The Punish'd Atheist:
Or, The Miserable End of a North Country Gentleman, who, to
obtain his lewd Desires on a Lady, his own Sister, deny'd that there was ei-
ther Heaven or Hell, GOD, or Devil; when at the same time of his utter-
ing those Blaspemous Expressions, he was made a sad Example of God's Ju-
stice. Tune, Jealous Lover. Licensed according to Order.
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AN Atheist lived in the North,
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Who underwent God's heavy Wrath,
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Through the blasphemous Words he spoke,
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Which did his Maker much provoke.
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He having left his lawful Wife,
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Led such a lewd and wicked Life,
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That he was clearly void of fear,
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The like of him you ne'r did hear.
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His Sister was a Lady fair,
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Whole Beauty shin'd beyond compare,
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A pious Woman, eke was she,
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And wedded to a high degree.
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At length he plac'd his chief delight,
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In his fair Sister's Beauty bright,
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And likewise was resolv'd to try,
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If she his will would satisfie.
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To her he went upon a day,
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And found her in the Garden gay,
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Where walking with her all alone,
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His base Desires he made known.
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He being then with Lust inflam'd,
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It seems, he wan't the least asham'd.
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To tempt this fare and virtuous Bride;
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But Christian like, she thus reply'd,
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You strike me with astonishment,
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The Lord forbid I should consent,
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To such a Hellish crying Sin,
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Which none but Sodom wallow'd in.
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Dear Brother, hear me what I say,
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Consider with yourself, I pray,
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Can you indure the pains of Hell?
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Or with eternal Torments dwell?
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For that you may expect indeed,
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If true Repentance now with speed,
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Does not God's gracious Pardon gain.
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He scoft at that with proud disdain,
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Said he, [My] loving Sister dear,
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No God or Devil need you fear,
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For there is no such thing I'm sure,
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Nor any Torments to endure:
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Tho' you are pleased to relate,
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A Story here of Torments great,
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And of a latter Judgment day,
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I'd not believe what any say.
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I know they are but fancies then,
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Writ by the wiser sort of Men,
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To keep poor silly Souls in awe;
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I'll ne'er be govern'd by that law.
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Nay, further still, he did reply,
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Do not the least my suit deny,
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And then if any Hell there be,
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The Flames I will endure for thee.
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These Words did so provoke the Lord,
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T[h]at straight he sent him his reward
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For while his Sister from him turn'd,
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A sulferous Fire round him burn'd,
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The Fire flam'd like Brimstone blew,
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And straight above his Knees it hew,
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All round him then on e'ry side;
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Then he with bitter Howlings cry'd,
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Dear Sister, now I wish in vain,
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That I had not been so profain,
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As to deny there was a God,
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I feel this day his burning Rrod.
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The Lady then was in a fright,
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To see this dreadful dismal sight,
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No time at all she then delay'd,
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But ran immediately for aid.
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With staves they came to pull him forth,
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But low his hands and fingers both
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Was so benum'd and swell'd withal,
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He could not help himself at all.
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He filll'd the skies with groans and cries,
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Till his blasphemous Tongue and Eyes,
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With anguish dropt out of his Head,
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At length the Wretch fell down for dead
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The Fire squench'd when as he fell,
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His Carcass sent forth such a smell,
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That no one could the place endure;
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O this was Heaven's Vengeance sure.
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When sinful Mortals dare deny,
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The being of a Deity
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They may expect that in the end[,]
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God will [His] fearful Vengeance send.
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Let all Blasphemers far and near,
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That Hath this sad Relation hear,
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Repent, and bear these things in mind,
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So may thy Grace and Mercy find.
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