I.The security of the World before Christ'scoming to judgment.Stillwas the night, serene and bright,Luke 12:19.when all Men sleeping lay;Calm was the season, and carnal reasonthought 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.Wallowing in all kind of Sin,vile Wretches lay secure;The best of men had scarcely thentheir Lamps kept in good ure.Virgins unwise, who through disguiseMat. 25:5.amongst the best were number'd,Had clos'd their eyes; yea, and the Wisethrough sloth and frailty slumber'd.III.Like as of old, when men grew bold,God's threat'nings to contemn,Who stopt their Ear, and would not hearMat. 24:37, 38.when Mercy warnéd them,But took their course, without remorse,till God began to pourDestructi-on the World upon,in a tempestuous show'r;IV.1 Thes. 5:3.Who put away the evil day,and drown'd their cares and fears,Till drown'd were they, and swept awayby vengeance unawares;So at the last, whilst men sleep fastin their security,Surpris'd they are in such a snareAs cometh suddenly.V.The suddenness, Majesty, and Terrorof Christ's appearing.For at midnight breaks forth a light,Mat. 25:6.2 Pet. 3:10.which turns the night to day,And speedily an hideous crydoth 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.They rush from beds with giddy heads,and to their windows run,Viewing this light, which shines more brightthan doth the noon-day Sun.Straightway appears (they see't with tears)the Son of God most dread,Mat. 24:29, 30.Who with his Train comes on amainto judge both Quick and Dead.VII.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 Lampsand makes them hide their heads;2 Pet. 3:10.As if afraid and quite dismay'd,they quit their wonted steads.VIII.Ye sons of men that durst contemnthe 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 minda God could never see,Dost thou perceive, dost now believethat Christ thy Judge shall be?IX.Stout Courages, (whose hardinesscould Death and Hell outface,)Are you as bold, now you beholdyour 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.Rev. 6:15.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.Mat. 24:30.Mean men lament, great men do renttheir Robes, and tear their hair;They do not spare their flesh to tearthrough horrible despair.All kindreds wail; all hearts do fail;Horror the World doth fillWith weeping eyes and loud out-cries,yet knows not how to kill.XII.Rev. 6:15, 16.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 (0 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 hideFrom Judge's ire, more hot than Fire,for who may it abide?"No hiding place can from his Facesinners at all conceal,Whose flaming Eye hid things doth spy,and darkest things reveal.XIV.Mat. 25:21.The Judge draws nigh, exalted highupon a lofty Throne,Amidst the throng of Angels strong,lo, Israel's Holy One!The excellence of whose Presenceand awful Majesty,Amazeth Nature, and every Creaturedoth more than terrify.XV.Rev. 6:14.The Mountains smoke, the Hills are shook,the Earth is rent and torn,As if she should be clear dissolv'dor 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.Whose Glory bright, whose wond'rous Might,whose Power Imperial,So far surpass whatever wasin Realms Terrestrial,That tongues of men (nor Angel's pen)Cannot the same express;And therefore I must pass it by,Thes. 4:16.lest speaking should transgress.XVII.Resurrection of the Dead.Before his Throne a Trump is blown,John 5:28, 29.proclaiming th' Day of Doom;Forthwith he cries, "Ye Dead ariseand 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 arealso their dead to tender.The mighty Word of this great Lordlinks Body and Soul together,Both of the Just and the unjust,to part no more for ever.XIX.The living changed.The same translates from Mortal statesLuke 20:36.1 Cor. 15:52.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 Reprobateare made to die no moe.XX.All brought to Judgment.His wingéd Hosts fly through all coasts,Mat. 24:31.together gatheringBoth 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 makebefore the Judge appear.XXI.The Sheep separated from the Goats.Thus every one before the Throne2 Cor. 5:10.Mat. 25:32.of Christ the Judge is brought,Both rightéous and impious,that good or ill hath wrought.A separation and diff'ring stationby Christ appointed is(To sinners sad) 'twixt good and bad,'twixt Heirs of woe and bliss.XXII.Who are Christ's Sheep.At Christ's right hand the Sheep do stand,his holy Martyrs, whoFor his dear Name suffering shame,calamity and woe,Mat. 5:10, 11.Like Champions stood and with their Bloodtheir Testimony sealéd;Whose innocence without offenceto Christ their Judge appealéd.XXIII.Next unto whom there find a roomall Christ's afflicted ones,Who being chastis'd, neither despis'dnor sank amidst their groans;Heb. 12:5, 6, 7.Who by the Rod were turn'd to God,and lovéd him the more,Not murmuring nor quarrellingwhen they were chast'ned sore.XXIV.Moreover, such as lovéd much,that had not such a trial,As might constrain to so great pain,Luke 7:41, 47.and such deep self-denial,Yet ready were the Cross to bear,when Christ them call'd thereto,And did rejoice to hear his voice,—they're counted Sheep also.XXV.Christ's flock of Lambs there also stands,John 21:15.Mat. 19:14.John 3:3.whose Faith was weak, yet true,All sound Believers (Gospel receivers)whose Grace was small, but grew;And them among an Infant throngof Babes, for whom Christ died;Whom for his own, by ways unknownto Men, he sanctified.XXVI.All stand before their Savi-or,in long white Robes yclad,Rev. 6:11.Phil. 3:21.Their countenance full of pleasance,appearing wond'rous glad.O glorious sight! Behold how brightdust-heaps are made to shine,Conforméd so their Lord unto,whose Glory is Divine.XXVII.The Goats described, or the severalsorts of Reprobates on the left hand.At Christ's left hand the Goats do stand,Mat. 24:51.all whining HypocritesWho 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.Luke 11:24, 26.Heb. 6:4, 5, 6.Heb. 10:29.