willfully.“

CLVI.

These words appall and daunt them all, dismay’d and all amort. Like stocks that stand at Christ’s left hand and dare no more retort. Then were brought near with trembling fear, a number numberless, Of Blind Heathen and brutish men, that did God’s Law transgress;

_Heathen men plead want of the Written Word._

CLVII.

Whose wicked ways Christ open lays, and makes their sins appear, They making pleas their case to ease, if not themselves to clear. “Thy Written Word,” say they, “good we never did enjoy; We ne’er refus’d, nor it abus’d; Oh, do not us destroy!“

CLVIII. [133]

“You ne’er abus’d, nor yet refus’d my Written Word, you plead; That’s true," quoth he, “therefore shall ye the less be punishéd. You shall not smart for any part of other men’s offense, But for your own transgressi-on receive due recompense.“

_Insufficiency of the light of Nature._

CLIX.

“But we were blind,” say they, “in mind; too dim was Nature’s Light, Our only guide, as hath been tried, to bring us to the sight Of our estate degenerate, and curs’d by Adam’s Fa’l; How we were born and lay forlorn in bondage and in thrall.

CLX. [134]

“We did not know a Christ till now, nor how fall’n men be saved, Else would we not, right well we wot, have so ourselves behaved. “We should have mourn’d, we should have turn’d from sin at thy Reproof, And been more wise through thy advice, for our own soul’s behoof.

_They are answered._

CLXI.

“But Nature’s 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.

CLXII. [135]

“How came your mind to be so blind? I once you knowledge gave. Clearness of sight and judgment light: who did the same deprave? If to your cost you have it lost, and quite defac’d the same, Your own desert hath caus’d the smart; you ought not me to blame.

CLXIII. [136]

“Yourselves into a pit of woe, your own transgression led; If I to none my Grace had shown who had been injured? If to a few, and not to you, I shew’d a way of life, My Grace so free, you clearly see, gives you no ground of strife.

CLXIV. [137]

“’Tis vain to tell, you wot fall well, if you in time liad known Your misery and remedy, your actions had it shown: You, sinful Crew, have not been true unto the Light of Nature, Nor done the good you understood, nor owned your Creator.

CLXV. [138]

“He that the Light, because ’tis slight, hath uséd to despise, Would not the Light shining more bright, be likely for a prize. If you had lov’d, and well improv’d your knowledge and dim sight, Herein your pain ’had not been vain, your plagues had been more light.“

_Reprobate Infants plead for themselves._

CLXVI. [139]

Then to the Bar all they drew near Who died in infancy, And never had or good or bad effected pers’nally: But from the womb unto the tomb were straightway carried, (Or at the least ere they transgress’d) who thus began to plead:

CLXVII.

“If for our own transgressi-on, or disobedience. We here did stand at thy left hand, just were the Recompense; But Adam’s guilt our souls hath spilt, his fault is ckarg’d upon us; And that alone hath overthrown and utterly undone us.

CLXVIII.

“Not we, but he ate of the Tree, whose fruit was interdicted; Yet on us all of his sad Fall the punishment’s inflicted. How could we sin that had not been, or how is his sin our, Without consent, which to prevent we never had the pow’r?

CLXIX. [140]

“O great Creator why was our Nature depravéd and forlorn? Why so defil’d, and made so vil’d, whilst we were jet unborn? If it be just, and needs we must transgressors reckon’d be. Thy Mercy, Lord, to us afford, which sinners hath set free.

CLXX.

“Behold we see Adam set free, and sav’d from his trespass, Whose sinful Fall hath split us all, and brought us to this pass. Canst thou deny us once to try, or Grace to us to tender, When he finds grace before thy face, who was the chief offender?“

_Their arguments taken off._

CLXXI. [141]

Then answered the Judge most dread: God doth such doom forbid, That men should die 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.

CLXXII. [142]

“He was design’d of all Mankind to be a public Head; A common Root, whence all should shoot, and stood in all their stead. He stood and fell, did ill or well, not for himself alone. But for you all, who now his Fall and trespass would disown.

CLXXIII.

“If he had stood, then all his brood had been established In God’s true love never to move, nor once awry to tread; Then all his Eace my Father’s Grace should have enjoy’d for ever. And wicked Sprites by subtile sleights could them have harmed never.

