575. Sorrow at the death of a believer mitigated by the assurance of his sleeping in Jesus and rising again. C.M. Why make ye this ado, and weep? the damsel is not dead but sleepeth.-MARK. v. 39. WHY flow these torrents of distress? 2 O'er Jesu's members death shall boast His victory in vain ; Nor o'er their meaner part in dust 3 Jesus on wings of love shall come His voice shall reach the deepest tomb, 4 Touch'd by his hand, at once they rise, They rise, to sleep no more; But rob'd with light and crown'd with [joy, 5. Jesus! our faith receives thy word; And, tho' fond nature weep, Grace learns to hail the pious dead, And emulate their sleep. 6 Our willing souls thy summons wait, With them to rest and praise; So let thy much-lov'd presence cheer 576. Death a blessing to those who are united to Jesus. C.M. But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope. For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him-1 THESS. iv. 13, 14. WHY do we mourn departing friends, "Tis but the voice that Jesus sends 2 Are we not tending upward too, 3 Why should we tremble to convey There the dear flesh of Jesus lay, 4 The graves of all his saints he bless'd, And hallow'd every bed: Where should the dying members rest, 5 Thence he arose, ascending high, 6 Then let the last loud trumpet sound, 577. The indwelling of the Spirit of Christ an assurance of the resurrection of all his people. C.M. If the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you.-ROм. viii. 11. WHY should our mourning thoughts delight To grovel in the dust? Or why should streams of tears unite 2 Did not the Lord our Saviour die, 3 Doth not the sacred Spirit come, 4 Awake, my soul, and like the sun, Burst through each sable cloud; And thou, my voice, though broke with sighs, Tune forth thy songs aloud. 5 The Spirit rais'd my Saviour up 6 Awake, ye saints, that dwell in dust, 578. The sympathy of Christ with his people an encouragement to them to come to the throne of grace. C.M. For we have not an High Priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need. HEB. iv. 15, 16. WITH joy we meditate the grace 2 Touch'd with a sympathy within, 3. But spotless, innocent, and pure, 4 He in the days of feeble flesh 5 He'll never quench the smoking flax, But raise it to a flame; The bruised reed he never breaks, 6 Then let our humble faith address power; We shall obtain deliv'ring grace In the distressing hour. 579. The midnight cry. 148th. Then shall the kingdom of heaven be likened unto ten virgins which took their lamps and went forth to meet the bridegroom......The wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps......And at midnight there was a cry made, Behold the bridegroom cometh, go ye out to meet him ......And they that were ready went in with him to the marriage, and the door was shut.-Mat. xxv. 1, 4, 6, 10.YE virgin souls, arise! With all the dead awake; Unto salvation wise, Oil in your vessels take; Upstarting at the midnight cry, Behold your heav'nly Bridegroom nigh. 2 He comes, he comes, to call: The nations to his bar; And take to glory all Who meet for glory are. Make ready for your free reward; |