Chapter LXXXV: Preface: , by the Rev. John Gifford, (8)

1. As 'tis appointed men should die, So judgment is the next That meets them most assuredly; For so saith holy text. 2. Wherefore of judgment I shall now Inform you what I may, That you may see what 'tis, and how 'Twill be with men that day. 3. This world it hath a time to stand, Which time when ended, then Will issue judgment out of hand Upon all sorts of men. 4. The Judge we find, in God's record, The Son of man, for he By God's appointment is made Lord And Judge of all that be. 5. Wherefore this Son of man shall come At last to count with all, And unto them shall give just doom, Whether they stand or fall. 6. Behold ye now the majesty And state that shall attend This Lord, this Judge, and Justice high When he doth now descend. 7. He comes with head as white as snow, With eyes like flames of fire; In justice clad from top to toe, Most glorious in attire. 8. His face is filled with gravity; His tongue is like a sword; His presence awes both stout and high, The world shakes at his word. 9. He comes in flaming fire, and With angels clear and bright, Each with a trumpet in his hand, Clothed in shining white. 10. The trump of God sounds in the air, The dead do hear his voice; The living too run here and there, Who made not him their choice. 11. Thus to his place he doth repair, Appointed for his throne, Where he will sit to judge, and where He'll count with every one. 12. Angels attending on his hand By thousands on a row; Yea, thousand thousands by him stand, And at his beck do go. 13. Thus being set, the books do ope In which all crimes are writ. All virtues, too, of faith and hope, Of love; and every whit 14. Of all that man hath done or said, Or did intend to do; Whether they sinn'd, or were afraid Evil to come into. 15. Before this bar each sinner now In person must appear; Under his judgment there to bow With trembling and with fear: 16. Within whose breast a witness then Will certainly arise, That to each charge will say Amen, While they seek and devise 17. To shun the sentence which the Lord Against them then will read, Out of the books of God's record, With majesty and dread. 18. But every heart shall opened be Before this judge most high; Yea, every thought to judgment he Will bring assuredly. 19. And every word and action, too, He there will manifest; Yea, all that ever thou didst do, Or keep within thy breast, 20. Shall then be seen and laid before The world, that then will stand To see thy judge open ev'ry sore, And all thy evils scann'd. 21. Weighing each sin and wickedness With so much equity, Proportioning of thy distress And woful misery. 22. With so much justice, doing right, That thou thyself shalt say, My sins have brought me to this plight, I threw myself away. 23. Into that gulph my sins have brought Me justly to possess, For which I blame not Christ, I wrought It out by wickedness. 24. But O! how willingly would these That thus in judgment be, If that they might have help or ease, Unto the mountains flee. 25. They would rejoice if that they might But underneath them creep, To hide them from revenging right, For fear of which they weep. 26. But all in vain, the mountains then Will all be fled and gone; No shelter will be found for men That now are left alone. 27. For succour they did not regard When Christ by grace did call To them, therefore they are not heard, No mountains on them fall. 28. Before this Judge no one shall shroud Himself, under pretence Of knowledge, which hath made him proud, Nor seeming penitence. 29. No high profession here can stand, Unless sincerity Hath been therewith commixed, and Brought forth simplicity.[7] 30. No mask nor vizor here can hide The heart that rotten is; All cloaks now must be laid aside, No sinner must have bliss. 31. Though most approve of thee, and count Thee upright in thy heart; Yea, though preferred and made surmount Most men to act thy part, 32. In treading where the godly trod, As to an outward show; Yet this hold still, the grace of God Takes hold on but a few, 33. So as to make them truly such As then shall stand before This Judge with gladness; this is much Yet true for evermore. 34. The tree of life this paradise Doth always beautify, 'Cause of our health it is the rise And perpetuity. 35. Here stands the golden throne of grace From out of which do run Those crystal streams that make this place Far brighter than the sun. 36. Here stands mount Zion with her king. Jerusalem above, That holy and delightful thing, So beautified with love. 37. That, as a mother succours those Which of her body be, So she far more, all such as close In with her Lord; and she 38. Her grace, her everlasting doors Will open wide unto Them all, with welcome, welcome, poor, Rich, bond, free, high and low, 39. Unto the kingdom which our Lord Appointed hath for all That hath his name and word ador'd; Because he did them call 40. Unto that work, which also they Sincerely did fulfil, Not shunning always to obey His gracious holy will. 41. Besides, this much doth beautify This goodly paradise, That from all quarters, constantly, Whole thousands as the price 42. Of precious blood, do here arrive; As safe escaping all, Sin, hell, and satan did contrive To bring them into thrall. 43. Each telling his deliverance I' th' open face of heaven; Still calling to remembrance How fiercely they were driven 44. By deadly foe, who did pursue As swift as eagles fly; Which if thou have not, down thou must With those that then shall die The second death, and be accurs'd Of God. For certainly, 45. The truth of grace shall only here Without a blush be bold To stand, whilst others quake and fear, And dare not once behold. 46. That heart that here was right for God Shall there be comforted; But those that evil ways have trod, Shall then hang down the head. 47. As sore confounded with the guilt That now upon them lies, Because they did delight in filth And beastly vanities. 48. Or else because they did deceive With hypocritical Disguises, their own souls, and leave Or shun that best of all 49. Approved word of righteousness, They were invited to Embrace, therefore they no access Now to him have, but woe. 50. For every one must now receive According to their ways; They that unto the Lord did cleave, The everlasting joys. 51. Those that did die in wickedness, To execution sent, There still to grapple with distress, Which nothing can prevent. 52. Of which two states I next shall write, Wherefore I pray give ear, And to them bend with all our might Your heart with filial fear.

