Where thou mayst dwell for ever in the light
Of that long glorious day that fears no night?
But who can willingly submit to death,
Which will bereave us of our life and breath;
That lays our flesh to rot in loathsome graves,
Where brains and eyes were, leaves but ugly caves?
So nature breaks and casts away the shell,
Where the now beauteous singing-bird did dwell.
The secundine that once the infant cloath'd,
After the birth, is cast away and loath'd.
Thus roses drop their sweet leaves under-foot;
But the spring shews that life was in the root.
Souls are the roots of bodies: Christ the head
Is root of both, and will revive the dead.
Our sun still shineth when with us it's night
When he returns, we shall shine in his light.
Souls that behold, and praise God with the just,
Mourn not because their bodies are but dust.
Graves are but beds, where flesh till morning sleeps:
Or chests where God awhile our garments keeps.
Our folly thinks he spoils them in the keeping;
Which causeth our excessive fears and weeping:
But God, that doth our rising day foresee,
Pities not rotting flesh so much as we.
The birth of nature was deform'd by sin:
The birth of grace did our repair begin:
The birth of glory at the resurrection
Finisheth all, and brings both to perfection.
Why should not fruit when it is mellow, fall?
Why should we linger here when God doth call?
The things and persons in this world I see;
But after death, I know not what will be.
Know'st thou not that which God himself hath spoken?
Thou hast his promise which was never broken.
Reason proclaims that noble heav'n-born souls,
Are made for higher things than worms and moles.
God has not made such faculties in vain,
Nor made his service a deluding pain.
But faith resolves all doubts, and hears the Lord
Telling us plainly by his holy word,
That uncloath'd souls shall with their Saviour dwell,
Triumphing over sin, and death, and hell.
And by the power of Almighty love,
Stars shall arise from graves to shine above.
There we shall see the glorious face of God:
His blessed presence shall be our abode :
The face that banisheth all doubts and fears;
Shuts out all sins, and drieth up all tears..
That face which darkeneth the sun's bright rays,
Shall shine us into everlasting joys.
Where saints and angels shall make up one choir,
To praise the Great Jehovah evermore.
Reason not with me against sight and sense:
I doubt all this is but a vain pretence.
Words against nature are not worth a rush:
One bird in hand is worth two in the bush.
If God will give me heav'n at last, I'll take it:
But for my pleasure here, I'll not forsake it.
And wilt thou keep it? brutish flesh how long?
Wilt thou not shortly sing another song?
When conscience is awakened, keep thy mirth !
When sickness and death comes, hold fast this earth:
Live if thou canst, when God saith come away:
Try whether all thy friends can cause thy stay.
Wilt thou tell death and God, thou wilt not die?
And wilt thou the consuming fire defy?
Art thou not sure to let go what thou hast?
And doth not reason bid thee then forecast,
And value the least hope of endless joys,
Before known vanities and dying toys?
And can the Lord that is most just and wise,
Found all man's duty in deceit and lies?
GET thee behind me satan; thou dost favour
The things of flesh, and not his dearest favour,
Who is my life, and light, and love, and all,
And so shall be whatever shall befal.
It is not thou, but I, that must discern,
And must resolve: It's I that hold the stern:
Be silent Flesh; speak not against my God;
Or else he'll teach thee better by the rod.
I am resolved thou shalt live and die,
A servant, or a conquered enemy.
LORD, charge not on me what this rebel says,
That always was against me and thy ways!
Now stop its mouth by grace, that shortly must
Through just but gainful death, be stopt with dust.
The thoughts and words of Flesh are none of mine,
Let Flesh say what it will, I will be thine.
Whatever this rebellious Flesh shall prate,
Let me but serve thee, Lord, at any rate.
Use me on earth as seemeth good to thee,
So I in heaven thy glorious face may see.
Take down my pride: let me dwell at thy feet:
The humble are for earth and heav'n most meet.
Renouncing Flesh, I vow myself to thee,
With all the talents thou hast lent to me.
Let me not stick at honour, wealth or blood:
Let all my days be spent in doing good.
Let me not trifle out more precious hours;
But serve thee now with all my strength and powers.
If Flesh would tempt me to deny my hand;
Lord, these are the resolves to which I stand.
ITS EXERCISE IN TWENTY PARTICULAR CASES.
HELPS TO OBTAIN AND USE IT; AND TO REPRESS IMPATIENCE.
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