The Works of the Reverend and Learned Isaac Watts, D. D. Containing, besides his Sermons, and Essays on miscellaneous subjects, several additional pieces, Selected from his Manuscripts by the Rev. Dr. Jennings, and the Rev. Dr. Doddridge, in 1753: to which are prefixed, memoirs of the life of the author, compiled by the Rev. George Burder. In six volumes |
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A Sight of Heaven in Sickness.
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 | The Works of the Reverend and Learned Isaac Watts, D. D. |  |
A Sight of Heaven in Sickness.
I
Oft have I sat in secret sighs,To feel my flesh decay,
Then groan'd aloud with frighted eyes,
To view the tott'ring clay.
II
But I forbid my sorrows now,Nor dares the flesh complain;
Diseases bring their profit too;
The joy o'ercomes the pain.
III
My cheerful soul now all the daySits waiting here and sings;
Looks thro' the ruins of her clay,
And practises her wings.
IV
Faith almost changes into sight,While from afar she spies,
Her fair inheritance, in light
Above created skies.
V
Had but the prison walls been strong,And firm without a flaw,
In darkness she had dwelt too long,
And les of glory saw.
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VI
But now the everlasting hillsThro' every chink appear,
And something of the joy she feels,
While she's a pris'ner here.
VII
The shines of heaven rush sweetly inAt all the gaping flaws;
Visions of endless bliss are seen;
And native air she draws.
VIII
O may these walls stand tott'ring still,The breaches never close,
If I must here in darkness dwell,
And all this glory lose!
IX
Or rather let this flesh decay,The ruins wider grow,
'Till glad to see th'enlarged way,
I stretch my pinions through.
| The Works of the Reverend and Learned Isaac Watts, D. D. | |