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132

CCVII. NAOMI AND RUTH.

Adapted to the Minister and People.

Turn again, my children turn,
Wherefore would ye go with me?
O forbear, forbear to mourn,
Jesus wills it so to be:
Why, when God would have us part,
Weep ye thus, and break my heart?
Go, in peace my children go,
Only Jesu's steps pursue:
He shall pay the debt I owe,
He shall kindly deal with you;
He your sure reward shall be,
Bless you for your love to me.
Surely you have kindly dealt
With the living, and the dead;
You have oft my burden felt,
When my tears were all my bread:
Jesus lull you on His breast,
Jesus give you endless rest!
Lo! thy sister is gone back
To her gods, and people dear;
Weeping soul, a wretch forsake,
Why shouldst thou my sorrows bear?
Turn, and let thy troubles cease,
Go, my child, and go in peace.
O entreat me not to leave
Thee my faithful guide and friend;
Let me to my father cleave,
Let me hold thee to the end:
Thy own child in Christ I am,
Following thee, as thou the Lamb.
133

Never will I cease to mourn,
Till my Lord thy tears shall dry,
Never back from thee return,
Never from my father fly:
Do not ask me to depart,
Do not break thy children's heart.
Where thou goest, I still will go,
Thine shall be my soul's abode;
Thine shall be my weal or woe,
Thine my people and my God;
Where thou diest with joy will I
Lay my weary head, and die.
There will I my burial have,
(If it be the Master's will,)
Sleeping in a common grave,
Till the quickening trump I feel,
Call'd with thee to leave the tomb,
Summon'd to our happy doom.
God do so to me, and more,
If from thee, my guide, I part,
Till the mortal pang is o'er,
Will I hold thee in my heart;
And when I my breath resign,
Then thou art for ever mine.
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