CCXX.
Thus with great joy and melody to Heav’n they all ascend, Him there to praise with sweetest lays, and Hymns that never end; Where with long rest they shall be blest, and naught shall them annoy, “Where they shall see as seen they be, and whom they love enjoy.
_Their eternal happiness and incomparable glory there._
CCXXI. [179]
Oh glorious Place! where face to face Jehovah may be seen, By such as were sinners while here, and no dark veil between! Where the Sunshine and light Divine of God’s bright countenance, Doth rest upon them every one, with sweetest influence!
CCXXII. [180]
Oh blessed state of the Renate! Oh wond’rous happiness. To which they’re brought beyond what thought can reach or words express! Grief’s watercourse and sorrow’s source are turn’d to joyful streams; Their old distress and heaviness are vanished like dreams.
CCXXIII. [181]
For God above in arms of love doth dearly them embrace. And fills their sprights with such delights, and pleasures in his Grace, As shall not fail, nor yet grow stale, through frequency of use; Nor do they fear God’s favor there to forfeit by abuse.
CCXXIV. [182]
For there the Saints are perfect Saints, and holy ones indeed; From all the sin that dwelt within their mortal bodies freed; Made Kings and Priests to God through Christ’s dear Love’s transcendency, There to remain and there to reign with him Eternally.
A Short Discourse On Eternity.
What mortal man can with a Span mete out Eternity? Or fathom it by depth of Wit, or strength of Memory? The lofty Sky is not so high, Hell’s depth to this is small; The World so wide is but a stride, comparéd therewithal.
It is a main great Oce-an withouten bank or bound, A deep Abyss, wherein there is no bottom to be found. This World hath stood now since the Flood, four thousand years well near, And had before enduréd more than sixteen hundred year.
But what’s the time from the World’s prime, unto this present day, If we thereby Eternity to measure should essay? The whole duration since the Creation, though long, yet is more little. If placed by Eternity, than is the smallest tittle.
Tell every Star both near and far, in Heav’n’s bright Canopy That doth appear throughout the year of high or low degree: Tell every Tree that thou canst see in this vast Wilderness, Up in the “Woods, down by the Floods, in thousand miles Progress:
The sum is vast, yet not so vast but that thou may’st go on To multiply the leaves thereby, that hang those Trees upon: Add thereunto the Drops that thou imaginest to be In April Show’rs, that bring forth Flow’rs and blossoms plenteously:
Number the Fowls and living Souls that through the Air do fly, The wingéd Hosts in all their Coasts beneath the starry Sky: Count all the Grass as thou dost pass through many a pasture-land, And dewy Drops that on the tops of Herbs and Plants do stand:
Number the Sand upon the Strand, and atoms of the Air; And do thy best on Man and Beast, to reckon every Hair: Take all the Dust, if so thou lust, and add to thine Account: Yet shall the Years of Sinners’ tears, the Number far surmount.
Naught join’d to nauglit can ne’er make aught, nor Cyphers make a Sum; Nor things finite, to infinite by multiplying come: A Cockle-shell may serve as well to lade the Ocean dry As finite things and reckonings to bound Eternity.
Oh happy they that live for aye, with Christ in Heav’n above! Who know withal that nothing shall deprive them of his love. _Eternity, Eternity!_ Oh! were it not for thee, The Saints in bliss and happiness could never happy be.
For if they were in any fear that this their joy might cease, It would annoy (if not destroy) and interrupt their peace. But being sure it shall endure so long as God shall live; The thoughts of this, unto their bliss, do full perfection give.
Cheer up ye Saints amidst your wants and sorrows many a one; Lift up the head, shake off all dread, and moderate your moan. Your sufferings and evil things will suddenly be past; Your sweet Fruitions and blessed Visions, for evermore shall last.
Lament and mourn you that must burn amidst those flaming Seas: If once you come to such a doom, for ever farewell ease. sad estate and desperate, that never can be mended, Until God’s Will shall change, or till Eternity be ended!
If any one this Questi-on shall unto me propound: What! have the years of Sinners’ tears no limits or no bound? It kills our heart to think of smart, and pains that last for ever; And hear of fire that shall expire, or be extinguish’d never,
I’ll answer make (and let them take my words as I intend them; For this is all the Cordi-al that here I have to lend them:) When Heav’n shall cease to flow with peace and all felicity. Then Hell may cease to be the place of Woe and Misery.
When Heav’n is Hell, when Ill is Well, when Virtue turns to Vice; When Wrong is Right, when Dark is Light, when Naught is of great price; Then may the years of Sinners’ tears and sufferings expire. And all the Hosts of damnéd Ghosts escape out of Hell-fire.
When Christ above shall cease to lovo, when God shall cease to reign And be no more as heretofore the World’s great Sovéreign; Or not be just, or favor lust, or in IMen’s sins delight; Then wicked men (and not till then) to Heav’n may take their flight.
When God’s great Power shall be brought lower, by foreign Puissance, Or be decay’d and weaker made through Time’s continuance; When drowsiness shall him oppress, and lay him fast asleep, Then sinful men may break their pen, and out of Prison creep.
When those in Glory shall be right sorry they may not change their place, And wish to dwell with those in Hell, never to see Christ’s face; Then those in pain may freedom gain and be with Glory dight: Then Hellish fiends may be Christ’s Friends, and Heirs of Heaven hight.
Then, ah! poor men! What! not till then? No, not an hour before; For God is just, and therefore must torment them evermore. ETERNITY! ETERNITY! thou mak’st hard hearts to bleed: The thoughts of thee in misery, do make men wail indeed.
When they remind what’s still behind and ponder this word NEVER, That they must there be made to bear God’s Vengeance for EVER : The thought of this more bitter is than all they feel beside; Yet what they feel, nor heart of steel, nor flesh of brass can bide.
