On the Fear of Death

'Tis strange, that all Mankind should be afraid
To Die! nor any arguments perswade
Wise Men, from the terror of a Name;
Death is God's Messenger, and we to blame,
To antedate his Arrant, with such fear,
As doubts to go with Him, we know not where
Tho' Death's power, only can our Souls convey
To Heaven; if we God's Holy Laws Obey.
But we still struggle with undaunted strife
To keep our dying Bodies, from true Life.
For want of Faith, lest Death should by mistake
Lead our sad Souls to the Infernal Lake;
When such gross misdoubting Grace, only can
Force Death to fright a misbelieving Man:
Which shews the Glory of our future State,
Is left to our own Option; not to Fate.