SOARING TO GOD
Toplady
Deathless principle, arise!
Soar, thou native of the skies!
Pearl of price, by Jesus bought,
To His glorious likeness wrought,
Go to shine before His throne,
Deck the mediatorial crown;
Go, His triumphs to adorn,
Born for God, to God return.
Lo, He beckons from on high!
Fearless to His presence fly; —
Thine, the merit of His blood.
Thine, the righteousness of God!
Angels, joyful to attend,
Hovering round thy pillow bend,
Wait to catch the signal given,
And escort thee quick to Heaven.
Is thy earthly house distressed,
Unwilling to retain its guest?
Tis not thou, but it, must die.
Fly, celestial tenant, fly!
Burst thy shackles, — drop thy clay
Sweetly breathe thyself away!
Singing, to thy crown remove,
Swift of wing, and fired with love!
Shudder not to pass the stream;
Venture all thy care on Him!
Him, whose dying love and power
Stilled its tossings, hushed its roar;
Safe in the expanded wave; —
Gentle as a summer’s eve; —
Not one object of His care
Ever suffered shipwreck there!
See the haven full in view;
Love divine shall bear thee through;’
Trust to that propitious gale,
Weigh thine anchor spread thy sail ,
Saints in glory, perfect made,
Wait thy passage through the shade,
Ardent for thy coming o’er —
See, they throng the blissful shore!
Mount, their transports to improve;—
Join the longing choir above;
Swiftly to their wish be given;
Kindle higher joys in Heaven!
Such the prospects that arise
To the dying Christian’s eyes;
Such the glorious vista Faith
Opens through the shades of Death!