OF HEAVEN.

1. Heaven is a place, also a state, It doth all things excel, No man can fully it relate, Nor of its glory tell. 2. God made it for his residence, To sit on as a throne, Which shows to us the excellence Whereby it may be known. 3. Doubtless the fabric that was built For this so great a king, Must needs surprise thee, if thou wilt But duly mind the thing. 4. If all that build do build to suit The glory of their state, What orator, though most acute, Can fully heaven relate? 5. If palaces that princes build, Which yet are made of clay, Do so amaze when much beheld, Of heaven what shall we say? 6. It is the high and holy place; No moth can there annoy, Nor make to fade that goodly grace That saints shall there enjoy. 7. Mansions for glory and for rest Do there prepared stand; Buildings eternal for the blest Are there provided, and 8. The glory and the comeliness By deepest thought none may With heart or mouth fully express, Nor can before that day. 9. These heav'ns we see, be as a scroll, Or garment folded up, Before they do together roll, And we call'd in to sup. 10. There with the king, the bridegroom, and By him are led into His palace chambers, there to stand With his prospect to our view. 11. And taste and smell, and be inflam'd, And ravished to see The buildings he hath for us fram'd, How full of heaven they be. 12. Its state also is marvellous, For beauty to behold; All goodness there is plenteous, And better far than gold. 13. Adorn'd with grace and righteousness, While fragrant scents of love O'erflow with everlasting bliss, All that do dwell above. 14. The heavenly majesty, whose face Doth far exceed the sun, Will there cast forth its rays of grace After this world is done. 15. Which rays and beams will so possess All things that there shall dwell, With so much glory, light, and bliss, That none can think or tell. 16. That wisdom which doth order all Shall there be fully shown; That strength that bears the world there shall By every one be known. 17. That holiness and sanctity Which doth all thought surpass, Shall there in present purity Outshine the crystal glass. 18. The beauty and the comeliness Of this Almighty shall Make amiable with lasting bliss Those he thereto shall call. 19. The presence of this God will be Eternal life in all, And health and gladness, while we see Thy face, O immortal! 20. Here will the Lord make clear and plain How sweetly did agree His attributes, when Christ was slain Our Saviour to be. 21. How wisdom did find out the way, How strength did make him stand, How holiness did bear the sway, And answer just demand. 22. How all these attributes did bend Themselves to work our life, Through the Christ whom God did send To save us by his might. 23. All this will sparkle in our eye Within the holy place, And greatly raise our melody, And flow our hearts with grace. 24. The largest thought that can arise Within the widest heart Shall then be filled with surprize, And pleas'd in every part. 25. All mysteries shall here be seen, And every knot, unty'd; Electing love, that hid hath been, Shall shine on every side. 26. The God of glory here will be The life of every one; Whose goodly attributes shall we Possess them as our own. 27. By wisdom we all things shall know, By light all things shall see, By strength, too, all things we shall do, When we in glory be. 28. The Holy Lamb of God, also, Who for our sakes did die, The holy ones of God shall know, And that most perfectly. 29. Those small and short discoveries That we have of him here, Will there be seen with open eyes, In visions full and clear. 30. Those many thousand acts of grace That here we feel and find, Shall there be real with open face Upon his heart most kind. 31. There he will show us how he was Our prophet, priest, and king; And how he did maintain our cause, And us to glory bring. 32. There we shall see how he was touch'd With all our grief and pain (As in his word he hath avouch'd), When we with him shall reign; 33. He'll show us, also, how he did Maintain our faith and love, And why his face sometimes he hid From us, who are his dove; 34. These tempting times that here we have, We there shall see were good; Also that hidden strength he gave, The purchase of his blood. 35. That he should stand for us before His Father, thus we read. But then shall see, and shall adore Him for his gracious deed. 36. Though we are vile, he without shame Before the angels all Lays out his strength, his worth, and name, For us, who are in thrall. 37. This is he who was mock'd and beat, Spit on, and crown'd with thorns; Who for us had a bloody sweat, Whose heart was broke with scorns. 38. 'Tis he who stands so much our friend, As shortly we shall see, With open face, world without end, And in his presence be. 39. That head that once was crown'd with thorns, Shall now with glory shine; That heart that broken was with scorns, Shall flow with life divine; 40. That man that here met with disgrace, We there shall see so bright; That angels can't behold his face For its exceeding light. 41. What gladness will possess our heart When we shall see these things! What light and life, in every part, Will rise like lasting springs! 