Elegies, Elegy V

Our Elder and our faithful friend, Who was by us so much belov'd, Death now, from all the ills of life, To endless glory hath remov'd.

2 To speak his praise is not our theme: All praise and glory ever be To him who taught his heart to know God's boundless grace and mercy free.

3 Led by th' unerring hand of him, Who giveth grace to whom he will; He rose from Babel, to bring forth Christ's captives, and his word fulfill.

4 Trembling at that enduring word, The ancient Christian order he Reviv'd; and now, Christ's little flocks In order, as at first we see.

5 Before these flocks he chearful went In faith and servent charity: In patient suff'ring, joyful hope. And self-denied humility.

6 No lordship o'er the flocks he claim'd; Their God he led them to revere; To all God's words regard to shew, And of none else to stand in fear.

7 The love of Christ inflam'd his breast With love and tender care alway. To all who seem'd to love that truth, In which his joy and comfort lay.

8 Ost did his bosom swell with grief, When he their wants and troubles knew; And, like a tender-hearted friend, His love in deed and truth did shew.

9 The ease and pleasures of this life And all its boasted honours vain, With chearfulness he did forsake, The truth of Jesus to maintain.

10 Bold as a lion he appear'd, When for that truth he did contend; For this no face of man he fear'd; But would oppose his dearest friend.

11 Much, much contempt and false reproach, He did for it with joy endure; As knowing whom he had believ'd, And that his word stands ever sure.

12 The blessed, heavenly, glorious hope Of endless life, thro' Jesus' cross, Was the great prize he had in view, For this he counted all things loss.

13 Ev'n in old age, when others fail, He still in rich fruits did increase, Until his course was fully run, And then—his latter end was peace.

14 The world was crucify'd to him, And he to it was crucify'd; By faith of Jesus Christ he liv'd, And in the faith of him he dy'd.

15 Let us, dear brethren, follow him, As he the Lord did follow still; And shew that we remember him, By studying his Master's will.

16 And tho' we mourn, let's mourn in hope, Our friend, tho' dead, shall rise again; Shall rise in glory, and with Christ, Forever and forever reign.