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;

Alehouse Haunters & Fiends: Doom

Aug1

Michael Wigglesworth (1631—1705)

XXXI.

Blasphemers lewd, and Swearers shrewd,
scoffers at Purity,
That hated God, contemn’d his Rod,
and lov’d Security;
Sabbath-polluters, Saints-persecutors,
presumptuous men and proud,
Who never lov’d those that reprov’d;
all stand amongst this crowd.

XXXII.

Adulterers and Whoremongers
were there, with all unchast;
There Covetous and Ravenous,
that riches got too fast:
Who us’d vile ways themselves to raise
t’ Estates and worldly wealth,
Oppression by or knavery,
by force, or fraud, or stealth.

XXXIII.

Moreover, there together were
children flagiti-ous.
And Parents who did them, undo
by nurture vici-ous.
False-witness-bearers and self-forswearers,
Murd’rers and Men of Blood,
Witches, Enchanters, and Ale-house haunters,
beyond account there stood.

XXXIV.

Their place there find all Heathen blind
that Nature’s light abus’d,
Although they had no tidings glad
of Gospel grace refus’d
There stand all Nations and Generations
of Adam’s Progeny,
Whom Christ redeem’d not, whom he esteem’d not,
through Infidelity;

XXXV.

Who no Peace-maker, no undertaker,
to shroud them from God’s ire.
Ever obtain’d; they must be pain’d
with everlasting fire.
These num’rous bands, wringing their hands,
and weeping all stand there.
Filléd with anguish, whose hearts do languish,
through self-tormenting fear,

XXXVI.

Fast by them stand at Christ’s left hand,
the Lion fierce and fell.
The Dragon bold, that Serpent old,
that hurried Souls to Hell.
There also stand, under command,
legions of Sprites unclean.
And hellish Fiends, that are no friends
to God, nor unto Men.

Reprobates of the Left: Doom

Jul31

Michael Wigglesworth (1631—1705)

XXVI.

All stand before their Savior,
in long white Robes yclad,
Their countenance full of pleasance,
appearing wond’rous glad.
O glorious sight! Behold how bright
dust-heaps are made to shine.
Conforméd so their Lord unto,
whose Glory is Divine.

The Goats described, or the several sorts of Reprobates on the left hand

XXVII.

At Christ’s left hand the Goats do stand,
all whining Hypocrites
Who for self-ends did seem Christ’s friends,
but foster’d guileful sprites;
Who Sheep resembled, but they dissembled,
(their hearts were not sincere,)
Who once did throng Christ’s Lambs among,
but now must not come near.

XXVIII.

Apostates base and run-aways,
such as have Christ forsaken,
Of whom the Devil, with seven more evil,
hath fresh possession taken;
Sinners ingrain, reserv’d to pain,
and torments most severe,
Because ’gainst light they sinn’d with spite,
are also placed there.

XXIX.

There also stand a num’rous band,
that no profession made
Of Godliness, nor to redress
their ways at all essay’d;
Who better knew, but (sinful Crew)
Gospel and Law despiséd.
Who all Christ’s knocks withstood like blocks,
and would not be adviséd.

XXX.

Moreover, there with them appear
a number, numberless,
Of great and small, vile wretches all,
that did God’s Law transgress;
Idolaters, false worshippers,
Profaners of God’s Name,
Who not at all thereon did call,
or took in vain the same.

Lion Judges Livestock: Doom

Jul30

Michael Wigglesworth (1631—1705)

The Sheep separated from the Goats

XXI.

Thus every one before the Throne
of Christ the Judge is brought,
Both righteous and impious,
that good or ill hath wrought.
A separation and diff’ring station
by Christ appointed is
(To sinners sad) ’twixt good and bad,
’twixt Heirs of woe and bliss.

Who are Christ’s Sheep

XXII.

At Christ’s right hand the Sheep do stand,
his holy Martyrs, who
For his dear Name suffering shame,
calamity and woe.
Like Champions stood and with their Blood
their Testimony sealéd;
Whose innocence without offence
to Christ their Judge appealéd.

XXIII.

Next unto whom there find a room
all Christ’s afflicted ones,
Who being chastis’d, neither despis’d
nor sank amidst their groans;
Who by the Rod were turn’d to God,
and lovéd him the more,
Not murmuring nor quarrelling
when they were chast’ned sore.

XXIV.

Moreover, such as lovéd much,
that had not such a trial.
As might constrain to so great pain,
and such deep self-denial.
Yet ready were the Cross to bear,
when Christ them called thereto,
And did rejoice to hear his voice,—
they’re counted Sheep also.

XXV.

Christ’s flock of Lambs there also stands,
whose Faith was weak, yet true,
sound Believers (Gospel receivers)
those Grace was small, but grew;
And them among an Infant throng
of Babes, for whom Christ died;
Whom for his own, by ways unknown
to Men, he sanctified.