Oh! how do I groan in this body of clay—this clog of humanity! When I would
serve God with gladness, feeble nature hinders me; my strength is exhausted,
and I must be again refreshed with sleep. Grace had not only sin to fight
against—but it has bodily infirmity to struggle with. And I have no way of
getting comfort under my calamities of this kind, which are so many, but by
beholding with the eye of faith, through the telescope of Scripture—the
glories of the world above, when this mortal shall put on immortality, and
death shall be swallowed up in life. There my weary eyes shall never seek to
be refreshed with sleep, amidst the engaging glories of the higher house!
The mirth of this present evil world, like an
enchantress, lulls men asleep to everlasting destruction; but the songs of
the inner temple rouse to all eternity. With the strength of an angel shall
I step along the hills of glory, and walk over the paradise of God. With
greater ease shall I go on with the highest acts of adoration, than here
give over the ordinary acts of devotion; for it shall be life to my soul,
and vigor to all my powers, to be so employed! There he who pours the new
wine into the saints, capacitates, strengthens, and supports the soul, to
receive the eternal weight of glory. Meditation shall never tire my thoughts
in tracing all the mazes of redeeming love! Everlasting hallelujahs shall
dwell on my tongue; and how shall I improve in the song above, while I rest
not day or night to sing, "Worthy is the Lamb who was slain, to receive
glory, and honor, blessings and power, dominion and praise, forever and
ever!"
There the uninterrupted vision of him, to whom when I see
him I shall be assimilated—shall strengthen my eyes, that they shall be able
to receive the images of all the celestial glories. No weariness there,
where the exercise of worship renders happy. No weakness, where Jehovah is
my strength. No lack of subject, where the Lord God and the Lamb are my
song! Oh! shall I be able to praise and worship God through eternity? To
sing his being and attributes, his love and his mercy, his righteousness and
his truth, even a whole God, and a full glory! This will be my
consummate happiness, and continual enjoyment!
Well then, what though the hours of time steal from me
unknown? I rejoice that I shall not lose one moment through weariness, while
eternity rolls forever on. Oh! may I improve this to prepare for that; for
if eternity is not secured before time is spent, I am undone in both.
Roll on, O day of love, to perfect strength in my
weakness, and crown a poor expectant with eternal glory!