Becoming America - An Exploration of American Literature from Precolonial to Post-Revolution, 2018a

BECOMING AMERICA
SEVENTEENTH CENTURY ENGLISH COLONIAL LITERATURE
XXVI
All stand before their Saviour
in long white Robes [. . .] clad,
Their countenance [. . .] ull of pleasance,
appearing wondrous glad.
O glorious sight I behold how bright
dust heaps are made to shine,
Conformed so their Lord unto,
whose glory is divine.
XXVII
At Christs left hand the Goats do stand,
all whining Hypocrites,
Who for self-ends did seem Christ’s friends,
but fost’red guileful sprites:
Who Sheep resembled, but they dissembled
(their heart was not sincere)
Who once did throng Christ’s Lambs among;
but now must not come near.
XXVIII
Apostata’s, and Run-away’s,
such as have Christ forsaken,
(Of whom the the Devil, with seven more evil,
hath fresh possession taken:
Sinners in grain, reserv’d to pain
and torments most severe)
Because ‘gainst light they sinn’d with spight,
are also placed there.
XXIX
There also stand a num’rous band,
that no profession made
Of Godliness, nor to redress
their wayes at all assay’d:
Who better knew, but (sin [. . .] ul Crew [. . .])
Gospel and Law despised;
Who all Christ’s knocks withstood like blocks,
and would not be advised.
XXX
Moreover there with them appear
a number numberless
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