42. O blessed face and holy grace, When shall we see this day? Lord, fetch us to this goodly place We humbly do thee pray. 43. Next to this Lamb we shall behold All saints, both more and less, With whit'ned robes in glory roll'd, 'Cause him they did confess. 44. Each walking in his righteousness With shining crowns of gold, Triumphing still in heav'nly bliss, Amazing to behold. 45. Each person for his majesty Doth represent a king; Yea, angel-like for dignity, And seraphims that sing. 46. Each motion of their mind, and so Each twinkling of their eye; Each word they speak, and step they go, It is in purity. 47. Immortal are they every one, Wrapt up in health and light, Mortality from them is gone, Weakness is turn'd to might. 48. The stars are not so clear as they, They equalize the sun; Their glory shines to perfect day, Which day will ne'er be done. 49. No sorrow can them now annoy, Nor weakness, grief or pain; No faintness can abate their joy, They now in life do reign. 50. They shall not there, as here, be vex'd With Satan, men, or sin; Nor with their wicked hearts perplex'd, The heavens have cop'd[8] them in. 51. Thus, as they shine in their estate, So, too, in their degree; Which is most goodly to relate, And ravishing to see. 52. The majesty whom they adore, Doth them in wisdom place Upon the thrones, and that before The angels, to their grace. 53. The saints of the Old Testament, Full right to their degree; Likewise the New, in excellent Magnificency be. 54. Each one his badge of glory wears, According to his place; According as was his affairs Here, in the time of grace. 55. Some on the right hand of the Lamb, Likewise some on the left, With robes and golden chains do stand Most grave, most sage, and deft.[9] 56. The martyr here is known from him Who peaceably did die, Both by the place he sitteth in, And by his dignity. 57. Each father, saint, and prophet shall, According to his worth, Enjoy the honour of his call, And plainly hold it forth. 58. Those bodies which sometimes were torn, And bones that broken were For God's word; he doth now adorn With health and glory fair. 59. Thus, when in heav'nly harmony These blessed saints appear, Adorn'd with grace and majesty, What gladness will be there! 60. The light, and grace, and countenance, The least of these shall have, Will so with terror them advance, And make their face so grave, 61. That at them all the world will shake, When they lift up their head; Princes and kings will at them quake, And fall before them dead. 62. This shall we see, thus shall we be, O would the day were come, Lord Jesus take us up to thee, To this desired home. 63. Angels also we shall behold, When we on high ascend, Each shining like to men of gold, And on the Lord attend. 64. These goodly creatures, full of grace, Shall stand about the throne, Each one with lightning in his face, And shall to us be known. 65. These cherubims with one accord Shall cry continually, Ah, holy, holy, holy, Lord, And heavenly majesty. 66. These will us in their arms embrace, And welcome us to rest, And joy to see us clad with grace, And of the heavens possess'd. 67. This we shall hear, this we shall see, While raptures take us up, When we with blessed Jesus be, And at his table sup. 68. Oh shining angels! what, must we With you lift up our voice? We must; and with you ever be, And with you must rejoice. 69. Our friends that lived godly here, Shall there be found again; The wife, the child, and father dear, With others of our train. 70. Each one down to the foot in white, Fill'd to the brim with grace, Walking among the saints in light, With glad and joyful face. 71. Those God did use us to convert, We there with joy shall meet, And jointly shall, with all our heart, In life each other greet. 72. A crown to them we then shall be, A glory and a joy; And that before the Lord, when he The world comes to destroy. 73. This is the place, this is the state, Of all that fear the Lord; Which men nor angels may relate With tongue, or pen, or word. 74. No night is here, for to eclipse Its spangling rays so bright; Nor doubt, nor fear to shut the lips, Of those within this light. 75. The strings of music here are tun'd For heavenly harmony, And every spirit here perfum'd With perfect sanctity. 76. Here runs the crystal streams of life, Quite through all our veins. And here by love we do unite With glory's golden chains. 77. Now that which sweet'neth all will be The lasting of this state; This heightens all we hear or see To a transcendant rate. 78. For should the saints enjoy all this But for a certain time, O, how would they their mark then miss, And at this thing repine? 79. Yea, 'tis not possible that they Who then shall dwell on high, Should be content, unless they may Dwell there eternally. 80. A thought of parting with this place Would bitter all their sweet, And darkness put upon the face Of all they there do meet. 81. But far from this the saints shall be, Their portion is the Lord, Whose face for ever they shall see, As saith the holy word. 82. And that with everlasting peace, Joy, and felicity, From this time forth they shall increase Unto eternity.