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 placéd there.XXIX.There also stand a num'rous band,that no profession madeLuke 12:47.Prov. 1:24, 26.Job 8:19.Of Godliness, nor to redresstheir 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.Moreover, there with them appearGal. 3:10.1 Cor. 6:9.Rev. 21:8.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.Exod. 20:7, 8.Blasphemers lewd, and Swearers shrewd,scoffers at Purity,That hated God, contemn'd his Rod,and lov'd Security;2 Thes. 1:6, 8,9.Sabbath-polluters, Saints-persecutors,presumptuous men and proud,Who never lov'd those that reprov'd;all stand amongst this crowd.XXXII.Adulterers and WhoremongersHeb. 13:4.1 Cor. 6:10.were there, with all unchast;There Covetous and Ravenous,that riches got too fast:Who us'd vile ways themselves to raiset' Estates and worldly wealth,Oppression by or knavery,by force, or fraud, or stealth.XXXIII.Moreover, there together werechildren flagiti-ous,And Parents who did them undoZach. 5:3, 4.Gal. 5:19,20, 21.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.Their place there find all Heathen blindthat Nature's light abus'd,Rom. 2:13.Although they had no tidings gladof Gospel grace refus'dThere stand all Nations and Generationsof Adam's Progeny,Whom Christ redeem'd not, whom he esteem'd not,through Infidelity;XXXV.Who no Peace-maker, no undertaker,to shroud them from God's ire,Acts 4:12.Ever obtain'd; they must be pain'dwith 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.Fast by them stand at Christ's left hand,the Lion fierce and fell,The Dragon bold, that Serpent old,1 Cor. 6:3.that hurried Souls to Hell.There also stand, under command,legions of Sprites unclean,And hellish Fiends, that are no friendsto God, nor unto Men.XXXVII.With dismal chains, and strongest reins,Jude 6.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 expectationOf endless pains and scalding flames,stand waiting for Damnation.XXXVIII.The Saints cleared and justified.All silence keep both Goats and Sheepbefore the Judge's Throne;With mild aspect to his Electthen speaks the Holy One:"My Sheep draw near, your Sentence hear,which is to you no dread,Who clearly now discern and knowyour sins are pardonéd.XXXIX."'Twas meet that ye should judgéd be,that so the World may spy2 Cor. 5:10.Eccl. 3:17.John 3:18.No cause of grudge, when as I judgeand deal impartially.Know therefore all both great and small,the ground and reason whyThese Men do stand at my right handand look so cheerfully.XL."These Men be those my Father chosebefore the World's foundation,Job 17:6.Eph. 1:4.And to me gave, that I should savefrom Death and Condemnation;For whose dear sake I flesh did take,was of a Woman born,And did inure myself t' endureunjust reproach and scorn.XLI."For then it was that I did passthrough sorrows many a one;That I drank up that bitter Cupwhich made me sigh and groan.Rev. 1:5.The Cross's pain I did sustain;yea more, my Father's ireI underwent, my Blood I spentto save them from Hell-fire.XLII."Thus I esteeméd, thus I redeemédall these from every Nation,Eph. 2:1, 3.That they may be (as now you see)a chosen Generation.What if ere while they were as vileand bad as any be,And yet from all their guilt and thrallat once I set them free?XLIII."My grace to one is wrong to none;none can Election claim;Mat. 23:13, 15.Rom. 9:20, 21.Amongst all those their souls that losenone 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."But as for those whom I have choseIsa. 53:4, 5, 11.Salvation's heirs to be,I underwent their punishment,and therefore set them free.I bore their grief, and their reliefby suffering procur'd,That they of bliss and happinessmight firmly be assur'd.XLV."And this my grace they did embrace,Acts 1:3, 48.Jam. 2:18.Heb. 12:7.Mat. 19:29.believing on my Name;Which Faith was true, the fruits do shewproceeding 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."Their sin forsaking, their cheerful takingmy Yoke, their CharityUnto the Saints in all their wants,and in them unto me;—1 John 3:3.Mat. 25:39, 40.These things do clear, and make appeartheir Faith to be unfeignéd,And that a part in my desertand purchase they have gainéd.XLVII."Their debts are paid, their peace is made,their sins remitted are;Isa. 53:11, 12.Rom. 8:16, 17,33, 34.John 3:18.Therefore at once I do pronounce,and openly declare,That Heav'n is theirs, that they be Heirsof Life and of Salvation;Nor ever shall they come at allto Death or to Damnation.XLVIII."Come blessed Ones and sit on Thrones,judging the World with me;Come and possess your happiness,Luke 22:29, 30.Mat. 19:28.