Heavenly Crowns FOR Thorny Wreaths, SONG II

That Eminent Apostle And holy Martyr Paul, That laboured more for Jesus Christ, And suffered more then All, When as his race was run And life almost laid down For Christ: Henceforth, saith he, there is Laid up for me a Crown,

Which Christ that Righteous Judge Shall give to me above: And unto all, as well as me, That his Appearing love. Christ Jesus at that day Will all Believers own: And all their faithful Services And Patient Sufferings crown.

Not onely such as have For Jesus shed their Blood; But all that have embrac'd the Truth And firm therein have stood: All that have meekly born Christ's Yoke because 'twas his Shall be rewarded, and shall share In Everlasting Bliss.

Although some Stars outshine The rest in Glory bright: Yet every Star i'th' Firmament Is full of glorious light. So every vessel then Shall full of Glory be, Though some are of a larger size, Some of a less degree.

Our Lord will call to minde The meanest services That any man with upright heart Hath done for one of his: So that a Cup of Water Tend'red unto a Saint For love of Christ, shall not reward Nor acceptation want.

Much less will Christ forget Their love and labour sure That take great pains, and for his sake Afflictions long endure. He that will smallest things So graciously regard, Will not far greater things neglect And leave without reward.

As in his suffering Saints Christ suffereth now; so he In all his glorified Saints Will glorified be. Their Sufferings now are his, Their Glory will be his: Christ should his Glory lose, if Saints Should future Glory miss.

Christ's precious Sufferings, And whole Obedience, Have purchased for us this Crown And glorious Recompence. He dy'd that we might live, Wore Thorns that we might reign. The End of his own Sufferings Christ, doubtless, will obtain.

As surely then as He Reproach and Shame endur'd, And by his Sufferings hath for us A glorious Crown procur'd; As sure as we him follow In patient suffering here; So certainly this glorious Crown We shall hereafter wear.