Meditation XII

Come, welcome death, the end of fear,
I am prepared to die;
I trust my soul will straight ascend,
Up to the Lord on high.

Alas! and am I born to die! O, my soul, wilt thou ere long take thy flight to realms of endless bliss, or to the shades of darkest night, and leave this frail tenement? Will these eyes be closed, a lump of cold and lifeless clay; these lips cease to speak, and this heart cease to beat; these hands and feet become inactive, cold and stiff; and this form of mine become food for worms, and turn to dust? Alas! alas! how mournful is the thought! But, pale messenger, I fear thee not, with all thy grim and ghastly terrors, for my Redeemer lives. He lives, and he is able to disarm thee of thy sting; and no one is able to pluck me out of my Redeemer's hand. He will safely carry me through the dark valley and the shadow of death, and angels will convey me to heaven. Then, while my body lies mouldering here, my soul shall rest from all sorrows, and shall chant the praises of my Redeemer till the last trumpet shall sound; then shall my sleeping dust awake, and my soul and body be reunited, and fly with transport to meet my Saviour, when he shall come with ten thousand of his saints and angels to take vengeance on his enemies.

The trumpet sounds,
Hell trembles,
Heaven rejoices;
Lift up your heads, ye saints, with cheerful voices,
No more shall atheist mock his long delay.
His vengeance sleeps no more.
Behold the day!
His guards are nigh;
Tempest and fire attend him down the sky.
When God appears,
All nations shall adore him;
Whilst sinners tremble,
Saints rejoice before him.

Prayer

Almighty God, it is the glorious hope of a blessed immortality beyond the grave that supports thy children through this vale of tears. Forever blessed be thy name, that thou hast implanted this hope in my bosom. If thou hast indeed plucked my soul as a brand from the burning, it is not because thou hast seen any worth in me; but it is because of thy distinguishing mercy, for mercy is thy darling attribute, and thou delightest in mercy, and art not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to the knowledge of the truth as it is in Jesus. Clothe my soul with humility as with a garment. Grant that I may bring forth the fruits of a meek and quiet spirit. Enable me to adorn the doctrines of God my Saviour by a well-regulated life and conversation, May I become holy, even as thou art holy, and pure, even as thou art pure. Bless all my friends and benefactors — those who have given me a cup of cold water in thy name, the Lord reward them. Forgive all my enemies. May I love them that hate me, and pray for them that despitefully use and persecute me. Preserve me from slanderous tongues, O God, and let not my good be evil spoken of. Let not a repining thought enter my heart, nor a murmuring sigh heave from my bosom; but may I cheerfully bear with all the trials of life. Clothe me with the pure robes of Christ's righteousness, and that when he shall come in flaming fire to judge the world, I may appear before him with joy, and not with grief; and not only for myself do I ask these blessings, but for all the sons and daughters of Adam, as thou art no respecter of persons, and as all distinctions wither in the grave. Grant all prejudices and animosities may cease from among men. May we all realize that promotion cometh not from the East nor from the West, but that it is God that putteth up one and setteth down another. May the rich be rich in faith and good works toward our Lord Jesus Christ, and may the poor have an inheritance among the saints in light, a crown incorruptible that fadeth not away, eternal in the heavens. And now what wait we for? Be pleased to grant that we may at last join with all the Israel of God in celebrating thy praise.