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.They are placed on Thrones to join with Christin judging the wicked."You bore the Cross, you suffer'd lossMat. 25:34.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 grudgeand grind their teeth in vain;They see with groans these plac'd on Thrones,which addeth to their pain.L.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,Cor. 6:2.and guerdon glorious;With Christ they sit, judging it fitto plague the Impious.LI.The wicked brought to the Bar.The wicked are brought to the Bar,Rom. 2:3, 6, 11.like guilty Malefactors,That oftentimes of bloody Crimesand Treasons have been Actors.Of wicked Men, none are so meanas there to be neglected;Nor none so high in dignityas there to be respected.LII.The glorious Judge will privilegenor Emperor nor King;But every one that hath misdoneRev. 6:15, 16.Isa. 30:38.doth unto judgment bring.And every one that hath misdone,the Judge impartiallyCondemneth to eternal woe,and endless misery.LIII.Thus one and all, thus great and small,
I.The security of the World before Christ'scoming to judgment.Stillwas the night, serene and bright,Luke 12:19.when all Men sleeping lay;Calm was the season, and carnal reasonthought 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.Wallowing in all kind of Sin,vile Wretches lay secure;The best of men had scarcely thentheir Lamps kept in good ure.Virgins unwise, who through disguiseMat. 25:5.amongst the best were number'd,Had clos'd their eyes; yea, and the Wisethrough sloth and frailty slumber'd.III.Like as of old, when men grew bold,God's threat'nings to contemn,Who stopt their Ear, and would not hearMat. 24:37, 38.when Mercy warnéd them,But took their course, without remorse,till God began to pourDestructi-on the World upon,in a tempestuous show'r;IV.1 Thes. 5:3.Who put away the evil day,and drown'd their cares and fears,Till drown'd were they, and swept awayby vengeance unawares;So at the last, whilst men sleep fastin their security,Surpris'd they are in such a snareAs cometh suddenly.V.The suddenness, Majesty, and Terrorof Christ's appearing.For at midnight breaks forth a light,Mat. 25:6.2 Pet. 3:10.which turns the night to day,And speedily an hideous crydoth 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.They rush from beds with giddy heads,and to their windows run,Viewing this light, which shines more brightthan doth the noon-day Sun.Straightway appears (they see't with tears)the Son of God most dread,Mat. 24:29, 30.Who with his Train comes on amainto judge both Quick and Dead.VII.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 Lampsand makes them hide their heads;2 Pet. 3:10.As if afraid and quite dismay'd,they quit their wonted steads.VIII.Ye sons of men that durst contemnthe 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 minda God could never see,Dost thou perceive, dost now believethat Christ thy Judge shall be?IX.Stout Courages, (whose hardinesscould Death and Hell outface,)Are you as bold, now you beholdyour 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.Rev. 6:15.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.Mat. 24:30.Mean men lament, great men do renttheir Robes, and tear their hair;They do not spare their flesh to tearthrough horrible despair.All kindreds wail; all hearts do fail;Horror the World doth fillWith weeping eyes and loud out-cries,yet knows not how to kill.XII.Rev. 6:15, 16.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 (0 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 hideFrom Judge's ire, more hot than Fire,for who may it abide?"No hiding place can from his Facesinners at all conceal,Whose flaming Eye hid things doth spy,and darkest things reveal.XIV.Mat. 25:21.The Judge draws nigh, exalted highupon a lofty Throne,Amidst the throng of Angels strong,lo, Israel's Holy One!The excellence of whose Presenceand awful Majesty,Amazeth Nature, and every Creaturedoth more than terrify.XV.Rev. 6:14.The Mountains smoke, the Hills are shook,the Earth is rent and torn,As if she should be clear dissolv'dor 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.Whose Glory bright, whose wond'rous Might,whose Power Imperial,So far surpass whatever wasin Realms Terrestrial,That tongues of men (nor Angel's pen)Cannot the same express;And therefore I must pass it by,Thes. 4:16.lest speaking should transgress.XVII.Resurrection of the Dead.Before his Throne a Trump is blown,John 5:28, 29.proclaiming th' Day of Doom;Forthwith he cries, "Ye Dead ariseand 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 arealso their dead to tender.The mighty Word of this great Lordlinks Body and Soul together,Both of the Just and the unjust,to part no more for ever.XIX.The living changed.The same translates from Mortal statesLuke 20:36.1 Cor. 15:52.