POETRY: Hell by Thomas Ken

When, go ye, cursed, God proclaims, And sinners plunge in endless flames, Think, O my soul, what mighty pain, The damned sustain. Self-rage for breach of gracious laws, The worm of conscience which still gnaws, Confusion, terror, trembling, shame, And fierce self-blame. Heaven lost, the choice of torments sure, Souls tempered tortures to endure, Gnashing of teeth, outrageous fire, And darkness dire. How long have I ‘gainst God rebelled? How many gracious calls repelled? More hardships ran to work my bane Than Heaven would gain. My pestilence I oft diffused, Great God’s long suffering I abused, And damned to these eternal woes, Have what I chose. All praise to God who spares me time, To search and mourn for every crime; Souls armed with penitential tear, Hell never fear.