To lie in woe and undergo the direful pains of Hell, And know withal, that there they shall for aye and ever dwell; And that they are from rest as far when fifty thousand year, Twice told, are spent in punishment, as when they first came there;
This, oh! this makes Hell’s fiery flakes much more intolerable; This makes frail wights and damned sprites to bear their plagues unable. This makes men bite, for fell despite, their very tongues in twain; This makes them roar for great horrcr, and trebleth all their pain.
A Postscript Unto The Reader.
And now, good Reader, I return again To talk with thee who hast been at the pain To read throughout and heed what went before; And unto thee I’ll speak a little more. Give ear I pray thee unto what I say, That God may hear thy voice another day. Thou hast a Soul, my Friend, and so have I, To save or lose; a Soul that cannot die; A Soul of greater price than Gold or Gems; A Soul more worth than Crowns and Diadems; A Soul at first created like its Maker, And of God’s Image made to be partaker: Upon the wings of noblest Faculties, Taught for to soar above the Starry Skies, And not to rest, until it understood Itself possessed of the chiefest Good. And since the Fall thy Soul retaineth still Those faculties of Reason and of Will, But oh! how much deprav’d and out of frame, As if they were some other’s, not the same! Thine Understanding dismally benighted, And Reason’s eye in Spir’tual things dim-sighted, Or else stark blind; thy Will inclin’d to evil. And nothing else; a slave unto the Devil; That loves to live, and liveth to transgress. But shuns the way of God and Holiness. All thine Affections are disorderéd, And thus by headstrong Passions are misled. What need I tell thee of thy crooked war, And many wicked wand’rings every day? Or that thine own transgressi-ons are more In number than the sands upon the Shore? Thou art a lump of wickedness become, And may’st with horror think upon thy Doom, Until thy Soul be washéd in the flood Of Christ’s most dear, soul-cleansing, precious Blood. That, that alone can do away thy sin, Which thou wert born and hast long lived in; That, only that can pacify God’s wrath, If apprehended by a lively Faith, Now whilst the day and means of Grace do last, Before the opportunity be past.
But if, man, thou liv’st a Christless creature, And Death surprise thee in a state of nature, (As who can tell but that may be thy case?) How wilt thou stand before the Judge’s face, When he shall be reveal’d in flaming fire. And come to pay ungodly men their hire. To execute due vengeance upon those That knew him not, or that had been his foes? What wilt thou answer unto his demands. When he requires a reason at thy hands. Of all the things that thou hast said or done. Or left undone, or set thine heart upon? When he shall thus with thee expostulate: “What cause hadst thou thy Maker for to hate; To take up arms against thy Sovereign, And enmity against him to maintain? What injury hath God Almighty done thee? What good hath he withheld that might have won thee? What evil, or injustice hast thou found In him that might unto thine hurt redound? If neither felt nor feared injury Hath movéd thee to such hostility, What made thee then the Fountain to forsake, And unto broken Pits thyself betake? What reason hadst thou to dishonor God, Who thee with Mercies never ceas’d to load? Because the Lord was good hast thou been evil, And taken part against him with the Devil? For all his cost to pay him with despite. And all his love with hatred to requite? Is this the fruit of God’s great patience, To wax more bold in disobedience? To kick against the bowels of his Love? Is this aright his Bounty to improve? Stand still, ye Heav’ns, and be astonished, That God by man should thus be injured! Give ear, Earth, and tremble at the sin Of those that thine Inhabitants have been! But thou, vile wretch, hast added unto all Thine other faults and facts so criminal. The damning sin of willful unbelief; Of all Transgressors hast thou been the chief. Yet when time was thou might’st have been set free From Sin and Wrath and punishment by me; But thou would’st not accept of Gospel Grace, Nor on my terms Eternal Life embrace. As if that all thy breaches of God’s Law Were not enough upon thy head to draw Eternal Wrath, thou hast despis’d a Savior, Rejected me, and trampled on my favor. How oft have I stood knocking at thy door, And been denied entrance evermore? How often hath my Spirit been withstood, When as I sent him to have done thee good? Thou hast no need of any one to plead Thy cause or for thy Soul to intercede: Plead for thyself, if thou hast aught to say, And pay thy forfeiture without delay. Behold thou dost ten thousand Talents owe; Pay thou the debt or else to Prison go.“
Think, think, man, when Christ shall thus unfold Thy secret guilt, and make thee to behold The ugly face of all thy sinful errors. And fill thy soul with his amazing terrors, And let thee see the flaming Pit of Hell, Where all that have no part in him shall dwell; When he shall thus expostulate the case, How canst thou bear to look him in the face? What wilt thou do without an Advocate, Or plead, when thus thy state is desperate? Dost think to put him oif with fair pretenses? Or wilt thou hide and cover thine offenses? Can anything from him concealed be, Who doth the hidden things of darkness see? Art thou of force his Power to withstand? Canst thou by might escape out of his hand? Dost thou intend to run out of his sight, And save thyself from punishment by flight? Or wilt thou be eternally accurst, And ’bide his Vengeance, let him do his worst? Oh! who can bear his indignation’s heat? Or ’bide the pains of Hell which are so great?
If, then, thou neither canst his Wrath endure. Nor any ransom after death procure; If neither Cries nor Tears can move his heart To pardon thee or mitigate thy smart, But unto Hell thou must perforce be sent, With dismal horror and astonishment, Consider, my Friend, what cause thou hast, With fear and trembling (while as yet thou may’st), To lay to heart thy sin and misery, And to make out after the Remedy. Consider well the greatness of thy danger, O Child of wrath, and object of God’s anger. Thou hangest over the Infernal Pit, By one small thread, and car’st not thou a whit? There’s but a step between thy Soul and Death; Nothing remains but stopping of thy breath, (Which may be done to-morrow, or before) And then thou art undone forevermore. Let this awaken thy security, And make thee look about thee speedily.
