Cogitations upon Death, or, The Mirror of Man's Misery (2)/Cogitations upon Death
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THE MIRROR OF MAN'S
MISERY.
MISERY.
I have such dread when I should die
not knowing how, nor in what place,
Thro' course of kind he comes to me,
into his arms would me embrace,
He spares not the rich for their riches
nor on the poor hath he pity,
this causes me to say, Alas!
and have such dread when I should die.
When I lie sick on my death-bed,
and all my life brought to an end;
then all the sins that e'er I did
will all come fresh into my mind.
Crying, We are all works of thine,
and now we are to go with thee
to bear witness what thou hast done,
which makes me dread when I should die.
Then growth of grief and great despair,
will melt my heart and break my gall
that for my flesh I took such care,
but gain'd no grace for my poor soul:
and now no time remains at all,
to mend my life chat none may see,
but go to judgement general,
this makes me dread when I should die.
Then when my breath begins to fail,
my feet and hands do lose their might,
my fear is for the fiends of hell!
for they come flying on a flight.
And every one shall see that sight,
for at our ending they shall be,
reaving our souls, if they have right;
this makes me dread when I should die.
And then I fear that bitter pain,
how death shall come and break my heart
with many thratch and grievous groan,
when he shall strike me with his dart.
He will make me to feel the smart,
and sting of death most cruelly,
before my life from me depart;
this makes me dread when I shall die.
And then I fear this wilsome way,
where I must wend when I am gone,
for none come back by night nor day,
their friends and neighbours to forewarn
Whether they be in joy or pain,
they must remain continually,
for we are valued at our worth;
this makes me dread when I should die.
I fear what shall become of me,
in that great day of God's just wrath,
then furious flames of fire on high,
o'spread the surface of the earth,
Which will amaze all his creatures,
both man and beast, and fowls that fly,
and every thing that draweth breath;
this makes me dread when I shall die,
Then Christ the king of righteousness
who ruleth all at his command,
will come with glory thro' the skies,
with angels bright, a full great band.
Then round about him they shall stand,
beholding still his Majesty;
his face shall shine through all the land;
this makes me dread when I shall die.
Then shall he send his good angels,
with trumpets sounding loud and shrill,
throughout the parts of all the earth,
to raise the dead and bring him till,
Although it be against their will,
to come before his Majesty,
yet force and might shall them compel;
this makes me dread when I should die.
The heaven and earth shall fly away,
and hide them from his angry face:
before that he begins to try
all sinners for their wickedness:
Alas! that is a woeful case,
for sinners all in each degree,
when heaven & earth shall take the chace
this makes me dread when I shall die.
The all the dead both great & small,
shall be brought in for breach of law,
then Christ shall charge his servants all
to set them right upon a raw.
And he his bloody wounds will show,
saying, What hast thou done for me?
then sinful men shall stand great awe;
this makes me dread when I shall die.
And thus our courts begin to make
when we are call'd to our misdeeds,
none shall escape for any's sake,
but every one his own roll reads,
he shall tell forth with all good speed,
both good and evil what'er it be,
and every one his sins shall read;
this makes me dread when I shall die.
Into his book there shall be writ,
all their misdeeds and wicked works,
all profane words that they have spoke,
and all unclean and wandering thoughts.
their love to sin shall be dear bought,
for then they shall both prove and see,
the wage shall be as they have wrought
this makes me dread when I shall die.
This large market of God's free grace,
that stood ay since Christ Jesus came,
shall be cry'd down but longer space,
and ne'er to be proclaim'd again.
Because they would not take their time
therefore the gates of his mercy
for ever shall be clos'd on them;
this makes me dread when I shall die.
Then Satan with a great army
of damned spirits will come no flight
crying, O judge who sits on high,
on sinners all now do me right,
who get thy law far out of sight,
and served me most willingly,
with cares and pains both day and night,
this makes me dread when I shall die.
What malice have ye had at me,
then Christ shall say to sinners all,
that ran to serve my enemy,
and me disdain'd when I did call.
Was I and my reward so small,
that ye disdain'd to worship me?
therefore I'll now disown you all;
this makes me dread when I shall die.
I gave you life like to myself,
with wisdom, wit, and holiness.
and made you lords o'er all the earth.
both fish and fowl, and its fulness,
yea, over all these my creatures,
which were for your commodity:
And after ye broke my commands,
and brought yourself in snare of death,
I left my glory in the heavens,
humbled myself and came to earth,
to suffer sorrow, pain, and grief,
with scorn, disgrace and misery,
yet where is all your thankfulness,
and duty ye did owe to me?