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 Reprobateare made to die no moe.XX.All brought to Judgment.His wingéd Hosts fly through all coasts,Mat. 24:31.together gatheringBoth 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 makebefore the Judge appear.XXI.The Sheep separated from the Goats.Thus every one before the Throne2 Cor. 5:10.Mat. 25:32.of Christ the Judge is brought,Both rightéous and impious,that good or ill hath wrought.A separation and diff'ring stationby Christ appointed is(To sinners sad) 'twixt good and bad,'twixt Heirs of woe and bliss.XXII.Who are Christ's Sheep.At Christ's right hand the Sheep do stand,his holy Martyrs, whoFor his dear Name suffering shame,calamity and woe,Mat. 5:10, 11.Like Champions stood and with their Bloodtheir Testimony sealéd;Whose innocence without offenceto Christ their Judge appealéd.XXIII.Next unto whom there find a roomall Christ's afflicted ones,Who being chastis'd, neither despis'dnor sank amidst their groans;Heb. 12:5, 6, 7.Who by the Rod were turn'd to God,and lovéd him the more,Not murmuring nor quarrellingwhen they were chast'ned sore.XXIV.Moreover, such as lovéd much,that had not such a trial,As might constrain to so great pain,Luke 7:41, 47.and such deep self-denial,Yet ready were the Cross to bear,when Christ them call'd thereto,And did rejoice to hear his voice,—they're counted Sheep also.XXV.Christ's flock of Lambs there also stands,John 21:15.Mat. 19:14.John 3:3.whose Faith was weak, yet true,All sound Believers (Gospel receivers)whose Grace was small, but grew;And them among an Infant throngof Babes, for whom Christ died;Whom for his own, by ways unknownto Men, he sanctified.XXVI.All stand before their Savi-or,in long white Robes yclad,Rev. 6:11.Phil. 3:21.Their countenance full of pleasance,appearing wond'rous glad.O glorious sight! Behold how brightdust-heaps are made to shine,Conforméd so their Lord unto,whose Glory is Divine.XXVII.The Goats described, or the severalsorts of Reprobates on the left hand.At Christ's left hand the Goats do stand,Mat. 24:51.all whining HypocritesWho 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.Luke 11:24, 26.Heb. 6:4, 5, 6.Heb. 10:29.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 placéd there.XXIX.There also stand a num'rous band,that no profession madeLuke 12:47.Prov. 1:24, 26.Job 8:19.Of Godliness, nor to redresstheir 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.Moreover, there with them appearGal. 3:10.1 Cor. 6:9.Rev. 21:8.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.Exod. 20:7, 8.Blasphemers lewd, and Swearers shrewd,scoffers at Purity,That hated God, contemn'd his Rod,and lov'd Security;2 Thes. 1:6, 8,9.Sabbath-polluters, Saints-persecutors,presumptuous men and proud,Who never lov'd those that reprov'd;all stand amongst this crowd.XXXII.Adulterers and WhoremongersHeb. 13:4.1 Cor. 6:10.were there, with all unchast;There Covetous and Ravenous,that riches got too fast:Who us'd vile ways themselves to raiset' Estates and worldly wealth,Oppression by or knavery,by force, or fraud, or stealth.XXXIII.Moreover, there together werechildren flagiti-ous,And Parents who did them undoZach. 5:3, 4.Gal. 5:19,20, 21.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.Their place there find all Heathen blindthat Nature's light abus'd,Rom. 2:13.Although they had no tidings gladof Gospel grace refus'dThere stand all Nations and Generationsof Adam's Progeny,Whom Christ redeem'd not, whom he esteem'd not,through Infidelity;XXXV.Who no Peace-maker, no undertaker,to shroud them from God's ire,Acts 4:12.Ever obtain'd; they must be pain'dwith 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.Fast by them stand at Christ's left hand,the Lion fierce and fell,The Dragon bold, that Serpent old,1 Cor. 6:3.that hurried Souls to Hell.There also stand, under command,legions of Sprites unclean,And hellish Fiends, that are no friendsto God, nor unto Men.XXXVII.With dismal chains, and strongest reins,Jude 6.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 expectationOf endless pains and scalding flames,stand waiting for Damnation.XXXVIII.The Saints cleared and justified.All silence keep both Goats and Sheepbefore the Judge's Throne;With mild aspect to his Electthen speaks the Holy One:"My Sheep draw near, your Sentence hear,which is to you no dread,Who clearly now discern and knowyour sins are pardonéd.XXXIX."'Twas meet that ye should judgéd be,that so the World may spy2 Cor. 5:10.Eccl. 3:17.John 3:18.No cause of grudge, when as I judgeand deal impartially.Know therefore all both great and small,the ground and reason whyThese Men do stand at my right handand look so cheerfully.XL."These Men be those my Father chosebefore the World's foundation,Job 17:6.Eph. 1:4.And to me gave, that I should savefrom Death and Condemnation;For whose dear sake I flesh did take,was of a Woman born,And did inure myself t' endureunjust reproach and scorn.XLI."For then it was that I did passthrough sorrows many a one;That I drank up that bitter Cupwhich made me sigh and groan.Rev. 1:5.The Cross's pain I did sustain;yea more, my Father's ireI underwent, my Blood I spentto save them from Hell-fire.XLII."Thus I esteeméd, thus I redeemédall these from every Nation,Eph. 2:1, 3.That they may be (as now you see)a chosen Generation.What if ere while they were as vileand bad as any be,And yet from all their guilt and thrallat once I set them free?XLIII."My grace to one is wrong to none;none can Election claim;Mat. 23:13, 15.Rom. 9:20, 21.Amongst all those their souls that losenone 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."But as for those whom I have choseIsa. 