THE DAY OF DOOM Still was the night, Serene & Bright, Calm was the season, & carnal reason thought so 't would last for ay. "Soul, take thine ease; let sorrow cease; much good thou hast in store:" This was their Song, their Cups among, Wallowing in all kind of sin, vile wretches lay secure: The best of men had scarcely then Virgins unwise, who through disguise amongst the best were number'd, Had clos'd their eyes; yea, and the wise through sloth and frailty slumber'd. Like as of old, when Men grow bold God's threatnings to contemn, 5 ΤΟ 15 Did throughly win to God from sin many a wretched wight." "All this," quoth he, "may granted be, and your case little better'd, Who still remain under a chain and many irons fetter'd. You that the dead have quickened and rescu'd from the grave, Your selves were dead, yet never need a Christ your Souls to save.". . . . Then at the Bar arraigned are an impudenter sort, Who, to evade the guilt that 's laid upon them, thus retort: "How could we cease thus to transgress, how could we Hell avoid, Whom Gods Decree shut out from thee, and sign'd to be destroy'd?". . . . Christ readily makes this Reply: but you have broke my Laws; It is but vain your wits to strain, the end and means to sever: Men fondly seek to part or break what God hath link'd together. 95 100 105 110 115 120 |