Classic Poem

111

Could you find time for vain pastime,
for loose licentious mirth?
For fruitless toyes, and fading joyes
that perish in the birth?
Had you good leasure for carnal Pleasure
in dayes of health and youth?
And yet no space to seek God's face,
and turn to him in truth?

112

In younger years, beyond your fears,
what if you were surprised?
You put away the evil day,
and of long life devised.
You oft were told, and might behold,
that Death no Age doth spare;
Why then did you your time foreslow,
and slight your Souls welfare?

113

Had your intent been to repent,
and had you it desir'd,
There would have been endeavours seen,
before your time expir'd.
God makes no treasure, nor hath he pleasure,
in idle purposes:
Such fair pretences are foul offences,
and cloaks for wickedness.

114

Then were brought in, and charg'd with sin,
another Company,
Who by Petition obtain'd permission,
to make Apology:
They argues, We were misled,
as is well known to thee,
By their Example, that had more ample
abilities than we:

115

Such as profest they did detest,
and hate each wicked way:
Whose seeming grace whilst we did trace,
our Souls were led astray.
When men of Parts, Learning and Arts,
Professing Piety,
Did thus and thus, it seem'd to us
we might take liberty.

116

The Judge replies, I gave you eyes,
and light to see your way,
Which had you lov'd, and well improv'd
you had not gone astray.
My Word was pure, the Rule was sure,
why did you it forsake,
Or thereon trample, and mens example,
your Directory make?

117

This you well knew, that God is true
and that most men are liars,
In word professing holiness,
in deed thereof deniers.
O simple fools! that having Rules
your lives to regulate,
Would then refuse, and rather chuse
vile men to imitate.

118

But Lord, say they, we went astray,
and did more wickedlie,
By means of those whom thou hast chose
Salvation heirs to be
To whom the Judge: What you alledge,
doth nothing help the case;
But makes appear how vile you were,
and rend'reth you more base.

119

You understood that what was good,
was to be followed,
And that you ought that which was naught
to have relinquished.
Contrariwayes, it was your guise,
only to imitate
Good mens defects, and their neglects
that were regenerate.

120

But to express their holiness,
or imitate their grace,
You little car'd, nor once prepar'd
your hearts to seek my face.
They did repent, and truly rent
their hearts for all known sin:
You did offend, but not amend,
to follow them therein.