University of Virginia Library

183.

[What Christian crowds the kingdom lose]

But the children of the kingdom shall be cast, &c. —viii. 12.

What Christian crowds the kingdom lose,
Which heathens and barbarians gain!
The church's sons their Head refuse,
They will not in His glory reign,
Will not the cross and crown receive,
Or die with Christ, with Christ to live.
A moment's joy they dearly buy,
Consign'd to endless pains in hell,
Gnaw'd by the worm that cannot die,
Scorch'd by the fire unquenchable,
Who might have sung on seraphs' thrones,
They justly pour eternal groans.