University of Virginia Library

AN ELEGY UPON THE MUCH LAMENTED DECEASE OF THE REVEREND AND EXCELLENT MR. JOSEPH BELCHER,

Late Faithful Pastor of the Church of Christ in Dedham, N. E. Qui Obiit, April 27, Anno Dom. 1723. Aetat. Suae 53.

THE Name of BELCHER long has Bless'd the State
With Heroes in Succession Good and Great:
And Bless'd the Church too, with a Radiant Star,
A Man of GOD, an Angel-Tutelar.
The Sin, we must Arraign, and not the Doom,
That brings our Saints and Heroes to the Tomb;
Adore the Sovereign Grace, (when they Remove,)
That takes their Souls to the blest Seats above.
Darker than Midnight, is this Day's Eclipse:
We flow in tears upon the Dying Lips;
The Lips, that did with heavenly Nectar flow,
And every Sabbath Bless the Church below.
Such as GOD Honours, we should Honour too;
And view their Death as a Presage of woe:
May Heav'n Avert it! Such may be Distressed,
Whom th' shines for 30 Years have not Impressed.
Yet bless we CHRIST, that we may not complain
And say, His Faithful Labours were in vain:
By this bless'd Instrument, this Heavenly Guide,
Many Converted, many Edify'd.
Bred in the Eagle's Nest and taught to fly,
Travers'd the Circle of Philosophy;
Thirsty of Arts, He many an Helicon
Drank up, as thirsty Stars drink up the Sun.
Made noblest Flights up to the upper Region,
Feasted best at the Banquets of Religion.
His Learning vast, like Moses and like Paul,
To GOD in CHRIST He sacrific'd it all.
His Rule and Conduct, Prudent, Steady, Mild,
Honour'd the House of GOD and th' Chair he fill'd.
His 'Scutcheon, Glorious Vertues; and His Crest
Humility, the Crown of all the Rest.
By Breath of Heav'n this saving Trumpet blown,
The Walls of Jericho came tumbling down.
A Friend unto New-England's first-best-ways;
To th' Constitution that the Scripture lays.
The Teacher Dextrous and Laborious;
The Word he Taught, Divinely-Glorious;
He liv'd it all: To walk the way He trod,
(Prove it who will,) will bring a man to GOD.
Stopt is the Conduit-Pipe that did Supply
GOD's Holy Church, and many a Family,
Abundantly, and that for many a Year:
Then Run to the Fount', and take Refreshment there.
This Loss so Public of such vast Extent,
Christ's Ministers throughout the Land, Lament.
Heav'ns Balm we need; for Bitter is the Cup;
Great is the Breach: JEHOVAH make it up.
Thine Alsufficient Blessing, Gracious LORD!
To Consort, Children, and the Church afford!
May they in their Distress Depend on THEE;
And thy great Goodness now and ever see!
The Heavenly Temple, and the Earthly Tomb
Have each a part, till th' Resurrection come.
Our Part were humbling to the last Degree
But that his Dust united is with THEE,
Blest JESUS! waiting till the Jubilee,
And that there's left us, His Immortal Memorie.