The Choir and The Oratory or Praise and Prayer. By Josiah Conder |
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 | The Choir and The Oratory |  |
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VIII.
“It is finished.”—John xix. 30.
'Tis finished;—every circumstance fulfilled;
The conflict o'er; the sacrifice complete.
So He laid down His life, and went to meet
Death in his own domain:—not till He willed,
Yielding His breath; self-offered, but not killed.
That voice of power, it spoke of Hell's defeat;
It rent the veil before the mercy-seat;
Through the dark regions of the dead it thrilled:—
Earth trembled; and the solid rocks were rent;
The Grave its Victor, its Invader, knew.
No need of costly balms, with fond intent
That which saw no corruption to imbue.
Go, seal the stone, and all approach prevent.—
He burst the bands of death, and Heaven's gate open threw.
| The Choir and The Oratory | |