OF HELL, AND THE ESTATE OF THOSE THAT PERISH.

1. Thus, having show'd you what I see Of heaven, I now will tell You also, after search, what be The damned wights of hell. 2. And O, that they who read my lines Would ponder soberly, And lay to heart such things betimes As touch eternity. 3. The sleepy sinner little thinks What sorrows will abound Within him, when upon the brinks Of Tophet he is found. 4. Hell is beyond all though a state So doubtful[10] and forlorn, So fearful, that none can relate The pangs that there are born. 5. God will exclude them utterly From his most blessed face, And them involve in misery, In shame, and in disgrace. 6. God is the fountain of all bliss, Of life, of light, and peace; They then must needs be comfortless Who are depriv'd of these. 7. Instead of life, a living death Will there in all be found. Dyings will be in every breath, Thus sorrow will abound. 8. No light, but darkness here doth dwell; No peace, but horror strange: The fearful damning wights[11] of hell In all will make this change. 9. To many things the damned's woe Is liked in the word, And that because no one can show The vengeance of the Lord. 10. Unto a dreadful burning lake, All on a fiery flame, Hell is compared, for to make All understand the same. 11. A burning lake, a furnace hot, A burning oven, too, Must be the portion, share, and lot, Of those which evil sow. 12. This plainly shows the burning heat With which it will oppress All hearts, and will like burnings eat Their souls with sore distress. 13. This burning lake, it is God's wrath Incensed by the sin Of those who do reject his path, And wicked ways walk in. 14. Which wrath will so perplex all parts Of body and of soul, As if up to the very hearts In burnings they did roll. 15. Again, to show the stinking state Of this so sad a case, Like burning brimstone God doth make The hidings of his face. 16. And truly as the steam, and smoke, And flames of brimstone smell, To blind the eyes, and stomach choke, So are the pangs of hell. 17. To see a sea of brimstone burn, Who would it not affright? But they whom God to hell doth turn Are in most woful plight. 18. This burning cannot quenched be, No, not with tears of blood; No mournful groans in misery Will here do any good. 19. O damned men! this is your fate, The day of grace is done, Repentance now doth come too late, Mercy is fled and gone. 20. Your groans and cries they sooner should Have sounded in mine ears, If grace you would have had, or would Have me regard your tears. 21. Me you offended with your sin, Instructions you did slight, Your sins against my law hath been, Justice shall have his right. 22. I gave my Son to do you good, I gave you space and time With him to close, which you withstood, And did with hell combine. 23. Justice against you now is set, Which you cannot appease; Eternal justice doth you let From either life or ease. 24. Thus he that to this place doth come May groan, and sigh, and weep; But sin hath made that place his home, And there it will him keep. 25. Wherefore, hell in another place Is call'd a prison too, And all to show the evil case Of all sin doth undo. 26. Which prison, with its locks and bars Of God's lasting decree, Will hold them fast; O how this mars All thought of being free! 27. Out at these brazen bars they may The saints in glory see; But this will not their grief allay, But to them torment be. 28. Thus they in this infernal cave Will now be holden fast From heavenly freedom, though they crave, Of it they may not taste. 29. The chains that darkness on them hangs Still ratt'ling in their ears, Creates within them heavy pangs, And still augments their fears. 30. Thus hopeless of all remedy, They dyingly do sink Into the jaws of misery, And seas of sorrow drink. 31. For being cop'd[12] on every side With helplessness and grief, Headlong into despair they slide Bereft of all relief. 32. Therefore this hell is called a pit, Prepared for those that die The second death, a term most fit To show their misery. 33. A pit that's bottomless is this, A gulf of grief and woe, A dungeon which they cannot miss, That will themselves undo. 34. Thus without stay they always sink, Thus fainting still they fail, Despair they up like water drink, These prisoners have no bail. 35. Here meets them now that worm that gnaws, And plucks their bowels out, The pit, too, on them shuts her jaws; This dreadful is, no doubt. 36. This ghastly worm is guilt for sin, Which on the conscience feeds, With vipers' teeth, both sharp and keen, Whereat it sorely bleeds. 37. This worm is fed by memory, Which strictly brings to mind, All things done in prosperity, As we in Scripture find. 38. No word, nor thought, nor act they did, But now is set in sight, Not one of them can now be hid, Memory gives them light. 39. On which the understanding still Will judge, and sentence pass, This kills the mind, and wounds the will, Alas, alas, alas! 40. O, conscience is the slaughter shop, There hangs the axe and knife, 'Tis there the worm makes all things hot, And wearies out the life. 41. Here, then, is execution done On body and on soul; For conscience will be brib'd of none, But gives to all their dole. 42. This worm, 'tis said, shall never die, But in the belly be Of all that in the flames shall lie, O dreadful sight to see! 43. This worm now needs must in them live, For sin will still be there, And guilt, for God will not forgive, Nor Christ their burden bear. 44. But take from them all help and stay, And leave them to despair, Which feeds upon them night and day, This is the damned's share. 45. Now will confusion so possess These monuments of ire, And so confound them with distress, And trouble their desire. 46. That what to think, or what to do, Or where to lay their head, They know not; 'tis the damned's woe To live, and yet be dead. 47. These cast-aways would fain have life, But know, they never shall, They would forget their dreadful plight, But that sticks fast'st of all. 48. God, Christ, and heaven, they know are best, Yet dare not on them think, The saints they know in joys do rest, While they their tears do drink. 