She nor believ'd, to serve nor ever strove,
But disregarded ev'ry call he gave.
She wore religion's cloak, but fashion bade
Her, else on sabbath-day, lay it aside
And t'other six to use the gaudy dress
Of pompous revel and licentiousness.
Lo, she this hallow'd day mock'd piety,
Though then pretended big with sanctity;
I say pretended, for her heart was still
Immers'd in lust, and of its venom full,
Which kept corrupting, dragging on the mind
To hell; for when her tongue profess'd inclin'd
To utter prayer to the throne of grace,
Her thoughts were trav'lling in the path of vice.
Cannot exist a more disgusting sight
Than a proud, haughty, envious parasite.
Or an ambitious brute by riches led
To bid defiance to the laws of God,
And rev'rence hell in ev'ry word and work,
In mind the savage, and in deed the Turk.
Remember thou, that Majesty on high Descended to the earth proud man to shew A bless'd example of humility,
Teach how to live to reach felicity!
Born in a stable was the heavenly Babe!
There on a straw truss, man, thy God was laid!
He for associates chose the humble poor,
He eat, He drank within the pauper's door;
Made want His care, and penury His friend
Pure charity respected and esteem'd.
He never thought it lower'd His dignity
To fix esteem on pious poverty;
But meek and humble for companions took,
And lov'd the soul who pride's delights forsook.
Then why didst thou not from thy Saviour learn,
Let His example teach thee to discern,
That pride's a pest, a curs'd infernal foe,
Who sure would drag thee to eternal wo;
A potent hellish lure to frenzy raise,
And for thy sov'reign king of ills to choose.
Her womb conceiv'd the devil, but in hell
She plung'd her first-born; 'twas through her he fell,
And Tartarus first stock'd, still she augments
Its population. How she now presents
Her sable prince with subjects, earthly born
From wealth's prolific and luxurious womb,
Her Polypus of multifarious spawn,
That fill'd Erebus with swarm after swarm!
O how her gaudy sons strove to retain
Life big with ill till death's last summons came !
A wounded conscience then most acute stung,
The frantic soul exuded horror's groan,
And rav'd within her lump of crumbling clay
The moment dreading that call'd her away.
O how the fading eye sprang sorrow's stream,
And the faint panting heart beat mournful time,
Increasing as the awful dreaded hour
Of certain dissolution crept more near !
As dimm'd life's spark how each despairing mourn Spoke terror till exhausted was the flame,
And the dejected soul took fearful flight
And left her load to sleep in death's long night.
But view thou pride and earthly splendour now,
They meet not here the low adoring bow;
Their grandeur's flown, their lordly power's lost,
Their pageantry is tumbled into dust.
And how detested in eternity!
See, God's bless'd saints disdain their company!
No complimental flattery meets the ear,
Nor fulsome praise, to greet their coming here,
O what a change obtrudes! those once despis'd,
Lo, they behold to exaltation rais'd;
Whilst each, upon the dreadful precipice
Of wo, stands shudd'ring, viewing the abyss
Of torment, and, in horrid watchful charge,
Fiends brandishing the fiery scorpion-scourge
To whip to hell their self-devoted slave;
With taunts and scoffs from land of light to drive
Him to the dungeon of eternal pain
The moment his just condemnation's given.
Thou hearest now in what lamenting strain
They all regret the loss of precious time
They have abus'd, but ought to have employ'd
In honoring a gracious loving God.
Thou see'st them humbled, and by fear depress'd,
With horror viewing vicious actions past,
Ill deeds uncancell'd by repentance when
Were years allow'd, but now for ever gone,
And they, rous'd from long sleep, oblig❜d to wait
A righteous judgment from a Judge upright.
CHORUS OF ALL THE PROPHETS AND
INSPIRED SAINTS.
Remember sinners, we your duty told,
Had you perform'd it you had liv'd; but bold
To violate it, 'twas your vicious will
Which sent you in eternal wo to dwell;
We say 'twas yours, and not the will of God
That hell awards you for your last abode,
And forces divine justice to condemn
To misery, and everlasting pain.
You heard us not, nor let our words advise,
As fleeting life traversed transient days,
To, while allowed, ev'ry hour improve
In honoring the God who reigns above;
So now your lives are pass'd in enmity
To Him who calls into eternity;
And every comfort of contrition's fled,
And is arriv'd the day of just award
When He takes cognizance of actions done,
And scrutinizes all the deeds of time;
And by the words and works of life's short space Will surely give all lasting pain or peace.
THE SAINT IN GLORY.
My song shall quit this heart disgusting scene, And give thy ear the more delightful strain: Yon lovely blooming groups are the redeem'd Who honored God, and are by Him esteem'd.
Thou see'st angelic heralds as they pass
Them, sweetly smile, cast looks of tenderness;
Most pleasing greet with love's pure compliment,
And welcome give with smiles of sweet content.
Look, how delighted faithful pastors stand,
Who've led their flocks to see a happy land!
See glory sparkling round their august heads,
And seraphs guiding them to blest abodes!
Resolv'd their great Redeemer to adore,
They fled the wiles of Babel's lofty whore,
Whose sons, elated by the fumes of pride,
Assiduous strove their conduct to deride,
Drove sheep and shepherd to the wilderness,
Compell'd them there to drink of bitterness;
Whilst malice and revenge, and rage, issu'd
To drown the whole in flowing seas of blood.
With fiery zeal these harass'd and revil'd,
And cast the scoffings of a wicked world;
Yet all hell's furies failed to efface
Their faith and love fix'd on the Saviour's grace.
These bless'd promoters of Jehovah's cause, These faithful teachers of His holy laws, To rule their lives His gospel only took, Whilst sweet humility their goodness spoke, Told they fear'd God, and loved all mankind Their souls to virtue were alone inclin'd. Conjointly faith and sanctity within
Them glow'd, displaying eloquence divine, Which souls converted, list'ning hearts impress'd
With piety, and cheered the distress'd.
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