CLXXIV.

Would you have griev’d to have receiv’d through Adam so much good, As had been your for evermore, if he at first had stood? Would you have said, ’We ne’er obey’d nor did thy laws regard; It ill befits with benefits, us, Lord, to so reward?’

CLXXV. [143]

“Since then to share in his welfare, you could have been content, You may with reason share in his treason, and in the punishment. Hence you were born in state forlorn, with Natures so depravéd; Death was your due because that yo had thus yourselves behaved.

CLXXVI. [144]

“You think ’If we had been as he whom God did so betrust, We to our cost would ne’er have lost all for a paltry lust.’ Had you been made in Adam’s stead, you would like things have wrought, And so into the self-same woe, yourselves and yours have brought.

_The free gift._

CLXXVII. [145]

“I may deny you once to try, or Grace to you to tender. Though he finds Grace before my face who was the chief oifender; Else should my Grace cease to be Grace, for it would not be free, If to release whom I should please I have no liberty.

CLXXVIII.

“If upon one what’s due to none. I frankly shall bestow, And on the rest shall not think best compassion’s skirt to throw, Whom injure I? will you envy and grudge at others’ weal? Or me accuse, who do refuse yourselves to help and heal ?

CLXXIX. [146]

“Am I alone of what’s my own, no Master or no Lord? And if I am, how can you claim what I to sonie afford? Will you demand Grace at my hand, and challenge what is mine? Will you teach me whom to set free, and thus my Grace confine?

CLXXX. [147]

“You sinners are, and such a share as sinners, may expect; Such you shall have, for I do save none but mine own Elect. Yet to compare your sin with their who liv’d a longer time, I do confess yours is much less, though every sin’s a crime.

_The wicked all convinced and put to silence._

CLXXXI. [148]

“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.

_Behold the formidable estate of all the ungodly as they stand hopeless and helpless before an impartial Judge, expecting their final Sentence._

CLXXXII. [149]

Thus all men’s pleas the Judge with ease doth answer and confute, Until that all, both great and small, are silencéd and mute. Vain hopes are cropt, all mouths are stopt, sinners have naught to say, But that ’tis just and equal most they should be damn’d for aye.

CLXXXIII.

Now what remains, but that to pains and everlasting smart, Christ should condemn the sons of men, which is their just desert? Oh rueful plights of sinful wights! Oh wretches all forlorn! ’T had happy been they ne’er had seen the sun, or not been born.

CLXXXIV.

Yea now it would be good they could themselves annihilate. And cease to be, themselves to free from such a fearful state. happy Dogs, and Swine, and Frogs, yea, Serpent’s generation! Who do not fear this doom to hear, and sentence of Damnation!

CLXXXV. [150]

This is their state so desperate; their sins are fully known; Their vanities and villanies before the world are shown. As they are gross and impious, so are their numbers more Than motes in th’ Air, or than their hair, or sands upon the shore.

CLXXXVI. [151]

Divine Justice offended is, and satisfaction claimeth; God’s wrathful ire, kindled like fire. against them fiercely flameth. Their Judge severe doth quite cashier, and all their pleas off take, That ne’er a man, or dare, or can a further answer make.

CLXXXVII. [152]

Their mouths are shut, each man is put to silence and to shame, Nor have they aught within their thought, Christ’s Justice for to blame. The Judge is just, and plague them must, nor will he Mercy shew, For Mercy’s day is past away to any of this Crew.

CLXXXVIII. [153]

The Judge is strong, doers of wrong cannot his pow’r withstand; None can by flight run out of sight, nor ’scape out of his hand. Sad is their state; for Advocate, to plead thei cause, there’s none; None to prevent their punishment, or mis’ry to bemoan.

CLXXXIX. [154]

O dismal day! whither shall they for help and succor flee? To God above with hopes to move their greatest Enemy? His wrath is great, whose burning heat no floods of tears can slake; His Word stands fast that they be cast into the burning Lake.

CXC. [155]

To Christ their Judge? He doth adjudge them to the Pit of Sorrow; Nor will he hear, or cry or tear, nor respite them one morrow. To Heav’n, alas! they cannot pass, it is against them shut; To enter there (O heavy cheer) they out of hopes are put.