They bound me like a common thief,
my back and sides with scourges dang,
they plait, and put upon my head
a crown of thorns both sharp and lang,
my sight grew dim, my head hang down,
I lost my life most painfully,
but now where's all your thankfulness,
and duty ye did owe to me?
And then they led me to the cross,
and nail'd me fast both feet and hands,
full oft they spat into my face,
a spear throughout my side they ran,
the streams of blood which then outran
ran down my sides most piteously;
but now no part have ye therein;
this may you dread when thou'rt to die.
You have embrac'd more joyfulness
in one hour's pleasure of your sin,
than all the love you had to me,
since I put life your breast within,
My precious blood full fast did run,
out thro' my side abundantly,
yet now no part have ye therein;
which may thee dread when thour't to die.
When Christ begins for to propound,
she dreadful doom of life and death,
she hopeless soul shall faint and groan,
before the sentence pass their teeth;
with weeping eyes and doleful voice,
they shall lament most piteously,
that ever they were made, alas;
this makes me dread when I shall die.
They shall be safe, I dare well say,
who are well ruled at his right hand,
and pass to heaven the self same day,
with music, mith, and angels sound.
but wretches ail who have done wrong,
shall cry to hills and mountains high,
that they would fall them down upon:
this makes are dread when I shall die.
Then in wrath he shall cry forth,
depart from me, ye cursed band,
for on the poor ye had no reuth,
nor stood in awe at my command;
Therefore begone, no longer stand,
my face again ye shall ne'er see,
but still in darkness to remain;
this makes me dread when I shall die.
Then if your doom be once out gone,
remeid shall then be past for ay,
tho' they would weep and make great moan,
even till their eyes would melt away,
and tho' they would both kneel & pray,
even till their flesh were from their knee,
yet all shall not avail that day;
this makes me dread when I shall die.
And then tho' all the saints above,
and eke the glorious angels all,
would kneel down at the feet of Christ,
and mercy beg for one poor soul,
yet Christ would then deny them all,
and say nay nay, that cannot be,
they would not hear when I did call
this makes me dread when I shall die.
Then hope of health they shall gi' o'er,
when cries and tears make them no stead,
and then blaspheme for great despair,
and curse the thing that did them good,
Yea, curse their father that them begat,
the mother that bare in her belly,
and eke the earth whereon they sat;
this makes me dread when I shall die.
Then God who gave them life & breath
and made then all of dust and clay,
they shall him curse into his face,
because he hath cast them away;
Crying, wo, wo, and wail away,
that ever we this day did see,
for we are lost for ever and ay;
this makes me dread when I shall die.
The precious blood of Jesus Christ,
they shall it curse with great disdain,
that bought so many thousand souls,
because no drop was shed for them.
To save them from that bitter pain,
which by, no craft they now can flee,
nor, yet by force of might or main;
this makes me dread when I shall die.
But Christ he will not suffer long
them to blaspheme in his presence;
but soon will bid cast over them,
in the black vale of his vengeance,
and then lead them away from thence,
and cast them in with that menzie,
into the pit of endless pain;
this makes me dread when I must die.
Then Christ shall close the mouth of hell
and bar them from the light of day
then shall they all both shout & yeil,
when flesh and blood begins to fry
in firey flames most furiously,
without all hopes to be set free,
for evermore therein to ly;
this makes me dread when I shall die.
Then shall they swarm in that great flame
like worms into an earthly fire,
and they therein shall still remain,
till that God's wrath begins to tiro;
But sure that time will never come,
when God's just wrath reveng'd shall be,
upon their silly sonls for sin;
this makes me dread when I shall die.
Alas! it is a longsome night,
where day will never dawn again;
Alas! it is a tearful sight,
where there is everlasting pain;
Alas! it is a longsome cry,
which God nor man will not pity,
nor hear their moan wherein they lie;
this makes me dread when I shall die.
These blasphemers who stand no awe,
God's holy name for to abuse;
but make it like a childish ba'
to catch it on where'er they please,
their souls shall there get no more ease,
but in these flames shall scorched be,
by wicked spirits and damned devils;
this makes me dread when I shall die.
These gluttons and these drunkards all,
who made a god of their belly,
but gain'd no grace for their poor soul,
shall then be forc'd to cry sorely,
for one small drop of cold water,
and yet it shall not granted be,
to cool their tongue in flaming fire;
this makes me dread when I shall die.
These whores who have no modestly,
nor any shame, or saving grace,
but live in lust and lechery,
hunting their prey in every place,
their arms shall then be made embrace
both night and day continually,
the doleful flames of black darkness;
this makes me dread when I shall die,
These proud persons that brag & boast
of honor, wealth, and their great King,
but car'd not to dishonor Christ,
rejecting saints belong to him;
these idols Christ shall put from him,
and cloath all most dolefully,
with long black robes of lasting shame;
this makes me dread when I shall die.