How canst thou rest an hour or sleep a night, Or in thy creature-comforts take delight? Or with vain Toys thyself forgetful make How near thou art unto the burning Lake? How canst thou live without tormenting fears? How canst thou hold from weeping floods of tears? Yea, tears of blood, I might almost have said, If such-like tears could from thine eyes be shed. To gain the world what will it profit thee. And lose thy soul and self eternally? Eternity on one small point dependeth; The man is lost that this short life misspendeth. For as the Tree doth fall, right so it lies, And man continues in what state he dies. Who happy die shall happy rise again; Who curséd die shall curséd still remain. If under Sin and Wrath Death leaves thee bound, At Judgment under Wrath thou shalt be found; And then woe woe that ever thou wert born, O wretched man, of Heav’n and Earth forlorn! Consider this, all ye that God forget, Who all his threatenings at naught do set. Lest into pieces he begin to tear Your souls, and there be no deliverer.
O you that now sing care and fear away, Think often of the formidable Day, Wherein the Heavens with a mighty noise. And with a hideous, heart-confounding voice Shall pass away, together being roll’d, As men are wont their garments up to fold; When th’ Elements with fervent heat shall melt, And living Creatures in the same shall swelt. And altogether in those flames expire, Which set the Earth’s Foundati-ons on fire. Oh! what amazements will your hearts be in, And how will you to curse yourselves begin. For all your damned sloth and negligence. And unbelief and gross Impenitence, When you shall hear that dreadful Sentence pass’d. That all the wicked into Hell be cast! What horrors will your Consciences surprise. When you shall hear the fruitless, doleful cries Of such as are compelled to depart Unto the place of everlasting smart! What! when you see the sparks fly out of Hell, And view the Dungeon where you are to dwell. Wherein you must eternally remain In anguish and intolerable pain! What! when your hands and feet are bound together, And you are cast into the Lake forever! Then shall you feel the truth of what you hear, That Hellish pains are more than you can bear, And that those Torments are an hundred fold More terrible than ever you were told.
Nor speak I this, good Reader, to torment thee Before the time, but rather to prevent thee From running headlong to thine own decay, In such a perilous and deadly way. We who have known and felt Jehovah’s terrors, Persuade men to repent them of their errors. And turn to God in time ere his Decree Bring forth, and then there be no Remedy. If in the night, when thou art fast asleep, Some friend of thine that better watch doth keep, Should see thy house all on a burning flame. And thee almost inclosed with the same: If such a friend should break thy door and wake thee, Or else by force out of the peril take thee, What! wouldst thou take his kindness in ill part, Or frown upon him for his good desert?
Such, my friend, such is thy present state And danger, being unregenerate. Awake, awake, and then thou shalt perceive Thy peril greater than thou wilt believe. Lift up thine eyes, and see God’s wrathful ire Preparing unextinguishable fire For all that live and die impenitent. Awake, awake, Sinner, and repent. And quarrel not because I thus alarm Thy Soul, to save it from eternal harm.
Perhaps thou harborest such thoughts as these: “I hope I may enjoy my carnal ease A little longer, and myself refresh With those delights that gratify the flesh, And yet repent before it be too late, And get into a comfortable state. I hope I have yet many years to spend, And time enough those matters to attend,“ Presumptuous heart! Is God engag’d to give A longer time to such as love to live Like Rebels still, who think to strain his Glory By wickedness, and after to be sorry? Unto thy lust shall he be made a drudge, Who thee and all ungodly men shall judge? Canst thou account sin sweet, and yet confess That first or last it ends in bitterness? Is sin a thing that must procure thee sorrow, And wouldst thou dally with’t another morrow?
O foolish man who lovest to enjoy That which will thee distress, or else destroy! What gainéd Samson by his Delilah? What gainéd David by his Bathshebah? The one became a slave, lost both his eyes, And made them sport that were his enemies; The other penneth, as a certain token Of God’s displeasure, that his bones were broken, Besides the woes he after met withal. To chasten him for that his grievous Fall: His own Son Ammon, using crafty wiles, His Daughter Thamar wickedly defiles: His second Son, more beautiful than good. His hands embreweth in his Brother’s blood: And by and by, aspiring to the Crown, He strives to pull his gentle Father down; With hellish rage, him fiercely persecuting, And brutishly his Concubines polluting. Read whoso list, and ponder what he reads, And he shall find smaU joy in evil deeds.
Moreover this consider, that the longer Thou liv’st in sin, thy sins will grow the stronger; And then it will an harder matter prove To leave those wicked haunts that thou dost love. The Black’moor may as eas’ly change his skin. As old Transgressors leave their wonted sin. And who can tell what will become of thee, Or where thy Soul in one day’s time may be? We see that Death ne’er old nor young men spares, But one and other takes at unawares; for in a moment, whilst men Peace do cry, Destruction seizeth on them suddenly. Thou who this morning art a lively wight, May’st be a corpse and damnéd Ghost ere night.
Oh! dream not then that it will serve thy turn Upon thy Death-bed for thy sins to mourn; But think how many have been snatch’d away, And had no time for mercy once to pray. It’s just with God Repentance to deny To such as put it off until they die. And late Repentance seldom proveth true, Which, if it fail, thou know’st what must ensue; For after this short life is at an end, What is amiss thou never canst amend. Believe, man, that to procrastinate. And put it off until it be too late, As ’tis thy sin, so it is Satan’s wile, Whereby he doth great multitudes beguile. How many thousands hath this strong delusion Already brought to ruin and confusion, Whose souls are now reserv’d in iron chains, Under thick darkness to Eternal Pains! They thought of many years, as thou dost now, But were deceived quite, and so may’st thou.
Oh! then, my friend, waste not away thy time. Nor by rebellion aggravate thy crime. Oh! put not off Repentance till to-morrow, Adventure not, without God’s leave, to borrow Another day to spend upon thy lust, Lest God (that is most Holy, Wise, and Just) Denounce in wrath, and to thy terror say, “This night shall Devils fetch thy Soul away.”
