10 The greatest foes of man are now
The world, the flesh, the devil;
And yet, ere long, we'll surely find
In Death a greater evil.
11 How little now it seems to die -
To gain the suit or lose it?
But when the doom is of thyself
How great thy care to chose it?
12 We care, at present, not a jot
Which way our gains may turn us;
Eternal life, howe'er so great,
We think can not concern us.
13 But when thou'rt hedged on every side
And Death himself is nearest,
For one brief, ling'ring space we'll give
Whate'er to us is dearest.
14 Think not that thou canst make thy terms
For thine eternal dwelling,
On either side of that dread gulf,
With death thy steps compelling.
15 Repentence, faith, and righteousness,
Alone are thy Salvation,
And in the agony of Death
Shall be thy consolation.
16 And when the world is passing by,
Its joys and pleasures ending,
Infinite thou wilt deem their worth
When to the bourne descending!
III.--THE VISION OF HELL
One April morning, bright and mild, when earth was with verdure laden,
and Britain, like a paradise, had donned its brilliant livery,
foretelling summer's sunshine, I sauntered along the banks of the Severn,
while around me, chaunting their sweet carols, the forest's little
songsters in rivalry poured forth songs of praise to their Maker; and I,
who was far more bounden than they to give praise, at one while lifted up
my voice with the gentle winged choristers, and at another read "The
Practice of Piety.
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