For if they were in any fear   that this their joy might cease, It would annoy (if not destroy)   and interrupt their peace. But being sure it shall endure   so long as God shall live; The thoughts of this, unto their bliss,   do full perfection give. Cheer up ye Saints amidst your wants   and sorrows many a one; Lift up the head, shake off all dread,   and moderate your moan. Your sufferings and evil things   will suddenly be past; Your sweet Fruitions and blessed Visions,   for evermore shall last. Lament and mourn you that must burn   amidst those flaming Seas: If once you come to such a doom,   for ever farewell ease. sad estate and desperate,   that never can be mended, Until God’s Will shall change, or till   Eternity be ended! If any one this Questi-on   shall unto me propound: What! have the years of Sinners’ tears   no limits or no bound? It kills our heart to think of smart,   and pains that last for ever; And hear of fire that shall expire,   or be extinguish’d never, I’ll answer make (and let them take   my words as I intend them; For this is all the Cordi-al   that here I have to lend them:) When Heav’n shall cease to flow with peace   and all felicity. Then Hell may cease to be the place   of Woe and Misery. When Heav’n is Hell, when Ill is Well,   when Virtue turns to Vice; When Wrong is Right, when Dark is Light,   when Naught is of great price; Then may the years of Sinners’ tears   and sufferings expire. And all the Hosts of damnéd Ghosts   escape out of Hell-fire. When Christ above shall cease to lovo,   when God shall cease to reign And be no more as heretofore   the World’s great Sovéreign; Or not be just, or favor lust,   or in IMen’s sins delight; Then wicked men (and not till then)   to Heav’n may take their flight. When God’s great Power shall be brought lower,   by foreign Puissance, Or be decay’d and weaker made   through Time’s continuance; When drowsiness shall him oppress,   and lay him fast asleep, Then sinful men may break their pen,   and out of Prison creep. When those in Glory shall be right sorry   they may not change their place, And wish to dwell with those in Hell,   never to see Christ’s face; Then those in pain may freedom gain   and be with Glory dight: Then Hellish fiends may be Christ’s Friends,   and Heirs of Heaven hight. Then, ah! poor men! What! not till then?   No, not an hour before; For God is just, and therefore must   torment them evermore. ETERNITY! ETERNITY! thou mak’st hard hearts to bleed:   The thoughts of thee in misery,   do make men wail indeed. When they remind what’s still behind   and ponder this word NEVER, That they must there be made to bear   God’s Vengeance for EVER : The thought of this more bitter is   than all they feel beside; Yet what they feel, nor heart of steel,   nor flesh of brass can bide.