49. They cry alas, but all in vain, They stick fast in the mire, They would be rid of present pain, Yet set themselves on fire. 50. Darkness is their perplexity, Yet do they hate the light, They always see their misery, Yet are themselves all night. 51. They are all dead, yet live they do, Yet neither live nor die. They die to weal, and live to woe, This is their misery. 52. Amidst all this so great a scare That here I do relate, Another falleth to their share In this their sad estate. 53. The legions of infernal fiends Then with them needs must be, A just reward for all their pains, This they shall feel and see. 54. With yellings, howlings, shrieks, and cries, And other doleful noise, With trembling hearts and failing eyes, These are their hellish joys. 55. These angels black they would obey, And serve with greedy mind, And take delight to go astray, That pleasure they might find. 56. Which pleasure now like poison turns Their joy to heaviness; Yea, like the gall of asps it burns, And doth them sore oppress 57. Now is the joy they lived in All turned to brinish tears, And resolute attempts to sin Turn'd into hellish fears. 58. The floods run trickling down their face, Their hearts do prick and ache, While they lament their woful case, Their loins totter and shake. 59. O wetted cheeks, with bleared eyes, How fully do you show The pangs that in their bosom lies, And grief they undergo! 60. Their dolour in their bitterness So greatly they bemoan, That hell itself this to express Doth echo with their groan. 61. Thus broiling on the burning grates, They now to wailing go, And say of those unhappy fates That did them thus undo. 62. Alas, my grief! hard hap had I Those dolours here to find, A living death, in hell I lie, Involv'd with grief of mind. 63. I once was fair for light and grace, My days were long and good; I lived in a blessed place Where was most heav'nly food. 64. But wretch I am, I slighted life, I chose in death to live; O, for these days now, if I might, Ten thousand worlds would give. 65. What time had I to pray and read, What time to hear the word! What means to help me at my need, Did God to me afford! 66. Examples, too, of piety I every day did see, But they abuse and slight did I, O, woe be unto me. 67. I now remember how my friend Reproved me of vice, And bid me mind my latter end, Both once, and twice, and thrice. 68. But O, deluded man, I did My back upon him turn; Eternal life I did not heed, For which I now do mourn. 69. Ah, golden time, I did thee spend In sin and idleness, Ah, health and wealth, I did you lend To bring me to distress. 70. My feet to evil I let run, And tongue of folly talk; My eyes to vanity hath gone, Thus did I vainly walk. 71. I did as greatly toil and strain Myself with sin to please, As if that everlasting grain Could have been found in these. 72. But nothing, nothing have I found But weeping, and alas, And sorrow, which doth now surround Me, and augment my cross. 73. Ah, bleeding conscience, how did I Thee check when thou didst tell Me of my faults, for which I lie Dead while I live in hell. 74. I took thee for some peevish foe, When thou didst me accuse, Therefore I did thee buffet so, And counsel did refuse. 75. Thou often didst me tidings bring, How God did me dislike, Because I took delight in sin, But I thy news did slight. 76. Ah, Mind, why didst thou do those things That now do work my woe? Ah, Will, why was thou thus inclin'd Me ever to undo? 77. My senses, how were you beguil'd When you said sin was good? It hath in all parts me defil'd, And drown'd me like a flood. 78. Ah, that I now a being have, In sorrow and in pain; Mother, would you had been my grave, But this I wish in vain. 79. Had I been made a cockatrice, A toad, or such-like thing;[13] Yea, had I been made snow or ice, Then had I had no sin; 80. A block, a stock, a stone, or clot, Is happier than I; For they know neither cold nor hot, To live nor yet to die. 81. I envy now the happiness Of those that are in light, I hate the very name of bliss, 'Cause I have there no right. 82. I grieve to see that others are In glory, life, and well, Without all fear, or dread, or care, While I am racked in hell. 83. Thus will these souls with watery eyes, And hacking of their teeth, With wringing hands, and fearful cries, Expostulate their grief. 84. O set their teeth they will, and gnash, And gnaw for very pain, While as with scorpions God doth lash Them for their life so vain. 85. Again, still as they in this muse, Are feeding on the fire, To mind there comes yet other news, To screw their torments higher. 86. Which is the length of this estate, Where they at present lie; Which in a word I thus relate, 'Tis to eternity. 87. This thought now is so firmly fix'd In all that comes to mind, And also is so strongly mix'd With wrath of every kind. 88. So that whatever they do know, Or see, or think, or feel, For ever still doth strike them through As with a bar of steel. 89. For EVER shineth in the fire, EVER is on the chains; 'Tis also in the pit of ire, And tastes in all their pains. 90. For ever separate from God, From peace, and life, and rest; For ever underneath the rod That vengeance liketh best. 91. O ever, ever, this will drown'd Them quite and make them cry, We never shall get o'er thy bound, O, great eternity! 92. They sooner now the stars may count Than lose these dismal bands; Or see to what the motes[14] among Or number up the sands. 93. Then see an end of this their woe, Which now for sin they have; O wantons, take heed what you do, Sin will you never save. 94. They sooner may drink up the sea, Than shake off these their fears; Or make another in one day As big with brinish tears; 95. Than put an end to misery, In which they now do roar, Or help themselves; no, they must cry, Alas, for evermore. 96. When years by thousands on a heap Are passed o'er their head; Yet still the fruits of sin they reap Among the ghostly dead. 97. Yea, when they have time out of mind Be in this case so ill, For EVER, EVER is behind[15] Yet for them to fulfill.

