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'dbefore Christ's Judgment seat,With trembling fear their Doom to hear,and feel his Anger's heat.LIV.There Christ demands at all their handsa strict and straight accountOf all things done under the Sun,Eccl. 11:9,12, 14.whose number far surmountMan's wit and thought: they all are broughtunto 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 ConsciencesMore proof give in of each Man's sin,than thousand Witnesses.Though formerly this facultyhad grossly been abuséd,(Men could it stifle, or with it trifle,when as it them accuséd.)LVI.Now it comes in, and every sinunto 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.Secret sins and works of darknessbrought to light.It's vain, moreover, for Men to coverPs. 139:2,4, 12.Rom. 2:16.the least Iniquity;The Judge hath seen, and privy beento all their villainy.He unto light and open sightthe work of darkness brings;He doth unfold both new old,both known and hidden things.LVIII.All filthy facts and secret acts,however closely done,Eccl. 12:14.And long conceal'd, are there reveal'dbefore 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.And as all facts, and grosser acts,so every word and thought,Mat. 12:36.Rom. 7:7.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 lastit must receive a doom.LX.An account demanded of all their actions.At this sad season, Christ asks a ReasonJohn 5:40,and 3:19.Mat. 25:19, 27.(with just austerity)Of Grace refus'd, of light abus'dso oft, so wilfully;Of Talents lent, by them misspentand on their Lust bestown,Which if improv'd as it behoov'dHeav'n might have been their own;LXI.Of times neglected, of means rejected,of God's long-sufferingAnd Pati-ence, to PenitenceRom. 2:4, 5.that sought hard hearts to bring;Why chords of love did nothing move,to shame or to remorse?Why warnings grave, and counsels, havenaught chang'd their sinful course?LXII.Why chastenings, and evils things,Isa. 1:5.why judgments so severe,Prevailéd not with them a jot,nor wrought an awful fear?Why promises of Holiness,Jer. 2:20.and new Obedience,They oft did make, but always brakethe same, to God's offense?LXIII.Why still Hell-ward, without regard,John 3:19, etc.Prov. 8:36.Luke 12:20, 21.they bold venturéd,And chose Damnation before Salvation,when it was offeréd?Why sinful pleasures and earthly treasures,like fools, they prizéd moreThan Heav'nly wealth, Eternal health,and all Christ's Royal store?LXIV.Why, when he stood off'ring his BloodLuke 13:34.John 5:40,and 15:22.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 cumulateguilt more than can be told.LXV.They multiply and magnifyMen's gross Iniquities;They draw down wrath (as Scripture saith)out of God's treasuries.Thus all their ways Christ open laysto Men and Angels' view,And as they were makes them appearin their own proper hue.LXVI.Thus he doth find of all Mankind,Rom. 8:10, 12.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-onand everlasting scath.LXVII.Earth's dwellers all, both great and small,Rom. 6:23.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.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 clearthemselves by making pleas;There Hypocrites, false-hearted wights,do make such pleas as these:LXIX."Lord, in thy Name, and by the same,Mat. 7:21,22, 23.we Devils dispossess'd;We rais'd the dead and minist'redSuccor to the distress'd.Our painful teaching and pow'rful preachingby thine own wondrous might,Did throughly win to God from sinmany a wretched wight."LXX.The Judge replyeth."All this," quoth he, "may granted be,John 6:70.1 Cor. 9:27.and your case little better'd,Who still remain under a chainand many irons fetter'd.You that the dead have quickened,and rescu'd from the grave,Yourselves were dead, yet ne'er neededa Christ your souls to save.LXXI."You that could preach, and others teachRom. 2:19,21, 22, 23.what way to life doth lead,Why were you slack to find that trackand in that way to tread?How could you bear to see or hearof others freed at lastFrom Satan's paws, whilst in his jawsyourselves were held more fast?LXXII."Who though you knew Repentance true,John 9:41.Rev. 2:21, 22.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."His Master's will how to fulfilLuke 12:47.Mat. 11:21,22, 24.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 nowFor Sidon and for Sodom's Landmore easy than for you."LXXIV.Another plea of the Hypocrites."But we have in thy presence been,"Luke 13:20.