These covetous and worldly worms,
who put their trust in their riches,
and will not deal the poor on alms,
when they stand crying at their gate;
Therefore in hell they shall be sure
to cry out for recovery,
when there is none then to relieve;
this makes me dread when I shall die.
These murderers and common thieves,
who labour not with honesty,
but set themselves to steal and reave,
as if they were no God to see.
The Lord shall then bereave them all
of all his gifts and glory,
and banish them to hell's sore pains,
this makes me dread when I shall die.
To sing I will no longer stay,
for fear that I do you molest,
of choices then I have but two,
therefore be sure to choose the best.
The first is love, and joy, and rest,
the next is pain without pity,
for we are call'd away in haste;
this makes me dread when I shall die.
Therefore my counsel to us all,
is to repent and mend with speed,
and to prepare for the poor soul,
before the time be past remeed:
and ay hold sin at deadly feud,
and serve our God most carefully,
then shall we have no cause to dread,
nor fear the time that we should die.
not knowing how, nor in what place,
Thro' course of kind he comes to me,
into his arms would me embrace,
He spares not the rich for their riches
nor on the poor hath he pity,
this causes me to say, Alas!
and have such dread when I should die.
When I lie sick on my death-bed,
and all my life brought to an end;
then all the sins that e'er I did
will all come fresh into my mind.
Crying, We are all works of thine,
and now we are to go with thee
to bear witness what thou hast done,
which makes me dread when I should die.
Then growth of grief and great despair,
will melt my heart and break my gall
that for my flesh I took such care,
but gain'd no grace for my poor soul:
and now no time remains at all,
to mend my life chat none may see,
but go to judgement general,
this makes me dread when I should die.
Then when my breath begins to fail,
my feet and hands do lose their might,
my fear is for the fiends of hell!
for they come flying on a flight.
And every one shall see that sight,
for at our ending they shall be,
reaving our souls, if they have right;
this makes me dread when I should die.
And then I fear that bitter pain,
how death shall come and break my heart
with many thratch and grievous groan,
when he shall strike me with his dart.
He will make me to feel the smart,
and sting of death most cruelly,
before my life from me depart;
this makes me dread when I shall die.
And then I fear this wilsome way,
where I must wend when I am gone,
for none come back by night nor day,
their friends and neighbours to forewarn
Whether they be in joy or pain,
they must remain continually,
for we are valued at our worth;
this makes me dread when I should die.
I fear what shall become of me,
in that great day of God's just wrath,
then furious flames of fire on high,
o'spread the surface of the earth,
Which will amaze all his creatures,
both man and beast, and fowls that fly,
and every thing that draweth breath;
this makes me dread when I shall die,
Then Christ the king of righteousness
who ruleth all at his command,
will come with glory thro' the skies,
with angels bright, a full great band.
Then round about him they shall stand,
beholding still his Majesty;
his face shall shine through all the land;
this makes me dread when I shall die.
Then shall he send his good angels,
with trumpets sounding loud and shrill,
throughout the parts of all the earth,
to raise the dead and bring him till,
Although it be against their will,
to come before his Majesty,
yet force and might shall them compel;
this makes me dread when I should die.
The heaven and earth shall fly away,
and hide them from his angry face:
before that he begins to try
all sinners for their wickedness:
Alas! that is a woeful case,
for sinners all in each degree,
when heaven & earth shall take the chace
this makes me dread when I shall die.
The all the dead both great & small,
shall be brought in for breach of law,
then Christ shall charge his servants all
to set them right upon a raw.
And he his bloody wounds will show,
saying, What hast thou done for me?
then sinful men shall stand great awe;
this makes me dread when I shall die.
And thus our courts begin to make
when we are call'd to our misdeeds,
none shall escape for any's sake,
but every one his own roll reads,
he shall tell forth with all good speed,
both good and evil what'er it be,
and every one his sins shall read;
this makes me dread when I shall die.
Into his book there shall be writ,
all their misdeeds and wicked works,
all profane words that they have spoke,
and all unclean and wandering thoughts.
their love to sin shall be dear bought,
for then they shall both prove and see,
the wage shall be as they have wrought
this makes me dread when I shall die.
This large market of God's free grace,
that stood ay since Christ Jesus came,
shall be cry'd down but longer space,
and ne'er to be proclaim'd again.
Because they would not take their time
therefore the gates of his mercy
for ever shall be clos'd on them;
this makes me dread when I shall die.
