The Conflagration. (annext to a Sermon on 2 Pet. iii. 11. Jan. 27, 1750-1.)

Now Harmony adjusts the World, And charming Order round me smiles: Ere long Confusion shall be hurl'd, And break and shatter Nature's Wheels.

The Day approaches, (dreadful Day!) When Chaos shall resume his Place? This mighty Frame of Things decay, And vanish in the general Blaze.

Ye azure Arches, lost in Smoke, Shall shrink, affrighted, to a Scroll: The Pillars of high Heaven be broke, While Lightnings glare from Pole to Pole.

Thou too, accurst terrestial Ball, That saw the Son of GOD expire; Thou and thy Works shall perish all, And sink in universal Fire.

Horrendous Sight! A World in Flames! Thunders loud rumbling thro' the Air! Dire Lightnings flashing fiery Streams, And glating red and vengeful there!

Mountains wide-bursting! liquid Fire In glowing Torrents rushing down! Rocks, Stones, fierce Min'rals, Sulphur dire Melting, the Plains and Vallies drown!

Old Ocean of its Moisture dry'd, Receives the fierce descending Tide: Thither dissolving Worlds retire, And form a boundless Lake of Fire.

With loud Aetnean Thunders roars The Globe, with Earthquakes tost and torn; Palaces, Cities, Castles, Tow'rs, Towns, Wood and Plains united burn.

And where! O where shall Sinners then Flee from the universal Wreck! Aghast they view the burning Main, And plunge into the sulph'rous Lake.

There overwhelm'd, the rebel Worms Lie ever, ever, ever lost! Beaten with everlasting Storms, On fiery Eddies whirl'd and tost.

But ye dear Saints, ye pious Few, JESUS shall screen your feeble Souls: Safe from on high your Eyes shall view The burning Earth and melting Poles.

JESUS shall live when Nature dies; And while he lives, you must be blest: Behold he forms new Earth and Skies, Where you eternal Years shall rest.

Let Earth and Skies, convuls'd and torn, To common Desolation fall; Mountains dissolve, and Oceans burn, GOD is your Bliss, your Heav'n, your ALL.