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 pledgeof thy dear Love to us,In Wine and Bread, which figurédthy 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.The answer.To whom the Lord, thus in a word,Luke 13:27.Mat. 22:12.returns a short reply:"I never knew any of youthat wrought Iniquity.You say you've been my Presence in;but then, how came you thereWith Raiment vile that did defileand quite disgrace my Cheer?LXXVII."Durst you draw near without due fearUnto 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."How durst you venture bold guests to enterin such a sordid hue,Amongst my guests unto those Feasts1 Cor. 11:27, 29.that were not made for you?How durst you eat for spir'tual meatyour bane, and drink damnation,Whilst by your guile you render'd vileso rare and great Salvation?LXXIX."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.Mat. 6:21, 24.Rom. 1:25.And think you by Hypocrisy,and cloakéd Wickedness,To enter in laden with sin,to lasting Happiness?LXXX."This your excuse shews your abuse1 Cor. 11:27, 29.of things ordain'd for good,And doth declare you guilty areof my dear Flesh and Blood.Wherefore those Seals and precious Mealsyou put so much uponAs things Divine, they Seal and Signyou to Perditi-on."LXXXI.Another sort of Hypocritesmake 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."We did believe, and oft receiveActs 8:13.Isa. 58:2, 3.Heb. 6:4, 5.thy gracious Promises;We took great care to get a sharein 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."We thought our sin had pardon'd been,2 Pet. 2:20.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 sanctityand holy life neglected?"LXXXIV.The Judge uncaseth them.The Judge incens'd at their pretens'dJohn 2:24, 25.self-vaunting Piety,With such a look as trembling strookunto them made reply:"O impudent, impenitent,and guileful generation!Think you that I cannot descryyour hearts' abomination?LXXXV."You nor receiv'd, nor yet believ'dJohn 6:64.Psal. 50:16.Mat. 15:26.my Promises of Grace,Nor were you wise enough to prizemy reconciléd Face;But I presume that to assumewhich was not yours to take,And challengéd the Children's Bread,yet would not sin forsake.LXXXVI."Being too bold you laid fast holdRev. 3:17.Mat. 13:20.where int'rest you had none,Yourselves deceiving by your believing,all which you might have known.You ran away but ran astraywith Gospel Promises,And perishéd, being still deadin sins and trespasses.LXXXVII."How oft did I Hypocrisyand Hearts' deceits unmaskMat. 6:2, 4, 24.Jer. 8:5, 6, 7, 8.Before your sight, giving you lightto know a Christian's task?But you held fast unto the lastyour own conceits so vain,No warning could prevail; you wouldyour own Deceits retain.LXXXVIII."As for your care to get a sharein Bliss; the fear of Hell,And of a part in endless smart,Psal. 78:34,35, 36, 37.did thereunto compel.Your holiness and ways redress,such as it was, did springFrom no true love to things above,But from some other thing.LXXXIX.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 winthe greater liberty.For all your vaunts, you had vile haunts,for which your ConsciencesDid you alarm, whose voice to charmyou us'd these practices.XC."Your Penitence, your diligenceMat. 6:2, 5.John 5:44.to Read, to Pray, to Hear,Were but to drown the clam'rous soundof Conscience in your Ear.If light you lov'd, vain glory mov'dyourselves therewith to store,That seeming wise men might you prize,and honor you the more.XCI."Thus from yourselves unto yourselves,Zech. 7:5, 16.Hos. 10:1.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 showswere but Hypocrisy.XCII.Civil honest men's pleas.Then were brought nigh a CompanyLuke 18:11.of Civil honest Men,That lov'd true dealing and hated stealing,ne'er wrong'd their Bretheren;Who pleaded thus: "Thou knowest usthat 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."We hated vice and set great price,by virtuous conversation;1 Sam. 15:22.And by the same we got a nameand no small commendation.God's Laws express that righteousnessis that which he doth prize;And to obey, as he doth say,is more than sacrifice.XCV."Thus to obey hath been our way;Eccl. 7:20.let our good deeds, we pray,Find some regard and some rewardwith thee, O Lord, this day.And whereas we transgressors be,of Adam's race were none,No, not the best, but have confess'dthemselves to have misdone."XCVI.Are taken off and rendered invalid.Then answeréd unto their dread,Deut. 10:12.Tit. 2:12.Jam. 2:10.the Judge: "True PietyGod doth desire and eke require,no less than honesty.Justice demands at all your handsperfect Obedience;If but in part you have come short,that is a just offense.XCVII."On Earth below, where men did owea thousand pounds and more,Could twenty pence it recompense?Could that have clear'd the score?Think you to buy Felicitywith part of what's due debt?Or for desert of one small part,the whole should off be set?XCVIII."And yet that part whose great desertLuke 18:11, 14.you think to reach so far,For your excuse doth you accuse,and will your boasting mar.However fair, however squareyour way and work hath beenBefore men's eyes, yet God espiesiniquity therein.XCIX."God looks upon th' affecti-onand temper of the heart;1 Sam. 16:7.2 Chron. 