I die alive

Oh life! what lets thee from a quick decease? Oh death! what draws thee from a present prey? My feast is done, my soul would be at ease, My grace is said, O death! come take away.

I live, but such a life as ever dies; I die, but such a death as never ends; My death to end my dying life denies, And life my loving death no whit amends.

Thus still I die, yet still I do remain; My living death by dying life is fed; Grace more than nature keeps my heart alive, Whose idle hopes and vain desires are dead.

Not where I breathe, but where I love, I live; Not where I love, but where I am, I die; The life I wish must future glory give, The death I feel in present dangers lie.