Classic Poem

31

Blasphemers lewd, and Swearers shrewd,
Scoffers at Purity
That hated God, contemn'd his Rod,
and lov'd Security;
Sabbath-polluters, Saints persecuters,
Presumptuous men and Proud,
Who never lov'd those that reprov'd;
all stand amongst this Crowd.

32

Adulterers and Whoremongers
were there, with all unchast:
There Covetous, and Ravenous,
that Riches got too fast:
Who us'd vile ways themselves to raise
t'Estates and worldly wealth,
Oppression by, or Knavery
by force, or fraud, or stealth.

33

Moreover, there together were
Children flagitious,
And Parents who did them undo
by Nurture vicious.
False-witness-bearers, and self-forswearers
Murd'rers, and Men of blood,
Witches, Inchanters, & Ale-house-haunters,
beyond account there stood.

34

Their place there find all Heathen blind,
that Natures light abused,
Although they had no tydings glad
of Gospel-grace refused.
There stands all Nations and Generations
of Adam's Progeny,
Whom Christ redeem'd not, who Christ esteem'd not,
through Infidelity.

35

Who no Peace-maker, no Undertaker,
to shrow'd them from Gods ire
Ever obtain'd; they must be pained
with everlasting fire
These num'rous bands, wringing their hands,
and weeping, all stand there,
Filled with anguish, whose hearts do languish
through self-tormenting fear.

36

Fast by them stand at Christ's left hand
the Lion fierce and fell,
The Dragon bold, that Serpent old,
that hurried Souls to Hell.
There also stand, under command,
Legions of Sprights unclean,
And hellish Fiends, that are no friends
to God, nor unto Men.

37

With dismal chains, and strongest reins,
like Prisoners of Hell,
They're held in place before Christ's face,
till He their Doom shall tell
These void of tears, but fill'd with fears,
and dreadful expectation
Of endless pains, and scalding flames,
stand waiting for Damnation.

38

All silence keep, both Goats and Sheep,
before the Judge's Throne;
With mild aspect to his Elect
then spake the Holy One;
My Sheep draw near, your Sentence hear,
which is to you no dread,
Who clearly now discern, and know
your sins are pardoned.

39

'Twas meet that ye should judged be,
that so the world may spy
No cause of grudge, when as I Judge
and deal impartially.
Know therefore all, both great and small,
the ground and reason why
These Men do stand at my right hand,
and look so chearfully.

40

These Men be those my Father chose
before the worlds foundation,
And to me gave, that I should save
from Death and Condemnation
For whose dear sake I flesh did take,
was of a Woman born,
And did inure my self t'indure,
unjust reproach and scorn.