25:2.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 intendtheir words and deeds doth try.C."Without true Faith, the Scripture saith,God cannot take delightHeb. 11:6.1 Cor. 13:1, 2, 3.In any deed that doth proceedfrom any sinful wight.And without love all actions provebut 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 moveBelievers, hath it grown.Your argument shews your intentin all that you have done;You thought to scale Heav'n's lofty Wallby Ladders of your own.CII."Your blinded spirit hoping to meritby your own Righteousness,Needed no Savior but your behavior,Rom. 10:3.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."All men have gone astray, and doneRom. 9:30, 32.Mat. 11:23, 24,and 21:41.that which God's laws condemn;But my Purchase and offer'd GraceAll men did not contemn.The Ninevites and Sodomiteshad no such sin as this;Yet as if all your sins were small,you say, 'All did amiss.'CIV."Again you thought and mainly soughta name with men t' acquire;Pride bare the Bell that made you swell,and your own selves admire.Mat. 6:5.Mean fruit it is, and vile, I wiss,that springs from such a root;Virtue divine and genuinewonts not from pride to shoot.CV."Such deeds as your are worse than poor;Prov. 26:23.Mat. 23:27.they are but sins gilt overWith silver dross whose glist'ring glosscan 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."Your gold is brass, your silver dross,your righteousness is sin;Prov. 15:8.Rom. 3:20.
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'dbefore Christ's Judgment seat,With trembling fear their Doom to hear,and feel his Anger's heat.LIV.There Christ demands at all their handsa strict and straight accountOf all things done under the Sun,Eccl. 11:9,12, 14.whose number far surmountMan's wit and thought: they all are broughtunto 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 ConsciencesMore proof give in of each Man's sin,than thousand Witnesses.Though formerly this facultyhad grossly been abuséd,(Men could it stifle, or with it trifle,when as it them accuséd.)LVI.Now it comes in, and every sinunto 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.Secret sins and works of darknessbrought to light.It's vain, moreover, for Men to coverPs. 139:2,4, 12.Rom. 2:16.the least Iniquity;The Judge hath seen, and privy beento all their villainy.He unto light and open sightthe work of darkness brings;He doth unfold both new old,both known and hidden things.LVIII.All filthy facts and secret acts,however closely done,Eccl. 12:14.And long conceal'd, are there reveal'dbefore 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.And as all facts, and grosser acts,so every word and thought,Mat. 12:36.Rom. 7:7.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 lastit must receive a doom.LX.An account demanded of all their actions.At this sad season, Christ asks a ReasonJohn 5:40,and 3:19.Mat. 25:19, 27.(with just austerity)Of Grace refus'd, of light abus'dso oft, so wilfully;Of Talents lent, by them misspentand on their Lust bestown,Which if improv'd as it behoov'dHeav'n might have been their own;LXI.Of times neglected, of means rejected,of God's long-sufferingAnd Pati-ence, to PenitenceRom. 2:4, 5.that sought hard hearts to bring;Why chords of love did nothing move,to shame or to remorse?Why warnings grave, and counsels, havenaught chang'd their sinful course?LXII.Why chastenings, and evils things,Isa. 1:5.why judgments so severe,Prevailéd not with them a jot,nor wrought an awful fear?Why promises of Holiness,Jer. 2:20.and new Obedience,They oft did make, but always brakethe same, to God's offense?LXIII.Why still Hell-ward, without regard,John 3:19, etc.Prov. 8:36.Luke 12:20, 21.they bold venturéd,And chose Damnation before Salvation,when it was offeréd?Why sinful pleasures and earthly treasures,like fools, they prizéd moreThan Heav'nly wealth, Eternal health,and all Christ's Royal store?LXIV.Why, when he stood off'ring his BloodLuke 13:34.John 5:40,and 15:22.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 cumulateguilt more than can be told.LXV.They multiply and magnifyMen's gross Iniquities;They draw down wrath (as Scripture saith)out of God's treasuries.Thus all their ways Christ open laysto Men and Angels' view,And as they were makes them appearin their own proper hue.LXVI.Thus he doth find of all Mankind,Rom. 8:10, 12.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-onand everlasting scath.LXVII.Earth's dwellers all, both great and small,Rom. 6:23.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.