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

BECOMING AMERICA
SEVENTEENTH CENTURY ENGLISH COLONIAL LITERATURE
of Adam’s Progeny,
Whom Christ redeem’d not, who Christ esteem’d not
throught indelity.
XXXV
Who no Peace-maker, no Undertaker
to shrowd them from God’s ire
Ever obtained; they must be pained
with everlasting re.
These num’rous bands, wringing their hands,
and weeping, all stand there,
Filled with anguish, whose hearts do languish
through self-tormenting fear.
XXX
Fast by them stand at Christ’s left hand
the Lion erce and fell,
The Dragon bold, that Serpent old
that hurried Souls to Hell.
There also stand, under command,
Legions of Sprights unclean.
And hellish Fiends that are no friends
to God, nor unto men.
XXXVII
With dismal chains and strong reins,
like prisoners of Hell,
They’r held in place before Christ’s face,
till he their Doom shall tell.
These void of tears, but ll’d with fears,
and dreadful expectation
Of endless pains, and scalding ames,
stand waiting for Damnation.
XXXVIII
All silence kept, both Goats and Sheep,
before the Judges Throne:
With mild aspect to his Elect
then spake the Holy One:
My Sheep draw near, your sentence hear,
which is to you no dread,
Who clearly now discern, and know
your sins are pardoned.
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