Classic Poem

151

You, sinful Crew, no other knew
but you might be elect.
Why did you me reject?
Where was your strife to gain that life
which lasteth evermore?
You never knock'd, yet say God lock'd
against you Heav'ns door.

152

'Twas no vain task to knock, to ask,
whilst life continued
Whoever sought heav'n as he ought,
and seeking perished?
The lowly meek who truly seek
for Christ, and for Salvation,
There's no Decree whereby such be
ordain'd to Condemnation.

153

You argue than; But abject men,
whom God resolves to spill,
Cannot repent; nor their hearts rent;
ne can they change their will.
Not for his Can is any man
adjudged into Hell:
But for his Will to do what's ill,
and nilling to do well.

154

I often stood tend'ring my Blood
to wash away your guilt:
And eke my Spright to frame you right,
lest your Souls should be split.
But you vile Race, rejected Grace,
when Grace was freely proffer'd:
No changed heart, no heav'nly part
would you, when it was offer'd.

155

Who wilfully the Remedy,
and means of life contemned,
Cause have the same themselves to blame,
if now they be condemned.
You have your selves, you and none else,
your selves have done to dy.
You chose the way to your decay,
and perisht wilfully.

156

These words appall and daunt them all;
dismai'd, and all amort,
Like stocks they stand at Christ's left-hand,
and dare no more retort.
Then were brought near with trembling fear,
a number numberless
Of blind Heathen, and bruitish men,
that did Gods Laws transgress.

157

Whose wicked ways Christ open layes,
and makes their sins appear,
They making pleas their case to ease,
if not themselves to clear.
Thy written Word (say they) good Lord,
we never did enjoy:
We nor refus'd, nor it abus'd,
Oh, do not us destroy!

158

You ne'r abus'd, nor yet refus'd
my written Word, you plead,
That's true (quoth he) therefore shall ye
the less be punished.
You shall not smart for any part
of other mens offence,
But for your own transgression
receive due recompence.

159

But we were blind, say they, in mind,
too dim was Natures Light,
Our only guide, as hath been try'd
to bring us to the sight
Of our estate degenerate,
and curst by Adam's Fall;
How we were born and lay forlorn
in bondage and in thrall.

160

We did not know a Christ till now,
nor how faln man be saved,
Else would we not, right well we wot,
have so our selves behaved
We should have mourn'd, we should have turn'd
from sin at thy Reproof,
And been more wise through thy advice,
for our own Souls behoof.