Now seek the face of God with all thy heart. Acknowledge unto him how vile thou art. Tell him thy Sins deserve eternal wrath, And that it is a wonder that he hat Permitted thee so long to draw thy breath. Who might have cut thee off by sudden death, And sent thy Soul into the lowest Pit, From whence no price should ever ransom it; And that he may most justly do it still, (Because thou hast deserv’d it) if he will. Yet also tell him that, if he shall please, He can forgive thy sins and thee release. And that in Christ his Son he may be just And justify all those that on him trust; That though thy sins are of a crimson dye. Yet Christ his Blood can cleanse thee thoroughly. Tell him that he may make his Glorious Name More wonderful by covering thy shame; That Mercy may be greatly magnified. And justice also fully satisfied. If he shall please to own thee in his Son, “Who hath paid dear for Man’s Redempti-on. Tell him thouh hast an unbelieving heart. Which hind’reth thee from coming for a part In Christ; and that although his terrors awe thee, Thou canst not come till he be pleas’d to draw thee. Tell him thou know’st thine heart to be so bad, And thy condition so exceeding sad, That though Salvation may be had for naught Thou canst not come and take it till thou’rt brought.
Oh! beg of him to bow thy stubborn will To come to Christ, that he thy lusts may kill. Look up to Christ for his attractive pow’r. Which he exerteth in a needful hour; Who saith, “When as I lifted up shall be, Then will I draw all sorts of men to me.“ Oh! wait upon him with true diligence And trembling fear in every Ordinance; Unto his Call earnest attention give. Whose voice makes deaf men hear and dead men live. Thus weep and mourn, thus hearken, pray, and wait, Till he behold and pity thine estate, Who is more ready to bestow his Grace Than thou the same art willing to embrace; Yea, he hath Might enough to bring thee home, Though thou hast neither strength nor will to come.
If he delay to answer thy request. Know that ofttimes he doth it for the best; Not with intent to drive us from his door, But for to make us importune him more; Or else to bring us daily to confess. And be convinc’d of our unworthiness. Oh! be not weary, then, but persevere To beg his Grace till he thy suit shall hear; And leave him not, nor from his footstool go. Till over thee Compassion’s skirt he throw. Eternal Life shall recompense thy pains, If found at last, with everlasting gains. For if the Lord be pleas’d to hear thy cries, And to forgive thy great iniquities, Thou “wilt have cause forever to admire And laud his Grace, that granted thy desire. Then shalt thou find thy labor is not lost, But that the good obtain’d surmounts the cost. Nor shalt thou grieve for loss of sinful pleasures, Exchang’d for Heav’nly joys and lasting treasures. The yoke of Christ which once thou didst esteem A tedious yoke, shall then most easy seem. For why? The love of Christ shall thee constrain To take delight in that which was thy pain. The ways of Wisdom shall be pleasant ways, And thou shalt choose therein to spend thy days.
If once thy Soul be brought to such a pass, O bless the Lord and magnify his Grace. Thou that of late hadst reason to be sad, May’st now rejoice and be exceeding glad; For thy condition is as happy now As erst it was disconsolate and low. Thou art become as rich, as whilom poor; As blessed now as cursed heretofore. For being cleansed with Christ’s precious Blood, Thou hast an int’rest in the chiefest Good; God’s anger is towards thy Soul appeas’d. And in his Christ he is with thee well pleas’d. Yea, he doth look upon thee with a mild And gracious aspect, as upon his child. He is become thy Father and thy Friend, And will defend thee from the cursed Fiend. Thou need’st not fear the roaring Lion’s rage, Since God Almighty doth himself engage To bear thy Soul in everlasting Arms, Above the reach of all destructive harms. Whatever here thy sufferings may be, Yet from them all the Lord shall rescue thee. He will preserve thee by his wond’rous Might Unto that rich Inheritance in Light.
O sing for joy, all ye Regenerate, Whom Christ hath brought unto this blessed state! O love the Lord all ye his saints, who hath Redeeméd you from everlasting wrath! Who hath by dying made your Souls to live. And what he dearly bought doth freely give. Give up yourselves to walk in all his ways, And study how to live unto his praise. The time is short you have to serve him here; The day of your deliv’rance draweth near. Lift up your heads, ye upright ones in heart, Who in Christ’s purchase have obtain’d a part. Behold he rides upon a shining cloud. With angel’s voice and Trumpet sounding loud. He comes to save his folk from all their foes. And plague the men that Holiness oppose. So come, Lord Jesus, quickly come, we pray; Yea, come and hasten our Redemption-day.
Vanity of Vanities.
A SONG OF EMPTINESS.
Vain, frail, sliort-liv’d, and miserable Man, Learn what tliou art wlien thy estate is best; A restless Wave o’ th’ troubled Oce-an, A Dream, a lifeless Picture finely drest.
A Wind, a Flower, a Vapor, and a Bubble, A Wheel that stands not still, a trembling Reed, A trolling Stone, dry Dust, light Chaff, and Stubble, A shadow of something but truly naught indeed.
Learn what deceitful Toys and empty things This World and all its best Enjoyments be; Out of the Earth no true Contentment springs, But all things here are vexing Vanity.
For what is Beauty but a fading Flower? Or what is Pleasure but the Devil’s bait. Whereby he catcheth whom he would devour, And multitudes of Souls doth ruinate?
And what are Friends but mortal men as we. Whom Death from us may quickly separate? Or else their hearts may quite estrangéd be, And all their love be turned into hate.
And what are Riches to be doted on? Uncertain, fickle, and ensnaring things; They draw men’s Souls into Perditi-on, And when most needed take them to their wings.
Ah! foolish man! that sets his heart upon Such empty shadows, such wild Fowl as these, That being gotten will be quickly gone, And whilst they stay increase but his disease.
As in a Dropsy, drinking drought begets. The more he drinks the more he still requires, So on this “World whoso afifection sets, As Wealth’s increase, increaseth his desires.
O happy Man, whose portion is above, Where Floods, where Flames, where Foes cannot bereave him! Most wretched Man that fixéd hath his love Upon this World, that surely will deceive him!
For what is Honor? what is Sovereignty, Whereto men’s hearts so restlessly aspire? Whom have they crowned with Felicity? When did they ever satisfy desire?