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 clearthemselves by making pleas;There Hypocrites, false-hearted wights,do make such pleas as these:LXIX."Lord, in thy Name, and by the same,Mat. 7:21,22, 23.we Devils dispossess'd;We rais'd the dead and minist'redSuccor to the distress'd.Our painful teaching and pow'rful preachingby thine own wondrous might,Did throughly win to God from sinmany a wretched wight."LXX.The Judge replyeth."All this," quoth he, "may granted be,John 6:70.1 Cor. 9:27.and your case little better'd,Who still remain under a chainand many irons fetter'd.You that the dead have quickened,and rescu'd from the grave,Yourselves were dead, yet ne'er neededa Christ your souls to save.LXXI."You that could preach, and others teachRom. 2:19,21, 22, 23.what way to life doth lead,Why were you slack to find that trackand in that way to tread?How could you bear to see or hearof others freed at lastFrom Satan's paws, whilst in his jawsyourselves were held more fast?LXXII."Who though you knew Repentance true,John 9:41.Rev. 2:21, 22.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."His Master's will how to fulfilLuke 12:47.Mat. 11:21,22, 24.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 nowFor Sidon and for Sodom's Landmore easy than for you."LXXIV.Another plea of the Hypocrites."But we have in thy presence been,"Luke 13:20.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 pledgeof thy dear Love to us,In Wine and Bread, which figurédthy 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.The answer.To whom the Lord, thus in a word,Luke 13:27.Mat. 22:12.returns a short reply:"I never knew any of youthat wrought Iniquity.You say you've been my Presence in;but then, how came you thereWith Raiment vile that did defileand quite disgrace my Cheer?LXXVII."Durst you draw near without due fearUnto 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."How durst you venture bold guests to enterin such a sordid hue,Amongst my guests unto those Feasts1 Cor. 11:27, 29.that were not made for you?How durst you eat for spir'tual meatyour bane, and drink damnation,Whilst by your guile you render'd vileso rare and great Salvation?LXXIX."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.Mat. 6:21, 24.Rom. 1:25.And think you by Hypocrisy,and cloakéd Wickedness,To enter in laden with sin,to lasting Happiness?LXXX."This your excuse shews your abuse1 Cor. 11:27, 29.of things ordain'd for good,And doth declare you guilty areof my dear Flesh and Blood.Wherefore those Seals and precious Mealsyou put so much uponAs things Divine, they Seal and Signyou to Perditi-on."LXXXI.Another sort of Hypocritesmake 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."We did believe, and oft receiveActs 8:13.Isa. 58:2, 3.Heb. 6:4, 5.thy gracious Promises;We took great care to get a sharein 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."We thought our sin had pardon'd been,2 Pet. 2:20.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 sanctityand holy life neglected?"LXXXIV.The Judge uncaseth them.The Judge incens'd at their pretens'dJohn 2:24, 25.self-vaunting Piety,With such a look as trembling strookunto them made reply:"O impudent, impenitent,and guileful generation!Think you that I cannot descryyour hearts' abomination?LXXXV."You nor receiv'd, nor yet believ'dJohn 6:64.Psal. 50:16.Mat. 15:26.my Promises of Grace,Nor were you wise enough to prizemy reconciléd Face;But I presume that to assumewhich was not yours to take,And challengéd the Children's Bread,yet would not sin forsake.LXXXVI."Being too bold you laid fast holdRev. 3:17.Mat. 13:20.where int'rest you had none,Yourselves deceiving by your believing,all which you might have known.You ran away but ran astraywith Gospel Promises,And perishéd, being still deadin sins and trespasses.LXXXVII."How oft did I Hypocrisyand Hearts' deceits unmaskMat. 6:2, 4, 24.Jer. 8:5, 6, 7, 8.Before your sight, giving you lightto know a Christian's task?But you held fast unto the lastyour own conceits so vain,No warning could prevail; you wouldyour own Deceits retain.LXXXVIII."As for your care to get a sharein Bliss; the fear of Hell,And of a part in endless smart,Psal. 78:34,35, 36, 37.did thereunto compel.Your holiness and ways redress,such as it was, did springFrom no true love to things above,But from some other thing.LXXXIX.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 winthe greater liberty.For all your vaunts, you had vile haunts,for which your ConsciencesDid you alarm, whose voice to charmyou us'd these practices.XC."Your Penitence, your diligenceMat. 6:2, 5.John 5:44.to Read, to Pray, to Hear,Were but to drown the clam'rous soundof Conscience in your Ear.If light you lov'd, vain glory mov'dyourselves therewith to store,That seeming wise men might you prize,and honor you the more.XCI."Thus from yourselves unto yourselves,Zech. 7:5, 16.Hos. 10:1.