Part 3

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.

[Sidenote: Heb. 13:4. 1 Cor. 6:10.]

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.

[Sidenote: Zach. 5:3, 4. Gal. 5:19, 20, 21.]

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.

[Sidenote: Rom. 2:13.]

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.

[Sidenote: Acts 4:12.]

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.

[Sidenote: 1 Cor. 6:3.]

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.

[Sidenote: Jude 6.]

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.

XXXVIII.

[Sidenote: The Saints cleared and justified.]

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.

[Sidenote: 2 Cor. 5:10. Eccl. 3:17. John 3:18.]

"'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.

[Sidenote: Job 17:6. Eph. 1:4.]

"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.

[Sidenote: Rev. 1:5.]

"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.

[Sidenote: Eph. 2:1, 3.]

"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.

[Sidenote: Mat. 23:13, 15. Rom. 9:20, 21.]

"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.

[Sidenote: Isa. 53:4, 5, 11.]

"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.

[Sidenote: Acts 1:3, 48. Jam. 2:18. Heb. 12:7. Mat. 19:29.]

"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.

[Sidenote: 1 John 3:3. Mat. 25:39, 40.]

"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.

[Sidenote: Isa. 53:11, 12. Rom. 8:16, 17, 33, 34. John 3:18.]

"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.

[Sidenote: Luke 22:29, 30. Mat. 19:28.]

"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.

XLIX.

[Sidenote: Mat. 25:34. They are placed on Thrones to join with Christ in judging the wicked.]

"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.

[Sidenote: Cor. 6:2.]

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.

LI.

[Sidenote: The wicked brought to the Bar. Rom. 2:3, 6, 11.]

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.

[Sidenote: Rev. 6:15, 16. Isa. 30:38.]

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.

[Sidenote: Eccl. 11:9, 12, 14.]

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.

LVII.

[Sidenote: Secret sins and works of darkness brought to light. Ps. 139:2, 4, 12. Rom. 2:16.]

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.

[Sidenote: Eccl. 12:14.]

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.

[Sidenote: Mat. 12:36. Rom. 7:7.]

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.

LX.

[Sidenote: An account demanded of all their actions. John 5:40, and 3:19. Mat. 25:19, 27.]

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.

[Sidenote: Rom. 2:4, 5.]

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.

[Sidenote: Isa. 1:5. Jer. 2:20.]

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.

[Sidenote: John 3:19, etc. Prov. 8:36. Luke 12:20, 21.]

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.

[Sidenote: Luke 13:34. John 5:40, and 15:22.]

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.

[Sidenote: Rom. 8:10, 12.]

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.

[Sidenote: Rom. 6:23.]

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.

LXVIII.

[Sidenote: Hypocrites plead for themselves.]

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.

[Sidenote: Mat. 7:21, 22, 23.]

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

LXX.

[Sidenote: The Judge replyeth. John 6:70. 1 Cor. 9:27.]

"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 needed a Christ your souls to save.

LXXI.

[Sidenote: Rom. 2:19, 21, 22, 23.]

"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.

[Sidenote: John 9:41. Rev. 2:21, 22.]

"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.

[Sidenote: Luke 12:47. Mat. 11:21, 22, 24.]

"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."

LXXIV.

[Sidenote: Another plea of the Hypocrites. Luke 13:20.]

"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?"

LXXVI.

[Sidenote: The answer. Luke 13:27. Mat. 22:12.]

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.

[Sidenote: 1 Cor. 11:27, 29.]

"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.

[Sidenote: Mat. 6:21, 24. Rom. 1:25.]

"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.

[Sidenote: 1 Cor. 11:27, 29.]

"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."

LXXXI.

[Sidenote: Another sort of Hypocrites make their pleas.]

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.

[Sidenote: Acts 8:13. Isa. 58:2, 3. Heb. 6:4, 5.]

"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.

[Sidenote: 2 Pet. 2:20.]

"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?"

LXXXIV.

[Sidenote: The Judge uncaseth them. John 2:24, 25.]

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.

[Sidenote: John 6:64. Psal. 50:16. Mat. 15:26.]

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

LXXXVI.

[Sidenote: Rev. 3:17. Mat. 13:20.]

"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.

[Sidenote: Mat. 6:2, 4, 24. Jer. 8:5, 6, 7, 8.]

"How oft did I Hypocrisy and Hearts' deceits unmask Before your sight, giving you light to 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.

[Sidenote: Psal. 78:34, 35, 36, 37.]

"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.

[Sidenote: Zach. 7:5, 6. Isa. 58:3, 4. 1 Sam. 15:13, 21. Isa. 1:11, 15.]

"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, for which your Consciences Did you alarm, whose voice to charm you us'd these practices.

XC.

[Sidenote: Mat. 6:2, 5. John 5:44.]

"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.

[Sidenote: Zech. 7:5, 16. Hos. 10:1.]

"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.

XCII.

[Sidenote: Civil honest men's pleas. Luke 18:11.]

Then were brought nigh a Company of Civil honest Men, 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.

[Sidenote: 1 Sam. 15:22.]

"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.

[Sidenote: Eccl. 7:20.]

"Thus to obey hath been our way; let our good deeds, we pray, Find some regard and some reward with thee, O 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."

XCVI.

[Sidenote: Are taken off and rendered invalid. Deut. 10:12. Tit. 2:12. Jam. 2:10.]

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.

[Sidenote: Luke 18:11, 14.]

"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.

[Sidenote: 1 Sam. 16:7. 2 Chron. 25:2.]

"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.

[Sidenote: Heb. 11:6. 1 Cor. 13:1, 2, 3.]

"Without true Faith, the Scripture saith, God cannot take delight In any deed that doth proceed 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 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'n's lofty Wall by Ladders of your own.

CII.

[Sidenote: Rom. 10:3.]

"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.

[Sidenote: Rom. 9:30, 32. Mat. 11:23, 24, and 21:41.]

"All men have gone astray, and done that which God's laws condemn; But my 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.

[Sidenote: Mat. 6:5.]

"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.

[Sidenote: Prov. 26:23. Mat. 23:27.]

"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.

[Sidenote: Prov. 15:8. Rom. 3:20.]

"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."

CVII.

[Sidenote: Those that pretend want of opportunity to repent. Prov. 27:1. Jam. 4:13.]