Number the Sand upon the Strand, and atoms of the Air; And do thy best on Man and Beast, to reckon every Hair: Take all the Dust, if so thou lust, and add to thine Account: Yet shall the Years of Sinners' tears, the Number far surmount. Naught join'd to naught can ne'er make aught, nor Cyphers make a Sum; Nor things finite, to infinite by multiplying come: A Cockle-shell may serve as well to lade the Ocean dry As finite things and reckonings to bound Eternity. Oh happy they that live for aye, with Christ in Heav'n above! Who know withal that nothing shall deprive them of his love. _Eternity, Eternity!_ Oh! were it not for thee, The Saints in bliss and happiness could never happy be. 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. O 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 love, 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 Men'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.