53:4, 5, 11.Salvation's heirs to be,I underwent their punishment,and therefore set them free.I bore their grief, and their reliefby suffering procur'd,That they of bliss and happinessmight firmly be assur'd.XLV."And this my grace they did embrace,Acts 1:3, 48.Jam. 2:18.Heb. 12:7.Mat. 19:29.believing on my Name;Which Faith was true, the fruits do shewproceeding 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."Their sin forsaking, their cheerful takingmy Yoke, their CharityUnto the Saints in all their wants,and in them unto me;—1 John 3:3.Mat. 25:39, 40.These things do clear, and make appeartheir Faith to be unfeignéd,And that a part in my desertand purchase they have gainéd.XLVII."Their debts are paid, their peace is made,their sins remitted are;Isa. 53:11, 12.Rom. 8:16, 17,33, 34.John 3:18.Therefore at once I do pronounce,and openly declare,That Heav'n is theirs, that they be Heirsof Life and of Salvation;Nor ever shall they come at allto Death or to Damnation.XLVIII."Come blessed Ones and sit on Thrones,judging the World with me;Come and possess your happiness,Luke 22:29, 30.Mat. 19:28.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.They are placed on Thrones to join with Christin judging the wicked."You bore the Cross, you suffer'd lossMat. 25:34.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 grudgeand grind their teeth in vain;They see with groans these plac'd on Thrones,which addeth to their pain.L.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,Cor. 6:2.and guerdon glorious;With Christ they sit, judging it fitto plague the Impious.LI.The wicked brought to the Bar.The wicked are brought to the Bar,Rom. 2:3, 6, 11.like guilty Malefactors,That oftentimes of bloody Crimesand Treasons have been Actors.Of wicked Men, none are so meanas there to be neglected;Nor none so high in dignityas there to be respected.LII.The glorious Judge will privilegenor Emperor nor King;But every one that hath misdoneRev. 6:15, 16.Isa. 30:38.doth unto judgment bring.And every one that hath misdone,the Judge impartiallyCondemneth to eternal woe,and endless misery.LIII.Thus one and all, thus great and small,
I.The security of the World before Christ'scoming to judgment.Stillwas the night, serene and bright,Luke 12:19.when all Men sleeping lay;Calm was the season, and carnal reasonthought 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.Wallowing in all kind of Sin,vile Wretches lay secure;The best of men had scarcely thentheir Lamps kept in good ure.Virgins unwise, who through disguiseMat. 25:5.amongst the best were number'd,Had clos'd their eyes; yea, and the Wisethrough sloth and frailty slumber'd.III.Like as of old, when men grew bold,God's threat'nings to contemn,Who stopt their Ear, and would not hearMat. 24:37, 38.when Mercy warnéd them,But took their course, without remorse,till God began to pourDestructi-on the World upon,in a tempestuous show'r;IV.1 Thes. 5:3.Who put away the evil day,and drown'd their cares and fears,Till drown'd were they, and swept awayby vengeance unawares;So at the last, whilst men sleep fastin their security,Surpris'd they are in such a snareAs cometh suddenly.V.The suddenness, Majesty, and Terrorof Christ's appearing.For at midnight breaks forth a light,Mat. 25:6.2 Pet. 3:10.which turns the night to day,And speedily an hideous crydoth 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.They rush from beds with giddy heads,and to their windows run,Viewing this light, which shines more brightthan doth the noon-day Sun.Straightway appears (they see't with tears)the Son of God most dread,Mat. 24:29, 30.Who with his Train comes on amainto judge both Quick and Dead.VII.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 Lampsand makes them hide their heads;2 Pet. 3:10.As if afraid and quite dismay'd,they quit their wonted steads.VIII.Ye sons of men that durst contemnthe 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 minda God could never see,Dost thou perceive, dost now believethat Christ thy Judge shall be?IX.Stout Courages, (whose hardinesscould Death and Hell outface,)Are you as bold, now you beholdyour 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.Rev. 6:15.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.Mat. 24:30.Mean men lament, great men do renttheir Robes, and tear their hair;They do not spare their flesh to tearthrough horrible despair.All kindreds wail; all hearts do fail;Horror the World doth fillWith weeping eyes and loud out-cries,yet knows not how to kill.XII.Rev. 6:15, 16.