The Judgment-Day.

God hides from man the reck'ning day, that he
May fear it ever for uncertainty;
That being ignorant of that one, he may
Expect the coming of it every day.

Let not that day God's friends and servants scare;
The bench is then their place, and not the bar.

If all transgressions here should have their pay,
What need there then be of a reckoning day?
If God should punish no sin here of men,
His providence who would not question then?

God in His own day will be then severe
To punish great sins, who small faults whipt here.

When I shall sin, pardon my trespass here;
For once in hell, none knows remission there.

The gods to kings the judgment give to sway:
The subjects only glory to obey.