To the Soul that is proud, dark Demons appear

To the soul that is proud, dark demons appear,
Whispering lies – that it’s holy and pure,
Or they plunge it in deep despair,
Saying salvation will never be there.

Who prays with a heart still sullied by pride
Sees demons arise where the saints should reside,
Taking bright forms, as if clothed in light,
To drag down the soul into endless night.

Without humble awe, none may approach God’s throne,
Without tears of repentance, no heart is made clean.
Without holy fear, no love can be known –
Without love, a slave or a hireling remains.
Without purity, never the Eternal Light shown.

No contrite heart ever sees Truth’s radiant glow,
And none shall be saved but by Grace freely given,
Dwelling in souls by His mercy made shriven.

None shall enter the Kingdom above
Who did not first enter through faith and love.
Once soul from body is torn apart,
Too late to seek God – too late to start.

Too late to weep, too late to pray,
Only to wait for the Judgment Day –
For every thought, for each hidden deed,
When all that was secret shall rise, revealed.

Keep your mind in hell, yet do not despair,
Count yourself worthy of torment untold,
Worse than all creatures, demons, and men –
And God’s mercy will hold you then.