'Up slothful hearts!' - Kingo in great form again

Up, slothful hearts, without delay

Up, slothful hearts, without delay –

Asleep, secure, but drifting,

You worldy children, who on clay

Do build and sands fast shifting –

Look all around, the last trump’s sound

And Doomsday end life’s story,

God will his bride not here let bide,

But fetch to endless glory.

But ah! though all of nature be

In motion widely ranging,

Though sun and moon perceptibly

Their signs are always changing,

Though stars might fall, e’en so we all

In our old ways still wallow,

Though earth and sea did warn us, see

We still sin’s orbit follow.

One hears most everywhere of dread,

Of trials, sighs, tribulation,

All joy and pleasures killed stone dead,

And daily tears our station:

This world below’s like well-lit tow

Whose flame flares ere it’s falling,

Yet only few have heard the cue:

For betterment God’s calling.

Our sin and our indecency

To such a pitch have risen

That Heaven’s powers do shake, for we

Would treat God with derision:

We won’t begin to quit all sin,

Though threats from God are dire,

Act stubbornly, until we see

Our whole world is on fire.

What use is worldly splendour then?

All riches, glory, treasure?

What use is power o’er other men?

Wherein will we find pleasure?

Where is the nook to block each look

When Christ makes his appearing

High in the skies, us to apprise

Of judgments we are fearing?

True limbs of Christ, rejoice and smile,

Your hearts lift in elation,

Who under worldly might and guile

Have known such tribulation,

On Judgment Day God will repay,

Reward your firm endeavour,

Take you from woes, and earth’s hard blows

To heav’nly joy for ever.

O Jesus, o’er my heart stand guard,

So pleasures don’t pervert me,

So worldly lusts from me are barred,
Their venom fail to hurt me:

Help, Christ, I pray, on Judgment Day

That from you nought can sever,

Through your wounds’ pain I mercy gain

And sing your praise for ever.