EBAL AND GERIZZIM,

OR

THE BLESSING AND THE CURSE:

BEING A SHORT EXHORTATION TO SINNERS, BY THE MERCY AND SEVERITY OF GOD.

FROM MOUNT GERIZZIM.

Besides what I said of the Four Last Things, And of the weal and woe that from them springs; An after-word still runneth in my mind, Which I shall here expose unto that wind That may it blow into that very hand That needs it. Also that it may be scann'd With greatest soberness, shall be my prayer, As well as diligence and godly care; So to present it unto public view, That only truth and peace may thence ensue. My talk shall be of that amazing love Of God we read of; which, that it may prove, By its engaging arguments to save Thee, I shall lay out that poor help I have Thee to entice; that thou wouldst dearly fall In love with thy salvation, and with all That doth thereto concur, that thou mayst be As blessed as the Blessed can make thee, Not only here but in the world to come, In bliss, which, I pray God, may be thy home. But first, I would advise thee to bethink Thyself, how sin hath laid thee at the brink Of hell, where thou art lulled fast asleep In Satan's arms, who also will thee keep As senseless and secure as e'er he may, Lest thou shouldst wake, and see't, and run away Unto that Jesus, whom the Father sent Into the world, for this cause and intent, That such as thou, from such a thrall as this Might'st be released, and made heir of bliss. Now that thou may'st awake, the danger fly, And so escape the death that others die, Come, let me set my trumpet to thine ear, Be willing all my message for to hear: 'Tis for thy life, O do it not refuse; Wo unto them good counsel do abuse. Thou art at present in that very case, Which argues thou art destitute of grace: For he that lies where sin hath laid him, lies Under the curse, graceless, and so he dies In body and in soul, within that range, If God his heart in mercy doth not change Before he goes the way of all the earth, Before he lose his spirit and his breath. Repentance there is none within the grave, Nor Christ, nor grace, nor mercies for to save Thee from the vengeance due unto thy sin, If now thou dost not truly close with him. Thou art like him that sleepeth in the sea On broken boards, which, without guide or stay, Are driven whither winds and water will; While greedy beasts do wait to have their fill By feeding on his carcass, when he shall Turn overboard, and without mercy fall Into the jaws of such as make a prey Of those whom justice drowneth in the sea. Thou art like him that snoring still doth lie Upon the bed of vain security, Whilst all about him into burning flame By fire is turned; yea, and while the frame And building where he lies consuming is, And while himself these burnings cannot miss. Thou art like one that hangeth by a thread Over the mouth of hell, as one half-dead; And O, how soon this thread may broken be, Or cut by death, is yet unknown to thee! But sure it is, if all the weight of sin, And all that Satan, too, hath doing been, Or yet can do, can break this crazy thread, 'Twill not be long before, among the dead, Thou tumble do, as linked fast in chains, With them to wait in fear for future pains. What shall I say? Wilt thou not yet awake? Nor yet of thy poor soul some pity take? Among the lions it hood-winked lies; O, that the Lord would open once thine eyes That thou might'st see it, then I dare say thou, As half-bereft of wits, wouldst cry out, How Shall I escape? Lord help, O! help with speed, Reach down thy hand from heav'n, for help I need, To save me from the lions, for I fear This soul of mine they will in pieces tear. Come, then, and let us both expostulate The case betwixt us, till we animate And kindle in our hearts that burning love To Christ, to grace, to life, that we may move Swifter than eagles to this blessed prey; Then shall it be well with us in that day The trump shall sound, the dead made rise, and stand, Then to receive, for breach of God's command, Such thunder-claps as these, Depart from me Into hell-fire, you that the wicked be, Prepared for the devil, and for those That with him and his angels rather chose To live in filthy sin and wickedness, Whose fruit is everlasting bitterness. We both are yet on this side of the grave, We also gospel-privileges have; The word, and time to pray; God give us hearts, That, like the wise man, we may act our parts, To get the pearl of price; then we shall be Like godly Mary, Peter, Paul, and we Like Jacob, too, the blessing shall obtain; While Esau rides a-hunting for the gain Of worldly pelf, which will him not avail When death or judgment shall him sore assail. Now, to encourage us for to begin, Let us believe the kingdom we may win, And be possess'd thereof, if we the way Shall hit into, and then let nothing stay Or hinder us; the crown is at the end, Let's run and strive, and fly, and let's contend With greatest courage it for to obtain; 'Tis life, and peace, and everlasting gain. The gate of life, the new and living way, The promise holdeth open all the day, Which thou by Jacob's ladder must ascend, Where angels always wait, and do attend As ministers, to minister for those That do with God, and Christ, and glory close. If guilt of sin still lieth at our door, Us to discourage, let us set before Our eyes a bleeding Jesus, who did die The death, and let's believe the reason why He did it, was that we might ever be From death and sin, from hell and wrath set free. Yea, let's remember for that very end It was his blessed Father did him send; That he the law of God might here fulfil, That so the mystery of his blessed will Might be revealed in the blessedness Of those that fly to Christ for righteousness. Now let us argue with ourselves, then, thus That Jesus Christ our Lord came to save us, By bearing of our sins upon his back, By hanging on the cross as on a rack, While justice cut him off on every side, While smiles Divine themselves from him did hide, While earth did quake, and rocks in pieces rent, And while the sun, as veiled, did lament To see the innocent and harmless die So sore a death, so full of misery. Yea, let us turn again, and say, All this He did and suffered for love of his. He brought in everlasting righteousness, That he might cover all our nakedness; He wept and wash'd his face with brinish tears That we might saved be from hellish fears; Blood was his sweat, too, in his agony, That we might live in joyful ecstasy; He apprehended was and led away, That grace to us-ward never might decay. With swords, and bills, and outrage in the night, That to the peace of heav'n we might have right. Condemned he was between two thieves to die, That we might ever in his bosom lie; Scourged with whips his precious body were, That we lashes of conscience might not fear; His head was crowned with thorns, that we might be Crowned with glory and felicity; He hanged was upon a cursed tree, That we delivered from death might be; His Father from him hides his smiles and face, That we might have them in the heavenly place; He cry'd, My God, why hast forsaken me? That we forsaken of him might not be. Into his side was thrust a bloody spear, That we the sting of death might never fear; He went into the grave