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 showswere but Hypocrisy.XCII.Civil honest men's pleas.Then were brought nigh a CompanyLuke 18:11.of Civil honest Men,That lov'd true dealing and hated stealing,ne'er wrong'd their Bretheren;Who pleaded thus: "Thou knowest usthat 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."We hated vice and set great price,by virtuous conversation;1 Sam. 15:22.And by the same we got a nameand no small commendation.God's Laws express that righteousnessis that which he doth prize;And to obey, as he doth say,is more than sacrifice.XCV."Thus to obey hath been our way;Eccl. 7:20.let our good deeds, we pray,Find some regard and some rewardwith thee, O Lord, this day.And whereas we transgressors be,of Adam's race were none,No, not the best, but have confess'dthemselves to have misdone."XCVI.Are taken off and rendered invalid.Then answeréd unto their dread,Deut. 10:12.Tit. 2:12.Jam. 2:10.the Judge: "True PietyGod doth desire and eke require,no less than honesty.Justice demands at all your handsperfect Obedience;If but in part you have come short,that is a just offense.XCVII."On Earth below, where men did owea thousand pounds and more,Could twenty pence it recompense?Could that have clear'd the score?Think you to buy Felicitywith part of what's due debt?Or for desert of one small part,the whole should off be set?XCVIII."And yet that part whose great desertLuke 18:11, 14.you think to reach so far,For your excuse doth you accuse,and will your boasting mar.However fair, however squareyour way and work hath beenBefore men's eyes, yet God espiesiniquity therein.XCIX."God looks upon th' affecti-onand temper of the heart;1 Sam. 16:7.2 Chron. 25:2.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 intendtheir words and deeds doth try.C."Without true Faith, the Scripture saith,God cannot take delightHeb. 11:6.1 Cor. 13:1, 2, 3.In any deed that doth proceedfrom any sinful wight.And without love all actions provebut 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 moveBelievers, hath it grown.Your argument shews your intentin all that you have done;You thought to scale Heav'n's lofty Wallby Ladders of your own.CII."Your blinded spirit hoping to meritby your own Righteousness,Needed no Savior but your behavior,Rom. 10:3.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."All men have gone astray, and doneRom. 9:30, 32.Mat. 11:23, 24,and 21:41.that which God's laws condemn;But my Purchase and offer'd GraceAll men did not contemn.The Ninevites and Sodomiteshad no such sin as this;Yet as if all your sins were small,you say, 'All did amiss.'CIV."Again you thought and mainly soughta name with men t' acquire;Pride bare the Bell that made you swell,and your own selves admire.Mat. 6:5.Mean fruit it is, and vile, I wiss,that springs from such a root;Virtue divine and genuinewonts not from pride to shoot.CV."Such deeds as your are worse than poor;Prov. 26:23.Mat. 23:27.they are but sins gilt overWith silver dross whose glist'ring glosscan 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."Your gold is brass, your silver dross,your righteousness is sin;Prov. 15:8.Rom. 3:20.
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'dbefore Christ's Judgment seat,With trembling fear their Doom to hear,and feel his Anger's heat.LIV.There Christ demands at all their handsa strict and straight accountOf all things done under the Sun,Eccl. 11:9,12, 14.whose number far surmountMan's wit and thought: they all are broughtunto 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 ConsciencesMore proof give in of each Man's sin,than thousand Witnesses.Though formerly this facultyhad grossly been abuséd,(Men could it stifle, or with it trifle,when as it them accuséd.)LVI.Now it comes in, and every sinunto 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.Secret sins and works of darknessbrought to light.It's vain, moreover, for Men to coverPs. 139:2,4, 12.Rom. 2:16.the least Iniquity;The Judge hath seen, and privy beento all their villainy.He unto light and open sightthe work of darkness brings;He doth unfold both new old,both known and hidden things.LVIII.All filthy facts and secret acts,however closely done,Eccl. 12:14.And long conceal'd, are there reveal'dbefore 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.And as all facts, and grosser acts,so every word and thought,Mat. 12:36.Rom. 7:7.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 lastit must receive a doom.LX.An account demanded of all their actions.At this sad season, Christ asks a ReasonJohn 5:40,and 3:19.Mat. 25:19, 27.(with just austerity)Of Grace refus'd, of light abus'dso oft, so wilfully;Of Talents lent, by them misspentand on their Lust bestown,Which if improv'd as it behoov'dHeav'n might have been their own;LXI.Of times neglected, of means rejected,of God's long-sufferingAnd Pati-ence, to PenitenceRom. 