CXCI. [156]

Unto their Treasures, or to their Pleasures? All these have them forsaken; Had they full cofiers to make large offers, their gold would not be taken. Unto the place where whilom was their birth and Education? Lo! Christ begins for their great sins, to fire the Earth’s Foundation;

CXCII. [157]

And by and by the flaming Sky shall drop like molten Lead About their ears, t’ increase their fears, and aggravate their dread. To Angel’s good that ever stood in their integrity, Should they betake themselves, and make their suit incessantly?

CXCIII.

They’ve neither skill, nor do they will to work them any ease; They will not mourn to see them burn, nor beg for their release. To wicked men, their bretheren in sin and wickedness, Should they make moan? Their case is one; they’re in the same distress.

CXCIV. [158]

Ah! cold comfort and mean support, from such like Comforters! Ah! little joy of Company, and fellow-sufferers! Such shall increase their heart’s disease, and add unto their woe, Because that they brought to decay themselves and many moe.

CXCV. [159]

Unto the Saints with sad complaints should they themselves apply? They’re not dejected nor aught affected with all their misery. Friends stand aloof and make no proof what Prayers or Tears can do; Your Godly friends are now more friend to Christ than unto you.

CXCVI. [160]

Where tender love men’s hearts did move unto a sympathy, And bearing part of others’ smart in their anxiety, Now such compassion is out of fashion, and wholly laid aside; No friends so near, but Saints to hear their Sentence can abide.

CXCVII. [161]

One natural Brother beholds another in his astonied fit. Yet sorrows not thereat a jot, nor pities him a whit. The godly Wife conceives no grief nor can she shed a tear For the sad state of her dear Mate, when she his doom doth hear.

CXCVIII. [^198]

He that was erst a Husband pierc’d with sense of Wife’s distress. Whose tender heart did bear a part of all her grievances, Shall mourn no more as heretofore, because of her ill plight. Although he see her now to be a damn’d forsaken wight.

CXCIX. [162]

The tender Mother will own no other of all her num’rous brood, But such as stand at Christ’s right hand, acquitted through his Blood. The pious Father had now much rather his graceless Son should lie In Hell with Devils, for all his evils, burning eternally,

CC. [163]

Than God most High should injury by sparing him sustain; And doth rejoice to hear Christ’s voice, adjudging him to pain. Thus having all, both great and small, convinc’d and silencéd, Christ did proceed their Doom to read, and thus it utteréd:

_The Judge pronounceth the sentence of condemnation._

CCI. [164]

*“Ye sinful wights and curséd sprights,* _that work iniquity,_ _Depart together from me for ever_ _to endless Misery;_ _Your portion take in yonder Lake,_ _where Fire and Brimstone flameth;_ _Suffer the smart which your desert,_ *as its due wages claimeth.“*

_The terror of it._

CCII.

Oh piercing words, more sharp than swords! What! to depart from Thee, Whose face before for evermore the best of Pleasures be! What! to depart (unto our smart), from thee _Eternally_! To be for aye banish’d away with Devils’ company!

CCIII.

What! to be sent to Punishment, and flames of burning Fire! To be surrounded, and eke confounded with God’s revengeful Ire! What! to abide, not for a tide, these Torments, but for Ever! To be releas’d, or to be eas’d, not after years, but Never!

CCIV.

Oh fearful Doom! now there’s no room for hope or help at all; Sentence is past which aye shall last; Christ will not it recall. Then might you hear them rend and tear the Air with their out-cries; The hideous noise of their sad voice ascendeth to the Skies.

CCV. [165]

They wring their hands, their caitiff-hands, and gnash their teeth for terror; They cry, they roar for anguish sore, and gnaw their tongues for horror. But get away without delay, Christ pities not your cry; Depart to Hell, there may you yell, and roar Eternally.

_It is put in Execution._

CCVI. [166]

That word “_Depart_” maugre their heart, It is put in drives every wicked one, With mighty pow’r, the self-same hour, far from the Judge’s Throne. Away they’re chas’d by the strong blast of his Death-threat’ning mouth; They flee full fast, as if in haste, although they be full loath.