The Ear of Man with hearing is not fill’d; To see new sights still coveteth the Eye; The craving stomach, though it may be still’d. Yet craves again without a new supply.
All Earthly things man’s cravings answer not, Whose little heart would all the World contain, (If all the World should fall to one man’s lot) And notwithstanding empty still remain.
The Eastern Conqueror was said to weep When he the Indian Oce-an did view, To see his Conquest bounded by the Deep, And no more Worlds remaining to subdue.
Who would that man in his Enjoyment bless, Or envy him, or covet his Estate, Whose gettings do augment his greediness. And make his wishes more intemperate?
Such is the wonted and the common guise Of those on Earth that bear the greatest sway; If with a few the case be otherwise. They seek a Kingdom that abides for aye.
Moreover they of all the Sons of Men That rule, and are in highest Places set, Are most inclin’d to scorn their Bretheren, And God himself (without great Grace) forget.
For as the Sun doth blind the gazers’ eyes, That for a time they naught discern aright, So Honor doth befool and blind the Wise, And their own lustre ’reaves them of their sight.
Great are their Dangers, manifold their Cares, Through which, whilst others sleep, they scarcely Nap, And yet are oft surprised unawares. And fall unwilling into Envy’s Trap.
The mean Mechanic finds his kindly rest; All void of fear sleepeth the Country Clown; When greatest Princes often are distrest, And cannot sleep upon their Beds of Down.
Could Strength or Valor men Immortalize, Could Wealth or Honor keep them from decay There were some cause the same to Idolize, And give the lie to that which I do say.
But neither can such things themselves end are, Without the hazard of a change, one hour. Nor such as trust in them can they secure From dismal days, or Death’s prevailing pow’r.
If Beauty could the Beautiful defend From Death’s dominion, then fair Absalom Had not been brought to such a shameful end: But fair and foul unto the Grave must come.
If Wealth or Scepters could Immortal make, Then, vrealthy Croesus, wherefore art thou dead? If Warlike force which makes the World to quake, Then why is Julius Caesar perished?
Where are the Scipio’s Thunderbolts of War? Renownéd Pompey, Caesar’s Enemy? Stout Hannibal, Rome’s Terror known so far? Great Alexander, what’s become of thee?
If Gifts and Bribes Death’s favor might but win, If Pow’r, if Force, or Threat’nings might it fray. All these, and more had still surviving been; But all are gone, for Death will have no Nay.
Such is this World, with all her Pomp and Glory; Such are the men whom worldly eyes admire, Cut down by time, and now become a Story, That we might after better things aspire.
Go boast thyself of what thy heart enjoys, Vain Man! triumph in all thy worldly Bliss: Thy best Enjoyments are but Trash and Toys; Delight thyself in that which worthless is.
_Omnia prœtereunt prœter amare Deum._
Death Expected and Welcomed.
“Welcome sweet Rest, by me so long Desir’d, Who have with Sins and Griefs so long been tir’d; And welcome Death, my Father’s Messenger; Of my Felicity the Hastener.
Welcome good Angels, who, for me distrest, Are come to guard me to Eternal Rest. Welcome, Christ, who hast my Soul Redeem’d, Whose Favor I have more than Life esteem’d.
Oh! do not now my sinful soul forsake. But to thyself thy Servant gath’ring take. Into thy Hands I recommend my Spirit, Trusting through Thee Eternal Life t’ inherit.
A Farewell to the World.
Now Farewell, World, in which is not my Treasure; I have in thee enjoy’d but little Pleasure. And now I leave thee for a Better Place, Where lasting Pleasures are, before Christ’s face.
Farewell, ye Sons of Men, who do not savor The things of God; who little prize his Favor. Farewell, I say, with your Fool’s Paradise, Until the King of Terrors you surprise, And bring you trembling to Christ’s Judgment Seat, To give Account of your Transgressions great.
Farewell, New England, which hast long enjoy’d The Day of Grace, but hast most vainly toy’d And trifled with the Gospel’s glorious Light; Thou may’st expect a dark Egyptian Night.
Farewell, young Brood and rising Generation, Wanton and proud, ripe for God’s Indignation, Which neither you nor others can prevent, Except in Truth you speedily repent.
Farewell, sweet Saints of God, Christ’s little Number, Beware lest ye through sloth securely slumber; Stand to your Spir’tual Arms and keep your Watch, Let not your Enemy you napping catch; Take up your Cross, prepare for Tribulation, Through which doth lie the way unto salvation.
Love Jesus Christ with all sincerity; Eschew Will-worship and Idolatry. Farewell, again, until we all appear Before our Lord, a _Well-done_ there to hear.
Farewell, ye faithful Servants of the Lord, Painful dispensers of his Holy Word, From whose Communion and Societ I once was kept through long infirmity This of my Sorrows was an aggravation; But Christ be thankéd, through whose Mediation I have at length obtainéd Liberty To dwell with Soul-delighting Company, Where many of our Friends are gone before, And you shall follow with a many more. Meanwhile stand fast, the Truth of God maintain, Suffer for Christ, and great shall be your Gain.
Farewell, my natural Friends and dear Relations, Who have my Trials seen and great Temptations; You have no cause to make for me great Moan; My Death to you is little Loss or none. But unto me it is no little Gain, For Death at once frees me from all my Pain. Make Christ your greatest Friend, who never dies; All other Friends are fading Vanities. Make him your Light, your Life, your End, your All; Prepare for Death, be ready for his Call.
Farewell, vile Body, subject to decay. Which art with lingering sickness worn away; I have by thee much Pain and Smart endur’d; Great Grief of Mind hast thou to me procur’d; Great Grief of Mind by being Impotent, And to Christ’s Work an awkward Instrument. Thou shalt not hencefortli be a clog to me. Nor shall my Soul a Burthen be to thee.
