they will also persecute you. And are we then thus honoured? be glad, O ye saints and servants of the Most High! 13. Nor shall thy assistance, Lord, fail us in that gloomy hour: thy holy martyrs already testify this comfortable truth: their tortures hast thou made easy; yea, they have rejoiced amidst scorpions, flames, and death! 14. Livest thou, O christian, in better days? art not thou called to follow thy master in the way of blood? 15. Yet rest assured thou shalt suffer persecution from evil hands and tongues--suffer with Christ thou must, whoever thou art, that wouldst be glorified with him? 16. And hear and rejoice-thou art therefore blessed-"Blessed are they which re persecuted for righteousness' sake, for theirs is the kingdom of God; blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my name's sake; rejoice, and be exceeding glad, for great is your reward in heaven!" 17. Thou wouldst not then wish to be a Chris tian and live without persecution.? 18. But oh, be well aware of thyself: see that thou givest no just cause for it; 19. Since the persecution and reviling only is blessed which comes upon thee because thou hast the mind which was in Christ, and because thot art his for his name's sake. 20. The evil spoken of thee must be false-and the enmity arising only hence, because thou art not as other men, worldly, carnal, sensual. 21. Mark, then, and be circumspect in thy goings; be above measure careful in thy outward walking; for the enemy watcheth for an occasion of wrong; yea he lieth in wait to entrap and ensnare thee. 22. But if upholden by the grace of God, thou continuest upright when persecution assails thee, when evil tongues and hands lay fast hold of thee, rejoice, be exceeding glad, leap for joy→ for great is thy reward in heaven; thou, like thy Master, through sufferings, shalt pass into glory. CHAPTER XI, DEATH AND JUDGMENT 1. O death! where is thy sting! Jesus! great, glorious, and triumphant conqueror, we bless and adore thee-thou hast given us the victory. 2. Oh when shall I be dissolved and live with thee for ever! oh when shall I be set free and restored to my Father's house! 3. O thrice happy and desired change! When, Lord Jesus, when wilt thou come, and give my soul her full fruition of thy love? 4. When shall I be delivered from this heavy load of flesh? when rescued from this prison of my body? when, Lord, escaped from all the poor and miserable enjoyments of this transitory world? 5. Oh when shall I intrust to the faithful earth this mortal seed, to be raised up a glorious and incorruptible body, like a beautiful plant in full verdure and glory, meet for the paradise of God? 6. In thy good time, wise Father, in thy own proper hour, sovereign Disposer of all events! 7. And yet, to shake off this flesh, to render unto earth this warm and moving frame-to sleep in death, to perish in loathsome corruption-strengthen us, Almighty Jesus hold us up in that gloomy hour! Who but the suffering Lamb of God could have made the bitter portion sweet? .8. Shout, O ye sons of God! sing together, O ye morning stars, for joy! the day of your redemption draweth nigh. 9. Yet a little while and he that shall come will come, and will not tarry: every eye shall see him; behold he cometh in the clouds of glory! 10. A trumpet heard through the whole earth, awakening and arousing the dead proclaimeth hs awful approach-who shall be able to abide his presence? 11. Clad in majesty and terror, seated on his living throne, with ten thousand and ten thousand times ten thousand of his saints, he cometh-he cometh to judge the earth-Lord, Lord, prepare us for thy coming! 12. Behold! the whole heavens melting with fervent heat! see the elements in confusion! behold the earth flaming! See the dead arising and ascending up into his presence!-hear the dreadful trumpet! hark the insufferable clangor! view the innumerable throng approaching to the awful tribunal! 13. Sinner, what is this to thee? think, oh think! for thou must appear-Sinner, repent, and be advised. 14. But behold the judge! he opened the book ➡he alone hath prevailed to open it. List! for a silence ensueth still as night, and every being trembles with expectation. 15. Oh! ye lovers of the Lord, can I describe your felicity?-Words are too faint. Heaven opens her doors, while the Judge, with a voice sweeter than ten thousand softest instruments of music declareth, "Come, ye blessed of my Father, receive the kingdom prepared for you from the beginning of the world!” 16 But who shall describe the horrors of the wicked!" Depart, ye cursed !"-Oh, my soul ! let us draw a veil over that dreadful scene-and humbly, in prayer, plead for the sons of infidelity, that even now, in this their day, they may see and know the things concerning their peace. 17. O Lord Jesus-Fountain of love and mercy, save them, oh save them from the horrors of that day! Open their eyes that they may see, open their ears that they may hear-Lord be gracious unto thy people-turn them, and so shall they be turned.-Source of all mercy, Fountain of all love give to all mankind the knowledge of thee, their only God and Saviour--oh let thy kingdom come, and reign thou absolute amongst us -so shall thy will be done here upon earth as it is done by thy servants in heaven; so shall we rejoice to meet thee in the clouds, and be with our dear and blessed Lord for ever.- --Hear us, O Father, we earnestly entreat thee, for this thy beloved son's sake; who with thee and the Fternal Spirit, ever liveth, three persons but one God, bless |