2:4, 5.that sought hard hearts to bring;Why chords of love did nothing move,to shame or to remorse?Why warnings grave, and counsels, havenaught chang'd their sinful course?LXII.Why chastenings, and evils things,Isa. 1:5.why judgments so severe,Prevailéd not with them a jot,nor wrought an awful fear?Why promises of Holiness,Jer. 2:20.and new Obedience,They oft did make, but always brakethe same, to God's offense?LXIII.Why still Hell-ward, without regard,John 3:19, etc.Prov. 8:36.Luke 12:20, 21.they bold venturéd,And chose Damnation before Salvation,when it was offeréd?Why sinful pleasures and earthly treasures,like fools, they prizéd moreThan Heav'nly wealth, Eternal health,and all Christ's Royal store?LXIV.Why, when he stood off'ring his BloodLuke 13:34.John 5:40,and 15:22.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 cumulateguilt more than can be told.LXV.They multiply and magnifyMen's gross Iniquities;They draw down wrath (as Scripture saith)out of God's treasuries.Thus all their ways Christ open laysto Men and Angels' view,And as they were makes them appearin their own proper hue.LXVI.Thus he doth find of all Mankind,Rom. 8:10, 12.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-onand everlasting scath.LXVII.Earth's dwellers all, both great and small,Rom. 6:23.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.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 clearthemselves by making pleas;There Hypocrites, false-hearted wights,do make such pleas as these:LXIX."Lord, in thy Name, and by the same,Mat. 7:21,22, 23.we Devils dispossess'd;We rais'd the dead and minist'redSuccor to the distress'd.Our painful teaching and pow'rful preachingby thine own wondrous might,Did throughly win to God from sinmany a wretched wight."LXX.The Judge replyeth."All this," quoth he, "may granted be,John 6:70.1 Cor. 9:27.and your case little better'd,Who still remain under a chainand many irons fetter'd.You that the dead have quickened,and rescu'd from the grave,Yourselves were dead, yet ne'er neededa Christ your souls to save.LXXI."You that could preach, and others teachRom. 2:19,21, 22, 23.what way to life doth lead,Why were you slack to find that trackand in that way to tread?How could you bear to see or hearof others freed at lastFrom Satan's paws, whilst in his jawsyourselves were held more fast?LXXII."Who though you knew Repentance true,John 9:41.Rev. 2:21, 22.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."His Master's will how to fulfilLuke 12:47.Mat. 11:21,22, 24.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 nowFor Sidon and for Sodom's Landmore easy than for you."LXXIV.Another plea of the Hypocrites."But we have in thy presence been,"Luke 13:20.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 pledgeof thy dear Love to us,In Wine and Bread, which figurédthy 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.The answer.To whom the Lord, thus in a word,Luke 13:27.Mat. 22:12.returns a short reply:"I never knew any of youthat wrought Iniquity.You say you've been my Presence in;but then, how came you thereWith Raiment vile that did defileand quite disgrace my Cheer?LXXVII."Durst you draw near without due fearUnto 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."How durst you venture bold guests to enterin such a sordid hue,Amongst my guests unto those Feasts1 Cor. 11:27, 29.that were not made for you?How durst you eat for spir'tual meatyour bane, and drink damnation,Whilst by your guile you render'd vileso rare and great Salvation?LXXIX."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.Mat. 6:21, 24.Rom. 1:25.And think you by Hypocrisy,and cloakéd Wickedness,To enter in laden with sin,to lasting Happiness?LXXX."This your excuse shews your abuse1 Cor. 11:27, 29.of things ordain'd for good,And doth declare you guilty areof my dear Flesh and Blood.Wherefore those Seals and precious Mealsyou put so much uponAs things Divine, they Seal and Signyou to Perditi-on."LXXXI.Another sort of Hypocritesmake 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."We did believe, and oft receiveActs 8:13.Isa. 58:2, 3.Heb. 6:4, 5.thy gracious Promises;We took great care to get a sharein 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."We thought our sin had pardon'd been,2 Pet. 2:20.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 sanctityand holy life neglected?"LXXXIV.The Judge uncaseth them.The Judge incens'd at their pretens'dJohn 2:24, 25.self-vaunting Piety,With such a look as trembling strookunto them made reply:"O impudent, impenitent,and guileful generation!Think you that I cannot descryyour hearts' abomination?LXXXV."You nor receiv'd, nor yet believ'dJohn 6:64.Psal. 50:16.Mat. 15:26.my Promises of Grace,Nor were you wise enough to prizemy reconciléd Face;But I presume that to assumewhich was not yours to take,And challengéd the Children's Bread,yet would not sin forsake.LXXXVI."Being too bold you laid fast holdRev. 