CCVII. [167]

As chaff that’s dry, as dust doth fly before the Northern wind. Right so are they chaséd away, and can no Refuge find. They hasten to the Pit of Woe, guarded by Angels stout. Who to fulfil Christ’s holy Will, attend this wickéd Rout;

_HELL._

CCVIII. [168]

Whom having brought as they are taught, unto the brink of Hell, (That dismal place, far from Christ’s face, where Death and Darkness dwell, Where God’s fierce Ire kindleth the fire, and vengeance feeds the flame. With piles of Wood and Brimstone Flood, so none can quench the same,)

_Wicked men and Devils cast into it forever._

CCIX. [169]

With Iron bands they bind their hands and curséd feet together, And cast them all, both great and small, into that Lake forever, Where day and night, without respite, they wail, and cry and howl, For tort’ring pain which they sustain, in Body and in Soul.

CCX. [170]

For day and night, in their despite, their torment’s smoke ascendeth. Their pain and grief have no relief, their anguish never endeth. There must they lie and never die, though dying every day; There must they dying ever lie, and not consume away.

CCXI.

Die fain they would if die they could, but Death will not be had; God’s direful wrath their bodies hath forev’r immortal made. They live to lie in misery, and bear eternal woe; And live they must whilst God is just, that he may plague them so.

_The unsufferable torments of the Damned._

CCXII. [171]

But who can tell the plagues of Hell, and torments exquisite? Who can relate their dismal state, and terrors infinite? Who fare the best and feel the least, yet feel that punishment Whereby to nought they would be brought if God did not prevent.

CCXIII. [172]

The least degree of misery there felt is incomparable; The lightest pain they there sustain is more than intolerable. But God’s great pow’r from hour to hour upholds them in the fire, That they shall not consume a jot nor by its force expire.

CCXIV. [173]

But, ah, the woe they undergo (_they_ more than all beside) Who had the light, and knew the right, yet would not it abide! The sev’n fold smart which to their part and porti-on doth fall. Who Christ’s free Grace would not embrace, nor hearken to his call.

CCXV. [174]

The Amorites and Sodomites, although their plagues be sore, Yet find some ease compar’d to these, who feel a great deal more. Almighty God, whose Iron Rod, to smite them never lins. Doth most declare his Justice rare in plaguing these men’s sins.

CCXVI. [175]

The pain of loss their souls doth toss, and wond’rously distress, To think what they have cast away by willful wickedness. “We might have been redeem’d from sin,” think they, “and liv’d above. Being possesst of Heav’nly rest, and joying in God’s love

CCXVII. [176]

“But woe, woe, woe, our Souls unto! we would not happy be; And therefore bear God’s vengeance here to all Eternity. Experience and woful sense must be our painful teachers, Who’d not believe, nor credit give unto our faithful Preachers.“

CCXVIII. [177]

Thus shall they lie and wail and cry, tormented and tormenting; Their galled hearts with poison’d darts, but now too late repenting. There let them dwell in th’ Flames of Hell: there leave we them to burn, And back again unto the men whom Christ acquits, return.

_The Saints rejoice to see the Judgment executed upon the Wicked World._

CCXIX. [178]

The Saints behold with courage bold and thankful wonderment, To see all those that were their foes thus sent to punishment. Then do they sing unto their King a Song of endless Praise; They praise his Name and do proclaim that just are all his ways.

_They ascend with Christ into Heaven triumphing._

CCXX.

Thus with great joy and melody to Heav’n they all ascend, Him there to praise with sweetest lays, and Hymns that never end; Where with long rest they shall be blest, and naught shall them annoy, “Where they shall see as seen they be, and whom they love enjoy.

_Their eternal happiness and incomparable glory there._

CCXXI. [179]

Oh glorious Place! where face to face Jehovah may be seen, By such as were sinners while here, and no dark veil between! Where the Sunshine and light Divine of God’s bright countenance, Doth rest upon them every one, with sweetest influence!

CCXXII. [180]

Oh blessed state of the Renate! Oh wond’rous happiness. To which they’re brought beyond what thought can reach or words express! Grief’s watercourse and sorrow’s source are turn’d to joyful streams; Their old distress and heaviness are vanished like dreams.

