Sion in distress or, the groans of the Protestant chruch [by Benjamin Keach] |
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An Alarm to the Wise and Foolish Virgins.
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 | Sion in distress |  |
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An Alarm to the Wise and Foolish Virgins.
I
All you that fear the Lord, give earTo what I do indite,
There is a cry, the Bridegrooms nigh,
'Tis near the midst of Night.
II
Rouse up, awake, your Lamps to take,And longer do not slumber;
You must them trim, to tend on him
Into the Wedding Chamber.
III
You Virgins all, to you I call,What Oil have you in store?
If you have none, you are undone,
Then look to it therefore.
IV
Watch then alway, Our Lord doth say,None knows the day nor hour
Watch carefully, for you are nigh
The day of his great Power.
124
V
With speed arise, lift up your Eies,The Day-Star doth appear,
Rise from your Bed, raise up your Head,
Redemption's very near.
VI
Such as are wise, their time do prize,Preparing for their Lord,
To them he will, his Word fulfil
And his sweet smiles afford.
VII
But Fools do hast, their time to wasteIn sleep and slothfulness;
Yet such presume, they shall assume
His Glory ne'r the less.
VIII
But they indeed on fancys feed,'Twill come to such an Ebb,
That they shall see their hopes will be
Like to the Spiders Web.
IX
They still do keep themselves asleep,And know not where they be,
Were they awake, how would they quake
Their woful State to see?
125
X
You who remain so very vain,And in a formal state,
And all the while have got no Oil,
You'll mourn when 'tis too late.
XI
You who profess, and not possessThe Truth in Life and Power;
Your state is bad, and will be sad
Before this day be o'er.
XII
You have the Shel, but no Kernel,The Chaff but not the Wheat,
The Husks you take, and do forsake
Your Souls most precious Meat.
XIII
'Tis the last Day, O! therefore pray,And faithful now abide
Unto the Lord with one accord,
And be on the Lambs side.
XIV
Still have a care, and do not dareIn Babel to remain;
For if you do, then must you know,
With her you shall be slain.
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XV
Come, hast away without delay,With all speed and indeavour,
Her end is come, her fatal Doom,
Therefore your Souls deliver.
XVI
You now do hear, her Ruine's near,Your Sins therefore forsake,
And you'll prevent the punishment
Of which she must partake.
XVII
All her Pleasures and rich TreasuresHate as monstrous evil,
Gods Word doth shew, who love them do,
Shall go unto the Devil.
XVIII
You must remove, your dearest LoveFrom Earth, and things thereof;
For this hath bin a crying Sin,
Now cast it therefore off.
XIX
On things above, set all your love,Affections and desire;
These things below, God will o'erthrow
With his Consuming Fire.
127
XX
Alas poor Souls! be not such FoolsTo labour for the Wind,
The Wealth you heap, you shall not keep,
As you e're long will find.
XXI
You must not rest on Self-Intrest,But wholy for the Lord,
He'll else at last you surely blast,
According to his Word.
XXII
There are some Men, cry loud, When, when,Wilt thou in Glory come?
But few repent, or do relent,
And pray for his Kingdom.
XXIII
But such shall see, with them 'twill beAs when one 'scapes a Bear,
Which being gone, Lyons come on,
Which do in peices tear.
XXIV
Subdue your Sin; for it hath beenYour greatest Enemy:
If that does reign, you strive in vain,
You must it Crucifie.
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XXV
In every Land, there's none shall standAnd happy be indeed,
But only those whom God hath chose,
Who on Christ Jesus feed.
XXVI
O therefore cry continuallyFor Christ and precious Grace
That being blest, you all may rest
When you have run your race.
XXVII
The great Bridegroom when he doth come,Will all such entertain,
And you shall then be happy Men,
And with him ever Reign.
XXVIII
He'll place you high in Majesty,Your honour shall excel;
And so I'll end, who am your Friend
And bid you all farewel.
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