The Employment and Society of Heaven

What goodness this, which God extends To us, who once were not his friends! Compassion had on whom he would, Though we did evil as we could.

Infinite love! 'Tis all divine; God's wisdom form'd the vast design; His pow'r has kept and brought us in, Through all the assaults of hell and sin.

And now we shall forever gaze On God, and his perfections praise; We shall be like him more and more; Th' Incomprehensible adore.

No hateful sin, or weariness, Shall cause us any more distress. To do God's will with Seraph's joy, Shall ever be our sweet employ.

Ye dear companions here at rest, With love sincere in every breast, We now will cordially embrace, Without a blush in any face.

No more misunderstandings here; No misconstruction now we fear; No censures hard, those bitter roots, Which cast out love and blast its fruits.

No envy now, or selfishness, Will e'er again our souls possess; Benevolence shall sweetly flow: We felt too little when below.

No prejudice shall make us stand Aloof, as in that foreign land; Because when there we could not see, We in essentials did agree.

We surely did, since we are here, Where none but friends to Christ appear; And now our God hath brought us home, We ever will rejoice as one.

O here's no trace of discontent; Not one who murmurs in his tent: Nor are there any fiery darts, Ever to break or vex our hearts.

O precious blood, that once was spilt, To cleanse our souls from all their guilt; By which we are indeed made free, Our souls from sin at liberty.

O this gives joy its fullest tide, That out Redeemer's glorify'd; With satisfaction views the whole, The fruitful travail of his soul.

Ye who are now before our eyes, Who were on earth our enemies, We bless the Lord that you 're forgiv'n, And are arrived safe in heav'n.

For this we gave the Lord no rest, And he has answer'd our request; For which we magnify his grace, And join with you to sing his praise.

Ye worthy friends, who did relieve Our pinching wants, ye now receive The great reward Christ promis'd you; Ten thousand thanks to God most true.

Now grateful love our souls doth cheer, That we enjoy your presence here: You did it for King Jesus' sake, And of his joy you do partake.

Ye sweet acquaintance, christian friends, Partakers of our joys and pains, How oft by you did God afford Relief to us from his own word!

Your tender sympathy and love Did oft to us as cordials prove; By sweet reproofs, and fervent prayer, Ye kindly did our burthens bear.

In sore temptations, sharp and long, You faithful held the Lord, and strong: The great atonement all complete, The promises most sure and sweet.

Ten thousand welcomes to this state, Each other we congratulate, And now our work shall all be praise Through an eternity of days.

Though bonds of nature now do cease, Our happiness it does increase, To see our godly parents here, And relatives to Christ most dear.

Can we review God's providence, And yet retain no grateful sense Of all your love and tender care, Us for this heaven to prepare?

Do we not know you? Yes, we do, No ign'rance hides you from our view: The leaks in mem'ry are all stopp'd Since we our imperfections dropp'd.

What multitudes are there which rise To fill our souls with sweet surprise? It is the charming infant race, Brought here thro' rich and sovereign grace.

These little ones were born again, And did believe in Christ, 'tis plain: God's Spirit wrought the work; but how On earth we could not fully know.

Glory to God, that now we see Nothing's too hard for Deity: These were the lambs, whom Christ caress'd, Took in his holy arms and bless'd.

Thanks be to him his word was giv'n "Of such the kingdom is of heav'n," Now they behold his glory too: Sweet babes we do rejoice with you.

New wonders still! Lo, here are they, Unjustly brought from Africa! They've heard the gospel's joyful sound, Though lost indeed they now are found.

Those we see here who once have been Made slaves to man by horrid sin. Now through rich grace in Christ are free, Forever set at liberty.

Thanks be to God, though not to man, 'Twas he who laid this glorious plan From evil great, this good to bring All glory to our God and King.

Hail Ministers of Jesus' name, Who this salvation did proclaim; Our very souls do live anew That we in heaven do meet with you.

You have receiv'd the sweet, "Well done:" And your eternal joy's begun; Rich and complete is your reward, And we forever bless the Lord.

What saints are these with crowns we see, Of joy and immortality? Gladly we find they are the same Who out of tribulation came.

The holy prophets who did die Because they truth did prophesy. Apostles bless'd, and Martyrs, slain Because Christ's truth they did maintain.

We know that these the world did hate; But Christ has made them rich and great He promis'd them this great reward, And we adore the faithful Lord.

New scenes arise. Let us attend: Here's Abr'am's seed, God's ancient friend. We see God's covenant was sure, And did from age to age endure.

All these have had repentance giv'n, The true Messiah own'd from heav'n. His promises they did embrace, And now behold his glorious face.

That very blood by them was spilt, Which truly wash'd away their guilt; Glory to God! we see the Jew: We, Gentiles, do rejoice with you.

Transporting scene! All is delight! Throngs numberless are in our sight, Of every kindred, tongue and size, To overwhelm us with surprise.

When Christ a thousand years did reign, Ten thousands then were born again; Who now, through rich and sovereign grace, Are here to fill this holy place.

Language is pure and all refin'd; Quickly we know each other's mind. All here is concord; all at peace; And happiness does still increase.

These holy angels all have skill To know and do Jehovah's will: They joy'd at our Redeemer's birth, And minister'd to him on earth.

The Angels, who excel in strength; Who were our guardians all the length, Of the afflictive, tiresome road, And bare us safe to this abode.

Is this the heav'n of which we heard! Are these the mansions Christ prepar'd! How low have our conceptions been, In a blind world of night and sin.

O come, yet lower let us fall, Before our God, our all in all. Sing praises to the worthy Lamb: Ever adore the great I AM.