Classic Poem

81

Then forth issue another Crew
(those being silenced)
Who drawing high to the most High
adventure thus to plead:
We sinners were, say they, it's clear,
deserving Condemnation:
But did not we rely on thee,
O Christ, for whole Salvation?

82

We did believe and oft receive
thy gracious promises:
We took great care to get a share
in endless happiness
We pray'd & wept, we Fast-dayes kept,
lewd ways we did eschew:
We joyful were thy Word to hear;
we form'd our lives anew.

83

We thought our sin had pard'ned been;
that our Estate was good,
Our debts all paid, our peace well made,
our Souls wash'd with thy Blood.
Lord, why dost thou reject us now,
who have not thee rejected,
Nor utterly true sanctity
and holy life neglected.

84

The Judge incensed at their pretenced
self-vanting Piety,
With such a look as trembling strook
into them, made reply;
O impudent, impenitent,
and guileful generation!
Think you that I cannot descry
your hearts abomination?

85

You nor receiv'd, nor yet believ'd
my Promises of Grace;
Nor were you wise enough to prize
my reconciled Face:
But did presume that to assume
which was not your to take,
And challenged the Children's bread,
yet would not sin forsake.

86

Being too bold you laid fast hold,
where int'rest you had none,
Your selves deceiving by your believing,
all which you might have known
You ran away, but ran astray,
with Gospel-promises,
And perished, being still dead
in sins and trespasses

87

How oft did I Hypocrisie
and Hearts deceit unmask
Before your sight, giving you light
to know a Christians task?
But you held fast unto the last
your own Conceits so vain:
No warning could prevail, you would
your own Deceits retain.

88

As for your care to get a share
in bliss; the fear of Hell,
And of a part in endless smart,
did thereunto compel.
Your holiness and ways redress,
such as it was, did spring
From no true love to things above,
but from some other thing.

89

You pray'd & wept, you Fast-days kept;
but did you this to me?
No, but for sin, you sought to win,
the greater libertie.
For all your vaunts, you had vile haunts,
for which your Consciences
Did you alarm, whose voice to charm
you us'd these practices

90

Your Penitence, your diligence
to Read, to Pray, to Hear,
Were but to drown'd the clamorous sound
of Conscience in your ear
If light you lov'd, vain glory mov'd
your selves therewith to store,
That seeming wise, men might you prize,
and honour you the more.