Then Satan with a great army
of damned spirits will come no flight
crying, O judge who sits on high,
on sinners all now do me right,
who get thy law far out of sight,
and served me most willingly,
with cares and pains both day and night,
this makes me dread when I shall die.
What malice have ye had at me,
then Christ shall say to sinners all,
that ran to serve my enemy,
and me disdain'd when I did call.
Was I and my reward so small,
that ye disdain'd to worship me?
therefore I'll now disown you all;
this makes me dread when I shall die.
I gave you life like to myself,
with wisdom, wit, and holiness.
and made you lords o'er all the earth.
both fish and fowl, and its fulness,
yea, over all these my creatures,
which were for your commodity:
And after ye broke my commands,
and brought yourself in snare of death,
I left my glory in the heavens,
humbled myself and came to earth,
to suffer sorrow, pain, and grief,
with scorn, disgrace and misery,
yet where is all your thankfulness,
and duty ye did owe to me?
They bound me like a common thief,
my back and sides with scourges dang,
they plait, and put upon my head
a crown of thorns both sharp and lang,
my sight grew dim, my head hang down,
I lost my life most painfully,
but now where's all your thankfulness,
and duty ye did owe to me?
And then they led me to the cross,
and nail'd me fast both feet and hands,
full oft they spat into my face,
a spear throughout my side they ran,
the streams of blood which then outran
ran down my sides most piteously;
but now no part have ye therein;
this may you dread when thou'rt to die.
You have embrac'd more joyfulness
in one hour's pleasure of your sin,
than all the love you had to me,
since I put life your breast within,
My precious blood full fast did run,
out thro' my side abundantly,
yet now no part have ye therein;
which may thee dread when thour't to die.
When Christ begins for to propound,
she dreadful doom of life and death,
she hopeless soul shall faint and groan,
before the sentence pass their teeth;
with weeping eyes and doleful voice,
they shall lament most piteously,
that ever they were made, alas;
this makes me dread when I shall die.
They shall be safe, I dare well say,
who are well ruled at his right hand,
and pass to heaven the self same day,
with music, mith, and angels sound.
but wretches ail who have done wrong,
shall cry to hills and mountains high,
that they would fall them down upon:
this makes are dread when I shall die.
Then in wrath he shall cry forth,
depart from me, ye cursed band,
for on the poor ye had no reuth,
nor stood in awe at my command;
Therefore begone, no longer stand,
my face again ye shall ne'er see,
but still in darkness to remain;
this makes me dread when I shall die.
Then if your doom be once out gone,
remeid shall then be past for ay,
tho' they would weep and make great moan,
even till their eyes would melt away,
and tho' they would both kneel & pray,
even till their flesh were from their knee,
yet all shall not avail that day;
this makes me dread when I shall die.
And then tho' all the saints above,
and eke the glorious angels all,
would kneel down at the feet of Christ,
and mercy beg for one poor soul,
yet Christ would then deny them all,
and say nay nay, that cannot be,
they would not hear when I did call
this makes me dread when I shall die.
Then hope of health they shall gi' o'er,
when cries and tears make them no stead,
and then blaspheme for great despair,
and curse the thing that did them good,
Yea, curse their father that them begat,
the mother that bare in her belly,
and eke the earth whereon they sat;
this makes me dread when I shall die.
Then God who gave them life & breath
and made then all of dust and clay,
they shall him curse into his face,
because he hath cast them away;
Crying, wo, wo, and wail away,
that ever we this day did see,
for we are lost for ever and ay;
this makes me dread when I shall die.
The precious blood of Jesus Christ,
they shall it curse with great disdain,
that bought so many thousand souls,
because no drop was shed for them.
To save them from that bitter pain,
which by, no craft they now can flee,
nor, yet by force of might or main;
this makes me dread when I shall die.
But Christ he will not suffer long
them to blaspheme in his presence;
but soon will bid cast over them,
in the black vale of his vengeance,
and then lead them away from thence,
and cast them in with that menzie,
into the pit of endless pain;
this makes me dread when I must die.
Then Christ shall close the mouth of hell
and bar them from the light of day
then shall they all both shout & yeil,
when flesh and blood begins to fry
in firey flames most furiously,
without all hopes to be set free,
for evermore therein to ly;
this makes me dread when I shall die.
Then shall they swarm in that great flame
like worms into an earthly fire,
and they therein shall still remain,
till that God's wrath begins to tiro;
But sure that time will never come,
when God's just wrath reveng'd shall be,
upon their silly sonls for sin;
this makes me dread when I shall die.