Rest in thy Grave until the Resurrection, Then shalt thou be revivéd in Perfection, Endow’d with wonderful Agility, Clothed with Strength and Immortality; With shining Brightness gloriously array’d. Like to Christ’s glorious Body, glorious made. Thus Christ shall thee again to me restore, Ever to live with him and part no more. Meanwhile my Soul shall enter into Peace, Where Fears and Tears^ where Sin and Smart shall cease.
A Character of the Reverend Author, Mr. Michael Wigglesworth, in a Funeral Sermon Preached at Malden, June 24, 1705. By the Reverend Dr. Cotton Mather.
He was Descended of Eminently Religious Parents, who were Sufferers for that which was then _The Cause of God_ and of _New-England_. While he was yet a youth, he was marvellously concerned that he might have an Heart filled with the Spirit of God. This Concernment upon his mind appeared especially in his watchful Endeavors to have _Spiritual Sins_ chased out of his cleansed Heart. Pride, the Sin of _Young Men_, yea, of _all_ Men; Pride, the Sin which few Men try or trouble themselves about; this Devout Youth was full of Holy and Watchful Trouble about it: And he then wrote a very Savoury Discourse, Entituled, _Considerations against Pride_, and another, Entituled, _Considerations against Delighting more in the Creature than in God_. This was to Mortify in himself the Sins rarely minded by the most of men.
Having had a Pious and a Learned Education, the first Publick Station wherein I find him, was that of a _Fellow_ and a _Tutor_ in _Harvard Colledge_. With a rare Faithfulness did he adorn that Station! He used all means imaginable to make his _Pupils_ not only good Scholars, but also good _Christians_, and instil into them those things which might render them rich Blessings unto the _Churches_ of God. Unto his Watchful and Painful Essays to keep them close under their _Academical Exercises_ he added Serious Admonitions unto them about their Interior State; and he Employed his _Prayers_ and _Tears_ to God for them, and had such a flaming zeal to make them worthy Men, that upon Reflection he was afraid _Lest his cares for their Good, and his affection to them, should so drink up his very Spirit, as to steal away his Heart from God._
From _Cambridge_ he made his remove to _Malden_, and was their Faithful Pastor for about a Jubilee of years together.
It was not long after his coming to Maiden that a sickly Constitution so prevailed upon him, as to confine him from his Publick Work for some whole seven of Years. His _Faithfulness_ continued when his _Ministry_ was thus interrupted. The Kindness of his Tender Flock unto him was answered in his Kind Concern to have them served by other Hands. He took a short voyage unto another Country for the Recovery of his Health; which, though he recovered not, yet at his Return I find him comforting himself with inserting of this Passage in his Reserved Papers:
“Peradventure the Lord Removed me for a season that he might set a better Watchman over his Flock, and a more painful Laborer in his Vineyard. This was one thing that I aimed at in Removing (to help the People’s Modesty in the case), and I believe the Lord aimed at it, in Removing me for a season.”
His Faithfulness now appeared in his _Edifying Discourses_ to those that came near him; much bewailing the want of a Profitable and Religious conversation in so many that profess Religion. And that yet he might more _Faithfully_ set himself to do Good, when he could not Preach he _Wrote_ several Composures, wherein he proposed the edification of such Readers as are for plain Truths, dressed up in _a Plain Meeter_. These Composures have had their Acceptance and Advantage among that sort of Readers; and one of them, the _Day of Doom_, which has been often Reprinted in both Englands, may find our Children till the Day itself arrive.
It pleased God, when the distress of the Church in _Malden_ did extremely call for it, wondrously to restore his _Faithful Servant_. He that had been for near Twenty Years almost _Buried Alive_, comes abroad again, and for as many years more, must, in _Publick Usefulness_, receive the Answer and Harvest of the Thousands of Supplications with which the God of his Health had favoured him.
How _Faithfully_ did he now Deliver the _Whole Counsel of God!_
How _Faithfully_ did he Rebuke _Sin_, both in his _Ministry_ and _Discipline!_
How Faithful was he to the _Work of God_ in the Churches of _New-England_, and grieved at every thing that he thought had any Tendency to incommode that Glorious Work! But how _Patient_, how _Loving_, how _Charitable_ to such as in lesser Matters differed from him!
How Faithful was he in the Education of his _Family_! A very Abraham for his Commands unto them, to _Keep the Way of the Lord!_ A very David for his charge unto them to _Know the God of their Father and Serve Him!_
His long Weakness and Illness made him an _able Physician_ for the _Body_ as well the _Soul_.
As he was _Faithful to the Death_, so he was _Lively to the Death._
It was a surprise to us to see a little, feeble _Shadow of a Man_, beyond _Seventy_, Preaching usually twice or tlirice in a week, Visiting, Comforting the _Afflicted_, Encouraging the _Private Meetings_, _Catechising_ the Children of the Flock, and managing the _Government_ of the Church, and attending the _Sick_, not only as a _Pastor_, but as a _Physician_ too; and this not only in his own Town, but also in all those of the Vicinity. Thus he did _unto the Last_; and he was but one _Lord’s-Day_ taken off before his Last. But in the _Last Week_ of his Life, how full of _Resignation!_ How full of _Satisfaction!_
From his Exemplary Life I will single out one thing, his EARLY RELIGION. Our _Wigglesioorth_ was a Godly child, and he held on living to God and Christ until the Seventy-Fourth Year of his Age.
When he lay a Dying, some one spoke to him about his having secured his _Interest_ in the Favor of Heaven, and his _Assurance_ of that Interest. He Replyed, [Methoughts like my _Polycarp,_]
“I bless God I began that Work betimes, and ere I was Twenty Years Old I had made thorow work of it. Ever since then I have been pressing after the Power of Godliness, the Power of Godliness! For more than Fifty Years together I have been Laboring to uphold a Life of Communion with God; and I thank the Lord I now find the Comfort of it!
Words that contain in them _A History of a Life_ more Valuable than I have seen a Volume in Folio.
Epitaph. (Believed to Have Been Written by Rev. Cotton Mather.) The Excellent Wigglesworth; Remembered by Some Good Tokens.
