On the Death of Lady Hotham, June 30, 1756, Part 4

Then let us look with comfort up,
Not sorrowing as bereft of hope,
But bow'd by God's decree:
Father, Thy love, severely kind.
Calls off our hearts from earth to find
Their bliss complete in Thee.

From her and every creature torn,
Bless'd with the privilege to mourn,
In calm submission kept;
Soften'd, we feel the sacred woe
Which God Himself vouchsafed to know.
And weep as Jesus wept,

His tears relieve our mournful pain.
His word, " Your friend shall rise again,"
Puts every care to flight:
Thou wilt, O God, fulfil His word.
And bring her back, with Christ our Lord,
And all the saints in light.

Her soul we shall embrace once more,
(How changed from her we knew before,
The Godhead's earthly shrine!)
Distinguish'd by peculiar rays,
The image shining on her face,
The glorious name Divine.

Met in those permanent abodes,
Secure we live the life of gods,
Of bliss without alloy:
No pining want, or soft excess,
No tender tear to damp our peace,
Or death to kill our joy.

Sorrow, and sin, and death are dead,
And sighing is for ever fled.
When life's last gasp is o'er;
When that celestial port we gain,
Sickness, infirmity, and pain,
And parting is no more.

O that we all were landed there!
We only wait till Christ prepare
His dearly purchased bride.
Come, Lord, and change and take us hence,
And give us an inheritance
Among the sanctified.

We know Thou wilt not long delay

bear our ready souls away j
And when we meet above.
Our full inheritance be Thou;
But bless us with the earnest now.
The seal of perfect love.