Alas! it is a longsome night,
where day will never dawn again;
Alas! it is a tearful sight,
where there is everlasting pain;
Alas! it is a longsome cry,
which God nor man will not pity,
nor hear their moan wherein they lie;
this makes me dread when I shall die.
These blasphemers who stand no awe,
God's holy name for to abuse;
but make it like a childish ba'
to catch it on where'er they please,
their souls shall there get no more ease,
but in these flames shall scorched be,
by wicked spirits and damned devils;
this makes me dread when I shall die.
These gluttons and these drunkards all,
who made a god of their belly,
but gain'd no grace for their poor soul,
shall then be forc'd to cry sorely,
for one small drop of cold water,
and yet it shall not granted be,
to cool their tongue in flaming fire;
this makes me dread when I shall die.
These whores who have no modestly,
nor any shame, or saving grace,
but live in lust and lechery,
hunting their prey in every place,
their arms shall then be made embrace
both night and day continually,
the doleful flames of black darkness;
this makes me dread when I shall die,
These proud persons that brag & boast
of honor, wealth, and their great King,
but car'd not to dishonor Christ,
rejecting saints belong to him;
these idols Christ shall put from him,
and cloath all most dolefully,
with long black robes of lasting shame;
this makes me dread when I shall die.
These covetous and worldly worms,
who put their trust in their riches,
and will not deal the poor on alms,
when they stand crying at their gate;
Therefore in hell they shall be sure
to cry out for recovery,
when there is none then to relieve;
this makes me dread when I shall die.
These murderers and common thieves,
who labour not with honesty,
but set themselves to steal and reave,
as if they were no God to see.
The Lord shall then bereave them all
of all his gifts and glory,
and banish them to hell's sore pains,
this makes me dread when I shall die.
To sing I will no longer stay,
for fear that I do you molest,
of choices then I have but two,
therefore be sure to choose the best.
The first is love, and joy, and rest,
the next is pain without pity,
for we are call'd away in haste;
this makes me dread when I shall die.
Therefore my counsel to us all,
is to repent and mend with speed,
and to prepare for the poor soul,
before the time be past remeed:
and ay hold sin at deadly feud,
and serve our God most carefully,
then shall we have no cause to dread,
nor fear the time that we should die.
An Epitome of Promises, for the Saint's
Support in time of Trouble.
That God hath freely Loved his Elect in
Christ Jesus
I will be gracious to whom I will be
gracious, and I will shew mercy on whom
I will shew mercy, Exod. xxxix. 19.
I even I, am he that blotteth out transgression
for mine own name sake, Isa. xliii. 25.
I have blotted out as a thick cloud
thy transgressions, Isa. xliv. 22.
I will heal their backslidings: I will
love them freely, Hos. xiv. 4.
That God hath given Christ to death for
his Elect.
I will put enmity between thee and
the woman; it shall bruise thy head and
thou shalt bruise his heel, Gen. iii. 15.
But he was wounded for our transgressions,
Isa. liii. v.
When he shall make his soul an offering
for sin, ver. 10.
He was numbered with the transgressors,
and bare the sins of many, ver. 12.
Seventy weeks are determined upon
by my people, to finish transgression,
and to make an end of sin, Dan. iv. 24.
That we are freely justified by
JESUS CHRIST.
So by the obedience of one, many
shall be made righteous, Rom, v. 18.
And are justified freely by his grace,
through the redemption that is in Christ
Jesus, Eph. iii. 34.
Support in time of Trouble.
That God hath freely Loved his Elect in
Christ Jesus
I will be gracious to whom I will be
gracious, and I will shew mercy on whom
I will shew mercy, Exod. xxxix. 19.
I even I, am he that blotteth out transgression
for mine own name sake, Isa. xliii. 25.
I have blotted out as a thick cloud
thy transgressions, Isa. xliv. 22.
I will heal their backslidings: I will
love them freely, Hos. xiv. 4.
That God hath given Christ to death for
his Elect.
I will put enmity between thee and
the woman; it shall bruise thy head and
thou shalt bruise his heel, Gen. iii. 15.
But he was wounded for our transgressions,
Isa. liii. v.
When he shall make his soul an offering
for sin, ver. 10.
He was numbered with the transgressors,
and bare the sins of many, ver. 12.
Seventy weeks are determined upon
by my people, to finish transgression,
and to make an end of sin, Dan. iv. 24.
That we are freely justified by
JESUS CHRIST.
So by the obedience of one, many
shall be made righteous, Rom, v. 18.
And are justified freely by his grace,
through the redemption that is in Christ
Jesus, Eph. iii. 34.
FINIS.