XVII. Support in the gracious Presence of GOD under the Loss of Ministers, and other useful Friends.

NOW let our mourning Hearts revive,
And all our Tears be dry.
Why should those Eyes be drown'd in Grief,
Which view a Saviour nigh?

What tho' the Arm of conqu'ring Death
Does GOD'S own House invade?
What tho' the Prophet, and the Priest
Be number'd with the Dead?

Tho' earthly Shepherds dwell in Dust,
The Aged, and the Young,
The watchful Eye in Darkness clos'd,
And mute th' instructive Tongue;

Th' eternal Shepherd still survives
New Comfort to impart;
His Eye still guides us, and his Voice
Still animates our Heart.

"Lo, I am with you, saith the Lord,
"My Church shall safe abide;
"For I will ne'er forsake my own,
"Whose Souls in me confide."

Thro' every Scene of Life, and Death,
This Promise is our Trust;
And this shall be our Children's Song,
When we are cold in Dust.