Poetical fragments heart-employment with God and it selfPoetical fragments heart-imployment with God and it self

Then did thy Light detect the vanity Of all the Joys and Hopes below the Sky. The fruitless bustle which the Worldling makes; The madness of the course the Sinner takes; The wicked world I thought a Bedlam was: And senseless Sinners hearts were stone or brass: I wondered men could live so carelessly, Ready to pass into Eternity! ⟨p. 12⟩And O how easily could I confute All that against a holy life dispute?

Then did thy Light detect the vanity Of all the Joys and Hopes below the Sky. The fruitless bussle which the Worldling makes; The madness of the course the Sinner takes; The wicked world I thought a Bedlam was: And sensless Sinners hearts were stone or brass: I wondred men could live so carelesly, Ready to pass into Eternity! ⟨p. 12⟩And O how easily could I confute All that against a holy life dispute?

I wondered at my self that staid so long, So little touched with Arguments so strong! Laughing and playing, as if all were well, For ought I knew, near to the brink of Hell. I marvelled at my former senselessness! My sin and misery I did confess. And now what horrid darkness on my mind, Never before lamented did I find? Sin was like sickness in my flesh and bone, Which only by the Book before was known.

I wondred at my self that staid so long, So little toucht with Arguments so strong! Laughing and playing, as if all were well, For ought I knew, near to the brink of Hell. I marvell'd at my former senslesness! My sin and misery I did confess. And now what horrid darkness on my mind, Never before lamented did I find? Sin was like sickness in my flesh and bone, Which only by the Book before was known.