3:17.Mat. 13:20.where int'rest you had none,Yourselves deceiving by your believing,all which you might have known.You ran away but ran astraywith Gospel Promises,And perishéd, being still deadin sins and trespasses.LXXXVII."How oft did I Hypocrisyand Hearts' deceits unmaskMat. 6:2, 4, 24.Jer. 8:5, 6, 7, 8.Before your sight, giving you lightto know a Christian's task?But you held fast unto the lastyour own conceits so vain,No warning could prevail; you wouldyour own Deceits retain.LXXXVIII."As for your care to get a sharein Bliss; the fear of Hell,And of a part in endless smart,Psal. 78:34,35, 36, 37.did thereunto compel.Your holiness and ways redress,such as it was, did springFrom no true love to things above,But from some other thing.LXXXIX.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 winthe greater liberty.For all your vaunts, you had vile haunts,for which your ConsciencesDid you alarm, whose voice to charmyou us'd these practices.XC."Your Penitence, your diligenceMat. 6:2, 5.John 5:44.to Read, to Pray, to Hear,Were but to drown the clam'rous soundof Conscience in your Ear.If light you lov'd, vain glory mov'dyourselves therewith to store,That seeming wise men might you prize,and honor you the more.XCI."Thus from yourselves unto yourselves,Zech. 7:5, 16.Hos. 10:1.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 showswere but Hypocrisy.XCII.Civil honest men's pleas.Then were brought nigh a CompanyLuke 18:11.of Civil honest Men,That lov'd true dealing and hated stealing,ne'er wrong'd their Bretheren;Who pleaded thus: "Thou knowest usthat 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."We hated vice and set great price,by virtuous conversation;1 Sam. 15:22.And by the same we got a nameand no small commendation.God's Laws express that righteousnessis that which he doth prize;And to obey, as he doth say,is more than sacrifice.XCV."Thus to obey hath been our way;Eccl. 7:20.let our good deeds, we pray,Find some regard and some rewardwith thee, O Lord, this day.And whereas we transgressors be,of Adam's race were none,No, not the best, but have confess'dthemselves to have misdone."XCVI.Are taken off and rendered invalid.Then answeréd unto their dread,Deut. 10:12.Tit. 2:12.Jam. 2:10.the Judge: "True PietyGod doth desire and eke require,no less than honesty.Justice demands at all your handsperfect Obedience;If but in part you have come short,that is a just offense.XCVII."On Earth below, where men did owea thousand pounds and more,Could twenty pence it recompense?Could that have clear'd the score?Think you to buy Felicitywith part of what's due debt?Or for desert of one small part,the whole should off be set?XCVIII."And yet that part whose great desertLuke 18:11, 14.you think to reach so far,For your excuse doth you accuse,and will your boasting mar.However fair, however squareyour way and work hath beenBefore men's eyes, yet God espiesiniquity therein.XCIX."God looks upon th' affecti-onand temper of the heart;1 Sam. 16:7.2 Chron. 25:2.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 intendtheir words and deeds doth try.C."Without true Faith, the Scripture saith,God cannot take delightHeb. 11:6.1 Cor. 13:1, 2, 3.In any deed that doth proceedfrom any sinful wight.And without love all actions provebut 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 moveBelievers, hath it grown.Your argument shews your intentin all that you have done;You thought to scale Heav'n's lofty Wallby Ladders of your own.CII."Your blinded spirit hoping to meritby your own Righteousness,Needed no Savior but your behavior,Rom. 10:3.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."All men have gone astray, and doneRom. 9:30, 32.Mat. 11:23, 24,and 21:41.that which God's laws condemn;But my Purchase and offer'd GraceAll men did not contemn.The Ninevites and Sodomiteshad no such sin as this;Yet as if all your sins were small,you say, 'All did amiss.'CIV."Again you thought and mainly soughta name with men t' acquire;Pride bare the Bell that made you swell,and your own selves admire.Mat. 6:5.Mean fruit it is, and vile, I wiss,that springs from such a root;Virtue divine and genuinewonts not from pride to shoot.CV."Such deeds as your are worse than poor;Prov. 26:23.Mat. 23:27.they are but sins gilt overWith silver dross whose glist'ring glosscan 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."Your gold is brass, your silver dross,your righteousness is sin;Prov. 15:8.Rom. 3:20.
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.
There Christ demands at all their hands
a strict and straight account
Of all things done under the Sun,
Eccl. 11:9,12, 14.
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.
Secret sins and works of darknessbrought to light.
It's vain, moreover, for Men to cover
Ps. 139:2,4, 12.Rom. 2:16.