His Pen did once _Meat from the Eater_ fetch; And now he’s gone beyond the _Eater’s_ reach. His _Body_ once so _Thin_, was next to _None_; From hence he’s to _Unbodied Spirits_ flown. Once his rare skill did all _Diseases_ heal; And he does nothing now _uneasy_ feel. He to his _Paradise_ is joyful come, And waits with joy to see his _Day of Doom._
Contents.
Memoir of the Author Autobiography To the Christian Reader On the following Work Prayer unto Christ The Day of Doom Security of the World before Christ’s coming Suddenness and Terror of his appearing Resurrection — All brought to judgment The Sheep separated from the goats The several sorts of reprobates described The Saints justified — Election — Atonement They are placed on thrones The wicked brought to the Bar Secret sins brought to light Hypocrites plead for themselves Another sort of hypocrites Civil honest men’s pleas Pretended want of opportunity to repent Plea of examples of betters Godly men’s examples misleading Scripture, darkness, and difference of interpretation Fear of persecution Plea of God’s mercy and justice Vessels of mercy Mercy abused — Day of grace past Shutting out by God’s decree The Heathen’s plea Reprobate infants’ plea The wicked all convinced and silenced Hopeless and helpless estate of the ungodly Sentence of condemnation Sentence executed — The wicked cast into Hell Their unsufferable torments The saints rejoice thereat They ascend in triumph to Heaven A Short discourse on Eternity A Postscript unto the Reader Vanity of Vanities Death expected Ill A Farewell to the World Funeral Sermon Epitaph
[1] Luke 12:19.
[2] Matt. 25:5.
[3] Mat. 24:37, 38.
[4] 1 Thes. 5:3.
[5] Mat. 25:6. 2 Pet. 3:10.
[6] Mat. 24:29, 30.
[7] 2 Pet. 3:10.
[8] Rev. 6:15
[9] Mat. 24:30.
[10] Rev. 6:15, 16.
[11] Mat. 25:21.
[12] Rev. 6:14.
[13] Thes. 4:16.
[14] John 5:28, 29
[15] Luke 20:36. 1 Cor. 15:52.
[16] Mat. 24:31
[17] 2 Cor. 5:10. Matt. 25:32.
[18] Mat. 5:10, 11.
[19] Heb. 12:5, 6, 7.
[20] Luke 7:41, 47.
[21] John 21:15. Mat. 19:14. John 3:3.
[22] Rev. 6:11. Phil. 3:21.
[23] Mat. 24:51.
[24] Luke 11:24, 26. Heb. 6:4, 5, 6. Heb. 10:29.
[25] Luke 12:47. Prov. 1:24, 26. Job 3:19
[26] Gal. 3:10. 1 Cor. 6:9. Rev. 21:8
[27] Exod. 20:7, 8. 2 Thes. 1:6, 8, 9.
[28] Heb. 13:4. 1 Cor. 6:10.
[29] Zach. 5:3, 4. Gal. 5:19, 20, 21.
[30] Rom. 2:13
[31] Acts 4:12.
[32] 1 Cor. 6:3.
[33] Jude 6.
[34] 2 Cor. 5:10. Eccl. 3:17. John 3:18
[35] Job 17:6. Eph. 1:4.
[36] Rev. 1:5.
[37] Eph. 2:1, 3.
[38] Mat. 23:13, 15. Rom. 9:20, 21.
[39] Isa. 53:4, 5, 11.
[40] Acts 1:3, 48. Jam. 2:18. Heb. 12:7. Mat. 19:29.
[41] 1 John 3:3. Mat. 25:39, 40.
[42] Isa. 53:11, 12. Rom. 8:16, 17, 33, 34. John 3:18.
[43] Luke 22:29, 30. Mat. 19:28.
[44] Mat. 25:34.
[45] Cor. 6:2.
[46] Rom. 2:3, 6, 11.
[47] Rev. 6:15, 16. Isa. 30:33.
[48] Eccl. 11:9, 12, 14.
[49] Ps. 139:2, 4, 12. Rom. 2:16
[50] Eccl. 12:14.
[51] Mat. 12:36. Rom. 7:7
[52] John 5:40, and 3:19. Mat. 25:19, 27.
[53] Rom. 2:4, 5.
[54] Isa. 1:5. Jer. 2:20
[55] John 3:19, etc. Prov. 8:36. Luke 12:20, 21.
[56] Luke 13:34. John 5:40, and 15:22.
[57] Rom. 3:10, 12.
[58] Rom. 6:23.
[59] Mat. 7:21, 22, 23.
[60] John 6:70. 1 Cor. 9:27.
[61] Rom. 2:19, 21, 22, 23.
[62] John 9:41. Rev. 2:21, 22.
[63] Luke 12:47. Matt. 11:21, 22, 24.
[64] Luke 13:20.
[65] Luke 13:27. Matt. 22:12.
[66] 1 Cor. 11:27, 29.
[67] Mat. 6:21, 24. Rom. 1:25.
[68] 1 Cor. 11:27, 29.
[69] Acts 8:13. Isa. 58:2, 3. Heb. 6:4, 5.
[70] 2 Pet. 2:20.
[71] John 2:24, 25.
[72] John 6:64. Psal. 50:16. Mat. 15:26.
[73] Rev. 3:17. Mat. 13:20.
[74] Mat. 6:2, 4, 24. Jer. 8:5, 6, 7, 8.
[75] Psal. 78:34, 35, 36, 37.
[76] Zach. 7:5, 6. Isa. 58:3, 4. 1 Sam.15:13, 21. Isa. 1:11, 15.
[77] Mat. 6:2, 5. John 5:44.
[78] Zech. 7:5, 16. Hos. 10:1.
[79] Luke 18:11.
[80] 1 Sam. 15:22.
[81] Eccl. 7:20.
[82] Deut. 10:12. Tit. 2:12. Jam. 2:10.
[83] Luke 18:11, 14.
[84] 1 Sam.16:7. 2 Chron. 25:2.
[85] Heb. 11:6. 1 Cor. 13:1, 2, 3.