CCXXIII. [181]

For God above in arms of love doth dearly them embrace. And fills their sprights with such delights, and pleasures in his Grace, As shall not fail, nor yet grow stale, through frequency of use; Nor do they fear God’s favor there to forfeit by abuse.

CCXXIV. [182]

For there the Saints are perfect Saints, and holy ones indeed; From all the sin that dwelt within their mortal bodies freed; Made Kings and Priests to God through Christ’s dear Love’s transcendency, There to remain and there to reign with him Eternally.

A Short Discourse On Eternity.

What mortal man can with a Span mete out Eternity? Or fathom it by depth of Wit, or strength of Memory? The lofty Sky is not so high, Hell’s depth to this is small; The World so wide is but a stride, comparéd therewithal.

It is a main great Oce-an withouten bank or bound, A deep Abyss, wherein there is no bottom to be found. This World hath stood now since the Flood, four thousand years well near, And had before enduréd more than sixteen hundred year.

But what’s the time from the World’s prime, unto this present day, If we thereby Eternity to measure should essay? The whole duration since the Creation, though long, yet is more little. If placed by Eternity, than is the smallest tittle.

Tell every Star both near and far, in Heav’n’s bright Canopy That doth appear throughout the year of high or low degree: Tell every Tree that thou canst see in this vast Wilderness, Up in the “Woods, down by the Floods, in thousand miles Progress:

The sum is vast, yet not so vast but that thou may’st go on To multiply the leaves thereby, that hang those Trees upon: Add thereunto the Drops that thou imaginest to be In April Show’rs, that bring forth Flow’rs and blossoms plenteously:

Number the Fowls and living Souls that through the Air do fly, The wingéd Hosts in all their Coasts beneath the starry Sky: Count all the Grass as thou dost pass through many a pasture-land, And dewy Drops that on the tops of Herbs and Plants do stand:

Number the Sand upon the Strand, and atoms of the Air; And do thy best on Man and Beast, to reckon every Hair: Take all the Dust, if so thou lust, and add to thine Account: Yet shall the Years of Sinners’ tears, the Number far surmount.

Naught join’d to nauglit can ne’er make aught, nor Cyphers make a Sum; Nor things finite, to infinite by multiplying come: A Cockle-shell may serve as well to lade the Ocean dry As finite things and reckonings to bound Eternity.

Oh happy they that live for aye, with Christ in Heav’n above! Who know withal that nothing shall deprive them of his love. _Eternity, Eternity!_ Oh! were it not for thee, The Saints in bliss and happiness could never happy be.

For if they were in any fear that this their joy might cease, It would annoy (if not destroy) and interrupt their peace. But being sure it shall endure so long as God shall live; The thoughts of this, unto their bliss, do full perfection give.

Cheer up ye Saints amidst your wants and sorrows many a one; Lift up the head, shake off all dread, and moderate your moan. Your sufferings and evil things will suddenly be past; Your sweet Fruitions and blessed Visions, for evermore shall last.

Lament and mourn you that must burn amidst those flaming Seas: If once you come to such a doom, for ever farewell ease. sad estate and desperate, that never can be mended, Until God’s Will shall change, or till Eternity be ended!

If any one this Questi-on shall unto me propound: What! have the years of Sinners’ tears no limits or no bound? It kills our heart to think of smart, and pains that last for ever; And hear of fire that shall expire, or be extinguish’d never,

I’ll answer make (and let them take my words as I intend them; For this is all the Cordi-al that here I have to lend them:) When Heav’n shall cease to flow with peace and all felicity. Then Hell may cease to be the place of Woe and Misery.

When Heav’n is Hell, when Ill is Well, when Virtue turns to Vice; When Wrong is Right, when Dark is Light, when Naught is of great price; Then may the years of Sinners’ tears and sufferings expire. And all the Hosts of damnéd Ghosts escape out of Hell-fire.

When Christ above shall cease to lovo, when God shall cease to reign And be no more as heretofore the World’s great Sovéreign; Or not be just, or favor lust, or in IMen’s sins delight; Then wicked men (and not till then) to Heav’n may take their flight.