after all this, That we might up to heav'n go, and have bliss. Yea, rise again he did out of the earth, And shook off from him all the chains of death; Then at his chariot wheels he captive led His foes, and trod upon the serpent's head; Riding in triumph to his Father's throne, There to possess the kingdom as his own. What say'st thou, wilt not yet unto him come? His arms are open, in his heart is room To lay thee; be not then discouraged, Although thy sins be many, great, and red; Unto thee righteousness he will impute, And with the kisses of his mouth salute Thy drooping soul, and will it so uphold, As that thy shaking conscience shall be bold To come to mercy's seat with great access, There to expostulate with that justice That burns like fiery flames against all those That do not with this blessed Jesus close; Which unto thee will do no harm, but good, Because thou hast reliance on that blood That justice saith hath given him content, For all that do unfeignedly repent Their ill-spent life, and roll upon free grace, That they within that bosom might have place, That open is to such, where they shall lie In ease, and gladness, and felicity, World without end, according to that state I have, nay, better than I, can relate. If thou shalt still object, thou yet art vile, And hast a heart that will not reconcile Unto the holy law, but will rebel, Hark yet to what I shall thee farther tell. Two things are yet behind that help thee will, If God should put into thy mind that skill, So to improve them as becometh those That would with mercy and forgiveness close. First, then, let this sink down into thy heart, That Christ is not a Saviour in part, But every way so fully he is made That all of those that underneath his shade And wing would sit, and shroud their weary soul, That even Moses dare it not control, But justify it, approve of 't, and conclude No man nor angel must himself intrude With such doctrine that may oppose the same, On pain of blaspheming that holy name, Which God himself hath given unto men, To stay, to trust, to lean themselves on, when They feel themselves assaulted, and made fear Their sin will not let them in life appear. For as God made him perfect righteousness, That he his love might to the height express, And us present complete before the throne; Sanctification, too, of his own He hath prepared, in which do we stand, Complete in holiness, at his right hand. Now this sanctification is not That holiness which is in us, but that Which in the person of this Jesus is, And can inherently be only his. But is imputed to us for our good. As is his active righteousness and blood; Which is the cause, though we infirm are found, That mercy and forgiveness doth abound To us-ward, and that why we are not shent[16] And empty, and away rebuked sent, Because that all we do imperfect is. Bless God, then, for this holiness of his, And learn to look by faith on that alone, When thou seest thou hast nothing of thine own; Yea, when thy heart most willing is to do What God by his good word doth call thee to; And when thou find'st most holiness within, And greatest power over every sin, Yet then to Jesus look, and thou shalt see In him sanctification for thee, Far more complete than all that thou canst find In the most upright heart and willing mind, That ever man or angels did possess, When most filled with inherent righteousness. Besides, if thou forgettest here to live, And Satan get thee once into his sieve, He will so hide thy wheat, and show thy brun[17] That thou wilt quickly cry, I am undone. Alas, thy goodliest attainments here, Though like the fairest blossoms they appear, How quickly will they lour and decay, And be as if they all were fled away, When once the east-wind of temptations beat Upon thee, with their dry and blasting heat! Rich men will not account their treasure lies In crack'd groats and four-pence half-pennies,[18] But in those bags they have within their chests, In staple goods, which shall within their breasts Have place accordingly, because they see Their substance lieth here. But if that be But shaken, then they quickly fear, and cry, Alas, 'tis not this small and odd money, We carry in our pockets for to spend, Will make us rich, or much will stand our friend. If famine or if want do us assail, How quickly will these little pieces fail! If thou be wise, consider what I say And look for all in Christ, where no decay Is like to be; then though thy present frame Be much in up-and-down, yet he the same Abideth, yea, and still at God's right hand, As thy most perfect holiness will stand. It is, I say, not like to that in thee, Now high, then low, now out, then in, but he Most perfect is, when thou art at the worst The same, the very same; I said at first, This helpeth much when thou art buffeted, And when thy graces lie in thee as dead; Then to believe they are all perfect still In Christ thy head, who hath that blessed skill, Yet to present thee by what is in him Unto his Father, one that hath no sin. Yea, this will fill thy mouth with argument Against the tempter, when he shall present Before thee all thy weakness, and shall hide From thee thy graces, that thou mayst abide Under the fretting fumes of unbelief, Which never yielded Christian man relief. Nor help thyself thou mayst against him thus: O Satan, though my heart indeed be worse Than 'twas a while ago, yet I perceive Thou shalt me not of happiness bereave, Nor yet of holiness; for by the Word I find that Jesus Christ, our blessed Lord, Is made sanctification for me In his own person, where all graces be, As water in the fountain; and that I, By means of that, have yet a sanctity, Both personal and perfect every way; And that is Christ himself, as Paul doth say. Now, though my crazy pitcher oft doth leak, By means of which my graces are so weak, And so much spent, that one I cannot find Able to stay or help my feeble mind; Yet then I look to Jesus, and see all In him that wanting is in me, and shall Again take courage, and believe he will Present me upright in his person, till He humble me for all my foolishness, And then again fill me with holiness. Now, if thou lovest inward sanctity, As all the saints do most unfeignedly, Then add, to what I have already said, Faith in the promise; and be not afraid To urge it often at the throne of grace, And to expect it in its time and place. Then he that true is, and that cannot lie, Will give it unto thee, that thou thereby Mayst serve with faith, with fear, in truth and love, That God that did at first thy spirit move To ask it to his praise, that he might be Thy God, and that he might delight in thee. If I should here particulars relate, Methinks it could not but much animate Thy heart, though very listless to inquire How thou mayst that enjoy, which all desire That love themselves and future happiness; But O, I cannot fully it express: The promise is so open and so free, In all respects, to those that humble be, That want they cannot what for them is good; But there 'tis, and confirmed is with blood, A certain sign, all those enjoy it may, That see they want it, and sincerely pray To God the Father, in that Jesus' name Who bled on purpose to confirm the same.