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 (0 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 hideFrom Judge's ire, more hot than Fire,for who may it abide?"No hiding place can from his Facesinners at all conceal,Whose flaming Eye hid things doth spy,and darkest things reveal.XIV.Mat. 25:21.The Judge draws nigh, exalted highupon a lofty Throne,Amidst the throng of Angels strong,lo, Israel's Holy One!The excellence of whose Presenceand awful Majesty,Amazeth Nature, and every Creaturedoth more than terrify.XV.Rev. 6:14.The Mountains smoke, the Hills are shook,the Earth is rent and torn,As if she should be clear dissolv'dor 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.Whose Glory bright, whose wond'rous Might,whose Power Imperial,So far surpass whatever wasin Realms Terrestrial,That tongues of men (nor Angel's pen)Cannot the same express;And therefore I must pass it by,Thes. 4:16.lest speaking should transgress.XVII.Resurrection of the Dead.Before his Throne a Trump is blown,John 5:28, 29.proclaiming th' Day of Doom;Forthwith he cries, "Ye Dead ariseand 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 arealso their dead to tender.The mighty Word of this great Lordlinks Body and Soul together,Both of the Just and the unjust,to part no more for ever.XIX.The living changed.The same translates from Mortal statesLuke 20:36.1 Cor. 15:52.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 Reprobateare made to die no moe.XX.All brought to Judgment.His wingéd Hosts fly through all coasts,Mat. 24:31.together gatheringBoth 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 makebefore the Judge appear.XXI.The Sheep separated from the Goats.Thus every one before the Throne2 Cor. 5:10.Mat. 25:32.of Christ the Judge is brought,Both rightéous and impious,that good or ill hath wrought.A separation and diff'ring stationby Christ appointed is(To sinners sad) 'twixt good and bad,'twixt Heirs of woe and bliss.XXII.Who are Christ's Sheep.At Christ's right hand the Sheep do stand,his holy Martyrs, whoFor his dear Name suffering shame,calamity and woe,Mat. 5:10, 11.Like Champions stood and with their Bloodtheir Testimony sealéd;Whose innocence without offenceto Christ their Judge appealéd.XXIII.Next unto whom there find a roomall Christ's afflicted ones,Who being chastis'd, neither despis'dnor sank amidst their groans;Heb. 12:5, 6, 7.Who by the Rod were turn'd to God,and lovéd him the more,Not murmuring nor quarrellingwhen they were chast'ned sore.XXIV.Moreover, such as lovéd much,that had not such a trial,As might constrain to so great pain,Luke 7:41, 47.and such deep self-denial,Yet ready were the Cross to bear,when Christ them call'd thereto,And did rejoice to hear his voice,—they're counted Sheep also.XXV.Christ's flock of Lambs there also stands,John 21:15.Mat. 19:14.John 3:3.whose Faith was weak, yet true,All sound Believers (Gospel receivers)whose Grace was small, but grew;And them among an Infant throngof Babes, for whom Christ died;Whom for his own, by ways unknownto Men, he sanctified.XXVI.All stand before their Savi-or,in long white Robes yclad,Rev. 6:11.Phil. 3:21.Their countenance full of pleasance,appearing wond'rous glad.O glorious sight! Behold how brightdust-heaps are made to shine,Conforméd so their Lord unto,whose Glory is Divine.XXVII.The Goats described, or the severalsorts of Reprobates on the left hand.At Christ's left hand the Goats do stand,Mat. 24:51.all whining HypocritesWho 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.Luke 11:24, 26.Heb. 6:4, 5, 6.Heb. 10:29.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 placéd there.XXIX.There also stand a num'rous band,that no profession madeLuke 12:47.Prov. 1:24, 26.Job 8:19.Of Godliness, nor to redresstheir 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.Moreover, there with them appearGal. 3:10.1 Cor. 6:9.Rev. 21:8.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.Exod. 20:7, 8.Blasphemers lewd, and Swearers shrewd,scoffers at Purity,That hated God, contemn'd his Rod,and lov'd Security;2 Thes. 1:6, 8,9.Sabbath-polluters, Saints-persecutors,presumptuous men and proud,Who never lov'd those that reprov'd;all stand amongst this crowd.XXXII.Adulterers and WhoremongersHeb. 13:4.1 Cor. 6:10.were there, with all unchast;There Covetous and Ravenous,that riches got too fast:Who us'd vile ways themselves to raiset' Estates and worldly wealth,Oppression by or knavery,by force, or fraud, or stealth.XXXIII.Moreover, there together werechildren flagiti-ous,And Parents who did them undoZach. 5:3, 4.Gal. 5:19,20, 21.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.Their place there find all Heathen blindthat Nature's light abus'd,Rom. 2:13.Although they had no tidings gladof Gospel grace refus'dThere stand all Nations and Generationsof Adam's Progeny,Whom Christ redeem'd not, whom he esteem'd not,through Infidelity;XXXV.Who no Peace-maker, no undertaker,to shroud them from God's ire,Acts 4:12.Ever obtain'd; they must be pain'dwith 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.Fast by them stand at Christ's left hand,the Lion fierce and fell,The Dragon bold, that Serpent old,1 Cor. 6:3.that hurried Souls to Hell.There also stand, under command,legions of Sprites unclean,And hellish Fiends, that are no friendsto God, nor unto Men.XXXVII.With dismal chains, and strongest reins,Jude 6.