[86] Heb. 11:6.; 1 Cor. 13:1, 2, 3.
[87] Rom. 10:3.
[88] Rom. 9:30, 32. Matt 11:23, 24 and 21:41.
[89] Mat. 6:5.
[90] Prov. 26:23. Mat. 23:27.
[91] Prov 15:8. Rom. 2:3.
[92] Prov. 27:1. Jam. 4:13.
[93] Eccl. 12:1. Rev. 2:21.
[94] Luke 13:24. 2 Cor. 6:2. Heb. 3:7, 8, 9.
[95] Eccl. 11:9. Luke 14:18, 19, 20.
[96] Amos 6:3, 4, 5, 6. Eph. 5:16. Luke 19:42.
[97] Luke 13:21, 25, etc. Phil. 2:12.
[98] Mat. 18:7.
[99] John 7:48.
[100] Psal. 19:8, 11. Exod. 23:2. Psal. 50:17, 18.
[101] 2 Tim. 3:5.
[102] 1 Cor. 11:1. Phil. 4:8.
[103] Psal. 32:5. 2 Chron. 32:26. Mat. 26:75. Prov. 1:24, 25.
[104] 2 Pet. 3:16.
[105] Prov. 14:6. Isa. 35:8. Hos. 8:12.
[106] Matt. 11:25. Prov. 2:3, 4, 5.
[107] Acts 28:22.
[108] John 12:42, 43.
[109] Luke 12:4, 5. Isa. 51:12, 13.
[110] Luke 9:23, 24, 25 and 16:2.
[111] Luke 9:26. Prov 8:36 John 3:19, 20.
[112] Psal. 78:38. 2 Kin. 11:26.
[113] Psal. 30:9. Mic. 7:18.
[114] Mic. 7:18. Rom. 9:23.
[115] Rom. 2:4. Hos. 11:4.
[116] Luke 13:34.
[117] Luke 19:42, 43. Jude 4.
[118] Rom. 2:5, 6. Isa. 1:24. Amos 2:13. Gen. 18:25.
[119] Mat. 25:3, 1, 2. Prov. 12:8, 29, 30.
[120] Isa. 5:18, 19. Gen. 2 : 17. Rom. 2:8, 9.
[121] Rom. 6:23. 2 Thes. 1:8, 9.
[122] Ezek. 83:11. Exod. 34:7, and 14:17. Rom. 9:22.
[123] Rom. 9:18, 19.
[124] Heb. 22:17. Rom. 11:7, 8.
[125] Luke 13:27. 2 Pet. 1:9, 10, compared with Mat. 19:16.
[126] Acts 3:19, and 16:31. 1 Sam. 2:15. John 3:19. Job 5:40. 2 Thes. 2:11, 12.
[127] Ezek. 33:11, 12. Luke 13: 34. Prov. 8 : 33, 36.
[128] Gen. 2:17. Mat. 25:41, 42. Ezek. 18:20.
[129] 2 Pet. 1:10. Acts 13:46. Luke 13:24.
[130] Mat. 7:7, 8 Gal. 5:22, 23.
[131] John 3:19.
[132] John 15:22, 24. Heb. 2:3. Isa. 66:34.
[133] Mat. 11 : 22. Luke 12 : 48.
[134] Mat. 11:22.
[135] Gen. 1:27. Eccl. 7 : 29. Hos. 13 : 9.
[136] Mat. 11 : 25, compared with 20:15.
[137] Rom. 1:20, 21, 22.
[138] Rom. 2:12, 15 and 1:32. Mat. 12:41.
[139] Rev. 20:12, 15, compared with Rom. 5:12, 14 and 9:11, 13. Ezek. 18:2.
[140] Psal. 51:5.
[141] Ezek. 18:20. Rom. 5:12, 19.
[142] 1 Cor. 15:48, 49.
[143] Rom. 5:12. Psal. 51:5. Gen. 5:3.
[144] Mat. 23:30, 31.
[145] Rom. 9:15, 18. Rom. 5:15.
[146] Mat. 20:15.
[147] Psal. 58:8. Rom 6:23. Gal. 3:10. Rom. 8:2, 30, and 11:7. Rev. 21:27. Luke 12:14, 8. Mat. 11:22.
[148] Rom. 3:19. Mat. 22:12.
[149] Rev. 6:16, 17.
[150] Psal. 139:2, 3, 4. Eccl. 12:14.
[151] Mat. 25:45.
[152] Mat. 22:12. Rom. 2:5, 6. Luke 19:42.
[153] Mat. 28:18. Psal. 137:7.
[154] Isa. 33:14. Psal. 11:6. Num. 25:19.
[155] Mat. 25:41, and 25:10, 11, 12.
[156] Luke 12:20. Psal. 49:7, 17. Deut. 32:2.
[157] 2 Pet. 3:10.
[158] Luke 16:28.
[159] Rev. 21:4. Psal. 68:10.
[160] 1 Cor. 6:2.
[161] Compare Prov. 1:26. with 1 John 3:2, and 2 Cor. 5:16.
[162] Luke 16:25.
[163] Psal. 58:10.
[164] Mat 25:41.
[165] Luke 13:38. Prov. 1:26.
[166] Mat. 25:46.
[167] Mat. 13:41, 42.
[168] Mat. 25:30, Mark 9:42. Isa. 30:33. Rev. 21:8.
[169] Mat. 22:13, and 25:46.
[170] Rev. 14:10, 11.
[171] Luke 16:24. Jude 7.
[172] Isa. 33:14. Mark 9:43, 44.
[173] Luke 12:47.
[174] Mat. 11:24.
[175] Luke 16:23, 25, and 13:28.
[176] Luke 13:24.
[177] Mat. 9:44. Rom. 2:15.
[178] Psal. 68:10. Rev. 10:1, 2, 3.
[179] 1 John 3:2. 1 Cor. 13 12.
[180] Rev. 21:4.
[181] Psal. 16:11.
[182] Heb. 12:23. Rev. 1:6, and 22:5.