Malignant world, adieu! Where no foul vice is new-- Only to Satan true, 75 God still offended; Though taught and warned by God, And his chastising rod, Keeps still the way that’s broad, Never amended. 80 Baptismal vows some make, But ne’er perform them; If angels from heaven spake, ’Twould not reform them. They dig for hell beneath, 85 They labour hard for death, Run themselves out of breath To overtake it. Hell is not had for naught, Damnation’s dearly bought, 90 And with great labour sought; They’ll not forsake it. Their souls are Satan’s fee-- He’ll not abate it; Grace is refused that’s free, 95 Mad sinners hate it. Is this the world men choose, For which they heaven refuse, And Christ and grace abuse, And not receive it? 100 Shall I not guilty be Of this in some degree, If hence God would me free, And I’d not leave it; My soul, from Sodom fly, 105 Lest wrath there find thee; Thy refuge-rest is nigh; Look not behind thee! There’s none of this ado, 110 None of the hellish crew; God’s promise is most true, Boldly believe it. My friends are gone before, And I am near the shore; 115 My soul stands at the door, O Lord, receive it! It trusts Christ and his merits, The dead He raises; Join it with blessed spirits, 120 Who sing thy praises. _Richard Baxter._ CXXXIII _HYMN FOR ADVENT; OR CHRIST’S COMING TO JERUSALEM IN TRIUMPH._