Poetic flux « CONNECT/HOOK

Michael Wigglesworth (1631—1705)

LVI.

Now it comes in, and every sin
unto Men’s charge doth lay;
It judgeth them and doth condemn,
though all the “World say nay.
It so stingeth and tortureth,
it worketh such distress,
That each Man’s self against himself,
is forcéd to confess.

Secret sins and works of darkness brought to light

LVII.

It’s vain, moreover, for Men to cover
the least Iniquity;
The Judge hath seen, and privy been
to all their villainy.
He unto light and open sight
the work of darkness brings;
He doth unfold both new and old,
both known and hidden things.

LVIII.

All filthy facts and secret acts,
however closely done.
And long conceal’d, are there reveal’d
before the mid-day Sun.
Deeds of the night, shunning the light,
which darkest corners sought.
To fearful blame, and endless shame,
are there most justly brought.

LIX.

And as all facts, and grosser acts,
so every word and thought,
Erroneous notion and lustful motion,
are unto Judgment brought.
No Sin so small and trivial,
but hither it must come;
Nor so long past but now at last
it must receive a doom.

An account demanded of all their actions

LX.

At this sad season, Christ asks a Reason
(with just austerity)
Of Grace refus’d, of light abus’d
so oft, so wilfully;
Of Talents lent, by them misspent
and on their Lust bestown,
Which if improv’d as it behoov’d
Heav’n might have been their own;

Michael Wigglesworth (1631—1705)

That those whom they did wrong and slay,
must now their Judgment see!
Such whom they slighted and once despited,
must now their Judges be!
Thus ’tis decreed, such is their meed,
and guerdon glorious;
With Christ they sit, judging it fit
to plague the Impious.

The wicked brought to the Bar.

LI.

The wicked are brought to the Bar.
like guilty Malefactors,
That oftentimes of bloody Crimes
and Treasons have been Actors.
Of wicked Men, none are so mean
as there to be neglected;
Nor none so high in dignity
as there to be respected.

LII.

The glorious Judge will privilege
nor Emperor nor King;
But every one that hath misdone
doth unto judgment bring.
And every one that hath misdone,
the Judge impartially
Condemneth to eternal woe,
and endless misery.

LIII.

Thus one and all, thus great and small,
the Rich as well as Poor,
And those of place, as the most base,
do stand the Judge before.
They are arraign’d, and there detain’d
before Christ’s Judgment seat,
With trembling fear their Doom to hear,
and feel his Anger’s heat.

LIV.

There Christ demands at all their hands
a strict and straight account
Of all things done under the Sun,
whose number far surmount
Man’s wit and thought: they all are brought
unto this solemn Trial,
And each offense with evidence,
so that there’s no denial.

LV.

There’s no excuse for their abuse,
since their own Consciences
More proof give in of each Man’s sin,
than thousand Witnesses.
Though formerly this faculty
had grossly been abuséd,
(Men could it stifle, or with it trifle,
when as it them accuséd,)