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 expectationOf endless pains and scalding flames,stand waiting for Damnation.XXXVIII.The Saints cleared and justified.All silence keep both Goats and Sheepbefore the Judge's Throne;With mild aspect to his Electthen speaks the Holy One:"My Sheep draw near, your Sentence hear,which is to you no dread,Who clearly now discern and knowyour sins are pardonéd.XXXIX."'Twas meet that ye should judgéd be,that so the World may spy2 Cor. 5:10.Eccl. 3:17.John 3:18.No cause of grudge, when as I judgeand deal impartially.Know therefore all both great and small,the ground and reason whyThese Men do stand at my right handand look so cheerfully.XL."These Men be those my Father chosebefore the World's foundation,Job 17:6.Eph. 1:4.And to me gave, that I should savefrom Death and Condemnation;For whose dear sake I flesh did take,was of a Woman born,And did inure myself t' endureunjust reproach and scorn.XLI."For then it was that I did passthrough sorrows many a one;That I drank up that bitter Cupwhich made me sigh and groan.Rev. 1:5.The Cross's pain I did sustain;yea more, my Father's ireI underwent, my Blood I spentto save them from Hell-fire.XLII."Thus I esteeméd, thus I redeemédall these from every Nation,Eph. 2:1, 3.That they may be (as now you see)a chosen Generation.What if ere while they were as vileand bad as any be,And yet from all their guilt and thrallat once I set them free?XLIII."My grace to one is wrong to none;none can Election claim;Mat. 23:13, 15.Rom. 9:20, 21.Amongst all those their souls that losenone 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."But as for those whom I have choseIsa. 53:4, 5, 11.Salvation's heirs to be,I underwent their punishment,and therefore set them free.I bore their grief, and their reliefby suffering procur'd,That they of bliss and happinessmight firmly be assur'd.XLV."And this my grace they did embrace,Acts 1:3, 48.Jam. 2:18.Heb. 12:7.Mat. 19:29.believing on my Name;Which Faith was true, the fruits do shewproceeding 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."Their sin forsaking, their cheerful takingmy Yoke, their CharityUnto the Saints in all their wants,and in them unto me;—1 John 3:3.Mat. 25:39, 40.These things do clear, and make appeartheir Faith to be unfeignéd,And that a part in my desertand purchase they have gainéd.XLVII."Their debts are paid, their peace is made,their sins remitted are;Isa. 53:11, 12.Rom. 8:16, 17,33, 34.John 3:18.Therefore at once I do pronounce,and openly declare,That Heav'n is theirs, that they be Heirsof Life and of Salvation;Nor ever shall they come at allto Death or to Damnation.XLVIII."Come blessed Ones and sit on Thrones,judging the World with me;Come and possess your happiness,Luke 22:29, 30.Mat. 19:28.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.They are placed on Thrones to join with Christin judging the wicked."You bore the Cross, you suffer'd lossMat. 25:34.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 grudgeand grind their teeth in vain;They see with groans these plac'd on Thrones,which addeth to their pain.L.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,Cor. 6:2.and guerdon glorious;With Christ they sit, judging it fitto plague the Impious.LI.The wicked brought to the Bar.The wicked are brought to the Bar,Rom. 2:3, 6, 11.like guilty Malefactors,That oftentimes of bloody Crimesand Treasons have been Actors.Of wicked Men, none are so meanas there to be neglected;Nor none so high in dignityas there to be respected.LII.The glorious Judge will privilegenor Emperor nor King;But every one that hath misdoneRev. 6:15, 16.Isa. 30:38.doth unto judgment bring.And every one that hath misdone,the Judge impartiallyCondemneth to eternal woe,and endless misery.LIII.Thus one and all, thus great and small,
I.
The security of the World before Christ'scoming to judgment.
Stillwas the night, serene and bright,
Luke 12:19.
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.
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
Mat. 25:5.
amongst the best were number'd,
Had clos'd their eyes; yea, and the Wise
through sloth and frailty slumber'd.
III.
Like as of old, when men grew bold,
God's threat'nings to contemn,
Who stopt their Ear, and would not hear
Mat. 24:37, 38.
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.
1 Thes. 5:3.
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.
V.
The suddenness, Majesty, and Terrorof Christ's appearing.
For at midnight breaks forth a light,
Mat. 25:6.2 Pet. 3:10.
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.
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,
Mat. 24:29, 30.
Who with his Train comes on amain
to judge both Quick and Dead.
VII.
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;
2 Pet. 3:10.
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.
Rev. 6:15.
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.
Mat. 24:30.
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.
Rev. 6:15, 16.
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 (0 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.
Mat. 25:21.
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.
Rev. 6:14.
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.
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,
Thes. 4:16.
lest speaking should transgress.
