Hymn LX. Another Hymn encouraging against the feare of Death.
[_]
The Sick, are here taught to encourage their Soules to
be willing to leave this Life, and enjoy the perfections
of the next world. And, to that end, some Jnconveniences
of this Life; and some of the Benefits,
which the Faithfull enjoy by Immortality, are
mentioned in this Hymn.
Sing this, as I loved once.
[1]
My Soul, why dost thou linger so,
And in thy prison, seeke to stay?
Since thou art summon'd hence to go,
By Sicknesse, which prepares thy way?
VVhy would'st thou loyter longer here
Perplext with pains, and vext with Fear?
God cals us hence, Come, come along,
And, let us meet him with a Song.
2
VVhy, on this Carkasse dost thou dote,
VVherewith, too long thou hast been cloth'd?
VVhat have you by your Friendships got,
But Sin and Sorrowes to be loth'd?
Since, thou hast Licence to be free,
No longer now, inthralled be;
But, come away; come, come along,
And meet thy Maker with a Song.
3
Thy wanton flesh (to thee so Dear)
By searching where thy strength was laid;
Hath oft (though friendly she appear)
Vnto thy Passions, thee betraid.
This Troup, with her, still watching lies,
To put out Faith's and Reasons eies.
These Foes, then stay thou not among;
But, fly thou from them with a Song.
4
Consider this unhappie place,
How full it is of discontent.
Remember well thy noble Race,
And from whose Bosome, thou wast sent.
There is a place reserv'd for Thee,
Where endlesse Joyes and Pleasures be:
From thence thou tarriest over-long,
Fly, fly thou thither with a Song:
5
Thine Essence, here, becomes impure:
But, there, it shall refined grow.
Thy knowledge, here, is but obscure:
There, ev'ry Secret thou shalt know.
Though poore thou art, and sleighted here;
Thou shalt be rich, and honor'd there.
Therefore, thy Blisse no more prolong:
But, fly thou thither with a Song.
6
Here, spightfull men, and wicked Fiends,
To marre thy Quiet are inclin'd.
There, for thy Fellowes, and thy Friends,
Both Saints and Angels thou shalt find.
There, thou shalt both behold and know,
Thy pious Friends dead long agoe;
And Hallelujah, those among,
Shall be, thine Everlasting-Song.
7
Moreover, there, thou shalt behold,
Those Worthies, whose deserved praise,
For vertuous Deeds, in times of old,
Hath made them famous in those daies.
And, more then this; thou there shalt see
The Son of God, who dide for thee.
Then, do not here thy stay prolong;
But, goe, and praise him in a Song.
8
Go, view the glorie of his face;
Go, kisse his wounds for thee receiv'd;
Go, and his blessed feet embrace:
Go, and possesse what was beleev'd.
Go, and confesse with Saba's Queen,
That lesse is told, then may be seen:
And since Report his Fame doth wrong,
Enlarge his Glory in thy Song.
9
Go, and in God, those Ioyes possesse,
And, that well-being (without end)
Which language never could expresse,
Nor Heart of mortall apprehend.
There, praise the Founder of that Blisse.
And, when thy Body raised is;
(Which, God will bring to passe ere long)
Praise Him, together in one Song.
