Page:TheParadiseOfTheChristianSoul.djvu/718



Day of  Wrath!— that  dreadful day

Shall the  earth  in  ashes  lay,

David and  the  Sibyl  say.

Oh, the  trembling  that  shall be.

When the  world  its  Judge shall see

Come for  strictest  scrutiny!

Then the  trump,  with  thrilling tone,

From the  tombs  of  ages  gone,

All shall  cite  before  the throne.

Death and  Time  it  shall  appal.

When shall  rise  dead  creatures all,

Answ’ring to  the  Judge’s call

Then the  Volume  shall  be spread,

And the  writing  from  it  read

Try the  living  and  the  dead.

There th’  all-seeing  Judge’s ken

Shall review  dark  deeds  of men,

Nought shall  go  unpunish’d then.

What shall  I then,  wretched, plead?

Who for  me  shall  intercede,

When the  just  shall  succour need?

King of  dreadful  majesty,

Who dost  save  with  ransom free:

Fount of  Pity,  save  thou  me!

Gracious Jesu,  call  to  mind:

Hast thou  Heaven  for  me resign’d,

Thus to  woe  to  be  consign’d?

Thou wert  weary  seeking  me,

Suff’redst for  me  on  the  Tree;

Let thy  toil  not  fruitless  be!

Judge of  justice,  spare,  I pray;

Cleanse my  stains  of  guilt away,

Ere the  awful  reck’ning  day!

Sighs and  groans  my  sin  bespeak,

Guilt is  blushing  on  my cheek;

Thy forgiveness,  Lord,  I seek.

Thou from  sin  didst  Mary free,

Heardst the  robber  on  the tree,

Hope hast  likewise  giv’n  to me.

Worthless are  my  prayers,  I know;

Yet be  gracious,  Lord,  that  so

I may ’scape  th’  eternal  woe.

Make me  with  thy  sheep  to stand,

Of the  goats  not  in  the  band,

Placing me  on  thy  right  hand.

When th’  accurst  in  anguish flee

Into flames  of  misery,

With the  Blessed  call  thou me.