XVII.
Resurrection of the Dead.
Before his Throne a Trump is blown,
John 5:28, 29.
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.
XIX.
The living changed.
The same translates from Mortal states
Luke 20:36.1 Cor. 15:52.
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.
XX.
All brought to Judgment.
His wingéd Hosts fly through all coasts,
Mat. 24:31.
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.
XXI.
The Sheep separated from the Goats.
Thus every one before the Throne
2 Cor. 5:10.Mat. 25:32.
of Christ the Judge is brought,
Both rightéous 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.
XXII.
Who are Christ's Sheep.
At Christ's right hand the Sheep do stand,
his holy Martyrs, who
For his dear Name suffering shame,
calamity and woe,
Mat. 5:10, 11.
Like Champions stood and with their Blood
their Testimony sealéd;
Whose innocence without offence
to Christ their Judge appealéd.
XXIII.
Next unto whom there find a room
all Christ's afflicted ones,
Who being chastis'd, neither despis'd
nor sank amidst their groans;
Heb. 12:5, 6, 7.
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.
Moreover, such as lovéd much,
that had not such a trial,
As might constrain to so great pain,
Luke 7:41, 47.
and such deep self-denial,
Yet ready were the Cross to bear,
when Christ them call'd thereto,
And did rejoice to hear his voice,—
they're counted Sheep also.
XXV.
Christ's flock of Lambs there also stands,
John 21:15.Mat. 19:14.John 3:3.
whose Faith was weak, yet true,
All sound Believers (Gospel receivers)
whose 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.
All stand before their Savi-or,
in long white Robes yclad,
Rev. 6:11.Phil. 3:21.
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.
XXVII.
The Goats described, or the severalsorts of Reprobates on the left hand.
At Christ's left hand the Goats do stand,
Mat. 24:51.
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.
Luke 11:24, 26.Heb. 6:4, 5, 6.Heb. 10:29.
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 placéd there.
XXIX.
There also stand a num'rous band,
that no profession made
Luke 12:47.Prov. 1:24, 26.Job 8:19.
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.
Moreover, there with them appear
Gal. 3:10.1 Cor. 6:9.Rev. 21:8.
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.
Exod. 20:7, 8.
Blasphemers lewd, and Swearers shrewd,
scoffers at Purity,
That hated God, contemn'd his Rod,
and lov'd Security;
2 Thes. 1:6, 8,9.
Sabbath-polluters, Saints-persecutors,
presumptuous men and proud,
Who never lov'd those that reprov'd;
all stand amongst this crowd.
XXXII.
Adulterers and Whoremongers
Heb. 13:4.1 Cor. 6:10.
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.
Moreover, there together were
children flagiti-ous,
And Parents who did them undo
Zach. 5:3, 4.Gal. 5:19,20, 21.
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.
Their place there find all Heathen blind
that Nature's light abus'd,
Rom. 2:13.
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.
Who no Peace-maker, no undertaker,
to shroud them from God's ire,
Acts 4:12.
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.
Fast by them stand at Christ's left hand,
the Lion fierce and fell,
The Dragon bold, that Serpent old,
1 Cor. 6:3.
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.
With dismal chains, and strongest reins,
Jude 6.
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.
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.
"'Twas meet that ye should judgéd be,
that so the World may spy
2 Cor. 5:10.Eccl. 3:17.John 3:18.
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.
"These Men be those my Father chose
before the World's foundation,
Job 17:6.Eph. 1:4.
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.
"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.
Rev. 1:5.
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.
"Thus I esteeméd, thus I redeeméd
all these from every Nation,
Eph. 2:1, 3.
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.
"My grace to one is wrong to none;
none can Election claim;
Mat. 23:13, 15.Rom. 9:20, 21.
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.
"But as for those whom I have chose
Isa. 53:4, 5, 11.
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.
"And this my grace they did embrace,
Acts 1:3, 48.Jam. 2:18.Heb. 12:7.Mat. 19:29.
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.
"Their sin forsaking, their cheerful taking
my Yoke, their Charity
Unto the Saints in all their wants,
and in them unto me;—
1 John 3:3.Mat. 25:39, 40.
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.
"Their debts are paid, their peace is made,
their sins remitted are;
Isa. 53:11, 12.Rom. 8:16, 17,33, 34.John 3:18.
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.
"Come blessed Ones and sit on Thrones,
judging the World with me;
Come and possess your happiness,
Luke 22:29, 30.Mat. 19:28.
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.
They are placed on Thrones to join with Christin judging the wicked.
"You bore the Cross, you suffer'd loss
Mat. 25:34.
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.
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,
Cor. 6:2.
and guerdon glorious;
With Christ they sit, judging it fit
to plague the Impious.
LI.
The wicked brought to the Bar.
The wicked are brought to the Bar,
Rom. 2:3, 6, 11.
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.
The glorious Judge will privilege
nor Emperor nor King;
But every one that hath misdone
Rev. 6:15, 16.Isa. 30:38.
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,