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.
All filthy facts and secret acts,
however closely done,
Eccl. 12:14.
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.
And as all facts, and grosser acts,
so every word and thought,
Mat. 12:36.Rom. 7:7.
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.
An account demanded of all their actions.
At this sad season, Christ asks a Reason
John 5:40,and 3:19.Mat. 25:19, 27.
(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.
Of times neglected, of means rejected,
of God's long-suffering
And Pati-ence, to Penitence
Rom. 2:4, 5.
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.
Why chastenings, and evils things,
Isa. 1:5.
why judgments so severe,
Prevailéd not with them a jot,
nor wrought an awful fear?
Why promises of Holiness,
Jer. 2:20.
and new Obedience,
They oft did make, but always brake
the same, to God's offense?
LXIII.
Why still Hell-ward, without regard,
John 3:19, etc.Prov. 8:36.Luke 12:20, 21.
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.
Why, when he stood off'ring his Blood
Luke 13:34.John 5:40,and 15:22.
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.
Thus he doth find of all Mankind,
Rom. 8:10, 12.
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.
Earth's dwellers all, both great and small,
Rom. 6:23.
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.
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.
"Lord, in thy Name, and by the same,
Mat. 7:21,22, 23.
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.
The Judge replyeth.
"All this," quoth he, "may granted be,
John 6:70.1 Cor. 9:27.
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.
"You that could preach, and others teach
Rom. 2:19,21, 22, 23.
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.
"Who though you knew Repentance true,
John 9:41.Rev. 2:21, 22.
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.
"His Master's will how to fulfil
Luke 12:47.Mat. 11:21,22, 24.
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.
Another plea of the Hypocrites.
"But we have in thy presence been,"
Luke 13:20.
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.
The answer.
To whom the Lord, thus in a word,
Luke 13:27.Mat. 22:12.
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.
"How durst you venture bold guests to enter
in such a sordid hue,
Amongst my guests unto those Feasts
1 Cor. 11:27, 29.
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.
"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.
Mat. 6:21, 24.Rom. 1:25.
And think you by Hypocrisy,
and cloakéd Wickedness,
To enter in laden with sin,
to lasting Happiness?
LXXX.
"This your excuse shews your abuse
1 Cor. 11:27, 29.
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.
Another sort of Hypocritesmake 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.
"We did believe, and oft receive
Acts 8:13.Isa. 58:2, 3.Heb. 6:4, 5.
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.
"We thought our sin had pardon'd been,
2 Pet. 2:20.
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.
The Judge uncaseth them.
The Judge incens'd at their pretens'd
John 2:24, 25.
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.
"You nor receiv'd, nor yet believ'd
John 6:64.Psal. 50:16.Mat. 15:26.
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.
"Being too bold you laid fast hold
Rev. 3:17.Mat. 13:20.
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.
"How oft did I Hypocrisy
and Hearts' deceits unmask
Mat. 6:2, 4, 24.Jer. 8:5, 6, 7, 8.
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.
"As for your care to get a share
in Bliss; the fear of Hell,
And of a part in endless smart,
Psal. 78:34,35, 36, 37.
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.
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.
"Your Penitence, your diligence
Mat. 6:2, 5.John 5:44.
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.
"Thus from yourselves unto yourselves,
Zech. 7:5, 16.Hos. 10:1.
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.
Civil honest men's pleas.
Then were brought nigh a Company
Luke 18:11.
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.
"We hated vice and set great price,
by virtuous conversation;
1 Sam. 15:22.
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.
"Thus to obey hath been our way;
Eccl. 7:20.
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.
Are taken off and rendered invalid.
Then answeréd unto their dread,
Deut. 10:12.Tit. 2:12.Jam. 2:10.
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.
"And yet that part whose great desert
Luke 18:11, 14.
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.
"God looks upon th' affecti-on
and temper of the heart;
1 Sam. 16:7.2 Chron. 25:2.
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.
"Without true Faith, the Scripture saith,
God cannot take delight
Heb. 11:6.1 Cor. 13:1, 2, 3.
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.
"Your blinded spirit hoping to merit
by your own Righteousness,
Needed no Savior but your behavior,
Rom. 10:3.
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.
"All men have gone astray, and done
Rom. 9:30, 32.Mat. 11:23, 24,and 21:41.
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.
"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.
Mat. 6:5.
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.
"Such deeds as your are worse than poor;
Prov. 26:23.Mat. 23:27.
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.
"Your gold is brass, your silver dross,
your righteousness is sin;
Prov. 15:8.Rom. 3:20.