[THE NECESSITY OF A NEW HEART.]

Now wouldst thou have a heart that tender is, A heart that forward is to close with bliss; A heart that will impressions freely take Of the new covenant, and that will make The best improvement of the word of grace, And that to wickedness will not give place; All this is in the promise, and it may Obtained be of them that humbly pray. Wouldst thou enjoy that spirit that is free, And looseth those that in their spirits be Oppressed with guilt, or filth, or unbelief; That spirit that will, where it dwells, be chief; Which breaketh Samson's cord as rotten thread, And raiseth up the spirit that is dead; That sets the will at liberty to choose Those things that God hath promis'd to infuse Into the humble heart? All this, I say, The promise holdeth out to them that pray.

[THE SPIRIT OF PRAYER.]

Wouldst thou have that good, that blessed mind, That is so much to heavenly things inclin'd That it aloft will soar, and always be Contemplating on blest eternity. That mind that never thinks itself at rest, But when it knows it is for ever blest; That mind that can be here no more content, Than he that in the prison doth lament; That blessed mind that counts itself then free When it can at the throne with Jesus be, There to behold the mansions he prepares For such as be with him and his co-heirs. This mind is in the covenant of grace, And shall be theirs that truly seek his face.

[OF GODLY FEAR.]

Is godly fear delightful unto thee, That fear that God himself delights to see Bear sway in them that love him? then he will Thy godly mind in this request fulfil. By giving thee a fear that tremble shall, At every trip thou takest, lest thou fall, And him offend, or hurt thyself by sin, Or cause poor souls that always blind have been To stumble at thy falls, and harder be Against their own salvation and thee. That fear that of itself would rather choose The rod, than to offend or to abuse In anything that blessed worthy name, That hath thee saved from that death and shame; That sin would soon have brought thee to, if he Had not imputed righteousness to thee. I will love them, saith God, and not depart From them, but put my fear within their heart, That I to them may always lovely be, And that they never may depart from me.

[OF UPRIGHTNESS AND SINCERITY.]

Wouldst thou be very upright and sincere? Wouldst thou be that within thou dost appear, Or seem to be in outward exercise Before the most devout, and godly wise? Yea, art thou thus when no eye doth thee see But that which is invisible? and be The words of God in truth thy prop and stay? And do they in thy conscience bear more sway To govern thee in faith and holiness, Than thou canst with thy heart and mouth express? And do the things that truly are divine, Before thee more than gold or rubies shine? And if, as unto Solomon, God should Propound to thee, What wouldst thou have? how would Thy heart and pulse beat after heav'nly things, After the upper and the nether springs? Couldst, with unfeigned heart and upright lip, Cry, Hold me fast, Lord, never let me slip, Nor step aside from faith and holiness, Nor from the blessed hope of future bliss? Lord, rather cross me anywhere than here; Lord, fill me always with thy holy fear, And godly jealousy of mine own heart, Lest I, Lord, should at any time depart From thy most blessed covenant of grace, Where Jesus rules as King, and where thy face Is only to be seen with comfort, and Where sinners justified before thee stand. If these thy groanings be sincere and true, If God doth count thee one that dost pursue The things thou cryest after with thy heart, No doubt but in them thou shalt have a part.

[HOW GRACES ARE TO BE OBTAINED.]